Goff,

Great info. Thanks. Any idea if we could actually afford Veron in June?

Info about the salary cap is a well-guarded secret, but I think it is safe to say that DCU would have to clear space to make room for Veron or any other DP.

Not if we got the whole developmental roster to take part-time jobs doing underwriting and analysis for MacFarlane Partners on the Stadium deal with Clark Realty Capital - that could create some room by booking their salary to them.

no

Now that DCU has acquired a second designated player slot, might we see Juan Sebastian Veron in a black kit after all?

_________________________________________

You just say that to make the Insider loyalists crazy, don't you Goff?

"...the whole developmental roster to take part-time jobs doing underwriting and analysis for MacFarlane Partners on the Stadium deal with Clark Realty Capital - that could create some room by booking their salary to them."

Creative.

I like it.

I think that the Argentine players who have come into the league recently have generally done a good job to elevate the level of play as a whole, so it seems like MLS has something going for it.

Goff, do you think that an MLS team could use another former Argentine national team player? I'm a little overweight and out of shape but I think I could "handle" getting back in shape.

FYI, minor DCU roster news later today.....

What is going on with Jay Needham? Back to PR?

Judging from DCU's and LA's lack of interest, it's probably safe to say Needham will be in the USL for quite some time.

It is the time of the pre-season when new players start inking developmental contracts - I assume that these type of players (i.e.Stratford, P. Carroll) will be the announcement today since DCU has yet to officially anounce their signings.

I'm a little overweight and out of shape but I think I could "handle" getting back in shape.

Posted by: Maradona | March 3, 2008 11:37 AM
==============

"Fat" chance of your getting a work permit as long as you're a pal of Hugo Chavez. Although, this would give Dan Steinberg more to write about.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91251-1297119,00.html

You think Needham is suffering from MLS bias from players going the USL route?

Larry David!* It's appropriate that a cheating drug addict adorns his body with tattoos of leftist leaders.

With Mina gone, there's more room for local product Abe Thompson on the Dallas front line.

*Taking an atheist's god's name in vain.

Let's play this Lopez thing through to the end: Does anybody else here think he will have SERIOUS second thoughts when he comes to fully realize that he will be playing half his games in a minor league baseball park?

Sorry KC. You are a joke.

Juan Sebastian Veron - Does dc really need him? Why not spend the money on someone who is younger not does not dine at the Waffle House - I am going to DC - oh wait no I'm not because I like my friends here...

Historically, it has been easy to call KC a joke, but they have a stadium planned for 2010.

"Let's play this Lopez thing through to the end: Does anybody else here think he will have SERIOUS second thoughts when he comes to fully realize that he will be playing half his games in a minor league baseball park?"

As long as the check clears, NO! We need to realistic of the motivation that brings most of the foreign talent (DP's especially) to the league. It's a paycheck with a very comfortable semi-anonymous lifestyle. (Except for Beckham, where it's a paycheck, Hollywood, and a chance to hang with crazy cultists)

Re: Veron - does DC have the cap space to shoehorn a $350K salary into their budget?

I believe that certain players would sign up with Onalfo even if KC played in a dirt lot.

Maybe it's just the way MLS operates so that I'm not sure, but couldn't we buy down a DP's salary or someone elses? Don't we have a fairly large chunk of allocation money laying around?

st8red--don't you think Lopez has been made VERY clear on where he will be playing? Peter Vermes and Curt Onalfo shoot straight from the hip....they aren't going to try to hide something that big from a potential DP. And by the way, KC will have their own SSS before DC, so we'll see who is joking in 2010 when Philly and KC open sparkling new stadiums and DC is still playing in the dump that is RFK.

Have been watching Argentine league a lot on FSC lately. I think they've got some great tallent and play a style that is well suited for MLS. Bring 'em on I say.

RFK may be a dump, but at least it is now Our Dump, and we can put 46,000 in it from time to time.

