MLS Rumors: Benny Feilhaber is Close to an Offer to Play in Mexico

Sep 24, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber (10) during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium. Sporting KC defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber (10) during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium. Sporting KC defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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A recent rumor has linked MLS and Sporting KC midfielder, Benny Feilhaber, to a deal that would have him playing in Mexico next season.

MLS Transfers recently tweeted out some news surrounding Sporting KC‘s Benny Feilhaber. The tweet said that “Hearing Benny Feilhaber is close to an offer to play in Mexico next season. Israel in play as well.” Rumors have been surrounding the midfielder since earlier this year as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

Previous reports have linked Feilhaber to Israeli Premier League club, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, who made an offer during the summer transfer window. There were also rumors that he was in “advanced discussions” to sign a pre-contract this summer. Although nothing came of those rumors, with Major League Soccer‘s season almost over, they are beginning to heat up once again.

The foreign clubs who are interested in Benny are unknown and all we know is that there’s interest from Mexico and Israel. More news should come after the season ends and Feilhaber officials becomes a free agent. At this point, it seems unlikely that he would return to Kansas City or MLS.

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Since signing with Sporting KC in 2013, the United States international has appeared in 118 games with the club and has recorded 23 goals and 39 assists. He has been a hugely productive player and he even helped the team win the MLS Cup in 2013. If he leaves after the 2016 season, it will be difficult for Kansas City to replace him going forward.

Before joining Sporting KC, Feilhaber played with the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer but he has also played for Hamburger SV in Germany, Derby County in England, and AGF Aarhus in Denmark. He has never played in Israel or Mexico but those seem to be his likely destinations for next year. Benny has also made over 40 caps for the USMNT in his international career.

At 31-years old, the midfielder still has life in his legs and plenty of good years ahead of him. He is second on the team in scoring this season with six goals and leads Sporting KC in assists with 12. His performance this year has his club competing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Speculation will surround Benny from here on out as he seems likely to leave after the season ends. Earlier this season, Feilhaber didn’t rule out returning to Sporting KC once the year was over but all signs now point in another direction. Mexico is the probably destination but the club that will sign him is unclear. Israel seems like more of a secondary option for the midfielder.