RSL cuts Kevin Ara

[Czar Pazzo]

Hello DC United fans. RSL just cut Kevin Ara from the squad:

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600113830,00.html

I remember some of you were pissed when we "stole" your boy that DC did not protect in the expansion draft. Looks like you can have him back!

[NattyBo]

Somewhere in Truckee, Knave is sitting in a dark room, listening to emo and weeping ;)

[McOwen]

I always thought Knave was a $hit GM... Guess we now have our proof.

--Better stick to modding amigo ;)

[Knave]

Well, at least I have his MLS Cup 2004 jersey.

[Lanky134]

Well, at least I have his MLS Cup 2004 jersey.
You can re-sell it as "barely worn."

[sch2383]

I wonder if United will look at bringing Ara back.

[Diablo10]

Ara you out of your mind! Bring him back? No thanks! :D

[DutchFootballRulez]

We should resign Ara for his hattrick debut vs. The Goats.

[Bill-DC]

RSL ara going to regret that move.

Someone had to start it.......

[Pints]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to NattyBo again.

[Lowecifer]

Ara voir, young Kevin.

[Zman Gunner]

I wonder if United will look at bringing Ara back.

He just turned 23 so I think that we could sign him to a developmental contract for 1 year, get him some reserve game action, and see if he is ready to contribute to the 1st team for next year.

[JoeW]

Unless he didn't want to play for Ellinger or be in SLC, you have to figure that cutting Ara is a poor statement about Ellinger.

1. Cutting a 23 year old who barely played--you'd have to figure he'd at least be reserve fodder. That he wasn't kept despite his youth says they didn't think much of him. Yet they chose him in the expansion draft. So it seems to say that they really didn't know what they were getting when they chose him.

2. They originally had him as an A-mid (college position) where other teams passed on him and not as a D-mid (where Nowak saw his future).

I don't think this says much about Ara. It's more telling about Ellinger. Of course, if DCU cuts Kuykendall, I'm going to rail against the Gods and scream for Nowak's head!

[elconejito]

I think Knave made some phone calls, called in a few favors, and finally made RSL an offer they couldn't refuse.

I think we should take him back. Like Zman said, sign him to a dev contract, and he can be on the reserve team if nothing else.

[ursula]

Seriously, DCU should offer Ara a developmental contract (essentially what he got last year).

[JoeW]

Seriously, DCU should offer Ara a developmental contract (essentially what he got last year).

The drafting of Shawn Kuykendall and the signing of Clyde Simms may make signing Ara a redundancy. Add Lawson to the mix, and we've got some youth and promise to back up D-mid (especially if Dema isn't dealt). I'm not against re-signing Ara but since he was last year, we've added two youngsters at his spot.

[Lanky134]

Seriously, DCU should offer Ara a developmental contract (essentially what he got last year).
Maybe Ellinger already offered him a Developmental contract and he refused.

The guy does have an Economics degree from Harvard, after all. He can surely do a lot better for himself than needing to take a second job at the Galyan's in Salt Lake City...

[beltwayrob]

I see no reason not to get Kevin back. He just never really got the chance he needed under Nowak and honestly who is going to pick him up now if we don't. I'd hate to see him go to the USL. I'm all for Ara!

[Lanky134]

He just never really got the chance he needed under Nowak

It was widely reported that, under Nowak, nobody's position was safe and that everybody had to earn their spot in the lineup. Therefore, Ara received plenty of chances.

I'd hate to see him go to the USL. I'm all for Ara!

What makes you think he'll go to the USL? Look at this scenario:

You're 22 years old and about to graduate Harvard. But you're also a pretty good collegiate soccer player, so you go into the MLS draft figuring, "Let's see how far I can take this. If I don't succeed, I still have plenty of time to do something with my education, or go back for my Masters."

The real world beckons for Ara.

[Bill-DC]

He got the opportunity to be a (small) part of a championship team.
If he gets an MBA from Harvard, he'll make a hell of a lot more than he would as a back up MLS player.