Ballack to MLS? Could happen. http://www.soccerway.com/news/2011/November/17/ballack-considers-another-overseas-stint/ Red Bulls, Chicago, or Toronto would probably take him. Maybe even Philly.
Oh, I would be thrilled to have Ballack playing in Chicago. That would be awesome. He has probably two good years left in him. Not sure the Fire would pony up the money for him, though.
Isn't LA always the "rumored" team? Dinho, Henry, Anelka, Drogba, Guti the big names always linked to LA. Doubtful especially at 35.
New York should be looking to him as a replacement for Marquez. He'll definitely be better (if healthy) and probably cheaper. Los Angeles is going to need to sign an international star if they lose Beckham. Ballack could slide right into the position Beckham played this year. Toronto to pair with Frings? Sounds like something they'd do. IMO, plenty of MLS teams could use him.
I really hope he goes to Chicago, personally. The Fire need a major spark (no pun intended, for once) and he could be the guy to make it happen, even at 35. If nothing else, it shows that the Fire can bring in high-profile European players.
So get this. My good friend from when I formerly lived in Germany, who lives in Kaiserslautern, has told me some very interesting insider stuff about Ballack. My friend's friend is Ballack's Agent (I know what you're thinking, I know...). Anyways, Apparently, the chances of Ballack moving to the MLS are very, very, very good. Especially considering he recently left his wife. Not provable obviously, and I know most on here will be skepticle. but I do know that Ballack's ex wife settled for 9 million euros...and when (if) that news becomes official, you'll know that this information isn't crap. Or you can just accept this as legit...Either way, just thought I'd share.
Ballack is a selfish player who plays only for himself and doesn't care about his teammates. send him to NY.
A little harsh and critical of the player. Given his entire career, I'd say a very good player for his respective clubs/countries. But the last 3 years have not been good for Ballack, injuries and Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen club issues the main reasons. Perhaps if you could give specific examples to prove his "greediness", on and off the field, much more interesting debate whether Ballack would be a good fit for a MLS team.
Maybe a year or two, many MLS clubs can use him as a central mid who can control the pitch, organize, and add experience to it depends on how much he's motivated.
If LA loses Beckham and Juninho, I can definately see them making a run at Ballack. Or Clarence Seedorf.
Source: Michael Ballack is close to signing with Major League Soccer That's gotta rule the Union out, because they're "building for the future".
I think this should rule out Chicago as well. How many 35+ CMs does a team need? I don't think that Chicago is on the short list of teams to win it all this year anyway. We finished strong last season and kept the core, but I would still have at least 3 or 4 teams ahead of Chicago as a top contender for a title.
New York has ruled out signing a #10 before the season and that is what Ballack would be for them. I think it would be a coup for Seattle, but they already have Rosales running the show. Montreal is the clear front-runner. Chicago is plausible. They've signed older CM's before and they seem to be searching for their next big DP. Philly brought in Paunovic last season, but now he is gone. Nowak has already overhauled the entire roster. Ballack could be the last piece.
I don't know if overhauled is all that accurate. Hyperbole, maybe. Their roster movement doesn't seem out of the norm compared to the rest of the league. Besides 3 players past their late-20s (Califf, Carroll, Albright), the Union FO has stated they're "building for the future". I don't see how Ballack being in Philly for 1-2 seasons works for the long term. Plus, Philly has a logjam of midfielders, especially with the likes of Adu, Torres, and possibly even Gomez or M Farfan working as the proverbial #10. I would be shocked if Ballack joined the Union.
How could you forget Pajoy? Also, considering we don't play with a normal #10 most of the time he would be competing with Gomez and Carroll in the center of midfield.
Re: Michael Ballack wants to retire to MLS. Another over-the-hill player looking for an easy paycheck. Whee!
Seriously? You have to defend the honor of your team so my opinion is hyperbole? If you want to compare Philly to teams like Chivas USA and DC United (that didn't make the playoffs), of course your team will look a little better. Compared to LAG, FCD, SKC, Houston and RSL, not so much. No other team in the league lost as many significant contributors as the Union, and no one in the league gave up a star player like Le Toux. Rogers and Ream both transferred, but they weren't award candidates. I would be too.
Over-exaggeration to help make a point - overhauling the "entire roster" in this case - would be hyperbole. So yeah, seriously. The league average is about 7-8 players in and 8-9 players out. The Union's roster movement isn't all that far off the mark. I don't want to compare Philly to those teams, but since you brought it up, maybe on paper the Union doesn't look as good as the teams you mentioned. But then again, teams that do look good on paper - NYRB for example - don't really have a whole lot to show for it, do they? Who else besides Le Toux? Mondragon? Ruiz? Maybe the former, but we don't really know if the "reinforcements" brought in, or even current players, will step up and be as/more productive than SLT has been the past 2 years. As for Mondi, yeah he was a definite upgrade over the 'keepers on the roster in 2010, but MacMath held his own (no losses) for the 6-7 games he played while #1 was out injured. Ruiz was a contributor during his short tenure, but it's probably better that he's gone; I do miss his poacher mentality, I just wish he could've developed a decent chemistry with his fellow forwards. I respect your opinion, but we'll have to revisit this after the 2012 season and see if this still holds true. And to bring this back on topic, I doubt Ballack would be the final cog to take the Union to the promised land.
Wouldn't touch that guy with a 10-foot pole. He would make Rafa Marquez seem like a diligent player for RBNY. This is the same Michael Ballack that would not sit on the bench for Bayer Leverkusen last year because he doesn't sit on the bench. What an asshole. If you want him in Philly, be careful what you wish for.