(The rest of) Your Questions Answered

Good afternoon folks (and Good Morning on the West Coast). It has been a slow day on SBI as I try to catch up with some projects and also as I finally sat down and finished off the most recent Q&A session (which was the largest to date).

Eddie Johnson and the MLS collective bargaining agreement were the big topics in this session as readers offered up a pretty diverse range of questions. I'm not saying all my answers are right, but here's hoping I can help inform you and lead you in the right direction when it comes to the questions.

This Q&A session is brought to you by ASA: FC Barcelona, the summer soccer camp that lets American teenagers experience training at fabled FC Barcelona. If you want to experience life as an American Abroad, this is the experience for you.

Now, without further ado, here are the rest of your questions answered:

----------------------------------------

JERRY- Whats your take on Amado Guevara coming back to MLS?

IVES- Can you tell it took me a while to get around to these questions? Yes, Amado Guevara has joined Toronto FC and enjoyed a strong first game.

----------------------------------------

BC- 1. Hear anything about Thierry Henry having contact/discussions with MLS ? I think Henry to NYRB in 2009 would be a good -- almost obvious -- fit for both parties.

2. How was Jozy allegedly going to go to Reading this past January? I assume he would have significant problems getting a work permit. Is there a mitigating factor that would push through a move?

IVES- I have  yet to hear anything definitive about actual discussions between Henry and MLS. I know there has been a Henry to Seattle rumor growing legs but I absolutely do not see Henry playing in Seattle. If Henry leaves Europe for MLS in 2009 he will do so to play for the Red Bulls. You can book that one. A player with his profile and Q rating needs as big a market as possible and he's made no secret of his love of New York.

----------------------------------------

RYAN- What do you think of the new away kit for the US? I didn't think they could come up with something more boring than our home kit...but they did! When I first saw it online, I thought it was just a training jersey! Nike should be embarassed.

IVES- I have to say that the unforms didn't seem that bad to me.  What bothers me is that lack of any ties to American colors. I still say the U.S. uniform should be a solid navy blue.

----------------------------------------

ESSEFF- What transfer value do you think Landon Donovan would have if he were to go to Europe?

IVES- Very good question. I'll go with $7 million.

----------------------------------------

RYAN- Gerson Mayen is listed on the Chivas-USA roster on MLSnet.com, he has spent quite a bit of time previously on Chivas USA's U17/18 academy squad. Is he the first signee by a MLS team from their academy?

IVES- I have been told by Chivas USA people that, while Gerson Mayen did spent time in the Chivas youth system, that he did not graduate from the youth academy to the first team, but rather was signed as a discovery option to the first team. So according to the club, Mayen is NOT the first signee by an MLS team from their academy.

----------------------------------------

JERRY- What do you think will happen to MLS once the Collective bargaining agreement is over ? what will happen to smaller teams like KC,RSL, or Chivas? what will happen to the salary cap?

IVES- When the CBA is over the league and player's union will negotiate another one. I don't see there being major problems between the sides. As far as smaller clubs, what do you think the CBA will mean for smaller teams? I don't think it will mean anything different for the teams you mentioned and any other teams. I do think the cap will go up and have stated it repeatedly. I see it doubling, but maybe that's just wishful thinking.

----------------------------------------

DOMINGHOSA- 1. Who are your best buys (small salary, big impact) in the SBI Fantasy League?
2. Your top 3 or 5 players in MLS you expect to have breakout seasons?
Thanks man, as always.

IVES- I'm afraid to say that I haven't studied the salaries closely enough to answer this question, though it's probably too late to help you. Two three or five MLS breakout candidates? I'll go with: Kenny Mansally, Robbie Rogers, Kyle Beckerman, Bouna Coundoul, Nathan Sturgis and Bakary Soumare.

----------------------------------------

MZ- Any new stuff about Boruc? Where he wants to go or who wants him?

IVES- If I were a betting man I would bet on him winding up at AC Milan.

