MLS-dummy question here. How are teams able to make this trade outside of the transfer window? Is that another "American exceptionalism" thing where it's ok because it's in-league and a trade?
MLS Turns 21 - the 2016 season
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
The transfer window closed last night so the trade made it under the wire. It wasn't announced until the day today.
That's substantial. For those less-versed in the arcane roster/salary rules of MLS, "GAM" and "TAM" basically constitute tradable salary cap space (different because TAM comes with some strings attached with regard to how it can be spent).
$500k goes a long way in MLS, especially when you look to better-value transfer targets in South America.
RE: Zlatan - wake me up when there's more to the story than a quote-less report from some sketchy Italian journalist. I mean, it's possible but there's not much meat to that rumor right now.
As if on cue -- another ZLATAN! article. There's speculation that LA might sign him and then loan him out until 2017. Orlando did a similar thing with Kaka in the lead-up to their first season in MLS.
For LA, there are more things that need to happen. Their three DPs are currently Gerrard, Keane, and dos Santos. Gerrard is retiring, but de Jong's contract is structured to bump up to DP status in 2017. So one of Keane, dos Santos, or de Jong would need to leave; the article suggests there are rumors that Keane may retire.
For LA, there are more things that need to happen. Their three DPs are currently Gerrard, Keane, and dos Santos. Gerrard is retiring, but de Jong's contract is structured to bump up to DP status in 2017. So one of Keane, dos Santos, or de Jong would need to leave; the article suggests there are rumors that Keane may retire.
How in God's name would LA end up being the best choice for Zlatan? The PL would pay him a ton more, he can obviously still be effective at the highest levels, and he'd have a chance to finally get his UCL win. He's 34, but has plenty in the tank.
My coworkers and I asked ourselves the same question. The consensus answer was "It's Zlatan," followed by a shrug. This might be the most Zlatan thing he'll ever do.
With that said, we all have our calendars circled for when LA comes to Frisco on October 1. Hoping he's not out on loan when they come to town.
I think there are a lot of guys in Europe who just think that playing pro soccer while living in a place like LA or NYC is awesome. Don't underestimate the cultural appeal of these places to some Euro stars. Plenty of other MLS cities offer a fine place to live, but they don't have the sex appeal. Miami is on the top tier for that set too, which is one of the reasons why the league is trying so hard to make the Miami Beckhams happen.
How much money would Ibrahimovic expect to make in the EPL? LA is willing to spend; he'd still probably be leaving some money on the table but I'm not sure how much.
The number I've read is 300,000 pounds a week after taxes. Or roughly $30 million per year by the way we calculate things. I can't believe the Galaxy would be willing to pay that when he doesn't even fit their on-field needs.
It's worth noting that Zlatan has an Italian agent and this stuff was first put out there with Italian media his agency is friendly with. To me it looks like an agent going on a fishing expedition. If he does end up in MLS I think it will be with Manchester City USA.
What are recent imports like Gerrard, Lampard, & Villa making?
Who are the current top earners? The league's byzantine structure makes googling such info more difficult than it should be in this day & age.
I'm on my phone but there is salary data on the MLSPU website.
I believe Kaka and Giovinco are the highest paid players, a little over $7m.
Gerrard and Lampard are in the $6m range. As is Bradley. (Yikes to all three of those, esp Lampard). Villa is in the $5m range.
I could see Zlatan making a little more than any of those guys, but if the competition is a $30m offer, nobody is doing to be able to come close.
It's worth noting that 300,000 pounds per week after tax is the reputed asking price. It might "only" take $20m/annum to sign him.
I really think there should be a designated player tax. (Maybe 10% of the value of the contracts?) Any team that can afford to waste $6m on Steven Gerrard can afford to kick $600k into a kitty to be redistributed among the rank and file.
I really think there should be a designated player tax. (Maybe 10% of the value of the contracts?) Any team that can afford to waste $6m on Steven Gerrard can afford to kick $600k into a kitty to be redistributed among the rank and file.
