UNITED TRIAL FOR ‘CAPS YOUNGSTER
Vancouver Whitecaps teenage star Alphonso Davies is set for a trial with one of the biggest teams in world football, Manchester United, in January according to CTV Edmonton.
17-year-old Davies made his debut for the Canadian national team in the summer and in the process became the youngest player to appear for Team Canada in the process. He is now awaiting clearance from the Whitecaps before the trial arrangements are finalised.
HOUSTON, WE HAVE AN ALVEREZ
Attacking midfielder Arturo Alvarez has been acquired by Houston Dynamo in preparation for the 2018 season from Chicago Fire in exchange for the Dynamo’s natural second-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
This is a homecoming for Alvarez, who was born in Houston. He is a 12-year MLS veteran with 237 career appearances and has represented a total of four MLS teams (San Jose Earthquakes twice). Dynamo vice president and general manager Matt Jordan confirmed in a team statement. “His quality on the field along with his professional approach to the game will make him a good addition to our group.”
Alvarez has represented the county of his parents’ birth, El Salvador, 43 times in both the 2011 and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cups, the 2014 Copa Centroamericana and FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches. In the 2017 season he appeared in 25 games with 13 starts, scoring three goals and notching two assists for Chicago Fire, who earned third place in the Eastern Conference.
D.C. UNITED IS BRILLIANT
Defender Frederic Brilliant has signed for D.C. United from New York City FC in return for $75,000 in General Allocation Money in addition to a 2018 international roster slot.
After having his option declined by the New York side, the 32-year-old has penned a two-year deal with D.C. United. Prior to his time in MLS, Brillant spent five seasons in the Belgian First Division. He made 111 appearances and scored 12 goals in two stints with Belgian side Oostende (2011-2012, 2013-2016) and was with Beerschot AC between 2012-2013.
United general manager Dave Kasper highlighted that one of D.C.’s priorities was to acquire an experienced central defender and praised his attributes; “Frederic is a smart, athletic defender who is a very good passer. His size, speed and presence will strengthen our backline next season and we are excited to welcome him to D.C.”
LAFC SIGN ZIMMERMAN
MLS expansion side LAFC’s backline was bolstered as they traded for Dallas defender Walker Zimmerman in return for $250,000 in General Allocation Money and $250,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. LAFC and Dallas also swapped places in the Allocation Order, with Dallas taking LAFC’s No. 1 spot and LAFC moving down to No. 11.
Zimmerman was selected in the first round of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and seventh overall. The 6-foot-3 centre back helped FC Dallas to the 2016 Supporters’ Shield and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles, starting regular-season 30 matches and scoring four goals. In his first three MLS campaigns, Zimmerman started just 23 games combined before his breakout 2016 season. He appeared in 22 games in 2017 despite suffering a knee injury.
Any Other Business…
LAFC have acquired a 2018 international roster slot from Atlanta United in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft… Darren Mattocks has signed for D.C. United in exchange for a 2018 international roster spot from Portland Timbers… Sporting Kansas City have traded midfielder Kevin Oliveira and defender Tyler Pasher to Atlanta United FC for forward Kenwyne Jones and goalkeeper Alexander Tambakis. Sporting KC also sent its second-round pick in next year’s draft to Atlanta while getting back that club’s fourth-round selection in the 2021 draft… 35-year-old DaMarcus Beasley, boasting some 126 international caps, is a high profile free agent.