----------------------------------------

GEOFF- Ives,

how do you compare the MLS to the Mexican first division? I do watch Mexican soccer regularly on Univision and Telefutura and I can honestly say from my point of view there is no evidence to say the Mexican League is any better then MLS. Which one do you think is better and why? Thanks

IVES- I think that overall the Mexican league still has an edge because I think it just boasts more quality attacking talent than MLS. This shouldn't really come as a surprise considering how much money the Mexican league spends on salaries. I don't think the gap between the leagues is nearly as wide as some Mexican fans would like to think, but from top top bottom The Mexican league still has that edge and will probably have that edge until MLS starts to spend more money on salaries.

----------------------------------------

JEFF M- 1. Oguchi Onyewu seems to be in pretty good form right now, and his team is on top of the Jupiler League. Do you think interest in him from the top leagues will heat up again this summer?

2. This past offseason, MLS lost players to Norway, Austria, and Greece. When the new CBA comes around, will MLS management be willing to agree to a significant raise in the salary cap in order to keep MLS competitive with these second and third-tier leagues?

IVES- I think Onyewu is a lock to make a move to either the French first division or English first division this summer. And yes, I do think MLS will have to agree to a significant cap increase in order to help teams compete with these smaller leagues (though I wouldn't put Greece in the same category as Norway and Austria. The Greek league is a notch above.)

----------------------------------------

BOBBY- Ives, what's the current sentiment amongst the MLS ownership about raising the salary cap? Will the league continue to grow at a snail's pace, or will david beckham only be the beginning of greater things to come as suggested by league officials' language around the time of Beck's arrival.

IVES- I think league officials realize that in today's competitive environment for soccer talent, MLS must spend more to be able to attract the kind of talent that will keep the league growing. Does that mean we're going to see way more mega-contacts like Beckham's? I won't go that far. That's not ready to happen any time soon, but I do think the league can handle increasing the salary cap by a considerable amount.

----------------------------------------

ADDICK- 1)Will US Soccer ever offer a live audio feed of the games?

2)Has US Soccer/MLS looked at getting games onto satellite radio?

IVES- Good question. I'm not sure there's that much of a clamor for it, but with all the things U.S. Soccer's website is doing, it wouldn't surprise me if that is something in the works. As for satellite radio, that's a good question. Not sure if Sirius/XM sees a big audience for that type of endeavor, but if it could be convinced that there is one, I would imagine it could happen.

----------------------------------------

JON E- Is there anything like a shared ballpark estimate among the people who matter (say, Garber and MLS Players Union honchos) about how much the salary cap will increase under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement? I know that nobody on either side is going to say anything definitive before the negotiations really get started, but are you talking to credible people who have solid estimates of what kind of increase we might be looking at? (5%, 10%, 25%, 100%, more?)

On a related note, what are the prospects of increasing the senior roster size during the CBA, especially given MLS' apparent commitment to participating in extra-league tournaments?

IVES- Talk about a recurring theme. I don't think anybody knows right now what the cap number under the new CBA will be. It is going to have to be negotiated, and will be negotiated very hard, so anyone trying to guess the new number is just guessing. And no, I'm not spending a lot of time taking surveys on what people think a new cap will look like.

As for increasing the roster size, I would imagine that is something that will be on the table.

----------------------------------------

CHUCK- Hey Ives- I'm curious as to what sort of attention Mike Bradley is getting in Europe with his current form....I know he's sure to be moving on from Heerenveen, but where to? Also, when will tix go on sales for the now confirmed US-Argentina match.

IVES- From what I hear there are some BIG European clubs looking at him, including some G-14 squads. He will be moving on this summer, that much is a lock, which league is still very much up in the air. Tix for US-Argentina have gone on sale and the tickets are going fast.

----------------------------------------

MnMIKE- If you were an MLS GM, what position do you try to solidify first? Would your answer be different in Europe?

