All I Want For Christmas
by Dave Clark on Dec 5, 2011 8:37 AM PST
in Sounders: Trades, Transfers and Rumors
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PrintWith joy in the air and consumerism driving television right now, my dreams are of big purchases for the Seattle Sounders. A little girl may want two front teeth, I'd rather two amazing fullbacks, possibly one as a youth DP. I know enough that these are just dreams, the reality is more likely a player like Heiner Mora and Ever Alvarado.
Mora is a 27 year old Costa Rican right back/midfielder with less Costa Rican senior experience than Leo Gonzalez.. During his club career he's primarily been with Brujas and Saprissa. He certainly seems serviceable, but it's kind of like getting an electric shaver - useful.
Alvarado is a 19 year old Honduran left back Like getting a novel by an author you've never read the appeal here is the unknown. Currently playing for Real Espana he already has an appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League against Metapan in a 1:2 loss where he earned a Yellow. Still there's promise in youth.
But sometimes I like to dream big. Like the kid that wants a new bicycle, or cutting edge video game system, or trip to Disneyland the dream isn't real, but it is fun. It could also lead to disappointment.
A player like Ehsan Hajsafi is one that causes me to drool. Qualifying for the new youth DP rule. An attacking left back who already has several years of senior play on the fairly decent Iranian National Team (oddly coached by a group with US connections). He has AFC Champions League experience and in 2007 was in the Club World Cup. Yes, there's the little problem of his currently serving his mandatory two years in the military by playing for the Iranian Army team, but still I want a player like that like I want a Red Rider BB Gun.
Youth DPs are all the new rage, unless you are New England who re-upped Shalrie Joseph as a DP, or the Montreal Impact who seem fairly likely to get Nicolas Anelka, or the constant Del Piero and David Trezeguet rumors. Like the Portland Timbers likely grabbing Jose Adolfo Valencia I dream of Seattle entering that realm of development and sell-on of great young talent. Color me silly, but even though I'd like Lee Nguyen in Rave Green after his signing and distribution by MLS, I dream of more.
Reality may be a bit different, but dreaming can be fun.
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Hajsafi
Where are you getting the name “Ehsan Hajsafi” from?
I thought I was clearly putting out a dream
But sometimes I like to dream big. Like the kid that wants a new bicycle, or cutting edge video game system, or trip to Disneyland the dream isn’t real, but it is fun. It could also lead to disappointment.
How did I discover the player? I’m a dork for asian soccer
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Oh, gotcha.
Thought there’d been a rumor posted somewhere, ala Mora and the Honduran kids.
Only one of the Hondurans is even close to a kid
most were early/mid20s midfielders. I have no interest in adding even more midfielders unless it results in the ability to lose a player via trade.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Fortunately for the Sounders
Adrian has plenty of interest in continuing to look to add midfielders, forwards, defenders, keepers (and the occasional telvision/radio voice). Roster depth is an important part of what makes the Sounders successful; Sigi emphasizes the ‘competition at every position’ ethos at every turn. For all we know, Alonso may be only a stone’s throw from Europe this season if he continues his current run of form. Better have a backup plan.
If Adrian isn’t looking at adding midfielders every year, no matter the current roster makeup, he’s not doing his job.
(When you age past the median age of the sports team you support, you start calling all of them kids ;) )
How would a Cuban defector qualify for a work permit in Europe?
replacing him with average players from leagues of lower quality doesn’t interest me at all.
There’s already 7 starting quality mids, plus Carrrasco, Levesque and Sanyang that will get time. A team with limited resources should be focusing on their greatest needs, defenders and then forwards.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Again...
It’s Adrian’s job to continue looking for quality everywhere.
by Samuelson on Dec 5, 2011 1:37 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Sure, but they have limited resources
right now the starting rightback is either Zach Scott or Roger Levesque. Would an improvement over Neagle really be more important?
