Just read Gibbs is coming back to play for Dallas. Excellent move! We have our physical left back for qualifying!
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=289965&cc=5901 It really does say that... Since returning the US has not been one of the possible options mentioned for Mr. Gibbs and since his contract runs through June 2004, I give this about zero on the credibility scale. He's better off staying with FC St. Pauli, who would be glad to keep him and re-sign him. At least they have a chance of getting promoted and playing in the 2. Bundesliga.
Oh yeah, that's sooooooo much better of an option. After all, St Pauli MIGHT get promoted out of the 3rd division. Give me a break. Playing in MLS is obviously a better place than the German 3rd division for a player interested in getting noticed by the national team.
Evidentialy he is coming to Dallas, at least in principle. The Dallas GM said that they still have to work out the salary. According to him they are about 50/50. here's where i got the info http://www.ussocceruk.com
Is there any chance that this isn't true, that it's still in it's stages and could collapse? Because while this may be a good move for Gibbs for the current, with the MLS a better situation than the German 3rd (but I don't believe that the Burn will be a better situation coaching and training-wise than St. Pauli), it is not a great move for his future. If he signs, Gibbs will most likely sign between a 3 and 5 year deal, which would basically make him MLS's transfer-slave for that time period. We all have seen what MLS has done to DaMarcus' transfer hopes, and IF Cory is put in this position, that would not be good. Granted, Eddie Pope has developed fine as a USMNT Centre Defender in the MLS but I don't feel that everyone is of the caliber of Pope and can choose to stay in the MLS and better his game consistently for many years. Many players, after a while, will need to move to Europe. And once you are in Europe, it is easier to get noticed by other clubs in Europe. Look, St. Pauli was going to transfer Gibbs for 100k. Would MLS ever even think about transferring Cory for that sum? Never. Granted, St. Pauli had financial difficulties and Gibbs' conract was running out, but even during the middle of his contract I thought I remember a price of around 300k being put on him if any club in Europe was going to go get him.I dunno, I just think that Gibbs staying in Germany or looking for Euro options as a free transfer, trialing with a couple clubs, may be better at this point. While he still has the exposure and ability to move, he might as well use it.
I would have to guess that Gibbs knows better what's good for his career than all the Euro worshipers who just automatically assume that any European 9th division league must be better than MLS, because, after all, it's in Europe. God forbid Cory turn out like any of the MLS players on the 2002 World Cup squad.
FYI - German 3rd division is not as good as MLS. DC United would beat FC St. Pauli 9 times out of 10 with their current line ups. However, Gibbs has prospects around Germany in higher divisions - that is if St. Pauli don't get promoted. He's available on a free this summer and I wouldn't be surprised if a "yo-yo" team picked him up or even a better team like Hannover 96 or Wolfsburg. Even in the 3rd division Cory is making something like $100,000, which trumps many MLS salaries. World Cup is 2 years away - plenty of time to get to a better team and make sure that he catches Bruce's eye. Plus Cory won't be able to come to MLS until the summer - halfway through the MLS season. And to go to Dallas... I think his prospects would be better served elsewhere.
Right on Jambon. This freakin Euroworship is ridiculous. The ONLY places where the teams are considerably better than MLS teams are in the top halves of Germany, England, Italy, Spain and France. After that it is a few teams, and there just isn't that much difference. Every American who goes to Europe says the pace is quicker, but the training is pretty much the same. That training garbage just doesn't hold water. CONCACAF teams even realize where the best coaches are now in this region. The US. I think it is more important to go to Europe when they are mentaly ready (huge), and to a team that is the right fit for their wants and skills. I don't think it's that big of a deal that Convey, LD and DMB are going to go when they are 21-22 years old. As we have seen, our best MLS guys seem to pick up the tempo pretty quick. I like a Nats team with Euro and MLS guys. The MLS guys have the hunger and bight which is needed in qualifying and the cup. Skilled guys go when you are ready. As for Gibbs. Excellent move. He will play at a higher level and be available for qualifying. Europe IS NOT THE CURE ALL. Just ask all of the African teams. Later.
According to Chris Bergin's article, either $400,000 is the transfer fee or that's how much Columbus can spend. It isn't clear in the wording.
If he does come, Dallas are looking pretty good for 2004. Several new veteran players, a good draft, a new coach, and a return to their rightful home. Mark these words: The Burn will be in the 2004 playoffs.
