Lubos Kubik has decided to retire from professional soccer. The 37 year old defender/midfielder had been playing with the Dallas Burn this season, but had previously played for the Chicago Fire since 1998. Kubik had fought through a number of injuries this season and was reportedly advised by his doctors that it was time to hang up his boots.
Mo Johnston, from the Kansas City Wizards, has also decided to call it quits. The 38 year old Scotsman, who started in Kansas City in 1996, also fought through a number of injuries in the 2001 campaign. Although Johnston is from Scotland and played for both Celtic and Rangers, he has had a home in Florida for 10 years and is looking forward to continuing to support US soccer in some form. He may resurface in a coaching position once he has healed up for neck surgery.
He is not, as far as I know, retiring, but Leonel Alvarez has been released by the New England Revolution. The Revs decided to not pick up the option on his contract and he is now a free agent. The 36 year old has previously played with the Columbian national team and the Dallas Burn.
Onandi Lowe from the Kansas City Wizards has been loaned to Rushden and Diamonds of the English third division. He signed with the club on the 3 month loan on Friday and immediately played on the 1st and scored a goal and had a very strong match.
24 year old Dema Kovalenko has received approval for his green card which grants him the ability for permanent US residency. This means that he may be available for national team duties soon.
Finally, the US has found out who they will be playing in the 2002 World Cup which is being co-hosted by Japan and Korea. The US will face Portugal, Poland, and South Korea. Their stiffest competition of the first round will most likely be Portugal, but South Korea will tough at home. In an interesting scheduling fluke, the US was already scheduled to face South Korea in two friendlies before the draw was done. The US have already travelled to Korea and will face the South Koreans in Seogwipo on December 9. They will also face the Koreans in a CONCACAF Gold Cup match in Pasadena, CA on January 19.
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