The internet has exploded recently with the revelation that this decade's "Savior of English Football™," Wayne Rooney, is intent on leaving the favorite team of that friend of yours who also likes the Yankees, Cowboys, and Lakers. Cue wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Marc Weber in Vancouver has an interesting story today; per his sources, USMNT defender Jay DeMerit is set to sign with the Vancouver Whitecaps as the the team's first Designated Player.

San Jose's first ever Designated Player signing is already making a difference. Geovanni set up a goal and scored his maiden MLS tally in the Quakes 2-1 win over the Dynamo in Houston last night, showing a readiness to contribute sorely lacking in some of his mid-summer DP peers.

Editor's Note: MFUSA is happy to present the first edition of a weekly column from Center Line Soccer's Robert Jonas.

by Robert Jonas

As MLS stocked up on a new batch of Designated Players in the summer signing window, it was clear that these big-money earners fell into three categories. The first was the big name, big pedigree players personified by Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez, while the second was the returning World Cup contributors still playing at a high level — Blaise Nkufo and Alvaro Fernandez being chief among that group. And what was the third category you ask? Simply, they are the players that have plenty to prove — I’m looking at you Nery Castillo and Geovanni — to MLS supporters.


The Chicago Fire's signing of 26-year old Mexican International Castillo came as somewhat of a surprise. Not so much in that the Fire were looking to reconnect with a Mexican fan base that was drifting away with the departure of Cuauhtemoc Blanco, but that Chicago convinced a young player with high aspirations to come stateside. The loan away from Shakhtar Donetsk should help gain him playing time, but he misses out on potential Champions League experience for MLS.


Geovanni found himself out of a job after his previous club, Hull City, was relegated from the English Premier League after last season, and has been searching for a new home since early this summer. His arrival in San Jose is certainly a coup for the relatively small market Earthquakes, and would never have happened without the convincing arguments put forth by former Cruzeiro and current Quakes teammate Andre Luiz. Lured by the promise of a sunny and vibrant Bay Area, Geovanni welcomed the chance to move his young family out of England. He now has the opportunity to make San Jose relevant again in MLS.


Looking at the situation in Chicago, the ink on Castillo’s contract wasn’t even dry before the rumors of a second DP signing were already flying around the club. Instead of complementing the attacking player Castillo with a defensive midfielder, the Fire traded for similar attacking player in Freddie Ljungberg. Almost nonsensical, the young Mexican playing on a contract that pays him over $1.4 million a season would be fighting for space in the center of the Chicago attack with the ex-Seattle Swede.


I dare say that the timing of the two signings suggest that they were not made with each other in mind. We are already seeing that this is not working well for the Fire, as Castillo has been asked to play more as a winger, when he clearly is more comfortable as part of central midfield. In just his last game, where he featured for only 45 minutes against the Houston Dynamo, Castillo had no impact on the Fire’s attack. Chicago fans cannot be pleased with what they saw of his obviously disappointing performance down in Texas.


As for the other aspect of DP signings — the idea that they can provide “butts in seats” — Castillo is not paying any dividends in that regard. Chicago fans are clearly not embracing him in the same way they initially did Blanco. Filling Toyota Park will not be accomplished by just any signing from south of the border. That fact is even more evident on the road, where Castillo is simply not the draw that the charismatic and controversial Blanco was during his 2+ seasons in MLS.


So where does that leave Castillo? His mark in MLS will be measured by how much he can help in leading Chicago to the MLS Cup playoffs. Even in that regard, Ljungberg is likely to get most of the credit. But Castillo can comport himself well by excelling on the wing and creating scoring opportunities up top for Brian McBride, Ljungberg, and the other Fire strikers. Throw in a half-dozen goals over Chicago’s remaining 12 games, and Castillo makes his mark. Playing for just half a game, then being out played by your substitute — Calen Carr is certainly gaining my attention — will only qualify you as a disaster.


