I was looking at the roster chosen for the US / Spain game, and it has C. Bocanegra listed as out of contract. If this is true, do you think the Bulls should make him an offer? I think he would be a good addition to our defense and would add quality and experience.
If the money is good, he probably will, but for RB don't make sense, we need the money for a CAM the two defender we need could be filled with players from Central or South America that we can find them for 200 to 300.000 a piece, Boca will like to sign a 6 figures contract....
Yeah, if you think the Red Bulls can just sign a player because he's a free agent, like say any other club on the planet (not including other MLS teams) can, then you don't know MLS well enough.
We lose Peguero and Bradley and who did we get then and when Peggy came back to MLS we got nothing? It seems like we don't play this game very well from a front office standpoint.
This is the most emphatic one ever.... HEEEEE'S NOOOOOT COOOOOOMING HEEEERRREEEE!!!!! Why is every out-of-contact American player's next stop the MLS? Grow a brain!
MLS is a better league than these small-time Danish, Austrian and Scandinavian leagues that players are joining. Good luck to these guys who went to Europe, but Califf, Jaqua, Charlie Davies, Troy Perkins, Szetela are off the radar American soccer fans' radar. MLS does pay players that produce. Unfortunately, they're not paying much for potential. And Cervi, Jaqua and Bocanegra all earn nothing right now. They may have offers, but the good European teams sign players every day and these guys are still unsigned. Let's show a little love for the MLS.
Yes, players who are moving there frooomm . . *drum roll* . . the USA! Bocanegra is coming off a 4 year stint in England's top flight. He's not going to any of those countries, and he's not coming to the MLS yet . . it'd be an absolute last resort. He's got skills and experience that could be put to good use in Spain or Germany.
Or elsewhere in England. Chris Coleman (ex-Fulham) is said to want him badly at Coventry. Whether Bocanegra would sign with a club that just narrowly missed relegation to the third division is doubtful; even though he gets on very well with Coleman and would start every match. More likely he signs with West Brom, Stoke or Hull to stay in the Prem. Failing that, the Continent beckons just as sublicon says.
Nothing in euro's is still 2x nothing in dollars. Tell me how many of our players are making over $200K?
That's less than 10%. Hell, 35% of the players in MLS make less than $20K. My point is that the salaries are higher in the leagues you disparage, even if the level of play isn't. Even dumb soccer jocks can figure that one out. See, being a professional myself, I can appreciate players who consider themselves professionals going where they can ply their trade for more recognition (including compensation.) It's why I work in Manhattan and not in Little Rock. Believe me, I'd probably be king at what I do in Little Rock, and here I'm just another hack. But I face more challenges and reap better rewards here. I imagine it's much the same for these players. As for showing love for MLS, I got nothing but. Still, it'd be nice if the league would show a little love back for the product they push.
It's all about the money. And I don't begrudge them for that. But they're not getting challenged in the Austrian Bundesliga or English 3rd Division. And they're not getting any recognition from the American soccer fan by playing in leagues that no one watches.
It's also about exposure, and in Europe, there are more quality leagues and teams to be exposed than playing here. First division recruiters pay more attention to these leagues than the MLS. It's all about accessing the currently existing networks these guys have in place.
Can you name some American players who have gone from these "lesser" leagues to bigger clubs in Europe?
Give me a few days and I'll write Michael Bradley's name here. Once we know which team he's going to. Jay Demeritt got to the Premier League by joining with Watford (after MLS turned him down.) Today, he played for USA against Argentina. Onyewu was loaned out to Newcastle from Standard Leige. It really happens. These leagues have been around a lot longer than MLS. They do a pretty good job of developing players (look at how many of the lower leagues feed the big 4.) But, don't get me wrong, I'm not a hater of MLS. I wouldn't be a season ticket holder if I was.
I wouldn't consider the Eredivisie a lower league. DeMeritt is a bad example - he came up through the English leagues, and would be in the Premiership if he had the quality. Unfortunately, he doesn't. Onyewu (absolute shite) was shipped right back to Belguim, and you don't see anyone clamoring for his signature. Bottom line is that it comes down to cash. If a guy can make $200k playing in Switzerland or $33k playing in MLS, it just isn't a tough choice.