IVES- In MLS, I think you need either a dominant forward or attacking midfielder as your starting point. I would follow that up with an anchor in cental defense and a top defensive midfielder. After that I go with a goalkeeper. In Europe, where there aren't the restraints of a salary cap, I think establishing a strong defense is more important to building a team. Obviously everybody needs a game-changing attacker like Cristiano Ronaldo or Fernando Torres, but the very best teams always have strong defenses.

----------------------------------------

SEA OTTER- Let's assume you're Eddie Johnson's coach. Is there any point where you just tell him if he gets the ball anywhere near the 18...'just shoot the damn thing'? Its hard to fathom anyone coaching him, in his current state, to hold up play as much as he does.

Odds that Lalas loses his job this season?

IVES- If I were a coach I would sit him down and show him a video of Jozy Altidore, who is always looking to go right at defenders and get off shots on goal. I wish I knew what the deal was with Johnson and why he doesn't just go at people. It's almost like he's a racing dog that caught the rabbit and now doesn't have the fire to keep chasing. With his speed he should be able to school defenders with ease, but you just get the sense that he doesn't have complete confidence in his tools.

Odds of Lalas being booted stand at 3-1 right now (Head to your nearest casino and try to make that bet.)

----------------------------------------

IVES- This question is kind of a shot out of the dark, but I was thinking about this on my way home from work.
Considering the national team's upcoming friendlies, and remembering how we got screwed in the last world cup draw (i.e. Mexico's higher ranking resulting in an easier group than us), is it possible we might move up in the Fifa rankings with favorable results against these high quality opponents, or at least the opportunity to leapfrog mexico?
I don't fully understand the FIFA rankings, or how Mexico is ranked higher (despite not being able to beat us). I'm excited for these matches, and I think it'll be a great test, but is there a motive to put us in a better position for the '10 world cup draw?
Thanks
Zach

IVES- I'm sure that plays a part in it all, not just in the direct corrolation between results and the team's ranking, but in terms of preparing the team for an event like the Confederation's Cup, which will certainly impact the team's ranking and therefore their World Cup seed. As you have already seen after the win against Poland, a victory against a quality opponent does impact the new ranking system and I think the lack of quality opponents in the last World Cup cycle did wind up hurting the U.S. team in the World Cup seeding system.

----------------------------------------

MARK- How does Jack Warner still have a job with the non-stop allegations of unethical and illegal behavior?

IVES- I wish I knew. We all hear about these crazy allegations and stories but I can never tell which are true and which, if any, are the ramblings of crazy people. One consolation is that corrupt people generally keep going until they get caught, and usually do get caught, so if Warner is as corrupt as some say he is, it has to just be a matter of time before he is caught and punished.

----------------------------------------

SPENCER- Is there a chance of another Texas team in San Antonio? I think they'd do really well. The fans there want another team to support other than the Spurs. I assume the fan base would be like Houston and also they'd have an amazing youth academy for recruiting.

IVES- I can't see San Antonio beating out all the other top candidates for expansion. I definitely know that there is a passionate soccer following in Texas (which is fifth among states with the largest SBI readership) but I just don't know if San Antonio has a chance of being one of the next four expansion markets.

----------------------------------------

TSINGLETONVT- 1) What league and team, in Europe, do you think would be the best option for Michael Parkhurst after his contract with MLS/Revs expires? Why?

2) Which cities do you think will get and lose MLS teams in the next five years? Which cities are best suited for expansion and which are best suited for a relocation? What are the differences?

IVES- Good question. I would have to go with Spain. I just don't think Parkhurst would fit well in England with that league's reliance on aerial attacks and big, strong target forwards. I just think Parkhurst would have a tough time in the EPL. In Spain, I think his tactical and technical ability would be best suited.

----------------------------------------

ANDREW DICE WAY- Eddie johnson. what gives? i've been wathing a lot of fulham of fsc and took in the nats' game against poland as well, and he just looks lost. poor first touch, bad/no decision making, ill-timed runs, can't finish, etc. it can't be easy to adjust from the mls to the premier league... but he's just bad. why so many chances for this guy? is he great in training? are the athletic assets too tempting for managers to pass on? what are your thoughts?