The latest MLS salary list has been released.
https://www.mlsplayers.org/images/May 15, 2016 Salary Information - By Club.pdf
https://www.mlsplayers.org/images/May 15, 2016 Salary Information - By Club.pdf
The draw is out for the 4th round of the USOpenCup where MLS teams join the fray.
Fourth Round draw
LA Galaxy vs. La Máquina/LA Wolves winner
Philadelphia Union vs. Chattanooga FC/Harrisburgy City Islanders winner
D.C. United vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers/Richmond Kickers winner
Columbus Crew SC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies/FC Cincinnati winner
Chicago Fire vs. Indy Eleven OR Louisville City vs. Chicago Fire
Minnesota United/St. Louis FC winner vs. Sporting Kansas City
Rayo OKC vs. FC Dallas OR FC Dallas vs. OKC Energy
Houston Dynamo vs. Des Moines Menace/San Antonio FC winner
Colorado Rapids vs. Arizona United/Colorado Springs Switchbacks winner
Seattle Sounders vs. Sacramento Republic/Kitsap Pumas winner
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes
New York City FC vs. New York Cosmos/New York Pancyprian Freedoms/Jersey Express winner
Rochester Rhinos vs. New York Red Bulls OR New York Red Bulls vs. Lansdowne Bhoys
Jacksonville Armada vs. Orlando City OR Orlando City vs. The Villages
Real Salt Lake vs. Miami FC/Wilmington Hammerheads winner
Carolina RailHawks/Charlotte Independence vs. New England Revolution
Timbers/Quakes is the only all MLS draw, but at least the Timbers get to host. I don't think the Timbers have hosted since they did the full random draw.
Fourth Round draw
LA Galaxy vs. La Máquina/LA Wolves winner
Philadelphia Union vs. Chattanooga FC/Harrisburgy City Islanders winner
D.C. United vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers/Richmond Kickers winner
Columbus Crew SC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies/FC Cincinnati winner
Chicago Fire vs. Indy Eleven OR Louisville City vs. Chicago Fire
Minnesota United/St. Louis FC winner vs. Sporting Kansas City
Rayo OKC vs. FC Dallas OR FC Dallas vs. OKC Energy
Houston Dynamo vs. Des Moines Menace/San Antonio FC winner
Colorado Rapids vs. Arizona United/Colorado Springs Switchbacks winner
Seattle Sounders vs. Sacramento Republic/Kitsap Pumas winner
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes
New York City FC vs. New York Cosmos/New York Pancyprian Freedoms/Jersey Express winner
Rochester Rhinos vs. New York Red Bulls OR New York Red Bulls vs. Lansdowne Bhoys
Jacksonville Armada vs. Orlando City OR Orlando City vs. The Villages
Real Salt Lake vs. Miami FC/Wilmington Hammerheads winner
Carolina RailHawks/Charlotte Independence vs. New England Revolution
Timbers/Quakes is the only all MLS draw, but at least the Timbers get to host. I don't think the Timbers have hosted since they did the full random draw.
Nashville was awarded a USL franchise for 2018. It sounds like they still have a lot of work to do, though.
This is always an interesting way of looking at it:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/soccer/video-nycfc-red-bulls-fans-clash-yankee-stadium-article-1.2645178
Bunch of wanna-be hooligans got into a dustup at YS yesterday for the "New York derby."
Pathetic.
Bunch of wanna-be hooligans got into a dustup at YS yesterday for the "New York derby."
Pathetic.
I was there, and it was a massacre. On the field, anyway. Things seemed pretty civilized among the fans (who were intermixed in every section). I didn't see anything regrettable - other than the match - until I got on the subway heading home. A bunch of drunk young guys were harassing parents who brought their kids, singing various profane stuff, and may or may not have groped a woman. If they heard about soccer hooliganism and thought "that sounds awesome!", someone needs to send them back to Westchester and Bergen County where they appeared to have all came from.
