CORY BURKE GETS CALL UP
Philadelphia Union promoted forward Cory Burke from their USL side Bethlehem Steel FC, signing the Jamaican international to an MLS deal. Burke, 25, spent the last two seasons with the Steel. He scored four times in 21 appearances during the 2016 campaign, and added nine goals in 2017.
The Kingston native has earned 13 caps with Jamaica since debuting for the Reggae Boyz in September 2016, playing for them five times as they finished second at last summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. He has two international goals.
COLORADO SIGN NEW LEFT BACK
The Colorado Rapids have acquired left back Edgar Castillo on a year-long loan from Liga MX giants Monterrey pending completion of a fitness test. Rapids will have an option to acquire him permanently following the end of the loan but the club will not use Targeted Allocation Money or a Designated Player slot on him.
Oddly, Castillo is one of only two players to represent both the US and Mexico on the international level, the 31-year-old Castillo has spent his entire 11-year pro career in Mexico. He joined Monterrey in June 2015 but has played sparingly for Los Rayados. Castillo began his international career in 2007 with Mexico, but switched to represent the US in 2009. He has 18 career caps for the United States, with his most recent appearance coming in March 2016.
SHOCK! COSTA RICAN OUT OF MLS
Minnesota United FC have loaned forward Johan Venegas to Deportivo Saprissa for 2018, the Costa Rican club have announced. Venegas, 29, was acquired by Minnesota in a trade with Montreal last December. He scored two goals and notched five assists in 22 appearances in the 2017 campaign.
He first joined MLS in the summer of 2015, when he moved to the Montreal Impact from Costa Rican side Alajuelense. In total, he has four goals and six assists in 54 regular-season appearances in MLS. Venegas has been a regular for Costa Rica over the past couple of years, scoring three goals in 13 World Cup qualifying appearances and scoring in the 2016 Copa America Centenario. He has nine goals in 44 career caps for Los Ticos.
FC DALLAS BRING IN BULGARIAN
FC Dallas signed Bulgarian international left back Anton Nedyalkov. The defender comes to Dallas after spending the last year and a half with Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia. He turned pro in 2011 at the age of 18 with Bulgarian club PFK Litex Lovech and has appeared in 129 first division matches, including 53 with Sofia.
He made his international debut for Bulgaria in September 2016 and has earned five international caps for his country, with four coming in World Cup qualifying matches.
Any Other Business…
New York Red Bulls re-signed midfielder Vincent Bezecourt to a new MLS deal, he was promoted from USL team New York Red Bulls II in August… Chicago Fire have rekindled their interest in Colombian attacker Juan Quintero, according to a report from The Athletic’s Guillermo Rivera, amid rumours of a meeting between player, agent and club… LA Galaxy are chasing former D.C. United and Hearts midfielder Perry Kitchen… After spending last season out on loan, Sam Adekugbe appears to be finally leaving Vancouver Whitecaps permanently for IFK Goteborg… Minnesota United have joined the race for Sacha Kljestan… Despite claiming he wishes to play in Europe next, Kekuta Manneh could be headed to Liga MX club Pachuca, colour MLS Rundown unimpressed.
