Fred In D.C. By Tonight

According to Steven Goff of the Washington Post, A-League star Fred will meet his (future) D.C. United teammates tonight before their CONCACAF game against Chivas. "A DCU rep has met him in Latin America and will accompany him to Washington," Goff says.

It may not be a smooth transition, however. Fred is still under contract with the A-League until June 30, but his deal with his (former) club Melbourne ends this month. From Goff, resident D.C. United expert, "It is a common practice internationally for clubs to terminate the last few months of a contract with a departing player... Melbourne apparently is not willing to do this, perhaps thinking they can claim a transfer fee."

D.C. United will almost certainly not send Melbourne any cash for Fred, and, thus, may have to wait until July 1st to add him to the roster. They could also attempt to have the June 30 date invalidated and hope to add Fred on April 1st. Both sides are working on a resolution to the dispute as we speak.