Poll: Best American Signing or Re-Signing in MLS History

IncaEnclave · Jan 20, 2003

From the inauguration year to today, who would be the best signing or re-signing the league (at the time of their signing) has had up till now.

Here's my list:

1) Landon Donovan
2) Eddie Pope
3) Alexi Lalas
4) Tab Ramos
5) Earnie Stewart

IncaEnclave · Jan 20, 2003

I know Landon has some weird deal with the league but I'm considering him as a signing b/c he'll be playing here for a while......I didn't put Friedel b/c he wasn't that important due to his position and since he wasn't as good in Columbus as he is now with Blackburn

dawgpound2 · Jan 20, 2003

I think Ruiz has to be right up there.

JMU Soccer! · Jan 20, 2003

Dawgpound, the title says American singings, so Ruiz wouldn't be included.

I"m going to move this over to the General Discussion board, we try to keep Polls off this board. PM me with any questions.

soccertim · Jan 20, 2003

I was going to vote until I saw Lalas in the list. After that, it was impossible to take this seriously.

subbuteo · Jan 20, 2003

Originally posted by JMU Soccer!
Dawgpound, the title says American singings, so Ruiz wouldn't be included.

I"m going to move this over to the General Discussion board, we try to keep Polls off this board. PM me with any questions.
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Technically, Dawgpound is right. Who's to say someone from South, Central or North American is or is not American?

JMU Soccer! · Jan 20, 2003

Originally posted by subbuteo
Technically, Dawgpound is right. Who's to say someone from South, Central or North American is or is not American?
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Stop injecting the account of being completely literal into this debate.

subbuteo · Jan 20, 2003

Originally posted by JMU Soccer!
Stop injecting the account of being completely literal into this debate.
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If I was being complete literal.... Oh hell...like someone else said, Lalas is on the list

argo15 · Jan 20, 2003

As far as gaining any sense of legitimacy, I would say Tab Ramos. I've read where many of the USA 94 guys said his signing influenced their decision to join the league. Now I know many of those guys failed to live up to their billing in MLS but at the time, I think Ramos was very important. From the names on this list, I would have to put LD at #2. I'll wait and see what Stewart does this year.

IncaEnclave · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by soccertim
I was going to vote until I saw Lalas in the list. After that, it was impossible to take this seriously.
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I put Lalas on the list b/c he was the red goatie face of American soccer when the league first started. He was a highly visible face during the WC 94 and followed that up with a good year at Verona in Serie A. Admittedly, Lalas was slow and over the hill when he got to MLS but he still was able to win an MLS cup last year IIRC.

IncaEnclave · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by subbuteo
Technically, Dawgpound is right. Who's to say someone from South, Central or North American is or is not American?
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my fault...American refers to the United States of America in this poll ....any other country with America in their name can have their players considered also

JAnderson14 · Jan 22, 2003

Chris Albright.

79United · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by JAnderson14
Chris Albright.
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LMFAO

TS.

Eliezar · Jan 22, 2003

Cobi Jones.

From year 1 to now still on a top team and in both years in the MLS final.

Sean Donahue · Jan 22, 2003

Going with Ramos for now, but after I see Twellman for another season I might have to put him up top on my list.

firstshirt · Jan 22, 2003

Richie Williams or Andrew Shue,,,got to be one or the other

schmuckatelli · Jan 22, 2003

I was a little surprised not to see Johnny Harkes on the list. Along with Tab Ramos, he lent an air of credability that the league desperately needed to start.

soccertim · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by IncaEnclave
I put Lalas on the list b/c he was the red goatie face of American soccer when the league first started. He was a highly visible face during the WC 94 and followed that up with a good year at Verona in Serie A. Admittedly, Lalas was slow and over the hill when he got to MLS but he still was able to win an MLS cup last year IIRC.
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I think you've summed up Lalas in 2 sentences. Highly visible during WC94, had a decent year in Serie A, slow and over the hill when he got to the MLS. The kicker? when he joined the MLS, he was about 26, but well past his prime.

Is this poll supposed to be about getting a good signing into the league, or about making a splash with the signing? If you mean good players, put Twellman in the list. If you don't want one-year-wonders (so far) like Taylor, try Steve Ralston, Cobi, or Preki. If you poll is literally the most player for the money, Fat Tony. Pound for pound, he may be the best bargain out there...