MLS notes

Gough’s arrival at Nottingham Forest could presage Harkes joining Revolution.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, March 4, 1999) -- John Harkes’ situation at Nottingham Forest has become even more confused with the announcement that Forest intends to sign San Jose Clash defender Richard Gough who has just left Major League Soccer

The 36-year-old Gough, the former Glasgow Rangers member and Scotland national team captain, left San Jose in the hope of playing perhaps another season either in England or Scotland. He last played in England’s top division a dozen seasons ago.

Forest manager Ron Atkinson said his club is interested in Gough because of his experience and because he is a free transfer. If anything, the money situation at Forest has become even more desperate as the club faces almost sure relegation from the Premier League to the First Division.

For the past several months, Atkinson has been trying to sign Oxford United's Dean Windass, a top young scorer in Britain’s Division One. But Atkinson was unable to get Forest’s board to approve spending the cash for Windass’ transfer fee even though Forest received $1.2 million from the sale last week of Craig Armstrong. Windass is now signing with Division One Bradford City.

So Harkes’ situation is now even more up in the air. With Gough on board, Forest’s need for an experienced defender is lessened. And given the Forest’s board of directors decision not to spend for Windass, it is not likely they would exercise the option to buy Harkes’ contract.

It’s looking more and more that if Harkes’ does not become a free transfer, he will be in a New England uniform come March 20.

Clash cut Vega

TOLUCA, Mexico -- The Clash announced the release of midfielder Marcelo Vega, who was obtained in an offseason trade with the MetroStars.

"We need players who can give 100 percent effort on offense and defense for the entire 90 minutes, and Marcelo, unfortunately, was not fit enough to be able to work within that style," Clash coach Brian Quinn said from the team’s preseason training camp here.

Colorado gets Dely Valdes, loses Paz

DENVER -- The Colorado Rapids were allocated Panamanian striker Jorge Dely Valdes, a dangerous goal-scorer who played first in South America, and then for the last six seasons in Japan.

Dely Valdes, 31, also a starting striker for Panama’s national team, is a tall, speedy forward known for his dominance in the air and ability to finish in the box. In the recent qualifying stages for the 1998 World Cup, Dely Valdes led the entire CONCACAF region with five goals in eight matches, although Panama failed to advance to the finals in France this past summer.

In his last two club seasons, he netted 40 goals for Consadole Sapporo, including two in a match that moved his team up to the first division, and then 21 for the newly-promoted Sapporo. He scored a total of 156 goals in six season in Japan

Dely Valdes replaces midfielder Adrian Paz, Paz, who has been holding out in his native Uruguay for the entire pre-season, and recently made the decision not to rejoin Major League Soccer.

"Adrian gave two years of great service to the club, but unfortunately felt that his current contract was not enough to satisfy his needs," Rapids general manager Dan Counce said. "We knew this result was a possibility, so we were very prepared for Adrian not to return and are very excited about the (Dely Valdes)."

Paz recorded six goals and 24 assists in his two seasons with Colorado since joining the team in a February 1, 1997, trade from the Columbus Crew. His 24 assists ranks second all-time in Rapids history to Chris Henderson (31) and his 34 points ranks fifth all-time in the team's three-year history.

del Prado is new Galaxy general manager

LOS ANGELES -- Sergio del Prado has been named the Los Angeles Galaxy’s general manager. He will be responsible for the overall business operations focusing on marketing and sponsorship of the club.

"Sergio del Prado has been in sports for many years working with the Kings, Lakers and Women's World Cup among others," club president Tim Leiweke. "He not only understands how to market sports in L.A., but he understands how to market soccer on the national and local level."

Del Prado, 39, joins the Galaxy after serving as senior vice president of corporate marketing for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Organizing Committee since September 1997.

"I am very honored and excited by this tremendous opportunity and responsibility entrusted to me," el Prado said. "We have very high goals and I believe that with the resources and commitment of Phil Anschutz, the vision and leadership of Tim Leiweke, the player development of Octavio Zambrano and the skills and dedication of our players and staff we have the opportunity to reach our goals."

Del Prado replaces Danny Villanueva who was let go when Anschutz took over the team on October 23.

Ramos donates tickets

SEACAUCUS, N.J. -- "Tab's Kids," a philanthropic program established by MetroStars midfielder Tab Ramos, will provide $25,000 worth of game tickets -- approximately 100 tickets per game -- to underprivileged children in the New Jersey/New York area.

"Soccer is a tremendously popular sport, but many kids in this area cannot afford the price of a ticket to see a Major League Soccer game in person," said Ramos, who grew up in Kearny, N.J. "I hope that by providing access to MetroStars games, we can instill the passion and excitement of this sport to a new generation of players and fans."

Interested non-profit youth activities organizations are encouraged to contact Tab's Kids for ticket requests, by mail in care of the MetroStars, One Harmon Plaza, third floor, Secaucus, N.J. 07094 or by calling (201) 583-7018.

Burn to host international exhibition

The Dallas Burn announced Monday that they will host an international exhibition match featuring two of the top teams from the Mexican First Division. Club America will square off against Cruz Azul at the Cotton Bowl March 10 at 8:30 p.m. (local time).

Robert Wagman wrote a nationally syndicated political column for Scripps-Howard for many years. At the same time he has covered soccer in North America for British and South African newspapers since the days of the North American Soccer League. His "Football In America" column now appears regularly in British newspapers. He can be e-mailed at MobileWag@aol.com.