Over in San Jose, the signing of the 30-year old Geovanni was met was a resounding chorus of “hurrah!” from long suffering fans of the Quakes 2.0 version that has struggling to make a mark in the Bay Area. Where the Fire failed in meeting a need on their roster, the Earthquakes addressed a gapping hole in their line-up by signing the Brazilian striker. Since the injuries that pushed Darren Huckerby into retirement last summer, the Quakes have lacked for a creative force in their offense. Geovanni is no target forward — a position they are still lacking at — but he has proven in the past that he is very effective as an attacking midfielder or withdrawn striker.


And like the Castillo signing, Geovanni was not brought to San Jose to fill tiny Buck Shaw Stadium. That was never an issue for this team, as they have constantly approached sell-out crowds over the last 2+ seasons — not hard to do when your leased stadium barely holds over 10K supporters. Rather, Geovanni’s arrival in San Jose was all about winning games and qualifying for the playoffs. He clearly understands those expectations given his comments at his introductory press conference, and wants to contribute to the club as soon as possible.


The paperwork necessary to make him eligible to play was completed in record time, and Geovanni made his debut for San Jose as a late game substitute in their 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Geovanni was clearly lacking fitness, and made no impact in the match, but he did get a huge ovation from the Quakes faithful. It will take the Brazilian another couple of weeks to get up to speed, and at that point will definitely be inserted into the Starting XI for coach Frank Yallop’s side.


So what should Quakes fans expect from their first DP signing in franchise history? Nothing short of a dynamic force that plays the dual role of offensive instigator and goal scorer for a team that is in desperate need of a finisher. A goal + assist total over 10 for the remaining 11 games of the season seems a fair benchmark of success. With that level of production, the Earthquakes should comfortably qualify for the postseason.


The opportunities are there for both Castillo and Geovanni, but must be grasped and not just taken for granted. The expectations are high — rightly so — and the fans will not be forgiving if either team fails to make the playoffs. Deliver some November soccer for their respective clubs, and their signings should be considered a success. Anything less will be a failure.


Robert Jonas is a writer and podcaster at Center Line Soccer and a frequent contributor to CSRN’s Around The League MLS show. He can always be reached on his twitter @robertjonas.

The San Jose Earthquakes are taking a bit of a gamble with 30-year old Geovanni, late of Hull City; talented but coming off of a rough season, the Brazilian could be a massive creative presence. Or he could land in California, treat the whole experience as a vacation, and find himself going the route of Denilson.


Not that I want to rain on the San Jose parade, I just feel the need to mention the possibility.


And I'll admit that I'm mildly uncomfortable with the idea of Geovanni as a DP; I'm sure his wage demands dictate he must be one, but that doesn't mean I'm sold he's worth it. The Quakes need for a playmaker is pressing, and Geovanni brings the skill set to get the job done.


Geovanni, despite the cool name, isn't a player that is going to drive ticket and jersey sales all by himself. He's a guy brought in to help the Quakes get to the playoffs, pure and simple. In addition to Boskovic in DC (though it's more likely fans will have heard of Geovanni than Boskovic before their respective arrivals), the Brazilian is a pragmatic choice on the low end of the DP scale. The range of players filling these spots across the league, from 30+ stars with marquee names down to younger less-known players like Fernandez in Seattle with Geovanni smack in the middle, is interesting. In each case, the nature of the DP says something about the character of the club, their aspirations, and whether they view the DP rule as an opportunity to market the team or just as a way to make themselves better on the field.


Frankly, if San Jose can't keep their tiny venue filled on a regular basis, they have more problems than a name DP can fix anyway. Lower cost, even with the risk of a disinterested Geovanni, is certainly the way to go for the Quakes.


With the Quakes becoming members of the DP club, eight clubs now have at least one (though Omar Bravo won't arrive in Kansas City until next season). FC Dallas and Houston are making noise about signing a DP for next season, so it may be awhile before the next one joins the league. The new rules haven't drastically increased the number of teams with DPs, but it has enticed a few teams to sign more than one.


