Real Salt Lake loses Arturo Alvarez to Re-Entry draft

Major League Soccer • RSL still trying to work out deal with Andy Williams by Friday.
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Real Salt Lake lost midfielder Arturo Alvarez, who was claimed by Chivas USA in Monday's Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft.

Alvarez, 26, as well as N.Y. Red Bulls' Carlos Mendes and Toronto's Danleigh Borman were the only players taken in Monday's draft. Borman joins the New England Revolution, while Mendes heads to Columbus.

Alvarez was one of five RSL players whose options were declined or contracts not renewed, including midfielder Andy Williams. Now, RSL has until Friday to try and work out a deal with Williams, a 14-year MLS veteran.

"We are limited by the number of roster spots and we are severely hampered by salary cap," RSL coach Jason Kreis told MLSsoccer.com. "It's quite frankly ridiculously restrictive for a team like ours.

"If we're Manchester United or any other club in any other country, you take [recently traded] Robbie Russell and Andy Williams and they end their careers here."

RSL didn't pick up the options of midfielders Blake Wagner, Rauwshan McKenzie and Nelson Gonzalez. Alvarez joined RSL via the Re-Entry Draft from San Jose. He managed one assist in eight starts.

Any player selected in Stage 1 will remain on the drafting club's 2012 budget at the option price or Bona Fide Offer price until April 1, 2012. Clubs and players may not mutually renegotiate that price to a lower number until April 1, 2012.

Clubs may not select their own players in Stage 1. Players will have the opportunity to negotiate contracts and sign with their previous clubs after the Stage 1 draft is complete through 3 p.m. (MT) on Friday.

All other teams in the draft passed on the respective selections. On Dec. 12, teams can select remaining available players and begin negotiating with them on a contract for 2012, which means RSL can still lose Williams, who has been a mainstay with the team since 2005.

As for Alvarez, Chivas is now holding the rights for his $192,585 base salary. Alvarez, who has been with RSL one season, has also been rumored to a move to Mexico.

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