(Some of) Your Questions Answered

Good afternoon everybody. While we await word on some big news on the MLS front, here are some of the answers to the last Q&A session I did on the old SBI site.

JASON- USA MNT 1st XI since 1990?

IVES- Wow. Got a tougher question? If we're talking player at their best as opposed to basing it on careers, here is my take:

-------Clint Mathis--------Brian McBride-----

------------------Landon Donovan------------

Damarcus Beasley-------------------Tab Ramos

---------John Harkes----Claudio Reyna---

Alexi Lalas------Eddie Pope-----Marcelo Balboa

---------------------Keller---------------------

I know this may not work from a positional standpoint, particularly in the back, but that's my Best XI based on players at their best . If we're talking cumulative accomplishments that is a different starting XI, but maybe not by much. You'd probably replace Mathis with Earnie Stewart Eric Wynalda and call it a day. This really does deserve its own story and I may have to do one (if someone else doesn't do it first). At the very least, it should make for a great discussion.

ESSEFF- How prevalent is performance-enhancing drugs in world soccer? If so, do you suspect any players/teams/leagues more than others?

IVES- I'm sure it exists on some level but I think the ever-increasing punishments on drug use make it a not worth the risk. I really don't think it exists in MLS because I'm not sure any MLS player is risking their future health for the salaries MLS pays.

TIM F- Thanks for answering these two (and all the other) questions:

1. For the Expansion draft, why didn’t the Red Bulls expose Claudio Reyna -- similar to the way FC Dallas exposed Denilson -- and instead protect Joe Vide?

2. How do the Red Bulls go about filling their most pressing needs this off-season?

IVES- My understanding is that since Reyna had a no-trade clause he couldn't be left unprotected since he could basically halt San Jose from acquiring him.

As for the team's most pressing needs, I think you can say that left wing, left back and center back are the most pressing. Osorio wants to get more athletic and I have a feeling Dave Van Den Bergh's days might be numbered. He also may be in the market for an attacking midfielder, specifically from South America.

ELIANA- When is the hiring decision on the Red Bulls Sporting Director/Technical Director expected to be made and will Juan Carlos Osorio report to this person or vice-versa?

I’m curious how the responsibilities are being carved out (e.g., who will be ultimately responsible for player personnel selections, JCO or the SD/TD, etc.).

IVES- Expect a decision before the draft and expect Jeff Agoos to be the guy. And according to deGrandpre, Osorio and Agoos will work together, with both men reporting to deGrandpre.

DIGZTFC- With low developmental salaries (17K), kids bypassing the draft to go to europe (Sal Zizzo), successful kids eventual departure(Edu), will the new CBA salary cap put a stop to the bleeding of youth players or will it reflect the improvement of the game overall? Basically, will the entry level salaries increase and thats it or will it increase to bring in higher value players?

IVES- Is there a new CBA on the horizon? That's news to me. I don't think minimum salaries are what is going to stop young talent from leaving because top young talent isn't leaving for Europe because of a few grand. They're leaving for considerably more money AND the prestige and higher level of Europe. That doesn't always help their careers and who knows, maybe the rash of Americans struggling for playing time in Europe will make young Americans reconsidering going abroad so quickly.

ART- 1. Have the Red Bulls curtailed their scouting efforts in Argentina and Brazil or are Red Bull efforts the same or greater than other MLS clubs but purposely kept under the radar?

I read reports that Red Bull’s competitors like DC United, KC and NE and even FCD and RSL are quite active in scouting down there.

2. Do you think Juan Carlos Osorio is a significant enough upgrade over Bruce Arena that he is worth what the Red Bulls gave the Fire in order to hire Juan Carlos Osorio?

IVES- 1. I seem to recall the Red Bulls doing their fair share of scouting in South America last year. Do they have the connections that a DC has? Nope, but part of that has to do with the continuity DC has enjoyed in the front office. When a club has the same people in place for years those people are bound to develop better and stronger relationships with clubs abroad.

That said, Osorio has spent almost two weeks in Colombia and is actively pursuing players to acquire so the Red Bull have a presence in South America right now.

2. The Red Bulls didn't part ways with Arena to bring in Osorio. The Red Bulls parted ways with Arena because A) they weren't happy with the team's progress and B) Arena's issues with players and staff played a role even if Red Bulls officials won't say so.

LAWRENCETERP- Can you liken each of the MLS teams to a famous movie? For example, San Jose might be a sequel of some kind or LA Galaxy might be a highly budgeted movie that flopped. Thank you!

