Juan Agudelo in "search" of a Club

So, NE clearly comes out as winners here, right?

 

Guess it was about the money. Who woulda guessed?

 

It's always about money. There really isn't a market for American players overseas. Agudelo did get a contract, it's just that the silly Appeal board ( Doneil Henry gets a WP) would not allow him to play. Other offers were economically stimulating as the one he is about to get in MLS, probably.

 

I miss the old vengeful MLS that lowballed the crap out of people who bypassed MLS or left MLS on a free.

Lee Nguyen was originally offered the league minimum contract after his Randers stint.

 

Not playing any type of first team soccer for like 10 months should be.

 

No

 

like whom?

 

I imagine Juan will want to bolt for Europe once his Cypress passport goes through...how difficult will it be for him to escape the shackles of MLS midseason?

 

MLS is probably offering Juan a 4-year contract since they have more leverage in this case. If Juan doesn't like it, then don't sign it.

 

What other resolution was there at this point? We should be happy he still wants to play soccer.

 

Assuming that he signs, I think we'll know pretty soon whether it's a win. If he gets on board for most of the pre-season, gets into top shape and works hard, he's a huge value. Hopefully, that's what happens.

 

"Juan, weren't you saying 'England or bust'?"
"You misunderstood me, it was 'New England or bust'!"

 

Yup. This is a pretty big fail.

The EPL is the richest league in the world. The Eredivisie is also in top ten. MLS is probably around the 15-20th in average pay and 25th-30th in quality of play. Not getting the Stoke gig is understandable. Not finding anything in between 1 and 15 is just sad.

 

I'm pretty sure since New England has his rights they won't offer him a contract lower than the one they offered originally.

 

#ROFL.

 

Just curious, but why shouldn't it? He left for a reason. Usually when you do something else it is to try for something better. When you don't succeed at something there is always disappointment...and that's okay.

 

Because he can still play professional soccer for a good wage, make the USMNT and get a good European gig if he performs well. It's all to play for.

 

I agree. But there's certainly a sense of disappointment for fans and the player that his European Vacaction didn't turn out better.

 

Sure, I wish Real Madrid had replaced Ronaldo with him. But it's better than some European options.

For me, it's disappointing that he ever left. He wasn't ready for that kind of attempt.

First, players with better resumes, if less potential than him, namely Maurice Edu and Brek Shea, never got a serious run-out at Stoke (not saying they deserved to BTW). So, even in the unlikely event Agudelo got a work permit, the story was likely to be the same, lots of time not playing.

Second, Agudelo had been notoriously inconsistent in MLS, never even putting together a good whole season (even Brek Shea managed that). He was unlikely to succeed and while Stoke was willing to pay a low fee to take a chance, it wasn't a good gamble for Agudelo.

Of course, I am speaking as a USMNT fan and it's Agudelo's life and he has earned the right to make this decision.

 

Well, he had an offer from 1860 last summer. His problem was that he was supposedly asking for play guarantees (I assume to secure a NT spot and not rot on the bench). Of course, few clubs are going to sign up for that for many players.

 

No offense, but I am not disappointed that he didn't go to 1860 (nothing to do with Wood issues as I am done with that).

 

Oh c'mon now, we have to start making the same excuses for Juan that were made for Bradley. He's got a woman and kid to think about now blah blah

 

Well, playing is better than not playing. Okotie came, upped his game and is now getting offers from other [better] clubs, so it is not like playing at 1860 hurt him. It's not like just because one player has issues at a club that it is pervasive. But if Agudelo has an ego that he cannot check, then maybe it was good he didn't go.

 

Yeah, this is bad for Juan, clearly a setback.

But in MLS terms...the Revs should be smokin' this year if they can replace AJ Soares. That shouldn't be hard, because I rate him as an above average MLS starter. If Diego Fagundez gets back to his 2013 form, they'll be Shield favorites without doubt. And a hell of alot of fun to watch.