About a month ago I wrote a piece about the need of a DP in the league to remain relevant these days. Recently Doug McIntyre, from ESPN the magazine, wrote about the same topic (http://tinyurl.com/86r8jkq). We are not the only ones. It is becoming common knowledge that in order to remain a true contender you not only need a young strong core, but also a proven star.
With the new DP rules in effect there is no reason to not bring in a top player and pay market value. These pipe dreams that owners and upper management have of top quality players wanting to come over on a free transfer is exactly that, a dream. No player that is in good form and of top quality will even see free agency these days. Much less be willing to come to MLS at a discounted rate. As long as the MLS is always the bargain shopper during the transfer windows. Our league will be viewed as lower tier and a retirement league compared to our European counterparts. Obviously this is not towards clubs like New York, LA, Seattle, or Portland. Granted some of their moves might not have been the best, but they are trying and willing to spend the monies.
Here in Chicago are we really trying to be a true contender? With the Quaker money and season ticket sales sky rocketing. It sure is nice to see that our owner would be willing to spend "Robbie Keane money" (http://tinyurl.com/6tf6nr8) , but when Andrew?
Ironically, you point out in your post the reason why they haven't brought anyone in: The kind of players you're really looking for (impactful, experienced, out of contract) are not thick on the ground. Especially at the position we'd like to buy - striker.
ReplyDeleteThe Fire have more money than they've ever had with which to improve the team, it's true. It's also true that the Quaker deal didn't happen until about a month ago. These deals get harder to close as the money goes up - the lawyers get better, the clubs are more aggressive.
I have a feeling that Frank and staff are burning up the phones, trying to find some way to add a significant piece before April 15 ... but I'm dubious on the odds.
If the team struggles to score, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hauptman try to go big again in the summer window - Drogba? Someone like that. Someone huge and out of contract. He seems to believe that names are the key.
Well put. I hope this is the truth.
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