MLS Transfer News and Rumors: Twellman, Cannon, Lopez, Guzan and MORE

By: Laurie | January 12th, 2008

It’s been a busy week in the MLS transfer market, and we have a lot of actual activity to report. (As opposed to the usual unsubstantiated rumors we generally take such joy in sharing.)

• Taylor Twellman is going nowhere, and he is not happy about it. Preston North End in England offered $2.5 million for him, but either MLS or the Revolution turned them down. Twellman’s comment?

“I’m everywhere from confused to mad because I don’t know where we are on this. I have always been told that there is no international interest out there for me, but if there were, they would consider it. So it’s at the point where I feel like they’ve gotta sell me or compensate me, whether it’s with money or more guaranteed years. I don’t have to make big Designated Player money. I just want something to happen.”

Since the Revs are owned by notorious cheapskates the Krafts, I’m not holding my breath.

• FC Dallas didn’t like their view from behind and brought in Duilio Davino, most recently of Club America, to keep things from sagging back there. And now Dallas is hoping that Davino is the soccer equivalent of Spanx.

(Was that reference too female for you guys? Sorry. Won’t happen again.)

• And why did their rear view need shoring up? Partly to make up for the loss of Clarence Goodson. Dallas took a risk in leaving Goodson unprotected in the expansion draft this year, and it looked like they’d made the wrong choice when San Jose picked him up. But Dallas got the last laugh this week when the out-of-contract Goodson announced he was packing his bags for the Norway second division team IK Start. (Norway second division? Please tell me this is only about money.)

• Don’t cry too hard for SanHo, though. They got a steal this week when they picked up former Keeper of the Year Joe Cannon from the LA Galaxy for a partial allocation. The always-reliable Big Soccer rumors are saying that Cannon was none-too-happy with Beckham and the circus. If you’re in San Jose, I’m begging you to take Cannon out, ply him with liquor, get the full story and report back to us. (Melissa, I’m lookin’ at you.)

• Alas, the Cannon news is not a good thing for former Chivas backup keeper Preston Burpo, who signed with the Earthquakes earlier this off-season after apparently getting tired of playing second fiddle to Brad Guzan. Poor Preston. First comes the childhood of misery that undoubtedly happens when you’re born with a name like “Burpo.” And now this. Please find this man a starter job before somebody gets hurt!

• And speaking of Brad Guzan, our Brad is the belle of the European ball. Everybody wants to sign his dance card. Rumors thus far are: Liverpool and Arsenal (England), Auxerre (France), Olympiakos (Greece) and Celtic (Scotland.) Europe may find our soccer sub-standard, but they sure love them some US goalkeepers.

• And we couldn’t mention Europe without mentioning our latest export, Clint Mathis. For some reason Cletus has chosen to join last place Greek team Ergotelis. He’s coming from LA, so it’s not about the sunshine. Admit it, Clint, it’s about the Greek women, isn’t it? Come on, you can tell us.

• And Alecko Eskandarian is out of RSL and in at Chivas USA, assuming the deal is approved by the gods of MLS. Because that headgear thing is So Damn Cool that Chivas just couldn’t say no.

• One more interesting rumor? Argentinian Claudio Lopez to MLS, most likely to DC United. The big question: Does a thirty-three-year-old former Argentinian international merit DP status? Stay tuned and we’ll let you know.

• Oh, and Guillermo Barros Schelotto is apparently staying, not going, although he was none too happy with some sneaky dealings in his Columbus Crew contract. When you think you’re signing for one year and realize you’ve signed for two? Not a happy time. (Yea, MLS! This kind of straight shooting is absolutely the best way to get other international stars to come here!)

All righty, I think it’s time to go start my weekend. (What, you want comprehensive news? Go to the comprehensive sites. Me, I just type till my fingers get tired. And I’m done now.)