Frank Dell'Apa of the Boston Globe on how Major League Soccer's increased ambition is placing an unrealistic burden on its best teams.
He points out that D.C. United will play 30 regular-season games, plus as many as four playoff matches, and also competed in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, Copa Sudamericana, SuperLiga, and US Open Cup.
Read the rest its very interesting. Frank makes a very good case and good solutions how to deal with unrealistic burden on several teams.
Showing posts with label Major League Soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Major League Soccer. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
New/Old MLS Team in 2008
According to CNNSI's Jonah Freedman, Major League Soccer is close to making its return to the Bay Area in time for the 2008 season. The league is negotiating a deal to allow Oakland A's owner Lew Wolff to operate an MLS franchise sooner than anyone expected, even without a new stadium deal in place.
Wolff's previous agreement with the league stipulated that he complete a deal for a soccer-specific stadium before MLS would allow him to exercise his option for an expansion team. But the league is eager for a 14th team to begin playing as soon as possible to balance the uneven schedule, the source said, and Wolff's team is the furthest along of the handful of possible expansion projects nationwide.
SFUSA's Take: MLS needs a team back in San Jose, but I would want to make sure that a stadium is on it's way before giving them a new team. It's just asking for the same problems that Anschutz Entertainment Group had. I'm sure MLS can wait another season before evening out the schedule to make sure the team has the chance to succeed in the long term.
Wolff's previous agreement with the league stipulated that he complete a deal for a soccer-specific stadium before MLS would allow him to exercise his option for an expansion team. But the league is eager for a 14th team to begin playing as soon as possible to balance the uneven schedule, the source said, and Wolff's team is the furthest along of the handful of possible expansion projects nationwide.
SFUSA's Take: MLS needs a team back in San Jose, but I would want to make sure that a stadium is on it's way before giving them a new team. It's just asking for the same problems that Anschutz Entertainment Group had. I'm sure MLS can wait another season before evening out the schedule to make sure the team has the chance to succeed in the long term.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Revs are red hot!!!
As poorly as DC United has started, the New England Revolution has been the opposite and is currently the hottest team in MLS.
Even without the suspended Shalrie Joseph, New England was too much for Chicago Sunday. Steve Ralston and Wells Thompson scored goals 13 minutes apart in the second half to lead the New England Revolution past the previously undefeated Chicago Fire 3-1.
The Revolution (3-1-2) extended their unbeaten streak to five matches. Their only loss of the season was a 1-0 decision in Chicago in the season-opener.
The Fire (3-1-1) had allowed just two goals through their first four matches.
Even without the suspended Shalrie Joseph, New England was too much for Chicago Sunday. Steve Ralston and Wells Thompson scored goals 13 minutes apart in the second half to lead the New England Revolution past the previously undefeated Chicago Fire 3-1.
The Revolution (3-1-2) extended their unbeaten streak to five matches. Their only loss of the season was a 1-0 decision in Chicago in the season-opener.
The Fire (3-1-1) had allowed just two goals through their first four matches.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Amado Guevara and Major League Soccer's relationship is over.
Amado Guevara's tumultuous career in Major League Soccer is over.
The Honduran playmaker, who Chivas USA unsuccessfully attempted to trade to Toronto FC last week after growing tired of his poor form and attitude, is heading back to Honduras. According to sources, Chivas USA and MLS officials are working on selling Guevara to an unidentified club in Honduras. If a suitable transfer offer isn't found, MLS could still potentially give Guevara his outright release.
Chivas USA had a deal in place to send Guevara to Toronto FC for midfielder Paulo Nagamura and a draft pick but Guevara balked at the deal and stated that he would not report to Toronto. Guevara subsequently rejected chances to be dealt to Colorado, FC Dallas and Columbus, which all expressed interest in the disgruntled playmaker.
Signed by the MetroStars in 2003 from Honduran club CD Motagua, Guevara enjoyed three solid seasons with the MetroStars before struggling through a disappointing 2006 with the Red Bulls. He recorded 32 goals and 36 assists with the MetroStars and Red Bulls, enjoying his best campaign in 2004, when he won MLS MVP honors.
With the Honduran season already over, Guevara will remain out of action until he joins the Honduran national team for its preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June. He turned 31 on Wednesday.
The Honduran playmaker, who Chivas USA unsuccessfully attempted to trade to Toronto FC last week after growing tired of his poor form and attitude, is heading back to Honduras. According to sources, Chivas USA and MLS officials are working on selling Guevara to an unidentified club in Honduras. If a suitable transfer offer isn't found, MLS could still potentially give Guevara his outright release.
Chivas USA had a deal in place to send Guevara to Toronto FC for midfielder Paulo Nagamura and a draft pick but Guevara balked at the deal and stated that he would not report to Toronto. Guevara subsequently rejected chances to be dealt to Colorado, FC Dallas and Columbus, which all expressed interest in the disgruntled playmaker.
Signed by the MetroStars in 2003 from Honduran club CD Motagua, Guevara enjoyed three solid seasons with the MetroStars before struggling through a disappointing 2006 with the Red Bulls. He recorded 32 goals and 36 assists with the MetroStars and Red Bulls, enjoying his best campaign in 2004, when he won MLS MVP honors.
