Telefutura and Univision reported that Cuahutemoc Blanco might be a target of the Houston Dynamo.
Don’t believe the hype, do you really think MLS will pay 20-25 million dollars over five years for Blanco who is currently 34 years old? As much as many would like to see more star quality follow David Beckham there won’t be silly money thrown about.
Lots of inquiries have come from agents representing players overseas including the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha (The Nigerian community in Houston would love to see him here) asking for ridiculous amounts.
Yes Oliver Luck met with Blanco and his representation when he was in town way back when. Call it fact finding.
Luck says the Dynamo have no interest in Blanco, the Chicago Fire is another story and do have legitimate interest yet the money mentioned by networks are mind blowing.
Of course MLS will not pay that kind of money and be careful not to believe the hype.
This doesn’t mean a few bigger name players may not end up in the league and it doesn’t meant that Houston will not have a Mexican player one day. What it means is that David Beckham’s signing has brought alot of agents out of the woodwork who have limited understanding of the reality of MLS.
DC United’s signing of Luciano Emilio looks to be due to the benefit of hard work and due diligence. More signing of players like this who can attract a diverse fan base is needed.
Teams will use the designated player in different ways, look for a number of teams spending between 500,000 to 750,000 to try to attract a summer transfer that could take them over the top to win an MLS Cup.
If for one would love to see him in the league but if I were a coach I would have to think very hard about if I would want him on my team.
It would be a roll of the dice with the unpredictable nature of Blanco.

After dropped from first place in the LaLiga after a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla this weekend Barcelona have no time to rest back in action against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday (ESPN2 at 1:30 central). Liverpool hold the aggregate lead 2-1 and this can only be expected to be an outright war in England.
In the post game press conference Frank Rijkaard spoke of how quickly the focus must return to the Champions League as they are on the brink of elimination.
“There is not time to think too much,” said Rijkaard. “We know what to expect against Liverpool. It’s the best time to face up to the Champions League.”
Indeed it is.
Tuesday’s other matches with aggregate scores in parenthesis and home teams listed first:

Lyon vs. Roma (0-0) *Class of France against distant second place Serie A men. Prediction Lyon advances

Chelsea vs. Porto (1-1) * With Drogba in line-up you can’t deny “Blues” but they will have to do it without John Terry. Prediction: Without Terry Chelsea still advances.

Liverpool vs. Barcelona (2-1) *Defending Champions on the edge but won’t get it done. Predicition: Liverpool advances

Valencia vs Inter (2-2) * Yes I know Valencia is at home but I am a huge fan of Inter Manager Roberto Mancini whose club is running away with the Serie A title. Would be a shame if they get knocked out because like Lyon they have large leads in their domestic seasons and could really focus on the Champions League. Italy needs something positive out of the Champions league.
I’m sentimental here. Prediction : Inter

Who do you see going through? GlennDavis@thesoccerhour.com