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Howard, 2003
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History of Metro player sales
May 22, 2018
With the news that a RB Leipzig deal seems imminent, Tyler Adams looks poised to join the list of players sold by Metro to greener pastures. To our knowledge (with early MLS transactions sometimes being murky, we can't guarantee for sure), this has happened nine previous times. (We are not including intra-league "sales", such as Dax McCarty.)
Antony De Avila to Barcelona SC (Ecuador), 1998, $?
The diminutive Colombian, who once saluted jailed drug lords after scoring a goal, was sent to Ecuador's Barcelona after the conclusion of the 1997 season. This is the only transfer we can't find the supposed fee.
Shaun Bartlett to Zurich (Switzerland), 1998, $1.3M
The South African came to Metro midway through 1997, did not impress, and was sent on loan to his hometown Cape Town Spurs. From there, MLS made a sale to Zurich, which followed with Bartlett scoring at the World Cup and playing in the English Premiership.
Mamadou Diallo to Al Alhi (Saudi Arabia), 2002, $600K
After Nick Sakiewicz acquired Mamadouchebag in midseason, Bob Bradley shipped him out as soon as possible, sending the Senegalese nightmare to the pastures of Saudi Arabia. The allocation Metro got paved the way for Amado Guevara.
Tim Howard to Manchester United (England), 2003, $3.6M
Some of us still remember the Howard press conference, him holding up the numberless Man U jersey. Sakiewicz promised to put #18 on hold until Howard returns to Metro... Well, he is not returning, and #18 was given to rookie Zach Wells the following year.
Michael Bradley to Heerenveen (Netherlands), 2006, $90K
Ugh. Back in 2006, MLS was not in the habit of selling young players, and why would they, for such a pittance? Yet Alexi Lalas wanted to get rid of Bob Bradley's progeny, and it all worked out... just not for Metro.
Jean-Philippe Peguero to Brondby (Denmark), 2006, $750K
Now here's one we can't complain about; Peguero (Jean-Philippe?) who just arrived from Colorado in an early-season trade, played just 12 games for Metro before departing. Injuries derailed his career.
Jozy Altidore to Villarreal (Spain), 2008, $10M
Well, Jozy wanted to go. It still sucks seeing him playing (and winning) for Toronto, and turning into such a punk. You were one of us, Jozy!
Tim Ream to Bolton (England), 2012, $2.75M
In his rookie season, Ream rose from obscurity to perhaps the best American defender. After his second year, European money started to call. Stuck in The Championship for a while, can he help Fulham get promoted later this week?
Matt Miazga to Chelsea (England), 2016, $5M
Miazga's 2015 season was a revelation, but, unfortunately, Metro couldn't build around him for years to come. The first academy product to be sold, it happened at the age of 20. Adams won't even hit that age at the conclusion of this season...
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