I don't post here very much, I'm more of a reader rather than a poster, but it's been pretty interesting reading the comments from some of you about poaching Wondo from the Earthquakes. I do know a relative of someone in the Galaxy business office, I can't put it any specific than that, but let's just say that Arena has a lot of respect for Wondolowski, and I have heard the following: C.W. is the only one on the Earthquakes that Arena desires to be in LA. C.W. has been contacted through a 3rd party with the level of interest from Bruce and with a generalized salary number, although I have no idea what that is. C.W. has indicated mutual interest and sees a transfer to LA as a step closer to regular suit-ups for the Nats and eventually a move to Europe. Galaxy has been in touch with top brass at MLS, lobbying to clear any roadblocks to hamper this effort. Probably no surprise to anyone, but they are keen on all teams being allowed a 4th "Designated Player" to make room for USA players in the $1 million range.
yea Wondo would be a nice little addition to the Galaxy , but lets not bully the League i want these little clubs to step their game up with quality players , lets not turn this into a 2 team league. we already have European leagues that play this same old story.
I have very mixed feelings on this one hand he is a smurf, on the other , he is a ********ing smurf. So I would say lets buy him and them loan him to the LA Blues. Then watch the Smurf fans smurf their pant in rage. To be perfectly honest it would feel alot like when Matador Hernandez came. It will take a while to warm up to him.
I just don't see Wondo and Keane as a good pairing. Wondo can score, but he's a poacher and really nothing more. I've had MLS Live for the past few seasons and pretty much have watched most of the San Jose games and I just don't really see Wondo offering anything more than scoring off set pieces and crosses. He's not that dynamic, not a real target forward, doesn't pass all that well, doesn't have a great shot nor vision either. Now, would I take him over Budson based on Buddle's performance this season, probably, but I have reservations. I say play McBean or Villarreal with Keane and find a #10 instead.
I'd like us to grab Wondo just to see the Smurfs rage...and rage...and rage...Otherwise we can just go ahead and continue with the pursuit for Frank and Kaka.
I think it would be hilarious. He'd take Buddle's role I think. Though remember, Buddle is due for a goal-glut this season.
SmurfNation would spend millions on therapy and meds if this really happened. I'm not so excited about a guy that tends to disappear during the playoffs, but it's hard to argue against his goal production. Then again, Buddle used to be unstoppable, too.
We are no where near being a 2-team league. Our journey through the season was a testament to that, and we have every chance to be knocked out in the playoffs. I would not have bet on us beating San Jose and making the poor Ultras cut themselves. Signing Robbie Keane was a masterstroke and he was worth the DP $$. Yes, it was a team effort, but sans Keane, no Cup, period. He carried the G's on his shoulders for much of the playoffs. It was like having 3 Buddles on the field, or 2 Magees, or 1.5 LDs.
We took Landon from them and then shipped them all to Houston it doesnt get any worse then that hahaha makes u wonder how many smurfs commited Suicide that year????
Im not saying MLS is a two team League, im saying id like to keep it from going that route by stealing talent from the little clubs....
Wondo is a quality goal poacher that fits the san Jose style of play which is basically picking up the scraps from balls into the box. Not sure how he would fit into a more ball playing team...and in any case keane is a goal poacher as well...wouldn't bother to be honest...a number 10 will be more important imo.
The only way I could see this happening is IF the leagues allows for a US player only 4th DP spot, and IF Donovan leaves or retires. If the league gives teams a 4th (US born player only) DP spot, who could we get besides Wondo that's worth a DP spot?
I'd rather go for someone like bocanegra if an American 4th dp slot was introduced. Of course I wouldn't complain about potentially having landon, keane, kaka and lampard on the one team , either way for the league as a whole a 3 + 1 designated player rule would be awesome, gives every team a chance to reward a local local player and the ability to bring an overseas American back into the league earlier then normal.
No one. I think US players aspire to play at the top level overseas because they're just getting to that level now where they are somewhat being recognized and getting opportunities. BUT, there's always Freddy.