I've got to stay on the scale of "great for your development" neither St. Pauli nor Dallas is likely to be pick of the week. But Gibbs seems to be a tough kid with a bit of heart and all else equal I don't see a move like this hurting him (or helping him) all that much. Maybe a few more call-ups, which doesn't hurt. Did anyone ever get a decent story on why he bailed on Regensburg (or they on him?) And yeah, Europe seems to have really stagnated Senegal, Brasil and Cameroon's program.
Maybe it's not clear in the wording, but basic common sense tells you that MLS isn't gonna pay $400,000 so that they can get a defender 2 months earlier.
Gibbs is coming to the US to become an automatic starter for the Nats. MLS is more stable than Cory's current situation in a team that was just relegated. If he is only making 100,000 grand a year than MLS can pay him more, and his transfer fee was going to be 90,000 a lot less than the 400,000 the Burn have to burn. If Gibbs has two good years and then pulls a Sanneh in the world cup he's what 26 and worth 2 million in wages for a mid table big 4 league team.
Expect the whole package of transfer sum, signing bonus and salary to be about 250 K Euro (about $ 330 K I think). To me it doesn't make much sense. In summer he'd be a free agent, could sign wherever he wants - which will be 2.Bundesliga at least - and financially much better for him than a transfer to MLS now.
I think the basic motivation is to just to be safe. Cory probably doesn't want to be stuck in football purgatory in the German 3rd division, and while his chances are good at escaping it in the summer, they're 100% if he moves to MLS. Plus Cory is basically an automatic starter if he goes to MLS, whereas he never knows what situation he might get into with regards to playing time for another German team. Cory impressed me with his play for the Nats last summer, and that Bruce called him in again for the Gold Cup after the Confed Cup was a good sign that Bruce likes him to some extent. Bocanegra's in the Prem now, and this move does substantially improve Cory's positioning for those domestic friendlies that the Euro players miss. It was those domestic friendlies more than anything else that got Bocanegra where he is today (playing in the prem and doing interviews with Sky Sports). It's a tough call really, and it all depends on what Cory believes his future options are in Germany.
coming home for a bit is not a bad idea at all. mls has recently proven that it can place players in the epl. cory will instantly be one of the best defenders in the league, as boca was. so the switch back over to europe would not be too difficult on a playing level. better food in dallas too.
I know you guys are thinking the US is not the best option for him and being Europe he'll have more people scouting him. However, all of you keep forgetting one thing. He's in his early 20's, living that part of his life in a foreign country cannot be the easiest thing and I'm sure is not the most fun thing in the world either. Maybe he wants to come back to the good ole' USA to enjoy his youth and be a starter for a MLS side as well. I'm sure he also knows that Dallas will be in Frisco next year and therefore he'll be playing in front 20 K fans every game. That's more than St. Pauli can and will ever offer. And we need someone to take over best young defender status since Boca is now living it up in London. And I think Gibbs will be that guy.
Best (reasonable) case scenario for Gibbs... .... if he comes to MLS is to sign through WC06 (meaning the end of that MLS season), tear it up in MLS, qualifying, and - hopefully - the WC, and then get signed in a big European League once his contract is through and he can be had on a free. If he ends up with a contract much longer than the above, I fear he's going to be stuck in MLS transfer-fee-phobia purgatory, which may be worse than Bundes. 3 purgatory.
Re: Best (reasonable) case scenario for Gibbs... Why do you hate our freedoms?Don't you love America? Wasn't Gibbs playing midfield most recently at St.Pauli? Maybe he prefers to play in the back,and feels that he will get a better chance at playing defense for Dallas,since the day this move occurs,he likely becomes the Burn's best center back or left back.
I don't get the issues here. Seems pretty clear to me. Come back through 2006, so he can play for the Nats. Gibbs has been VERY public in his desire to become a regular for the national team. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Too many of you have been Euro-washed. It is not the "be all, end all" solution to everything, and our guys are proving that. It's actually kind of sad to see so many thinking that the US won't get the proper recognition if we are not ALL playing in Europe as soon as possible. Have a little more self confidence than that. Bruce obviously does, and he has done OK. Don't you think? Gibbs can always go back, but putting yourself in the Nats forefront is getting harder and harder. Good for him and the league. I've been to Regensburg. It's like comparing NY to a sleepy New England village. It's a sound move for the player and league. Too bad we can't speak with accents. It might make some of these phobic people happier.