Looks like the locker-room issue in Chicago surrounding defender Bakary Soumare and manager Denis Hamlett is resolved today. Reports from France say the Fire have sold the All-Star defender to French club Boulogne for a little over $2 million.

For a club struggling for consistent play at home, losing their best defender in this manner is going to be a bigger blow than some people will be willing to admit. Hamlett said Soumare wasn’t committed to play for the Fire any more and the club did well to get rid of the locker room head ache as quickly as they could here.

The 23-year-old holds a French passport and is expected to step in and compete for a starting job for Boulogne, currently in seventh place in Ligue 1.His passport and play with Mali gained him some big time interest from French clubs last year. In a way we could say the writing was on the wall for a big transfer for Soumare.

Now back to things from a Fire standpoint. A move across the pond was going to happen eventually for Soumare. The Fire know that this winter will probably be a long one for replacing talent. There was no doubt they couldn’t have just traded Soumare to keep him in MLS (even with the league holding two more option years on his contract). There was just no way the Fire would have gotten a good face value trade for an All-Star defender like Soumare.

From a cup half-full kind of view, the Fire now have a good bit of cash to spend on redoing their defense this fall. On the flip-side, they now head into an important stretch without one of the league’s best defenders.

I’m sure you’ve all seen the reports by now, Chicago Fire defender Bakary Soumare got into a little bit of a wrestling match with manager Denis Hamlett last week during halftime of the Chicago-Houston game. Soumare was subbed out for the start of the second half but that isn’t even half of the story according to Luis Arroyave who returned to write about soccer for a day yesterday.

Hamlett was asked about Soumare’s status before last night’s 2-0 loss to the LA Galaxy and what was said pretty much spoke volumes about where Soumare is these days.

“He isn’t committed to the team, his teammates or the organization. As a coach, I can’t put a player on the field that is not 100 percent committed.”

Pretty much Soumare doesn’t want to play for Hamlett and Hamlett doesn’t want Soumare to play for him. Judging by the play out of the Fire last night you have to wonder if other players are on Soumare’s side in this one.

I highly doubt the Fire will be able to trade Soumare and get a decent enough deal out of things with another MLS club. When you have an All-Star defender that could arguable be one of the best in the league you know you won’t get a fair trade out of it. Reports suggest an offer is out there from a French club.

Needless to say this is a massive blow to the Fire. Based on things last night this club could be incline for a big dip in level of play if things don’t change in the club house right away. With veteran Brian McBride already out for a while things could get dicey for a club that should be contending for the Supporter’s Shield.

Some will call for Hamlett’s head based on what happened and how he seemingly started the physical part of the “fight” with Soumare. I’ve said before that based on expectations to this season that if the Fire fade away late in the year that Hamlett could easily be placed on the hot seat for it.

What do you think of this news? Should Hamlett be let go? Will the Fire be able to turn things around?

A lot has been made of the players this summer who have left Major League Soccer for higher wages in Europe. I figured since today was a slower news day I would take a look at the next group of guys that could potentially cash in on a move across the pond.

Feel free to give your thoughts on a player listed here or bring up a name that isn’t being talked about that could see a move across the pond.

I will do this in a couple different sections too. Players who could go now or have tried and players who are more in line to be the next Brad Guzan or Maurice Edu.

Players Who’ve Tried:

1. Kenny Cooper, FC Dallas: We all know Coopers attempts this summer to go to either Rosenborg or in Cardiff City. FC Dallas said no way to any and all transfer fees, even the really nice ones like Cardiff’s $4 million offer. I think we all know his name will be thrown out again come winter, even though his club has a couple options left on his contract AND they are still actively working to get him a new deal.

2. Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy: We’ve heard him say he wants to try his hand at Europe once more. I would say if this whole deal with Bruce Arena falls apart you could see him throw his name out a bit more. But in all reality he is a whipped man at home and he doesn’t appear ready to leave his wife and TV star Bianca Kajlich behind just yet. I think its more of a thing if her TV career falls in the tanks, you could see him go. For me its a ‘never-say-never’ kind of thing with Landon and Europe.

3. Taylor Twellman, New England Revolution: He tried to leave and it didn’t happen. Sort of like what Dallas did with Cooper. Said no way and good day. I think Twellman’s injury status this season and the Revs quality play may help him out if he still wants to leave this winter. The Revs know they can win without him, but the biggest question will be if anyone still wants him. I’m sure they do but it may not be as high of a value as it could have been back in January.

4. Shalrie Joseph, New England Revolution: The man should be in the big-boy leagues but he isn’t yet. He nearly went to Celtic at one point and I would not be shocked to see him try to go once again if he isn’t happy. If the right deal comes along you could see Joseph land a nice contract with a good team in Europe. I think that’s what he is waiting on if he still has European aspirations.

5. Pablo Mastroeni, Colorado Rapids: He wants to go after this year and he will. It is just a matter of where. I’d kind of love to see him get traded this year to an actual contender and see him get a MLS Cup before he goes. Continue Reading…