It’s a bit of a relief to take a break from the Sturm und Drang of the North American soccer second division to simply note a bit of interesting RailHawks player news: Caleb Patterson (sometimes called Caleb Patterson Sewell), the sparkling young goalkeeper who split time with Eric Reed last year, was left unprotected by Red Bull New York for possible drafting by the expansion Philadelphia Union.
The way it works: Each existing MLS team is allowed to protect 11 players, and the Union can select a total of 10 players, with no more than one selected from any team.
Patterson joins fellow RBNY keeper Danny Cepero on the list, as the club decided to protect Bouna Coundoul. There’s some interesting company on the list: The Galaxy’s Josh Saunders, for example, just days after his excellent emergency substitution for Donovan Ricketts in the MLS championship. (Patterson may be on the MLS expansion list, but he’s also spending some time in Cary; he was present to pose for this Nov. 11 photograph of retired France international Lilian Thuram during his visit to WakeMed Soccer Park. Patterson is at the far right.)
Other notables on the MLS list: Mexican superstar Cuauhtémoc Blanco; U.S. internationals Frankie Hedjuk, Ricardo Clark, Tony Sanneh, Clint Mathis and Bobby Convey; as well as one-time Duke star Michael Videira.
When we saw the news that RailHawks keeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell had signed a one-game contract with the MLS New York Red Bulls, we wondered if it was a loan or if the Australian national is a free agent. It appears to be the latter, according to this RailHawks news release.
As for what’s next for Patterson, who is no longer under contract with Carolina, he said: “Right now, I’m not too sure. There’s a few things in the works. Those things are taking care of themselves.”
We’ve no doubt that Patterson-Sewell, who had 10 clean sheets in 15 league starts in 2009, will easily find new employment, but the tone of this release doesn’t give any hint that he’ll return to Cary. You can catch him tonight—on the bench, most likely—on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. when the Red Bulls play at Real Salt Lake.
Also on the tube tonight: the USMNT versus Costa Rica. Fans of the US men’s national team are stunned by the horrific car accident striker Charlie Davies suffered early Tuesday morning, which left one person dead. Davies is alive but his career is in jeopardy. In the ninth minute (which begins when the game clock strikes 8:01, of course), fans at RFK Stadium will stand in support and sorrow for the U.S.’s No. 9. Game time is 7:30 p.m., and it’ll also be on ESPN2.
Last night at Duke University’s Griffith Film Theater we saw the remarkable film MARADONA BY KUSTURICA. It’s a loving portrait of the irascible, undisciplined and bloated genius that is Diego Maradona, made by this generation’s most important filmmaker from the Balkans, Emir Kusturica. The film is really about the Brando-esque afterlife of Maradona: his continuing celebrity and the insanely adoring crowds in Naples and Buenos Aires; his fluctuating weight; appearances on cheesy TV shows; cheering on the Boca Juniors; hanging with his kids and ever-present, long-suffering (ex-) wife Claudia; hanging with Latin American anti-imperialist firebrands Castro, Chávez and Evo Morales; serving as inspiration for the Church of Diego Maradona; the cocaine; and much more.
Tonight, Maradona’s fairly disastrous stint as coach of the Argentina national team comes to a head in a battle of the Río de la Plata, against Uruguay—in Montevideo. Everything is at stake. Find it somewhere, legally or illegally, at 6 p.m.
The Maradona film is part of a film series at Duke University called Soccer and Politics, curated by Laurent Dubois, a professor of history and Romance languages. Next month, the celebrated French national Lilian Thuram will visit the Triangle as part of Dubois’ program. The soccer great, who is France’s all-time leader in international caps and was a key member of the 1998 World Cup champions, will be talking about his foundation’s work against racism in soccer. Here’s more information.
Big Apple Soccer says RailHawks keeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell has signed with Red Bull New York to suit up for Wednesday’s match against Real Salt Lake. According to the same source, he’s been training with RBNY since Friday.
RBNY made the move citing extreme hardship: One of its keepers, the Senegalese Bouna Coundoul, is on international duty. [UPDATE 4:47 p.m.: Confirmation from the Red Bulls here.]
Patterson-Sewell spent the 2008 season with RBNY. In 2009, he appeared in 15 league games for the RailHawks, notching 10 clean sheets and a .533 goals-against average.
Since we’re taking time out to post, I should note that I appeared on this week’s Match Fit USA podcast. I didn’t really have new news to report, but I hope I sound reasonably informed. Thanks to Jason and Zach for having me on.
And finally, those who didn’t catch the first leg of the USL-1 finals between Vancouver and Montreal—because of a certain barn-burner down in Honduras—missed a pretty good 3-2 victory for the visiting Impact. Among the highlights: Vancouver’s rookie of the year Marcus Haber’s thrilling 50-yard run that culminated in a behind-the-back crossover and a goal.
Among the lowlights: Martin Nash’s straight red for a crude challenge to Montreal’s Roberto Brown, right under the nose of referee Carol Anne Chenard. Brown was stretchered off, but bounded back on the field minutes later. The USL’s Web site has a surprisingly sensationalistic headline about the incident: Nash: Brown cried like a baby. [UPDATE2 Oct. 13, 7:35 a.m.: That headline has been changed.]
At halftime, USL President Tim Holt was interviewed. The deferential interviewer said not a word about the ongoing league ownership crisis, but Holt did slip in praise for Bob Lenarduzzi and Joey Saputo, the respective owners of Vancouver and Montreal, for their contributions to Canadian soccer. Vancouver and Montreal are both members of the dissident Team Owners Association.
The second leg is Saturday, Oct. 17, and it will be on Fox Soccer Channel. There’s been some confusion about the start time, but the USL Web site says 2:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Kyle on "UNC holds off pesky NCCU with big second half, awaits selection committee": Mike Potter does Triangle sports fans a wonderful service by providing a unique perspective of events that may not otherwise receive media coverage. Thanks Mike for all you have done and continue to do in your outstanding career as a journalist and an ambassador for the Triangle.
caniacgirl on "Peters and pipes pickpocket a peck of prickly Penguins": I absolutely love the headline! Games like this one definitely reignite the little bit of playoff hope I have left in me. It should be an interesting few weeks that's for sure.
Greg Nccu Student on "Miller leads NCCU to 11th victory": There are a lot of Rumors on Campus about Joanna Miller leaving NCCU next year. Please Coach Robinson, We need to keep this player from gong to another College.
