HexagonalBlog

Berhalter jumps into coaching -- in Sweden

Recently retired LA Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter has moved directly into coaching.  But to the surprise of many, it won't be in America. 

He was confirmed as the new manager of Hammarby IF in the Swedish second division today -- article from the AP is here, press release from Hammarby's website is here (in Swedish).  There's also a video of a press conference that introduced Berhalter to the media; I haven't watched it yet but I imagine that Berhalter's answers are in English unless he has some language skills I haven't heard about.

Hammarby won a Swedish league title in 2001 but slipped down the table over the rest of the decade, culminating in an institutional crisis and a relegation in 2009.  They've been midtable in the Superettan (the Swedish 2nd division) over the last two seasons.  American soccer fans might remember the club as it was here that Charlie Davies' career took off.

There have been a few US managers who have been linked to European clubs in the past, but they have been people like Bruce Arena or Bob Bradley, and certainly not someone like Berhalter with a year's experience as a manager's assistant.  But AEG, who own the LA Galaxy, also have a 49% stake in Hammarby, and former Galaxy player Chris Klein sits on the Hammarby board.  So Berhalter was able to make use of the connections between his former club and his new one to obtain his job.  Nothing wrong with that, but it's up to him to make the most of an opportunity that probably would not be given to him otherwise.

Chicharito wins the league for Manchester United

Manchester United clinched their 12th Premier League title -- and a record 19th English top flight title -- after their 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers today, and it was fitting that their biggest signing of the past 12 months had a direct influence on the final score.  Javier Hernández was set free into the right side of the penalty area and drew a foul by Blackburn 'keeper Paul Robinson on him.  The penalty will be discussed again and again for a long time, but after watching the replay a couple of times I think the right decision was made.  Wayne Rooney scored the ensuing penalty, and after 15 minutes of keep-away both teams had their point.

A deserved title for Man U, and a deserved achievement for Hernández, who had a hand in more than a few of United's big wins of the season.  He could make it an even more memorable season if he helps the Red Devils win the UEFA Champions League in two weeks' time.

Izaguirre wins POY double in Scotland

Celtic and Honduras left back Emilio Izaguirre has had an excellent debut season in Europe, and today he received the Scottish Premier League Player of the Year award to go along with his Player of the Year designation from the Scottish Professional Footballers Association. Izaguirre has won effusive praise from his coaching staff at Celtic and he will almost certainly end up on the transfer target lists of some very big clubs in Europe.  Neil Lennon has been quoted as saying that they will pursue a contract extension and a hefty pay raise for the Honduran left-back, but if Celtic fail to win the SPL this season and qualify for the Champions League next season, which is now very possible after Super Caley went ballistic tonight,  it will be very difficult to hold on to him.

I have to note that the two biggest finds of this British season -- Izaguirre in Scotland, Javier Hernández in England -- have come from CONCACAF nations.  Are there others throughout the region?

Nery Castillo could stay in Greece

Mexican national team striker (and former Chicago Fire player) Nery Castillo has been on loan to Aris FC in Greece since the beginning of the year.  He is still Shakhtar Donetsk's player, although it is clear that he will never play for Mircea Lucescu again after his antics in a league match several seasons ago.

So far Castillo's performance with Aris has been moderate.  Over 522 minutes played in the Greek Super League, he has scored twice, picked up two yellow cards and a red, and been selected the man-of-the-match twice.  Castillo wants to stay at the club, no doubt because it's in a familiar country to him (he played for Olympiacos for seven seasons), and the club wants to sign him to a permanent contract but has no money to do so. 

Shakhtar are holding out for a large transfer fee, but at some point they might want to cut their investment and let Castillo go.  It would be better for club and player if they did.

Wilson Palacios contributes to Spurs win

Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios started and played all 90 minutes in Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win away to AC Milan in the opening leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout tie.  I watched the first half and I was very impressed by Palacios' play in the center of the field as he directed proceedings and neutralized his Milan counterpart Clarence Seedorf.  I was not able to watch the second half, but from what I read he did not maintain the level of play from the opening period, and was very lucky to remain on the field after a bad tackle against Gennaro Gattuso.

At any rate, Peter Crouch's goal ten minutes from time has placed Spurs in an excellent position to advance when the two teams meet in London on 9 March.

Adu to Turkey

Steve Goff at the Washington Post is reporting that US midfielder Freddy Adu will go on loan from Benfica to Turkish second-division side Rizespor.  (Actually, Adu's agent is reporting the news, and Rizespor and Benfica have not yet confirmed it at the time of this writing.)  If the news is true, then Adu will transfer to his fourth club since his move to Benfica in 2007.  He also trained with two others without further overtures from them.

It's easy to forget that Freddy Adu is still very young (21) and has time to grow into his own as a professional player.  It's up to him to decide if he is willing to put in the work that will allow him to reach the potential seen in him by so many others.

Welcome addition to Monaco

Georgie Welcome will play the next six months for AS Monaco as part of a loan agreement between the French Ligue 1 club and Honduras' Motagua.  Monaco has an option to buy Welcome outright for a three-year deal.  Welcome has trialled for European clubs during the summer after the World Cup, but no European clubs were willing to take the jump until the winter transfer period.

Welcome scored 17 goals during the 2009-10 season, which I believe was second to Jerry Bengston (who wasn't selected for the World Cup).  Monaco could definitely use his goals as they are second from bottom in Ligue 1, two points from safety in 19th place.  Monaco also contracted Mamadou Diarra from Real Madrid, so Welcome will have to compete for his place in the first team.

Bryan Ruíz suffers serious injury in Holland

Costa Rican international Bryan Ruíz suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury in his Dutch league match for FC Twente today.  He started and scored two goals against NEC, but was carried off on a stretcher in the 80th minute.  He underwent a scan tonight and will undergo surgery tomorrow.  The word is that it is an outer meniscus tear on his left knee, which will put him out of action until January or February.

Ruíz has seven goals in the Dutch Eredivisie this season and was starting to appear on the transfer lists of some of the bigger clubs in Europe.  He should be able to appear for Twente when they start play in the Europa League next year.

Pea cooking well in Manchester

Mexican striker Javier Hernández had another strong game for Manchester United, as he scored both of their goals in the 2-1 win over Stoke City today.  The first goal was a powerful header; the second was a classic poacher's goal from an excellent Patrice Evra cross.  Hernández now has three goals in the last two matches, as well as a goal in the UEFA Champions League. 

Hernández is adjusting well to English football, but with Wayne Rooney now re-signed to a new contract, it remains to be seen what his long-term role on the team will be.

Can Bradley be successful in Europe?

After my post expressing my deep skepticism about Bob Bradley receiving interest from Aston Villa, I received a comment from a reader who asked if I thought he had the skills to be successful in Europe.  I would like to answer that question here, and also answer the broader question of whether an American soccer coach can achieve success in Europe.