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U.S. soccer pioneer and long-time coach John Kerr Sr. pass away yesterday at his home in North Carolina. &nbsp;For newer soccer fans this name may mean nothing but for long-time American soccer fans, Kerr was a pioneer who was a mainstay in the American soccer landscape up through the early days of MLS.
Kerr was born in Scotland and began his soccer career with Scottish club Patrick Thistle before moving with his mother to Canada. &nbsp;In 1968, he joined the Detroit Cougars of the NASL and the next year signed with the Washington Darts, who at the time were a second division club. &nbsp;He helped lead his team to the first division before bouncing around American soccer for the next decade with stints with the New York Cosmos (1972, 1973-1975) and the Washington Diplomats (1976-1977). &nbsp;He was a key contributor to the Cosmos’ 1972 championship. &nbsp;Between his stints for the Cosmos, he was acquired by Club America and was one of the early U.S. soccer league stars to be coveted by an international power. &nbsp;He had ten caps with the Canadian national team but never played in a World Cup.
After his playing days were over, he spent many years as a youth and professional coach in the DC metro area. &nbsp;He led the amateur Fairfax (VA) Spartans to the 1986 Amateur Cup and remained on as head coach when the team rebranded to become FC Washington and the Washington Stars in the American Soccer League. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/post/john-kerr-sr-one-of-american-soccers-pioneers-dies-at-age-67/2011/06/20/AGFoYddH_blog.html?wprss=soccer-insider" target="_blank">Two of his most high-profile pupils</a> in the youth ranks were U.S. forward Bruce Murray and his son John Kerr Jr., who played in England for years. &nbsp;In 1993, he became the head coach of the Richmond Kickers and&nbsp;remained&nbsp;there for two years. &nbsp;Throughout his career he was a passionate supporter of player’s rights and was involved in the creation of the NASL, Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), and MLS player’s unions.
Kerr was named to the <a href="http://www.vadcsoccerhof.org/inductees/287064.html" target="_blank">Virginia-DC soccer hall of fame</a> in 2005 and is considered a local legend. &nbsp;Even though he was a Canadian from Scotland, his impact on U.S. soccer was immense and long-lasting and his memory should be honored.

In Memoriam: US Soccer Pioneer John Kerr Sr.

In Memoriam: US Soccer Pioneer John Kerr Sr. - World Soccer Talk

<div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/sports/manchester-united/image/4893964?term=Manchester+United+Barcelona" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/4893964/manchester-united/manchester-united.jpg?size=380&amp;imageId=4893964" border="0" alt="Manchester player Rio Ferdinand looks on as BarcelonaÂ´s Lionel Messi Photo via Newscom" width="328" height="401"></figure></div></a></div>
Update: Get your <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/Manchester-United-vs-FC-Barcelona-tickets/artist/1586738?camefrom=[=CAMEFROM=]&amp;brand=tm&amp;tm_link=tm_homeA_rc_name2" target="_blank">DC tickets here</a>.
Congratulations D.C, Miami, and Dallas – according to the <a href="http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada10-11/12/23/n101223114774.html" target="_blank">FC Barcelona website</a> this morning you will have the opportunity to witness the world’s best team in person.
The team has announced its summer 2011 tour and it is a monster one.&nbsp; The club will begin in Europe against unknown opponents.&nbsp; They will play two matches at Munich’s Audi Cup on July 21 and 22, followed by a trip to Split, Croatia for a friendly July 25.
Then the team travels across the Atlantic for three matches in the United States.&nbsp; Dates, locations and opponents are below:
July 30 – Manchester United v. Barcelona (Washington, DC)
August 3 – AC Milan v. Barcelona (Miami, FL)
August 6 – America of Mexico v. Barcelona (Dallas, TX)
This will be the club’s first trip back to the U.S. since 2009 and the club expects to make <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-12-23-1138348316_x.htm" target="_blank">over $8 million</a> on the tour.
My first impression is that the Manchester United/Barca match will be epic.&nbsp; Expect that one to be played at Fedex Field instead of RFK due to its size and the stadium will be closed to full.&nbsp; AC Milan, which is no stranger to the U.S. having played friendlies here the past two summers, looks to be returning again and will give the Miami area some great soccer.&nbsp; Finally, Dallas will allow fans of the Mexican soccer league to see how their teams match up against a European giant.
What do you think about the announced schedule?&nbsp; Upset they are not playing MLS teams or your hometown is not on the tour schedule?&nbsp; Or just happy to have a chance to see Barcelona, Manchester United, and AC Milan back in the states?

Barcelona is Coming to America in 2011

Barcelona is Coming to America in 2011 - World Soccer Talk

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In Memoriam: US Soccer Pioneer John Kerr Sr.

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