That doesn't mean the last year is locked in. For a buyout they may have to pay him for all obligated and optional contract years. Where's Zman with the MLS rulebook?
I think he's busy spell-checking it before he submits it to the league before tomorrow's roster compliance deadline.
Again, the team would have to spend $1.3 million to gain a $300k in budget and a roster space. It sucks, but their hands are tied by Nowak picking up the contract and Adu not fitting in for whatever reason. Also, as much as I'd like to think they'd use the space on max salary player, I think they'd just use the spot on one of the guys they cut last week.
Except it's really about negotiating power, not the ever-changing MLS rulebook. If Adu's contract ends after this season (in which he'll earn around $650K) and Freddy only has a team option for next year, he really has no leverage to push for a $1.3 million buyout. If you really think MLS has a rule in place that forces teams to pay players for option years when buying somebody out, think again. It's nonsensical and in direct opposition to the way the league generally operates. Here's another link that cites the $1.3 million figure as "his deal in full": http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/socce...k-adu-not-biting-quakes-injuries-more?cc=5901