Sources: MLS Exec DiCuollo To Leave League This Week

MLS Senior VP/Competition & Player Relations LINO DICULLO is "leaving the league," according to sources cited by Tenorio and Stejskal of THE ATHLETIC. DiCuollo joined MLS in '05 and has been a "central figure behind the scenes in the player department, which oversees the roster and budget guidelines, manages transfers and approves contracts." His "last day at MLS will be Friday." It is "not known if or how the league will replace DiCuollo, who was the No. 2 in the player department" under longtime Exec VP/Competition & Player Relations TODD DURBIN. Sources said that DiCuollo has been "exploring potential options outside of MLS headquarters since last year, when he was a candidate for front office positions with MLS teams, including the Montreal Impact." Another source said that DiCuollo "agreed to stay at MLS through the CBA negotiations and is now mulling multiple avenues within the soccer business upon his departure from the league" (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/12).