MLS Rule Changes for 2008 Taking Shape
December 10th, 2007 . 5:05 pm . By: Buzz CarrickVarious sources, including our own, are beginning to leak out some of the rule changes coming to MLS next year. Notably Steven Goff in DC has mentioned a couple of them. So don’t credit us with revealing most of these rules. I wanted to put together a list of the changes for FC Dallas fans to review with a little discussion of how they might effect FCD. InternationalsFirst reported by Goff, but since confirmed by my own sources, is the forthcoming combining of the youth and senior international designations into just a blanket international category. In addition to the combing of these categories, which would allow teams more older players, or younger for that matter, is an increase in the total number of internationals from 7 to 8. Our own sources indicate there is a chance the number of spots may go up to 9 for 2008. The MLS competition committee is seeking a short term solution to raise the quality of play across the league that may have been diluted by expansion. So how does this effect FCD? Mainly by giving them room for all the internationals they already have. Currently FCD has nine, they got over loaded by internationals because of the IR status of Mina and Saragosa that allowed them to sign more internationals in their place. Yet FCD is already looking at some new faces, including players from both Atletico Paranaense and the newly affiliated T&T league. In addition Marco Ferruzzi has just gotten back from a scouting trip to South America. FCD is well on the road to trying to take advantage of these new rules. I wouldn’t get used to this set of nine names. FCD could also have more room than they think as Marcelo Saragosa is close to a green card, and if FCD makes the moves we have predicted and both Ruiz and Denilson are not here, there could be 3 spaces open for internationals. Cap UpAs usually happens, it appears the MLS Competition Committee will be raising the salary cap again. Depending on the source, it’s either going up to 2.3 million or it’s going from from $2.1 million to $2.25 million, the latter reflects what we believed the numbers to be. That’s not a huge amount and basically reflects the inflation raising of the cap that usually comes each year and covers rollover contract raises that some of the players will get. Dallas wasn’t in horrible cap shape and improved their position by clearing Denilson’s $400,000 DP slot. Even if they do try and bring Denilson back at a lower number like they have stated publicly they will still be in better shape. Frankly I don’t expect Denilson to accept a number that will fit in the salary structure, but that’s a different discussion. FCD will also clear a big chunk of cash if/when they trade Ruiz. FCD should be well placed to buy Toja’s contract from Sante Fe, pay him more, and still seek out another high profile DP that might better fit MLS. Developmental AgeThe last rule change that has been confirmed by some of 3rd Degree’s league sources is an increase in the maximum age of a developmental player from 24 to 25. So if a player will turn 26 during the MLS season he can’t be developmental that season. While it’s not an earthshaking change it will realize some roster pressure for FCD. Five players were set to be graduated form the developmental roster this winter, but with the increased age limit only one will still move up, Dax McCarty, and not for reasons of age. A few of them may not be real happy to hear it, but the expanded developmental age limit helps FCD keep some more veteran players on the bottom set of ten. A couple of them like Scott Jones or Sandy Gbandi may be able to prolong a career that was in danger of coming to an early end. Take a look at the Roster Dance and you can see how the changes effect the developmental roster. 19 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
This is really old “rumor/news” perhaps it would have been good to just wait for the official news from MLS.
I dont understand what the MLS is trying to with raising the the developmental age. DEVELOPING is not done with someone who is 25 or 26, if anything it should be lowered to 23 or 24
Maybe you should take that up with the colleges then mark.
Does FCD really need another DP? I think I’d be happier if they didn’t try that again — unless it’s a sure (as in REALLY sure) thing . . .
Yes team because I confirmed all these with my own sources.
Do you mean the number of international spots will increase to 8 in 2008 and then possibly to 9 in 2009 or is it possible we might be 9 by next season? Is seems to make more sense to gradually increase it as more teams are added instead of raising it by two in one year.
Hutch – there is never a sure thing in sports. I hope we continue to take the risks and think we need to learn from this year and not mix things up in the middle of the season.
Anything about the rule of changing players from Canada to not be international players, I just don’t understand the one team rule. Playing in Canada or not there shouldn’t be a rule that only allows one team to do something.
It is not really about the colleges, these guys can turn pro whenever they want. 25 and 26 year old players are not really developing. I suspect this change is something to please the player association.
Buzz, do you know anything about the rumors about el Pescadito being sent to LA, Joe Cannon to DC, and someone (Cristian Gomez?) to FCD that Goff’s reporting? Goff hasn’t said anything about Gomez to Dallas, but given the high salaries of Ruiz and Cannon, Gomito to Dallas wouldn’t be too much of a stretch.
Are you crazy Nic? FCD getting Cristian Gomez? That would actually be us getting somebody good in return for trading our best player. How long have you been following FCD? You should know we only get draft picks and injured players in return for our best men.
It will always be this way until the Hunt Family fires Michael Hitchcock…the man responsible for such brilliant moves as Shaka Hislop and Denilson. Hitch…you know NOTHING about soccer. Stick to selling tickets.
The trade fell thru. DC pulled out of the deal. Man I guess FC Dallas doesnt want Ruiz anymore. Maybe they found a forward in the scouting trip to south america??? Or maybe Mina comes back??? Who knows but I figured it would have been Denilson who was traded. But good luck to Ruiz and thanks for the memories.
Walter, maybe 9 in 2008.
Nic, I knew Ruiz had been discussed to LA, they would like Ruiz back in LA. I heard the rumor about DC as well, but nothing more than rumor.
mls be careful. incresing foreigners will be like the nasl all over. They say they need to increase due to lack of good Americans but the foreigners aren’t near as good as the foreigners that were in the NASL. We need more Americans
AEG bending FCD over on this trade? BTW, when is that “Beckham Charity Game” going to be announced?
HERES THE STORY ON WHAT WE MISSED OUT ON….. ALL I CAN SAY IS HOUSTON JUST GOT STRONGER:
http://www.dallasnews.com/shar...1207dnspofcdallas.2fbb946.html
I can say “caps lock”
I can also say Houston just traded away their future GK to fill the whole in their backline from losing Cochrane in the expansion draft.
FCD just stopped short of making a bad trade getting an average defender for their leading goalscorer.
LOL “average defender”? Are you kidding me? A leading goal scorer whos in it for himself. I would take any defender at this point for a guy who doesnt want to be here.
Boswell didn’t even start at the end of last year and he might not start in Houston – assuming they keep him, which they probably won’t. LA holds all the cards from my perspective – they can trade to get Houston’s DP giving them a second DP, plus trade Albright to us to get Ruiz, then they take the 2nd DP and get a nice foreign striker (dude from Celtic?). We move Drew Moor to wherever they say he is natural and stick Albright on the right side then take the extra cash and buy the guy in Argentina we are evidently looking at who I guess will be great. The trio of Beckham, Donovan, Ruiz and the guy from Celtic would be all-world strange, but the talent would be interesting. Why wouldn’t Ruiz want to play with Beckham btw (even though he loves Dallas)?
Express – I doubt the average foreigner was better during NASL era but the Americans were much worse or conversely are much better now. I don’t think they are trying to up the foreign contingent forever either but do when expansion dilutes things. First year in MLS had five senior foreiners but that dropped to four. Different now with different classifications but shows how it rises and dips from time to time.