COMMERCE CITY — Is the MLS about to become a league of haves and have-nots? Maybe not, but fans are apt to wonder as they watch teams in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago collecting big-name international talent.
Since 2007 the MLS has allowed teams to sign “designated players” who could be paid sums over and above the league’s salary cap. This summer has seen a flurry of DP signings, most notably New York’s acquisition of French superstar Thierry Henry.
New York has three DPs. Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and Toronto each have two. The Rapids are among 10 teams without one.
When New York plays at Chicago on Sunday, it’s possible there will be five DPs on the field. That would include Rafael Marquez, captain of Mexico’s World Cup squad, who signed with New York this week. Marquez played the last seven seasons for Barcelona.
Why hasn’t Colorado signed a DP? Rapids managing director Jeff Plush declined an interview for this column, but a few days ago he told he didn’t see evidence that signing DPs made teams more competitive, citing league champion Real Salt Lake.
“RSL is a prime example of winning without a designated player, without necessarily the highest payroll,” Plush said. “You win with 24 players. I think it’s interesting chatter. But the clubs who are successful in our league tend to be clubs that have a team mentality, a team spirit, a Houston or an RSL.”
RSL beat Los Angeles in the championship game last year. Only one team with a DP has won an MLS Cup: Columbus, 2008, Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
It’s also worth noting Los Angeles has been the league’s best team this year with DP David Beckham sidelined, rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon.
The Rapids have a fine “team mentality.” They play good defense, usually control the midfield and create plenty of scoring chances. Too many of those chances aren’t being converted into goals, though, and fans can’t be faulted for wanting a proven goal scorer.
They shouldn’t forget Conor Casey was second in the league in scoring last season with 16 goals, only one behind Jeff Cunningham of Dallas, and that Omar Cummings tied for the league lead in assists (12).
I don’t know if signing a DP is the answer, but I suspect fans will become vocal if the team doesn’t start scoring.
Don’t count on Conor.
It looks like Casey will miss another game because of the head injury he suffered at Seattle on July 25. The Rapids host San Jose on Saturday.
“I think in the next couple of days, I should be symptom free,” Casey said.