IVES- That sounds like its own post. I'll put it in the list of reader-inspired post possibilites.

ANDREW- Hey Ives, thanks for these Q&A's, they're great.

What's your honest opinion of Rafa Benitez? I'm a Liverpool supporter and I commend him for some of the players he's brought in (specifically lately Torres and Babel) and of course for the European Championship win a few years back. But I think his tactics are just shite. He played a 4-3-3 against Reading on the weekend with Peter Crouch (8 foot 4 inch Peter "Beanstalk" Crouch) in a wide attacking role. What was that? Rafa's got the scouting ability of Wenger which is great, but when it comes to tactical knowhow he's no Mourinho. Does he have much more of a future with the club? Who can take L'pool over the hump and into the Prem top 2?...Cuz I just don't think it's Rafa.

IVES- I honestly think Benitez experiments too much against squads he perceives to be weaker and beatable. Top European teams do need some level of rotation but it seems like Benitez takes this to an extreme.

BEN- In light of Bruce Arena's comments this week, when do you think Americans will begin to see more coaching opportunities in Europe?

IVES- That is a very tough one. Arena had impressive success with the national team before the 2006 World Cup but still didn't receive the interest he would have hoped for from Europe. I think it helps that more Americans are going over to Europe. They have a real chance of establishing roots there and some, if they're lucky, will establish long careers that will endear them to the fans there and give them a credibility that American coaching candidates in the past may not have enjoyed.

Take Claudio Reyna. I'm pretty sure he could find a coaching job in England. As an assistant at first, then ultimately as a head coach.

The other way is coaching a national team to success. Yes, I know I just wrote that Arena couldn't get a real sniff despite his success. I think the attitude is changing a bit when it comes to American soccer. That said, I don't see an American coach being lured to England based solely on success in MLS. At least not for a LONG time.

ALEX- 1. Any names you want to drop of players we should expect to see in MLS next year from abroad?

2. Now that you've seen players like Toja come to MLS and make an impact do you think that this is going to lead to a lot more South American players in the league this year (not necessarily bit names or high quality)?

IVES- Names we should expect? Nope, no names come to mind. I haven't heard any tangible news or even good rumors about potential DP signings or big signings, well aside from Claudio Lopez to DC. Not sure where that stands at this point.

I'm not sure if Toja is going to be the one to lead to a real influx. What will lead to a real influx is when a young South American player comes to MLS, excels, and parlays that into a European contract. I know some MLS fans don't want the league to be considered a feeder league but the truth is MLS hasn't even achieved feeder league status in the eyes of the world. Once South and Central Americans see it as a true pipeline to bigger and better things you will see better quality prospects considering MLS.

SEAN KEAY- What do you expect the starting midfield for the american olympic team. I heard they were going to try out Edu in the centre back role.

IVES- The early returns are mixed on the Edu as center back experiment but I can tell you that it makes plenty of sense considering the wealth of quality central midfielders to choose from and the dearth of central defenders.

If Edu develops into a real center back option then I can see a three-man triangle of Bradley-Feilhaber-Adu, with players like Kljestan, Holden and possibly Szetela in the mix. If Edu stays as a midfielder for the Olympic team then Peter Nowak will have some tough decisions to make. I'd go with Adu-Bradley-Edu at this point.

LANDIS- 1. Do you see Sacha Kljestan as a viable option at RM for the USMNT in 2010 since he will only be 24 when the WC Finals start?

2. Will we see VDB at LB next year, or do you think the defense will be overhauled in the off-season?

IVES- I know that Kljestan played on the right wing for Chivas USA and played well there, but I'm still not convinced he has the natural tools to excel at that position on the international level. His speed and his crossing aren't great (from an international standpoint) but he does have enough skill to be useful there against lower-level competition.

As for Dave Van Den Bergh, I'm not even sure if he is guaranteed to be on the roster in 2008. Juan Carlos Osorio tends to favor more athletic players as well as using true defenders in the back. That isn't a combination that bodes well for Van Den Bergh, who I feel can still contribute. Whether it is with Red Bull in 2008 is another story.

JOE K- Do you think it's reasonable to hope for the red bulls to sign a big name like carlos bocanegra, and would he command a DP-level salary?

IVES- Bocanegra isn't coming back to MLS, but let's play the hypothetics game, if he were he wouldn't be the type of player you sign with a DP slot. In MLS, the high-priced defender is a luxury that few, if any teams can really afford. It boils down to the salary cap forcing you to have to choose somewhere to be cheap and almost all teams skimp on defense. If you pay defenders well in MLS then you don't have enough left to field a potent attack. I know there are some exceptions, like Jimmy Conrad, but you aren't going to see many teams use a DP on a defender, unless it were a someone could be a defensive anchor AND who could sell tickets. I don't know if anyone fits that description. You can name the five best defenders in the world and I'll show you five guys who wouldn't put a dent in ticket sales.

