Earlier Saturday, MLSSoccer.com posted an article on MAC Hermann Trophy winner Andrew Gutman signing with Celtic, but curiously did not mention his loan destination.
In fact, no destination was mentioned. Gutman’s quotes mentioned “my loan in America.”
That destination was Nashville SC, the soon-to-be Major League Soccer club currently participating in the second-tier United Soccer League.
Key word: Was. Because even though Nashville announced the move, it had to walk back the idea on Saturday.
Club statement pic.twitter.com/3UPkkq4J9t
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) February 2, 2019
Since the club cannot say anything else, let’s venture down the road a little bit.
Chicago Fire had Gutman’s “Homegrown” rights, having nurtured the player from 2012 until he left for Indiana.
But Gutman’s profile grew beyond his desire to stay in MLS, and trials with Rangers and Celtic saw the 22-year-old fullback sign with the latter. Unable to secure him a permit in Scotland, Gutman was loaned to Nashville.
No problem there, right? Get the kid some playing time, a potential answer to the United States men’s national team left back problems.
Wrong. Gutman will need to find another home -- there are plenty of clubs he could sign with, including Chicago -- outside of the transfer window because Nashville is going to MLS next year and the league does not approve of his move to Celtic.
It’s a terrible look for the league, and not a great high-five to one of its new members (who paid a boatload of money to join the club).
“Hey guys, you know that guy you signed? He belongs to another club. No, he didn’t sign there, but if he ever comes back to America, our rule is that that club has first dibs.”