MLS Report
Five Players Confirmed for Generation Adidas Class
Major League Soccer has identified five top prospects, with two more names expected to be added to the list. This, combined with plenty of player movement, makes for a busy week for the league.
Five names have been confirmed for the 2013 Generation Adidas class. The college underclassmen who have signed contracts with Major League Soccer will be eligible for the SuperDraft in Indianapolis on Jan. 17.
On Thursday, the league confirmed four signings: defenders Walker Zimmerman (Furman) and Andrew Farrell (Louisville), midfielder Mikey Lopez (North Carolina) and forward Jason Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth). Agent Ron Waxman confirmed Saturday that Indiana’s Eriq Zavaleta signed a contract. Zavaleta was a defender for the U.S. youth national teams but converted to forward at Indiana and played an important role in the team’s national championship. Many expect him to play center back in the professional ranks.
Two more players are expected to join the class this week. Generation Adidas players receive educational grants to further their college education, and their salaries do not count against the team’s cap. All are expected to be top picks in the draft.
Here are some more trades and signings on another busy week in Major League Soccer.
• The New York Red Bulls continued their roster overhaul Friday by trading 31-year-old Estonian midfielder Joel Lindpere to the Chicago Fire for a 2013 international roster spot. • The Columbus Crew signed 28-year-old American defender Tyson Wahl, who was released from the Colorado Rapids after last season. • The Montreal Impact signed 31-year-old Italian midfielder Andrea Pisanu of Bologna FC to a one-year loan deal. • The Colorao Rapids signed Ecuadorian national team defender Diego Calderón, 26, from Liga de Quito. • The New England Revolution signed Portuguese defender José Gonçalves, 27, on a one-year loan with a purchase option from FC Sion. • The Portland Timbers are reportedly finalizing a deal for 26-year-old Argentine midfielder Diego Valeri. He would join the Timbers on a one-year loan from Lanús with an option to buy. • It seems increasingly likely that Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero is headed to Colombia. Futbol Red first reported a six-month deal with an option to extend and buy for $4.5 million. While neither team has confirmed the report, several media outlets have reported the deal is nearly complete.
• The New York Red Bulls continued their roster overhaul Friday by trading 31-year-old Estonian midfielder Joel Lindpere to the Chicago Fire for a 2013 international roster spot. • The Columbus Crew signed 28-year-old American defender Tyson Wahl, who was released from the Colorado Rapids after last season. • The Montreal Impact signed 31-year-old Italian midfielder Andrea Pisanu of Bologna FC to a one-year loan deal. • The Colorao Rapids signed Ecuadorian national team defender Diego Calderón, 26, from Liga de Quito. • The New England Revolution signed Portuguese defender José Gonçalves, 27, on a one-year loan with a purchase option from FC Sion. • The Portland Timbers are reportedly finalizing a deal for 26-year-old Argentine midfielder Diego Valeri. He would join the Timbers on a one-year loan from Lanús with an option to buy. • It seems increasingly likely that Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero is headed to Colombia. Futbol Red first reported a six-month deal with an option to extend and buy for $4.5 million. While neither team has confirmed the report, several media outlets have reported the deal is nearly complete.
