Arguez to Germany...and Other News

*I'm told that D.C. United's Bryan Arguez, a first-round draft pick last winter who did not appear in a regular season match, is headed overseas in early January for a two-week stint with the Bundesliga's Hertha Berlin. It is not a trial, but probably more than an offseason workout opportunity. Just short of his 19th birthday and with a nice youth international portfolio and size (6 feet 2), Arguez might appeal to a European club that feels it can mold him into a productive player. He's raw, very raw, and that's why he was limited to reserve division play for United. (I'm not sure he made the regular 18-man, game-day roster more than once or twice.) Chances are very good he will be back in Washington for training camp in late January, but for a young player, a few weeks in Europe could prove invaluable.

*United officials expect goalkeeper Troy Perkins's transfer to Valerenga to be completed by this weekend, which raises the question: How much will United and MLS receive from the Norwegian club? I'm still trying to find out the financial details, but if Benfica paid $2.5 million for Freddy Adu, Fulham dished out $2.9 million for Clint Dempsey, Celtic offered $1 million for Shalrie Joseph and Odd Grenland (Norway) proposed $1 million for Taylor Twellman last winter, what is Perkins's value? I'm guessing around $750,000. Thoughts? (By the way, DCU will receive about two-thirds of the fee to apply toward future player acquistion expenses -- don't ask for any more details than that.)

*Atiba Harris is headed to Chivas USA from RSL.

*Harvard's John Kerr Jr., a former USA and MLS player who grew up in Northern Virginia, is the new coach at Duke, succeeding the legendary John Rennie.

*Real Maryland, the new USL team that will play at the SoccerPlex in Germantown/Boyds, needs your help!

*What would it be like to play for Brazil? Here's your chance. Sort of. Hours of fun. Enjoy!