The Washington Post has released a full list of MLS players who will be entered into this year's MLS re-entry draft. As I said previously, I am very excited about this draft. There are some tasty individuals available that could help a team add depth or be used in a building/re-building process to push for next season's playoffs. Right away Juan Pablo Angel jumps out at me as a player teams could build around for next season; and if a team wants he is a ready made DP. I am a huge fan of Angel who is a proven MLS goal scorer and leader. The two problems with Angel are, however, DP salary and age. Last season he proved he still has it at the MLS level regarding age, but will many teams give a 35 year old striker DP money for one more season? He has scored 58 goals in 102 games for New York; and it must be said during that time they were one of the worst teams in the league.
The draft will also feature quite a few MLS vets who are passed their prime (Jimmy Conrad, Frankie Hejduk, Nick Garcia) who could add quality veteran leadership to a team and help the youngsters bed in. There are also players who can help a team's frontline (Barros Schelotto, Jeff Cunningham, Fred) and be quality backup players. Then there are players who are only sticking around the league by the skin of their teeth (Joseph Ngwenya, Khano Smith, Luke Sassano).
The biggest surprise (in my opinion) is Chris Seitz. This is a goalkeeper the Philadelphia Union paid $1 million to Real Salt Lake for last winter. A great deal for RSL. Seitz will also join the draft and could be a highly coveted 'keeper for the likes of Chivas USA or Houston Dynamo. But if he is relegated to the bench again will any team want to pay his salary.
The biggest questions is salary. Will MLS teams sign many of these players at the high salary? I doubt many will. However, this could be perfect for a team like DC United whom finished last in 2010 to add some veteran players.
I see many of these players sticking around until day two and only drafted as possible trade bait; or to bring into training camp for a trial. But just like the expansion draft many of these players are spare parts at this point in their careers, and will only be needed as depth or to plug a hole for a season.
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Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Worthless Signing
Word from MLSsoccer, is the highly over paid and overrated Nery Castillo could be shipped out on a short-term loan deal to sunny Greece. This would be a move from January until March, much like Landon Donvon's deal last season with Everton. Castillo is anxious for this move to go through. Castillo signed as a DP last season following the World Cup and then rewarded the Fire faithful by not registering a goal or assist in eight matches. Once again proving teams should spend money more wisely in developing an over all team then putting money into one player, but I digress.
Make a Little Money
One of MLS' top players from 2010, Omar Cummings has been receiving a lot of interest outside of the States lately. However, it looks like Colorado will not sell the Jamaican who had a break out season for the Rapids scoring 14 goals. I, however, believe this to be a bad move on the Rapids part. Yes, you want to keep your top goal but that is the reason you acquired Mac Kandji late last season and still boast having Conor Casey (whom like always is rumored to be wanting out of Colorado). Too many MLS teams wait for a player to run down their contract and not resign instead of selling them on and using the profits to re-invest. I know there are rules in place in MLS to reward teams each year financially, however, if MLS wants to be a major league they need to use similar business practices as the rest of the world. Cummings could fetch around $1 million and with those funds the team could build on their accomplishments in 2010, or use that money on their academy or even marketing the team. There seems to be some naivety with MLS teams that a player will resign for the peanuts they make in the league. Players such as:
Jonathon Bornstein
Eddie Johnson- Though he hasn't settled in Europe Johnson was a highly paid MLS player who was beginning to find his feet again in the league. In 130 matches Johnson scored 46 goals.
Robbie Findley
Yura Movsisyan
Clarence Goodson
Hunter Freeman
There are many more who have left on a free. I know many will say those players haven't accomplished much in MLS or for their other teams. But the point is teams could have gotten something out of each of these players, and with the inflated price of players these days each one could have fetched $100k-$250k at the least. MLS executives need to be pro-active with their wheeling and dealings; not like Mo Johnstons' ridiculous turn over of 75 players. If the money's there MLS needs to take it.
Jonathon Bornstein
Eddie Johnson- Though he hasn't settled in Europe Johnson was a highly paid MLS player who was beginning to find his feet again in the league. In 130 matches Johnson scored 46 goals.
Robbie Findley
Yura Movsisyan
Clarence Goodson
Hunter Freeman
There are many more who have left on a free. I know many will say those players haven't accomplished much in MLS or for their other teams. But the point is teams could have gotten something out of each of these players, and with the inflated price of players these days each one could have fetched $100k-$250k at the least. MLS executives need to be pro-active with their wheeling and dealings; not like Mo Johnstons' ridiculous turn over of 75 players. If the money's there MLS needs to take it.
