Ah, the "bust" of MLS. This title probably has you thinking I'm going to talk about the MLS players' wives and girlfriends. I'm sorry if this bursts your bubble, but I'm not. This post is going to be talking about some of the signings in MLS over the last year or two that are, or were, busts.
So, do you get the title now? Get it? The "Bust" of MLS. I thought it was pretty clever, too.
On January 1, I listed my MLS Top 50 players, and I thought I would follow up on that a bit, just cause everyone loves lists (or, maybe I just like making them)
This will be a list of players that joined their respective MLS sides (via transfer or trades) within the last season or two with high expectations, and for one reason or another, failed to live up to them. Some of them have been released, and some of them are still signed on with more time to make an impact in 2009.
So let's get to it - here is the "Bust" of MLS...
20. Collin Samuel (TOR) - Mo Johnston hyped Samuel up before he joined our side in the summer of 2007. There wasn't much to be excited about, though, as his exit from the club was, for supporters, a welcome one. He was touted by many, myself included, to have a breakthrough season in 2008, but only lasted 90 minutes, in an aweful performance at Crew Stadium.
19. Marcelo Gallardo (DCU) - Like I said in my top 50 list, the jury is still out on this guy. He is signed on for $1.5 million as United's designated player, and missed half of 2008 through injury. He was contributing steadily from midfield during his time on the pitch, but he has to prove that he can stay fit and be that difference maker for DC in 2009.
18. Franco Niell (DCU) - One of six South Americans signed by DC before the 2008 season, Niell's loan deal in America's capital lasted merely until June, when he was waived. He didn't score in seven appearances for United, and with little pace and standing 5'4", it's not hard to see why.
17. Victor Sikora (FCD) - The Hoops signed the former Ajax player in the summer as an attacking option on the left wing. He started in 4 matches for Dallas, but soon after found a role on the bench, before being waived. Since his release, he has signed for Perth Glory in the Hyundai A-League.
16. Raphael Wicky (CHV) - If I told you that MLS had a player who had over 75 caps for the Suisse national team, and had played in 3 major tournaments for his country, would anyone come to mind? Wicky, still just 31, signed with Chivas USA in February of 2008, and made only 5 appearances with the Goats, struggling with chronic injuries all season. Like Gallardo, he will need to prove he can stay fit and use his experience to help his side.
15. Jose Carvallo (DCU) - Another one of DC's South American pre-season signings, Carvalho was brought in as a potential replacement in goal for the departed Troy Perkins. It didn't work out for Carvallo, though, as his one appearance for United was a 4-1 defeat to Real Salt Lake.
14. Peguero Jean Phillippe (SJE) - If you think back to the beginning of the 2008 season, San Jose's offense was lead by the unproven Kei Kamara. In an attempt for some cover, Frank Yallop signed former Red Bull Peguero Jean Phillippe on loan from Brondby. The Haitian played in 2 matches for the Quakes, before an injury ended his season, and ultimately his playing career.
13. Christian Gomez (COL) - This is a hard one to assess, as he started the season quite well before losing his place in the side. He cost the Rapids their designated player spot, and for whatever reason, hasn't been able to make the impact that coach Gary Smith wants from him. He's apparently being shopped around, but at 34 and maximum non-DP salary, is he worth it for anyone?
12. Maykel Galindo (CHV) - One year ago, Galindo would have been in my top 50, but after a year of poor form and injury, he has to prove that his first year with Chivas wasn't a fluke. After scoring 12 goals in 2007, he made only 10 appearances in 2008, scoring only once. Can he get things going in 2009, or will the Cuban be known as a one-year wonder?
11. Franco Caraccio (HOU) - The 21 year-old Argentine was brought in by the Dynamo to give them more attacking options after the departures of Joseph Ngwenya and Nate Jaqua. Caraccio failed to impress though, scoring only 2 goals in 10 appearances, in one of the league's most potent attacks.
10. Ivan Trujillo (KCW) - The Colombian scored the Wizards' first goal in the 2008 season in a 2-1 win over DC United. Since then, he has gone from a regular starter to a regular reserve. In a team lacking in offense, Trujillo failed to produce any kind of goalscoring threat for KC, and has since been released.
9. Gabriel Cichero (NYRB) - One of Juan Carlos Osorio's summer signings for New York, the Venezuelan international was supposed to be the Red Bulls leader in their defense. He never found his feet in MLS, though, and after a series of dismal performances was dropped from the side. The Red Bulls opted to release him in December, rather than extend his loan deal.
8. Gonzalo Martinez (DCU) - Hey, check it out - another one of DC's pre-season South American signings. Martinez was another player DC was hoping would shine for them, but his performances often left much to be desired. Steve Goff is speculating that he could be the next player waived by United.
7. Tomasz Frankowski (CHI) - Frankowski joined the fire after a long career in Europe, where he was capped by Poland 22 times, scoring 10 goals, including a goal against England at Old Trafford. He was expected to help bolster the Fire's already solid attack, but scored only two goals, each in the same match. A string of poor performances left him on the bench until he was finally waived after the season ended.