Goff, any insight as to what Gallardo thinks about his new team and MLS so far? I would like to see this a feature in the WP. He is our DP but I don't think the fans know a lot about him.

Thanks, GC

I think there is some seriously creative accounting with a lot of the salary cap numbers. For instance, Schelotto is allegely making a lot more than he counts against the cap. So if MacFarlane hires Veron to be a consultant, and also hires him to play soccer for $100,000 a year....

Juan Sebastian Veron...

Stirring the pot Mr. Goff, are we?

"Let's play this Lopez thing through to the end: Does anybody else here think he will have SERIOUS second thoughts when he comes to fully realize that he will be playing half his games in a minor league baseball park?

Sorry KC. You are a joke."

Wow! United fans are so insecure that they choose to deride a stadium which they know nothing about, because it's the home of a minor league baseball team. It's small yes but almost brand new with a plethora (I know I'm taking a big risk using a big word here but I'm confident the DC fans can look it up) of amenities. Perhaps you think we would be better off following United's model of playing in what has been described as - a crumbling, decaying dump of a stadium and a fairly inhospitable place to watch a game.

By the way how's that new stadium plan coming along? KC's will be done in 2010. I hear Baltimore and Carolina might be interested in getting a team. Maybe they can build a stadium and steal your little team ; ).

Well said KC fan. See ya on March 29th DC.

Another KC Fan - hold on a minute. RFK can be called a dump, but no one can say it is an inhospitable place to watch a game. RFK with the stands bouncing, flags waving and crowd singing is an AWESOME place to watch a game. With all due respect to TFC I think it is the best atmosphere in all of MLS.

The problem with RFK is the lease with the city is too expensive. RFK needs to get their own revenue streams from concessions and parking in order to take advantage of really strong fan support (20,000+ fans/game in 2007).

I hope that KC gets their stadium in 2010. From what I have read they haven't released architectural drawings or broken ground yet. I hope every team gets a SSS in the near future, including DCU.

So I guess that means there is no love for the DC fan two posts below the KC is a joke comment?

I like how KC Fan talks about insecurity, then spends two long posts trying to defend his crappy team.

Anyone who thinks KC wizards fans and team is not a joke must be on ---- or a Wizards fan. You can build as many stadiums as you want but until you show us that your fans care, then you got nothing.

How does the unbacked rant of one person = the insecurity of United fans? It was one person taking a lighthearted, meaningless swipe at KC, not all of the United faithful. I sense insecurity in your response more so than the swipe.

I don't know if it's just talk, or if there is a deeper meaning to that DP slot we're renting right now, but if we can I would love to somehow fit Seba on our team. Gallardo infront of Seba who will sit infront of our Gonzalos, are you kidding me with that spine? Of course it could all be speculation, but that's all I have until the 12th.

Having supported a team that played on a baseball diamond, I'm not going to "deride" KC for their temporary stadium and attendance woes. However, when they are in their own stadium and still have a "plethora" of vacant seats, the moratorium is over.

[virtual hug to sitruc]

Let's play this Lopez thing through to the end: Does anybody else here think he will have SERIOUS second thoughts when he comes to fully realize that he will be playing half his games in a minor league baseball park?

Sorry KC. You are a joke.

Posted by: st8red | March 3, 2008 12:18 PM
=======================================

Wow, I really hope str8red isn't a DC fan...

Cause DC fans (like me), realize that we have no business busting on KC's use of a baseball stadium for the next two years. We've shared a field with a baseball team for the last three (or 2?) years ourselves, with plenty of bad bounces and one or two injuries to thank for it. And while RFK has great atmosphere and plenty of capacity, and we're glad to have it back to ourselves -- I'm sure we'd all rather have a SSS instead. Something that KC will have before we do...

So, calling KC a joke strikes me as the pot calling the kettle black -- at least if it's us DCU fans doing it... And as for Lopez, as long as the paychecks clear, I doubt he's particularly concerned about what kind of stadium he's playing in.