Here's a truly important question...does Geovanni immediately become the best one-name player in the league?


Back with more shortly.

How many DPs does it take to score a goal in Bridgeview? More than five apparently, since that was the number of high-priced players who graced the field at Toyota Park in the Fire's scoreless draw with the Red Bulls.


Henry, Angel, and Marquez all played and played well for New York, though Henry was forced to come off before the end of the first half with a groin injury. Even without their DP power in full force, New York looked like the better team; Mac Kandji missed several good chances, including a Kamara-esque whiff with the ball inches from the line, keeping the Red Bulls from winning a game that was there for the taking.


Chicago was less dangerous, but had their moments. Nery Castillo made his Fire debut in the second half, and though he was clearly rusty, his skill was evident. He'll eventually make a difference.


Though the game ultimately disappointed with the goalless scoreline, it was entertaining throughout; even with en explosion of DP signings this summer, a game like that won't happen often. One can only hope any MLS holdouts that tuned in found the value in the game despite the lack of balls in the net. The 21k+ on hand at Toyota Park were vibrant and engaged, the teams created chances, and the TV presentation was solid. It wouldn't be fair to view that game as a tipping point for MLS TV ratings or casual interest, but it wouldn't be wrong to think it helped on both fronts.


Despite the star power on display, the man getting most of the attention today is Chicago's unknown rookie keeper, Sean Johnson. Johnson played brilliantly, and saved a point for Chicago by keeping New York out of the net with great saves and quick thinking. One game hardly makes a star, but Johnson raised his stock dramatically in the minds of many; after slipping in the draft due to a poor combine performance, his play is even a bit of a surprise. We might have come for Henry, Angel, Marquez, Ljundberg, and Castillo, but some of us stayed for Sean Johnson.


Both the Red Bulls and Fire will need a bit of time to full integrate their new parts. Last night was just a peek at the immediate future for each; provided their stars stay healthy, both will be forces down the stretch. Marquez's quality is evident. Henry is Henry. Angel is the best pure scorer in the league. Ljundberg has enough juice left to make a difference for the Fire, and Castillo is a supremely talented player in need of game minutes to slough off the rust. Both teams will be fascinating to watch for the rest of the season.


Despite the scoreline, the league's first 5 DP game didn't disappoint. Of course, the casual fan is left to wonder why all that star power couldn't find a single goal.

Editor's Note: MFUSA writer Vlad Bouchouev attended the Red Bulls unveiling of new signing Rafa Marquez today at Red Bull Arena.

by Vlad Bouchouev

What a fantastic few weeks it has been for MLS. It hasn’t been the most active transfer market around the world but it certainly has been frantic by MLS standards. Kudos to MLS and its teams for being smart and proactive during this window.


The signing of Rafael Marquez is significant on many different levels. First, it is the first time a MLS team will have three Designated Players on their roster; with that in mind the Red Bulls have now surpassed the Galaxy as the league’s highest profile club. And although it may seem that the Red Bulls are now setting the bar with the big-name signings, MLS commissioner Don Garber explained that this is in no way a message to other clubs to begin signing Designated Players. The Red Bulls are simply trying to help the league by elevating themselves to a new frontier.

Secondly, Marquez’s signing is a direct marketing ploy to attract more Hispanics and Latinos to MLS games. Garber also confirmed this at Marquez’s press conference, explaining that it was in New York’s best interest to sign a player that would be able to reach out to the area’s large Mexican-American community.


Thirdly, it was now the confirmation that MLS is being taken seriously in Europe. Players like Marquez and Alvaro Fernandez could have more or less easily found a European team for which to play. Specifically in Marquez’s case, the Red Bulls had to fend off European giants Juventus to get the signature of the Mexican captain. On a basic level, players are beginning to treat MLS clubs with respect approaching clubs like Juventus. Not only is there an influx of talent in the league, but these players are by no means “washed-up”; as Marquez indicated earlier today, “I have not come here to finish my career. I am only 31 years old.”

