Photo by Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
Real Salt Lake are reportedly on the verge of bolstering the team’s defensive unit with the addition of a promising center back.
Reports out of Guatemala say that 22-year-old centerback Elias Vasquez is en route to the U.S. with aims of finalizing a move to RSL. Vasquez, who called a move to RSL “a good opportunity,” most recently featured for Comunicaciones in Guatemala in 2014.
Vasquez, who captained Guatemala’s Under-20 team at the 2011 U-20 World Cup, has been capped 25 times by the senior team. The defender also reportedly had an offer from Union Santa Fe in Argentina.
A Real Salt Lake spokesman declined to comment on the Vasquez reports.
Here are some more of Tuesday afternoon’s MLS news and notes:
MIAMI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE FIU PLAN
MLS Miami’s initial home appears to be getting closer to reality, although David Beckham and co. remain uncommitted to the idea.
A vote by Miami’s county commissioners was passed unanimously Tuesday, as the group asked Mayor Carlos Jimenez to propose that nearby Florida International University Stadium be used as a temporary facility.
The club, which did not request the vote, is still holding out hope for a permanent home and remains open to pursuing other alternatives.
“Careful consideration will be given to FIU when we address the opportunities for a temporary facility,” said Miami Beckham United spokesman Tadd Schwartz according to the Miami Herald.
“We’re pleased that members of the commission want to encourage movement,” added the group’s real estate advisor Todd Alschuler. “We view that as a positive step.”
CAHILL TO MAKE NEARLY $10 MILLION A SEASON WITH NEW CLUB
Former New York Red Bulls Designated Player Tim Cahill announced his move to China’s Shanghai Shenhua Monday, and it appears that the Australian star will be rewarded with a hefty payday.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported Tuesday that Cahill could make roughly $10 million a season after impressing Shanghai Shenhua’s president and coach in leading Australia to the nation’s recent Asian Cup crown. Cahill’s current deal, which contains numerous bumps in pay based on performance bonuses, is set to be a one year deal with an option for a second that will be extended to both parties.
Cahill departed the Red Bulls Monday after two seasons with the club. His most successful season, 2013, saw the Australian score 11 goals in 27 appearances on the way to a Supporters’ Shield.
Well, that explains the Cahill move – except for RBNY’s decision to release him for free. Maybe Cahill threatened to stay.
Where’d the rest of my post go?
I shouldn’t even comment on Cahill anymore…..the whole thing is screwed up. I cannot believe those jackass politicians in Miami can’t find a good plot of land for Beckham. FIU will be a dead end.
What’s is garber thinking about Miami and LA2, they both need way more time in order to get a stadium and get fans crazy about their local team. Also, there is nothing more perfect than getting a stadium in a proper location in Miami and LA2 and bring them in at the same time.
For now MLS should award a team to Sacramento and Vegas. Yes Vegas, they can handle an MLS team and are dying for a sports team and MLS should get there before MLB or NHL.
Minneapolis, also sounds very interesting but a soccer stadium sounds way better than a giant nfl stadium.
So I repeat, give Miami and LA2 more time and just let them in when they are really ready. Vegas and Sacramento are READY, while Minneapolis needs a soccer stadium no matter what.
LA2 is still twords years out so they have time. And Miami hasn’t even got their wheels rolling. But I will agree Sacramento should jump ahead of Miami. And Vegas is a trap waiting to happen leave them alone for now.
I think LA2 will be fine. Miami seems like a lost cause to me. They need to be put on the back burner till something happens. I still think it COULD be a great place, but only contingent on a great stadium in a great location, which doesn’t look to be likely anymore. Sacramento should be at the front of the line.
He might not ever see that 10 million a season knowing the Chinese League. Drogba and Anelka both left because they weren’t being paid at all so we will see if Cahill ends up storming off just like them.
Also the FIU stadium is a terrible idea, get a real plan together if you want a team in Miami.
Can’t hate on you Cahill. 10 mill a season is insane!!!! Collect that fat paycheck!!!!
Makes you wonder why or how the Red Bulls were not able to get any transfer fee at all. The team in China could have easily afforded a transfer fee of $500,000 to $1,000,000 and just pay Cahill a little less and still far more than what he was getting with the Red Bulls.
+10,000,000
Man, I hate it when good National Team players leave better leagues as they chase a pay day. 🙂