Real Salt Lake parts ways with Matias Mantilla
August 8, 2008 by f4denz.
Gone but not forgotten
I was able to confirm with members of the RSL front office that they have released Matias and he is going to head back to Argentina to resume his playing career there. This move is really not very surprising to many, when you consider his $150,000 plus salary and the fact that since the meltdown in Dallas when two goals were scored against RSL’s defense when Matias replaced Jamison. His playing time in the weeks following that has diminished with the emergence of Olave as potentially one of the best middle defenders in the league, Matias wants playing time and he wasn’t going to get much. This allows RSL to have a bit more money to spend as they look to fill roster slots. I wish Matias the best, he was a very nice guy and a helped RSL establish a new standard of play on defense.
So what does it all mean
Well with some more cap room, another international spot, and two roster openings, can RSL get their man? Who is their man? I was able to confirm that RSL did try to work a deal with New England for the rights to Pat Noonan, but without a 1st round 2009 MLS Superdraft spot to offer and no spot on the allocation table to offer it would have been a hard deal to land. So I as I asked Garth and Jason if they had any trips planned for Europe or South America in the next few days, their only response was to smile. Only time will tell on that one, but now with more money, they can change level of player they are looking at. I expect something significant to be announced before the transfer window closes next week. No truth to my rumor of us offering Barca half the rights in our stadium for Samuel Eto’o, but I got a great response from asking season ticket holders if they would be willing to pitch in $100 per person towards the signing. Bill Manning was kind enough to remind me that even with that we would still be just a drop in the bucket of the potential salary.
Some news about former RSL players
Jamie Watson (or Jamie Hotson to many of his female admirers) has signed with F*C* Dallas
FC Dallas midfielder Jamie Watson has found that, indeed, you can go home again.
The Coppell, Texas native started the year with Real Salt Lake before being released. Then, he tried to catch on with FCD during preseason but that also didn’t work out. Watson then trekked to Toronto FC and looked to land a spot with the Reds.
Jeff Cunningham traded to F*C* Dallas mls-rumors.net
No word on what Toronto FC is getting in return but we have received multiple reports that this trade has gone down. We hope to have more on it later on as details emerge. Advice to Cunningham, “Don’t Look Back”
Sidenote: Wouldn’t it be funny if Toronto FC repatriated Adrian Serioux?
OFF MY SOAPBOX