Sunday, April 03, 2011

These Are Your Designated Players

Contributing Editor Graham Fox

For some reason, this year with the added amount of teams in the leagues and new faces shifting all over the place, I’ve had a spot of trouble keeping track of all the league DPs. Who are they all? What was the last team they played for? What should I expect from this bunch?

Well I’m not confused any longer, and neither will you be. Keep on reading… dear reader.

Angel, Juan Pablo : LA Galaxy

Age: 35 Previous Club: New York Red Bulls

Summary

One of the league’s original DPs, Angel has been going strong for four years. It says something about how good he is that four years after coming to the league he can be traded to another MLS team and still keep his DP status. We’ve seen a lot of past DPs trade down to regular status to stay in MLS.

This Year

A solid if unspectacular season.

The Future

One at least one more year with the league.

Beckham, David : LA Galaxy

Age: 35 Previous Club: Real Madrid and Milan Position: Forward

Summary

The man responsible for creating the Designated Player Rule, David Beckham has been showing his skillz for four years (kind of). Between pretending to shake fan’s hands, taking extended training sessions with other teams, injuring himself, and leaving at every opportunity, he’s managed to play a few games and score 9 goals.

This Year

Prince William’s wedding!

The Future

Will probably be made fun of on du Nord a lot more

Boskovic, Branko : D.C. United

Age: 30 Previous Club: Rapid Wien Position: Attacking Midfielder

Summary

In his three years with Rapid Wien, Boskovic established himself as a team leader, and helped the team take the league title in 2008. He’s also a regular for the Montenegro national team.

Off to a rough start in his first MLS season, Boskovic has been out of favor with Olsen since he arrived a little out of shape. Although regularly scoring and assisting on goals in the reserve league, Boskovic has still not cracked the first team.

Is an older player from a club no one in the US has heard of worth DP money?

This Year

Establish himself on the D.C. starting 11 and rack up some assists and goals. Become a team leader.

The Future

Avoid becoming a failed DP

Bravo, Omar : Kansas City

Age: 31 Previous Club: Chivas Guadalajara Position: Forward

Summary

One of Mexico’s biggest stars both for club and country, Omar has a lot of pressure on him to produce. Omar hasn’t disappointed yet. He opened up his account in the opening game of the seasons vs Chivas USA with two cultured goals. In game number 2, he was ejected in the 20th minute.

This Year

Omar seems to have acclimatized quickly to the league. If he continues to adapt he could make a run at the golden boot.

The Future

Become a Sporting Kansas City Legend

Castillo, Fabian : FC Dallas

Age: 18 Previous Club: Deportivo Cali Position: Forward

Summary

Up until this year, most of the focus on DPs has been older, proven, legendary types. With Fabian Castillo, FC Dallas is trying to catch the same young player magic that Seattle got with Fredy Montero (and then hopefully make a killing when he is sold to a European team).

This Year

Score goals, establish himself, run really really fast

The Future

Head to Europe

Donovan, Landon : LA Galaxy

Age: 29 Previous Club: N/A Position: Winger / Striker

Summary

Typically, the best American players flee MLS and stay in Europe. Donovan is the exception to that rule. Donovan has established himself internationally, in MLS, and shown by recent loan spells at Everton that he can hang in the EPL, yet he is content to stay in the USA. I’m happy he here to stay MLS.

This Year

Lead the Galaxy to a league title

The Future

Continue to anchor the National team.

Fernandez, Alvaro : Seattle Sounders

Age: 25 Previous Club: Universidad de Chile Position: Midfield

Summary

Another DP who is expected to get better as time goes on and hopefully turn a profit for their club, Alvaro proved himself during the 2010 World Cup as he helped the Uruguayan national team get to the semi finals.

This Year

Contribute at a DP level, help Seattle win the league title.

The Future

Earn a bigger salary, continue to be an important part of the national team.

Guzman, Julian de : Toronto FC

Age: 30 Previous Club: Deportivo La Coruna Position: Midfielder

Summary

A Canadian National Team star and regular, Guzman has spent five years in the Bundesliga and four years in La Liga before returning home to Canada. When he signed as a DP, it caused instant jealousy in DeRo. Toronto’s new coach White say’s he’s a big part of the clubs future, but is that truth or the usual lies that flow out of all managers mouths?

This Year

Become a bigger part of Toronto FC and lead Toronto out of the funk they seem to perpetually wallow in.

The Future

A bronze statue outside of BMO field?

Hassli, Eric : Vancouver Whitecaps

Age: 29 Previous Club: Zurich Position: Forward

Summary

A name that I didn’t know existed at the start of the season, Hassli comes to us from Switzerland and Zurich where he scored 27 goals in 84 games. Already in the 2011 season, Hassli came up with 2 goals and a red card in his first two games for the Whitecaps (mirroring Bravo). Hassli just might win the award for tallest DP at 6 feet 4 inches.

This Year

Announce himself to MLS and Whitecap fans in a big way.

The Future

Become a Whitecap’s legend as the team's first and best DP.

Henry, Thierry : New York Red Bulls

Age: 33 Previous Club: Barcelona Position: Forward

Summary

As far as DPs go, you don’t get a much bigger signing than Thierry Henry. He’s done it all, from World Cups to playing for the world’s biggest clubs. Although his signing didn’t draw quite as much attention as Beckham, his influence on MLS could be much greater as he actually seems to care about the league and his team.

This Year

Avoid injury. Score goals.

The Future

Stay healthy and win multiple titles with New York.

Marquez, Rafael : New York Red Bulls

Age: 32 Previous Club: Barcelona Position: Defensive Midfielder

Summary

Part of New York’s marquee line up and the only DP in MLS who is considered a defensive player, the Mexican National Team captain is an important part of New York’s bid to actually win something.

This Year

Be the backbone of the New York Red Bulls

The Future

Show that a defensive DP is worth purchasing.

Mendoza, Andres : Columbus Crew

Age: 32 Previous Club: Diyarbakirspor Position: Forward

Summary

Another new DP whose name and previous club I had not heard of, Mendoza has played for clubs all over Europe, from Belgium to Romania to France. Although he’s never lasted long at any one club, he has consistently played on Peru’s National Team.

This Year

Let Crew fans know that he is worth DP money.

The Future

Don’t fail as a DP. Establish his name.

Montero, Fredy : Seattle Sounders

Age: 23 Previous Club: Deportiva Cali Position: Forward

Summary

The only MLS player I know of who has earned his DP slot while playing in the league, Montero has an unlimited future if he continues to produce. He dazzled and razzled Seattle fans in his first two years in the league and should continue to this year as well.

This Year

Don’t crumble under the pressure of being the team's main DP and focal point for goals on a team under pressure to succeed.

The Future

Score a big contract in Europe.

Saborio, Alvaro : Real Salt Lake

Age: 29 Previous Club: Bristol City Position: Forward

Summary

Perhaps the DP who has positively influenced their team the most, Saborio had a great first season with Real Salt Lake and doesn’t show any signs of letting up. Under the coaching of Kreis, Saborio and Real Salt Lake have unlimited potential.

This Year

Score goals, and win at least two titles.

The Future

Join Jason Kreis as the second player to have their number retired.

ENDERS

A classic...

- Is that a watermelon in Mendoza's last club's logo?

CALL SIGN

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4 Comments:

Anonymous Peter C said...

Nice review.

I believe both Claudio Lopez(KC) and Schelotto(CLB)were elevated to DP status while in the league.

11:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

that post is FULL of errors.

1:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Saborio was also upgraded to DP.

6:16 PM  
Blogger Graham said...

Anonymous was an error.

9:39 AM  

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