Well it was time that a lot of backroom buzz came out and the recent days have been abuzz with information about RSL. First up was the confirmation of the trade of Chris Seitz to the Philly Union for allocation money (rumored to be about $200,000), but for how long is unknown. While this move had a lot to do with no RSL players being selected in last weeks expansion draft, it has a lot more to do about the dilemma that RSL was facing with a top goal keeper prospect unable to get playing time to develop and having a keeper that may have singlehandedly helped you just win MLS Cup. I think the move will provide Chris the chance to showcase and develop his skills as a top young keeper and while it would have been nice to have him in RSL's back pocket for the future, Nick Rimando clearly has stated his case to be RSL's number one keeper for the next couple years.
I think the move works out best for both sides, but I have to say that if the rumors of Seitz's behavior after MLS Cup are true then I have lost a lot of respect for him. I am still trying to verify some of the stories I have heard and will comment more once I have more facts.
For RSL one of the biggest moments in the MLS Cup was when the "golden one" committed a hard foul on Javier Morales early in the match that required Javi to leave the game and now it has been revealed that he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus and strained LCL that resulted from the foul, interesting that such a nasty foul didn't warrant a yellow card, but it was Beck's dishing out the punishment. Javi wasn't the only RSL player to go under the knife this week as both:
Jamison Olave, who most of us have known was hurt for a majority of the season, underwent knee surgery to repair bone spurs and loose cartilage in his right knee, and also Fabian Espindola who had some work on his right knee as well, all the players are expected to recover fully in time for the 2010 preseason.
Espindola made other news as the announcement of his contract extension for another 4 years was finally made public, and while Fabi wasn't the goal machine he had been in 2008 his work rate and creativity were truly impressive and given a full preseason to work with the rest of the team, I can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for him.
RSL is also working on contract extensions for both Kyle Beckerman and Robbie Findley, who both have contracts that expire at the end of the 2010 season. Since all contracts are officially negotiated by the league, details are hard to come by and with the CBA between the league and players expiring in under 60 days a lot of things can happen between now and the start of the preseason in just a couple months.
It is sure that the next few weeks will be full of action for RSL as they prepare for both the results of the CBA (new salary cap, new DP rules, new roster sizes, and more) and to defend their MLS Cup and take part in both the 2010/11 CONCACAF Champions League and the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, which I believe we will automatically advance to the 3rd round as the MLS Cup Champions. This means a very busy summer for RSL which will likely see busy July with the USOC matches, while RSL will advance to the group stage of the Champions League which will start action in August.
I can only hope that the CBA brings back a 28 man roster as the amount of action over the summer can lead to teams struggling in the MLS season and post season. One only needs to look at the impact such tournaments made on Columbus, DC United, Seattle, Houston, and Columubs this year as each of them failed in an their effort to obtain the MLS Cup.
On Friday I will be posting my 2009 Post season report card for RSL, both the players and the coach. Until then I am,
OFF MY SOAPBOX
where is my playoff shirt and hat combo?