UPDATE: INCOMING: Veron to DC United?

In a story appearing on this Argentine web site, a reported offer of $20 million dollars has been extended to the Argentine midfielder by D.C. United. This would make sense since the club has said previously to not be suprised if they pulled the trigger on signing a Designated Player this year if the player and timing was right. Veron would easily be a great player for DC United and make the the team to beat in the East. With the 2007 MLS Cup being held at RFK stadium you can bet DC United's front office is going to make all the moves necessary to see that they have a high chance of being participants rather than just hosts.

UPDATE:INCOMING: Veron To a MLS Side

"Veron is off to join Beckham" is the headline. Veron confirmed he is flying to the United States next Tuesday. The article also confirms it to be a 20 million dollar deal. At this point it's easier to speculate on a MLS team with an unused DP slot. Btw, the headline is simply speaking in general terms.

INCOMING: Veron to Chivas USA

An Argentinean article points out that Veron has confirmed that a MLS side has made an offer for him and he would be living in Hollywood.  The article points out that a MLS representative is on his way to finalize the deal. 

 

COMPETITION: Toronto to host 2008 MLS All Star Game

MLSR has learned that Toronto will be the 2008 host of the MLS All Star Game. This move was no doubt prompted by the display of fan passion in the city for Toronto FC.

COMPETITION: MLS to get two spots in CONMEBOL's Copa Sudamericana

That's right. MLS will now get two berths into the 2nd most prestigious South American club football competition, the Nissan Copa Sudamericana. The spots will be awarded to the two MLS sides which finish with the best record in the newly created SuperLiga. DC United is representing MLS this year due to their record in last years CONCACAF Champion's Cup

INCOMING: Jay Jay Okocha to Real Salt Lake?

This rumor has been out there for a while but worthy of a mention. It comes to us courtesy of the always reliable RSLFM. It was also mentioned on the Australian Four Four Two site.

Before his move to Qatar, Okocha played for Bolton, Paris St-Germain and Fenerbahce, among others. He has tallied 15 goals for his country's national team in 74 appearances. Apparently he is only waiting for his work permit.

INCOMING: Bruno Marioni to FC Dallas?

In this story, we learn that FC Dallas may be after not one but TWO Designated Players. The latest is Argentine Bruno Marioni who had previously during the winter transfer window, been linked to Houston Dynamo. Currently he plays for Boca Juniors. In other FC Dallas DP news we learn that they along with Real Salt Lake are interested in Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha.

EXPANSION: And the Three Cities are..

Ahead of tomorrow's State of The League address by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, MLSR has learned from a trusted source that the next three cities for expansion will be San Jose (which will be announced), Portland and New York City for the 2010 season. The New York City proposal was from Fred Wilpon owner of the New York Mets who offered to build a soccer specific stadium in the city of New York. Their crosstown rivals Red Bull New York currently play their matches at Giant's Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey and is constructing a soccer specific stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Three other cities mentioned as "on the bubble" were Philadelphia, Las Vegas and St Louis.

INCOMING: Fabio Capello to LA Galaxy, OUTGOING:: Frank Yallop to San Jose?

According to this story, David Beckham's former manager at Real Madrid is in talks with an MLS club and may rejoin the English footballer. MLSR sources indicate that it is actually the LA Galaxy which are looking to replace a struggling Frank Yallop. In related news, Frank Yallop return to coach a ressurected San Jose Earthquakes is a very real possibility.

EXPANSION: League to announce return of San Jose During Wednesday address/Other 2 clubs before end of the season.

Don Garber said the following in an online chat today:
Question:

When will MLS be expanding to Pacific Northwest/Florida/New York/Philadelphia/Canada?

Don Garber
If I answer that here, we certainly won't have much to talk about during the State of the League address tomorrow. I'm well aware that much of the internet traffic and fan buzz recently concerns expansion and all of you know I, and MLS president Mark Abbot, spend a great deal of our time traveling from city to city meeting with potential owners, officials and sports authorities and all others to manage the expansion of the league. I'm very confident that we will be able to announce a 16-team league by the end of the year. It's still a moving target as to what cities will flow in when.

