Caleb Folan

[Crosby87]

Should have gone to the SPL.

[irishultra]

Apparently has come over here to try and move to MLS.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_6720162,00.html

I don't see the point, he'll be moving down in quality and his chances of a call up will be slimmer. Then again he's done well at League One level so far so he should be OK in MLS.


**** playin 4 ireland give me a good contract and living in a good american city id take it any day over playin 4 any team in england except arsenal man u city spurs and liverpool

[AlaskaFox]

Played two friendlies for Colorado Rapids, and did well in the second one, impressing their manager:
http://greenscene.me/2011/02/caleb-folan-on-trial-with-colorado-rapids/

[paul_oshea]

Should have gone to the SPL.

Should have gone to specsavers.

[EastTerracer]

Played two friendlies for Colorado Rapids, and did well in the second one, impressing their manager:
http://greenscene.me/2011/02/caleb-folan-on-trial-with-colorado-rapids/

Very brief highlights below - pre-season friendly makes it sound more glamorous that it really is. Folan is mentioned about 1.45 into the video.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=112&id=11581

[EastTerracer]

Folan is hoping to work out a deal with the Colorado Rapids after his trial games this week. He's also hoping a move to Colorado will not hinder his International prospects :question:

“That does cross your mind a bit but, first and foremost, you have to be playing in an environment where you feel you can progress and be happy,” he said. “(Ireland manager Giovanni) Trapattoni has always been very good with me. I have a lot of respect for him as his view is that, wherever you are in the world, as long as you are performing, it’s all right. He’s always watching out for you.”
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/ireland-intl-folan-eyes-future-rapids

[elroy]

He’s always watching out for you.”
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/ireland-intl-folan-eyes-future-rapids


Except if you are James McCarthy, Andy Reid, Kevin Foley and until lately Ciaran Clark and Seamus Coleman.

[AlaskaFox]

Except if you are James McCarthy, Andy Reid, Kevin Foley and until lately Ciaran Clark and Seamus Coleman.

It's stupid to mention Ciaran Clark. Trapattoni played him the first chance he got. Before then, it wasn't Trap's job to convert him from England.

[SwanVsDalton]

It's stupid to mention Ciaran Clark. Trapattoni played him the first chance he got. Before then, it wasn't Trap's job to convert him from England.

And Foley's been in nearly every squad. And he's played McCarthy. And Coleman pretty quickly, after choosing him in the November squad. That just leaves B'Pool Andy...

[Charlie Darwin]

I hear Trap has a villa and a swimming pool in Colorado.

[EastTerracer]

Folan scored in the latest of his trial games yesterday against the LA Galaxy - his goal is about 53 secs into the clip below and a brief interview at 1.27.

http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2011/02/highlights-col-4-la-2

[elroy]

It's stupid to mention Ciaran Clark. Trapattoni played him the first chance he got. Before then, it wasn't Trap's job to convert him from England.

Except the first comments I saw reported about CC by Trap was that he didnt think he was good enough to be a defensive midfielder......hence the not looking out for him point.


And Foley's been in nearly every squad. And he's played McCarthy. And Coleman pretty quickly, after choosing him in the November squad. That just leaves B'Pool Andy...

Yes he has, omitted from the last one however and has had very very little playing time considering he has been an EPL regular starter for most of the season and a capable one at that.

McCarthy?!? Come on. He couldnt be making more a mess of things with McC if he tried.

Coleman. Called him up for the November friendly but for some unknown reason left him on the bench for the entire game. The same lad was deemed good enough to start a friendly only a few months later.

[EastTerracer]

Folan has signed for the Colorado Rapids http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2011/03/caleb-folan-signs-rapids

[Yard of Pace]

Doubtful he'll ever play for Ireland now really, isn't it.
His time in the green was quite a glorious cameo though, with that performance against Italy in Bari.

Any other players like that? Guys who only played a few times but are remembered fondly? I was trying to think of some there...

[theworm2345]

Doubtful he'll ever play for Ireland now really, isn't it.
His time in the green was quite a glorious cameo though, with that performance against Italy in Bari.

Any other players like that? Guys who only played a few times but are remembered fondly? I was trying to think of some there...
Noel Hunt as well for his similar role in Bari (though not as big as Folan's I thought it was his goal originally), Stephen Elliott's goal in Nicosia that kept alive our slim hopes of qualification in '05 stands out too.

[SkStu]

bleedin rapid!

[Sullivinho]

Any other players like that? Guys who only played a few times

Stephen Ireland? 4 goals in 5 games or something like that.


but are remembered fondly?

Stephen Ireland?

