Impact of MLS Designated Player rule
By Brent Latham
ESPN Insider
Brek Shea's performance at the Olympic qualifiers might ultimately have been a bit disappointing, but if Dallas fans had their way, they'd still like to see Shea facing off in MLS for years to come. Given the young star's trajectory and plenty of interest from overseas, though, it might seem like the chances of that are pretty low.
Over the years MLS has had a tough time keeping its young stars around. The league can't always match the economic terms that clubs overseas offer their best young players -- especially those whose deals have run out -- and given the hit that MLS clubs would take to their salary cap to match such offers, teams have preferred to use the draft and foreign imports instead of locking up promising young American talent.
But that may be slowly changing, largely because of a new MLS rule implemented last year. The so-called young Designated Player rule, designed to mirror the well-known senior DP clause, allows clubs to sign young stars long term, without taking a huge hit to the salary cap.
"I think [it] has really helped," says FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman. "With the young DP spots, where you can bring in players U-20 and younger, and their salary will only count against your budget at 150 [thousand] on the salary cap, now as a coach you're willing to go get that young player. The important thing is that the young player is coming in and fits into your budget, maybe you'll have rights to that player, maybe you can sell them on."
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When first instituted, most saw the benefit of the young DP rule as a chance to bring in more foreign talent. And while the original DP rule led to an influx of aging stars such as David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, the new rule should indeed help the league import talented U-23s from around the world -- the likes of Fredy Montero, Fabian Castillo, or Roger Torres -- and hold on to those players long term.
But Hyndman was quick to point out that the rule is not only a benefit in terms of importing foreign players. While, like the senior DP rule, the scales may in fact tip towards foreign imports, the rule also allows clubs to sign emerging American talent to contracts that MLS might otherwise not be able to afford.
"The fact is, were happy we're not losing our players because someone overseas is offering them a little more money," Hyndman said. "So I think this has been a huge step in the right direction. It's also an opportunity to pick someone up out of college, you look at a Brek Shea, he does so well that there's interest other places, but we've been able to sign him to a long term contract by having him as a young DP."
Using a young DP slot, FC Dallas inked Shea last year to a four-year extension through 2015. With his original rookie contract set to expire (MLS contracts are often guaranteed for two years with two league option years tacked on) Shea was likely to go free over the winter. With a young DP offer on the table, he instead agreed to make Dallas his long-term home. In return -- though 2012 salary numbers are yet to be made public -- he will have gotten the kind of money he might be making were he to jump to a decent European league.
With Shea deciding to stay in MLS, you'd have to think that many other MLS-based U.S. internationals could follow. Juan Agudelo, Freddy Adu, Perry Kitchen, Bill Hamid and Sean Johnson are just a few of the players who have attracted overseas attention, but might consider a longer term future in MLS for young DP money. At the right rate, MLS could even make a play to bring home young American stars like Joe Gyau or Mix Diskerud as they develop further.
Some MLS doubters might not love that idea. But as the league retains more of its best players, and brings in better talent from abroad, it will become an even more competitive league for young Americans to develop in. Even if top young stars aren't necessarily going to give up their places in Europe and flock back to America, the league at least has the chance to hold on to its home-grown American stars longer.
"It's so good for our league to give us the opportunity to take a home-grown player for example, and make him a young DP," Hyndman said. "It doesn't count that much against the salary cap. But one day he may be a starter for you, one day he may be a national team player for you, one day he may have opportunities to go overseas."
That helps guarantee that when a player like Shea does move overseas, it will be to make an impact on the field, not just to earn a slightly fatter paycheck.
Notes
• It may be of little consolation to U.S. fans still reeling from last year's Gold Cup and the failure in Olympic qualifying, but the U.S. finally beat Mexico again last week, for the first time in years. The victory came in the Mondial Minimes tournament in France, where the highly touted U.S. U-17 group edged world champion Mexico, 1-0, on a second half goal by Wesley Wade. The U.S. won three of its four matches in France, falling only to eventual finalist Portugal in group play.
• It was a big night Friday for former U.S. U-20 Adrian Ruelas, who made his long-awaited debut for Jagaures in a 1-1 tie at home versus Tijuana. Ruelas debuted last spring for Santos in the Primera, but has found himself buried on the depth chart since being loaned out to Jaguares last summer.
