Salt Lake is No Manchester United

The much hyped American super-teen, Freddy Adu hedged his bets on a big transfer to the European uber-club only to be banished to the desert of Real Salt Lake.

The details of this trade were made public by the MLS this morning. Nick Rimando, who had been D.C. United's starting net minder until this past season, will accompany the teenager out to Salt Lake in exchange for an inexperienced Jay Nolly, some allocation money, and "future considerations".

This move is quite frankly the equivalent of spitting in Rimando's face.

Rimando has been a solid, hardworking goalkeeper who helped D.C. United win their last championship in 2004. If not for his injuries, Rimando would have started again this season and left Troy Perkins on the bench.

Instead of being rewarded for his services, Rimando is part of a move that is likely meant to scold Adu for constantly defying Coach Peter Nowak and the rest of the D.C. United front office.

What's more shocking is the choice of Jay Nolly in the trade.

Nolly has spent two years in the league and only made seven appearances. In those seven matches, Nolly allowed 17 goals for a GAA of 2.62. He's not just inexperience; he's been a nightmare between the sticks.

The trade amounts to this: D.C. United is free of a young, cavalier midfielder and out one proven goalkeeper in exchange for some money and a goalkeeper who will spend the entire season the bench.

Ideally, the trade works out well for almost everyone involved.

Rimando should see more playing time at Salt Lake because they need someone of his calibre in the nets. With their defense unable to provide any real protection, an athletic, acrobatic keeper like Rimando ought to do well.

Freddy Adu will likely earn a regular starting role. The Salt Lake midfield has been awful the past two years. Putting Andy Williams in the middle with Adu on his left and Chris Klein on his right could prove to be a potent combination.

For Nolly, he'll remain in the league, at least for now. Instead of having to go find a home in the United Soccer League, Salt Lake found one for him in D.C.

D.C. is now free of Adu, who generated a fair amount of negative press for the team, and Salt Lake will happily embrace the teen if it means a stronger midfield and an increase in ticket sales.

Hopefully, this move will teach Adu a variety of lessons. It should be clear now who really runs the show for any given team. Adu will also have the benefit of playing for John Ellinger on a regular basis. Although Ellinger hasn't turned the team into consistent winners, he has a good reputation for developing youth talents from his time with the U-17 national team. By the end of year, Adu might also learn what means to lose on a regular basis.