I´m surprised, but I like it. The MLS is growing. It´s helping the US and CONCACAF. Dempsey and Donovan should both now be well rested for 2014.
mixed feelings on dempsey. as much as i follow MLS i really want our WC starters playing against the top level of competition and MLS certainly isn't that. i think dempsey, like bocanegra, opted to return to MLS in large part so they can get games every week and also be in front of Klinsmann for future squad selection. one big positive is he can develop a nice partnership with EJ up front but would still rather him playing against the top fullbacks in the world and not the big slow ones in MLS. Personally was hoping the rumors of Dempsey to Everton were real as he'd have been a good fit in that team who will play some pretty attractive, ball-on-the-ground football this year
dodo i think you're way off on LD's future options. Sure he'll have European suitors but they'll be either lesser teams in big leagues or better teams in mediocre leagues. His two past love affairs with David Moyes and Bayer Leverkusen will not be available to a 32 year old that took a sabbatical from football due to "burn out" this year. He'll be too old and simply not good enough to play for United or Leverkusen and I don't see Everton being a possibility since he has no relationship with Martinez who prefers 3-5-2 system players. I wouldn't be surprised if a 2nd tier EPL club like Villa or Sunderland had some interest though but Americans at 2nd tier EPL clubs other than Guzan at Villa haven't done a thing. Jozy never played at Hull, Holden continually injured at Bolton, Lichaj plays regularly at Villa but still doesn't get a sniff at USMNT, Spector the same, Rogers never got off the bench, nor did EJ, Dempsey not a regular as Spurs, Edu never saw field in Sunderland etc, etc.
dodo i think you're way off on LD's future options. Sure he'll have European suitors but they'll be either lesser teams in big leagues or better teams in mediocre leagues. His two past love affairs with David Moyes and Bayer Leverkusen will not be available to a 32 year old that took a sabbatical from football due to "burn out" this year. He'll be too old and simply not good enough to play for United or Leverkusen and I don't see Everton being a possibility since he has no relationship with Martinez who prefers 3-5-2 system players. I wouldn't be surprised if a 2nd tier EPL club like Villa or Sunderland had some interest though but Americans at 2nd tier EPL clubs other than Guzan at Villa haven't done a thing. Jozy never played at Hull, Holden continually injured at Bolton, Lichaj plays regularly at Villa but still doesn't get a sniff at USMNT, Spector the same, Rogers never got off the bench, nor did EJ, Dempsey not a regular as Spurs, Edu never saw field in Sunderland etc, etc.
Oh, I definitely don't see him getting CL offers. I meant pretty much the same as what you said, in terms of lesser teams in the EPL. Villa, Sunderland and Everton were actually the three that first came to mind. Or possibly Roma, but I am not familiar enough with their squad to know if he'd be a legit fit there (only considering the American owner angle).
If Moyes were still at Everton, that'd be my guess, but as you mentioned the Martinez factor -- both in the fact that he has no ties with him, and the formation issues -- would cloud that. Assuming Everton predominately goes with three CBs and plays Coleman and Baines as wingbacks, I'd figure their first IX would be:
----------Alcatraz/Heitinga ---------Jags --------Distin
Coleman------------------------------------------------Baines
-----------------------Gibson/Osman---------Fellaini
------Mirallas-----------------------------------------Piennar
-------------------------------Kone/Jelvaic/Anichebe
In that type of formation, Donovan could provide cover at both wings, striker, and behind the striker if he chose to play one of the center-mids in a more attacking role. He'd be an Everton type of player (i.e. no transfer fee since they are broke), but he would also essentially be a squad player.
I have to admit I'm curious to see if he can carry his Gold Cup form back to MLS and the WCQ matches.
If Moyes were still at Everton, that'd be my guess, but as you mentioned the Martinez factor -- both in the fact that he has no ties with him, and the formation issues -- would cloud that. Assuming Everton predominately goes with three CBs and plays Coleman and Baines as wingbacks, I'd figure their first IX would be:
----------Alcatraz/Heitinga ---------Jags --------Distin
Coleman------------------------------------------------Baines
-----------------------Gibson/Osman---------Fellaini
------Mirallas-----------------------------------------Piennar
-------------------------------Kone/Jelvaic/Anichebe
In that type of formation, Donovan could provide cover at both wings, striker, and behind the striker if he chose to play one of the center-mids in a more attacking role. He'd be an Everton type of player (i.e. no transfer fee since they are broke), but he would also essentially be a squad player.
I have to admit I'm curious to see if he can carry his Gold Cup form back to MLS and the WCQ matches.
