MLS Rundown: MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 1

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GRELLA AND MEARS SELECTED IN RE-ENTRY DRAFT

In Stage 1 of the 2017 MLS Re-Entry Draft, midfielder Mike Grella was selected by the Colorado Rapids while right-back Tyrone Mears was picked up by Minnesota United FC. Grella was subsequently traded to Columbus Crew SC for a second-round pick in the 2019 SuperDraft.

Grella amassed 16 goals and 13 assists in his first two seasons with the New York Red Bulls before having his 2017 campaign hampered by injuries, allowing him to play just 362 minutes.

Mears helped the Seattle Sounders capture the 2016 MLS Cup before being traded to Atlanta United last winter. He would go on to make 16 starts, but lost his place in the team at right back to Anton Walkes midseason.

JESUS MEDINA TALKS THE TALK

SB Nation blog Hudson River Blue reports that New York City FC could be prepared to sign 20-year-old Paraguayan international midfielder Jesus Medina, if Medina himself is to be believed. The winger for 2017 Paraguayan champions Libertad indicated on local radio that NYCFC were courting him, as were Danish club FC Copenhagen.

A subsequent UK report has Medina signing for Manchester City and then being sent on loan for the season to their sister club stateside. Medina has been a regular for Libertad over the last two seasons after making his first-team debut in 2012. He received his first cap with Paraguay’s senior national team in July.

BUSY DAY IN ORLANDO

The fax machine in Orlando City must be working nonstop as the club have announced three roster moves.

R.J. Allen has been traded from New York City FC for Orlando’s third-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, striker Stefano Pinho arrives from NASL side Miami FC and Dillon Powers has re-signed for Orlando after initially having his option declined. The 26-year-old has 14 goals and 26 assists in 142 appearances in his five-year MLS career.

SHOW ME THE WAY TO SAN JOSE

Swedish outlet Expressen reported on Saturday that Djurgardens forward Magnus Eriksson is set for a transfer to the San Jose Earthquakes. Reportedly San Jose and Djurgardens have agreed to a transfer fee around $1.4 million and that Eriksson will sign with the Quakes early this week.

Eriksson finished 2017 as the co-leading scorer in the Allsvenskan with 14 goals and recorded seven assists in his 29 league appearances. Capable of playing as a striker or on the wing, Eriksson joined Djurgardens in 2016 following stints at Danish club Brondby, Chinese side Beijing Renhe, Swedish club Malmo and Belgian club Gent. San Jose have been active in the Scandinavian market since they hired Swedish head coach Mikael Stahre in November, he managed Swedish side Hacken to a fourth-place finish in Sweden’s top flight last year.

Any Other Business…

Real Salt Lake have now completed a permanent free transfer for Liverpool winger Brooks LennonDavid Arshakyan and Chicago Fire have mutually agreed to terminate the forward’s contract… Stefano Bonomo has made the jump from New York Red Bulls II to the senior side, becoming the fifth player to be promoted from NYRB II to the first team… FC Dallas have signed goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer from New York Cosmos.