Photo: Marjorie Elzey
Philadelphia Union traded DP midfielder Jamiro Monteiro to San Jose Earthquakes on Monday.
In return, the Union received a guaranteed $250,000 in General Allocation Money, a conditional $200,000 in 2023 GAM if certain performance metrics are met from San Jose Earthquakes, and a 2022 international roster spot.
“We want to thank Jamiro for his time spent with the Philadelphia Union,” Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a press release. “He has helped reach many club milestones over the last three seasons, and we wish him all the best in this next phase of his career.”
The move caps a three-season run for Monteiro in Philadelphia. Originally signed on loan from Metz in early 2019, the Union paid a then-record $2 million transfer fee in early 2020 to permanently acquire the Cape Verde international.
Playing primarily as a No. 8 in the Union’s 4-4-2 attack, Monteiro started 70 regular-season MLS matches for the Union, racking up nine goals and 21 assists in his 75 appearances.
But the writing was on the wall for Monteiro in the summer, when he was held out of the side after entering transfer talks. Although he returned for the playoff run, playing alongside Daniel Gazdag as a pair of No. 10s, there was always speculation that Monteiro would not return to Philadelphia. He missed all of preseason training camp due to African Cup of Nations duty.
As Tanner explained, the move opens up playing time and roster flexibility. “Depth in midfield is an area of strength for us, and this move not only opens more opportunities for our young, developing players, but creates two open international slots we can use to continue building our roster.”
Leon Flach, Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan, and Jesus Bueno are expected to compete for playing time in the midfield, with the other No. 8 position occupied by club captain Alejandro Bedoya. None of those players, though, have Monteiro’s track record.
Monteiro will return to Subaru Park as a member of the Earthquakes in the third match of the Union’s season — Saturday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m.
PSP will have more coverage and analysis of the trade coming tomorrow morning.
If he didn’t want to be here, oh well.
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We will lose something offensively from the 8s in the short term, but long term I think we are fine with what we have. I expect McGlynn and Sullivan to take big steps shortly. An offseason for Flach to learn how to play in the final third, and better Strikers will help a lot I think too.
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At this point, if Tanner and Curtin are ok with it, I am too.
Agree. Need to trust Jim and Ernst, I think they’ve earned it.
I think it’s less about “not wanting to be here” and more about not getting a long-term contract from the U. Same thing happened with Kacper. Tanner would rather move players, in order to refresh the roster, and more importantly, give homegrowns more minutes.
…and he was by far my favorite player. Loved him on the U. Miro will be missed 🙁
The cliff of despair is taking a beating the past couple years.
My fear is that this will be a Fontana situation. Clear the way for the kids, and then not give them a chance.
Monteiro will be missed. He was the emotional heart of the defense
I would think that’s Martinez, no?
Fontana got his chances but is not enough of a max sprint effort and kilometers run guy to play Tanner’s system, I am guessing.
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He clearly has fundamental statistical parameters that have to be met if you are to play for him. Fontana got four years to develop, and never met the thresholds.
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He also wanted to try for it in Italy. Curtin said he was offered an extension in the 2020-21 off season and turned it down. Curtin said that had been the bona fide offer. It sounded to me as though he wanted to go elsewhere.
Unless a replacement is coming our midfield will be diminished.
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If someone doesn’t want to be here, they don’t want to be here can’t be helped.
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But This is our championship window and losing a major piece just before the season starts hurts.
Thats what we said last year about Ray.
I get he wanted to go, so best to get what you can for him. Still, a $250k-450k return on a $2 mil investment makes me wince.
Addition by subtraction. The low price suggests to me that JM forced this. I don’t believe for a second that “family visa troubles” led to last season’s hiatus. JM had problems with Curtin, or Tanner, or both. It’s also possible that ET showed a little snarl here by moving him within MLS (and possibly getting less value,) which means JM does not get a new contract, unless San Jose is stupid enough to give him one.
Everybody wants to be paid more, but 2021 Monteiro does not deserve a new deal. Too much standing on the ball and slowing play down. Jamiro, you’re not Carles Gil. Not even close.
K Kinkead/crossingbroad appears to have discovered a twitter burner account that is very closely connected with JM, for anyone who might be interested.
Gazdag will fill the role.
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No worries.
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Good luck Jamiro. Thank you and wish you well.
I’m not surprised Monteiro is leaving, but I’m a bit surprised its in a trade with Sam Jose. This trade does clear the way for more minutes for home growns, but I’m not sure I trust Quinn Sullivan or Paxten Aaronson just yet. I expect Gazdag to be improved, and if any of our young midfielders can develop into a full fledged starter we may not miss Monteiro as much as I fear. Though I still expect the Union to compete, I definitely am a bit less bullish on the Union’s prospects after this.
Gazdag at the top of the diamond, Martinez at the base, Bedoya to the right, and Flach to the left, with the others subbing in as needed. That’s a good midfield. I can live with that and look forward to seeing if Flach and the substitutes can make the most of their opportunities.
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Good luck to Monteiro in San Jose. Thanks for the good times.
Didn’t think Montiero and Gazdag were a good fit for each other. Now let’s hope that with improved strikers and an improved 10 , with plenty of legs and youth on the wings, we can be a continual offensive threat in front of a proven defense.
I saw someone (I apologize for forgetting who it was) on Twitter theorize that this could have been a move also in preparation for Wagner’s summer departure. Now they have both a kitty of money, as well as an additional international and DP slot. They will have a lot of flexibility to fill a void if he leaves.
I’ll take Monteiro over Vincent Noguiera everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.
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Noguiera wanting to leave gets “understood”. Monteiro wanting to leave (after two of the craziest seasons on and off the field) gets more than a little hate. He worked his ass off and provided WAY more quality moments.
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No punches pulled, feels pretty racist to me.
I haven’t seen much hating on Jamiro. And I don’t know how well understood Nogueira’s move was at the time, honestly. A lot of folks were pissed at him. Everybody acknowledges Monteiro was huge for this club and will be missed. But, unlike when Nogueira left, there isn’t an empty cupboard left behind. It’s easier to move on from even really excellent players when that’s the case.
What about Kacper? Same attitude, they moved on and? If a player wants out what is the point of keeping him? Hopefully he finds happiness in San Jose much like Kacper has in Chicago. They’ve moved Trusty for McKenzie… Rosenberry for Gaddis/Mbaizo…..Kacper for Uhre the list goes on. It’s pro sports and part of the process.
racist?
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oh man.
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and I prefered Noguiera’s game over Jamiro’s myself. Liked them both alot though.
The kids are very good. Let them play.
Bon voyage JM.
Many matches I thought he was the best player, on either squad, but not for a while. I won’t miss him in 2022, because I already missed him in 2021, and I’m over it. Thanks for the memories, and good luck in SJ