The Soccer Thread

[sethuel1]

Wow. This is a ton of money and I think it's going to make or break the MLS. I just hope it doesn't break it.

 

That's my concern. They just gave one guy more money than the rest of the league makes all together. That's an incredibly risky move for a player on the decline.

 

I really don't like this move. For $50m annually? That could have bought you probably 6 other players from Europe under the Beckham Rule that probably help 6 different markets more than Beckham helps the league.

 

I don't think this signing means MLS is going to attract top talent. We can't even keep our top talent here. You're telling me European and South American talent are going to ignore going to Serie A, the EPL and La Liga just because Beckham is here? I don't buy it.

 

The league has no idea how to officiate technically sound players. He's going to take a bloody beating from oafish defenders. This move just doesn't make any sense beyond marketing to casual fans who are going to go see him once, and then walk away wondering what the fuss was about.

 

If the MLS is doing this in order to attract top talent, it's not a good move. if the league is doing this in order to make a splash with the media, then it's a decent move.

 

Also, this sets the price really high for other players rumored to be considering coming here. For example: Ronaldo. Can MLS afford to bring in Ronaldo in 1-2 years for somewhere close to this price? I tend to doubt it.

[TruffleShuffle]

This move just doesn't make any sense beyond marketing to casual fans who are going to go see him once, and then walk away wondering what the fuss was about.

 

I understand what you're saying, but I don't think that is why he was signed. He was brought in for the name, not the quality of his play. The top headlines on espn.com is about Beckham. It's also on cnn.com (not cnnsi - cnn) and is the top headline on the Drudge Report. It's very big news in the sports world and goes outside sports as well. His first MLS game will probably be the lead story on SportsCenter - how often does SC show any MLS? I think it's a great move for the MLS - regardless of his play, it will draw interest to soccer from the media and from people who normally wouldn't care.

 

And, Beckham will be getting paid $10M per year at most by the MLS. Sources have said that at least $200M of the deal is tied to his numerous endorsement deals.

[sethuel1]

i'd like to see a link showing that the sponsors are going to pay most of it. it'd change my mind on the deal...

 

oh, there's another rumor that Edgar Davids might come here also.

[TruffleShuffle]

i'd like to see a link showing that the sponsors are going to pay most of it. it'd change my mind on the deal...

 

here ya go...

 

 

Although Beckham, who leaves Real Madrid at the end of the season, will become the highest paid player for Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, MLS sources say his annual playing income is only in the "single-figure millions."

 

With Beckham getting paid up to $50 million over five years for playing soccer, where does the rest of the money come from?

 

"Most of the value is from David's worldwide endorsement," MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis said on Thursday. "That's a separate deal. That's his deal with CAA (Creative Artists Agency) and 19 Entertainment. That's not something we're involved in.

 

 

So, if another big international name wants to come to the MLS, they can't expect the league itself to shell out an 8-figure salary.

[Mark Priors Calves]

oh, there's another rumor that Edgar Davids might come here also.

 

i like it. he's a quality player who's still got good years ahead of him. the goggles will be a big deal too.

[shnsajax]

oh, there's another rumor that Edgar Davids might come here also.

 

i like it. he's a quality player who's still got good years ahead of him. the goggles will be a big deal too.

 

I would absolutly love to watch Davids in person. I always thought he was a little underrated. He is an absolute bulldog.

 

As for Beckham, I am really not worried about it breaking MLS. The league knows its finances, and this is a calculated risk. I think their is a lot more to this deal than we know about, and we are going to see a marketing/publicity machine like no other this summer. Hell I might actually be excited to watch an MLS game ofr the first time since 1996.

[Careless]

Well I'm impressed and shocked. Is there actually a chance for them to make their money back on this?

[davecubsfan]

Well I'm impressed and shocked. Is there actually a chance for them to make their money back on this?

 

As I've said before, I think they'll make their money back plus some. Becks, even at 31, is still a world class athlete and better than most of the other athletes in MLS. I really think he was signed for marketing and to get the floodgates opening for other aging superstars to head over. I don't think you'll ever see a 20 year old English star head to MLS, but I think MLS would be even more successful than it is now with a few 31-35 year old stars on the downside of their careers. On TMZ.com, there's a report that says most English rags are sending a minimum of two photogs over just for Posh and Becks coverage in America.

 

Davids would be an excellent pickup for FC Dallas. He still has the ability to get open and put the ball in the back of the net and like Becks, will come over here and be a difference maker by bringing the Premier League mentality and workman ethic with them. I think MLS just took a huge step up, and a huge step that was needed to stay relevant. This was my number one way a few months ago to help MLS grow. MLS just became a bit relevant on the world scene by hiring one player. Their exposure and marketing just went way up. When is the last time you saw the words MLS on BBC's football coverage? I rest my case.

