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When Marcus Tracy passed on Major League Soccer's last offer, and decided to skip the MLS Combine and Draft for a chance at European soccer, he wasn't expected to wait too long to find interest from abroad.
Tracy didn't wind up waiting at all.
The Danish daily newspaper Ekstra Bladet is reporting that Tracy is set to sign a contract with Aalborg BK.
Tracy is in St. Louis for the presention of the Hermann Award, presented to the NCAA Division 1 soccer player of the year. He is expected to fly to Denmark after that ceremony to put the finishing touches on a three-year contract with the reigning Danish champions and UEFA Cup participants.
Tracy becomes the third Wake Forest graduate to play in Denmark, joining Jeremiah White at AGF Aarhus and Michael Parkhurst, who recently signed with FC Nordsjaelland.
It is a very disappointing blow to what was shaping up to be one of the stronger MLS drafts in recent memory. The 22-year-old striker was projected to be a Top-three pick in the draft, but he ultimately passed up what the report calls the largest contract for a rookie in MLS history in order to make the move to Europe.
Instead, Tracy joins an AaB side struggling through a tough domestic campaign but a club that also just finished in third place in its UEFA Champions League qualifying group, a group that included Manchester United, Villarreal and Celtic. Aalborg will face Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 in February.
What do you think of the move? Like the idea of Tracy possibly getting UEFA Cup playing time this year? Upset that he didn't sign with MLS? Would he have been your No. 1 pick if he entered the MLS Draft?
Share your thoughts below.
Good for Tracy
If MLS wants to keep players like Tracy, open your bloody wallets
he will likely enjoy a better development environment than he would get in MLS. NCAA players tend to need a little bit/alot of time to adjust to the pro game, especially if they are making the jump directly to Europe.
Can say im surprised or disappointed. Also I totally agree with VPjr as far as spending is concerned. I do expect to see Tracy back in the future (a couple years or so).
I’ve been wondering about this kid lately… is he a potential US national team guy? We can always use good, athletic strikers
“If MLS wants to keep players like Tracy, open your bloody wallets”
Reading comprehension is certainly not your strong point.
Ives – “he ultimately passed up what the report calls the largest contract for a rookie in MLS history in order to make the move to Europe.”
Some players just want to make the move to Europe, it’s inevitable. AaB is a great opportunity for him, and I hope he develops.
MLS did pretty well with the GA class, I’d say losing a few isn’t a big deal, especially considering few rookies ever make a significant, immediate impact.
Hey Common Sense…I can read and comprehend just fine
I agree with you that some players just want to play in Europe. Tracy’s agent has been making it known that they wanted to give Europe a shot for weeks now.
However, that “largest contract for a rookie in MLS history” likely still amounts to less than what he stands to earn in Denmark over a 3 year period for a team like AaB, who has a history of doing well in the league and occasionally enjoying success in European play (ergo, bonus money opportunities).
I don’t know how important it really is for MLS Front Office to sign top college grads to MLS. I do know that with Tracy out of the draft, the quality of the 1st round takes a pretty good hit, especially when it comes to forward. If MLS really wanted him to stay (IMO, it should be a priority to keep American talent in MLS), then REALLY open your wallet Mr. Garber. Overpay a bit if you must. If the guy projects to be a serious talent, the money the league stands to earn in a transfer fee if/when he ultimately makes the move to Europe will have made the investment worth it. If he doesn’t pan out, oh well…It’s not like we’re talking paying a $20 million+ transfer fee for a guy who might bombs….it would be a case of paying a guy like Trace $150K a year or so on a guaranteed 3+1 year deal. That’s chump change in pro soccer.
Ultimatel, he do agree this is a great opportunity for Tracy. He will earn a pretty decent money in Denmark and the potential to develop his raw skills in a more demanding, more professional environment than what exists in MLS also means that the the potential exists to earn far more money at the end of his contract period, if he’s got what it takes. He’s made the right move for himself.
Scandinavia: where American prospects go to disappear……
I am from Denmark and a fan of AaB. I think that the danish league is better than the MLS, but i dont know how much.
AaB have had an amazing season with Champions League, 6 points in 6 games, a win and a draw against celtic, and two draws against Man Utd and Villareal.
