Unnamed Trialist

20 hours ago, badname22 said:

Doubt Osorio move to Spain or Milan moves away from Serbia. But all of these seem kind of realistic, well done!

I don't think Osorio would have any chance at Spain either, but Mexico could be a possibility. The Spanish language commentators  we've heard seem to like and respect him, I would not be surprised.

Cavallini to Spain could make sense, depending on what his agent is up to.

Just now, BradMack said:

I didn't think he could hold a Japanese passport while being a Canadian citizen but further research has taught me he was born 1 year before the cut off for born dual nationals. My girlfriend was told she would lose her Japanese citizenship if she did not renounce her Canadian citizenship before she turned 23, it remains to be seen how much they actually enforce this law though. Luckily for Issey he was born before 1985 and gets to keep both passports. The Japanese passport is considered the #1 to hold in the world if you like to travel and we all know Issey likes to journey. 

I think there are many restrictions on foreign players in Malaysia, but if you have an Asian passport, literally from the Asian Confederation, you have an extra advantage. I recall this from when he first signed. Turns out that Pahang has a striker injured, apparently long term, so that spot could be taken by Issey, otherwise no transfer could be made outside of the window and another foreign spot couldn't be added.

Issey Nakajima-Farran is training with Malaysia Super League side Pahang, according to Asian sports press. Interesting how he scored 32 goals in 3 seasons with the previous team, their leading scorer over the period. Roster slots for foreigners in Malaysia are hard to come by, though he has a slight edge having a Japanese passport I believe.

http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/842321/former-terengganu-forward-issey-nakajima-drops-hint-joining-pahang/

Just now, Grizzly said:

The majority of German 4th division players are either studying or have another job on the side. Top teams like Energie Cottbus are fully professional but most of the others have a few professionals mixed with semi-pros and some teams are completely semi-pro. Most of the 4th division teams train in the evening due to that which gives another advantage to teams like Cottbus who not only have better players but their players are training under better and more professional conditions. The younger players with hopes of moving up the pyramid might be focusing only on soccer but I suspect most of the players in their mid 20s and older are doing other things both in relation to having a future career and just being able to live in the present on a 4th division wage.

This is the same for fourth tier Spain, basically identical. Some clubs, because of tradition, fan base, sponsors or other factors (some rich guy who feels like it), may pay up to a living wage, but they are a minority. The Spanish federation decrees the third tier above it fully professional, so that any player on a 2B team has a minimum salary that is fully liveable as full time, however modest in some cases. 

42 minutes ago, jpg75 said:

Think of the alternative for a young player from S. Ont. Live at home with the 'rents, work and/or go to school and play in L1O or CSL for free or small cash payments. This way they get to go live on their own with accomodation paid for, might get a cushy job through the club sponsors or owners, experience a different culture and all while playing at a level at least similar to L1O.

Yes but it is incredible dedication, the sacrifice is huge. I doubt any make enough to live properly, though they may have an apartment from the club or some small perk. In any case, you have to be very convinced to give it a shot, since even if you end up in 2nd tier in a few years, which would be a big step up, you are still at a very modest level.

2 hours ago, Toje said:

Yuri Ruh Dos Santos is now with Villacarrillo CF in the Spanish 4th tier (I think).

https://alberoymikasa.com/2018/01/27/yuri-nuevo-futbolista-para-el-villacarrillo-cf/

Thanks Toje, I was surprised he did not appear in line-ups lately for Corellano, last few weeks. And I am wondering if similar stuff has happened to other Canucks in Spain, like Andrew Lebre or Bakr Abdellaoui.

It seems Yuri lived in the south of Spain as a teen, near Marbella, so he is returning to Andalusia. The team is 2nd last in their division (Tercera, fourth tier, Group 9) which takes in eastern Andalusia. They are 9 points out of avoiding relegation with 16 games left. They seem to have changed half the team this winter break, let 10 players go and picked up 10 new. 

Yuri played last weekend, came on m. 76 in a win.

I don't know if Yuri Ruh is still a player belonging to Peña Sport, in 2B. He was on loan before, logically he'd still be on loan now. 

4 hours ago, jpg75 said:

That's correct. We play long-ball too much for his liking, what a dumb ass...

What are his other options.  American? 

Toje mentioned this to me, then forgot to post it here. Or was going to get to it. Or maybe left it to me:

Chaim Roserie has signed for Alcoyano in Spanish 2B, third tier:

http://www.diarioinformacion.com/deportes/2018/01/27/alcoyano-ficha-interior-zurdo-chaim/1982228.html

Roserie is a short 19 year old playing attacking mid, who was playing for Jacksonville Armada last season, while studying.

Actually the Alcoyano division includes teams from where I am, though they don't visit near Barcelona until April. A very strong team who have been close to getting promoted to Spanish 2A, well run club and good fan base. And a simple, decent stadium. Nice place for the kid to go.

2 hours ago, jpg75 said:

That looks real sharp. By my count approx. 5000 seats? (if both sides are the same) Any idea how much it cost to build?

It cost 6 million euros, seats 6000, took about 30 months to build. 

