I sent the guy a note -- probably some of you did too. I will say I'm pretty excited about the continued talk of new faces. Some MLS teams just obviously seem to need some more new blood -- particularly the likes of RSL, TFC and the Quakes Thanks to all of you who are digging up this stuff.
Ugh horrible signing in my opinion... Its that sort of washed-up player that gives MLS a bad rep in Europe Seems like pandering to the Portugese population of Toronto
Chicago is currently trialing Pius Ikedia, 27 year old Nigerian right winger who played in 2002 World Cup - he played in Chicago's most recent scrimmage against Kansas City. Most of his career has been spent with Dutch teams - Ajax, Groningen, RBC Roosendaal and RKC Waalwijk - his most recent team was Metalurh Donetsk in Ukraine.
I'm not sure if this has previously been mentioned here, but Colorado has filed a discovery on the Brazilian striker Reinaldo, previously rumored to have garned interest by RSL. http://www.deseretnews.com/blogs/1,5322,26,00.html?bD=20080218&sc=dmn With the news that he is likely to leave the A-league ... http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23235346-10389,00.html Could he be headed to the Rapids?
Damn this discovery business really needs to be sorted, I expect Colorado have no intention of signing him, they just want to get an easy draft pick/allocation out of RSL
Yeah, because a team in desperate need of a forward secretly wishes to trade a good one away for magic beans
Also included in the Pinto report is that Colombian centerback, Julian Barragan, formerly of Deportivo Pasto and Deportivo Cali, is headed to Toronto for a trial.
Goff says Wizzers may be in talks with Claudio Lopez http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/02/on_the_grapevine.html
an update to the rumor. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/02/piojo_united_real_books_and_re.html
Confirmed that he is at TFC's camp observing: http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080220.wxtfc20/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home
how about this one....... Dunord has a quote from Veron saying he wants to play in MLS and bring Riquelme with him...........hmm.....
Veron still has some gas left in that tank. I saw that Veron wants to play along side Riquelme but that he wanted to do that in the MLS is news to me. Those two on the same team in any country would be worth the price of admission. Saw Veron play in the Copa Libertadores and he still has tons of skill and a few more miles left on him. Red Bull should get rid of Reyna, trade for a DP and get those two so that they can feed balls to Altidore, Angel, and Echeverria all game long.
A team can only have a maximum of two DP slots. So Angel is one. Also, after Veron burned DCU (who spent over a year romancing him and was told "it's a done deal" only to have him back out literally at the alter), I suspect no MLS team would really be eager to invest much effort signing him. Oh sure, they might throw a contract his way. But any extended negotiations--I think not.
i think there is an angle to Verons about face with DC United that few of us have thought about. when Barros Schelleto was back home this offseason he plainly told the press that he wanted out of his contract with Columbus and wanted to come back home and play........this was propaganda for the hometown fans who are rabid about their heroes loyalty.Schelleto even admitted and so did the Columbus front office that Schelleto needed a little grace from MLS fans because he was in an awkward position with his hometown fans. I believe,and its only my opinion,that Veron caved in under homecountry pressure.I believe he really wants to come here but didnt have the gutts to go thru with it.I believe his comments that I read yesterday on Dunords site was his way of communicating with MLS that he doesnt want us to gi ve up on him. Also remember Juan Tojas comments last year when he came to FC Dallas.He stated very emphatically that he was tremedously impressed with MLS and the facilities in Dallas. I think alot of players who some wouldnt believe would want to come here really do want to come but the salary cap makes it impossible financially. As Garbers plan comes to fruition and he yr by yr raises thecap and eventually allows MLS teams to sign who they want,I think we will see alot more quality and name players coming here.........but only my opinion
That is going to happen but you know how pop culture works - I WANT IT NOW!!! The players negotiations are going to be huge in 2009. I hope there is no strike, and I hope we have - 1. More first team roster spots. Minumum 2. We need more depth as we play in more comps. Without it the teams will always be severley handicapped against int'l comp. 2. A solid increase in minimum first team roster salary. 50K would be nice. Don't care so much about dev. player increase. If you can't make a roster in a year or two go to the USL or get another job. 3. Minimum increase, above the min. salary increase and extra slots of about 750K. Add that to the other costs and you are looking at a little over a mill in cap increase, but there would be an increased roster and you could keep, or add, 2 to 3 quality players. This alone would take our teams ability to compete to another level. I bet that home and away victories versus SA and Mex comp would happen after this. I don't think I have ever been so excited about a players contract negotiation. Even the extra mill, and maybe a bit more, would take our teams up a clear notch. Note - If managed properly of course. Lalas excluded from that statement.
agreed.........i think we see a slight shift in MLS's approach.lI thing they have been very careful and fiscally guarded up until they realized what Beckhams presence has done.It significantly raised awareness of MLS internationally.The Galaxy sold a ton of jerseys and stuff.Other players around the world have already begun using MLS as negotiating leverage.The commissioner is still going to be careful but I think he is seeing that MLS is going to be viable and profitable in the near future.Expansion is extremely popular in MLS.There is Seattle and Philly bringing us to 16 teams but there are legitimately at least 10 other cities interested in SSS and expansion.Who knows where this league could be in 15 yrs.So its exciting to see it beginning to grow and become a respected and desired location for overseas transfers.I think this season is just the tip of the iceberg as far as SouthAmerican talent.I think the next fiver years will see MLs becoming a whose who of SouthAmerican Players and then i think European player will follow But before all of that can happen we need all the SSS's completed in KC.Utah and New York.we need stadiums approved and built in Houston and Philly.Its all going to be contingent upon MLS providing the fan a great top class atmosphere to enjoy matches and also provinding the incoming players a fair market value for their talents and a first class league with top facillities etc....