Your (OLD) questions answered

Good morning all. It is a seriously slow day on the American soccer front. MLS coaches are traveling around trying to land players before opening camp next week (and before the January transfer window closes). There should be some big news emerging later this week as contracts get signed and the new crop of MLS talent prepares to come aboard.

For those of you who had forgotten, I never did complete the final Q&A session on the old Soccer By Ives site. I'm sure some of you gave up on hearing answers to them but I refused to just forget them. I know some of the questions have already become outdated but there was still enough to discuss so I decided to finish them off before getting to the first Q&A session of the new SBI.

So here they are, your OLD questions answered:

FELIX- With the Mitchell Report such a dominant American sports story today in the news, what kind of drug testing is done in MLS?

IVES- Drug testing does take place in MLS, with players tested for performance-enhancing drugs as well as illegal drugs. I'll see about getting a list of banned substances.

ANTHONY BOUTS- Ives, if you were Juan Carlos Osorio (assuming he is named coach anytime soon) what would you want for Christmas? players, staff, Macy's gift card, or league rule changes, etc.

and if its not too much trouble, do you have any idea if the Red Bulls will have new jerseys next year? any chance of ever wearing another red home kit

thanks Ives

IVES- Wow, can you tell it's been a while since these questions were asked? Well, if I'm Osorio I want a quality attacking midfielder, a speedy left winger and some grass for Giants Stadium all season. At least the first two are actually possible.

RONNY- What are you hearing in regards to Ruiz to L.A...?
Please tell me you don't see this going down...? We dont want a fat striker in L.A. :(

IVES- Ruiz is already there and the Galaxy has its high-priced trio of Beckham, Donovan and Ruiz.

UNCLE DAVE- A> What direction do you see Osorio guiding the Bulls?

B> Any word on 2 DP's a team?

C> How do you get tickets to the Confederation and World Cup?

IVES- I think Osorio could lead the Red Bulls to an MLS Cup trip this year. Two DPs a team isn't happening. You can go through US Soccer for information on tickets for the World Cup, that's aside from the traditional ticket agencies. Participating federations are given tickets for these competitions so

PETER- In the most recent "MLS Extra Time" episode on MLSNET, Shep Messing said of the Andriy Shevchenko to MLS rumors that he "has spoken directley to the parties involved and that they want it to happen, New York specifically." What have you been hearing about this possible blockbuster transfer? Although there is currently no DP slot open, I could see the league making an exception for a player of this magnitude.

IVES- Shevchenko isn't coming to MLS this year. I don't see that happening. All bets are off for 2009, when the Red Bulls are expected to open Red Bull Park.

JACK- It is being reported today that AC Milan will not renew Ronaldo's contract and that he is lining up a possible stateside move. New York and LA have been mentioned, what are you hearing about possible interest in Ronaldo from RBNY or other MLS clubs?

IVES- I'm sure there is interest in Ronaldo but I see him staying in Italy for at least another year.

LOJO- What are you hearing on Red Bull making its two possible signings from the youth academy this offseason? There has been alot of talk about Matt Kassel, Johnny X, and Walter Hines, what is the latest on this situation?

IVES- The Red Bulls won't be addressing this situation until at least March. The club is in no rush and I doubt more than one player is signed.

CRAIG- Do you see Harkes and Richie Williams saying with the club as Osorio's assistants, or will the whole staff be cleaned out?

IVES- As you know, Harkes has moved on to TV for now while Williams is going to take on a different role with the club, I believe it will be a scouting/personnel position. Des McAleenan is staying.

BRAD- Is Agoos still the front-runner for the technical director job? If not who is?

IVES- He has the job, well the sporting director job.

ERIC- What one international player (from any country) do you think would improve today's USMNT the most? Not asking for best player, per se, just which player do you think would fit in the best with our team at a position we need.

