Yes. He was 24 when acquired. Side note- acquired for 1,000,000 Euros, sold 18 months later for 1,750,000 Euros according to Transfermarkt.
I am good with MLS not being at all like the EPL. I do not want 5 teams always at the top because of no salary cap. But I also like that a team can spend a ton on up to 3 players. Best of both worlds to my way of thinking.
Screwed over by expectations? Dude will always conjure memories of him stealing a pk, arguing about it and then missing it.
He could've developed a bit more, but we couldn't keep him around as a DP. And then when he went back to Ecuador, he started pounding in goals again.
After leaving the Fire, he had a total of three seasons with double digits in goals (out of 13 seasons ) Not exactly "pounding goals," but better than he showed with the Fire.
Minimal info. But heard a rumor MLS might consider “ Icon Rule” for year-end. Player must be 33 or older, played minimum of 4 years at current team and a salary < Max-TAM. Teams would only have a Salary Budget Charge of $200,000. Anybody care to venture an opinion? Gimenez might qualify for this slot.
Based upon a quick review of expected rule, it looks to me like Gimenez may be the only Fire player eligible for 2025. Even he would not be eligible if it had to be a new contract renewal/extension. Herbers is a 1993 birthday so not old enough minimum age (33). Shaqiri only played three years (22,23,24), so not the required 4 years.
MLS typically does four year contracts. 2 Years, and then 2 club options, so this makes sense. If someone comes in and does play out that entire scenario, a team can reward them and keep consistent. It's more complicated than it needs to be, but this is MLS so the financial rules are going to be silly.
The cynic might bristle at the term "Icon Rule." More like "Hanger on Pass their Sale Date Rule" Really, this is an excellent rule. We could have kept a slew of good veteran players a while longer. Have those aging, expensive veterans and continue to pay them accordingly, but only have a fraction of their salaries count towards the salary budget? Makes sense. Pretty much everything regarding MLS salary rules is more complicated than it needs to be. That is why we NEEDED Nelson 'Shady' Rodriguez and his "near encyclopedic' knowledge of MLS Salary rules.
Like with many changes, it will benefit LA or NY teams. In this instance the first Icon will likely be Vela. And Seattle will be pissed because 6mo ago they would have used it on Lodeiro
Not sure I get what you are asking but It’s not valuable unless there is a sheltering of significant salary/spend from the budget. For example, if Herbers were old enough (he’s not) he doesn’t require TAM today…so it only saves us ~200k budget and still counts as a senior roster spot. Where as using it on Gimenez reduces his budget charge from 681k to 200k…essentially ‘maxing it out’… Gaston isn’t exactly ‘an Icon’, but Heitz should use it on him! Solid depth for a 200k budget hit, plus freeing the DP slot
Agree. Would have some value so use it if that makes more sense than alternatives (trade, ?). Would still have pay him a goodly chunk of salary ( which hurts me) but helps budget process. My paucity question was prompted by Fire having (maybe) only 1 player who qualifies. Also, given mixed feelings about him, not generally considered an “ icon”.
Worthy is relative... If you want it to match the term 'Icon' we are hosed! If you want it to free up salary budget (and a DP tag!) then it's 'worthy'.
Gaston Gimenez as your first "Logan Pause Chicago Fire Icon"! I know that Logan never made that much in terms of salary, but that was the first Chicago Fire player that came to mind as an "Icon" when I saw the rule. I guess it could be humorous if the Fire used the Icon Rule on Shaqiri after the 2025 season.