Good morning folks. It is a good day for MLS fans as word of Philadelphia’s inclusion as the next expansion franchise circulates. There is other MLS news to get to though.
Here are a few news tidbits to get you through the morning:
Figo a no-go in New England– Since SBI reported earlier this week that the New England Revolution plans on using its designated player spot this season, there has been plenty of speculation about who that player will be. Don’t bet on it being Luis Figo.
According to a source within MLS, Figo’s asking price is so high that the Revs have essentially written off any realistic chance of adding the Portuguese star. How how an asking price are we asking? Think the $4 million to $5 million a year range.
I’ve always thought Luis Figo would be an idea player for the Revs, not only from a skill standpoint, but also because of his ability to draw from the large Portuguese communities in the Boston area. Figo had been linked to the Los Angeles Galaxy earlier in the offseason. That move didn’t make any sense. A move to New England would, if Figo didn’t cost a mint that is. Could Figo’s asking price go down? It will have to in order for the Revs to seriously consider it. Hopefully Figo lowers his price because I think he would be a great fit in New England.
Conde sits for Fire friendly– In the newest episode of Wilman Wants Out comes word from the Chicago Tribune’s Luis Arroyave that disgruntled defender Wilman Conde did not play in the Chicago Fire’s 1-1 exhibition tie vs. Toronto FC on Wednesday. Curious move considering all the injuries to Chicago’s defense.
Does Conde not playing mean he will be traded? Don’t bet on it. Another reason why a Conde trade will be extremely difficult to make is an MLS rule prohibiting the inclusion of cash in trades. This means that the only way a team can include money in a trade is if it is in the form of allocation money or cap space (paying a portion of a player’s contract). With Chicago having used a $300K allocation to acquire Conde just last year, the Fire is expected to want that same size allocation as the starting point to any Conde trade. Is any team in MLS equipped to offer a major allocation AND a couple of established players? Nope, not even the Red Bulls, which have pushed hard for a trade only to be turned down every time.
Dynamo to add Argentine forward– The Houston Chronicle’s Bernardo Fallas is reporting that the Houston Dynamo is set to sign 21-year-old Argentine forward Franco Carracio. A former Argentine Under-20 national team player, Carracio is expected to step in and start alongside Brian Ching at forward.
Considering how good Houston looked in dismantling Sydney FC last night, I think it’s fair to say that the Dynamo will be everybody’s choice to three-peat as MLS Cup champions in 2008.
That’s all for now. I will be attending Red Bulls practice this morning so stay tuned for more MLS and international updates throughout the day.