TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Released
In a move that frees up an international roster slot and funds under the salary cap, D.C. United and winger Zoltan Stieber have mutually parted ways, the club announced Friday.
The 30-year-old Hungarian international was a regular starter for United a year ago with 21 starts in 27 appearances, scoring five goals and assisting on seven others. But Stieber has fallen out of favor this year. Those minutes have gone to Lucas Rodriguez, the versatile 22-year-old Argentine the club signed on Dec. 31.
This year, Stieber has started just three of the nine games he’s appeared in, his last being a 66-minute stint in a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC June 29.
Stieber joined D.C. United from 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Germany Aug. 9, 2017.
“We want to thank Zoltan for his service and commitment to the club over the last three seasons,” Dave Kasper, United General Manager and VP of Soccer Operations, said in a statement. “We wish him the best of luck in his next endeavor.”
The move comes one day after United signed Gordon Wild, who was released from Atlanta United last month, and waived defender Akeem Ward.
According to Steve Goff of the Washington Post, D.C. United are considering reacquiring Argentine midfielder Yamid Asad, who was on loan last year before returning to Velez Sarsfield after the season.
Former USMNT midfielder Jose Torres is also trialing with D.C. United. The 31-year-old spent much of his career with Pachuca before moving on to Tigres UANL and a loan stint with Puebla. He has 26 caps with the USMNT from 2008-13.
“We’re still evaluating him; he has done fine,” D.C. United coach Ben Olsen told the Washington Post. “He seems like a lovely kid and we know who he is as a player: He is a connector; he has played at a high level for a decade; he has a lot of experience; and he’s Spanish-speaking, which is a good bridge for the locker room. So there is a lot to like.”