IVES- I think his physical attributes leave coaches drooling and the fact remains that if he is given good service he can finish it. The problem is he has shown absolutely no ability in recent years to create his own chances. He isn't someone who is going to pick up a ball 40 yards from goal and just go at a defense. He is someone who can race onto a long ball and deliver a quick finish.

----------------------------------------

SUSHANT RAO- q1) I follow european soccer, primarily champions league. I'm interested in watching some MLS. Which teams play attractive, attacking soccer in MLS?

q2) Why do people say that soccer couldn't survive in the fall/winter in the US? European clubs play outdoors when it's snowing, don't they? Is it because soccer will get no attention due to football/basketball/hockey? Please explain.

IVES- Well this year I think some new teams have shown penchants for attacking like Colorado, Real Salt Lake and Columbus. New England is a team that goes at people. D.C. has been in the past but its offense is struggling now. I think, when healthy, the Red Bulls attack will be a fun one to watch, same for Chivas USA.

----------------------------------------

STEVE- With the news that DaMarcus Beasley is making a speedy recovery, do you expect to see him in any of our friendlies this summer?

IVES- I think Beasley was being a tad overly optimistic about his timetable for recovery. He is on his way back but I doubt he'll be ready for the big friendlies against England, Spain and Argentina. Now, if he is, that would be huge both for him and for the United States, but I think it's more important for him to get completely healthy and be ready for the US team's World Cup qualifying campaign in late summer.

----------------------------------------

IVES- When collective bargaining comes up again next year, I think it's safe to assume that the salary cap will increase, but do you think that the league will also allow more than the current 18 senior roster slots?

Obviously bringing in players that command a higher salary and paying newcomers decent wages will help the league, but I just get the feeling that with so many competitions (MLS Cup, CONCACAF CL, US Open, SuperLiga) going on it would be great if the teams could have 20-23 players on their senior roster so they have more depth to win these competitions and stay competitive in the league.

IVES- The rosters MUST increase and I"m pretty sure MLS realizes this. A 23-man senior roster would be a good number.

----------------------------------------

TONY IN QUAKELAND- Another crystal ball question: Describe MLS 2018. Where is it played, what's the quality, where are the players coming from and what is its international rep?

IVES- I think you will have a league with its own stadiums and teams with strong cores built around home-grown talent. You will see it be a much bigger factor as a feeder league for Europe, which will attract better young talent from abroad. You will see star international players coming at younger ages and I think you see amazing rivalries like the New York Derby and the St. Louis-Kansas City Derby. I also think you will have a league that is clearly the best in CONCACAF, with the Champions Cup being perennial prize for MLS teams.

----------------------------------------

STAN FROM EL BARRIO- Ives, with the dollar so weak, will MLS teams refrain from signing European players in favor of more South American talent?

Also, do you feel that there's a distinct lack of buzz for the new MLS season given there's no Beckham'esque "marquee" signing so far?

IVES- I think MLS teams were doing this even before the dollar went in the tank. There are just better bargains there and I think you can got young and old talent to come to MLS from places like Argentina and Colombia, where players are looking for a little more stability.

As for the lack of buzz heading into this season, I guess the lack of star signings was a factor but I still think the league could have done a better job of creating some buzz for the new season.

----------------------------------------

SMOREBS- What is the likelihood of a DVB trade?

Any predictions (Final scores, who will be the hero/bum) on the US nats tour de force?

THANK!

IVES- I don't see Dave Van Den Bergh being traded at this point. He has played well and his salary is probably something teams wouldn't be interested in taking on.

As for the US games, that's a little crazy to try and predict, but here goes: USA 1, England 1, Spain 2, USA 0, USA 2, Argentina 1. Yes, I know, extremely optimistic, but why not?

----------------------------------------

STEVIE G- Before his injury, was DaMarcus Beasley starting for Rangers? What was his contract set for? 3, 4 years?

IVES- I hadn't heard terms of his deal but I would imagine it was a two to three year deal.

