Your questions answered (Part three-the final chapter)

Here are all the rest of the questions from the weekend. Sorry this took so long but it probably wasn't a good idea for me to throw a Q&A out there when I was about to come to Phoenix for the US match. There were some good questions overall and I can tell by the depth of the questions that some of you are bored out of your minds and need a soccer fix. Cheer up, the Champions League is just two weeks away.

Here are the rest of your questions answered:

TIM-Two topics I can't get my knucklehead self to understand:

1. allocations - If an allocation is used on a player being acquired to "alleviate salary cap pressure," does this "alleviation" always last two years or can the length vary as well; if the latter, what determines the period length?

2. transfer windows - I thought that MLS clubs could only acquire players affiliated with European, Central American and South American teams through the month of January and now they have to wait until sometime this summer for the next transfer window. If this is not correct, when does the current transfer window close for MLS clubs?

IVES- I wouldn't call myself an expert on the allocation definitions but from what I understand the total can only be used once so let's say you have a $200K allocation that you plan on using to alleviate cap space. I think you can use the whole thing toward the cap for one season or split it and have $100K of cap relief for two seasons. If this is incorrect I will clarify it in the near future. As for transfer windows, their end dates apply to when a league can no longer sign players so MLS could still sign players from abroad, you just won't see as much movement now that the window is closed because all European clubs have switched their focus to the summer.

RICHIE- Is Meola done playing forever or does he have a chance to catch on with another team?

IVES-

He’s done. From what I hear Meola was lobbying for front office jobs before last season even ended. Maybe he knew his time had run out. The Red Bulls were really the only team he could play for so once Bruce Arena let it be known he was going in another direction Meola started preparing for life after soccer. Last I heard he was back in Kansas City working in the private sector.

H WRIGHT- Im gonna leave the "no Kenny Cooper on the roster v. Mexico" thing alone, but I do have a question about the Real Salt Lake squad. Assuming they don't turn around the stadium deal and end up selling the team after the 07 season, what will happen to the roster? Could they move the entire team to San Jose (assuming Lew Wolff seals the stadium deal with SJSU), or would they rely on someone in Philly or St.Louis to buy the team?

IVES- It appears that there are owners lined up who would take the RSL team and move it to St. Louis. That's the popular line of thinking, in part because RSL owner Dave Checketts has said he's spoken to St. Louis people about selling. Now, will the new owners want to keep the front office, coach and players? That remains to be seen. They might not have much of a choice if there isn't much time left before the season starts. That could least to a sort of lost season similar to the Red Bulls season last year.

NORDY- Do you think Bradley made a mistake calling in Dempsey for the Mexico game? Sure, he will help against Mexico, but wouldn't the USMNT be better off in the long-run allowing Clint to stay in London and secure a first team spot?

IVES- I don't think Dempsey coming to Phoenix is going to be a big detriment to his first-team hopes. I believe Fulham and coach Chris Coleman have a healthy respect for the U.S. national team and they wouldn't have bought Dempsey if they were just going to toss him on the bench permanently because of his national team action. If anything, a big game against Mexico could give him the confidence boost he needs to go back to England ready to take over as Fulham's starting right midfielder.

BRENDAN- What's really going on with Colorado, and why can't they keep the info in-house. It has been leaking throughout different soccer circles the last couple of weeks. Is a move from Salt Lake to St. Louis likely (or is there a percentage you could give me)? And I just wanted to double check about San Jose, they keep their records "next" year? Thanks again for all the insight on the world of soccer!

The Euro transfer window has come and gone. What are the options for Red Bull for a top signing?

IVES- I have no idea what's going on in Colorado. You have a team that's eager to make the most of its stadium opening so you might see some unique manuevers, not all of which will be successful. I'd put the Real Salt Lake move to St. Louis at 8-1 right now. If you're asking whether a new San Jose team would adopt the Earthquakes name and records? I believe that is the case. As for the Red Bulls, I can't see any really options at this point, at least not until the European transfer window.

PAUL LORINCZI- Is Zidane an option out of retirement?

IVES- The Red Bulls and other MLS teams have already approached Zidane and he has turned down all offers. He appears determined to stay retired, which is a shame.

