Caligiuri wins arbitration case

An arbitrator has ruled in favor of Columbus defender Paul Caligiuri in his case against MLS, clearing the way for him to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He is expected to move from Columbus to Los Angeles in the next week or so.

Clash sign Salvadoran Cerritos

The San Jose Clash announced the allocation of Salvadoran national team member Ronald Cerritos. The 22-year-old midfielder has been compared to countryman Mauricio Cienfuegos.

Clash GM Peter Bridgwater said that this was the first of three major acquisitions that San Jose will make. The Clash is expected to sign Mexican forward Daniel Guzman and Hungarian midfielder Istvan Urbanyi shortly.

The Clash also announced that over 28,000 tickets have been sold for the season opener.

Expansion likely in 1998

MLS commissioner Doug Logan said March 21 that the league is “leaning towards” expanding by two teams in 1998, although no definitive announcement has been made. Chicago and Miami are the two likely sites, with the Anschutz sports group (owners of the Colorado Rapids) exercising their option on the Chicago franchise, and an as yet unidentified owner in Miami.

The league is still working on a lease that would allow the Chicago team to play at Soldier Field, while the Miami club will play at the Orange Bowl.

Logan said that the league would like to expand again by two teams in 2000, and again by two teams in 2002.

Mutiny tie Alianza in El Salvador

The Tampa Bay Mutiny tied Salvadoran First Division club Alianza 1-1 March 20 in San Salvador. Marco Ferruzzi scored off a pass from Nelson Vargas in the 28th minute to put Tampa ahead.

Alianza later equalized on a penalty kick.

Alan Prampin, acquired from Kansas City in the offseason, made his Mutiny debut. The former SMU striker had been recovering from a foot injury.

Assistant coach Tom Durkin coached the Mutiny in the match, as head coach John Kowalski was in San Jose, Calif. for to attend the MLS opener March 22.

March 20 in San Salvador

Alianza (El Salvador) 1 Tampa Bay (MLS) 1. Goals: n/a (pen.) 53; Ferruzzi (Vargas) 28.

Tampa lineup — Dougherty, Hejduk, Yallop, Kooiman, Duhaney, Vargas, Backman, Vasquez, Wise, Galderisi, Ferruzzi. Subs: Prampin, Frye, Diffley.

Att.: 10,000.