Getty Images Though one is the lowest number of players ever taken in stage one of an MLS Re-Entry Draft, it wasn’t surprising that only Maicon Santos was selected on Friday, the Chicago Fire picking up the now former D.C. United forward. In the two previous iterations of the draft, only five players had been selected, and with teams having another crack at the players next Friday (stage two), there wasn’t much urgency to make a selection which would spring a contract option (or mandate an offer, in the case of out of contract players).
We spent a lot of time this morning talking about rules, players of intrigue, and a minor conspiracy, but it all ended up being so much talk for so little action. After the results were announced, the bottom line rang through. Except Santos, there was nobody in this draft so compelling that teams wanted to pass on a chance to get them cheaper next week. Between the lack of quality, teams lacking flexibility under the cap, and next week’s stage two, there just wasn’t enough demand to generate picks.
Santos is set for his fifth team in as many seasons. Chivas USA, Toronto FC, FC Dallas and DC United have all seen and let go of the Brazilian. Last season at RFK, Santos had seven goals in 26 games but only saw playoff time when Ben Olsen’s squad started being hit by injuries. Well travelled at 28, Santos is neither unknown nor likely to improve.
It’s a curious pick, particularly for stage one. Given the number of teams that passed on him today (10) and in the past, Chicago could have taken the chance Santos would survive the draft’s last eight picks and be available next week. Obviously, the Fire saw that as a worthless gamble and took the striker, adding him to a team that already counts Sherjill MacDonald, Dominic Oduro, Chris Rolfe, Alvaro Fernandez and Patrick Nyarko among is attacking options.
Ultimately, Chicago saw something the other 18 teams did not: A player they liked. Where players like Ike Opara couldn’t get a look, Maicon Santos did.
Expect more action next week.
-
Getty Images
Asmir Begovic is apparently intending on showing up at the door of another club to start training.
-
Reports: Porto to bank on Moutinho and Rodriguez in shock double move
May 23, 2013, 7:16 PM EDT
Reuters
AS Monaco, rich with the injection of money from a Russian tycoon, are set to make a huge splash, possibly as much as €70 million.
-
The United States U-18 squad drew with the hosts in the middle of three group-stage matches during the 19th Annual Lisbon International Juniors Tournament.
-
20-year-old Jonathan Osorio picked up his debut call-up to the Canadian national team along with three other Toronto FC teammates ahead of their friendly against Costa Rica on Tuesday.
-
Leighton Baines says Everton will be fine without Moyes, but will they?
May 23, 2013, 5:11 PM EDT
Getty Images
“Football clubs live on and we’ll live on, we’ll move on.” They’ll move on, they have to. But will they effectively?
-
Reuters
With the upcoming Champions League final this weekend featuring an all-German cast, Germany secured another massive Champions League achievement today.
-
Anyone else bothered by the way Bayern Munich have conducted themselves ahead of this Saturday’s Champions League final?
-
Getty Images
Sunderland’s central defender will say goodbye to the English Premier League in exchange for a switch stateside.
-
Manchester City president shoots down high-profile transfer links
May 23, 2013, 2:00 PM EDT
Reuters
Chelsea fans will be delighted, while those supporting Manchester City are sure to question who’s on their team’s mind.
-
Should Europa League winners be awarded a spot in the Champions League?
May 23, 2013, 1:37 PM EDT
Should the champions of the Europa League be awarded a spot in the following season’s Champions League?
-
Espanyol fans upset with Barca shirt on the statute of Christopher Columbus
May 23, 2013, 12:07 PM EDT
The city’s decision to permit Columbus to wear angers Espanyol fans, who believe Barca receives too much support from local institutions.
-
Gonzalo Higuain close to Juventus move while others continue the chase
May 23, 2013, 11:22 AM EDT
Despite notching an impressive 104 goals in 185 matches since moving to the Bernabeu in 2007, Higuain has struggled this season.
-
With Arsenal rumored to be courting Swansea center-back Ashley Williams, Thomas Vermaelen has some decisions to make.
-
Poor Strama, Allegri: Inter, AC Milan leave coaches in limbo
May 22, 2013, 11:51 PM EDT
Getty Images
Serie A’s two Milanese clubs have yet to move for new head coaches.
-
Full circle: Misantrope’s revival could land Benítez in Paris, Madrid, or Naples
May 22, 2013, 11:06 PM EDT
Over the last three months, Rafa Benítez has reignited a floundering career.
-
It’s piling on for Reign FC, who may permanently lose Megan Rapinoe to Lyon
May 22, 2013, 10:14 PM EDT
The hits just keep on coming for the NWSL’s hard-luck team.
-
U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round draw: What it means for your MLS team
May 22, 2013, 9:20 PM EDT
The U.S. Open Cup draws sometimes need a decoder ring to decipher. Here’s a quick-and-dirty look at the MLS teams’ futures.
-
With PSG willing to match Wayne Rooney’s wages, Manchester United has somebody to bail them out
May 22, 2013, 8:17 PM EDT
Getty Images
If PSG’s willing to take Rooney’s wages of their hands, Manchester United can justify moving on.
-
Crimes and misdemeanors: Congratulations, Bobby Boswell – you’re this week’s winner
May 22, 2013, 7:32 PM EDT
Houston’s defensive leader sees his banned doubled by the Disciplinary Committee.
-
Sauerbrunn, Quon, and why its still too early to see NWSL’s influence on Sermanni’s choices
May 22, 2013, 6:47 PM EDT
Tom Sermanni has brought new talent into the national team, but it’s too early to know the extent to which the U.S.’s roster will see new faces.
