2013 MLS Thread

[Montana Moe]

So, assuming the MLS contract is being followed, Portland is #1 in allocation order, and would have had to pass on Dempsey. Either that, or Portland has some compensation coming their way.

After seeing how much he's making, I ain't mad.

MLS Roster Rules

(A) ALLOCATION RANKING

The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a U.S. National Team player who signs with MLS after playing abroad, or a former MLS player who returns to the League after having gone to a club abroad for a transfer fee. The allocation rankings may also be used in the event two or more clubs file a request for the same player on the same day when the discovery period opens in December. The allocations will be ranked in reverse order of finish for the 2012 season, taking playoff performance into account.

Once the club uses its allocation ranking to acquire a player, it drops to the bottom of the list. A ranking can be traded, provided that part of the compensation received in return is the other club’s ranking. At all times, each club is assigned one ranking. The rankings reset at the end of each MLS League season.

Of course, MLS has a way of "massaging" rules when it is to their benefit, which is easier for them since they own every player contract.

[seattleflamer]

^^^
If it is as far along as the reports indicate, there is a either a deal in place with Portland (which seems improbable) or the allocation rules have been circumvented like the hidden rule that allowed SKC to re up Zusi.

Maybe the Sounders are betting Paulson blinks and can't afford the $41 million.

Great move for the Sounders, Dempsey's bank account and MLS...not so much for USMNT and Dempsey's career.

[Montana Moe]

Oh, I don't think Paulson has interest in Dempsey at that price.

I'm sure he'll have a few choice words about the whole process, especially after being denied the deal for Mix Diskerud in the off season.

Not sure how it hurts the USMNT and his career. Unless you think that sitting in London kept him fresh for international duty?

[seattleflamer]

^^^
His current situation was untenable so playing is better than sitting on the bench of course.

The issue I have is he won't be playing World Cup caliber players in the MLS in a WC cycle compared to if he had stayed in Europe.... assuming he would have played first line minutes in one of the "big 4" leagues.

[seattleflamer]

Dempsey signing confirmed per NBC:

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2...e-sounders-fc/

[FlamesAndBruins]

Okay, now let's see the outrage à la Kovalchuk.

Player goes home to play in an new and aspiring, but clearly inferior league for more money to become the new face of said league.

Dempsey didn't honour his contract with Spurs. Didn't exactly "break" the contract, because there was a transfer fee, but one would imagine SKA would have paid one too, had there been a player transfer agreement.

Regardless of the contract situation, leaving the best league alone was enough for fans to call Kovalchuk a "quitter", a "loser", and whatnot, and a "lockerroom-cancer" for leaving his teammates.

So when Dempsey plays his next match for the national team on US soil, should I expect rotten tomatoes thrown at him?

[shermanator]

$9 mil transfer fee and a 4 year $32 mil a contract for Dempsey. He's by far the highest paid player in MLS history. Guess the average attendance of 40000 in Seattle pays off!

[The Big Chill]

The 'Caps are almost out of players...

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by FlamesAndBruins

Okay, now let's see the outrage à la Kovalchuk.

Player goes home to play in an new and aspiring, but clearly inferior league for more money to become the new face of said league.

Dempsey didn't honour his contract with Spurs. Didn't exactly "break" the contract, because there was a transfer fee, but one would imagine SKA would have paid one too, had there been a player transfer agreement.

Regardless of the contract situation, leaving the best league alone was enough for fans to call Kovalchuk a "quitter", a "loser", and whatnot, and a "lockerroom-cancer" for leaving his teammates.

So when Dempsey plays his next match for the national team on US soil, should I expect rotten tomatoes thrown at him?

there are a huge amount of differences in comparing this but most importantly in this case

Spurs were the initiators in this, they told teams Dempsey was for sale and gave the price, according to reports multiple teams met the price (Seattle in the MLS, a few in England, and possibly more in Europe)

Once that price for sale is met it was basically Dempsey's choice where he wanted to go (or even if he wanted to go)

[moon]

Originally Posted by FlamesAndBruins

Okay, now let's see the outrage à la Kovalchuk.

