MLS Incoming, Outgoing? Toja, Cooper, Buddle, Freeman, McBride, etc.

By: Laurie | July 28th, 2008

Lots of activity and potential activity going on in MLS. What do the most recent rumors say about who’s coming and who’s going?

Juan Toja didn’t play for FC Dallas yesterday. This may or may not mean anything. Toja’s said to be injured, but he’s also said to be leaving Dallas. His suitor? Champions League-bound Steaua Bucharest in Romania.

I’m not a Dallas fan. I don’t like many Dallas players. But I adore Juan Toja. Even without the rock-star hair this year, even without the magic of his season last year, he’s fun to watch. He was a great discovery for MLS when he was playing for River Plate and struggling to make the first team, and for awhile it was a good match on both sides.

But we always knew this wasn’t a forever love, didn’t we? With the MLS salary cap in place, we can find these players but we can’t keep them. MLS is a stopping point. A waystation. A place for these talented South Americans to catch their breath and attract attention before moving to a higher-profile, higher-profit venue. (Read: Europe.)

Best of luck to Juan. With luck either the salary cap will be lifted and he’ll come back in his prime, or he’ll stop back by for a visit on his way to retirement. (And if you want to know Why I Love Juan Toja — besides that whole on-the-field thing — check out the video at the bottom, from last year.)

And since we’re talking about FC Dallas, what about FrankenCooper? Kenny Cooper has been linked with the Welsh team Cardiff City, finalists in last year’s British FA Cup, and to the Norwegian club BK Rosenborg. (The BBC gossip and rumors section says Cardiff City is the favored suitor, to the tune of £2m.)

To my eye, Kenny has looked decidedly less lumbering and FrankenCooper-ish this year. In fact, he’s looked quite svelte and speedy and effective. This has captured European attention, with Wales and Norway being the countries that are currently making the headlines.

Rumor is that Cooper is looking toward Europe to capture the attention of US coach Bob Bradley. But he scored two goals and one assist yesterday against the LA Galaxy, and threatened multiple other times. He looked solid in the All-Star game. Does he really need to go abroad to make the USMNT?

Perhaps not. But again, there’s that money thing. MLS teams don’t have the budgets, and, alas, the exchange rate is not in our favor.

Why are European clubs buying our boys? Because they can.

Next up: Is Hunter Freeman leaving the Red Bulls?

Could be. Freeman confirmed this week that Norwegian club IK Start is interested. But fear not, Red Bulls fans. It looks like he’ll be here through the 2008 season.

Reports had surfaced in the Norwegian media last week that the 23-year-old Texan right back would make the move to Europe after his four-year contract with the Red Bulls expires at the end of the 2008 MLS season.

“It’s something that’s popped up in the last few days,” said Freeman after the Red Bulls’ 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. “The team is interested in me. Where it will go, I’m not sure.”

And speaking of Norway, in news that is breaking my heart, the LA Galaxy’s Edson Buddle has been linked with Norway’s BK Rosenborg.

Buddle has had a breakout year this year, with 11 goals scored. This Galaxy fan has watched his self-confidence, his perseverance and his first touch improve this year as he’s learned to connect with teammates like Landon Donovan and David Beckham.

Is he ready for Europe? I have no idea. From a selfish, Galaxy fan standpoint, I say, “Edson!! Don’t go!!!!” From a neutral standpoint, I say, “Hope you can keep up the performance we’ve seen this year. (Yesterday excepted.)” And from an MLS fan standpoint? Isn’t it sad when little nations like Wales and Norway can offer our native sons a better deal than we can?

This bid isn’t feeling serious at the moment, but that could change any day.

But enough bad news. Let’s look at the good news. Remember last time, when I lamented the inability of Toronto and Chicago to reach a deal for prodigal son Brian McBride? Toronto had won the “We Own Brian” lottery, and even thought they didn’t want him and he didn’t want to play there, their plan was to suck Chicago dry in the swap.

Enter The Commish. In a “Your daddy says ‘don’t make me come up there’” moment, MLS Commissioner Don Garber apparently decided that McBride was a national treasure and it would not be in the league’s best interest to let him go. The unspoken message he sent to Toronto? Play nice, or else.

And what a surprise. Toronto and Chicago seem to have reached a deal. Chad Barrett to Toronto, McBride to Chicago. Or at least that’s the rumor.

Wins all around. (Except maybe for Chad.) Brian will most likely be heading to Chicago after his run as an over-age player in the Olympics.

And that’s all the MLS transfer news I feel like researching at the moment. Stay tuned for more. Eventually.

That Toja video: (Um… Juan? Honey? Just because the coach is the one talking doesn’t mean we can’t see you.)