ESPN: Coming to America (Gomez, Donnet)

[Tweaked]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=385199&root=mls&cc=5901

Didn't see this posted yet...if so read it again :D

[chayes]

Play in MLS!

We have hot water and our checks are good!

[JRstriker12]

Play in MLS!

We have hot water and our checks are good!

Play in MLS!

Our fields are nice and people won't kidnap your family like they do in Mexico. ;)

[SteveWWJ]

Another Argentine, Bruno Marioni, currently the top goalscorer in Mexico this season, is reportedly considering a move to MLS as early as next year, with the safety and security of his family top considerations for the switch.

Man, if our Argies could convince this guy to sign on with DC, that would be amazing.

If the Beckham rule goes into effect, I'd gladly let the other clowns sign some old guys playing on their last legs, while we pick up players like Marioni.

[vivzig]

Good find, thanks. Naturally, they don't mention the biggest attraction of all--living in the U.S. with the possibility of citizenship for themselves and their families. Soccer players themselves are marketable and have a certain flexibility as to where they want to live internationally, but often they come from modest backgrounds. The U.S. gives high priority to family reunification.

[JRstriker12]

Man, if our Argies could convince this guy to sign on with DC, that would be amazing.

If the Beckham rule goes into effect, I'd gladly let the other clowns sign some old guys playing on their last legs, while we pick up players like Marioni.

Not saying he won't come to MLS, but wouldn't a guy like Marioni, top scorer in Mexico, already have scouts from the European leagues looking at him and a chance to make a lot more overseas?

Just asking.

[lawrenceterp]

I think you're going to see a lot of the better South Americans start chosing MLS over the European leagues. As MLS gets more money and more ability to lure these guys, it is going to be the better choice for them. I would imagine that many of them would rather play in MLS even if it were for a little bit less money. Along with improved quality of our homegrown players, I think this is how MLS will eventually compete with the better domestic leagues around the world.

[gocaps]

Not saying he won't come to MLS, but wouldn't a guy like Marioni, top scorer in Mexico, already have scouts from the European leagues looking at him and a chance to make a lot more overseas?
Jared Borgetti's Euro career says hi.

I think it's been a while since a forward from the Mexican League was successful in Europe. Hell, both Luis Hernandez and Carlos Hermosillo came here to try to boost their Euro credentials, and they weren't horrible but they didnt really pan out either.

I would think a top scorer in Mexico would be good here (Hernandez and Hermosillo were a little older when they got to MLS), but we don't know for sure yet.

[MightyMouse]

Man, if our Argies could convince this guy to sign on with DC, that would be amazing.

If the Beckham rule goes into effect, I'd gladly let the other clowns sign some old guys playing on their last legs, while we pick up players like Marioni.

WOW! I have been thinking the past two years I wished this guy was in MLS. It truly would be AWSOME!!!

[JRstriker12]

Jared Borgetti's Euro career says hi.

I think it's been a while since a forward from the Mexican League was successful in Europe. Hell, both Luis Hernandez and Carlos Hermosillo came here to try to boost their Euro credentials, and they weren't horrible but they didnt really pan out either.

I would think a top scorer in Mexico would be good here (Hernandez and Hermosillo were a little older when they got to MLS), but we don't know for sure yet.

Actually I did think a bit about Borgetti when I wrote that post, but, I was was figuring Marioni could get a look in spain, the netherlands, maybe germany instead of England.

I do see your point about point about the track record of mexican forwards in Europe though.

[shepchews]

A piece of information I have looked around a lot for but not found is some stat on what the relative payrolls are from the different league. For example, what would a starter, not a superstar striker, but a very solid Brian Carroll type player make in Mexico versus Argentina versus Chile versus Costa Rica, etc. Although the cost of lviing is going to be very different I would be very interested in figuring out where the MLS compares to what I consider its' "rival" leagues, i.e MFL, the first divisions in Costa Rica, Honduras, the smaller souther american countries. Does anyone have any idea? I know we are far from the standard for EPL, Bundeliga, La Liga, etc, but how far off from our neighbors?

[gocaps]

A piece of information I have looked around a lot for but not found is some stat on what the relative payrolls are from the different league. For example, what would a starter, not a superstar striker, but a very solid Brian Carroll type player make in Mexico versus Argentina versus Chile versus Costa Rica, etc. Although the cost of lviing is going to be very different I would be very interested in figuring out where the MLS compares to what I consider its' "rival" leagues, i.e MFL, the first divisions in Costa Rica, Honduras, the smaller souther american countries. Does anyone have any idea? I know we are far from the standard for EPL, Bundeliga, La Liga, etc, but how far off from our neighbors?
I think the MFL is the highest-paying league in the Western Hemisphere - I don't know what they're supposed to be paying people in Brazil or Argentina but with their notoriously poor financial track records it wouldn't surprise me if even on their best days Mexico pays more.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the TV contracts in Mexico leave that league flush with cash.