CONCACAF Champions League 2016-17 draw announced:
http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/05/23/2016-17-concacaf-champions-league-draw-details-announced
http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/05/23/2016-17-concacaf-champions-league-draw-details-announced
Owen Coyle has been sacked by Houston. Well, he "wants to be closer to his family" officially, but Houston is in the basement of the West. First managerial casualty of the season. Patrick Vieira is the only remaining manager in the league with no prior playing or coaching experience in North America.
There have been some moves made over the last few weeks, too:
- Chicago signed Dutch forward Michael de Leeuw on a free; he spent the last few seasons scoring at a decent clip for Groningen.
- Columbus brought in Cristian Martinez, a 19 year old Panamanian winger, on loan from Chorrillo
- DC signed Sierra Leonian striker Alhaji Kamara, whose career had been in doubt because of a heart issue. He's 22 and once had a decent season in Sweden, which isn't too impressive, but it's hard to judge with his health issues.
- DC mutually terminated Markus Halsti's contract. Halsti was a mediocre foreign veteran and was never a particularly good signing
- FC Dallas signed fullback Agustin Jara. As good as they are, they have basically natural fullbacks, though at some point in the conversion process Ryan Hollingshead will start to count. Jara is a weird signing because he's an Argentine who came out of nowhere - he was playing at a low level (can't find him in any player databases like Soccerway or Transfermarkt) and was only scouted because his team was local to the hometown of one of FCD's assistant coaches.
- Philly recalled Michael Lahoud from his loan to the NY Cosmos and immediately sold him to Miami FC for a reported $300k, which is excellent business for a player who was surplus. Miami spent $750k on Irish midfielder Richie Ryan of Jacksonville last week. That's stupid money for a NASL team and doesn't seem sustainable at all.
- Portland signed Amobi Okugo, who had strangely been unattached since the end of last season. His career has taken a real nosedive over the last 12 months and I hope he bounces back.
There have been some moves made over the last few weeks, too:
- Chicago signed Dutch forward Michael de Leeuw on a free; he spent the last few seasons scoring at a decent clip for Groningen.
- Columbus brought in Cristian Martinez, a 19 year old Panamanian winger, on loan from Chorrillo
- DC signed Sierra Leonian striker Alhaji Kamara, whose career had been in doubt because of a heart issue. He's 22 and once had a decent season in Sweden, which isn't too impressive, but it's hard to judge with his health issues.
- DC mutually terminated Markus Halsti's contract. Halsti was a mediocre foreign veteran and was never a particularly good signing
- FC Dallas signed fullback Agustin Jara. As good as they are, they have basically natural fullbacks, though at some point in the conversion process Ryan Hollingshead will start to count. Jara is a weird signing because he's an Argentine who came out of nowhere - he was playing at a low level (can't find him in any player databases like Soccerway or Transfermarkt) and was only scouted because his team was local to the hometown of one of FCD's assistant coaches.
- Philly recalled Michael Lahoud from his loan to the NY Cosmos and immediately sold him to Miami FC for a reported $300k, which is excellent business for a player who was surplus. Miami spent $750k on Irish midfielder Richie Ryan of Jacksonville last week. That's stupid money for a NASL team and doesn't seem sustainable at all.
- Portland signed Amobi Okugo, who had strangely been unattached since the end of last season. His career has taken a real nosedive over the last 12 months and I hope he bounces back.
Draw results:
Group A
Pumas (MEX), Honduras Progreso (HON), W Connection (TRI)
Group B
Portland Timbers, Deportivo Saprissa (CRC), Dragón (ESA)
Group C
Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps, Central (TRI)
Group D
Monterrey (MEX), Árabe Unido (PAN), Don Bosco (HAI)
Group E
Pachuca (MEX), Olimpia (HON), Police United (BLZ)
Group F
New York Red Bulls, Antigua (GUA), Alianza (ESA)
Group G
Tigres (MEX), Herediano (CRC), Plaza Amador (PAN)
Group H
FC Dallas, Suchitepéquez (GUA), Real Estelí (NIC)
This is where I mention once again how nice it would be to weed out the eight weakest clubs before the group stage. Clubs hated the extra travel + fixture congestion, but the old 4x4 format was much more interesting than this 8x3. Give us Liga MX vs. MLS games!!
