Official: Cristian Maidana and Andrew Wenger traded to the Houston Dynamo

The Philadelphia Union have officially traded Cristian Maidana and Andrew Wenger to the Houston Dynamo for both General and Targeted Allocation Money, in addition to Houston's first-round pick (number six overall) in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. If Houston acquires a pick higher than the sixth in an outside deal, it will convey to the Union and the Dynamo will regain their original pick.

In dealing Maidana and Wenger to Houston, the Union have freed up $499,250 in Guaranteed Compensation while also acquiring General and Targeted Allocation Money and a draft pick, which seems to fit into new Director of Soccer Earnie Stewart's modus operandi. There's much speculation as to why the Union are dumping salary, however whatever the reason the Union now have a lot of money to try to fill Maidana's shoes.

The 28-year-old attacking midfielder came to the Union in 2014 from Argentinos Juniors in the Argentine Primera Division. He has been the Union's best player since arriving, creating 26 assists and scoring three goals in his two seasons with the club. His fifteen assists in 2015 lead the league until the final week of the season and is a team record for the Union.

Wenger was acquired from the Montreal Impact in early 2014 for Jack McInerney. Wenger underwent a bit of a resurgence in 2014, scoring six goals and contributing four assists for the Union - his best numbers ever. He regressed in 2015 though, scoring only one goal and contributing just two assists - his season perhaps best summed up when he dribbled over the end line unchallenged on an offensive breakaway.