Getty Images It didn’t gain much attention, but Major League Soccer’s board of governors held their usual meetings around MLS Cup. Nothing substantive in an immediate-news way apparently rose from the talks, which marked a contrast to the last two similar set of talks.
(In 2010, owners dropped a whopper by unexpectedly adding two playoff sides. And last year, owners adopted the new format that awarded host rights to the MLS Cup finalist of better record, another biggie.)
But there was a “start” to something semi-significant, at least. The deciders of Major League Soccer began foraging for intelligent ways to add more marquee men and to generally add a little more salary cap operating space.
This is significant because the salary cap’s incremental increases have already been negotiated within the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement. So, essentially, the owners are saying here, “We don’t have to spend more money on salary … but let’s find a way to do it, anyway.”
(MORE: Heard and overheard during MLS Cup week)
How would it work? That’s what they were throwing around the table in Los Angeles, according to one person familiar with the discussions. How to add more DPs was a major element of the talks. That does not necessarily mean adding a fourth potential DP per team; more likely it’s about how to get more teams into the DP game, probably through additional mid-level types.
For instance, rather than adding the next Robbie Keane or Thierry Henry, they’d like to add more Fredy Monteros or David Ferreiras. Those are talented fellows who cannot check the box on “household name,” but who surely elevate the overall standard of play and tend to become regional fan favs.
Or, can salary be goosed to help keep more of the home-grown up-and-comers, guys like Roger Espinoza, Austin Berry or Matt Besler (pictured). The idea, of course, is assisting clubs who want to keep these guys from being Euro-plucked.
Either way, consider this a “heads up,” because an unexpected little bump in clubs’ collective salary structure may be on the way.
-
Sauerbrunn, Quon, and why its still too early to see NWSL’s influence on Sermanni’s choices
May 22, 2013, 6:47 PM EDT
Tom Sermanni has brought new talent into the national team, but it’s too early to know the extent to which the U.S.’s roster will see new faces.
-
José Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo pick up meaningless two-match bans
May 22, 2013, 6:02 PM EDT
Cristiano Ronaldo will serve a two-match ban. José Mourinho will skirt it.
-
Looking at the United States’ roster ahead of their Canada rematch
May 22, 2013, 4:03 PM EDT
Yesterday’s announcement included few surprises ahead of the U.S.’s June 2 match at BMO Field.
-
How Tony Pulis removal at Stoke City may affect U.S. internationals Cameron, Shea and Edu
May 22, 2013, 2:40 PM EDT
Getty Images
Looks like a mixed bag for the American trio:
-
Getty Images
As the towering English forward weighs up his options, should he return to Liverpool, sign for West Ham or go elsewhere?
-
Mario Götze to miss Champions League final against future club Bayern
May 22, 2013, 1:40 PM EDT
Reuters
With Dortmund’s main attacker threat out injured, can Dortmund still lift the Champions League trophy?
-
AP
Can the Yankees provide a viable option for New York City FC to play in? Of course they can. Maybe.
-
Getty Images
The one accolade no EPL player wants on their soccer resume…
-
Claudio Reyna announced as New York City FC Director of Football
May 22, 2013, 11:05 AM EDT
New York City FC announces Reyna as first employee, a good first move, right?
-
Reuters
Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, Red Bull Arena… which venue could work best as a temporary home for New York City FC?
-
Getty Images
The magic of the Cup lives on, as four PDL sides now face trips to MLS teams in the third-round. Is this the stuff dreams are made of?
-
Getty Images
Pulis joins long list of EPL managers departing… is English soccer becoming more ruthless?






