INCOMING: Carlos Will Mejia to DC United (DONE DEAL)

Despite what others may have you believee today is anything but slow in terms of deals being lined up for players coming or leaving MLS. A few rumors are popping around the football world in CONCACAF this lazy summer Sunday.

It would appear that the deal to bring the Honduran attacking midfielder to DC United is pretty much a done deal from the wording in this article today from Honduran news site La Prensa:

"En esta temporada el zaguero central Osman Chávez se erige como el capitán y el líder que buscará contagiar de dinamismo a sus compañeros, ahora que Carlos Will Mejía partirá a la MLS. "Es un reto y una enorme responsabilidad ser el capitán de un equipo que tiene grandes ilusiones", expresó Chávez."


Translation:

In this season the zaguero central Osman Chavez stands as the captain and leader who seeks to spread dynamism of his companions, now that Will Carlos Mejia will leave for the MLS. "It's a challenge and an enormous responsibility to be the captain of a team that has great dreams," said Chavez.

Here is video of him in action at 2:39:

INCOMING/OUTGOING: Friday Transfer Round Up

The one day most of the MLSR writers and editors decide to take an early weekend all hell breaks lose in the MLS transfer news and rumors area. So forgive us for being late with the lateness. We seriously deserve the Gasface. Ok you know what time it is! Enough with the 90s rap clichés.

This will serve as a master round up of todays transfer/trade news and rumors.



INCOMING: Carlos Will Mejia To DC United?

This rumor first surfaced in the Honduran press and was subsequently picked up by Stephen Goff at the Washington Post. The deal for the 24 year old midfielder would bring him to United on trial next week.




OUTGOING: Juan Toja to Steaua Bucharest (UPDATE), not a whole not new here OFFICIALLY to report to a rumor we first brought you two weeks ago other than an official statement from Toja. More in the Dallas

HOWEVER we received the following email which states it is pretty much a done deal:

Hi,

Like the site! It's always fun.

Here's more news for you. I work with a number of Romanians here in
Dallas, who rabidly follow all the moves with the Bucharest teams: Steaua,
Rapid, and (my fave) Dinamo.

We've been tracking the Toja-to-Steaua story over the past 2 weeks. Looks
like there's been a break-through. Becali, the Steaua owner, has agreed to
FCD's offer of $500K for Toja. Toja's agreed. Now it looks like we're
waiting for MLS.

Here's our blog post: http://www.los-toros.com/2008/07/17/good-bye-toja/

Here's the original source: http://www.gsp.ro/stire/e-toja-87585.html

Here's the translation (thanks to my colleague)


It's Toja! The player gave his approval, and Becali let the Americans know
[yesterday, meaning July 16, 2008] by FAX that he agrees with the $500K
price for a permanent transfer.

Who is the player that Gigi Becali has said at the end of the friendly
with Besiktas that "it will be the last transfer this summer for Steaua"?
Club sources revealed that it is the Colombian Toja, as our paper [Gazeta]
announced even two weeks ago.

Steaua will have eight foreigners on its team after bringing Toja, half
of them being from outside the EU: Zapata, Emeghara, Dayro, and Toja.

An exchange of FAXes followed between Ghencea and the Dallas clubs. The
Americans requested $500K for the footballer, and Gigi Becali requested time
to think. Then the asked the other Colombian players from Steaua, Zapata
and Moreno about Toja. The references were only the best and the 2 South
Americans told the bosses that it would be an excellent investment, so
Steaua sent the official offer to the U.S. In the next days, the papers
will be signed and Toja will arrive in Bucharest.

Just FYI:

-- Andy Hickl (a.k.a. SteveToro of Los-Toros.com)

OUTGOING: Kenny Cooper to Rosenborg BK. Steve Goff at the Post reports that Norwegian club is still interested in the FC Dallas forward and is willing to up their offer. As he stated: "One source believes a deal is in the works, while another said, "It's just a possibility, not a done deal yet." Messages left for his reps were not returned."

MLSR suspects Cooper will be gone before the closure of the transfer window.





OUTGOING: Abel Xavier Released by LA Galaxy.
According to these words from Alexi Lalas courtesy of Steve Goff.:

"In a statement to the Insider concerning departing defender Abel Xavier, Galaxy President Alexi Lalas said: "Abel has been a wonderful professional at our club and I want to personally thank him for coming to Los Angeles and being a part of the Galaxy family. We wish him continued success in what has already been a long and storied career. This was a difficult decision, but it was necessary."

