More Evidence Donovan is Leaving?

Does Jamaican MNT keeper Donovan Ricketts count as a "kick-ass" keeper, cuz we just signed him!

Borgetti to Dallas? http://www.oem.com.mx/esto/not.... Could be incredible for them if it happens.

Not that there was any doubt, but Donovan's loan move is now apparently official: http://overthere.american-socc.... Lasts until March 15th.

Yes, I should read before submitting: it would be much better to have a starting XI than IX ;-) !

But I had to come back anyway because I wanted to see if anyone knew anything about the status of the player contracts. They're up in 2009 but I don't know when. I have to believe the new contracts will have an impact on all of this. (I hope!)

Thanks for the info, Charles. I'm quite critical myself of the whole DP at one end and poverty-striken at the other system. I thought it sounded bizarre when they first brought it up.

Anyhoo, however they got here, the league is attracting more players who will be called away for national duty, the season is long, and MLS teams are also competing in more tournaments. So the teams need both more quality and depth which means that at least some more money is going to have to be loosened up.

Apart from player health and safety, the gap in skill levels within each team and throughout the league doesn't make for the most enjoyable football. Every team should have developing talent in the squad, but I agree that a solid starting IX and working bench are essential -- in any league.

Bryan Jordan is young but was pretty impressive the couple of times I saw him play. Is he a potential starter next year?

I've been a big fan of D'Alessandro since watching him emerge at River Plate. Didn't really work out for him in Europe, but like charlesj27 said, he's vital for Internacional.

But I agree with you jen, building a solid starting XI--not one with two or three great players, and a bunch of serviceable ones--is more important. We really need more depth coming off the bench.

Diane, I don't believe there is a "cap" on transfer fees, per se. At least, not that I'm aware of... Typically, transfer fees/securing fees/finder's fees, etc are payed by the organization that is going after a certain player. At this point, I don't think it's a question of whether the LA Galaxy organization would or would not pay for the "coming in" of a player they really wanted; but, as we all know - the coaches, GMs, and directors of this league who's done this a while know - to have a more synchronous, balanced, multi-player effort/zen... it's much more better to have a squad with only one(1) DP and the rest key/experienced/quality players that are payed reasonably well.
Now, about getting seats on planes for players who require the extra leg-room... How can I say "no"... Of course, it would make sense to fly players in seats that give the one of the main peices of a player's anatomy more room & space. In terms of soccer - that would be from the waist down.

...that would be larger LADS...probably should have left the cross country leg-room issue alone but we do worry about the details!

Hi you all, I'm pretty sure that I once knew this, but haven't a clue at the moment: who pays transfer fees and is there any cap on those?

These single entity "level playing field" financial guidelines have seemed like a farce to me since I first started trying to figure them out -- and I'm sure taking my MLS tutoring over here on the offside has gone a long way to keeping my cynicism strong and thriving.

Maybe there should just be a list of the few things owners CAN'T spend more money on than each other, such as $13,000 salaries for development players or big enough squads so that everyone lives through the season -- or even tiny things like airline seats with enough leg room so that our larger lags don't get permanently cramped flying across country between matches (OK, so that's the least of their problems and they would probably prefer rent money, but I can't fit into most coach seats without banging knee's that I don't need as badly as they do so I wonder now and then how the players do it).

I believe, Jen, that the LA Galaxy organization was hoping to get a player of similar age like Landon - but can play the attacking midfielder role with much more creativity and vision than Landon. This is probably why the organization went after Andres. But, the coach as well as the director of Internacional is not going let go of their most vital players (a player that helped them secure the Copa Sudamaericana title) for anything less than 10 million euros. In my mind, anyways - that is just too much to fork over for a player right now. Yes, the LA Galaxy would benefit from a creative, visionary attcking midfielder... but, as you pointed out - the LA Galaxy's immediate needs are in other more securing, holding, defensive positions. As you may know, Bruce, Dave, & Paul are all scouting this off-season. At college games, in the Carribeans, and in Central America. Scouting is very tricky & nerving work... it's like dealing with a barrage of car-salesmen everywhere you go... The LA Galaxy's leaders have to be very patient, smart, saavy, and must hold the upper-hand to bring in the players the team can definitely use & benefit from. All of the three above has the experience... some more in one area than others. The important thing to push for and hold onto is that the organization picks & brings in players that are willing to play with the current players, in the current city/area, and for the team colors. Because if there's no will & passion... then, there is no point in signing players... To illustrate my point: just look at our hopeful attempt at Eduardo or Carlos... Players need to understand and believe that they can contribute, they can fit in, and they make a difference.