The danish League is of course not among the best in Europe, but FC Copenhagen, AaB, OB and Brøndby, are known to produce some pretty amazing results once in a while.
Could anyone please tell me a little about Tracy?
We have had a great american player in our squad, Danny Califf, and i think America is a good place to look for players.
@Posted by: jrnail23 | January 09, 2009 at 03:16 AM
Honestly, the fact that he is a senior in college and 22 years old and has yet to be called up to any national team as far as I can remember seems to indicate to me that he is presently on the outside looking in.
@common sense
considering the average rookie is generally offered $12K-90K* (*only that high if they are Generation Addidas mind you) it’s not all that large a leap of faith to think MLS simply couldn’t/wouldn’t compete with the Danish league.
@Posted by: Peter | January 09, 2009 at 07:28 AM
The top of the Danish league is probably a little better than the top of MLS more often than not but the bottom is much worse from what I’ve seen. On average they are probably about equal quality.
Denmark has more money in their football league and thus if given a chance in 2 leagues of approximately equal standard of play it’s no shocker that a lot of college kids in America are opting to play in Denmark for triple the money. Who would pass up $300k for $80K? (not saying that was the Tracy deal, just speaking hypothetically)
It really is an issue MLS needs to address sooner rather than later. I’m not calling for an orgy of spending, but you really do have to spend a little money to make money.
I don’t know anything about Tracy, but if Charlie Davies experience going from college to Hammarby is any indication, he’ll take a year to settle in. Can anyone give a scouting report on Tracy?
Since he is 22, it makes perfect sense for him to move to Europe. He does not have 3 years to develop his game in MLS but instead, as a striker, needs to develop his game (and earnings) and increase his exposure quickly since his playing prime is only 3-6 seasons in length and coming soon.
Sure, it dings the MLS draft class but hey, that’s business. MLS can’t pay rookies that much money…not yet at least.
Regards,
This a great move for Tracy to make. This club is about to be a giant in Danish football with all money they are about to rake in with their appearances in the group stage of the Champions League and now the knockout rounds of the UEFA Cup. If he plays well there, he will surely go to a top-tier team in one of the big five leagues. They also just resigned their CB, who was attracting interest for top English and German clubs. Their fall back plan if he didn’t stay was Chad Marshall.
what an idiot!
MLS is way below the Danish League.. What we must understand here, this is the only way our National team gets better…
If I was a young talent, I would skip MLS too, not for the sake of money, but because the european leagues has higher competition and much higher level than they will ever experience here in MLS..
Furhtermore, the plying style in Denmark will make the National team stronger, they pass the ball much more and more quickly than the Norwegian and Swedish Leagues, but whats really important is; they are able to pass the ball in much tighter space..
Heath Pearce, Danny Callif, Jeremiah White and Michael Parkhurst all will be the main men on the National team, and thats because they all went to Denmark.. MLS is just a bit better than the 2nd division in Denmark or just nearly as strong as the best league in Sweden..
This is a very good move fore USA!!
oh btw and everybody in Denmark speaks english, so it is an easy transition to make…
Well, Laugh, in general I agree with you that players getting overseas experience is good for the national team, I don’t see any evidence that Tracy will ever play for the national team. He MAY develop into a US Nat. player but as Papa Bear noted, he has not been called to a camp or played with the U-20s (as far as I know). If he was in that class of talent, it seems he would have had some national system exposure.
That said, it’s a great move for him personally for reasons mentioned above.
Great move. Alaborg needed a forward. I think he will do well. At 22 he needed to go to Europe now. I think he will be fine. With White,Feilhaber,Parkhurst,Pearce,and Califf all in Denmark, he should fit in well. I’m sure one of these guys will meet up with him and help him adjust, or at least talk to him on the phone.
I don’t blame him for skipping out on mls. He made a good choice imo. He’s on a team who play in the CL, which could offer more exposure over the years. Plus he gets to play on real pitches, not turf.
The MLS is second rate and this is just one more reason why.The coaching, spending, development,……you name it….second rate !He is an intelligent young man and I commend him for his decision to go over the water.
MLS is not at all way below the Danish league…..not unless you factor out the impact of UEFA competitions.
