D.C. United has stood pat with its roster heading into the latter half of the MLS season, but major moves are happening across the league. The latest came Wednesday, when the New England Revolution traded Shalrie Joseph — one of the best defensive midfielders in MLS history — to playoff-hopeful Chivas USA for Blair Gavin, a second-round draft choice and cash.
New York also has beefed up its attack with Australian forward Tim Cahill from Everton. At a reported $3.5 million per year, he will be the fourth-highest paid player in MLS. At lesser numbers, Seattle signed Christian Tiffert from Germany. The Sounders made room by trading Alvaro Fernandez to Chicago, which also added Dutchman Sherjill Macdonald. Columbus picked up Federico Higuain from Argentina, and longtime AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta joined Montreal.
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United’s only addition so far is 20-year-old Brazilian Raphael Augusto, a project signing. While the league’s roster freeze date isn’t until Sept. 15, only time will tell whether staying out of the MLS arms race proves wise.
– Craig Stouffer
