While he is aware of the debate, Perkins has little time for the critics of Scandinavia as a developing ground for American players. "I think they're full of sh$t, to be honest," he states.
This observation is really on-point. It's the cap...if a Yank in his mid-late 20s is REALLY good, he's worth more in Europe than the US. And if he's not, the cap hit/production ratio isn't good enough to justify keeping him rather than going with a new guy from college. And not to get OT, but this is the area where I'm hopeful that the next labor deal will lead to a package of a cap increase (creating more room for the middle class) and an increase in player autonomy will allow the bottom ~85% of that middle class to stay in MLS. (The best players are still gonna go to Europe.)
The MLS cap allocation dollars will still be top heavy. But kudos to Troy for making the move. He struggled a little early but is getting his bearings over there.
I think Troy will be a success here. There have been a couple of incidents during games where he has looked a bit too eager to come out and claim balls in his area and weirdness has ensued, but generally he looks a solid keeper. Great reflexes that's for sure, and he looks unfazed by those unfortunate incidents early in the season which is a really good sign..
It seems he's missed quite a bit by his old club who have given away far too many goals and are currently 14th in a 14 team league.
The defense is perhaps just as much to blame though. That Gonzalo Peralta fellow looks like the absolute laziest player I've ever seen.