The remarkable US run at the WC 2002 raised eyebrows across Europe. Commentators and managers gushed about the performances of several US players including McBride, Donovan, Friedel, Beasley, Mastroeni, and Pope. Why then, hasn't a single MLS/National team player transferred to the EPL since? We hear frequent stories of other internationals being linked/signed with EPL and other European clubs. Examples include: Fan Zhiyi (China/Cardiff) Ferdinand Coly (Senegal/Middlesbrough) Qu Bo(China/Tottenham) El Hadji Diouf(Senegal/Liverpool) Junichi Inamoto (Japan/Fulham) Cha Du-Ri (South Korea/Bayer Leverkusen) Kim Nam-il (South Korea/PSV Eindhoven) Aside from Beasley to Ajax or Middlesbrough, not much has been made about MLS players transferring to Europe post-WC 2002. Anyone care to weigh in?
There are several reasons for this. 1. MLS has slapped fairly high transfer fees on players under contract. Their rationale is that players like McBride, etc. are worth a certain amount and that's what they want. You can debate the merits of this idea, but that's MLS' decision. 2. The transfer market is way down. It makes the NASDAQ look positively giddy by comparison. Most the transfers you mentioned are for small amounts of money. 3. There is a perception that the American success was the result of a superior system with superior teamwork and not the result of truly outstanding individual play. And if you think about it, that's pretty true. Sachin
Friedel is obviously already in the EPL. Cardiff are not in the EPL, but Fan Zhiyi has played in England before. Inamoto was in England prior to the world cup. There is a limit in England to the number of non-EC players they can employ, and those that they do have to play in at least 75%(or about) of the team's games, so EPL clubs have to be really certain of a player's quality before signing them. Arsene Wenger was on record as saying he'd never sign anyone based purely on their showing in the world cup as sometimes unexceptional players have an exceptional world cup. How many of the MLS palyers who were stars in the world cup have maintained that reputation in the MLS since the world cup?
Dont forget that these players dont care if they sit on the bench. I can tell you that all those players you posted havent played much and wont play much unless the starters get hurt or go on holiday. MLS or AMERICAN players are reluctant to get into a situation like that because they know they wont get picked for USNT if they are not playing regularly. Donovan forinstance couldve stayed in Germany but he probably wouldnt gotten as good as he is, as fast if he wouldve just sat at the bench.
Diouf plays plenty for Liverpool and starts much of the time, but your point is well taken. In reality, few of the MLS WC vets could start in the EPL on a consistant basis, and those that could, would either have work permit issues or they have been over priced by the MLS, or a combination of both. Pablo and Mathis are almost certainly gone whenever their current MLS deals are up. Whether they end up in the EPL is another question all together.
also, one of the things I heard is that European teams are really pursuing Asian players because they want to crack into that market. Remember hearing stories how when Hideo Nomo or Chan-Ho Park was pitching, Japan or Korea would show all of their games and the entire country would watch? Same thing. There's hundreds of millions of dollars to be made there (it's a more attractive market than the U.S.) and they're trying to get a foothold.
Fan Zhiyi would start for Cardiff (or anyone in Division 1 and below, for that matter) but in any case I believe he's a free transfer. Qu Bo didn't qualify for a work permit, which is why he's not under contract with Spurs right now. Ferdinand Coly's team went as far as the US did - and he actually qualifies for a work permit (unlike Beasley, Donovan, and Mastroeni) Ditto for El Hadji Diouf. Inamoto was already in England, and he was a free transfer. Cha Du-Ri was a college player (and therefore virtually free), and his father was one of the best players in the Bundesliga 15 years ago. Besides, his team went even deeper than ours did. I think Kim Nam-Il was also a free transfer.
young players getting looked at Even though there are few transfer deals, it is becoming pretty common to hear of young US players, particulary those who are playing with the U-20s and U-17s, to be given tryouts, or spend the MLS off-season working out with EPL teams. Convey and Quaranta of DC United are both heading over to work out with Manchester United in December.
MLS has put exorbitant transfer fees on its players for several reasons. First, MLS is in hock, and the only way out is to bring in more money. If a club outside the US wants a player bad enough, they will pay the fee and the MLS gets some much needed additional funds. Second, the MLS bases a lot of its marketing on its top players (as it should), and isn't gonna let go of their most famous names if they don't get paid enough for them. Most MLS advertising includes names that European managers would want (Donovan, Bealsey, Mathis, etc). Sending them overseas will do little to increase the public's awareness in this country of a game that needs publicity like a fat guy needs food. Sure fans like us will be proud to see US faces in foreign uniforms, but the average soccer fan most likely will not even know where these guys went. If guys like those above go across the pond to play in the EPL or another league, the MLS needs to find replacements, and you won't see Jesse Marsch doing an MLS commercial anytime soon.