Whether or not the recent signings will be an ultimate success is not yet clear. But let’s face it: anytime big clubs around the world make multi-million dollar signings there is some heavy risk involved (Wow, I’m already starting to call the Red Bulls a “big club”). However the league is trying very hard to make “tactical” signings and not just waste money. Like Red Bulls sporting director Eric Soler explained, “When you build a soccer team, the most important things are the things on the pitch, but you need the right personalities as well. That has been a huge consideration for the NY Red Bulls.” As a fan of the MLS, you couldn’t be happier to hear that -- we’re blessed that club are not just signing egos (like some notorious clubs do overseas) but top-class professionals that will gradually build up this league. David Beckham was signed mainly as a marketing tool to promote the game. Cuahutemoc Blanco, Nery Castillo, and now Rafael Marquez were signed to attract the Hispanic and Latino populations. Blaise Nkufo and Mista were signed as quality under-the-radar players. Yes, there have been a few unsuccessful big-name signings like Denilson and Luis Angel Landin in recent years, but every team is going to have a few bad signings every now and then. What is positive is that it seems that the league is learning from their mistakes, as well as mistakes from its predecessor, the NASL.


It’s great time to be a fan of American soccer. So if you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, I urge you to do so. As for the Red Bulls, they've likely reached the level of most hated team on MLS for all the right reasons. Finally, a little bit more zest in this league! It should be one fantastic finish to this already historic season.

Check the punchable smile.

Rafa Marquez is officially a Red Bull today. Bully for them, I suppose, but trouble for the rest of the league. Major League Soccer's New York team is finally starting to act like a New York team. The collection of slightly-worn talent they have in Jersey is damn impressive all things considered.


If you already hated the Red Bulls (Hi, DC United fans!), nothing changes. The acquisition of Marquez might add a pebble to the mountain, but since you're already calling them "Energy Drink" or "Dead Bulls" or any number of other humorous insults, your life hardly changes. For some though, and particularly MLS fans either unattached to a natural Red Bull rival or simply ardently behind the USMNT, today will likely tip you over the edge. The hated Rafa Marquez, lining up for the New York Red Bulls. That's reason enough to throw out the mini-fridge you bought back in college.


And what if you're a USMNT supporter that also happen to be a Red Bull fan? I'm pretty damn sure you're conflicted, or have at least wrestled with the questions presented by Red Card Rafa lining up for your team. "Club v. Country" takes on a new meaning when your country's A1 villain signs on the dotted line for your club. If you're able to compartmentalize the two, or even get to a place where you put Rafa's misdeeds out of your mind, more power to you. I'm not sure I could do it.


Now that RBNY is throwing cash at big names, playing in a state-of-the-art venue that puts the rest of the league to shame, and has the national media's attention, they're clearly the Evil Empire of Major League Soccer. As close to being the Yankees of soccer as the rules allow, that's the Red Bulls. I might even draw a parallel between "Handball" Henry and Alex "Roids" Rodriquez. Or I could use Marquez in the same comparison, with Henry being a slightly less-despicable Yankee. New York, where teams we hate are made.


I'm laying it on pretty thick, but don't think the switch wasn't just flicked for some previously-ambivalent fans across the country. That's what signing a Mexican legend/villain will do in the nation of El Tri's most hated rivals. Sure, those US fans might be balanced out or overwhelmed by Mexico fans in the States, but the point stands. A lot more people hate the Red Bulls now.


But "Evil Empire" is already taken, and soccer needs to be unique. We can't borrow the name from the Yankees and slap it on the Red Bulls, they've yet to win one title. The Red Bulls need their own insidious moniker, one that sums up all of their recent flashy ways. This is MLS, land of the conservative payroll, and New York is rocking the boat something fierce. We need to label this menace.


