BuffloSoldier
16 Aug 2006, 09:36 AM
--News of this broke yesterday; I have differing thoughts of DaMarcus Beasley's potential move back to MLS. (http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,645193213,00.html)
Part of me is rather disappointed that at 24, a relatively unfinished player, Beasley may want to leave PSV Eindhoven to return to MLS and join Real Salt Lake. At worst, DaMarcus could find another club in Europe, whether it was in Holland, England or elsewhere. It drips with another talented American giving up playing overseas when the waters prove a bit choppy.
But another part of me hopes if Beasley does return, he gets his mojo 2002 World Cup by returning the U.S. DaMarcus seems to be on an island in Holland, whether real or imagined. He lost playing time last season at PSV, and perhaps Beasley and new coach Ronald Koeman may have come together and figured the winger is better off leaving Eindhoven.
But regardless, the U.S. national team is better with a healthy, in-form Beasley at its disposal. Perhaps this is the cure-all DaMarcus needs? Hindsight soon to come...
--The potential of ins-and-outs to MLS for American players could, and may still, bear more fruit. Today's NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/16/sports/soccer/16soccer.html?_r=1&ref=soccer&oref=slogin) states MLS turned down offers for Jimmy Conrad and Clint Dempsey, while the league was offered $2m for Eddie Johnson. Of course, Johnson's price tag has gone down the last few months--remember Benfica's reported bid for the talented but unproductive striker?
--Dempsey seems to really want out at this point to play overseas, and his teammate Taylor Twellmann wants to get paid a bit more. (http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2006/08/16/twellman_says_hes_underpaid/)
Just north of 100k, Twellmann wants a raise halfway through his current contract. With Dempsey wanting a new address and Pat Noonan out of contract come January, Twellmann is the Revolution at this point on the field. Tough to find fault in his logic...but if you're a Revolution fan, this offseason could be a quite trying one.
--Is Owen Hargeaves a better fit (and price) for Manchester United than Marcos Senna? (http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=410190&CPID=8&clid=1&lid=2&title=United+offer+for+Hargreaves) Fit, probably? A reported 20 to 25 million Euro cost? Way too much.
--Time to see if the second time around for Bruce Arena will be as kind as the first; Red Bulls host D.C. United this evening, your required viewing this evening.
Part of me is rather disappointed that at 24, a relatively unfinished player, Beasley may want to leave PSV Eindhoven to return to MLS and join Real Salt Lake. At worst, DaMarcus could find another club in Europe, whether it was in Holland, England or elsewhere. It drips with another talented American giving up playing overseas when the waters prove a bit choppy.
But another part of me hopes if Beasley does return, he gets his mojo 2002 World Cup by returning the U.S. DaMarcus seems to be on an island in Holland, whether real or imagined. He lost playing time last season at PSV, and perhaps Beasley and new coach Ronald Koeman may have come together and figured the winger is better off leaving Eindhoven.
But regardless, the U.S. national team is better with a healthy, in-form Beasley at its disposal. Perhaps this is the cure-all DaMarcus needs? Hindsight soon to come...
--The potential of ins-and-outs to MLS for American players could, and may still, bear more fruit. Today's NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/16/sports/soccer/16soccer.html?_r=1&ref=soccer&oref=slogin) states MLS turned down offers for Jimmy Conrad and Clint Dempsey, while the league was offered $2m for Eddie Johnson. Of course, Johnson's price tag has gone down the last few months--remember Benfica's reported bid for the talented but unproductive striker?
--Dempsey seems to really want out at this point to play overseas, and his teammate Taylor Twellmann wants to get paid a bit more. (http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2006/08/16/twellman_says_hes_underpaid/)
Just north of 100k, Twellmann wants a raise halfway through his current contract. With Dempsey wanting a new address and Pat Noonan out of contract come January, Twellmann is the Revolution at this point on the field. Tough to find fault in his logic...but if you're a Revolution fan, this offseason could be a quite trying one.
--Is Owen Hargeaves a better fit (and price) for Manchester United than Marcos Senna? (http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=410190&CPID=8&clid=1&lid=2&title=United+offer+for+Hargreaves) Fit, probably? A reported 20 to 25 million Euro cost? Way too much.
--Time to see if the second time around for Bruce Arena will be as kind as the first; Red Bulls host D.C. United this evening, your required viewing this evening.