Fantasy re-entry draft
If you were the GM for an MLS team and had to funds to add players who are available in next weeks re-entry draft, who would you pick?
I know a lot of names have been kept quite so far, however, if anyone knows of players I am not familiar with than let me know. Personally, looking at my current list I don't see anyone that truly stands out other than Pat Onstad; whom would be a good back up keeper and good at coaching the young 'keepers for the future.
I know a lot of names have been kept quite so far, however, if anyone knows of players I am not familiar with than let me know. Personally, looking at my current list I don't see anyone that truly stands out other than Pat Onstad; whom would be a good back up keeper and good at coaching the young 'keepers for the future.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Preparing for the first Re-Entry Draft
On Wednesday December 8, MLS will hold the first ever Re-entry Draft and though I was unsure about it at first, I am quite excited to see how this shakes up the league. It's good to keep in mind a player can have their option declined, but resign at a lower salary with his parent club if he cannot find a new club (in the draft) who is willing to sign the player at his 2011 salary option.
I expect to see numerous MLS vets changing teams, or not even being on a roster come the opening of training camp. A few teams have already declined options on players and those players will enter the draft unless they come to terms on a smaller contract; and that is only if the club seeks to keep hold of the player.
Sporting KC has released Josh Wolff. The excellent Down the Byline blog has a little information about that. Houston has declined the option on seven players including Pat Onstad, Richard Mulrooney, Eddie Robinson, Ryan Cochrane, Joseph Ngwenya, Adrian Serioux and Anthony Obodai. All can now enter the re-entry draft in hopes of being resigned at their 2010 salary. Pat Onstad is the only player rumored to be kept, but at a lower salary. Houston has also parted ways with Cory Ashe and Dominic Oduro. However, they will not enter the draft as they are out of contract and have not had their option turned down and according to my information do not meet the requirements to entry the draft.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of any of these players and I can't imagine too many teams wanting to sign them at their 2010 salary. Serioux maybe the best of the lot being an experienced defender. However, he has bounced around the league for a few years and could either be used as cover in defence or he may be on his way out of the league.
In November, the Columbus Crew declined the option on Guillermo Barros Schelotto, which would pay the 37 year old $650,000 for 2011. That sounds quite high to me, however, thesocceroom writes Schelotto could be resigned by an MLS team at $325,000. This can only happen if he is not selected in the first re-entry draft and goes into the second draft. Still at $325k I don't think MLS should be resigning a 37 year old forward. The Crew have also declined options on Frankie Hejduk who is rumored to be in linked with a possible Chivas USA move. Gino Padula and Duncan Oughton have also had their options decline..
As the list grows with the little news leaks every day I can't see many of these vets being drafted at their 2011 option; but I do see some of these players renegotiating a new contract at a lower rate. Many of these players do not have other leagues to go to unless they want to make a step down into division 2 in North America or a possible move abroad to a lower level of play. This could also be the end of the line for several MLS vets, but with the return of the reserve league and two expansion teams many of these vets should find a home as depth or may even challenge for a starting role.
I expect to see numerous MLS vets changing teams, or not even being on a roster come the opening of training camp. A few teams have already declined options on players and those players will enter the draft unless they come to terms on a smaller contract; and that is only if the club seeks to keep hold of the player.
Sporting KC has released Josh Wolff. The excellent Down the Byline blog has a little information about that. Houston has declined the option on seven players including Pat Onstad, Richard Mulrooney, Eddie Robinson, Ryan Cochrane, Joseph Ngwenya, Adrian Serioux and Anthony Obodai. All can now enter the re-entry draft in hopes of being resigned at their 2010 salary. Pat Onstad is the only player rumored to be kept, but at a lower salary. Houston has also parted ways with Cory Ashe and Dominic Oduro. However, they will not enter the draft as they are out of contract and have not had their option turned down and according to my information do not meet the requirements to entry the draft.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of any of these players and I can't imagine too many teams wanting to sign them at their 2010 salary. Serioux maybe the best of the lot being an experienced defender. However, he has bounced around the league for a few years and could either be used as cover in defence or he may be on his way out of the league.
