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Wellington Nem will remain at Fluminense until at least December, according to the player´s father

Wellington Nem will remain at Fluminense until at least December, according to the player´s father.

The 21-year-old, who played a key role in the Tricolor Carioca´s 2012 Brasileirão title winning campaign, attracted interest from the likes of Juventus and CSKA Moscow last year.

Wellington Nem´s contract with Fluminense runs until December 2015, and his father Juarez has stressed that his son has no plans to move to Europe until at least the end of this year.

´´He is happy at Fluminense,´´ Juarez told Lancenet. ´´It´s the team the whole family supports, and he wants to do more for the club.´´

´´He will only go to a Europe to join a big club. Even then, leaving is not a part of our plans, at least until December.

´´The whole family is Tricolor and so is he - that´s why it´s satisfying to see him grow at the club every day.´´

Wellington Nem has been capped three times by Brazil.

Freddy Adu set for Bahia medical

Philadelphia Union´s winger Freddy Adu will arrive tomorrow morning in Salvador for his medical at Bahia.

Bahia´s director Paulo Angioni told ESPN Brasil the following "The annoucement of Freddy Adu will depend a lot on his medical, if it´s OK, [the negotiation] will work out".

Freddy Adu will be on loan to Bahia until the end of the season, while Kléberson will be loaned to Philadelphia Union for the same period.

Paulo Angioni explained why the deal is good for Bahia, he said "Kléberson has not been playing often, but has the need to play, his perspectives here aren´t very good. He found a new path, in the United States, he already wanted that, when that happened, we had only one option, involve Adu. Now we have the possibility of marketing, international exchange, reduce our wage bill".

He added that Bahia would accept invitation to play games in the United States: "If we are somehow invited, we´ll think about it. Who knows if we won´t play two or three games".

No offer from Bayern for Ralf, says agent

Ralf´s agent André Costa has denied rumors linking the Corinthians midfielder to German team Bayern Munich.

Neto, a former Corinthians player turned into journalist, claimed that Guardiola specifically requested that Bayern sign the player, the German would offer around 22 million Euros to sign him.

André Costa told Fox Sports Rádio that Bayern have made no offer, he said "we would really like that the offer had happened but nothing has come yet. I believe it´s just speculation, since Ralf started shining at Corinthians, there have been enquires, but nothing official, just speculation".

The agent added that Ralf would be willing to play abroad, he said that "if an official offer comes, Ralf will board the plane at once, he does have the ambition of playing in Europe, especially in a big center, since he reached a certain level at Corinthians and was called up for the national team, so he would like to go to Europe".

Bayern is also deemed a good option, as according to the agent, the German team is a "famous club, with a respected coach and players. Ralf would fit in very well in the German style and also in Guardiola´s style".

Fluminense left-back Carlinhos turns down offer from Galatasaray

Fluminense´s left-back Carlinhos recently received an offer from Turkish team Galatasaray, but the player decided to stay in Brazil.

The Turkish club offered 5 million Euros for the full-back, but Carlinhos preferred to stay as he is happy at Fluminense. He told Gazeta Esportiva: "I´m completely adapted to Fluminense, my situation here is very good, my family likes Rio de Janeiro a lot".

He added that the national team was another factor he took into account: "Besides, there is the national team too, many players are returning to Brazil to get a chance. When I was younger I used to think a lot about leaving the country, but I´m satisfied at Fluminense".

He did not completely rule out a move in the future: "If I am to leave, it has to be something good for me and for the club, but I´ll stay for now".

The only other left-back at Fluminense´s first team is Fabián Monzón, who came from Lyon this year.

Léo Baptistão: I´m closer to Spain´s national team than to Brazil´s

Rayo Vallecano´s Brazilian player Léo Baptistão is shining in Spain and has the possibility of playing for the Spanish national team, despite having been born in Brazil.

The forward is a friend of Neymar but is almost completely unknown in his home country, since he left the country before playing any senior game, moving to Spain when he was only 16 years old.

Léo Baptistão made his debut for Rayo´s senior team in 2012, quickly having impressive performances and atracting attention from Spain´s national team.

He told UOL he would be willing to play for Spain: "I know it´s early, but I already had the chance to be called up for Spain´s Under 20 national team. I missed it for very little. If Brazil call me up, it will be hard to say no. But due to the visibility I have here, I think I´m closer to playing for Spain´s national team".

