By TRAVIS CLARK
With Wednesday's qualifier behind us—and most U.S. fans want to move on as soon as possible—it's important to remember that the MLS season is in full season and the playoff race is just starting to heat up.
Add to that the start of the CONCACAF Champions League next week and it's going to be a trying time for Columbus, Houston, and D.C. United as they try to qualify for the playoffs and put on a solid showing in a international tournament.
There's plenty going on this morning, so stay tuned after the jump for what is making news today.
Colin Clark tears ACL—to miss remainder of season
The Colorado suffered a huge blow to their push towards a playoff berth Tuesday when midfielder Colin Clark tore his ACL in training on Wednesday. This puts an early end to what had been a great season for Clark, whose solid played on the wing earned himself onto the Gold Cup roster. It is a blow to the Rapids, who will need Omar Cummings and Conor Casey to be even better from here on out.
Fredy Montero no longer on loan
Jose Romero of the Seattle Times is reporting that Fredy Montero's rights are now fully owned by MLS. He cites a report from Colombia that Deportivo Cali's president Rodrigo Otoya and vice president Cesar Caicedo negotiated the transfer of the rest of Montero's rights to MLS. It's also mentioned that negotiations for the rights of Jamison Olave and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado are in advanced stages, two players who are also on loan from Cali.
What does this mean for Fredy? It means that if and when he is ready to make the jump to Europe, MLS will net the profits. Though it wouldn't be shocking if the agreement included some of that profit going back to Cali.
Toronto FC releases Velez
Toronto FC has had issues at the back all season, and the axe has fallen. Defender Marco Velez, who was signed on March 19, 2008, was released this week. Velez made eight starts this season and a total of 15 apperances in a back line that has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. They've conceceded 31 goals on the year, fourth worst in the league. Reports are that the 29-year-old will return to his old team, the Puerto Rico Islanders.
————
What do you think about the news this morning? Will Colorado recover from the loss of Clark? Will Montero be sold to Europe soon?
the MLS logo is awful isn’t it… then again so are a lot of leagues. which is worse MLS or La Liga?
——————————————
I don’t find it too bad, but why does it have to be blown up in size x400 on every shirt? The team plays in MLS, we get it…
Make it at least the same size as the crest on the shirts or smaller.
When a player is good why do most people automatically start saying that the MLS should sell him. Are most of the people on these blogs from Europe hoping to poach the best players from every league in the world. If you are a true MLS fan or want to see soccer in America grow then we need to start keeping our talented players especially with the league expanding so quickly. I enjoy seeing good soccer and keeping these top players will not only bring attractive soccer but make the players around them better.
Is Deportivo Cali in financial trouble does anyone know? It sounds like they are just offloading players in need of cash. I hear the Argentina league is in financial ruin, as are other S.American countries…
If so, it’s officially time to loosen the purse strings and allow MLS teams to grab some awesome players at fire sale prices,especially since salaries are so inflated in Europe, it seems like clubs should be getting gun shy after the big teams jacked up players rates by some really Yankee like financial moves.
I love people who talk trash about players even when they produce.
TomM, that was classic, best post I’ve read in a while. I totally forgot about that hilarious game. I really think there should be “All your players are belong to MLS” shirts, Ives, could you get on that?
Colin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qItugh-fFgg
Also, is Terry Cooke still unsigned?
keep freddy,
Sea isnt dallas and they have the power to force MLS to iron out financial deals for him. In fact, these sorts of financial restrictions w/respect to salary cap should only apply to new signees….if you get a guy cheap and he explodes performance-wise, the added salary needed to keep him in the following years should not be factored beyond what the original salary was. This rule should apply for 3yrs on a player. Has something like this ever been proposed? I support a salary cap that’s only liberally applied.
Let profitable organization do what it takes to remain profitable.
“Cooper’s a rare breed of class alright. A big forward who sucks in the air and can’t hold defenders off the ball. Boy he can score a lot of PKs though.
Posted by: Miguelito | August 13, 2009 at 12:35 PM”
——————————————-
I thought you were talking about Nate Jaqua!
I second what ajrRSL said – Olave’s loan deal was bought out during the offseason along with Javier Morales. I believe he has 2 more years on his contract with RSL/MLS.
