By FRANCO PANIZO
The Houston Dynamo and Colorado Rapids have made history, agreeing to the first intraleague loan in MLS.
The Dynamo and Rapids announced Tuesday that they have made a deal that will see Houston send Colorado an international roster spot in exchange for a season-long loan for versatile midfielder Tony Cascio. The move frees up salary cap room for the Rapids as well as a space on their roster this season while giving Cascio a chance at earning more minutes after being seldom used in 2013.
The intraleague loan mechanism – which is only available for players under the age of 25 -was introduced last year in an effort to provide playing time at a high level for younger players, but no teams used it until now. Cascio is 23.
“Acquiring this International roster spot is a move that allows us some roster flexibility, since Tony plays in a position where we are relatively deep,” said Rapids technical director Paul Bravo. “It gives Tony more of an opportunity for playing time, and he’ll be able to gain some great experience with the Dynamo. We will also be able to strengthen other areas of our roster for this season.”
Cascio enjoyed a solid rookie campaign in 2012 with the Rapids, scoring three goals and assisting on three others in 29 games (18 starts). He was not used as often last season, however, making just four starts in 13 appearances and scoring one goal for a Colorado team that reached the postseason.
Cascio now joins a Dynamo team that includes attacking talents like Boniek Garcia, Omar Cummings, Brad Davis, and Will Bruin.
“I watched him in college and his first two years with Colorado and I enjoy the way he approaches the game,” said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. “He is not afraid to take on players and he has good versatility. I think when he has the ball at his feet he is not afraid to try and be productive, whether it be an assist or a goal. With what we have coming up this year, we think he is going to be a great addition to the team.”
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Happy to see the Dynamo acquire Cascio on loan? Wishing they would have just traded for him outright? Like the intraleague loan mechanism?
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