MLS changing DP rules for 2012

[Blackdude]

Actually, the rule doesn't even affect them as the new rule isn't retroactive.

Where did you see that. I'm trying to see it but can't find that. I know it's not on for this year but I'm talking about 2012.

[darowaan]

Think it is a good move if it allows clubs to keep the young talented north Americans here for an extra couple seasons even if all that does is raise their price when they eventually go to Europe. I agree with what everyone else is saying about this move and think that it is good business by the MLS to encourage teams to go after young talent. Its more of an investment in the future of the league instead of just trying to get better in the short term by signing past their prime stars from Europe.

[Free kick]

By in large that's the way I read it. Or maybe better put that's what it feels like. I think it will be very rare indeed the overseas prospect who is going to sign with MLS in their early 20s no matter what the offer.

Keeping the bird-in-hand from jumping to UEFA looks the goal.

Yes. The case of Freddy Adu is a good example.. A young player needs to be on a good team in order to develop but if you have to use a large portion of the cap on him how do you suround him with a good team.

[McGuire]

Freddy Adu is not exactly a good example in this regard, all the hoopla & pressure foisted upon him at a young age is what messed him up & asstunted his development. Being away from all that in a low pressure environment set him back on track

[jpg75]

DC United were one of the top teams in MLS between 2004-06 when Freddy Adu was on the team. The reason his development stalled was for a myriad of reasons; played out of position, immaturity, lack of hard work etc. You could even say if he'd been on a crappier team and been able to play forward and not had the pressure to win MLS Cup he might have been better off (ie. more PT).

For the record, i really like this move by MLS. I think the single greatest problem to building a team from the Academy was the anxiety of losing your top young players when they start to perform well and perhaps not being able to pay them. This will go a long way towards rewarding teams that develop internally.

[Grizzly]

Freddy Adu is not exactly a good example in this regard, all the hoopla & pressure foisted upon him at a young age is what messed him up & asstunted his development. Being away from all that in a low pressure environment set him back on track

Is he really back on track? He had a decent 11 game run in the Turkish 2nd division and 2 inconclusive games with Philadelphia. I think a decent sub in in one USMNT game and a start in the Gold Cup final in which he assisted on 2 goals but also was part of the team that then looked terrible in giving up 4 goals to lose the game (especially when he is known for being defensively terrible) is far too little to say he is back on track. Maybe he will get back on track in Philly but with all the hype that has always surrounded him I will wait to see him get a good run for an extended period of time before I am convinced.

[darowaan]

I think that saying Adu is back on track is a fair statement. He is not anywhere near living up the hype that has surrounded him since he was in sports illustrated when he was barely more then a child but at least now he is on course to have a stable sort of career and actually contribute in Philly as well as the USMNT.

I do think this move goes well hand in hand with the academy set up. No point having these academies just to lose the best players out of them when the club can't afford to hold on to them just as they reach a level where they can start to contribute

[Grizzly]

^^ I would say he is back on track when he succeeds at the MLS and USMNT level. He has played 2 games for both. Just because he is back in MLS does not mean he will do well there. He was not playing well in MLS when he left for Europe and did not have a lot of positive experiences while he was there.

[lattes]

Brilliant move, with TFC and other clubs expanding academies we will hopefully see more boys out there who are willing to dig deep and hard to win.

I would take 11 'middle of the road' players with super drive and attitude over a bunch of primadona players.