Do you think any Yanks could play in France?

[panicfc]

Okay just wanted to start a new topic about our US national team.

Do you think any of our team could play for teams in Ligue 1?

i'll offer Dempsey. I think he's got something special and France would be a good place for it to be seen.

Gooch Oneywu - well Metz didn't think so.

Any others?

Eddie Johnson? Who? Maybe we'll see him on Thursday.

[ribery57]

Okay just wanted to start a new topic about our US national team.

Do you think any of our team could play for teams in Ligue 1?

i'll offer Dempsey. I think he's got something special and France would be a good place for it to be seen.

Gooch Oneywu - well Metz didn't think so.

Any others?

Eddie Johnson? Who? Maybe we'll see him on Thursday.

you've knocked on the right door! i'm a huge Metz fan!!

i think Onyewu was misused in Metz, then the coach Jean Fernandez sent him in Belgium... except for his long throw-in i didn't find him very good, he made several mistakes who led to goals... In France ligue 1 or ligue 2 you can't be careless one single second...

but when i see him with USA, it looks like he has really improved ! behind he solid as a rock!

then i think Dempsey could be good in top-average clubs like Bordeaux, Paris or Auxerre...

sorry for my poor english, french is my native language

[Tigerpunk]

you've knocked on the right door! i'm a huge Metz fan!!

i think Onyewu was misused in Metz, then the coach Jean Fernandez sent him in Belgium... except for his long throw-in i didn't find him very good, he made several mistakes who led to goals... In France ligue 1 or ligue 2 you can't be careless one single second...

but when i see him with USA, it looks like he has really improved ! behind he solid as a rock!

then i think Dempsey could be good in top-average clubs like Bordeaux, Paris or Auxerre...

sorry for my poor english, french is my native language

I've actually thought of Dempsey to France, though it would have to be PSG or nothing, given his inability to speak the language.

[ribery57]

I've actually thought of Dempsey to France, though it would have to be PSG or nothing, given his inability to speak the language.

the question is : does he really want to play in Ligue 1 ? if he's interested then he should let french clubs know... maybe Rennes could be a good club for him too

[Pyro]

I think this discussion depends on what team you are talking about. After the top five teams (as per many leagues in Europe) the rest of the field is decidedly average. This notion was reinforced at the PSG v. Bordeaux match last Spring (2005) where the play was on par with an MLS match. This was repeated in many league matches I watched during the 2005 campaign. I think just about any American that is in the national team pool could play for a Ligue 1 team, however the top 5 team are a different story.

Players qualified for that level:
Landon Donovan
Tim Howard
Kasey Keller
Clint Dempsey
Gooch Onyewu

Perhaps qualified for that level:
DaMarcus Beasley
Brian Ching
Jay DeMerritt
Eddie Johnson
Carlos Bocanegra

One man's take.....

[panicfc]

I think you underestimate the skill and tactics of the teams in Ligue 1.

[SportBoy333]

After the top five teams (as per many leagues in Europe) the rest of the field is decidedly average. This notion was reinforced at the PSG v. Bordeaux match last Spring (2005) where the play was on par with an MLS match. This was repeated in many league matches I watched during the 2005 campaign.

One man's take.....

Gimmie a F'n break ! I know all about MLS because I live in the US and to say the quality of play of a Colorado Rapids vs Kansas City Wizards match is equal to that of a PSG vs Bordeaux match is insane. MLS isnt even as good as the Belgian or Dutch leagues nevermind Ligue 1 in France.

[panicfc]

Exactly. I rate the Dutch league very, very high - but with their Minimum non-European salary, its less attractive then Ligue 1. Plus Ligue 1 has some exceptional play and talents.

That's why so many of the African countries are excelling in football. Playing in France will make you better.

===
Sport - you don't play Subbuteo? you should.

[ilv2]

This notion was reinforced at the PSG v. Bordeaux match last Spring (2005) where the play was on par with an MLS match. T

um yea... to agree with the opinions who have already responded, i've been to quite a few mls matches, and quite a few ligue 1 matches and the latter's quality is decidedly much better.

[SportBoy333]

Ligue 1 is not that offensive which is probably why MLS fans think its on par with MLS. I dont know why its not an offensive league.

[panicfc]

The teams are attacking, but the quality of defense is much much higher than you see in most leagues. They don't just hack you down as is the case in many leagues. They will isolate the attacker and then disposses him and begin their counter-attack.

