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The soccer news hits just keep on coming: mega-deal transfer rumors, European giants playing preseason exhibition games from Seattle to Seoul and, in a turn-back-the-clock twist worthy of Tom Watson at the British Open, Ronaldo banging in the goals for Corinthians. But for the next 12 months there really is only one soccer story -- South Africa.

During the past week in South Africa, World Cup stadium workers settled their strike action, the millionaires of Manchester City were humbled by Soweto's Orlando Pirates and the Mamelodi Sundowns new head coach, former Chicago Fire forward Hristo Stoichkov, put his charges through training camp ahead of the upcoming Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.

That latter story has the South African media abuzz. For many pundits, the appointment of the fiery Stoichkov is more surreal than Austrian soccer authorities imposing a stadium ban on vuvuzuelas (which also happened last week). While the land of Strauss won't let you waltz into its arena with a plastic horn, for the time being you can see Stoichkov patrol the Sundowns sidelines.

If the "for the time being" disclaimer sounds a tad negative, then consider that the Sundowns had three head coaches last season, and Stoichkov is the 11th head coach since demanding tycoon Patrice Motsepe took control of the team in 2003. Lately, the five-time PSL champions (most recently winners of back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007) have not lived up to their nickname, "The Brazilians." The moniker comes from their uniform colors, but last season the Sundowns playing style was more slumber than samba as they finished ninth in the 16-team PSL.

Last Friday, July 17, was the 15th anniversary of Brazil's 1994 FIFA World Cup triumph. Stoichkov was joint top scorer (six goals with Russia's Oleg Salenko) at USA '94 as Bulgaria finished in a best-ever fourth place. That feat is known as "the unforgettable American summer" in Stoichkov's homeland. Unforgettable is an apt description for the fearsome striker as well. His lethal left foot, explosive temperament and ever-present piercing glare drew the attention of everyone in the stadium. A key member of Barcelona's 1992 "Dream Team," Stoichkov won the 1994 Ballon D'or (European Footballer of the Year) having finished second in the voting in 1992.

Stoichkov's glory days at the Nou Camp ended in 1998. After stints back home in Bulgaria and with teams in Saudi Arabia and Japan, Stoichkov joined the Chicago Fire for the 2000 MLS season. At Soldier Field in 1994, Stoichkov scored two goals in Bulgaria's first-ever World Cup Finals victory (4-0 against Greece) and Chicago would continue to be a special place for him during his time in MLS. He scored two goals on his debut for the Fire, and led the team to a U.S. Open Cup triumph in his first season, scoring the go ahead goal in a 2-1 win against the Miami Fusion. The Fire just missed the double that season, losing 1-0 to the Kansas City Wizards in the MLS Cup Final.

Controversy, of course, followed the volatile striker as closely as Italy's defense marked him in the 1994 World Cup semifinal. His MLS career was no exception, culminating in Stoichkov's rash tackle that broke a college player's leg in a D.C. United-American University scrimmage game. A player-coach with the Black-and-Red in 2003, Stoichkov's first dugout command came with his appointment as Bulgaria national team head coach in 2004.

The combustible Stoichkov clashed with referees, national team officials and some of his best players, most notably team captain Stilian Petrov, who quit the team for a spell. The return of the prodigal legend ended with Stoichkov's resignation in 2007. A short stay at Spain's Celta Vigo did little to enhance Stoichkov's reputation as a head coach. Hence the surprise and hoopla when the former World Cup star landed in the 2010 World Cup host nation last month.

The always candid (and quotable) Stoichkov famously once said, "If you understand football, you make substitutions during the game. If you don't, you make comments after it." The much-traveled goal scorer gets another shot at proving his point in South Africa. And while many pundits still ponder if South Africa is ready for the World Cup, a more pressing question might be, is South Africa ready for Hristo Stoichkov?

2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Former D.C. United goalkeeper Troy Perkins was back manning the nets for the U.S. national team in the 2-1 quarterfinal overtime win over Panama on Saturday, July 18, in Philadelphia. The other MLS alumnus still on the Gold Cup roster for the game, former FC Dallas defender Clarence Goodson, was a halftime substitute for Jimmy Conrad, who suffered a concussion at the end of the first half. A pair of MLS alumni saw playing time for Panama. Ex-Revs striker Ricardo Phillips was a second-half substitute and former Real Salt Lake forward Luis Tejada joined the fray in overtime. Bob Bradley's men will play Honduras in Saturday's semifinal at Soldier Field in Chicago. Another ex-Rev, Michael Parkhurst, will return from Denmark to rejoin the U.S. national team for the Honduras game. He played in the three first-round games but was allowed to return to his club side FC Nordsjaelland for this past weekend's opening round of the new Danish season.

In the first game of the Philadelphia quarterfinal doubleheader, Honduras beat Canada 1-0 on a Walter Martinez penalty kick in the 35th minute. Ex-Toronto FC 'keeper Greg Sutton was in goal for Canada.

In the first game of Sunday's other quarterfinal double-dip at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Costa Rica beat Guadeloupe, 5-1. Former Fire and Crew forward Andy Herron scored the Ticos' third goal, his second strike in as many games. Ex-MetroStars midfielder Pablo Brenes also started for Costa Rica. In its first Gold Cup semifinal appearance since 2003, Costa Rica will face Mexico (who beat Haiti, 4-0) in Chicago on Saturday.