I expect they are looking a few windows in the future, as Chris Henderson has told me on many occaissions.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
I agree...but they are recruiting multiple timelines
…we knew Keller was leaving well over a year ago and had begun searching for his replacement. I suspect that they are planning on losing at least one player to Europe at some point and are laying the groundwork to replace that individual. They may be looking at backline guys for January and beyond and midfielders for Jan 2012. I feel like they have been doing a very good job of balancing, now/soon/next year/2 years/academy-HG. I’m glad they are looking at midfielders (so long as they are actively looking to fill our immediate needs – and I’m confident that they are). …unless, of course, you know something we don’t Dave. You are in the know. Should we be worried that they don’t have their eye on the ball???
While they are at it
For me international scouting has to be about being aware of more than just the immediate need. If the Sounders are scoutiing FBs in Central America and they stumble across a player who is an upgrade over their current MF then they would be nearsighted not to bring that player into camp and give him a chance to earn a spot on the roster. This team is a meritocracy. The best players coming out of camp will earn spots on the team regardless of position. Finding a starting FB and being opportunistic aren’t mutually exclusive.
Huh?
I think we’re several years past the time when you can credibly put “starting quality” and “Levesque” in the same sentence.
by regnaD kciN on Dec 5, 2011 8:58 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
probably reread that
7 starting quality
and
then i list three
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
I'm still partial to the early 30's superstars coming here
if they still have the drive in them to play. What really turned me off with Anelka was he publicly stated he doesn’t care where he goes, he’s just going to wherever the most money is. That screams apathy and retirement to me.
Correct
Here is one of the many articles that echos Drogba’s intentions. To quote his agent from the article:
At Didier’s age, he has nothing left to prove as a player. He will go where he is offered the most money.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
That's really someone I want on my team
Havent heard much about Eto’o lately. He must really be enjoying Russia.
Go banana!
Whoops
Sorry. The quote I read I thought was from Anelka. I guess then he’d be a good pickup for Montreal.
by chrisperry1983 on Dec 5, 2011 10:57 AM PST up reply actions
On the MLS rumor page
Anelka’s agent called Montreal’s first offer ridiculous, and Anelka said he’s going to a club where some of Chelsea’s young players are at, my guess is Vitesse in the Eredivise.
Not that I put a ton of weight into their page...
It seems like Eredivisie would be a better move for him. Even if these guys are on their way out, I bet there’s still some ego involved that makes them not want to head over to Canada, let alone somewhere in Canada that’s not Toronto.
by chrisperry1983 on Dec 5, 2011 12:16 PM PST up reply actions
I agree with you in part...
There is an ego thing there…and in Eredivisie you still have the hope of playing in UEFA Champions League, which is (arguably) the pinnacle of club football in the world.
However, regarding the “somewhere in Canada that’s not Toronto.” part, I completely disagree. Both Anelka and Drogba are French speakers (France and Côte d’Ivoire respectively), and Montreal is the second biggest French-speaking city in the world after only Paris. Montreal’s draw for French and French-speaking players should not be underestimated.
by exSlacker on Dec 5, 2011 12:41 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Vitesse is within striking distance of UEFA
6 points back of a UEFA spot with a little more than half the season to go, currently in 7th and a Europa qualifying playoff spot, and I think their winter break is coming up so it might be a good time to integrate a new player, and Anelka’s comments about where he’s going were from a different site but I forget where.
Seems more likely it would be Wigan.
I don’t know if Vitesse could afford him.
by Aaron Campeau on Dec 5, 2011 12:52 PM PST up reply actions
Electric Razors and the Salary Cap
Here’s the thing, I like the dream as much as the next guy. The idea of Forlan in Rave Green is appealing.
But this is a league with a team salary cap of 2.6 million dollars. Forget about the DPs for a second and look at the total roster. Soccer is still a team sport. The Sounders need to use their cap dollars in a way that is balanced and effective. This league isn’t structured to allow a team to grab the best players at all positions. The MLS is structured to reward teams who make intelligent compromises.
