From Pinecrest to Parts Unknown (FM 2011)

[GoBlue2419]

This will be story #2 in my Pinecrest universe about athletes hailing from the fictional Minnesota town of Pinecrest. The first story is the currently ongoing "Minnesota Forever" dynasty about hockey players Luke Halvorsen and Dylan Patterson.

In this dynasty we will follow the career path of Brendan Carlson as he attempts to reach the pinnacle of the soccer/football world. Brendan is a 17 year old high school senior at Pinecrest High School. He plays club soccer for St. Paul Twin Stars. He is a central midfielder, and measures in at 6'1" and weights 156 pounds currently.

Some of Brendan's strengths include his passing, crossing, off the ball ability, determination, composure, work rate, natural fitness, and stamina. With his pace being of average quality, he has to rely on more of his mental abilities.

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As the 4th of July holiday approached during the summer before his senior year of high school, Brendan Carlson was hanging out with friends at the Lake Pinecrest beach when his phone rang. As he picked up the phone and looked at the number he did not recognize, Brendan contemplated ignoring the call and waiting to see if the caller left a voice mail. But at the last second, he decided to answer the call.

"Hello?" he answered with more of a question than a greeting.

"Brendan, this is Piotr Nowak, Manager and Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations for the Philadelphia Union."

"Oh, hi Coach," Brendan answered, trying to sound calmer than he was actually feeling at the moment.

"Brendan, we think you have a very bright future in soccer, and we would like to be a part of that future. We can help you develop your skills, and you can help us win soccer games," Nowak stated. "With that being said, the Philadelphia Union would like to offer you a contract. I know you have been thinking about college for your next steps, but I think coming to the MLS would be the best path to develop your skills further. What do you think?"

"Well, coach, I have to admit that an opportunity like this was something I was hoping for," Brendan remarked.

Nowak continued, "Now, obviously we would need to talk terms and involve your parents in this, but I wanted to talk with you and express our interest."

"Thank you Coach, I am honored, and as you mentioned, need to talk to my parents about this. Thank you for your call, and we will certainly talk again soon," Brendan shared as the call wrapped up.

[GoBlue2419]

Two days later, Brendan received an offer from Sigi Schmid, the Seattle Sounders manager, and that was followed up on the 4th of July of all days by an offer from Toronto FC.

By this time, Brendan and his parents had enlisted the help of their friend Chris Franklin, who was an attorney and gave them good sound legal advice regarding the offers. They talked through the ramifications of signing a pro contract now, how that would affect his senior year of high school, and what was best not only for his soccer development, but his future in general.

With Franklin's help, the Carlson family together had come to a decision, and had called all three clubs back to let them know of the decision. A press release has been scheduled for tomorrow, July 8th, 2011, where Brendan would announce his decision.

[GoBlue2419]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Seattle Sounders FC Announce Signing of Brendan Carlson

SEATTLE, Wash. (July 8th, 2011) - Seattle Sounders FC announced today the signing of 17-year-old American midfielder Brendan Carlson. Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Sounders manager Sigi Schmid made the announcement.

Carlson becomes Seattle's youngest player. Regarded as one of the United State’s top young players, Carlson had been playing his club soccer the last two years for St. Paul Twin Stars.

Carlson will be added to Seattle’s roster pending the successful completion of a physical.

“We are excited about acquiring a young player the caliber of Brendan,” said Schmid. “Brendan is a very gifted player who possesses great skills and maturity on the field for a player of his age. He is an imposing player on the field, has a tremendous upside and we look forward to watching his continued development in MLS.”

Full Name: Brendan Carlson
Position: Central Midfielder
Height: 6-1
Weight: 156
Born: Feb. 27, 1994 in Pinecrest, MN, USA
Hometown: Pinecrest, MN, USA
Last Club: St. Paul Twin Stars (St. Paul, MN)

[GoBlue2419]

Though it may or may not actually be against MLS policy to reveal contract details, in reality Brendan signed a 2 year contract, expiring 12/31/2013, for $135,000 a year.