MLS 2007 ATTENDANCE AVERAGE

Los Angeles 24,252
D.C. United 20,967
Toronto FC 20,130
New England 16,787
New York 16,530
Chicago 16,490
Real Salt Lake15,960
Houston 15,883
Columbus 15,230
FC Dallas 15,145
Colorado 14,749
Chivas USA 14,305
Kansas City 11,586

MLS Totals: 195 games; 3,270,210 for a 16,770 average

enough enough stop the BS this will get settled once we go to KC and kick their butts playing in their high school baseball field
It is safe to say that we will have more fans than thay will at their home game but it,s ok KC fans i wouldnt support a team like yours either!!! Have fun

"Anyone who thinks KC wizards fans and team is not a joke must be on ---- or a Wizards fan. You can build as many stadiums as you want but until you show us that your fans care, then you got nothing.

Posted by: KC | March 3, 2008 01:48 PM "
__________________________________________
Um...duh....yes, I am a KC fan, hence the name (not the same person as Another KC fan, by the way). Our fans do care, and our ownership cares about the fans. Unfortunately, the local media in KC does little to advertise the team, so it's a rebuilding process from the shambles that HSG left the team in (ask Columbus fans how they feel about Clark Hunt). Marketing is vastly improved, season ticket and merchandise sales are way up...you'll see the atmosphere at the temp stadium will be rocking. By the time the stadium opens in 2010, KC will be back to respectability and fans with teams who don't have a SSS will be jealous of how well KC is doing. :)

Do not rile the KC fan or he'll get the other 3 KC fans in the world on this board and they'll fill it with meaningless posts about the subtleties of Davy Arnaud.

Veron? Really?

Not that I'd disagree with that move but I'd have to wonder if the team doesn't face more immediate concerns than what Veron could provide - e.g., defensive depth, striker (other than Emilio and Moreno), wings.

That said, doesn't DCU's 2nd DP position (the one received for Gomez) - disappear after two years? Might be nice to get something for that while we have it - on a loan tied to the length of the DP availability perhaps? Hate to let that go to waste....

Wait a minute! Is this evidence that there is another Kansas City fan besides Andy Mead?

That said, doesn't DCU's 2nd DP position (the one received for Gomez) - disappear after two years? Might be nice to get something for that while we have it - on a loan tied to the length of the DP availability perhaps? Hate to let that go to waste....

Posted by: PotomacBoater | March 3, 2008 02:29 PM
==========================================

They could also take a calculated gamble that by the time the clock strikes midnight two years from now, the league will have upped the basic DP ration to two per team.

MLS 2007 ATTENDANCE AVERAGE

Los Angeles 24,252
D.C. United 20,967
Toronto FC 20,130
New England 16,787
New York 16,530
Chicago 16,490
Real Salt Lake15,960
Houston 15,883
=========================================

Wasn't Houston packing them in toward the end of the season? Were their attendance figures especially poor earlier in the year?

Population of US metropolitan areas:

1. NY 18.8 million
2. LA 12.9 million
3. Chicago 9.5 million
4. DFW 6 million
6. Houston 5.5 million
8. Wash DC 5.2 million
11. Boston 4.4 million

****

27. KC 1.9 million

tri-village: Houston was drawing 30,000+ for their Playoff games, but the numbers I gave were for the regular season only.

If the playoff numbers were factored in Houston's average would climb significantly.

last post was from me, tri-village isn't talking to himself.

I think the Kansas City playing at the baseball field is much better than playing at Arrow Head Stadium. The games at Arrow Head always looked cold and depressing. I'm hoping that the Baseball field will at least help to make the games look more exciting for the TV audience. I doubt that it'll look too weird on TV. Hopefully it's good for those in attendance.

