According to Neil Morris both Miami FC and the Jacksonville Armada, currently of the NASL, are planning on moving to the NPSL. Combined that with the announcement of NASL’s move to a winter calendar, and players are left with a problem, writes Jeff Rueter. The NASL was a place for veteran players who were not MLS-quality or who were not interested in being bench players in MLS to ply their trade and make a living.
The options for the players are few and far between, particularly given the USL’s tendency to focus on developing younger players. Theoretically USL teams could provide a home for these players, but that would require a large turnover in roster and likely an increase in wage bills as well.
MLS rosters are beginning to take shape. Some moves have been confirmed, like Mix Diskerud’s transfer to Manchester City in what is likely a salary budget dodge by NYCFC. Other transfers are only rumors, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s move to the LA Galaxy.
Other rosters feature players looking to rebound. Bobby Warshaw of MLS lists five players who could turn things around in 2018, including Minnesotan Jackson Yueill. Yueill was drafted 6th overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in 2017.
Christian Ramirez was called up to the US men’s national team, though he did not appear in the game-day squad in the only friendly.
Former Loon Bernardo Añor has signed with Caracas, a club in Venezuela.
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Tags: Christian Ramirez, jackson yueill, MLS, NASL, NPSL, USL, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