So yes, Xavier is officially gone"

That town just was not big enough for both the brightly colored haired one and Argentine defender Eduardo Dominguez. The moment we got wind that Dominguez was going to sign we thought as much way back when we posted our first story on Dominguez.


TRADE: Carlos Ruiz to Red Bull New York for ???

Soccer by Ives states:

The New York Red Bulls quest to find a replacement for Jozy Altidore has led them to a player who just happens to be in town this weekend.

The Red Bulls are considering acquiring Guatamalan forward Carlos Ruiz from the Los Angeles Galaxy, sources within MLS have told SBI. The former MLS MVP is on the trade market as the Galaxy look to shed salary, and the Red Bulls could make room for Ruiz on their salary cap if they and the Galaxy can agree on terms (which would likely include the Galaxy paying a portion of Ruiz's salary).

TRADE: Franco Carracio to Red Bull New York for ???

According to the New York Post:

Craccio (sp) has played his last game in Dynamo orange, waived this afternoon by Houston. That's the kind of wait-it-out, low-risk move Osorio loves to make. (Anybody remember how long he waited out Rojas' former team, refusing to fork over the originial $2 million asking price in the winter window and eventually getting him on a free?)

Caraccio has shown a lot of skill in his debut season with the Dynamo, but not a lot of scoring. After coming off the bench in Houston's season-opener, he started the next eight straight league games, holding the ball well and notching two goals and an assist.

But after a 2-1 loss to San Jose on May 22, Caraccio fell out of favor. He failed to appear at all in six of their last seven league games, and even that cameo was as a sub. Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said with the return of Nate Jaqua, Caraccio got caught in a numbers game.

OUTGOING: Jose Carvallo Released By United

Courtesy of our friends at BehindTheBadge.com

"We'll officially announce shortly that we've released goalkeeper Jose Carvallo. The Peruvian joined United on January 28 of this year, but never really fought his way into the first team. He made a lone first team appearance on April 12 when the team lost to Real Salt Lake 4-0. He also made six reserve team appearances (five starts), putting together a 2-2-1 record and 1.22 goals-against-average. "

So this means most likely that DC United will sign another goal keeper. What remains to be seen is whether that would push Zack Wells into the role of backup keeper.

INCOMING: Joe Vide to DC United (DONE DEAL)

It's official according to this press release from the team, Vide is now a member of the Black N Red. Could this be the latest Red Bull New York reject to becomee a good player with United? We shall see.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16, 2008) - D.C. United announced today the club has acquired the rights to midfielder Joe Vide. The 24 year-old was waived on July 14 by the San Jose Earthquakes, where he made five first team appearances (2 starts) in the 2007 season. Vide is available for selection in next Tuesday's match against the Houston Dynamo. Tickets for the game, set for 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at RFK Stadium, are available at www.dcunited.com , www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 202-587-5000. Should United advance in SuperLiga play, Vide would be eligible for the semifinal round.

Vide was originally drafted fifth overall in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft by New York. He made seven first team appearances (two starts) and scored a goal in 11 reserve games in his rookie year. In 2007, he saw action in 16 games (13 starts) for the Red Bulls.

Prior to joining the MLS, Vide completed his college career at the University of Virginia. In his final season at UVA, he recorded three goals and three assists in 19 games. In 2004, he played in 15 games (six starts) for the Cavaliers, scoring a goal. He played in 21 games in 2003, notching four assists.

Before going to UVA, Vide lived in Munich, Germany, where he played from 1999 to 2002 on Munich 1860's A Youth Team. He was offered a professional soccer contract but decided to play college soccer at Virginia instead.

INCOMING: Joe Vide to DC United?

According to this article in the Washington Examiner United looks to bolster their midfield depth before perhaps their last SuperLiga game against Houston.


"Midfielder Joe Vide, who was recently released by San Jose, is set to sign with D.C. United this afternoon, according to a source. Vide, who is slated to earn $33,000 this season, for the moment takes United's 18th and final open senior roster spot."

TRIAL: Emiliano Diaz to Trial with DC United

Clearly, going by last night's SuperLiga performance, DC United needs depth and help in midfield on the wing. Well it looks like they just might get it.

According to Soccer Insider, the 25 year old Argentine winger who played for San Lorenzo is due in DC for a trial.