More images of the interior:

https://templosdelfutbol.com/2017/09/23/nuevo-malecon-torrelavega/

38 minutes ago, Toje said:

Adel Rahman was a trial in Spain recently, but it was not successsful.

http://www.eldiariomontanes.es/deportes/futbol/regional/canadiense-adel-rahman-20180118221445-ntvo.html

I think his trial was with Gimnástica. He was previously with KFC Komarno in the Slovak 2nd tier.

Thanks, oo bad really. That would be the same division in 4th tier where Cantave has landed, the team is Gimnástica de Torrelavega, traditionally a good side in promotion fights and well supported.

As I posted on a CPL stadiums thread, where they play is an absolutely beautiful piece of architecture and a demonstration that you can build small stadiums with great quality and character: http://www.arquitecturaviva.com/es/Info/News/Details/8110

Miki Gabriel Cantave has transferred from Lorca B to Rayo Cantabria, still in Spain's 4th tier. Tercera División. He was in the Murcia region group, now he is in the Cantabria group, Group 3, a region whose capital is Santander, in the north.

http://rayocantabria.es/2014-11-05-03-46-01/our-services/2014-11-05-04-25-54/item/1383-miki-cantave-nuevo-jugador-del-rayo-cantabria

IMO this division is not as competitive as where he was before. As he's played 90 min each of the last 2 weeks it could be good for his playing time. Miki is now 22.

2 hours ago, BringBackTheBlizzard said:

The way I see it is that soccer's core demographic in Canada has tended to be the recent immigrant more than the mainstream North American sports fan that follow the bowl games over the holiday season and March madness. TFC attract 25,000 from a wider catchment of 8,000,000 or so that has huge recent immigrant populations from soccer loving countries that still go crazy about the sport every four years when the World Cup is on. 25,000 is a big step forward but I strongly suspect 100,000+ would be doable if English Premiership level soccer were being played and players like Messi saw Toronto rather than Barcelona as the place to be. The eurosnob thing that anything that happens in soccer in North America is second rate and to be treated as a joke and ignored hasn't completely gone away.

How could 100k+ be doable if the world max avg is around 80k!! ...that's just being silly. ..arguing TO has stronger following than Dortmund or Madrid...or any team in England?

Anyways Canada is not a strong football nation just look at our TV audiences for it. 

22 hours ago, BringBackTheBlizzard said:

Enough did to fill BMO Field, because they were a major upgrade from the Lynx, but many still don't. TFC are still only scratching at the surface of what soccer could be in the GTA, if one of the best teams globally played in the city as is the case with the Blue Jays and Maple Leafs.

If it's any comfort attendance for Barça is down this year, in fact most of the Liga is. In a year that is competitive and high quality.    Your argument for me doesn't work, in North America millions follow inferior quality for reasons of sentiment: NCAA. You have to tap into the experience and ambience and the need to counter the general boredom of contemporary life.

5 hours ago, shamrock said:

Yeah except Canadians can watch MLS, or USL and won't take the CanPL seriously when the difference is too big. 

Which is why Torontonians did not take TFC seriously after seeing what a big step there is between MLS and the top European leagues?

CNN Turkey reported Larin to Besiktas as a done deal this morning:

¡https://www.cnnturk.com/spor/futbol/cyle-larin-istanbula-geliyor-son-dakika-besiktas-transfer-haberleri-8-ocak-2018

Alemán, from what I have been reading, has been paid off, a form of severance, and released from the club. Along with a few other players. So he is looking for a new team.

http://www.columbiadeportiva.com/index.php/2016-02-26-19-03-38/futbol-nacional/13456-keven-aleman-quedo-fuera-del-saprissa

7 hours ago, masster said:

Atalanta's purchase option on Cristante is 4 million Euros, not 10 millions pounds. They have already said they will be exercising that option. All of this discussion on him is another reason why his thread should not have been locked, just moved. I have been posting about him here:

 

I was reading that the option ends up being 5 million, I guess there are extras there, but it is still a potentially big payday for Atalanta if they choose to sell and can get more than 20.

So do you think that if he plays in EPL or La Liga he will fall off the Italy radar a bit, since his call-up for them was just to fill in last minute for injuries anyways? That he'd have to excel even more to be part of their NT mix?

I saw a feature on Cristante in a Spanish sports daily, calling him one of the "sensations" of Serie A and suggesting there was a 30 million € offer on the table for him from an English side, think it was Man United. Also interest from At Madrid, other Italian teams.

I think the deal is that if Atalanta pay 4 million this Xmas break they own him, and then can make the transfer in the summer. 

7 hours ago, TFC2017 said:

I agree that in La Liga they are way more technical but to be fair it seems like you're basing your view off of a Atalanta vs Benevento game, even though Atalanta is very good tactically as shown in their games in Europe this season in a difficult group involving Lyon and Everton (I know Everton isn't that good of a team but individually the players are not garbage). Benevento meanwhile is a nightmare defensively so i understand why you'd think the Italian league is not as tactical. Just last night Juventus put on a tactical master class. I like Napoli but what Juventus did was just outstanding from a defensive perspective. When they had to go and get the goal they got it, and it wasn't their sole chance, Higuain also missed an easy chance for a player of his ability. Once they got the goal they limited Napoli to half-chances throughout the game. Chances where Napoli could have scored but were bad angled shots or from outside of the box. Napoli couldn't go through the middle at all. 

