Should US Soccer players play in Europe?

I wonder about this every now and then....the MLS doesn't have a big following and with Beckham coming over and maybe Zidane perhaps that will allow for the league to grow in popularity.

The teams of course don't have much history with each other and don't have rivalries like that of the European clubs but then again those clubs are old as time itself compared to the American teams.



With the growth of soccer in the US as a high school and college sport we are seeing better talent slowly but surely and with Clint Dempsey surfacing from the MLS we are starting to see talent from the US pro league as well.

[youtube=425,350]sjN0j--ePk0[/youtube]


My question is should players like Dempsey who have become good national players go to Europe to hone their skill or will that even work? Also if they go to Europe will that help the game grow here in the US?



The MLS needs to find it's American poster boy and honestly I think it's shitty that Freddy Adu has been sent ot Real Salt Lake after years with DC United!!!!! There you have a young talented guy, willing to stay in America and take time learning to play (from 14 years old) and he's not in a major market like New York who just got a new team Red Bull.......Freddy Adu is the goose that laid the golden egg and he gets no run.....not in DC, not on the US national team.....I mean I am not delusional am I??? The kid is talented and he's 17!!!! Where is his LeBron James treatment???

[youtube=425,350]kpRkuOwLOO4[/youtube]

I vote YES because there is no reason to take up roster spots here in the US if you're too good or could be better. Onyewu and Dempsey and Donovan and Tim Howard and others have gone to Europe to play and especially with Onyewu and Dempsey they will learn a lot in Europe because they are young and they'll be able to lead future US National teams.

Right now I see the MLS is a breeding ground for young US talent and a final resting place for old greats like Beckham and Zidane....the older European players can really provide the skill level and intrest the league needs to keep going and it will also ultimately help the US National team and the sport grow in the US.



I still think if the US ever won the World Cup the people who hate us in the world would only hate us more

Your question is: Should US Soccer players play in Europe?
My answer is: Yes.


Dempsey, McBride and the rest don't leave to Europe just for the exposure and experience they will get over there at least not necessairly because of that ........

Well Lyle my good friend believe it or not the answer is quite simple why they leave and thats MONEY, how much does an MLS player make vs. how much a player makes in the EPL or the Spanish or Italian League? A player here makes a couple of thousands (monthly) and those are the best players around, A single player in Europe (a 'C' level player) will and can make what 3 players earn in the MLS monthly.... Untill the MLS raises that ridiculous 'Team Salary' limit that they have the MLS will continue to loose players I mean they have to earn a living somehow compare what Basketball players, baseball players make vs. MLS it all has to do with the league if the MLS allowed for teams to pay players a decent amount then it would be harder for players to just opt. out and leave for Europe.....

About Adu, I said it when the kid came out and announced he was going pro that there was a future BUT people were making him out to be the next Pele... :(
Not in his wildest dreams the kid was and is good but off the top of my head I can name some other young players who go right past him as far as skills and level of game Guardado from the Mexican League (Atlas starter), Giovanni Do Santos from the Spanish League (Barcelona reserve) and Messi (Barcelona starter).......

We need more International players like Becks to come here to the MLS and play hopefully some other players pull through.... Anyone know if the Davids sell to the MLS ever happened?

the defending in that vid is shocking

thing is if freddie adu tried to do that against chelsea and run at them, 1st makele will take the ball like its not even there, if he gets past mak, essian will be alongside to charge him down, if he still keeps going, carvalho positioning will already be timed to disposive him

and if he tricks him, terry will go straight thru him so hard he will wanna go back to the us

to many foreigners come over here with reputations as hard men and wat ave ya and cant compete with the physical aspect of it.

the americans i give full credit they just about cope

but americans i think will only play in england,
spain and italy is a few years off yet

He played against Chelsea in that video...and yes the defending was bad in a few of those clips....but the kid is 17 years old. I do think he has enough talent to play for the national team! Anyone disagree with that?

Sure there are other young talents in the World that are better than Adu right now but let's take a look at where they play and who they have a chance to learn from. Messi plays for Argentina....Diego Maradona has given him full support and cheers for him at the Argentina national games...you don't think he gets pointers here and there from Diego???

[youtube=425,350]XGFO-qiuC38[/youtube]

I think Eddie Johnson will make it in Europe soon as well

hes probably worth going in as a squad player.

bit like a poor mans rooney, uses strengh and power rather than trickery, with the right team mates he can improve


man utd knocked him bk though i think

Well a number of European teams are wanting to sign him when he turns 18.

Some suggest playing for a team like Ajax would be best for him because they have a good youth academy and so on and it's not as physical as the EPL.

I just think as far as "star power" goes he needs to be the poster child for US soccer and the MLS....it's like having a Michael Jordan or whatever....he is young, talented, and he is exciting to watch even vs shitty defense.....well ESPECIALLY vs shitty defense.

Eddie Johnson is extremely skilled as well. He's fast as hell and he's a very good striker he could really help any team in Europe in the next few years.