IVES- Good question, one with no right answer. If I had to go with one player I would say Kaka. I'm sure some people would argue for a more traditional striker up top like Drogba or Ibrahimovic, or a top central defender like Rio Ferdinand or Nesta. I say Kaka would work well with the players the U.S. team currently has, has a great temperament that would make him a good locker room guy and would make a decent U.S. attack deadly.

HAIG- What is the transfer fee for Troy Perkins, and how are allocations valued for such transfers?

IVES- Perkins' transfer was reported to be worth $750,000. Here is Steve Goff's piece on the transfer.

JON G- 1. What's a REALISTIC midfielder (preferably an offensive mid) that the Red Bulls can trade for without having losing certain players like Jozy, JPA, Richards, Dema, and Parke. So in other words, if you were the GM of RBNY, which midfielder do you trade for and how much would you give up (reasonably of course)?

2. You do know that when you say that you're gonna post your answers on Monday, that pretty much means that they wont be posted until Friday...? ;-)

3. Giuseppe Rossi is still available to play for the USMNT. But he has already played for the U-20 and U-21 National teams for Italy. So the rules are that you can play for the youth teams of one nation, and then change your mind when it comes to the full men's team?

4. Last one, I promise! Since San Jose is back next year, and they are still without a SSS, what was the point of relocating to Houston to years ago if they're back at SJ now?

IVES- I'm pretty sure that Juan Osorio will acquire an attacking midfielder from South America. 2. This time it took more than a month, but to be fair I was busy with the new site. 3. The only reason Rossi can still change his mind is because USA is his nation of birth. If you have played for youth teams like a U-20/21 squad, you become cap tied unless you haven't played for your native country, in that case you have until your 21st birthday to switch back. After 21 you are stuck. Now, if you have never played for any national team then you can choose a national team other than you're native one (if you happen to be living in that country and can meet citizenship requirements). So as far as I know someone like Wilman Conde or Luciano Emilio could theoretically play for the US national team if they could get their citizenship.

JOHNNY- Do you think Carlos Bocanegra is about to be transfered to another team? I thought he was in good form before Sanchez benched him. Do you think he is afraid he will be injured before the next window opens? What do you think of Sanchez? I think he'll be the next prem manager to get the axe.

IVES- I don't think Bocanegra is going anywhere. And as you can see, Sanchez was sacked long ago.

JERRY- Any idea if Carlos Bocanegra is injured or is he falling out of favor at Fulham?

IVES- He fell out of favor with Sanchez, but that doesn't matter now that Sanchez has been booted and Bocanegra returned to the starting lineup.

AARON- I'd like to impose my very real situation upon you... Hypothetically, you are an avid US soccer fan and follow the MLS with great interest. There is but one problem: you are a man without a club. You've never lived in a state with a MLS team and never lived closer than 200 miles to the nearest city sporting one. You can not think of one reason to hold any loyalty to any of the current teams but desperately want to follow one. Who do you cheer for?

IVES- Absolutely great question. My suggestion is to watch has much MLS as you can and eventually you will start to like one or two teams. You could also go the route of rooting for a team that has players from where you live but I think that's kinda boring (and players move so much it can become a hassle). I remember being impressed with how many DC United and LA Galaxy fans lived all over the country, outside of the markets of those teams.

ALEX- How long do you think Dempsey will stay at Fulham? I think if they get relegated this year he will leave, but even if they manage to stay up I'm wondering if there are any bigger clubs interested in him.

Also, how soon is Michael Bradley out of the Netherlands and playing for a big club? I'm thinking a club like Blackburn or Everton, not Real or Barca.

IVES- Dempsey leaves after this season if they are relegated. He's proven he can play in the EPL and plenty of teams would be interested if Fulham went down.

As for Michael Bradley, I would say sooner than people think.

STEIGS- What's the take on Harkes as an assistant coach? From the outside, he seems like someone who might get a head coaching shot in MLS in the next couple of years, given his resume and name recognition. But only if people actually think he's shown some ability during his Red Bull stint.

