In a blockbuster deal to kick off the official start to the offseason on Monday, the Union traded midfielders Cristian Maidana and Andrew Wenger to the Houston Dynamo for targeted allocation money and the sixth overall draft pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Union now own the No. 3 and No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft that will take place in Baltimore on Jan. 14.
"We set out this offseason with a clear direction and this helps us start that process" Union technical director Chris Albright said in the team's official release. "We greatly value the increased cap flexibility, as well as the opportunity to have two high picks in the upcoming draft, increasing our ability to re-shape the roster. Cristian and Andrew should be commended for their time here and we wish them the best of luck."
Maidana, 28, joined the Union just before the 2014 season and proceeded to become the offensive catalyst. Playing center attacking midfield, the playmaker scored three goals and 26 assists in 54 games. With 15 helpers in 2015, Maidana led the Union and was one assist behind MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco for the MLS assist lead.
An outside attacking midfielder and forward hybrid, Wenger, 24, never took off for the Union. The Lancaster, Pennsylvania, native scored just one goal in 2015 and seven goals in his 54 games with the club. He was acquired during the 2014 season in a trade that sent Jack McInerney to the Montreal Impact.
Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta is likely to take over for Maidana in the center midfield role, while newly acquired Chris Pontius is expected to play a significant role in Wenger's vacant left wing position.