[GoBlue2419]

The six friends sat around a table at Big Jimmy's Burger Shack, the long-time local favorite in Pinecrest, preparing for the time they knew would come, though not quite this soon. This sextet signified one of the greatest collection of athletes one high school class had ever produced, certainly a school or community the size of Pinecrest. All six had aspirations of a professional career in their particular sport. Dylan Patterson and Luke Halvorsen were the young hockey stars, Timothy Rogers was a star high school running back for Pinecrest High, Tyler Lopart had visions of a major league baseball career as a shortstop, Michael Keith's sport of dreams was basketball, and then there was Brendan. Brendan Carlson was the reason the six long-time pals were here, having one final Big Jimmy Smackdown meal together before Brendan headed off to Seattle to begin his professional soccer career tomorrow.

"We'll be following your tweets," Tyler remarked in between bites of his Smackdown.

"Send us tickets to a game as soon as you can. We'll get out there to see you," Timothy promised for the group.

As the boys said their goodbyes, Dylan and Luke pounded fists and gave their trademark exclamation stolen from the TV show "Friday Night Lights", "Minnesota forever!"

Brendan gave each of them a hug, grabbed his extra-large Coke, and headed off into the world of professional soccer.

[GoBlue2419]

Carlson Scores in Debut to Lead Seattle to Win

SEATTLE, Wash. (July 9th, 2011) - Eager to see what his new signing could do, Seattle Sounders manager Sigi Schmid threw 17-year-old Brendan Carlson out on the pitch one day after signing his first professional contract. His eagerness paid immediate dividends however as Carlson scored the lone goal of the match at the 77 minute mark, leading Seattle to a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC. Carlson picked up Man of the Match honors as well.

"Unbelievable!" Carlson proclaimed following the match. "To score in my first game, and to score the winning goal even further, it's just unbelievable. It's hard to put into words what I am feeling," the teenager continued.

Toronto FC was one of the teams offering Carlson a contract recently, along with Philadelphia and Seattle, so the loss must be particularly painful, leaving Toronto fans wondering what might have been.

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The USA Under 20 squad played its way all the way to the Finals of the Under 20s World Cup, where they ended up losing to Brazil 4-0 on 8/20/11. Brendan started and played the whole match, finishing with the highest rating for the American squad with 7.0.

Brazil goals were scored by:
- Lucas Piazon (10)
- Neymar (27, 51)
- Adryan (63)


A recap of Brendan's previous international experience:
- 1/8/11 - played entire game in 1-0 USA Under 20 World Cup Qualifying Match win over Canada. Finished with a 7.7 ranking. Lone goal scored by Andy Najar.

- 2/8/11 - scored 1st international goal in 5-0 win over Puerto Rico. Also assisted on another goal. Finished with 8.5 rating. USA goals scored by:
- Juan Agudelo (12)
- Brendan Carlson (30)
- Moises Hernandez (32)
- Michael Hoyos (75)
- Cesar Zamora (83)

- 3/25/11 - came on as a sub in the 69th minute of the 2-0 win over Tunisia. USA goals scored by Tristan Bowen (45) and Amobi Okugo (55). Finished with 6.9 rating.

- 6/7/11 - came on as sub in the 44th minute of 3-1 loss to Argentina Under 20s. Finished with a 6.7 rating.

[GoBlue2419]

Brendan did not see any further action for Seattle until he came on as a sub for the injured Mauro Rosales at the 14 minute mark of Seattle's match versus Diriangen (Nicaragua) in The CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round 2 on 8/31/11. Two professional games, and 2 goals for Brendan, as he scored after being on the pitch for 3 minutes.

[GoBlue2419]

Other news from around the soccer/football world thus far in this world:

- Nilmar transferred from Villareal to Barcelona on 1/10/11 for $38 million.
- Jefferson Farfan transferred from Schalke to Manchester City on 1/26/11 for $33.5 million
- Maicon transferred from Inter Milan to Manchester City on 1/26/11 for $21.5 million.
- Landon Donovan transferred to Wigan on 1/31/11 for $11 million.
- Man City continues its big spending by spending $25 million on 6/13/11 for Christopher Samba, who transferred from Blackburn.
- Etienne Capoue transferred from Toulouse FC to Liverpool on 6/15/11 for $21 million.
- In biggest transfer thus far, Seydou Doumbia sold to Fulham by CSKA Moscow on 6/23/11 for $39.5 million.
- Didier Drogba transferred from Chelsea to FC Barcelona on 7/6/11 for $15.25 million.