I looked at who the US has on the national team right now and it's amazing how many players on there we have playing in Europe: Bocanegra, Dempsey, Onyewu, Howard, Keller, Beasley, Bradley, Fielhaber, and Moenchengladbach.

It's a shame the US doesn't focus just a little more attention on offense I mean we have the athletes to keep up with ANYONE even the Brazilians. ALLOW ME TO EXPLAIN: I am not saying our players are near as skilled as the Brazilians but athletically we can keep up, speed, power, size....the skill will come as the game grows here, but to help out defense during international play we need to attack more and keep them on the retreat because our midfielders and strikers are fast and talented.

Also if we're going to lose anyways why not go down shooting??? Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then!

Lyle I kind of agree with you but for fucks sake stop saying "on offence/defence". Say attacking or defending, that is all thats required.

Box on ;D

i think in 100 yeard time america will dominate football cos of its shear size

adu could be the face of us footie for years but if he comes premiership look at the players who are in the same age bracket

rooney
ronaldo
obi mikel
walcott
fabregas
jenas
lennon

he wont be a startin 11 for a top team but does the hype tht comes with him make him think hes to good for a mid table team???

I remember watching some 'Soccer' ;D clip a while ago and myself and my mates were rolling around it fits because the commentator kept on calling headers "a forehead smash' and the Penalty area the 'Final sector'.
Anyway US players do play in Europe and have done for years ???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smashup

US players do play in Europe and have done for years ???

---

Two words

Roy Wegerle 8)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimboogie

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smashup

US players do play in Europe and have done for years ???

---

Two words

Roy Wegerle 8)

---

legend

yep there way Roy Wegerle, Alexei Lalas and Cobi Jones a few years ago.

Had thought any decent US player naturally came over here to play


take Brad Friedel - in my opinion he is the best goaltender in the premiership at moment ;)

whatever happened to Tony Meola ?

He must be pushing 40 by now? Wasn't he in the USA '94 world cup squad?

Friedle is a rock. Kinda looks like Ron Perlman, might have a future in Hollywood ::**

he was captain at USA 94 - think he was talking about going into films too

what's that on your avatar ? Obviously I know its Ali but is it a screenshot from a console game ?

Na, its a shot of Ali v Fraiser 1971.

It was originally black n white but i put some colour to it, hence the reason it looks odd ;)

At least now, its a one off 8)

look's pretty good - wouldn't mind that as my wallpaper ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by beds

i think in 100 yeard time america will dominate football cos of its shear size

adu could be the face of us footie for years but if he comes premiership look at the players who are in the same age bracket

rooney
ronaldo
obi mikel
walcott
fabregas
jenas
lennon

he wont be a startin 11 for a top team but does the hype tht comes with him make him think hes to good for a mid table team???

---

I will say that IMO, Adu is more skilled then Lenon & Jenas......
I personally would favor putting Adu in a game before those 2, but thats just me.....

No offence mate but he's doing it against shit players in an even shitter league 8)
He'll get a shock when and if he comes to the Premiership ;D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smashup

No offence mate but he's doing it against shit players in an even shitter league 8)
He'll get a shock when and if he comes to the Premiership ;D

---

I'm skills only, ball handling, ideas on the pitch, play creation or creativity, sense of position on the pitch and always been in the right places......

As far as who hes doing it against it's true the defending is shit! But I'd be willing to put my money that he can pull it off in the EPL also....
Hes as fast as C.Ronaldo and his ball handling is really good....
Hes about half a step behind C.Ronaldo IMO......

The ones who are good enough do. It is important for them to play at the level of europe for thier country, and then as a country improve and win things - that will build up the following in the US, but its also important the US players don't come here to soon, built thier names up in the US and then come.

Sports don't become massive over night (except when you suck at the ones the rest of the world play then invent your own:P) Us IMO could be a massive force in football and i think they will, it will just take some time for football to be accepted by the general public, and their stars as famous and held in as high a regard as your other stars.

The US could have a great soccer team and soccer could get really big here.

The thing the US National Team misses is a defining type of play....running the 1-5-4 won't help the athletes you have at midfield at all unless you're pressing some up in attack. Landon Donovan certainly didn't have fun trying to work the ball up field during the last world cup because those guys crowd up the midfield.

I would love to see the US adopt the style of play of England or any of the EPL teams. Long crosses would fit the team well and allow us to use speed.


As for Adu not being able to do his stuff vs guys like Makelele....well no fucking shit, Makelele is a friggin tough defender. But then we'll never know unless Freddy is given the chance and bad defending or no some of the plays Adu made on those vids were damn good....he has a good first touch

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

The US could have a great soccer team and soccer could get really big here.

The thing the US National Team misses is a defining type of play....running the 1-5-4 won't help the athletes you have at midfield at all unless you're pressing some up in attack. Landon Donovan certainly didn't have fun trying to work the ball up field during the last world cup because those guys crowd up the midfield.

I would love to see the US adopt the style of play of England or any of the EPL teams. Long crosses would fit the team well and allow us to use speed.


