Latest MLS News: Theirry Henry to Red Bulls, could others be far behind?

[Yachtzee]

I'm sure everyone has heard of Red Bulls signing Theirry Henry, but Dave Checketts of Real Salt Lake is hinting at the Galaxy signing Ronaldinho.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809023&sec=transfers&cc=5901

I don't know how realistic the Ronaldinho rumors are, but I think the Henry signing is pretty big. Henry isn't that far from being a top-level player and is still only 32. Getting Ronaldinho, who is only 30, could be a big get too. While the British media seem to view moves like this as evidence that the MLS is a retirement league, I seem to think these players are considering such moves because 1) it's an opportunity to build their presence in the US, and 2) like Beckham, they probably see it as a chance to get some quality first team play to bring them back into form and score them a possible loan or transfer to a Champions League team in need of help. If they take playing here seriously, it could also give a lot of the up-and-coming American players experience playing with or against players with world-class football skills, even if their speed and/or durability has dimmed with age.

[reds1869]

The quality of MLS is only helped by players like that. Even as their skills fade their star power does not. Many view the Beckham experiment as a failure, but the bottom line is his failure brought much more credibility to the league than his success ever could have.

[Hoosier Red]

Yep, because of the multiple marketing opportunities, the MLS certainly has a chance to be among the best 2nd division leagues. That's nothing to sneeze at for a league that started 16 years ago.

[Yachtzee]

The quality of MLS is only helped by players like that. Even as their skills fade their star power does not. Many view the Beckham experiment as a failure, but the bottom line is his failure brought much more credibility to the league than his success ever could have.

I think some people view it as a failure only because a lot of media muckity mucks felt that Beckham coming over here should result in a huge boost in attendance at MLS games, and if it didn't, it would be proof that Americans don't like soccer. In reality, I think playing with Beckham, even in the limited time he has played for the Galaxy, raised the level of play for the team and, whether through working with Beckham or in competition with him, has raised Landon Donovan's game as well. Granted Beckham hasn't played much lately because of injuries and loans to AC Milan, and credit the hiring of Bruce Arena as well, but the Galaxy has been a much better team post-Beckham than it was pre-Beckham. So on some level, I think Galaxy fans would view it as a success, even if Beckham hasn't shown up on the stat line. And of course it's helped the Galaxy sell boatloads of Galaxy jerseys as well.

I think my biggest concern about Henry coming over is that, as a Crew fan, his success with the Red Bulls could be bad news for the Crew, especially if the rumors are true that the Red Bulls are pursuing another DP (Rafa Marquez maybe?). I wish the Crew were in the market for a DP signing, preferably a striker with finishing ability to serve as a target for Guillermo Barros Schelloto. The Crew seems desperate for someone who can finish as of late and Schelloto is always more dangerous setting up others. However, I'm not going to hold my breath.

[reds1869]

I would love to see the Crew get a quality DP but I'm not going to lose any sleep waiting for it. The league clearly wants NY and LA to have the best teams as part of their strategy. GBS has lost a step but is still a quality player. He just isn't strong enough to take a club on his shoulders and carry them alone anymore. You are right, he is at his best when he has someone else to set up. Stern John is a free agents at the moment if you want a blast form the past, but last I heard he could not be reached by anyone.

[WMR]

Is he related to Thierry? :D

[Yachtzee]

Is he related to Thierry? :D

His evil twin. :p:

[Betterread]

I don't know how realistic the Ronaldinho rumors are, but I think the Henry signing is pretty big. Henry isn't that far from being a top-level player and is still only 32. Getting Ronaldinho, who is only 30, could be a big get too. While the British media seem to view moves like this as evidence that the MLS is a retirement league, I seem to think these players are considering such moves because 1) it's an opportunity to build their presence in the US, and 2) like Beckham, they probably see it as a chance to get some quality first team play to bring them back into form and score them a possible loan or transfer to a Champions League team in need of help. If they take playing here seriously, it could also give a lot of the up-and-coming American players experience playing with or against players with world-class football skills, even if their speed and/or durability has dimmed with age.

Henry's career with big European clubs is over - Barca has no use for him and if they could get something for him, believe me they would. They couldn't get anything for him.
He has no international career ahead of him, either. He was stripped of the captaincy pre-tournament by coach Raymond Domenech, who made it clear that Henry was not good enough to be in the team, and he made him watch from the bench. Henry was at the heart of the deplorable behavior by the French team. Post WC - he announced he is retiring from international competition.

