By Ridge Mahoney
Senior Editor, Soccer America
Whether or not David Beckham or Luis Figo ever kicks an MLS ball, nearly every mention of their impending moves or lack of same has included a reference to a league team to which they might be headed or the league itself.
Raising the quality and image of the league by actually playing in the league is one thing. By adopting the Designated Player option, MLS has already enjoyed more mentions of the Los Angeles Galaxy in European news outlets than either Alexi Lalas or Landon Donovan could ever have generated.
The opening of the European transfer window Monday has already triggered news that Real Madrid has a tendered a two-year contract to Beckham, supposedly with a slight salary increase, and denials by Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini that Figo is headed to Saudi club Al-Ittihad or anywhere else. Next week both situations will most likely change again.
The buzz will peter out when the transfer window closes at the end of the month, and in any case, major moves from Europe, if they are going to happen at all, aren’t likely until the summer. Yet at least one team, according to a source, is not that far away from making a significant January signing involving a European player.
With the shackles of single-entity removed, a few European agents and players are pondering MLS as more than just something to toss into the turbulent media waters during transfer time. And with tryouts and showcase combines set up in South America for MLS teams to seek talent, many rosters could look quite different in September than they do now.
Before he left Chivas USA, Coach Bob Bradley gave an interesting perspective on the DP option: “It’s like anything else, it depends on what a team does with it. Some teams may choose not to use the Designated Player right away, other teams might trade it to get something else they want. And a team like D.C. United, just for an example, might have to decide if it’s better for their team and their fans to go after a big name who might or might not work out, or rather put their resources into finding a young Argentine player who turns out to be maybe the best player in the league.”
Bradley was referring to Christian Gomez, acquired by D.C. United three years ago via the allocation process. According to the Washington Post, the club has identified Ruy Bueno Neto of Botafogo as its next target, and has amassed nearly $1 million in allocation money to acquire him and at least one other player.
Another perspective is from a current MLS coach who preferred his name not be used. He said, “If the Galaxy gets Beckham, it will be great for them and for the league, and he’s obviously a very good player. But I don’t think any team in the league will be that worried about playing against them, no disrespect. Same for Figo, as good as he is, one player of that caliber, every team in the league can deal with.
“But I will say this: If Red Bull signs Ronaldo, and he comes to play, we could all be in trouble.”