Could Amado Guevara be on his way back to Major League Soccer and a second stint with the New York Red Bulls?
Yes, if the decision belonged solely to the Honduran international.
"It was an error and that is very clear," Guevara told El Diario, a Spanish-language New York City daily newspaper Thursday. "The way MLS is growing, it's becoming one of the most important leagues in the world. This makes me dream and motives me. I want to be champion with the Red Bulls, which I could not be with the MetroStars."
Guevara was once the centerpiece of the New York-based MLS team. He was the team captain, main playmaker and was named league MVP in 2004. But he was traded from New York to Chivas USA for a second designated player spot -- which the Red Bulls used to acquire Juan Pablo Angel on a free transfer from Aston Villa of the English Premier League.
Guevara was reunited with Bob Bradley, who brought him to New York when he coached the MetroStars. But Bradley soon became the U.S. national team coach, and Guevara didn't see eye to eye with Preki, Bradley's replacement.
"I have a vision of where the club is going and [Guevara] is not part of it," Preki said earlier this season.
After rumored trades to FC Dallas and Toronto FC never materialized, Guevara left to play for former Honduran team Motagua on loan and Honduras in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Chivas USA still owns his rights.
"I made a promise to New York fans and I want to fulfill it," Guevara told El Diario. "I see myself playing next to Claudio Reyna and Juan Pablo Angel."
If that happens, it won't be this year, according to Guevara's agent, Patrick McCabe.
"Nothing is in the works, but Amado is interested in returning to MLS," McCabe said. "We hope it will be resolved by Dec. 1 where he will play next year."
While Guevara's temper at times got him in hot water, and a bit lighter in the wallet for his comments about the league's referees, Arena on Friday refuted rumors that Guevara was a bad influence in the locker room.
"For me it was nothing but a positive experience," Arena said of his time with Guevara. "He was a great teammate. I think some people questioned his character, but there's no question here. For me, he was a great guy to be around every day, he trained hard, he was good in the locker room and played well in games. He's a good player."
Arena said the only reason he dealt Guevara to Chivas is because he knew he had to give up something of quality to obtain a second designated player.
"What are you going to give up? A third-round supplemental pick?" Arena said. "You toss the dice in those situations. How else do you get something of value without giving up value? That's what the situation was."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
