Tuesday, August 15, 2006

D.C. United appears set to tap its Argentine pipeline again for late-season help.

With the international signing deadline today, United is on the verge of acquiring Matias Donnet , a 26-year-old midfielder who has spent several years in the famed Boca Juniors organization.

Sources familiar with the negotiations said yesterday that the deal is all but done and likely would be announced this week. United's interest in Donnet was first reported by several media outlets in South America.

Any foreign player signing with MLS would have to acquire a work visa before being eligible to play, a process that usually takes two to three weeks.

United technical director Dave Kasper declined to answer questions about Donnet, but did say: "We expect to sign a player before the transfer window closes. He is an experienced player who we feel is going to help us."

United has been pursuing a player since June, when it released Argentine forward Lucio Filomeno . The club actually has two open roster spots, but the deadline to add a domestic player is not until next month.

If Donnet signs, it would mark the third consecutive year United has acquired an Argentine player late in the season. In 2004, the club added all-star playmaker Christian Gomez , and last year it got Filomeno and all-star defender Facundo Erpen .

Donnet began his career in Argentina, spent one season in Italy and then joined Boca Juniors in 2002. He scored against AC Milan in the Intercontinental Cup in 2003 in Tokyo, but has been with the club's reserves the last two seasons. . . .

Santino Quaranta , traded to Los Angeles last week, was back at RFK Stadium yesterday to pick up his belongings.

"It's something that had to be done," Quaranta said of the trade. "I have so much respect for D.C. to let me move on."

On the Galaxy's visit to RFK on Aug. 26, Quaranta said, "I'm definitely going to score, I'll tell you that much."

-- Steven Goff