So as we prepare for the “year of the stadium” in Houston clubs with much deeper and longer history than the Houston Dynamo are going into administration shamed as failed business. At the moment Rangers of Scotland formed in 1872 and Portsmouth of England formed in 1898 are a mess financially we have our Dynamo here in Houston positioned to now become a more viable business. With a new stadium and the ability to control tertiary revenue streams like concessions and parking the team now has a a real chance to be a viable business on a new level.
Stadium naming rights, corporate boxes and the like are the name of the game and a new stadium will turn heads of those in the media who in the past have brushed soccer aside. Maybe now they will give it a chance , give it fair commentary. Rest assured even my friend Jerome at the Chronicle will write something positive about the stadium.
The casual will come through this stadium and will leave as potential soccer fans, the hard-core that have not come out in the past to Robertson might just hit the “dangled carrot” of the new stadium to give the Dynamo and MLS a chance. You only get one chance to open a stadium and the Dynamo are fully aware of that, and this will be exciting.
So back to Rangers and Portsmouth, I am not going to bore you with numbers and details but Portsmouth is having trouble paying players and their taxes and 24 million pounds is missing at the Scottish club and no one knows where it is.
It is always a great time to reflect, to take stock in the fact that we have a professional soccer team in Houston, we have a league that is stable that has been scrutinized for miserly spending at times, still it is stable and growing. This team, this league represents a city and all the fans that helped to bring professional soccer back to Houston. A team that brings the most diverse fan base in the city together, like minded individuals who can for a few hours in a stadium get away from the rigors and challenges of life, can take enjoyment from watching “their” team.
As a former pro that played in the hinterlands of the 83-89 for a high of $2400 a month I can only stand in awe of the current situation in MLS with infrastructure and professionalism. I have spoken many times with ex-teammates, those that have played on the Houston Stars, Houston Hurricanes, Houston Dynamos and Houston Hotshots and all are in agreement and awe with the current state locally of professional soccer.
Get ready for the “year of the stadium”.
Your thoughts on MLS, the Dynamo and what will improve it?
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I remember the early days of NASL when the clubs would play in high school stadiums, then big money and players came in and when reality didn’t meet expectations it blew up as quick as it came. MLS is building a rock-solid foundation and taking the right steps to build a true “Division 1″ league that will provide American and foreign players a platform to showcase their talents in the future, not just “take the money and run”.
Excellent post Kurtis.
Despite interest from the Middle East, Asia and Europe, Ballack, 35, told the source that his intention is to play his final two years in MLS. Ballack is looking for an annual salary within the range of Thierry Henry’s $5.5 million and David Beckham’s $6.5 million and would prefer to play for a team that can potentially win the MLS Cup this season.
“Michael has made 160 million euros in his career,” the source said. “It’s not all about money. He loves America and wants to be a guy that young players can look up to and help a team win.”
It’s not really about the money, but I want to make as much as Henry and Beckham ? Wouldn’t that be, it IS about the money ? I say, let Bayer Leverkusen keep him.
I think i would rather have a team of blue collar guys. We need to focus on our side and bench.
c.l. this could of been in a different context. Remember salarie in Europe DWARF MLS especially in a very successful and the ONLY financially profitable league from pretty much top to bottom based UEFA’s reports that most leagues have teams all in huge debt. And a big club like Bayern Leverkusin, granted not the biggest of clubs but one of the main ones in Germany and the guys history is not very far out there to want to make 5.5 to 6.5 million dollars. They get Euros so really it’s about 5,200,000 depending on the exchange rate…..
Another thing is that I’d like to ask you for a link to the source of this quote? How was his agent asked the question that led to this response/comment? He could of been answering what kind of wages they’d be looking for, or if he would go to somewhere in China or Asia or even the Middle East where he could make 10 million or more? And that would make sense as to why he might say It’s not all about the money….
Would I want him on my team? Not really, doesn’t have the draw or attention getter effect a DP of that caliber or salary should have, I’m not sure I like Ballack for that he is a Central Midfielder, and to me not quite the type of CAM or Center Attacking/Creative Midfielder MLS NEEDS, a Maestro if you will a true #10…. this guy to me use to be closer to a Holding mid but with good passing and creating capabilities for that role….almost like a Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. A box-to-box type of guy….
Now if it were say…..DROGBA, now we’d be talking, I’d say to Canetti “trade Weaver for anything a 5th round Supplemental draft pick, Kandji for a 2nd round Superdraft or Supplemental draft pick and bring on Drogba to start along Ching in the summer with Bruin and Carr backing them up, Rolfe a distant 5th striker but learning….Guess you could keep Kandji since Ching is retiring…but man imagine that? Bruin and Rolfe would learn from Drogba….both the speed and physical aspects of each of their styles of forward play….