US Open Cup third round results:
Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) 1-1 Richmond Kickers (USL) (2-0pks)
Jacksonville Armada (NASL) 2-1 Charleston Battery (USL) (aet)
Rochester Rhinos (USA) 2-0 Lansdowne Bhoys (USASA)
Indy Eleven (NASL) 2-1 Louisville City (USL)
New York Cosmos (NASL) 2-0 Jersey Express (PDL)
Carolina RailHawks (NASL) 5-0 Charlotte Independence (USL) (aet - ouch!)
Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 1-2 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) 1-0 FC Cincinnati (USL)
Miami FC (NASL) 1-2 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL)
Rayo OKC (NASL) 1-2 Oklahoma City Energy (USL) (aet)
Saint Louis FC (USL) 0-2 Minnesota United (NASL)
Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1-2 San Antonio FC (USL)
La Máquina (USASA) 2-0 LA Wolves (USASA)
Arizona United (USL) 0-3 Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL)
Sacramento Republic (USL) 1-3 Kitsap Pumas (PDL)
After getting mauled by the USL in last year's USOC, the NASL did much better this time around, advancing in six of the eight NASL-USL matchups. They did lose the battle of OKC
Among the amateurs, the last NPSL club was knocked out, but one PDL club moved on. Two USASA clubs faced each other, so La Máquina moves on and have earned a very short trip to the LA Galaxy.
MLS clubs come in for the fourth round, which will be played on June 14-15
Real Salt Lake vs. Wilmington Hammerheads
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Jacksonville Armada vs. Orlando City
New York City FC vs. New York Cosmos
Philadelphia Union vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
Carolina RailHawks vs. New England Revolution
Columbus Crew vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Rochester Rhinos vs. New York Red Bulls
D.C. United vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Minnesota United vs. Sporting Kansas City
Chicago Fire vs. Indy Eleven
FC Dallas vs. Oklahoma City Energy
Houston Dynamo vs. San Antonio FC
Colorado Rapids vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks
LA Galaxy vs. La Máquina
Seattle Sounders vs. Kitsap Pumas
The draw is made to provide mostly local games. There aren't enough local minor league teams in the Northeast to go around, so the Revs have to travel to the Triangle. The RailHawks racked up quite a few wins in the USOC against MLS teams over the last few years. Pair that with the Revs' typical lackluster effort in this competition and I expect a loss.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) 1-1 Richmond Kickers (USL) (2-0pks)
Jacksonville Armada (NASL) 2-1 Charleston Battery (USL) (aet)
Rochester Rhinos (USA) 2-0 Lansdowne Bhoys (USASA)
Indy Eleven (NASL) 2-1 Louisville City (USL)
New York Cosmos (NASL) 2-0 Jersey Express (PDL)
Carolina RailHawks (NASL) 5-0 Charlotte Independence (USL) (aet - ouch!)
Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 1-2 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) 1-0 FC Cincinnati (USL)
Miami FC (NASL) 1-2 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL)
Rayo OKC (NASL) 1-2 Oklahoma City Energy (USL) (aet)
Saint Louis FC (USL) 0-2 Minnesota United (NASL)
Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1-2 San Antonio FC (USL)
La Máquina (USASA) 2-0 LA Wolves (USASA)
Arizona United (USL) 0-3 Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL)
Sacramento Republic (USL) 1-3 Kitsap Pumas (PDL)
After getting mauled by the USL in last year's USOC, the NASL did much better this time around, advancing in six of the eight NASL-USL matchups. They did lose the battle of OKC
Among the amateurs, the last NPSL club was knocked out, but one PDL club moved on. Two USASA clubs faced each other, so La Máquina moves on and have earned a very short trip to the LA Galaxy.
