MLS News Briefs: From Net to Net

by Jason Endres - February 27, 2008

 
▪ Dynamo Place, LA Show at PPC

In our weekly peek around the league: our favorite snoops around the country hit preseason camps, RSL gets a house call from Scotland and Oscar de la Hoya enters the MLS ring.

▪ The Road to China
▪ To Prem or Not to Prem?
 

......

FC Dallas are still in talks with Chile international Reinaldo Navia. The forward, who currently plays for Argentina’s Racing Club, is seen to be a replacement for the departed Carlos Ruiz. "I would say he's the most likely one to happen right now," Morrow told the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. 

......

Defender Wilman Conde did not travel with the Chicago Fire to their camp in Mexico. The Red Card blog is reporting that Conde, who seems to have forgotten his wish to be traded, is awaiting some paperwork before he can join the team in Mexico.

Former Lyon striker Steve Marlet is, however, traveling with the team in an extended audition. One player who may not be joining the club south of the border is trialist Jesus Mendoza, who has now moved on to a trial with the Red Bulls. New York is in Austria for training this week.

......

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the Crew after Cuba midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, a defector that also had a look with Chivas USA. 

......

Steven Goff of the Washington Post reports that DC United are giving a trial to former player Santino Quaranta, who was let go by New York after last season.

......

LA forward Edson Buddle has returned home to have his collarbone injury treated as the team jets off to start a three-game Asian tour in South Korea.

......

In a move to clear salary cap space, the New York Red Bulls dealt midfielder Dema Kovalenko to Real Salt Lake for future draft picks this weekend. Kovalenko made $190,000 in the 2007 season.

New York also waived forward Francis Doe as Juan Carlos Osorio indicated he would only carry four forwards on his senior roster. Now, the Red Bulls have Jozy Altidore, Juan Pablo Angel, new signing Oscar Etcheverry and veteran John Wolyniec in their stable.

......

Toronto FC no long appears to be a destination for Braga striker Joao Pinto. The former Portugal World Cup player had trained with the club last week, but a deal does not seem to be in the cards. "I can't discuss anything until things are done," Johnston told the Toronto Star about negotiations with Pinto. "We're not close."

Meanwhile, Johnston indicated rookie defender Julius James is having a strong camp and rookie goalkeeper Brian Edwards is poised to beat out trialist Josh Wagenaar to make the squad. 

......

In Salt Lake City, Singapore forward Indra Sahdan Daud is on the bubble to make the squad, according to the Deseret Morning News. The trialist has been invited to their Argentina camp for an extended look, but the club also have signed Gretna forward Kenny Deuchar.

The 27-year old Scot has helped Gretna reach the Scottish Premier League by winning the Scottish Third, Second and First Division in consecutive seasons from 2004 to 2007. He scored 72 goals in 95 appearances for the Anvils, including a record 41 goals in 24 appearances while in the Second Division.

Real head coach Jason Kreis liked what he saw when Gretna took on Scottish giants Rangers. “When you go to see a player play against Rangers and he scores twice, it tends to be a bit of an element," said the coach.

Deuchar is also a practicing medical doctor and may work in a local medical hospital.

In other RSL news, defender Richie Kotschau is no longer with the club, who decided it is happy with the trio of Nat Borchers, Matias Mantilla and rookie David Horst.

......

In Houston, legendary boxer Oscar De La Hoya and businessman Gabriel Brener are expected to purchase a minority share in the Dynamo. "We have been negotiating with Oscar and Gabriel, and those negotiations are quite far along," AEG spokesman Michael Roth told the Houston Chronicle.

"Negotiations have been progressing quite rapidly in the past few days, and we believe when Oscar comes to (Houston) to meet with us on Friday we could formalize and finalize the deal."

Both De La Hoya and Brenner will receive a 25% share of the club, allowing the boxer to join The Price is Right host Drew Carey as celebrity owners in Major League Soccer.

  • Home
  • News
    • Stateside
    • Europe
  • Match Reports
    • Stateside
    • Europe
  • Free Kicks
  • Special Features
  • About
  • Contact