.jpg)
Rumors By Club
C.D. Chivas USA
Chicago Fire
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
Kansas City Wizards
Los Angeles Galaxy
New England Revolution
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers FC
Real Salt Lake
Red Bull New York
San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC
Toronto FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Schedules
CITY GUIDES
PAPERS
PARTNERS
CONCACAF
PUBS
Matchcenter Scores
MLSNet.com
Could India's David Beckham be headed to MLS?
This is the stuff that the transfer season is all about. A story about star players from halfway around the world being linked to a move to MLS.
In this case they are not European or South American stars looking to end their career in the land of Soccer. It's two fairly young players from the world's largest democracy India and its I-League.
Courtesy of the Times of India:
Two of Indian football's biggest stars — Sunil Chhetri and Steven Dias — were last night handed contracts by US-based FIFA registered agent Eddie Rock and told to sign up at the earliest.
There are a host of players from Kolkata and Goa too who are on the MLS radar. While Chhetri is understood to have sought more time as he remains keen to ply his trade in Europe for a start, Steven, Mahindra United's livewire on the right side of midfield, has already signed on the dotted line.
"I signed up last night," Steven told TOI before leaving for Hong Kong where India is scheduled to play a friendly on Wednesday.
"The agent will now initiate talks with my club and, hopefully, it will pave the way for me to play in the United States. I am excited about the possibilities," said Steven, who, earlier this season upset the Mumbai club by refusing to honour his three-year contract.
Steven could end up at the Washington-based DC United. In its 13-year history, DC United has earned more domestic and international honours than any other American side. LA Galaxy, made famous by a certain David Beckham, also remains a possibility. The MLS evolved from the North Amercian soccer League (NASL) which three decades ago drew the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller — world stars going dim with age but bright enough to illuminate the fledgling soccer stage in the US.
So much so that it earned the somewhat dubious sobriquet of the ‘Elephants Graveyard'. India coach Bob Houghton feels Indian footballers can measure up to the challenge in the MLS, but did not seem entirely convinced.
"I think the players will be better off playing in Europe. Players go to the MLS towards the end of their career, not necessarily for football reasons," said Houghton, no stranger to the MLS, having coached Colorado at the start of his career.
Here's video of the two players:
INCOMING: Indian Stars, Steven Dias and Sunil Chhetri to DC United, LA Galaxy?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Smart move in MLS POV. Tapping in huge market like India can bring a lot of revenue for MLS. Just look at NBA right now and see how much money they're making from China.
LOL suprise surprise someone who was involved with the crapids is sounds a little soured on MLS.
Surely Houghtons one season MLS career with 21 losses left a bad taste. That was a long time ago Bob. Thrown pebbles won't hurt a stocky yankee teenager.
i know seriously! Houghton was one of the worst coaches in MLS history! Some correct me if im wrong but i think he was the first coach get fired in MLS history as well. So i dont think he has much leverage in what he is saying about the MLS standard cuz apparently it was even too much for him to handle!
AMERICA!
and then Goff said:
"'Slumdog Millionaire' conquers Hollywood at the Golden Globes last night, and now Indian players are coming to MLS?! Uh, no. The agent mentioned in this story tells the Insider that he has had absolutely no contact with the league regarding these particular players and that Scandinavia is their most likely destination."
thank god, we here at no asian in mls were getting to organize outside of all mls offices with noasianinmls.com we would have every dress up in turbans and red dot ands evey time someone left the building we would say thank you come again. we are going to the open practices to protest duke hashimoto and were going to heckle him to he leaves the field... noasianinmls.com do it our we'll do your mom
Wow Yet again Americans show there ignorence and will be surpised again when another 9/11 happens. Stop your rasism! I think both these players would add to the MLS and I'm a White english guy saying that! Plus the MLS's best player is English! Must be hard knowing that there is not even an american player in the top 5 maybe even 10 players in the league.
If the poster above me is refering to David Beckham as the best player in the league is sourly mistaken. The best player in the league is Donovan. Most valuable is a different story (GBS). Beckham didn't even make the league's best XI.
You sure he didn't mean Terry Cooke or Darren Huckerby?
terry cooke blows, and huckerby is pretty good, but far from the best, no americans in the top 5??? this is not england where the best english player is 20th best
please no, the last thing i need to see is bollywood half time shows.. just look south
AIMG... BAD JOKE! YOURE A F#@%!ng JACKASS. You either wrote that and then decided to go anon at 4:54, or you are a KKKrew fan. 4:54, shut yer muff, that $#!+ is pungent.. Sure Becks is good. Way off being the best in MLS. Our best players are not in the MLS. They are scattered around the world scoring goals and teachin lessons. As for being ignorant, AIMG is not a plural person. We are not all uneducated rednecks. That's just the deep south and its honorary racism hub, Ohio.
Come on over guys. You are more than welcome to play MLS. Not sure about LA, but DC doesn't have racism issues.
"Come on over guys. You are more than welcome to play MLS. Not sure about LA, but DC doesn't have racism issues."
What are you talking about racism...wait...oh you're talking about a certain group that sits in section 138. They're quiet, you can't hear them. It's okay.
I think it would be great for these guys to come over and try out MLS. I've tried to watch a few I league matches and they are where we were about 15 years ago..... ouch. That hurts to even say. Saying they'll jump straight to Europe? Belgium 3rd tier may be Europe, but it doesn't mean they'll get a good view to moving up an onwards. Here statside at least International agents look to "cherry-pick" talent on the cheap. They have a better shot of 'making it' here than anywhere else.
And as far as Bob Houghton goes....well, he'll just take any job that pays and he's soured by his abysmal run at Colorado. Get over it Bob, you're getting paid to lead a squad and MLS is moving on without you.