JOE K- what's the deal with schopp -- did upper management force him down RBNY's throats to keep him away out of salzburg?

IVES- That has long been the widely-held belief but I have also heard from sources that Bruce Arena made the decision to bring Schopp back in 2007. This is even though Schopp came into the year hurt and even after it became clear mid-way through the season that he just wasn't going to contribute.

MIKE- Who do you see having a breakthrough performance for the USMNT in 2008 (if anyone)?

IVES- Are we talking one game or a breakthrough year? I'm sure Jozy Altidore would be the popular pick in either category. If we're talking one game, I'll go with Charlie Davies. If we're talking a year, I'll go with Jonathan Spector. I would have gone with Michael Bradley but I feel like 2007 was his breakthrough year.

ILYA- 1) Andy Dorman: have you heard anything regarding his European trials?

2) I'm a soccer fanatic/lawyer/dork. As such, I would like to read the MLS organizational documents (salary cap rules, etc.) Do you know where I can find this?

IVES- Dorman signed with Scottish club St. Mirren. I'm still trying to figure out how his form went from all-star to waiver wire during the summer.

As for the MLS organizational documents. Aside from what you can find on the league website and the player's union website, which boasts the collective bargaining agreement, there isn't much in the way of hard information on the league's rules. How can there be when they change daily?

RJ- Ives, what are your thoughts on Juan Carlos Osorio's upcoming decision about staff. Have you heard anything in terms of whether he will keep Richie Williams and/or John Harkes? Also, what are the chances of Jeff Agoos sticking with the club under the new title? Thanks - RJ

IVES- If I had to guess I would say that Richie Williams' chances of staying are good, assuming he wants to stay, but it remain to be seen whether Osorio and Williams will click. Osorio has already parted ways with Harkes. As for Jeff Agoos, I would say it is a safe bet that he will become the team's sporting/technical director, whatever title the position has now.

BEN S- Assuming that JCO is going to be the Head Coach, who do you see coming and going in RBNY?

Thanks Ives!!!

IVES- I'll get back to you in a month on this one. It's way too early to tell what changes Osorio will make. I can tell you that he loves speed on the wings and is going to look to upgrade the central defense. That may not bode well for Dave Van Den Bergh and either Jeff Parke or Carlos Mendes. As for who is coming, I know Osorio has his eye on a South American attacking midfielder. Whether he can make it work against the cap remains to be seen.

BEN S- Do you have any opinion on the Mitchell report? Do you think there could be some fallout in the rest of the sporting world?

IVES- I think the Mitchell Report is a flawed and incomplete product of a shoddy process. Let's be honest, how in the world were there no Red Sox, Brewers or Texas Rangers in the report? Is  it just a coincidence that Mitchell is from Boston, commish Bud Selig owns the Brewers and president George W. Bush owned the Rangers?

As for whether it will impact the sporting world, I imagine you mean soccer. I don't think it's an issue in MLS because, let's face it, would you risk your long-term health for the salaries MLS pays? I didn't think so.

Dannyc58- Any update on my Sebastian Lleget question?

Also, can you try to explain as best you can how the allocations work? In trades, and when given to clubs not making the playoffs?

IVES- Danny, I have not been able to look into Lletget, but I definitely will.

As for Allocations, they are basically money you can use to sign players and pay down cap space (add to your salary cap). The allocation order is in place in the event that multiple teams want the same player. Let's say Brian McBride was ready to come back to MLS, the top team in the allocation order would have the first chance to sign him, or it can trade that right, so a Chicago or Columbus could acquire the top allocation spot to sign McBride (hypothetically).

EDB- Have you heard anything about players Villa is looking at for the transfer window? All I keep hearing is about the people who may be leaving including Mellberg to Juve

IVES- The latest on Mellberg is that he's staying, but we'll see if that remains true. Villa has been linked to Portuguese fullback Jose Bosingwa from Porto, but the price tag looks to have gotten too high thanks to the likes of Man U. Peter Crouch and John Arne Riise have also been tied to potential moves to Villa.

LEE- In your opinion do you think an American player (age 14-18) would progress more at
A) Bradenton
B) High School/Major College program
C) Euro Academy

Bringing this up with the rumors that Joe Gyau will sign with Munich in the spring. Seems to me to be a good sign if we can get some of these younger guys in successful programs over in Europe.