IVES- I have heard conflicting accounts of Harkes' performance as assistant coach. I have heard players say he was a good coach with a great knowledge of the game who worked well with young players. I have also heard that he is not a great coach because he still thinks he's a player and therefore gets caught up developing player-player relationships rather than player-coach relationships. There is no doubting that he has the knowledge of the game. I just don't know if he has established himself as a coach yet and the more time passes the more difficult I think it will be for him to break in as a head coach.

RICH- Assuming Osorio and Red Bulls finalize a deal and he is indeed "the man", I guess all that matters is that the New York team is extremely competitive and can compete to win MLS Cup.

However Ives, do you think Osorio's tactics preference ... which seems to be defend very well, score a goal per game, just enough to win ... will sit well with fans? (Q1)

Would Preki have been a better fit for New York with his preference for an attacking style and tons of fast, short-passes? (Q2)

After all, Chivas USA thrashed New York 2-0 and 3-0 under Preki's watch this year. Chivas USA was very effective until both starting strikers were lost to injuries.

I know that both coaches are using the talents of each of their teams' players but I think each coach leans to a style of play to which they're most comfortable.

IVES- I think you're concept of what Osorio's tactics are is misguided. I don't think people appreciated enough the fact that Chicago's personnel on defense dictated that he used more numbers to defend and the club's lack of reliable forwards made producing consistent offense difficult (and would have been near impossible if not for Blanco). Osorio is not going to keep Juan Pablo Angel and Jozy Altidore from getting chances. In fact, he is doing all he can to build the team around them so they get the service they need to score. Yes, Osorio stresses disciplined defending, but that isn't a bad thing. A 1-0 win is still better than a 4-3 loss.

As for Preki's "preference" for an attacking style, this is once again a misleading perception of what a coach's tactics are about. Preki had the personnel to play an attacking style, a system put in place by Bob Bradley. Preki had quality strikers and dangerous midfielders. The idea that this offense was created by Preki's preferred style of play is incorrect. As an attacking player I am sure Preki prefers free-flowing soccer but it's easier to play that way when you have the horses. What's that saying about chicken salad? In short, I don't think Preki has last year's Chicago Fire scoring goals in bunches.

BK- 1) SBI Readers want to know: Will you step out from behind your computer to meet Yanqui in a one-on-one cage match?

2) Why do you think that American sports (football, basketball, baseball) seem to have so many issues with crime? It's very rare that a soccer player (ESPECIALLY an MLS player) gets in trouble for anything more than a bar brawl and I find it extremely odd that this particular sport doesn't have a lot of problems, but the NFL, the NBA, and now the MLB have problems running rampant. Do you think it's a product of our society here in the States or do you think it's something else?

IVES- I think Yanqui and I have squashed any beef we had.

BK, I think at least part of it is that athletes having a ton of money can lead to some of them putting themselves in bad situations and making stupid mistakes because they can't handle the fame and fortune. That isn't really a problem in MLS, where the select few who make major money are handled like mini-corporations.

I also think that when you have athletes who are from the inner city making major money and still maintaining ties to the inner city you will wind up with situations where athletes can get into trouble. There aren't exactly a bunch of MLS players who can honestly say they grew up in the inner city. I know some like to think they did, but not many really did (and for those wondering, I spent parts of my childhood living in Plainfield, North Newark and Passaic, New Jersey).

RYAN- Any info on Charles Renken of the U-17s? Hes awfully talented for being so young and it seems like he should be getting some looks from some big-time clubs. Thanks Ives.

IVES- Well, considering he can't sign anywhere other than MLS until he is 18 I don't think we'll be hearing much about big-time clubs for some time. Maybe he's the first pick of the St. Louis expansion team in 2010. There it is, I said it. You heard it here first. Okay, I'm only half kidding.

AMIT- 1)Do you get the impression that any Americans will be coming home to play in MLS during the winter transfer window?
2) DO you believe any Canadians in MLS will be headed to Toronto soon?
I think they should try to pry Martin Nash away from Vancouver. He plays for the national team!