I think there was a rumor about Montreal, Chicago also was mentioned but they have Pardo AND Pause who think they should move on from if you ask me unless they think Pardo will only last for a while, but Pause makes a lot I know he’s captain but it just seems they are wasting talent starting the 2 holding mids in a 5 man midfield but anyhow….I don’t know if Ballack has a spot in MLS..New York don’t need him they need to be consistent with what is an already very stacked team and find a true #10 CAM if they want to add a 3rd DP…maybe one with more draw?
c.l. this could of been in a different context. Remember salarie in Europe DWARF MLS especially in a very successful and the ONLY financially profitable league from pretty much top to bottom based UEFA’s reports that most leagues have teams all in huge debt. And a big club like Bayern Leverkusin, granted not the biggest of clubs but one of the main ones in Germany and the guys history is not very far out there to want to make 5.5 to 6.5 million dollars. They get Euros so really it’s about 5,200,000 depending on the exchange rate…..
Another thing is that I’d like to ask you for a link to the source of this quote? How was his agent asked the question that led to this response/comment? He could of been answering what kind of wages they’d be looking for, or if he would go to somewhere in China or Asia or even the Middle East where he could make 10 million or more? And that would make sense as to why he might say It’s not all about the money….
Would I want him on my team? Not really, doesn’t have the draw or attention getter effect a DP of that caliber or salary should have, I’m not sure I like Ballack for that he is a Central Midfielder, and to me not quite the type of CAM or Center Attacking/Creative Midfielder MLS NEEDS, a Maestro if you will a true #10…. this guy to me use to be closer to a Holding mid but with good passing and creating capabilities for that role….almost like a Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. A box-to-box type of guy….
Now if it were say…..DROGBA, now we’d be talking, I’d say to Canetti “trade Weaver for anything a 5th round Supplemental draft pick, Kandji for a 2nd round Superdraft or Supplemental draft pick and bring on Drogba to start along Ching in the summer with Bruin and Carr backing them up, Rolfe a distant 5th striker but learning….Guess you could keep Kandji since Ching is retiring…but man imagine that? Bruin and Rolfe would learn from Drogba….both the speed and physical aspects of each of their styles of forward play….
I think there was a rumor about Montreal, Chicago also was mentioned but they have Pardo AND Pause who think they should move on from if you ask me unless they think Pardo will only last for a while, but Pause makes a lot I know he’s captain but it just seems they are wasting talent starting the 2 holding mids in a 5 man midfield but anyhow….I don’t know if Ballack has a spot in MLS..New York don’t need him they need to be consistent with what is an already very stacked team and find a true #10 CAM if they want to add a 3rd DP…maybe one with more draw?
I don’t know who the Dynamo are going to play at Right Mid still, I hope they have a plan, I would LOVE to see Alex Dixon get a run there, or if Colin Clarke can improve and double his production from 2011, I know it sounds like a lot but if he plays the whole year and with a more confident team that now clicks better with Cameron at CB and the 2 new guys in center mid who knows…Watson did some stuff there, but not sure if he’s the answer on the right. Sarkodie could also be used and it would give him some games, he has speed and the wide play…If Dynamo get a DP, it has to be powerful shot, FAST and great finishing FORWARD or a CAM, you would have to sit someone, I think you sit Moffat I know he has a strong leg but 2 great goals and a deflected own goal not sure it merits sacrificing your offense, I’d say start Camargo behind the DP CAM and now you have depth with Moffat backing him up
Anyone heard anything with regards to a right wing mid or a Center-Attacking Mid??? Not sure they are going to tinker with the Forward DP or high price signing until they find the perfect fit….
Edwin, per your request…
“Michael Ballack and his representatives are in deep negotiations with Major League Soccer, Goal.com has learned.
Sources from both sides have confirmed that MLS Executive VP Todd Durbin initiated talks that would bring the former Germany captain and current Bayer Leverkusen midfielder to North America. A source close to the player revealed that Durbin listed five teams interested in bringing Ballack onboard, including New York, Montreal, Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle.
“Ballack would be interested in playing for any of those teams, and now it all comes down to who can afford him,” the source said.
Despite interest from the Middle East, Asia and Europe, Ballack, 35, told the source that his intention is to play his final two years in MLS. Ballack is looking for an annual salary within the range of Thierry Henry’s $5.5 million and David Beckham’s $6.5 million and would prefer to play for a team that can potentially win the MLS Cup this season.
From the league’s side of the negotiation, MLS wants to make sure Ballack is indeed serious about his interest as it hopes to avoid having another Nicolas Anelka situation. The source close to Ballack said that as long as he gets a reasonable offer, he will be in MLS this year.
“Michael has made 160 million euros in his career,” the source said. “It’s not all about money. He loves America and wants to be a guy that young players can look up to and help a team win.”
While Bayer Leverkusen has told Ballack and his reps that he can terminate his contract immediately, his agent, Michael Becker, told Goal.com that he will finish his contract with the Bundesliga side.
“His contract is up on June 30 and he wouldn’t leave Leverkusen until the season is over,” Becker told Goal.com.
The source close to Ballack stated that the former Chelsea player’s desire to be in America will be on display this summer as the German international has agreed to be one of ESPN’s commentators for Euro 2012. He will perform his announcing duties from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, CT.”