The Portland Timbers appear to have found a replacement for the departed Lucas Melano, one who hopefully produces more in the final third than the disappointing designated player. According to ESPN, Caleb Porter’s side is close to a deal with Argentinian midfielder Sebastian Blanco, who is also being hunted by Club America.
The transfer fee for the 28-year-0ld will be around $3 million, with his annual salary being close to $1.5 million. Blanco currently plays for San Lorenzo in Argentina. His previous stops include Lanus, Metalist Kharkiv and a short-lived stint at West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League.
Revs handed bad news in stadium search
One of the few teams still without a soccer-specific stadium won’t be making any progress soon on a new facility, as the New England Revolution have hit a road block with their potential site in Dorchester. Part of the land the Revs are looking to build on is owned by the Boston Teachers Union, and the price point for the deal is currently too high for owner Robert Kraft.
The 10-acre space that would be used to build the facility is primarily owned by UMass, who is willing to work with Kraft, but the 2.7 acre space owned by the Teachers Union has to be purchased as well. Negotiations aren’t completely dead, but it’s going to be an uphill battle to get the land secured.
Atlanta not in market for DP defender
Despite what previous reports have said, expansion side Atlanta United is not searching for a defender to fill its third designated player slot, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. More specifically, the first-year team is not in the market for 36-year-0ld Martin Demichelis, despite his connections to Tata Martino.
Atlanta’s current defensive setup boasts Michael Parkhurst, Zach Loyd and U.S. Men’s National Team full back Greg Garza. The club already has two designated players signed to deals, Hector Villalba and Miguel Almiron.
Minnesota continues to add to roster
The other expansion team is rapidly adding pieces to catch up with the fierce start Atlanta had to the offseason. Minnesota United announced the signing of a defender on Tuesday, and a midfielder could be on the way soon.
The Loons signed defender Vadim Demidov with targeted allocation money on Tuesday. The 30-year-old is expected to play in the middle of the back four for Adrian Heath’s side.
“It was a really easy choice for me to come to Minnesota,” Demidov said. “I was immediately interested in this club after speaking with the staff here, we are developing into something new and exciting and I enjoy that idea. I wanted to take on a new challenge and prove myself in a new league and I am very happy to be able to do that here in Minnesota.”
Minnesota is also close to inking a deal with Finnish defensive midfielder Rasmus Schuller from BK Hacken, according to ESPN. Schuller would add to the depth at the position that already includes Collen Warner and Mohammed Saeid.
Quick Kicks
Alvaro Saborio has left MLS to return home to Costa Rica to play with Saprissa.
New York City FC defender Jefferson Mena has joined Ecuador’s Barcelona SC on loan.
I attended a Revs game this summer at Gillette, a 1-0 win for NE. Despite playing in an NFL stadium, I was very impressed with the crowd at around 20,000 K. They created a pretty good atmosphere despite being in an oversized building. The people I went with commented that if the Revs played in their own 20-25 K stadium, they would get great support and even better atmosphere. My question though is how much motivation does Kraft have to build a new stadium, given that he owns Gillette and can add 17+/- more date of use out of it to add to Patriots to the +/- 12 dates the Patriots get plus other events. Not to mention, the Patriots Place, which he also developed with its shops and restaurants get additional business. There is no reason for him to lay out $150 million minimum for a new venue.
Just pay the damn teachers!
If you think Kraft was earnest in pursuing that land in Dorchester (and is even so in his pursuit to build a SSS in Boston proper) I have a bridge to sell you in Southie…
Given Kraft helped prop up the league when it was hemorging money and built Gillett Stadium with his own money I think he derserves some ability to wait for something that makes sense and allows him to make use of Gillett in the meantime.
I guess you could argue at some point he should sell the Revs to someone that could get a stadium built, but I think people underestimate how difficult it is to get a stadium built in or near downtown Boston.
Giving the Kraft’s the benefit of the doubt that this isn’t all for show, I think if there was an appealing situation available they would move on it. I think it’s possible, they just don’t want to waste time trying to get something done that doesn’t have support outside of fans of other teams posting in the comment section of sites such as this. A large # of masshole Boston sports fans and all the people the don’t care about sports offer up sizable opposition, in addtion to the customary government red tape that comes with trying building a stadium
Ha ha ha. Hey itmightnotwork, did you see that? Your intelligent post actually managed to unearth a Bob Kraft apologist!!!! Who know such a creature even existed!!!
Hey NE Revs, (you’re one of Bob Kraft’s kids, I’m guessing), wake up. Kraft gives a crap about absolutely nothing regarding the New England Revs beyond a) bottom line, and b) bottom line. I’m sure there’s great support for pro soccer in New England. Unfortunately, Bob Kraft is not among them.
Since the article didn’t bother, here’s a link about Demidov. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vadim_Demidov
He has a pretty good resume playing in Norway, then La Liga and the Bundesliga. He also has played with the Norwegian national team and Russia tried to persuade him to join their national team. He looks like a good pickup for Minnesota and MLS.