Diego Forlan To Seattle Sounders: Forreals Or Not, It's A Positive Sign
by Dave Clark on Jan 23, 2011 8:04 PM PST
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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Initially the rumors seemed unreal. A star, a legitimate star of a World Cup was being connected with the Sounders just because his Uruguay teammate, Alvaro Fernandez, plays here. Today, things got more interesting. Chris Reiko relayed a report that Forlan had an offer from Seattle. Ives had a series of tweets related to this as well (here, here, here).
Now, Forlan and his Golden Ball aren't coming to Seattle soon. At least one would think not as he and his club would have to agree on severance, and they aren't meeting until February. While the Euro-based reports say that he's not moving anywhere due to a transfer window, as usual they are ignoring those leagues with a winter Primary Window - like MLS. He's pure offensive talent like MLS has never seen. He can be a second striker, a center forward, a left wing, a right wing. From the World Cup to the present day he has 16 goals, 3 assists, while placing slightly more than 40% of his shots on goal. Last year was even better. Forreals.
Diego is pricey though; more expensive than Tottenham can afford. At 31 he is outside of Seattle's supposed plan of young DPs with something to prove. Seattle would have to move one of their current DPs, most likely Blaise Nkufo, in order to afford him. But with MLS's odd rules Seattle can do this. It isn't impossible, just improbable.
Here's the best part.
As a Seattle sports fan I'm used to Ken Griffey Jr. in 1999, or Randy Johnson in 1998, or A-Rod in 2000, or Shawn Kemp of 1997, or Gary Payton of 2003. Stars don't come here by choice. They leave. Those that do come are young, and will leave when they can, like our own Steve Zakuani, Fredy Montero, Alvaro and probably many more.
Sure, Kasey Keller came here, for retirement. Blaise Nkufo isn't really a star. He certainly would not be on the short list of the best players at the past World Cup. Seattle doesn't get stud athletes at this part of their prime, not often.
The Sounders though are one of the premier organizations in their league. This is an organization of HAVES. In the remaining pro leagues here in Seattle, are we really going to think that they are one of the top 25% of destinations for peak athletes?
Nope.
They get Adam Kennedy. They get Charlie Whitehurst.
Our Rave Green gets attached to Diego Forlan. Qwest Field might not yet be the destination for stars in their prime, but it is getting closer than any team in Seattle has ever been. If any team in Seattle can not just be a stepping stone or retirement stop, it is the one with XBox on its chest with Hollywood as its brain trust.
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While i would like to see
Forlan in rave green i just find it unlikely.
However unlikely...
Just the idea makes me giddy.
by MicahRowe18 on Jan 23, 2011 8:24 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
I know
i can just picture him and Montero pairing up in the forwards. How would any team be able to defend that combo.
that would be insane!
although its such a small chance, lets hope there is even a possibility of it happening
Maybe
not necessary Forlan but regardless of who ever that person is, seattle would still have to move someone.
Funny
Thats the first thought that came into my head as well. Since when does Seattle ever become the destination city in any prosport? The fact he was linked with Seattle and not New York or LA is a huge statement I think.
by DarthGreedo on Jan 23, 2011 8:47 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Yea
same here. That was one thing i disliked about MLS is its always LA this NY that. But the fact that it was Seattle this time means a lot.
Much more to come
The crazy thing is, it makes perfect sense that Seattle has more financial flexibility and the ability to put together a better offer than Tottenham – or pretty much any other Europe based squad. With financial fair play rules set to be imposed after this season, clubs are going to have to shave players to get revenue neutral. Tottenham would have to offload the equivalent of Diego’s salary at a minimum – hard to do when they know Bale and Modric are in for huge raises.
MLS is set to benefit hugely from the pairing down of European rosters this Summer. American teams with means will have the pick of the litter – and the financial means to lure away – all the cast-offs from squads like ManCity, ManU, Real Madrid and Inter among others. ManCity in particular is likely going to have to actually send players off on frees AND pay a portion of their salaries in order to stay eligible for Europe.
I would guess that while Tottenham or the like would offer a frontloaded short deal, Seattle would be able to offer three years and significantly more money. After this season ends, the days of the 25 million transfer are going to be over, unless Messi or Ronaldo changes teams again. There is no reason that the application of financial fair play can’t be a major catalyst in steering top flight players to the USA.
