wow. that's about the most revealing interview with da Bruce on MLS or any other topic that i've seen. i like his vision of a 16-20 team league in 2012 as potentially being an "outstanding professional league". interesting.
I found it interesting what he said about the games so far. Teams have been playing too conservative. Very drab affairs. Open it up MLS.
Talk about telling it like it is. I completely agree about the need for foreign ACMs. The league needs some creative players to make it interesting.
I think the world of Bruce and his opinions, but I'm not sure I'm in agreement with all of his comments. Corrales peaking his interest tells me we are a bit weak on that side. Bruce wants his USMNT players to play in the top leagues in Europe, so I think he's grinding his axe a little bit with the talk about letting the players go. Also, while I agree with things like raising the minimum salary, the stuff about raising the per diem etc. seems a little like he's siding with the players because he wants to be perceived as a players' coach. Not disagreeing, just questioning the motivation on some of it. As for bringing in talent, I have a different take from Bruce. Sure, it would be great to bring in foreign talent, but significant contributors or stars is what Bruce has in mind. IMHO, they would be good additions only if they don't break the bank. A guy like Valdarramma when he was initially brought into the league, or a Donadoni, etc., need to bring value for their buck. The league is in that delicate stage where it's approaching breaking even but hasn't achieved it. The league has gotten smaller and the US talent pool is increasing rapidly. Squandering money on a Lothar type player is a real travesty at this point, because it is money off the table for those Americans. What is really needed is expansion. This would allow more Americans to play while still providing plenty of slots for foreign flavor. One reason that La Liga has thrived is the ready acceptance of foreign players and coaches. They each bring a slightly different style and philosophy, and collectively it makes the league a lot better. I want to get/keep that same thing in MLS, but our first goal should be to become a major sporting league, and that will likely be done by marketing the American stars. That means keeping the Mathises and Donovans. That means getting on TV and into popular culture. Once MLS has TV exposure, revenues will jump, exposure will rise exponentially, attendances will continue to grow, and investors will be more energized. The funds will allow for raising the salary cap and expanding, which is ultimately what Bruce wants as well. -Digital
". And we need to see if some of our young and talented MLS players can make a mark overseas. That would be a shot in the arm for MLS. " I like this quote...Landon, are you listening?
I disagree. Ramiro Corrales has gotten better with every year he's been in the league, and he's still relatively young. He's also the perfect kind of utility player that Bruce loves to have around (can play left back, left mid, and central mid.) Those who have been following the career of Corrales have been looking for a callup for a while now.
What the hell does Arena know?? Fire Bruce and Cap Freddie now!!! Also, I think he is talking more to MLS execs about DMB and others than to Landon.
I don't know about that, Landon has a deal on the table that he already signed. The others need deals and teams interested in them first. Of course DMB has a shopping list of teams interested, and I'm guessing he is gone next January.
From a few things I've been reading, I think Landon's interested in going elsewhere. IN fact, there seems to be some interest in a loan to EPL during MLS offseason possibly being in the works (like the McBride thing). He's also interested in playing in Spain I believe. I just feel he's going to do his best in MLS this year to up his demand and value in hopes of being able to get something worked out between MLS, Leverkusen and who knows who else for next year. I really don't think he'll be here for the two years on his contract. Just my thought.
I think Bayer will try and sell him if they get a decent offer. He won't go on loan anywhere until Bayer or MLS owns him outright, but I could see a move to either Spain or EPL in his future. I don't think he fits in with the German game either.
From the Arena interview at: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=265305&cc=3888 " But, on the negative side, I think rosters are going to have to get bigger. I think the salary cap is going to have to be increased. And I think they're going to have to bring in some new blood from abroad while, at the same time, give some of the good, young MLS players the chance to go abroad, as well. I think if they can do those two things, the league will prosper. It will be positive. In the next couple of years, we need some higher caliber players from abroad to replace the Valderramas, Etcheverrys and Nowaks. And we need to see if some of our young and talented MLS players can make a mark overseas. That would be a shot in the arm for MLS. I think we have a great pool of young American players. There are plenty of players capable of breaking into Major League Soccer. Enough on that end to expand the league. But only if we get the right infusion of talent from abroad. If we can do that, and continue to expand the league in terms of stadiums and salary cap issues, I think by 2010, 2012, we could have a 16-20 team league that could be an outstanding professional league." I couldn't agree more with Arena's comments. MLS is doing well to bring in many young American players but at the same time the restrictive salary cap means teams have to get rid of mid salary vetrans, guys who aren't stars but are solid pros. As a result the level of play in MLS has in my view gone down as teams rely more and more on inexpensive home grown players rather than mid-priced veterans from either the US or overseas. The current MLS teams aren't anywhere near as good, or as deep, as the better teams from 1998-99 like DC United, Los Angeles and Chicago. Plus Arena is correct in saying more foreign creative players need to be brought in. US players will learn plenty playing alongside a modern day equivalent of an Etcheverry or a Valderrama. In order to do that the league needs to open up it's wallet a bit more. The increase in the level of play and learning experience for US players will be worth the additional expense. Finally there's no doubt the better US players need to go overseas after a few years in MLS. The experience a player like O'Brien gains by playing in the Champion's League is unmatched in the US.
I think Landon will be here for the two years of his contract. See the interview at the U.S. players site, the one in their magazine, wehre he says how he feels like he owes something to MLS for what they've done for him. Without the deal bringing Landon over from Germany, he probably wouldn't have even made the World Cup squad. He knows that and feels a sense of obligation if nothing else. Plus, of course, as he says, he loves his situation as it currently stands. Having said that, he's broadly hinted he wants to return to Europe after the two years up, which I think he'll likely do.
i think everything he said is pretty common sense stuff, things that are said all the time on these boards. it's just easier to say when you're talking about someone else's money.
He doesn't have to say anything to be "perceived" as a players' coach, because he is a players' coach and everyone already knows it. I don't think he has any motivation on this issue, he' speaking his mind. As for players going abroad I do agree he is doing a little axe grinding, but only because he doesn't agree with the hard-line stance MLS has shown on valuing it's players.
I could debate the point that the teams are worse or better and the reasons why. Regardless, it's all well and good to talk about the need to lift the salary cap. But then that pesky thing called reality gets in the way. The only way MLS is going to attract more investors and expand is to prove it can be profitable. Look no further than the NHL for an example of what happens when you don't control expenses relative to revenues. Two bankrupt teams and more to come.