STADIUMS: DC Mayor Fenty's Football Field of Dreams

....Of the gridiron variety.

This comes to us courtesy of our friends at DynamoPlanet.com and WTOP.


It was another Friday with a politician making news on the Politics program with Mark Plotkin on WTOP. This time it was D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty letting us know that a proposal for a new stadium for the Redskins in the city is on the way.

To be clear, Mayor Fenty said they would get the Redskins stadium proposal together "as fast as humanly possible". Of course, we have heard this one before.

It was last September that Mayor Fenty, again on Plotkin's Politics Program, suggested that he would be open to exploring the possibility of bringing the Redskins back home. It sounds great, but it was a real shocker from a guy who was against public financing of the stadium the Nationals are now playing in.

Last I checked, the going rate for NFL stadiums are about $1 billion, give or take a couple of hundred million dollars. Also, the way things work in the NFL, the owners usually don't put up the money like the late Jack Kent Cooke wanted to do for the District and ended up doing in Maryland.

The Redskins are also in no position to move. It is their stadium, and they have a deal with the state of Maryland to play in it for years to come. In short, I appreciate the need to plan for the future, but I think spending one ounce of energy on a new stadium for the Redskins makes little - if any- sense at this point.
Furthermore, to me, this talk of a Redskins stadium seems like a slap in the face to D.C. United, who has been trying for close to a decade to get a stadium deal done. United's proposals have always included a public/private partnership, something Fenty would seem to be in favor of, but there is no clear sign of a deal getting done.In Major League Soccer, 8 of 14 teams already have stadiums either open or set to open this year. Two more teams have stadiums already under construction. Even an expansion team in Philadelphia has been able to get a stadium deal done.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

On Saturday, there was another reminder of the need for a new soccer stadium. D.C. United was hosting the biggest soccer club in Mexico, C.D. Guadalajara or "Chivas", in an internationally televised match, and several banks of lights went out in the 58th minute.

Sure, it is possible that an electrical failure could happen in a new stadium, but at that moment, RFK Stadium felt very much almost 50 years old. Washington is a first class city with a first class soccer franchise, and both the city and the team deserve better.

(End Quote)

There's more in the link, but it looks like the political battle in Washington DC may get a lot more complicated knowing what Mayor Fenty's trying to accomplish with the Redskins.

Take care,

DynamoPlanet.com

REPORT: Blanco to Receive 5/2 Match Ban and $5000 Fine?

This comes to us courtesy of a Chicago MLSR reader who claims "inside knowledge" of the Blanco determination at the US Soccer Federation.

"Hi, I wish to be anonymous but I can tell you I have a connection inside the USSF and that is where my info comes from. After reviewing video supplied to them by MLS and D.C. United, the Federation is going to suspend Blanco for five US Open Cup matches and fine him $5000. Additionally MLS has been afforded the opportunity to take action as well and will suspend Blanco for 2 MLS matches as his violent conduct put the league in an unfavorable light and brought disrepute upon the Chicago Fire. Additionally since his behavior was directed towards other MLS players, and club staff the league feels a two game suspension is appropriate here. So in summation, Blanco has been banned for 5 USOC games, 2 MLS games and fined five thousand dollars."

What do you think? Assuming this is the real decision, is it fair?


EDIT: The following press release has been issued with Blanco apologizing:

Bridgeview, Ill. (July 14, 2008) – The following is a statement from the Chicago Fire’s Cuauhtémoc Blanco regarding the Chicago-D.C. United game on July 8.

“I sincerely regret my inappropriate actions during the game against D.C. United on Tuesday. I disappointed my Fire teammates and coaches, D.C. United players and staff, Major League Soccer, the U.S. Soccer Federation, and all our fans. I am truly sorry.”

Stranger is that Soccerlens poses the question of whether we have all over reacted.

VIDEO: Missed DC vs Guadalajara, Houston vs Atlante? - See Them Again Here

Waiting for tonight's SuperLiga matches to get under way?

Missed the matches last night because you were out or forgot to Tivo them?

Don't have Telefutura?

You're in luck. Here we present to you both matches in their entirety.

(Note: The last 15 mins of DC vs Guadalajara are at the beginning of the Houston Dynamo vs Atlante clip. This is due to the lights going out disrupting the schedule.

DC United vs CD Guadalajara


Houston Dynamo vs Atlante

EDITORIAL: Why MLSNet/SuperLiga do not provide a service to watch these archived games is beyond us.

