FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Increase the salary cap.
Keep these players.
I don't want to see has been foreign players.

the league is going to be a feeder league for quite some time.... parkhurst, as do ALOT of american players, want to play in europe... more history, more money and better competition all around..... we are not going to keep our top talent, as dont alot of other nations...

Otergod, you're exactly right. Playing in Europe, even if in one of the secondary leagues, is something every player dreams of growing up. It's the entire package.

I don't know all the particulars for each nation, but I imagine that the relative ease and difficulty of obtaining work permits becomes a factor in this as well.

Finally, yes, it would be great to keep all our top talent here. But let's also look at the positive side of this--that more and more of our players are seen as legitimate targets in a global marketplace. We're no longer a joke, with a talented American player an oddity. Even a mere twenty years ago, that was the case.

Oter brings up some great points. And sorry, but even Argentina and Brazil have become feeder leagues for Europe, so reall how is MLS going to manage to keep their talent if guys are willing to jump ship from Boca, River, Flamengo, etc;? Great athletes want to compete against the best. US soccer fans, take this as another encouraging sign that we're producing more and more quality players, and Europe is gaining more respect for them.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:32 AM ET  12.01 by DS22

Increase the salary cap.Keep these players.I don't want to see has been foreign players.

Sorry my friend, that's a tall order. Even if the salary cap is bigger the MLS still can't compete with what the Euro leagues can offer. Going to Europe means more money, more exposure, more competition, and the opportunity to go from a small-medium club in Holland like say Heerenveen to a larger team in a bigger league like M'gladbach in the Bundeliga (see Michael Bradley). So, I guess a Dutch team isn't exactly England, Spain, Italy or Germany--but at least he's not going to go play in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, etc... That route for US players is getting boring.

And I don't think there are a lot of Euro "has been" players in the MLS. Name a few. Go ahead. Exactly. You can't. And don't even say Beckham....

after having posted that, and seeing people agree, i will branch off of what DS22 is saying...

while the MLS will not be able to keep players like Landycakes, Jozy, Adu, Parkhurst, Marshall, Dempsey, Howard, Guzan etc.... an increase in the salary cap would keep the likes of Noonan, Tightshirt, Rolfe, Pickens, Jaqua, etc....

we wont be able to hold onto our top talents, nor should we.... but we can keep our middle players... the ones who can make a difference in the MLS but will fail to make any real impact abroad... not merely down to lack of talent, but simply their average ability against top talents from all around the world..... we would also be able to sign home grown prospects.... redbulls have produced a couple that could easily hold their own in the MLS, but b/c of $$$ they are trying their luck elsewhere or prolonging their entrance to jack up the $$$ offered....

-Cervi would have been a Fire if we could/would have been able to offer more money...
-Redbulls had a defender who dropped off after being drafted to sign for a USL team (and play for the US in the french tourny prior to the olympics)

two examples of if we had an increased salary cap we could have kept certain players and unknown prospects....

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:29 AM ET  12.01 by D-Wreck

So, I guess a Dutch team isn't exactly England, Spain, Italy or Germany--but at least he's not going to go play in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, etc... That route for US players is getting boring.

It says a Danish team, not a Dutch one. Depending on which one, besides the European dream and atmosphere, he could get some CL and EUFA action. Plus he could get more looks for a move later.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:29 AM ET  12.01 by D-Wreck

So, I guess a Dutch team isn't exactly England, Spain, Italy or Germany--but at least he's not going to go play in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, etc... That route for US players is getting boring.

he's linked to danish club, not a dutch team. Danish means it's in denmark... not to be knit-picky or to burst your bubble or anything.

OH Come ONNN, DONT go to Scandinavia!!!!!!!

Another Scandanavian team?

Agreed that the MLS has to start retaining some players.
As for Cervi - he's overrated...did not impress me at all in the Final of the Olympic Qualifying tourney. Is he even on a team right now? Anywhere?

zizou- he has heavy interest from Celtic... i think after he obtains his italian passport, or if Celtic can pull some magic he'll get picked up.... i agree he didnt impress me at all, but apparently the Scots see something i dont..... perhaps he's Free and Cheap ??

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:32 AM ET  12.01 by DS22

Increase the salary cap.Keep these players.I don't want to see has been foreign players.

You're absolutely right Otergod, an increased cap won't keep the top end talent, they'd be foolish to stay and be a big fish in a small pond. Keeping the marginal guys is important but it'll also allow teams to get some depth and develop players. Although the league has somewhat address fixture congestion by having teams compete in either SL or CL and not both, they still haven't address depth and injury concerns.
Right now with the economy, I'd much rather be earning the Euro Dollar as opposed to the USD. Even though the European economy isn't the best either, I'd jump at the chance to double even triple my wages as I'm sure quite a few guys will do when they head to Europe.

Oh, I'm a dumby--it does say DANISH not Dutch. Please don't let him go to the Danish league! Noooooooo! I thought it said Dutch. Didn't it before or am I losing my mind. Now it says Danish. Blech.... Boring.

Yes -- I would increase the cap to keep our American players here and NOT have them venture the ALPS for playing time. Alzo, keep on, keep on up bringing GREAT Argentine talent into the league...No more Eurpean, Mexican, or Central American players please. We need to improve our league not reduce its quality!

Don't hate, elaborate.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:41 AM ET  12.01 by CUtigerssoccer

he's linked to danish club, not a dutch team. Danish means it's in denmark... not to be knit-picky or to burst your bubble or anything.

No no, you're right. My bubble is burst. I missed that somehow and while skimming the article I guess i saw a "D" and my brain must have wanted the word to be DUTCH. But yes, its really a crime if he goes to Denmark. When did the Danes take such a liking to Americans? This is really getting ridiculous. And Parkhurst hasn't really kept developing at the rate we would all have liked to see. Perhaps a trip to Europe will help him rekindle his growth rate. In the MLS, he seems to have hit his peak... But NOT in Denmark for crying out loud. OR Norway, or Sweden. Enough is enough with Scandanavia! Seems like that's the new trend.

Having been to Holland and Denmark I do know the difference. Anyhow, its always fun when I say something stupid and look like an idiot. Nothing like it in the world (good job, smart guy; now learn to read!) ;)

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 02:50 PM ET  12.01 by Epitome of Poise

Yes -- I would increase the cap to keep our American players here and NOT have them venture the ALPS for playing time. Alzo, keep on, keep on up bringing GREAT Argentine talent into the league...No more Eurpean, Mexican, or Central American players please. We need to improve our league not reduce its quality!Don't hate, elaborate.

Come on, Blanco (a Mexican) has been pretty good for the MLS this year "man."
So what, now we're limited to Argentinian players? That's pretty narrow. And again, raising the cap STILL wouldn't keep our players here for the many many reasons already listed in this thread. And what's with the bias anyhow? You like Argentinians and not Mexicans? Latinos are okay. Hispansics are not. What gives?

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 03:04 PM ET  12.01 by D-Wreck

Come on, Blanco (a Mexican) has been pretty good for the MLS this year "man." So what, now we're limited to Argentinian players? That's pretty narrow. And again, raising the cap STILL wouldn't keep our players here for the many many reasons already listed in this thread. And what's with the bias anyhow? You like Argentinians and not Mexicans? Latinos are okay. Hispansics are not. What gives?

He's just winding people up, pay no attention to the nonsense.

Prestige in Europe is fine but why go to a secondary European league? Just to play in Europe isn't really a good reason anymore.

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 03:26 PM ET  12.01 by Red Devils99

He's just winding people up, pay no attention to the nonsense.

RD99--Yeah, I know, but its fun to see "I is" square these illogical statements.