[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he term Silly Season is often coined by football fans around the world to describe the dreaded transfer window. Rumors are always flying around, most of them unsubstantiated, and generally result in reporters just throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks.
Andrew King of MLS.com, however, tends to report on things that have quotes and sources, so this one is worth talking about.
In a report that was released earlier today, Andrew King talked with Gregg Berhalter, the man in charge of the Columbus Crew, who has stated that the club plans on using it’s #1 allocation spot to bring in a player.
More specifically, he has stated that “a big name national team player” called him about joining Columbus.
Now, there have been a lot of players who have played for the USMNT in the past few years, but when the list is narrowed, there are only a handful of possibilities.
The first name that comes to mind would be Jozy Altidore, who is currently playing for AFC Sunderland in the Barclay’s Premier League. However, he had an absolutely miserable first season for the Black Cats and it’s unknown what his role is at the club. The Crew are in desperate need of a striker, so this would be a very logical move.
Brek Shea saw plenty of action in the CONCACAF Gold Cup last season and is currently signed at Stoke City, but he has been on loan and is very unlikely to get any meaningful action unless it’s in the Capital One Cup or in the F.A. Cup. Shea is a solid winger who would help the anemic attack as well. This move would be plausible.
Hercules Gomez also makes sense, but his rights are owned by Sporting KC, so that would require a trade.
Jermaine Jones seems MLS bound, but Jones seems more likely to be heading to Chicago as many reports link him to a move there that bypasses the allocation chart.
Julian Green will more than likely not see significant action on the first team at FC Bayern Munich, but a loan move away from the German club seems highly unlikely.
Mix Diskerud would be an excellent choice as well, and he isn’t making much in the form of wages at Rosenborg BK in Norway, but with their club in the UEFA Europa League this year, Mix probably will want to play this season in Norway. A January transfer wouldn’t be out of a question, and he’s been linked to the MLS before, but Portland was unwilling to meet his wage demands and talks fell through. This would depend heavily on how much Anthony Precourt would be willing to spend.
This probably ends the list of notable USMNT players. Fabian Johnson, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, Graham Zusi, Tim Howard, and Brad Guzan are all signed to long term deals at clubs that they have no intention of leaving in the immediate future.
To fuel the silly season rumors, Jozy Altidore today started following Crew Ambassador Frankie Hejduk on Twitter, which could mean anything, but every little clue helps piece the puzzle together.
If this is indeed linking to an Altidore return to MLS, AFC Sunderland will want to re-coup some of the $13 million that they paid AZ Alkmaar to get him last season. If Precourt is willing to open up the wallet, this would be a blockbuster move for the Crew.
However, until we see anything more concrete, right now this is speculation, though Berhalter seems adamant that a move is going to be made.
Stay tuned, Crew fans.
