The New York Red Bulls will have to look somewhere else in their search for a strike partner for Juan Pablo Angel, after Major League Soccer blocked a deal for Macoumba Kandji of the USL's Atlanta Silverbacks. The deal was quashed by MLS because of a $200,000 transfer fee that Atlanta had insisted upon, an unusually high amount for a USL player. Though New York was willing to pay up, MLS decided that the move might set a bad precedent and killed the deal.
Kandji, 23, was one of several forwards being considered in an attempt to fill the void created when Jozy Altidore was sold to Spain earlier this summer. Other players reported to be in Juan Carlos Osorio's sights include Colorado's Omar Cummings and FC Dallas' Dominic Oduro. Ives Galarcep reports that the club is also keeping its options open with Sainey Touray - a Gambian who has been on trial with RBNY - and Crystal Palace Baltimore's Matthew Mbuta, who played in the midfield when the club upset New York in the U.S. Open Cup.
A 6'4", 175 lb. striker, Kandji has scored 10 goals and added five assists for Atlanta in the 2008 season, and has earned USL Player of the Week honors twice. Here is a clip of Kandji in action:
SuperClasico Preview: Chivas USA-Galaxy
45 minutes ago
Posts
1 comments:
What a joke. I'm guessing the "precedent" may lead to a higher salary cap which would only be a good thing. I can't fathom how the MLS is growing so well lately while doing stupid crap like this. Kandji will ball it up in the MLS eventually and NYRB fans should raise hell.
Post a Comment
Comment on this story