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.