Which bodes well for our well-financed and well-supported Sounders…
Don't play a dangerous game.
by Hul10 on Jan 23, 2011 9:04 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Top teams in Secondary leagues should benefit
you are quite right, and there will be a trickle down as well.
But well-financed teams in non-Big 5 leagues can benefit. Russia, the Middle East, MLS and Japan are probably best poised to take advantage of the fall-off.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
I was thinking...
That South America might get a huge bump too. But I’d have to think that for many players, the US is going to look more attractive then Russia or Japan. Let’s not underestimate the role that agents/marketing will play in this as well.
I think the application of financial fair play and the impact it will have on the MLS is perhaps an underreported story that will not be fully spelled out until the first “Forlan to Seattle” or “Clint Dempsey spurns Liverpool for LA Galaxy” type story actually hits.
Don't play a dangerous game.
South American teams have been selling their players just to pay bills
Famous South American teams, and by pay bills I mean like electricity.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jan 23, 2011 9:20 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
sure, but
Brazil is a huge emerging economy that is about to host the WC. There’s gonna be some money thrown around there – and it’s also home or close to home for many top players in Europe.
And I also think that the Middle East could become a large player, as you noted. In a “we-don’t-have-a-league-but-we’ll-pay-ten-times-the-competetition” sorta way.
But again, LA, NY, Seattle all stack up pretty well against Moscow, the UAE and Tokyo. At the very least, it should be a noticeable shift.
Don't play a dangerous game.
I haven't heard anything about the new rules for European rosters
Do you know where I can get more information on it?
Tohoya:
Google “UAFA financial fair play”. You can read the summarizing document Platini sent out last fall.
Also, the podcast “Beyond the Pitch” has several finance based back issues that explain the issue. Pods like “Football Weekly”, “EPL Talk” and “BBC World Football Phone In” are great resources too.
And, I always read the Guardian and subscribe to their email products like The Fiver. Always a great source of info.
As a newish soccer fan, the financial side of the sport fascinates me. So different from the American dynamic.
Don't play a dangerous game.
by Hul10 on Jan 24, 2011 7:03 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
except I believe you meant uefa
A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)
by kelliott1527 on Jan 24, 2011 12:53 PM PST up reply actions
All I can say is this...
If the Sounders want me to buy one of those crappy new jerseys they need to sign him.
I will happily buy one if he joins the Sounders.
Forlan is not the point of this post, just the evidence of Dave's point
The Sounders though are one of the premier organizations in their league. This is an organization of HAVES.
Before SounderAtHeart allowed fan posts, I made a similar point in Why the Sounders mean so much to Seattle, a soundersfc.com fan blog post from last year. Quoting myself:
In the NFL and MLB, Seattle is uninteresting and generally avoided when planning national broadcast calendars. In the MLS, Seattle is the poster-child of what the league hopes to become everywhere. We’re the model, we’re relevant, and we’re a magnet for the national broadcasts. Coach Schmid summed it up at the recent season ticket holders meeting, "When I talk to my friends around the country I always say the same thing to them: if you want to experience soccer as we always hoped it would be experienced in the United States… you have to come to Seattle."
Updates on some stats from that post:
- Sounders FC has hosted 3 “first kicks” in 3 seasons
- Seahawks have gone 3 seasons without a Monday night game
In summary, excellent point Dave, I couldn’t agree more. Sounders FC is becoming more relevant on a national (and international) stage than the Seahawks and Mariners are.
by K61 on Jan 23, 2011 9:20 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
You're right, but
don’t be a killjoy. Everyone’s atwitter with the thought of Forlan suiting up in Rave Green. It would be an impossible dream come true!
by chrisperry1983 on Jan 23, 2011 10:04 PM PST up reply actions
Point is, if it’s not Forlan, it’ll be somebody like him in the next 1-2 years. David Beckham came here (the US) while he still had many productive years to go. LA had money to spend and the fanbase to make it possible. We’re already eclipsing their success off the field and therefore in a few short years (possibly months), we should expect to pull in a name/tallent as big. The Sounders approach, however, would not be to go for the biggest name, but rather the best tallent that fits the current coach’s system. Forlan is a big name, but an even better tallent which is why this rumor fits the profile.
