Here's a funny question. If Zidane comes to MLS would his suspension from the World Cup final carry over? I kind of doubt it since that was an international match, but it would be funny it it did.

Here's a funny question. If Zidane comes to MLS would his suspension from the World Cup final carry over? I kind of doubt it since that was an international match, but it would be funny it it did.

I realize a lot of people think that MLS signing big-name older players harkens back to NASL and its demise, but I really don't see it with the way the league is structured and has grown over its first decade.
In fact, I think at this stage of the league's development, some big-name signings are just what we need to ratchet up attention and credibility from those who have stayed away thus far.
Zizou is the greatest player I've ever seen play live, and I would welcome him to the league, even to the Fire...

This would be much bigger than Becks for me. I'd pay to see him even if it wasn't against DC. The intitial "Headbutt" headlines will fade and he'll show what being a great soccer player is all about. This would be phenominal for the league. I truly hope they find a way to make it happen.

This would be much bigger than Becks for me. I'd pay to see him even if it wasn't against DC. The intitial "Headbutt" headlines will fade and he'll show what being a great soccer player is all about. This would be phenominal for the league. I truly hope they find a way to make it happen.

This would be much bigger than Becks for me. I'd pay to see him even if it wasn't against DC. The intitial "Headbutt" headlines will fade and he'll show what being a great soccer player is all about. This would be phenominal for the league. I truly hope they find a way to make it happen.

Hmmm.

When he's playing with some of the best players in the world, like this summer, it's clear he can still bring it at a level that makes him the best player in the world.

That isn't going to be the case in MLS. If he can pull players up to (Closer to) his level, fit in with the chemistry that Chicago is trying to create, restore some luster to a tarnished career, and bring some serious soccer (non-MLS) fans to the turnstiles, then I'd say yes--he's worth every penny and then some.

He could be 2000-era Stoitchkov, only better. That's something to seriously consider.

I see zizou and Becks as very different in terms of what they probably want from an experience in the MLS and what the MLS will gain from having them.

in addition to seeing that Zidane is still one of the best in the world during the world cup, we also saw that he is more interested in himself than in anything or anybody.

If he could ignore his responsibility to his fans, country, teammates in a world cup final because of minor trashtalking, why would anyone expect him care at all about soccer in the US or even his teammates or coach?

Beckham, while not being on the same skill level (and his off-field persona is almost impossible to tolerate), certainly swallows his pride on the field and gets the job done. He will also be a good spoksman for the MLS. In addition, Beckham has already made the effort to start an academy in the US. Good for him.

Becks and Zizou are both motivated by the desire to leave a legacy. Zizou said after the WC that he took his PK in the final as a soft chip because nobody had done that before and he wanted to be remembered. He gambled on somethign new in a world cup final match in order to be remembered.

Beckham, I think, sees an opportunity in the United States. He sees a country where millions of kids play and that statistically will produce talent. He believes, I imagine, that if he can attach his name to whatever talent is produced over the next few years he will have made a place for himself in the Futbol pantheon.

Becks sort of selfishness is good for US soccer because the glory is based on mutual success, Zidane's is not because he puts others at risk for his own glory.

Good points about Zidane. While he would be the best talent on the field, he would certainly not be the face of the league.

Good points about Zidane. While he would be the best talent on the field, he would certainly not be the face of the league.

oh no! even steve is doubleposting now!

oh no! even steve is doubleposting now!

I think "b" sums up my concerns very well. Becks, though I don't care for him, is trying to build something here in the states so he has a vested interest to perform for the league.

While I respect Zidane's career and would love to see him play in person, i'm concerned that he will turn out to be another Euro retiree looking to make some extra cash. I didn't lose any respect for him over the headbut incident, but I would if he were to come over here just to collect a fat pay check.

-dave

Wow, if I could list any players in the world I'd want in MLS Zizou would be in the top 3. And I'd encourage anyone who worries that Zidane will look like an aging euro star on vacation to remember Carlos Valderama's workrate. Zidane's skill on the ball, vision and wonderful passing would allow him to dominate games without half the effort Josh Gros puts out...and nobody will ask him to play defense anyway.

