The Daily Dirt, November 3: Surprise Party

Yesterday we were hit with some surprising Atlanta United roster news. We were able to confirm from a team spokesperson that the club have a binding trade agreement with the Philadelphia Union for German midfielder Kevin Kratz.

This was an interesting story as it unfolded. It began with media members who cover the Union reporting on who would be back with the team next season. Then all of a sudden the rumor of Kratz actually belonging to Atlanta came about.

It’s important to remember that Major League Soccer buys and sells every player and owns every contract. They likely bought Kratz on a free transfer this fall and decided to send him to Philadelphia to tide him over with the intention of him coming to Atlanta next season. There’s no mechanic within the league to make this happen, so technically he was on loan to Philly from MLS and will be sent to Atlanta via a “trade.”

There’s now way of know what type of compensation Atlanta will be forfeiting in the trade, but you’d have to believe it’s of very little to no value or importance and just a matter of completing formalities.

This is all purely speculation. All we know is that the deal will be completed when the MLS trade window opens on December 11. Welcome to the wild and wacky world of MLS roster moves. Get used to being confused.

Domestic

Seattle Sounders remove interim tag from Brian Schmetzer, make him permanent manager (Sounder At Heart)

Savarese, Schmid, and Zavagnin among candidates for Minnesota United manager (Sports Illustrated)

International

Gareth Bale celebrated his new contract with this:

Although, Real Madrid were held to a 3-3 draw by Legia Warsaw in an empty stadium (Managing Madrid)

Local

About that Nick Rimando/Atlanta United rumor: