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MLS Notes: Barrett on trial in Norway, Olsen gets D.C. United honor and more

Barrett (Getty Images)

There's good reason for why Los Angeles Galaxy striker Chad Barrett did not accompany the club for its current trip to the Pacific Northwest.

Barrett is on trial with Norwegian club Valerenga this week, a club reportedly looking to fill a hole at striker, and he will miss Wednesday's match against the Vancouver Whitecaps and Saturday's battle with rival Chivas USA as he tries to make his case for a move to Europe. If Valerenga sounds familiar, it is the former club of current Portland Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

Barrett was a big part of the Galaxy's run to the MLS Cup last season, matching his career-high with seven goals and also adding a career-high five assists. He has struggled to match that output this season, scoring just one goal.

Here are some more items from around MLS:

OLSEN TO BE INDUCTED TO DCU HALL OF TRADITION

Ben Olsen has given plenty to the D.C. United organization, starring on the field for years before becoming head coach and enjoying success this season, guiding D.C. United to a much-improved record while earning MLS All-Star Game coaching honors. That dedication has been rewarded with an induction into the club's Hall of Tradition, as Olsen becomes the seventh player to earn the honor.

"His service to our club has always been exemplary, and he’s now writing a new chapter in our club’s history as our coach," D.C. United president and CEO Kevin Payne said. "He remains the heart and soul of our team."

Olsen was granted the fan-voted honor in dominating fashion, beating out other finalists Tony Sanneh and Carlos Llamosa by earning 81 percent of the vote. He will join last year's inductee Richie Williams, John Harkes, Raul Diaz Arce, Marco Etcheverry, Jeff Agoos and Eddie Pope as past D.C. players to earn the honor. His induction ceremony will take place at the Sept. 15 game at RFK Stadium against the New England Revolution.

ANOR OUT FOR SEASON WITH TORN ACL

Bernardo Anor's season has come to an abrupt end, and he faces a long road to recovery.

The attacking midfielder-turned-left back tore his left ACL during the Columbus Crew's 2-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City Saturday night, playing the final 27 minutes of the match with the injury.

In his second season out of South Florida, Anor was recently converted into a defender. He played in 11 games this season (five starts) and scored one goal, but he will have surgery at the end of the month before 8-to-10 months of rehab and recovery, according to the Crew. 

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What do you think about Barrett's Norwegian trial? Think it's a no-brainer that Olsen belongs in D.C.'s Hall of Tradition? Did you think Anor was the answer for Columbus at left back?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. As a Frie fan reading these comments just made my day. My hat’s off to Annelid Gustator and Steve/ATL for some great material and Felix for reminding me of how Blanco used Barrett’s face like Pippen used the glass – if he banked it just right Chad would score before he even realized the ball was coming.

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  2. Insane, right? He must have a great agent.

    I picture Barrett standing on his kitchen table with a giant mid-90s cell phone to his ear, screaming “SHOW ME THE MONEEEYY!!”

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  3. Oh wait. I guess I misread the first paragraph. I thought Valerenga was looking to fill a hole in their parking lot. In that case, Barrett makes perfect sense!

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  4. He does work hard, and he has all the physical attributes in terms of speed and strength, but he is a terrible finisher. If clinical is a term for a striker with a fantastic conversion rate in front of goal, than Chad Barrett is the far opposite of that.
    I’m a Fire fan, and I can still see Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s face everytime Barrett failed to convert some ‘goal on a platter’ pass.

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  5. Wow. Barrett. Yikes. I was hoping he was on trial for something he could go to jail for, so maybe Arena wouldn’t be able to name him to the 18 any more.

    Just kidding. But I think he is overpaid.

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  6. Norwegian/Swedish league are arguably on the same level as MLS. Why not develop some kinda exchange with them? Have them loan their reserve or potential talent here and we do the same. Have Agudelo playing for a team in Sweden. Their leagues start/end the same as MLS. Everyone in those places speak ENGLISH. They pay their players similar to ours. No one on those teams even the top teams make more than a million.

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