U.S. World Cup veteran Pablo Mastroeni has spent six years with the Colorado Rapids, playing 107 matches, but match 108 appears unlikely to come.
According to MLS sources, the Rapids are actively shopping Mastroeni, who is set to either join another MLS team or leave on a transfer in the coming days.
So where in MLS might Mastroeni wind up? D.C. United is a popular guess but Mastroeni’s salary doesn’t fit in with the plans D.C. United already has in place. According to sources, the real possibilities for Mastroeni are Chivas USA and New England.
The Revs would love to pair Mastroeni, 31, with Shalrie Joseph and could deal a package including the rights to Pat Noonan along with Jeff Larentowicz (though I wonder how quick the Revs would be to let Larentowicz go). The Rapids desperately need forward help and Noonan would be an automatic starter. (According to Soccer America, Noonan has signed on a free transfer with Norwegian club Aaselund.)
What would Chivas USA have to offer? Sources say Ante Razov and Chivas USA coach Preki aren’t seeing eye to eye so Razov makes sense (especially after Chivas USA dealt for Alecko Eskandarian). The Goats have been very active this off-season, having already traded for Eskandarian and defender Jim Curtin from Chicago.
Colorado’s decision to unload Mastroeni puts its selection of Ciaran O’Brien in the MLS Draft into a little better perspective. On draft day, the pick felt like a major reach considering the team’s other needs, but head coach Fernando Clavijo might have seen O’Brien as a potential replacement for Mastroeni.
Mastroeni’s options aren’t limited to MLS. He could make a transfer move before the end of the month, with Spain and Mexico possibilities.
What does seem clear at this point is that the Rapids are ready to part ways with their captain and best player.
What do you think of Mastroeni leaving Colorado? Share your thoughts on where he might wind up below.
RE: Liverpool_SC
Please don’t talk if you don’t actually have anything true/constructive to add to the conversation. The Revs don’t low-ball their players. Twellman is making $300,000/year and Shalrie is making $375,000/year. That makes them two of the highest paid players in the league and they were both happy about signing those contracts.
Noonan has a grand total of 9 goals over the last two years. So much for your “He could have had 10 goals in 2007 argument.” And another thing, why would Noonan ever take a PK. He was their third choice penalty taker at best.
You didn’t see him play on a game to game basis last year, Noonan wasn’t worth any more than $150,000 and frankly he’d be lucky to get that.
Just admit he was overpaid and the Revs weren’t necessarily wrong in letting the guy go. He hasn’t been the old Pat Noonan since 2005.
Just watched the Italy game again. The Red Card was unwarrented.
Pablo was the BEST player on the field that day, he virtually single handed took Totti out of the game, really impressive until the card…and before you go and say “until the card” see the bit about the card being unwarrented.
Yes he’s not as quick as he once was, who is…he can still contribute and big.
True that. I don’t understand all the Pablo hating. As I mentioned in an earlier post, admittedly, I didn’t see him play much this year. But all in all, I always thought Pablo was a damn solid player.
Razov’s not getting along with a coach?! Stop the presses!
While Mastroeni might not be a world-class player any more, he’s certainly been pretty damn good for over a decade. Hard to slag a guy that for years was pretty automatic for the national team. His red card at WC06 was crap, and the crowd let the ref know it, too.
Where could he still play? Columbus could honestly use him, and he could form an effective alternating platoon with Duncan Oughton, depending on where Schmid decides to play Danny O’Rourke. Or he could be a mentor to O’Rourke, who could easily replace Pablo on the national team one day (very similar style and mentality to his game).
There are a few teams in the English Championship that could use him, too… He doesn’t have to go to Mexico or Spain.
This fuck Babyaro better be better than Cacrapa and all the other garbage at Newcastle
I think it is hilarious that all of the Revs fans are slagging Noonan and saying ‘good riddance – he isn’t worth that much’. It is not like Noonan negotiated that $225,000 two-year contract in a vacuum. That is what the cheapskate Revs paid him.
He may not be worth that, but no one made them run the counter up that high. I would give them a ‘pat’ on the back if they had signed him to $150,000 plus performance incentives (that kick in the option year) and then let him go based on not reaching those. Instead, they look stupid for paying him that much last year (after the injuries in past years) and now they look stupid for letting him walk with hardly a replacement and no compensation for a middling US Nat who has scored more than any 2nd forward in the league when healthy.
Think about it … if Pat raised his hand for a few of those penalties that Shalrie and others take … he could have had double digit goals last year. Not bad for the 2nd forward on a team that has no service from midfield.
I agree that $225,000 is on the high end of what he might be worth – but the Revs are not paying anyone much. They ‘low-balled’ Noonan for a couple of years and he turned around and played pretty well last year.