In USA/MLS Soccer news:
- The Donovan transfer noted above
- Kyle Beckerman transferred from Salt Lake to LA Galaxy on 2/4/11 for $1.2 million.
- Houston sells both Brian Ching and Geoff Cameron. Ching was sold to Norway's Rosenborg on 2/26/11 for $575,000, and Cameron sold to Lokomotiv Moscow on 2/8/11 for $450,000.
- Pablo Mastroeni moves from Colorado to Houston.
- Seattle sold Fredy Montero to AS Monaco FC on 6/14/11 for $3.6 million.
- Toronto sold Julian De Guzman to Everton on 6/29/11 for $1.9 million.
- Tim Ream sold from NY Red Bulls to San Jose on 7.29/11 for $1.1 million.

[GoBlue2419]

Brendan's next action came on 9/3/11 in Seattle's match with the Houston Dynamo. This one ended in a 1-1 tie, and Brendan started and played the whole match.

[GoBlue2419]

Carlson Lost For 6-8 Weeks

SEATTLE, Wash. (October 5th, 2011) - Manager Sigi Schmid confirmed Seattle fans' worst fears this morning when he confirmed that promising young midfielder Brendan Carlson would be out for 6-8 weeks with a torn calf muscle. Carlson suffered the injury in last night's CONCACAF Champions League Group D match with Marathon.

"Brendan is obviously very disappointed. He has been a key contributor for us this season, and we will surely miss his presence on the pitch," Schmid shared with reporters at the press conference outside Seattle's training ground.

With the surprise transfer earlier this season of the other young star for Seattle, Fredy Montero, Sounders' followers have been wearing Carlson jerseys around Seattle more and more, and the club expects this to be a minor blip in the promising future of the young starlet.

[GoBlue2419]

In other news around the world in this universe, Roberto Mancini resigned from Manchester City on 10/12/11 to become manager at Benfica. Manchester City hired former AC Milan and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelloti as its new manager on 10/15/11.

Man City started off the Premier League campaign struggling mightily, winning 2, losing 3, and drawing twice before Mancini's resignation.

[GoBlue2419]

On January 1st, 2012, Lionel Messi was awarded the World Golden Ball award. Cristiano Ronaldo was runner-up, and Cesc Fabregas was third.

Messi was also named as World Player of the Year, with Ronaldo second, and Wayne Rooney placing third.

In league races around the world:
English Premier:
1. Manchester City (have been unstoppable under Ancelloti) - 45 points
2. Arsenal - 43
3. Manchester United - 41
4. Chelsea - 41
5. WOLVES?? - 40
6. Liverpool, Tottenham, and Everton all tied with 35

La Liga
1. Barcelona - 41 points
2. Real Madrid - 37
3. Sevilla - 34
4. Villareal - 30
5. Valencia - 25

Serie A
1. Inter Milan - 43 pts.
2. Juventus -40
3. AC Milan - 34
4. Fiorentina - 30
5. Genoa - 29

Bundesliga
1. Bayern Munich - 40 pts
2. Wolfsburg - 37
3. Werder Bremen - 35
4. Mainz - 27
4. Stuttgart - 27

Meanwhile, Brendan is expected to be back in training in 2-3 weeks after recovering from the calf tear.

[GoBlue2419]

As Brendan neared completion of his recovery from the calf tear, rumors started to swirl that a number of clubs around the world had taken notice of the Pinecrest youngster. Among the clubs rumored to be interested in him were the Belgian club Genk, German First Division club 1.FC Koln, French Ligue 1 club Stade Malherbe Caen, and the Mexican top division club San Luis.

[GoBlue2419]

Brendan's first game back after injury was a USA Under23 Olympic Qualifying match against Costa Rica on January 31st, 2012. He started the match, and despite still not fully fit, played the whole match, and played well at that. USA defeated Costa Rica handily, 5-1, behind 4 goals from Jozy Altidore. While not assisting on any of the goals, Brendan was a force on offense, as he had 4 shots.

His next competitive match was another USA Under23 Olympic Qualifying match, this time against Canada on February 2nd. Once again Brendan started and played the whole match, scoring a goal at the 65 minute mark to help lead the US squad to a 3-2 victory. Jozy Altidore continued his hot streak with 2 more goals for the American side.

Next on the docket was an Olympic Qualifying tilt against Trinidad and Tobago on February 6th. Brendan scored again, but it was not enough for the US as they fell 2-1.

