Tracking the Free (Primary Window 2010)

On January 21st, pending a CBA agreement, the primary transfer window will open for Major League Soccer. As usual I will start to track those players that would be available on a Free.  While the Designated Players get all the attention, there have been several free transfers and loans that have really helped the league step forward.

Kasey Keller, Fredy Montero, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Freddie Ljungberg are just a few of the names who signed to the league on a Free. So here, we will track those players that are available on the Free. The window closes on April 15th, so there will be plenty of the time for any team in MLS to try and sign that key Free - if the CBA gets done.

I tend to focus on players in the SPL, Eng Championship, Eng League One and EPL players that never crack the lineup (based on where MLS transfers are playing). 

Today (Feb 12): Shabani Nonda was released by Galatasaray and is drawing interest from Portsmouth. Yeah, that Portsmouth, the one that is about to be shut down by the UK government for their debt load. Nonda has represented the DR Congo, and has a Burundi back ground as well. Nearly all of his starts have come in a Forward role (with Galatasaray that was in a 4-2-3-1), but he has also seen time at wide midfield and even wingback. The 32 year old has 182 Goals in 410 pro appearences.

Jan 19: Alan Gow has been struggling at Plymouth Argyle, in fact in the Championship, and wants to resurect his career. He's played up top and wide left. Noted for some foot skills he peaked a few years ago with a call-up to Scotland's B side, and some decent play with Falkirk that earned him a Rangers contract. He isn't free, but a club may just be happy to loan him for free.

Jan 2: Julio Hernán Rossi is the player that intrigues me today. The Argentine/Italian has plied most of his trade for top Swiss clubs, but has some time in France's Ligue 1.  A two-footed striker, he is aging, but is still a decent assist man and pro.  Playing time is starting to fade, but he's played LM, RM, and up-top. Still gets the assists when he plays and may be worth a decent contract for one last go.

Dec 28th: Randall Brenes Moya is a Costa Rican National playing in Norway who is out of contract. The forward's agent has a connection to the Sounders. His club did win promotion, but his old teammate Roy is now with Rosenberg. Moya has 3 goals in 4 matches in his National kit. Though short, he scores on headers as well. He plays the LW in a 4-3-3 for his club.

Dec 26th:Kevin Kyle has yet to receive an offer and is free to talk to other clubs this January. He has a history with English Championship, SPL and even some time in the EPL. Kilmarnock  is struggling, and while Kyle's good play won him back on the Scottish NT he has not been enough to help either club or country (yes, he was injured). At 28, he's unlikely to be sought by clubs in the Championship and Premier anymore.

Dec 18: Jay Needham (via 3rd Degree) and from Yanks Abroad we find out that Jay Needham will be moving on to a new club after a year with the Islanders and then two with a club in Norway.  From the quote provided at the YA story he seems to be strongly interested in match day atmosphere, more than cash.

Dec 16th: Mikael Silvestre, French International with Arsenal will beavailable on a Bosman in January. Yes, he spent some time injured early in the fall, but he doesn't play in league matches (2 app in 15, and at LB), nor in Champion's League (2 of 6, but at CB). Silvestre prefers the CB, and prefers to play, but is an aging star. Already out of the National team picture, his time as a premier player may be done.

Dec 13th: Kagisho Dikgacoi, currently with Fulham, is asking out of the contract he signed last August. He would accept a loan, but he needs time in order to play for South Africa at the World Cup. He is currently stuck in that good enough to make the roster and not play, but too good for the Reserve side. He tends to be used as a CDM, RDM and RM. If on a loan within the MLS salary system this would make a ton of sense.

Dec 12th: David Louhoungou, who was just released,is drawing interest from Scottish sides Motherwell and Kilmarnock. He would be an international, but last year MLS only filled half of those slots. Playing in Scotland with non-Old Firm sides means that he is roughly MLS talent. He does have an appearance with the Congo MNT. He typically plays RDM, RB and CB.

Check back periodically as we add more players, either in comments or in the body of the story.