Match Fit USA: Kenny Cooper

Showing posts with label Kenny Cooper. Show all posts

Portland's Sensitive New Striker

Friday, February 11, 2011 | View Comments

-Jason Davis

The Portland Timbers unveiled the returning Kenny Cooper, their highest profile signing to date, at a press conference yesterday. Cooper comes back to MLS after spending a predominantly disappointing season and a half on the books of 1860 Munich of the 2.Bundesliga. Although his European adventure didn't pan out, Cooper is a proven MLS goal-scorer, an asset worth the investment for the Timbers.

The Cooperang

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 | View Comments

-Jason Davis

After two and half years in Europe, Kenny Cooper is back in MLS as a member of the Portland Timbers. The Timbers get a proven MLS striker and something of a name; Cooper gets a chance to play regularly and return to the form that attracted so much European attention in the first place.

Cooper Suffers Knee Injury

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 | View Comments

1860 Munich and USMNT striker Kenny Cooper has suffered a knee ligament injury and could be out for the year according to a German website. Cooper is set to undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury, one he suffered during training. If the initial diagnosis is confirmed, Cooper could be out for as much as six months.

Whether you rate Cooper as a viable striker option for the United States or not, it seemed odd that the former FC Dallas man was not called into camp for this round of European friendlies. The knee injury could be the reason Cooper's name was not called, though it's not clear from the German story when it occurred.

Nevertheless, Cooper is out of the American setup for the time being, and could be lost for the entire World Cup run up. It was conceivable, especially with the hole created by the loss of Charlie Davies, that Cooper could have played himself into the squad, or given Bob Bradley another attacking option.

Cooper's detractors might be somewhat relieved that Cooper is no longer available, as Bradley won't be tempted to take him to South Africa; remember, though, that depth is an issue for the US, and no matter Cooper's current abilities, up to six months off also puts his development on hold.

What do you make of Cooper's injury?

*UPDATE* Cooper's injury is now being reported as not serious by German media, with his return coming as early as three weeks from now.

Kenny Cooper, USMNT |

Cooper Departure Represents MLS Reality

Friday, August 07, 2009 | View Comments

CONCACAF Cup - Semifinals, Hondurus v USA

Note: This is my MLS Daily column for the week, and I expect it will show up there eventually as well. With the USA-Mexico roster coming out, my guess is that the column was bumped for at least a little while. I couldn't deprive you though, and so I leave it to you to read here (oh, but also be sure to visit the excellence that is MLS Daily).

So Kenny Cooper is finally off, gone to make his fortune in the glorious world of European soccer. Bully for him. For most of us, seeing Cooper leave is just about as shocking as discovering that cheap vodka gives you a hangover or that David Beckham wants out of LA (again).

"Inevitable" seems the be the best word to describe it.

Cooper's transfer, to a second division German club, might be the next logical step for his career, and for that (provided you don't have any particular dislike for Kenny) we should be happy. But it's also a disheartening reminder that MLS is still light years away from being able to compete on anything approaching a level playing field with other leagues around the world. Forget top-flights; MLS is clearly second best to Bundesliga 2.

It's hard to blame a young American player for wanting to skip out on MLS when clubs like TSV 1860 Munich are able to double or triple their salaries. It's hard to look at Cooper or anyone in his shoes and say, "Show some loyalty, man! Help grow soccer in the US!"

That ship has clearly sailed, and won't be returning to port until Major League Soccer ups the ante. When you artificially hold down salaries for players that should be the foundation of the league, you shouldn't be too surprised when they leap at the chance to head abroad. Cooper isn't the first, and certainly won't be the last, good young American talent whose future plans will be drawn up without the letters "MLS" appearing anywhere in them.

According to Kenny's father, himself Kenny Cooper, the system is seriously flawed. The league puts too much emphasis and pays too much of a premium to foreign players while underpaying good American ones, in his opinion.

Of course he's right, but it's not as black and white as Herr Cooper would like to make it seem. There's a reason MLS pays foreign players more to ply their trade here: They have to. The reputation of MLS outside (and mostly inside for that matter) of American and Canadian borders isn't exactly stellar; when players consider coming to here to play, it's not the quality of the league or the glory of winning the MLS Cup that draws them.

When your biggest attraction is lifestyle, you're going to have to overpay for mediocre talent. There simply aren't enough good American players to fill rosters, so the importing of players from outside the country is a necessary evil. Foreign players have more options than their American counterparts, generally speaking, and that means that MLS clubs have to pay more to get them here. It also means, because the league can keep down salaries for Americans, they will keep down salaries for Americans. If you spend more than you should have to in one area, trying to save money in another just makes good business sense.

