2/16/07: Friday

[BuffloSoldier]

All-American Turns Down United's Offer--Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/15/AR2007021501648.html)

Dynamo warming up for international play--Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4558131.html)

Revs’ Joseph stays put, moves on--Boston Herald (http://sports.bostonherald.com/soccer/view.bg?articleid=183305)

Sandy planners decline to OK a site plan for Real's stadium--Deseret Morning News (http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660196166,00.html)

Karbassiyoon forced to retire--Lancashire Telegraph (http://www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk/display.var.1198362.0..php)

Midfielder injures leg in Crew’s victory in Fitzgerald match--Columbus Dispatch (http://www.dispatch.com/sports-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/16/20070216-E3-01.html)

U.S. Olympic soccer team takes shape--LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-spw-soccer16feb16,1,7977174.story?coll=la-headlines-sports)

RSL loses preseason match, 2-1--Deseret News (http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660196135,00.html)

[viper]

He spent the last three weeks in United's training camp, but departed yesterday. Needham wanted a senior roster contract, which would have paid him at least $30,000, but United was only willing to offer a developmental deal worth $17,700. (Some MLS developmental players earn $12,900.)

Just a few days ago, in this article (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=408199&root=mls&cc=5901), Steve Davis from ESPN Soccernet wrote this:

5. I keep hearing how the $2 million salary cap must be increased, and I just don't buy it. The league financial model is working adequately; markets with stadiums are beginning to see profit. Yes, it would be swell if players mired along the roster bottoms could make, say, $50,000 instead of $30,000.

Forget the players making, say, $50,000 instead of $30,000. How about players making $12,900, making instead, at least, $30,000. That DC United loses a top prospect because they will only pay him $17,700, while the Puerto Rico Islanders are willing to pay him $35,000 is shameful. It's just a disgrace how MLS insults draftees. It's no wonder that many of them will try their luck making teams overseas or, as in the case of Needham, playing in the USL rather than make $12,900. The cost of living might be lower in other states, but just go and try living on that in NJ.

[Reignking]

Surprised this isn't getting more pub:

Zidane to Chicago? (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/02/zidane_to_chicago.html#comments)

bigsoccer discussion (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=480733)

[Beech]

Forget the players making, say, $50,000 instead of $30,000. How about players making $12,900 making, at least, $30,000. That DC United loses a top prospect because they will only pay him $17,700, while the Puerto Rico Islanders are willing to pay him $35,000 is shameful. It's just a disgrace how MLS insults draftees. It's no wonder that many of them will try their luck making teams overseas or, as in the case of Needham, playing in the USL rather than make $12,900. The cost of living might be lower in other states, but just go and try living on that in NJ.

$12,900 = $6.20/hour full time job.
About $188.50/week after basic taxes. (Screw the 401k and free medical)
Yeah let's just say they all share apartments.

Might be better to blame the MLSPA than the league. I haven't heard of them putting any pressure on this. Owners won't pay it if they don't have to as there are several players that are working for that wage. The NFL and MLB have minimum requirements for salary and some even greater depending on how long you've been in the league (if you were a journeyman type player).

[SYoshonis]

That DC United loses a top prospect because they will only pay him $17,700, while the Puerto Rico Islanders are willing to pay him $35,000 is shameful. It's just a disgrace how MLS insults draftees. It's no wonder that many of them will try their luck making teams overseas or, as in the case of Needham, playing in the USL rather than make $12,900. I guess that "top prospect" is in the eyes of the beholder. I don't claim to know anything about this specific player, but I do understand how a player can be worth more to a USL team because he'll be at the top end of the talent pool in the league, and therefore worth more to them than DCU, for whom he'd be riding pine. That $35,000 could be the highest number on the player payroll at Puerto Rico.

It isn't an "insult," it's called managing the salary cap. Yes, $12,900 is a paltry sum, but it's not like MLS in general, and DCU in particular, are so awash in cash that they can just wave a magic wand and make money for the increased payroll appear.

[uniteo]

$12,900 = $6.20/hour full time job.
About $188.50/week after basic taxes. (Screw the 401k and free medical)
Yeah let's just say they all share apartments.


Yeah, but it's not a full-time job, not even close. Two to four hours a day for up to 10 months.

On the DC boards they're going overboard. Who says every MLS player should be paid more than every USL player. There are seruos doubts about Needham's ability to keep up with the pace of MLS. He was a marginal prospect who was given the opportunity to show he could compete and that he was worth more to an MLS team.

He opted to go for the bird in hand. Which I think is good for both USL and MLS, and US Soccer to boot.

[Shopping Cart Man]

$12,900 = $6.20/hour full time job.
About $188.50/week after basic taxes. (Screw the 401k and free medical)
Yeah let's just say they all share apartments.

Might be better to blame the MLSPA than the league. I haven't heard of them putting any pressure on this. Owners won't pay it if they don't have to as there are several players that are working for that wage. The NFL and MLB have minimum requirements for salary and some even greater depending on how long you've been in the league (if you were a journeyman type player).

It's a given consensus that minimum salaries in Major League Soccer are too low, but all comments should be held until the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (for 2009?) is signed.

See you in two years.

[FC Uptown]

Surprised this isn't getting more pub:

Zidane to Chicago? (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/02/zidane_to_chicago.html#comments)

bigsoccer discussion (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=480733)
I like Zidane a ton, but I have a hard time picturing him in Chicago.
And doesn't he kind of dislike America?
I believe his English is not so good.

[MannyMayhem]

It's a given consensus that minimum salaries in Major League Soccer are too low, but all comments should be held until the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (for 2009?) is signed.

See you in two years.

thank you! It's so pointless to argue over something the players themselves agreed to until the next round of negotiations open up.

[GR8ftblr]

:(Sorry to hear of Danny K.'s early exit from soccer. I wish him all the luck!

[jd6885]

Yes, it almost broke my heart reading Karb's story. I'm glad he still has such a positive outlook on his life though.