Player goes home to play in an new and aspiring, but clearly inferior league for more money to become the new face of said league.

Dempsey didn't honour his contract with Spurs. Didn't exactly "break" the contract, because there was a transfer fee, but one would imagine SKA would have paid one too, had there been a player transfer agreement.

Regardless of the contract situation, leaving the best league alone was enough for fans to call Kovalchuk a "quitter", a "loser", and whatnot, and a "lockerroom-cancer" for leaving his teammates.

So when Dempsey plays his next match for the national team on US soil, should I expect rotten tomatoes thrown at him?

Except that Kovalchuk was a top level player and Dempsey was a guy that will sit on the bench and maybe play in 2nd tiers tournaments like Europa and League Cup.

Also, Tottenham were fine with him leaving and he left by the traditional soccer transfer ways that 100's of players/teams use every year.

There is basically 0 similarities between the two other than they both went to inferior leagues, after that the situations are completely different.

[Montana Moe]

Well, that was a disappointing draw for the Timbers.

Still in 2nd place in the West, but these draws need to be converted into wins or they're going to be left behind.

Nuje, I hope you had a good time!

[FlamesAndBruins]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

there are a huge amount of differences in comparing this but most importantly in this case

Spurs were the initiators in this, they told teams Dempsey was for sale and gave the price, according to reports multiple teams met the price (Seattle in the MLS, a few in England, and possibly more in Europe)

Once that price for sale is met it was basically Dempsey's choice where he wanted to go (or even if he wanted to go)

Originally Posted by moon

Except that Kovalchuk was a top level player and Dempsey was a guy that will sit on the bench and maybe play in 2nd tiers tournaments like Europa and League Cup.

Also, Tottenham were fine with him leaving and he left by the traditional soccer transfer ways that 100's of players/teams use every year.

There is basically 0 similarities between the two other than they both went to inferior leagues, after that the situations are completely different.

Well as I said, him ging to an inferior league was enough to fill people up with rage. That derision wouldn't have changed even if Kovalchuk had been an FA (see Burmistrov). People complained that, if they were professional athletes, they'd ALWAYS play in the highest competition possible.

Well, now Dempsey chickened out of meaningful football, and no one says a thing. He was only a squad player for spurs, but surely would be a solid contributor for lower level sides in the big 4 leagues, or even a star in the french, dutch, portugese or even russian leagues. He chose light competition, money and home over testing himself as a player. I don't blame him for it; just like I didn't blame Kovalchuk. But if you lose respect for one for playing in an inferior league, like many stated they have, it is the same for Dempsey.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by FlamesAndBruins

He was only a squad player for spurs, but surely would be a solid contributor for lower level sides in the big 4 leagues, or even a star in the french, dutch, portugese or even russian leagues. He chose light competition, money and home over testing himself as a player

There is some validity there. While Dempsey may have had to leave Spurs, he didn't necessarily have to leave England or Europe. He does need match time but he's going from fighting for a place he couldn't win to not having to put up much of a fight for a starting role. Dempsey could have chosen somewhere in the middle (i.e. a club where he'd be driven to be a the top of his game) and that would be better for both him and his country.

To be fair, I think he is getting off a bit light.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Addick

There is some validity there. While Dempsey may have had to leave Spurs, he didn't necessarily have to leave England or Europe. He does need match time but he's going from fighting for a place he couldn't win to not having to put up much of a fight for a starting role. Dempsey could have chosen somewhere in the middle (i.e. a club where he'd be driven to be a the top of his game) and that would be better for both him and his country.

To be fair, I think he is getting off a bit light.

Seattle may have been the only offer accepted though.

[seattleflamer]

Of course Dempsey has some say on where he plays now but ultimately was there any Euro club willing to pay that transfer fee and raise in salary? I'm sure a mid table club like Everton or Norwich could use Dempsey's quality but were they willing to pay? Obviously not worth it to them or there would have been more of a bidding war.