As a military man in KC and having been posted in DC you can't rag on KC for the lack of attendance. Less people and of those the percentage of foreigners of people with foreign connections where soccer is really appreciated is limited. Over 30% of the people in DC are Hispanic or of Hispanic descent while in KC it's about 15% (myself included) plus there are more Europeans in DC, also you're only 1hr away from Baltimore another major city, we have Lawrence, Kansas.
DC fans shouldn't be haters, just because KC will be playing in a baseball stadium RFK is nothing to brag about, (been there, done that, got mugged). Unless you have something better to offer you also could be considered a good team in a bad stadium; At least in a couple of years we'll have a soccer only stadium. Oh, and about that coming over here and beating the Wizards, yes, how did last year's 1st game of the season in DC work for you.

KC will have their own SSS before DC, so we'll see who is joking in 2010 when Philly and KC open sparkling new stadiums and DC is still playing in the dump that is RFK.

Posted by: KC fan | March 3, 2008 12:57 PM

LOL! Don't count your gallinas before they hatch, as they say in BA. It could still fall through, what with the mortgage and financing crisis. You know, headlines kind of stuff. You should fix your post..."Philly and KC open sparkling new stadiums and DC is still WINNING in the dump that is RFK."

RFK may suck, but it swallows.

but... the Dynano playoff numbers were inflated because the were attached to the Beckham game.

Just like the David Beckham 15-pack that DCU calls a season ticket.

I believe that our first game last year was a perfect opening season loss that propelled us to win the Supporter's Shield, thereby qualifying United for the CONCACAF Champions Cup and League and SuperLiga 08.

As for RFK, the only thing that makes RFK nice is the memories we have there. A good team in a bad stadium = good memories that make us forget how awful RFK really is... and it is. As for our new stadium... I expect Kevin Payne to make announcement sometime within the next "60 to 90 days." :D

The more Argentineans the merrier. They have the best players in the world per capita, the most knowledgeable and passionate fans, the most influential soccer media in Latin America, and they have proven to adapt easily to our style of play.
Veron and Gallardo in the same midfield would give us arguably the best midfield in all the Americas, and would certainly cause a huge stir internationally as well as locally in DC--both media and attendance wise. I hope it happens.

Just like the David Beckham 15-pack that DCU calls a season ticket.
____________________________________________

That's classic.

God, I hope this year's Galaxy game isn't Beckhamania Spectacular Spectacular all over again. That was just painful.

What's worse is when you walk by a local sporting store selling Nationals and Redskins jerseys, you'll look to see if there's a DC United one but only see a Beckham/LA Galaxy jersey instead. Pathetic.

Wow. Just wow. Some of you people are really missing my point. So here it is: MAJOR League Soccer does not equate to MINOR league baseball field. I was NOT harping on the shared-stadium issue. I have no standing to do so. What I meant in my post was this (completely hypothetical, mind you): Imagine DC United being unable to secure a new stadium in the District. And MD and VA ultimately don't build one either. And then DC moves to, say, Ripken Stadium in Havre de Grace. THAT'S my point. Doesn't exactly smack of MLS coming off as big-time, does it?

And to all you KC fans who bashed me, good for you. I applaud the fact that you go and support your team, and hope you still will when and if you get your SSS. Just convince a LOT more of your friends to go with you when that happens, you know?

account rep: I have no idea whether Houston tied their Playoff ticket sales to the Galaxy game. The place looked packed on TV for the playoffs. They had a sold out stadium with rowdy fans.

There is no doubt that Beckham raised ticket sales across MLS, not just for games against the Galaxy, since many people bought multiple game ticket-packs just for the right to see the Galaxy game. It will be interesting to see how big the "Beckham bounce" is this year.

Houston SEEMS close to a SSS as well. The only teams that aren't even planning for a SSS are NE and Seattle. They own the stadiums they are in, even if they are made for the NFL. The assumption is that their lease terms must be more generous than RFK, Giants stadium, Houston or SLC.

Hey potomacboater, do you paddle?

I like the location, crumbling concrete and bouncing seats of RFK. But I do wonder sometimes whether the rats that live there might have broken into the baseball team's locker room and chowed down on some of their human growth hormone.