IVES- Haven't heard of any Americans coming home. If I were laying odds I might go with Brian McBride as the favorite to come home, though the odds wouldn't be great. I've spent three years thinking it would be the right time for Gregg Berhalter to return to the states but he's playing well for 1860 Munich so I think he stays put another year.

MJ- Kansas City Wizards Stadium news

IVES- Let me do some digging on this one.

SHAJ- who runs the show at chelsea? avram grant or henk ten cate?

IVES- I would imagine Grant.

RS- Do you know if there is any truth to the rumor that I read on a few web sites saying that ESPN may be looking at getting the EPL US TV rights starting in 2009? I think that would be a decent fit on Saturday/Sunday mornings (would be on before their college football coverage in the Fall and I dont think it would have any ESPN conflicts in the Spring)

IVES- I have heard that as well but I will make some inquiries to see if there are more details. Maybe my dream gig of being color analyst alongside JP Dellacamera can come true after all. 

JEFF- Any word on why Bocanegra is suddenly riding the bench at Fulham? Is he hurt? Did he upset the coach? A few weeks ago he was captain of the side, and now he's out of the lineup while the defense continues to give up goals in bunches. What's going on?

IVES- Seems like Lawrie Sanchez and Bocanegra had a falling out, or Sanchez felt Bocanegra's form had fallen. Either way, Sanchez was fired and Bocanegra returned to the starting lineup so it's all history.

SEAN H- After watching some of the Nike Friendlies in Bradenton, I was wondering what the state of our youth national teams are. How do they compare to the rest of the world? And who are the players that we should keep are eye on that might become the next Adu or Altidore?

IVES- Obviously players like Charlie Renken, Carlos Martinez, Joe Gyau and Stefon Jerome look pretty good as prospects but identifying the next big thing is far from an exact science. I would say watch that foursome and you'll see some growth in the coming years.

Dominghosa- 1. Hottest MLS wife? 2. Where would you rate Jozy and Adu in the top 50 of world's best teenagers? I know I have better questions somehwere, just cna't think of them now. Anyway,
Thanks and keep up the great job.

IVES- 1. I wouldn't touch that question with a 30-yard free kick. 2. I would say both merit top 50 consideration. As for an exact ranking, I would have no idea where to put them, somewhere between 35 and 50? When they are starting in Europe and playing well then they can be considered for a higher place.

A.S.- On the thread about Riquelme a few weeks ago, I commented that I'm very impressed with what the Villareal manager, Manuel Pellegrini, has done in taking a small club, with no real history, deep into Champions League and now challenging for the La Liga title. In the past you have listed your top 5 players in the world today, and your top 5 defenders. I'm curious what your top 5 club managers are at present. Sure, we can all list guys like Sir Alex and Jose and Wenger. Any other managers out there you think has been doing a great job lately?

IVES- Spalletti at Roma is a great coach, as is Pellegrini. I think David Moyes is underrated as a manager and Sven Goran Erikkson has done a great job with Man City. My Top Five managers right now are: 1. Alex Ferguson, 2. Arsene Wenger, 3. Luciano Spalletti, 4. Manuel Pellegrini, 5. Roberto Mancini with Moyes and Erikkson getting honorable mention.

DOMINGHOSA- OK, one more. My bad. Just thought of one.
Why are great high school players like Matt Kassel not a part of the US youth national teams in major tournaments?
Is it because they aren't good enough to beat out those who are already in the pros and college? Or is it a preference for them to stay in high school?
I probably answered my own question. But thanks.

IVES- Some players are caught in a bad year, where they're a year young for the U-17 or U-20 set-up of a given cycle, and some players are late bloomers so they're identified late. Kassel is a U-18 player and I'm sure will have a role with the U-20 team in the next cycle.

BC- 1. What do you know about sell on clauses for MLS players? Was Adu the first one to have it? What sort of compensation are we looking at, and what might mean be for any future Jozy sale?