With the Honduran season already over, Guevara will remain out of action until he joins the Honduran national team for its preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June. He turned 31 on Wednesday.
Beckham's salary revealed; Reyna top U.S. earner
According to data released Friday by the league's players' union. Here is a breakdown of what key MLS players are making.
David Beckham will receive more than double what any other player in MLS is getting this year and more than 50 times the average salary. Beckham, the former English captain who joins the Los Angeles Galaxy this summer, has $6.5 million in guaranteed income that includes a $5.5 million base salary this year, the union said. That's 10 times more than what any player is getting outside the top six.
Mexican forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who is joining the Chicago Fire this summer, is second with $2,666,778 in guaranteed income, including a base salary of $2,492,316. Colombian forward Juan Pablo Angel, who signed with the New York Red Bulls, is third with $1,593,750 in guaranteed income, including a $1.5 million salary.
Former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna is the top-paid American in the league. The midfielder is guaranteed $1,250,008 with the Red Bulls, including $1,000,008 in base salary.
Galaxy forward Landon Donovan is fifth at $900,000, all of it base salary, followed by Kansas city forward Eddie Johnson at $875,000 ($750,000 base salary) and Real Salt Lake midfielder Freddy Adu at $550,000 ($300,000 base salary).
Thirty-two players earn the league minimum of $30,000, and developmental players get even less: 35 make $17,700 and 56 get $12,900. Only the top six players in the league have salaries above the major league baseball minimum of $380,000.
The average guaranteed salary for the 356 players listed is $115,478 and the median -- the point at which an equal amount make above and below -- is $52,965. Seventy four percent of the players have base salaries of $100,000 or less.
David Beckham will receive more than double what any other player in MLS is getting this year and more than 50 times the average salary. Beckham, the former English captain who joins the Los Angeles Galaxy this summer, has $6.5 million in guaranteed income that includes a $5.5 million base salary this year, the union said. That's 10 times more than what any player is getting outside the top six.
Mexican forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who is joining the Chicago Fire this summer, is second with $2,666,778 in guaranteed income, including a base salary of $2,492,316. Colombian forward Juan Pablo Angel, who signed with the New York Red Bulls, is third with $1,593,750 in guaranteed income, including a $1.5 million salary.
Former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna is the top-paid American in the league. The midfielder is guaranteed $1,250,008 with the Red Bulls, including $1,000,008 in base salary.
Galaxy forward Landon Donovan is fifth at $900,000, all of it base salary, followed by Kansas city forward Eddie Johnson at $875,000 ($750,000 base salary) and Real Salt Lake midfielder Freddy Adu at $550,000 ($300,000 base salary).
Thirty-two players earn the league minimum of $30,000, and developmental players get even less: 35 make $17,700 and 56 get $12,900. Only the top six players in the league have salaries above the major league baseball minimum of $380,000.
The average guaranteed salary for the 356 players listed is $115,478 and the median -- the point at which an equal amount make above and below -- is $52,965. Seventy four percent of the players have base salaries of $100,000 or less.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
More MLS Potential signings...
More MLS Potential Signings...
Rumor #3)
There were indications that the Red Bulls and MLS had completed the transfer of Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel from Aston Villa, although there was no confirmation whether paperwork was completed and approved by Sunday's MLS transfer deadline.
Rumor #4)
Preston North End striker Danny Dichio has joined Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. He had been expected to make the move this summer, but an MLS regulation meant he had to be signed by 15th April.
Rumor #3)
There were indications that the Red Bulls and MLS had completed the transfer of Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel from Aston Villa, although there was no confirmation whether paperwork was completed and approved by Sunday's MLS transfer deadline.
Rumor #4)
Preston North End striker Danny Dichio has joined Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. He had been expected to make the move this summer, but an MLS regulation meant he had to be signed by 15th April.
MLS potential big signings...
Here's a roundup of MLS potential big signings...
Rumor #1)
French legend Zinedine Zidane could be set to come out of retirement to join former Real Madrid teammate David Beckham at the L.A. Galaxy. Galaxy boss Alexi Lalas is now hoping he can convince the former France International to come out of retirement for a final swansong in Major League Soccer.
Rumor #2)
Crew coach Sigi Schmid remained mum about the team's possible acquisition of Boca Juniors forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto. One source close to the situation said the Argentine could be in uniform in Columbus Crew Stadium on Thursday night during a nationally televised game with the New England Revolution.
Update:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto is on his way to Major League Soccer.
Rumor #1)
French legend Zinedine Zidane could be set to come out of retirement to join former Real Madrid teammate David Beckham at the L.A. Galaxy. Galaxy boss Alexi Lalas is now hoping he can convince the former France International to come out of retirement for a final swansong in Major League Soccer.
Rumor #2)
Crew coach Sigi Schmid remained mum about the team's possible acquisition of Boca Juniors forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto. One source close to the situation said the Argentine could be in uniform in Columbus Crew Stadium on Thursday night during a nationally televised game with the New England Revolution.
Update:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto is on his way to Major League Soccer.
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