By AVI CREDITOR
After a rather quiet offseason in terms of player moves, the New York Red Bulls are reportedly close to making a big splash in the transfer market.
According to reports out of the Netherlands, the club has a two-year offer on the table to Ajax midfielder and Finland international Teemu Tainio (pictured above, left), who has fallen out of favor at the club and can be had on a free transfer.
The Red Bulls confirmed via their Twitter feed that Tainio is currently training with the team.
Tainio, 31, is a versatile player who can line up anywhere in the midfield. He previously played for AJ Auxerre, Tottenham, Sunderland and Birmingham City and has been a regular with the Finland national team.
Here are a few more items from around the league:
UNION CLOSE IN ON RUIZ
"El Pescadito" could be making his return to MLS.
According to reports out of his native Guatemala, Carlos Ruiz is set to be announced as the newest member of the Philadelphia Union.
It's not the first time that Ruiz, a former MLS Most Vaulable Player, has been linked with the Union. SBI reported in April that the club filed a discovery claim on the striker in hopes of adding him to its offensive arsenal.
Ruiz was most recently playing with Aris Salonika in Greece but agreed with the team to have his contract terminated.
GALAXY, EARTHQUAKES DRAW
Mike Magee headed home a Paolo Cardozo free kick in the 84th minute to help the Los Angeles Galaxy salvage a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes in preseason action on Thursday at the Home Depot Center.
The Earthquakes took an early lead on Ike Opara's fourth-minute goal.
UNION DROP USF
Sebastien Le Toux and Danny Mwanga accounted for the goals, as the Philadelphia Union defeated the University of South Florida, 2-0, in a preseason scrimmage in Orlando.
Le Toux finished off a Justin Mapp pass in the 19th minute for his second goal of the preseason. He then played the role of provider, setting up Mwanga for a 33rd-minute tally.
TFC FALLS TO DINAMO ZAGREB
Toronto FC yielded two goals to Dinamo Zagreb in the first seven minutes and couldn't recover, falling to the Croatian power, 3-1, in Turkey.
Trialist Gianluca Zavarise scored the lone goal for TFC.
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Do you think Tainio would be a good fit for the Red Bulls? How do you see Ruiz faring in Philadelphia, should he sign there? Do any of the preseason results stick out for you?
Share your thoughts below.
