The Colorado Rapids may be slipping further and further out of postseason contention, but that is not stopping the club from making improvements for the stretch run.
The Rapids signed Honduran veteran and former Wigan Athletic central midfielder Hendry Thomas Tuesday in an effort to bolster the club's quality in the center of the field while adding a player with immense experience. Thomas, 27, played for Wigan for the last three seasons and is a veteran on the international circuit, having played in the 2008 Olympics, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the last four CONCACAF Gold Cups for Los Catrachos.
Thomas had lost his place in Wigan's lineup last season but played 63 games in all competitions for the Latics in the previous two seasons after joining the Premier League side from Honduran club Olimpia.
"Adding Hendry to our group gives us an important player on the field who brings a lot of experience," Rapids coach Oscar Pareja said in a statement. "He’s a powerful midfielder who can break up attacks and can help solidify the center of the field for us. We are very excited to have him here."
Here are a couple of more items from around MLS:
FCD SIGN ARGENTINE STRIKER
Striker depth has been an issue for FC Dallas this season, but the club took a step in finding the remedy for that by adding Argentine forward Matias Jara, who most recently played for second-division club Guillermo Brown in his native country.
Jara, 25, steps in for forward Ruben Luna, who was loaned to the NASL's San Antonio Scorpions on Monday. With Blas Perez still on the comeback trail from his personal leave/injury layoff, Dallas has struggled to find a consistent presence up top, with Scott Sealy and young academy product and U.S. U-20 forward Jonathan Top filling in. Perez has missed Dallas' last 12 games and has not played since May 26 while nursing a foot injury but is said to be nearing his return.
PAULSON BACKS WILKINSON
Portland Timbers general manager and interim coach Gavin Wilkinson has come under fire for the club failing to turn in improved results since he took over at the helm for the ousted John Spencer, but he has the backing of his owner.
Timbers owner Merritt Paulson voiced his support for Wilkinson in the aftermath of the club's 3-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls Sunday, a game which the Timbers led 2-0 but could not close out. They are 0-5-2 with Wilkinson in charge.
"Gavin is not going anywhere," Paulson told The Oregonian. "More big changes is not what this team needs right now.
"We've stripped the team down and are implementing a whole new system. What we're doing now is starting to bear some fruit. Our statistics are up and even though our wins are not, we're starting to play on the road like we do at home. We're scoring goals and playing attractive soccer.
"I feel the fans' frustration is justifiable, but it is misdirected at Gavin."
TFC LOCKS UP HENRY FOR LONG TERM
Toronto FC Homegrown Player Doneil Henry has signed a new deal with Toronto FC, inking a long-term contract with the club. Exact terms of the deal were undisclosed, but it is a sign that the club views Henry, 19, as part of the long-term solution in the back.
The first player to sign with TFC out of the club's academy, Henry has played in 17 matches this season, starting 11 of those. He has represented Canada on both the senior and youth levels, and he scored the eventual game-winning goal for Canada's U-23s against the United States in Olympic qualifying in march.
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What do you think of the addition of Thomas for Colorado? Do you see Jara being able to impact FC Dallas' attack? Do you think FCD can make a push for the playoffs in the West? What do you think needs to be done to turn the Timbers around? Is getting rid of Wilkinson the answer? Do you see Henry developing into a star defender for TFC?
Share your thoughts below.