Like every other Sounders fan, I’m hungry for some positive offseason news. I’ve been chasing every whiff of a Sounder’s related rumor with abandon. Most of the rumors currently revolve around players that I’ve never heard of playing in places that I have to look up on a map. But I realized something important looking at the rumors surrounding Edder Delgado. The Sounders are not just looking for stalwart FBs this offseason. If they find a player who they can afford who can upgrade a position they are already strong at, they are going to take a serious look at the player. Refining a good product isn’t about hitting a homerun. It’s about making tiny incremental changes that add up to a better totality. Sometimes more serviceable is a big deal.
My dream this holiday season is for the Sounders to improve as a team. I will be perfectly content to find that the Sounders have made a number of small incremental upgrades to their roster if the whole ends up being more than just the sum of the parts. If a player like Edder Delgado is invited to camp and displaces an existing Sounder MF player because he is better or offers the team more tactical flexibility, then so be it. If Heiner Mora can come in and help the team shut down the counterattack while also advancing the play up the wings; then I will learn to chant MORA with the rest of the Sounders faithful.
I had know idea who the heck Osvaldo Alonso, Fredy Montero, Alvaro Fernandez or Eric Frieberg were before they were announced as Sounders. I’d never heard of Mauro Rosales. But boy did I become a believer. So my dream is simple. I want the Sounders to introduce me to a few new soccer players who I’ve never heard of but will come to love watching them play.
by Abbott Smith on Dec 5, 2011 9:27 AM PST reply actions 4 recs
That's too much like the reality based posts I do too frequently
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Dec 5, 2011 9:37 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Speaking of 2.6 M
I know the cap for 2011 was 2,675,000 but any word on adjusting (read make bigger thanks to the NBC deal, etc) for 2012. Or was that number going to remain the same?
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
It goes up 5 percent every year of CBA,
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 5, 2011 9:50 AM PST up reply actions
So
2.808 mil. Sounds like a significant increase of almost 130k but all towards current player salaries I assume.
by Adam Waltering on Dec 5, 2011 9:52 AM PST up reply actions
current players typically get a raise of 5-10%
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
So essentially it is a wash with the 2011 cap
due to the typical 5-10% raises for the existing players on the Senior 1-20 roster.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
Wash ? No....
but sort of yes. I see what you are saying, but you are still making your team better.
If the salary cap doesn’t go up 5% and your players salaries DO, then you have to change players, correct ? Sometimes the 5% for the player with another year of experience is a good deal.
Either way, next year the salary cap will be very close to $3 million, that is a good player better for every team over last years number….or you can spread it over your very good existing team to keep it together and win CCL for the second year in a row.
Keeping the core together is great!
I guess I was hoping the salary cap would have bumped a little more to allow more than keeping the existing players and adding talented players with the remaining 10-15% of the cap or is it more than that? I trust the FO to manage to keep this together for a while longer. I just have more sympathy for the budgeting challenge to keep under the cap.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
I'm dreaming of a full back
with Beckham like passing, Sanna Nyassi speed, Alonso like ball winning attributes, Fucito’s strength, Evans tactical awareness and Riley’s personality; and would fit in a youth DP slot. Left footed set play service would be an added bonus. Yup, that’s all my dream needs – fill all weaknesses with one wonder player.
by look4wrd on Dec 5, 2011 9:57 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
Don't forget Wolverine's healing factor
And maybe telekinesis. That would be handy as well.
by CarlosT on Dec 5, 2011 10:25 AM PST up reply actions 6 recs
Gareth Bale
I think he is young enough to fit that slot…
by chrisperry1983 on Dec 5, 2011 10:58 AM PST up reply actions
A Welshman would be a welcome addition
Bale has mostly been playing more mid than a winger per se. But oh what a LB or LW he would be…now if only we could talk the 22 yo to play for the Rave Green.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
The six million dollar man?