Wow, if I could list any players in the world I'd want in MLS Zizou would be in the top 3. And I'd encourage anyone who worries that Zidane will look like an aging euro star on vacation to remember Carlos Valderama's workrate. Zidane's skill on the ball, vision and wonderful passing would allow him to dominate games without half the effort Josh Gros puts out...and nobody will ask him to play defense anyway.

I think it would be nothing but great to see him move to MLS. (man, why couldn't AEG sell us NEXT year??) However, I would like to see a shelf life of 2 years MAX on his contract. He was the best player of last summer's World Cup. He was better than Shevy, Ballack, Riquelme, Totti, and ALL the various Ronalds (to name a few). How can anyone deny that he still has the juice?

"Aging", yes. Over the hill? Puh-lease...

And as for the headbutt incident, unfortunately the US media seem love to latch on to these moments (like the Dean Scream) and just go on & on about it. The naysayers, though thankfully slowly disappearing, will try to make a meal of it all over again... Really, WHO CARES?? He got red carded in a really big game. That was enough. Move on.

so does this mean our owners would consider Eddie Lewis? He's playing for a woeful Leeds, he's not going to get traded ever to the prem, and we could definitely use him on the wing. and he costs a lot lesss than Zizou.

Any word Goff? Or is United content to tread water while other teams make the grab for the brass ring?

Becks will bring out the casual soccer fans, and even some fans who never thought about watching a soccer match. Zindane will bring out the serious soccer fans who have yet to be won over by MLS. You won't see the announcement about Zidane's signing on Entertainment Tonight, the way Beckham's was, but you will likely see a much bigger buzz within the soccer community. They both bring something to the table in terms of MLS promotion, and I hope it happens.

Regarding the suspension. I believe that only applies to international games for club or country. Therefore if for instance Chicago made it to CONCACAF next year or maybe just even qualified for SuperLiga he would have to serve his 6 game suspension in those matches.

It seems that this little blog has created an international incident! Hooray for the Washington Post.

I wonder why we haven't heard anything from Tim Lieweke yet. No news may be good news, as I'm sure he is the guy handling the negotiations.

Are we positive it is AEG?, I have a hard time Red Bull would go down for a big name DP signing without a fight.

B, gnat, dave, others:

Beckham has done some stupid things in big games (World Cup even) to get red cards...perspective...

WRT the suspension:

First of all, it is a 3 match suspension in international play, according to this:

http://www.fifa.com/en/media/index/0,1369,118464,00.html

According to FIFA's webpage, any suspension that was due to an appearance in international play only applies to matches in which a "representative team" appears. For the use of THIS regulation, Les Bleus would be the "representative team," and ZIZOU would only need to serve suspensions for that team.

Meaning, when the FIRE appear in club matches, his suspension does not apply.

A link: http://www.fifa.com/documents/static/regulations/FIFA_disciplinary_code_en.pdf

Reference page 14, in which an "International Match" is defined as one that is between two teams of DIFFERENT ASSOCIATIONS:

"International match: a match between two teams belonging to different
associations (two clubs, one club and one representative team
or two representative teams)."

Reference ALSO page 27, Line 2, part a, which discusses "carryover" of suspensions:

"Match suspensions in relation to an expulsion pronounced on a player
outside of a competition (separate match[es]) or not served during the
competition for which they were intended (elimination or the last
match in the competition) are carried over as follows:
a) FIFA World Cupâ„¢: carried over to the representative team's subsequent
official match..."

In sum, I don't believe that his 3 match suspension would lead him to miss any time with his club. Particularly, as the part in page 27 SPECIFIES "representative team." That is, Les Bleus "represent" France in the WC, but the FIRE do not.

Apparently Red Bull is getting in the Zidane sweepstakes as well.

http://mlsunderground.blogspot.com/