Top players should perhpas hold out a little longer rather than jumping in bed with the first offer from a club in Europe. I recommended both Parkhurst and Tracey to a club I scout for and both signed in Denmark before contact could even be made. My team is a Champion’s League club and a perennial powerhouse in their domestic league and would certainly offer an attractive option away from Scandinavia.
I don’t know if this is agent advice, but their hastiness is not necessarily intheir best interest. AaB are a decent team, but Tracey is the best prospect in years….he shoudl be doing better.
Tracy is as athletic as they come. There are areas of his game still in need of improvement, but he has blossomed a little later than most. One drawback about playing for Wake the last several years is that the team is stacked. He had to wait his turn, which is why he hadn’t gotten much exposure until of late (i.e., last 2 years). He has shown flashes of brilliance consistently playing against the toughest conference in the NCAAs and dominated the college cup two years ago. Curiously, he faded the second half of this season after averaging a goal a game (almost) over the first 12 games. I think teams were keying on him, though, which would explain why his counterpart, Arnoux, started to light it up, and actually led the team in goals, as Tracy’s goal production fell off a bit.
I think he’ll be fine and commend the move.
The thing that should scare mls is that wake forest has been the best college program the past few years and their talent seems to be passing on mls. Tracy last year skipped a GA contract then spurns mls after his senior year. Ike Opara passes on GA contract likely to go to Europe next year. Is this a sign of things to come with Corben Bone and Cody Arnoux?
You guys are haters!! MLS second rate, MLS sucks!!! All haters, MLS is growing and thriving and I would bet money that an investment now in MLS would return far greater returns in the future, then any of the scandanavian leagues. Secondly if going to europe is sooo great for players development explain to me the disapearing act of Kamani Hill, Eric Licahj, brian argez, and all the other Yanks Abroad who aren’t getting call ups, who arent even in the National team picture? This is what you guys(not all but some) base the success of the national team on and the majority of the guys can’t even get first team games.
For all those to like the idea of MLS spending more money, here’s the facts:
An English Championship or Danish First Division team might average $30-40 Million in Salary, coaching, stadium and other costs per year.
They can do this because there is a market for that product that would bring in $30-40 Million in revenue.
The market in the US is not as strong.
An MLS team has $15 to 25 Million in expenses (including the much maligned $3 million or so payroll).
They get about $12 – 15 Million on average in revenue.
By raising their expenses to meet the Danish league’s $30 to 40 Milllion, MLS would increase revenue because they had a better product.
But the increase in revenue would be incremental.
Maybe they’d get another $5 Million in revenue by adding 15-20 Million in expenses.
The league would fold.
That is why MLS can’t pay rookies $300K per year.
Remember last year when there were only 4 or 5 rookies that got significant playing time?
What would happen if teams were saddled with another $1 Mill in salary for rookies sitting the bench?
MLS would be another step towards dissolution.
Aljarov…
lol, is it Rosenborg you say you are scouting for, lol??? even if not, it seems your club is slow.. maybe it has something to do with you not knowing the players names..
maybe your club was looking at some kid named Tracey, while Tracy signed with Aab… lol
Are the Euro leagues ALWAYS better for EVERY young player’s development?
Of course not.
However, if I were to use the comments section on this posting as my exclusive source, that’s the only conclusion that could be made.
Tracy made the right decision for him, but to pretend every decent American prospect makes an irrational choice by choosing MLS is preposterous.
MIG..
I think this is a much quicker way to reach the NAT team, than if he played in MLS… remember the teams, the national team plays against does not have the playing style as MLS. So now, he will meet a more physical group of men and a quicker flow of the game..
in 2½ years time he will be sold to a team in UK, or if he has some lingual skills he might end in france.. which would be a scoop for the NAT team to have a player in best french league..
This is just a start, Im sure more guys like him will follow..
Unfortunate for MLS, but good on Tracy to get to a quality squad.
I don’t blame MLS at all for him leaving, it was pretty much the same thing as the Charlie Davies situation. MLS gave Davies MORE money than what he got at Hammarby, but CD was set on going to Europe. Can’t blame that or Tracy … thems the breaks.
Prediction: Tracy struggles for a year, gets his technical game up, and becomes a solid player on the Aalborg squad in 2010.
whats killing me is that these guys are good enough to get contracts in scandanavia, and MLS isnt willing to give them decent salaries, but they are willing to take chances on south americans that pan out maybe 50% of the time at salaries they wont pay americans.