2. Does Jozy have anything lined up in regards to training with any European teams? (I know he was supposed to be over at Man Utd. last year, but injuries nixed it.) Or is his involvement with Olympic prep going to nix that?

3. Know anything about what Daniel Hernandez (ex Metro, Revs, and Necaxa) is up to now?

Thanks. Hope I didn't group too many questions together. If you have any insight, great. If not, that's cool too. Thanks, Ives.

IVES- I know that sell-on clauses are generally a part of deals involving younger players. That should always be an automatic when you're talking about anybody under the age of 23 who transfers. Adu was NOT the first to have one. As for Jozy, you can rest assured he will have a sell-on clause whenever he makes the move to Europe.

DAVE- What do you think of Platini's plan to try and include more "lesser" sides in Champions League play? Also do you think the club world cup is just a waste of time or would you like to see a bit of an expansion in the tournament.

IVES- I think the Champions League was fine as it was. There is no need to change it. As for the Club World Cup, I think they need to get it out of Japan and rotate it around the world. I get that Japan has tons of money to spend on it but if you want it to have real appeal you need to have it in different countries, and in time zones that will allow more nations to see it at a reasonable hour.

SPIKE FC- What's the take around the league on the Boswell - Wells deal? Positive or negative for DC?

Any rumors about who DC might be pursuing on D?

IVES- I think it's a great deal for DC. They got a quality goalkeeper for a defender whose stock is at its lowest in a year. Zach Wells is one of the most underrated goalkeepers in the league and I don't mind saying that I think he will be better than Troy Perkins, who I was never sold on.

ADAM SPANGLER- Over/Under. 2 years for RBNY to become one of the best franchises in MLS

IVES- On the soccer side, things are going great for RBNY. From the youth academy to the stadium to the hiring of Juan Osorio. I would say give it four years before the club is a strong and steady force in the league. That is assuming the leadership can keep the momentum going.

ROEHL- After two years of Red Bull, is this team (and organization) surpassing, meeting, or falling behind reasonable expectations?

IVES- Red Bull has really begun to show a serious committment to building a winner and has done some positive things that weren't easy to do. From buying out Bruce Arena to paying to pry away Juan Osorio from Chicago to getting stadium construction started to establishing a free youth academy, these are major accomplishments. And yes, I know it's ultimately a matter of Red Bull throwing money at these issues, but at least the company has figured out what its money should be going toward, real development rather than Shakira concerts. To answer your question Roehl, Red Bull has finally begin to meet expectations as an ownership group.

STEVE- What do you think about a Miami expansion for MLS? Haven't we been there before?

Also, what do you think about the club vs. nation tensions with the big European teams (see comments about the timing of the Nations' Cup)? Who has the power?

Also! Is Ladon Donovan going to be a factor in the next few years, or is he in danger of losing his job to the 800 other midfielders that always seem to be called up for national team camps? Do you think the U.S. will ever put more than two forwards on the field at the same time!?

IVES- Well, there's a big difference between the previous Miami Fusion experiment and the new one. The old Fusion played in Ft. Lauderdale in a glorified high school stadium. The new plan calls for a stadium in the middle of Miami, in good position to take advantage of the different ethnic groups in that area that would gravitate toward soccer. I think it can work, and I'm not just saying that because I want an excuse to go to Miami.

As for club vs. country, FIFA gives countries the power but players are left with decisions to make. It boils down to national teams and clubs being reasonable with the demands. Some national team programs appear a bit too infatuated with flexing all power and not being reasonable, which makes life difficult for players. That is why you see some players just retire rather than deal with it. I think Bob Bradley handles this well. He understands that the standing of his players is important so he doesn't do things to jeopardize that standing, like making pointless call-ups.

And Landon Donovan is still one of the best attacking players in U.S. national team history. Suggestions that he will be phased out are WAY premature. As for playing more than two forwards, I don't see that happening except for desperate situations where the team is facing a major deficit.

ED- Whatever happened to Elie Ikangu? He seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. Do you think Osorio will give him a chance?

