In Beckham’s Footsteps, Expensive Imports Expand the Possibilities for M.L.S.

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The first thing David Beckham was asked after making his first Major League Soccer start in August 2007, a game played in front of 66,237 fans at Giants Stadium, was whether he had any advice for other international stars wondering about playing in the United States

Comments

[theupstart13]

I like the idea of signing current players as DPs as a way of rewarding them for their play/commitment. I also understand the draw of bringing in "name" players as DPs as a means of bringing in fans. I hate to be nice to RBNY all the time, but I think they've done well in terms of their DP signings, starting with JPA. I feel dirty now.

[alexher123]

I feel I need to screen cap that statement and spread it for all to see.

[theupstart13]

Watch it now, I wil go back and did all the nice things you've said about Philly. And there are several to choose from.

[alexher123]

things i'd love to see in relations to the dp rule would be at least one of the dps not to count at all, you should reward teams for wanting to get better. Right now having the DPs ties up way too much of the cap. Also i would love to see more young americans having dp status in order to keep them here.

[nachojeez]

Real Salt Lake is one of eight teams without a designated player. It won the M.L.S. Cup last season with a roster lauded for its depth, and the club passed on the chance to sign a designated player this season.

heh.

“There’s some wisdom in having a player in with you first and then signing him as a D.P. after a while as a reward for good play,” Lagerwey said.

I do like this.

[whatsername104]

this may sound dumb, but how much does GBS make/is he a DP (I think he is)? I only ask bc I'm pretty sure he makes a small fraction of what the other DPs make and CBus is one of the top teams.

[nachojeez]

I don't think he's a DP anymore?

[whatsername104]

o

[nachojeez]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_Player_Rule#Current_Designated_Players