February 28, 2007
MLS Random News
(Updated @ 4pm today) Here's a few bits that might be interesting to the MLS & US Soccer enthusiast.
MLS Roster Deadline Today
As of March 1st, all teams must pare down their rosters to 28 total players: 18 senior roster and 10 developmental players. Look for announcements of players cut throughout the day from various clubs, and official word from all clubs by tomorrow.
American Idol
From the return of British Royalty department, we've received news that Posh is set to become the new American Idol! Huh. Didn't know she could sing.
New MLS Player Transfer Fee Policy Implemented
Here's the practical implementation of MLS Clubs getting to keep more $$$ from a player transfer fee (Frank Dell'Apa, Boston Globe):
"The timing of Clint Dempsey's move to Fulham FC was optimal for the Revolution. Dempsey's transfer was worth $4 million, a Major League Soccer record, and it happened to be the first significant move of a player since the league's board of governors voted to increase teams' shares in transfer fees.
So it seems the Revolution are in position to make significant additions, since their portion of the Dempsey transfer is $2.64 million. Previously, MLS teams received very little of the transfer fee and had no direct control in reinvesting that money. But though the Revolution have received more transfer money than any previous MLS team, they can use only $500,000 of it for an "allocated player." The other $2.14 million must be "reinvested in the MLS product in some way," according to MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis. "It could be training facilities, player development, it could be infrastructure."
The $500,000 limit has been placed on the Revolution for competitive reasons. If allowed to use all of the transfer money, the Revolution "could swamp the league this year," Gazidis said. "They would have so much money within the traditional MLS system. It would be very unbalanced. It's not Beckham money, but it's enough money for a significant player."
Full-time Wankers
U.S. Soccer has announced it will employ four referees on a full-time basis for the first time, a move that hopefully will raise the quality of officiating in MLS.
Sounds cool to me. Finally we can finally expect a little more from our officials, and yell that much louder when we see the same ol' blind calls from them!
Equal Opportunity Alert: Looks like we can yell at the women again, beginning next year (from an L.A. paper)
"A women's professional soccer league, running partially in tandem with Major League Soccer and operating in some cases in MLS stadiums, will be launched in the spring of 2008 with at least six and possibly eight teams, including one in Los Angeles. Locally, the team will be owned by AEG, which operates the Galaxy, and will play at the Home Depot Center, sometimes as part of doubleheaders with the Galaxy."
Bizzy gNATS
And, finally, with a tune-up exhibition against China June 2, the USMNT is bizzzzy this summer. Take note of your favorite players that will go missing from MLS for a while!
June 2 vs China
Gold Cup...
June 6-24 (across U.S.)
Copa América...
June 28 vs Argentina
July 2 vs Paraguay
July 5 vs Columbia
July 6-15 if the US wins, they'll keep playing
And finally, bad news for FC Dallas? Bummer!
"FCD shocked to learn it dealt for damaged goods" reads the headline. Awww.
"FC Dallas officials said they weren't aware that Adrian Serioux had an injured left knee when the club traded for him last November. The defender/midfielder underwent successful surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss about half of the season.
"He said that he had minor injury problems on and off for quite a few years," Morrow said. "It was a shock for us to see how serious his condition was." FC Dallas gave up All-Star midfielder Ronnie O'Brien for Serioux, who was left unprotected by Houston during the expansion draft. FC Dallas learned of the injury during training camp. "Without being too controversial, it's something that the league needs to look at," Morrow said.