by Vlad Bouchouev
As a first-year MLS organization, the Philadelphia Union has been doing an exceptional job. It all began with the persistent efforts of the Philadelphia soccer fans, particularly the “Sons of Ben.” Then came the stadium. Then came the expansion team. Then Nowak and Mwanga. And now we’re hearing that the Union has sold out all of their season tickets for this year. Philly fans, very nice job.
So seemingly the only thing that Union fans have been missing to set the icing on the cake has been a good start to the season and a big-named, designated player.
Ah, “the designated player.” The term has some sort of aura about that just makes you tingle inside, giving you the sense that every MLS team is in constant search of the “Messiah” who will save its fans from misfortune and achieve perfect harmony; a sort of nirvana so to speak. Well, that’s just going to have to wait in Philadelphia.
The Union’s best shot at signing a big-named star this season has been all but shut down after Robert Pires abruptly turned down their offer. The reason? The aesthetic standards of Philly are just not good enough for him. Hey I didn’t say it, Pires did. “I do not want to be difficult, but left to take my family away, I'd rather do it in a beautiful city. Otherwise, I will put an end to my career,” expressed Pires in a report from the French newspaper L’Equipe. Seriously? The French just continue to impress me. I mean I really believe that Youri Djorkaeff was an outstanding ambassador for the French during his time with the Metrostars/Red Bulls, but I think such blunt comments from Pires set us back a few spaces. Personally, I see beautiful Philadelphia as a city that is metronomic with the United States and if you insult Philly, you insult Americans.
After Pires was asked about the latest rumors of his friend and compatriot Thierry Henry moving to New York, Pires stated, “I wish him to go there. That is a beautiful city.” Another slap in the face for Philly fans and I can already hear the Empire Supporters Club coming up with some cleaver chants about you at the next Union game.
From the league’s standpoint, this was one of their more disappointing transfer fall-throughs ever. What seemed to be close to a completed deal for the MLS instead turned out to be a reality check for the league. Just as we began to think that the MLS has grown in reputation and quality, Pires reminded us that when overseas players come to the States, many of them do it to just experience the lifestyle. And granted, aside from that and some good cash, we just currently still don’t have the muscles to compete for some of the world’s best players. As for Philly fans, shake it off. But maybe next time you’re trying to get a frog to play on your team, send Sebastian Le Toux to the bargaining table.