[Yachtzee]

Henry's career with big European clubs is over - Barca has no use for him and if they could get something for him, believe me they would. They couldn't get anything for him.
He has no international career ahead of him, either. He was stripped of the captaincy pre-tournament by coach Raymond Domenech, who made it clear that Henry was not good enough to be in the team, and he made him watch from the bench. Henry was at the heart of the deplorable behavior by the French team. Post WC - he announced he is retiring from international competition.

For selfish reasons I hope he fails. But for the good of the league, I hope players like Henry see the MLS as an opportunity to turn things around. I'd rather see players come here to work hard to prove themselves rather than collect a few fat paychecks before retiring. For what it's worth, Henry traveled with the team yesterday, watching the Crew beat NY from the suites. Sounds like he was a class act, sticking around to sign autographs and talk with the crowd after the game. Even took a cab rather than coming with a Limo and an entourage.

[Yachtzee]

Nery Castillo has signed a DP contract with the Chicago Fire.

[improbus]

In the end, the key is the money. If MLS can pay the money and still make a profit, they will continue to grow as an American and international institution. It seems pretty obvious that players want to live in the US (Becks, Klinsmann, Henry,etc...), but when it becomes a more viable means for playing competitive soccer, it will continue to improve.

My hope is that the MLS's continues improvement allows world class American players to train, grow, and become great in the states instead of having to export them to Europe.

[Yachtzee]

In the end, the key is the money. If MLS can pay the money and still make a profit, they will continue to grow as an American and international institution. It seems pretty obvious that players want to live in the US (Becks, Klinsmann, Henry,etc...), but when it becomes a more viable means for playing competitive soccer, it will continue to improve.

My hope is that the MLS's continues improvement allows world class American players to train, grow, and become great in the states instead of having to export them to Europe.

I think the MLS is doing it right this time, gradually raising the level of play and bringing in talent without spending itself into oblivion, unlike the first iteration of the NASL did. Notice that the league is expanding, but doing so by placing teams in cities that have shown consistent levels of fan support for soccer, waiting for ownership groups with financially sound investments, and pushing for soccer specific stadiums in all cities (a soccer stadium that seats 20,000 is going to look a lot more full and have better atmosphere than a 60,000 seat football stadium that looks half empty even with a great crowd for soccer).

The talent level of the league has grown by leaps and bounds compared to what it was in 1996 during the first season. Many of the teams have worked hard to build a good relationship with supporters groups to encourage their growth as well. For example, Columbus Crew Stadium and some of the league's other sites have supporter's sections where tickets are sold through the supporters groups at a special rather rather than sold directly through the ticket office (an idea I think the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL might be wise to follow). It puts all the hard-core supporters who want to stand, sing and chant the whole game tightly packed together in one area of the stadium while people with families and older fans who don't want to stand the whole game can do so in other parts of the stadium.

With regard to the idea of World Class American players staying home and playing in the MLS, I can see a point where the MLS is able to keep top American players longer as league profitability and player salaries increase. However, I think it will always be good for the US to have the best American players go to the leagues where they will face top foreign talent on a regular basis. And I don't imagine the MLS will get into paying the obscene transfer fees that plague top European leagues and have resulted in teams going into receivership or having to take out bank loans to pay player salaries. Could you imagine the uproar here if banks that had received government bailouts were turning around and loaning money out to sports teams that overspent on players like we're now hearing about? Spain is facing an economic crisis and yet banks are still giving money to Barcelona and Real Madrid to allow them to keep paying outrageous salaries and transfer fees. Add to that the fact that Spain gives sports teams favorable tax treatment and you see something that would absolutely never fly in the U.S.

If there is one thing I thing the MLS could do to improve play, I'd say it would be building a relationship with top foreign professional teams in order to arrange loan agreements where talented players wasting away on the benches of some of these teams could come over to the US to get starting time without the MLS teams having to pay out huge transfer fees and salaries to these guys. I could see it as a way to also bring American players back into the fold for loan periods while the foreign team has the option of bringing the player back after the MLS season. But I don't ever see the league as one where the best US players stay home rather than go abroad. Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and the Netherlands, among others, regularly have top players play abroad (although Spain has the wherewithal to bring a lot of them back when they hit their prime or keep them playing for Barcelona and Madrid where they get tons of Champions League experience). On the other hand, England and Italy tend to keep a lot of their players in their own domestic leagues and we saw how far that got them this World Cup cycle.

