Just two days left for Real Salt Lake
August 13, 2008 by f4denz.
Two days left in the MLS International transfer window
So the question becomes what moves can RSL make, they have cap room, they two open roster spots, they have committed to no DP this year, so what is left? Can RSL find a player or two from the international market that can provide the same type of punch as last years “three amigos” (now two amigos)? Will they look to pick up a player from another MLS team (in which case they have another month in the MLS trade window)?
So whoever we sign will have to be under $400,000 since anyone over that would be classified a DP, and most likely to keep Javi and Olave next season RSL will have to spend some big bucks to finalize their loans and Javi will probably end up being our DP. I am fine with that he is a great player, one of the top assist men in all of MLS, screwed out of an All Star slot, and I hope we figure out the details to sign him to a long term deal. Olave is proving to be a beast on defense and has quickly established himself as one of the top central defenders in the league, so getting him off loan and into a transfer is also something I think should be high on our list. While I liked Matias, he was simply going to be too expensive to keep and with young players like Horst and Beltran able to back up our defense he was simply an extra luxury, but with the signing of Robbie Russell, his price tag became more than the team needed to spend on depth. So all of this leaves more questions than answers, and add in the fact that rumor is that Garth is looking for a proven goal scorer to boost our current cast of forwards, while Jason is rumored to have great faith in our current group and wants to add some more youth and potential to the crop.
So let’s take a look at some names:
- Jared Borghetti- Remember a couple weeks ago when this rumored resurfaced complete with pictures (link), despite GM Garth Lagerwey telling everyone that RSL wasn’t considering him. Well sure enough some of you people can’t let go of a bad thing. If anyone can provide any proof that his current side Monterray is looking unload the 34 yr old striker, then maybe we can start up some speculation.
- Pat Noonan- I started this one, and well RSL was in on the bidding war for the rights to the returning forward, but we simply didn’t have any 2009 draft picks or allocation slots to offer New England, so Pat heads to Columbus.
- Freddie Ljundberg- too pricey, and not what we need a winger who played 30 matches last year and had 4 goals.
- Macoumba Kandji- a young player who is burning up the USL, the 23 yr old can play midfield or forward, he has 10 goals and 5 assists in 19 matches for the Atlanta Silverbacks. He is the point leader in USL. New York may have the discovery rights on him according to Soccer by Ives.
- Emile Mpenza- this 30 yr old strike who was born in Beligum was recently released from Man City in the EPL, he has played for his national team scoring 17 goals in 52 international matches. He only put in 5 goals last year in 17 matches, but only 8 were starts. I have a feeling that he would be out of our price range, but if he could be convinced that playing here would allow him a chance to catch the eye of European clubs again, perhaps he would be willing to do so for less money.
- Jay-Jay Okocha- the player so good that god named him twice. One of the rumors of last year is currently without a team after “retiring” from Hull City, rumor is that Jay-Jay doesn’t think his 34 yr old body could take playing in the Premiership. I really hope this rumor of last year stays dead this year, reality is Jay-Jay might be good for a short burst, and his speed and talent would baffle most MLS defenses, but he isn’t a long term investment.
- Eddie Lewis- The Galaxy picked up the rights to this 34 yr old midfielder, but with all the chaos in LA will they keep him or move him, they really need more help on defense than in the midfield. There is no way I see him coming to RSL, but you never know what kind of deals can be worked between LA and RSL.
- DMB- hey why not start this rumor up again, after a very injury plagued couple years could DaMarcus be coming back to MLS? I doubt it but you know this rumor will probably never die.
- Clint Mathis- Yes I like Clint, I like that he has a loud personality, I like that he plays hard, I like that he still has a ton of talent, I like that he would respond to the RCB chants of “Clint Mathis, Body by Budweiser” by rubbing his belly after scoring goals against us with Colorado and New York, I think that the new Clint, the married, a little older.. a little more mellow, the guy who scored 6 goals last year for New York. I think if Jason is willing to sign Clint, they we should be more than willing to support that move, so far Jason and Garth have done a great job in bringing in talent to RSL, and it has shown in the standings. They believe a players off field performance ranks as high as their on field performance, and if they believe that Clint has changed, how can anyone deny the fact that he still has more than enough talent to play in MLS and could be an offensive spark that RSL is in dire need of.
If you have anyone else to add to the list, just let me know and I will update our list.
OFF MY SOAPBOX