[Balsa]

Wow, that's a lot of money.

 

Poor Beckham, he's gonna get roughed up pretty badly in the much more physical MLS. I predict his decline will start much faster than anyone expects. It'd be like him going back down to League Two instead of playing in the World Cup. The World Cup and overly watchful reffing is the best for Beckham and his skills, not the rough 'n tumble MLS.

[Marco4]

He's taken a kicking in his time - especially after the 1998 World Cup. I don't disagree that his decline (which is well underway already) will be all the more apparent now.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Short notice but the USMNT plays Denmark today on ESPN2 at 3:50.

[soccer10k]

Excellent, thanks for the info.

[soccer10k]

A guy I played soccer with, Heath Pearce, is on the roster. Are they allowed more subs in a friendly match than the 3 like in the World Cup, Champion's League, etc.?

[Mark Priors Calves]

A guy I played soccer with, Heath Pearce, is on the roster. Are they allowed more subs in a friendly match than the 3 like in the World Cup, Champion's League, etc.?

 

Usually. I don't know the specific rules for this match but typically substitution rules are pretty relaxed in an int'l friendly.

 

Also, somewhat awkward having Bruce Arena broadcasting the match.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Also, somewhat awkward having Bruce Arena broadcasting the match.

 

He sounds exactly like Len Elmore.

[soccer10k]

A guy I played soccer with, Heath Pearce, is on the roster. Are they allowed more subs in a friendly match than the 3 like in the World Cup, Champion's League, etc.?

 

Usually. I don't know the specific rules for this match but typically substitution rules are pretty relaxed in an int'l friendly.

 

Also, somewhat awkward having Bruce Arena broadcasting the match.

 

Oh yeah. Didn't Wynalda rip into Arena during/after the World Cup as well or am I thinking of somebody else?

[soccer10k]

Lucky goal for the US. First, the foul on Denmark was probably outside the box and then the keeper got a hand on Donovan's PK and should have saved it. Either way, it's 1-1.

[USSoccer]

Really bad 1st half for the US. Nothing's changed since last summer-you still have a roster full of players unwilling to attack defenders.

[soccer10k]

Really bad 1st half for the US. Nothing's changed since last summer-you still have a roster full of players unwilling to attack defenders.

 

And look what happens when they finally decide to do that, a goal. Amazing how that works isn't it.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Really bad 1st half for the US. Nothing's changed since last summer-you still have a roster full of players unwilling to attack defenders.

 

Psh, we don't need Klinsmann.

[USSoccer]

Really bad 1st half for the US. Nothing's changed since last summer-you still have a roster full of players unwilling to attack defenders.

 

And look what happens when they finally decide to do that, a goal. Amazing how that works isn't it.

 

I know! Imagine what would happen if all our players decided to take the game to their opponent?

 

Thankfully, this is not the roster that will start qualifying for 2010.

 

I'll be interested to see if Demspey and Gooch will be available for the game vs Mexico in a couple weeks.

 

This was not a good effort. Eddie Johnson was terrible...again. I wasn't terribly impressed with anyone in the midfield. Donovan was erratic...again, and Mastroeni wasn't all that good either, although Donovan was miscast and playing with terrible forwards, and Mastroeni had to make up for Clark being out of position all game long.

 

I'm wondering if Johnson should even be in the USMNT's long term plans. He's just not the same player he looked like a couple years ago. Our pool of forwards is awfully thin.

[sethuel1]

i love the crappy AP postgame writeups:

 

"Cooper, who was nearly offside, scored on a breakaway in the 80th minute."

 

What incredible insight. Really gives me a picture of that goal.

[USSoccer]

i love the crappy AP postgame writeups:

 

"Cooper, who was nearly offside, scored on a breakaway in the 80th minute."

 

What incredible insight. Really gives me a picture of that goal.

 

Would it be better if I wrote that Kenny Cooper is slow as hell and almost got caught from behind after being sent thru with about 15 yards to spare?

[sethuel1]

i love the crappy AP postgame writeups:

 

"Cooper, who was nearly offside, scored on a breakaway in the 80th minute."

 

What incredible insight. Really gives me a picture of that goal.

 

Would it be better if I wrote that Kenny Cooper is slow as hell and almost got caught from behind after being sent thru with about 15 yards to spare?

 

yes.

[USSoccer]

i love the crappy AP postgame writeups:

 

"Cooper, who was nearly offside, scored on a breakaway in the 80th minute."

 

What incredible insight. Really gives me a picture of that goal.

 

Would it be better if I wrote that Kenny Cooper is slow as hell and almost got caught from behind after being sent thru with about 15 yards to spare?

 

yes.

 

Consider it said. He's not an international forward. He has zero speed. He nearly got caught and hung onto the ball far too long before shooting.