In November, the Columbus Crew declined the option on Guillermo Barros Schelotto, which would pay the 37 year old $650,000 for 2011. That sounds quite high to me, however, thesocceroom writes Schelotto could be resigned by an MLS team at $325,000. This can only happen if he is not selected in the first re-entry draft and goes into the second draft. Still at $325k I don't think MLS should be resigning a 37 year old forward. The Crew have also declined options on Frankie Hejduk who is rumored to be in linked with a possible Chivas USA move. Gino Padula and Duncan Oughton have also had their options decline..
As the list grows with the little news leaks every day I can't see many of these vets being drafted at their 2011 option; but I do see some of these players renegotiating a new contract at a lower rate. Many of these players do not have other leagues to go to unless they want to make a step down into division 2 in North America or a possible move abroad to a lower level of play. This could also be the end of the line for several MLS vets, but with the return of the reserve league and two expansion teams many of these vets should find a home as depth or may even challenge for a starting role.
Montero Now A DP
Seattle Sounders FC has signed Fredy Montero as their third designated player. Montero was on loan to Sounders FC for 2009 and 2010 from Deportivo Cali in Columbia. Montero burst into the league in Sounders FC's first MLS game against the New York Red Bulls and became the talk of Seattle; though his production did cool off toward the end of his first MLS season. In 56 matches Montero has scored 22 goals and is a constant threat in Seattle's attack.
Montero has been the center of some controversy during his time in Seattle. In April 2009, he was linked with a sexual assault charge that was later dropped for insufficient evidence. Montero has also been rumored, more than once, to be drawing interest from teams in Europe. In the past he has done little to qwell those rumors; however, now as a DP and one of the three highest paid players at the club, it should keep the front man happy for the time being.
Montero joins Blaise Nkofu and Alvaro Fernandez as Seattle's DPs.
Lastly, in other MLS DP news, Real Salt Lake has signed Alvaro Saborio as a DP. Saborio Spent last season on loan from Swiss League team FC Sion. The 28 year old scored 12 goals in 27 matches and becomes the clubs first DP. The signing of Saborio was classified as RSL top offseason priority, and my thinking behind the deal is that Saborio would only stay in the barren lands of Utah as a DP and not on his previous wages. We shall see in time if this was good business on RSL's part. Being that I am highly critical of signing a DP I am anxious to see if Saborio can fulfill expectations.
Montero has been the center of some controversy during his time in Seattle. In April 2009, he was linked with a sexual assault charge that was later dropped for insufficient evidence. Montero has also been rumored, more than once, to be drawing interest from teams in Europe. In the past he has done little to qwell those rumors; however, now as a DP and one of the three highest paid players at the club, it should keep the front man happy for the time being.
Montero joins Blaise Nkofu and Alvaro Fernandez as Seattle's DPs.
Lastly, in other MLS DP news, Real Salt Lake has signed Alvaro Saborio as a DP. Saborio Spent last season on loan from Swiss League team FC Sion. The 28 year old scored 12 goals in 27 matches and becomes the clubs first DP. The signing of Saborio was classified as RSL top offseason priority, and my thinking behind the deal is that Saborio would only stay in the barren lands of Utah as a DP and not on his previous wages. We shall see in time if this was good business on RSL's part. Being that I am highly critical of signing a DP I am anxious to see if Saborio can fulfill expectations.
Sampdoria and Juve out
In Europa League action last night both Sampdoria and Juventus crashed out of the continent's second favourite competition. This is a massive blow for Italian football. The Italian league will lose a Champions League spot, because their coefficient in the European competitions is now lower than that of the German Bundesliga. Italy will go from four to three teams in the Champions League while Germany will increase from three to four. This will not go into effect until the beginning of the 2011-2012 season.
If you have watched any of the matches played by Italian teams in the Europa League this season, you will have seen teams full of reserve players and patch worked line-ups. No doubt Sampdoria and Juve are putting all their eggs in one basket and aiming for the Champions League places in Serie A, the coveted top four.
Meanwhile, Germany's Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund continue to duke it out in the competition with Bayer already making it to the round of 32; and will begin play again in Feburary.
If you have watched any of the matches played by Italian teams in the Europa League this season, you will have seen teams full of reserve players and patch worked line-ups. No doubt Sampdoria and Juve are putting all their eggs in one basket and aiming for the Champions League places in Serie A, the coveted top four.
Meanwhile, Germany's Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund continue to duke it out in the competition with Bayer already making it to the round of 32; and will begin play again in Feburary.
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