Ryan Giggs is illegitimate He's got not birth certificate He's got AIDS and can't get rid of it Dirty Munich bastard! Always look on the runway for ice... Ceterum censeo Colorado esse delendam
Yeah! Luca Toni with his "turning the knob on the side of his head" antics after he scores goals. that would rock! But, back to reality. No, I don't think RSL needs or wants a DP. Because a DP is outside the salary cap, it would seem to me that it's a mark of desperation for a team to blow all this money on just one player. This is one of my pet peeves in soccer (and other sports). If you are going to blow 250 Million dollars out your rear end for a player, I would expect that player to become a one-man highlight reel from all the goals that he was putting into the net. Although Los "MLS Cup Runner-Ups" scored oodles of goals this year, Mr. "Metrosexual with Scanky Tattoos" should have scored at least half of not more of them to be worth the money that somebody thought he was worth and to bring home the trophy when it counted. Since he didn't, I guess that money was thrown down the proverbial toilet (or gub-mint program. Take your pick, it's all the same). As the saying goes, "There is no I in team" (there isn't a Q, Z or S, but that's neither here nor there). Teams win games, not one overpaid, tattooed Englishman with bad hair.
That was hair? I thought he'd glued a bleached badger to the top of his head. And as for DPs--I'd rather we aim a little lower (and more in our price range) and get someone like Schelotto--affordable, with enough name recognition that we could get a little Blanco/Beckham bump in attendance. My personal wish list begins and ends with Dirk Kuyt. I don't think we'd ever get him, unless he wanted a couple of more years' worth of salary in the bank, but he's a Jason Kreis-kind of player: high work rate, rarely injured, and can score goals.
You're looking for pretty? I guess you could try for Torres. Blanco ain't much to look at, either (and I'm talking both general aesthetics AND you know, running around the field, ball-possession kinds of things here). And Schelotto looks like Harvey Keitel. More goals = I don't care what they look like. I'm not watching 'cause I think they're cute. Some are, I suppose--all those "23 Beckham" jerseys couldn't have gone to real soccer fans.
I completely agree that we need more depth in the central defense. Russell has gotten beat way too many times, and Hoarst....well...he sucks worse than most Utah High School center backs/sweepers. I'm scared when Robbie is in (although he did perform well in MLS Cup), but I'm scared shitless with the thought of Hoarst being the backup center back.
As far as attendance goes, I asked Garth a question in one of the Townhall meetings about the possibility of getting a Mexican player as a DP. I mentioned that it would definitely boost attendance from the Hispanic community. He mentioned that they looked hard at mexican striker Jared Borgetti before the start of the 2009 season, but decided not to based on his decreasing performance and the money we would have to pay him. Although I think adding a "star" DP would boost attendance, I love the idea that ReAL has such a team based approach with no stars. Do we need to improve so that we are not backing into the playoffs, absolutely. Do we need a dependable striker? I think Robbie has made amazing strides, but my answer is still yes. But I think a DP would have to be an amazingly good fit in all aspects to be considered.
....if that's Garth's reasoning for passing on Borgetti, then RSL is unlikely to ever sign a DP. Because by definition, that description fits every potential/actual MLS DP. That's what they are. That's the proposition. At least for this decade. Look...any DP still on the *upswing* of his career (still getting better) simply doesn't have the requisite U.S. name recognition yet. And if he did--he'd surely get paid vastly more in Europe. Garth's quote is telling. It's all one needs to know about RSL & DPs. I think we're OK with that.
RSL Strategy: build a complete team, find some diamonds in the rough, get 'em while they are young, and play beautiful soccer... I dont see DP in there anywhere do you?
I sure don't. I agree with you completely. Like I said, it would have to be an extremely perfect match, which is near impossible to find. I like the philosophy RSL has, I think it is a smart one.
I wonder how much it would have cost us to get him? If he wanted a ton of money, I can understand why Garson didn't want him.
I don't know anything about Borgetti's form, but Garth's concern could be a question of degrees. He didn't think that his particular decreasing performance was worth what we would have to pay him personally. I'm not sure you could totally uncover Garth's philosophy from this one statement. All I see (for sure) is that Garth thought this particular player was too expensive. Unless, of course, Borgetti is still playing very well and/or his salary is not unreasonable. Anyway, I'd rather see the FO passing on bad DPs than signing them <cough>FC Dallas<cough>.
a guy with a name like that surely would require a good chunk of change. After that epic gold cup final a few years back, has borgetti ever been the same?
