[MLS TRANSACTIONS] Colorado, Columbus and New England, all teams that missed out on the 2012 MLS playoffs, looked to improve their backlines with the signing of defenders. The big name is 26-year-old Ecuador national team defender Diego Calderon the Rapids acquired from Liga de Quito.

Calderon won Ecuador's Serie A championship with Liga de Quito in 2007 and 2010, as well as the 2008 Copa Libertadores, the 2009 Copa Sudamericana and the 2009 and 2010 Recopa Sudamericana. He has been in the gameday squad for each of Ecuador’s nine World Cup 2014 qualifying matches so far. Ecuador is second place, trailing only Argentina, with seven matches left to play.
 
“Diego is a versatile, talented defender who will come in and compete for a spot in our back line,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo in a statement. “He can play in the middle or on the left, and has extensive experience, having won league and continental titles and been a part of his national team throughout World Cup qualifying. We’re excited to bring him into the group.”
 
The Revolution signed Portuguese central defender Jose Goncalves, 27, on loan with a purchase option from Switzerland’s FC Sion.
 
“We’ve been open about our desire to add another defender this off-season," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. "With experience throughout Europe’s top leagues, we believe Jose will come in and be a positive addition to our club’s defense.”

The Columbus Crew agreed to terms with defender Tyson Wahl, who was released by Colorado, where he started four matches and supplied one assist after being traded by the Montreal Impact in July.

The defender played the three previous seasons for Seattle. Wahl began his career with the Kansas City Wizards, selected 19th overall in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.

Thursday:
-- COLORADO acquired Ecuadoran defender Diego Calderon from Liga de Quito.
-- COLUMBUS signed defender Tyson Wahl (ex-Colorado) as free agent.
-- NEW ENGLAND acquired Portuguese central defender Jose Goncalves on loan with a purchase option from FC Sion.

Monday:
-- LOS ANGELES acquired Italian goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini on a free transfer from Tottenham.