As Ursula named it in another post about Woodworth, today is/was the "first cut-down day".... So, anyone heard anything? Any chance that we keep everyone who remained on the roster after off-season trades plus all the draftees?
I've heard nil about DCUnited, but Dallas have sent Morrison to the Whiz for a conditional 2004 pick. GM
So, what has happened? Are all the teams standing pat? There is nothing on DC's webpage. There is nothing about any player cutdown on MLS.net. Is this MLS's "double-secret cutdown" that they won't tell anyone about? Enquiring minds want to know! Winoman
It was ursula that mentioned Friday as the "first cut-down day" on the Hayden Woodworth thread. However, does anyone know what the source or basis of that claim is. Are we sure Friday was a "cut-down day"? From an MLS stand point, January 21 was the date to cut their rosters to 29 players (23 senior, 6 developmental). That's come an gone. The next MLS deadline is Monday, March 17, when teams must be in final compliance with the League's 24-player roster limit (18 senior, 6 developmental) and salary cap. Since it doesn't seem like DC United is much over the final roster limits at present including un-signed draftees and preseason invitees, I can't see the need for cuts quite yet. Of course, if the coaching staff already knows that a player isn't going to be offered a contract, sure cut him. And especially with the trip to Florida this week for a week and half of training, I could see not wanting to pay the expenses for a player you don't see having much chance to make the squad. Certainly feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about any of this, as this is the first year I've paid this much attention to this sort of thing. I guess the question is: were players (at least those fighting for roster spots) told that they had until the end of last week to show what they had and at that point a decision would about whether they would continue to train with the team? I have another question. Does any one know if DC United picks up any of the expenses for the un-signed draftees and other invitees to be in DC for training until the point in time when they are either cut or signed to a contract. As I understand it several of the newer players are in a hotel together and commute to training together. The fact that the players are put together leads me to believe the team is organizing and paying for this. Well, it could be 5 more weeks to the roster is final, though I'm sure some things will crystallize before then.
the source was kasper via diceson's practice report https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32345 it is the last question to kasper. i doubt that united had to make any moves. if anything, the team sent home some of the invitees.
The organization, to my knowledge, has been very good about taking care of the expenses of the guys during this past week and a half. They gave them meal money up front and are taking care of the hotel and parking expenses. They got an email letting them know about meeting for the trip to Florida, but I don't know who did or didn't get the message. Hope that helps
From the pre-season schedule at dcunited.com http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?section=games&cont_id=161922