As a companion to the fine player movement scorecard thread, with the discussion about player retention this off-season I thought I would break down players coming into MLS from other leagues vs. players leaving MLS for other leagues. A couple notes: first, players who have left MLS for USL teams are not included, nor are players who have been waived but not yet resigned with other teams. If I have the data right, so far 17 players have joined MLS from foreign leagues, Argentina and Columbia being the most popular source of players, with three each. While CONMEBOL leagues are the greatest source of players for MLS, UEFA is the greatest importer of MLS talent, with 12 of the 14 players leaving MLS heading for Europe. Norway seems to be the most active league on both sides of the ledger, with five players heading to Norway (one the result of the expiration of a loan), and two coming to MLS. Here is the list (and please make corrects or additions): COMING TO MLS (17 PLAYERS) From CONMEBOL (9) Matias Cordoba (RSL from Tigre - Argentina) Franco Niell (DC United from Argentinos Juniors - Argentina) Gonzalo Peralta (DC United from Almirante Brown - Argentina) Andre Rocha (FC Dallas from Atletico Paranaense - Brazil) Chase Hilgenbrinck McDonald (Colorado from Nublense – Chile) Oscar Echeverry (RBNY form Atletico Nacional - Colombia) Gonzalo Martinez (DC United from Millonarios - Colombia) Jamilson Olave (RSL from Deportivo Cali - Colombia) Jose Carvallo (DC United from Universitario de Deportes - Peru) From UEFA (6) Celestine Babayaro (Los Angeles from Newcastle United - England) Marcelo Gallardo (DC United from Paris Saint-Germain - France) Ian Joy (RSL form St. Pauli - Germany) Nat Borchers (RSL from Odd Grenland - Norway) Ramiro Corrales (San Jose from SK Brann - Norway, rights traded from Houston) Raphael Wicky (Chivas from FC Sion - Switzerland) From CONCACAF (2) Mauricio Castro (New England from Olimpia - Honduras) Duilio Davino (FC Dallas from Club America - Mexico) LEAVING MLS (14 PLAYERS) To CONMEBOL (2) Denílson (Palmeiras – Brazil from FC Dallas) Marcos Gonzalez (Universidad Catolica – Chile from Columbus) To UEFA (12) Nate Jaqua (Cashpoint Altach – Austria from Houston) Joseph Ngwenya (SK Austria Kärnten – Austria from Houston) Will John (Randers FC – Denmark from Kansas City) Eddie Johnson (Fulham – England from Kansas City) Bryan Arguez (Herta Berlin – Germany from DC United) Clint Mathis (Ergotelis – Greece from Los Angeles) Chris Gbandi (FK Haugesund – Norway from FC Dallas) Clarence Goodson (IK Start – Norway from San Jose) Pat Noonan (Aalesund – Norway from New England) Troy Perkins (Valerenga – Norway from DC United) Kenny Stamatopoulos (Tromsø IL – Norway from Toronto FC [loan expired]) Andy Dorman (St. Mirren – Scotland from New England) To CONCACAF (0) While the net pickup isn't that great, on balance it would appear that MLS is probably getting as good as it is giving.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports Nice summary; thanks for doing this. Don't forget that MLS added San Jose this year. I would have hoped to see the balance tilted more favorably on the imports - though some of the incoming players may be better than expected.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports It appears that many more people are still coming -- see the new Revs signing (and a couple more rumored) plus trialists who may sign in guys like Frankowski in Chicago and Ricken in Columbus. Thanks for doing this. I hope you can keep it updated.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports Don't forget about Ivan Trujilo who is going to Kansas City.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports This is a list where timing is everything. For instance, you're more likely to see MLS-ers "leaving" in January (when there is an open window in Europe). OTOH, there are a bunch of MLS teams (NE is a great example) who MUST add some foreign talent--they lost guys to Europe and need to fill holes and they can't do it within MLS. So you just know that NE, NYRB, maybe Chicago, maybe TFC, maybe KC, maybe Chivas and an outside chance of Columbus will add foreign talent between now and the close of the MLS April window.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports shouldn't to concacaf include the guys going to the usl?
