Seattle's 3rd DP, Alvaro Fernandez

Should Landon Donovan Stay or Leave?

Landon is arguably the best American field player of all time and he is finishing the most successful run of his career (Everton, Galaxy, World Cup, etc.) Despite MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s statement that Donovan wasn’t going anywhere, a number of suitors have popped up, including Manchester City. In addition, Donovan told SI:

“We have had transfer interest and we will have some time to think about it and see where it goes,” Donovan told Reuters after featuring for the MLS All Stars against Manchester United on Wednesday. “There is interest from a number of teams.”

I think it’s clear that Donovan wants to leave but Garber is reluctant to let go of the league’s poster boy. If the right offer comes along I think Garber will have to let Donovan go.

Personally, I think Donovan should leave. He isn’t getting any younger and he proved during his time at Everton that he can step in and produce in the big leagues. I’d like to see Donovan leave for 4-5 years and come back to MLS to finish off his career.

He is a big player for MLS but the addition of big names like Thierry Henry, Nery Castillo, and the rumored arrival of Rafael Marquez, I think the league has enough star power to survive without Landon.

Seattle Sounders add 3rd DP

The Seattle Sounders signed 24 year old Uruguayan midfielder Alvaro Fernandez. The young midfielder was a member of Uruguay’s World Cup team making four appearances, including a start against Ghana in the quarterfinals. This is a fantastic signing for the Sounders and MLS. It’s nice to see a team sign a DP in their mid 20′s. Maybe this move will start attracting younger prospects to the league.

The arrival of Fernandez further puts into question the status of Freddie Ljungberg. Speculations suggest that Freddie is looking to depart Seattle before the transfer window closes. The question is whether he will stay in MLS or head back to Europe. If Donovan leaves LA I wonder if Arena will try to get the Swedish international to the Home Depot Center.

MLS All Stars get their ass kicked

It was only an exhibition match but the result still stings a little. I expected Manchester United to present the toughest test for our All Stars thus far but 5-2, was a little much. I hope this doesn’t deter the league from maintaining the All Star game format. No one wants to see our All Stars face Fulham, and I’d rather have them scrap the whole game if they want to go back to the East v. West format.

I can’t say what the repercussions will be from this game, but one thing is for sure . . . Manchester United has some good young players coming up.

US U-20′s in Milk Cup final

The US U-20′s qualified for the Milk Cup finals after defeating Denmark 3-2 on Wednesday. The Milk Cup is an annual youth international tournament held in Northern Ireland. The US won the tournament in 2005 and placed second in 2006. This tournament is typically used as a warm up for World Cup qualifiers or getting off cycle teams like the U-18′s some experience.

The US started the tournament off on the right foot beating China 1-0 on a goal from forward Omar Salgado. Denmark proved to be a tougher task but the US was able to squeak out a win after going down a goal in the first half. Adrian Ruelas, Santos Laguna forward, scored an equalizer for the US in the first half and found the game winner a minute from full time. Toronto FC’s Faud Ibrahim blasted a volley to temporarily put the US ahead in 74th minute.

Although the team is missing some core players, such as Philadelphia Union duo Jack McInerney and Amobi Okugo, the team boasts a very talented line up. Here are few players that you should keep an eye on: Omar Salgado (recently signed with MLS from Club Guadalajara – Chivas), Juan Agudelo (NY Red Bulls), Adrian Ruelas (Santos Laguna – Mexico), Greg Garza (Sporting Lisbon – Portugal), and Francisco Navas Cobo (Houston Dynamo).

The US faces a very tough Northern Ireland side that beat China 5-0 to qualify for the finals. The match will be played on Friday July 30th at 1pm EST.

The Designated Player Rule received an upgrade that allows every team a 2nd DP slot with the option of purchasing a 3rd.  As an added incentive, teams can also bring in a player mid-season for half the salary cap hit.

While teams like LA and NY are considering a 2nd and 3rd DP player, many teams, including the Colorado Rapids, have yet to take advantage of the DP rule.

If Coach Smith had his way, he’d sign one as soon as possible. The problem is that the front office needs to consider a laundry list of factors, most of which are out of the coaches hands.  The Rapids need a player that will produce on the field and have that unique appeal that will attract Colorado soccer fans.

Coach Smith stated, “To find those players, it’s extremely difficult, everyone is looking for them. If we can find one, then hopefully we can convince the owners to allow him to come into the group.”

But where on the field would the Rapids fit a DP?

A defensive DP would be a huge risk unless the club brings in a guy like Mexico and Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez.

In the midfield, Coach Smith doesn’t play with a typical attacking center midfielder and it is very unlikely that the club can find a defensive center mid that will sell tickets.  A wide midfielder? Possibly, if the DP still had the legs to run the line and play some defense.

Up top, Conor Casey and Omar Cummings are arguably they best forward tandem in the league.  Would Coach Smith split them up to bring in a DP?

The simple answer is, yes.

“Why would I not want a DP forward if I could get one? If there was the right fit, a DP forward would fit our group more comfortably than any other area.”

Coach Smith would like to get a DP forward in the club but has to analyze the type of player that better fits the group.

“I think the right fit is important.” Coach Smith is looking to see if the team needs “a forward who is good with his back to goal, a Juan Pablo [Angel], or a DP who’s explosive who’s quick, like Thierry Henry.” Coach Smith might also look for something different, a “DP forward who is extremely talented, might not be the biggest physically or the quickest but wonderful movement, great at bringing players into the game; a penalty area center forward, a good finisher. There are three very different types of players there.”

In addition, Coach Smith wants a leader.

“Not only on the field, you certainly don’t want an individual on a lot of money who is poor in the changing room, you want a good leader, you want a good professional.”

Coach Smith is keeping his eye out for the right player.  The international transfer window closed last week, so Coach Smith has to wait until the summer to make a move. When asked if he would look to bring someone in during the summer, Coach Smith replied, “As a DP? It would be fabulous.”

Who do you think the Rapids should look at as a possible DP signing?