MLS Confidential says MACCA.. "To acquire McManaman, the Metros would use the allocation it received from MLS when forward Clint Mathis left the league to sign with German club Hannover. The league will use some of the money it received when keeper Tim Howard was sold to Manchester United last summer for $3.6 million to acquire McManaman. MLS reportedly has put a value of $400,000 on the Metros' allocation. As a player under contract, McManaman would have to be acquired and registered prior to the closing of the primary MLS transfer window March 31. Whether Man City might let him go on a free, since it paid nothing for him, isn't known. Players out of contract are not subject to transfer-window restrictions. If the team did let him go on a free or for a nominal sum, allocation money could be paid to him to supplement whatever salary and other compensation he negotiates with the league." from Soccer America
MLS Confidential reports that the Metros are in talks to acquire Man City midfielder Steve McManaman, age 32. Started his career with Liverpool, played the last four years with Real Madrid. Has not played for England since 2001. Has no goals for Man City this season. Nick S. is quoted as downplaying these talks, pointing out that the Metros are exploring the possible acquisition of several players. Unnamed sources, however, state that the talks involving McManaman are farther along than Nick is letting on.
Soccer america daily mail MACCA TO METROS? The Metros and MLS are conducting discussions that if fruitful will bring former England international midfielder Steve McManaman to America. McManaman, 32, has been playing with U.S. international midfielder Claudio Reyna at Manchester City since July. He's played 17 Premier League games and 24 matches overall this season without scoring a goal although Soccernet statistics credit him with two assists. Metros general manager Nick Sakiewicz downplayed the connection to McManaman. "There are any number of great players we would love to have, but I can't say we're further down the road with McManaman that any other player whose name has been mentioned," said Sakiewicz on Thursday. Two sources insist the talks with McManaman are much further along than Sakiewicz says, but a deal has yet to be sealed. McManaman returned to the English Premier League last summer after a four-year stint with Real Madrid. He began his career as a trainee with Liverpool, made his pro debut in 1990 and played 350 league and cup games for the Reds before moving to Spain. The last of his 37 English caps was earned in October, 2001 against Greece. He scored three international goals. To acquire McManaman, the Metros would use the allocation it received from MLS when forward Clint Mathis left the league to sign with German club Hannover. The league will use some of the money it received when keeper Tim Howard was sold to Manchester United last summer for $3.6 million to acquire McManaman. MLS reportedly has put a value of $400,000 on the Metros' allocation. As a player under contract, McManaman would have to be acquired and registered prior to the closing of the primary MLS transfer window March 31. Whether Man City might let him go on a free, since it paid nothing for him, isn't known. Players out of contract are not subject to transfer-window restrictions. If the team did let him go on a free or for a nominal sum, allocation money could be paid to him to supplement whatever salary and other compensation he negotiates with the league. "Frankly, we might just bank that allocation for later on," Sakiewicz says. "It's not like we have to use it." The Metros are well under the per-team salary cap of $1.73 million, having lopped off Howard and Clint Mathis from last year's payroll as well as Richie Williams. They are hovering around the $1 million mark.
Waaait a minute. THIS is the signing that someone here said would have all us Metro fans dazzled over?!? I'm not dazzled. We just lost a player who scored alot more goals than this guy did last year.
Frankly, Nick is a fool. We are in desperate need of quality wingers and a big-time striker, we have tons of cap room, and Nick wants to SIT on this allocation until the end of the year and sign another Juskowiak? Go out and get someone before March 31st so this team isn't a work in progress all fcc((king year.
"MLS reportedly has put a value of $400,000 on the Metros' allocation." LOL! Guys, if that's the value of the allocation, then I seriously doubt Macca would be the man to fill it; you're talking about a player who was paid millions all too recently. Me-thinks an agent has gotten the better of Mahoney's sensibilities. I'm sticking with Paul Ince. The Magpie
if macca ever came to the metros...it would reason alone to come out to the stadium.... the guy's amazing...and as was said....would set up more goals than clint ever scored... when i read this first, i was like...holy sh1t! this is awesome...hope it comes out true....
