Dave_sarachan_-_isi_-_usmnt_-_cary_-_john_dorton John Dorton/ISI
Thursday roundup

Sarachan extended thru 2018, Rooney lands in DC, Mix on the move?

Wayne Rooney has landed in nation's captial, but will he help help DC United? Dave Sarachan has inked a new deal to continue on as the interim head coach and Mix Diskerud's career could have another twist. 
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
June 28, 2018
11:00 AM
DESPITE THE U.S. team not being in Russia at the moment, there was plenty of news to go around both regarding the men’s national team, Major League Soccer, and transfer rumors.

Here is the latest

Sarachan extended through December


United States interim head coach Dave Sarachan and his staff have had their contracts extended through the end of 2018. U.S. Soccer confirmed the news that was initially reported by the Athletic.

It should be noted that such an extension does not preclude U.S. Soccer from hiring a permanent head coach during that time frame.

The news makes sense and is probably justified. Sarachan is not believed to be a candidate for the job but has done a decent job handling a tough and arguably thankless situation. With new general manager Earnie Stewart not starting his role until August 1, having a new head coach for the September games seems unlikely.

With that said, this will allow Sarachan to keep moving forward with a young core group with whom he is familiar and has been working with since November. The only other alternative would be a change in interim head coaches and that seems counterproductive at this time.

The results have generally been decent with road draws against Portugal and France along, a home draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, home wins over Paraguay and Bolivia. His lone loss was against Ireland and Dublin.


Rooney’s finalizes DC United deal


It’s a deal that everyone has known was happening for over a month but now it is final. Wayne Rooney is a member of DC United.

Soon to be entering into a new stadium, last-place DC United needs all the help it can get and Rooney is coming off a 10 goal season in the Premier League with Everton. At 32, he is past his prime but not old.



In recent years, MLS teams have been signing mostly younger designated player from South America. While the average age of the league and designated players declines, the signing of Rooney reflects a different image – even if not supported by facts.

In Europe, signing Rooney dominates headlines and sends an image of a retirement league. This is largely because the signings of Ezequiel Barco, Kaku Gamarra, and Diego Rossi do not generate headlines around the globe. Perception matters – even when it’s not reality. And the perception of a retirement league is something that follows whenever one of these signings happens.

That being said, if Rooney can play like Robbie Keane did for the Galaxy, then it will be well worth it.

Diskerud to the K-League?


According to a report from MCFC Watch, former United States international Mix Diskerud, 27, is in negotiations over a potential transfer to Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea’s K-League.

If this deal happens, it would be yet another chapter in what has been a career full of surprise decisions and moves. The decision to represent the United States over Norway was the first decision. But since then he has moved from Norwegian power Rosenborg to NYCFC and then worked out a strange transfer to Manchester City (even after MLS took his contract off NYCFC’s books). That was then followed by a loan to IFK Goteborg in Sweden.

The K-League is currently on a break for the World Cup but Ulsan sits midtable in seventh place in the 12-team league.

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