Red Bulls To Annonce New Signing

Apparently, Red Bull New York isn't quite done making moves yet. In an e-mail interview last week, RBNY owner Dietrich Mateschitz said that it would be better to wait until the team gets into Red Bull Park next year before adding a foreign player of major stature. Now, coach Bruce Arena has revealed that a major signing will be announced either this week or next. He went on to say that it will likely fill the club's second Designated Player slot.
There are several names floating around that could be the signing in question:

It might be Agustin Delgado, a 32-year-old Ecuadorian forward, currently suspended from his club, LDU Quito, for his role in a brawl with players from Barcelona de Guayaquil. He has 31 goals in 70 appearances for the Ecuador National Team.

Another name out there is Robbie Fowler, 31-year-old striker from Liverpool. However, Fowler has been connected to the New England Revolution in recent days and it's less likely that he would be the signing to which Arena was eluding.

Of course, some people will be bringing up Zinedine Zidane's name again. Rumors have been swirling that ZZ wants to come out of retirement and would entertain offers of $15 million/year or more to play in America. This is still a long-shot, but Red Bull is in a position to throw their wealth around at this point. There has been increased pressure on the club to produce a big-named signing to compete with the Galaxy.

Best bet: Agustin Delgado, if his team will let him go in the middle of his suspension.

2007 Schedule Released

As reported several days ago, MLS has put the final touches on the 2007 schedule and has finally released it to the public. For Galaxy fans, they received confirmation that most of their team's fixtures after David Beckham arrives will indeed be played outside Los Angeles. They will also be subject to a brutal eight, yes EIGHT, games in September alone. They will also play five of six August games away from the Home Depot Center. The first derby vs. Chivas will be on April 28th, a home game for the Galaxy. After the All-Star Break, the team will travel north of the border to face expansion team Toronto FC for the first time on August 5th, which might just be the first game that a certain Englishman is in the squad.

ABC will once again televise the season opener, D.C. United @ Colorado on April 7th. Each of the leagues 195 games will be broadcast at least regionally - a league first, and 113 will be televised nationally - most in league history. The 2007 MLS Cup, to be held at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., will air on Sunday, November 18th.

2007 Schedule Release Imminent

After weeks of speculation and several tentative dates having come and gone, the MLS appears to be putting the final touches on the 2007 schedule. According to several posters on bigsoccer.com, ticket reps have been spreading the word that a new schedule should be available around February 7th.

It is presumed that MLS bigwigs have re-worked the schedule several times to make sure as many cities as possible get the chance to catch Beckham fever. This likely means that L.A. will be playing many home games in the front half of their schedule, and will spend most of the summer/fall traveling from city to city. It will also mean many Thursday games for the Galaxy as ESPN will want to take full advantage of the circus, as well.

So, L.A. season-ticket-holders, be prepared for a long spring as you will likely be without Landon Donovan, Chris Albright, Nathan Sturgis, Quavas Kirk, Joe Cannon and Nate Jaqua for parts of the season, all being called up for national team/U20 national team duties. Is it August yet?