We have the money, we have the technology. We must build this super player post-haste.
Go banana!
I would like to dream more...
But the MLS rules and lack of transparency make it difficult. It’s hard to know where anything stands, e.g. allocation money, is Fernandez still a DP, etc. And if MR is a DP, then the dream is moot anyhow. That said, here is an Xmas sale forthcoming: http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/avb-ready-to-show-six-the-door—-reports Kalou, Ferreira or Bosingwa would work well.
I am also sick of the LAG. How is an all-expenses paid tour to Asia not a payment/benefit above the salary cap? A lump of coal in the LAG stocking, please.
by Brougham Hooligan on Dec 5, 2011 12:36 PM PST reply actions
It is ABSOLUTELY CLEAR that Fernandez is still a DP
Transfer fees hit either in year one or spread over the life of the deal.
So Seattle going to Spain was a violation of the salary cap? what about Argentina? or the planned trip to Turkey?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
About the DP I just want to be clear
as it keeps coming up despite numerous attempts to correct. Transfer fees are paid in either on the first salary cap hit or spread throughout the season. If Alvaro was a DP last year than he will be this year.
As for the travel being a violation of the salary cap, many teams go on international trips, the primary difference for theirs is that it was after the season rather than as a pre-season event.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Transfer fee cap hit question.
If the fee is high enough to push a player into DP for the life of the contract, why wouldn’t a team take the hit in year one.
For instance. Player X, 200k base,1Mil transfer fee, three year deal. If you spread he fee over the life of the deal then you are looking at 3 years of DP cap hit for a total of 1.08 Mil total (360k x3) over three years. But if you took the fee hit in year one you would have a total cap hit of 760K (360k + 200k + 200k) over three years. In other words the teams look the same in year one but you would have 160k more cap to play with in years 2 and 3 if you took the hit early.
What am I missing?
In Alvaro's case...
If his salary is really at 300k, there’s some potential for added flexibility by making him a DP. ie, his cap hit can be paid further down as a DP than as a non-DP.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 5, 2011 1:53 PM PST up reply actions
Interesting
So your comment made me re-read the allocation money rule. I was always under the impression that you could use it on whatever contract you wanted. Have an aging target forward signed at an unfriendly 120k, spend 100k allocation and you can fit him under the cap.
But now after re-reading, it looks like you can only use allocation on new contracts (new players or resigning), or to buy down a players salary to the max or buy down a DP to 155k.
So in my above example of player X. If a team had the allocation money, you would save 90k in cap hit over the last two years of the contract, if they spread out the transfer fee and made him a DP for all three years. Basicly 155k * 3 vs 155k (dp year) + 200k + 200k.
inside information?
Couldn’t AH decide to pay down this years portion of the transfer fee with allocation and bring AF under the DP limit? Just seems like nothing is absolute when talking MLS DP rules.
You might be right
But we’ve been given no indication that this is possible or likely.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 6, 2011 9:09 AM PST up reply actions
Alvaro Fernandez as a DP
Dave and I have both been told that Alvaro is a DP for the length of his contract.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 5, 2011 12:46 PM PST up reply actions
Thanks for the clarification
1) then I guess his transfer fee is spread over the life of his contract. FWIW, the paid transfer fee does not appear in the posted Rules of MLS regarding DPs. http://www.mlssoccer.com/2011-mls-roster-rules. Perhaps its a Post-It on Garber’s version of the rules.
2) Okay then. How about we take the Sounders on all expenses first-class tour of Europe for 3 weeks and they only have to play one game against a local high school team? Cynicism aside, there probably is an internal MLS committee that decides this. Although, maybe its the Congressional House Ethics Panel…
Really, you don’t see an all-expenses Asia tour (in first class no less) http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelagalaxy/6439818629/in/set-72157628242292075 as a serious benefit? The Sounders went to and from Spain in coach, didn’t exactly stay at the Ritz, and the players were trying to make the first team. For LAG, given 3 stops, let’s be nice and estimate a 4K airline ticket. Throw in the high-end room, food, etc., for 10 days, limited playing time in friendlies, and, e.g., Adam Cristman just got a 15-20% pay raise by way of bonus for 2011.