As a fan, I'm not super-excited about a new stadium. The amenities will probably be better but don't be surprised if the sightlines and tailgating options are worse. Of course, a new stadium should be better for the team's bottom line and this is a business...

Steve needs to give us some more news before we all go over to second life and brawl in a virtual baseball stadium.

And then DC moves to, say, Ripken Stadium in Havre de Grace. THAT'S my point. Doesn't exactly smack of MLS coming off as big-time, does it?
==========================================

I've thought the same thing. I suppose there will be at least a few nationally televised games (BSPN2, FSC, HDNet, etc.) from KC and San Jose this year. I wonder how they will look on TV.

last post was from me, tri-village isn't talking to himself.

Posted by: GoldenChild | March 3, 2008 03:17 PM
=========================================

Or herself. Or itself.

Steve needs to give us some more news before we all go over to second life and brawl in a virtual baseball stadium.

Posted by: I-270, Exit 1 | March 3, 2008 04:16 PM

Goff, please give us a new thread! We are done with dumpy RFK and minor-league baseball in KC.

Any news on Gallardo? Do you think he is the real deal or a bust? Out of shape or focused? Too soon to tell and we just need to wait for real games?

last post was from me, tri-village isn't talking to himself.

Posted by: GoldenChild | March 3, 2008 03:17 PM
=========================================

Or herself. Or itself.

Posted by: tri-village | March 3, 2008 04:19 PM

True, I don't even know what tri-village means. No disrespect intended. Just wanted to take ownership of my comment.

I knew it was a light-hearted jab, st8red. I was surprised to see that much discussion on that one comment. GoldenChild, supposedly NE is planning a SSS.

I don't even know what tri-village means.
==========================================

Maybe there is some Crew fan out there who can help. (BTW, a lot of people who know me would opt for "itself".)

A new DC United stadium would most like improve the site lines, as RFK was built for Baseball, not soccer.

As for tailgating, there probably won't be many choices. I will be very dissappointed about that too as there have been some games where I would have rather stayed tailgating.

San Jose will have Buck Shaw on TV 5 or 6 Times (if Blanco is there instead of Coliseum)

ESPN2 - 5/22 vs HOU
FSC - 4/2 vs FC Blanco *
HDNet 8/16 vs NER
9/27 vs RSL
10/11 vs Goats
Telefutura
7/27 vs Red Bull New York

The Minor League Baseball Park will not be on ESPN2 - only on HDNet & Telefutura

HDNet
4/12 vs Houston
9/13 vs FC Beckham
9/20 vs TFC
Telefutura
10/5 vs FC Blanco

Turn for the worst??? Goff, don't you run your stuff thru a copy desk?? If you were writing about a Bundesliege player, I would have thought you were sneaking in a terrible pun!!

peridigm - Yes, yes I do.....

Why so?

2007 MLS Average Attendance

New York 16,530
---------------------------------------------

??? I know that's skewed by the 60,000-plus that showed for the Beckham game, but it still seems high -- especially when you consider the gaems where the attendance seems in the hunderds, not thousands. Methinks the Red Bulls have cooked the books.

Veron?

I think that ship has sailed. Unless United is really struggling come June. It's possible they might look to shake things up, especially if Olsen is still hurting.

However, I think it's much more likely that DCU will sit on that DP, as they did last year. They're going to need it for a forward next season -- either to re-sign Emilio, or bring in a real star striker.

accountrep: Only the first Houston playoff game was tied to Beckham packages, the western conference final sold out from scratch in one week - including season ticket holders that had to buy tix for the extra game.

I totally agree with the aggressive pursuit of Argentines. I can't think of one off the top of my head who came in dogging it thinking they were on a holiday and most are pretty successful unlike the pretty woeful track record with Mexican players (though in fairness most of the Mexican players come in when they are considerably older)
The more the merrier and it can't do anything but help young USMNT prospects to pick up some things the Argentine's are doing and I'm sure there are some things they may pick up that may be useful (though I'm guessing the info exchange would be largely one sided for most) :)