Wow can we get anyone elses rejects? Actually we’ve done well with Thomas, Nagamura, Marsch, and Razov.
I guess we’re not going after Ronaldinho then? So much for Shevchenko, too.
I’m frankly surprised to hear a bunch of supportive Noonan fans. What people who didn’t see him on a game to game basis don’t realize is that Noonan isn’t really that good of a player. He has even less creativity than Twellman and half the heart. Ok, he scored around 50 goals in his time in MLS and I’m not saying he’s a bad (MLS-level)player by any means, but he’s not a member of a championship quality starting XI. And especially not at well over $200,000/year.
It doesn’t seem like NE are poised to strike with their DP spot any time soon, so I guess Mastroeni/Albright is the best we get (not a bad haul to be honest). Send some allocation money Colorado’s way! Cheers!
Guzan’s trial is reportedly going well. “Impressive” was the report I read …
I thought Noonan was already signed by the Crapids. I read that somewhere.
Sending Burpo (though I think he’s an awesome backup) back to the Goats for Razov. Sounds like Guzan is on his way out (that’s a shame) and they’ll of course need a keeper.
As a Rapids fan I also think dropping Mastroeni is not a huge loss. Yes, he is the most talented Rapids players. But he spends half the season suspended due to yellows and reds…and the other half the season injured or with national team. The mistake, pointed out by another, is having let Beckerman go last season. Clavijo is clueless.
Colorado screwed this up when they traded Beckerman instead of Pablo. They’re about to go from having twin MLS All-Star caliber D-Mids to… what exactly???
The last thing DC needs is defensive midfield help. DC doesn’t want mastroeni. If the trade happens with colorado, we’ll take terry cooke, thank you very much.
I am slightly alarmed by the mass exodus of players this offseason, but I think it’s fine if MLS teams are getting decent transfer fees for their players leaving. That can help the league grow, if the teams make good use of the money. I’m looking forward to seeing more foreign signings announced in the coming weeks. That said, we are going to need to see the salary cap rise to keep the serviceable players from leaving on free transfers. That doesn’t help the league at all, especially when they’re leaving for destinations like Norway.
If Mastroeni joins DC, they’ll become the most feared team in the league. He and Olsen will be hacking every ankle in sight.
I’d like to think that Mastroeni could end up in DC because Colorado wants Gomez and DC needs Defense/Midfield help and this could work out well for both parties involved.
also,
VAMOS UNITED!!!!!!!!
First, a mediocre draft pick last week and now this. Trading Pablo, arguably the best player on the team doesn’t sit well with me.
I think it’s time for Stan Kroenke to change things at both the coaching and management levels. We have a great stadium, great fans so it’s time for Stan Kroenke to hire folks that know soccer and field a great team. It’s time Stan!
I see dc united haters!! vamos united
I thing the people in New England do not know that their center back is on his way to england and they want to bring pablo in to play in that slot.
dc would be a great fit, this way he can join dc I mean south america united. he is argetinian isn’t he?
Pete,
A month ago Babayaro was in the Premiership. That is pretty “fresh”.
“The move also will allow Gullit to move Mike Randolph, who had an impressive rookie season as Jazic’s understudy in 2007, into a more attacking position in left midfield.
A starter on the Nigeria team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Babayaro signed the next year with Chelsea, staying with the club for seven seasons and becoming a fan favorite for his celebratory back-flips.
In 2005, he was transferred to Newcastle United and was a starter there until being released in December. A member of Nigeria’s squad at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, Babayaro was captain of Nigeria’s team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.”
Wow. Getting a little hot there aren’t we, CD?
I tend to agree with Rob C that something’s wrong here. Again, no one’s arguing that Noonan, Ngwenya, Mastroeni and such are world class but in MLS they’re definitely very solid players. I have no problem with our players going to play in one of the major European leagues. Go. Get paid. But more importantly, get better. But is the level of play in Denmark, Norway and Sweden any better than MLS? I don’t think so. So arguably, they’re not getting any better. MLS’s thin talent pool is stretched even further. And the final product is worse for it.
Is Noonan worth that much money given the salary cap? Hell, I dunno. Probably not. I guess I hope the day comes soon when MLS can compete salary-wise with the European minor leagues. This doesn’t do our game any good.
And CD, if Celestine Babayaro were really still such quality he wouldn’t have been without a team at this stage of the Euro season. F*cking Newcastle let him go. For all the foreign acquisitions that have been hits, there have been just as many — if not more — misses. (Denilson anyone?) To say DC United picked up some real talent without seeing how they adapt, is premature.
Re: Pete
Celestine Babayaro, allegedly.
In response to Pete’s question: Newcastle’s Babayaro.
kpugs: Noonan “is one of the most overpaid players in league history as well as the most overrated.”
