Late word both from Pablo Maurer (and a separate source we've acquired) brought an interesting name to D.C. United's radar, so let's get to it:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hearing that Riverhounds standout Rob Vincent will be trialing w/<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCU?src=hash">#DCU</a> in the upcoming weeks. DC liked what they saw out of him in the USOC.</p>— Pablo Maurer (@MLSist) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLSist/status/651898787259092992">October 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vincent scored 18 goals in USL play last year, the league's third-highest scorer. Cash-strapped Pittsburgh looking to make a deal. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCU?src=hash">#DCU</a></p>— Pablo Maurer (@MLSist) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLSist/status/651899128222494720">October 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
While Vincent spent some time in his native England with Everton and Crewe Alexandria, we remember Vincent from his work with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds against D.C. United in Open Cup competition, and Vincent chipping in 18 goals this year is nothing to slouch at. Also (at least according to his Wiki) the Riverhounds have him signed through 2016.
While the easy comparison for D.C. fans is something akin to former D.C. (and current Orlando City SC) player Lewis Neal, where Vincent would provide clutch goals in Open Cup and playoff clinching play would lift the club higher, it should be noted that Vincent would be five years younger than Neal when Neal joined the team. With Vincent's exposure to the U.S. pro game combined with his age, optically the move would appear to be closer to Real Salt Lake signing Luke Mulholland, which if recent history is a trend, I won't complain about.
Thoughts on this development?