[MLS 2013 COUNTDOWN] The Red Bulls head to Florida for training on Tuesday, and they are still without a head coach and don't seem to be in any hurry to name one. Speaking to the media before their departure, sporting director Andy Roxburgh said discussions were continuing and the club didn't want to rush into a decision.

“We’ve been talking to a number of people, a lot with really interesting backgrounds and we’re still in discussions,” Roxburgh told reporters. “We appreciate the fans’ patience, but we don’t want to rush to judgment here. There will be an announcement soon about it.”

First, Scotsman Gary McAllister, then Portuguese Paulo Sousa were tipped as the choice to succeed Swede Hans Backe, with whom the Red Bulls parted ways on Nov. 9, a day after they fell to D.C. United in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Assistant Mike Petke took over as interim coach.

With or without a head coach, the Red Bulls have been making player moves in the offseason. One name that has surfaced is Freddy Adu, who is on the outs at Philadelphia. He played for Red Bulls general manager Jerome de Bontin when the Frenchman was president of Monaco.

“Freddy’s name has been brought up just like any other player would be brought up,” said Petke. “Right now, we’re very comfortable with what we have and the trialists coming in. However, we’re always looking to improve the team, so we’ll look at that and talk amongst ourselves within the next week or so.”

LOS ANGELES. Coach Bruce Arena would not comment on reports that Englishman Frank Lampard was close to signing with the Galaxy as its third Designated Player. “Simplest way to explain any of this is that when we have some definitive news, we'll mention it.”

-- Unlike other teams who will travel to Arizona or Florida, the Galaxy will spend the entire preseason at home and play about eight games.

NEW ENGLAND. Five invitees are in the Revs' camp: defender Bilal Duckett, defender Quinton Griffith, forward Matt Horth, forward Oliver Kapo and goalkeeper Tim Murray. New England departed Monday for a 10-day training camp at the Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz. It will play exhibition matches against Sporting KC on Friday and against Vancouver on Jan. 29.

PORTLAND. The Timbers signed defender Ryan Miller, who returns to MLS after four seasons in Sweden, where he recently helped Halmstads BK regain promotion to the country’s top flight. Miller, 28, was originally selected by the Columbus Crew in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and after two seasons in MLS signed with Ljungskile in 2009. “Ryan is an experienced pro and a great addition to the club,” said Portland coach Caleb Porter in a statement. “His ability to go box to box as a right back fits what we are looking for in that position. He is another proven piece that brings traits we want in the locker room as well.”

-- The Timbers signed Colombian forward Jose Valencia to a multi-year contract, completing a transfer from Independiente Santa Fe. Valencia, the son of former Colombian international Adolfo Valencia, was loaned to the Timbers by Santa Fe last season but he spent the year in Portland with the Timbers while rehabilitating from preseason knee surgery.

SEATTLE. The Sounders confirmed three-time MLS All-Star Fredy Montero has been loaned to Millonarios of the Colombian First Division for the 2013 season. Seattle also signed Montero to a new multi-year contract extension prior to the loan.

-- Further reading: Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times talks with GM Adrian Hanauer and Coach Sigi Schmid about life after Montero in Seattle. Hanauer on the breakup:

VANCOUVER. One done, one to go. The Whitecaps terminated the contract of Scottish midfielder Barry Robson by mutual agreement. All they need to do find a way to unload Kenny Miller and they'll have cleared their books of their two Scottish DPs. Both played half a season without having an impact. “Unfortunately, Barry and his family never fully settled in Vancouver, and we’ve mutually decided to move in different directions,” said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi in a statement.

MLS TRANSACTIONS:
Monday:
CHICAGO declined option on Mexican forward Guillermo Franco.
PORTLAND signed defender Ryan Miller from Halmstad (Sweden) and Colombian forward Jose Valencia from Independiente Santa Fe (Colombia).
SEATTLE loaned Colombian forward Fredy Montero to Millonarios (Colombia) for 2013.
VANCOUVER terminated contract of Scottish midfielder Barry Robson by mutual agreement.

MLS Transactions Jan. 12-18
MLS Transactions Jan. 5-11
MLS Transactions Dec. 31-Jan. 4
MLS Transactions Dec. 17-23
MLS Transactions Dec. 10-16