MINNESOTA’S FIRST EVER DESIGNATED PLAYER SIGNS
Going a little under the radar, away from the Zlatan circus has been Minnesota’s acquisition of Colombian forward Darwin Quintero, who becomes the first Designated Player in Minnesota United’s history.
After a protracted chase, the Loons reached an agreement with Mexican giants Club América for the attacker, who has scored 83 Liga MX goals for Santos Laguna and América across a prolific career. He’ll join Minnesota pending receipt of his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate, and will occupy an international spot on Minnesota’s roster.
“Darwin makes this club better,” said MNUFC sporting director Manny Lagos in a club statement. “As we continue to grow and develop our roster and build on our core pieces from last year, we have just added an explosive player who can change the game in an instant. He raises the level of the team in terms of attacking movement and opportunity.”
Quintero joined Club América in 2015 but has struggled to replicate the success he had at Club Santos Laguna previously despite being part of the squad which won the 2014/15 and 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League. He joined Santos from Colombian side Deportes Tolima early in 2009 and across six seasons notched 66 league goals, assisting the team in claiming the 2012 Clausura league title and 2014 Apertura Copa MX Championship.
“Bringing a player with Darwin’s quality and pedigree is another step in the right direction for this club,” added MNUFC head coach Adrian Heath. “He’s a player with the finishing of a striker and the vision to open play up, he’s got great technical ability and our players will enjoy playing with him. We are delighted he has decided to join.”
On the International stage, Quintero has amassed 14 caps for Colombia after debuting in October 2008 but hasn’t featured since 2012. Rundown can’t help but look at the reported $200,000 fee and wonder why he was so cheap. Club América might consider themselves to have better options and wanted to shift a disgruntled player off their roster but considering some of the deals done by MLS clubs during the winter, alarm bells are ringing for Rundown.
MINNESOTA REBUILD CONTINUING
In addition to Quintero, general manager Manny Lagos has admitted that the Loons will continue to enhance their squad. A reported target includes young Colombian playmaker Nicolas Benedetti at Deportivo Cali and Peruvian left back/left winger Alexi Gomez, who recently left Mexican club Atlas.
FOUR FINES, TWO WARNINGS
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has been busy again following week 4’s fixtures. Here are the outcomes:
- Colorado Rapids’ Edgar Castillo has been fined an undisclosed amount due to simulation/embellishment against Sporting Kansas City.
- FC Dallas’ Reto Ziegler has been fined an undisclosed amount due to simulation/embellishment against Seattle Sounders.
- New York Red Bulls’ Tyler Adams has been fined an undisclosed amount due to simulation/embellishment against Real Salt Lake.
- Vancouver Whitecaps’ Kendall Waston has been found guilty of failure to leave the field in an orderly manner against Atlanta United.
- Both Vancouver Whitecaps and Atlanta United have been issued warnings for violation of the Mass Confrontation Policy following their standoff at the end of their fixture with Brad Guzan heavily involved.
DAVID VILLA SETBACK
New York City FC’s David Villa attempted to mount his comeback from injury in Saturday’s game against San Jose Earthquakes but ‘felt something’ during the warm-up just prior to the game.
Causing something of a concern for Villa, New York City are undefeated thus far including two games without the Spaniard. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Jo Inge Berget.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS………..
Apparently, there was a game on this weekend, some local derby, some new player stole the headlines? Nope, Rundown can’t place it. Of course, this is all in jest, Zlatan Ibrahimović’s debut in the Los Angeles Derby will be discussed later today in MLSFootball’s Roundup.
Thank you for reading the MLS Rundown, a twice-weekly column focused on news, rumours and transfers. If you would like to connect with the writer, please do so on twitter @CT_MLS.