LALIQUE- Was Cooper left off the 20-man squad as punishment for taking his shirt off in celebration of his goal and getting a yellow card?

IVES- I'm going to go with no on that one.

MATT- I had asked the last Q&A about the Reyna documentary called "The Goal." Here is a link to a review that Grant Wahl did in case you didn't see it in the comments from last time: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/grant_wahl/news/2002/06/05/wahl_insider/

Did you ever ask Claudio about it? Just curious.

IVES- I promise I will ask Claudio about this the next time I see him, which is going to be a few weeks from now.

JESSE- Are Toronto FC and NY still talking about an Alecko Eskandarian (especially with Magee out now)?

Mo Johnston stated he is pursuing an international striker for Toronto FC, supposedly an American based in Europe. Do you think it could be Conor Casey?

IVES- Casey is about the only available American forward in Europe so he seems like the top candidate. Toronto's status as No. 1 on the allocation list means they get first crack at Casey if he comes back home. As for the Alecko deal, I hear that is off the table for now because of the Red Bulls salary cap situation.

SAL- how likely is it that in the future mls will adopt a a) single table b) promotion/relegation system c) or more freedom regarding player acquisitions (more international players, higher salary cap or none at all)?

IVES- So your question is when will MLS be like European leagues. I would say that promotion and relegation is the least likely of the things you asked about. Single table may occur once the league has 18 teams and needs to have everyone play each other. At that point you could get a balanced schedule, which may eliminate the need for divisions. I still consider it a longshot. The other things you mentioned will come with time, but are at least five years away).

KEVIN- 1. Do you know if Spector and Beasley were not released or if Bradley even put in a request for them?

2. Do you see the Revs actually using the DP slot or the Dempsey transfer money for an impact player instead of relying on some draftees? Is Kraft regarded as a cheaper owner or do the Revs not make much money?

IVES- Beasley wasn't released. I don't know if Spector was requested. I also don't see the Revs using a DP slot and yes, Kraft is regarded as a cheap owner. Heck, even the Patriots don't use all of their salary cap.

INKEDAG- 1. How much do you wanna scream when people ask or comment on how Metro should be throwing bundles of cash at Zidane/Ronaldo/Rivaldo etc? Cause I'm sick of it! :)

IVES-  I don't mind people wanting those players but you have to be smart about the money you pay. Any one of those three guys would have helped the Red Bulls tremendously if they had agreed to come.

WHEREISTHEREALMATHIS- Are you concerned about the USA's outside backs? Seeing Albright and Bornstein as penciled in outside backs in a game vs. Mexico makes me seriously question that position in MLS. I'm interested to see how they'll handle the challenge but neither is a particularly good defensive player. Who else would you look at outside back?

IVES- I'm definitely concerned about the USA fullbacks that are here for the Mexico game. I think Mexico's experienced wingers are going to wreak havoc and make things very difficult for Bornstein and Albright.

PETE- Is Eddie Johnson on the squad the main reason Klinsmann decided against the job? When he declined, he cited lack of complete control.

Is this a case of MLS telling USSF to play EJ to hopefully showcase him for an international bid? It doesn't seem that far-fetched given the way he was added to the Denmark squad at the last minute.

Speaking of EJ, has any journalist ever uncovered whether the Benfica bid was bogus?

IVES- Come on Pete, what does that even mean? Any suggestion that Nike has influenced Eddie Johnson's placement on the national team is absurd. Bob Bradley said on Monday that Johnson is too young and talented to give up on and he has a point. Oh, and your MLS-USSF conspiracy is hilarious because things just don't work that way.

BILL- One question, hope it's not too dumb to ask, just wanted to make sure....is your name pronounced AYE-vs? or EE-vEs?

IVES- It's pronounced Eye-Vis.

FENNSK- How many DPs before March, and how many in the summer? Which teams are you relatively certain won't use DPs this year?
Is Villareal mad enough at Riquelme to foster a move this month?

IVES- I would bet on two more (for a total of four) and four more in the summer to bring the number to eight.

