Report: D.C. United pursuing Venezuelan striker Gelmin Rivas

Multiple Venezuelan reports have linked D.C. United to a move for Venezuelan striker Gelmin Rivas. Venezuelan journalist Carlos Tarache was first to mention that United, as well as the Portland Timbers had approached the free agent. Now comes word that D.C. United has made an offer to Rivas, and that the offer may be the most attractive in terms of salary, with Colombian teams Millonarios, America de Cali and Tolima all also trying to woo the striker after his most recent tour at Uruguayan club Boston River came to an end.

The 30-year-old striker, who has 3 caps for Venezuela, had a three month-stint at Boston River, where he scored two goals in eight games. Prior to that, his recent career has mainly been spent in the Middle East, playing with Qatari side Al-Rayyan (4 goals in 7 games) and Saudi clubs Al-Ittihad (19 goals in 25 games) and Al-Hilal (10 in 36). Rivas also played with UAE side Sharjah (13 goals in 26 games), but spent the first six years of his career in the Venezuelan league, scoring 63 goals in 156 games split between Deportivo Anzoátegui and Deportivo Tachira.

Logistically, Rivas can fit into D.C.’s roster: United will enter 2020 with two free international roster spots, and could have a third with Rivas’ Vinotino teammate Junior Moreno seeking a green card. Given that United has seen three of their top four goal scorers in 2019 leave with no money coming back towards the club, signing a player who has scored a goal once every 71 minutes over the course of his career could be an engaging prospect.

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