Major League Soccer said hello to two familiar faces last week.
Returning was DaMarcus Beasley, who signed with Houston after enjoying success in Mexico. Beasley, 32 years old, enjoyed his first taste of success as a pro with Los Angeles in 1999, before moving to Chicago. He parlayed that success with the Fire into somewhat successful stints in Holland, England and Scotland.
The other new face was Frank Lampard, the leading goal-scorer (147) in Chelsea’s storied history. Lampard, 36, will join New York City FC when it begins play next year.
The signings are good for the league because anytime you can add the type of quality that Beasley, the only player in U.S. history to appear in four World Cups, and Lampard, considered one of the finest midfielders of his generation, you jump on the chance. Their work ethic should be an example for the younger players in the league. Their knowledge on positioning and tactics should also prove beneficial
But, with regard to Lampard, it also illustrates the type of odd in-between spot MLS often finds itself with regard to signing Designated Players who are European. It’s one that some, including myself, would like to see the league try to address if it hopes to one day be fairly compared to any in Europe’s “Big Five” of England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany.
The league has had a lot of success signing players in their prime from Central and South America.
But the league can usually only secure the rights to those big-name international players from Europe when they are in the final chapters of their careers.
It was true of Lothar Matthaus in 2000 (pre-Designated Player), who played one disastrous year before retiring. It continued with and David Beckham in 2007, who when healthy played well, and stayed true last week.
The next step for the league is to be able to lure an in-his-prime international player(s) from Europe to the league.
But being able to lure a Lampard when he’s 26, compared to 36, isn’t an easy problem to solve.
Several things likely need to happen for that to occur: salaries and player availability need to increase.
Increasing salaries likely won’t be possible – note, not probable – until the new TV contracts kick in. Reports have the deals worth $90 million per year, a fraction of which figures to dribble down to salaries, which is one of the gaps separating MLS and Europe.
For example, the highest-paid player in MLS is reportedly Clint Dempsey at $6.6 million per year.
While that’s not chump change – even in Seattle’s inflated real-estate market – it pales in comparison to the salaries of the equivalent of the Dempseys – considered one of the better players if not the best in MLS — in Europe’s big leagues. Lampard, for example, was making $12 million a year at Chelsea and he rarely cracked the starting lineup last year. Kaka, who recently signed with Orlando after an unsuccessful stint at A.C. Milan, had a salary of $10 million. Both of these salaries were reported by Forbes.
So while money is an issue the other is availability. Most of Europe’s super clubs are trying to lure those in-prime impact players, who are few and far between.
It’s more cost-efficient to try to develop those players domestically or by signing those young players from Central and South America, something MLS is proving quite adept at doing.
So, don’t expect MLS will change its strategy soon.
For what it wants – and what the league has accomplished – it seems to be working.
Big-screen soccer
Two theaters in Atlanta will show weekly Premier League games during the season.
The Hollywood 24 on Northeast Expressway in Atlanta and Avenue Forsyth 12 in Cumming will begin showing games at 10 a.m. on Aug. 16. The weekly schedule will be posted on www.fathomevents.com.
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MLS and Atlanta
How MLS players with ties to the metro Atlanta area did this week:
Joe Bendik, Toronto, GK, Kennesaw
Played 90 minutes in team’s 2-1 loss to Sporting KC on Saturday.
Next game: At D.C. United on Wednesday.
Mark Bloom, Toronto, D, Marietta
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 2-1 loss to Sporting KC on Saturday.
Next game: At D.C. United on Wednesday and at Montreal on Saturday.
Alex Caskey, D.C. United, M, Dunwoody
No game last week.
Next game: Will host Toronto on Wednesday.
Ricardo Clark, Houston, M, Jonesboro
Did not make the 18.
Next game: Will host D.C. United on Aug. 3.
Warren Creavalle, Toronto, D, Acworth
Traded from Houston Toronto.
Made the 18 but didn’t play in Toronto’s 2-1 loss to Sporting KC on Saturday.
Next game: At D.C. United on Wednesday and at Montreal on Saturday.
Sean Johnson, Chicago, GK, Snellville
Played 90 minutes in team’s 5-1 loss to San Jose on Wednesday.
Next game: Will host Columbus on Saturday.
Alec Kann, Chicago, GK, Decatur
Did not make the 18 for team’s 5-1 loss to San Jose on Wednesday.
Next game: Will host Columbus on Saturday.
Steven Kinney, Chicago, D, Norcross
Did not make the 18 for team’s 5-1 loss to San Jose on Wednesday.
Next game: Will host Columbus on Saturday.
Chris Klute, Colorado, D, Silverbacks, Clayton State
Played 90 minutes in team’s 3-0 win over Chivas on Friday.
Next game: At New England on Wednesday and will host Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Jack McInerney, Montreal, F, Alpharetta
Played 13 minutes in team’s 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake on Thursday.
Played 63 minutes in team’s 3-2 loss to Portland on Sunday.
Next game: Will host Toronto FC on Saturday.
Michael Nwiloh, Chivas USA, D, Conyers
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 3-0 loss to Colorado on Friday.
Next game: Will host FC Dallas on Sunday.
Walker Zimmerman, Dallas, D, Lawrenceville
Played 90 minutes in team’s 2-2 draw with Vancouver on Sunday.
Next game: Will play at Chivas USA on Sunday.
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