I'm glad one of the richest teams in MLS is flexing its muscle...finally. The other monied clubs like Galaxy still has a DP spot it needs to fill based on their tv contract and Toronto FC badly needs to make a signature move to save that fan base.

[d_phaneuf]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soc...-sounders-mls/

anatomy of the deal

this part seems weird

Los Angeles and Toronto were also interested in ponying up for Dempsey, multiple sources said, but Toronto (which is working on its own Designated Player deals) accepted that it was better for the league if Dempsey were playing in a U.S. city

why is the biggest joke in the league worried about the health of said league? why not try not finishing in last or 2nd last one of these years

[browna]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soc...-sounders-mls/

anatomy of the deal

this part seems weird



why is the biggest joke in the league worried about the health of said league? why not try not finishing in last or 2nd last one of these years

With Lieweke, formerly of Galaxy (amongst others, MLS wise) fame, he had multiple irons in the fire with this. Of course, with the experience of bringing in Beckham, he's got a pretty good idea of what works in MLS, and logistics around that, given his direct relationship he's had with the league.

But with him being involved in Dempsey talks also makes sure that those DP's that he's working on to get in Toronto for next year, know he means business.

[Matty81]

I think MLS transfer and salary cap rules are becoming more and more of a joke, the whole reason they supposedly have their little sandbox league where teams can't spend money freely is to promote parity in the wake of the Cosmos dominance... yet all the real superstar signings seem to get channeled to specific markets. Teams should be able to conduct their own business in the transfer market already, the league looks Mickey Mouse.

Portland really got shafted here... not only did they circumvent the allocation process and bypass Portland's claim on Dempsey (they called it a "DP" exemption) but apparently the league also paid the full 9 million dollar transfer fee on behalf of Seattle.

That said Seattle isn't getting a steal here, almost 7 million a year for Dempsey is a huge overpayment imo. I loved him at Fulham but he's no world beater and I think MLS is over hyping him.

Watched TFC win two in a row last night, Laba is looking like a really great player, even moreso given that he is only 21 and Osorio is a solid player as well. Good couple of central defenders in Caldwell and Henry. Might finally have a solid spine and a platform to build on.

Only drawback is that they still seem to have some really bad players in their 11, that Lambe guy is atrocious and Nelson appears to be playing favourites a bit with his fellow NZer Brockie who is also not an MLS quality player.

[seattleflamer]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soc...-sounders-mls/

anatomy of the deal

this part seems weird



why is the biggest joke in the league worried about the health of said league? why not try not finishing in last or 2nd last one of these years

What I find hard to believe is TO on his preferred list. TFC may have been interested and have the money to acquire him. Any "preferred" list that doesn't include Houston doesn't make sense.

Maybe TO makes a huge signing this window and steals some of the thunder with an announcement in time for the match this Saturday against Dempsey.

[cSpooge]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I think MLS transfer and salary cap rules are becoming more and more of a joke, the whole reason they supposedly have their little sandbox league where teams can't spend money freely is to promote parity in the wake of the Cosmos dominance... yet all the real superstar signings seem to get channeled to specific markets. Teams should be able to conduct their own business in the transfer market already, the league looks Mickey Mouse.

Portland really got shafted here... not only did they circumvent the allocation process and bypass Portland's claim on Dempsey (they called it a "DP" exemption) but apparently the league also paid the full 9 million dollar transfer fee on behalf of Seattle.

That said Seattle isn't getting a steal here, almost 7 million a year for Dempsey is a huge overpayment imo. I loved him at Fulham but he's no world beater and I think MLS is over hyping him.

Watched TFC win two in a row last night, Laba is looking like a really great player, even moreso given that he is only 21 and Osorio is a solid player as well. Good couple of central defenders in Caldwell and Henry. Might finally have a solid spine and a platform to build on.

Only drawback is that they still seem to have some really bad players in their 11, that Lambe guy is atrocious and Nelson appears to be playing favourites a bit with his fellow NZer Brockie who is also not an MLS quality player.

I think the only reason he is playing is because their first choice strikers are injured atm. I think when Koevermans and Earnshaw are healthy he doesn't even get a sniff of the field.