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MLS EUROPEAN PRESENCE

Ajax America acknowledged last week that the club is actively participating in discussions to pursue an equity stake in a Major League Soccer franchise. Ajax America, the exclusive American affiliate of AFC Ajax (Amsterdam), is pursuing an equity stake with investment groups in Kansas City, Mo., and San Jose, Calif.

The company currently operates a youth academy, conducts national tournaments and national training schools and manages a Premier Development League team. Associating with an MLS franchise bridges the gap between Ajax and the highest level of American soccer.

"Investing in a professional soccer team is the next logical step in our company's growth plan," stated Ajax America president and CEO Mark Dillon. "We will aggressively pursue the opportunity that meets our expansion objectives."

Rich Bradley, Ajax America executive vice president and COO, implied that establishing an Orlando-based team is a logical and ideal expansion option because Central Florida serves as Ajax America's national headquarters and has a strong, supportive soccer community. However, Bradley added that he did not expect either the Earthquakes or the Wizards to relocate to Orlando.

No time frame has been established to complete a deal with either investment group, Bradley added.

YANKS INVASION

Several American players have made an immediate impact overseas in the first few weeks of European action.

In the English Premiere League, Brian McBride scored the game's only goal 10 minutes into the second half as Fulham defeated Everton 1-0 for its first win last weekend. The game also saw the return over Carlos Bocanegra to the starting line-up.

Claudio Reyna also made an impact on the Premiereship action. He scored his first goal of the season as Manchester City beat Portsmouth 2-1. Four matches into the season, City is in second place with 10 points, two behind front-runner Chelsea.

No one has been better overseas than midfielder Bobby Convey. After a miserable debut season last year with Ready FC in the English League Championship (second division) in which he rarely even suited up for games, he's off to a fantastic start in his second year.

He had a hand in all three goals against Preston on Aug. 13 and scored Reading's first two goals in a 5-0 win over Millwall on Aug. 20.