It's Q&A Time

(NO MORE QUESTIONS!! Thanks to those of you already submitted questions. Those of you who missed out. There is always the next one.)

Good afternoon folks. It is a SLOW news day today on the soccer front (for now) so it is probably a good time to have another Question and Answer session.

You know the routine by now. Ask me your soccer related questions (on topics from MLS to international soccer) and I will try to provide you with an answer. Try to keep them reasonably-sized and try to limit your questions to one or two. I will do my best to try and answer your questions, or at least find the answers. I will try to post the answers by Monday.

Let's have some fun. Ask away!

Comments

[jason]

USA MNT 1st XI since 1990?

[EssEff]

How prevalent is performance-enhancing drugs in world soccer? If so, do you suspect any players/teams/leagues more than others?

[Tim F.]

Ives,

Thanks for answering these two (and all the other) questions:

1. For the Expansion draft, why didn’t the Red Bulls expose Claudio Reyna -- similar to the way FC Dallas exposed Denilson -- and instead protect Joe Vide?

2. How do the Red Bulls go about filling their most pressing needs this off-season?

Comments on Q1 (can ignore)
Joe is not the pivotal midfield player and was somewhat prone to turnovers but he actually did provide extra hustle and spark to the team when it was needed as well as sorely needed depth to the roster at a reasonable price. Last year, Joe cost only $12,900 against the cap but even if his salary triples, the increase would only represent the fact that he was grossly underpaid. I’m obviously not suggesting that Joe Vide is a better player than Claudio Reyna. I think the Red Bulls often played better with Claudio than without him (although Claudio was totally ineffective in the Chivas USA games) but Claudio does count for a substantial amount against the cap, could not avoid the injuries despite all efforts, provided fewer assists (3) than anticipated and occupies a very precious DP slot. For these reasons, I would hope the Red Bulls could use the DP slot to go after someone else (I know you have reported that this is unlikely to now happen). That said, even if Claudio was not selected in the Expansion draft and stayed put, New York could have avoided losing Joe Vide.

Comments on Q2 (can ignore)
I’m curious about what you feel the team’s most pressing needs are and how they will be filled. In descending order of importance, I see the needs as an attacking center mid, a left mid and two defenders (with at least one of them being a centerback). As much as I like Jon Conway, I don’t envision him between the pipes during a MLS Cup victory but I hope he proves me wrong; I would still go after an attacking center mid, a left mid and two defenders first. Hopefully the Red Bulls can get someone like Wilman Conde (even though he himself is under contract for one more year).

[Eliana]

Ives,

Thanks for answer the questions:

When is the hiring decision on the Red Bulls Sporting Director/Technical Director expected to be made and will Juan Carlos Osorio report to this person or vice-versa?

I’m curious how the responsibilities are being carved out (e.g., who will be ultimately responsible for player personnel selections, JCO or the SD/TD, etc.).

[DigzTFC]

With low developmental salaries (17K), kids bypassing the draft to go to europe (Sal Zizzo), successful kids eventual departure(Edu), will the new CBA salary cap put a stop to the bleeding of youth players or will it reflect the improvement of the game overall? Basically, will the entry level salaries increase and thats it or will it increase to bring in higher value players

[Art]

Ives,

Two questions for you:

1. Have the Red Bulls curtailed their scouting efforts in Argentina and Brazil or are Red Bull efforts the same or greater than other MLS clubs but purposely kept under the radar?

I read reports that Red Bull’s competitors like DC United, KC and NE and even FCD and RSL are quite active in scouting down there.

2. Do you think Juan Carlos Osorio is a significant enough upgrade over Bruce Arena that he is worth what the Red Bulls gave the Fire in order to hire Juan Carlos Osorio?

[lawrenceterp]

Can you liken each of the MLS teams to a famous movie? For example, San Jose might be a sequel of some kind or LA Galaxy might be a highly budgeted movie that flopped. Thank you!

[Andrew]

Hey Ives, thanks for these Q&A's, they're great.

What's your honest opinion of Rafa Benitez? I'm a Liverpool supporter and I commend him for some of the players he's brought in (specifically lately Torres and Babel) and of course for the European Championship win a few years back. But I think his tactics are just shite. He played a 4-3-3 against Reading on the weekend with Peter Crouch (8 foot 4 inch Peter "Beanstalk" Crouch) in a wide attacking role. What was that? Rafa's got the scouting ability of Wenger which is great, but when it comes to tactical knowhow he's no Mourinho. Does he have much more of a future with the club? Who can take L'pool over the hump and into the Prem top 2?...Cuz I just don't think it's Rafa.

[Ben]

In light of Bruce Arena's comments this week, when do you think Americans will begin to see more coaching opportunities in Europe?

[alex]

1. Any names you want to drop of players we should expect to see in MLS next year from abroad?

2. Now that you've seen players like Toja come to MLS and make an impact do you think that this is going to lead to a lot more South American players in the league this year (not necessarily bit names or high quality)?

[SeanKeay]

What do you expect the starting midfield for the american olympic team. I heard they were going to try out Edu in the centre back role.

[JP]

Who wins, Milan or Boca?

[Landis]

1. Do you see Sacha Kljestan as a viable option at RM for the USMNT in 2010 since he will only be 24 when the WC Finals start?

2. Will we see VDB at LB next year, or do you think the defense will be overhauled in the off-season?

[joe k]

Do you think it's reasonable to hope for the red bulls to sign a big name like carlos bocanegra, and would he command a DP-level salary?

[joe k]

what's the deal with schopp -- did upper management force him down RBNY's throats to keep him away out of salzburg?

[mike]

Who do you see having a breakthrough performance for the USMNT in 2008 (if anyone)?

[Ilya]

1) Andy Dorman: have you heard anything regarding his European trials?

2) I'm a soccer fanatic/lawyer/dork. As such, I would like to read the MLS organizational documents (salary cap rules, etc.) Do you know where I can find this?

[RJ]

Ives, what are your thoughts on Juan Carlos Osorio's upcoming decision about staff. Have you heard anything in terms of whether he will keep Richie Williams and/or John Harkes? Also, what are the chances of Jeff Agoos sticking with the club under the new title? Thanks - RJ

[Ben S]

Assuming that JCO is going to be the Head Coach, who do you see coming and going in RBNY?

Thanks Ives!!!

[Ben S]

One more....

Do you have any opinion on the Mitchell report? Do you think there could be some fallout in the rest of the sporting world?

[Dannyc58]

Any update on my Sebastian Lleget question?

Also, can you try to explain as best you can how the allocations work? In trades, and when given to clubs not making the playoffs?

[EDB]

Ives,

Have you heard anything about players Villa is looking at for the transfer window? All I keep hearing is about the people who may be leaving including Mellberg to Juve

[Lee]

In your opinion do you think an American player (age 14-18) would progress more at
A) Bradenton
B) High School/Major College program
C) Euro Academy

Bringing this up with the rumors that Joe Gyau will sign with Munich in the spring. Seems to me to be a good sign if we can get some of these younger guys in successful programs over in Europe.

[George]

With the immanent signing of Juan Sebastián Verón, it appears that MLS is definitely in a new era. As an Accounting and Economics graduate I’m very interested and concerned about the League from a financial stand point. Does the level of attendance, jersey sales, TV rights, and stadium revenue merit the Golden Egg that Garber sells as the D.P.?

I’m concerned about my beloved Arsenal, will we win the Premiership or is it too early?
Where does Dempsey go after Fulham gets regulated this season?

[Michael F.]

Ives,

You're the best - keep it up. Any idea what's taking so long for Osorio to become official?