Comments on: Kenny Cooper Sr: MLS Must Change

By: Anonymous-B

Anonymous-B — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:55:43 +0000

Is Kenny Sr. saying that MLS should pay top young Americans more than a 38 yr old who’s been playing in the Argentine 3d division? That’s crazy talk!

Seriously though… I agree with Gregg, especially concerning losing players to leagues that are only comparable to the MLS.

I know it’s a chicken vs. egg issue, but I’m a firm believer that if soccer players in this country were paid more, then we’d see the talent levels rise dramatically. Little kids, inspired by the allure of it all would start playing in the streets and all that business… to be the best they can be. Nobody dreams of being on welfare when they grow up.

By: go0seMUFC

go0seMUFC — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:41:26 +0000

Wait. I agree with most of this until he reached the whole Man United issue. So you play for a dream club and then you throw it all away to return to your hometown? I mean, it’s nice that he has his loyalty to his hometown, but his priorities are unusual for a footballer. Though I do agree about the whole salary cap issue. Even then, there’s far worst problems for Americans if they wish to play better quality, first team football.

As for the problem. It starts at the root. You’re developing the wrong type of players. The players being developed are simple machines through a college system as opposed to kids at local parks that have the heart on the sport as they were raised by equally passionate parents that also played the sport. I mean, it tells on the field. The image on the field says it all. You don’t see you 5 foot 6 playmaker. Where is the soft touch? Where is the pass and go? Clubs need to open up and accept players from all corners of the country, not just the educated and the rich!

By: Gregg

Gregg — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:25:46 +0000

I don’t mind if players go over seas to first division teams but we shouldn’t be losing players to Norway or any second division mid level teams because of pay. The cap needs to be doubled and the maximum team roster of 24 needs to be abolished. If you have a cap who cares how many players you sign as long as they fit underneath it?

Thanks for the article. It is nice to hear the player side of things as it regards MLS/European contractual dealings.

By: hodey

hodey — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:02:23 +0000

I thought his comment about labor strife were spot on…these guys are making twenty, thirty, or forty thousand a year and get no respect. Now Cooper is going to play for a SECOND division team whose best finish in the past 4 years was 8th…But money talks, glad Kenny will get some cash so he can be paid what he’s worth

By: Eight

Eight — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:41:27 +0000

Interesting look on things. I’ve always been of the opinion that we should be sending our best talent over seas, since that is where the highest level of soccer is. It is the same reason the world’s best basketball\baseball players come to the US to play. Interesting he brings up the point of the message that is being sent to today’s youth, since personally i think giving US kids role models who demonstrate you can come up through the US soccer system and still compete and excel at the highest levels of international soccer is more beneficial to US soccer than fostering and encouraging hometown pride.