Pre-Holiday Rush
Things to think about before Christmas Day:
THE BIGGEST SOCCER SPECIFIC STADIUM IN THE COUNTRY: At least, that's what you might call RFK after the Nats leave it for their own place. With MLS Cup returning to the Stadium/Armory station, I'm going to make sure I get my tickets. The Post and Times have stories. A few practical implications? Expect a somewhat prolonged (3-4 weeks) road trip at the end of the season once the Nats' season ends, allowing time to resod the field and remove the diamond. Naturally, that could have an interesting effect on the end of the season.
IS NOWAK BACK?: From the Post article above: "'Peter knows that we want him back,' Payne said. "We've had some conversations, we'll probably have another one this week, and hopefully we'll come to a resolution quickly."
WHO'S THE NEW STRIKER? From the Times: "Payne said D.C. United could announce a major player acquisition as early as next week. When asked if the new player was from Argentina, Payne said 'You can assume they are not coming from Europe.'"
DISCOVERY UNITED? One last tidbit from the Post: "Garber said the sale of United's operating rights by Anschutz Entertainment Group 'is nearly complete. [The potential buyers are] a very solid group of committed investors who believe in this sport.'" If the deal happens, here are a few things to consider other than the final price and getting Kevin Payne retained: Does the deal include language on Poplar Point? Does the deal include advertising rights for DC United's kits? When will the deal be effective? What are the new owner's stated intentions regarding Designated Player acquisitions?
YOU'RE SUCH A NOLLY BHOY: DC's one offseason acquisition is in Scotland on trial with Celtic. While the article doesn't mention timeframes, you can go ahead and assume it ends the week before Christmas. Key quote:
Nolly, who played for Real Salt Lake before being traded to DC United as part of the deal for Freddy Adu - hopes he can persuade Celtic to offer him a contract.
Nolly said: "I've been here for a few days now. DC United own my rights if I return to the US, but I'm actually a free agent.
"They've traded Freddy Adu to Salt Lake for me. But the option is not signed yet. So there is a contractual window here for me to try to make it in Europe."
Interesting. We wish Nolly the best, but he seems like a good fit as a #2 at United, so part of me hopes it doesn't pan out for him.
Who says the off-season is slow?
Labels: DCU, Jay Nolly, Piotr Nowak, Poplar Point, Roster Moves
posted by D @ 9:30 AM
4 Comments:
If we're not talking about a new ownership group, I think Kevin Payne will be retained, see: http://dcunitedblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/still-interested-in-owning-united.html
Right. Which is why I think the other questions are more interesting. The first two, price and Payne, are more Pro Forma than anything.
Re: strikers -
I was wondering, and now Galarcep is speculating, that Paulo Wanchope might be appealing to United, especially now with the allocation.
If he's in form and his knees hold up, he'd be exactly what DCU needs up top.
Uhh, guys, I am almost postitive (like 99%) that Payne is part of the new ownership group. It is basically a mangement buyout with outside investors funding the capital. I will try to check this later tonight or tomorrow.
Speaking of these investors, do any of you remember the Discovery channel banner directly across from the SE and BB that showed up in the playoffs? I thought that was interesting but I didn't want to talk about it until I got over United's loss.
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