Is it right? Of course not. In a perfect world, Kenny Cooper could get in Dallas what he'll be making in Munich, and good, young, American players would be all over MLS rather than spread across Europe. Names like Tracy, Zizzo, Parkhurst, Goodson, etc., would be gracing teams sheets on this side of the pond, rather than those of lower and secondary league clubs in football-mad Europe. I'd like to think that if MLS could, they would; maybe it's just the realities of running a soccer league in America that has the situation turned around. Still, nothing will change without a serious relaxation in the salary cap and allocation rules, and as far as I can tell, that's not coming anytime soon.

It's an ugly trade off, shorting the players that should be the league's biggest focus so that you can mind every dollar while bringing in foreign players.

Like moths to a flame, American players will continue to flock to Europe by any means necessary. The career of an athlete, especially in the chew-them-up-and-spit-them-out world of soccer, is a short one; cashing in while you can is both imperative and defensible. MLS has more than its share of lesser-talented American players, for whom love of the game and a desire to see the sport succeed in the US seem to be enough. But those players are only loyal to the cause because they have to be; given to option to follow in Kenny Cooper's footsteps and bolt for a European second-division club, they'd do so in a heartbeat, anxious for the opportunity and desperate for the pay raise.

It's the reality of American soccer. What we have is a league full of foreign mercenaries cashing in on marginal talent and frustrated Americans who might prefer to be elsewhere if given the chance.

I suppose using the phrase "necessary evil" (for the second time, sorry about that) gives the league too much of a free pass. From a business standpoint, the salary discongruity might be somewhat understandable; but the situation that Cooper's father laments absolutely sits on the head of MLS, who has chosen to take a ultra-conservative approach to players salaries, creating a system in which teams take on Americans at massive discounts while filling out their rosters with overpaid foreign internationals. Changes are needed desperately, and we can only hope that they are coming.

Until then, and perhaps even afterwards, Americans will continue to be second class citizens in their own domestic league, and continue to look for ways out at every opportunity.

And so we see another American head to the Continent, his head full of dreams and his wallet full of cash.

Auf wiedersehen, Kenny Cooper.

Kenny Cooper, MLS, salary cap, Yanks abroad |

A Cooper Transfer Question

Friday, July 31, 2009 | View Comments

Tried to be clever with the headline. Failed. Oh well.

So Kenny Cooper is off to 1860 Munich, a 2. Bundesliga club. The speculation over his immediate future can end for the time being, and we can move on to the next American player likely to head overseas (anyone want to hazard a guess?).

The problem now, is that Cooper's transfer raises some interesting questions. Is Kenny's move a lateral one? Or is 2. Bundesliga a step up in competition?

Unfortunately, and I've mentioned this before, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know the answer to that question. While 1860 Munich is clearly, and by a mile, the second biggest club in their city and their stadium, they're certainly a a bigger club than any in MLS. That alone might make the transfer worth it for Cooper, who probably has an eye to another moving after a few years of playing in Germany.

But in terms of his development, is he really better off? Let's assume for a second (and I'm not arguing this, I'm just using it for this discussion) that 2. Bundesliga is, at best, a lateral move when it comes to the strength of the league. If that's the case, is Cooper actually hurting himself by accepting this transfer? Perhaps those rumors of Championship clubs in England looking at Cooper were false; I'd be shocked if he chose Germany over England if transfer fee offered up were anywhere near comparable.

Is the goal to just get out of MLS at any cost? Of course Cooper's salary should see a nice bump, so maybe that's all there is to it. Cash is king.

Maybe I'm over-thinking this, or maybe I'm just trying to fill a bit of time on a lazy Friday afternoon. I'll let you be the judge.

Is Germany's second division a step up for Cooper? Is he better off there than in MLS? Should we expect him to improve in Munich?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Kenny Cooper, MLS transfers, Yanks abroad |

Cooper Leaving After All?

Friday, July 31, 2009 | View Comments

Despite a report earlier in the week that he was likely to stay thorough the 2009 MLS season, Kenny Cooper is apparently on the verge of a move to Bundesliga 2 side 1860 Munich.

Cooper is a free agent after the MLS season, and could leave on a free transfer to the destination of his choosing. Selling him now obviously makes sense for FC Dallas and MLS, who would be able something back in a transfer fee.

According to his agent, a deal already exists in principle and could be finalized as early as next week.

It's the nature of the world of transfers; what is said one day (that Cooper is likely to stay for the season, for example), is quickly refuted by new reports only a few days later. In the midst of a poor season, this can't be good news for FC Dallas fans.

Still, it's probably time for Cooper to head back to Europe, and while Bundesliga 2 isn't the highest profile or flashiest league, Cooper should be able to secure enough playing time to make the move worthwhile. Unfortuantely, I'm not up on my lower division German football, so I can't say whether or not the quality of the league is comparable or better than MLS.

