Monday Morning Centre Back: Koke is Spanish for Quitter
by Zach Woosley on May 31, 2011 9:02 AM CDT
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Yes, it's Tuesday, but since yesterday was a holiday you'll have to forgive me for moving my usual Monday morning post to today. I'm sure you won't mind since there was enough news over the past couple days to prove that while the country was enjoying the holiday weekend, business moved along as usual in MLS.
Here in Houston we're once again dealing with what can best be described as stupid and unnecessary drama. Spanish forward Koke is done with the Dynamo, which I'm sure everyone knows by now. He can throw out all the family related excuses he wants on Facebook but the solid confirmed fact is that he quit. Instead of MLS being an easy payday, he found it to be difficult and challenging and rather than challenge himself to work harder and try to overcome the challenges, he chose to run back to Europe, tail stuck far between his legs. Good riddance.
At some point players of Koke's ilk will come to realize that just because the world typically makes fun of MLS, that doesn't mean you can roll in out of fitness and expect to no only start regularly, but dominate. Koke did neither, instead hoping he could coast his way to some easy money if a league he no doubt thought would be of the cupcake variety. Clearly if he did talk to Carlos Ruiz or Freddy Adu in Greece about MLS, either they were giving him vastly incorrect information, or more likely, he wasn't listening.
Whatever the reason, the good news is the Dynamo didn't spend a ton of money on Koke and he wasn't a designated player. The league will no doubt void his contract as requested and Houston will move on with cap space in to the summer transfer window. Not that anyone is filled with a lot of confidence about what they'll find there. Despite their best efforts, the Dynamo are batting a big .000 in the "big name" foreign signing department. Whatever the reason behind the issue, there will no doubt be some rethinking about who they sign next and how they go about vetting those individuals.
I could probably go on about better scouting or "doing your homework" but what's the point. It's not like Houston are the only MLS club to struggle in this department and other than bringing annoyance and disappointment, it's not really hurt the club to seriously yet. Still I can understand fan's frustration with the situation and the fact that yet another signing has gone bust. There can only be so many Franco Caraccio, Luis Landin and Koke type signing before a fan base get antsy, but that's part of the business. The front office is at least committed to the process, all we can ask if that they learn from the previous mistakes.
As for Koke, no doubt he'll re-sign with Aris or another similar club and enjoy playing again where things are easier for him and he isn't challenged. This makes perfect sense as Koke is a quitter and that's what quitters do.
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Couldn’t have said it better myself Ginge. You know, everyone has personal things, family issues and the like, but you would think that a guy who captained a team out of a mediocre league into middling success in the Europa League would be more of a pro than this. I guess not. And yes, I realize that that is probably a funny thing to expect out of that “accomplishment,” but suddenly the absolute silence out of Europe regarding his transfer to the US except for in Salonica and his hometown of Malaga speaks volumes.
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
To the bright side...
I at least try to see that in all things, this being no exception. As you and others have noted, this frees up our cap space…not that we’re a “marquee” team like LAG or NYRB (or at least in the eyes of MLS marketing or ownership, but that’s another story for another day) but still, we have flexibility. Also, I hope its a cautionary tale to other would-be opportunists from Europe and points elsewhere that MLS is no longer a cupcake league: there is now scouting done by European clubs to pluck up MLS talent because, you know, we can actually play here. We’re no Qatar over-50 league and if you come here, you better come correct and fit because otherwise find yourself a nice spot on the bench. It does upset me that despite his initial announcements about his excitement and eagerness to come here that in the end, he just thought he could waltz in and set the league on fire only running 1/2 a mile and smoking 2 packs a day. And then cite the good ol’ “family issues” reason. Hey, whatever helps you sleep better at night…just know that we know you effectively left a note on the night-stand before hopping on a plane the next day (a holiday here, no less) back home. Well played.
/bitterness
I also take away hope that our FO will take it as another lesson learned…mind you, and as you rightly note, the fanbase may only be able to tolerate so many more of those lessons before there is louder protestations but at least they’re out there. And before we jump to the conclusion that we always sign busts (though it seems that way), this is something larger clubs go through as well and in leagues around the world. But that being said, who is out there that could help? Apparently the Riordan chase is a dead-end (and while he would be a boost at striker, that’s only part of the issue) and we desperately need someone at CAM who can take pressure off Davis and the forwards and help dictate the tempo of the game. So…who’s available?