[Pyro]

Calm down a second and look at exactly what I am saying. And granted it is a tough comparison given the styles of play are fairly different as SportBoy pointed out.

I'm saying that the play of the #6 team all the way down play is that of MLS right now. MLS improves every year, as does Ligue 1. Last year I watched over 75 MLS league matches and around 20 French league matches so I do have a good handle on the RECENT caliber of play of both leagues. The play in Ligue 1 in games not involving a top French 5 team was equivalent.

Also, note I did not say that every MLS player could play in Ligue 1. MLS is a much maligned league, but the reality of the standard of play is much better than many think, so my original post was no slur on the French league, but more of a comment on my higher than average opinion of the American League.

The overall quality of the league is better than MLS, but that is mostly due to the powerhouse teams tipping the scale. And to look at it from one other angle, I think any top 5 French team would likely dismantle any top 5 MLS side.

[ribery57]

Calm down a second and look at exactly what I am saying. And granted it is a tough comparison given the styles of play are fairly different as SportBoy pointed out.

I'm saying that the play of the #6 team all the way down play is that of MLS right now. MLS improves every year, as does Ligue 1. Last year I watched over 75 MLS league matches and around 20 French league matches so I do have a good handle on the RECENT caliber of play of both leagues. The play in Ligue 1 in games not involving a top French 5 team was equivalent.

Also, note I did not say that every MLS player could play in Ligue 1. MLS is a much maligned league, but the reality of the standard of play is much better than many think, so my original post was no slur on the French league, but more of a comment on my higher than average opinion of the American League.

The overall quality of the league is better than MLS, but that is mostly due to the powerhouse teams tipping the scale. And to look at it from one other angle, I think any top 5 French team would likely dismantle any top 5 MLS side.

sorry if it sounds arrogant, but i think MLS could compete with ligue 2 (which is a good championship in my view, unveiling each year talented players who go playing in L1...)

[SportBoy333]

Oneywu not good enough to play for Metz and they are a bad team. Ahn from Korea couldnt even score goals in Ligue 1. Very tough league to play in.

[ribery57]

Oneywu not good enough to play for Metz and they are a bad team. Ahn from Korea couldnt even score goals in Ligue 1. Very tough league to play in.

As far as Ahn is concerned, we can say that this year he didn't have good ball providers, but he really played ligue 1 as if it was training. No wonder he was so bad...

[Nitrain00]

I sometimes watch French League games and at first found them surprisingly good, now I realize the league is very good. For whatever reason we don't hear about the league as much, probably because the big-name players go on to other leagues. Do you think Ribery and/or Fred will leave French leagues for more $?

[SportBoy333]

I sometimes watch French League games and at first found them surprisingly good, now I realize the league is very good. For whatever reason we don't hear about the league as much, probably because the big-name players go on to other leagues. Do you think Ribery and/or Fred will leave French leagues for more $?

Eventually but not next year.

[IRguy]

Gimmie a F'n break ! I know all about MLS because I live in the US and to say the quality of play of a Colorado Rapids vs Kansas City Wizards match is equal to that of a PSG vs Bordeaux match is insane. MLS isnt even as good as the Belgian or Dutch leagues nevermind Ligue 1 in France.
I have to say this past winter I was able to see a lot of Ligue 1 for the first time. I have to say I was rather under whelmed by what a saw I was really expecting much more from league that has produced so many great players over the years. To be sure there are some great talents and very good teams in Ligue 1 but there is a lot of mediocrity too. Just judging by what i saw this year I think the top 5 MLS teams or so would competitive very well in Ligue 1.

[eastex]

I think several are probably good enough to play in France - Donovan, Dempsey, and Johnson definitely have the potential to succeed on the field.

The question is, which of them would be able to handle the other factors associated with a move to a French club - language barrier, different culture, limited minutes, etc. I would think that the language barrier and cultural differences make France a tough place for a young American to succeed.

[ribery57]

I think several are probably good enough to play in France - Donovan, Dempsey, and Johnson definitely have the potential to succeed on the field.

The question is, which of them would be able to handle the other factors associated with a move to a French club - language barrier, different culture, limited minutes, etc. I would think that the language barrier and cultural differences make France a tough place for a young American to succeed.

but most players and coaches can speak basic english, and there is no problem with foreigner players like Kallström, Isaksson or the ones from Brazil.. They all acclimate very well