Report: Loons tried to sign and loan young Honduran defender

Minnesota United came really close to adding some defensive depth, just one international slot away from signing a promising young defender. An interview with Dylan Andrade, captain of the Honduras U-20 team, published by Diez, a Honduran news outlet (and brought to our attention by Once A Metro), reports that he was on trial with Minnesota United.

Andrade said in the interview that he impressed manager Adrian Heath and the technical staff. Logically, United wanted to sign the young player, but couldn't, because of (according to Diez) a lack of international slots.

Minnesota United's nine international roster slots are currently occupied by:

GK John Alvbage, CB Francsico Calvo, F Abu Danladi, CB Vadim Demidov, MF Bashkim Kadrii, MF Rasmus Schuller, FB Jerome Thiesson, F Johan Venegas, OPEN (according to Minnesota's website)

Not wanting to miss out on a talented youngster, Minnesota reportedly offered Dylan Andrade a chance to continue training with the team or to go on loan to the New York Red Bulls. Andrade turned down both and instead signed with Platense, a team in Honduras.

Minnesota United did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

As shown above, Minnesota United have nine international slots, with one open. This spot is available because Ibson received a green card, removing the "international" tag. If Andrade was turned away because there were no international slots open, how can there be an extra one?

There are three explanations for this inconsistency. Diez could very well be wrong about all of this, leading us on a wild goose chase. The article doesn't give a timetable for Andrade's trial with the Loons, so he could have been with the club before Ibson's slot was freed. The third possibility is that the ninth slot may be officially open, but there could be a player lined up to fill it. This would fit with the seemingly likely arrival of Scottish winger Sam Nicholson, who would need an international slot to join the club.

UPDATE

Fifty-Five One is reporting that Minnesota United is interested in young attacker Brandon Allen of the New York Red Bulls—who would be available on loan. Could there have been a potential swap deal for the two youngsters? Just another idea for the transfer saga.

This is peak transfer rumor time. Thoughts on losing Andrade or what the extra slot could mean? Let us know in the comments!