MLS: News and Notes (March 26)
- by Soccer America , Mar 26, 1997
Columbus took a step towards shore up a defense weakened by the loss of Ricardo Iribarren and the departure of Paul Caligiuri to the Los Angeles Galaxy by signing Argentine defender Sergio "Pato" Miguez.
MIguez, 29, is a ten-year veteran of the Argentine First Division, debuting with River Plate in 1986 and spending the bulk of his career with Racing Club,
"Pato is a very experienced left-footed defender, who is very skillful," said Crew coach Tom Fitzgerald. "He will be a very valuable asset to our defensive core."
Meanwhile, according to MLS, Los Angeles will be allowed to carry Caligiuri on its roster for two weeks as an inactive player. With the exception of the Galaxy, all MLS clubs are required to cut their rosters to 20 players by 5:00 ET on March 28. Los Angeles will be required to move to a 20-man roster by April 11.
Foreign Stars Arrive
Dallas expects Salvadoran midfielder Jorge Rodriguez' work visa to come through this week, which would allow him to play in the season opener against New England on March 29.
The Revs have been bolstered by the arrival of Walter Zenga, Leonardo Squadrone, and Chiquinho Conde. The whole team will finally be together for the first time later this week, when Alejandro Farias joins the squad in Dallas.
Yellow Card Update
Chris da Silva (a four-point yellow card) was the only player booked during the season opener. Players will be suspended for one game and fined once they have accumulated 21 points. Also, players will be suspended and fined for receiving yellow cards in three straight games that total more than 10 points.
Games on TV this week
New England at Dallas: Fox Sports Southwest and WABU-68 Boston
San Jose at Kansas City: KICU-36 San Jose
MetroStars at Tampa Bay: ESPN
D.C. United at Los Angeles: Home Team Sports
Active Roster Injury Update
Colorado -- none.
Columbus -- MF Rob Smith (sprained foot) is questionable.
Dallas -- D Wade Webber (strained groin) is probable, MF Richard Farrer (strained hamstring) is probable.
Kansas City -- D Sean Bowers (recovering from foot surgery) is out, D Steve Pittman (sprained ankle) is questionable), F Paul Wright (strained hamstring) is probable.
Los Angeles -- none.
MetroStars -- D Jeff Zaun (mild concussion) is probable.
New England -- F Paul Keegan (foot injury) is doubtful.
San Jose -- none.
Tampa Bay -- MF Martin Vasquez (strained knee) is questionable, G Scott Budnick (stomach virus), D Derek Backman (strained knee), D Frankie Hejduk (sprained ankles), D Frank Yallop (stomach virus), MF Ivan McKinley (stomach virus), F Marco Ferruzzi (stomach virus), and F Giuseppe Galderisi (sprained ankle, stomach virus) are probable.
Washington D.C. United-- MF Erik Imler (strained lower back) is questionable; D Carlos Llamosa (sprained knee), MF Marco Etcheverry (strained hamstring), and MF John Maessner (sprained ankle) are probable.
