United Continues Its Revamping by Trading Prideaux

D.C. United continued its busy offseason yesterday by trading veteran defender Brandon Prideaux to the Colorado Rapids for third-round draft picks the next two years.

Prideaux, 30, spent five seasons with United, averaging 24 starts between 2002 and '05 before making just nine appearances this year, in part because of a knee injury. With limited opportunity to start next season, Prideaux had requested a trade to a team closer to his home in the Seattle area that would give him a chance to play regularly.

Prideaux began his MLS career with Kansas City before being traded to United in January 2002. He is scheduled to earn $75,000 next season, a high salary for a reserve defender.

Since the season ended, United has waived Matt Nickell, Andy Metcalf and Robert Ssejjemba; traded Prideaux, Freddy Adu and Nick Rimando; and declined the option on Matias Donnet's contract. The club also lost Rod Dyachenko to Toronto FC in the expansion draft and could lose free agent Brian Carroll to a European team. The only player acquisition has been backup goalie Jay Nolly from Real Salt Lake.

Meantime, United has expressed interest in Boca Juniors star forward Martin Palermo and is moving closer to signing a right-side midfielder from Brazil, two sources said.

Palermo, 33, is among the most popular players in Latin American soccer and was once one of the world's top scorers on the club level. He has also played for Villarreal, Real Betis and Alaves in Spain and made seven appearances for Argentina's national team. His interest in MLS -- and whether United and the league could afford to acquire him -- is unclear.

The identity of the Brazilian player could not be immediately determined. However, United has cultivated a relationship with Atletico Mineiro of Belo Horizonte and possibly Botafogo of Rio de Janeiro, as well as player agencies in both Argentina and Brazil.

Coach Peter Nowak and technical director Dave Kasper recently made a scouting trip to both of those countries, and team president Kevin Payne said Tuesday that his club might be able to finalize a signing next week.

-- Steven Goff