By TRAVIS CLARK
With Wednesday's qualifier behind us—and most U.S. fans want to move on as soon as possible—it's important to remember that the MLS season is in full season and the playoff race is just starting to heat up.
Add to that the start of the CONCACAF Champions League next week and it's going to be a trying time for Columbus, Houston, and D.C. United as they try to qualify for the playoffs and put on a solid showing in a international tournament.
There's plenty going on this morning, so stay tuned after the jump for what is making news today.
Colin Clark tears ACL—to miss remainder of season
The Colorado suffered a huge blow to their push towards a playoff berth Tuesday when midfielder Colin Clark tore his ACL in training on Wednesday. This puts an early end to what had been a great season for Clark, whose solid played on the wing earned himself onto the Gold Cup roster. It is a blow to the Rapids, who will need Omar Cummings and Conor Casey to be even better from here on out.
Fredy Montero no longer on loan
Jose Romero of the Seattle Times is reporting that Fredy Montero's rights are now fully owned by MLS. He cites a report from Colombia that Deportivo Cali's president Rodrigo Otoya and vice president Cesar Caicedo negotiated the transfer of the rest of Montero's rights to MLS. It's also mentioned that negotiations for the rights of Jamison Olave and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado are in advanced stages, two players who are also on loan from Cali.
What does this mean for Fredy? It means that if and when he is ready to make the jump to Europe, MLS will net the profits. Though it wouldn't be shocking if the agreement included some of that profit going back to Cali.
Toronto FC releases Velez
Toronto FC has had issues at the back all season, and the axe has fallen. Defender Marco Velez, who was signed on March 19, 2008, was released this week. Velez made eight starts this season and a total of 15 apperances in a back line that has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. They've conceceded 31 goals on the year, fourth worst in the league. Reports are that the 29-year-old will return to his old team, the Puerto Rico Islanders.
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What do you think about the news this morning? Will Colorado recover from the loss of Clark? Will Montero be sold to Europe soon?
