Llamosa available

[AreliusII]

Revolution waive defender Llamosa
By Gus Martins
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - Updated: 07:13 AM EST

The Revolution yesterday announced Carlos Llamosa was waived last week, a decision that leaves the 35-year-old veteran defender stunned but also contemplating his next move.

``Last Wednesday when I found out I wasn't on the travel squad (to San Jose), I went to the coach (Steve Nicol) and asked him why,'' Llamosa said. ``He said, `You are not ready yet. You have five days off. Use the time and make sure you continue to work on your recovery.' That night he called me and told me he wanted to meet at the stadium on Thursday morning. That's when he told me the team wouldn't be picking up my option.''

Llamosa, 35, was attempting to come back from an ACL tear that sidelined him all of last season. Llamosa said he was very close to full health after recently being sidelined by a groin injury.

Llamosa has played 141 regular-season MLS games, 38 with the Revolution since arriving in 2002. He also played in 27 playoff contests (eight with the Revs). Llamosa began his career in 1997 with D.C. United, winning MLS Cup titles that year and in 1999. He also played the 2001 season with the Miami Fusion.

Nicol, who clearly has respect for Llamosa, said the decision wasn't an easy one.

``It's one of these things,'' he said. ``All of us who've been in professional sports have to face circumstances like these that are not enjoyable to decide.''

Nicol said he was left with little choice considering the team had another window to consider.

``His contract was such that at a certain date it was whether we took an option on him or not,'' Nicol said. ``With all the injuries we had last year we had to think hard about it. We didn't feel he was ready to start on Saturday. So we made a decision not to pick up his option. We just felt he wasn't ready. It was a tough decision and now we move forward.''

Llamosa said he pleaded his case with Nicol, but the decision was already made.

``He told me that I'm not ready and it's going to take long for me to be ready,'' Llamosa said. ``He cannot afford injuries and other stuff. The only thing I asked was for time. I was almost a year out of the game. So I needed time.

``I didn't have any idea. They made the decision. When I spoke to him Wednesday after practice he said everything was fine. Then on Wednesday night he called me.''

As for replacements, Nicol said he's very high on rookie Michael Parkhurst, who played the entire game in Saturday's 2-2 tie against San Jose. He also said the team is trying to ink 30-year-old Serbian Dusan Petkovic, who trained last week with the club.

[Czar Jake]

Would RSL be interested? Llamosa has been a great player in MLS, but 35 is getting up there in terms of peak performance age. I'm not sure there is room for him here anyhoo.

[SoccerPrime]

I follow the Revs fairly well.
There is a reason Nicols of the Revs released Llamosa.
He had a bad injury last year which is why he missed most of last year.
Then in the preseason he had a really bad groin injury.
I think Nicols needed backline help ASAP (watch the first half the SJ games last week).
He couldn't wait for Llamosa.

If RSL could wait for Llamosa to heal, I am sure his old teamates, Kamler and Pierce would be happy to see him.

[clarette]

I LOVE Carlos!!!

I hope he finds a team somewhere... I'd hate for him to finish his career like this.