Whether you want to admit it or not, in the pre-Beckham MLS world DC United were our Dallas Cowboys. They were America's team. But now every kid in the country wants a Beckham kit (including my nephew in Kansas City who says "Eddie Johnson who?") and DC are just the Indianapolis Colts; a consistent title-contender.
DC has always had an international line-up that matched the city's multicultural populace. But being that they operated under the league's strict policy regarding foreign players it never seemed over the top. But looking at the names linked to the team in the transfer rumors this off season, it's almost like Tommy Soehn & co. have forgotten about the leagues role in developing American players entirely.
In the last 2 months Argentina's Juan Sebastian Veron, Marcelo Gallardo, and Gonzalo Peralta Peruvian goalkeeper Jose Carvallo, and Colombian defender Gonzalo Martinez have all been linked with moves to the Capital. If you add them to Bolivia's Jaime Moreno, Brazil's Fred and Luciano Emilio, and Argentina's ChristianGomez and you've almost got enough Latin heat for a starting 11.
I don't think it's a bad thing, just a curious development in the the leagues evolution. Right now there is a guy on some message board in Chile talking about how United are to South America what Fulham is the U.S.
5 comments:
Same with Chelsea in the late 90s. If I'm not mistaken, they were the first team in the Premiership to start an entirely non-English lineup.
All great empires come to an end at some point.
people constantly talk about this like its a huge problem and that sooner or later american players are gonna be forgotten about. but there are plenty of americans on DC from Ben Olson to Simms to Wells to Burch. Plus good foreign talent coming into the league raises the level of play in the mls and makes it a better league for both the fans and the american players to learn and develop in.
As a DC United fan, I think you're right. Tom Soehn seemed completely unconcerned with the draft last week, not trying to get a better draft pick or anything. It's so different that in an american sport, we don't really care about drafting americans, and we're looking overseas for our superstars.
It seems like a couple teams had that attitude about the draft. FCD only picking up GA's. And LA. I remember reading somewhere (Buzz?) that Morrow didn't think much of US college players and didn't feel like the draft was worth anything.
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