Here are the latest MLS preseason happenings for Monday, Jan. 25.
Captain Catracho in Dallas
FC Dallas bolstered their defense on Tuesday, as they traded general allocation money to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Honduras captain Maynor Figueroa.
The 32-year-old Figueroa, who can play center back or left back, made the move to MLS last summer after being released by English side Hull City. He started in each of the 10 games he played in for the Rapids in 2015, scoring one goal and helping the club post two shutouts.
“Maynor Figueroa is an experienced player that will help solidify our defensive unit,” said FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo, in a statement. “We are excited to have him in Dallas.”
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Edu not in full training
The Philadelphia Union had their second day of preseason on Tuesday, and once again Maurice Edu was close to the action.
Edu, 29, is still working his way back from the sports hernia surgery he had last October. The veteran midfielder was originally expected to be ready for the start of preseason, but remains unable to partake in full training.
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And they're off...
The New England Revolution are about to get their preseason underway. The club departed the cold northeast for Arizona for the first part of their preparations for the 2016 season on Tuesday morning.
Clearly, there is plenty of excitement (see Darrius Barnes below).
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Mikey likes it, in New York
New York City FC have announced that they have acquired midfielder Miguel "Mikey" Lopez from waivers. Lopez, 22, joins NYCFC after spending the past three seasons with Sporting KC. He has already met up with his new teammates for preseason training in Fort Myers, Florida.
“I feel really good. I’m really excited for this opportunity," Lopez said in a statement released by NYCFC. "I’m thankful that [head coach Patrick Vieira] and [sporting director Claudio Reyna] were confident in me and offered me this opportunity. I cannot wait to become a part of the vibrant feel in Yankee Stadium and play in front of these amazing fans. I will work very hard to the very end. I’m going to give my 100 percent at all times.”
With Kansas City, who drafted him 14th overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Lopez made 14 appearances. NYCFC view him as a good fit for what they want to do given his youth and experience in the league.
“Mikey knows the league well which is a real benefit for us,” said Vieria in the same statement. “He’s only 22 years old but has been around the league since he was 19. I think he brings something to the group that we currently lack. He’s comfortable in possession, but his strength is closing the opposition down and winning the ball back for the team.
"He will cover a lot of ground; every coach wants players like this on their team. He’s been able to join up with the group in Florida already and is ready to start training with his new teammates.”
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Greenspan not reporting for duty in Colorado in 2016
The Colorado Rapids used the 26th overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft on Joseph Greenspan, but were unable to use him for a portion of the year because of his commitments to the Navy.
Those same commitments will likely keep him out of action this entire season.
Greenspan is currently away on duty as a Naval officer, and the Rapids are not planning to have him available for selection in the upcoming campaign. The 23-year-old, 6-foot-6 center back played in three games (two starts) for the club in his rookie season.
“For now he’s not going to be with us, as far as I know, for 2016,” Mastroeni told the Denver Post.
While the Rapids might not be counting on Greenspan because of his Naval obligations, there is a chance he could return to the club at some point this season.
“It’s one of those situations that can change at any minute,” Mastroeni said.
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