MLS clubs come in for the fourth round, which will be played on June 14-15
Real Salt Lake vs. Wilmington Hammerheads
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Jacksonville Armada vs. Orlando City
New York City FC vs. New York Cosmos
Philadelphia Union vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
Carolina RailHawks vs. New England Revolution
Columbus Crew vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Rochester Rhinos vs. New York Red Bulls
D.C. United vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Minnesota United vs. Sporting Kansas City
Chicago Fire vs. Indy Eleven
FC Dallas vs. Oklahoma City Energy
Houston Dynamo vs. San Antonio FC
Colorado Rapids vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks
LA Galaxy vs. La Máquina
Seattle Sounders vs. Kitsap Pumas
The draw is made to provide mostly local games. There aren't enough local minor league teams in the Northeast to go around, so the Revs have to travel to the Triangle. The RailHawks racked up quite a few wins in the USOC against MLS teams over the last few years. Pair that with the Revs' typical lackluster effort in this competition and I expect a loss.
Turns out that Houston press release may not have been completely full of shit. Coyle just quickly resurfaced as manager of Blackburn Rovers.
http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/owen-coyle-blackburn-rovers-3132799.aspx
Down in Houston, assistant coach Wade Barrett has been promoted to interim manager for the rest of the season. There's a lot of season left, so it seems that Barrett is being given a trial run.
This is a major signing for Atlanta.
Carleton is a 15 year old winger who is a blue chip prospect consider by many to be a talent on a similar level to Christian Pulisic. Unlike Pulisic (AFAIK) he does not have access to a second passport in an EU country, so he would not be able to move abroad until he turns 18. Pulisic's Croatian passport allowed him to move to Germany as early as 16.
It's a dilemma. Atlanta, as a new club, obviously has zero track record in youth development. At the same time, waiting over two years to start playing in real games for a European club is very far from ideal. A blue chip prospect stuck playing U18 soccer for years while waiting to turn 18 is a recipe for stagnation.
If Carleton is as good as he's cracked up to be, he'll be sold to Europe in a few years anyway.
TB, you opined a few weeks ago on the Xuxuh situation that FIFA's rules against foreign minors (i.e. those lacking a passport) getting signed by teams were there to prevent, essentially, human trafficking by odious intermediaries. But clearly it's not in the best interests of the sport, nevermind the exceptional individuals like Carleton and Xuxuh, to prevent them from finding the best place to continue learning their trade. What solution would you propose, if you were holding enough suitcases full of cash to get Infantino's attention?
Also, couldn't Carleton play for the USA U20s or even U23s to get a higher level of competition? If he's a Pulisic-level talent, isn't it plausible that he could deserve a bench role with Atlanta's first team by the time he's 17 or even 16? There have got to be some solutions better than an MLS U18 team.
Also, couldn't Carleton play for the USA U20s or even U23s to get a higher level of competition? If he's a Pulisic-level talent, isn't it plausible that he could deserve a bench role with Atlanta's first team by the time he's 17 or even 16? There have got to be some solutions better than an MLS U18 team.
Well, there's already one exception and that's if a player's parents move with him for "non-footballing reasons". There are some dubious examples of this loophole being used, but it's not all that widespread and it's not an option for many families. Ben Lederman's family moved to Spain, but he still got booted out of La Masia because their move was deemed to be for footballing reasons.
I dunno. If it were easy to come up with a fair compromise that let kids like Xuxuh pursue their dreams and protected vulnerable teenagers (particularly, but not exclusively, from Africa) from being picked up by a shady agent and then literally abandoned in some European country with no money, it probably would have been done by now.
Here's one article on the problem that the rule was designed to prevent:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-africa-trafficking-idUSKCN0SO2L320151030
He could, but U20 friendly camps aren't that high of a level and they're infrequent enough as it is. Plus, Tab Ramos isn't exactly famous for being a storied teacher of the game.
