News: Offseason Trade and Acquisition Rumors

Yes - the mlssoccer.com daily morning "Kick-Off" summary of MLS-related headlines links recently included the Trinidad Express report that I posted in B.S. a few days ago of Daniel being with the team in Crete but this article is the first mlssoccer original one citing Daniel being in Philly's camp (although the Union have had photos of Daniel on the website several times - just never identified him).

After the G. Farfan leak a few days ago, I thought that there may be a similar leak of Daniel before they both get officially announced. It still leaves Houapeu up in the air as of now.

With MacMath and Okugo set for U20 WC Qualifiers in the early weeks of the season and the start of the Reserve Division games likely in that timeframe, the reserve starters might look like:

[LINEUP-4-4-2]Agorsor, McInerney, Daniel, Pfeffer, Nakazawa, Torres, G. Farfan, Gonzalez, Richter, M. Farfan, Holder[/LINEUP-4-4-2]

 

We signed the other Farfan:

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/03/sources-philadelphia-signs-gabriel-farfan.html

 

Now we only have 2 more Farfan's to go and we will have all of these guys:-




(for those who have no idea, i.e. most - that is forfar fan - i.e. we would have Four Farfans.... geddit?)

 

I wouldn't mind Schalke's Jefferson Farfan...

 

Just got a tweet that there is a player related news conference/announcement today. I wonder if that is confirming the signing of the last 2 "trialists" - or is there a big surprise announcement that nobody has a clue about?

 

I'm going with Mondragon being named Captain for the season.

 

My guess is they'll announce signing G. Farfan and L. Houapeu.

 

'tis what I'm thinking. They're going to announce them soon anyway.

 

Player-Related News Conference Options:
a. G. Farfan
b. Daniel
c. Houapeu
d. G. Farfan & Daniel
e. G. Farfan & Houapeu
f. Daniel & Houapeu
g. G. Farfan, Daniel & Houapeu
h. mystery Colombian defender

My guess is "g" - they will do the bulk player announcement (similar to the Mondragon and Valdes press conference) and have all three players who made it through camp announced as signings - it is why they likely did not mind the press leaks earlier this week that G. Farfan and Daniel were in camp.

They likely would not have an individual press conference if each player signing was announced on different days but each of them has items on their resume which can be played up in a group announcement [and they can also emphasize the youth movement here in that they are just 22 (Farfan), 24 (Daniel) and 21 (Houapeu) years old], such as:

* G. Farfan - twin of Michael, played with Hackworth on US U17 team that played in 2005 U17 World Cup, experience at Club America (another team sponsored by Bimbo)

* Houapeu - Reading United alumni which shows value of that partnership with Union, played down I-95 at UMBC

* Daniel - leading scorer on Trinidad & Tobago team in 2010 World Cup Qualifiers, 37 national team caps at a young age, experience in D2 with Puerto Rico, trials with Man U and West Ham

 

If you want some real first game memories, how about:

j. return of David Myrie and Toni Stahl

 

Jozy Altidore is congratulating the Farfan brothers on both being at Philly in a tweet today...

 

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/03/union-sign-daniel-farfan-houapeu

Correct answer was "g".

 

At best, it looks like we either have no discovery claims left, or 1 if Holder didnt count. (Mondragon, Ruiz, Valdes, G. Farfan, Daniel, [Holder])

Puts us in a tough spot in terms of acquisitions.

I'm beginning to wonder if sending Walburn and Marcin home was more for providing them the opportunity to finish school this spring, than it was for actually "cutting" them. Wouldn't be surprised to see either of them back with the team in mid-May with a view toward off-budget slots and the reserve league.

 

If it's plausible that Holder is on the "off budget" roster and would not use a discovery, I think it is also possible that G. Farfan might be in the same situation and we could have 2 open discovery spots. I don't think being on the youth team of Club America is so highly regarded as to get him a big contract.

Or maybe we have zero left. Hope not.

 

Keon Daniel

This guy is a very gifted player, he has lots of potential.

He is capable of taking some serious free kicks as well.

He can cross and pass the ball very well.

I hope he makes you guys proud.

I would love to see him play under your two strikers.

The next best thing to come out of Tobago after Dwight Yorke.

I will be supporing Union this season.