(Photos courtesy of MLS)
Claudio Lopez was just signed by the Wizards as their new designated player. I have to admit, I feel the better about this that I did about FC Dallas signing Dulio Davino. I think DP money should be spent on midfielders and fowards - real difference makers on a team.
When I played, I was a defender, and I respect them tremendously, but I think they simply don't make the splash that attacking players do. A DP spot should be about substance, sure, but a little flash needs to justify the higher salary as well.
10 comments:
Rafa Marquez and Roberto Carlos are the only defenders a team could justify IMO. Not because of their skill, although they are both very good, but because their name recognition is huge among Latinos and soccer fans in general. They could really make a difference in attendance.
Splash? How about raising the quality of play? Doesn't that count for something? Scoring goals is important, but this is the MLS. Defense shuts your opponent down. Did you forget about what you wrote about regarding the way Chivas USA bowed out of the playoffs. Two hurt forwards, BUT KC played tough on defense, too.
Dulio Davino is not a Designated Player,he probably makes more than the MLS wage limit for a normal senior contract but his salary has likely been bought down below the limit with allocation money.
I didn't say Dulio was a DP - I said I felt better about this signing than I did Dulio's, because it went to where I thought DP money should go. I wasn't so much saying that Dulio was also DP, more that I'm not sure he's worth the money FC Dallas is paying for him.
I'd say the same thing about another position in MLS - goalkeeping. I think goalkeeping is an American strength, and a team is likely to find a decent goalkeeper without spending a lot of money bringing in a Shaka Hislop, for example.
Rereading my post, I understand how the implication that Dulio was a DP came through, but that's not what I meant. I meant teams should pick players who are worth what they are paid, and I have my doubts about Dulio. Of course defense is important, but offense, frankly, is exciting.
Sorry, I misunderstood then.
Interesting that Becks aside, all Designated Players so far are Latin American.
"I didn't say Dulio was a DP - I said I felt better about this signing than I did Dulio's, because it went to where I thought DP money should go. I wasn't so much saying that Dulio was also DP, more that I'm not sure he's worth the money FC Dallas is paying for him."
Yeah, your blog entry is just as confusing as this explanation. I get your point though. However, I would say that if Davino can stop the bleeding, as well as bring in a few CA fans, the money would be well spent. Dallas supposedly is under the cap by a decent margain, so his salary isn't an issue in my opinion. BTW, I would say that both signings are hoping for the best, rather than quality signings. Both players in my opinion are on the downside of their careers and probably won't be the players their clubs want them to be.
Andrea,
Your defense is offensive.
Clever, confused in covina.
good for MLS and the Kansas area.
Ben
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