Sorry if my comment came off as a killjoy. My intent was to gloat that Seattle matters in the sporting world more because of the Sounders than because of our other major sports teams.
Except that the NFL and MLB statements aren't true
In the NFL, very few premium players change teams because of the Franchise tag. In the last few years the Seahawks signed TJ (top WR on market) and Julian Peterson (very sought after LB when released by the 49ers). The M’s have signed Beltre/Sexson in one off-season (two of the top position players on the market that year) as well as Figgins (also a top position player on the market). Silva and Washburn were also desirable on the market when the M’s signed them.
Beltre was a solid season
but few think that Sexson was a top FA at the time. Seattle made such a larger bid for both that there wasn’t even a competition.
Housh also got an offer that blew away anything else on the market, and in this case for a #2 wideout.
Silva was a bad pitcher, Washburn an average one. Overpaying for them is not evidence that great (talking top 20 in the game) want to play here.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
For me it's more a question of where to the Top X free agents in each year go
Clearly, the largest payroll MLB teams get their share of them (see the Yankees signing 3 Type A free agents a couple years ago). But it’s a bit of a chicken and egg question in MLB with no cap, do the top free agents go to the top teams because they’re the top teams or because they offer the most money? Most discussion around CC Sabathia was that he didn’t really want to play in NY, but the Yankees offered him the most money.
Also, in 2004, Beltre was ranked the #2 FA and Sexson the #10. Silva was #12 in 2007. I know many fans, myself included, thought Silva was overrated, but that didn’t mean it affected his market value. Most free agent deals in a competitive market are subject to overpaying based on the theory of the Winners Curse.
I will 100% grant you Adrian Beltre
The rankings on the other two are complete crap
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
What a fun idea.
If I had to pick a player that represents Fredy Monteros upside, it might be Forlan. I think it probably won’t happen, but it’s fun to be mentioned.
the other thing that i think is insane about this
is that the sounders were even mentioned on a radio station in Madrid..
thats the part that makes think that we might have actually made a bid. because why else would a radio station in Madrid be talking about the sounders?!?
I don't think there's too much doubt that we made a bid...
Or at least were inquiring with some purpose. Note that all this talk first came from Diego himself in an interview…I can’t see any motive for him to misrepresent an interest from the Sounders. That being said, his response was basically: The MLS should be respected, maybe I’ll go there someday.
On another note, I posted about this a couple days ago (first link in the article, thanks Dave) but I didn’t think the story would have the kind of legs that it apparently does. Ironic, now both teams I support are making bids for Forlan and neither can afford him!
La Vecchia Signora Forever!
by AKSupporter on Jan 23, 2011 10:48 PM PST up reply actions
the rumors I remember so far have come true....
From what I remember the last few years all the players that have been rumored to be coming to the Sounders have come true so far. Montero, Nkufo, Fernandez, Friberg….. not sure of others… but I can’t think of a rumor like this that hasn’t come true so far. Anyone else know of one?
The Montero TO Moscow is the first thing that comes to mind, but that’s a player leaving. Still, this rumor isn’t that he’s coming, simply that we made an offer to him. I don’t doubt that much is true. I’ll be equal parts surprised and excited if he signs.
I think we can draw a bright line
between rumors and rumors started by agents.
Henry to Seattle didn't happen
Probably the only comparable player linked and like most rumors it meant nothing in the end.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jan 24, 2011 5:14 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Nkufo to Vancouver bad
Even if we get Forlan. Yes – Nkufo is old and showed how tired he was at the end of last season; but that guy can still poach goals by the bucket-full. I really don’t want him anywhere in Cascadia unless it is with us.
Still… Nkufo at Vancouver + Forlan here > Nkufo here and Forlan anywhere else.
Forlan
I do not see Nkufo and Forlan both at Seattle anytime soon. If we Forlan (big if), Nkufo is gone.
I agree
N’kufo would be gone but i doubt he would end up in Vancouver. IF Seattle no longer wanted him why would Vancouver suddenly want him? I just don’t buy cause his family is in Vancouver or any Gentleman’s agreement.
