Three Colombian soccer players are heading to the U.S. after signing for Major League Soccer teams the New England Revolution and Chicago Fire.
The New England Revolution announced on Monday the signing of Colombian duo John Lozano and Fernando Cardenas from recently relegated America de Cali.
Revolution general manager Michael Burns told the press, “Lozano is a strong central defender who reads the game well, and Cardenas is a creative player who we believe has the tools to help us in the attacking half of the field. We expect that both players will have significant roles on our team this season.”
The departures mark the latest stage of a major reshuffle at America following a disastrous 2011 that saw America, the most successful team in Colombian soccer history, drop out of the top flight after losing a relegation play-off against Patriotas.
The New England Revolution will be hoping the addition of the two Colombians to their roster of international players will aid them in their search for a first Major League Soccer title after a disappointing 2011 in which they failed to make the play-offs for the second year running.
On the same day, Chicago Fire announced the arrival of Millonarios captain Rafael Robayo.
Last year, the 27-year-old midfielder helped Millonarios to victory in the Copa Colombia winners and to the Liga Postobon final where they lost out to Junior.
Fire coach Frank Klopas told the press, “Robayo has an excellent work rate, good defensive energy and will provide support on both sides of the ball.”
Robayo will be joining a Chicago Fire in the middle of a rebuilding process and looking to improve on their 2011 performance where they made the final of the U.S. open but missed out on the play-offfs.