Premier Deal in the Works for Convey?
Bobby Convey, whose 14 appearances with the United States national team this year are the most of any player, could be the next Major League Soccer standout to leave for the English Premier League.
The Washington Post reported Thursday that the 20-year-old Convey, a starting midfielder for D.C. United, was on the verge of moving to Tottenham Hotspur.
“It’s all but done,” one source told the Post. “It’s a good deal. We’re just trying to work out the final details, but I can’t imagine it won’t happen at this point.”
The transfer reportedly will be worth $1 million to $2 million. The final detail to be worked out seems to be when Convey will join the London club. D.C. United officials reportedly want Convey to play in games at RFK Stadium on Saturday and Wednesday.
Earlier this summer, MLS transferred the contract of New York-New Jersey MetroStar goalkeeper Tim Howard to Manchester United. If Convey leaves, he will join U.S. teammate Kasey Keller, who is the starting goalkeeper for Tottenham.
*
German Goodwill
Germany, which is playing host to the 2006 World Cup, has invited Iraq’s national soccer team to spend three weeks training in the country as it reforms its team after the U.S.-led war.
The team is led by former East Germany coach Bernd Stange, who left Iraq before the war began in March.
Iraq will practice at a soccer school in Bad Woerrishofen in southern Germany from Aug. 27-Sept. 13, said the German soccer federation, which also will pay for the trip. Several practice games are being planned.
*
U.S. Wins Again
Freddy Adu continued his torrid pace for the United States under-17 team leading up to this month’s FIFA Under-17 World Championship, this time in a 2-1 victory over Manchester United’s youth team in a warmup game.
Adu, the 14-year-old sensation, scored the tying goal and assisted on the winner as the U.S. won its third consecutive game in England. The U.S. also has defeated Australia, 1-0, and Blackburn’s youth team, 4-2. Overall, Adu has five goals and an assist.
The U.S. plays Nigeria on Saturday in its final tuneup before the Aug. 13-30 tournament in Finland.
*
Palencia Returns
After failing to land with a team to his liking in Greece or Spain, Mexican national team forward Juan Francisco Palencia arrived in his native country Wednesday in search of a job.
With Mexico kicking off its Apertura championship last week, Palencia, who played on loan with Espanyol of Spain’s first division last season, could end up with his former club, Cruz Azul, or Club America. Incidentally, those teams play each other Sunday in Mexico City.
Palencia told Mexican television station Televisa that he hoped to resolve his status soon.
*
Chivas Wins Opener
Chivas de Guadalajara shook off its 3-1 loss to the MLS All-Stars last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Santos Laguna in its Mexican league opener.
Defender Joel Sanchez scored two goals, both on headers from corner kicks by Manuel Sol, after Santos Laguna had taken a 1-0 lead on a goal by Rodrigo Ruiz in the 67th minute.
*
Quick Passes
Dutch striker Roy Makaay’s move from Deportivo La Coruna to German champion Bayern Munich is still not official because of a snag in negotiations. Makaay did practice with his new club Thursday. The dispute is about which team is responsible for paying Makaay’s old club, Vitesse Arnhem, its share of the transfer fee.... Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti signed a new contract that will keep the Argentine international with the Italian league club through 2007.... Meanwhile, Portuguese national team player and former Inter midfielder Sergio Conceicao signed a one-year deal with Rome’s club Lazio on a free transfer.... Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s new president, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero that an internal audit revealed a deficit of $186 million.... Fulham midfielder Sean Davis has requested a transfer from the English Premier League team so that he can “further his career.” ... The Galaxy is expected to announce today that it will play host to the Chinese National Team for an exhibition match on Sept. 3 at the Home Depot Center. China will be in preparations for the Asian Cup, which it will play host to in early 2004.
Times wire services contributed to this report.
