There’s a new Designated Player in Major League Soccer, as the Houston Dynamo have confirmed the signing of midfielder Tomas Martinez.
The 22-year-old, who has featured for Argentina’s youth teams, joins the Western Conference power from Sporting Braga in Portugal. Martinez is the Dynamo’s third Designated Player on the squad, including Erick Torres and Alberth Elis.
“Tomás is a player that is hungry to play, that has a wonderful background playing for River Plate in Argentina and playing at the U-20 level with the national team in Argentina,” said Dynamo Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera. “He has a lot of tools, a lot of expectations and he is hungry to consolidate himself as a player. His youth is going to be very good for the team and he is going to bring a good, fresh mentality to work in.”
Here’s a closer look at some more MLS news:
D.C. United Waive Ortiz
Costa Rican international Jose Ortiz is leaving D.C. United after only a seven month stint in the nation’s capital.
After confirming his loan from CS Herediano in the Costa Rican first division in December, the forward made 16 appearances this season, seven of which were starts. After scoring only one goal in his short time in MLS, the two clubs have decided to cancel his loan as he has returned to Herediano.
Crew, D.C. swap money, international spots
There’s been a trade in MLS, but not of players.
Instead, Columbus Crew gained an international roster spot from Eastern Conference rivals D.C. United. In exchange, Ben Olsen’s side were given $50,000 in allocation money from the Crew.