Get at it, my brain is failing me at the moment, but I'll hopefully have something in the comments shortly.


Image borrowed from NewYorkRedBulls.com

by Brian Mechanick

When Justin Mapp was traded to Philadelphia Union for allocation money, rumors immediately started floating that the Chicago Fire were going to sign an additional Designated Player, to go with big signing Nery Castillo earlier this month. Speculation ranges from the Fire bringing in another Mexican player to try to draw Chicago’s coveted Hispanic fan base to bringing DaMarcus Beasley back to his former club.


Around the MLS-sphere, a few have wondered if USMNT mainstay Jay DeMerit might return to Chicago, where he played four years at the University of Illinois-Chicago and one with Chicago Fire Premier (the development side of the Fire). At age 30, DeMerit has said that he might return home to the league that didn’t draft him seven years ago and set him off on his unique soccer odyssey. Although fans would love to see Jay back in the USA, would it make sense for the Fire to make him a DP?


For those unfamiliar with the DP rule, there is a minimum salary of $335,000, which goes under the league salary cap; the rest of the player’s salary is paid by the individual team. No defender has ever earned the title, and the logic for why is very solid. Defenders are not as able to impact the game as much as attacking players, and thus are unable to draw fans or excitement to the team needed to offset a DP salary.


Currently the highest earning defender in MLS is Chad Marshall, who is earning $250,000 in base salary (plus another $70,000 in bonus compensation) this year. As a the MLS Defender of the Year two years in a row, its hard to argue that Marshall is nothing if not an elite MLS center back. Yet if DeMerit were to come back as the Fire’s DP, he would earn at least 40% more than Marshall. DeMerit is a better player than Marshall, as the last two years of the US National Team has proved, but it’s difficult to justify him getting at least 100 grand more than Chad to be a DP.


Even if DeMerit were worth a low-DP salary, the external benefits of signing him are few. DeMerit has never been a renowned name to the casual US soccer fan, so it’s hard to believe he will increase the Fire’s attendance. His tendency for rough and tumble defending will do nothing to turn the Fire into a more dynamic, exciting team. And perhaps most damaging financially, if DeMerit were to become a DP, he would cost Chicago their last “free” DP. Having to pay $250,000 to get a third DP has to be a prohibitive cost for any team signing their second DP, as it may be hard to stomach for any club not named the Galaxy or Red Bulls to pay such a fee just for the right to shell out at least half a million dollars on another designated player.


Going against this logic is New York Red Bulls near-official signing of defender Rafael Marquez, the famed Mexican of Barcelona FC. While Marquez can play the defensive midfield role and has skill going forward, his rumored two million dollar wage flys in the face of traditional “attacking players only” DP logic. But as perhaps the most famed Mexican player of his generation, nobody can doubt his ability to draw NYC-area’s large Mexican population into Red Bull Arena. And with the deep pockets of Red Bull able to lie out the cash for such a venture, you can’t condemn the Red Bulls for making a move that makes such sense on and off the field.


In the end, a Chicago Fire fan could be excited about DeMerit coming in as a low-salaried DP. Partnering him with Wilman Conde would give Chicago the league’s best center-half pairing, and give the Fire a legitimate shot at making a push for their first MLS Cup since 1998. With MLS salaries on the rise with a higher salary cap and more DP’s, the Fire might start a trend in giving center backs a push into DP territory. Still, the high-cost remains an issue. A referendum is coming on defenders in MLS: stay the course and look for value along the back, or take a risk to jump in on a higher-priced defender.

I have a problem with Nery Castillo. No, it's not because he's a Mexico National Teamer or because his unibrow appears as though it will leap off his face and attack small children at any moment; no, my problem with Nery Castillo is that Chicago has signed him as a Designated Player, and I'm not sure he should be one.