If Léo Baptistão decides to play for Spain, he will follow in the footsteps of Donato, Marcos Senna and Thiago Alcântara, who could have played for Brazil´s national team, but chose Spain instead.

Klinsmann calls in relatively inexperienced USA backline for WCQs

U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Monday called in a relatively inexperienced backline in World Cup qualifying for two vital games in the CONCACAF hexagonal round.

Six defenders called in to the 23-man roster for Friday’s game vs. Costa Rica in Commerce City, Colo. and in Mexico on Tuesday, March 26, have exactly 12 games of qualifying experience, 11 combined between two players.

Geoff Cameron has made six qualifying appearances, while Clarence Goodson has five. Omar Gonzalez has one as Tony Beltran, Matt Besler and Justin Morrow have not played a WCQ match, at least not yet.

Veteran defender Carlos Bocanegra was not called into the team.

Klinsmann’s options were limited due to several injuries, including Edgar Castillo (facial fractures), Timmy Chandler (hamstring), Steve Cherundolo (knee), Fabian Johnson (hip), Jonathan Spector (ankle), Jose Torres (hamstring) and Danny Williams (illness).

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who has three shutouts in five qualifiers, is expected to replace injured Tim Howard (broken bones in his back) in the net. A pair of Major League Soccer goalkeepers — Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) and Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) are expected to be the back-ups.

To complicate matters more, midfielders Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu and Graham Zusi and forward Clint Demplsey carry yellow cards into the games and will miss the next WCQ if they are booked.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was veteran Puebla midfielder DaMarcus Beasley getting another nod. He certainly brings the experience of 26 qualifying matches to the team. Bradley, Kyle Beckerman, Joe Corona, Edu, Jermaine Jones, Sacha Kljestan, Brek Shea and Zusi also were selected at midfield.

Klinsman has plenty of firepower from which to select up front from Jozy Altidore, Dempsey, Herculez Gomez, Eddie Johnson and Terrence Boyd.

“We know we have a big task ahead of us, and we are confident our group will get the job done,” Klinsmann said in a statement. “Obviously there are many players out with injuries, and that means the next person in line has a chance to step up. Getting points at home in World Cup qualifying is huge, and we are looking forward to having an awesome crowd supporting us in Denver on Friday night.”

Long-time international Landon Donovan was not selected as he will return to training with the LA Galaxy later this month.

The Americans host Costa Rica at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 10 p.m. on Friday (ESPN) before taking on El Tri in Azteca Stadium at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN) on March 26.

The U.S. roster:

DEFENDERS (6): Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake – 0/0), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City – 0/0), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City – 6/0), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy – 1/0), Clarence Goodson (Brondby – 5/0), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes – 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla – 26/6), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake – 2/0), Michael Bradley (Roma – 20/5), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana – 1/0), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor – 10/0), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04 – 6/0), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht – 13/0), Brek Shea (Stoke City – 2/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City – 4/0)

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar – 18/6), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna – 2/0), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur – 27/11), Herculez Gomez (Santos – 6/2), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC – 12/10)

Davis added to U.S. WCQ roster

Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis has been added to the U.S. National Team roster ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico.

The U.S. has 24 players in training camp in Denver.

The Americans will host Costa Rica in a qualifier at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. on Friday. They take on Mexico at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Tuesday.

Davis has earned six caps for the United States, scoring the game-winning penalty kick in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup final. A finalist for the 2011 MLS Most Valuable Player award, Davis is a two-time MLS Cup champion.

The U.S. roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (6) : Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City),Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes)

MIDFIELDERS (10) : DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Roma), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Brek Shea (Stoke City), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (5) : Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)

Bocanegra takes high road when discussing being left off USA WCQ team

U.S. international defender Carlos Bocanegra took the high road when discussing being left out of the U.S. National Team by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for its World Cup qualifying matches against Costa Rica and Mexico.

“During the last 18 months Jurgen has introduced a lot of new ideas to the team and has a vision of how he wants to grow the program,” Bocanegra said on his Facebook page. “Every coach around the world has his own style and methods. He has always been up front
with players about where they stand and where he sees them going.

“Not every player is going to be happy with all of the decisions and methods, but he will tell you to your face where you stand. From a coach, that is the best thing you could ask for. One of the greatest strengths of this team has always been our unity and spirit, and we all remain committed to the cause of qualifying for the World Cup.”

Bocanegra, 32, was not called in because he hasn’t been playing regularly for Racing Santander in the Spanish Second Division.