The front office needs to take some of the blame
We’ve struck out to often on singing…but at the same time I’m not sure what they could have done different. They don’t have the money to fly all over the world scouting so they rely on film and recommendations from people they trust. Which is what they did. I think you saw flashes of his skill, but he obviously was going to need time to adjust to the physical nature of the league. Give Canetti and guys some credit for structuring the deal the way they did. I heard that the contract was set up to give the dynamo a pain free way out if needed.
You could see he was frustrated that he didn’t get some balls played into him (as was I on some of them). But he had a whole different style from the rest of the forwards and should have known it was going to take time. I’m upset that he didn’t want to stick it out and prove himself and that he wasn’t willing to earn his place in the starting 11. Of course if he wasn’t willing to do that, I don’t really want him around anyway.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
Exactly!
More than anything that’s the source of my disappointment and frustration was that he thought this would magically happen in a game or two. When you have a different style and you come into an entirely different league its absolute luck to integrate quickly. And what’s frustrating is that he had shown signs of what he could do, but just had to keep at it and of course needed to get fit. We had almost another month (4 more freakin’ matches) before we had to take a hard look at keeping him or not, and I think that would’ve been plenty of time But rather than stick it out and talk it over with DK he just pouted, took his ball and went home.
As for the FO yes, it seems like egg on their face but again we don’t have an extensive scouting system. Its basically footage or word of mouth and from there DK goes flying around to scout them out. And again, since we’re the productive, sweatshop-productive stepchild of AEG we don’t get the resources that LAG or others get.
Speaking of which, it would be permissible for someone to come forward and purchase the Dynamo from AEG, right? I know the League would have to vet it and all but it can happen, right?
/Have $500 in savings and a dream
I've complained about AEG before too
And I’m seeing a lot of that going around lately, but they have given the Dynamo the go ahead on DP’s. I’m not saying LAG isn’t the favorite sun, but you can’t blame AEG for not wanting to get too heavily invested until the stadium situation was done. They already had to move the team once over stadium concerns. Once the stadium deal was sorted out they gave the Canetti the green light on a DP. We don’t have the scouting resources because this is MLS, not because AEG spends them all on LAG. LAG just waits around for whatever big name the league wants to market next comes along. They are putting up money for the stadium as well as the practice complex. I know Dom took quite a few scouting trips over the off season , mainly to the Caribbean I think. We signed a whole bunch of new players and they have invested in our academy program. I’m not sure the complaints about being the orange kitted step child are quite as valid as they used to be.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
AEG annoys me but...
They were a big part of making the new stadium happen and ensuring the team could get the necessary loans to fund the project. What the stadium in turn means for the Dynamo is financial growth and flexibility moving forward thanks to the revenue generated via matches, concerts, events, etc. That money can then be invested back in better scouting, the academy and other positive things that will help the team in the long run. There’s no doubt AEG doesn’t take care of Houston like they do LA, but they have none the less helped us get a tool that should benefit the franchise.
--
"You live and learn. At any rate, you live." -Douglas Adams
Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory
Yo si le voy, le voy al naranja!
by Zach Woosley on May 31, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Fair points
But I guess the swipe at AEG was more that in that type of ownership model someone will inevitably “suffer” and it tends to be Houston. Yes, fair play for getting us the stadium deal and that will definitely help us in the near and far-term future but I guess the broader implication is that owning two teams in the same league will eventually cause issues. I of course understand why this happened (and as MLS was then a nascent league I think it was necessary) but I think we will come to a point soon where it would be best to strike out on our own. It’s just us and LAG as AEG teams, right? I know before they owned like 6 teams but hopefully after the stadium is built and we settle down there we can start addressing the ownership situation.
But back to the present, we’re down a striker and seemingly back to square one. No one stands out domestically that could cure our ills so it looks like again we’ll have to navigate international waters…
I would guess eventually the league might want AEG to only own one team
But in a situation where the league is technically the owner of each team I don’t think it’s a huge concern. At least not right now. LA has had more resources because they had their own stadium where the team controlled more of the revenue + the marketability of their stars got them greater sponsorship dollars. That has as much to do with the league itself ensuring that one of their “marquee” franchises was competitive.
If a couple of years down the road the new stadium is routinely getting filled up and we are still obviously getting the short end of the stick then there is something to complain about. Lately they have shown the desire to make sure this is a first class operation here lately. All they needed was the stadium deal to make sure they were financially viable in this market.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
Huh
Ok see now you’re touching on something I had wondered about: I vaguely recall that MLS has a “different” ownership model since as we’ve seen recently, players from outside the league sign a deal with MLS and then the rights to that player are then sold off to a team (or their ownership). Is that correct? So then the league owns the teams/franchises and then those can be sold off to an owner or ownership group? I really just want clarification but perhaps this is a discussion for another day or another forum
MLS is a single entity
The league owns all the teams. The “owners” like AEG are really stockholders in MLS and are given the rights to control their team(s).