VIDEO: CD Guadalajara and DC United Owners Bet Their Hair On SuperLiga

A lot is riding on the SuperLiga match tomorrow between these two traditional powers.

For Guadalajara, they have never won a match at RFK Stadium despite being very close on at least one occasion.

For DC United, they are looking to test the mettle of an in-season, in-form United squad vs their international rival who they seem to meet in every competition, CONCACAF, Copa Sudamericana and now SuperLiga.

For owners Jorge Vegara and WIll Chang they have their mane riding on the result.

According to BehindTheBadge.com

You may remember that last year Will Chang (United's Co-Managing Partner) and Jorge Vergara (Chivas de Guadalajara's owner) made a friendly wager prior to the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana series between the Black-and-Red and Chivas. The bet was that whichever owner's team lost would have to have their hair cut immediately following the game. No shaved head or buzz cut, but apparently a haircut by someone else's barber was enough to instill fear...

Video of the last time they made such a bet.

VIDEO: Chicago vs DC United US Open Cup

Uncontroversial video of a confrontational and controversial game. Courtesy of Behind The Badge.

VIDEO: Blanco Loco Video Back, MLS Claims "Mistake by employee"

According to Soccer By Ives:

And those of you who were up in arms about MLS yanking the video of Blanco's punch thrown at Clyde Simms had a gripe. According to an MLS source, a league employee mistakenly requested that the videos be taken down from YouTube. Apparently the mix-up occurred because someone thought it was an MLS match, when it wasn't. I've been told that the video was to be put back up, though I wasn't able to find it.

Well Ives, we found it and have it right here.

REPORT: Luciano Emilio Is On Fire On and Off the Pitch

He is having the time of his life...

There used to be this argument that MLS was not interesting because there were no interesting personalities who were actually good at their game. You know, the stuff that makes for stars that spawn "water cooler" conversation. Well in the same year that LA spent money hand over fist to rectify that a club in our nation's capital went out to sign someone who would make them better.

Little did they know he would turn out to be quite the personality: Luciano Emilio

The man of five languages, an who won almost as many awards in MLS last year including the Golden Boot and the MLS Most Valuable Player is heating up again this season.

Doubt this?


Well if his Goal of the Week against the LA Galaxy broadcast nationally on ABC TV and internationally on ESPN was not enough to convince you then perhaps the other 10 goals he scored so far this season are? He is also June's Player of the Month.

Then there is the fact that he is up for an ESPN Espy award for best MLS Player (Who is Beckham?), and firmly now part of pop culture with the following Q&A Session with Sports Illustrated this month:

SI: (blank) should play me on the big screen?

Emilio: Denzel Washington

SI: Favorite thing to chew?

Emilio: Rib-eye steak

SI: (blank) should be added to the dictionary

Emilio: Golazo!

SI: Song I'd loe to sing karaoke to?

Emilio: "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt

(EDITORS NOTE: We've included Video of Emilio singing this in the lockeroom)
SI: I secretly have a crush on?

Emilio: Whitney Houston from "The Bodyguard"
EDITOR'S NOTE: Not a bad choice Emilio.

Not only did he get a nice pay raise making him DC United's 2nd Designated Player but he has not one but two websites (one in English the other in Spanish): www.lucigol.com and www.lucianoemilio.com


Something tells us we are going to see a lot more of Emilio in the years to come. Who knows where he will pop up next? Perhaps the new MLS Entertainment section?


--Mateo Hernandez for MLS Rumors

STADIUMS: A Tale of Two Cities - Houston and DC Stadium Update

As one deal appears closer in Houston, another seems to be fading from view in Washington DC.



From Houston we have this video which details where things stand after Thursday's meeting.

And in Washington, DC our source on all things Poplar Point updates us with the following grim news:

Wassup! NBC 4 local News reports that the DC government has recessed without making a decision on the DC United Stadium issue. This is the second time that the DC government left without making a decision about the stadium. Due to the problems that they had with the Nationals $600 million dollar stadium, they are still trying to make sure that they are making a great deal. Now, DC United may have to wait until the fall for a decision on the Poplar Point site, if DC still wants it. Also, the team's lease of RFK Stadium ends at the end of the season.

PG United seems closer...........



News Report
Video

PHOTOS: Toronto FC Goes All Gangsta, DC United Moves Closer To the Dark Side

Two interesting photos today.

More proof that T