Top Stories

MLS Ticker: RSL’s Watson-Siriboe out for season; Whitecaps add Danish goalkeeper; and more

Kwame Watson-Siriboe

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By JUSTIN FERGUSON

Through the first half of the MLS season, Real Salt Lake have not been strangers to short-term injury issues, especially on their back line.

But on Thursday, the club received news that will affect its defensive depth for the rest of the campaign.

RSL confirmed Thursday that center back Kwame Watson-Siriboe will miss the rest of the 2013 season after undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn right ACL and meniscus.

Watson-Siriboe, who joined RSL a year ago in a trade with the Chicago Fire, suffered the injury in the reserve team’s scoreless draw with Phoenix FC. He made seven starts in league play before suffering the knee injury, which will keep him out for six to eight months.

With Watson-Siriboe out for the season and Chris Schuler out indefinitely with a foot injury, RSL now have only three healthy center backs on the roster: Nat Borchers, Aaron Maund and rookie Carlos Salcedo.

Here are some more stories from around the league:

WHITECAPS ADD DANISH GOALKEEPER

Despite a recent good spell of form, the Vancouver Whitecaps aren’t happy with the goalkeeping situation. Brad Knighton has a record of 3-1-1 since becoming the starter in net on May 18, but he has allowed ten goals in those five games.

To remedy the situation, the Whitecaps announced on Thursday the signing of Danish goalkeeper David Ousted on a free transfer. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Ousted last played for Randers FC in the Danish Superliga, the same club as former U.S. international Charlie Davies. Last season, the 28-year-old goalkeeper played and started 37 times for the club in all competitions. Ousted will be eligible to play on July 9 when the MLS summer transfer window opens.

FORMER GALAXY STALWART BECOMES ACADEMY DIRECTOR

If there’s one guy who knows his way around the newly minted StubHub Center and southern California as well as anyone, it’s Peter Vagenas.

The former Los Angeles Galaxy captain was named the club’s director of their youth academy, which has produced the likes of Jose Villarreal, Gyasi Zardes, Oscar Sorto, and Jack McBean, all of whom are on the senior roster this season. Vagenas duties will include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the academy, developing players and relationships with other area youth clubs, and introducing training and coaching curriculum.

“The LA Galaxy and our fans hold a special place in my heart and because of that I’m honored to be back with the club,” Vagenas said in a statement. “I would like to thank both Chris Klein and Bruce Arena for this opportunity and I look forward to working with our staff in continuing to set the standard amongst professional academies.”

The Pasadena, California native played for the Galaxy for nine seasons, from 2000 when he was a first-round draft pick through 2008, playing 183 matches and scoring 14 goals and 28 assists in his time at the club. Vagenas, 35, finished his playing career last season at Chivas USA.

————

What do you make of these reports? How do you think RSL will try to handle their injury crisis at center back? See Ousted becoming the Whitecaps’ first-choice goalkeeper? Glad to see Vagenas back with the Galaxy?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Ousted vs. Hansen might be the blondest goalkeeper matchup the league has seen, although Hartman might have something to say about it.

    Reply
  2. RSL have a good one in salcedo. Aaron maund is a question mark. And Nat Borchers is solid but is becoming injury prone. RSL has to find somone else or convert a current player to CB. Or hope Chris schuler heals quickly.

    Reply

Leave a Comment