Up next was a match against Jamaica in the Olympic Qualifying Semi-Finals. The USA rebounded from its disappointing defeat to Trinidad and Tobago by pummeling Jamaica 4-0. Brendan scored another, and Jozy Altidore came back strong with 2 more goals along with one from Mikkel Diskerud.

The Olympic Qualifying Final ended with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Mexico. Brendan played the whole match once more, and was one of the best players for the US on the pitch, but the American side could not mount many scoring threats against the Mexican defense.

[GoBlue2419]

Brendan's next action saw him suit up for the USA Under20 squad in a Under20 World Cup Qualifying match against Guadalupe. The USA squad easily defeated Guadalupe 5-0, as Brendan scored a goal, and Jack McInerney added 2 goals to pace the USA team. Brendan added an assist, and picked up Man of the Match honors to continue his excellent International play.

Rumors still persist that he may be headed out of Seattle, as demand for his skills may be too much for Seattle to withstand. The German club Werder Bremen is rumored to have entered the picture, along with FC Mainz, in addition to the earlier rumored clubs.

[GoBlue2419]

In World soccer/football news, Fabio Capello decided to retire, thereby relinquishing his duties as England manager.

One week later, in a move perhaps foreshadowing what may happen in real-life, at least if many in England have their druthers, Harry Redknapp resigned from Tottenham Hotspur to take over the England job.

[GoBlue2419]

Carlson Released by Seattle

SEATTLE, Wash. (August 7th, 2012) - In a strange turn of events, Seattle Sounders FC has released its young star Brendan Carlson. Rumors have been swirling for months that several international clubs have been pursuing him, so this move is extremely surprising. If Seattle was willing to accept offers for him, why would they release him and not receive compensation for his services.

An unnamed source in the Seattle board room intimated that Carlson's agent, Ryan Franklin, approached the club and demanded his release. We have as yet been unable to get an official confirmation of this, and it would seem unlikely that Seattle would easily accept this demand if true.

With most of the rest of the world moving towards the start of the 2012-2013 season, it is not likely Carlson is unemployed for long, but many clubs may have preferred to see more from him before venturing to acquire him outright.

[GoBlue2419]

Out-of-contract Carlson Fires His Agent

SEATTLE, Wash. (August 12th, 2012) - In a move that seems to indicate Brendan Carlson's agent, Ryan Franklin, did indeed demand Seattle release Carlson from his contract, and seemingly against his wishes, Brendan Carlson has fired Franklin.

Carlson has thus far refused comment on the reason for the firing, but given that Franklin was a family friend from Carlson's home town, Pinecrest Minnesota, the relationship seems to have soured quickly.

Now out of contract, Carlson will have to find a new agent quickly as international clubs are still in the open transfer period, and if he wants to get back to playing club soccer soon.

[GoBlue2419]

New York Red Bulls Sign Carlson

New York, NY (March 13, 2013) - Brendan Carlson is finally able to continue his club career as he has signed a new contract with the New York Red Bulls of the MLS today. Contract details were revealed to be $79,000 per year through the year 2015.

"I am very excited to be a part of the Red Bulls organization," Carlson shared at the press conference. "The opportunity to play for Bob Bradley, and to play with Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, and in a market as great as New York . . . . I am very excited."

The Red Bulls are coming off of a 2012 season that saw them make it to the MLS Finals, before losing to Seattle. New York is also the reigning US Cup champion. They open their season on March 30th in Philadelphia against the Union.

[Editorial interjection: Despite being in second place at the time, New York fired manager Hans Backe on 9/15/12, replacing him with Bob Bradley.]

[GoBlue2419]

Brendan has played in all 6 MLS Regular Season games for the Red Bulls thus far.

3/30/13 - 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union - goal for Brendan, 7.8 rating
4/6/13 - 2-0 victory over San Jose - Man of the Match for Brendan, 8.6 rating
4/13/13 - 2-2 tie with FC Dallas - 7.4 rating for Brendan
4/20/13 - 2-1 loss to Columbus - 7.1 rating for Brendan
5/4/13 - 2-2 tie with Chivas USA - 7.4 rating for Brendan
5/8/13 - 2-1 loss to Philadelphia Union - 6.9 rating for Brendan