Can/Should MLS sign the U-17's for this draft?

[ATLGunner]

I was thinking about this today; can the the MLS sign the U-17 stars before the summer and Bradenton graduation?

I remember Ibrahim played the last world cup having already been drafted, but he may have graduated the year before, don't know.

I think this is important because those six months after the world cup before the MLS draft, and the 9 months before the next season would probably see most of them gone.

Jerome, Gyau, Renken, Edwards, Jack and Koroma need to be at least offered. Some will go to greener pastures but the MLS has to make its best play, and if they could I'd assume they'd try now.

And I also believe this team has the level of talent where they can go for some of the second tier and find some diamonds in the rough.

Also, I assume they'll push hard for Carlos Martinez since he is free, and sign Felix Garcia as well.

Anybody know the rules on this? Cheers!

[GersMan]

Apparently they are seriously interested in about a half dozen of the current group.

However, most if not all wont' be graduating H.S. until the end of 2009 at the earliest, so you could argue they would have them on the books for a whole year and be getting nothing for it (which is how it was with some of other residency signings in the past, including Ibby).

I do see your point about wanting to sign them before the World Cup in Nigeria as that event is a big shop window, but I doubt current residency players will be in the January, '09 draft.

[galaxyfanz]

being in high school doesn't stop players from playing in MLS. Adu was 14 when drafted and altidore i believe was 16 or 17. The good news is young players can't sign overseas until they are 18. So if MLS is smart they will get a bunch into the league and start building with talented youth. If they pan out and go the europe, then maybe MLS will be an attractive place to be seen by more yong players from around the region.

[sostoked]

being in high school doesn't stop players from playing in MLS. Adu was 14 when drafted and altidore i believe was 16 or 17. The good news is young players can't sign overseas until they are 18. So if MLS is smart they will get a bunch into the league and start building with talented youth. If they pan out and go the europe, then maybe MLS will be an attractive place to be seen by more yong players from around the region.


In Brazil, selling soccer players to Europe brings in BILLIONS of dollars every year. If the MLS could only capture a portion of that through selling its own players...

[scoachd1]

being in high school doesn't stop players from playing in MLS. Adu was 14 when drafted and altidore i believe was 16 or 17. The good news is young players can't sign overseas until they are 18. So if MLS is smart they will get a bunch into the league and start building with talented youth. If they pan out and go the europe, then maybe MLS will be an attractive place to be seen by more yong players from around the region.

This of course assumes all these kids will want to sign with MLS. Many will only agree to do so at a much higher price. Take a look at the premiums it took to sign the few baseball players willing to sign out of HS.
http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/draft/2008/bonuses/signing_bonuses_08.aspx
If you notice contracts generally decrease by draft position, but often HS players will often make significantly more than players drafted above them even though they are a much higher risk.

[whip]

I was thinking about this today; can the the MLS sign the U-17 stars before the summer and Bradenton graduation?

I remember Ibrahim played the last world cup having already been drafted, but he may have graduated the year before, don't know.

I think this is important because those six months after the world cup before the MLS draft, and the 9 months before the next season would probably see most of them gone.

Jerome, Gyau, Renken, Edwards, Jack and Koroma need to be at least offered. Some will go to greener pastures but the MLS has to make its best play, and if they could I'd assume they'd try now.

And I also believe this team has the level of talent where they can go for some of the second tier and find some diamonds in the rough.

Also, I assume they'll push hard for Carlos Martinez since he is free, and sign Felix Garcia as well.

Anybody know the rules on this? Cheers!

No... MLS should wait for Euroteams to come and get them and then buy them from those teams at a HEFTY FEE.....:D Somebody have some figures about the Donovan deal...? :rolleyes: