1/4 Soccer News & Notes: Zusi Training with Hammers, Espinoza on the Move

Graham Zusi seems to be a lock for the January camp of the U.S. Men’s National Team but will be making a stop in England during the first week of camp, which is said to be fitness only.  Zusi will be training with West Ham United  as Camp Streusel begins on Monday in California. When coach Jurgen Klinsmann moved the start date of camp up one week for training, Zusi was already set for the stint with the Hammers.  Will this training stint lead to more for Zusi?  Sporting KC will have a lot to say about that.

The transfer news has been coming in steadily over the last few days and Roger Espinoza found a new club today on a two-and-a-half year deal with Wigan.  The former Sporting KC midfielder has U.S. Citizenship but has played with Honduras in international competition.  Espinoza should play in tomorrow’s FA Cup match against Bournemouth. Lewis Holtby will be on the move in a deal that will change the make up of two clubs with U.S. players on the roster.  The German under-21 captain will join Tottenham Hotspur and Clint Dempsey in the summer leaving Jermaine Jones and Schalke of the Bundesliga.  Holtby is a developing star and could have an impact with Spurs for some time.

Aug 29, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere (20) tries to control a pass against DC United during the second half at RFK Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

In the MLS the Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls agreed on a trade allowing Joel Lindpere to change jerseys.  Chicago sent a 2013 International Roster Spot in exchange for the midfielder from Estonia.  Jonah Freedman shared that Lindpere was the 14th Hans Backe era Red Bull that has been moved. Here is the official release from the Fire.

Most U.S. fans are anxiously awaiting the roster announcement this weekend from Klinsmann.

This leads to more speculation and keeping a close eye on player or agent twitter accounts.  Eddie Johnson tweeted the information again.  Multiple sources have said Alejandro Bedoya will be on the roster once again.  Alfredo Morales also looks to be at camp after translating some news from Germany.  Before Christmas I took a stab at a potential roster with EJ and Bedoya on the list.  We will have the roster on Sunday.

There is also some speculation of Charlie Davies making a comeback with his back and for with Bedoya and Johnson.

Consider me skeptical that Davies made his way back to the USMNT roster from Randers.  Richard McGovern has a better possibility.

When this camp concludes the first match of the hexagonal World Cup qualifying will be right around the corner.  However, we still do not know where the first home match in about 11 weeks will be held.  There have been many guesses as to where the matches will be held, including ours.  What is the hold up?  Soccer By Ives has a closer look.