These guys from SA def make the league better, but personally i pay more attention to americans.
I just wish MLS had as much confidence in young americans as they do south americans.
i want to second elliot’s comments. i think to classify every player out of college into what is good or not for american soccer and that individual player is silly. in this case maybe the best bet for tracey was going to europe. i just wish we knew more about his game and playing style besides he is big strong and fast…??? anyway best of luck to him. GO DC!
“explain to me the disapearing act of Kamani Hill, Eric Licahj, brian argez”
well I assume they found out that their quality was way under par… lol
Kamini Hill has got some playing time, but to chose Germany in such an young age, would hurt just most americans..
Scandinavian clubs is better to integrate americans than other places, Scotland might be a good place as well, but the attitude in Germany is more rough and tough, this is within the club…
few years in Scandinavia, and the have proved themselves to other bigger clubs and league they can cut it in europe..
MLS will be much better than the Danish leauge, but this will take over 20 years.. MLS is a youth program, not a real pro-program.. its a great place to start as an american, but dont get fooled, when you become a MAN you better find a better league… or you would regress..
Elliot, this board is no such place for level-headed, reasonable comments! away with you!
I don’t think the fact that he has not played in the national team system U-17, 20 or otherwise should disqualify him from future consideration with the MNT or be a knock on his talent. The national team program misses out on players all the time and if the Hermann Award winner is not on the national team’s radar, what does that say about the MNT’s view of college soccer?
Does anyone know what kind of money Aalborg will give Tracy and what MLS may have offered him?
The Danish article reportedly (I don’t read Danish) states he would have recieved the highest salary ever for an MLS rookie. I doubt they included Freddy Adu who was (I believe) getting paid about half a million per year. Maybe the reporter meant highest contract for a college player or for a 4-year college player.
With MLS’ secretive financial dealings it’s probably hard for any reporter to really know.
Eh, I’ll be uber-surprised if he’s worth all of the hand wringing going on here.
I’ve seen him play 6 times in the past 2 years and he dominates due to his athleticism (he is as athletic as any player i’ve ever seen) and not his skills or tactical awareness. Maybe that’ll develop but he wasn’t going to be worth the money.
MLS threw 250k at charlie davies, and he isn’t worth that money. If MLS threw the same type of money at Tracy then I think they dodged a bullet.
money, money, money, moooooney, mooooooney.
Unless MLS open its pocket book and pay its players decent salaries. This will continue to happen.
He said at the end of last season, after he turned the MLS GA deal, that he was staying at Wake with the hopes of improving and that his ultimate goal was to play in Europe. Good luck to him.
Ives: posted at 2AM, burnin’ the midnight oil. Keep up the good work.
13k a year. Such a deal MLS gives to you!
Laff – I said my team was ‘away from Scandinavia’. You’re going to pick me up on a spelling mistake when you didn’t even read my post properly?!
Apparently, my team wasn’t interested in Tracy as it didn’t fill an immediate need…I don’t necessarily agree with that, but it’s not my job. My point was more that the guy just signed with an agent and is now inking a deal in Denmark. For some players that would be great, but I feel this was too hasty. As a top prospect he could perhaps have found a better deal rather than jumping on the first half decent offer. Just my opinion….
If you have ever been to Copenhagen (can’t speak for the rest of Denmark) you would understand a US college grad making a move there even if the money wasn’t better. It’s an adventure and a life-changing experience to live in western Europe and get paid to boot. MLS will always lose some players this way, just like corporate America does. Please quit beating up MLS over the fact that some kids would rather live abroad (not that MLS doesn’t have issues).
I think it’s funny how people are trying to say the MLS is on par with the Danish League.
Do you really think any MLS team could draw with Celtic, Villareal, or Man U in a game that meant something?
Yeah, if they got extremely lucky.
I don’t care about the bottom half of the league. The fact is the top half of the league is much better than MLS and that makes the Danish League better. End of story.
I think this is egg on MLS’ face. This happened before with Charlie Davies too. MLS needs to seriously expand the salary cap and give these top young prospects more money.
