Espinoza and Najar are Europe-bound

Much focus over the past year in MLS has shifted toward Honduras.

With four MLS players representing Los Catrachos at the 2012 Olympic Games and two others playing regularly in World Cup qualifying matches, the attention is certainly justified.

This week, though, two of those prominent players were in the outgoing transactions for MLS.

First, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza went to Wigan Athletic of the English Premier League on a free transfer, joining the relegation battle after five seasons in Kansas City.  Espinoza, 26, was a mainstay in the starting lineup for the last three years and earned a reputation for his rugged ball-winning.  In all, he started 75 matches over the last three seasons and made 113 appearances since coming to the league in 2008.  Wigan is 18th in the Premiership at 5-13-3 (18 points) through 21 matches.

Next, DC United defender Andy Najar went out on loan to RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League, joining the defending league champions for the month of January.  Najar, 19, was the 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year and has played 82 career MLS matches and has 10 goals and 11 assists in that time, converting to right back in 2012.  He will join American midfielder Sacha Kljestan at Anderlecht, who is atop the standings at 16-2-4.

Posted in Sounders FC