Herculez Gomez is No Cobi... or Fred?

Colorado Rapids midfield Herculez Gomez will no longer be allowed to use his unique first name on the back of his jersey, according to the Denver Post. MLS has made exceptions to this rule in the past, including Cobi Jones' use of 'Cobi' on the back of his jersey and now 'Fred' on the back of Brazilian D.C. United signing Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva's jersey.

"It's just a shame. It's just a bit of a double standard," said Gomez, who scored in the Rapids home opener last Saturday. "It's just one of those things, I've gotten the runaround with the league, and I'm over it."

DC United Eliminated From CCC

D.C. United has been denied a spot in the final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup by Chivas de Guadalajara after a 2-1 loss in Mexico City last night. Chivas will now go on to face the winner of tomorrow night's Houston Dynamo vs. Pachuca game (Houston leads 2-0 on aggregate).

After fighting for a 1-1 tie in the first leg of the semifinal, D.C. United got off to a good start in the second leg - Jaime Moreno's spectacular bicycle kick found the back of the net at Estadio Jalisco after 35 minutes. The goal was set up by a strong run on the left side from Luciano Emilio. But the celebration wouldn't last long, as Adolfo Bautista equalized just six minutes later, making it 1-1 at the half.

In the second half, it was all Chivas. Bautista and striker Alberto Medina gave the lagging DCU defense fits, penetrating deep into the attacking third repeatedly. In the 51st minute, Gonzalo Pineda's powerful shot from good distance went through 'keeper Troy Perkins' hands in the rain and trickled over the line - it proved to be the winning goal.

Fred, DCU's new Brazilian acquisition, made his debut in the second half, but wasn't much of a factor.

Also of note, Josh Gros came off in the first half with a possible concussion. He flew back to D.C. for futher evaluations while the rest of the team went on to Denver for their MLS opener against Colorado.

Fred to D.C.

Just in time to join his new team before the season, D.C. United has officially added Fred to the roster. The signing has been pending while DCU worked out terms with the Brazilian's old team, Melbourne Victory, and the Australian A-League. Fred has already joined the team in Guadalajara ahead of United's second-leg match against Chivas in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

"Fred has terrific athletic and technical qualities, and has proven to be a dynamic attacking player. He will be an excellent fit with out style of play," said United technical director Dave Kasper.


TJ's take: Fred will join an attack that has already been improved this off-season by the signing of Luciano Emilio. D.C. United looks to have a squad capable of a very potent attack and should help them repeat as winners of the Supporters Shield. From what I've heard from Australian fans, Fred is a dynamic player and will give defenders fits in MLS. Melbourne supporters are very displeased with his exit.

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.

Freddy Out, Fred In

According to everyone's favorite Washington Post sportswriter Steven Goff, the deal is done: Fred will be in a D.C. United uniform this season. The team is waiting for Fred to get international clearance and a work visa before they officially announce the signing, but it could be announced next week, a source close to the negotiations said.

Fred's deal will be for four seasons and he will reportedly earn $150,000 in 2007. United plan to play him as a right-side attacking player. Fred helped the A-League's Melbourne Victory claim the Australian championship last month.

United surprisingly shipped away one of the league's stars in Freddy Adu, but with the lineup they are assembling, people in D.C. will be saying, "Freddy A-Who?"

My take: D.C. United clearly has the global scouting thing down and has come up big this off-season. Without using their DP, they have secured two international playmakers - Fred and Luciano Emilio. Everyone else will be playing catch-up in the Eastern Conference to these guys this season. Good signing for D.C., good signing for MLS.

D.C. United Chasing Fred

According to Steven Goff of the Washington Post, D.C. United are quietly chasing after Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva, better known as Fred. A Brazilian, Fred currently plays for current champion Melbourne Victory of Australia's A-League. He's 27 and usually plays attacking midfielder or striker. Fred tallied four goals and nine assists in 20 appearances in the 2006-07 season for Melbourne. In the '07 A-League Grand Final, he recorded four assists in Melbourne's 6-0 victory over Adelaide United.

Could he be another steal like Luciano Emilio appears to be? The rest of the league is definitely going to have to step it up in terms of worldwide scouting, as D.C. United is far beyond any other MLS team in that respect.