Europe isn't as smart as I thought. I think some US players are under rated or maybe not even rated at all by Europeans. I prefer if Americans stay in MLS. I think some players like Keller should come and play in MLS at least while they are still really good. They should try and grow MLS. I'm European living in the US and thats my view.
It is very simple the MLS is asking for more money then the Europeans believe the MLS players are worth. And you guys should be glad, if or when the Europeans become interested they will tear up the MLS and take all it’s talented players, like what happens to South America every year.
I want the best U.S. players to stay and play in MLS so I can enjoy the league even more. That will help the league improve to one of the best in the world someday. Every player from other parts of the world will want to play in this league. At that time you won’t watch the EPL cause you have one you enjoy more at home(And believe me that could happen faster then you think). I like the EPL but I like MLS more.
That would be cool but for our stars to further improve their skills it is smarter to play in other countries now where there will be more competition. your idea of the MLS turning into a premier league would be cool but i doubt it. if and when the rest of the world REALLY wants the US players they will be able to unless if the MLS is making tons of money and in my opinion would have to be more popular than the NFL which i dont see happening. i think the MLS will be successful but more as a development league like the Dutch league is. that would be cool but we'll have to see.
Point 2 and 3 of your argument I can agree with. However, Point 1 requires some proof. What would you (or anyone in this discussion) define as an inflated transfer fee? $5m? $10m? $15m? Certainly McBride was touted by many clubs in the EPL in the $5m region. The Sun reported that even First Division Clubs (namely Preston NE) wanted to get him back but that there was no way they could afford him after his WC performance. Also, Beasley's fee was at $2m and he was on the verge of signing with Middlesbrough. That's not what I would call inflated as a transfer fee.
You will also notice that there already quite a few young American players in Europe already. Not the touted ones, mind you, like Donovan or a Cherundolo, but about once a month, I discover some new American playing abroad. For instance, Jonathan Welsh, who is paying for Racing de Ferrol, Razov's old team, in Spain's second (third?) division. He's getting called into the U23 camp. I follow soccer pretty close, but I thought, who is this guy? The ultimate question is this: What would you prefer, a strong domestic league or a strong National team. If you send our best to Europe to play in some stronger leagues...you get the idea. Personally, I say let our best stay here, think long-term. Bring in more people at the gates, keep our better players here. Play McBride and Mathis in the States and eventually you keep the Reynas and O'Briens. DB
mls has the same problems that the mfl has, they overprice the players. does it really matter if lots of yanks go to europe? look at mexico they have never had many euro players and that hasnt stopped them from doing well at the world cup. not playing in europe cant stop the u.s from having a good nt anymore.
We should remember which players actually impressed...Donovan, obviously, and he will probably someday go overseas. Mathis, I think, is someone who has interest across the pond, but interested teams want to see a little more first (only two games, remember, and one-brilliant-goal). Beasley and Mastroeni? They raised some eyebrows, for sure, but don't forget they were both unknown before then, especially Pablo. Give them some time to continue to impress. Other than those four, most of the players who impressed Europeans already play in Europe. Reyna, Friedel, etc.
MLS quality is improving and selling off all the best young talent could be bad... on the other hand scaring away potential players by makes it seem like they will never be allowed to pursue a career in europe would also be bad... right now MLS is overpricing their players at the CURRENT market value... if we went back four years I am sure many MLS players would be bought for more than the prices they are trying to be sold for now...
True... BUt when MLS pays a player like Donovan a HUGE amount to keep him, this results in other talented, but less hyped players to earn close to the league minimum which is wrong...
Yeah, I know, I mean how many times have they made the quarterfinals? $hitloads, I forgot. Mathis, Bocanegra and Mastroeni are gone after their contracts are up. Feyenoord didn't like Bocanegra as a left back but they like him as a center back.
Re: Re: Why are the EPL and others ignoring MLS? Exactly. Diouf was playing in France before. Coly is still in France, if he's signed with 'boro it wasn't legit. Remember that countries like England have limits for non-EU players. So if you don't have a passport with a non-EU country you better be darn good.