A veteran of two World Cups and 110 international appearances, Bocanegra is the most experienced U.S. defender.

He did not start in the road match at Jamaica last September, in which the U.S. lost a 1-0 lead en route to a 2-1 loss. Klinsmann returned him to the lineup for the second match in the home-and-home series, a 1-0 American win.

Klinsmann called in Bocanegra for the Honduras match in San Pedro Sula on Feb. 6, but did not start the veteran. The U.S. suffered a 2-1 loss.

Costa Rica eyes an opportunity to avenge a crushing draw

On Friday night in Commerce City, Colo., Costa Rica will finally have a chance to avenge a moment that brought it heartbreak and years of frustration.

On Oct. 14, 2009, United States defender Jonathan Bornstein’s stunning header with seconds remaining completed a furious rally that pulled the Americans even with the Costa Ricans in the final game of the CONCACAF hexagonal. The final whistle blew moments later, forcing Los Ticos into a home-and-home against Uruguay for a spot in the 2010 World Cup, a series they lost.

Though the Central American country would like to earn a win over the North American behemoths, the U.S. enters the contest in desperate need of one. And head coach Jurgen Klinsmann knows it.

“Obviously, it’s a must-win,” he said. “We know that it’s going to be a difficult task, and it will demand everything from us to beat them.”

Through the first game of the hex, the Americans sit in the cellar of the group after a lifeless performance at Honduras. And four days after hosting Costa Rica, the U.S. will travel to Mexico’s Estadio Azteca, where it has won only once since the stadium’s construction in 1966.

Costa Rica salvaged its opening hex contest with a late goal to earn a 2-2 draw at Panama, but the past month has not been too kind to Tico soccer. In late February, the Under-20 team was stunned by Cuba and eliminated from contention for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. Days later, FIFA announced plans to move the U-17 Women’s World Cup away from Costa Rica after delays in construction. And although the Ticos did successfully host the Central American Games in their new Estadio Nacional, the opening celebrations were marred by stray fireworks that set the roof of the stadium on fire and forced an evacuation.

So when La Sele takes on the CONCACAF giants, it will not only be seeking revenge for the bitter draw in 2009 but also hope to restore honor to the proud Central American nation. And they certainly have the capacity to do so.

Highlighted by midfielder Bryan Ruiz and forwards Álvaro Saborío and Joel Campbell, Costa Rica’s offensive weapons will challenge a beleaguered U.S. defense that struggled mightily against Honduras.

Ruiz and Saborío gave the Americans fits in the 2009 World Cup qualifiers, scoring a combined three goals in the two games. The side’s captain, Ruiz can command the midfield with quality ball control and distribution.

Though less impressive with the ball, Saborío’s knack for finding the back of the net was highlighted by a 2012 campaign in which he set a club record by scoring 17 times for Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake.

Campbell came off the bench against Panama, but he may start on Friday after Randall Brenes was not included in Costa Rica’s initial roster.

Defensive breakdowns plagued the Americans in their 2-1 loss to Honduras, and an even less experienced back line will be tasked with slowing down La Sele.

Depleted by injuries, the six defenders on Klinsmann’s 23-man roster have earned a total of only 12 caps in WCQ games. The U.S. will also be without veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard, although Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan seems a more-than-adequate replacement.

“You only get experience if you play,” Klinsmann said. “I think the players that are here for the upcoming challenges, they definitely have the qualities and confidence to get the job done.”

La Sele can certainly relate to the United States’ struggles. A young back line and goalkeeping uncertainties leave Costa Rica vulnerable to lapses on the defensive end, errors that contributed to Panama’s two first-half goals in February. After not starting against Panama, goalkeeper Keylor Navas and defender Bryan Oviedo will return in an effort to shut down the American attack.

Though the United States will be without Howard and midfielder Landon Donovan, striker Jozy Altidore has been in great form with club AZ Alkmaar, and his strength could wreak havoc on Costa Rica’s defense. Clint Dempsey could be slowed in his return from a calf injury, but Klinsmann does not expect any complications.

“We are confident he can go the distance in both games,” Klinsmann said.

The Ticos are always eager for the opportunity to take down the giants of the CONCACAF, and memories of 2009 will further motivate them. But as the Americans find themselves on treacherous ground just a game into the hex, Klinsmann expects a full turnaround from the disappointment in Honduras.

“I think you’re going to see a completely different game on Friday night,” Klinsmann said. “We want to get the crowd behind us as quickly as possible and get the necessary points.”

DP