UEFA Europa League

It might still be summertime, but the Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup) is already under way. Former Colorado Rapids midfielder Tam McManus scored his first goal for Ireland's Derry City in a preliminary round game on Thursday, July 16. McManus, who has been dogged by injury problems since moving to Ireland, picked a good time to get on the scoring charts, scoring an always-important away goal as Derry tied 1-1 at Skonto Riga in Latvia.

Other MLS alumni to see Europa League action last week were ex-FC Dallas striker Juan Toja and two-team-MLS veteran Douglas Sequeira. Toja's Steaua Bucharest (Romania) beat Ujpest FC (Hungary) 2-0 at home. Sequeira's Tromso IL (Norway) tied 0-0 at Dinamo Minsk in Belarus. The second leg of all Europa League ties will be played on Thursday, July 23.

The draw for the third preliminary round was made at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland on Friday, July 17. If Derry City gets by Skonto they will face Hristo Stoichkov's old team, CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria). A win for Steaua Bucharest will earn them a tie with either KS Flamurtari (Albania) or Motherwell (Scotland.) A victory for Tromso IL will see them play FK Milano (Macedonia) or NK Slaven Koprivnica (Croatia).

In addition, Clint Dempsey's Fulham join the competition in the third preliminary round. The Cottagers will play either FK Vetra (Lithuania) or HJK Helsinki (Finland). Troy Perkins Valerenga (Norway) will face PAOK (Greece). All games are played over two legs, with the first legs to be played on July 30 and the return legs on August 6.

Elsewhere around the world

In Brazil, in Week 11 of the Campeonato Brasileirao, on July 15, former MetroStars defender Danilo da Silva played the full 90 as Internacional beat Fluminense 4-2. Two late second-half strikes from Taison clinched the win. On Sunday, in Week 12, Danilo dropped to the bench for Internacional's visit to Gremio. The defender was a second-half substitute in the 2-1 loss.

In Colombia, in Week 2 of the Copa Mustang II, former MetroStars striker Sergio Galvan Rey stayed on the bench as Atletico National gained a 2-2 tie at America de Cali on Sunday.

In Denmark, former Revs defender Michael Parkhurst helped FC Nordsjaelland get the new season off to a strong start. Fresh off his Gold Cup experiences with the U.S. national team, Parkhurst played the full 90 as Nordsjaelland beat cross-town rivals and defending champions FC Copenhagen, 2-0, on July 18. In other Danish SAS Ligaen opening weekend action on Saturday, another MLS alumnus and U.S. national team defender, Danny Califf, went the distance as his FC Midtjylland were held at home 0-0 by Esbjerg.

In Ecuador, in Week 1 of the Segunda Fase, El Nacional beat Macara, 1-0 on an Edmundo Zura 61st-minute goal. Former MetroStars and LA Galaxy midfielder Wellington Sanchez played the full 90 for El Nacional.

In Ireland, former Revs forward Richie Baker hit the winning goal for Shelbourne in a 1-0 win over Sporting Fingal on Friday, July 17. The win kept Shelbourne four points clear at the top of the First Division (Ireland's second tier).

In Peru, on Saturday in Week 22 of the Primera Professional de Peru, former D.C. United goalkeeper Jose Carvallo's Sporting Cristal held league leaders Universitario de Deportes to a 1-1 tie at home.

In Scotland, former Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu told the Scottish Daily Record on July 15 that his rehab from knee surgery is going well and that he has marked down Rangers game at Motherwell on September 12 for his return to SPL action.

On Saturday, July 18, former Revs midfielder Andy Dorman scored St. Mirren's goal in the 1-0 exhibition game win at Ayr United.

Tradewinds

England League One side Southampton has reportedly offered former Columbus Crew striker Stern John a new contract. The Trinidad and Tobago forward was expected to leave the South Coast outfit after they loaned him out to Bristol City last season. Championship side Crystal Palace were said to be interested in signing John, who is a free agent, but new Southampton manager Alan Pardew has stated that he sees John as a key figure in helping the Saints gain promotion in the upcoming season. That will be a difficult challenge, as Southampton start the new season carrying a 10-point deduction due to going into administration (bankruptcy protection) in April.

Napoli head coach and former MetroStars midfielder Roberto Donadoni is reported to have settled on Liverpool's Italian international defender Andrea Dossena as his next transfer target.

Unnecessary Performance of the Week

If former Red Bulls teen sensation Jozy Altidore does stay at Villarreal for the upcoming La Liga season he will clearly face stiff competition for a starting spot. Without the services of Altidore or Giuseppe Rossi on Sunday, El Submarino Amarillo demolished Spanish third tier team Navata, 27-0, in a preseason exhibition game. New signee Jonathan Pereiro led the way with seven goals. But, frankly, what was the point of humiliating such an inferior opponent? It serves no purpose except to undermine sportsmanship and completely flaunt the FIFA mandated ideal of "Fair Play." That is the last thing the beautiful game needs right now and it earns the inaugural "Unnecessary Performance of the Week."

Mark C. Young is an Emmy Award-winning freelance writer/TV producer who has covered several FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games. He is a contributor to Goal.com and also writes for the blog "No Mas."