As for Adu not being able to do his stuff vs guys like Makelele....well no fucking shit, Makelele is a friggin tough defender. But then we'll never know unless Freddy is given the chance and bad defending or no some of the plays Adu made on those vids were damn good....he has a good first touch

---

hes a midfielder ;)

;D

*Edit*

On second thoughts, when does Makele ever cross the half-way line ???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimboogie

;D

*Edit*

On second thoughts, when does Makele ever cross the half-way line ???

---

scored a penalty off the rebound last season ;)

[youtube=425,350]iR_sYftY0ow[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]2sicxpn8Ne4[/youtube]

Makelele :D

Haha! ;D

I would click ya but its Chelsea, nothing personal :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then!

---

But if it fell out of a tree and nobody saw it, would it make a sound?

:-\

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by X

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then!

---

But if it fell out of a tree and nobody saw it, would it make a sound?

:-\

---

the squirrel or the nut ???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimboogie

Haha! ;D

I would click ya but its Chelsea, nothing personal :D

---

im a palace fan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by beds

hes a midfielder ;)

---

I know but alas I was bitched at for saying offense and defense so had I posted "Makalele is very good on defense" I would have been bitched at again.

I know Claude plays midfield but he's known for his good defense isn't he....am I wrong?

hes a midfielder but defensive midfielder

he will have a amazing game and you wont even remember seeing him, all timing

sometimes does funny step overs

I think the USA is going to become a footballing superpower in the next 15-20 years, no doubt about it. The standard of players that are coming over from MLS to Europe is getting better all the time, and younger guys like Freddy Adu and Eddie Johnson show a lot of potential. Once the stigma of soccer being for europeans and women wears off, I can see Americans getting into it.

And we'll all have David Beckham to blame credit for it ;D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimboogie

And we'll all have David Beckham to blame credit for it  ;D

---

Oh is that why the Royal family hurt Beckham's knee???

Pele did wonders for the sport while he played here....it was doing very well here but the MLS unlike the NASL (North American Soccer League) has taken slower more sure steps towards building the sport without taking the huge financial risks.

Take a look at the famous players that suited up for The Cosmos: 
Mordechai Spiegler 1974-77
Carlos Alberto 1977-80, 1982
Franz Beckenbauer 1977-80, 1983
Ramon Mifflin 1977-83,
Vladislav Bogićević 1978-84
Roberto Cabañas 1980-84
Marinho Chagas 1979
Giorgio Chinaglia 1976-83
Rick Davis 1978-84
Andranik Eskandarian 1979-84
Johan Neeskens 1979-84
Pelé 1975-77
Julio César Romero 1980-83
Bobby Smith 1976-79
Yasin Özdenak 1977-79
Johan Cruyff 1979-81

Here's the average attandence by year:
1971 - 4,517
1972 - 4,282
1973 - 5,782
1974 - 3,578
1975 - 10,450
1976 - 18,227
1977 - 34,142
1978 - 47,856
1979 - 46,690
1980 - 42,754
1981 - 34,835
1982 - 28,479
1983 - 27,242
1984 - 12,817

Those are big crowds for stadiums here in the US especially for soccer

Here are the MLS attendence statistics by year:

Regular season/playoffs
1996: 17,406/17,673
1997: 14,619/16,015
1998: 14,312/17,885
1999: 14,282/16,339
2000: 13,756/10,274
2001: 14,961/11,805
2002: 15,821/13,872
2003: 14,899/13,776
2004: 15,559/13,954
2005: 15,108/14,390
2006: 15,504/15,179

MLS Cup Attendance
1996: 34,643
1997: 57,431^
1998: 51,350
1999: 44,910
2000: 39,159
2001: 21,626^
2002: 61,316^
2003: 27,000^
2004: 25,797
2005: 21,193^
2006: 22,427^

It's getting better.....and on an unrelated note, my Liverpool FC away jersey today........NICE! :thumb:

This is the list if you only count famous players:

Carlos Alberto 1977-80, 1982
Franz Beckenbauer 1977-80, 1983
Giorgio Chinaglia 1976-83
Johan Neeskens 1979-84
Pelé 1975-77
Johan Cruyff 1979-81

This is the list if you count players in anything approaching their prime:







;D

Oh of course you are correct X, I didn't say they were in their prime.


The fact is those past their prime players were able to put asses in seats and create a buzz around the game in America.



What I think should happen is that the very good US players need to go to Europe and play, the younger developing talent needs to stay in the MLS maybe having fans from college grow more interested in the game, and the older players from Europe, South America, and Africa can come to the US and draw more fans to the game.

And eventually the very good US players will stay here and maybe the money will draw in bigger name foreign players in their primes but that IMO is highly doubtful due to the loyalty and history to the older clubs. But eventually the MLS would be able to compete vs the top clubs elsewhere

Theres no loyalty in the game anymore

only a handful of players stay loyal now, money talks to loudly

but the us needs to pay more

think a decent american coming the england will be earning say 10'000 a week

i read somewere in the us they earn 150'000 a year ???

It depends....the clubs don't pay much but the sponsors do. More than half of Beckham's money over here will be coming from Nike and Gatorade and stuff like that