I gotta say, how loaded must Deportivo Cali be if they can just loan out two centerback of the caliber of Hurtado and Olave, not to mention Montero (although I’m sure they’re negotiating a nice sell-on clause for him)
Colin- my english and grammar are just fine. Your knowledge of popular culture and appreciation for sarcasm are, shall I say, severely lacking?
so basically Velez gets to enjoy some CONCACAF Champions League time.
oh the irony.
it’s COLOMBIA! COLOMBIA!
not columbia. 🙂
icanhascheezburger.com
Thanks, northzax. It’s hard to tell between real stupidity and lolcat speakz…
Good business for MLS to retain all of Montero’s rights. If I’m not mistaken Sigi said recently they they would not hold Fredy back from Europe. Typically speaking when a head coach is open to a player heading to Europe, MLS headquarters is too. There have been some exceptions, though.
hey Colin: lighten up Francis. here’s a little hint for you, free of charg: google ‘lolcats’
enjoy.
@ TomM:
Not only is that not true (loan players are NOT owned by MLS), but your grammar and sentence structure are, dare I say, impeccable. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Clark’s loss hurts, but its not as bad as some people are making it out to be. His last assist was on May 30th, his last goal on May 23rd. He missed 4 games in that time with the National Team, but that’s still 6 games in a row where he didn’t show up on the scoresheet. The Rapids went 3-1-2 for 10 points in those 6 games.
And given the relationship (or lack there of) between Smith and Cooke, that bridge is probably burned.
All your players are belong to MLS.
Toronto drops Velez before Garcia? I’m not a TFC fan, but just watching Garcia play in a few games I can hardly believe Velez is any worse. Maybe because Velez takes an international spot he gets the ax first?
According to Robbie Rogers’s twitter page, there is pizza at Schelotto’s place tonight. I guess their carbing up before the big game against Dallas. Lol… Dallas…
“And that profit’s going to be styling, profiling, growling, and smiling while in the sun.”
I don’t think so.
the MLS logo is awful isn’t it… then again so are a lot of leagues. which is worse MLS or La Liga?
Cooper’s a rare breed of class alright. A big forward who sucks in the air and can’t hold defenders off the ball. Boy he can score a lot of PKs though.
Posted by: Miguelito | August 13, 2009 at 12:35 PM
__________________________________________________
And yet, his first goal in Europe came on a header. Quit hatin’.
what team loans three players all to same team? apparently Cali.. turned out to be a good deal for Seattle.
and is there any timeline to change the MLS logo.
Cooper’s a rare breed of class alright. A big forward who sucks in the air and can’t hold defenders off the ball. Boy he can score a lot of PKs though.
Cooper is a rare breed of class for MLS. Nobody can seriously think he was holding back FCD.
“Hello Terry, ya Gary Smith here…”
Old Fart Cooper is just bitter his son couldn’t hack it enough to get an offer worthy of the MLS letting go the only so-called “Big Name” player on a bottom-feeder team. Funny how once he’s gone FCD goes on to win and score goals up front.
“Judging by Kenny Cooper Sr’s comments, this could be a bad thing for Fredy. ”
no he isnt American, therefor he will get paid fairly by the MLS per Mr. Cooper
David – I agree, what the bleep ARE they waiting for?
“Though it wouldn’t be shocking if the agreement included some of that profit going back to Cali.”
And that profit’s going to be styling, profiling, growling, and smiling while in the sun.
Judging by Kenny Cooper Sr’s comments, this could be a bad thing for Fredy. Before, he was free to go when a good offer was made. Now, he has to deal with all the rigomarole associated with transfers from MLS. I hope for his sake he has some kind of clause.
I’m surprised that Deportivo Cali sold Montero, but I guess if the money is there, then take it… this is good for MLS in every way, shape, and form.
What does this mean for Fredy? It means that if and when he is ready to make the jump to Europe, MLS won’t let him.
How awesome would it be if the Red Bulls got Deco for next year?!?!? I know it’s far-fetched, but it would be a sweet deal.
Still silence from Red Bulls camp. What are they waiting for…
Thankfully my Rapids signed Jamie Smith recently. He should slot in to do on the other side of the field what Clark did on his. Kind of makes the letting go of Terry Cooke a shame as he could probably start now. I wonder if Casey will now turn to being more of a setup man with the ball comming into the box on his side more and Cummings becoming the shot taker more.
Jamison Olave was bought before the season started
Clark gone for the Rapids is going to really hurt. He’s been a rock on the wing all season long and was really starting to develop.
Great news for MLS, as at least 2 of the three should be sold to Europe in the coming years.
BYE-BYE-VELEZ.
Wont be missed really.