Article: Wynalda's arrival a vote of confidence in NASL

[nolando]

Wynalda, unquestionably, is the biggest name associated with second-division soccer, whatever its name, since Miami FC brought in Brazilian superstar Romario as a 40-year-old. As a former U.S. Men’s National Team star, the scorer of the first goal in MLS history and, now, an outspoken-to-say-the-least commentator for FSC, Wynalda remains one of the most visible, if polarizing, figures in American soccer.

That visibility has helped deny him a management job in MLS for reasons both official (a general lack of coaching experience) and unofficial (his tendency, as a broadcaster, to speak his mind no matter how powerful the toes he might trample).

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/07/...al-a-vote.html
(Edit" I missed his tirade against MLS in January, so looked it up as well: http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012...andon-donovan/ )

[Free kick]

(Edit" I missed his tirade against MLS in January, so looked it up as well: http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012...andon-donovan/ )

That was an interesting read. Though i do concure with the writer in his last paragraph that there are some things that have been addressed. Its true that the championship game and its lack of cache and appeal is major problem but he suggests going to a winter sched. And i dont see what that solves. Playing in the summer opens up more lucrative northern markets and means that the league is not going up against the NFL (who monopolizes the weekends in the US). Right now there are maybe 7-8 markets in the league where you just cant play outdoors in January.

I think i agree with his criticism of Donovan. This guy should have gone to Europe a while ago. He is not proving anything anymore in MLS. And that story about Beasley, wow i didnt know about that.

[elmateo]

Yeah much better to play during the winter and lose Montreal and Toronto as markets (with them any chance of cross-canada television revenue) - I'm assuming Vancouver will be content to play indoors on synthetic. Those two teams can go to... Miami and Atlanta? Sounds great if we were in the economy of 1990 but today they wont bring the money.

Television contracts in the US will not go up because there is an MLS Cup at the same time the champions league. Nor are the transfers held back because of when MLS has its schedule (European clubs that want a player will work to get the play). What kills transfers is that MLS is not rated as a decent source of player talent - I believe the idea is that if a north american kid has talent he would have been scouted and developed in Europe before MLS age and many MLS players have been trained at the endpoint through NCAA, not highly regarded I think (when most 17-21 year olds in South America/Europe are receiving first team training schedules). And it will take a while for MLS to successfully convince anyone of its value - are there even that many top-level scouts in NA looking for players (in comparison to south america or africa for example)? I doubt it, not going to change if you move to the winter... The greater complication for MLS in terms of scheduling is the international competitions and players attitudes.

Also the Beasley story sounds a bit unrealistic. Didn't go to Lazio because he was spending times with Innercity kids? Either the contract discussions weren't that serious or there was more on the table... I think its a bit offensive really the way it was presented.

[Free kick]

I think you are right. Though i do recall that in the early days of the league, there may have been some resistance to transfers. But really, if a big european clubs really wants an MLS player, they will get him. They have the means to do so. Also, if the "Beasley to Lazio" story was accurate just as described by Wynada, then it would have certainly prompted a greater outcry. Or maybe even a law suit; certainly from Beasley. Beasley did eventually play in Europe although not for clubs of that size as i seem to remember.

Maybe the interest from Inter and Lazio was not for first team duties. Or the money wasnt right. And if that were the case, i would have to agree with MLS. The league cant just transfer players for nothing or to locales that are counter productive to the player's developemnt, building the league's brand name, or the national interests. Might as well play in MLS than play for a reserve side even at Inter. If the money is right, the player will get a good shot.

[ThiKu]

MLS won't give a hoot if a player transfers to another league and is stuck in their reserves. If the money is right and the player agrees then the transfer will happen.

[ThiKu]

I wonder how many Cal FC guys Wynalda will sign?