Objectivo.com

In the past few days Ronaldinho has been linked with a transfer to Manchester City and AC Milan. The 28 year old is currently warming the bench as Barcelona's young guns chase Real Madrid and prepare for Manchester United.

I’m surprised Ronnie hasn’t been linked to MLS. I have to wonder and ask what your thoughts would be on him joining the New York Red Bulls. Could the number 10 playmaker bring back Pele type attention at Giants Stadium?

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Andrew Jacobson, the Latest MLS Draftee
to Leave for a Foreign League

Here’s a good question: If there isn't a guarantee that a drafted player will stick around, or at least leave the team that drafts him with a transfer fee or a future draft pick or something, why have a draft at all?

If the MLS wants to prioritize developing American talent (either to increase the level of domestic talent in MLS or to send more US players aboard and build our international reputation) they need to invest in these players. That means raising the minimum salaries and successfully developing or exposing young talent and sending them abroad at the right time. Yet, the MLS is very restrictive in the instances in which they allow certain players to leave. Thus, signing a contract quickly after or before the draft doesn’t ensure the player of having the best situation to succeed in football.

Maybe I'm way off on this, or just don't get the draft, but it all seems like a lot of work and expense for nothing. No other league in the world host’s a draft for players coming out of their University or for kids reaching the age of eighteen. The MLS should coordinate with the NCAA for a time period after a player decides he is leaving college, when he can sign with MLS teams, or another professional team. This will ensure that a player will be playing in the MLS or if he decides he wants to play abroad, he can make inquires into that.

That might not be the best solution, and it might not be the solution at all, but something new and different needs to be installed before this happens on a more massive scale? What are your thoughts on the matter?

By: Christopher Chantland

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Well it looks as though Michael Bradley will be leaving Dutch football at the end of the season. Bradley, who has done very well in Holland, hasn’t signed a new contract which the club has offered. His current contract is up in 2009, and the club understands they need to sell him before Michael get’s away for less than he is worth. Bradley has scored seven times in the eighteen matches he has played in, including a hat trick. Not a bad return considering he is being played predominately in a holding midfield role for Heerenveen.

Michael Bradley has Impressed
for both Club and Country

Bradley has a desire that I haven’t seen in any other young player in the United States. He eats, drinks, and dreams football, and then he goes and plays the game. The most revealing example that convinced me that Michael was serious about playing in Europe, and staying there, was this interview below. When a twenty year old American kid goes abroad to the Netherlands, the last thing you would expect is him to do is learn the native language and use it? I can’t wait to watch this young player’s career progress and evolve, because I see something special in him.

Reports have him linked with a move to the Bundesliga with club side Hamburg.

By: Christopher Chantland

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MLS Rule Changes

Major League Soccer teams each will be granted one more roster spot to acquire another foreign player next season. The distinction between a senior and youth international has been abolished, thus any foreign player can be replaced in that spot. This move also allows the teams to trade those spots, and actually field an entire team without an American.

The level of non-resident Americans that can play in the MLS is just under thirty percent. Using the International market is the key for the MLS, with the likes of Becks and Angel, the quality is better and it attracts more people. Landon Donovan also now can stay on the LA Galaxy legitimately, but not because Becks took up the “Designated Foreign Player” spot. But Becks being a non-resident isn’t a problem because he, Carlos Ruiz, and Eddie Johnson were allowed to keep their bulky salary. Otherwise, Landon might have left the MLS entirely, and then the marquee American, wouldn’t be playing in the United States. That exception isn’t fair to the other teams, but is necessary to maintain the quality of the league.

While the MLS continues to grow, and many Americans go abroad to Europe, the clubs need quality players to fill those spots. Thus, the increase in foreign players is needed in the league for exposure as well as filling spots with decent players to fill a roster.

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The Poll Results are as follows:
Jose Mourihno- 47.54%
Fabio Capello- 27.23%
Jurgen Klinsman- 11.48%
Harry Redknapp- 8.2%
Louis Van Gaal- 6.56%

Jose Mourihno: The Winner of Our Poll

The knowledge and experience in England as a manager for Chelsea would help Jose Mourihno and suit him as the best man for the job. Jose has been quoted saying in the past that he loves the "day to day" operations of club football, which a national team manager doesn't get. And although it would be difficult to make the transition from club football to the national side, his ego, wonderful tactics, and managerial prowess is needed to help England become better. His children also miss England very much, and the money would be there to tempt Jose. Jose understands the media, the hype that the England job holds, and also speaks English. As long as Jose is serious, the FA should be just as serious in obtaining his managerial wisdom for the English National Team.
Have your say here!

By: Christopher Chantland

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