Our take: San Jose will be announced as coming back for 2008 and possibly Philadelphia, New York City, St Louis, Las Vegas, Seattle or Portland will be announced later this year.

OUTGOING: Eddie Johnson to Derby County? Not Anymore.

Courtesy of: soccerbuzzonline.com

Last week, there were several stories about newly promoted Premiership side Derby County looking to buy American striker Eddie Johnson from the Kansas City Wizards. However, Derby announced that the deal fell through, and that they would be looking elsewhere for a forward. Some thought these stories were unfounded rumors, and many believed that the league’s transfer fee demands were too high.

I’ve learned from reliable sources that the deal was actually set as the league and the Wizards’ owners agreed to sell him for around £2.5-£3 ($5-6) million. However, Johnson himself nixed the deal.

It bears repeating to critics of the league that feel that the players are constantly held hostage by clubs and the league office; Eddie Johnson put the kibosh on this one, not the league.

Why would Johnson not approve a move abroad? First, he was not going to receive the standard cut from the transfer fee that players normally receive. The player normally gets 10% of the transfer fee, but Johnson would have received something substantially less.

Also, Johnson wants to finish the season with Kansas City and then re-evaluate his status. He feels that he is on the uptick as he is having a fantastic season with the Wizards thus far, and he feels that he could have even better opportunities abroad should he continue to keep banging goals.

If I can speculate further, Johnson also appears to be enjoying himself in Kansas City at this season. He has a good relationship with his teammates, and above all, he seems to love playing for new manager Curt Onalfo as his tactics and personality are perfectly suited for a player like Johnson.

My only question is why the league and the club have been reluctant to publicize this. It seems to me that the league would want let people know that the league’s top scorer (and an American international) wanted to stay with the league rather than make a move to the Premiership. I think this would be great propaganda against the detractors of the league, especially with millions of people who have just started paying attention to the league because of Beckham. Perhaps playing in MLS is not as horrid as some people would like to believe.

From the Wizards’ perspective, I can’t believe they aren’t making a big deal of this. After a poor season on and off the field last season, Johnson has won over the fans at Arrowhead this year, and there’s no better way to cement one’s status as a fan favorite than rejecting a big move like this. With owners OnGoal LLC trying to rebuild the team’s fanbase after the previous owners, Hunt Sports Group, seemed content to let the club wither on the vine, this story seems to be great (and cheap) advertising and marketing for the club.

INCOMING: Denilson to FC Dallas

Brazil's 2002 World Cup star Denilson has been spotted looking at FC Dallas's facilities at Pizza Hut Park. Club officials indicate a signing may be announced soon according to this story. If Signed he will join fellow Brazilian, the 19 year old Ricardinho who debuted for FC Dallas in a friendly vs Tigres last week.

INCOMING: Ronaldo to Chivas USA?

Could the Honda Superclasico become the hottest ticket in town with the likes of David Beckham facing off against Ronaldo? This story leads us to believe that.

INCOMING: Riquelme to DC United?

A story recently surfaced stating that Argentine Juan Roman Riquelme has been in talks with a club in the US. Previously during the winter transfer window there were rumors of DC United pursuing the legendary attacking midfielder.

OUTGOING: Freddy Adu to Spurs? Celtic?

Several stories have popped up today pointing to Freddy Adu going to English Premiership side, Tottenham Hotspur. Celtic which has long been interested in Adu This is no doubt due to him scoring multiple goals against them in a 4-0 thumping the Scottish giants by his former club, DC United last year as well as his performance with captaining the USA U-20 National team.

Greetings Rumor Fiends

This blog is intended to be a conglomerate of all MLS related rumors, including transfer, trade, expansion and anything else in-between. Feel free to link us to any article you might find of interest, even if the article might seem too vague.  Enjoy your MLS!