----------------------------------------

KJ- Who is the biggest American player abroad? Who has the largest contract? Who has the most starts for his team and who has the biggest effect on his team's playing ability? DaMarcus Beasley? Brian McBride? Clint Dempsey? Freddy Adu? Oguchi Onyewu? Michael Bradley Bradley? Tim Howard? Brad Friedel?

IVES- Biggest contract? I would have to go with Tim Howard as a guess. I also think Howard and Michael Bradley have the biggest effect on their team's playing ability, with Oguchi Onyewu in the mix as well. Brad Friedel is obviously key to Blackburn's success and is a stable of that club so he warrants considering for biggest contract and most influence as well.

----------------------------------------

MIKE22- Not sure if this is a question or just a complaint, but what happened to Eddie Johnson? In his last 2 Fulham games and during the Poland match, he suddenly has become pass-back Pete Vagenas. He doesn't take people on, he doesn't even try to make a cutting pass. He's like a holdup player that doesn't win high balls. Did Fulham do this to him? Has the EPL robbed him off all his confidence? I never thought he was amazing, but he looks pathetic at the moment.

IVES- I have offered plenty of takes on Eddie Johnson in this Q&A so feel free to refer to any of them. One question you do ask is whether the EPL robbed him of his confidence. I would argue that Johnson hasn't been confidence since before the injuries that sidelined him a few years ago. Yes, he scored a bunch of goals for KC, but he did so when KC was playing well and several of his goals were of the easy finish variety. His form is down even further now because the EPL is a tough league so his flaws are magnified even more.

----------------------------------------

SEAN G- Question 1. With the collective bargaining between the players and MLS ownership coming up I am hearing rumors that the players have a bunch of non-financial demands that are really important to them. Do you know what those demands are?

I'll get back to you if I think of a good question 2.

IVES-  I have no idea what you are referring to but I will do some digging.

----------------------------------------

TONERL- Did I miss any news on the fate of Lider Marmol, or is his situation still floating around out there in the ether?

IVES- With the Chicago Fire holding firm on its desire to sign Marmol, and with Marmol only being interested in signing with the Red Bulls, it is safe to say that Marmol will not be playing in MLS in 2008. It's a sad state of affairs because the MLS rules on this are a bit of a joke. I realize that the intent is to keep teams from getting into bidding wars over players, but the fact remains that Marmol wanted to play for the Red Bulls and the Red Bulls alone and he would have taken less money to play for the Red Bulls.

The impression I get is Marmol would have played for peanuts for the chance to be in MLS playing for Juan Carlos Osorio, whose reputation among players is unmatched. What is lost in the Marmol discussion is the fact that you have this young player whose career has hit some hurdles. Now he is looking for a place to help turn things around, which led him to Osorio and the Red Bulls.

Once again, I don't blame the Fire for its stance on this. Chicago has seen him before and wants to sign him. My issue is with the notion that because the Fire's claim came in a day before the Red Bulls that now there is a player who could have been an impact player in MLS will now not be playing in MLS. 

----------------------------------------

MASTALIU- Ives, what does the international media coverage of MLS look like for the 13th season? I know it's not watched in Europe much (or at all), but what about in Mexico, Argentina?

Just spotted that Shaka Hislop is the new MLS correspondent for Guardian Football:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/03/28/dazzling_dynamo_the_team_to_be.html

IVES- With the influx of Argentine players into MLS I would imagine there is definitely increased coverage in Argentina, not so sure about Mexico. I think the exposure the league is getting in Argentina is only going to help increase the flow of talent from that country to MLS. As for the UK coverage of MLS, I still don't think it's quite that much, but it is growing, and beyond the standard coverage of Beckham.

----------------------------------------

SMOKEMINSIDE- Who do you think are the five--I'm just picking this number out of the air-- best options at forward for the US Men's team?

IVES- I would go (as of today): 1. Landon Donovan, 2. Clint Dempsey, 3. Jozy Altidore, 4. Brian Ching, 5. Kenny Cooper.

