We have just gotten word and it has been confirmed that the Seattle Sounders have signed Álvaro Fernández as their 3rd DP.

We here at Soccer Jones think Seattle has done well with their latest addition.  Fernandez is a 6’1″ 24 year-old midfielder, and played in four matches this year at World Cup 2010 for semifinalist Uruguay.

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In response to the 5-2 beating on the MLS All-Stars after a 1-0 loss to Kansas City, Gomez wrote the following on his Twitter Page -

Thats what happens when you smack a lion in the ass… thanks KC

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AC Milan’s Brazilian playmaker, Ronaldinho, faces a month on the sidelines after pulling up in pre-season training.
Shortly before the end of the second pre-season training day he complained of pain in his  flexor muscle. In the next couple of days he will undergo more tests to find out the extent of his injury.

The Brazilian has faced several rumors concerning his future, one rumor being a reported move to MLS team, LA Galaxy. But it seems his future is in Milan. At the age of 30, we expect him to ply his trade at the higher level for a bit longer.

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So, as soon as we at Soccer Jones found out on Monday that Diego Maradona was no longer going to remain as the Argentina national team coach, we knew it was only a matter of days until there was a media fiasco.  Maradona is now making claims that he was “lied to” and “betrayed” by the AFA.

Maradona read out a statement to reporters, saying: “Grondona lied to me. Bilardo betrayed me. Having recovered from the sadness of the elimination, we were all ready to go on, knowing that we would have much more time to work.

“After the elimination, Grondona told me in dressing room that he was very happy with my work and wanted me to continue. There were witnesses and players there. When we were back in Argentina, things became darker. On Monday, I met Grondona and after five minutes he told me he wanted me to continue, but seven of my staff should not go on. If he told me that, it meant he did not want me to keep working.

“He knows that it would be impossible for me to continue if my assistants didn’t continue too. I defend all of them. Maybe some of the people who made this decision thought I would betray them. Maybe it was because they would betray their assistants if they were me. But I will not do that.”

Watching Maradona on the sidelines during the 2010 World Cup tournament, you were able to see how passionate he is for both his country and the sport.  Whether it was constant hugging, cheering, or the constant gripping of his Rosary, you could see how bad he wanted his squad to return to the glory of his days as a player.

“You know all I did for the Argentina shirt. I gave everything for it. I’m sure Argentinian football deserves to be in a better position. I know the players felt the pride of wearing the shirt again, after a long time. Maybe that was my duty here. I am content for having transmitted the pride of being Argentinian.”

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Last night at Houston’s Reliant Stadium, EPL powerhouse Manchester United put the beat down on the MLS All-Stars in a 5-2 victory during their final U.S. stop of their North American tour.

Manchester United’s Federico Macheda netted two early goals that completely set the tempo for the rest of the match.  His first goal came within the first 30 seconds of play after an absolutely brutal back-pass from Kevin Alston, and his second was netted just 11 minutes later off a corner kick after MLS’ Sebastian Le Toux fell and decided not to play defense.

“He [Macheda] is outstanding in those positions,” Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said of Macheda. “You always feel very confident. When he went through, I expected him to score. It was a well-taken goal.”

Darron Gibson and Tom Cleverly added another two goals for the Red Devils in the 69th and 72 minutes.  Mexico’s Javier Hernandez who was subbed into play in the 63rd minute, also netted a goal in his opening debut for Man U in the 83rd minute.

MLS All-Star goals came from Houston’s Brian Ching off a sensational header in the 64th minute, and Toronto’s Dwayne De Rosario who slipped a shot past Edwin Van der Sar in the final ticks of the match.

What does this say for Major League Soccer?  One way you can look at it, is that Man U played without several of it’s top players (Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, etc.) and still soundly beat the MLS All-Stars.  If the EPL were to compile an all-star squad, what would the score of that have match been?!

