News and Notes: MLS 2012 [R]

NBC Sports' MLS promo:

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According to the Houston Chronicle, the Dynamo have signed Kinnear to a
three-year contract extension. Kinnear was set to enter 2012 in the
final year of his contract before sealing a new contract.

MLS Combine news...

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That a Dartmouth player is at the MLS Combine is an accomplishment in itself. That a Dartmouth player shone on the first day of the event, which is notorious for being rough for most participants, is even more impressive.

Both those scenarios are where forward Luckymore "Lucky" Mkosana has found himself after a strong second-half performance in the first game of the 2012 MLS Combine on a chilly Friday evening in South Florida.

On the ten-year anniversary of the darkest day in MLS history: The Florida Contraction...

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KCJ on the move again...

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gwar0127 wrote:

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The Los Angeles Galaxy presented Beckham before a group of reporters on Thursday to announce his new two-year-deal with the club.

The 36-year-old Beckham returns to the Galaxy after enjoying a career year for Los Angeles in 2011 leading the Galaxy to the MLS Cup title. In addition to clinching the first MLS Cup since 2005, Beckham was awarded with the MLS Comeback Player of the Year as well as an MLS Best XI selection while helping the Galaxy to their second consecutive Supporters Shield.

After a year of speculation about his future, linking him to teams in London and Paris, Beckham admitted that it was his family, who came first when he ultimately made his decision.

Galaxy's 2012 home jersey:

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According to multiple reports, manager Hans Backe definitively said that German goalkeeper [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] to the club, weeks after sporting director Erik Soler said there was a "good possibility" of Rost coming back.

Although the move opens up a Designated Player slot on the team's roster, it also leaves recently drafted rookie Ryan Meara as the only goalkeeper the Red Bulls currently have as the team begins its preseason preparations.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]After parting ways with Bouna Coundoul and Greg Sutton as well, the Red Bulls will have a complete overhaul at the goalkeeping position, one that has been a place of contention for multiple seasons.

Chicago Fire 2012 home and away jerseys:

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U.S. national team forward Edson Buddle is rejoining the Galaxy after
being released from his contract with FC Ingolstadt 04 on Tuesday,
sources told SBI. Los Angeles maintained his MLS rights following his
free transfer to Ingolstadt last January, and the club will welcome him
back into the fold for what is shaping up to be the league's most potent
attack. In 2010, his last season in MLS, Buddle scored 17 goals,
finishing second to Chris Wondolowski for the league's golden boot.

One year later...

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You knew it was bad, but not this bad: potentially
career-ending bad, the kind of life-changing injury that caused a
23-year-old rising star, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 MLS draft, to start
thinking of new ways to make a living. That's exactly what Steve
Zakuani, the Seattle Sounders fan-favorite midfielder, found himself
contemplating one night last June, two months after a tackle by
Colorado's Brian Mullan had broken the tibia and fibula in his right
leg.

We all hate oatmeal! The Fire finally has some nice simple kits. I wonder if FCD will go in that direction for the 2012 new kit. #keepingfingerscrossed

Whatever happened to...

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The 30-year-old Brazilian is quite familiar with Major League Soccer,
having made 116 appearances over a seven-year span with multiple clubs.
Saragosa has featured for the Los Angeles Galaxy, FC Dallas, and Chivas
USA in his MLS career which lasted from 2004 to 2010.

Saragosa joins United from the Azerbaijan first division where he enjoyed time with Ravan Baku and FC Absheron.

It still looks like a prison yard!

Keylock25 wrote:

It still looks like a prison yard!

The Dynamo did want to make the stadium feel familiar for its loyal fandom.

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After Henry scored the final goal in a 7-1 Arsenal victory over
Blackburn last weekend, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger alluded to the
possibility of extending Henry's loan up to the London derby against
Tottenham on Feb. 26. Such a move would have allowed the club to
properly send off their legendary striker and all-time leading scorer in
front of the Gunner faithful.

New York Red Bulls coach Hans Backe threw cold water on the entire
affair. Speaking to the media via conference call, Backe said that Henry
will be returning to the club on Feb. 17.

"When I talked to him just some days ago, he said 100 percent he will
be back Feb. 17 with us to join in (the Arizona training camp)," Backe
said. "I said before he signed that he will be (used) as a sub and
probably being in and around the locker room with Arsenal until they get
the African Nation Cup players back," Backe said.

Whitecaps sent love letters to other MLS teams:

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