IVES- I would say that A and C are better options than B for the truly elite youth player. It's tough trying to say which is better between A and C because I think that depends on the player's personality and ability to cope with being in a foreign country.

GEORGE- With the immanent signing of Juan Sebastián Verón, it appears that MLS is definitely in a new era. As an Accounting and Economics graduate I’m very interested and concerned about the League from a financial stand point. Does the level of attendance, jersey sales, TV rights, and stadium revenue merit the Golden Egg that Garber sells as the D.P.?

I’m concerned about my beloved Arsenal, will we win the Premiership or is it too early?
Where does Dempsey go after Fulham gets regulated this season?

IVES- Each team must measure the worth and risk of designated players and whether they are worth signing. I don't think anybody can argue that David Beckham, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Juan Pablo Angel were all worth the money. Now, if you're a small-market team you must ask whether a million-dollar player is going to be worth the investment. You could also have an owner who decides that winning is more important than recouping a DP salary and will sign a quality player even if it results in a financial hit.

As for Arsenal, they stand a very good chance of winning the league but I wonder whether Man United's experience won't give them the edge.

SCOTT- How would you rank the US Men say 1-20? If there was a superdraft who would go 1-20? Thanks love the blog.

IVES- There are a lot of variables that you have left out of this question. Are we talking an MLS team we're building or a team in Europe? Are we talking for one year or for several years? If you're talking about all US national team players being available for a pro draft where I'm starting the team from scratch, here is a Top 10:

1. Jozy Altidore
2. Freddy Adu
3. Landon Donovan
4. Michael Bradley
5. Clint Dempsey
6. Tim Howard
7. DaMarcus Beasley
8. Bobby Convey
9. Oguchi Onyewu
10. Brad Guzan

MEXICAN BLUEFISH- thanks ives. Do you think Seitz or any other young keeper will be able to keep up the great keeping tradition that keller, friedel, howard and hanneman have established?

IVES- I think Brad Guzan has the tools to join that company, and from what I hear, Seitz is the real deal as well. What needs to be realized is tht each of these keepers still have four or five years of developing to do before really reaching their peaks as goalkeepers (if not more). Ultimately, the U.S. national team won't have to worry about the goalkeeper position for a very long time.

MARK- I'm going to be out of the country next November. What are the odds that I'm going to miss an appearance by RBNY in the MLS Cup Final?

IVES- I think their chances are better than last year, but I think it will take a very good offseason of moves for them to be considered an MLS Cup contender. That said, I think the tandem of Angel and Altidore coupled with a revamped defense rebuilt by Osorio should have the Red Bulls in the mix in the East. If Osorio finds a playmaker and solid center back, the Red Bulls could make their first MLS Cup final.

TED- 1) Will Neven Subotic serve a significant role should the US qualify for the Olympics? And when will he get a call up for the senior team?

(I understand he was injured when called up for the game against Switzerland, but why was he ignored for South Africa? To my knowledge the Bosnia rumors have been squashed, so is Bradley just not impressed with him?)

2) What does Quentin Westberg's future look like for club and country?

IVES- There is no doubting Subotic's status as a top prospect but I can't help but wonder if his waivering on who to play for has made the U.S. national team coaches take a slow approach to incorporating him. That's assuming if he really has committed to playing for the United States.

Yes, Subotic is enjoying a strong season with Mainz but he is still young and may have to wait a while longer before getting a serious look with the senior national team. As for the Olympic Team, I have to believe he will get called into camp come March if he wants to play for the United States.

GREG- Has there been any word on the Red Bulls NY Balance sheet performance this year?

IVES- Nope, no word. I'm pretty sure the Red Bulls will keep their financials under lock and key this year. I think it's pretty safe to say that they operated at a significant loss though because the club still has no significant corporate sponsorships to speak of and while ticket sales were not terrible in 2007, it would take several Beckham games to make a real dent in the bottom line with ticket sales. Throw in the funds needed to buy out AEG from the stadium project, having to pay Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna and having to pay Bruce Arena to leave, and you get the feeling it was a bad year financially.

KEVIN- With Real Madrid playing in salt lake, any word on them or any other international teams coming to ny?

IVES- Nothing yet but the vibe I get from soccer people in the NY/NJ area is that this summer will be a busy one for international soccer matches, unlike last summer.

I will definitely look to post the rest of the answers to this Q&A in the next day or two so stay tuned for that. Share your thoughts on any of these questions and answers below.