News and Info - 8/10/2006

Adriano to Old Trafford? Diarra swoop back on?
It appears that SAF is looking to pickup Brasilian forward Adriano from Inter Milan to replace Ruud Van Nistilrooy, who went to Real Madrid. Inter are claiming that this will not happen, then again, Inter said Ronaldo wasn't leaving for Real Madrid, so who knows. If this actually does come about, a strike partnership of Rooney and Adriano would be pretty nice.

It also appears that SAF is still looking to pluck Mahamadou Diarra from Lyon, which would add to the already new look Manchester United midfield that has already been bolstered by injured Michael Carrick, the return of Paul Scholes and the impending arrival of Marcos Senna from Villareal.

Assuming for one minute that all of this is true, this new look Manchester United might actually be the type of squad that Cheslea might get some heat from. Rooney and Adriano up front, Ronaldo, Diarra, Carrick, Scholes, Senna all roaming in and out of the midfield, Rio, Heinze, Neville and Silvstre in front of Van Der Sar. Things should be looking up at Old Trafford.

Keller voted Gladbach Captain
Borussia Moenchengladbach and former USA international Kasey Keller was named team Captain by the players by vote. Head Coach Jupp Heynckes said that he would have chosen Keller as well, so he is happy with the players choice. This is the first time Keller has ever been named full time captain in his career.

Good for Kasey. He still has two or so more years on him over in Germany, and hopefully he returns to the US in time to be the starting keeper for Seattle SC in MLS. Having Keller anchor the backline for an expansion MLS club in Seattle might be enough to get non-MLS fans interested in a new club up there.

Internacional down Sao Paulo in Copa Libertadores
Defending Copa Libertadores (CL) and World Club Cup Champions Sao Paulo were defeated 2-1 at home last night to fellow Brasilan side, Internacional in the first leg of the CL finals. The final leg will be held next Wednesday at Beira-Rio stadium, Internacional's home field. Both clubs had a man sent off in the first half with straight red cards, one for an elbow in the 9th minute (Sao Paulo) and the other for a punch in the face in the 38th minute (Internacional).

It would be devastating for the defending CL Champion to make it all the way to the finals, just to get knocked off by a domestic rival. I still think that Sao Paulo will rebound and pick up a 2 goal victory and book their place in the World Club Cup to defend that trophy as well.