Draft conflicts between A league and MLS?

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by iowa007, Dec 22, 2003.

  1. iowa007

    iowa007 Member

    Apr 30, 2001
    California
    #1 iowa007, Dec 22, 2003
    i was just reading the A league draft, and i noticed that:

    with the 11th pick Charleston Battery drafted

    Joseph Ngwenya (F) Coastal Carolina (Cape Cod Crusaders)


    hum....i thought this forward was really good and that he might be drafted by MLS.

    does anybody know the deal with A league drafting players and how that impacts MLS or vice versa?


    and who gets first dibs on the players?


    -iowa007
     
  2. NateP

    NateP Member

    Mar 28, 2001
    Plainfield, NH, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #2 NateP, Dec 22, 2003
    I don't think they impact each other very much at all. Players that are chosen in both drafts will be able to negotiate with both teams (A-League and MLS) and sign with one of them. Their rights in both leagues would be held by a team (in MLS for 2 years IIRC) so that they could only sign there unless those rights get traded.
     
  3. myshap

    myshap Member

    Jun 19, 2002
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    #3 myshap, Dec 22, 2003
    It has no bearing whatsoever. The A-League draft only pertains to the A-league and the players are free to be drafted by MLS teams. The A-League draft is basically useless. A-League teams only hold the "A-league rights" to said player for 2 weeks after the draft then the players can negotiate with whatever A-League team they want to play for.
     
  4. Red Card

    Red Card Member+

    Mar 3, 1999
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #4 Red Card, Dec 23, 2003
    Isn't there some rule that says a player has to be signed by MLS before he can enter the MLS draft?
     
  5. Northside Rovers

    Northside Rovers Member

    Jan 28, 2000
    Austin TX
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #5 Northside Rovers, Dec 23, 2003
    Its like having 2 job offers - the player can pick one he thinks will work out best.

    As far as drafting only signed players, I think MLS teams can draft anyone they like, but if that player isn't signed by MLS then they run a huge risk that player won't sign with them and they essentially lose that draft pick.
     
  6. Chris M.

    Chris M. Member+

    Jan 18, 2002
    Chicago
    #6 Chris M., Dec 23, 2003
    The A League draft is essentially a PR tool for the local teams. It allows teams to put out press releases that say something like "local boy X from the Univ. of Washington was drafted by the Seattle Sounders in the first round."
     
  7. Mikey mouse

    Mikey mouse Member

    Jul 27, 1999
    Charleston, SC
    Club:
    Charleston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #7 Mikey mouse, Dec 23, 2003
    I think the A-league draft held more weight before MLS but is kind of usless now. But it might have some merit for a couple of reasons.

    The first is the case of the Battery's second round choice Ricky Charles. He is the captain for the Gernada team and is 26. Most MLS teams will pass on a 26 year old international.

    the second is that most MLS rookies aren't going to be offered that much. In some cases a player can make more in the A-league than in MLS. Combine that with being close to home (in most cases), a one year contract, good chance at regular playing time, etc.

    At least that's what I'm hoping happen with Ngwenya.

    And some one else got it right earlier. A player doesn't have to commit to an A-league team until after the MLS draft.

    Mikey
     

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