Eskandarian poised for MLS return, future at RSL is less clear
Alecko Eskandarian is set to re-sign with Major League Soccer after turning down an offer from a Belgian club, sources told SBI on Tuesday. Whether that means Eskandarian will return to Real Salt Lake remains to be seen. (UPDATE- The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that Eskandarian is being dealt to Chivas USA for an allocation.)
Eskandarian is currently out of contract and had been pursuing options in Europe, but is now negotiating with MLS on a new deal that could facilitate his departure from RSL. His days in Salt Lake City appear numbered now that young forwards Robbie Findley and Fabian Espindola have emerged as quality options. The more likely scenario has Eskandarian moving to his fourth MLS in three seasons.
Eskandarian started 17 matches for RSL last season, scoring one goal and adding three assists. He arrived via trade from Toronto FC, where he scored one goal in six matches.
The New Jersey native has struggled to find consistency since suffering a knee injury midway through the 2006 season while with D.C. United. Eskandarian's career reached its peak in 2004, when he scored 10 goals before leading D.C. United to an MLS Cup title. He scored two goals in the MLS Cup final to earn game MVP honors.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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he clearly isn't the player he was 3 years ago, but for the right price I wouldn't mind seeing a decent poacher like him in Chicago.
Anything is better than the train wreck known as Chad Barrett at this point. I don't know how much longer we are expected to wait for him to 'figure it out'
Posted by: papa bear | January 09, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Can anybody share any of the details of the Belgian offer he declined? Team, finances, term?
Thanks.
Posted by: tsingletonvt | January 09, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Since 2004, the guy has faced setback after setback. He might just get back into the swing of things if he's allowed to come home...
Posted by: THE Nick | January 09, 2008 at 10:24 AM
The Salt Lake Tribune was reporting yesterday Eski will be traded to Chivas USA for $125k in allocation money. No official word yet.
Posted by: Keith | January 09, 2008 at 10:28 AM
125k is a bit much for Esky. Too many questions, not enought answers.
Then again, if he makes more than Galindo and comes off the bench. Not good for my goats.
Posted by: EastLAChiva | January 09, 2008 at 10:40 AM
We have all the proof we need to know that his success at DC was thanks to the team surrounding him. And let's face it, 10 goals for a striker isn't all that good, especially one who thinks as highly of himself as this guy. The goats are getting a goat.
On a side note, the Eskandarian family hates me now. Apparently they don't like the way we treat their son when he comes back to Jersey...as if crapping on your home state by spitting red bull onto the ground wasn't reason enough.
Posted by: kpugs | January 09, 2008 at 10:53 AM
He just isn't the same player but Chivas does need depth at forward. It'll be interesting to see how much playing time he will actually get barring an injury to Galindo and Razov this coming season. Paying that much allocation money signals Chivas is looking for him to play good minutes. Either that, or they were desperate. MLS isn't a league with quality forwards floating around.
Posted by: Dominghosa | January 09, 2008 at 11:32 AM