The word that most easily comes to mind to describe Castillo is "disappointment." Yes, he had some nice moments with El Tri, and he certainly cost a lot of money for Shakhtar Donetsk; but other than that, Castillo has almost always played short of his perceived talents. Chicago is essentially his last resort and MLS his last hope of proving he can play a little bit and perhaps get Shakhtar to give him a run out or sell him elsewhere.


Is this what the DP Rule is meant to do? Bring in a player with a scant resume but a big money transfer in his past? I realize Castillo is not being paid close to what Beckham and Henry are getting, but his DP status naturally has me questioning whether or not he deserves it.


Castillo is younger (26) than most of the DPs MLS typically brings in. This is the saving grace, the one thing that makes his marquee status palatable. Houston tried something similar with Luis Angel Landin, a player with even less of a resume than Castillo. I applauded the Dynamo's approach at the time, happy to see a club use the extra wiggle room that the DP slot gave them to bring in a promising player who cost just a little bit too much.


Castillo seems different to me, both because he's slightly older and because his recent history is so poor. Nery hasn't scored a goal for any club he's played for since 2007.


The marketing element of this is obvious, and I'd be a fool not to realize that Castillo is a smart signing for the Fire for reasons that have nothing to do with how he plays. Signing DPs, short of Thierry Henry, is about finding a balance; is the player worth the money both for what he can contribute to the team's play and to the club's bottom line?


In Landin's case, his DP status had little to do with how much he made directly. His salary ($120,000 this year per the MLSPU) was just part of the total he counted towards the salary budget because the Dynamo paid his Mexican club a fee for his services. The Dynamo were taking a chance on a young player in need of playing time and thought it worth the risk. If they had no intention of looking for a more traditional DP rule-worthy player, than signing Landin made some sense.


The fact that they got it wrong in the end doesn't change my certainty that their approach was commendable. If Chicago is doing the same, more power to them. I suppose the DP tag might be justified in that case. Maybe Castillo will only make $200,000/year.


But Castillo has had ample opportunity to score goals and realize his potential. The window on his chances to finally figure it out is rapidly closing, and it's hard to imagine that Chicago's return will match their Castillo-as-DP investment in terms of goals. Unless that's not the point.


Castillo might put more butts in the seats at Toyota Park. I suppose that's a good thing. But I can hardly picture him being much better than, just to use an example, Real Salt Lake's Alvaro Saborio. Saborio has certainly scored more goals than Castillo in the last three years.


For the record, Saborio makes $120,000/year.

Per Ives, word floats down to the masses that Union fans shouldn't expect a flashy signing any time in the near future. With their enthusiastic fan base filling their brand new stadium on the shores of the Delaware River, the club has no reason to spend millions of dollars on a mercenary player only likely to be around for a year or two.


The strategy makes sense for Philadelphia; they don't need a marquee name to sell tickets, as a first-year expansion team the need to win doesn't yet drive interest, and a big name would likely just be a distraction for a young team with a clear plan. I can't imagine Nowak would suffer a diva too kindly, so the incoming star would need to be properly suited for the role of elder statesman. It's debatable if the Union need one of those.


In a perfect world, MLS clubs wouldn't need DPs to garner interest or would have salary pools deep enough that one player of DP quality wouldn't stand out; since that hasn't yet happened and likely won't for years, clubs are working to find a balance between cost, marketing appeal, and quality. New York has a rich corporate owner desperate to make a splash the big city: the Red Bulls sign Thierry Henry. Chicago has shallower pockets, the need for a goalscorer, and a Mexican fan base crucial to the club's success: the Fire sign Nery Castillo.


Examples abound, with each situation different because of market and need. Simply put, the Union don't need a big name in their current situation. If, in a few years' time, the attendance begins to fall and the fans are screaming for something to be done, Philadelphia will be in the market just like anyone else. The club's cash reserves and need will dictate in which direction they go.


For the time being, it's good to see an MLS club taking a long view of things. The Union have an exciting core of young talent that, if they can hold on to them, should make Nowak's team into a winner shortly enough. With everything exciting and new, a big name or proven European talent would do little but add to their salary sheet.