The gentleman's agreement thing was rubbish, I think
The only people that talked about it seriously were people without any real inside knowledge, and were relying on simple tea-leaf reading. If it was going to happen, I think it would have already gone down.
that said, Nkufo is the guy that would most likely be moved to make room for Forlan. But I think that’s looking pretty far ahead. It’s fun to talk about, but the reality is nothing indicates this was close to happening.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jan 24, 2011 12:41 PM PST up reply actions
Yep
i’m with you there. The one thing I’m noticing on this rumor its really only talk on player’s side usually it takes two side to get something done. I also question that Seattle even made an offer to him. If Seattle really made an offer you would think we would hear it here more then just at some radio in Madrid.
here
being US based articles and what not.
because Adrian is so forthcoming in sharing his negotiations with the general public?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Fernandez's DP status
Didn’t the FO say that the only reason Fernandez was a DP was because of the transfer fee they had to pay to get him?
If that’s the case and his salary isn’t a DP salary this year then we could still bring in another, or would that still cause him to be a DP this year.
The transfer fee is pro-rated
SSFC does not have a free DP spot
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Don't forget Nkufo was left unprotected in the expansion draft.
So clearly the Sounders were (and presumably still are) prepared to move on without him. If you look at the Ljungberg-for-draft pick trade last year, it seems they could find a taker for him. And Vancouver does need some attacking pieces …
But does Fernandez still count as a DP? I heard somewhere that was possibly only a 2010 designation.
by The King of Norway on Jan 24, 2011 2:32 PM PST up reply actions
Where would Forlan play?
So, let’s say for the sake of argument that Forlan comes to Seattle and Nkufo leaves. Then where would he play? Let’s assume Sigi wants to keep the 4-2-3-1. The best spot for Forlan is right where Montero plays now.
Do you then put Montero on the right wing or maybe as a center mid? Does Forlan move into Nkufo’s old spot allowing Montero to play where he’s best? Can the Sounders system work without a true target forward? Does it necessitate another formation?
The best answer to all this questions is to sell Montero not Nkufo although we’d all love to have both Montero and Forlan on the field at the same time.
Montero to Right Wing
Jaqua to Target
Forlan to the WF
Alvaro to CM
So the band of three would go Zakuani – Forlan – Montero
I think Jaqua would be just fine up top with those three behind him.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jan 24, 2011 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Um, yeah, this would be kinda nice.
by BrooklynPreacher on Jan 24, 2011 1:26 PM PST up reply actions
That would be a whole lot of attacking talent in 1 band
I would seriously pity the poor central defenders trying to stop those three as they shift around the pitch. Not too mention having to cover Jaqua and watch for the short pass to the attacker running onto goal.
Did Montero play at all on the wing when he first got here?
He's drifted there at times
Maybe started a match or two there.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Oh man
that would be sad to see the CD try to cover that.
oh gosh...
jaqua
zak-forlan-montero
alonso-fernandez
that would be an intimidating lineup….but as of today hanauer is denying it…it was fun while it lasted
A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)
by kelliott1527 on Jan 25, 2011 8:41 AM PST up reply actions
the other thing is
if we made an offer that means there had to be some interest from forlan because why would we make an offer that out of the blue.
so although it is unlikely this transfer window i think it could be a likely move sometime in the future.
I don't know that's true
The Mariners make offers to guys that aren’t interested.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Hanauer Denies rumors
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
My question is
Did Diego really make any statements specific to Seattle? Or did the rumor mill just pick up on his general desire to play in the U.S. eventually?
These are Forlan's words in an interview on ESPND's show Jorge Ramos Y Su Banda
"You know, the prospect of playing in the United States motivates me. I’m not talking about retiring there, but I would like to play there," he said.
This means he doesn’t want to come here when he is over the hill. The guy is 32 years old and is pretty much getting there in soccer years.
"Sincerely, it’s a very nice country, a good league, and it motivates me a lot. If some day we receive a good offer I would go there. I see the US as a very good option."
If we give him a good offer he’ll come. Right now Atletico Madrid is offering him to Tottenham for $12.8 million. If we pay that amount he’s ours!
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