[tetsujin1979]

anyone want to volunteer to track his performance data for Irish Abroad?
just read a review of the games he plays, and fill out a form that I'll provide - only takes a few minutes (ask TheBoss or IrishFan86 who track McGeady and Sheridan for me) and you'll receive full credit for the research

[sean r]

i dont think trap will pick him now the mls is league 1 standard at most. that robbie obrian was not picked and he was in the mls there is also a player named earls who is irish and playes in the mls.

[DannyInvincible]

i dont think trap will pick him now the mls is league 1 standard at most. that robbie obrian was not picked and he was in the mls there is also a player named earls who is irish and playes in the mls.

If memory serves me correctly, Ronnie O'Brien was invited to join the squad for the US during under Staunton's reign but declined the invitation.

[Metrostars]

If memory serves me correctly, Ronnie O'Brien was invited to join the squad for the US during under Staunton's reign but declined the invitation.
He was never eligible for the US and was never invited. He did however turn down an invite from Staunton for the US Tour a few years ago.

anyone want to volunteer to track his performance data for Irish Abroad?
just read a review of the games he plays, and fill out a form that I'll provide - only takes a few minutes (ask TheBoss or IrishFan86 who track McGeady and Sheridan for me) and you'll receive full credit for the research
I'll try to track as much as I can.


i dont think trap will pick him now the mls is league 1 standard at most. that robbie obrian was not picked and he was in the mls there is also a player named earls who is irish and playes in the mls.

Plenty of MLS players playing for USA and Mexico so why not Ireland?

[theworm2345]

Plenty of MLS players playing for USA and Mexico so why not Ireland?
Not a high enough level.

[DannyInvincible]

He was never eligible for the US and was never invited. He did however turn down an invite from Staunton for the US Tour a few years ago.

Sorry, yes. I was being distracted when I wrote that and I'm just noticing it doesn't even make sense, ha. I'd meant to write: If memory serves me correctly, Ronnie O'Brien was invited to join the squad for the US tour during Staunton's reign but declined the invitation.

[irishultra]

if hes good he should get called up but hell need to be pretty good to merit it. am gonna watch mls this year. cant wait :D

[Colbert Report]

anyone want to volunteer to track his performance data for Irish Abroad?
just read a review of the games he plays, and fill out a form that I'll provide - only takes a few minutes (ask TheBoss or IrishFan86 who track McGeady and Sheridan for me) and you'll receive full credit for the research

I can do that, no problem. Vancouver have a team in the MLS this year so I'm going to try watching it, give me some football to look forward to this summer. Terrible football though, really shocking stuff, but good for a laugh I guess. PM me the form and I'll do my best.

[Charlie Darwin]

The MLS is a decent standard of football. There are plenty of us around here who go to League of Ireland games every week and manage to contain our laughter. I guess we are humble enough to recognise that the players on the pitch are far more talented than we are, if not quite world class.

[Colbert Report]

Yeah but you're seeing it live, in person. Nothing like going to a football match and enjoying the outdoors. Here in the middle of nowhere Canada, where I live, we can only get football on the television. What would you rather watch - Real Madrid vs. Manchester United or Chicago Fire vs. Dallas Burn?

[theworm2345]

The MLS is a decent standard of football. There are plenty of us around here who go to League of Ireland games every week and manage to contain our laughter. I guess we are humble enough to recognise that the players on the pitch are far more talented than we are, if not quite world class.
Yes but most can agree that only the best of the best in the League of Ireland should even be considered for an Ireland call. The same can be said about MLS and League One (obviously Kilbane, while excelling in League One, is a special case and even then most people on here call for him to be dropped). I watch League One (and below) and some LoI but usually not for the teams or the stunning football (which I don't really do aside from Ireland in terms of teams, or even CL for good football) rather to watch certain players. They only way that will likely happen with MLS is if Chad Ochocinco makes the Kansas City Wizards.

[Charlie Darwin]

Well the best of the MLS is better than the LOI. Landon Donovan is world class - perhaps the only world class MLS player in the prime of his career, but world class nonetheless. Even watching it on TV - I'd prefer to see any LOI game than, for instance, Stoke vs West Ham. The LOI can't compete with Man Utd v Arsenal but it's a good standard of football that's worth watching and you know that your support is going towards helping to improve it.

[tetsujin1979]

anyone want to volunteer to track his performance data for Irish Abroad?
just read a review of the games he plays, and fill out a form that I'll provide - only takes a few minutes (ask TheBoss or IrishFan86 who track McGeady and Sheridan for me) and you'll receive full credit for the research


I'll try to track as much as I can.


