Dissolving the American Rangers

Photo credit: SNS Group 

 

At one point the Glasgow Rangers was the ultimate American soccer destination for a sizable fraction of Yanks playing abroad. From Claudio Reyna and DaMarcus Beasley as the more classic representatives to Alejandro Bedoya, a promising young US star. Scarcely a few months ago, however, debt and tax problems forced the team to go into administration and was demoted by league members to the Sottish third division.

So what are the Americans to do? Along with Bedoya are two automatic starters for the national team: Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu. None of these players are keen to return to MLS and there is a future in Europe still. For Bedoya, even a return to the Swedish first division would work. Edu could have a chance in bigger markets in England, Germany, Italy and Spain. For Bocanegra, a move to the Mexican Primera wouldn't be so bad.

It's sad to see such a storied club like Rangers go down in such a drastic manner. This is, after all, the Manchester United, New York Yankees of Scotland. For the Americans, however, it means perhaps less lucrative deals wherever they end up. Still, for a player like Maurice Edu, a move to a bigger club with more chances at being in the Champions League is a plus. Bedoya's lack of playing time meant less chances with the national team, so a move to better on-field opportunities is a welcome one. In the end, this unfortunate event might end up benefiting each of the players and the national team itself.

Claudio calls it quits... New York gains a marquee spot?

I thought I would give my thoughts on the latest development in the MLS. Multiple sites, including breaking news from SBI and ESPN, have leaked out the news that will be made official tomorrow: Claudio Reyna has decided to retire from soccer immediately. There will not be a long wait until the end of the season. There will not be a vacant hole in NYRB's midfield (or will there?). There will not be a designated player slot taken up in the East Rutherford-based side.
As I posted on the SBI site earlier, I must say I loved the guy and what he did for the sport in the United States, the national team, and American soccer player's reputation in Europe. I may even say he facilitated the move of McBride, Bradley, Altidore and Co.
NYRB needs to think hard about this one now. As far as the designated player rule is concerned, there is one allocation to each team in which the salary cap is non-existent and the owners can spend however much they want for a marquee player (Beckham, Blanco, Lopez, Gallardo, Angel). New York traded Amado Guevara to Chivas USA last year for a second spot. Guevara never worked for Preki (he now plays for TFC after a year in his native Guatemala). With this DP allocation, New York added Reyna on top of Juan Pablo Angel (who scored 19 goals last year).
As far as a new DP in MLS, Henry is a likely choice but so is Ronaldo and Adriana and Figo. No need to be hasty at this point and they may want to wait until next season to make a run for MLS Cup and a place in international tournaments. This, according to SBI and other sources, will likely be the end result. There's speculation that the $200,000 pro-rated money that is left could indeed be used this season to bolster the Red Bull's attack. A wise choice, I would say. There's plenty of players out there worth 200K that would pair up with Angel to furnish the dividends missing after Jozy's departure to Villareal.
In my humble opinion, and assuming that Angel is healthy, the DP slot should be given to an attacking midfielder, a great passer, a number 10 that could turn this team around and give it what it has so sorely needed for the 13 years of its existence... a title.
Or... maybe it's time to rework the salary cap and make the league more competitive in the process. I think Reyna's exit will mean more than just a great player's absence; it should mean a reevaluation of the league.