Yeah, but he has absolutely OWNED us. I’m delighted he is gone from the league.
Who did LA bring in thats from the Prem?
Pablo endure in 6 years the two worst two coaches in the history of mls and he still made the national team each year. this is for all the peop[le that they thnik is is a “wash up” he has more love and pasion for the game than many players that I now personally
Does anyone else think Pablo is just a stupid player? Exhibit A: the Italy game in the World Cup. He aaaaaaalways seems to get dumb cards (and occasionally piss off the fans). No way I want him on the Revs. In regards to Noonan, time for me to go cry . . .
That’s funny, I’d tell any team in need of forward or goalscoring help to run away from Noo-nan as fast as humanly possible.
He is one of the most overpaid players in league history as well as the most overrated. I’d cry if RBNY ever acquired him.
Noonqn is an OK player, he isnt worth that salary, its amazig he managed to get paid that much in MLS.
“I’m looking at moves like this in a broader perspective right now.”
Are you really Rob C? Are you looking at who the league is bringing in? Are you really thinking the leagues quality is going to go down when 3 goalkeepers head to Europe, a few strikers and a 31 year old defensive player leaves the league. LA just brought in a quality defensive player fresh out of the premiership, DC is bringing in some quality from Argentina. There are going to be quality goal keepers sitting on the benches at every MLS club this season. There are rumors every day of creative attacking players coming into the league.
The league has roughly a $2 Million salary cap. Noonan was making 1/10 of that last year. New England doesn’t think he is worth it, I tend to agree. Oh the horror when someone can’t make $250,000 a year to play a sport for a living in a league that is barely breaking even. The MLS might have lost the Pat Noonan fans forever.
Why DC? Just a hunch but rumors are that DC is it talks with Colorado for Gomez. maybe Pablo is involved?
I think is a mistake by Colorado. Mastroeni
is there best player.
The Revs did NOT lowball Pat Noonan. They opted to not pick up his contract option for this year for $225,000. He’s not worth that much. They ARE cheap, but in Noonan’s case, they were smart too.
why is dc united a popular guess???
Does anyone think it is a good idea for Colorado to let everyone know they want to trade him and draft a replacement. I am thinking his trade value isn’t that high after telling everyone you really want to trade him.
I’m looking at moves like this in a broader perspective right now. Does anyone agree that the league is losing a ton of talented players this off-season…moreso than usual? I mean, I don’t think Noonan and Mastroeni are world-class by any means, but these are the kind of guys that contribute quality to the league. New England is really ridiculous low-balling guys like Noonan; I can’t believe how cheap they are. Generally, this trend of good American players choosing to play in Scandinavia is becoming somewhat troubling. Also, Mastroeni could play in Spain??? The second division, right? I can’t imagine him even sitting the bench in La Liga.
maybe he could play for Fulham? Does he make too much money @ Col. Why would they get rid of him?
Neither NE or Chivas makes sense as both are deep on DM’s. Unless Marsch doesn’t come back, that would make no sense at all and Shalrie is a better player than Pablo.
Hell, Jeff Larentowicz is a better player, who is cheap and has more upside.
Columbus seems to make the most sense, unless he’s going to see more time at DC as most teams have decent DMC options that are much younger/cheaper.
I’m pretty blah on the whole thing. A possible move to Mexico is interesting, just from the perspective of that it would be nice to see a high-profile American playing in the Mexican league.
I don’t see anything on Auseland’s site mentioning Noonan. On a related note, their kits are awesome.
pleeeaaase don’t trade for Pablo, New England.
That would be terrible. Shalrie Joseph is an exponentially better d-mid than pablo ever was. and i rate Larentkowicz over pablo right about now too. I dont want this washed up geezer taking playing time away from either of these guys.
As a Rapids fan I’m ok with Pablo leaving. Over the past six years what has brought to Colorado? Certainly not a championship. He’s not the type of player you look to for wins. He needs to be paired with that type of player and unfortunately the Rapids haven’t been able to find someone to go with him.
Wait . . . Mastroeni has opportunities in Spain? Mexico I could see . . . . but Spain too? Where?
Huh. Admittedly, I didn’t see Colorado play much this year but isn’t Mastroeni still a pretty good player?
Chivas!
They’re cornering the market on washed up hacks …
Noonan is heading to Norway:
http://www.socceramerica.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=25291
Crazy because last year they looked like they where the team to beat. In the Beginning of the year they play good soccer by the end they where plain awful.
Why is this coach still running this team? He should be fire, by now.
Umm, Larentowicz’s first name is Jeff and Noonan went to Norway.
Pablo can’t get out fast enough. So colorado will field a rookie and Mehdi-ocre ballouchy in the midfield. They very well may end up as the worst team in the league this year