Now, on the other hand, the MLS All-Stars were without their beloved Landon Donovan for the first 70 minutes of play.  His LA Galaxy teammate and league-leading goal scorer Edson Buddle, didn’t step on the field after playing a full 90 minutes in a CONCACAF match the night before.  Also, had Kevin Alston not played back a horrendous pass less than a minute into the match, the tempo and flow of the match may very well have been somewhat different.

Despite the final outcome of the game, more than 70,000 people packed into Reliant Stadium on a Wednesday night, and had viewers all over the world tuning in.

“It’s been really nice since I have been back to realize how many people cared about what was going on in South Africa,” Donovan said. “For us, it’s exciting and it’s fun and it’s emotional for us to be there. But when you come home and realize that they were there with you, it was special.”

Not only was it great for MLS to pack the stadium against one of the EPL’s best, Manchester United was also pleasantly surprised by the growing love of the sport here in the U.S.

“We were really delighted,” Ferguson said. “When you go and play in the stadium, the size of the crowd and the atmosphere, you’re motivated by that. I think that was a good omen for our players. To come out, see the stadium, good pitch, big crowd, it was perfect for them.”

The MLS All-Stars have won five of their last six matchups against international competition, including a win over the EPL’s Chelsea in 2006.

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Javier Hernandez (1 June 1988) plays striker for Manchester United.  During last night’s 2010 MLS All-Star game, 22 year-old Hernandez netted his first goal as a Red Devil during his opening debut.  Is this a sign of things to come?  Manchester United went on to beat the MLS All-Stars 5-2 in Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has put out a warning on Mario Balotelli for all clubs looking to sign the young striker.

The Serie A bad boy has been linked with a move out of Milan.  The most serious bidder at this point seems to me Manchester City who have offered a reported £20 million move.

His former boss and highly respected manager has put out a warning to clubs looking in 19 year-old Balotelli’s direction.

“The guy has incredible qualities, but sometimes does not know how to use his brain,” Mourinho said.

“Let me give an example of when we played at home in the semi-final of the Champions League against Barcelona and he would not take the field.

“I threw him into the fray and Mario was static, not even giving a hand in defense.”

However, Man City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has relayed a more positive message about the chance of Balotelli making his way to the squad.

“I have had the chance to play alongside a lot of great strikers so whoever comes in they are welcome,” Adebayor told Sky Sports News. “We will do everything to help the person adapt to English football.

“Balotelli is originally from Ghana and he plays for Italy. I am an African man as well so for me it is going to be a pleasure meeting him.

“If he is supposed to sign for the club, fine. At the end of the day what is important is that we have to bring in players that can make us win things.”

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Rafael Marquez is now set to join Thierry Henry as the newest member of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls.  Rumor has it that this change will be made official at the end of this week, with Marquez joining them shortly after.

The 31 year-old defender will have an immediate impact in the league and put a heavier anchor in an already solid back line for the Red Bulls.  This was an excellent move by both Rafa Marquez and the New York Red Bulls.  Marquez will end his career in a city and league that will embrace him.  The Red Bulls will only sell more and more tickets with their two newest additions, and the 2010 MLS Cup champions title is looking more and more attainable every day in the ‘Big Apple.’

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Didier Drogba (11 March 1978) plays striker for the Premier League’s Chelsea.  After a little bit of worrying for Blues fans, it has now been stated that Drogba will definitely be back at Chelsea despite all of the interest from other clubs.  Last season, Drogba finished first in goals with a whopping 29, beating Man U’s Wayne Rooney by 3.

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Tonight, make sure you tune into ESPN2 at 8:30pm EST to catch the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star game being played at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.  To catch the special edition of MLS’ ‘Extra Time,’ click here.    This year’s match will showcase Major League Soccer’s best against English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United.

Our prediction for tonight’s game is a big 3-1 victory for the 2010 MLS All-Stars.  Sorry, Man U fans.  You think we’re wrong?  Watch and see…

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