The system is built around a lot of revenue sharing among all the teams and cost controls in an effort to keep things on a level playing field. There’s revenue sharing in other pro-leagues, but not to this extent. That is one thing that has helped make the league attractive to new investors and one reason the league has been able to expand so quickly. Revenue sharing and strong controls on player cost make it a lower risk investment.
Players even technically sign contracts with the league, not individual teams. In some cases teams are dictating what kind of contract they want (Koke). In others the league negotiates a contract and then a player goes into the allocation process (Feilhaber) where teams decide if they want the player or not based on the current allocation order. Someone else can explain the allocation details.
AEG ponied up the money for DP’s in LA, but that never could’ve happened without league’s approval and their help. Now that the Dynamo have a stadium secured AEG has given the go ahead on “big” DP’s as well.
It is a very unique set up that doesn’t exist anywhere else that I know of. It has it’s pluses and it has it minuses. It does skirt the gray area in regards to anti-trust law. That’s what led to big labor dispute a few years back, but the league loosened the rules on players freedom to move around and they avoided any kind of a strike.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
Brilliant...
thank you sir! I knew it was a unique model among leagues (particularly Association Football leagues) but this helps clear things up.
As a general rule you can't trust AEG
They already had to move the team once over stadium concerns.
In reality this was all smoke and mirrors and SJ is getting a stadium done after all. AEG could’ve gotten one done in SJ if they had stayed.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on May 31, 2011 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions
again though the league has ultimate say
AEG couldn’t have moved without league approval. I don’t doubt what you say and I didn’t really start following the league closely until the Dynamo arrived. I don’t know the details about how or why they left, but it doesn’t happen without the league being behind it. Maybe they felt like they needed a team in the Houston market ASAP, and since there were no investors ready to move right away the league used the stadium situation to just move a team there. I’m sure it didn’t matter to the Earthquake fans who got screwed (i can sympathize). AEG isn’t the ONLY villain in that whole thing.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
And thank the Orange Heavens above they didn’t wait. AEG’s impatience is humanity’s gain. And maybe once again, we can inflict some pain on the Bay Area this weekend
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
If you wanted a club
you should have done it the proper way like Seattle, Philly, Portland, Vancouver, TFC, RSL, etc rather than steal someone else’s club
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on May 31, 2011 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions
AEG's misdeeds aren't the fans fault
It absolutely sucks to lose a team. I know. I used to watch the Sonics before they were taken to OKC. It’s even worse when the team gets fired up and becomes successful just a season or two after they leave.
I Forgot to Include This Thought in the Story
What really pisses me off about this is that Koke knew the team was about to enter a month missing three players to international duty, with two forwards and a midfielder still injured. Instead of being a professional and sticking it out through June to at least help the team until guys came back, he’s gone leaving even more of a depth problem with only three healthy forwards until Ching or Carr get healthy.
--
"You live and learn. At any rate, you live." -Douglas Adams
Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory
Yo si le voy, le voy al naranja!
I see what you are saying
Or from a selfish point of view: he should have at least thought that the CAM role could become available and he could slot in. If he would have waited one more week he could have possibly made a name for himself there and earned the starting position.
Whatever.
Have fun retreating. This is just further proof that the MLS isn’t the pushover league so many elitist soccer fans and soccer haters alike pretend it is.
Completely agree, MLS is NOT a retirement league.
The “have fun retreating” line is great and would be even better if Koke was French, oh well.
--
"You live and learn. At any rate, you live." -Douglas Adams
Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory
Yo si le voy, le voy al naranja!
by Zach Woosley on May 31, 2011 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't let the door
hit you in the a$$ on the way out Koke.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on May 31, 2011 2:01 PM CDT reply actions
MLS support for signings
I thought that the league had some foreign scouts on their payroll to support teams that didn’t have the budget for extensive foreign scouting. I would have thought the Dynamo would be getting some info from the league scouts to help them. Does anyone know if the Dynamo are getting any support from the league office?
I think it was someone in the league office who initially brought Koke to the teams attention
I don’t know the details of how it all works, but with the single entity structure and the league holding the players contract it makes sense that league scouts would have their reports available to all the teams. I would assume that teams have their own scouting system as well, but it’s probably more just the coaches taking a few trips in the off season kind of thing as opposed to a separate scouting department.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
by papabear on Jun 2, 2011 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
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