Greener Pastures: Notable Former MLSers Abroad

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by FloridaFC2MLS, Aug 27, 2012.

  1. FloridaFC2MLS

    FloridaFC2MLS Member

    Oct 17, 2009
    Florida
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    As MLS develops more as time goes on, it will help to advance if we continue to sell players to prove the talent within MLS. This has started to happen alot more as of late. We should have an area to talk about players who had stints in MLS or who were brought up through MLS & now have moved on to impress elsewhere in the world. Keep tabs on them like in Yanks Abroad, they might make MLS proud & make a certain country respect the league even more or who knows they may have a rough go at it & want to return to the league. I believe there should be a subforum for this, but if not a thread is good enough. Its pretty much Yanks Abroad but it'd probably be best to keep it to players who land in notable leagues around the world or recognizable players. Someone like Alfredo Pacheco is the kind of player that would not be included. He spent a short stint at NYRB, he went back to El Salvador, no one really cared. Clint Dempsey, Ramon Nunez, Arturo Alvarez, Geoff Cameron, Dane Richards (soon to be Burnley), Robbie Findley, Maurice Edu, Davide Somma, Ryan Nelsen & Marco Pappa (soon Heerenveen) are just quick examples off the top of my mind. There are obviously a lot others.
    What do we think?
     
  2. tab5g

    tab5g Member+

    May 17, 2002
    So, only players who go to "greener" pastures?

    Not players who go to "less green" pastures?

    Who gets to make that determination of greenness?

    Regardless, a sub-forum would be good for this, if there is enough interest in it.
     
  3. FloridaFC2MLS

    FloridaFC2MLS Member

    Oct 17, 2009
    Florida
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Not really important. Just an example to say, we'd probably have to draw the line somewhere or there would be way too much to talk bout...
    Certainly could do the lesser green but there would be a lack of interest & knowledge in a lot of circumstances.
     
  4. FloridaFC2MLS

    FloridaFC2MLS Member

    Oct 17, 2009
    Florida
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Im going to post a list of relevant players abroad of interest.. Feel free to add names if you can think of anyone.
     
  5. Crewster

    Crewster Member+

    Jan 28, 2005
    Worthington
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Robbie rogers just loaned by Leeds to Stevenage
     
  6. FloridaFC2MLS

    FloridaFC2MLS Member

    Oct 17, 2009
    Florida
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    While i'm slowly but surely putting a decent list together..

    Carlos Ruiz & Carlo Costly are free agents. May come back to MLS or elsewhere abroad..

    Real news though:
    "@FrancoPanizo: Sources w/ knowledge of situation confirmed to me that @VictorPalsson has been loaned to unspecified Dutch club. On way to Europe now. #RBNY"
     
  7. FloridaFC2MLS

    FloridaFC2MLS Member

    Oct 17, 2009
    Florida
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Serie A (Italy):
    Michael Bradley (AS Roma) - New York

    Swiss Super League:
    Davide Chiumiento (FC Zurich) - Vancouver Whitecaps

    Eridivisie (Netherlands):
    Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar) - New York
    * Marco Pappa (SC Heerenveen) - Chicago Fire

    Primeira Liga (Portugal):
    Arturo Alvarez (Pacos de Ferreira) - San Jose Earthquakes, FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake

    Scottish Third Division:
    Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers FC) - Chicago Fire

    Ekstraklasa (Poland):
    Tomasz Frankowski (Jagellonia Bialystok) - Chicago Fire

    English Premier League:
    Ryan Nelsen (QPR) - DC United
    Brad Friedel (Tottenham Hotspur) - Columbus Crew
    Maurice Edu (Stoke City) - Toronto FC
    Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) - Houston Dynamo
    Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC) - New England Revolution
    Tim Howard (Everton FC) - New York
    Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) - Chivas USA

    English Championship:
    Andy Dorman (Crystal Palace FC) - New England Revolution
    Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers FC) - New York
    Ramon Nunez (Leeds United) - FC Dallas, Chivas USA
    Davide Somma (Leeds United) - San Jose Earthquakes
    Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers FC) - Houston Dynamo
    Robbie Findley (Nottingham Forest) - Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake
    * Dane Richards (Burnley FC) - New York, Vancouver Whitecaps

    English League One:
    Robbie Rogers (Stevenage FC) - Columbus Crew

    Russian Premier League:
    Yura Movsisyan (Krasnodar) - Real Salt Lake

    Primera Division (Argentina):
    Lucio Filomeno (Atletico de Rafaela) - DC United
    Pablo Hernandez (Argentinos Juniors) - DC United
    Matias Donnet (Union de Santa Fe) - DC United
    Sebastian Grazzini (Atletico de Rafaela) - Chicago Fire

    Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A:
    Franco Niell (Figueirense) - DC United
    Jeferson (Esporte Clube Bahia) - Kansas City

    Allsvenskan (Sweden):
    Eric Friberg (Malmo FF) - Seattle Sounders FC

    Belgian Pro League:
    Sacha Kljestan (RSC Anderlecht) - Chivas USA
    Mustapha Jarju (RAEC Mons) - Vancouver Whitecaps

    Liga MX (Mexico):
    Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna) - Los Angeles Galaxy, Colorado Rapids, Kansas City
    Michael Orozco (San Luis) - Philadelphia Union
    Jonathan Bornstein (Tigres UANL) - Chivas USA
    Facundo Erpen (Atlas) - DC United, Colorado Rapids
    Nery Castillo (CF Pachuca) - Chicago Fire
    Luis Angel Landin (Queretaro) - Houston Dynamo
    Damarcus Beasley (Puebla) - Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire
    Omar Bravo (Cruz Azul) - Kansas City

    Tippeligaen (Norway):
    Chad Barrett (Valerenga Fotball) - Chicago Fire, Toronto FC, Los Angeles Galaxy
    Emmanuel Ekpo (Molde FK) - Columbus Crew

    Danish Superliga:
    Clarence Goodson (Brondby IF) - FC Dallas
    Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland) - New England Revolution
    Charlie Davies (Randers FC) - DC United

    Liga Postobon (Colombia):
    Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali) - Philadelphia Union
    Rafael Robayo (Millonarios) - Chicago Fire
    Miguel Montano (Deportivo Cali) - Seattle Sounders, Montreal Impact


    * = Transfer abroad after 2012 MLS season
     
  8. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Good idea.

    I;d figure Montero will move in the next year, and as much as I love watching him here, I;d also love to see him at a higher level and I do think he has the talent to do very well in a top league.

    Also agree selling players is good for the league, as the more who find success will make it not as much of a gamble to bid for an MLS player and the offers should increase, which helps both MLS and the involved clubs. Also, the more talent which finds success coming out of MLS most likely imo gives younger potential DP's more of a inclination to come here, and should help with incoming talent. When a guy like Cameron goes and gets MOTM in his first game, I'd think it helps raise the perception of MLS in the eyes of a few, and the more that happens, the more perception is raised. Then maybe Euro leagues are more comfortable sending younger guys here on loan, some with an option to buy maybe down the road.

    Who knows, it'll take time either way.
     
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  9. xtomx

    xtomx Member+

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    FloridaMC2MLS

    Great list, thanks for your work on this.
     
    FloridaFC2MLS repped this.
  10. DoctorD

    DoctorD Member+

    Sep 29, 2002
    MidAtlantic
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Once more, can some one provide me with a list of teams or leagues that have improved their quality over the last 20 years by a policy of selling players on the transfer market? Not Barcelona or Manchester United, please!

    MLS has improved its quality over that time without engaging in a policy of selling players. Sounds like MLS has done the right thing.
     
  11. FloridaFC2MLS

    FloridaFC2MLS Member

    Oct 17, 2009
    Florida
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Barcelona & Manchester United arent 16 years old. In order to grow its important we spread knowledge about MLS around the world, one way of doing that is by letting some players go every once in a while. Players do well in respectable leagues & MLS gets that much more respect & reputation. This will only lead to more players coming in aswell.
     
  12. tab5g

    tab5g Member+

    May 17, 2002
    MLS absolutely does that.

    There could be a fairly substantial list of players that MLS has "sold" (and not let go on a free transfer).

    (and yes, admittedly, most guys who leave MLS are able to do so on a free transfer. just like most guys that come to MLS arrive on a free transfer. but MLS is involved, somewhat or very limited, in the "buying/selling" market, when the "price" is right.)
     
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  13. cleansheetbsc

    cleansheetbsc Member+

    Mar 17, 2004
    Club:
    --other--
    Hell, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs have been around longer than MLS.
     
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  14. revolution1776

    Jul 23, 2009
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  15. FloridaFC2MLS

    FloridaFC2MLS Member

    Oct 17, 2009
    Florida
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I wasnt going to include players in leagues like that but since he's doing well & potentially can be a very good player, i'll add him to the list. Also forgot that Yura Movsisyan started with KC. I'll change those after the transfer window when we see where Bocanegra & Dempsey land.
     
  16. Cactus Hibs

    Cactus Hibs Member

    May 11, 2006
    Albuquerque NM
    Club:
    Hibernian FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Since the original poster brought him up, when is Bocanegra going to get away from Rangers? Kind of embarrassing watching the US national team captain struggle against part-time Third Division pub teams in 4000-seat stadiums...
     
  17. Cactus Hibs

    Cactus Hibs Member

    May 11, 2006
    Albuquerque NM
    Club:
    Hibernian FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't think Costly spent enough time in MLS to really be relevant to your larger point...people that flit through the league for a season or less won't reflect much on the quality of MLS when and if they finally touch down. And unless you really rate the Polish league it's been a long time since Costly was anywhere near a pasture greener than MLS...
     
  18. FloridaFC2MLS

    FloridaFC2MLS Member

    Oct 17, 2009
    Florida
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If the player has been in MLS & they are a relatively big name then it is worth mentioning for sure. Just because I say "greener" it doesnt mean the skill is better. MLS' quality is better than alot of the leagues listed above, but the players in a lot of cases see it as greener because of the pay & in some cases it can even be tongue & cheek. As to say, was that move really better for his career? The player always seems think so... But its not always the case.
     
  19. tab5g

    tab5g Member+

    May 17, 2002
    We'll, I'm glad we have this space to give our input as to what (truly) is "better" for every player's career (and for the overall business of MLS as a single-entity that controls/holds/manages player contracts).
     
  20. Allez RSL

    Allez RSL Member+

    Jun 20, 2007
    Home
    Isn't this what Lyon did during their dominant period? I mean, not exactly, but they definitely weren't afraid to sell when they got a decent offer for a player.

    I don't think it would work here, because MLS rarely gets decent offers, mostly because of the roster restrictions and salary cap. For example, Randers offered RSL some fee to get Movsisyan in the middle of the 2009 season, but it wasn't worth it to RSL who couldn't pick up a replacement down the playoff stretch because of league rules. Randers would have had to offer a much larger transfer fee than would have been worth to them.

    RSL probably passed up on a couple of hundred thousand dollars, but won the championship. Maybe they would have won without Yura, but I don't think you could call hanging onto him "bad business"...unless you're an idiot, I guess.
     
  21. BallinBear

    BallinBear Member

    May 31, 2009
    Except that he was sold for $3M by Randers less than 12 months removed from getting him on a free transfer. Source on what RSL was really offered?
     
  22. Allez RSL

    Allez RSL Member+

    Jun 20, 2007
    Home
    There's a difference between succeeding in Europe and succeeding in MLS, in terms of value, I guess, that would explain the increase in the fee. Also, the fee offered to RSL was at the butt end of Movsisyan's contract -- he only had 3 months left on it. They wouldn't have offered very much.

    For the source, it was from an interview with the RSL GM. I'll see if I can find the article.
     
  23. Cactus Hibs

    Cactus Hibs Member

    May 11, 2006
    Albuquerque NM
    Club:
    Hibernian FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't think many clubs do this with players they've brought in from elsewhere, but it's pretty common for mid-level teams with limited resources but good development youth systems to sell off the products of their academies once they start attracting external interest. The proceeds are then used to bring in experienced players or "stars" a la MLS's Designated Players...
     
  24. FloridaFC2MLS

    FloridaFC2MLS Member

    Oct 17, 2009
    Florida
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Victor Palsson going on loan Nijmegen in the Eridivisie.

    Key things today:
    Kljestan went 90+ for Anderlecht in their 2-0 win against Limassol & got a yellow which qualifies Anderlecht for the CL group stages
    Robbie Findley did not dress for Forest, perhaps its time for him to move on.
    Robbie Rogers went 63 mins against Southampton in their 4-1 loss in the Capital One Cup. Rogers was first sub but Stevenage were only down 1-0 at the time.
    Brad Guzan went 90 for Villa in 3-0 win vs Tranmere
    Davide Somma & Ramon Nunez also DNP for Leeds
    Tim Ream went 90 in the 2-1 loss to Crawley
    Geoff Cameron went 90 in Stoke's 4-3 loss to Swindon
     
  25. DoctorD

    DoctorD Member+

    Sep 29, 2002
    MidAtlantic
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm well aware of this. My point is: how many clubs started at, say, the 3rd division, and used this strategy of selling off their best/most promising players to acquire new players and get up to the 1st division? Or how many leagues formerly had few continental club championship slots and now get a lot more due to a league-wide policy of youth development?

    I can't think of any. MLS has improved without using the transfer market, and therefore is on a more stable financial position since transfers are not counted as an ordinary source of income.
     

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