New Foreign Player Rule and Implications for Erpen Trade

[JJJ3]

Everyone has seen Goff's scoop on MLS doing away with the senior and junior international player distinctions. Here's my question: a big reason why DC traded Erpen this summer was because he would have turned into a senior international player this offseason, and the thinking was, that was too valuable a spot to waste on Erpen.

But this new rule changes everything. So did DC United make a mistake with the trade? And, if so, did the league screw our franchise?



Foreign Player Proposal Is on the Table for '08

By Steven Goff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 19, 2007; E08



MLS has proposed a rule change that would allow teams to sign additional experienced, foreign players, sources close to the league said yesterday.

Teams are currently permitted to sign up to four senior international players (age 25 or older) and three youth international players (24 or younger). Under the proposal, which was discussed during league meetings this weekend, clubs would be able to have seven foreign players without any age restrictions.

The plan is subject to approval by the U.S. Soccer Federation, which certifies MLS as the country's first-division league.

Even if the rule is approved, teams would still be under regular budget guidelines and limited in the number of high-priced players they could afford. It would, however, help teams that have foreign players with moderate salaries who are about to turn 25, such as D.C. United's Guy-Roland Kpene.




http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/18/AR2007111801033_pf.html

[dsheon]

I've only seen the issue of Erpen becoming an SI as being part of the reason behind the trade as speculation on these boards. I've never heard the "braintrust" at United explain their rationale. Until I do, this is way too theoretical. Maybe they just didn't like his attitude. Who knows.

[JJJ3]

I think Goff mentioned it in the post-trade story. That's not the words of the Front Office, but I can't imagine a better alternative source ....

[tmas]

Well they can't see into the future exactly. Plus, whoever says our defense got worse since Erpen left is an idiot, I'm sorry, but look at the facts. I don't think Bobby like Facundo too much either.

[Winoman]

Well they can't see into the future exactly.......

It's pretty obvious that LA's front office could see into the future by signing Mr. Spice and not worrying about having to unload Landycakes.....

[Church Lady] hmmmmm, how convenient! [/Church Lady]

[John L]

Well - Perhaps - Erpen was playing fairly well before the trade - Against NYRB he held Angel in check - Angel scored only when Erpen was subbed out - And then when Vanney was sub-par in his first few games, the YI to SI angle seemed likely

I also think a big part of the reason was Erpen seemed to need a lot of hands-on coaching to keep his flakiness under control and to keep him focused - At his age (24), he shouldn't had needed that - Sadly, his loss of self-discpline manifested itselft several times within the next few months

[nobletea]

Over it.

[Lowecifer]

Yeah, seriously. It's done. Let's move on.

[Grasscutter]

I think Goff mentioned it in the post-trade story.

And didn't we get rid of Milton Reyes at the start of '04 so we could bring in an SI who turned out to be Gomez?

If Goff is right, the new rules means we can BRING MILTON BACK!

[gratedjuice]

No trading Erpen was a good move. He seemed out of place in the united defence and seemed to favor moving forward rather than keeping to his marking resposibilities. United does however, need a strong central defender. Since Nelson left there has been a gap in leadership in the back four.

[NattyBo]

And didn't we get rid of Milton Reyes at the start of '04 so we could bring in an SI who turned out to be Gomez?

If Goff is right, the new rules means we can BRING MILTON BACK!
Actually that was Cerritos I think, not Reyes. In the middle of the season? Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly though.

[Grasscutter]

Actually that was Cerritos I think, not Reyes. In the middle of the season? Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly though.

You're right--unless Jaime had a green card at the start of '04, Reyes' spot would have gone to Jaime, and Cerritos' to Gomez.

Of course I was joshing when I suggested that we bring him back, but I did just see him play in a Gol TV match--he was on one of the two teams (Guevarra's team?) vying to play DC or Houston in CCC. It was really nice to see him healthy and playing.

[JuanMa]

how old is Chino Alegria?

[JuanMa]

On the topic... no matter what people say on these boards, the PRO VANNEY trade guys will never admit to the trade being a mistake. Proof that is was a bad trade should be the fact that he was exposed for trade and that nobody expects he will make is full salary next year. And never mind his age, bouncing teams of the past few years, etc.

[Lowecifer]

On the topic... no matter what people say on these boards, the PRO VANNEY trade guys will never admit to the trade being a mistake. Proof that is was a bad trade should be the fact that he was exposed for trade and that nobody expects he will make is full salary next year. And never mind his age, bouncing teams of the past few years, etc.

That's wobbly logic.

I liked both Vanney and Erpen about the same. You could make the argument that bringing in Vanney was always a short term move for this season and as such, leaving him exposed to the draft fits perfectly within United's plans for the perfect move at the time.

[griffin1108]

That's wobbly logic.

I liked both Vanney and Erpen about the same. You could make the argument that bringing in Vanney was always a short term move for this season and as such, leaving him exposed to the draft fits perfectly within United's plans for the perfect move at the time.

I was critical of the trade at the time, but I got over it and think that Vanney provided exactly what was expected of him: leadership, experience and on field coaching. The defensive breakdowns that doomed DCU in the playoffs were the responsibility of others. McTavish misjudged a bouncing ball and Vanney left his mark to try to cover the mistake. Boswell's mediocrity all season was a huge disappointment. Finally, given Burch's off season knee surgery, it is clear he was carrying a ding which caused his drop in form at the end of the season.

[nobletea]

That's wobbly logic.

I liked both Vanney and Erpen about the same. You could make the argument that bringing in Vanney was always a short term move for this season and as such, leaving him exposed to the draft fits perfectly within United's plans for the perfect move at the time.

Exactly. I'm not PRO the trade either, but you can't reasonably look at a 33 year old guy and expect to keep him in your plans for long, so I would have expected he wouldn't be back next season anyway. Seemed to me it was always designed as a temporary plug in the hull.

[seahawkdad]

And apparently Colorado got someone they like, because they protected him from the expansion draft while exposing Petke and Prideaux.

[Boloni86]

And apparently Colorado got someone they like, because they protected him from the expansion draft while exposing Petke and Prideaux.

Great point. Bottom line is that Erpen was working very well in the 4-4-2, certainly no worse than Vanney. And he's 24 with a bright future. People seem to also forget '06 when he was an all star. As far as Vanney's concerned I thought he was Dallas's best defender in '06, but his biggest problem is age and lack of speed/athleticism which is exactly what we lack in the back.