Rumors of DaMarcus Beasley returning to MLS aren't true, says his agent, Lyle Yorks of Proactive Sports Management.
''DaMarcus Beasley is very happy at Manchester City in the English Premier League and is not sure where all the rumors started saying that DaMarcus was in talks regarding a move to New York Red Bulls,'' says Yorks. ''All the rumors are simply not true!''
Last week, Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena hinted the team would soon announce the signing of a goalscorer. That description doesn't fit Beasley, who is on loan to Manchester City from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, even though he did score last weekend in City's 3-1 FA Cup thrashing of Southampton.
The description could fit Ecuadoran striker Augustin Delgado, whose contract with LDU Quito was terminated in December. He's been linked with Red Bull for the past month or so, but he's currently under suspension by the national soccer federation for his role in a post-match melee. He's also been questioned by authorities after allegedly punching and kicking a man at a New Year's Eve party.
Delgado, 32, scored two goals for Ecuador at the World Cup last summer. Intervention by FIFA would be required for Delgado to join MLS. A player suspended by his national soccer federation cannot be transferred.
MONEY, MONEY. The MLS salary cap, which according to sources two weeks ago was supposedly just under $2.2 million, has apparently changed again. ''Closer to $2.1 million than 2.2 [million]'' is how one source termed it. The cap was about $1.91 million last year.
Now about that maximum salary. One team source stated this week that the max salary is the same as the cap hit for a Designated Player, i.e., $400,000. Another team source insists the maximum salary a non-Designated Player can be paid is $325,000. Last year, players earning more than the maximum salary – Landon Donovan, Eddie Johnson, Josh Wolff – counted for $350,000 against the cap. The max salary was $310,000.