[Yachtzee]

By the way, Henry made his debut for Team Red Bull on Thursday against Tottenham. He didn't play the whole game, but he got a goal and definitely seemed to improve the Red Bull attack. Spurs won 2-1. Granted it was a friendly and Tottenham didn't have their full starting roster in, but they're still a top-notch English side and, if Henry had been ready to go 90', the Spurs could have been on the losing end. As it was, one of their goals was a pure gift on a bad defensive header.

[Yachtzee]

Watching the Crew play Houston, I'd like to say that ONN's coverage is a disgrace. The camera quality is similar to that of high school football. I know they show it locally in HD. How about showing it in HD statewide?

[reds1869]

Watching the Crew play Houston, I'd like to say that ONN's coverage is a disgrace. The camera quality is similar to that of high school football. I know they show it locally in HD. How about showing it in HD statewide?

I agree. Unfortunately I think it would be up to Time Warner to show it state wide and I don't see them doing so any time soon. I'm just grateful that I can watch every Crew game; that wasn't the case when I had satellite and didn't receive ONN.

[bucksfan2]

I give MLS a chance every once in a while. Mainly after big time international tournaments like the World Cup, Euro Cup, and even USA's close call last year in South Africa. But I always change the channel in disgust after about 20 minutes or so of watching it. To me its like comparing a NHL game to a Cyclones game. The passing is sloppy, the players just aren't as skilled, and to me it is boring.

I agree with someone above that the MLS would be great if they turned themselves into one of the best 2nd tier leagues. I just don't see that happening because of the organizational differences between USA and Europe. Most football clubs in Europe have their own minor league system. They have players who join their organization at a teen age level. In America most of those players are either finishing up high school soccer or playing college soccer. It would be amazing to see the development of a player like Landon Donavan had he played in a soccer type school from the age of 16 up. But the reality is the best players play high school soccer and even college soccer before trying to make it professionally. They are 2-3 years at least behind the 8 ball when it comes to international soccer. IMO that is one of the biggest reasons Donavan took so long to develop as an international player.

[WMR]

I give MLS a chance every once in a while. Mainly after big time international tournaments like the World Cup, Euro Cup, and even USA's close call last year in South Africa. But I always change the channel in disgust after about 20 minutes or so of watching it. To me its like comparing a NHL game to a Cyclones game. The passing is sloppy, the players just aren't as skilled, and to me it is boring.

I agree with someone above that the MLS would be great if they turned themselves into one of the best 2nd tier leagues. I just don't see that happening because of the organizational differences between USA and Europe. Most football clubs in Europe have their own minor league system. They have players who join their organization at a teen age level. In America most of those players are either finishing up high school soccer or playing college soccer. It would be amazing to see the development of a player like Landon Donavan had he played in a soccer type school from the age of 16 up. But the reality is the best players play high school soccer and even college soccer before trying to make it professionally. They are 2-3 years at least behind the 8 ball when it comes to international soccer. IMO that is one of the biggest reasons Donavan took so long to develop as an international player.

This is wrong. Landon Donovan DID play at a soccer academy at 16-17. In fact, he was among the first graduating class from the Bradenton/IMG Soccer Academy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradenton_Academy

Hopefully MLS will continue to grow to the point where every team can have their own academy, but that kind of training is available in the states and has been for some time.

[bucksfan2]

This is wrong. Landon Donovan DID play at a soccer academy at 16-17. In fact, he was among the first graduating class from the Bradenton/IMG Soccer Academy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradenton_Academy

Hopefully MLS will continue to grow to the point where every team can have their own academy, but that kind of training is available in the states and has been for some time.

That is one academy. I may be wrong but over in Europe most teams have their own academy.

[WMR]

Yep, just like I typed, hopefully one day all MLS teams will have their own academy like their European counterparts. That type of training is available in America, however.

[reds1869]

That is one academy. I may be wrong but over in Europe most teams have their own academy.

The clubs also have much longer histories and are running up huge deficits. Top tier European football in its current incarnation is not sustainable.

