MLS Cup: Shaking the MLS grapevine

Good morning folks. It is the day after the 2008 MLS Cup and, as always, the MLS Cup weekend provided a great environment for stories to emerge, rumors to surface and the future plans of MLS teams to take shape.

Here are some of the highlights of what I heard from Major League Soccer's movers and shakers during the past five days in Los Angeles:

Chad Marshall is looking like a good bet to move abroad. The 2008 MLS defender of the year and Columbus Crew playoff hero is out of contact and European clubs have already expressed interest. The Crew would be hard-pressed to pay Marshall a salary that would make him pass on the golden opportunity to enter the European market as a free agent. For those of you who haven't seen it, here is my story on Marshall for ESPN.com.

After Sunday's MLS Cup final victory, Columbus owner Clark Hunt said he believes the Crew will be able to re-sign Sigi Schmid as head coach this off-season. While that is certainly a possibility, Columbus will have to show Schmid the money in order to keep him from taking the Seattle Sounders FC job, which Schmid is a candidate for.

Even if Schmid stays in Columbus, Seattle has a very good candidate in New England assistant Paul Mariner, who sources tell me had a good interview with the expansion group.

Marshall isn't the only MLS Best XI defender who could be on the move to Europe this winter. Chicago Fire defender Bakary Soumare is drawing considerable interest from European suitors who are enamored with his size, athleticism and French passport. For those wondering, Soumare did not join Mali for last week's friendly vs. Algeria, so his options are still open on the national team front even though he recently stated his plans to commit to Mali.

Don't be surprised if we see a Mike Petke return to New York. The long-time New York MetroStar defender is not in the future plans of his current club, the Colorado Rapids, and just might provide the veteran presence and depth in the back that Juan Carlos Osorio will be looking to add for 2009. While it was almost a decade ago, Osorio was the MetroStars assistant in 2000, when Petke was part of arguably the best defense in club history (alongside Steve Jolley and Daniel Hernandez). Osorio also got a first-hand look at what Petke can still do when Petke scored a goal against the Red Bulls this year.

Claudio Lopez had an up and down year as Kansas City's first designated player, but don't rule out his return in 2009. The Wizards want Lopez back and might be able to bring him back for a non-DP slot in 2009. If KC can pull that off, and fill its DP slot with an impact striker, the Wizards have the pieces in place to do in 2009 what the Crew did in 2008.

In other Claudio news, Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez is considering a return in 2009. He didn't enjoy his best season in 2008 (which was supposed to be his last before retiring), but the soon-to-be 40-year-old Mexican legend is still a good presence in the locker room and would be welcomed back if he wants to return.

One of the hottest commodities in the MLS trade market is Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz. The U.S. youth national team standout is stuck as Nick Rimando's back-up and teams from Los Angeles to Toronto FC have expressed strong interest in his services.

Another RSL player who could be on the move is Chris Wingert. The versatile fullback enjoyed a breakout season with the Western Conference club and is seeking a new contract as reward. The only problem is RSL has already had to re-work deals for attacking stars Yura Movsisyan and Javier Morales. Given the presence of other fullback options, such as Tony Beltran, Robbie Russell and Ian Joy, you have to wonder if Wingert will stay in Utah after being one of RSL's steadiest performers this year.

Tony Meola is set to interview for the general manager position with the new Philadelphia expansion team. KC sporting director Peter Vermes is looking like he will stay put in Kansas City after initially looking like a strong candidate join the Philadelphia front office.

That is all for now. I will have some more Red Bulls notes later today. and will add other MLS tidbits as they become available. These are just some of the highlights from the weekend.

What do you think of these developments? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[TheTim]

Ives - where do you think Marshall falls in the current National team depth chart? Is he in the Demerit level?

[g-loff]

Hey Ives,
Really enjoyed the coverage of the MLS cup! You may already have this in the works, but it would be great if you could do a capsule on each team going into the off-season with issues to address for next season, who's likely on their way out, who might be on their way in, other such rumblings you may have heard of. Thanks!

