So it’s starts off with a rather bland 1-0 Monterrey win over Club America at the Estadio Technologico. But what is beautiful is that Aldo Di Nigris gets the game winner against America……Then it is off to Puebla and the craziness of a 4-4 draw between Cruz Azul and Puebla.
Quite frankly Puebla and Jared Borgetti blew it. Up 4-2 at halftime somehow this squad needed to find some discipline but couldn’t as it ended 4-4. Now it is back to the Estadio Azul.
Speaking of discipline this game had none of it but that is what made it a specatacle for the fans. Either coach can’t be particularly happy about either teams lack of discipline yet the scoreline behooves Enrique Meza and Cruz Azul.
You saw it, what did you think?
Stuart Holden is apparently being tracked by Rangers manager Walter Smith. But based on the lack of playing time does Holden want to go to Rangers and sit? Or does he believe he can get a commitment to playing time ahead of the World Cup.
This is an interesting dilemma but Holden is attractive based on being a free transfer and might have to turn down more money to stay in the comfort zone of the Dynamo and MLS in order to feel more comfortable about making Bob Bradley’s final World Cup roster.
In my opinion he has already proven he is going to the next World Cup based on his uniqueness as a player.
Your thoughts?
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Regarding Holden, I find it sad that players have to make these decisions. He is extremely under-paid and rumors of where he might go will be out there (such is the silly-season). Soccer is unique sport in that you have to find the right balance of pay scale, playing time and balance all that with possible WC fitness and time.
He will get paid next season regardless, but so many factors come into play. At this point, I see him re-signing with Houston as his best option.
Glenn, I would love to see Holden back in a Dynamo uniform and I truly believe he could become a better player if he had a couple of more years in the MLS before moving overseas (ie Dempsey Revolution/Fulham). The only problem with this is all the stars line up for Holden. To get free transfer away from the MLS is more than just a “get out of jail card.” Do you remember Twellman trying to go overseas in how difficult MLS made it. The MLS has a terrible reputation of letting good players go overseas when the player is undear an MLS contract.
Unless the Dynamo give him a 2 – 3 year contract on his terms, Holden is gone. He holds all the cards and I say good for him. Everyone has to remember that this guy came to the Dynamo barely getting a roster spot. He almost came in as a developmental player at $12K per year. He has probably done okay on endorsements around Houston but this guy made $33K last year.
The life as a professional athlete does not last forever and the life of most MLS players does not help you retire on your earnings. It only lasts a few years and you have to do what it takes to get the huge payday. Of course this could come at a cost of not playing or going to a bad situation but if I am a player I am taking that risk.
Ricardo is smart also in having no transfer fee. The guy has a family to support and I am happy he will get a pay day he deserves.
I hope Stuart’s agent is good.
I think that Stu has already made the WC roster in Bradley’s eyes. I see Stu signing with a club other than the Rangers tho, perhaps a second division European team for about 2-300K per year. Would I like to see him in Houston next year? Of course, but alas, it ain’t gonna happen.
If he signs for $200-300K he needs to get a better agent. He will sign for a lot more than that if he goes overseas.
Just a few post season thoughts – get the stadium deal done, start looking for better support up front with Ching, and DO NOT let Hainault slip away!!!! he is a valuable asset and the new expansion team would love to have him. If you can only protect 11 he should be one of them. Unless Landin can develop into another Messi in about 2 months we should say adios. And Oduro, sorry but he just cannot finish anything.
The best choice for Stuie really boils down to what his priorities and goals are. As Charlie Davies’ experience shows, life is uncertain so you’ve got to reach for the brass ring when it’s in front of you. But what is Holden’s brass ring?
If it’s playing for one of the premier teams in his native land, then he should jump at at the chance to play for Rangers if that’s an option. An Aberdeen-level team, would not fulfill that goal.
If his brass ring is making the USMNT World Cup team, then he’s probably met that goal. He’s still not one of the no-doubt first-teamers, but he’s probably made the team. If he want to be sure that he’s not only on the team, but that he actually sees some field time in the Cup, then he needs to be sure he’s seeing competitive matches and is still easily accessible to Bradley in the months prior to next Summer. The MLS meets that goal.
If he has a good World Cup, then he’d possibly be able to upgrade his options in Europe. This would be a good investment in his future, while making him even more viable for future USMNT endeavors. The key would be to stay in the MLS next year and negotiate something that doesn’t keep you in the MLS indefinitely if that’s not your ultimate goal. It would also help the Dynamo as they continue the transition from the DeRo-Clark years to the Holden-Clark year, to a new midfield core.
As for Cameron, I think he has surefire European and USMNT prospects if he stays at centerback. He has the perfect athletic skills for the defensive requirements there, and his midfielder-grade skills help with the transition to attack from the back. That doesn’t help us with our D-Mid issue, but I think that where he’d best serve himself and the Dynamo.
Holden has to take the highest pay day. It’s now or never.
I have been saying this forever, Holden is a superstar in the making. The MLS needs to do whatever is necessary to keep him in the U.S..Easier said than done with the rumors I have been hearing about the proposed salary cap. It needs to be double what it is today and the roster needs to be expanded. The league is offering a token raise and so far no mention is made of increasing rosters or bringing back the reserve league. I admire Garber for what he has done as commissioner and feel the anty needs to be raised. The league is growing and salaries need to grow with it. Holden and others are in the low range of salary, 33K made last year. That is not a livable salary. These are professional players who made the grade and are performing before an average fan base of 17K here in Houston. If they had a stadium, I feel confident that figure would increase by 3K. We love these players but feel the teams are not given enough leeway to retain their services. They are hamstrung by low salary caps which served there purpose but now needs to be increased. As more teams get stadiums, profits will increase and better players will be sought. How about the ones that were nurtured and home grown? You need to keep these players to build with them. It is exasperating for coaches and management to teach, nurture and promote players only to have them leave elsewhere for more money! The league has to do something.
Rangers are a bad choice. They are in financial trouble, and that is a toxic atmosphere to be around. Not a good choice. Also, Rangers would not be a good choice for a skilled player.