For now, it's prudent to invest in their development programs, create bond with their fans through their emerging young stars, and build slowly while maturing as a new franchise.


Let's give them credit while keeping in mind that they might not always have the luxury of sitting out the DP game.

This is not a good look

It is yet to be seen if there's anything to these Ronaldinho-to-LA rumors that have popped up during the last week. The Brazilian played well enough at Milan last year to earn a new contract offer, Flamengo would love to have him back in Brazil, and LA's league position doesn't scream desperation. Ronaldinho won't come cheap, and I don't just mean in salary.


Which is the biggest reason to believe he won't end up in MLS this summer. As J. Hutcherson notes today, it will take a significant transfer fee to get Ronalidinho out of Italy; for a league that has never, ever, paid that much to buy a player, we have to wonder why they would start now. Sure, Ronaldinho is a big name and big talent, but if the rumors are true, why the shift in philosophy so suddenly?


Never mind that by most estimations a rule or two would have to change for the Galaxy to fit Ronaldinho into their squad. As a DP he would hit their cap for less than $500k, but how would the transfer fee figure into their league budget? In the past, transfer fees have always counted against a team's salary cap; is MLS going to enact an exemption for everyone, or is LA the only team that will benefit? Is a rule change/hold even in play?


Too many questions to answer, though the implications of Ronaldinho-to-LA go well beyond another aging superstar coming to the States. Henry was given his release by Barcelona and signed with New York without a dime being paid by Red Bull. His signing was always seen as a foregone conclusion in light of his love for the US and the city of New York. He cost MLS nothing beyond salary (the majority of which the club will pay themselves); Henry is the classic Designated Player (if such a thing exists) and fits all the usual criteria. Signing Ronaldinho would be a completely different thing altogether.


None of this would be in question if hints hadn't come from someone who should know (Dave Checketts). Typically, we might laugh off the Ronaldinho rumors, at least when it became clear that he would cost something. MLS is not a buying league, at least not at these levels.


Unless...and this is purely conjectural should the Ronalidinho rumors be true and some massive rule change isn't coming out of the league office...Donovan is already sold, his fee will help offset Ronalindho's purchase price, and the Brazilian is being brought in to help LA absorb the loss of their best player and the absence of Beckham.


Does that even make any sense? Without a hard Donovan rumor to go on, and there hasn't been a whiff in quite some time, it's half-baked at best, crazy at worst.


Let's go with crazy.

Number 1 in MLS, Number 1 in spreading rumors

If Dave Checketts hadn't said anything, I'd simply toss this rumor out of the window and move on. Ronaldinho would be a huge signing, that's a certainty. But if he costs MLS $13 million just to get him here, it's hard to imagine they would consider that a good deal. They're used to getting their big names for free.


Forget it. The rumor has to be nonsense. MLS couldn't possibly be considering paying seven figures for anyone; Checketts must have had his details wrong, or was assuming that Milan would let Ronaldinho go without a transfer fee. In fact, Milan's €10 million valuation may not have been set when Checkett's dropped his hint on Salt Lake City radio last week. That number is a deal breaker for the ultra-thrifty MLS. There are too many leaps of faith involved.


And yes, it's disappointing to come to that realization, both because I would love to have Ronalidinho in MLS and because the transfer fee paid would represent an evolutionary step for the league. From an observer's standpoint, it would be fascinating to analyze.


In the end, it's interesting that MLS is linked with a player like Ronaldinho while his saga winds down at Milan. Even if he isn't coming, it's clear the league's ramped up incentives for offsetting a DP cap hit are working on some level. Not a $13 million transfer fee level, but some level nonetheless.


Rumors are fun. I think this one is just that and nothing more. No matter how much Becks wants him to come to LA.

