All courtesy of The Offside Rules: [video=youtube;Z5Urvpfj9YQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Urvpfj9YQ&feature=player_embedded[/video] [video=youtube;Wa72BeDclSo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa72BeDclSo&feature=player_embedded[/video] As we all know, being that I think everyone on this board either loves Arsenal or hates Barcelona (except for me being a fan of Barca), Henry's preferred number is 14 and as was pointed out by a commenter on TOR, July 14 is Bastile Day.
I think this is the worst kept secret in American soccer as the Henry to New York rumors have been going on for a couple of years it seems. At least Red Bull is having some fun with this. As for what this will mean on the pitch, Henry will quickly put himself up there with Edson Buddle and Robbie Findley has the best forwards in MLS. Henry had clearly fallen out of favor with Barcelona this year, but just last season he scored 29 in all competitions. He'll be playing alongside Juan Pablo Angel who he has some at least indirect familiarity with from their years in the Premier League together. Those two will quickly make themselves the best forward combo in MLS, despite the other European striker joining the league, Blaise N'Kufo who will be with Freddy Montero in Seattle.
While Henry has been expected and a not too closely guarded secret, there is now speculation of a third DP joining Red Bulls. Here Ives reports on some comments from GM Erik Soler discussing a third player who can apparently play multiple positions and is currently under contract with his club. Ives also mentions that Henry will make his debut against Tottenham and then play two days later against the Crew. The other guy is more likely to make his debut against the Crew it appears. So who plays multiple positions and is under contract? Alessandro Del Piero does, but I don't see it being him. A midfielder is more likely, but who knows. Del Piero could help behind Angel and Henry or from the left wing.
And there's some suggestion that its Rafa Marquez, who plays midfield and defense. With Barcelona's recent financial difficulty, he could negotiate his way out like Henry did.
Because we can't all be on time to the party, here's Steve Nash saying that Henry will join the Red Bulls. Nash for the record is friends with Henry has the Frenchman participates in Nash's NYC soccer exhibition every year.
Happy Bastile Day everyone...Thierry Henry has signed with the New York Red Bulls. Still no word on the second summer signing, that would be the third designated player for the Red Bulls. Rumors still hold that its Rafa Marquez, but an interesting article about Freddy Ljunberg becoming less than beloved in Seattle has added some intregue to the mix. Still, I'd bet on Marquez.
Ljungberg?! Damn, might need to start watching Red Bulls games. Becoming the Arsenal retirement plan over there.
Henry is only a year removed from a 26-goal season in Spain/Europe. He should light up MLS supposing he gets good service.
Ljungberg is with Seattle now. It seems like a bit of a pipe dream to me. There's suspicion because the guy who runs the Bulls said they're looking for a third designated player who "plays multiple positions" and is under contract currently. Add in Henry signing and a Swedish head coach, and there was one article I have seen suggesting its Ljungberg. Personally, I wouldn't bet on it. Robert Pires has also been rumored to be coming to MLS (and rejected Philly because Philly isn't a beautiful city for him to be in), but he doesn't fit as he isn't under contract right now.
As far as impact, I'm not sure that he'll be putting up the lofty goal numbers that one may expect. He'll certainly score his fair share, but he'll be setting others up quite a bit, particularly Juan Pablo Angel, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire from MLS without ever winning a goal scoring title. The impact of this move is that I think we'll start seeing more players coming to MLS to play, rather than establish a brand like Beckham and Ljungberg where doing (in my opinion at least). Henry may be past his prime, but he's certainly far from washed up. I'm not sure who is next, but i think we'll see more players like Henry coming over than brand names or old men.
Use your work computer and search for it on Google. Make sure people can see your screen when you do it.
Its a Designated Player. MLS has a variety of contract descriptions and DP is one of them. They count for $300k against the salary cap, but they can be paid any amount of money. Each team can have three, but if you take a third they count more against the salary cap. There are nine currently in MLS: DC United - Branko Boskovic LA Galaxy - David Beckham, Landon Donovan New York - Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry Seattle - Freddie Ljungberg, Blaise Nkufo Toronto FC - Julian De Guzman, Mista Boskovic, Mista, Nkufo, and Henry just signed and haven't played with their clubs yet as i don't think they can be added to a roster until tomorrow.
Im just eagerly waiting the Timbers MLS debut and who they can get.... Bring in MUTU TIMBERS!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!
Mutu could be interesting. He'd certainly do well. I saw something random about Milan Baros, but it seemed to imply that he was already in the US. Not sure where that came from, but he'd be a strong pick up for the MLS. I'm just hoping that the Revolution do something at some point. A Portuguese player would be a terrific pick up, but I haven't heard any rumblings. When Benfica was here, I was hoping that they'd be leaving Nuno Gomes behind, but they came and went without an announcement.
