By FRANCO PANIZO
Pablo Mastroeni's season has been plagued by injuries and he has been forced to spectate in all but two of the Colorado Rapids' games this year.
Well, Mastroeni's spell on the sidelines won't be coming to a close anytime soon.
The Rapids placed Mastroeni on the Disabled List on Monday, meaning he will not be eligible to play for Colorado for at least the next six games. The all-time Rapids leader in games played, started and minutes, Mastroeni is currently dealing with recurring headaches.
In another move, the Rapids waived midfielder Harrison Henao. The Colombian made just one league appearance for Colorado this season, and by waiving him the Rapids gain an International Roster Spot.
Here are more notes from around the league:
REVOLUTION SIGN IMBONGO
The New England Revolution have added another offensive reinforcement, and this one comes all the way from Germany.
The Revolution acquired French striker Dimitry Imbongo on a free transfer, the club announced on Monday. Imbongo spent last with German third division club SV Darmstadt 98, but the 22-year-old had come up through TSV 1860 Munich's system prior to that.
Imbongo will count as an international players for the Revolution. He trained with the team last month and appears to have impressed head coach Jay Heaps.
TIMBERS NAME MCAULEY ASSISTANT COACH
The Portland Timbers may not have a permanent head coach right now, but that did not stop them from appointing a new assistant coach on Monday. The Timbers named Sean McAuley an assistant coach nearly a week after firing John Spencer as head coach of the club and despite not having found the latter's full-time replacement. McAuley joins the Timbers from England's Sheffield Wednesday FC. He served as a head coach there for the club's academy. Timbers interim head coach/general manager Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement.
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What do you think of the Revolution's acquisition of Imbongo? How do you see Chivas USA faring without Minda? Like the Timbers' hire of? Find it strange that Portland named an assistant coach before it has a new head coach?
Share your thoughts below.
True, but remember that the German 4th level is a bit misleading. The vast majority of the clubs in the Regionaliga are the reserves for the 1st divison clubs. They are promising enough to be in the system (albeit not on pro contracts) for the big dogs.
We’re not necessarily talking the German equivalents of USL Pro players…
Yea I would have to keep my fingers crossed Boca is coming, although I think that Olympiakos is interested in him and they are playing Champions League ball this year.
SSFC’s Alvaro Fernandez loaned to Cali
It’s about the right fit for a team. He could be a productive player with the right supporting cast.
Where are the big names, MLS???
Yes but what about cover in the back? The Revs now have 4 internationals up front, and Brettschneider, but very little depth in the back. Maybe Boca is coming, or Moreno will be dropped and someone else will come in, but it seems like a lot of internationals used up for just a couple spots, when they’re so young and thin in another area.
We needed cover for bengtson once the olympics start. He’s an overage selection for honduras. Imbongo should suffice.
Unless this “assistant” becomes the manager after the season and this is a trial run of sorts. If he fails they cut him loose ater the season with little invested. if he impresses and has the attention of the players and upper management it’s a win-win..
Saer Sene seemed pretty unknown/unproven and has done decent. Hopefully Heaps just has a good eye for talent.
1 goal in 3.5 games in the German 4th level – in other words, Luke Rodgers, except with an ultra-cool name.
Why hire an assistant….unless on an interim basis for the rest of the season? Wouldn’t a new coach want to bring in his own support staff?
Completely unknown signing for the Revs.. can’t really get your hopes up but who knows, maybe this guy deserves a shot. And he does have a great name