6. Juan Pietravallo (NYRB) - He's the second summer signing by Juan Carlos Osorio to make my list. Pietravallo was more or less a walking red card after his arrival to MLS. He was brought in to play in a holding role to shore up the Red Bulls midfield, but did just the opposite, conceding weak free kicks, and eventually being dropped to a substitutes role.
5. Laurent Robert (TOR) - We all witnessed this one quite closely. After his first few performances for us, it appeared that we had signed an MLS star. As the season went on, though, Robert's attitude and performances became worse and worse, before he was eventually waived in August. For a player with his skill, it was worth the risk, but after giving him a chance to shine, I was fine with his release. Anyone want a Robert jersey, email me!
4. Gonazalo Peralta (DCU) - In a similar situation to Cichero's, Peralta was brought to DC to shore up their backline, and while doing okay, was definitely not worth his $200K wage. His release from United had been rumoured for quite a while, and Steve Goff learned today that Peralta will be returning to his native Argentina.
3. Kenny Deuchar (RSL) - I don't want to rag on the guy, because I think he still has the potential to succeed in MLS. Throughout the 2008 season, though, Deucher went from Salt Lake's no. 1 striker to their no. 4 striker. He signed from Gretna in the Scottish Premier League, and perhaps is lack of goals is a testament to the quality of MLS compared to the SPL. Maybe I'm wrong, though.
2. Eduardo Dominguez (LAG) - Dominguez gave Galaxy supporters high hopes when he was signed in the summer. The Argentine was expected to provide some much-needed defensive stability to LA. Unfortunately, his first appearance for the Gals saw him give Kenny Cooper a nice assist in a 4-0 loss, and he only went on to play 2 more times after that. He has since been released and has returned to Argentina.
1. Jorge Rojas (NYRB) - How many of you watched his league debut at Giants Stadium against the Galaxy? All of you? Perfect. Then you would have seen a player score two assists, and look like the newest star player in MLS. He has since been dropped to the Red Bulls' bench, unable to get a game because of Sinisa Ubiparapovic (say that name 10 times fast). He's the current captain of the Venezuelan national team...I guess not every player in South America is gold after all!
So, a couple of these guys have 2009 to prove me wrong, and for the sake of the quality of the play in the league, it'd be nice if they stepped it up. What do you think - am I way off? Is there anyone I missed? Isn't it obvious why the Red Bulls are shite? If you have any thoughts, please send them my way.
So, do you get the title now? Get it? The "Bust" of MLS. I thought it was pretty clever, too.
On January 1, I listed my MLS Top 50 players, and I thought I would follow up on that a bit, just cause everyone loves lists (or, maybe I just like making them)
This will be a list of players that joined their respective MLS sides (via transfer or trades) within the last season or two with high expectations, and for one reason or another, failed to live up to them. Some of them have been released, and some of them are still signed on with more time to make an impact in 2009.
So let's get to it - here is the "Bust" of MLS...
20. Collin Samuel (TOR) - Mo Johnston hyped Samuel up before he joined our side in the summer of 2007. There wasn't much to be excited about, though, as his exit from the club was, for supporters, a welcome one. He was touted by many, myself included, to have a breakthrough season in 2008, but only lasted 90 minutes, in an aweful performance at Crew Stadium.
19. Marcelo Gallardo (DCU) - Like I said in my top 50 list, the jury is still out on this guy. He is signed on for $1.5 million as United's designated player, and missed half of 2008 through injury. He was contributing steadily from midfield during his time on the pitch, but he has to prove that he can stay fit and be that difference maker for DC in 2009.
18. Franco Niell (DCU) - One of six South Americans signed by DC before the 2008 season, Niell's loan deal in America's capital lasted merely until June, when he was waived. He didn't score in seven appearances for United, and with little pace and standing 5'4", it's not hard to see why.
17. Victor Sikora (FCD) - The Hoops signed the former Ajax player in the summer as an attacking option on the left wing. He started in 4 matches for Dallas, but soon after found a role on the bench, before being waived. Since his release, he has signed for Perth Glory in the Hyundai A-League.
16. Raphael Wicky (CHV) - If I told you that MLS had a player who had over 75 caps for the Suisse national team, and had played in 3 major tournaments for his country, would anyone come to mind? Wicky, still just 31, signed with Chivas USA in February of 2008, and made only 5 appearances with the Goats, struggling with chronic injuries all season. Like Gallardo, he will need to prove he can stay fit and use his experience to help his side.
15. Jose Carvallo (DCU) - Another one of DC's South American pre-season signings, Carvalho was brought in as a potential replacement in goal for the departed Troy Perkins. It didn't work out for Carvallo, though, as his one appearance for United was a 4-1 defeat to Real Salt Lake.
14. Peguero Jean Phillippe (SJE) - If you think back to the beginning of the 2008 season, San Jose's offense was lead by the unproven Kei Kamara. In an attempt for some cover, Frank Yallop signed former Red Bull Peguero Jean Phillippe on loan from Brondby. The Haitian played in 2 matches for the Quakes, before an injury ended his season, and ultimately his playing career.
