OSG Prem: Lampard Joins NYC FC

((HT: NYCFC/MLS))

As another signing in the middle-aged, but still incredibly talented soccer players club, the still-not playing NYC FC has added Frank Lampard on a two-year contract to go with David Villa.

Head Coach Jason Kreis now will, probably, send Lampard down to Australia to play in the A-League with Villa since the club, co-owned by Manchester City and the Yankees, has a year to go before their MLS debut.

Here's his introduction
((HT: Sky Sports))


NYC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna is still aglow with the signing:

"He is a professional, a leader and he ticked all the boxes in terms of the qualities to help grow our team."

The larger question is now, other than fitness, Lampard's international career and if he will add to the 106 caps he has for his country.

OSG Prem: David Villa (And Lampard?) To NYCFC

((HT: NYCFC/Manchester City))

The folks over at NYCFC are going all in from the beginning in their search to make both rivalries and statements in Major League Soccer come the 2015 season.

First up, David Villa is signed on a three-year deal and will be paired with former Chelsea stand-out Frank Lampard (on a free transfer of all things) for two marquee names on head coach Jason Kreis' roster off the top.

Here's David Villa on the move and the challenges


While Lampard is not official yet, the Telegraph's Ben Findon has some background:

Lampard and another New York City transfer target, Spain’s David Villa, are believed to have visited Manchester City’s training complex at Carrington on Saturday. The two men met with New York City head coach Jason Kreis, who has been in charge of Manchester City’s MLS franchise since January.

It is understood that Lampard has agreed to a substantial wage drop from his previous £150,000-a-week deal at Stamford Bridge, although that could be supplemented with hefty bonuses.

Harry Redknapp is Lampard's uncle and he would, naturally, like to add him to his Queens Park Rangers side.

Kreis has admitted that any players signed would likely be loaned out to keep them in form before the 2015 season.

David Villa to Manchester City, anyone...???

Has MLS Officiating Gotten THIS Bad...???

((HT: MLS/ESPN/youtube))

Yes, in a way, this is what summer brings to the HQ...

Soccer stories...

There's been a hue and cry these days about the officiating world wide it seems, and this is the most recent example. Real Salt Lake's Nat Borchers was whistled for a controversial breakaway foul on New England's Benny Feilhaber. Borchers was issued a red card for his trouble... and that was only the beginning...

Here's the first instance that put the game on its head...


From there RSL goes down 2-0, but comes back to tie 3-3...

But the officiating got so bad that at one point RSL head coach Jason Kreis even met up with Revs counterpart Steve Nicol about walking... in front of the officials.

The Revs would have their man advantage taken away in the 67th minute when a red was issued for the visitors... but Espindola scored goal six for the 3-3-ending...
((HT: MLS/ESPN))