Noonan to Norway

It's a very good move for Noonan: he'll make more money than he did in New England, he should see regular playing time provide he stays healthy, he'll be playing in front of the best supporters in Norway, and it won't hurt that former Revolution player Adin Brown will be his new teammate. Who knows, if AaFK have a good season in 2008, maybe there's a chance for him to play some European football as well.

That being said, some might consider this another case of the Revolution being "penny wise, but pound foolish." They've taken this route before - not exercising a contract on a key player, then hoping he'll re-sign for a lower-salary on a long-term contract - only to see the player make the jump overseas.

One such player: Noonan's new American teammate at AaFK.

The Magpie

 

Maybe FSC can start showing the Norwegian league so we can see some of the Yanks play.

 

I know that this was a free transfer and really nothing like Taylor Twellman's situation...But still, I got to believe that this is burning Taylor up inside. He's seeing all of his buddies go off to europe and make better money, while he is stuck in New England.

(Yes, I know that Twellman signed a deal with MLS for near max money, which for most is great money. He signed the contract, so let's not cry for Taylor.)

 

step 1: play for the Revolution

step 2: grow a beard while you play out your contract

step 3: enjoy a free transfer to Norway

 

The Revolution had a consistent formula for getting to the Cup (not winning it, mind you) and now they have demolished a good portion of the formula, which means they will be mortal and it won't be a given that they make it to the final.

If they don't sign a DP, then what has transpired of late makes it look as though they are asleep at the wheel.

And how is the stadium search coming for New England?

 

What search?

 

The stadium search for New England is about as legitimate as OJ's search for the real killer.

 

It's pathetic that I couldn't find this news on any other website I checked. Noonan is one of the better players in the league. Certainly more important than Chris Albright, whose move to NE was quite well covered. Even Pravda (revolutionsoccer.net) thought that TNT Vacations was more worthy of a mention than the loss of one of the team's most important players. Ok, so maybe that's not so surprising.

 

Stadium search for New England Revs.......

 

Why would a draftee be foolish to sign with the Revs in the first place? They don't let their players transfer unless the contract runs out. They are cheap, cheap, cheap.

 

At least a signee knows where he stands. Apprentice yourself for a few years, then off to Scandinavia, where your teammates have established a good track record.

 

Tell that to Clint Dempsey.

 

Hope Noonan do well for Ålesund i like the team and they realy do have great supporters.
But personaly i think they are not likely to get a UEFA cup spot, much more likely to be in the lower part of the tabel.

 

Yeah, he's gotta be livid.

I'm sure he's like, "let me get this straight. You won't take 2.5 MILLION dollars for me but you'll let Noonan go FOR FREE?"

Plus there's the issue of the team losing another key cog from the MLS Cup game runs. Nicol is a great coach but you lose talent like they lose and eventually it catches up with you.

Taylor is gonna be a very unhappy camper. I know he's a pro and I'm sure he'll always play his hardest, but do you really want your highest-paid player being really unhappy?

 

Best of luck to Noonan with his move.

I wrote the following on the Quakes forum when Goodson left; replace his name with Noonan, and I think the same thing applies:

***

For the money, fame, and soccer environment, even the Scandinavian leagues are a step-up from MLS. However, if Goodson (Noonan) has his eyes on the national team - which, given his most recent call-up to camp, I'm sure he does - Norway probably isn't the best move.

Look at the players who have gone to a Scandinavian league (for the sake of argument, consider Denmark, Norway, and Sweden to have equally strong domestic leagues):

Wade Barrett
Nat Borchers
Adin Brown
Dan Califf
Ramiro Corrales
Charlie Davies
Tighe Dombrowski
Tally Hall
Heath Pearce
Robbie Russell
Brian Waltrip
Cam Weaver
Brian West
(Pat Noonan)

It's a mixed bag: Pearce definitely improved his standing, Califf may have slightly, and Davies probably would have received call-ups regardless of where he played last season.

However, Borchers, Brown, Barrett, Corrales, and West were all fringe guys in the player pool who did not improve their standing while playing abroad.

***

As others have remarked on the Revs forum, I think Noonan traded off the slight chance of a national team spot with the security of a higher-paying club situation.

 

I think Bradley has shown he is far more willing to call up players from Scandanavia than Bruce was.

Bruce only ever called up Heath Pearce and Robbie Russell (once) from Scandanavia and was supposedly calling up Brian West but he got hurt. Two (or three) players in eight years. Clearly Arena didn't think much of players being over there.

By contrast, Bradley already has called up Pearce (before he went to Germany), Danny Califf, Jeremiah White, Charlie Davies, Ramiro Corrales and Tally Hall despite being on the job just a year.

So, I don't think the Scandanavian route is as much of a blow to US national team chances now as it once was.

 

My feeling about TT and Revs are: If you just signed a contract not long ago [ last year] and no one forced you to sign it. TT has no beef with Revs FO about them not letting him go to Europe. Noonan is a allright player, not a big deal though.Now this gives the younger guys that are coming up a chance to show their stuff.Pat good luck in Europe.

 

I agree that Bradley seems more open-minded. Additionally, with the turnover, few sure starters, and the Olympic duties looming, Bradley's been far more likely to call up young players than Arena was during his tenure.

Still, I don't see how Noonan improves his national team standing with this move. I think he would be at best the 22nd/23rd guy on a 2010 roster, so professionally, this is a good move.

 

And Daniel Hernandez.

Look, the Shalrie offer was a joke. The Twellman offer, that's a legitimate point of discussion.

The Revs have a pretty decent record on this.

 

There was a report a year ago that the Revs were looking for a stadium in Somerville, a city just north of Boston, that would they would start work in 2009 or 2010. But there hasn't been any follow up that I'm aware of.

 

So they are moving to Vegas?

 

I think Pat Noonan's play is much more of a gauge of his national team standing than what jersey he wears most weeks.