2.12.13
ASN Morning Read: Figuring Out the Hexagonal
We keep getting closer to learning the sites of the four remaining final round World Cup qualifying matches; a few words about the potential debut of Brek Shea; Robbie Rogers, fashion editor?
BY
Jesse Yomtov
Posted
February 12, 2013
8:48 AM
Grant Wahl reports the USSF has the sites picked out for the rest of the home qualifiers.
He responded to a follower by saying that this source has been “100% solid.” No real surprises, except for Seattle, and even that was widely speculated. This, of course, brings up the tricky issue of playing on an artificial field, so we’ll have to assume that they’ll put a natural surface on CenturyLink Field. (ASN took a stab at predicting the Hex sites back in December, and if these are accurate we didn't do half-bad.)
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis says Brek Shea could be available for the Potters’ next match, vs. Fulham on Feb. 23, which also happens to be on ESPN. “Brek has looked really lively in training since coming back here,” Pulis said. He added that if Shea steps up his fitness in friendlies, “there is no doubt” that he’ll come into the equation for the Fulham match. No guarantees obviously, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
Forward Jerome Kiesewetter was added to the U-20 roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifying tournament. Kiesewetter, who turned 20 on Saturday (happy belated), plays for VfB Stuttgart’s reserve team in Germany’s third division. The German-American said last year one of his “biggest priorities” was helping the U-20s qualify for the World Cup. Tab Ramos is expected to name one more player to the roster to bring the roster to 20 before the tournament, which kicks off next Monday.
Robbie Rogers, whose rights were recently dealt to the Chicago Fire, seems to be staying in London and working at Men’s Health magazine. We’re scratching our heads and sort of chuckling at the latest development in Rogers’ career abroad.
Up north, Canadian forward Olivier Occean gets banned for six games after insulting a referee following an ejection. He was also fined in the neighborhood of $10,000.
