I thought he was going to be signed as a DP. Now that I know he's NOT going to be signed as one... I think this is a good signing. Especially just based on his FK's alone. I saw some rumors swirling, he will have an option to become a part of the Front Office after his first year in the MLS?
People need a bit of perspective. Is he old? Yes. Is MLS more physical than Brazil? Most likely yes. Is the Brazilian First Division better than MLS? Yes. He was tied for 6th in the Brazilian League for total points (goals + assists) and 3rd in assists with 10 (behind only Ronaldinho and Bernard). He is not a spring chicken anymore but he sure hasn't been lacking in skill lately.
Statistically through his career he is been a far more dominating player than Beckham. He was great in Brazil Serie A this season, Vasco were a promoted team from Serie B the season before and this year finished 5th in Serie A ahead of Corithians who beat Chelsea yesterday. Also in Qatar he proved to be the centre piece in everything he did being involved in almost 70% of the teams offense (goals and assists) in 2011. My only issue is why RBNY - share the wealth people - think he would of been a great pick up for a team like the Union or TFC a team where fans deserve a star DP.
I disagree about MLS being more physical than Brazil. Brazil is pretty sketchy lots of guys going for knees. Juninho was fouled 86 times last season which would have him as the leader in MLS - Nyarko had 84. He also had 992 successful touches in Brazil Serie A so he's not only a dead ball specialist.
Juninho was one of the best players in the Brazilian league this past year and was offered a better contract from Vasco De Gama yet he still chose to come play in NY. He'll come in and instantly be one of the better midfielders in the league. NYRB fans should be thrilled to have him especially if he's not a DP.
Did you see the goals he scored against Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas & Victor Valdes? We'll find out next season.
I said physical, not cheap shots. A lot of fouls I see in those south american leagues are ludicrous since you can tell they aren't going for the ball and are just trying to maim someone.
Yeah, I thought he was gonna be a DP too, and I was wondering if they had learned NOTHING. But as a non-DP, I don't really see a downside. He's not a big guy, but he's strong enough to ride out physical play. He won't wilt in the August heat. NY won't be relying on him to carry the team. And Christ, can he take a free kick.
I think MLS fans have become hypersensitive to the age of players we bring in. Because we've heard for a decade and a half that we are a 'retirement league' there is this negative reaction to bringing in any player near the end of their career. I think it is silly. In the grand scheme of world leagues, MLS is very small and we can't be prejudge any talent we bring in. If the guy is going to be on a similar wage as Lindpere (lets say) and is an upgrade from Lindpere, I don't care if he is 6 years older, I don't care if he is 15 years older than guys. GBS was the best player in this league at what 35? There were plenty of 20 year olds on the Crew at the time...they just weren't as good as GBS. If he comes in and is an upgrade than it is worth it. Yes there some guys who built their entire game on pure speed and when that leaves they are pretty much worthless, but skillful creative midfielders who have good passing skills can play much longer. And this is a league that needs those kinds of guys. And until we decide to start putting a zero at the end of our salary budgets, we aren't going to be getting guys like Juninho in their prime. But that isn't the point. The point is upgrading positions now, and if Juninho is an upgrade (and I think he is) and he can be fit in their budget than it is a good move regardless of age.
I don't think you realize how he strikes the ball. His shots from distance are a keeper's nightmare-- hard, knuckling shots, sometimes tricky skipping shots or one-hoppers-- and even if you get to them, it's really hard to hold on to them. If NY had a goal-hanging garbageman forward, he would probably pick up a half-dozen goals just off Juninho's scraps.
Then what is physical other than flights - i actually find MLS one of the least physical leagues I watch the MLS game is in slow motion compared to most leagues in the world. I don't think there is any guy in the MLS who will go out of his way to hurt Juninho and if Beckham was able to do what he did Juninho will do it with half the effort. Other thing about Juninho over other of these type players is he plays for the team. When he was in Qatar most foreign players just play as goal hogs but Juninho tried to include the other players in the play and didn't get overly frustrated with the majority of players not being that good. Expect some group hugs after goals
Worth noting, if it hasn't been already, that when NY needed a free kick taken to save their season, they turned to... Roy Miller.
A fair point. How likely is it that 2013 will come down to some similar situation and Juninho will be there to convert and save that season (or send it to extra time)? I hope he arrives fit (or as fit as a 38-year-old can be) and manages to settle in and have a good year in MLS, but I don't see this signing as one that will actually help RBNY lift any trophies in 2013. Getting (younger and MLS-proven) players like Espindola and Olave will (very likely) be the much more important and beneficial off-season moves for RB ahead of 2013.
If Espindola still has some pace, then I'm totally in agreement with you that he would be far more important. But if they signed Juninho as a role player-- not as a saviour-- I think that bodes pretty well for them.
if RBNY can get Kaka (this seems to be another step in that direction given the friendship) then RBNY will have one scary ass 2 deep lineup: 4-2-3-1 GK: 1. L Robles 2. R Meera RB: 1. B Barklage 2. K Kimura CB: 1. M Holgerson 2. Diago CB: 2. J Olave 2. W Conde LB: 1. H Pearce 2. R Miller CM: 1. D McCarty 2. V Palsson CM: 1. T Cahill 2. J Lindpere RW: 1. S Lloyd 2. J Martinez CAM: 1. Kaka 2. Juninho LW: 1. F Espindola 2. C Lade F: 1. T Henry 2. K Cooper sure Dax needs a better back up than Palsson but if there is one thing you can actually find in the draft it is D-mids. that complete 2nd string (with somebody better than Palsson) is better than a good number of 1st string teams from last season. could be a good year for RBNY if they can add a few more pieces and keep what they have all under the cap and roster rules.
MLS is an athletic league. Obviously the top four are just as athletic or more but compared to other leagues, particularly in this hemisphere, it's very athletic.