[Yachtzee]

Ft
I give MLS a chance every once in a while. Mainly after big time international tournaments like the World Cup, Euro Cup, and even USA's close call last year in South Africa. But I always change the channel in disgust after about 20 minutes or so of watching it. To me its like comparing a NHL game to a Cyclones game. The passing is sloppy, the players just aren't as skilled, and to me it is boring.

I agree with someone above that the MLS would be great if they turned themselves into one of the best 2nd tier leagues. I just don't see that happening because of the organizational differences between USA and Europe. Most football clubs in Europe have their own minor league system. They have players who join their organization at a teen age level. In America most of those players are either finishing up high school soccer or playing college soccer. It would be amazing to see the development of a player like Landon Donavan had he played in a soccer type school from the age of 16 up. But the reality is the best players play high school soccer and even college soccer before trying to make it professionally. They are 2-3 years at least behind the 8 ball when it comes to international soccer. IMO that is one of the biggest reasons Donavan took so long to develop as an international player.

FYI, the Crew has a team in the national U-19 final four for the championship and is adding a U-20 team this year. Some players play for schools like U of Akron, Indiana and Wake Forest in addition to playing for the Crew academy teams. The MLS is a little behind on the academies, but they're making steps in the right direction. I think one thing they need to work out is a way for teams to benefit from their academies. As it stands now, I believe that teams can only sign a few players from their academy a year, but everyone else is available to be drafted by other teams.

With regard to level of play, the quality of the MLS is constantly improving. I enjoy watching it because I've built up an attachment to the Crew. I loved watching the team improve and Guillermo Barros Schelotto is awesome. It's also great to see the strong supporters groups in the Nordecke. And if you watch some of the European leagues that aren't in England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, or Holland, the quality isn't that far off.

[reds1869]

FtAnd if you watch some of the European leagues that aren't in England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, or Holland, the quality isn't that far off.

Or even if you watch teams outside of the top flight in those countries. I watch a lot of English Championship matches (second tier) and think MLS teams would fit in nicely at that level. That is nothing to be ashamed of for a league that is less than twenty years old.

[WMR]

Yup, I would stack quality of play in MLS near most of the Euro leagues outside of the 'BIG BOYS.' (Spain, Italy, England, Gemany, perhaps France, although perhaps not. French league football is a tad overrated, IMO.)

What MLS is really missing is that one 'super team' that most second tier European leagues have. Rangers in Scotland, Galatasaray in Turkey etc. etc.

The MLS structure isn't really built to allow for such a team, however.

I think a 'Yankees' in MLS would actually be good for the league.

[Yachtzee]

Yup, I would stack quality of play in MLS near most of the Euro leagues outside of the 'BIG BOYS.' (Spain, Italy, England, Gemany, perhaps France, although perhaps not. French league football is a tad overrated, IMO.)

What MLS is really missing is that one 'super team' that most second tier European leagues have. Rangers in Scotland, Galatasaray in Turkey etc. etc.

The MLS structure isn't really built to allow for such a team, however.

I think a 'Yankees' in MLS would actually be good for the league.

The Red Bulls seem to want to go that route by going after the DPs. I disagree that the MLS needs a Yankees. That was the mistake the NASL made with the Cosmos. It was great for the Cosmos selling out Giants Stadium, but for other teams trying to keep up, it meant spending more than they could bring in and folding. Right now they're doing well by gradually increasing quality on the field and expanding into cities with a proven interest in the game.

I'd like to see the league market some of the better players that aren't in LA or NY. The Crew have a genuine star in GBS, but you rarely hear about the guy outside Columbus. He's one of those rare players who makes beautiful plays and makes those around him better. With the move of Emilio Renteria into the starting role at striker, the Crew looks like they have a finisher who can take advantage of GBS' passes. With a few finishers, the Crew could be serving up goals worthy of regular Sportscenter coverage.

[improbus]

I think we are comparing apples to oranges in some ways. Yes, the European clubs have academies, but they also don't have much in the way of school sponsored sports. Perhaps their academies are more "focused" on soccer, but that doesn't mean that our system is completely wrong. Also, living in Columbus, the Crew are extremely active in promoting local clubs, local academies, and local teams. I have had students travel all over the country to play for Crew sponsored teams, and the team picked up the tab. So we may not have the top down organization, but we still have something.

[Yachtzee]

The Crew Juniors won the U-19 national championship. Things looking good for the Crew Academy.