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fewer than 200? and even a highschool game have more than that.

lol wow, CANT WAIT TO SEE THIS GUY PLAY IN THE USA!!!

Wait, who is he?

For those who don't know this guy is AWESOME and will be great in the US. He was a key part of the Valencia team that went to back-to-back Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001. He had a not-so-great stint with Lazio and then played for Barca before going to Middlesbrough.

This is the kind of guy we need in the MLS. He is amazingly talented and will be an amazing teacher for the MLS kids that have not made it to Europe yet. He is a fantastic midfielder and I am thrilled to see news that has him linked to the US. We don't need high-profile, over paid Nancy boys like Golden Balls. We need guys like Mendieta who have played at the highest level and will come here without the baggage brought by ego-manaical athlete/celebrities.

Here's hoping he plays for the MLS soon!!

MHm I wanna see where he winds up.

Yeah, I remember him being fun to watch when he was in Spain but then I lost track of him when he went to England and now I know why. Any idea why he was on the reserve squad and not the first team??

I actually saw him play in the 2001 CL Final against Bayern at the san siro and I can tell you, he lit up the field. He clearly stood out as one of the most talented players on the field that night. But that was 7 years ago when he was 27 and now injuries and age have taken its toll. I'm not sure what his level of play is now, but I'm not excited nor disappointed with this rumor. I give it the old "eh" with a shoulder shrug. Just don't pay him big money, thats all I ask. I could see him as a Denilson type deal where you give him 1 yr for 800K and if it backfires, its not the end of the world. We do not want a rep of overpaying bad players. We an overpay great players (ie. pay a 10% premium for Henry, etc) just not bad, over the hill ones.

Injuries and constant coaching changes has made it difficult for him to find a steady spot in the starting line-up at Middlesbrough, but that does not mean this guy is not quality. Rafa Benitez has been trying to get him to L'Pool on loan for the last two years.

With hope, he comes to the MLS with fresh legs and the hope to finish his career by teaching younger guys in a lesser league. He could easily collect a paycheck playing for a smaller spanish side like Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Betis...but maybe he wants a stint in the US. This is very good news, but no team should him big money. This is very different from the Denilson contract. That was a disaster.

YAll don't know Mendieta? He's scored some wonder goals in his day. And UNDERDOG, Not sure where you went to high school but we usually had about 25 people in the stands, and they were moms and dads. =(

I agree Gaucho68 Mendieta is a very talented midfielder, unfortunately he has had injury issues but if he is fit he will be a great addition to an MLS club. This is the type of player that the MLS needs, sure he has faded in recent times but does not mean he is not quality. I think he will do great in MLS and I really hope he ressurects his career here, this indeed is good news for MLS.

Yeah this guy USED to be near-legendary. He's (obviously) not too good anymore. I dont't mind washed-up older guys coming over who are still kind of good (Beckham, Henry, Ronaldo), but Mendieta??? While he would absolutely be serviceable in the MLS, he is not the type of player that I would want to waste my 'Beckham Rule' slot on. Unless he's willing to play for the penuts that they give to the other MLS players, I don't think he's worth bringing over.

34? Sounds right.

I'd look for him to be in Seattle next year. They'll need a few building blocks and MLS knows how important it is to have that franchise start out on the right foot.

well, mendieta was sick, but idk how good he will be NOW. I think he might be another denilson bust.

But i hope not. But he hasn't played in so long, so idk

I love watching guys with bad knees play soccer. Mendieta - Estancia en Espa??a.

Man, i think that's good news for MLS. Mendieta still is a quality player.

I'd really like to see MLS stay away from these "last stop in the soccer career" signings. I think that it makes us look desperate. Even if we are, we should do things to mitigate that appearance. But I suppose that someone in the league took an objective look at this guy and decided that he was worth whatever price tag he will come with. We'll see.

I'm surprised he's only 34, he was such an awesome winger back in the day

Why is the MLS turning into a retirement home for former International Football Superstars. Anyways, we'll take him. We don't know who he is because, soccer is not popular in the USA.

If the MLS feel that he will help this sport grow than by all means go ahead. Yes he's past his prime, but the soccer community respects players like him. I do wonder what team he will end up with. Probably Real Salt Lake or some other small market team.

Big Chaco,

He was never a winger. He's a central midfield (holding) player.