I wasn't being negative about DRV PNK and I even posted I think it's a great place to play in. What I mostly can't stand is seeing retirees come to the league for their last pay day. I've always believed this for as long as I remember and I think most serious fans of the game and the league for that matter, would think the same way. Or rather seeing Under 26's instead of Over 36's. That isn't being negative it's stating a truth and a fact. If Messi does come , that would be cool for a while but after the initial novelty wears off, we are still left with watching a 36, 37 or 38-year-old superstar who probably doesn't even care about being here other than going to Miami Beach.
How would it be any different than when Pele played for the Cosmos? How many "over 26" year olds are currently playing in MLS?
Other than maybe 2 or 3 players, Pele was the only one I recall who was Over 35. If you know your NASL history, most superstars came over at a much younger age and still in their prime. Just off the top of my head.... Johan Cruyff -32 Franz Beckenbauer -31 Giorgio Chinaglia -29 Steve Zungul-29 Roberto Cabañas-20 George Best -29-30 Johan Neeskens -27 Wim Rijsbergen -27 Ruud Krol -31 Julio César Romero 19-20 Teófilo Cubillas-30 Peter Beardsley -20 Bruce Grobbelaar -21 I'm talking about superstars and there has never been one in MLS that I recall who was a little Over or Under 26. After all these years of signing Over 35's, when exactly will the day come that MLS starts forking over Beckham or Messi money for a 24-year-old Kylian Mbappé? Who woudn't want to see players like him in MLS?
Their last paycheck? Technically every player gets a last paycheck in every league. Higuain though he was going to be able to smoke a cigarette while he played because the competition was not up to his skill level.... He was benched. I don't think it was the turf and travel. . What happened to the NASL....I forget?
Yes and that is why you buy younger players, utilize them , get their value and experience, then you sell them for a profit. That is what all normal and serious teams and leagues do. Those aren't last paychecks. Higuain may have been benched at some point but he regained his shape and scoring prowess during the course of the summer and playoffs as I recall then quit. Bale's signing in my opinion was another joke. I never even saw him play other than for a minute in the final when he scored. I don't think he ever played 90 minutes. If I was a Philly fan, I wouldn't like or appreciate signing a ringer, having him score a goal, beat my team in the final and seeing him retire. Most fans anywhere would be angry.
If you feel having Beckham in MLS was a mistake then we will have to agree to disagree. I do believe that the time of players cashing in big in MLS well after their prime is or is very close to being over. There are few exceptions, Messi might be one. The average age of teams is declining. I think this trend will continue into DPs.
Yet he produced at the most crucial moment that led to a Championship. He wasn't even a DP and the young player you're describing is in Mexico now. As a Union fan I'm not upset about what happened with one player as that's the league and be actually delivered. . You're right that Higuain got in shape and regained form..... That's good and shows young players across the globe that this if a competitive league.
Then they both retire. What a thrill! I still don't see the lure or how these signinig are good for the league, casual, home or away fans. Again, I never saw 90 minutes form Bale and this is not in my opinion what any serious league should be about. .
To that point Garth Bale or Chiellini didn't cash in big. They aren't even DP's and Chiellini has played fairly well when called upon.
Chiellini is a defender not an attacking player. You are right though; he is an exception and a great player. He s levels above anyone in the league.
Not all! I don't care that the clubs sign a bunch of ringers , have them play in 3 games and then see them retire. That isn't what I as a fan what to see. Or rather, not see. I'm sure everyone wants to win but they also want to see their stars play in more than 3 games. I think most serious fans of the game feel the same way.
While I'm sure they expected more production from Bale, $2,386,667.00 for an MLS Cup... No one at LAFC is regretting that. I'm not sure what a Philly fan has to be upset about except their team let an overpaid has been take a playoff game away from them and send them packing. Oh I forgot, he was the joke signing ringer.
Sure, LAFC is happy about it. If I was a Phlly fan I wouldn't like seeing Bale sign, play in 3 games, score a goal to beat my team and watch him retire right away. I'm pretty sure many fans would resent it.
He signed in July... He wasn't a last minute ringer... A ringer implies a unfair advantage. This is not the case.
Bale signed to keep in shape for the World Cup and nothing else. He knew exactly what he was doing when he signed and I am pretty sure he had no intention of playing beyond November. I don't think he ever played in a full game. That is a ringer in my book. Again, I don't see how this is great look for the league or me as a fan who wants to see superstars playing in MLS. I can remember NASL superstars from 40-50 years ago and that is how I and many of us became a fans of the game but I don't know anything about Bale from 3 months ago.
Not always, also there is nothing wrong on having strong opinions on something, as long the conversation is civil.
Thank you! Also, when (my or our) responses involve (non attacking or offensive) facts and truths. I'm not attacking any posters in particular and am solely talking about the sport or MLS and this is all I really care about. Unlike most countries where soccer is King and talked about on every radio, television or internet forum, all we have in North America is BS and a few other Internet outlets. No one cares or talks about the game anywhere else iother than here or online. Basically this is the only place where we can express our opinions on the sport. It seems the only ones who complain are posters who have nothing to add or post.
I know it is unlikely, but never is a long time. Who really knows what the state of MLS or the big Euro leagues will be in 2050 or 2100? It may be a remote chance and it may not happen in the lifetimes of most people on this board, but it absolutely could happen.
I also believe it could happen soon. No one ten years ago believed MLS would be where it’s at today with 29 teams. If the next 5-10 years are anything like what the last decade brought, there is no telling what heights the league can climb to.