Do you think this would be a good move for Cooper?

*UPDATE* If this is legit, then it seems the deal is done and Kenny is off.

Kenny Cooper, MLS, MLS transfers, Yanks abroad |

Clark, Cooper Staying (For Now)

Thursday, July 30, 2009 | View Comments

SOCCER: JUN 06 FIFA World Cup Qualifier - Honduras at United States

Just a little catch up, as I attempt to reboot my brain; I haven't exactly been at the top of my game in recent days.

Two young American players are in the news for potential moves; one who raised his stock during a strong Confederations Cup, and one who remains a frustratingly incomplete player yet to impact the USMNT.

Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark is set to move to Italian side Livorno, but not until January, according to a reports in the Italian press. Clark's growth as a player should be helped by the move, and there's no reason to think he won't see significant playing time for the newly promoted club. Just keep in mind that I've yet to find this move as "confirmed" in any official sense.

Kenny Cooper is also staying in MLS, at least for the time being. Buzz Carrick reports that Cooper will stay with FC Dallas through the end of the 2009 season, when his current contract expires. Cooper can leave on a free transfer in January, and seems likely to do so.

It's time for Cooper to go, in my opinion, though I see no harm in his finishing out this season before heading elsewhere.

How do you feel about Clark landing in Italy, and where do you see Cooper ending up at season's end?

Kenny Cooper, Ricardo Clark, Transfers |

Transfer In and Out

Thursday, July 16, 2009 | View Comments

I neglected a few bits of news yesterday thanks to the #usmexicotv campaign (which you can read about here if you don't know what I'm talking about), so I'm going to try to catch up in rapid fire fashion:

No Developments on Altidore

Not exactly news, but worth nothing; a few days ago, it was reported that Jozy was definitely on his way to Greece to play for Olympiakos, and yet we've heard nothing since. I'm not sure Greece or Olympiakos is the right place for the young striker, so no news it good news to me. I suspect something is still in the works on a loan for Alitdore, and that we'll hear either more rumors or a confirmed deal in next few days.

Szetela Returns

Danny Szetela's European sojourn didn't quite work out the way I'm sure he had hoped, but it's clearly not all bad. Much better for him to have a chance to play than to ride the bench for a middling European side, so his return to MLS with DC United makes sense. Only twenty-two, Szetela can still be a factor in both the league and that National Team. United fans have to be ecstatic to get a talented, young, and versatile player like Szetela.

Cooper Rumors Out of Nowhere

Generally, MLS transfer rumors follow a standard path: a few whispers give way to some stronger rumblings that might include a fee before finally "ending" with a go or no-go announcement. The recent Kenny-Cooper-to-Bristol-City rumors seem to have skipped the whisper stage and gone straight to the rumblings. Cooper's name inevitably pops up every summer, and while there's no reason that this couldn't be the year his move to Europe finally happens, I'm just a little surprised by the suddenness. Too bad Bristol City is denying the rumors.

A few names that I continue to be surprised we have heard no rumors about: Sacha Kjlestan (did he scare off Celtic?) and Landon Donovan. Whether Donovan is likely to leave during the summer or not (and he has told Grant Wahl that he will be with LA at least through the '09 season), you'd think that someone would have inquired. Inevitably, those things get leaked to reporters who then tell the world, and yet we've heard no such whispers.

Kenny Cooper, MLS transfers, Transfers |

MLS Storyline Countdown: Number Two

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | View Comments

The bargain bin is full here on the MFUSA countdown, step right up and make a deal...

Number Two: Summer Sales

It seemingly happens every year: young MLS players are linked to a move abroad during the European summer transfer window. This year should be no exception, with several big names expected to be transfer targets. Both Kenny Cooper and Sacha Kjlestan have flirted with moves before, and the smart money has at least one of them completing a move. The X-factor in every outbound MLS transfer is the league itself, as headquarter's valuation of players can drastically effect the level of interest from foreign clubs. Both Cooper and Kljestan should draw offers, and it will be up to the league and the MLS club in question to determine each player's future. The fortunes of those clubs could go a long way towards determining whether a sale is actually completed; FC Dallas' outlook is decidely bleaker than a Chivas USA side that is coming off of a playoff appearance in '08, and it will be interesting to see if the Texans decide to throw in the towel early. As always seems to happen, a player who is not on the list of expected transfer targets could pop up to surprise us all.

Don't forget Landon Donovan; while a sale of the all-time leading USMNT goal scorer is unlikely, the topic will come up. Expect the league to set a high price, scaring off any European suitors.

Kenny Cooper, Landon Donovan, Sacha Kljestan |