FCD Looking to Re-sign McCarty
October 29th, 2009 . 12:18 am . By: Buzz Carrick
“This year, thank goodness, there aren’t that many changes,” Hyndman said at Tuesday’s training. “Now it can change immediately if Dax [McCarty] says, ‘I’m not going to re-sign’.” Hyndman says that makes getting McCarty to put pen to paper a high priority. “I think it’s really important. We have put a lot of effort into re-signing him.” For his part McCarty seems inclined to return. “Pretty Positive,” McCarty said when asked his thoughts on returning to FCD. “I’ve had some good discussion and they know I have a desire to come back here. Obviously I’m going to weigh some other options and try and figure out what my best decision might be.” If it seems like there might have been more progress by now, McCarty says it’s been about the playoffs down the stretch run for him, “I basically told [my agents] I want to focus on helping my team make the playoffs, trying to play my best, and not being distracted by things that are not really in my control right now.” McCarty couldn’t speak to what his options might be, “Honestly I don’t really know. I told my agents to keep me in the dark about stuff until the season was officially over. I know that there might be one of two things I don’t know about that could be possibilities, but as of right now nothing concrete.” Hyndman seem inclined to think McCarty will say, “I’ve had conversations with him, he wants to be here. But he also doesn’t want to shut down his options. So I think it’s very important that we sign him.” With the history of the two men, fans probably can’t take anything for granted. McCarty says the bad blood at the end of last season is old news. “I was really lucky,” said McCarty. “I came in and we both kind of admitted, put the swords away and admitted, there were some things I could have done better, some things he could have done better.” “Full credit to him,” McCarty continued. “He’s a pretty honest guy, he said, ‘listen if you come in, work hard, and win a spot, I’m burying the hatchet. It’s water under the bridge and you’ll have a fair shot just like anyone else.’ Credit to him he gave me a chance and hopefully I repaid his faith and showed him that I can help the team out. It’s been good, our relationship has been good all year. There’s definitely no ill effect from last year.” That should be pleasing to FCD fans as it seem both parties are willing to make a deal. The only question seems to be the value of McCarty’s other options and if FCD can compete as MLS salary cap may hinder their ability in that regard. Hyndman says one unforeseen factor in all this might be the forthcoming collective bargaining negotiation. “I think with collective bargaining coming through he’s probably waiting to see what’s going to develop out of that before he makes his decision.” So no deal is in place, but at this stage both parties seem to be willing to come to an agreement. 35 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
Great news!
After the season Dax had, I wouldn’t be shocked if he gets a decent offer from a foreign side, though.
It’s good to hear a player say something positive about SH because from afar he doesn’t seem user friendly at all.
Full credit to both of these guys for making their relationship work. Remember in February that Dax was home in Florida and not even in training camp and we all thought we’d seen the last of him. Both he and SH showed great maturity in making this work — and it was great for the club.
I can’t express how happy the, dare I say, likely return Dax will make me!
He’s a very important part of this team (and these discussion threads).
Let me just go on the record and say there is ZERO chance Dax will be back. He hates it here and only played the good soldier to make himself more marketable per the advice of his management team. It’s clear in his comments that he’s leaving the door open just in case other options don’t pan out but he is willing to go anywhere to improve his career situation with the Nats and a big european pay day.
I hate the phrase full credit. No credit to Dax for using it twice.
Guessing at the thought process Dax might be going through:
Why I might re-sign:
- The season ended on a positive note. This should portend good things for the team.
- SH looks like he is here for a while. If I can continue to get along with him, I know I fit into his plans and will get playing time.
- If I swtich to another team, there is always the possibility that I won’t fit with the coach, his system, etc. (For reference, see Kenny Coopers reduced playing time the last few games at 1860 Munich.)
Why I might move:
- Still need a few more good players for a complete season run. Can SH find the right players to add?
- More money if I get an offer from Europe and better exposure.
- If a get an offer from a MLS team that is always challenging for the championship (don’t know who, but say Houston or New England) I may have a better chance of playing on a championship team. (Yeah, I know this is scrilege for a FCD fan to write, but if he is considering all of his options, he has to think about it.)
If he returns I’ll be glad to have been wrong, since he really has matured as a player this season.