----------------------------------------

BRIAN- Who would you consider the best American soccer player right now? And in case you take the "easy" route and go with Howard, who do you think is the best field player?

Also, who do you think will be the best player in 5 years? Adu? Altidore? Bradley? Or someone else?

Love the site!

IVES- I would say the best field player is Steve Cherundolo. He is playing at the highest level among the field players, a lock starter and captain in the Bundesliga. I think that, when healthy, DaMarcus Beasley gets my vote, but I say Cherundolo. I also think Michael Bradley deserves more consideration than some people realize. I almost picked him actually. As for best player in five years, it will be Altidore or Bradley. Those two are on the road to stardom.

----------------------------------------

BETO- 1) Any insight on the next most probale DP signing?

2) Will DC use their extra DP this year? Next?

IVES- I see Toronto and New England as the most likely candidates to add DPs come the summer. As for who they will be, I have no idea. As for D.C., I'm not sure about that one, but given how badly the team is playing right now I would think they might want to consider it.

----------------------------------------

DURSK-Is it just me, or does it look that the NYRB's have the sexiest kit of the 2008 season? I think adidas did a terrible job this year on kit design.

IVES- I haven't really thought much about uniform designs so it's tough to say. I do think D.C. United's uniform looks terrible. It's clear that a jersey sponsorship logo is on the way, but having the team play with the blank front looks cheesy in my book.

----------------------------------------

GIMMI- My question is why does MLS not look into African Players as much they look into S.Americans? Is it because of the travel distance or style of play? Please Explain..

IVES- I posed this very question to MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis a while back and he seemed to believe that teams and the league are going to start trying to devote more resources into scouting African players. Considering how good New England's Gambian tandem of Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally have looked, I think teams are going to start looking at Africa much more going forward. The league would be crazy not to.

----------------------------------------

CHESTERTON CHRiS- People always complain about a lackluster mls. to keep teams interested, has anyone paid attention to how the dutch second division does it? it's broken down into "periods" of the season and those who win those periods make the playoffs. no team is ever out of it.....so teams are always competing. Do you think that would ever work for mls? better question to ask is: could you forward that on to the mls front office to get their take on it?

IVES- I don't see that ever being implemented. Nice idea though.

----------------------------------------

GIMMI- Why doesnt MLS look more closely at African players like they do with South American Players? Please Explain.

IVES- I just don't think MLS teams have had the established relationships with teams and scouts in Africa that they have with South American leagues and teams, but as I said in the previous question about African players, that should change.

----------------------------------------

ARTC- 1) What European league do you see as a good fit for Donovan?

2)Why haven't any European leagues inquired again over Landon Donovan? I know he bombed in the Bundesliga, but that is a rugby league some of the time, and not suited to Donovan's quick, openfield ability. He also has stated about being comfortable in MLS, but do you see a European move in the future?

IVES- I would say Spain, then Holland, then Italy, then France. I don't see Donovan in the EPL or the Bundesliga.

----------------------------------------

PALERMO SON- Ives, how do you rate the possibility of Rico Clark moving overseas this summer?

IVES- I think Clark has a better chance of leaving next winter than this summer, but I do see him leaving assuming he can stay healthy and he can avoid any more kung fu attacks.

----------------------------------------

BRIAN- With Bob Bradley calling out Benny Feilhaber publically, do you see Benny's role changing for the national team or having shot with the national team?

I am of the opinion that our overage player for the Olympics should be Simek, Bornstein, and Guzan. Especially since we have to be sensitive to the senior team an their World Cup Qualifier during the Beijing games. What is your take on the overage players we will bring?

IVES- I think the fact that Bradley went to the trouble to actually discuss Feilhaber and openly criticize him tells me Bradley does rate him and wanted to send a message. if Bradley didn't consider him a worthwile player he wouldn't have even bothered to criticize him.

As I first reported on SBI last month, Brian McBride is a serious candidate to be one of the overage players. I also think Guzan is a great candidate assuming Tim Howard is kept out because of the World Cup qualifier. The third slot should go to a defender like Oguchi Onyewu or Carlos Bocanegra, again, if they are available.