Watch for Don Garber to make some snide comments about Tracy at the draft just like he did with Charlie Davies.
This is definitely not a surprise at all.
> whats killing me is that these guys are
> good enough to get contracts in
> scandanavia, and MLS isnt willing to give
> them decent salaries, but they are willing
> to take chances on south americans
Who are you thinking of? Taking 150k+/yr “chances” on players that looked strong in professional leagues across South America is probably more justifiable than taking the same chance on a player that excelled at the relatively much weaker level of US college soccer. Not all them become stars, but neither do top college players. Some samples:
W. Conde – 163k
G. Padula – 145k
Dejair – 185k
Schelotto – 375k
A. Rocha – 135k
P. Richetti – 139k
D. Sala – 139k
Fred – 242k
Gallardo – 1.8mil
I. Guerrero – 147k
Given these salaries, why would MLS pay any college kid more than $150k/year? Even the best college players are a mixed bag. Glance at the #1s from Matt McKeon to Steve Shak to Chance Myers. Some hits, some misses. No compelling reason to spend more on this bunch than on foreign pros who are tested against far superior competition.
On the other hand, MLS also takes “chances” on much cheaper talent from S. America, Central America, Africa, Europe, etc., too. A few 2008 salaries:
A, Moffat – 17k
G. Segares – 61k (best LB in league)
M. Pappa – 33k
Smart move on his part. I have also advised my sons to skip MLS to start their careers abroad. They are very agreeable. Of course they are 2 years old and 4 months old, but so far so good.
I see this happening for a long time. Until MLS ups the Cap and starts playing in big time internaitonal tourneys like Libertadores. This gives players incentives to stay home and play a a very good standard for decent money. not 12k
I love how we’re all arguing about this (still unofficial) move as if we actually knew the terms of either MLS’ or Aalborg’s offer. To be honest, I think people are probably right to assume that MLS probably offered Tracy $90-120k per year and that Aalborg’s offer will be substantially (50-150%) more. But then our middle school wrestling coaches probably have something to say about what happens when we “ass-u-me.”
I think this move has to be frustrating for MLS and its fans, but it shouldn’t be surprising. We know the economics, and if we’re at all realistic we know that in the next five years (at least) MLS won’t be able to compete financially with the mid-tier European leagues for most players, especially for players who are in some way risky because they haven’t yet played a game against professional competition. It is what it is.
For Tracy’s sake, though, I’m glad he made the move. Denmark in general and Aalborg in particular have the reputation for playing very smart, tactical soccer. Tracy has the reputation of being an astonishing athlete who needs significant tactical and technical polishing. So he’s in a position to get some playing time and to get the coaching he needs to raise his game, and he’s old enough that he doesn’t have any time to spare on that front.
In a way, this move may actually help the MLS retain players like Tracy. Even before the economy turned into a pumpkin, it pretty much impossible that going into the upcoming collective bargaining talks MLS would be able to raise the salary cap enough to compete with the Scandinavian leagues. But one thing that would make MLS more attractive to young Americans would be make transfer clauses standard in their contracts. Young prospects might be more willing to sign three-year contracts if those contracts included an obligation for MLS to sell them to foreign clubs if a) the players wanted to be sold and b) the clubs offered X dollars for them. That solution wouldn’t cost the MLS money, prestige, or players.
And please don’t mistake my comments into me thinking Tracy should make this move. It’s hard to say at this point if he made the right now. But if he had chosen to enter the MLS Draft, it’s safe to assume he would have seen a lot of first team playing time. At least more than he would in the Danish League. However, you can’t blame him with the money involved in pro sports and such. A pro athlete also has a limited time to cash in as his skills are usually only valuable until his early 30′s.
Chicken, egg. Egg, chicken.
I’m a huge soccer fan but I won’t pay good money to see the mediocre product MLS puts on the field. Is that because the league won’t pay enough to lure and retain quality players? In a word, Yes.
Good luck, Marcus.
it is what it is… hopefully he will go the way of Charlie Davies, and become the teams premier scoring option w/ a very bright national team future… The MLS will survive
before Seltzer posted his most recent update he had this, I wonder which German terms were looking at him.
