WVHooligan - Soccer Blog

The end of June only means one thing, the summer transfer window is near it’s due date for reopening for all clubs. After today MLS contracts go guaranteed for the year, so don’t be shocked to see a few more names be dropped along with DC’s Franco Niell and KC’s Eloy Colombano.

MLS clubs are turning to the tranfer window to improve rosters in hopes to make that final push towards the MLS Cup playoffs. Some clubs will make trades, others will add new players while dropping some dead weight.

Needless to say this is a busy time in Major League Soccer.

So, were does that take us for today? Well, let’s start with a couple quick rumors that are floating out there in the internet world.

First off, it looks like LA is indeed looking to move Carlos Ruiz (and his high salary) elsewhere this season. With the play of Edson Buddle, along with Landon Donovan the Galaxy are seeing that they could move The Fish to clear out some space to bring in some much needed defensive help.

Steve Goff briefly mentioned over the weekend that they could be looking to send him across the halls at the Home Depot Center to Chivas USA. The Red-and-White would need to clear some space first but look to be interested in bring him on to improve their offense, which has struggled this season due to injuries.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see another couple clubs get interested in Ruiz here if he is really on the trading block. It will come down to who is the most creative in dealing with Alexi Lalas.

Others in the news that are coming to MLS.

Jorge Rojas continues to look like he is on his way to New York. Word has it he is going to sign a year and a half deal. Some are saying he will debut with the Red Bulls in the middle of July, probably against LA. The Venezuelan striker should be a boost to an offense that has lacked some serious firepower since the sale of Jozy Altidore and due to the on-going injuries to Juan Pablo Angel.

The 31-year old has the experience and will probably link up well with fellow South American Angel. I just wonder if he will be enough to lift this attack back to where we expected it to be at the start of the season. The Red Bulls still need some work on their defense and midfield though here this summer. If Juan Carlos Osorio finds the right parts they could make a serious push for the playoffs. I still think though these signings are going to be too little too late for them in the end though. But we will see.

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The on-going rumor of Shola Ameobi coming to MLS continues. Apparently he continues to get linked to Toronto FC here.

His agent keeps ruling out the move, but TFC manager John Carver continues to make a push for the 26-year old Nigerian. The club would sign him as their designated player if he does indeed end up going State-side. I honestly don’t see this move happening considering there isn’t any talk of his desire to play in MLS and the fact that West Brom is heavily considered the favorite to sign the Newcastle striker.

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Oh and more talk on Darren Huckerby to MLS over the weekend. San Jose and Toronto still get linked to Norwich star.

San Jose would have to deal with Toronto for the allocation spot to get Huckerby if he signs with the league. Some reports say Toronto has the discovery claim to Huckerby. I’m pretty sure those reports mean the allocation rights to him though. Hopefully that won’t confuse too many people.

If it is the discovery claim to Huckerby the dealing will be a littler easier than what we are seeing between Chicago and Toronto right now for the rights to striker Brian McBride. But if we are dealing with allocation rights then we could be headed into a whole different direction here. It all depends on Mo Johnston and how he wants to deal with Huckerby and McBride. The Reds won’t get both players and I wouldn’t be shocked if they got neither as well.

But from the looks of things Toronto has other plans so San Jose may be in luck to land the Englishman. If that is the case it should easily help out their attack. I can see Huckerby fitting in pretty nicely in Frank Yallop’s system right now. Even as a wing player too I think the move would work out fine.

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