----------------------------------------

DUTHIE- regarding immigration status for players, has the mls ever had problems with the issue of not being able to bring players in because of that? is it an issue in Toronto?

IVES- I haven't heard of this being an issue. I do know that MLS passed on signing Seton Hall standout Eliseo Giusfredi because of his immigration status at the time, but as far as established pros being stopped from joining the league, I haven't heard of any cases.

----------------------------------------

BEN- Hey Ives, great site!
Looking into your crystal ball, who are your:
1) top 5 goalscorers in MLS 2008?
2) top under-the-radar newcomers to MLS (both signings and rookies) this year?

IVES- Top five goal scorers in MLS 1. Tomasz Frankowski, Kenny Cooper, Landon Donovan, Juan Pablo Angel and Alexandro Moreno. Top under the radar newcomers (who's really under the radar these days?): Sean Franklin, Jon Leathers, Luke Sassano, Andre Rocha,

----------------------------------------

MICHAEL- What are the chances of MLS clubs competing in the Copa Libertadores? And if the chances are decent, how long before it could happen?

IVES- With the fixture schedule already congested and stretching MLS teams to the max, I think you will need the league to expand rosters before it seriously considers taking part in a tournament as prestigious as Copa Libertadores, but I think it has to happen eventually. I say five years from now.

----------------------------------------

J1- Is heath pearce 23 or younger? If so is there any reason he hasn't been called to the U-23 team? Also when is nevon subotic of mainz going to get a shot with the national team he's rated as one of the top defenders in the 2.bundesliga so i'm also curious why he isn't with the U-23's

IVES- I think Pearce is too old, just missing out on the cutoff (Someone feel free to confirm that for me). As for Subotic, I'm not sure he has made a commitment to the U.S. national team yet and I also wonder if Mainz would have released him for Olympic Qualifiers considering he is a lock starter. If he wants to play for the United States I can't see how he wouldn't get a look for the Olympic team.

----------------------------------------

MATT- I know he's not exactly a star anymore, but could you see dwight yorke coming to mls soon? he could be a big draw in toronto with all the trini immigrants up there, and he can still play at a reasonably high level

IVES- At his age, I doubt it.

----------------------------------------

TED HILL- Why does the MLS season start in late March/early April? I understand the idea of not wanting to compete against the NFL, NBA, and college football for attention and ratings, but to me the MLS is missing out on the boring month of February. The Super Bowl ends, and it is still a month away from March Madness and two months away from the start of MLB. If the MLS started in mid-February it could get a lot of attention and excitement. Will this be considered at any point.

IVES- I think MLS is looking seriously at the possibility of changing the timing of the season, as for how far down the road that is, I'm not so sure. That said, I don't think MLS is going to factor in the major sports in its decision because the league has stood by the belief that it is trying to attract soccer fans first, so trying to work around the other sports isn't exactly in the game plan.

That's all of them. Thanks again for everybody who took part in this Q&A session. The next one will be up later today so get your questions ready and I promise to try and answer them more quickly next time.

Comments

[Brant]

If Henry's after a high-profile gig, you don't think he'd be interested in the soap-opera that is LA? Obviously New York is his first choice, but if MLS offered LA would he take it? And which DP leaves NY or LA for him to be able to go there? Reyna retires the year before Henry gets there? Or does Landon try Europe again?

[Spencer]

My guess is that Reyna doesn't get a contract extension as a DP. He might be able to get another contract making 400k, but not DP money.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Ives,
Prob a stupid question but do you have any idea of who TFCs DP might be?
Ill go ahead and assume someone from England but any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

[Jeffrey]

According to DeMarcus, he will be ready for the US match vs England and he has talked with Bradley about the game. Maybe he is optomistic but he definately is fighting to get back.

[Jeffrey]

Oh yeah, in response to a question above, Demarcus has signed with Rangers for three years.

[George H.]

Ives,

Glad to see Barca sponsored the Q & A.