I wanted to watch Napoli-Juve but couldn't in the end.

What strikes me is a couple of things: ball to foot, sloppy controls, loose passing; positioning, correcting late so passes are "dirtier" and just thrown in a general area; support in attack, not just being in your pre-established position but interpreting as you go. In Italy when it is a defensive standoff, which is frequent, it is true that there is merit for the team able to break the other down. But that whole premise is based on extreme defensive rigour, which takes precedent over what I just mentioned. And basically saves teams from having to excel in those skills that great top flight clubs and players should have.

3 hours ago, Obinna said:

I will risk opening some old wounds to inform you guys that Bryan Crisante has been linked to Man U. This is a rumor, but goal and the sun are reporting that he is being considered as Fellaini's replacememt. The plan would be for Atalanta to exercise their 10 million pound buy-option from Benfica, then turn around and sell to Manchester United for 31 million pounds.

Not a CMNT player but he was recently eligible and it's fun to dream "what if". We were close....

I watched the first half vs. Benavento the other day, so I missed his goal and game winner. He was constantly picked up by cameras, clearly one to watch even for tv producers doing games. Is a roaming attacking mid and this year very effective breaking through lines, actually fun to watch. He also has a lot of confidence and is on a roll.

Overall, however, I found Atalanta to be a mediocre team, maybe it was a bad day, but sorry for being a homer: la Liga is better quality technically and tactically than Serie A, they are simply not taking care of certain basic things in Italy lately.

Spencer Hubble

Folks have been asking about him, and I did not see him at all on any team in Spain, but just found him. 

He plays for Leganés C, the third adult team of the La Liga side, which are in Segunda de Aficionados in the Madrid Community, which is 7th tier. Here I could go on a rant, if we are talking about this kid we could be talking about mine, who decided that playing at this level (where he would have been next season at his club) meant he'd never be pro, and barely semi pro, and he'd be better off going to university. So be it, hard for me to get excited about this sort of level. Rant over.

They are in Group 6 of Segunda de Aficionados, Madrid Community, 7th tier. Nobody usually gets paid at this level, it is pure amateur. Only being Leganés, maybe they do have some sort of stipend for them. 

http://www.ffmadrid.es/pnfg/NPcd/NFG_VisClasificacion?cod_primaria=1000120&codjornada=5&codcompeticion=6931981&codgrupo=7002061&codjornada=5

He has played one game with them: last weekend he started and was subbed at the half losing 0-2, they won 4-3.

2 hours ago, masster said:

@Unnamed Trialistcan you find this kid anywhere in Spain?

Alex Dedame – Valencia, Spain

Alex played as a winger or attacking centre midfielder in our HPP team in Seattle this past year.  His performances caught the eye and was subsequently offered a try out at Thompson River University.  Alex was with the Upper Island centre for four years and is now training and competing in a soccer academy in Valencia, Spain. Here he hopes to gain a professional contract whilst continuing his studies.

https://www.whitecapsfc.com/youth/post/2017/10/10/across-academy-graduated-players-moving-big-opportunities

That is GPS academy which has bought into a local club, Atletico Museros, which is a small municipality just north of Valencia, smack in the midst of orange groves galore. 

Their first team is in what must be 6th tier, and their U-19 is also in a lower tier. But they seem to be using this to play some of their international academy players. I am not sure if he is eligible to play federated soccer or not, or whether they are doing friendlies only. 

The Valencia soccer federation has the worst regional web for lower-level football, every other region has full game reports, they don't include starters or line-ups, just stats like goals, cards. So hard to find him as yet.

http://www.gps-spain.net/gpsatleticomuseros

3 hours ago, Fussball_eh said:

So how are people liking the format of the google document and the frequency of updates over the last two years?

For me, 100% approval rate. But hey, I don't ask for much from anyone, ask someone more demanding.

23 hours ago, Toje said:

Thanks for the update UT.  Any idea about Spencer Hubble? Apparently he is with Leganés B, but the info could be out of date.

I dunno. I think that GISS got him a deal whereby he could train. I don't see him on any roster, but maybe I am mistaken. Maybe ask GISS themsleves where he might be.

EDIT: Just reiterating: on the Madrid Federation website every Leganés team appears, with rosters, official so refs and check them on game day. I did not see his name. 

Bakr Sadiz Abdellaoui has left Leganés B and has signed for Alcorcón B, playing in the same Tercera division in Madrid. 

http://www.futmadrid.com/noticia/el-joven-extremo-bakr-abdellaoui-nuevo-jugador-del-alcorcon-b-para-la-temporada-2017-slash-18.html

He was on the bench on September 17 but did not play, subbed on m. 71 in a 1-1 draw against Mostoles, and this weekend played from m. 75 on in a loss to Alcobendas. They have six points after 6 games. Alcorcón has climbed from 7th tier in the 70s to play the last 8 years in 2nd division. There are folks on this board who have been to that stadium. Bakr was born in Finland but came to Canada aged 7.