The MLS posted rules are vague at best, and they seem to play Calvinball at times. But, as I would rather have prosoccer than no-soccer, the MLS has now lasted as long as NASL and shows no signs of failing soon so they are doing something right. As Yoda would say though, frustrating they are at times.
by Brougham Hooligan on Dec 5, 2011 1:27 PM PST up reply actions
In all seriousness
I’m not sure every player sees these kinds of trips as a perk, as much as an annoyance. How many players you think would just as well be at home with their families, enjoying the offseason?
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 5, 2011 1:52 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Are we sure that Flaco will be here next year?
I recall lots of reports linking him to Spain at the end of the past season.
by regnaD kciN on Dec 5, 2011 9:06 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Never heard or seen any such speculation
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 6, 2011 9:09 AM PST up reply actions
Clone Marshawn Lynch twice, one LB, one RB.
Throw down some Skittles and let Brek Shea meet BEAST MODE!
That’s all I want for X-mas.
by DaveValleDrinkNight on Dec 5, 2011 1:31 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
Awesome. just awesome. If I had a beefmoe gif I would post it.
by BrooklynPreacher on Dec 5, 2011 2:26 PM PST up reply actions
Here's a couple gifs
http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/890114/s4madc_jpg.gif
http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/890126/99ml1e_jpg.gif
Courtesy of Field Gulls, the Seahawk SB Nation site. BTW, Field Gulls doesn’t list Sounder at Heart or any Sounder link on their “NW Sports” link on the sidebar. Just a couple Mariner blogs and a generic Seattle sports blog. One of you guys in the green section at the bottom of this page oughta talk to them about that. It’s not like we don’t share a stadium and a front office and such.
by central_scrutinizer on Dec 5, 2011 7:27 PM PST up reply actions
And SaH doesn't link
with Field Gulls or Lookout Landing
we in fact don't offer additional links to any blog
outside of the normal sbn links.
I have in the past linked LL because they are a part of the foundation of this site. But then i figured out that no one was clicking on those side bar links so I dropped them.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
We have a fine relationship with them
But I’m pretty sure everyone on this site that cares bout the Seahawks is well aware of Field Gulls and everyone on their site who cares about the Sounders is aware of our site. I wouldn’t read too much into the lack of sidebar linking.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 6, 2011 9:11 AM PST up reply actions
Chandler Hoffman
What are the chances of an allocation$$/trade up the ladder to grab a possible Gen Adidas prospect. Currently we sit at 15th in the first round..
http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/12743/college-ucla-gets-louisville-rematch
I know you guys are talking bigtime Stars here.. but this kid looks legit
I haven't looked into Hoffman yet
a little bit at Rowe, I mainly drool of Wenger though.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Hoffman and Wenger
Hoffman is a very interesting proposition at striker. The young man is creative and opportunistic with good movement off the ball and a poacher’s nose for the net. Some great video available on him on the internet both in HS and at UCLA. He’s also having a great tournament and the final four is being played this year in his home town. Should be able to shine. He’d be a good prospect for the Sounders if he’s still available when they pick.
Wenger would be a player worth trading up for and he fits the Sounders needs. He is most likely to play FB or defensive MF at the MLS level. But to get him the Sounders will need to pry Montreal’s first pick away from them. Most boards have him as the consensus one or two pick and Vancouver wants him. If we are going to dream about the Superdraft he is certainly a good dream.
This year’s crop of defensive players don’t have any standouts after Wenger. Most of the top CBs are currently clustered around where the Sounders pick. The Combine will probably shake this out. But if the Sounders don’t deal to move up I would expect them to pick up a young CB.
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