MLS Rundown: Lots And Lots Of Interest

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VAN DER WIEL

Toronto FC have made an offer for Dutch defender Gregory van der Wiel, Mediaset Premium reported over the weekend. Van der Wiel, 29, signed with Italian club Cagliari last year from Turkish side Fenerbahce. The fullback has had a bit of a rough time in Serie A, appearing in just five games this season. He previously played for Ajax and Paris Saint-Germain and has 46 international caps for the Netherlands.

TFC appear to be needing a right back following reports that Steven Beitashour will leave the team to sign with LAFC in MLS free agency.

ALAN GORDON

Chicago Fire are interested in free agent forward Alan Gordon, according to The Athletic’s Guillermo Rivera. Rivera reported last week following a media conference call with Chicago GM Nelson Rodriguez – in which he indicated the Fire were interested in a free agent – that the team is specifically interested in Gordon, who spent last season with the Colorado Rapids.

Gordon, 36, has played in MLS since 2004, recording 55 goals and 32 assists in 271 career regular season appearances. He’s been an effective option off the bench over the last few years, recording three goals and four assists in 26 appearances and six starts for Colorado in 2017.

Chicago traded winger David Accam to Philadelphia in exchange for $1.2 million in allocation money during Friday’s SuperDraft. They made two picks in the first round of the draft, selecting Wake Forest forward Jon Bakero fifth overall and picking Syracuse midfielder Mo Adams 10th.

YAMIL ASAD

Yamil Asad doesn’t look like he’s coming back to Atlanta, but his time in MLS might not be done yet.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Andy Greder reported on Friday that Minnesota United are among “many MLS clubs” interested in acquiring Asad. The 23-year-old spent last year on loan to Atlanta from Argentine club Velez Sarsfield, recording seven goals and 13 assists in 32 regular season appearances. His loan to Atlanta expired at the end of the year and he’s currently back in Argentina training with Velez Sarsfield.

Asad said after the season that he wanted to stay in Atlanta, but the club couldn’t come to agreement with his agent and Velez Sarsfield about acquiring him permanently. Their recent acquisition of Ezequiel Barco would seem to rule out any possible return.

Atlanta still hold Asad’s MLS rights, and any club with interest in Asad would have to work out a deal with the Five Stripes to open the door for his return.

LUIS LOPEZ

LAFC appear to be on the brink of singing another goalkeeper, with reports indicating the incoming expansion club will soon ink 24-year-old Honduran international Luis “Buba” Lopez.

Several outlets in Honduras were the first to report, with ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle confirming the news. Lopez has 12 international caps for Honduras and started all four of their matches at the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He’s been the first choice goalkeeper for Honduran club Real España for the last several years.

If signed, Lopez would join fellow 24-year-old Tyler Miller as one of two goalkeepers on LAFC’s roster. Miller was selected by LAFC from Seattle with the No. 1 pick in the Expansion Draft.

Any Other Business…

Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo and LAFC are interested in acquiring 25-year-old Panamanian centre back Roderick Miller from Colombian side Atletico Nacional… Roman Torres told reporters at MLS Media Day in Los Angeles over the weekend that he is “close to finishing a new contract with Seattle” and that he hopes “to stay here in MLS for many more years.”… LA Galaxy are the latest club to release their kit for 2018, it contains Galaxy’s iconic sash, designed in the team’s colours of white shirt with a bold navy sash enclosed by a thin gold line on each side.