UPDATE: Since it seems to have caught the wind in Denmark, I’ll go ahead and spill. It appears Aalborg BK are about to beat German interest to sign the forward. I hope to speak with the club’s technical director around lunchtime on Friday for some confirmation.
UPDATE UPDATE: AaB exec Lynge Jacobsen would not comment. It seem they are trying to get this done as quietly as possible to avoid a bidding war with other interested clubs in Germany and Norway. I’ve been trying to get someone at Aalborg to talk about this for three days now.
As an American soccer fan, this is a travesty. I am all for players taking their game to the next level, but leagues in scandanavia are not the next level. MLS is better than the danish league and should be. MLS is in some of the best markets in the world like NY, LA, Chicago etc.
However, it is difficult to ask the fans to consider MLS a big time league when they won’t do what it takes to get the best talent available. It is ridiculous to go out and splash money for South American talent when MLS is unwilling to pay for the American talent.
For me this is sad. As a fan I wanted to see a talent like Tracy play in the league. Nobody watches Danish soccer. He will completely get lost in Scandanavia like many other American talents have. Unfortunately he took the short term payout and didn’t look at the long term prospects of MLS.
Like I said, it is fine to lose talent to England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. But we shouldn’t be losing talent to minor European Leagues.
CRM: Sure, it is possible that he could gel into a player for the MNT. But to be honest, most national players get looks long before they are 22, whether it’s the full men’s squad or the U20s, etc.
Laugh: Hey, I hope the kid is awesome and ends up being a real baller. Who knows? He might truly have been a late-bloomer.
MLS=Minor League Soccer
It is certainly a big disappointment for the MLS to lose a big time talent like Marcus Tracey. I think we will continue to lose our best young homegrown talent until the league changes the Collective Bargaining Agreement and offers Americans a reasonable salary(Not B.S 30K-90K). A prime American Athlete deserves more money than that less than mediocre salary. I am a big fan of Tracey’s and wish him the best in Denmark. His technical skill will improve drastically, as European Coaches are the best at helping players develop technical skills.
@MattC
How is MLS better than the Danish league? Is it better in terms of money, level of play, % of viewership of the general population, clubs selling players if the offer is good?
An advice for you, show respect to “minor” leagues if you want others to respect your league.
Hello all US soccer fans.
I´m an Aalborg fan from Denmark. We are reigning champions and have just had a terrific spel in the european cup.
At the same time we have said goodbye to 3 strikers – so if Marcus has the talent there is great opputunity for him to get playing time in the danish league.
Years back we have had Rich Iversen and Peter Woodgate from the US with limited succes. Iversen with great heading ability but limited technique, while Woodgate missed physigue.
Last year Danny Califf captained our team to the top – but was then lured away to a mediocre team for the money!. He was our very own captain america – with a never-say-die attitude – but like Iversen with limited technigue and even worse – perhaps – to slow for the fast flowing european game.
Aalborg is a very young team. Everybody in Denmark speaks english (unlike in Germany), and everybody in and around the team will surely do their best to help him settle (if he signs that is). This would not be the case in Germany – where it is well known a new/young player risk getting slaughtered at training sessions – if the perputraitor believes that will gain him a place in the starting line up.
So I believe there is good sence in joining a danish side – to get to know the european game.
And as I told above – we are in need of a strong/big physical forward with heading abillity, and hope to find that in MT. Can you elaborate on his qualities?.
In Aalborg – which is the 4. biggest city in Denmark with app. 150.000 inhabitants
MT will find a quite unique training facillities – even for european standards – with a turf pitch – 15 grass pitches – the players own private facillities to rest in between daily training sessions, lunch being prepared for them – and a smaller but modern and intimate stadium for league games in the center of the city.
They have top of the country coaches and a unique Director with experince, skill and a personal qualities from the top-drawer.
So if MT has got the abillity – it will surely be a grat move for him, and his talent will be in the best hands, and have the oppourtunity to gain tactical and technical progress.
But tell me/us- how good is this kid really!?
Big expectations and regards from Denmark
Mr. Pedersen
Hello all US soccer fans.
I´m an Aalborg fan from Denmark. We are reigning champions and have just had a terrific spel in the european cup.
At the same time we have said goodbye to 3 strikers – so if Marcus has the talent there is great opputunity for him to get playing time in the danish league.
