Trade rumors had Valderrama going to New England for Joe-Max Moore, a deal that was supposed to be made this week. But talks broke off Tuesday. "The deal was going to happen, but it's dead right now," MLS deputy commissioner Sunil Gulati said. "It could be resurrected. Everything's still up in the air."
Trade talk started last week after Valderrama had a dispute with newly hired coach Ivo Wortmann, who replaced Carlos Cordoba. Valderrama did not practice last week, and he did not accompany the Fusion to Columbus on Wednesday. He was fined a league record $10,000.
Part of the reason the trade stalled was because neither team could agree on a second player. Because Valderrama is a foreigner and Moore is an American, New England would have to give up a foreign player to stay at the league limit of five per team.
And Valderrama also was said to have a change of heart. He reportedly met with owner Ken Horowitz, general manager Leonard Stillitano and Wortmann on Monday and expressed an interest in staying with the team.
The Fusion did make a move Monday. Marcelo Herrera was loaned to Argentinian first-division team Belgrano. Herrera was one of Valderrama's best friends on the team.
Valderrama played for Tampa Bay in 1996-97 before going to Miami this season. He has not played in Houlihan's Stadium against the Mutiny since leaving.
And although it is unlikely Valderrama would return to Tampa Bay full time, Mutiny president and general manager Nick Sakiewicz said he'd welcome him back with open arms.
"I never wanted him to leave in the first place," Sakiewicz said. "We'd be very interested. But that's up to the league."
The league isn't saying where Valderrama will end up. It could be that he stays in Miami. In order to do that, Valderrama would have to patch things up with Wortmann. And it could be that if Valderrama remains in Miami, Wortmann may not put him on the travel squad.
Valderrama said last weekend that he has talked to Wortmann only once.
"I don't need to talk to him anymore," Valderrama said through an MLS interpreter. "I don't know him very well. I don't know if I like him or not."