Here are more developments from today's press conference:
MLS commissioner Don Garber clarified the situation with regard to Claudio Reyna's retirement and its impact on the Red Bulls salary cap. The Red Bulls can use the designated player slot and roster spot, but will not be able to use the salary space. The league made the decision that it was unfair for the Red Bulls to lose the DP slot for the remainder of the season, but that it would be unfair to the league's other teams for the Red Bulls to also retain the salary cap space.
Juan Carlos Osorio admitted that he has two forwards in mind for the roster slot and says he has enough money to sign one along with the other players with the team already (Jorge Rojas, Juan Pietravallo, Gabriel Cichero, Diego Jimenez).
Osorio also acknowledged that the Red Bulls just don't have the salary space to sign a true designated player, but that the club has identified some players they would like to try and sign with the slot next year.
Garber also acknowledged that the Red Bulls will have the Chivas USA designated player slot through the 2009 season. Osorio stated that the team could have the slot through the 2012 season depending on what happens in the next collective bargaining agreement (I need to get that clarified, wouldn't be good news for Chivas USA if that were true.)
Tab Ramos was at the press conference and acknowledged that he won't be starting his coaching career any time soon. When Ramos retired he said he had no interest in coaching, but did recently make a cameo as an assistant coach with the U.S. Under-20 for its recent match against Mexico, a 3-0 win.
That's all for now. I'm sure there are some nuggets that I forgot to pass along. I'll post anything else later on today.
Feel free to share your thoughts on any of these developments below.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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I always remember hearing the Amado deal was for 5 years DP slot, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's past 2009. I remember hearing Dallas offered us a year DP slot and Chivas offered us 5.
Posted by: Keith | July 16, 2008 at 04:14 PM
DP's are here to STAY!
Posted by: Nic D "The Texas 2 Stepper" | July 16, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Great job on this entire story Ives. Thank you.
Posted by: Dannyc58 | July 16, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Osorio confirms what I read somewhere when the Red Bulls got the DP slot from Chivas USA. The DP slot would be held by the Red Bulls for up to 5 seasons. The DP rule would, however, be reviewed by the league after three seasons (which would be after the 2009 season). Now, I guess what Osorio means when he says that it depends on the collective bargaining agreement is that if the owners feel they are going to have to shell out too much money, then they'll do awa with the DP slots after next season. I can't believe this will happen, buy you never know.
Posted by: Miguel | July 16, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Ives,
What is the actual amount of salary cap space that the Red Bulls would not be able to use due to the unfairness of it all? Is it $400K, $325K or a pro-rated amount ($200K)?
Posted by: Miguel | July 16, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Since Beckham signed a 5-year contract I'm pretty sure the DP rule will be renewed, at least for 2 years.
As for CUSA trading their DP for 5 seasons - were they smoking crack?
Posted by: Barry Jive and His Uptown Five | July 16, 2008 at 04:27 PM
If we were the Galaxy they would give us 11 more DP slots and a special $50 million salary cap, then they would force other another team to trade us their best forward and "grandfather in" 9 more super contracts after we used up our 11 DP slots.
Posted by: kpugs | July 16, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I hope the league expands the number of DPs allowed. BTW, DP is a horrible acronym ;)
Posted by: Robert | July 16, 2008 at 04:40 PM
So we traded Amado to rent the DP slot? That's bull! If you trade for it you should own it!
Posted by: Jeff | July 16, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Come on, the Galaxy stuff just gets old. Grow up and move along.
Posted by: Nicole | July 16, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Its at least kind of ironic that Tab was there, no?
Posted by: Dannyc58 | July 16, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Where are those douchebags who claim the league favors NY?
Posted by: Haig | July 16, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Obviously, DPs have been an enormous success both on the field and off (Reyna notwithstanding.) The rule will be renewed in 2009's CBS along with a significant salary cap increase. I wouldn't be surprised if the league changed the DP number to two slots per team as well. Things are going very well in MLS.
Posted by: irishapple21 | July 16, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Obviously, DPs have been an enormous success both on the field and off (Reyna notwithstanding.) The rule will be renewed in 2009's CBS along with a significant salary cap increase. I wouldn't be surprised if the league changed the DP number to two slots per team as well. Things are going very well in MLS.
Posted by: irishapple21 | July 16, 2008 at 04:51 PM
@ Robert
Don't be such a hopeless prude. If "DP" is a good enough term for the porn industry, it's certainly good enought for MLS.
Posted by: William the Terror | July 16, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Barry Jive-
Yeah, the deal is insane from a Chivas USA perspective. DP slot for 5 years in exchange for anyone -- let alone for Guevara, who they waived! (after 4 games?) They should have included a clause where the time period of the DP slot expired sooner if Guevara was no longer with Chivas.
Posted by: arena futbol | July 16, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Can we have your SP spot? Please?
I love the MLS.
Posted by: ELAC | July 16, 2008 at 05:27 PM
I meant DP. Stupid keyboard!
Posted by: ELAC | July 16, 2008 at 05:28 PM
IVES -
You say that Osorio knows they can't sign a "true" DP due to the situation, and I respect that. But could that wording leave a possibility to still use the physical slot to sign a very good forward? Or do you assume the forward will come out of cap room already available?
Posted by: Greg | July 16, 2008 at 07:11 PM