Hours away from phase two of the MLS re-entry draft and the biggest focus seems to be on speculating where Juan Pablo Angel is going to end up. He has indicated that he wants to play another year, but he is a risk. His production dropped significantly in the last half of last season.
Still, it seems likely that someone will take a stab at him. As to what team that might be, we can make an educated guess.
The club would have to be willing to spend DP money on him and not play on turf (sorry Seattle, New England and Vancouver). It would likely be a team desperate for scoring.
Based on that here are the odds:
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] 2/1 – Philly
The Union will be looking to make a big splash in their second season and might feel that they need a secondary option to Sébastien Le Toux. Actually, on paper LeToux and Angel seem a lot like Colorado’s Casey and Cummings and there is a MLS Cup sitting in Denver right now. Philly might also be appealing to Angel as it’s close to New York and would be an easy adjustment for him to re-locate there. Angel is also good friends with Faryd Mondragon, the geriatric Colombian keeper the Union are set to sign.
3/1 – DC United
United need help everywhere and will have the first crack at him in the draft. Attendance dropped in 2010 – largely because of the performance on the pitch – and they are still in a battle to raise public awareness in DC to their need for a stadium. A high-ish profile signing might help. On the negative, Angel may not want to go to the team that most NY fans view as their biggest rival.
5/1 – Chivas
It’s an LA thing. That and the Goats were woeful on offense. It’s unclear whether the club would be willing to spend the money, but they draft high enough that they may take a crack at him in hopes that a deal can be reached.
8/1 – Houston
The Dynamo’s step-back season last year may make them think they need to do something to ease the pain of the rebuilding process. The fan base is used to winning and it’s unclear how they will react to back-to-back losing seasons. Angel, if on form, could be a difference maker. It’s a big move for him though and he may not be interested in playing in the suffocating heat of a Houston summer.
10/1 – Toronto
There is little doubt that the Reds need a striker and if he’s still there when it’s time to draft he will be tempting. They also have the money. However, there are a couple things that make it seem like TFC will pass. First of all they may not get a chance to pass. There are a few teams ahead in the draft that seem likely to be interested. Secondly, they already have a DP on the roster and a decision to bring in a second is an awfully big one considering the new GM is not in place yet (unless he is and can’t be announced yet al la Brian Burke and the Leafs). Does Angel want to deal with an international move though?
20/1 – Galaxy
I’m sure angel would be interested, but whether LA wants to burn its third DP slot on an older risk is a question. Plus, it would be surprising if he’s still available.
25/1 – Not drafted
It’s possible that Angel has let all teams know his terms and none are ready to jump just yet. In that case he’ll go on the market as a full free agent.
30/1 – Rest of league
It seems unlikely, but he’s talented enough to attract the attention of teams that may not really need him. The darkhorse pick from the rest of the league? Portland. If he drops that far the Timbers may think ‘why not.’