Yanks Soccer

According to a report by German newspaper Hamburger Abendlatt, a top Hamburg executive, Dietmar Beiersdorfer, is on his way to the the Olympics to scout Michael Bradley.  This is just another confirmation of what YS reported a few days ago, and it comfirms that there is still wide spread interest in Bradley, even though there have been fewer transfer rumors floating about recently.  We know of interest from Hamburg, Everton, Middlesborough, Bayer Leverkusen, and Monaco.  I guess we’ll see what happens when the Olympics are over.

If you haven’t been eyeing FC Dallas closely, you wouldn’t have noticed that they slowly have rebuilt their midfield while eveybody was focused on who was leaving.  I couldn’t believe it when they sent Juan Toja and Arturo Alvarez packing, but they’ve found capable replacements in Bruno Guarda and Victor Sikora.

Guarda played for SMU, Schellas Hyndman’s former team and Hyndman knew his quality.  He sent two draft picks, and some money to Colorado for him and in Guarda’s first appearance for Dallas, he looked very composed and comfortable.  He should be able to take one of the spots vacated by Alvarez and Toja.

Victor Sikora, the former Dutch international is awaiting one permit before he can officially join Dallas.  He should get it today or tomorrow and when he does, he might make an immediate impact for Dallas.  When Kenny Cooper doesn’t score, Dallas doesn’t score, now with the signing of Sikora, Dallas has a very good option to complement Cooper and hopefully score some goals as well.

I’m very optimistic about the signings of Guarda and Sikora.  Guarda has a lot of potential and Hyndman knows how to groom players (he was one of the best college coaches).  Sikora is a proven scorer in the Eredivisie, having played three seasons with Ajak, and most recently with NAC Breda.

What do you think of Michael Bradley being scouted by Hamburg at the Olympics?  What about Dallas’ under the radar signings?  Can Sikora take some pressure off Cooper?  Your thoughts below.