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By Brent Latham
ESPN Insider
Brek Shea's performance at the Olympic qualifiers might ultimately have been a bit disappointing, but if Dallas fans had their way, they'd still like to see Shea facing off in MLS for years to come. Given the young star's trajectory and plenty of interest from overseas, though, it might seem like the chances of that are pretty low.
Over the years MLS has had a tough time keeping its young stars around. The league can't always match the economic terms that clubs overseas offer their best young players -- especially those whose deals have run out -- and given the hit that MLS clubs would take to their salary cap to match such offers, teams have preferred to use the draft and foreign imports instead of locking up promising young American talent.
But that may be slowly changing, largely because of a new MLS rule implemented last year. The so-called young Designated Player rule, designed to mirror the well-known senior DP clause, allows clubs to sign young stars long term, without taking a huge hit to the salary cap.
"I think [it] has really helped," says FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman. "With the young DP spots, where you can bring in players U-20 and younger, and their salary will only count against your budget at 150 [thousand] on the salary cap, now as a coach you're willing to go get that young player. The important thing is that the young player is coming in and fits into your budget, maybe you'll have rights to that player, maybe you can sell them on."
<offer>
When first instituted, most saw the benefit of the young DP rule as a chance to bring in more foreign talent. And while the original DP rule led to an influx of aging stars such as David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, the new rule should indeed help the league import talented U-23s from around the world -- the likes of Fredy Montero, Fabian Castillo, or Roger Torres -- and hold on to those players long term.
But Hyndman was quick to point out that the rule is not only a benefit in terms of importing foreign players. While, like the senior DP rule, the scales may in fact tip towards foreign imports, the rule also allows clubs to sign emerging American talent to contracts that MLS might otherwise not be able to afford.
"The fact is, were happy we're not losing our players because someone overseas is offering them a little more money," Hyndman said. "So I think this has been a huge step in the right direction. It's also an opportunity to pick someone up out of college, you look at a Brek Shea, he does so well that there's interest other places, but we've been able to sign him to a long term contract by having him as a young DP."
Using a young DP slot, FC Dallas inked Shea last year to a four-year extension through 2015. With his original rookie contract set to expire (MLS contracts are often guaranteed for two years with two league option years tacked on) Shea was likely to go free over the winter. With a young DP offer on the table, he instead agreed to make Dallas his long-term home. In return -- though 2012 salary numbers are yet to be made public -- he will have gotten the kind of money he might be making were he to jump to a decent European league.
With Shea deciding to stay in MLS, you'd have to think that many other MLS-based U.S. internationals could follow. Juan Agudelo, Freddy Adu, Perry Kitchen, Bill Hamid and Sean Johnson are just a few of the players who have attracted overseas attention, but might consider a longer term future in MLS for young DP money. At the right rate, MLS could even make a play to bring home young American stars like Joe Gyau or Mix Diskerud as they develop further.
Some MLS doubters might not love that idea. But as the league retains more of its best players, and brings in better talent from abroad, it will become an even more competitive league for young Americans to develop in. Even if top young stars aren't necessarily going to give up their places in Europe and flock back to America, the league at least has the chance to hold on to its home-grown American stars longer.
"It's so good for our league to give us the opportunity to take a home-grown player for example, and make him a young DP," Hyndman said. "It doesn't count that much against the salary cap. But one day he may be a starter for you, one day he may be a national team player for you, one day he may have opportunities to go overseas."
That helps guarantee that when a player like Shea does move overseas, it will be to make an impact on the field, not just to earn a slightly fatter paycheck.
Notes
• It may be of little consolation to U.S. fans still reeling from last year's Gold Cup and the failure in Olympic qualifying, but the U.S. finally beat Mexico again last week, for the first time in years. The victory came in the Mondial Minimes tournament in France, where the highly touted U.S. U-17 group edged world champion Mexico, 1-0, on a second half goal by Wesley Wade. The U.S. won three of its four matches in France, falling only to eventual finalist Portugal in group play.
• It was a big night Friday for former U.S. U-20 Adrian Ruelas, who made his long-awaited debut for Jagaures in a 1-1 tie at home versus Tijuana. Ruelas debuted last spring for Santos in the Primera, but has found himself buried on the depth chart since being loaned out to Jaguares last summer.
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