He's out of contract and is the 2012 MLS Defender of the Year. It's vague as we don't know what type of clubs have contacted him yet. http://www.downthebyline.com/2012/11/besler-has-options-overseas.html Quite the '09 SuperDraft defender class with Besler, Gonzalez, and John.
hmm, agree that he could use another season in MLS, but seems to me that if Besler wants to play in Brazil in '14 he needs to make the jump now. If it doesn't pay off then he can always come back to MLS. John will be heading to Europe soon (isn't his contract up?), and you'd have to think that Gonzo will be snapped up at some point. If Besler has any aspirations of moving up in the USMNT pecking order he'll have to try to get to Europe to continue his development and distinguish himself from the rest of the pack.
He's 25 years old, I'd say now's the time for him to leave and see if he can hack it in Germany or England. He can always come back to SKC after a year or two, no shame in that.
There's virtually no way for Besler to get a WP in England. He's been called up one time and beyond that wasn't a regular youth international when he was eligible. Klinsmann could give him a recommendation but I doubt it would help even though it did for Ream and a few others. Besler really has no leg to stand on when it comes to presenting a case to play in England. It's a shame because I think he could definitely hack it with a mid-to-lower EPL and a top-tier Championship squad. But Europe is large and there are plenty of places to go. Danish Superliga, Eredivisie, 1st & 2nd Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Turkish Super Lig, and Belgium Jupiler League are all great places to explore. Matt's 25 so the time is ticking if he wants to play abroad. I say have at it, son. Go chase your dream!
Yup. He can look at a player like Chad Marshall as a cautionary tale. Chad won MLS defender of the year in 2008, and his contract expired after the season. He had plenty of Euro interest and was offered a contract by Mainz. Instead he chose to re-sign with MLS/Columbus...................and his career has completely stalled. He didn't make the 2010 World Cup roster and now the USMNT invites have completely dried up. (even though he's a good defender in his prime at 28.) Matt is 25 years old. Now's the time to advance in his career. If he doesn't now, he may never get another opportunity.
It stalled largely due to the concussions and a few other lingering injuries. I'm not convinced that it was because he didn't secure a move to Europe although that's certainly plausible.
Sure. Injuries happen. That's why you have to strike while the iron is hot.......................................
I wonder if he could get a WP in Scotland. Certainly his college coach, Bobby Clark, could give him a glowing recommendation that would have some clout in Scotland.
After the 2 failed transfers with Blackburn in the summer 11 and a full time move to West Ham in the winter (where Dallas thought he wouldn't be back) he had injuries this season. He was called up for the friendlies right after the 2010 WC, but he pulled out really late citing a need to rest/focus on the MLS season, and I vaguely remember Bob getting angry about how late he pulled out. As for Besler. England is probably out of the question due to the Work Permit, but who knows. Maybe they'll be more relaxed with it now like they have been with Ream, Rogers, Findley, and Cameron.
True. True. However, I don't actually think Marshall had an offer for Mainz. IIRC, I think an offer was contingent on a trial and he ended up failing the trial and Columbus offered him a new deal almost immediately.
He'd got more money in England (which really should be his primary concern) but I just don't see how he gets past their work restrictions. Germany would be a good home for him and JK's word carries more weight there. If Jurgen sees Matt as someone who might develop into a real USMNT candidate during 2013, then he has incentive to help Matt find a good home. I think BL1 would be a very good league for Matt.
Because he doesn't play to entertain us. He plays to make a living. If he thinks an investment of time in a lesser league will pay off better in a few years, then OK, but he should be thinking of how to maximize his take out of the remaining 7 - 10 years (max) of his professional career.
Inference from his trial back then - Mainz was still coached by Klopp then in BL II - was that he was offered a ~ $400K-500K contract and a chance to work himself into the starting lineup. Rich Motzkin then was able to get $350K from MLS, which was roughly on par with what Chad would have made in Germany and that was it. Chad never looked long-term. Klopp, of course, went onto bigger and better things. For what?
Yeah, and at 25 if you can play and continue developing at a higher level, you do it. More money makes the decision even easier.
Terrible business practice to not get money in return for these players. If MLS doesn't get money for John and Besler, they're closer to a charity for Europe than an intelligent for-profit business, despite what some say. SKC already lost Espinoza for no transfer fee.