The Daily Dirt, December 6: Future’s So Bright...

Atlanta United made the move official yesterday, signing Paraguayan Miguel Almirón to a Young Designated Player contract. The terms of the transfer were undisclosed, but reportedly in the $8-8.5 million range with the overall investment by Atlanta United reportedly around $20 million including his salary over a five year deal.

For an expansion club to make two major signings of young South American talents that had European interest, could this be a sign that MLS is changing, or is it merely a display of Arthur Blank’s direction in building Atlanta United. Blank promised that his club would be competitive quickly, and most people dismissed it as PR talk. Maybe it isn’t mere talk...

There is another side to what Atlanta United is doing that should not get lost in the big signings. Friday’s signing of Brandon Vazquez gives Atlanta three U.S. youth international on the first team roster. The academy is filled with youth internationals from the U.S. and other countries. Word is also coming out of Rosario, Argentina that Tata Martino is looking to add three young players from Newell’s Old Boys on loan with an option to buy.

Signing young, fast, talented, exciting players who can produce now and also another wave who can develop for the future sets a foundation for Atlanta United moving forward. The ground has been prepared, the seeds have been planted, now it is down to the staff to take care of them so they can reach their full potential.

This is merely the start. But what a start it has been...

Domestic

A look at Atlanta United’s ambitious move yesterday (FOX Sports)

Indy Eleven, NASL future on the line today (Indy Star)

Sean Okoli, USL MVP in Cincinnati, signs with NYCFC (Hudson River Blue)

Toronto goes a different route than the rest of MLS in building their squad (MLS)

A look back at the Sounders’ previous journeys to a final, including two against Atlanta teams (Goal Washington)

International

Carlos Tevez offered absurd money to go play for Shanghai (Yahoo)

Jaguares will be relegated from Liga MX if they do not pay their players soon (Record)

Bob Bradley under fire at Swansea (Telegraph)

Local

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