Let's revisit this in 12 months. I doubt anyone's going to be inviting Howard on Good Morning America if/when they miss playoffs again. While the world will turn the page, Colorado will still be stuck with a senior citizen GK making multi millions ...
But in 12 months will they invite him in when/if the U.S. is heading into a crucial WCQ? (Lets just set aside the JK effect for now and assume we'll be in the hex and in shape to qualify). Or in two years as the U.S. prepares for Russia (again, setting JK aside)?
I think you're exactly right. But I also think his transfer has to be part of larger processes that get the Rapids winning in order to be of maximum effect. If he catches all this attention, but the Rapids still stink it up on the field, will they be able to hold onto all those heads they've turned once Timmy retires and the fanfare's over? That's the next part (and there are some indications of this, eg. Jones).
I would say Gashi and Pappa more than Jones. Jones was another head-turning signing that will help somewhat on the field but Gashi and Pappa were the real on-field improvement moves of the offseason IMO.
Like the Galaxy did after Beckham? They missed the playoffs in 2007 and 2008 (tied for the worst record in the league that year), but they still had the best attendance in the league both years.
I think that's a pretty poor comparison. As far as PR coups, you'll be hard pressed to find a bigger one than David Beckham for 2007-era MLS. Tim Howard, as good as he may be for Colorado, isn't it. And in 7 of the 11 seasons before 2007, including consecutively from 2003-2006, LA had the best attendance in the league. Beckham didn't change that pattern. (In 2009 the average attendance dropped ~5000.)
How many DP signings have actually influenced attendance growth though? Scanning through this, no names really jump out as the type that are going to "turn heads" besides Henry, Marquez, and Blanco. Henry and Marquez had no effect, and Blanco caused a slight surge in attendance that basically took Chicago back to their historical average. Howard has more cachet with American fans than just about every DP signing in league history, so I think Beckham, while obviously a much bigger signing, is among the best comparisons you can make.
Orlando road games seem to invariably draw more fans than other teams visiting that stadium. Given Orlando being an expansion team last year, you would think Kaka had a lot to do with that increased attendance.
I think Drogba and Dos Santos also made a measurable impact. I just can't see a goalkeeper have the same impact, even if you're looking at it from a USMNT fan POV. I think Dempsey will go down as the more pivotal American signing because at that point it was unprecedented. To nab a player from a big club so close to his prime in a WC year ... And the dollar amounts were bigger compared to Howard. Since then this whole process has become somewhat routine with Bradley, Jozy and JJ ...
Don't you miss the Adu bump attendance posts ? The cool thing about those early DP's was the attendance bump on the road. People in the N&A Attendance thread did nice analysis of who brought out how many - pretty sure Adu, Blanco, and Beckham were the only ones that generated >500 person increase avg. each road game.
Just anecdotally I remember watching that first Beckham game in New York. Was a nutso game too. Overall, I still think it's an apples and oranges comparison
BREAKING: @ulloa_victor & @rmhollingshead have signed new, multi-year contracts! https://t.co/hn0KrSHce8— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) April 19, 2016
Rapids will finally be signing draftee Dennis Castillo. Because its the Rapids the hold up has been getting paperwork from Deportivo Saprissa who he played for before going to college at VCU. http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci...pids-hopeful-signing-defender-dennis-castillo
Rapids sign draftee Dennis Castillo, filling one of their two open slots (three if you count the one being held for Howard): http://www.coloradorapids.com/post/...2016-mls-superdraft-selection-dennis-castillo
OK here's what I am hearing: Collin deal is for a straight 4th-rounder and Orlando City taking on more than 50% of the salary charge.— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) April 29, 2016
Source confirmed this to me, as well. Big question is who pays how much of the salary. https://t.co/wmBWDyNn6f— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) April 29, 2016 So Ali Curtis gets a starting CB on last year of deal for about $250k on cap and a fourth round pick. Good deal. Collin will perform well.— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) April 29, 2016 On flip side, Orlando City clears $250k and an international spot, but carries risk at CB depth now. Summer window will be intriguing.— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) April 29, 2016
I think it is simply the fact that he is older and slower. He is still a force in the air, and he has smarts. But Hines, Redding and Mateos all move better and Redding and Mateos are better at distributing the ball out of the back. That is an important trait in Heath's system. Still, I think he would be in the lineup if not for the development of Redding. Add in Collin's price tag and international slot and it is kind of a no brainer. Also, Conor Donovan should be getting close to a return and he was actually ahead of Redding on the depth chart last year before his injury. He did a tremendous job helping the young team transition last year, and I think he will be a big help to NYRB at least until their injuries clear up.
And now official... http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post...uire-defender-aurelien-collin-orlando-city-sc
Waiting to see the 2016 salaries, but RBNY is probably near the bottom in payroll again, so they can take on some salary. Even if Collin is so sclerotic he can only cover half the ground he used to, he's defensive cover with only a year to go on his deal.