MLS CONFIDENTIAL: More moves at RSL

• by Soccer America , Dec 19, 2006

Panamanian striker Luis Tejada has officially joined Real Salt Lake as Coach John Ellinger continues to build the team that managed just five wins in its 2005 expansion season and narrowly missed the playoffs last year.

Tejada, 24, starred at the 2005 Gold Cup and won MVP honors of the tournament. That same year he scored a stunning bicycle kick against Mexico in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

He has scored 28 goals for Panama, and his club career includes stints with CD Plaza Amador and Tauro FC in his native country, Envigado FC in Colombia, and Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates.

As part of the deal to acquire Tejada's rights, RSL has formed a marketing and player exchange partnership with CD Plaza Amador.

Tejada's reputation as a powerful goalscorer will be tested in MLS, as will his temperament, which is sometimes volatile. Yet if he pans out, it will be a good acquisition of a promising, young player by MLS, which must mine CONCACAF as much as it can for emerging talent.

KEEGAN BREAKTHROUGH. Former Rev Paul Keegan is on the brink of a move to Scottish Premier League club Motherwell after playing the past six years in the Irish League.

Keegan, who played for St. Patrick's in a 4-3 loss to Derry City in the FAI Cup final Dec. 3, turned out for Motherwell in a trial match last week and scored several goals, which has prompted the club to discuss offering him an 18-month contract.

Keegan, 34, has played for Bray Wanderers, Shelbourne, St. Pat's, Bohemians and Longford Town since leaving the Revs after the 2000 season. He scored only seven goals in five MLS seasons but was one of the team's most popular players and would add a remarkable chapter to his career by breaking into Scotland's top flight at an age when most players are nearing or past retirement.

The paperwork could be completed by this weekend, and Keegan would be eligible to play in Scotland once he is registered. The transfer window opens Jan.1.