13. Christian Gomez (COL) - This is a hard one to assess, as he started the season quite well before losing his place in the side. He cost the Rapids their designated player spot, and for whatever reason, hasn't been able to make the impact that coach Gary Smith wants from him. He's apparently being shopped around, but at 34 and maximum non-DP salary, is he worth it for anyone?
12. Maykel Galindo (CHV) - One year ago, Galindo would have been in my top 50, but after a year of poor form and injury, he has to prove that his first year with Chivas wasn't a fluke. After scoring 12 goals in 2007, he made only 10 appearances in 2008, scoring only once. Can he get things going in 2009, or will the Cuban be known as a one-year wonder?
11. Franco Caraccio (HOU) - The 21 year-old Argentine was brought in by the Dynamo to give them more attacking options after the departures of Joseph Ngwenya and Nate Jaqua. Caraccio failed to impress though, scoring only 2 goals in 10 appearances, in one of the league's most potent attacks.
10. Ivan Trujillo (KCW) - The Colombian scored the Wizards' first goal in the 2008 season in a 2-1 win over DC United. Since then, he has gone from a regular starter to a regular reserve. In a team lacking in offense, Trujillo failed to produce any kind of goalscoring threat for KC, and has since been released.
9. Gabriel Cichero (NYRB) - One of Juan Carlos Osorio's summer signings for New York, the Venezuelan international was supposed to be the Red Bulls leader in their defense. He never found his feet in MLS, though, and after a series of dismal performances was dropped from the side. The Red Bulls opted to release him in December, rather than extend his loan deal.
8. Gonzalo Martinez (DCU) - Hey, check it out - another one of DC's pre-season South American signings. Martinez was another player DC was hoping would shine for them, but his performances often left much to be desired. Steve Goff is speculating that he could be the next player waived by United.
7. Tomasz Frankowski (CHI) - Frankowski joined the fire after a long career in Europe, where he was capped by Poland 22 times, scoring 10 goals, including a goal against England at Old Trafford. He was expected to help bolster the Fire's already solid attack, but scored only two goals, each in the same match. A string of poor performances left him on the bench until he was finally waived after the season ended.
6. Juan Pietravallo (NYRB) - He's the second summer signing by Juan Carlos Osorio to make my list. Pietravallo was more or less a walking red card after his arrival to MLS. He was brought in to play in a holding role to shore up the Red Bulls midfield, but did just the opposite, conceding weak free kicks, and eventually being dropped to a substitutes role.
5. Laurent Robert (TOR) - We all witnessed this one quite closely. After his first few performances for us, it appeared that we had signed an MLS star. As the season went on, though, Robert's attitude and performances became worse and worse, before he was eventually waived in August. For a player with his skill, it was worth the risk, but after giving him a chance to shine, I was fine with his release. Anyone want a Robert jersey, email me!
4. Gonazalo Peralta (DCU) - In a similar situation to Cichero's, Peralta was brought to DC to shore up their backline, and while doing okay, was definitely not worth his $200K wage. His release from United had been rumoured for quite a while, and Steve Goff learned today that Peralta will be returning to his native Argentina.
3. Kenny Deuchar (RSL) - I don't want to rag on the guy, because I think he still has the potential to succeed in MLS. Throughout the 2008 season, though, Deucher went from Salt Lake's no. 1 striker to their no. 4 striker. He signed from Gretna in the Scottish Premier League, and perhaps is lack of goals is a testament to the quality of MLS compared to the SPL. Maybe I'm wrong, though.
2. Eduardo Dominguez (LAG) - Dominguez gave Galaxy supporters high hopes when he was signed in the summer. The Argentine was expected to provide some much-needed defensive stability to LA. Unfortunately, his first appearance for the Gals saw him give Kenny Cooper a nice assist in a 4-0 loss, and he only went on to play 2 more times after that. He has since been released and has returned to Argentina.
1. Jorge Rojas (NYRB) - How many of you watched his league debut at Giants Stadium against the Galaxy? All of you? Perfect. Then you would have seen a player score two assists, and look like the newest star player in MLS. He has since been dropped to the Red Bulls' bench, unable to get a game because of Sinisa Ubiparapovic (say that name 10 times fast). He's the current captain of the Venezuelan national team...I guess not every player in South America is gold after all!
So, a couple of these guys have 2009 to prove me wrong, and for the sake of the quality of the play in the league, it'd be nice if they stepped it up. What do you think - am I way off? Is there anyone I missed? Isn't it obvious why the Red Bulls are shite? If you have any thoughts, please send them my way.
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4 comments:
I would like a Robert Jersey haha
"Ah, the "bust" of MLS. This title probably has you thinking I'm going to talk about the MLS players' wives and girlfriends. "
Actually, I thought you were going to take about the *best* NZ player to play in MLS (Ryan Nelsen? Simon Elliott?), with the accent being a pisstake on the Kiwi accent ;)
...okay, I didn't actually think that. But I couldn't resist a pisstake on the Kiwi accent myself. I am Australian after all :P
what about Denilson at FCDallas?
Denilson at Dallas. That's a good one. Thanks.
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