Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017 was a busy day in MLS as the transfer window closed at the stroke of midnight. Minnesota United was just one of a few teams that made multiple moves announced before the day had drawn to a close.
Loons on the move
The biggest deal Minnesota United made was trading for Columbus Crew SC winger Ethan Finlay. United is sending a total of $425,000 in allocation money over both 2017 and 2018 in exchange for the Duluth-born player. The original price tag was reported to be $300,000, however the breakdown of funds over 2017 and 2018 was to keep United under the salary cap this year. MNUFC is essentially paying back Columbus next year in full for paying a portion of Finlay’s remaining salary this year.
Official ✅#MNUFC acquires @EthanFinlay13 in a trade with @ColumbusCrewSC
More » https://t.co/0EOr055o39 pic.twitter.com/2kfh5ErRns
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) August 9, 2017
United sent midfielder Rasmus Schüller out on loan to his former club Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (HJK) in Helsinki for the rest of 2017. Due in part to a couple of injuries Schüller lost his starting job to Ibson and Sam Cronin. Head coach Adrian Heath is hoping this loan opportunity will offer Schüller a chance to play a lot of minutes before he returns to Minnesota for the 2018 MLS season.
Goalkeeper Alex Kapp has officially signed with Minnesota United after training with the club over the past couple of weeks. Kapp is expected to be the third option at goalkeeper.
How about a tip of the Kapp?#MNUFC signs GK Alex Kapp.
Read » https://t.co/Lkr9H0ZCXf pic.twitter.com/ab4rwQUiYD
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) August 8, 2017
Multiple social media posts indicate Costa Rican club C.S. Herediano is expected to announce that winger José Leitón is on his way to join Minnesota United on a loan believed to include an option to purchase. Leitón made his debut with the Costa Rica national team in the recent Gold Cup semifinal match against the U.S., coming on as a sub in the 80th minute. Minnesota United has yet to announce the move.
Other deadline day news
A number of other clubs made moves ahead of the deadline, with announced deals recounted here. The biggest moves include:
- LAFC signing Mexican international Carlos Vela from Real Sociedad
- Columbus Crew SC bringing in Portuguese winger Pedro Santos
- D.C. United, among a flurry of moves, notably adding USMNT forward Paul Arriola
Rafael Márquez linked to Mexican drug cartel
A report surfaced today from the U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that mentioned El Tri defender Rafa Márquez as having been involved with a longstanding drug trafficking organization. Marquez is linked to Mexican national Raul Flores Hernandez. A total of 21 individuals and 42 corporate entities were linked. Marquez, currently playing for Atlas FC in Mexico, has appeared in 143 matches for the Mexican national team, and previously has turned out for AS Monaco FC, FC Barcelona, and the New York Red Bulls.
Wilf family joins up with Nashville bid for MLS team
The Minnesota Vikings majority owners have partnered with John Ingram of Nashville, Tenn. in the latter’s bid for a MLS franchise. Mark Wilf got to know Ingram after joining the Vanderbilt University Board of Trustees in 2016. Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, and Wilf’s son graduated from the university.
News bits
- Former Gophers player Josee Stiever has signed with Ostersunds DFF in Sweden
- Vice penned a short history of how some Scottish football clubs got their names
- USL returns to Austin venue Circuit of Americas
- Real Madrid defeated Manchester United 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup Final
- The Madison 56ers U11 girls team based in Madison, Wis., has received criticism for its players wearing their hair short
- A pair of second-division franchises were announced this week in Birmingham (USL), and California United (NASL)
- Kyle Fararr and Gonnie Ben-Tal of Duluth FC were named to the All-National Premier Soccer League second team ahead of other North Conference honorees
- Philadelphia Union announced a new CTO (Chief Tattoo Officer)
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