Colorado Rapids defender Shane O’Neill has been training with Fulham for two weeks over the festive period but does not appear to be on the verge of signing for the Premier League strugglers, who are popular picks for relegation with bet365 punters.
The 20-year-old has now returned from his stint in England and has been included in Jurgen Klinsmann’s US Men’s National Team training camp.
“It was such a great experience,” O’Neill said of his time with the Cottagers. “And it will set me up nicely for the forthcoming camp with the US.
“I played a match against the under-21s of Crystal Palace. It was really good training, really intense and so I was really happy with the two weeks.”
Meanwhile, Rapids coach Oscar Pareja appears to be on the verge of leaving Colorado to take up the coaching job at FC Dallas.
Two months ago, Pareja denied that he had held talks with Dallas, while Rapids president Tim Hinchey refused to allow the Texans to interview the 45-year-old Colombian.
Pareja played 170 matches for Dallas between 1998 and 2005 before enjoying six years working as an assistant manager at the club but has been in charge of Colorado for the last two years.
However, the former Colombia international now appears to have decided to leave the Rapids less than two weeks before the MLS SuperDraft.
Pareja has reportedly been Dallas’ top choice to replace outgoing head coach Schellas Hyndman, who stepped down from the position in November.
Current New York Red Bulls assistant coach Robin Fraser is reportedly the favourite in the bet365 odds to replace Pareja in Denver, while the ex-Portland Timbers head coach John Spencer is another possible candidate.
Pareja had one year remaining on his contract with the Rapids and the Denver-based team will need to agree a financial package with Dallas as compensation for losing his services.
