As D.C. United ramps back up to play in 2020, they may be looking at 2021 already, as multiple reports from Mexico claim that they are one of two MLS teams to be interested in Santiago Gimenez, a 19-year-old forward from Liga MX side Cruz Azul. The other is the Columbus Crew, who may be in the lead; this clip from Jorge Ramos y Su Banda says that they’ve already made a contract offer:
El "humo pandémico" ya se descontroló, ahora en "Jorge Ramos y su banda" mencionan que Columbus Crew está interesado e hizo oferta por el delantero de Cruz Azul, Santiago Giménez.
— Enki Renacido (@EnkiRenacido) June 19, 2020
Fuente: Youtube.
Canal: ESPN Deportes. pic.twitter.com/hMSdnnu5QV
If the Gimenez name rings a bell for Liga MX devotees, his father is former playmaker Christian “Chaco” Gimenez, who played for almost a decade with La Maquina and led them to the Copa MX in the 2013 Apertura, as well as the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League title. The younger Gimenez, whose nickname is “Chaquito,” has only begun his first team career with Cruz Azul, appearing in 13 games across all competitions, appearing in 13 games (8 starts), with 7 of those in the 2020 Clausura, where he scored two goals and added an assist.
With Gimenez getting playing time at such a young age and his being in the frame for Mexico’s Olympic roster back before that tournament was postponed, he’s not likely to come to MLS on the cheap. The reports out there indicate that the move would come once Gimenez’s contract with Cruz Azul ends a year from now. That free transfer could raise his salary, though, and either way, his reported asking price and age surely putting him into the Young Designated Player territory at minimum. Of note, the Crew have no open DP spots to speak of, whereas D.C. does, and with a Young DP, it would not require a $150,000 outlay back to MLS (as opposed to the fee clubs have to put up to have access to the third spot under this year’s roster rules).
Assuming that D.C. is in the mix, the first team contracts that expire at the end of 2020 are believed to be Oniel Fisher, Joseph Mora, Ulises Segura, Emmanuel Boateng, Junior Moreno and Felipe, the latter two having options for 2021. Yamil Asad and Erik Sorga’s contracts expire at the end of 2021, with options to 2022, so it could be a busy winter.
And there’s that sizzle reel: