Some of my highlights: Ironically enough, we're starting to see some of this foreign investment: the Red Bull situation, Chivas USA, RSL's academy deal with Real Madrid... And note how these developments have come only after MLS settled on the current slow-and-steady business model.
Or it scould just be as simple as MLS players were fresher only a handful of game sinto their season and well rested from the winter break. European based players being knackered after another hard 60- odd game season for some. But then, who would dare to suggest you were anything but always spot on?
Yet, this said, it's interesting that neither Charlton, Celtic, WBA or any of the other touted suitors of MLS players came back with improved offers? Just food for thought. Let's look at this another way, FC Dallas traded Eddie Johnson for a $250k allocation. What does that tell you about his transfer value?
Are you serious?!? Why did UEFA teams constitute almost all of those teams in the quarterfinals in Germany (with two teams that have all their stars based in Europe - BRA & ARG - being the others)? Why the hell were they not "knackered"?
I was being facetous. And I was also talking about MLS players. I note that both Roehl and Greg Lalas forget who the major letdown on the USMNT team was, and where he was playing.
Fair enough, it's food for thought. But there could be any number of reasons. Perhaps Charlton or WBA heard that they could get great bargains on MLS players from somebody at Fulham... and found out that MLS wasn't so willing to sell them below market-value anymore. And maybe those clubs just don't have the money to spend right now. I think Eddie Johnson would have been ridiculously overvalued at $5 mil, and perhaps it's a hindsight move, but MLS should've sold him when they could. However, the new KC owners nixed the transfer to Real Sociedad because they want to keep their star player around to attract fans to the future stadium.
Ah, there's a second page....and more for me to get my teeth into: 1. Tevez and Mascherano are Argies, not Brazillians. 2. Tevez cost $20m and i doubt very much whether he cost a penny more than that when he left. Combined I'm sure it was more, but not by himself. For him to speculate that when the fee is undisclosed is a little cheap. He has no substantiating evidence. 3. It seems there's also confusion on the other side of the pond as to whether it's even a permanent deal. I think the most important part about the Tevez comaprison, is that Tevez was a player who was unhappy at his club, wanting a transfer, and that the club cashed in on him rather than hold him hostage. It would make more sesne to draw comparisons between Dempsey and Tevez than anything else....
Fulham got two of their three ex-MLSers on free transfers, that's another thread entirely. As for McBride, well, he was ageing even then. I thought $1m (or so) was pretty fair fee. And, to discuss market value further, well, that's usually established by other sales- not just a number made up by tthe league. MLS could claim Dempsey is worth $100m, but market value would suggest somewhere between Convey and Beasley would be more accurate. Even allowing for other market factors, such as inflation/currency fluctuations, Dempsey's 'market value' should be a reflection of other players of a simlar standard, coming from the same league. This is just the same as real estate. Comparables are used to establish market value, and sometimes fighting those can be hard. It takes time, and a number of sales to establish trends and set a market value, so upping the price over night is hard to substantiate.
It tells you than in a salary-capped league, you will often have to take less than fair market value to dump salary.
"West Ham's Brazilian coup" Sure, they played in Brazil, but at the very least it's misleading. You wouldn't call the signing of Damani Ralph an 'American Coup'. Or maybe you would, but I certainly wouldn't. It's pointless and ambiguous at best.
Great article. And I agree that it was insulting for overseas clubs to offer such low bids for top players. He may not see it this way, but MLS probably did Dempsey a huge favor by not biting at the first piece of bait sent their way. My guess is that was the first of many offers he'll get. I just hope he doesn't sell himself short.
I didn't realize European-based players were allowed to mail in their performances during the World Cup. What a rough life they have over there. But hey, you don't need my validation.
LOL Guys like you are funny. Were you one of the same people who were saying that MLS players weren't going to be in form by the WC, because they hadn't played enough this season? Did you advocate Dempsey to start because he was fresh? Either way, it's always one excuse or another. No facts would change your premise.
Excatly. Absolutely nobody can evaluate american players since they don't play in Europe. I think American players are in the same situation than Euro basktball players in 1980's . They were mostly underrated because nobody was able to evaluate them properly. When the first successful Euros succeeded in NBA (Kukoc, Sabonis, Divac etc ) The value of Europlayers rose up automatically. As long as american players don't make a strong impact in Europe they will always be underrated. Even if English seem already to be in love with american players.
I don't think i've ever agreed with you on anything but i absolutely agree on this one.Your NBA analogy is brilliant.Kudos.