[RealTim]

TheTim: In the linked ESPN article he says "Given the form that he has shown this year, he looks like a lock for the national team training camp in January and could be in line to become that third defender in the U.S. pecking order behind starters Oguchi Onyewu and Carlos Bocanegra."

[Hincha Tim]

As far as MLS goes, I wouldn't count on any of the potential moves you are suggesting until after the expansion draft shakes out. I doubt Wingert is looking for much of a bump in salary, maybe 50K at the most. RSL is going to have to expose and possibly lose a defender (Ian Joy?) which would free up $100k and keeping Wingert feasible. The same goes for Rimando. Looking at who they have to expose for the expansion draft, its possible they expose Rimando. If he is taken, then obviously Seitz is the man. I would not be surprised if RSL is eying Seitz for next year as a possible starter. If they do decide to deal Seitz, they had better demand a STEEP price.

[Hincha Tim]

I meant "As far as RSL goes.."

[WTF]

Think maybe Mariner might look at TFC if Carver leaves?

[brett]

seitz needs to get out of reserves..... a move to LA would be prime.....for both sides...

[Modibo]

Re: Soumare. Luis (Red Card) wrote that he didn't play in the Algeria friendly because playing in the MLS Cup was still a possibility when he needed to commit to Mali for the match. So with a likely two-year wait before becoming eligible for the US Nats, I would be very surprised if he did not suit up for Les Aigles. And as much as I would miss seeing him in the Fire jersey, he ought to go abroad for his career. The worst thing about that is that I probably would never see him play in person again.

[KingSnake]

"On Sunday night, Marshall sipped champagne as an MLS Cup winner's trophy hung around his neck, "

Must have got awful heavy. ;-p

[Michael F.]

Would love to see Marshall play abroad. Any rumors as to what teams are looking at him?

Met Tony Meola. What a jerk. Zero executive experience. Hope he doesn't get it.

[RK]

Great stuff. Any indications as to what level of teams are looking at the two defenders? It'd be unfortunate to lose Soumare so quickly.

[KingSnake]

Meola as Philly GM, and the cheesesteaks tremble in fear ...

[socmin]

Ives,

I really enjoyed your work this season. And what a season! I'm glad the Crew won, but I wouldn't have minded seeing NY win, either. I think they are poised to come out strong next year and make a better run for the MLS Cup.

[CACuzcatlan]

Sideline Views reported a while back that Claudio Suarez was going to retire after this season.

[seven]

Ives, any insight into the real story behind Montreal being out of the running for an expansion team?

[MasterShake]

Ives I am expecting big things from you for this offseason !! make it go by quicker !

[IreneIsNotMyGod]

Chad Marshall? Did he just leapfrog Michael Parkhurt's place for a spot on the national team. What happened to Parkhurst heading to Europe? He's been solid the last few years.

[TorresyVilla]

I have a feeling the expansion will whither to 4 possible teams - Vancouver, Portland, St. Louis and Miami. I doubt Atlanta has even a chance to get 1 in for 2011. Of those 4 Miami has a great chance with Barcelona's backing and Vancouver should be ahead of Portland since MLS really would like another Canadian team and it would be Seattle's Pacific Northwest rival. So Miami and Vancouver for me. But no more Canadian expansion after this. 2 teams is enough for them.

[brett]

hope baky stays another year, he really was the solid part of the defense all year... Conde did well, but baky was solid all year...

however, baky surely has abroad in his future, so i hope the Fire bank on him when the time arrives (and when the $$ is right)...

[HenrikSSW]

So we have starting backline

Pearce Gooch Bocanegra Cherundolo

Additional players
Spector, Parkhurst, DeMerit, Califf

and possibly Wynne and Orozco and now Marshall? Our defense is pretty damn solid.

[Bonji]

Not sure how I feel about all the developments but I'm loving this format. If you can keep this kind of thing coming multiple times a week during the off-season MLS off-season coverage will hit new highs. Thanks, Ives.