I think there are quite a few US players that could be persuaded to either stay, come back, or try the MLS or just given an appropriate raise, if there was a 4th US player only DP. However the Allocation order would have to be abolished too, to give these players the power to chose the best club and situation for themselves. - Brad Friedle - GK - Nick Rimando - GK - Carlos Bocanegra - CB - Clarence Goodson - CB - Steve Cherundolo - RB - Jonathan Spector - RB - Michael Parkhurst - RB - Jermaine Jones - MF - Sacha Kljestan - MF - DaMarcus Beasley - MF - Benny Feilhaber - MF - Graham Zusi - MF - Kyle Beckerman - MF - Jose Torres - MF - Herculez Gomez - FW - Chris Wondolowski - FW - Eddie Johnson - FW - Landon Donovan - FW (of course) - Freddy Adu - FW (yes, Freddy too) If these players that are not currently in the MLS were suddenly transported into the league we'd see a jump in talent level and skill in the league.
I would be fine with him, but would be curious how he and Keane would play off one another. To be honest we already have one older striker (Wondo is 29) in Buddle that, if he ever finds his form, is better suited to play off Keane. Wondo and Keane are rather similar in style. Let the Smurfs keep their gold.
I'm a big fan of having a DP spot exclusively for US Nat DPs. The A-League does something similar with their version of the DP rule. Agreed. All DPs should be able to speak with any teams that have open DP slots. On that note, imagine if a team used four DP spots on Americans...
I'd take Wondo but for the price we would need to bring him here I don't think it's worth it Garber is really missing the ball here w/o having a 4th DP spot only for Americans
I have a couple of thoughts here. First, I can't believe anyone would think that the reigning league MVP who has been on fire for 2 years straight wouldn't help us. You can fit the league MVP into your team, even our team. It reminds me a bit of ManU buying Van Persie. I was skeptical about how that would work in a team already full of strikers, but in the end talent tells. If we could get him for a reasonable price, I would absolutely take him. Keano can show him how to put the ball on the frame in the playoffs and we would be good to go. You can't say he's just this or just that---he's been abusing MLS defenses for 2 years and he's no fluke. Price is, of course, a big issue and his salary would have to be something that works for him and for the team. Second, I am actually against a 4th DP spot, even for Americans, right now. With three, the league is starting to tilt (it's not there yet, but tilting) towards top-heavy. I think 4 is too much and would do some damage to parity. League revenues haven't grown fast enough to keep up with adding so many DP spots so fast. I would be in favor or something less drastic, such as a $250K exception salary that you can use on a homegrown or home-drafted player that came up with your team and your team only (guys like Franklin and AJ and eventually Villareal and Sorto and those sorts) could use to allow teams to keep guys they brought along from the start. That would be a mid-way measure until the league is ready for a 4th DP. But right now we'd have teams with 4 DP's and teams with none. The talent gap gets pretty big at that point.
Wondo is a great MLS caliber player and deserves another raise, but the only reason I can see San Jose letting him go is if they need the money and/or can't afford to make him a DP. Given how well he's preformed for them and the fact that he's local to their region as well as a popular player it would be a poor decision not to do everything they could to keep him. I don't like the idea of bringing him to the LAG. Not that he wouldn't add value, but it would mean giving up a DP slot that could be better used. I don't think he's good enough for a LAG DP slot and he's not marketable. He also not a game changer. If we could acquire him as a non-DP, then please do, but I'm guessing he could get better offers elsewhere. The whole "a step closer to regular suit-ups for the Nats and eventually a move to Europe" is a bit fishy to me. He's 30 and doesn't really fit into our current national team nor has he been successful when he's tried so I don't see that changing. Playing for the LAG would certainly raise his profile, but at his age he doesn't have many years left - if he wants to go to Europe he's running out of time. As far as I know he's never gone on a trial in Europe and hasn't really shown that much interest in doing so. There's apparently been interest and an offer in 2010, but again no trial that I can tell.
I agree with everything in this analysis with one exception. I don't think Wondo really wants to leave and come to LA, I think he wants a raise and to stay in SJ. The part I don't agree with is that if you watched San Jose play this year, he absolutely is a game changer. You can criticize him all want for not being fast, for not being big, for whatever, but he changed a HECK of a lot of games this year. I would take Robbie over him for sure, and I agree that it might not be where we want to spend a DP spot, but the guy is a certified stud at the MLS level. He might not be Donovan or Keane, but those are two national team stars and legends and just about everyone in the league falls short of them.
Yeah because the young DP thing is not working at all as far as I'm concerned. If that's even still around.