With the opening of the international transfer window earlier this week, Kansas City Wizards general manager Curt Johnson said the two trialists that have been with the club in recent days are still on the radar screen.
The Wizards have had Jamaican international midfielder Jermaine Hue and former Finland international forward Antti Sumiala participating in training, and Johnson said the possibility of signing one or both is still alive.
"We're optimistic that one or both of them may be added here in the next week or so," he said. "They did well in their trials, and if we're able to add one or both of them, I think that will help the team.
"It's not a done deal," he said."Hopefully we'll have something to announce by the end of the week or early next week."
The Wizards sixth-year GM did not state a preference of one over the other but said it could come down to the logistics of obtaining players from out of the country who still have club attachments.
"It's a complicated process because of getting clearances, and visas, and all that type of thing," he said. "Oftentimes what happens is their rights are held in part by the last club they were with. Sorting through that red tape and seeing what those clubs may or may not ask for in terms of compensation is one of the more detail oriented parts of it and throws it into question lots of times whether it's going to happen."
The 27-year-old Hue fills the playmaking role for Harbour View FC of Jamaica and it seems likely the club would demand reparation for the 5-foot-8 midfielder's loss unless he is out of contract. Currently holding at nine goals in 38 appearances for Finland's national team, the burly 31-year-old Sumiala last played with Liechtenstein club FC Vaduz.
"We're moving forward to see if they can fit into our cap and our group here," Johnson said.
Coming off taking the full points in a three-game road swing -- including six from Chicago and New England who are ahead of them in the Eastern Conference -- the Wizards are humming on the field now. But Johnson simply wants to accentuate his and coach Bob Gansler's current squad.
"That's right. We're always looking to get better," he said. "We have a good group; if we can make it better, then that bodes well down the stretch.
"The bottom line is it was a great week. I think the best three-game road trip in team history, getting all nine points from three straight road games. So we're optimistic. If we are to make any changes, it's certainly would be with the intent that it makes us even stronger down the stretch and deeper."
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
