At first glance, it may be confusing.
First, D.C. United decided to protect forward Charlie Davies in the MLS expansion draft despite it becoming clear over the latter part of the season that he was no longer in form, even with 11 goals, and increasingly not a part of the team’s plans.
Yet, the team also announced on Wednesday that it declined the option to make a $1.3 million splurge to purchase Davies’ contract outright from Sochaux in France.
What gives? MLS rights and trade value. D.C. United still has the former and is likely hoping for the best from the latter. It remains to be seen where Davies will land, and there is certainly the possibility that he could try and go back to Europe. But that seems far more unlikely than seeing him dealt to another team within MLS as D.C. United continues to make its offseason roster changes.
