Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Although unintentional, it seems the recent Messi & Friends charity tour has potentially helped Major League Soccer.
After taking part in Messi’s charity match in Chicago, former Benfica midfielder Pablo Aimar is reportedly considering an offer from MLS. Specifically, a report in Argentina states that the Los Angeles Galaxy are interested in snatching up the Argentine playmaker.
The 33-year-old Aimar looked set to sign for Malaysian side Johor Darul Takzim, but has decided to wait and evaluate all of his offers, which also includes a return to his first club River Plate in Buenos Aires. At the moment, the former Argentina international is training with his hometown club, Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto, discussing his options.
Despite battling injury issues during his whole career, Aimar lead Valencia to two La Liga titles, the last titles won by a team not named Barcelona or Real Madrid, and has won numerous trophies during his career in Europe and Argentina. Last season at Benfica, Aimar played just 21 times in all competitions, mostly off the bench.
Here are some more stories to catch you up around the league:
IMPACT ADDS SECOND DESIGNATED PLAYER
With a heavy calendar approaching, the Montreal Impact have completed a major signing for the club.
Argentine midfielder Hernan Bernardello was announced on Tuesday as the club’s second designated player, signing with the Impact per the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per MLS policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are very pleased to have finalized the acquisition of a player who has played at the highest levels,” said Impact sporting director Nick De Santis in a press release. “He fits in well with the identity of the club and we believe he will play an important role for us moving forward.
Added De Santis, “(Bernardello) plays the game with a lot of passion and emotions.”
The 26-year-old midfielder spent last season at Atletico Colon in Argentina, making 25 league appearances and scoring one goal.
MLS FINES AND SUSPENDS HASSLI AND WINGERT
The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee has issued suspensions to two players and fines to three for actions that occurred this past weekend.
Both Eric Hassli of FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake’s Chris Wingert have been fined undisclosed amounts as well as suspended a match, while the Portland Timbers’ Andrew Jean-Baptiste has been fined for what the Committee feels was “embellishment.”
Hassli’s suspension stems from his “violent conduct” towards Montreal Impact midfielder Davy Arnaud in the 84th minute of their scoreless draw last Saturday. The French forward will be forced to sit out FC Dallas’ next match when they visit the Seattle Sounders on August 3.
Wingert will be missing two games, as the Disciplinary Committee suspension is added on to the one-game suspension he earned for his red card in the 2-1 defeat to Sporting Kansas City. Wingert, like Hassli, was deemed to have used “violent conduct” when he barged into Sporting KC forward Kei Kamara in the first minute of the match. The RSL defender was only given a yellow card at the time.
———
What do you think of these reports? Do you see Aimar joining the LA Galaxy? Do you see Bernardello helping improve the Impact’s defense and midfield? Do you agree with the Disciplinary Committee’s decisions?
Share you thoughts below.