I'm sure Crew fans wouldn't like it, but considering his recent Cup play and good play at least so far with Everton is it possible for him to stay with Everton through the end of their season? Would he want to? What would MLS get out of it? Would it be a smart decision for anyone? Discuss...
This link was posted elsewhere but it should be here also. Moyes says it's very unlikely McBride will be signed long term. http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/...fm?objectid=12553604&method=full&siteid=50061
Thanks. I'd say its probably best that way. The crew doesn't get a raw deal. As long as he doesn't come back with some kind of strange injury. Its kinda like getting called up from the Minor Leagues to play major league baseball. I know some south American teams have special relationships with European teams. Couldn't some MLS teams become a sort of informal developmental squad with some top European teams? A minor note from the article... it looks like skipper is used to mean captain of the team. In the states the term is mainly used in baseball... and it means the manager of the team, not a player. Just another one of those quirks of American words, or is it a quirk of English words?
If his run of form continues, I would guess there is a chance that his loan spell is extended through the end of the season. MLS gets BMB's salary paid, so they probably would go for it. However, what the crew would get I couldn't even venture a guess.
From a Crew fan here: As much as I like Brian McBride, and want to see him in Crew colors.... I also know he is in his "prime" now and if he shows he can play in a higher level (like the EPL), more power to him. I want to see McBride succeed, no matter if it is wearing the Crew colors, or a team across the pond.
Everton are in 5th, only 3 points out of third...it isn't realistic to think they would win the Premiership, but it is realistic that they could be in line for a Champs League bid should they continue winning. That being said, if they are in a dogfight for that 3rd (or even 2nd) spot, I would have to think that Moyes would push to extend the loan through the end of the season. This is assuming, that Moyes keeps on playing McBride...I don't know why he wouldn't if he keeps scoring. I am just damn happy that one of our stars of the World Cup is getting some international props outside of Friedel...I guess that was hampered by the injuries to JOB and Claudio. Its also nice to see an MLS'er knocking 'em in across the pond!! When he comes back, the league should really emphasize that, I think.
They should be promoting it right now. They should be aquiring the highlights and providing them to the local stations in C-bus.
It's way too soon to tell for sure, although Moyes' coments seem pretty straightforward. If he keeps his 1.5 goals-per-game average he may earn himself a contract, but I don't know if I can keep my fingers crossed for 3 months.
As I understand it he's only in there until Campbell gets healthy. At least that was the plan. I doubt he'll keep up the 1.5 goals a game pace, but if he's even near a goal a game how can he get put back on the bench? Many a man have lost their job when they went down due to injury and the replacement were on a hot streak. This question is really better asked about a month and a half from now... but I wanted to get some discussion going about it. It certainly doesn't hurt the view of Americans in England and Europe. They already have learned that Americans can be good keepers. Now they'll soon realize that while we aren't a major power yet, we can produce some top-notch scorers. When we get some midfielders besides Reyna starting regularly that'll be nice too. If Donovan keeps his form up he could be a candidate in a year or two, although he'll more likely be going back to Germany.
Loans would help the reputation of MLS in England, also. I watched the DC exhibiton with Chelsea(?) and the announcers made a comment about how well DC did and how exciting it had to be for the to play in front of 30,000 fans. I guess they thought 5,000 was a big deal here. Since Splargy is located there, perhaps he would be the one to ask.
As mentioned several times on these boards, increasing the reputation of MLS abroad could be a big help to the league in a very important area. A chance at a few TV contracts that actually pay. There is one with Britain's Channel 5 for late night broadcasts. Any more would be great. It won't happen soon but anytime an MLS star is getting press overseas, it helps.
Don't forget about the other Advantages Don't forget about the other advantage. More Prestige for the US, more players from other countries comming to us. Can you immagine what will happen if Roy Keane came to the MLS to play when he can no longer make it in the EPL? Irish Americans will go nuts. He Roy Keane will never go to an established league. Reputations of the MLS can he raised with sending players overseas. That's why I've been saying all along that Donovan should get out of MLS and Leverkusen and join a middle of the table team like Everton, Leeds, or even Newcastle. I know he doesn't have the heights to be an EPL striker but who knows, JMM doesn't either but he does well before all the injuries.
MLS may have played the BMB situation perfectly. McBride wasn't getting any bites oversees, he signs an extended contract with MLS, and MLS used their contacts (i'm guessing here) to help cement a loan deal. If McBride keeps scoring, Everton should offer a decent transfer price to MLS to keep him. I think both McBride and the Crew are ready for him to move to Europe, the Crew have Buddle chomping at the bit for playing time and MLS can prove their economic model by selling McBride for a nice profit. McBride has obvious reasons for wanting a place in the premiership.
For the long term survival of the league, it can't be just about grooming our players for a profit in the overseas markets.
It isn't; it's about a non-dominating MLS player going to the EPL and playing very well. That casts great credibility on the quality of play in MLS and will make the casual MLS fan and the media take the league more seriously. It's also sets a precedent for young Americans that they can play in MLS without facing future discrimination overseas (see E. Lewis) because coaches in these leagues believe Americans in MLS are second-rate footballers. I'd compare McBride's performance to the Inter-American Cup win by DCU... it just gives the league a lot more credibility around the world and at home.
for long term survival we need to ship players overseas like the Dutch league, Argentinian league, Portugese, brazilian.... By doing this we can build our overseas players to a high enough level to win some kind of world competition(preferably World Cup) or just having a good team. this will gain popularity with many US people. once Soccer is popular enough in the US, then we can start building a strong league, you can't expect a strong or a long lasting league with the support soccer gets in the US at the moment. Unfortunately, right now the MLS is making a major mistake by jacking the price of US players too high. Mcbride and Beasley should be in Europe and MLS is holding them back. Donovan, he's got some valuable mental boost in the MLS but it's time for him to go, he should get out of the MLS and Leverkusen and start play with middle of the table teams.
Remember that Donovan hated it at Levekeusen (for soccer and non-soccer reasons) Give him a couple more years in MLS to help the league grow and improve his skills. Then he'll be able to get on a team in Europe and actually get some playing time. I don't think MLS is asking too much for these players. For it to be worth losing one of the few major draws the league they need to get a lot of money back, especially since the league isn't profitable. They need to keep sending as many players on loan as possible and some will come up with McBride-like performances. McBride might not be "dominating" in MLS, but he's one of the top 3 forwards here over the past couple of years. And he's certainly performed better than any other american's at the world cups. I actually feel like MLS is getting pretty strong. A lot more younger guys, and a lot more guys that have at least some international experience (at the national team AND club level).
For the long term survival for the league, it can't just be about billionaire soccer fans throwing money down the crapper. Show a potential investor that a profit can be made by developing players and one might actually be willing to drop some cash. Until then, MLS will remain a fun way for Hunt, Anshutz and Kraft to get rid of the change they found under the couch.