This report (read: rumor) came down last week, but with Fredy Montero inching closer to a return home, it’s important to note Mauro Rosales is not guaranteed to be back in Seattle (even if this isn’t the freshest of rumors). The Argentine winger has been linked with a move to Chile, with Union Española thought keen to draw the Sounders playmaker back to South America.
The report here (in Spanish) isn’t much. It’s just restating a report aired by Cooperativa program Al Aire Libre, and without more detail than a few perfunctory paragraphs, it’s hard to give this rumor heavy consideration.
There are, however, a few talking points surrounding a hypothetical Rosales sale:
How does this dovetail with the possible loss of Fredy Montero?
At first blush, you’d think Adrian Hanauer and Sigi Schmid would resist losing both Montero and Rosales at the same time. That’s a lot of playmaking leaving at once, though given the circumstances surrounding the two players, the potential moves can’t be linked.
On their own merits, sales of Montero and Rosales could make sense, and with Seattle’s economic ability to draw more designated players, these type of South American stars aren’t as scarce for the Sounders as they would be for other clubs.
Montero and Seattle seem to be parting ways regardless. The Colombian’s expressed a desire to move back into frame for his national team, but a move to Europe may also be in the cards. A loan deal to Millionarios in Bogata would serve as a shop window. If he does well in Copa Libertadores, he could could vault himself to a place like Portugal. Twenty-four and having spent four years in Seattle, it’s time for him to make this move.
Mauro Rosales is at another point of his career cycle. He’s descending. While the Argentine is still an elite playmaker in Major League Soccer, he’s also somebody highly unlikely to stay healthy throughout an entire season. For a team that is in Champions League in spring and takes U.S. Open Cup more seriously than most, wear-and-tear is an issue. If Seattle can get some minor cash for the to be 32-year-old (and free up a Designated Player slot), it may make sense to cash in.
While you wouldn’t want to lose either Montero or Rosales, two independent sets of circumstances could lead to the loss of both – the sensible loss of both. Though that would leave Christian Tiffert as the club’s best playmaker (a precarious situation given Tiffert still has to grow into the league), Seattle’s highly unlikely to go very long with only one Designated Player in their squad.
But Chile? Why would an Argentine who’s played for Newell’s Old Boys, Ajax, and Boca Juniors end up in Chile?
That Rosales is being linked to Union Española and not clubs like Boca Juniors, Estudiantes, or San Lorenzo tells a small story of the changing South American soccer landscape.
Slowly, the Argentine league has lost some footing in the region. Economic troubles at home combined with the buying power of Brazil means not only is the gap between the two leagues growing, but it gives Brazil the ablity to draw away much of the talent that would otherwise be playing in Argentina.
The effects of that dynamic have been felt in Chile. Talent which Argentina would previously lure east is (in rare cases) going to Brazil, jumping straight to Europe, or just staying home. Combined with the organic growth of the league, Chile’s league is no longer so far behind Argentina’s.
In some cases, the Chilean Primera can compete for a player like Rosales – somebody who may not attract top dollar but still has options.
Why would Seattle do this?
There are a number of subtle reasons Seattle might consider this move (regardless of what happens to Montero):
- As mentioned above, there are health concerns with Rosales, a player that’s broken down at the end of each of the last two seasons. While he may still be worth his salary, Designated Player spots are scarce. And Seattle has the ability to go and get another Designated Player.
- Seattle will be able to compete without Rosales. They’d still have Eddie Johnson, Steve Zakuani, Christian Tiffert, Osvaldo Alonso … Mario Martinez (if he doesn’t leave for Turkey), David Estrada, and Sigi Schmid favorite Andy Rose. They’d still be competitive even if they don’t sign more Designated Players.
- And they will sign replacement Designated Players. Every indication out of Seattle is they’d look to replace Montero and/or Rosales. These moves would be an opportunity to cash in and reload, to a certain extent.
- Seattle does have some salary cap concerns, a situation not helped by failing to qualify for the next CONCACAF Champions League. Even if they replaced Montero and Rosales with other Designated Players, allocation earned through their sales will help.