Seattle's Cascadia rivals lose a star playmaker, Dempsey grinds away at Fulham and Agudelo finds a home in Holland.
Just days after MLS Golden Boot winner Camilo Sanvezzo transferred to Mexico’s Queretaro, Vancouver Whitecaps FC got a piece of good news when captain Jay DeMerit re-signed, keeping the defender in Vancouver for the a fourth season.
Vancouver’s first MLS signing when he signed in November, 2010, DeMerit had a difficult season in 2013. After being a stalwart in the Whitecaps FC lineup in his first two seasons, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon moments into the season-opening match, finally returning to the pitch on September 14 and started the final six matches of the season.
An All-Star in 2012, DeMerit has been Vancouver’s unequivocal leader since the club’s inaugural season. His loyalty to the club is countered by Camilo, who left for the Mexican club and forced Vancouver into a transfer. The resulting transfer fee – listed as a “multi-million dollar” deal in the club’s press release – gives Whitecaps FC some roster flexibility, but also leaves it in search of some goal-scoring prowess. Camilo had 39 goals and 16 assists in 92 appearances over three seasons for Whitecaps FC, including 22 goals last season.
In eight matches against Sounders FC, he has a team-high four goals and one assist, playing 564 minutes.
FULHAM FALLS AGAIN
Clint Dempsey arrived at Fulham with hopes of helping the struggling London club avoid relegation, but thus far, that has been a difficult proposition.
After a 2-0 road loss against Arsenal on Saturday, Fulham dropped to 0-2-0 in league play and 0-2-1 overall with Dempsey in the lineup since he arrived. Santi Cazorla scored two second-half goals five minutes apart as Arsenal climbed to the top of the Premier League standings at 16-3-3 while Fulham dropped to 6-15-1, still one point clear of the relegation zone.
Dempsey has played 259 minutes across all competitions and has registered four shots. Fulham will meet Sheffield United in an FA Cup match on Sunday, then turn around and face Swansea City in league play on Tuesday, January 28. Both matches will be played away from Craven Cottage.
AGUDELO MAKES MOVE TO EUROPE AFTER ALL
New England Revolution forward Juan Agudelo signed a pre-contract with Stoke City in August, but he was denied a work permit and was not able to join the Potters. However, he still remains under contract with Stoke City, who will send him out on loan to the Dutch Eredivisie where he will play for FC Utrecht.
The 21-year-old Colombian-born forward started his career with the New York Red Bulls and was later traded to Chivas USA, then New England. In four seasons, he logged 73 matches with 18 goals and seven assists.