Will you be working other sponsors into your future postings?

"Christiano Ronaldo's finish was as cool and clean as an ice cold Budweiser."

[kpugs]

Brant, I highly doubt we'll see Henry here for at least another few years. He's still good enough that plenty of big-time clubs will want his services. By the time he Reyna will have retired, and who knows maybe JPA will have too. If Reyna really is still playing, at that point he definitely won't still be a DP.

As for L.A., don't get me started. They have three designated players and are only required to use one slot. The way the MLS treats them, they could sign Henry and Ronaldinho and MLS would allow them to keep their three current DP's and those two while still only possessing one DP slot.

[timpramas]

If you were born on or after 1/1/85, you qualify to play on an U-23 team. If you were born before that date, you are too old. For the Olympics, each men's soccer team is allowed up to three roster spots for players born before 1/1/85. I didn't check before posting, but I thought Pearce was born in 1984.

[Monkey Boy]

Yes, Pearce is too old for the U23 team, although I think he's a good choice as an overage selection. Yes, Subotic has not yet committed to playing for the US. Last I read is that he declined a call-up from BB, stating his desire to focus on his club.

[dabull]

Marmol not playing going to play for the Fire Ives?? He just left NYRB to train with the Fire!

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/2008/04/marmol-travelin.html

[Ethan]

@ dabull
you beat me to it! I'm starting to like the FO more and more.

[mdh]

"...and with Marmol only being interested in signing with the Red Bulls, it is safe to say that Marmol will not be playing in MLS in 2008."

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/2008/04/marmol-travelin.html

More accurate, unbiased reporting on display now. Color me shocked.

[anotherbodymurdered]

Extra, extra! Read all about it!

[EDB]

well i guess that means.. money talks..

[Mikemike]

mdh -
How is Ives' logic there biased?
Please, explain this to me.
-Mike

[EDB]

Ives said Marmol was only interested in playing for the Red Bulls.. well he is now traveling to train with the fire.. therefore one could assume he will sign with the fire for the right price

[Ives]

MDH, even though you have only ever commented on this site to offer condescending remarks, I will answer this one. I can tell you without a shred of doubt that my source regarding Marmol's preferences and desire is rock solid. If Marmol does sign, and I'm being told he has yet to sign, then it will come because he made a decision he didn't want to have to make, but I am still not convinced he will sign.

And who am I biased again? Chicago? I hate Chicago? That's silly. I have nothing at all against the Fire. You and a select few irrational Fire fans need to get that through your heads.

And if Marmol does sign with the Fire I will consider it a great signing on Chicago's part. He is a good player who will make whatever team he plays for better.

[Ives]

It's not about money EDB. Marmol will sign with the Fire if he feels comfortable there. He had his heart set on playing with the REd bulls but that isn't an option. Now he has to suck it up and give the Fire a try. With the players on the Fire roster and guys like Denis Hamlett and Frank Klopas running things, I'm pretty sure Chicago will convince Marmol to stay in Chicago rather than go back to South America.

It was a big step for Marmol to head out to Chicago, but it should be noted he only made it after the Red Bulls decided they weren't waiting any longer.

[MiamiAl]

Eddie Johnson is a "never was"...I really don't know why anyone ever thought he was so great. He had that first game where he had those three goals and who was that game against, was it Panama or Cuba, or some marginal CONCACAF team? Then he got hurt. And he never really came back. Since then, he has tried to get back to that magic he had that one night against a garbage opponent, but he could never do it again. And then his ego was damaged, and I recall an interview where it was mentioned that he was seeing a sports head shrinker to deal with his mental problems when it came to succeeding on the field. So this guy is damaged goods, both physically and mentally. Despite his "physical" gifts, the guy is a midget! Lets move on...Josh Wolff anyone???

[ed_hutch]

why we keep loosing american players to other national teams . first was rossi ,now subotic is not totally commited . and i hear about an american starting for stuttgard in germany named jones and he is playing for germany . whats goin on ives . are we not keeping track of the talent at our disposition or what?