Absolutely. With this pro deal, he'll get opportunities with Atlanta quickly if he's as good as he's cracked up to be. He'll also be able to soak up some minutes in the USL as a fallback, if necessary. Atlanta's already affiliated with the Charleston Battery, not that far away. He may even play for Charleston this season:
He's not going to be playing much with an MLS U18 team, but my point was an MLS U18 + time at Bradenton would have been his future for the next two years if he had chosen to wait to be eligible for a Euro deal.
It's hard to completely evaluate the deal without knowing its length. If it's a standard four year deal covering 2017-2020, he'll be a free agent by the time he is 20. If he develops as hoped and makes it clear that he'll walk at the end of his deal, Atlanta may well sell him sooner. So even if he has eyes on Europe eventually (I have no idea, just assuming he does) he might as well get paid and get some pro minutes now because he doesn't have any better options at the moment.
DC United announced that they've signed 16 year old DM/defender Chris Durkin. Like Andrew Carleton, he's another kid currently with the U17 residency program in Bradenton. He's going to start for DC in the US Open Cup tomorrow and will be training with DCU over the summer, but he's slated to go back to Bradenton by August and won't be with DC full time until after the 2017 U17 WC.
He's been with DCU's academy for a bit, but originally he's more of a Richmond-area product.
He's been with DCU's academy for a bit, but originally he's more of a Richmond-area product.
They're in a rain delay at the moment, but the Revs are fielding a pretty strong lineup. Only Knighton, McCrary, Smith, and Herivaux are not regular contributors, and Donnie Smith has availed himself well in limited playing time so far.
Revs win 1-0 in extra time thanks to a nice goal from Brookline native Zachary Herivaux in his first start for the team:
I didn't see the game, but apparently he played well throughout. I'd love to see him improve to the point that he takes Kobayashi's spot in the pecking order.
Not too many upsets in the 4th round. DC United lost to Fort Lauderdale on PKs and NYCFC lost to the New York Cosmos (again). NYCFC now has played NYRB and the Cosmos six times in their history and lost all six games.
I didn't see the game, but apparently he played well throughout. I'd love to see him improve to the point that he takes Kobayashi's spot in the pecking order.
Not too many upsets in the 4th round. DC United lost to Fort Lauderdale on PKs and NYCFC lost to the New York Cosmos (again). NYCFC now has played NYRB and the Cosmos six times in their history and lost all six games.
Fifth Round draw:
Chicago vs. Columbus
RSL vs. Seattle
NY Cosmos vs. NE
Philadelphia vs. NYRB
Orlando vs. Fort Lauderdale
Houston vs. SKC
Dallas vs. Colorado
Portland vs. LA
Another road game for the Revs. Too bad - I like the USOC games held at Harvard's soccer stadium.
Chicago vs. Columbus
RSL vs. Seattle
NY Cosmos vs. NE
Philadelphia vs. NYRB
Orlando vs. Fort Lauderdale
Houston vs. SKC
Dallas vs. Colorado
Portland vs. LA
Another road game for the Revs. Too bad - I like the USOC games held at Harvard's soccer stadium.
Next round draw is out, and includes who will host the Quarters....
http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/06/16/us-open-cup-round-16-draw?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=News&utm_campaign=UnpaidMatchups set. Here is how the round of 16 looks for
Some bad news for Eastern Conference teams today:
Nogueira is not a star, but has quietly been a key cog in the unexpectedly successful Union team. He is leaving for undisclosed health reasons and his role will be difficult to replace.
Not helpful for Columbus, especially after their shitty start to the year.
Nogueira is not a star, but has quietly been a key cog in the unexpectedly successful Union team. He is leaving for undisclosed health reasons and his role will be difficult to replace.
Not helpful for Columbus, especially after their shitty start to the year.
Mauro Diaz is a really fun player and probably one of the most underrated in the league. Dallas just doesn't seem to get the same level of attention that's given to other teams: