Michael Bradley And Jermain Defoe To Toronto FC Could Be The Start Of A New MLS Trend

The news of Michael Bradley and Jermain Defoe reportedly being close to finalizing their moves to Toronto FC from Roma and Tottenham (respectively) has been the top transfer buzz regarding MLS. With both set for "big" money moves from Europe to MLS we could soon see other clubs breaking the bank to bring in some quality talent from Europe.

The Jermain Defoe to Toronto rumors have been going ever since the end of the summer transfer window and really amped up again around October 2013, but with a series cryptic videos released by Toronto FC on their YouTube channel called "It's A Bloody Big Deal" it seems sure that the Englishman will be unveiled as a Toronto FC player on January 13, 2014.

If the news of Jermain Defoe coming to MLS was widely known, the recent breaking news of Michael Bradley being close to a MLS move was the exact opposite. Bradley who has fell out of favor at Roma should complete his move to Toronto any day soon now according to reports. This is a semi big deal for the United States soccer scene. On one hand, one of our best and brightest players is leaving a top european club for MLS, on the other it shows that it's possible our top US players can't handle the biggest stages in Europe. Just recently we have seen Clint Dempsey join Seattle Sounders after an okay season with Tottenham.

What does the potential move of Michael Bradley mean for MLS? Some may argue that it shows that MLS is a destination for players that are in their prime, and maybe the players it attracts aren't "World Class" players, but they are still good players nonetheless. Others may argue that it shows a weakness. If you aren't cutting it at your current club you can run back to MLS and be embraced with open arms because it seems that you are returning home to grow your sport. I honestly believe it is a mistake for Bradley to move to Toronto, and that he should have tried to force a move to another club playing in a top european league.

Regardless, Toronto FC may just be laying the foundation for the future when it relates to MLS clubs. Spend big, bring in talent from overseas, and expand your brand...or at least create a media buzz around you.

Beginners Guide to Soccer Part 2

     It's been awhile since my last post since I've been so busy with work recently but the last week allowed me some off time and time to watch the Tottenham vs. Basel game. Although we did not have a chance to watch from the beginning we picked up at around the 85th minute at 2-2.

     Ironically enough while watching what we thought would be the end of this game I was talking to the Informer about if they go into overtime how it works. Luckily for me I was able to watch it myself as the game went into overtime and ultimately penalties. Although this was a somewhat boring game with many goals that could have been but never found the back of the net. This was still a chance for me to see how a penalty shootout worked. Throughout the game I was going for Tottenham and for some reason when the penalties came I had a feeling that they wouldn't come through and I was right, Brad Friedel was unable to block Basel and ended in a 4-1 in the penalties with Basel going through.

  

Although rooting for Friedel he was unable to block any of Basel's penalty kicks.

The Evolution of Gareth Bale

From young prospect to marquee name, Gareth Bale has quickly become a household name for any soccer fan. Having a breakout season in 2009-10, Bale helped his club Tottenham Hotspur reach the Champions League and in the 2010-11 season Bale showed his worth, providing an inspiring performance in the Champions League against Inter.

A left back turned winger, Bale has excelled in his current role. His new found brilliance while at left winger has drawn comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo for Bale. Bale and Ronaldo play very similar games, both like to be on the ball, take on defenders, and use their exceptional pace and agility to burn the opposition. Both players are deadly scoring threats and the main focus of any game-plan for opposing managers.

Bale struggled to find first team time his first few years at Tottenham, struggling with injury and being left out of the team in favor of Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Tottenham manager at the time, Harry Redknapp, finally picked Bale when Assou-Ekotto went down with injury, and Bale took the chance and ran with it. Fast forward a few seasons later and Bale is now on every major teams radar.

Linked with a move to Real Madrid, Bale could potentially replace want away star Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu. The prospect of playing at a big club like Madrid could sway him to leave White Hart Lane even though his contract there runs until 2016. Can you imagine Bale replacing Ronaldo and Neymar potentially joining Barcelona? That could be a new rivalry for the ages.

But for now we get to witness Bale's brilliance while at Tottenham. This season he has methodically guided his Spurs to Champions League contention. He seems to get better with each game, his IQ for the game seemingly increasing every match. This is scary seeing as Bale is only 23 years old and already one of the best in the world. If Bale chooses to stay at Tottenham, he could quite possibly be the reason Tottenham bring in enough world class players to be a Champions League contender for years. I personally hope Bale stays at Tottenham, I want to see the Gareth Bale era begin in EPL, because this player has all the qualities and talents to be the best in the world and he is well on his way to that now.  

What do you think? Could Gareth Bale be the best in the world? Should he leave Tottenham?

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Spurs add more creativity to midfield.

Tottenham may have missed out on Leandro Damiao, but they did succeed in expediting Lewis Holtby's transfer from Schalke. In Holtby, Tottenham receive a young, talented, creative midfielder. Having become an integral part of the German Under 21 team, Holtby was courted by Tottenham and was set to arrive on a free transfer in the summer. With the season ending injury to central midfielder Sandro, Tottenham decided to pay Schalke their asking price to get the young German international to White Hart Lane.

                             Holtby signed a four and a half year contract with Spurs in the January transfer window.

Holtby doesn't have the most flashy career stats from his time at Schalke (13 goals in 78 appearances), but his vision and technical ability on the ball make him a force in the middle of the pitch. In Holtby Villas-Boas gets  exactly the type of player he needs to pair Gareth Bale with to build a Champions League contending side with, a young, talented playmaker.

Will Tottenham find a silver lining in Holtby after the failure to bring in Damiao?