Chivas USA has landed veteran midfielder Sasha Victorine from the Kansas City Wizards in exchange for allocation money, the teams announced on Monday. According to a source with knowledge of the deal, the Wizards received an allocation worth $125,000.
Victorine joined KC from the LA Galaxy before the 2005 season. During his four seasons with the Wizards Victorine compiled 13 goals and 19 assists in 106 games. He is expected to provide some attacking depth for a Chivas USA squad that has been beset by injuries.
The Wizards have been busy on the trade front in recent days, having acquired Herculez Gomez from Colorado and Abe Thompson from FC Dallas. Kansas City is currently four points behind D.C. United for the final MLS playoff spot.
He is good (though not great) in the air, smart, and seems like a good lockerroom guy. People seem to think he’s a good leader. Maybe he’s a stopgap fill-in for Marsch, indicating they don’t think they’ll get Marsch back. Victorine can’t hold the ball or pass anywhere near Marsch’s level but otherwise brings a lot of similar qualities to the field (hard working veteran leader). Chivas are a completely different team when putting Mendoza in the middle, apparently not a very good one judging by the blowout losses to Houston & New England and the failure against Tauro FC.
Undrafted pretty much got most of it, but I think it’s also important to note that Victorine is probably at his best in the air, or at least using his head. He’s also a pretty ‘smart’ player, able to make runs from the midfield and get behind the defense at times.
Probably his biggest problem with him is that his salary seems a bit higher than it ought to be, but I guess that’s what you get in MLS when you stick around for 9 years or so.
Ultimately, good guy, very fan friendly – I personally am sad to see him go even though it is a good trade for the team.
Sasha Victorine? He’s only been a regular player in MLS for 9 seasons. He’s 6’2″, can run all day, decent pace, poor touch, some power on an uncontrolled shot, mediocre passer. As a rookie he played in the Olympics and got a few USMNT caps. The last couple of years MLS has passed him by a bit and he’s not longer a sure starter. Still a decent athlete for depth though he’s now 30 and on a hefty salary for his likely output. Chivas haven’t been able to keep that healthy this year with at least 3 RB’s going down and Marsch out quite often. Victorine will probably play at RB or RM, maybe as a CM (he’s ok 2 way but would stay back more if paired with Klejsten or play even with Nagamura).
He’s a notch below what Chivas is supposed to have in a few spots but he’s versatile and better than the rookie (and other developmental) scrubs they’ve been putting all over the field (Chiles, Savage, Paladini, Ebert). KC just moved Jewsbury into the midfield and might be building for next year.
Anyone know much about this guy?