Davies wanted to be at DC (or NE)

[Reignking]

http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2006/12/19/much_ado_about_davies/

Like Adu, Davies was projected as a top MLS draft choice. But, though Davies was offered a high salary by MLS standards, the league was not willing to place him on Adu's level. When Adu entered the draft, it was arranged for D.C. United to be in position to choose him. Davies hoped for a similar arrangement, plus a contract matching Adu's $1 million-plus annual income in salary and sponsorship.

"The MLS didn't want to pay what Charlie wanted, plus he wanted to play for the Revolution or D.C. United," Davies's father, Kofi, said yesterday. "Hammarby made a great offer for him and now we all have to get passports so we can go to Sweden. I am happy but it's bittersweet because of the distance involved in going to see him. I haven't been on a plane in 30 years. But the way they treated him in Sweden, it was like the coming of Pele."

[greenbill]

...But the way they treated him in Sweden, it was like the coming of Pele."


:eek: :o

[charlieblanko]

Damit mls...that guy is most def worth the million if not more..he could revolutionize the american game...and they are fucing that up..oh well we as americans will benefit internationally.

[GoDC]

Damit mls...that guy is most def worth the million if not more..he could revolutionize the american game...and they are fucing that up..oh well we as americans will benefit internationally.

Sure.

[JoeSoccerFan]

not worth a million to MLS. unproven college fwd without a marketing draw and may not be able to recoup from transfer...

right move for MLS.

[Amores Perros]

He was cut from the U-20 team and scored goals for BC and now he's worth millions?

The only thing this kid has in common with Adu is the Ego.

Hype, Hype, Hype, Hype, Hype, Hype

Thank you Payne for NOT going through with this one.

[GoDC]

He was cut from the U-20 team and scored goals for BC and now he's worth millions?

The only thing this kid has in common with Adu is the Ego.

Hype, Hype, Hype, Hype, Hype, Hype

Thank you Payne for NOT going through with this one.

Payne had nothing to do with this. MLS offered him a contract and he turned it down.

[Aaron Stollar]

Another sign of the league's maturation: It's getting harder for players to hold the league for ransom and play where they want to play.

[RayWhitney]

I loved this:

"[Hammarby's] commitment to him makes this a different situation," BC coach Ed Kelly said. "Not many players go from college to Manchester United, Ajax, or Chelsea. This is a steppingstone."

Er, can anyone name a SINGLE PLAYER WHO DID?



I suppose that is a definition of "not many".


(No, John O'Brien does not count because he was a youth player)


--feeling cranky today...and picking on this guy is more healthy than kicking the dog.

[mcontento]

I think it is more earth shattering that he wanted to play for NE than for us. Everyone wants to play for DC.

[GoDC]

I loved this:



Er, can anyone name a SINGLE PLAYER WHO DID?



I suppose that is a definition of "not many".


(No, John O'Brien does not count because he was a youth player)


--feeling cranky today...and picking on this guy is more healthy than kicking the dog.

Not those teams but Cory Gibbs went from Brown to Germany. Robbie Rogers
(?) went from Maryland to Holland. Gooch went from Clenson to France. I am sure there are others that went to better places than Sweden from college soccer.

[Reignking]

I think it is more earth shattering that he wanted to play for NE than for us. Everyone wants to play for DC.

Huh?

"The MLS didn't want to pay what Charlie wanted, plus he wanted to play for the Revolution or D.C. United," Davies's father, Kofi, said yesterday.

[Lowecifer]

I loved this:


"[Hammarby's] commitment to him makes this a different situation," BC coach Ed Kelly said. "Not many players go from college to Manchester United, Ajax, or Chelsea. This is a steppingstone."

Er, can anyone name a SINGLE PLAYER WHO DID?


Graeme LeSaux!

Okay, he's English...

...and Chelsea was a different sort of club at the time.

:D

[Reignking]

Wow, you are being picky, Ray...

[RayWhitney]

Wow, you are being picky, Ray...

Like I said....I am a bit cranky.

Even so, I am railing against another facet of the hype machine. By what thought process do Chelsea, ManU, etc come into the equation? It is the kitten killing all over again!

And speaking of picky....

Not those teams but Cory Gibbs went from Brown to Germany. Robbie Rogers (?) went from Maryland to Holland. Gooch went from Clenson to France. I am sure there are others that went to better places than Sweden from college soccer.

My point exactly..."NOT THOSE TEAMS".

I am thrilled that this kid is getting the opportunity to play in Sweden. It is a shame that the announcement should be qualified by his former coach comparing this club with the superclubs.

<stepping off soapbox>

[uniteo]

I loved this:

Er, can anyone name a SINGLE PLAYER WHO DID?



Well, they're not Ajax...they're better (last few seasons anyway).

Lee Nguyen went directly from Indiana to PSV Eindhoven and saw (very little) first team action in his rookie year

[Reignking]

Karbassiyoon with Arsenal?

[Grasscutter]

Graeme LeSaux!

Okay, he's English...
...and Chelsea was a different sort of club at the time.

:D

Was it Robbie Fowler or some other sod that LeSaux clocked, using his college-learnt boxing skills?

[JeremyEritrea]

Can one of the moderators please move this thread to the "DC United Almost An Alumni (AAA) Forum?"

:D

[uniteo]

Another sign of the league's maturation: It's getting harder for players to hold the league for ransom and play where they want to play.

So it's a good thing that players, especially the ones making 18-30K/yr don't get to choose which city they'll live and work in? Hopefully in the league's 20th season the draft no longer exists.