Now That Season Is Over, MLS Performs the Waive
In a move that signals a desire to upgrade the quality of play, Major League Soccer’s twelve teams have placed 34 players--14% of the league--on waivers.
Six current or former national team players, four of them from the United States.
The former U.S. internationals who no longer are regarded as indispensable by their clubs are Galaxy defender Paul Caligiuri, Miami Fusion defender Cle Kooiman, New England Revolution defender Janusz Michallik and San Jose Clash midfielder Martin Vasquez.
The Galaxy’s release of Caligiuri, 34, a veteran of the 1990 and 1994 World Cup tournaments, appears to be an age and salary cap issue rather than a matter of playing ability. The defender played in 22 of the team’s 36 regular-season and playoff games in 1998, starting 18, and had a significant impact in a record 24-8 season.
The other two national team players waived are Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Evans Wise of the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Armenia winger Harut Karapetyan of the Clash. The Galaxy traded Karapetyan to the Clash in midseason.
In addition, former U.S. national team (and World Cup ‘98) forward Roy Wegerle and Canadian defender Frank Yallop, both 34 and both of the Mutiny, announced their retirement, as did the Dallas Burn’s Gerell Elliott.
Ten of the 12 MLS clubs waived at least one player. The only two to stand pat were the Chicago Fire, the league’s new champion and U.S. Cup winner, and--very strangely--the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.
The MetroStars finished with a 15-17 regular-season record and were swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the Columbus Crew. They also had a league-record seven players red-carded. Yet no changes appear in the works.
There will be a huge shake-up in San Jose under new owner Alan Rothenberg. The Clash waived eight players, 40% of its roster, and is also selling the contract of forward Francisco Uribe to a team in the Mexican League.
“We’ve made some tough decisions,” said Coach Brian Quinn, who apparently is clinging to his job despite reports that he also would be jettisoned after a 13-19, no-playoffs season. “But we’re rebuilding the team and we have to make space for new players to come in. Next year, I have to produce a winning team.”
Also making significant changes is Miami, whose coach, Ivo Wortmann, waived seven players.
The league will hold its waiver draft today at 2 p.m. PST. The teams will draft in reverse order of 1998 finish, with New England getting the first pick. After that are Kansas City, San Jose, Tampa Bay, Miami, Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Colorado, Columbus, the Galaxy, Washington and Chicago.