IVES- Elie has talent but he just cannot stay healthy. He is just not physically equipped to play soccer and not get injured. It has probably helped him that different regimes have passed through the organization because if it had been the same staff in place Ikangu would probably have been waived already. I can't see him having much of a future with the Red Bulls.

DANIEL SULLIVAN- Can you explain the surplus of negative criticism regularly aimed at Landon Donovan? Is it just that he is not pushing himself to the limit by playing in
Europe or is there much more to it than that? This topic is worthy of an editorial piece. If you have already produced one please provide a link.

IVES- Donovan isn't the first player to face criticism. It happens to some of the world's best at one time or another. I think the problem for some people is that Donovan is this country's most talented player and some perceive him as not making the most of his ability.

There is some resentment from some who feel that this perceived lack of motivation has made him less of a player and therefore made him less effective for the national team. I agree with this on some levels but there are also those who have an unhealthy disdain for Donovan when the fact remains he has done a lot for the U.S. national team and the game in this country.

CHICAGO MILLONARIO- Looking at all of the current coaches in MLS, which one do you think has a realistic shot at coaching in Europe? And even if there isn't one going over anytime soon, who would you want to see manage abroad?

IVES- I could see Steve Nicol coaching in Europe. Frank Yallop and Juan Osorio may have that chance down the road as well. All three have either played or coached in Europe, which I believe makes them more appealing to prospective European clubs than coaches with no European experience.

ERIK ABARCA- Was up Ives? I am sure you know about the Peruvian Soccer Federation ordeal. What is your insight on that, what do you think about the penalties on the players? Is it too harsh? What do you think?

IVES- I thought the penalties were too harsh. Suspending the players for a game or two would have sent a message and not severely weakened the team, which is what indefinite suspensions have done. I know some other readers feel the players should be punished severely but we don't even know the extent of what the players did.

Comments

[kpugs]

Unrelated topic: http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengscoprrangersfulham&prov=afp&type=lgns

Fulham have signed ANOTHER striker. Logjam blah blah logjam blah blah blah.

[Dominghosa]

It's more like stupidity blah blah stupidity blah blah blah.

[bc]

Regarding Fulham's striker signings, it's looking like the Marlon King deal is going to fall through. I read the Cousin move as the replacement for King. EJ, I presume, is still in the works.

[Tim F.]

Thanks for answering the questions Ives. Can't wait for the next Q&A.

[Dick]

In answer to a question regarding Donovan you said: "There is some resentment from some who feel that this perceived lack of motivation has made him less of a player and therefore made him less effective for the national team. I agree with this on some levels . . . ."

I can sympathize with your viewpoint "on some levels." But I have a real problem with most of these critics.

Particularly in the last year or so, one rarely sees a "lack of motivation" on the field. What Donovan's critics are usually talking about, instead, is his return from Germany (which they would presumably not have done in similar circumstances) and his lack of interest in returning to Europe (which they would presumably do in a New York minute).

In their view, Donovan has some sort of an obligation to them, as fans, to strive to be the best soccer player he can, regardless of all other considerations.

But it's Donovan's life, not theirs. He gets to decide. And they have no standing to whine about it. We fans must take each player as he is, and this just as much a part of who Donovan is as his great speed, great vision, great first touch, etc., etc., etc.

Other things are clearly more important to Donovan than trying to prove he is world class (or at least that he is good enough to play in a better league). He has a good life, near to family and friends, where his wife can also enjoy success in her chosen profession. For him, that is enough. He has opted for "happy," even if it means that he will be less "successful," less famous and less wealthy than he might have been. Some seem to think this evidences a serious flaw in his character. I think it shows how smart and how very sane he is.

[Tim F.]

Well stated Dick.

[rocky]

hey, i just wanted to get your take on the future of mls. as an avid soccer fan myself, i see big things in the future for the league, i really can see it being one of the best in the world. what is your time table for that to happen, if ever?

and, have you heard anything new on big time players potentially coming to the league for the start of next year.