Saturday, November 20, 2010

David Ferreira: Good choice

David Ferreira was officially named MVP of MLS on Friday, a few days after Don Garber accidentally let the cat out of the bag. Ferreira scored eight goals and recorded 13 assists playing in all 30 matches for FC Dallas during the regular season. Ferreira will hope his excellent form will continue tomorrow night in Toronto when his FCD take on Colorado in the MLS Cup final.
Though FCD are thinking about tomorrow's final I am sure they have one eye on Ferreira's contract status. Ferreira has been on loan from Brazilian's Clube Atletico Paranaense since 2009.  Arguably, Ferreira has been FCD's best player in his two seasons there. Dallas, however, will now have an extremely tough decision to make. First, can they convince both CAP and Ferreira to return on loan for 2011. This I highly doubt as his value in money to CAP is extremely high at the moment. If they can't work out a loan deal for a third season will Dallas be able to stump up the transfer cash and meet the wage expectations of Ferreira; who could possibly request DP money for next season. Dallas is set to receive a windfall of money that could be put into paying their best player(s) after a successful season.
Ferreira has been more valuable on the pitch than many DPs in MLS in 2010: Freddie Ljungberg, Nery Castillo, Jonathon De Guzman were all DPs during the past MLS season and have all failed to match the stats, consist play and value to their teams. Yet all three made more than Ferreira in 2010.
One idea is that Ferreira could make a big move to the Mexican Primera for next season as the Mexican league loves a true number 10. Being one of the 10 best leagues in the world (according to FIFA) this could be a big step for a player who has already acheived so much. Ferreira has won trophies in Columbia, the Middle East and the U-20 Copa America. A move to a more prestigous league/club could be appealing as it could be his last chance now that Ferreira is on the wrong side of 30.
I can't see Ferreira moving to Europe as he is now 31, unless it's to a smaller central or eastern European club. But if not Mexico what about another MLS team? Ferreira has been on loan and it seems there aren't any rules against another MLS team contacting Ferreira's parent club and negotiating a deal.
Dallas will do well to keep their star man on board for next season. Remember they once paid Brazilian Denilson, a former World Cup winner, DP salary to score one goal in a handfull of games. Dallas also paid (the highly overrated) Kenny Cooper a DP salary before he was sold to 1860 Munich where he warms the bench. Ferreira will have offers coming in this offseason and if he wins the MLS Cup tomorrow will he feel there's much left to accomplish in MLS.

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