There's been some discussion here about whether the "'you suck' allocations" are still around. While "[Jeff] Bradley's views and opinions are not necessarily those of Major League Soccer," I assume he's got the basic facts right and here's what he said about the question in a new article on MLSnet.com: "Take a look at which teams hold allocations (obviously, United and the MetroStars hold them for missing the playoffs this season), and which teams have high or multiple draft picks." http://www.mlsnet.com/content/02/spot1107bradley.html
I read that and was hoping someone would mention that. Thanks Atouk! I never doubted that we'd see the "You Suck" allocation next season. With New York and DC the only teams that woudl get one, what a perfect mechanism to stock 2 of the cornerstones of the league. (New York because its the market and DC because United is the flagship franchise with consistently strong attendances up until this season). As you say, this isn't official, but I doubt he'd print it unless he heard from the inside that it was going to happen. Bradley's too well connected to make a statement like that without at least a strong indication that it'll happen. -Tron
I really don't think the allocation has mcuh to do with it. If Hudson goes down to wherever and finds a player, I'm pretty sure we will get that player. He's not going to find KC a player, he's going to find DC a player.
while attendance wasn't great it was a sign of the strength of the fan base that it was as good as it was through a third year of tough results and some bad weather and other issues.
It could have uses. Off the top of my head: It's something you can trade. It's something you could use to get one of the big-name American players if the rumors about some of them wanting to "come home" are true. It's something you could use if more than one MLS team were after the same foreign player.