I think since MLS owns contracts, Dax can’t just decide to go to New England or Houston. FCD would have to trade his rights.
There’s no free agency inside MLS, and I doubt this set of labor negotiations changes that.
Mark_B, when a contract ends, as long as the club attempts to re-sign a player (which is clearly the case here), they retain his MLS rights for 2 years. Another MLS team would have to trade with Dallas for Dax AND then negotiate a contract with him.
IMO, Dax is saying all the right things to keep on SH’s good side (ref: Pablo “See what happens when you say the truth” Ricchetti). He’s definitely looking around for a better opp.
Buzz – Chris brings up a good question. If Dax’s contract is up, can he move to another MLS team?
If FCD doesn’t sign him, but Dax agrees to go to another MLS team in a trade (as opposed to going to Europe), what can FCD get for him in that kind of situation?
MLS being single entity, Dax can’t sign with another MLS team. Another MLS could however trade for his rights, although they would have to then come to terms with him. That makes his trade value less.
Dax is however free to sign with anyone outside MLS, and that includes foreign countries or with other domestic leagues like the USL.
Thanks, Buzz. A follow up question, if a trade is being discussed, is Dax allowed to talk with the other team and come to a gentlemen’s agreement that he would sign with them should he be traded?
First, let me say I have ZERO reason to think a trade is being discussed.
But if FCD were to give permission then yes a team could talk to Dax. Without permission, no.
Although agents are sneaky.
And teams outside MLS can talk to dax all they want.
I surely hope we find a way to hang onto him and he decides to weigh his options and stays. He is a veritable peer house who gives 100% everytime he steps on the field. I can’t think of one time I felt he wasn’t gunning for glory!
What’s his real $ value to FCD?
What is his value on the international market?
What does FCD offer him?
How much does the CBA increase the salary cap for next year?
How much of that does FCD need to save for new players?
A lot of factors…
Buzz,
Any plans to write a breakdown of expansion draft possibilities for FCD?
I feel differently than the others I guess about SH. Give me the truth and treat me like a man not babytalk me and sugercoat it. At least you know where you stand. Sounds like he and DAX worked it out.
Steve, yes, been working on it the last day or so.
Hope Dax returns–for me he was the MVP of the team!
KZ – yup.
But it begins with the coach wanting him back, and clearly he does, so that is step one.
It sounds like it’s FCD or Europe/other foreign league for McCarty. If FCD wants him, he can’t go to another MLS team (sorry to be repetitive). Tough to get into Europe in this off cycle but maybe there’s interest?
Red Stripe is a Jamaican beer!!! This club is known as the Hoops! Red Stripes is complete idiocracy!
Red Stripes? The only way that would be possible is if the club was sponsored by a Jamaican beer! This club has been known as the “Hoops” for a while now…suggesting they are the “Red Stripes” is complete idiocracy!
Tinsley, we’ve been calling them Red Stripes since the switched to the red and white striped jerseys.
Also the team has dropped the “Hoops” name. That is no longer their “unofficial” nickname. “Hoops” after all is what we call basketball.
Boy, the things some guys go off on!
If it’s been good enough for Celtic for a hundred years or so, it’s good enough for me. At least “Hoops” has some soccer merit to it. Red Stripes just brings to mind Jamaican beer! Most likely nobody in the front office even knows the significance of the “Hoops” nickname. Therein lies the problem.
The horizontal lines don’t even connect to form a “hoop.” I vote for the name the “Semis.” It works on some many levels. :0)
Back on topic, folks.
Buzz – what do you know about Dax’s agent? Are they someone that has good contacts in Europe? Beyond the traditional Scandanavian countries that most Americans go to when they go overseas?
doug, I don’t know. Ill ask if I get a chance.
As a young american player, if there is any interest from europe he should go. He can always come back to the mls but may not get another chance to play overseas. He might get in SH’s doghouse or get replaced by another loan player from s.america next year.
I tend to agree with pony2, so long as McCarty gets to actually play where ever he lands.
as a friend of dax’s, it is great to see he is finally getting the recognition that i thought he deserved. his contribution on the pitch can be unglamorous and overlooked sometimes, but i knew it would show through in time. hope he gets to play against slovakia and denmark.