When MLS to Europe doesn’t make sense.

By: Robert | February 15th, 2008

Welcome back, of sorts, I had planned to be back up and running full time earlier this week but with the election coming here and my job being in the media, real life has interceded. But before I get to my preview of this upcoming FC Dallas campaign I want to discuss a trend that really struck me as really odd: the number of MLS players going to sub-MLS level Europe, specifically ex-Hoopers (I like that title) Clarence Goodson and Chris Gbandi.

For those of you that don’t know, here’s a quick re-up on the story:

FC Dallas left Goodson unprotected in the MLS expansion draft and he was picked up by San Jose however, instead of signing a contract with them he bolted for Europe and now plays for IK Start, a second division Swedish side.

Chris Gbandi left FC Dallas just a few days ago to play for FK Haugesund, a second division Norwegian team.

I may have more about this in my upcoming defensive preview (here’s a quick team preview from another site, pretty decent so give them a look) I didn’t understand these moves from Goodson’s or Gbandi’s point of view so I turned to my resident soccer expert Brian Kopinski for an interview and hopefully some clarity.

Me: Goodson and Gbandi leave MLS for second division clubs in Sweden and Norway; help me understand this because those leagues cannot give them a better game than MLS. It seems like a step down.

Brian: It is a temporary step down but one that has a much larger step up in front of it. No disrespect to the American league but I’m pretty sure no one grows up in America saying “I want to the play in the MLS”

Me: Except Landon Donovan.

Brian: *Laughs* Anyways, to jump from an MLS club to one the bigger leagues, you’re going to need a work permit and those are hard to come by. Playing in 75% of your national team’s games will get you the permit if you draw the interest, but if you are unable to reach that threshold you are going to need to appeal á la Eddie Johnson.

Me: I’m following you, I think.

Brian: The thing is clubs in smaller leagues generally have a better chance in the appeals process because no one wants to be seen as stopping the little guy. And once you have an EU work permit its transferable across Europe which means all you have to do is play your way into the big money. Plus it’s easier for you to move because you’re out from under the MLS’ restrictive contract rules.

Me: What about just being in Europe and that making it easier to be seen?

Brian: Fans may throw darts at the American product but scouts and mangers are always looking for new talent, anyone with a buzz will have their games followed on TV or the internet, if not in person, so while there may be some benefit it’s not as much as you might think. But don’t get it twisted, this is about being seen. Neither Goodson nor Gbandi were regulars on their national teams at any level and the national team competitions are what most use to follow the growth of up and coming talent. Since that avenue of success looks to be closed to them this is the next best option.

Me: So what will they need to do to get back on our soccer radar?

Brian: Dominate. Go there and take over some games, if they improve they could find themselves in England’s Championship division which for them would be a very good accomplishment. Solid play there could put them into the national team picture. (note: Chris Gbandi has been capped by Liberia and cannot play for the US)

Me: So why don’t more people do take this route.

Brian: It’s not easy, I don’t know how much they were making in Dallas but you’re probably not going to make as much on a second division club in Norway or Sweden; so with a loss of income plus an entirely new living situation and being alone. It isn’t for everybody.

Me: Especially Landon Donovan.

Brian: *Laughs*

So there you have it, a reason for the departures of Clarence Goodson and Chris Gbandi, good luck to both of them. At least I now understand the idea because I refuse to believe that just playing in Europe means you’re playing against better talent. So in Dallas today the FC stands for understanding because I needed to “find a cause.”

HOOPS PRIDE!

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