Scratch off another name from the second phase of the MLS Re-Entry Draft.
On Wednesday, the Houston Dynamo announced they had re-signed a trio of MLS veterans, including Honduran international Boniek García. The 31-year-old midfielder was set to enter into Thursday’s negotiation phase of the Re-Entry Draft, but the Dynamo opted to retain him, as well as midfielder Ricardo Clark and defender Sheanon Williams, back for another year.
“I am delighted to have Ricardo, Boniek and Sheanon commit their future to the club following on from Giles (Barnes), Will (Bruin) and Tyler (Deric),” Dynamo head coach Owen Coyle said in a release. “It shows the belief that the group have in us moving forward together to bring success to the Houston Dynamo.”
García has been a part of the Dynamo since 2012, scoring 15 goals and providing 19 assists in 90 appearances — which includes postseason figures.
Meanwhile, Clark, 32, will don the Dynamo orange for a ninth year in 2016. Williams, 25, has only been a member of the Dynamo for one season, but will be participating in his eighth MLS campaign come March.
Here are some more news and notes from MLS:
ATLANTA UNITED ADD MCDONOUGH AS DIRECTOR OF SOCCER OPERATIONS
Paul McDonough wasn’t out of the MLS scene for long.
Exactly one week after Orlando City SC and McDonough parted ways, Atlanta United announced him as its new director of soccer operations on Wednesday.
“We’re very excited to have Paul on board as our Director of Soccer Operations,” Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a release. “He not only brings valuable experience as a former coach and agent, his familiarity with MLS talent, rules and regulations and the expansion process will serve us well as we begin building our roster. ”
With McDonough, Orlando City finished seventh in the Eastern Conference during its inaugural MLS season. With Atlanta United, he will be work alongside Bocanegra on acquiring players, building a scouting network, managing player salary cap management and strategy and aiding in the club’s day-to-day player operations and management.
McDonough will begin work on Jan. 4.
REVOLUTION RE-SIGN TIERNEY
Chris Tierney will return to the New England Revolution for a ninth consecutive season in 2016.
The Revolution announced on Wednesday that Tierney had signed a new multi-year deal with the club. The 29-year-old fullback will be the longest tenured player on the team’s roster ahead of the start of the next season in March.
“Chris has established himself as an integral part of this club and we are excited that he will continue to be so in the years ahead,” Revolution general manager Michael Burns said in a release. “Over the last eight years we have had the opportunity to watch Chris grow and develop into the player that he is today. His understanding of this club and what it means to represent the Revolution is unparalleled, which made the decision to re-sign him an easy one.”
Including postseason numbers, Tierney has provided 34 assists and scored 11 goals for the Revolution.
CREW ANNOUNCE RIVERHOUNDS AS USL AFFILIATE
The Columbus Crew may not be joining the trend of owning and operating a USL team, but they did announce a new affiliate partnership with an established team on Tuesday.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who finished fifth in the 2015 USL regular season, is officially the Crew’s new USL partner for the 2016 season.
“We look forward to beginning a USL affiliation with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds as we continue to strengthen our player development efforts,” Columbus Crew SC sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter said in a release. “Pittsburgh’s philosophies and values on and off the field – from ownership to the coaching staff – are like-minded and exactly what we are looking for in a partnership. Their Head Coach Mark Steffens is a Hall of Fame coach and we feel Pittsburgh will be a strong environment for success in the development of some of our younger professionals.”
After being named the affiliate of the Houston Dynamo ahead of the 2014 season, the Riverhounds cut ties with the Texas franchise and chose to not partner with any MLS team during the 2015 season. The Austin Aztex served as the Crew’s partner during this past season.
ORLANDO CITY ASSISTANT COACH ‘DEVASTATED’ AFTER PARTING CLUB
One Orlando City SC coach won’t be returning in 2016, and that was a shock to him.
On Wednesday, the Orlando Sentenial reported that assistant coach Ian Fuller was dismissed by the club on Monday and will not return in 2016.
“I’m absolutely devastated to be leaving the club,” Fuller told the Orlando Sentinel. “I think from what Adrian and I have built with the team from day one, five years ago, and to compete very well as an expansion team, I was very pleased with it and I will take nothing but pride out of what we accomplished here.”
Fuller had been a part of the Orlando City franchise since 2010, even as a member of the 2010 Austin Aztex before that team relocated to Orlando in the USL Pro league.
TIMBERS RE-SIGN ZEMANSKI, BESLER, THOMA
In a busy day for MLS, the Portland Timbers got in on the action.
On Wednesday, the MLS Cup champions announced a trio of signings. They re-signed midfielders Ben Zemanski and Nick Besler, as well as defender Andy Thoma. The terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Zemanski, the oldest of the three at 27 years old, missed the 2015 season after suffering a torn ACL during the preseason.
Besler and Thoma, both 22, spent most of their first season on loan with Timbers 2, the MLS club’s USL team.
GALAXY SIGN GOALKEEPER DIOP
On Wednesday, goalkeeper Clement Diop became just the second player to make the jump from LA Galaxy II to LA Galaxy.
The MLS side announced that they had signed the 22-year-old netminder after he helped Los Dos reach the USL championship game in 2015. He will occupy an international roster spot for the Galaxy.
“Clement is a young player who showed a tremendous upside last season with LA Galaxy II,” said LA Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said in a release. “He is another example of why LA Galaxy II is so important for providing players with opportunities for development. We are happy to add him to our roster as he continues to progress as a player.”
Diop signed with Galaxy II ahead of the 2015 season, and recorded eight shutouts throughout the USL campaign.
The former French youth national team goalkeeper follows in the footsteps of defender Dave Romney, who was the first player to sign with the Galaxy after originally joining Los Dos.
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What do you think of the Dynamo’s signings? How will Tierney fare in 2016 with the Revolution? Think the Crew’s new USL affiliate is a better fit?
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