Teal Bunbury to Train With US U-23 Side and LSP News

Today Sporting Kc announced that striker Teal Bunbury will train with the US under 23 side at a camp in Lakewood Ranch Florida. Bunbury, 21, was chosen by his former coach of 2 years Caleb Porter. Maybe Teal's former coach at Akron wanted to give back to the striker that gave him so much. The striker scored 23 goals in 48 games for "The Zips" in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. 

Teal Bunbury had previously played with the United States National team almost a year ago when he was invited to the annual January camp that is generally used for young players that have potential of playing against the world's elite. But this time around Teal will be training with the under 23 side, which is basically a sub-team of the US Men's National Team, the only difference is that you have to be under the age of 23 to play.

Other notable players for the U-23 side include: Bill Hamid, Freddy Adu, Sean Johnson, and Zarek Valentin.

For a full list of all the participants of the U-23 December camp go here.

LSP News

The main reason of this particular U-23 camp is in preparation of next year's CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying tournament that will be held at various stadiums across America. LIVSESTRONG Sporting Park will be one of those stadiums and will host the semifinals and the finals of the tournament on March 31st and April 2nd. Which means Teal Bunbury could have the chance to score for both club and country at LSP, and would become the first player to do so. Nevertheless, the 2 finalists will win the right to go to London and be a part of the 2012 Summer Olympics. Which could see European nations put out weaker sides due to the UEFA Euro 2012 being held in Ukraine and Poland only 4 weeks before the opening games. Which in turn could make for an easier tournament for the US.

Teal Bunbury to Bolton Wanderers?

According to this article from England, Sporting Kc's joint leading goal scorer is headed to English Premier League side, Bolton Wanderers. The article states that Bolton boss Owen Coyle wants to check on Bunbury's fitness and that a fee and contract will be discussed upon arrival in England.

The article also goes on to say that Teal had previously rejected an offer from a Bundesliga 1 side, (Hoffenheim) in hopes of being able to play for Bolton. According to the article Bunbury should be there within a fort-night.

While I think it's intriguing that Teal is getting this type of exposure over in England I don't think there's a lot behind this story. First of all, Mirror Football is known pretty much world-wide for stirring up transfer rumors that have little to nothing in them and this looks to be another one of those times. Second of all, there are no statements from either Teal or Owen Coyle in the article, which generally points that it's speculation.

All in all I think this rumor is just bogus. What I think has happened is that Teal was supposed to go over there just to train during the off-season and when the England media got whiff of it, they pounced. So it looks as if Teal won't be joining fellow American Stuart Holden at the Reebok anytime soon.

*Note: TealBunburyFans is where I got this link from, she found it first*

Sporting Kc To Take On Red-Hot New York Red Bulls

The Set Up
As mentioned in the title, NYRB is on fire. They've scored 7 goals in the past 2 games, 3 of those goals coming from French International Henry. And now, a tired Kansas City defense that has let in 2.4 goals per game, will try and stop the likes of Henry, Rodgers, and De Rosario. Furthermore, how good of a forward line do you have when Juan Agudelo is coming off of the bench for you? A pretty good one.

But, there is hope. Aurelien Collin, for me, played very well last week. That is, until the whole red card disaster that arguably gave New England the advantage over SKC. Also, who else thinks Besler is making very good progress at center back? I do. He's started every game this season and has really improved since last year's campaign.


New York's Threats
This game will be the toughest game SKC have played this season. There is no question about it. For starters NYRB's new defender and Norwegian International Jan Solli is in fine form. Along with De Rosario who will play in the CAM role for NY and will definitely look for his first goal of the season. Richards is always a threat on the right wing, as is the highly underrated player, and Estonian International, Joel Lindpere.

The Projected Starting Lineup


                                               Bunbury

Sapong                                                                                     Kamara



                             Arnaud                           Stojcev

                                                Auvray

Espinoza                                                                                 Harrington

                             Besler                              Collin        
                                                   
                                                   Nielsen
_________________________________________________________________
Subs: Kronberg, Myers, Thomas, Rocastle, Zusi, Aiyegbusi, Smith
_________________________________________________________________

Smith could definitely start over Sapong, but unfortunately he's not 100%. Those who are for sure out of the game are as follows: Diop(suspension), Bravo(injured), Warzycha(injured). Also, Lorenz could be in the subs in place of Myers. Other than that the most powerful, athletic, and fastest front line in MLS should be firing on all cylinders. Smith is the only forward out of 4 to not score, which is a good sign.

Score Prediction
SKC 2 - NYRB 2,  (Kamara, Bunbury), (Henry, Agudelo)

Final Summary
Soccer is such a fantastic game because of one fact, any team can beat any team, anywhere. One thing is for certain though, this game will be a high-scoring match. Sporting enter as last in the Eastern Conference with 4 points and New York enter as top in the East with 11 points, however, SKC have scored a goal more this season than NY has. Honestly this game could end in a tie for either team, it just matters who will play with more aggression, let's just hope that it's our Mighty Blues that walk away with three points.