11/21/06: Trading Sky Blue for Red...Bull

[BuffloSoldier]

The value of Reyna--North Jersey Herald News (http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMDYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMjQwODMmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2)

Wait and see--SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/grant_wahl/11/20/dempsey/index.html)

Highs and lows of the 2006 season--ESPN.com (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=393101&root=mls25&cc=5739)

Not much today, so far...

[Bill Schmidt]

The value of Reyna--North Jersey Herald News (http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMDYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMjQwODMmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2)

I am against using the DP spots and money on end-of-career U.S. national teamers returning from Europe. These players, if they play after they're done in Europe, will probably be coming to MLS anyway, as they have often done in the past. Mid-career transfers like Kenny Cooper are a different issue. With the 30+ yr-old players, most will be choosing between a new contract to save a top-flight team from relegation, or joining a lower division club, or coming to MLS. They will probably not have offers from the competing big-star retirement leagues like Qatar because, unfortunately, they are not big stars. Addressing the "but they're our stars/they're stars in the U.S. argument": If the DP spot/expense is on a level that keeps a mid-career U.S. national team star like Donovan in the league, an end-of-career returning national teamer just isn't on that level. I am a huge Reyna fan, and I regard him as one of if not the first American players to really break through to another level, and I would love to see him in MLS, but not as a DP.

[MasterShake29]

New Jersey Women's Team at Center of Rebirth (Newark, NJ Star-Ledger) (http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1164092932278750.xml?starledger?colgia&coll=1)

One guess what the name of the team is. Most (I presume) accidently apropos headline ever.

[Thomas A Fina]

BILL :

"There is also the matter of salary. While he isn't about to come here for the minimum, Reyna is also not looking for a last big payday. Otherwise he would simply stay in Europe.

His desire has always been to move his family back to the United States and finish out his career playing for the New Jersey-based MLS club. That was the case before his long-time coach, Bruce Arena, took over the Red Bulls and before old college teammate Jeff Agoos signed on to become the team's technical director.

In other words, it won't take one of those newly-created designated player slots to acquire Reyna."

i don't think red bull fans have to worry about that

[Honore de Ballsac]

"His passing ability, work rate, positioning and versatility would make him a standout on any team in the league."

While his passing and positioning have been consistently overvalued, I don't recall versatility really being a hallmark of Reyna's. A bit of flank play in specific conditions, otherwise people here have gone to encyclopedic length to specify what a "holding midfielder" is as defined by Reyna; we're not talking Philip Cocu, or Paul Broome here.

And does anyone besides Galarcep believe Reyna's work rate would stand out in MLS? Give me an effin' break.

[Bora Fan]

Reyna's Workrate

Give Reyna some credit he has played in the EPL, SPL, and Bundesliga. A world of difference in terms of workrate and toughness compared to MLS.

Reyna's Versatility

Nobody is saying he can play goalie or striker. It's as a midfielder who can slot up as an attacking midfielder - drop back as a defensive midfielder - stay in the middle and hold - move out to the left - move out to the right. Or as a defender who attacks out of the back or leads the team from the right back spot - he's done this in England.

[BorrachoNJ]

NCAA Soccer a Dead End for MLS Talent

http://www.nysun.com/article/43866

[DoctorD]

NCAA Soccer a Dead End for MLS Talent

http://www.nysun.com/article/43866
Well he's right. I just wish he wouldn't be so snide about MLS is what is essentially a societal question. How does this sound:

"Young urban kids would improve their basketball skills much faster if the NBA would establish an academy or reserve system, and those kids would go to the reserve instead of going to college."

Let's face it. Unlike Europe, the US does not have an elaborate and expensive safety net for the unemployed. And in no other American team sport are large number of high school kids considered for professional training.

[Etienne_72772]

NCAA Soccer a Dead End for MLS Talent

http://www.nysun.com/article/43866

AHHH--you tricked me into clicking on a Gardner column! However, this time I agree with every word he said (of course, what he said is nothing new, anyway...The College game is not the way groom young professionals. That's not to say there isn't a diamond in the rough MLS should try to get. Nor is it true that College games can't be enjoyable to watch. I spent my time at Indiana for post grad studies, and spent a considerable amount of time watching IU's teams--enjoyed myself, as well...)

[Bill Schmidt]

BILL :

In other words, it won't take one of those newly-created designated player slots to acquire Reyna."

i don't think red bull fans have to worry about that

Wow, I don't know how I missed that. "Designated player" must have grabbed all my attention and I paired it with some bringing-back-the Euro-based nats hypotheticals here. My mistake.

[BuffloSoldier]

Lisi retires--NJ Herald News (http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMzgmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMjM5NzEmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2)