Ince? What in heaven's name do we need another central midfielder for? Sorry, no chance. I think the gist of that article is that we would somehow combine the Howard and Mathis allocations/money/what-have-you - which more than likely would come out pretty close to a mill. If that's the case, the question is whether we can get Man City to release him on a free (doubtful, but worth a shot - I don't know what his contract situation is), or if he can buy his own contract out, whereupon we compensate him somehow. I thought I read somewhere that Man City wasn't a million miles from the sort of financial difficulties that are now beleaguring Leeds, so maybe they'll give some thought to getting shot of a big contract without too much of a fee. Who knows.
there is nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo way mr. macca is coming to metros... i'd think he'd go to those rich a$$ oil tycoons in qatar before MLS
So now we get to test the global influence of Soccer America and BigSoccer. Anyone want to bet on whether or not this makes the Saturday tabs in Engerland?
I agree. Real Madrid pedigree or not, he just doesn't seem to be the same inspired player from years gone by. I've watched every possible Man City match this season and I've been less than impressed. Metros would be better off getting Reyna back over to the States were it possible.
Lets review the facts. Mcmanaman just signed with Man City this season, and is on reportedly 30-40,000 a week wages, and starting in the english premier league. Now, with due respect to Man City's position in the premier league, why would any player leave a superior league, and wage, as well as his home, for an inferior level of play and salary? By this logic, he might as well sign with Milwall or a first division side, which could still probably afford to pay more than MLS. Dont forget we had the likes of Austin Mccann, a player who couldnt get a game at Hearts' in the SPL, on trial, as opposed to a player the calibre of Macca, who was playing for Real Madrid a year ago. Frankly, I feel this link is either totally bogus or doomed to failure, though I have also heard they are attemping to coax George Weah out of retirement.
A million in salary and some other incentives (apartment in NYC, auto, etc.) might be enough to lure him here. Who knows - maybe he wants to live a couple of years anonimously in the States. He may want to be the face of the league (in the EPL he's just one of many good players). Further, the way Man City is playing, they might not be in the EPL next year. A drop to the 1st division would require them to let some players go. I do have a hard time believing they would let him go for nothing (unless they were doing him a favor).
Maybe it's because of the lack of quality around him... Oh wait, that was supposed to be Clint's excuse. Please let this be true...
I think his problem is a bit of a lack of confidence. He was a good player who transferred to a great team, then couldn't get on the field. So, he then transferred to an average team that plays against better teams every week. He hasn't played games every week in the 2 years he sat on the bench in Spain, he can't get on his own national team, and now he's getting his teeth kicked in every week for a team that can't win a game. How would you feel? I think he still has talent, and that if he spent his days going up against MLS defenses he'd do pretty well. He's not Rivaldo good, but he'd be a pretty huge upgrade over Woly, Magee coming off an injury or a rookie from SCSU. We have two allocations, it wouldn't kill me if he was one of them. That said, even in the first division he'd get paid more than here, so I don't see him coming unless there was some major hidden cash thrown around. A player his age can't take a 60% paycut, he doesn't have that many years left.
One fact that may or may not mean much to us, but could to a guy like Macca... "I come to the U.S., play in New York City, and NO ONE will know who I am! No hounding from the press, no fans chasing me down when I go shopping, etc. I got all the money I'm ever gonna need, and I can livve in NYC, still play and be left the heck alone....HMMMM..." Maybe.
I hope we do sign Macca, dont get me wrong, he would romp in MLS. I just find it hard to believe, based purely upon salary issues. However, if he does have some desire to finish his career in the the States, then im sure it is possible. He could really benefit the league and fan support in terms of his name, with a bit of skill to go along with it. They will also need major cap space, but if the metros land Macca, it would be a coup for the league. Lets hope the rumors are true.
Waaaait a minute! Since when was there a sarcasm icon! Why wasnt i notified! Btw, the player i was referring to losing was Addo. }sarcasm{
We can't afford this guy. I still don't know how we could afford Lothar. Frankly, we couldn't -- in many.many ways.
Honestly. 32 is the magic age for coming to MLS, huh? This, apparently, is the formula: Year X continues second-tier European stardom. Then resleased by club followed by end of national team duty before Year X+1 spent trying to make an impact at a lower-level club Year X+2 Welcome to MLS, where you will earn the maximum salary and most likely make very little impact, simultaneously contributing to a lack of respect abroad for MLS. Of course, we can always bank on getting the better side of the 50-50 chance with BOTH McManaman and Herzog. That would be great, but we have to be honest.