Thierry Henry signs in MLS - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Muta · 07-14-2010, 09:16 AM

..with the New York Red Bulls.

Now, alongside David Beckham, there's two major international stars here playing soccer on this continent. MLS is making quite the impact here in North America, and the quality of soccer is only increasing. The next several years should be fun to watch as a fan. I know I'm excited as hell to see soccer take off in Canada and the US through MLS... while it's still years behind European leagues, the quality of the product is growing at a phenomenal rate, IMO.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/footba...ex.html?hpt=T2

Ark2 · 07-14-2010, 09:27 AM

The MLS... where legendary careers come to die.

Muta · 07-14-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ark2

The MLS... where legendary careers come to die.

Hahaha

Hades · 07-14-2010, 12:07 PM

Can't see how this is bad for the league. It'll at least create some short term interest for the team and the league, as Henry is (at least for sports people) a recognizable name.
Not sure how much impact he'll make on the field though. I can't see him putting in 100% effort in a league he surely sees as a retirement league. I'd expect a few goals, but doubt he himself will win NY the championship.

d_phaneuf · 07-14-2010, 12:08 PM

at this point he is about MLS quality

he has no pace anymore, his vision and creativity probly make him the best player in the league though by a large margin going at even 60% effort

MJM · 07-14-2010, 12:36 PM

That's the equivalent of players like Jagr and Federov signing in the KHL. One last big paycheck before it's off to the glue house.

Locke · 07-14-2010, 12:38 PM

Just MLS solidifying it's reputation as a retirement league.

Finny61 · 07-14-2010, 12:49 PM

So very true, MLS is the nursing home of soccer.

...And teams with stupid names.

Jimmy Stang · 07-14-2010, 01:09 PM

I think that this is a good thing. Sure - he's not a young whippersnapper anymore, but it will help increase the profile of the league on this continent.

The MLS is doing a number of things right, including choosing markets wisely, pushing for smaller soccer-only stadiums, managing the finances wisely, and growing the sport slowly from the ground-up. That's where the MLS differs from other attempts to get soccer off of the ground in North America, and probably why it is still around and relatively healthy.

People like to knock it, but the MLS isn't trying to compete with the big Euro leagues, nor does it think that it will replace NFL, MLB, NBA, and (to a lesser extent) NHL as the "big 4" in the US. It has a niche, it is nurturing it, and the results have been pretty good.

d_phaneuf · 07-14-2010, 01:17 PM

he is not Beckham though, I doubt many people who don't follow the game anyway are going to know who Thierry Henry is

I don't see this as raising the profile of the league at all

goodyear · 07-14-2010, 01:18 PM

Bring the whole French team over!

Locke · 07-14-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodyear

Bring the whole French team over!

Absolutely! Finally a team MLS could actually beat!

Addick · 07-14-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

People like to knock it, but the MLS isn't trying to compete with the big Euro leagues, nor does it think that it will replace NFL, MLB, NBA, and (to a lesser extent) NHL as the "big 4" in the US. It has a niche, it is nurturing it, and the results have been pretty good.

According to comments made by their VP of marketing and communications, they do want to become an elite league. However, in the same article he did mention that although they are pursuing a pro-growth agenda, they would also like to develop the game/league. Personally, I believe that mindset (i.e. growth over development) is what will be a major sources of problems if they do emerge.

chris_yk · 07-14-2010, 04:02 PM

geez i'm not the biggest MLS fan, although i try to watch all toronto games, but some of the comments in here are ridiculous and typical of the eurosnob football fans found everywhere in Canada.. the league may not be of a high quality compared to many european ones, even the Championship, but it is hardly a retirement league and in fact is starting to become a great aid to better development of soccer players in both Canada and the US. sure some of the high profile players brought in are on the wrong side of 30 but these players DO bring awareness to the league. how often is MLS news featured on CNN? in the end whatever helps to improve the quality and public perception of the league is good for Canadian soccer, although some of the people commenting in this thread might be the type to cheer for their country of heritage at a world cup instead of canada, should it qualify.

end rant

PIMking · 07-14-2010, 04:51 PM

Until big names that are still good come over this is just like ARK2 said. Dead end league.

d_phaneuf · 07-14-2010, 05:34 PM

its nowhere near the quality of the championship, I don't even think its on par with the better teams of league 1

Norwich and Leeds last year were both more talented and just better teams than any MLS team

Its not trying to bash the MLS or sound snobbish, but it is what it is, until they get good (not even elite, just good) players to sign during their prime it will be known as a retirement league

SebC · 07-14-2010, 05:47 PM

MLS has tons of room to grow. Nothing wrong with a growth strategy - invest, but don't overinvest.

Addick · 07-14-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

MLS has tons of room to grow. Nothing wrong with a growth strategy - invest, but don't overinvest.

I was actually talking about developing the quality of football in the MLS from the ground-up rather than expansion, but you do bring up a good point. Any development, be it on the pitch or off, must be sustainable. I'm a bit skeptical/cautious of bringing over these marquee players too soon, it reminds me a bit of the NASL. Well, that and I'm a huge advocate of ground-up sport/league/player development.

Matty81 · 07-14-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

its nowhere near the quality of the championship, I don't even think its on par with the better teams of league 1

Norwich and Leeds last year were both more talented and just better teams than any MLS team

Its not trying to bash the MLS or sound snobbish, but it is what it is, until they get good (not even elite, just good) players to sign during their prime it will be known as a retirement league

Personal opinion but I totally disagree with you - I'm no big MLS fan but I watch a fair bit of both leagues and the 3rd division or league 1 is garbage compared to MLS. The level of domestic talent in England is very very poor right now and attendance does not = quality of play. Norwich's big recent purchase in the championship was Canada's third choice striker in the last cycle. I think Championship football equates to MLS standard of play and I think the MLS has better players at the high end. Despite the slagging of Henry/Beckham/Donovan type players they are way better than anyone in the Championship... and League 1? I like Jermain Beckford too dude but get a grip.

d_phaneuf · 07-14-2010, 08:01 PM

No one said their were better players in the Championship than Henry or Beckham, but the teams around them are not, nor did anyone say anything about attendance

from watching League 1 games, and MLS games (I probly only see 5-10 a year) I think their is a similar amount of talent on the field. When compared to Championship games I think their is a pretty big gap compared to the MLS.

But again its my opinion, don't know why it angered you so much