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports I didn't put players going to the USL -- its really a drop in division for them in another US domestic league.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports with the MLS window being open until April, there will be quite a few names added to this list. Especially considering some rumors of another DP going down soon and... Houston's need for quality forwards, 2, possibly more. NER's rumored interest in two more Costa Rican's, possibly a DP TFC's need for, well, everything. Mo said he was bringing in at least 5 news faces, so far.... San Jose could still add some talent from a variety of sources. I have a feeling LA is going to still do some wheeling and dealing, who knows what Lalas is going to cook up. That Frankowski fellow seems near a done deal, depending on what Columbus is demanding and if they'll give him a wage. Shit, throw Carr at Columbus. Ricken seems set for Columbus depending on the NER discovery claim... Really, people were really lamenting the "losses" of some mid-level talent this year. I think the additions are more than making up for the, IMHO, rather minor losses. The only player that I think was a big loss was Ngwenya, he was a great fit at Houston, especially as a speedy compliment to Ching. Noonan, Dorman, Jaqua, these players were demanding (and now making) far more than they deserved in MLS. You have to deal with the realities of the salary cap, most of the Euro-bound talent is easily replaceable at a lower wage. I really like what Dallas is doing, this Rocha fellow could be one of the best newcomers to the league. I think they're a team to watch this year, if Cooper can regain his form preceding the injury and Mina, Thompson or Odura can step up they're set for a solid season. I really think Ricardinho could grow into one of the league's most exciting players. Toja, Richetti, Rocha, Alvarez McCarty, Wallace, Serioux, Avila and Shea. That's a talented, diverse midfield with a lot of youth. They should have an exciting, attacking (they're likely playing 3-4-3/3-5-2) style with a Club America legend. Hopefully they can fill PHP consistently.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports then you could say the same thing about the people coming in
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports Matt Pickens to QPR from Chicago Or are out of contract players not being included?
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports Here is the updated list. I did put the USL players in, but I do think it is a bit different to consider them "losses" when they are moving down a division in the same domestic system; still to track all the movements I'll keep them in the chart. As someone noted, since the MLS window is still open, the additions should now outpace the subtractions, so keep posting your additions and corrections. I'll try and refresh the table from time to time. UPDATED FEBRUARY 16, 2008 COMING TO MLS (18 PLAYERS) From CONMEBOL (10) Matias Cordoba (RSL from Tigre - Argentina) Franco Niell (DC United from Argentinos Juniors - Argentina) Gonzalo Peralta (DC United from Almirante Brown - Argentina) Andre Rocha (FC Dallas from Atletico Paranaense - Brazil) Chase Hilgenbrinck McDonald (Colorado from Nublense – Chile) Oscar Echeverry (RBNY form Atletico Nacional - Colombia) Gonzalo Martinez (DC United from Millonarios - Colombia) Jamilson Olave (RSL from Deportivo Cali - Colombia) Ivan Trujillo (KC from Deportivo Cali – Columbia) Jose Carvallo (DC United from Universitario de Deportes - Peru) From UEFA (6) Celestine Babayaro (Los Angeles from Newcastle United - England) Marcelo Gallardo (DC United from Paris Saint-Germain - France) Ian Joy (RSL form St. Pauli - Germany) Nat Borchers (RSL from Odd Grenland - Norway) Ramiro Corrales (San Jose from SK Brann - Norway, rights traded from Houston) Raphael Wicky (Chivas from FC Sion - Switzerland) From CONCACAF (2) Mauricio Castro (New England from Olimpia - Honduras) Duilio Davino (FC Dallas from Club America - Mexico) LEAVING MLS (17 PLAYERS) To CONMEBOL (2) Denílson (Palmeiras – Brazil from FC Dallas) Marcos Gonzalez (Universidad Catolica – Chile from Columbus) To UEFA (13) Nate Jaqua (Cashpoint Altach – Austria from Houston) Joseph Ngwenya (SK Austria Kärnten – Austria from Houston) Will John (Randers FC – Denmark from Kansas City) Eddie Johnson (Fulham – England from Kansas City) Matt Pickens (QPR – England from Chicago) Bryan Arguez (Herta Berlin – Germany from DC United) Clint Mathis (Ergotelis – Greece from Los Angeles) Chris Gbandi (FK Haugesund – Norway from FC Dallas) Clarence Goodson (IK Start – Norway from San Jose) Pat Noonan (Aalesund – Norway from New England) Troy Perkins (Valerenga – Norway from DC United) Kenny Stamatopoulos (Tromsø IL – Norway from Toronto FC [loan expired]) Andy Dorman (St. Mirren – Scotland from New England) To CONCACAF (2) Nicholas Addlery (Vancouver Whitecaps - USL1) Jay Nolly (Vancouver Whitecaps - USL1)
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports Can everyone add what their team needs and is rumoured their team is going after to this? FCD is still looking at forwards and left center defenders so they may bring in 2-3 more foreign players.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports Yeah, so? This isn't a UEFA tracking board. If it was, I would expect them not to count players going to MLS as significant losses (with perhaps one exception).
