View Full Version : Credit to MLS
Chester FC
12 Feb 2009, 07:49 PM
Just want to recognize MLS for its contributions to player development.
Outside of Gooch and Pierce, the players yesterday started out in MLS. Long-way to go, baby steps, but good progress.
TheRustyEunuch
12 Feb 2009, 09:16 PM
Oddly enough I would consider those two of the worst players on the team. At least last night. I guess pearce was ok but his long balls get old.
tab5g
12 Feb 2009, 10:41 PM
Just want to recognize MLS for its contributions to player development.
Outside of Gooch and Pierce, the players yesterday started out in MLS. Long-way to go, baby steps, but good progress.
technically Donovan did not begin his professional club career in MLS either.
but that's really beside the point. MLS is a great league to have and it clearly helps the USMNT in many ways.
as does the Bradenton Academy.
but certainly, MLS (and its academies and youth team more and more) will be the local place where American players will get their start (within the professional environment) along the path to being able to aid and contribute to the national team.
USA4Life
12 Feb 2009, 10:45 PM
Agree 100%. I don't think you will find anyone then believe otherwise.
Obviously, MLS is a big part of player development. MLS is a great Spring board for young players.
Gioca
12 Feb 2009, 10:50 PM
Except when the league often hinders our players by refusing to sell them to leagues that would have developed them much better. MLS is all about the money.
deron
12 Feb 2009, 10:52 PM
Except when the league often hinders our players by refusing to sell them to leagues that would have developed them much better. MLS is all about the money.
As well it should be.
Gioca
12 Feb 2009, 11:01 PM
As well it should be.
If you're a fan of Mexico.
luftmensch
12 Feb 2009, 11:33 PM
Except when the league often hinders our players by refusing to sell them to leagues that would have developed them much better. MLS is all about the money.
Unlike those other leagues for whom it's all about love of the Beautiful Game. And World Peace.
mike4066
12 Feb 2009, 11:41 PM
Unlike those other leagues for whom it's all about love of the Beautiful Game. And World Peace.
and kittens..can't forget the kittens:rolleyes:
arkjayback
13 Feb 2009, 12:04 AM
I think we'll all give MLS even more credit in the near future: Freddy Adu, Brek Shea, Daniel Cruz, Jozy Altidore, Peri Marosovic, Tristan Bowen, Anthony Wallace, Abdus Ibrahim, Alex Nimo, Robbie Rogers, Jorge Flores, Kenny Cooper, and more.
Once there are more MLS teams, all teams have solid academies, and the league loosens up on its rules for signing players from academies, you're going to see even more and more national team players either playing in or starting out in MLS.
Martin Fischer
13 Feb 2009, 01:56 AM
Except when the league often hinders our players by refusing to sell them to leagues that would have developed them much better. MLS is all about the money.
Examples please. And, please remember it's a two parter -- who did MLS refuse to sell and explain on what basis you think the spurned league would develop that player better? I know it's harder than ranting but you owe it to yourself to try and show a little self respect.
Heist
13 Feb 2009, 08:59 AM
Oddly enough I would consider those two of the worst players on the team. At least last night. I guess pearce was ok but his long balls get old.
Boca made the biggest mistakes though. Also Clark was pedestrian in his short stint.
Injuries kept Cherundelo out for one. Spector might have also been there without his injuries.
I do give some credit to MLS, but its not like it made that team last night by any stretch. Bradley didn't play here that long for example.
oscar_in_fw
13 Feb 2009, 09:18 AM
MLS is just a feeder/development league for the richer and far more talented European leagues. This won't change until MLS can afford to pay competitive salaries for top talent.
Our best chance for building a competitive WC team is to place as many of our promising young players in the top Euro leagues so they can learn from the best. E.g. I doubt Bradley would be as good as he apparently is without significant experience at Heerenveen and the Bundesliga.
Balerion
13 Feb 2009, 09:30 AM
Except when the league often hinders our players by refusing to sell them to leagues that would have developed them much better. MLS is all about the money.
I believe that this characterization of MLS is an exaggeration. There are a few high-profile cases (Twellman, Cooper) but I don't think MLS has quite the iron grip that people make it out to be. It's not in MLS's medium- or long-term interest to develop a reputation for getting ripped off and blindly accepting the first offer. Sometimes, deals just don't work. Standard wouldn't sell Onyewu this winter and seem content to let him go on a free. Are they obstructing the development of the Belgian League? Or are there sometimes scenarios in which the club simply doesn't want to sell?
MLS is just a feeder/development league for the richer and far more talented European leagues. This won't change until MLS can afford to pay competitive salaries for top talent.
Our best chance for building a competitive WC team is to place as many of our promising young players in the top Euro leagues so they can learn from the best. E.g. I doubt Bradley would be as good as he apparently is without significant experience at Heerenveen and the Bundesliga.
I'd agree with everything you said. However, I don't think that this contradicts the premise of the thread. There will always be some Youth Yanks Abroad who come through the ranks of European clubs, but due to the obstacles in getting to a Euro academy, the bulk of America's talent will be domestically produced.
AAGunner3
13 Feb 2009, 10:01 AM
It is real nice to see. I had hoped as a young boy that one day we'd be able to produce our own home grown and developed players that were capable of leading the US to great things.
My how much has changed in a generation.
cpwilson80
13 Feb 2009, 10:26 AM
Definitely encouraging to see MLS' influence as the first pro development point for key players.
The career paths of Howard, Bocanegra, Dempsey, Beasley, and Altidore show how MLS as an initial step is mutually beneficial for both player and the league.
I'm not sure when this day will occur, but once MLS removes the money veto for rookies, I would expect the above career path to become the norm.
Bruce S
13 Feb 2009, 10:30 AM
Except when the league often hinders our players by refusing to sell them dirt cheap to leagues that would have developed them much better. MLS is all about the money.
fixed your post because MLS does sell players. It is just not a fire-sale.
Bruce S
13 Feb 2009, 10:31 AM
MLS is just a feeder/development league for the richer and far more talented European leagues. This won't change until MLS can afford to pay competitive salaries for top talent.
true, but this takes time. Things are moving in a good direction. Notice how nobody talks about whether the league can survive anymore? That is progress.
JJxvi
13 Feb 2009, 10:50 AM
Our best chance for building a competitive WC team is to place as many of our promising young players in the top Euro leagues so they can learn from the best.
The only chance to send the majority of our players to the top Euro leagues is by developing them to USMNT quality in MLS.
Adam Zebrowski
13 Feb 2009, 11:39 AM
isn't kljestan getting screwed by mls because their asking price is too high for what the bidders offer..
shalrie joseph.. another example...
mls making money thru selling players is their qucikest way to staying in existence..
with the phoenix hokey team losing 45 million and the sacramento BB team losing 25 million, how much money are the big 4 leagues losing, and following that trail, what will 2009 look like for mls