Jaqua makes the move to Austrian strugglers SCR Altach who currently sit 8th in the ten team league. League play resumes Feb 15 and in the meantime Jaqua will head with the team to Turkey for a training camp. http://yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=3654
I understand his wanting to move in order to secure a better paycheck, but I must say that I am disappointed to see the exodus of solid MLS players to Europe. I'm not talking about the stars of the league (guys who are USMNT prospects), but your average Nate Jaqua, Joseph Ngwenya, Clarence Goodson, Pat Noonan, Andy Dorman, et cetera. Getting back on topic, there aren't a whole lot of American strikers scoring a lot of goals in top-flight European leagues, so best of luck to Nate.
These guys have to go to Europe and I emphasize have to. They aren't going to be a part of the USMNT set up and they probably realize that so what good does staying in the MLS do for them? It's work for these guys and they have to go where they can make a wage that will support a family. It's disappointing for the MLS, yes, but at the same time opens up doors for other players that might not have gotten a shot and could turn into as good if not better players then the ones leaving.
No he's not. Read above. The goal of any soccer player is to make a wage that will allow them to support a family and live comfortably. The USMNT is secondary to that. This is a job, and from that perspective (really it should be the only perspective as Jaqua won't be a part of the US set up anyways) he is far better off in Austria
It was just a matter of time. 1) Low MLS salaries 2) Increased quality of play in MLS 3) Increased accessibility of the league leading to increased scouting of MLS by foreign teams, etc. Let's face it, teams in that second-third tier of European football are going to start seeing MLS as a source of cheap, good talent. If MLS isn't going to be paying these average guys a competitive salary, then they're going to lose them. And as the reputation of MLS players increases in the eyes of European scouts, the issue is going to become more severe. We're not talking about the top talent that gets paid quite a bit in MLS, but the squad players as you mentioned. Why wouldn't they explore the European market? It's an obvious career choice. I'm a chemist. If an English pharma company came and offered to double my salary, I'd surely think about it.
Wow! It amazes me that MLS can play one player 25 million (or whatever) a year and then cant even beat out a lower-table Austrian team to pay one man's salary.
They CAN, but they don't WANT to. To MLS, Jaqua isn't worth it. Apart from his parents, does Jaqua sell ANY tickets? I doubt it. For my part, I'm sad to see him go since he was a player that failed to fit into three different MLS schemes (Chicago, TFC, LAG), and finally found a home in Houston. Teams will look at his size and wonder why he isn't playing point in front of the GK (like Peter Crouch) and be bewildered about why he wants to play 40 yards from goal behind the strikers. Houston figured how to use him in a way that suited his play. I imagine he'll have to start all over again in Austria, this time without a coach who can't figure out why he isn't the second coming of Oliver Bierhoff.
It only amazes you because you don't understand MLS's salary rules, which by and large has kept the league healthy for 12 years now. I mean, you can make an exception for beckham because he's exceptional, Jacqua is not.
They wern't exactly paying him peanuts. His salary last year was 119,525. That's a hell of a lot more than my parents ever made in a year and they supported me alright.
From the article: Altach have only scored 24 times in 23 games, the third lowest total in the league, and Fuchsbichler is gambling that the Oregon native will pay off in goals as they attempt to climb out of the relegation fray. "We have a lot of injured strikers, and only two goals from our strikers this season," said the coach, who wants Jaqua to come in and nail down the starting job. "Nate is one of the guys we think can help the situation." EEEESH, two goals from the strikers in half the season. You wonder why they aren't in last place.
This is the kind of move I like for players who are not national teams prospects. What I don't like is when their are rumors of national team prospects moving to the Scandanavian leagues which based on Corrales play doesn't seem to be much if any step up from MLS.
Professional athletes have their careers prematurely ended substantially more often than the average worker. He's a bad knee injury away from not having a pay check in 6 months. The goal for them is to make as much money as soon as possible. Saying that, the wages at the top clubs in Europe and the sports here in the States are disgusting. Like Sean Taylor said, "I feel like I'm playing a kid's game for a King's ransom."