Please note that this Rundown report was written prior to the MLS Cup Final. The website would therefore like to congratulate the winning team, Toronto who defeated Seattle Sounders 2-0.
TARGETED ALLOCATION MONEY INCREASE
Major League Soccer’s Board of Governors have approved an increase the Targeted Allocation Money available to each team. All 23 clubs continue to receive the previously allocated allotment of $1.2 million for 2018 and 2019 with the added provision of the 2019 money available to pull forward and use immediately.
There is also an additional $2.8 million of Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) to be spent on a discretionary basis per year in both 2018 and 2019. The injection is to increase the clubs’ ability to build their squads, enhance the quality of players across the league via adding outside the Designated Player spots.
TAM is an investment that allows each team increased resources to sign or retain players who make a difference on the pitch. Such players already signed through TAM include the likes of Victor Vazquez, Roman Torres and Ola Kamara while those retained via TAM are the likes of Wil Trapp and Gyasi Zardes.
FRENCH REUNION
Fleshing out the details of one part of yesterday’s Any Other Business, TVA Sports in France are reporting that Montrael Impact are lining up midfielder Clement Grenier. The 26-year-old Frenchman is currently with Olympique Lyonnais but is not a first-choice starter.
Having previously worked with Remi Garde in Lyon, Grenier would be reunited with the manager for who he enjoyed the most productive seasons. New York City FC are also on Grenier’s radar but working with Garde once again appears to appeal to the midfielder.
NEW CONTRACT FOR TEIBERT
Vancouver Whitecaps Canadian international Russell Teibert has agreed a new contract with the ‘Caps through to the end of 2020. Teibert is currently Vancouver’s longest serving player having first joined the club in 2008 and signed an MLS Homegrown Player contract in 2011. Much like the Whitecaps themselves, his first MLS appearance came in the club’s first ever MLS game on March 19, 2011.
Teibert has amassed 20 international caps and was quick to reaffirm his commitment to the Whitecaps in a club statement;
“Vancouver has become my home and this club has become my family. The time up until now was just the beginning. I know there’s so much more to come from me and from the team. I promise that every time I step on the field I’ll always play with heart and work to be the best player I can be for this city and club.”
The passionate Teibert leads Vancouver with 19 Canadian Championship appearances and was awarded the George Gross Memorial Trophy as the Canadian Championship’s Most Valuable Player in 2015 as the ‘Caps claimed their first-ever Voyageurs Cup.
THE FATHER, THE SON & THE HOLY MINNESOTA SQUAD
As inevitable as Neil Warnock putting a call into Paddy Kenny as soon as he secures a new job in the English Championship or Harry Redknapp rolling his car window down to announce he’s signed Niko Kranjčar, Harrison Heath is set to join his father Adrian in Minnesota.
Having been used sparingly by Tata Martino at Atlanta, the Loons are preparing to exchange the 21-year-old Harrison for a fourth round SuperDraft pick after declining his option for 2018.
ALEX IS ASIA BOUND
Houston broadcaster Glenn Davis reports that Dynamo’s versatile attacker Alex could be on the move to Asia.
One of the more consistent performers for the Dynamo in the past few seasons, the 28-year-old Brazilian was moved into the coveted ‘number 10’ role and provided 11 assists during the 2017 season. Originally a defensive midfielder, he signed from Chicago Fire in 2015.
Alex is currently out of contract, has been offered a new improved contract with Houston but could turn down the MLS in favour of a move abroad. Should Alex leave MLS and sign with a foreign team, the Dynamo would retain his rights within the league.
‘CAPS SEEK KAMARA
Vancouver Whitecaps are in trade talks to acquire striker Kei Kamara from the New England Revolution New England picked up their 2018 contract option on Kamara last month, but the Vancouver daily said he could be on his way out after a year and a half in New England.
Kamara’s 98 MLS goals are the 10th-most all-time and rank second among active players behind Chris Wondolowski.
LOUIS NGANIONI IN DEMAND
Despite having just secured the signature of Ronald Matarrita, New York City FC are trailing Lyon prospect Louis Nganioni according to a new report from Foot Mercato.
A former French youth international of Congolese descent, Nganioni is a product of Olympique Lyonnais’ prolific academy system and signed a senior contract with the Ligue 1 club in 2015. This week’s report states that his current contract with Lyon expires in June, and that in addition to New York City FC’s interest, Greek heavyweights AEK Athens, two Swiss clubs and several French second-division sides are tracking him.
Any Other Business…
Hope Solo has entered the race for the U.S. Soccer presidency… Juan Pablo Angel has been added to the staff of LAFC as a technical consultant… Atlanta United are preparing to break the bank to sign Argentine teenager Ezequiel Barco from Independiente for an eye-watering MLS record fee of $14 million.
