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Reports: Alfredo Morales in “promising negotiations” for MLS move

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Alfredo Morales is set to leave German club Fortuna Dusseldorf this summer at the end of his contract and reportedly could be on his way to MLS.

Dusseldorf announced Tuesday that Morales missed training ahead of a return to league play this weekend. In addition, the club stated that Morales is in “promising negotiations” for a move to North America.

German outlet Bild has mentioned NYCFC as the possible suitor for Morales’ services this summer.

The 30-year-old midfielder joined Dusseldorf in 2018 and featured in the Bundesliga prior to the club’s relegation in 2019-20. He’s made 17 combined appearances in 2020-21, with 15 of those taking place in league play.

An aggressive defensive midfielder, Morales has spent his entire professional career to date in Germany. After coming through the ranks within Hertha Berlin’s Youth Teams, Morales made the move to Ingolstadt in 2013-14.

In total, Morales has made 246 combined appearances in Germany, scoring 13 goals and registering 17 assists.

Morales has earned 16 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, last appearing in Concacaf Nations League victories over Canada and Cuba in November 2019.

Morales’ lengthy experience abroad could benefit several MLS clubs during the 2021 season. He would join fellow Americans Chris Gloster and Cameron Harper to make the move to the United States from Europe this calendar year.

Dusseldorf sits sixth in the 2. Bundesliga table, seven points back of third place Greuther Furth for the promotion playoff spot.

 

Comments

  1. If/when he signs with NYFC, who sits, who starts? Parks was a starter last year. Sands was playing some as a 6. Zelalem & Acevedo need some minutes to be productive. …and former OCSC d-mid Tony Rocha is a competitive player. 6 players for 2 positions.

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  2. Morales, like others from the lost generation, never lived up to hope/hype when he first decided to represent the US. He has always been a player who bounced around at the bottom of the table for B-1 or top of the table B-2 clubs. A decent contributor, but never really distinguished himself. He’s a jobber who plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
    That said, after watching the U-23’s sh!t the bed could easily see him being in discussion for Adams’s back-up. Especially during away games in CONCACAF where things can be a little physical.
    If a move to MLS keeps him playing at a level where he can still contribute as a back-up to Adams for another year…than it’s a good move for him. Besides who among us wouldn’t jump at the chance to play another year (or 2) before having to hang up their boots?

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    • Haven’t seen him feature too often with the Nats, BUT his 2019 caps showed he had “bite” like Jermaine Jones did. And with seven road games to get CONCACAF’ed, he could make the roster if he plays himself into his club’s starting lineup. For injuries, suspensions, etc. we need better CDM backups than Acosta. He was a turnover and foul machine in the two matches, who should be mature enough to be more disciplined.

      Beckerman was a later bloomer for the MNT, but from 2013-14, he was an excellent destroyer for us. Morales has some of the same skills,but is tougher, and a better passer. Given that no one has claimed the backup role, why not Morales?

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  3. He could help just about any MLS team, so he can probably pick and choose what team he goes to. According to the internet, he makes a little over $1 million at Dusseldorf and has made around $5 million over his career in Germany. Dusseldorf is currently 7th, so it is likely they won’t get promoted.

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  4. He is already 30. I don’t think he has MNT in mind with this move.
    I’m sure going to NY is a selling point for any player wanting to come U.S.

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    • i think you’re substituting your (and my, to be fair) thought process for his. his thought process he was included in the mexico XI in september 2019 as well as both NL windows, and if supposed “club form” has changed that, duh, pander to the coach and get a starting job here. i am not sure klinsi would appreciate the perceived downgrade but berhalter seems desperate for DMs and has already had him in for a 3 camp string this cycle.

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  5. Morales never did it for me internationally, and I don’t think this move helps his case for more call ups, but kudos to him for getting a deal done to further his career!

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    • there was a RSL rumor and some news stories on it but i can’t find where it was ever official. his contract expires this summer and he could already pre-sign if he wanted. i am curious since there was already the aborted Cincy move whether this is real or an agent gambit to drum up interest someplace over there. i am a fan and can theorize where this gets him in front of Berhalter but maybe based on never being brought in camp at all he assesses that pandering to the coach’s club form obsession wouldn’t change anything ie AJ’s glorious season meaning nothing to the NT (at which point he headed off to Poland since why come to MLS if pandering doesn’t change anything).

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      • i will say as someone who follows wood a little he has some significant history of managing to kneecap himself with career decisions. i think talent should win out — and did for previous coaches here — but for this coach club minutes are everything and he’s the sort of player who 2 out of every 3 transfer choices are dumb. if this is some agent’s gambit and he ends up sitting again someplace then he’s done with the NT. this coach only has eyes for spreadsheets and a player sitting someplace manifests a row of zeroes.

    • Funny that you use “kneecap” in regard to Wood since he’s never received any significant minutes since a knee injury in March 2019, 396 minutes in two seasons.

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