Alecko sent to Toronto FC

[AndyMead]

For partial allocation.

Washington, D.C. (December 22, 2006) - D.C. United announced today the club has acquired a partial allocation from Toronto FC in exchange for Alecko Eskandarian. Taken first overall by United in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, the 24-year old departs D.C. after four seasons with the team.

“Alecko was a tireless worker on and off the field for this club and it is difficult to part with him,” said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. “He has been a big part of our recent accomplishments. We are, however, on the verge of signing major contributors and we know that in order to get something of value, we have to give up something of value. This partial allocation further allows us the ability to make those moves. We wish Alecko nothing but the best as he embarks on a new phase of his career.”

“I’d like to thank Alecko for his services,” said United Head Coach Tom Soehn. “He was a huge asset in bringing us a championship. We’re in the process of making some big acquisitions and to do that we have to make some moves. I’d like to personally thank him and wish him the best in his career.”

The 2004 MLS Cup MVP had a resurgent 2006, after missing most of the 2005 season with post-concussion syndrome. This past year, the Montvale, NJ native scored seven goals and dished out two assists and was named as a Commissioner’s Pick to the All-Star team. All told, Eskandarian made 81 appearances (47 starts) for United, notching 20 goals and seven assists. His best season came during the club’s MLS Cup championship run, when in 2004 he scored ten goals during the regular season and four in MLS Cup playoffs - including two in the final versus Kansas City.

[spidergoose]

What the hell is going on?!

[BuffloSoldier]

Just beat me to it.

[#8]

Wow - always loved the fire he brought to the pitch, but if it wasn't clicking for him (which it wasn't at least 50% of the time), he was a black hole. Hope the Palermo rumors are correct - big target forward is clearly a need, especially now...

[Sachin]

wow.. we got a partial allocation for someone who scored 20 goals in 4 years. Rock on!

[Pints]

meh...injury prone.
Time for changes people. Get used to it.



The things that are to come, is what we should focus on.













.....................note: I am running out of optimism.

[Liverpool_SC]

He would have been a great super-sub, but we really needed to upgrade this position. I hope that we are able to get our first or second choice in the SA transfer sweepstakes. February is not far off and we are way undermanned up front if we get into a protracted struggle to sign adequate replacements for some of the guys we are trading away.

Hope this was a substantial partial allocation. Not something like what Mo and Bob got for borrowing Jason Kreis for a few days.

[John L]

Its not on their website yet (2:35 pm) but this looks official

I'm a bit surprised by this - Not about DC United looking to get as much cash as possible for big international signings - But that ANYBODY else would take a risk on Esky - As much as I love him as an exciting personality on and off the field and for his contributions to DC United, I figured NOBODY would want a player one collision away from the end of his career - Sure, anybody can get badly hurt but Esky was and still extremely more vulnerable than anyone else - I figured he's be with us for virtually all the rest of his career - Always a potentially great contributor for us, but not somebody that anyone else would want to take a chance on

oh well - I'm still in the Upbeat Club this offseason - I didn't list Esky as one of my key players returning - We gave up a lot of hustle and color but still only a player who had marginal contributions this year -

This is a business after all

[JohnR]

The DCU boards are every neutral's favorite boards. A surprise a minute.

Also, you guys aren't just trading players, you're trading guys with DC area connections ... the ones that I least figured would be going.

Wow.

[BBBulldog]

what the ******** is up with this firesale? I saw Andy Mead posted it and figured it was a joke, except it's not April 1.

this new dude better be incredible or I'm running in with a pitbull and taking his jersey :D

[AlecW81]

I'm really going to miss Esky and his antics both on and off the field.
I'm starting to worry that United are making too many BIG changes to the squad in a year that's also seeing a "new" coach, likely new owners, and who knows what else they've got planned.

From the release it seems like KP,Kasper et al are fairly confident they'll sign Palermo or another striker of equal capability. We don't seem to have much depth at striker now either though, I wonder if they've got their eyes on some strikers in the draft that can add depth at minimal expense.

Let's hope all these big moves to sign the oft-mentioned Argentine and Brazilian aren't in vain...

[Soccer von Fußball]

I wonder if Alecko knows where Toronto is? Maybe he'll be excited to get back to the East Coast finally.

[JoeW]

1. Remember, Bob Gansler is a TFC assistant. I think Bob has nightmares of Eskandarian turning on Garcia in the "04 Cup final.

2. I agree that a partial allocation (depends on the amount) is a good deal.

3. If you believe that Moreno can still be a force, but as a very withdrawn forward, than you need a target man who's good enough to play fulltime and produce fulltime. Alecko, bless his heart and guts, has never done that.

[Sachin]

Wow..

Donnet
Adu
Rimando
Eskandarian

I guess you really can fire the players.

[beergorila]

OK, we better sign Henry or someone ... this is just insane.

I refuse to agree a partial allocation is worth losing Eskie for.:mad:

[John_Harkes_6]

Speechless - just speechless.

We go into last year with a deep list of forwards - now we no logner have Filomino, Quaranta, Eskandarian, and Moreno is a year older. Hell, even Rod Dyachenko who played a little up top is gone.

Our forward depth chart now reads:

Moreno
?
?
?
Walker
JoeSoccerFan
Todd Hamlin (sorry Todd, missing the sitter puts you below Joe) :D

[el_nando]

holy smokes!

wheres the link to the source?

[Calexico77]

If we could, I'm sure Galaxy fans would send you a basket of muffin in sympathy. We've also lost just about every fan favorite we had.

[AndyMead]

what the ******** is up with this firesale? I saw Andy Mead posted it and figured it was a joke, except it's not April 1.

this new dude better be incredible or I'm running in with a pitbull and taking his jersey :D

I don't think I have ever posted anything on the DC boards that was patently false. The only real notable thing I had wrong was something that I had posted with plenty of caveats indicating that it was information that I had picked up, but couldn't verify - and that was the Sarachan being fired and Nowak going to Chicago. And from what I can tell, it was very, very close to actually happening.

[Sachin]

If we could, I'm sure Galaxy fans would send you a basket of muffin in sympathy. We've also lost just about every fan favorite we had.
And you've got Quaranta! Have you guys started to wonder about his play yet?