Years back we have had Rich Iversen and Peter Woodgate from the US with limited succes. Iversen with great heading ability but limited technique, while Woodgate missed physigue.
Last year Danny Califf captained our team to the top – but was then lured away to a mediocre team for the money!. He was our very own captain america – with a never-say-die attitude – but like Iversen with limited technigue and even worse – perhaps – to slow for the fast flowing european game.
Aalborg is a very young team. Everybody in Denmark speaks english (unlike in Germany), and everybody in and around the team will surely do their best to help him settle (if he signs that is). This would not be the case in Germany – where it is well known a new/young player risk getting slaughtered at training sessions – if the perputraitor believes that will gain him a place in the starting line up.
So I believe there is good sence in joining a danish side – to get to know the european game.
And as I told above – we are in need of a strong/big physical forward with heading abillity, and hope to find that in MT. Can you elaborate on his qualities?.
In Aalborg – which is the 4. biggest city in Denmark with app. 150.000 inhabitants
MT will find a quite unique training facillities – even for european standards – with a turf pitch – 15 grass pitches – the players own private facillities to rest in between daily training sessions, lunch being prepared for them – and a smaller but modern and intimate stadium for league games in the center of the city.
They have top of the country coaches and a unique Director with experince, skill and a personal qualities from the top-drawer.
So if MT has got the abillity – it will surely be a grat move for him, and his talent will be in the best hands, and have the oppourtunity to gain tactical and technical progress.
But tell me/us- how good is this kid really!?
Big expectations and regards from Denmark
Mr. Pedersen
Tracy has signed.. great news, its sometimes its hard for newcomers to just join up and play, the cold, new environment and stuff hits them, but when this seasons starts up again in march he will see playing time already then!! and he will get about 80-90% of the 1st-team games, after summer in the new season..
I cannot believe the us national team has not invited tracy to the program in order to develop his skills. I saw him play in high school and said he would be in the program in the next couple years. It is absurd and says a lot about why our program will always be second rate.
To the guy that claimed that the MLS is a better league than the danish league – you couldn’t be more wrong.
The danish league might be on same level as the MLS 9-10 years ago, but now – the danish league is clearly a better league than the MLS.
This season, Aalborg have had following good results in the CL:
Man. Utd. 2-2 Aalborg – on Old Trafford
Aab 2-2 Villareal at home
Aalborg 2-1 Celtic at home
Another Danish team played called F.C. Midtjylland played Man. City and were unlucky to be defeated on penalties after a match they controlled until the late equaliser by Man. City.
F.C. København and Aalborg er through to the next stage in the UEFA-cup after a 3. place for Aalborg in the CL-group, and F.C. København got through by taking the last place in the UEFA-cup-group.
A danish club called OB were close to going through in the Uefa, but were unlucky to get defeate by Aston Villa after two very close matches.
The danish league is a league that has evolved very much in the last couple of years, and MLS-teams would stand no chance if they were to play in the danish league – i’m afraid to say.
The transfer of Marcus Tracy is in my opinion a very wise move for him, as Aalborg has been a good club for many evolving players to kick-start their internationa career through the years. A player like Jesper Grønkjær fx. came from Aalborg, moved to Ajax then later on Chelsea and had a succesful international career before joining F.C. København a couple of years ago.
The danish league has spawned many legendary players and international stars – here is a quick list.
Peter Schmeichel – started his career in Brøndby IF
Michael Laudrup – also started his career in Brøndby
Brian Laudrup – also started his career in Brøndby
Preben Elkjær – started his career in Vanløse IF
Allan Simonsen – started his career in Vejle BK
Daniel Agger – also started his career in Brøndby
Johan Elmander – kickstarted his career in Brøndby
Tulio de Melo – kickstarted his career in Aalborg – after his time in Aalborg he became one of the most dangerous attackers in the french league.
Christian Poulsen – evolved in F.C. København which resulted in a contract with Schalko 04, and later Sevilla and now Juventus
Daniel Jensen – started his career in B93. Is now a star player in Werder Bremen
and the list could go on, but all in all, a good move for Marcus Tracy. He will get career opportunites in Europe that he wouldn’t even get close to in the MLS. I look forward to see him in the Aalborg-jersey. Go Tracy!