Add the Dynamo back to the list of teams without a Designated Player. The club released Luis Angel Landin yesterday after the zaftig Mexican striker failed to live up to his potential after less than a year in the league. Though Landin's DP status was in part due to the fees the Dynamo paid to get him to MLS, it nevertheless represents a disappointing end to the tale.


At the time of Landin's signing, Dom Kinnear was thinking out outside of the box on a DP for the Dynamo; Landin had yet to hit it big in Mexico, but because he was young (25) and talented, the risk was a reasonable one. Landin wasn't single-handedly going to put people in the seats like a Blanco or a Beckham, but he might be worth an investment. If Landin had come good, we'd all be pointing to Kinnear's approach as the way of the future on at least one of the DP slots each team holds. Perhaps it would balance out the "retirement league" element.


But it didn't work. Kinnear and his staff got it wrong for the most part. Landin scored twice in sixteen appearances with the Dynamo, never really looked like he would be anything more than a role player, and certainly wasn't worth the salary and the cap hit the club was carrying. The "whys" of the situation might be worth a look, though Landin isn't the first player to be missed on by Kinnear. He's just the highest paid.


Let's give Kinnear credit for this then: He pulled the plug quickly, and likely aware of the credibility hit for himself and the club. The Dynamo are going through a rough period, and the admission by management that their high-priced Mexican star was a bust can't be easy to make.


There may still be a path for MLS clubs to sign younger DP's with potential rather than older DP's with resumes. The safer choice is the former, even if the price tag is larger. Kinnear gambled and lost, but here's to hoping that doesn't deter the Dynamo or the rest of the league from taking chances like Dom's in the future.

There's now a preponderance of evidence that the long rumored move of Thierry Henry to MLS, and specifically the New York Red Bulls, is all but done. While the signing is a massive coup for New York on the field, the arrival of any Designated Player will inevitably lead to analysis of his larger effect beyond how many goals he scores. Henry will be the first since Freddie Ljungberg, and the biggest since Beckham, to focus scrutiny on the league both from abroad and from domestic soccer fans who rarely pay attention to MLS.


Henry's signing, after the back-and-forth dance of rumors, whispers, and denials, means that MLS clubs (at least in the biggest markets) can actually follow through on major signings; one player doesn't represent a sea change necessarily, but it does indicate that big stars aren't always using the league as leverage to get new contracts in Europe. It helped get the deal in place that Henry is an admitted Amero- and NYC-phile, but even those factors don't take away from the gravity of the signing for the league and the club.


Unlike David Beckham's arrival back in 2007, Henry's coming to the States brings a player with a proven pedigree who is still young enough that he could not easily be called "washed up". Sure, Henry was marginalized at Barcelona, but the greatness of that team and the quality of players they possess mitigate the effects of his leaving because he couldn't get a game. Henry is just thirty-two, and though there's no way to paint him as in his "prime", he's by no means ancient. He did make France's World Cup squad, after all, and will arrive in the U.S. following the tournament.


Unlike with Beckham, there shouldn't be the stigma that Henry is headed to America to build his brand, take up acting, or enjoy a semi-retirement. Some of that is thanks to the slowly growing reputation of MLS, and some of it is due to Beckham's own experience here. Even if the nicest thing the European football community says about MLS is that it didn't "ruin" Beckham, since he likely would have made the England World Cup team if he hadn't been injured, that's something. Henry will join a significantly different MLS than Beckham did back in '07, with expansion ramping up attention, new stadiums in New York and Philadelphia, and a muted "boom" environment that he will only help spur on.


Henry isn't a sideshow. He's fan of New York (the city) with solid ties to the States in the sporting world and a genuine passion for growing soccer in America. Where Beckham comes off as manufactured and plastic, Henry projects a likable, genuine quality that will endear him to American soccer fans. Without the overkill hype of Beckham's arrival, and keeping in mind that his profile outside of the sport in the U.S. is much lower, Henry might actually be able to do more long term good for the sport and the league than his English contemporary.