By 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, each of Major League Soccer's 13 teams was required to be within the league's roster size limit salary budget. The league's roster compliance day produced a few notable moves as several teams released players in order to meet the necessary requirements.
The biggest name player to but cut was veteran Columbus Crew goalkeeper Jon Busch, one of four players waived by head coach Sigi Schmid. Since arriving in MLS in 1999, Busch has made 84 career appearances, all with Columbus. Injuries limited his availability during the last two seasons with the Crew, as he took the field in only 17 matches during that span. However, the 30-year-old was healthy going into preseason camp and took part in several of the club's early exhibition matches.
Busch was not pleased with Schmid's decision and vocally complained about what he saw as an unfair move.
"I did everything I could do to get myself ready for the season and compete, but this was going to be (Schmid's) decision regardless of what I did," he told The Columbus Dispatch. "I'm very disappointed in him because he did not handle it professionally. That's his decision, he made it, and I respect it. But I don't agree with it. It physically upsets me to talk about it. I've never felt this way about anything with any club in 11 years of being a professional."
Several MLS teams are reported to be interested in acquiring Busch's rights, which they will have the opportunity to do in Monday's waiver draft, which will be held via conference call.
Also departing from Columbus are defenders Chris Leitch and Ivan Becerra and midfielder Jose Retiz. Becerra and Retiz each played one season for the club, while Leitch has now completed his second stint in Columbus.
Real Salt Lake announced their waivers prior to departing for their preseason trip to Spain. Seven players were released by head coach John Ellinger, including defender Kevin Novak. He started 26 games for the club in 2006, mainly as a right back. Similarly, FC Dallas also unveiled their waivers prior to leaving town for a preseason trip to Brazil. Four players were released by the club, including midfielder Justin Moore.
D.C. United parted ways with midfielder Domenic Mediate on Thursday as well. The second-year professional made eight appearances for the Black-and-Red last year after being acquired from Columbus, before a broken leg brought his season to a premature end.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
