日本サッカー J-League Defender Takahito Soma to come to MLS

Former Urawa Reds and current Second Division Bundesliga Energie Cottbus defender Takahito Soma has announced he has accepted an offer to move to an undisclosed Major League Soccer team here in the United States. This move is slated to take place during this summers transfer window. The 29 year old former J-League defender will join Colorado Rapids star Kosuke Kimura as the second player from Japan to join the MLS. "I have had an offer from an MLS club and want to move in the summer," Soma was quoted as saying Thursday. We at American Mishima are very happy to see the MLS invest in J-League players instead of retiring European players in decline. I have always argued the point about the logic of paying millions for the Beckhams of the world when the J-League has many talented players in their prime who would love to come play in the US. It's a wise descision to consider more J-League talent scouting. After all, who set up the winning goals in the last MLS Cup at BMO Field? It sure wasn't the likes of Thierry Henry or the over-hyped David Beckham. No, it was Kosuke Kimura - a man who was initially rejected by the J-League who has since become a superstar in his home country of Japan. I rest my case! I give kudos to the MLS for finally waking up and smelling that sashimi! We at American Mishima would like to offer Soma-San a nice よこそ ことしも よろしく おねがいします! & がんばって ください! Now show the MLS what the J-League players can bring to the pitch! Ganbare!

補佐して日本 LA GALAXY Partners to help Japan Disaster Victims

Fresh off their season opening 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders at Qwest Field in Seattle Washington, the LA GALAXY on the eve of their 2011 home season opener at the Home Depot Center in Carson California have announced today that they have partnered with the American Red Cross to help with the disaster relief efforts in Japan. Here at American Mishima, we are filled with joy to see our favorite MLS team partake in such great humanitarian efforts. We applaud their efforts and ask that the GALAXY and other MLS teams participating continue to do so. ありがとうございます!

Below reads from their official press release sent to me today.

Galaxy Invite Fans to Donate to Relief Efforts at Sunday’s Home Opener Against the New England Revolution at The Home Depot Center

CARSON, Calif. (Friday, March 18, 2011) – The LA Galaxy will partner with the American Red Cross to collect financial donations for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief fund this Sunday prior to kickoff of the club’s home opener against the New England Revolution at 5 p.m. at The Home Depot Center.
The Galaxy are inviting fans to join in those efforts by making a donation to the American Red Cross at one of The Home Depot Center’s entrances prior to kickoff. Additionally, donations can be made at the Galaxy Foundation booth or at the Team LA Store and any of its five Team LA merchandise booths inside the stadium through the end of halftime.

For those not in attendance, donations can also be made online at redcross.org or by texting “redcross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

A gift to the American Red Cross will support disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and the subsequent tsunami that struck Japan and throughout the Pacific. On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

For more information, please contact the Galaxy Community Development department at (310) 630-2200 or visit www.lagalaxy.com.

日本における災害 MLS Star Kosuke Kimura Reflects on the Disaster in Japan.

Kosuke Kimura is the only Japanese player from Japan in the MLS who plays for the Colorado Rapids. Originally rejected by Japan’s J-League, he has since become a huge star in his native country of Japan after helping the Colorado Rapids win the 2010 MLS Cup in Toronto Canada. It is reported that his family in Japan is ok but none the less is understandably concerned for his countrymen. Kimura was in Seattle when the 8.9 quake hit Japan. Kimura spoke on camera while in Seattle to reflect on this most recent tragedy. Please watch.

災害救援 MLS Teams Pledge Aid to Japan Disaster Victims

The tragic events following Japan’s most devastating earthquake has found an ironically named sports franchise to come to their aid. The San Jose “Earthquakes” have stepped up to the plate to be the first sports franchise in the United States and in the MLS to come to the aid of Japan’s many disaster victims. The San Jose Major League Soccer franchise  announced today that they would donate part of their proceeds of their 2011 Season Opening game at Buckshaw Stadium in San Jose on March 19^th 7:30PM PST.

In addition to this announcement, the SJ Earthquakes have partnered with the American Red Cross to set up donation bins so fans may contribute to the growing relief effort. The team also plans to donate $50.00 USD for every goal defended by their goal keeper for the entire year. Considering they saved some 119 goals this could add up. Every little bit helps.

As quoted from the San Jose Earthquakes website “We were deeply saddened by the events that transpired in Japan on Thursday,” said Earthquakes President David Kaval. “As an organization, it’s our mission to be a leader in the community. We recognize that there are thousands of families in the Bay Area who were affected by this tragedy and I would like to personally encourage all of our fans to make a donation to the relief effort.”

As admirable as San Jose MLS franchise efforts they are not to be the only American Soccer team in this effort. The Seattle Sounders have also partnered with the American Red Cross to join in on the relief effort. The Seattle Sounders have invited fans to donate to the relief fund for Japan in their 2011 MLS Season Opener against the LA Galaxy this March 15^th at Qwest Field. Seattle has a large Japanese community with strong ties to Japan. Both teams and players have expressed compassion for the victims and seek to involve their fans in the relief efforts. Turnouts are expected to be large and we at American Mishima encourage all soccer fans to please come and donate to the Red Cross.

It is often in moments of tragedy that people come together and express both their compassion for their fellow man as well as their generosity. We applaud San Jose and Seattle for their help for the People of Japan. It is our hope at American Mishima that other MLS teams will join the relief effort as well as other sports franchises. Should more MLS teams join in we will write about them here.

May all your family and friends be safe. Our hearts and prayers go out to the People of Japan.

Please visit Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone to support

The American Red Cross emergency and disaster relief efforts.

ども ありがとう ございます.