I can do that, no problem. Vancouver have a team in the MLS this year so I'm going to try watching it, give me some football to look forward to this summer. Terrible football though, really shocking stuff, but good for a laugh I guess. PM me the form and I'll do my best.
Quite a large response for this, either Folan is more popular than I expected, or the MLS is!
SkStu got back to me first with a PM at 1:39AM GMT, so I'm offering it to him. Metrostars, CCLinton, and Colbert Report (in that order) are backup should something come up and he's unable to get the details for a game

SkStu, I'll put together the form for the MLS and PM you the details, ok?

[Metrostars]

MLS is only going to improve now that the teams' academies are starting to produce some good young players. The academies didn't exist a few years ago.

Also, the same "barstooler" mentality exists here as it does in Ireland. So called experts who never attend an MLS game like to deride the quality and the gimmicks that were part of the game here when the league started back in 1996. Of course it's not the same level as the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A but I could care less. Yeah, it's shyte but it's our shyte. Just as I supported LOI before I moved here, I've supported MLS since it's inception.

I'll also keep an eye on Danny Earl and John Rooney.

[Metrostars]

bleedin rapid!

Colorado Rapid=CRapids

[AlaskaFox]

I'll also keep an eye on Danny Earl and John Rooney.

Earls was released earlier this month, but might be re-signing with the Rapids.
http://twitter.com/#!/RapidsSoccer/status/47444543242645504
Be nice to have two Irish on the same team. Both of them to be called-up for Trap's USA trip maybe?

[SkStu]

SkStu, I'll put together the form for the MLS and PM you the details, ok?

sounds good.

I would be honoured to contribute to your site. :ball: :)

[tetsujin1979]

sounds good.

I would be honoured to contribute to your site. :ball: :)
Excellent, PM sent


I'll also keep an eye on Danny Earl and John Rooney.
Earls is still without a club, but I'll set up the form for John Rooney for you?

[Metrostars]

Excellent, PM sent


Earls is still without a club, but I'll set up the form for John Rooney for you?

Sounds good. NY is my local team, partial season ticket holder so I'll watch most games. Rooney probably won't see a lot of action though.

[tetsujin1979]

Interview with Caleb on signing for Colorado
v-pdL8h2qd4

[cclinton]

Caleb listed on the Colorado website with a nationality of Eng/Ireland.
and listed on the MLS player database as English nationality: http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/F

-- the Colorado site earlier today just had England, but changed it to Eng/Ireland.

[tetsujin1979]

Sounds good. NY is my local team, partial season ticket holder so I'll watch most games. Rooney probably won't see a lot of action though.
sweet, pm sent

[pineapple stu]

Any other players like that? Guys who only played a few times but are remembered fondly? I was trying to think of some there...
Bernie Slaven I suppose - debut goal against Wales in the build up to Italia 90 euphoria; only seven caps overall.

Folan could well be in the squad if we go on this US tour thingy; at least there he wouldn't be too opposed to travelling. Depends if Trap sees a role for him in future squads though.

[sean r]

limerick manager scully has 1 cap vs tunisia.

[geysir]

Not a bad place to end up playing pro football.

No doubt he will be shedding buckets of tears, having to leave behind the luxurious surroundings, sophisticated culture and lifestyle of places like Hull.

[SkStu]

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=23003913

^^Colorado Rapid fans looking forward to seeing him in action.

full thread: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1654737

[Metrostars]

Colorado won the MLS Cup last year, they're a pretty tough team. They usually go with American Conor Casey a big giant lad and Omar Cummings a Jamaican who is pretty fast. With international call ups though, Folan will get his fair share of time on the field.

[AlaskaFox]

US Open Cup stream v Chicago Fire:
http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2011/03/live-colorado-vs-chicago

No idea if Folan is on the bench as I can't find the lineups anywhere. He's not starting though.

[SkStu]

US Open Cup stream v Chicago Fire:
http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2011/03/live-colorado-vs-chicago

No idea if Folan is on the bench as I can't find the lineups anywhere. He's not starting though.

nope. Not on the bench. Still gaining fitness apparently.

[EastTerracer]

Folan making his first league start for the Colorado Rapids tonight against DC United. The game is just about to start on Galavision (en espanol) for those in the US.

[geysir]

Looks like he has Brad Friedel playing up front alongside him.

[EastTerracer]

Goooooooooooool de Folan..... as the man on Galavision says. Beat his marker on the inside and hit a nice shot into the left-hand corner of the net.

[geysir]

A cracker, brilliant all round goal.

His partner up front is Conor Casey , makes John Hartson look agile.