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MLS Ticker: Gspurning confirms NYC FC negotiations; RSL targets Argentine forward; and more

Michael Gspurning

By TATE STEINLAGE 

Michael Gspurning could be set for a return to Major League Soccer.

The former Seattle Sounders goalkeeper confirmed Monday at the International Champions Cup final in Miami that he’s currently in negotiations with New York City FC to return to MLS and be added to a roster that currently includes goalkeeper Josh Saunders.

Reports out of Austria confirm that Gspurning “will in all likelihood continue his career in the USA.” The 33-year-old was recently under contract with top-flight Greece side PAOK after the Sounders declined to pick up his option following the 2013 season. Gspurning’s contract with PAOK included a clause for a two-year extension, but a move to MLS seems increasingly likely.

Gspurning has recently been serving as a co-commentator for Austrian-based network Servus TV.

Here’s more news from around MLS:

REAL SALT LAKE EYEING LATE SIGNING 

Real Salt Lake sits just two points behind the Seattle Sounders for first place in the Western Conference. A late move in the summer transfer window could be the boost RSL needs to jump into the top spot.

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that the club is “close” to signing 27-year-old Argentine forward Sebastian Jaime, who has spent the last three years in Chile playing in the Primera Division for Club Union Espanola. 

Chilean TV station Canal del Futbol added that Jaime’s move to RSL is “imminent.” However, if a deal is to be made, RSL will have to trade or waive a player on its roster to make room for Jaime.

Real Salt Lake team representative Trey Fitz-Gerald responded to the reports: “Real Salt Lake is aware of the reports connecting the club to the reports of the player in question,” Fitz-Gerald told the Tribune, “however at this point, we do not have a signed player.”

The summer transfer window closes Wednesday Aug. 6.

DOYLE OUT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON

D.C. United fans received some bad news Tuesday.

The club announced that forward Conor Doyle will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing a successful knee surgery following an injury picked up in training. The 22-year-old had appeared 17 times for D.C. United in 2014, including one start.

“Conor has made important contributions to the team since his arrival last year, and we are disappointed to lose him at this point in the season,” D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper said in a release. “We are confident in his return next spring.”

The surgery was performed by Dr. Ken Fine of The Orthopaedic Center in WashingtonD.C. Doyle is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 months.

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What do you make of Gspurning possibly returning to MLS to join NYC FC? Could Jaime’s presence help RSL run the table in the West? How will D.C. United respond to Doyle’s injury?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I had huge hopes for Doyle while he was abroad and even more when he returned. He looked solid last season, rusty, but that’s to be expected. Unfortunately, Benny never really gave him a chance this season to make his mark.

    Sad to see him out.

    Reply
  2. So happy RSL is looking in a new direction at forward. I love Sandoval’s hustle, but it is clear that he doesn’t have the quicks to be a starter. And Findlay is always a strong wind gust away from another injury.

    Reply
    • Gspurning was pretty steller his first year in Seattle. In fact, I think he was the 2nd best keeper in the MLS behind the White Puma that year.

      For some bizare reason the wheels fell off at the end of the next season. I don’t think he ever got it back together after having Lenhart break his hand by stepping on it. It is hard to know which Gspurning will show up next but he did have a great reputation there at the start.

      Reply
    • It would seem Mr. Berhalter has become a pretty big fan of feeding the rumor mill. While he waits for his “USMNT Player”, feast your eyes on Dimitrios Papadopoulos, the 32 year old former Panathanaikos striker who we can all agree is not Georgios Samaras.

      Reply

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