Infusion of Talent Boosts MLS Rosters in 2009
Published on April 16, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Thursday, April 16, 2009) - The Primary Registration Window for MLS closed on Wednesday, April 15, signaling the end of acquisitions of players under contract with clubs in leagues outside of MLS until the Secondary Registration Window opens July 15. During the opening transfer period clubs acquired talented players, some young, some experienced, who are contributing significant minutes and paying dividends for their clubs.
Among the 37 new MLS players listed below, 16 have senior national team experience for their respective countries, and five others have youth national team experience.
Transfer period additions such as Fredy Montero, Osvaldo Alonso and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Seattle Sounders FC), Santiago Hirsig (Kansas City Wizards), Dejan Jakovic (D.C. United), Pablo Vitti (Toronto FC) and Cam Weaver (San Jose Earthquakes) are regular starters and contributors for their clubs. Montero, an MLS Player of the Week and Player of the Month winner, and Hurtado, a steady central defender, have helped the expansion Sounders FC to an impressive 3-1-0 start.
While only playing one game this season due to injury, Donovan Ricketts (Los Angeles Galaxy) earned MLS Player of the Week for Week 4 and will be looked upon to lead the Galaxy defensive unit. The Houston Dynamo recently added Canadian international defender Andrew Hainault from FK Banik Most of the Czech Republic.
The transfer period signings join a host of talented players who are new to MLS this season, including: Swedish superstar and Designated Player Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC), former United States international goalkeeper Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC), Mexicans Mariano Trujillo and Eduardo Lillingston (Chivas USA) and Spanish midfielder Albert Celades (New York Red Bulls). Among those returning to MLS and already making an impact this season are attacking players Bobby Convey (San Jose Earthquakes) and Nate Jaqua (Seattle Sounders FC).
Teams may continue player transactions throughout the season, as long as they remain compliant with roster rules and salary budgets, up until the roster freeze date on Sept. 15, 2009. The Secondary Registration Window for MLS opens on July 15, at which time teams may again sign players that are under contract with teams in other leagues. The secondary window closes August 15.
Primary Registration Window Signings: January 21 - April 15, 2009
Player Name Previous Club Current MLS Club
Alonso, Osvaldo Charleston Battery (USL) Seattle Sounders FC
Assengue, Stephane Daga Young Stars (Cameroon) New England Revolution
Davies, Kyle Southampton FC (England) Real Salt Lake
Escalada, Luis Liga Deportivo Quito (Ecuador) Real Salt Lake
Ferreira, David Club Atletico Paranaense (Brazil) FC Dallas
Gomez, Emmanuel Samger FC (Gambia) Toronto FC
Hainault, Andrew FK Banik Most (Czech Republic) Houston Dynamo
Hirsig, Santiago San Lorenzo (Argentina) Kansas City Wizards
Hurtado, Jhon Kennedy Asociación Deportivo Cali (Colombia) Seattle Sounders FC
Jakovic, Dejan FC Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) D.C. United
Montero, Fredy Asociación Deportivo Cali (Colombia) Seattle Sounders FC
Osei, Emmanuel Liberty Professionals (Ghana) New England Revolution
Pacheco, Alfredo CD Futbolistas Asociasdos (El Salvador) New York Red Bulls
Richardson, Gregory Joe Public FC (Trinidad & Tobago) Colorado Rapids
Ricketts, Donovan Village United (Jamaica) Los Angeles Galaxy
Sanchez, Alvaro San Carlos FC (Costa Rica) FC Dallas
Sanyang, Amadou Real de Banjul (Gambia) Toronto FC
Vitti, Pablo FC Choronomorests Odessa (Ukraine) Toronto FC
Weaver, Cam FK Haugesund (Norway) San Jose Earthquakes
Other New Acquisitions Since MLS Cup 2008:
Player Name Previous Club Current MLS Club
Akinbiyi, Adeola Burnley (England) Houston Dynamo
Berhalter, Gregg 1860 Munich (Germany) Los Angeles Galaxy
Campos, Pablo GAIS Gothenburg (Sweden) San Jose Earthquakes
Celades, Albert Real Zaragoza (Spain) New York Red Bulls
Convey, Bobby Reading (England) San Jose Earthquakes
Elliott, Simon Fulham (England) San Jose Earthquakes
Jaqua, Nate SCR Altach (Austria) Seattle Sounders FC
Johnson, Carlos Byrne (Norway) New York Red Bulls
Keller, Kasey Fulham (England) Seattle Sounders FC
LeToux, Sebastien Seattle Sounders (USL) Seattle Sounders FC
Lillingston, Eduardo Tecos UAG (Mexico) Chivas USA
Ljungberg, Freddie West Ham (England) Seattle Sounders FC
N'Silu, Ange Le Mont (Switzerland) D.C. United
Nyassi, Sanna Ports Authority (Gambia) Seattle Sounders FC
Pickens, Matt Queens Park Rangers (England) Colorado Rapids
Purdy, Steve 1860 Munich (Germany) FC Dallas
Trujillo, Mariano Atlante (Mexico) Chivas USA
Videira, Michael Hamilton FC (Scotland) New England Revolution
Major League Soccer Stories from April 16, 2009
- Real Salt Lake Acquires U.S. Under-20 National Team Captain Kyle Davies - Real Salt Lake
- Saturday's Chivas USA vs. Seattle Sounders FC showdown to air live on Prime Ticket, KAZA Azteca 54 - Seattle Sounders FC
- 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Tickets On Sale Friday - FC Dallas
- Infusion of Talent Boosts MLS Rosters in 2009 - MLS
- Sounders to Face Chivas USA - Seattle Sounders FC
- Ochoa, Pardo And CabaÃas Highlight Club America's Roster For Match Against Fire - Chicago Fire FC
- Utah Native David Archuleta Headlines June 6 Rio Tinto Stadium "Charity Begins at Home" Event - Real Salt Lake
- CONCACAF Gold Cup tickets on sale Friday - New England Revolution
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