I think the folks in Toronto and Houston might disagree with this statement. I think you are onto something. I don't see any pressing need to look at a DP, and think it's likely a longshot for this team. However, if the right situation popped up I think the team would consider it. I think it would have to be a player that can "move the needle" as far as the level of play on the field, and it would have to also be one that has significant marketing power, while keeping in a "reasonable" price range (say $500K - $1M or so).
I have not heard of a single potential MLS DP who fits this description. Sorry, that sort of player is either going to stay in Europe where the money is. You all seem to be forgetting that MLS has yet to make money and is still viewed by the rest of the world as very sub-par in terms of competition. And in many ways they have a point. I would not put a single MLS team on the level of anyone in the Premiership. I think they would at best be midtable in the Championship. So if you're looking for a "DP" type player, think of a good Championship level player and you're thinking about right. That's what RSL needs to target. I think that's what you are talking about with someone like Morales and Olave. Ceterum censeo Colorado esse delendam
The problem is, there's not a single player in the Championship that would meet Garth's second requirement for a DP: A name that's big enough to increase ticket/merchandise sales to the level that it significantly helps pay his salary. Personally I think a foreign player is out of the question. An up-and-comer wouldn't have the name recognition (that Garth requires). A guy at his peak would likely be too expensive or not fit into the team concept (both things Garth requires). A big name who's over the hill wouldn't have the upward trend (which Garth requires). If RSL gets a DP in the Lagerway administration, I could only see it being a "big-name" American like Donovan, Howard, etc. Guys like that would be DP's but not cost millions, have enough name recognition domesically to draw a few more fans, fit the team concept, and can still play. That's just my gut feeling.
A lot of you are giving great reasons for not wanting a DP, and some of you giving reasons why we don't need a DP. Still though, for 5 years I've felt like a sort of ambassador for the league and team. Giving away extra season tix, and being "that guy" among my social group when it comes to talking about RSL/MLS. I don't know how many of you are in the same situation as me, being a young adult and college student, but I imagine at least some of you are. It seems like being an "ambassador" would be easier if we could say to friends, aquaintances, and euro snobs, "hey, come out to the RioT this weekend. Why? Because RSL has [big name international]" Don't get me wrong, I'm all for getting the "right kind" of fans. I just think that the right kind of fans need to be recruited and molded. If they were existant, we'd have recruited them already. Until this Cup run, the only time wearing RSL gear garnered lots of reaction was when we had Freddy Adu. Those few months were also the only period I had an easy time giving away extras tickets. I know this statement doesn't speak well for the company that I keep, but the MLS is what it is. Rather than deny it, we have to recognize it and embrace it. I don't know of many DP scenarios that would help the team. But most DP scenarios seem like they would help the organization. I apologize for length.
Borghetti sucks! He totally failed with Chivas and wasn't good enough to be a starter! Borghetti as non-DP = not worth it.
I think that people arguing that we don't need a DP is so freaking old. I don't remember anyone on this thread arguing for the idea that RSL needs a DP. At this point, DP is a want or a luxury, that they perhaps should, or perhaps shouldn't explore. We know that without a DP, RSL will survive, but if RSL is to build a dynasty, it might need a little boost from a DP. That is a the topic of this thread, not whether RSL needs a DP or not, but rather should RSL go for a DP right now, or not. *PS-It's the offseason, we got to keep ourselves entertained somehow
I personally don't believe we need a DP at the moment, but my decision to say RSL won't get a DP is based on my evaluation of what RSL will or won't do in 2010. My opinion that after winning the Cup, the RSL FO will feel even less of a need to sign a DP. Winning the Cup will bring in more season ticket sales and exposure. And the team was obviously good enough in 2009 without a DP to win the MLS Cup, why would then need one in 2010?
I agree it would be much easier, however, RSL just did all of the talking for you. Instead of (big name international) you can say 2009 MLS Cup Champions... If nothing else, tell them to go simply because of the RioT. Many people that werent all that into soccer, and even some that were, that I talked to after their first event there always commented on how beautiful that stadium is.
Does RSL NEED a DP? No. Could RSL benefit from having the right DP? of course. the using of the DP isnt the issue, its who you use the DP on.