WVHooligan - Soccer Blog

Nearing the end of the work week but things are starting to heat up around the MLS as we head into the MLS Combine. Plenty to discuss today after a couple deals were talked about and made yesterday.

It appears that Claudio Lopez is close to signing with a MLS club, most likely, DC United if they are still up for spending some cash on a DP. Lopez came out and said yesterday that there was a 90% chance of him signing with a MLS club this winter. Three MLS teams have expressed varying levels of interest in the 33-year-old forward, who has played in Italy, Spain and Mexico, and made 58 national team appearances.

The only snag is for a club to sign him they would have to give him DP level pay, probably the same kind of pay that Juan Pablo Angel gets ($1.6 million).

Is Lopez worth a DP spot on a club? I think so, even with the age factor he would be a smart signing for any club that needs a fix at striker…hello Columbus, Colorado, Toronto, Real Salt Lake…even if it were a deal for two years. I think any of those clubs, even DC would be smart to make a pitch to Lopez.

Where will he end up if he comes to the MLS? I wouldn’t be hard to guess between DC and someone else like Real Salt Lake. I mean, RSL has signed like five Argentine players in the past year so why not throw DP money to one for once? Seriously though it’s hard to tell if this is more rumor than anything else at this point since it came from Lopez himself. But we will see…

As for some actual trasnfer news, we all know Davino signed yesterday with FC Dallas. The more I read and watch the guy the more I become indifferent about it. I think it is a good deal only if he comes to play unlike most Mexican players that have come to the MLS over the years.

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New England Revolution is looking at a Colombian international and is also in trade talks with the Columbus Crew. Still no names in who could be dealt and who the Revs are looking to get from Columbia.

Speaking of the Revs, English Championship Division team Preston North End is making a serious bid for New England goal striker Taylor Twellman. As reported a couple days ago on here, the MLS and the Revs turned down a deal to transfer Twellman. Apparently the North Enders (is that even their nickname? I really don’t know or care) want to make a bigger bid for Twellman. Bigger as in like for $2 million and not $800,000 or whatever low ball effort it was previously.

Hopefully this will get New England off their butts and realized that they have to make some serious moves to keep players like Twellman.

New England needs a DP if you ask me, should sign one this off-season. But that’s a rant for another day…

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Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul has been named to the Senegal national team for the African Cup of Nations, which starts later this month.

Good to hear that it’s gonna be Bouna time in the Cup of Nations.

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Add three more club to the list of clubs in the Brad Guzan race. Like that I waited until here to discuss this eh?

Well now you can see Auxerre, Liverpool and Olympiakos to go along with Arsenal and Celtic. Honestly the more the merrier for Guzan here. I still think he won’t go until the summer but seeing more big name clubs want his services is very promising that something could actually go down this winter.

Chivas USA spokesman Keegan Pierce has confirmed European sides have made contact: “We have received several offers from European clubs for Guzan.

“I can’t name the specific clubs.”

I’d love to see him go to Celtic still and become the understudy until the summer. But Auxerre and Olympiakos wouldn’t be terrible as well. Not knocking the EPL sides on the list but I just don’t see him getting quality playing time there in England unless we know he will be the number one once he gets there and let’s face it that won’t happen anytime soon if it were the case.

More on this to come really…

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Still waiting to hear more on the Franco Niell to DC United. Apparently they are very very very close to signing a deal here.

More on Niell for those who’ve missed out on this signing. He is a 24-year old striker who has spent his entire career with Argentinos Juniors, a first division club from Buenos Aires renowned for developing young talent, and been on the team’s senior roster since 2004. He has 10 career goals in 60 league appearances.

Niell has a reputation for clever footwork and darting moves. It looks like he will be a good match with Emilio up top for United. In the likely-hood of DC losing Jamie Moreno this off-season, Niell may be the best route for DC.

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As reported yesterday on here, Houston still wants Ramiro Corrales to return to the MLS and their club. The Dynamo, who own his Major League Soccer rights, would enjoy his return to his former team even more.

“We want him,” Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said.

“I’m married now, and my wife is not too happy there,” said Corrales, who left for Norway in 2005. “I think it’s time to come back.”

Like I’ve always said, if the wife isn’t happy, then either is the man. Point blank right there, he will more than likely be in a Dynamo uniform come March. Mark it down due to the wife wanting out of Norway.

The only snag is getting him back under the salary cap. Houston doesn’t exactly need a winger like Corrales at this point but depth is always very valuable in this league. Also he is under contract with SK Brann, meaning the Dynamo would need MLS to agree to negotiate a transfer with SK Bran. A transfer won’t come cheap and the same goes for getting him to the roster under the cap.

I still think a deal will be done for him in Houston. If not, a trade will be made and he will go elsewhere in the MLS. Probably San Jose or maybe even Dallas if they decide to trade some of their eight draft picks to Houston, a club with only a couple draft picks.

Food for thought I suppose….

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