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MLS Notes: Real Salt Lake acquires Braun, Plata loaned to LDU Quito & more

Braun (Reuters Pictures)

Another player who found himself struggling for minutes with the Montreal Impact is on the move.

Forward Justin Braun was traded to his hometown Real Salt Lake in exchange for a conditional 2014 draft pick Wednesday, getting himself out of a situation that had become increasingly dire north of the border. Braun, who started the season as the club's starting striker, fell down the depth chart behind Bernardo Corradi, Sanna Nyassi and rookie Andrew Wenger. When the club brought in Designated Player Marco Di Vaio, that lessened his chances of playing even more.

In his time on the field this season, Braun failed to score a goal and had one assist in 12 games (five starts). He tallied 24 goals in four seasons with Chivas USA, including 17 over the last two years and returns to his native city where he will provide quality depth behind entrenched starters Alvaro Saborio and Fabian Espindola.

Braun joins the likes of Michael Fucito, who was sent to the Portland Timbers, as productive forwards who were not being able to crack Jesse Marsch's lineup on a consistent basis.

Here are a few more items from around the league:

PLATA LOANED BACK TO QUITO

The Joao Plata saga in Toronto has finally been resolved, and the diminutive attacker is on his way back to Ecuador.

Plata was loaned to LDU Quito for the next six months, and he is expected to return to the club for the start of next season, according to a TFC release. Plata was initially loaned to MLS and TFC from Quito before signing a permanent, multi-year deal with Toronto in January. 

One of the more dynamic players for Toronto who has scored important goals, specifically in CONCACAF Champions League play, Plata had fallen out of favor, publicly expressed that he was going to be returning to Quito before any deal was done and even returned to Ecuador before the loan was sealed, according to reports from Toronto. He did not score in league play for TFC this season but had six goals in the 2011-2012 CCL, which tied for second-most in the tournament.

PORTLAND RECALLS DIKE, LOANS JEAN-BAPTISTE

The Portland Timbers have swapped players on loan with the L.A. Blues, recalling striker Bright Dike and sending rookie centerback Andrew Jean-Baptiste there on loan for the remainder of the season.

Dike scored six goals and had two assists in 10 games with the USL Pro side. Jean-Baptiste played well as a fill-in centerback during an injury crisis earlier in the season, even scoring a goal in his debut, but he has not seen playing time since April 7.

MONTREAL SIGNS YOUNG DEFENDER

The Impact have made a habit of opting for older, Italian veterans to add to the roster, but the club injected some youth with the signing of 21-year-old Swiss defender Dennis Iapichino after a trial period last month.

Iapichino comes from the FC Lugano, where he teamed with current Impact midfielder Felipe. He started his career in the FC Basel youth system in 2008.

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What do you think about RSL acquiring Braun? What's your take on the Plata situation in Toronto? Think Dike can contribute on Portland's first team? What do you think of how the Impact have built their roster?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Neruda, true RSL has not mades too many mid-season moves the last few years and it is frustrating. They are so close to being a great team. RSL seems to just be missing some speed on the wings and a 3rd goal scoring option up front.

    The acquisition of Kenny Mansaly was brilliant. He is exactly the type of dynamic, speed player that RSL needs. Siriboe was also a really nice young CB to pick up at almost no cost to learn from Borchers and Olave, who are not spring chickens. With Braun, it is a long shot that he is actually the answer as a 3rd goal scorer, but it may be a short term solution.

    It is very nice to see RSL make a few moves that really improve the team and add depth.

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  2. True, Braun is overrated by clubs that see him as a starting caliber, go-to striker. He is not that talented. However, as a 3rd striker option off the bench behind Saborio and Espindola, it makes a lot of sense.

    RSL and its fans thought that Paulo would be that guy, but he has had a really poor year. Bonfigli has some speed but is not an threat in the air and doesn’t have the skill to attack players from the wing.

    Essentially, RSL still needs that 3rd striker that can score some goals or at least create chances. If Paulo or Bonfigli had proven to be that guy, they would not have to make this move. But, as it is, they get a guy who has scored some goals in this league for absolutely nothing. At the least it improves the depth and competition in practice.

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  3. What you’re seeing is RSL fans excited that RSL actually made a move midseason besides having a new trialist. RSL is the quietest over the past two years team when it comes to trades, new signings. Overall it’s a small addition right now but at least it’s something that shows management realizes better backups are required.

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  4. Braun has been overrated for years.

    Generally, has a few good games each season and disappears for the rest.

    Happy some RSL fans appear to be excited but clueless as to what they’re excited about.

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  5. “…but most RSL fans I know can’t stand him.”

    This is true but was also true of Kyle Beckerman before he was traded over. I can see the fanbase embracing Braun if he gets it done on the field.

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  6. Also, He brings something our other reserves don’t. We don’t have a forward who is a presence in the air (Behind Sabo, obviously). Bonfigli and Paulo aren’t, Arnoux wasn’t when he was here either. I like the move, particularly when i saw how little we gave up for it.

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  7. He’s a guy who has scored in MLS before, when he was on form he even got a USMNT call up and RSL got him for a conditional draft pick. So if it doesn’t work out it doesn’t cost them much, but if it does it could be a huge steal.

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  8. How is it a great move? This guy has had two good games in his career.

    Now Joao Plata, there’s a guy I would like to see with RSL…

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  9. I’ve been calling for RSL to bring in a new attacking option and Braun seems like a good one. He’s scored some wonderful goals in MLS.

    Question is who’s on their way out now?

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  10. Ooooh, Plata would be huge for NYRB. I would love a trade there. 50k a year.

    Small and tiny winger combo with Dane Richards. Lindpere/McCarthy stacked in the middle with Henry & “What’s his name?” JK up top. Or Soli on the right with Barklage give’n’go overlap and Plata and Lade with the speed combo on the left.

    Set piece problems? lol (Lade, Plata, Richards, McCarthy) Like height has been the issue! Ha! Looking at you HolgY! Looking at you!

    Reply
  11. Good acquisition but most RSL fans I know cant stand him. He will have a lot to proove. Hope this doesn’t mess with paulo or bonfigli…

    Reply

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