In a development that shouldn't be too much of a shock, Steve Goff says that United is interested in RSL right back Robbie Russell.

Signing someone like Russell would make a lot of sense. With Perry Kitchen's transition to his natural defensive midfield position, right back is currently a position the club needs to improve at. While there are plenty of current United players that can play right back - Zayner, Korb, McTavish, and even White in a pinch - Russell would be a significant upgrade. He can also play center back or left back.

In the locker room, Russell would also be an asset. He's a veteran player with experience in Norway and Denmark (including UEFA Champions League play with perennial Norwegian power Rosenborg); that experience would be a plus given our overall youth. Russell would also bring a winning mentality picked up over the years, something that you can always use more of.

The move might also make sense for Russell. Goff points out that his wife is a lawyer based in DC. Russell will probably have to take a pay cut anywhere he goes in MLS, but at RSL that cut would probably be more substantial (they've got a lot of players all deserving of raises and out of contract at the moment). We have more cap space, so the offer he'd get here is likely to be more attractive financially.

Despite his age (32), Russell would be a very astute signing. He hasn't looked like he's anywhere close to retiring in recent years, and he would give us more of an overlapping threat going forward to boot. In other words, it would be really nice to see us make a move for him in the upcoming Re-Entry Draft (the list of eligible players comes out tomorrow, and the first round is December 5th).