MLS Rosters Set for Stretch Run to MLS Cup Playoffs
Published on September 17, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009) - On Tuesday, MLS clubs made the final roster moves of the season, looking to bolster their rosters for the stretch run of the season and beyond. Among the notable moves at the end of the summer were the acquisition of two Designated Players, a U.S. national team player who was playing in Europe, several key trades and the signing of three youth academy players.
Houston Dynamo signed Mexican striker Luis Angel Landin, and Toronto FC brought Canadian international Julian de Guzman from La Liga to his hometown - the pair became the seventh and eighth Designated Players currently in MLS. Last year de Guzman was named player of the season for Spanish Primera Division club Deportivo La Coruna, while Landin hails from Mexican first division and youth national teams. FC Dallas acquired U.S. national team defender Heath Pearce and traded fourth-year defender Drew Moor to the Colorado Rapids for speedy and tenacious defender Ugo Ihemelu.
MLS continues to make strides in developing talent and this summer three youth academy products signed their first professional contracts. MLS decided in July to allow clubs more flexibility in signing these top prospects.
With the Sept. 15 roster freeze deadline passed, MLS clubs cannot make any additions to their rosters through trades or new signings until after MLS Cup (Nov. 22 in Seattle). They may activate players from the Disabled List, as roster space permits. They may also request the addition of an MLS pool goalkeeper in the case of injury.
The next date teams may make any changes will be for a half-day trade window on Monday, Nov. 23. The 2009 Expansion Draft for the Philadelphia Union is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 25.
A view of notable roster moves since June 1 is below.
NOTABLE SUMMER ROSTER MOVEMENT
- Luis Angel Landin (F- Houston Dynamo) club's first Designated Player
- Julian de Guzman (M - Toronto FC) club's first Designated Player
- Heath Pearce (D - FC Dallas) U.S. national team player
- Ali Gerba (F - Toronto FC) Canadian national team player
- Jesus Padilla (F - Chivas USA) Born in United States, raised in Mexico; on loan from CD Guadalajara.
- Maicon Santos (F - Chivas USA) Has played professionally in Brazil, Tunisia, Libya and Israel
- Chris Birchall (M - Los Angeles Galaxy) Trinidad national team player born in England
- Julien Baudet (D - Colorado Rapids) Frenchman captained Crewe Alexandra in England
- Danny Szetela (M - D.C. United) Former U.S. Under-20 standout returned from Italy
- Marvin Chavez (M - FC Dallas) Honduran national team player nicknamed "Son of the Wind"
- Daniel Hernandez (D - FC Dallas) Eight-year MLS veteran returns after second stint in Mexico's top division
- David Myrie (D - Chicago Fire) Costa Rican is 21, 6-foot-1, and arrives from Alajuelense
- Colorado and FC Dallas completed a trade sending Drew Moor to Colorado for Ugo Ihemelu. The Rapids also received FC Dallas' natural second round 2010 SuperDraft pick and allocation money.
- Houston Dynamo and Kansas City Wizards completed a trade sending Kei Kamara to Kansas City for Abe Thompson and allocation money.
- The New York Red Bulls, D.C. United and FC Dallas signed youth academy products: Giorgi Chirgadze (NY), Bill Hamid (D.C. United) and Bryan Leyva (FC Dallas)
NOTABLE DEPARTURES
- Kenny Cooper was transferred from FC Dallas to German club 1860 Munich
- Bakary Soumare was transferred from Chicago Fire to French club US Boulogne
- Rohan Ricketts was released by Toronto FC to make way for de Guzman and some of its younger signings
- Juan Pietravallo and Alfredo Pacheco were released by the New York Red Bulls
Major League Soccer Stories from September 17, 2009
- United Soccer Club set to kick off Fall Session - D.C. United
- MLS Rosters Set for Stretch Run to MLS Cup Playoffs - MLS
- United for D.C. named as beneficiary for Acumen Solutions' Race for a Cause 8K Race - D.C. United
- Details set for Sixth Annual United Awards Reception - D.C. United
- Frei Wins Third Straight MLS Honor - Toronto FC
- Chivas Guadalajara Completes Late-Game Comeback for 2-1 Victory Over Rivals Club America - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