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports Gallardo wasn't getting any PT in France either. Ricken was once a promising starlet. In any case, we'll see how the movement of quality goes. Most players leaving MLS are on the upside (aside of Mathis); most players coming are over the hill. And everyone - coming or going - is a question mark.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports A few more MLS-to-USL moves: Stephen deRoux-M fom DC United to Minnesota Chris Brown-F-Real Salt Lake to Portland
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports http://www.imagebam.com/image/bfa8062903455 A visual representation of this year's international transfers.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports What is Seattle doing in this offseason? Are they improving the roster knowing that they'll be able to keep some of the players? Seems like they'd be able to capitalize on that. And they'll likely make more money this year with increased interest in the team. They could probably afford some better players then they've had in the past.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports americans know don garbage & axis of evil group are a cancer & the foreigners don't ...... yet.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports You can add Tomasz Frankowski to the incoming list, he signed with the Fire today.
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports I moved most of the "why and wherefore" type comments over to the Hush thread, because: * they dovetail closely with the discussion going on there, and * That leaves this thread as more of a tracking thread, the way the original poster had intended. So any more personnel moves across international borders to list can be put in this thread, while thoughts about why it's happening, to what extent it's a trend, and what it means for the league can go to: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=659842
Re: The Balance of Trade -- Tracking MLS Imports and Exports Charleston Battery has signed Jack Stewart. http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3594707
UPDATED MARCH 2, 2008 COMING TO MLS (23 PLAYERS) From CONMEBOL (11) Matias Cordoba (RSL from Tigre - Argentina) Franco Niell (DC United from Argentinos Juniors - Argentina) Gonzalo Peralta (DC United from Almirante Brown - Argentina) Franco Caraccio, (Houston from Arsenal de Sarandí – Argentina) Andre Rocha (FC Dallas from Atletico Paranaense - Brazil) Chase Hilgenbrinck McDonald (Colorado from Nublense – Chile) Oscar Echeverry (RBNY form Atletico Nacional - Colombia) Gonzalo Martinez (DC United from Millonarios - Colombia) Jamilson Olave (RSL from Deportivo Cali - Colombia) Ivan Trujillo (KC from Deportivo Cali – Columbia) Jose Carvallo (DC United from Universitario de Deportes - Peru) From UEFA (9) Celestine Babayaro (Los Angeles from Newcastle United - England) Tomasz Frankowski (Chicago from Wolverhampton Wanderers – England; after loan to CD Tenerife – Spain, expired) Marcelo Gallardo (DC United from Paris Saint-Germain - France) Ian Joy (RSL form St. Pauli - Germany) Nat Borchers (RSL from Odd Grenland - Norway) Ramiro Corrales (San Jose from SK Brann - Norway, rights traded from Houston) Tony Caig (Houston from Gretna – Scotland) Kenny Deuchar (RSL from Gretna - Scotland) Raphael Wicky (Chivas from FC Sion - Switzerland) From CONCACAF (3) Argenis Fernandez (New England from Santos - Costa Rica) Mauricio Castro (New England from Olimpia - Honduras) Duilio Davino (FC Dallas from Club America - Mexico) LEAVING MLS (21 PLAYERS) To CONMEBOL (2) Denílson (Palmeiras – Brazil from FC Dallas) Marcos Gonzalez (Universidad Catolica – Chile from Columbus) To UEFA (13) Nate Jaqua (Cashpoint Altach – Austria from Houston) Joseph Ngwenya (SK Austria Kärnten – Austria from Houston) Will John (Randers FC – Denmark from Kansas City) Eddie Johnson (Fulham – England from Kansas City) Matt Pickens (QPR – England from Chicago) Bryan Arguez (Herta Berlin – Germany from DC United) Clint Mathis (Ergotelis – Greece from Los Angeles) Chris Gbandi (FK Haugesund – Norway from FC Dallas) Clarence Goodson (IK Start – Norway from San Jose) Pat Noonan (Aalesund – Norway from New England) Troy Perkins (Valerenga – Norway from DC United) Kenny Stamatopoulos (Tromsø IL – Norway from Toronto FC [loan expired]) Andy Dorman (St. Mirren – Scotland from New England) To CONCACAF (6) Nicholas Addlery (Vancouver Whitecaps - USL1 from DC United) Chris Brown (Portland Timbers – USL1 from RSL) Stephen deRoux (Minnesota Thunder - USL1 from DC United) Willis Forko (Vancouver Whitecaps - USL1 from RSL) Jay Nolly (Vancouver Whitecaps - USL1 from DC United) Jack Stewart (Charleston Battery – USL1 from Real Salt Lake)
MLS should get some money together to teach the norwigan league a lesson for stealing our players. Lets grab Helstad, Ijeh, and TFC can grab Occean so at least they have a Canadian on their Roster