Admin can merge this in to the transfer thread if having it's own thread isn't appropriate. A few stories making the rounds overseas today, the English reports are more conservative and seem to stress that his future is up in the air and that he is "considering his options", while the Record in Scotland says he is "keen to return to MLS" (typical). All quotes come from an appearance at a charity softball tournament in Kansas City last night. Carlos Bocanegra says he will ‘explore his options’ amid MLS interest Bocanegra has attracted interest from MLS side New England Revolution with coach Jay Heaps saying the former Chicago Fire player "is one of a number of players we’d like to come back". Asked about the prospect of returning home, the defender said: “I’d 100% consider playing in MLS again. I started here and I know the league well. I know it’s a demanding league, a physical league.” http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/...e-will-explore-his-options-amid-mls-interest/ Bocanegra considering options American defender Carlos Bocangera admits he is yet to decide whether to remain with Rangers. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11781/7884143/ Bocanegra future up in the air Carlos Bocanegra will return to Scotland on Friday for pre-season training, but admits he is unsure whether he will be turning out for Rangers. http://www.teamtalk.com/scottish-premier/7884180/Bocanegra-future-up-in-the-air Ibrox star Carlos Bocanegra admits he's keen for a return to MLS CARLOS BOCANEGRA last night gave the clearest hint yet he could walk away from Rangers and return to the MLS. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/footba...he-s-keen-for-a-return-to-mls-86908-23906287/
For the record, at least come Chicago fans (the ones that update their Wikipedia page) seem to think that someone seems to think that Chicago still has rights for Boca
Bocanegra returning to Rangers Friday Bocanegra will return to Rangers, but is unsure if he will stay on with the club. http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/...-to-rangers-on-friday-future-uncertain-070812
McCarthy. I don't think there's anything approaching an inkling of doubt that a Soarescanegra backline is better than the other option
Can Boca play on the left? And if so, doesn't it make more sense to put the best players in their best position, as opposed to trying to shoehorn an elite MLS defender based on a need?
A look at some of the hassle MLS may face if they try and sign Boca without providing compensation to Rangers (imagine UEFA or FIFA will step in soon and put an end to this non-sense) BBC - Rangers: Five former players refused transfer clearance "The quintet have found new clubs after refusing to have their contracts transferred to a newco Rangers. But, with Rangers seeking compensation, the Scottish FA will not provide authorisation for the moves. Fifa are expected to grant temporary registrations while the world governing body rules on the matter." ... "Clubs request international transfer clearance (ITC) through their own national association, who then contact the SFA who, in turn, contact the club the player is leaving. However, in this case, the issue is muddied by Rangers FC plc being consigned to liquidation and the newco Rangers having not yet become members of the SFA. Eleven players have refused to join the new company set up by Charles Green after he purchased the assets of the Ibrox club. Those leaving have been advised by their union that they do so as free agents. Green contests this and has written to all clubs in England warning that the players are in breach of contract. PFA Scotland say Green is deliberately misrepresenting the contract situation, with union chairman Tony Higgins last week saying: "I haven't spoken to a single employment or sports solicitor who agrees with Mr Green's interpretation of the law." Fifa say they have received no requests on behalf of any former Rangers players." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18771127
I'm sorry, but if European or British or Scottish law somehow makes it ok for a new company with a similar name of a dissolved company to hold on to a contracted employee from a company who ceased to be able to enter into a contract, then it sounds like they have a worse legal system than Somalia
Carlos Bocanegra to explore options with prospect of Ibrox club in Third Division Carlos Bocanegra looks at the Scottish Premier League without Glasgow Rangers and predicts a Celtic runaway. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...prospect-of-Ibrox-club-in-Third-Division.html
I've been convinced by individuals on this board that we shouldn't interfere with the progression of the relationship between McCarthy and Soares in the back line. It does make sense that those two should be allowed time to gel for the benefit of the long term team. That being said, if we were to select, and trade Boca, what position would we upgrade? I liked (what appeared to be) Heap's original strategy of staying away from signing veteran quick fix players. I'd like if he continued this by focusing on youth at every position.
I don't think its a "gel" issue. I think its an inexperience, lack of talent issue. If you can upgrade the backline by getting a talent like Bocanegra you do it. At this point in his career I'd rule out playing him out left but he still has probably 3 solid years at CB in MLS
I agree - a centerback pairing is highly dependent on chemistry, and I'm not sure that upsetting that right now is a good idea. I think long-term Soares and McCarthy probably are the answer for the Revs, and they have a very good chance of gelling if they have the opportunity to grow together. They obviously have the physical tools to play the position, they were drafted together and apparently are really good friends off the field - you can't ask for a better foundation than that. The tough thing is that McCarthy's improvement the past few games has coincided with a sudden regression in Soares' play. He turned it around a bit last night, so hopefully the two of them can get on the same upward trend. Bocanegra would probably replace Tierney, since Bocanegra is still a strong LB in most leagues. However, even Tierney has been statistically productive this year - how many LBs have 2 goals and 4 assists so far? That said, I'd still rather have Bocanegra, if only to help limit mistakes along the back line and help teach/develop the rest of the defense for the future. I'm sorry this post is all over the place, but the occasional anti-MLS bias in the YA forum drives me nuts sometimes, especially with some posters writing that a move to MLS would be a serious step down for Bocanegra and hurt his form for WC 2014. Based on the performance I've seen from players coming in and out of MLS from certain leagues over the last few years, I'd say MLS is definitely a step up from the SPL and the Danish League, and at least equivalent to the 2nd divisions in England and Germany. Plus, unless you're a Klinsmann pet project like Terrence Boyd, being visible to the USMNT is definitely easier in MLS compared to places like Austria and the Scandinavian region.
Carlos is a left back or centre back. Given the players in those positions I'd prefer to see him at LB.
Boca is getting to an age where he's much better suited as a centerback general than a left back going up and down the flanks
That is what I was thinking. But who's performance has warranted a benching lately? Soares? I don't want to bench Soares. I think he needs as much playing time as possible. My opinion is that it just isn't worth it to bring him in as a quick fix. I'm just not a fan of him as a player & he is too old. If he was the same age as Parkie or Bornstein? Sure, they have a lot left in them, but not at this age for Boca.
You bench McCarthy because he's highly mediocre, Soares is a better all around defender. Boca would instantly become the best center back in MLS and he still has a few years left, and our backline has been shaky and lacking someone to be a dominant force dealing with crosses. It's a match made in heaven if he comes here, saying it wouldn't be worth it is ridiculous. The whole McCarthy-Soares partnership argument is weak, Soares might turn into an above average MLS CB some day but McCarthy certainly won't.
There are support pillars on the Zakim Bridge that are smarter than many Chicago Fire fans. I wouldn't exactly bet the farm on one of those guys knowing what they are talking about.