'Amerikkalaiset' at Finlandia 2011 (Wicks, Tabe...)

Hair in American Goalkeeping? Surely you jest!

 

An unnamed European club has been inquiring about Wicks. The director thinks they will know something by the end of this week.

 

The local newspaper are reporting that Giuseppe Funicella have arrived for a trial with newly promoted Åtvidabergs FF in the swedish league.

The club commented:
"We've seen video of him and took the chance to try him out. He's right footed but he has also played as left back. But his first position is right back. I don't know if he will take part in our first preseason game. We'll see first how he looks this week."

 

The interest in Wicks was coming from a Greek club (not sure which one). However, they decided to sign someone else and it is very likely Wicks will spend at least one more season with IFK Mariehamn.

http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?type=&ID=46170

 

Funicello says that he had contract negotiations with an Italian club fall through.

He doesn't say whether his playing days are over, but he has teamed up with former YA John Raus to create a soccer academy in thier home state of Connecticut.

http://www.thehour.com/story/520456/local-players-launch-pisa-a-new-soccer-academy/?ref=rss

 

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzwhCi16SoY"]Josh Wicks headbutts opponent player - YouTube[/ame]

Unfortunaly things got heated for Wicks in a game against FC Haka and he headbutted one of their subs who ran onto the pitch after his team had scored. The sub supposedly did this because Wicks grabbed ahold of his teammate who went to fetch the ball from the net. The newspapers are claiming that the FC Haka player broke his nose. They also write that it's still uncertain what disciplinary action might follow for Wicks.

 

I'd be surprised if Funicello was done playing -- he's pretty good. But maybe this academy is a good opportunity.

 

Wicks has reportedly left Mariehamn and is in search of a new club.

 

The guy who got his nose broken has now reported the incident to the police. They however comment that nothing is likely to come from the investigation since Wicks has now left the country. Overall a very spectacular exit from the club

 

Looks like he was one step ahead of the law. I hope he gets his anger issues straightened out. His (stomping) outburst at DCU hurt himself, as well as the team.

 

Steven Perry has made the "journey" back to the States and has signed with Wilmington.

 

Update on Funicello. He was playing with IFK Mariehamn but had a falling out with the coach last year. An interview with a Finnish newspaper gives the details.....http://www.alandstidningen.ax/article.con?id=28027&iPage=3

After leaving Mariehamn he went to VPS another Finnish team. Now Wiki says he is back in Iceland with former club Thor Akureyri for the 2012 season

 

Good find:

http://thorsport.is/thorsport/SportOverview.aspx?ID=29

 

Article on the transfer posted in the Funicello in Iceland thread several months ago. I'm using my phone so not posting the link here.

 

Pat Phelan has signed with a Finnish top division team (VPS ? maybe) and will be headed there in the next few days.

 

Minor correction. Pat Phelan will be playing for SJK football club.

 

Justin Moose's club?

http://www.seinajoenjalkapallokerho.fi/edustus.html

 

Yeah, they got that Wake Forest thing going.

 

This has now been officially announced on the club's website.
http://www.sjk2007.fi/uutiset_u1960.html

 

Keeney has resigned as manager of EIF.

 

Google Translate:

Keeney leave EIF
It was after cupmatchen against Töölön Taisto on Saturday Keeney announced that he would leave the team. On Sunday, then held EIF's football section board meeting where it was approved Keeneys application.
- Mike's decision was probably a surprise for us, says football section president Stefan Haglund.
- This was one väldligt tough decision to take, and I want to emphasize that I absolutely do not have anything against either the club or the people here. I have enjoyed very good here, but I felt that I could not do my work in a way that would be appropriate both for the team and for myself, says Mike Keeney.
American Mike Keeney trained EIF with great success in last year's Division 2, but now only a few months before the first kickoff he chooses to resign. The reason he states primarily be coordination problems.
- What finally got my patience to break definitely was that Lucas Mondino played for IFK Mariehamn in the League Cup but I learned something about it in advance, says Keeney.
TURN ASIDE
Mondino could therefore not participate in Saturday's cup match against Töölön Taisto the EIF with great effort won 1-0.
- When I saw the match, it was not the EIF team I had hoped for and it also felt like I can not influence things in a way I had hoped. Then it is better that I step aside, he says.

 

Looks like Mike Keeney landed a job as a coach mentor in Papua New Guinea. But not sure if he still works there.

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/...a6b1-f7da5d97e6c6/language/en-US/Default.aspx