A few months after Nicolas Lodeiro joined the Seattle Sounders from Boca Juniors, one of his former teammates could be headed to MLS this winter.
Boca Juniors president Daniel Angelici confirmed to Fox Sports Argentina that there is a bid from MLS for forward Dario Benedetto.
#Angelici en #FSRadioSur "Hoy llego una oferta de la #MLS por #Benedetto" pic.twitter.com/CmFvnxHKI4
— La12tuittera ⑫ Boca Juniors (@La12tuittera) December 22, 2016
Benedetto joined Boca from Club America this past June. He has scored seven goals in nine league appearances for the South American giants this season.
The Argentinian would certainly be a top addition for any MLS side. He is a proven goal-scorer for two of the biggest clubs in the Western Hemisphere, has big-game experience and is still just 26 years old.
Benedetto won numerous trophies with America, including two CONCACAF Champions League titles. He was a key figure in 2015, scoring a hat trick in the second leg of the final versus the Montreal Impact.
Juninho closing in on return to MLS
With Greg Garza closing in on a loan move to Atlanta United, one of his Club Tijuana teammates might be joining him in MLS.
According to Goal.com, Former LA Galaxy midfielder Juninho is close to a return to MLS, with the Columbus Crew named as a possible landing spot. The Crew recently lost Mohammed Saeid to Minnesota United in the expansion draft and Juninho would provide a massive boost in midfield for the 2015 MLS Cup finalists.
The 27-year-old Juninho won three MLS Cups in 2011, 2012 and 2014 with the Galaxy. He was sold to Tijuana last winter but has only made 20 league appearances for the Liga MX side.
Tab Ramos a finalist for Earthquakes general manager job
The San Jose Earthquakes general manager job is attracting some high-profile candidates.
According to an ESPN report, U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team coach Tab Ramos is a finalist for the job. Dennis te Kloese, the director of youth national teams for the Mexican Football Federation, Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton and current San Jose technical director Chris Leitch are the other three candidates.
The report states that a final decision will be made at the beginning of 2017. The position has been open since the Earthquakes fired John Doyle in August.
Ramos has coached the U.S. U-20s since 2011, guiding them to the quarterfinals of the 2015 U-20 World Cup. He also serves as the youth technical director for U.S. Soccer.
Saprissa confirms Francisco Calvo to Minnesota United
Another player from Deportivo Saprissa is set to arrive in MLS this winter.
Saprissa confirmed that defender Francisco Calvo is set to sign for expansion club Minnesota United. Calvo is primarily a left back and will bolster Minnesota’s defense having traded Chris Duvall to the Montreal Impact in exchange for Johan Venegas earlier this month.
The 24-year-old was developed by Saprissa’s famed academy, but moved to the U.S. to attend San Jacinto College. Calvo then played for the likes of Herediano and Nordsjaelland in Denmark before returning to his childhood club in 2015.
The Costa Rica international was a key player for Saprissa as the Costa Rican giants won back-to-back league titles in 2015 and 2016.
Ex-Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey visits Minnesota United
An MLS Cup winner could be headed to Minnesota United.
According to the Pioneer Press, former Portland Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey has visited Minnesota and plans to meet with the team.
Kwarasey was sold to Norwegian side Rosenborg this past summer after he lost his starting job to Jake Gleeson following a finger injury. The shot-stopper amassed 40 appearances for the Timbers, 33 came in 2015 when Portland won its first MLS Cup.
United is currently without a starting goalkeeper. It selected Jeff Attinella in the MLS Expansion Draft, but ironically traded him to Portland.
MLS should try to outbid MX teams for top International talent.
MLS should never try to outbid Asian clubs for players.
Other sources are reporting $12-14 Million offers for him. That is crazy money considering Club America paid about $8 Million for him. Doubt he’s worth more than $9 million, and no way Boca has that sort of money when they signed him this past summer.
For that much money, someone like Asamoah Gyan would be suitable.
Gyan is 5 years older than Benedetto and not a better player, in my opinion.
earthquakes gm: does that mean head coach? or the person above, in charge of the property and non-sports employees?
MLS failed to get Balotelli, and everyone here suggested I was crazy bringing him here yet look how well he’s playing for Nice.
Another example they missed is Gignac, who came on a free transfer to Tigres. How the f*** do you miss such a player on the radar? Delort is another French player they got but he’s not as good as Gignac.
MLS scouts get horrible guys like Landin (LOL), Bieler, and don’t forget Luis Hernandez the biggest bust of all.
Sorry, but this is a little (or a lot?) naive. You fail to mention that Gignac and Balotelli commend a salary that is perhaps 10-20 times higher than Landin and Bieler. Pretty sure the scouting didn’t result in someone thinking that Landin is better than Gignac
Wasn’t Benedetto with Tijuana for a few years? If he is the same guy, I don’t know why MLS didnt go after him then. He was quality.
Benedetto would be a huge signing for any team in MLS!
Giovinco level, imo
As a LA Galaxy fan, this is just the sort of player I have been urging them to go after instead of the Gerrard types who have the big name and reputation but not much else left.
Benedetto was absolutely the difference in the CCL Championship game against Montreal. He would be a HUGE addition for any MLS team.
Benedetto was great at Tijuana, thus Club America bought him. Paul Arriola plays similar to him as a very aggressive, hard-working, direct attacking player. Hope Arriola got some tips from him while both were at Tijuana