[kco]

Great stuff Ives. Don't talk up my Wizards too much. We prefer to go unnoticed and disrespected though out the season so we can make a late season run and take everyone by surprise in the playoffs. :-)

And Congrats Crew. The best club won the double.

[TBrodie]

Any word on where the five home games are going to be played for the U.S. in the hexagonal? I'm sure Mexico in February = Columbus. I'd love to see the October game against Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena!

[Mikemike]

Congratulations Columbus.

[ATW]

Ives-

Good piece, but the picture of Marshall is horrible! It is pretty funny, but definitely does not track the story.

[Sigmund Freud]

Great info Ives! Thanks. Did you hear any inklings about the next round of expansion?

[frank]

and if we get Subotic (from what I read I call our chances 50%) we have as good a back 4 as anyone on the planet...now if we can get a few strikers!!

[Stephen]

How much would MLS's price be for Donovan if Bayern Munich really wanted him?

[Danny]

I think RSL needs to deal Rimando before they move Seitz. Maybe LA will have enough to get a still very good veteran in Rimando while RSL moves Seitz to first team keeper.

As for Soumare and Marshall, what Euro teams are interested? I'm sure Soumare is being looked at by some French clubs. What level are these guys going to be playing at? Something like the Danish/Swedish/Greece level? I'm sure they're not being heavily pursued by the EPL, Bundesliga, or Serie A. Mid-level Euro leagues?

[PCFC]

Wow Tony Meola!

[mikeK]

Publicly, just as much as Jozy, who fetched 10 mil.

Podolski all but bought his ticket out of Bayern today. No word on to who or how much, but it will be well in excess of what we've stated we want for Donovan, I imagine.

With Angel's future in doubt, the Plate rumors abound... Podolski to NY? haha

[Frank]

frank, I thought Subotic has announced that he will play for Serbia. At least that's what one of the commentators on GolTV has said.

[Supsam]

Hey Ives,

What about the future of Christian Gomez? He obviously not happy at Colorado and that guy has got some mad skills that any team besides Colorado would love to have. Well unless he somehow returns to DC then DC would be loaded

[sugarfreeredbull]

Meola as an exec for Philly? That'll curse the team. What, he didn't want to keep playing keeper for the New Jersey Ironmen of the Xtreme Soccer League?

[SonicDeathMonkey]

I love it when people dream stuff up, like MLS wants to have another team in Canada, and then presents it as fact on a blog message board. That is classic.

[dieterhansi]

I don't see red bull arena being done in time for an oct game (though it would be great)

[TomR]

I understand a team in Argentina in making a serious play for Robbie Rogers on a loan option deal and beleive it or not another Dutch team. Interesting.

[Brant]

"frank, I thought Subotic has announced that he will play for Serbia. At least that's what one of the commentators on GolTV has said."

there was a rumor on Serbian TV that Fox Sports picked up, but Subotic's camp has debunked it and he did not report to the Serbian team during the int'l break last week.

[Joamiq]

Seitz needs to be starting somewhere. The kid's reflexes are UNREAL.

[Tony H]

What's up with Claudio Suarez? He definitely wants to come back. And Chivas USA wants him back. It all comes down to agreeing on a contract that works for both.

[J.]

TFC needs a better keeper than Sutton and I would not be surprised if Mo added a player at each position. I see the Reds adding 5 players, bringing Robinson (Robbo) back for one more season. Wingert could be an option for TFC too who lacks depth at the fullback position. Montreal would have been a great addition to MLS. The other bids are not that exciting, but dont count out there being 4 Canadian MLS teams. Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal are all good cities and would help the game in the States and Canada.

[JVC-RSL]

Wingert is protected as he should be. Seattle might want to take a chance on Ian Joy who has been up and down or the promising Tony Beltran, but protecting the steadiest performer for RSL in 2008 was the right decision.

[Ted]

I have a close friend in the Philly front office and he said that the rumors of Meola and Vermes interviewing with the team are completely unfounded. Lot of junk rumors out there...