FENRIS- Thanks (I think) for feeding my soccer news addiction. Anyhow, two questions:
1) what actually happened with the Edgar Davids to FC Dallas deal falling through? Did Dallas actually offer just $800,000? It seemed to me that he'd have been a great catch, that wouldn't have drawn the general public's eye, but would have brought some more europhiles to FC Dallas games.
2) after hearing for months that Shalrie Joseph would almost definitely be leaving for Europe, nothing happened. Why?

IVES- Davids was always going to wind up with Ajax. I have the sneaking suspicion that he used MLS as a bargaining tool. That said, he would have been a great signing because he could have made FC Dallas a title contender. Dallas has tons of talent but needs a player like Davids, a two-way terror, to take the next step. 

??-PLEASE EXPLAIN- How did the Red Bulls' cap room dry up so fast and the club seemingly get caught by surprise ...http://www.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070202&content_id=82972&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

or is this just bull****?

IVES- It appears that the Red Bulls were caught off guard by the salary cap the league finally settled on. MLS officials had previously suggested that the salary cap increase for 2007 would be enough to cover the new designated player slots ($400,000). The actual increase is closer to $200,000, meaning the Red Bulls are stuck with $200K less wiggle room than they thought they would have. That is the difference between the Red Bulls signing their second DP and adding a player like Eskandarian, and being stuck in salary cap purgatory.

MATT- Would you please help the soccer world out and "out" the three biggest anonymous personalities in the internet soccer business? We all want to know the real identities of "Tino Palace" from MLSnet.com, "Not Doug Logan" from the logansrevenge blog, and the MLS Underground blog. Thanks.

IVES- I don't know who any of those people are aside from Tino Palace (and I can't out the guy). I thought I had an idea who MLS Underground was but they denied it. I can tell you that I am none of those people.

STEVE- Do you know why Jay DeMerit wasn't called up for the US/Mexico match?

IVES- DeMerit has yet to earn a cap for the US team so now is not the time to bring him in when he would come in and have two days of practice with his new teammates. His time will come this summer and we should get our first look at him with the national team in March.

JC- Late question, but do you have any info on this, at this time, rumor that Colorado Rapids are renaming themselves Arsenal Colorado FC?

IVES- Reports have surfaced confirming that this is in the works. It really makes no sense to me but Colorado's owners are desperate to make a big splash with their new stadium.

LALIQUE- Also late..... why would MLS snub RB by not providing a replacement allocation for Youri? Other teams have been granted allocations for losing lesser players.

IVES- MLS only ever gave retirement allocations for players who were franchise player for their clubs for extended periods of time. Youri Djorkaeff did cost the team an allocation, and he did have an amazing 2006 season, but that wasn't enough for MLS. Truth is I don't think we're going to see any more retirement allocations in the future because MLS wants to do away with the practice.

STEVE- late question but you have to feed my rumor bug: On a message board a post was made about Henry to red bull for the second dp. A few days later a story ame up on goal.com about Henry leaving in the summer so Arse can cash in. Do you think a Beckham type deal could go down where he comes in summer?

IVES- I did include Henry on a recent list of stars I could see winding up in MLS but that isn’t happening for at least another three or four years. Is Henry interested in MLS? He certainly is. Sources told me a year ago that of Djorkaeff’s friends, Henry was one of the more intrigued by MLS. He travels to New York regularly and has the type of personality that could make him a crossover star

These sort of things just kill me. All it takes to get a rumor going is placing it in a visible location, such as Big Soccer, and it can take on a life of its own. Henry just turned down a dream bid to Barcelona last summer to stay at Arsenal. He is in the prime of his career and still the leading figure for France. Why in the world would he leave Europe for MLS now?

MONROE BRYANT- Being based now in the US do you think Claudio Reyna has really earned his last cap?

IVES- I have thought about this since Reyna signed. He is a fierce competitor and I wonder if he could say not if the team needed him for a crucial home World Cup qualifier. Tab Ramos came out of retirement when the team needed him and I'm sure Reyna would do the same if needed.

Comments

[Tim]

Thanks very much Ives!!! Enjoy the game!

[Mark]

I know I'm late with the question but Ives have you heard anything about shirt sponsorships? Will RSL be the only team entering the season with a shirt sponsor?