Paddy Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Hi, How do people feel about aging superstars coming to the MLS. Wasn't this a problem that helped in the demise of the NASL? Will it raise the level of play, will the novelty wear off when people realize that they are not seeing these players in their prime? Does anyone know how it affected the J-league in the end doing the same thing? On the plus side, it will bring exposure and may draw in some previously reluctant fans. I think Canada needs this league to survive for the benefit of our national team, so I hope the huge salaries can be managed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I am confident that MLS knows what it's doing. This league will be ok if they bring in guys between the ages of 28-32 because they should still have 2 or 3 good years in them. I will worry more if I see alot of 35+ guys coming into the league. Goalies might be the only exception because they seem to be able to hang around a bit longer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share Posted May 16, 2007 quote:Originally posted by VPjr I will worry more if I see alot of 35+ guys coming into the league. Goalies might be the only exception because they seem to be able to hang around a bit longer Xavier is plus 35 I think...and he is joining Beckham in LA. Seems like a bit of a waste...then again, I don't know what he is being paid or how long his contract is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonovision Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I'm more concerned by the fact that a lot of the signings and rumoured signings are with the same team. I wonder what kinds of rules are being bent and how many new ad hoc rules, like the Beckham rule, will spring up to accomodate some washed Euro's retirement tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Abel Xavier is not someone I would describe as an aging "superstar". An aging "decent player" might be more accurate. As for the main question, I don't know that this will be a problem in Toronto. There are no aging stars over here & the team (with a losing record) is still doing well. Unless they change the league roster rules, I doubt it could have the same effect to the extent that it did in the NASL days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amacpher Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Paddy Hi, How do people feel about aging superstars coming to the MLS. Wasn't this a problem that helped in the demise of the NASL? Will it raise the level of play, will the novelty wear off when people realize that they are not seeing these players in their prime? Does anyone know how it affected the J-league in the end doing the same thing? On the plus side, it will bring exposure and may draw in some previously reluctant fans. I think Canada needs this league to survive for the benefit of our national team, so I hope the huge salaries can be managed. IMO, one of the problems with MLS is that all the teams are the same right now. You look at the TFC schedule at the start of the season, and the word that comes to mind is... "BLAH". There are no local derbies and no clubs with any history. There needs to be a team to hate. Or love. And the Galaxy are that team at the moment, and its because they are an ageing star dumping ground (well, that and Landon Donovan who's just an ageing piece of crap). Will the novelty wear off? Yup. But then we'll be right back where we started. No worse off. But at least you had some laughs while it lasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juby Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I don't think it's turning into a retirement league like alot middle eastern leagues, you can get all the oldies you want but as long as your producing talent, then it's just extra cheese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calgary Boomer Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 We'll probably see both ends of the age spectrum represented in MLS over the coming years. You'll get those who are leaving the pro-game in Europe and the Americas, and the young stars who will come over in their off-seasons to get more playing time in a less "hostile" environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Paddy Xavier is plus 35 I think...and he is joining Beckham in LA. Seems like a bit of a waste...then again, I don't know what he is being paid or how long his contract is. technically I think he is 34 but who cares...he is one player I don't quite understand. He is just OK. Not worthy of big bucks in my mind. But this is the Galaxy. They have a different agenda. Someone with hair like Xavier will go over big in LA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amacpher Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Calgary Boomer We'll probably see both ends of the age spectrum represented in MLS over the coming years. You'll get those who are leaving the pro-game in Europe and the Americas, and the young stars who will come over in their off-seasons to get more playing time in a less "hostile" environment. I can't see any young stars coming to MLS. MLS salaries are extremely low, in general. The only way to get paid big bucks is if you've already established a name for yourself, and that takes time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen LaRose Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 I think MLS is to soccer what playing in, say, Switzerland or Britain is for hockey players. If you're a fourth-line NHLer over 30, or if you're a journeyman in the AHL, why not see if there are teams interested in you in Europe? The money will be good, it's not as high-pressure as the NHL or AHL, and you get to see a bit of the world. There are probably a lot of 30something soccer players, who have bit roles in the Premiership or who toil in the Championship, thinking the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolando Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 This story admittedly has a kind of a feel-good angle to it - but it's more of the same if you have been casting a concerned eye on the older players being signed as of late. Will Toronto follow suit? EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) - The New York Red Bulls did not comment Thursday on speculation linking veteran Premiership striker Teddy Sheringham with a move to the MLS club. The 41-year-old former England striker, who has been released by West Ham United, was on Wednesday linked with a move to the Red Bulls of MLS, where he would join a growing number of British players following David Beckham to play in the United States. However, a Red Bulls spokesman said the club did not discuss players not under contract to the club. Sheringham joining the Red Bulls is unlikely, given that the club already has used its maximum number of designated player signings that allow it to circumvent the team salary cap of $2 million and offer big-money contracts to players. Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena signed Claudio Reyna from Manchester City in January and Juan Pablo Angel from Aston Villa under the ruling. If Sheringham were offered a contract, it would be unlikely to be in excess of $300,000 per year, way below anything the former Tottenham and Manchester United forward could command in England. Striker Charlie Sheringham, Teddy's 19-year-old son, is on loan for the summer from Crystal Palace and playing for Crystal Palace FC USA in the United Soccer League's Division Two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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