[Guest]

NY/NJ Metrostars have had a pretty decent rum recently - without German Allstar Lothar Matthäus. The question rises: Are the Metros better off without him? As far as I can tell, he didn´t sparkle the Metros too much in the few matches he played. Plus, he seems not too happy playing in New York... (at least German media report so). If this is true, well, then I think it would be best for both sides if Lothar quit the Metrostars. What du you think?

 

[RazorUK]

Poor old Lothar, he's not having the best of times for either his club side or his national side !

 

[Guest]

Seems he missed the right time to step back... what a pity, such a great career should NOT end like that (although I never really liked him).

 

[Guest]

If what you are saying is that the Metrostars are playing extremely well, then yes thats true. But if you are also saying that with Lothar they don't play as well then that's where i think you are wrong. Besides after this seaon he will take over as head coach anyway.
I think that when he plays he brings a different vibe to the team, and I feel that the team enjoys playing with him, after all he is a soccer legend.

Viva Metros
MLS Champs 2000 !

 

[Guest]

Statistics prove me right - 6 wins without Lothar. But of course I´m well aware that he is a player who can have great impact in a team - he proved his abilities in Munich until the end, so it´s obvious that he is "good" enough for the Metrostars.

Plus, my objections concentrate on statistics - I am living in Austria, so I hardly have any chance of actually seeing him play - perhaps during my next stay in New York in fall. So I can´t evaluate him anyway, but quite often I read German media reports that say that Lothar is not really happy in New York and that he expresses his dissatisfaction on the field as well. What´s your opinion: is that right?

 

[palermo]

keep Lothar on the bench!
he will provide the spark needed for a run to the playoffs, just 12 more games and the finals will be in NY....I hope that Lothar learns some spanish to comunicate with valencia, comas, ramos, Roy Myers and Villegas! The #10 is not ready for the style of MLS.....not that is better that in germany, just different.

 

[Guest]

hey guys why are u getting old veterans like lothar?if u want your football to be progressing then try to find young and quality players.dont mess with veterans

 

[Guest]

Latest news on Lothar: he is reported to spend a few off-days in Saint-Tropez (France) instead of undergoing medical treatment for a back injury in Munich while the Metrostars defeated Dallas 2-1.

Coach Zambrano and the whole mamagement are said to be not very happy about Lothar´s holidays...

Consequences du to follow... (hopefully!)

 

[Punkette B]

Metrostars beat Kansas City today sans Matthaus. So the answer to the question is

Yes Yes Yes and YES !!!

 

[palermo]

the 2 Colombians and he spanish problems that he had with others seemed to vanish as soon as Herr LM got lost!


go soccer - the MLS way! kc 0 -1 NY, now in the irst place of their eastern conference.

fire the germ...or just pay half of the contracted money!


bring more southamerican talent to USA.

 

[Guest]

How about bringing more US-talent to the team? There are already some south-american players - isn´t there such a thing like a limit of foreign players in the MLS? I thought there was...

Lothar leaving surely would be good for the salary-cap... can anyone of you explain to me how the salary-cap - system exactly works? I heard that there is also a maximum-salary - system or something like that. Thanks

 

[Alexx]

It's the mandated maximum of about $1.6 million a year for the total salaries of the entire roster. But, of course, what is not broadcast around by the League is the fact that at times its hard cap is not completely hard, and the loopholes are beginning to cause some hard feelings between some teams in the League.

The not-so-secret secret around MLS is that some players are being paid more, and some well more, than the league maximum salary of about $236,000 a year. Everyone in the League knows who they are, the marquee players whose presence in the League adds stature and helps draw fans. Since these players are spread out among clubs there is not to much bickering about them.

The problem though, is how these players are treated as it pertains to the salary cap. In some cases a player’s total compensation package may be made up of salary, income from an endorsement contract or contracts arranged through the League, housing, cars, transportation and other cash and non-cash incentives. But what is becoming controversial is how these compensation packages are being treated vies-a-vie the salary cap.

Another cap inequity that has existed in the past, and which is bothering some GMs, is how players are treated who join teams after the season has started. In the past, teams who have acquired expensive players well into the season have not been required to make moves if the new player’s salary puts them over the cap. A roster spot may have to be opened, but a team can waive its least valuable player. The theory here seems to be the cap problem will catch up with the team the following season when it must re-sign the expensive new player.

Additionally, MLS is facing a cap question as in Walter Zenga, a man to both coach and play. So the question: how much of his salary should be counted against the cap? At one point, the Revolution in the Zenga excample were saying it would be an amount about equal to the League minimum (about $25,000). But given that Zenga will be making well more than the League maximum, this apparently didn’t fly.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Alexx, but tell me: what exactly did yyou mean when you said you´re not too much into American soccer?? You seem to be pretty competent about it.

Thanks again

 

[buggo]

Lothar Matthäus is pushing 40, he should be retired by now.

 

[palermo]

good comments from all of U///


The question about too many oldies: well, LM is 1 of 4 old players, el pibe, hristo s. and T. dooley. el Pibe is the all tim leader in assists _pases goal_ and hristo did not help much in chicago....but, Is not fear to say that MLs is getting old farts around he Usa....Look at M diallo -senegal-, w. sinsing -costa R-, w. zuniga _colomb- and more

the question about the salary cap.....in yr 2000 is 1.7 mill plus bonuses.

dc is out Ny is In!

 

[Socrates]

Someone once referred to the MLS as " an elephant's graveyard for over-the-hill players". Lothat Matthaus is a typical example. He is not seriously interested in the MLS, which ia apparent by his lethargic approach to the game, as a player for the Metrostars. His contribution? Zero!!!

It is time for Lothar to hang up his boots. Perhaps he should concentrate on a player-coach position. Where?? Possibly some Third Division team in Germany!!

 

[The F.I.F.A. President]

TO tell you guys the truth, i really think that the metrostars are better off without LM, i think he is too demanding , and the team is always depending on him in the defence.

I think he's pasted his prime, playing as a humble defender for him is the best way to help metrostars.

He used to be captain,but i think the team realized it wasn't a good idea

 

[Socrates]

That's a brilliant conclusion to come to, Mr. Pres.

 

[Freddie]

Bet you if the players on the Metrostars voted he'd be out 21-0. He is here for the easy money and to have a party in Manhattan, where he can go out and pretty much not be recognized at restuarants, theaters, etc. He doesn't give a damn about using his experience to help educate the young players in the league. That crap is what destroyed the NASL and other early leagues here. The teams were run buy the "British Mafia", who brought their broken down old has-been buddies here to get a paycheck when they couldn't cut it in Europe anymore, at the expense of giving Americans a chance. MLS's structure of the league owning the player contracts sucks in some respects, but it is what helped it get off the ground and avoid this garbage, though it will have to change soon for the league to attract better players and move toward international credibility. My message to Mattheus? You were great my man, now use your return ticket and enjoy some beer and bratwurst!!

[Edited by Freddie on 22-08-2000 at 16:13]

 

[Socrates]

"British Mafia" !! Perhaps they were seeking revenge - remember Paul Revere? Seriously, the reason for the dominant British influence dates back to 1967 when the NASL was born. England had won the World Cup the year previously and were on top of the World Football scene. For that reason it was only logical for Americans to seek advice from the Brits.

The NASL was initiated with British help. However, there was a problem. It was not the best that Britain had to offer, as it was not taken seriously by the Brits at the time. So the cream of the British crop did not show up. The group that did, could be divided into three categories :-

1. Over the Hill - Those whose careers in Britain had come to an end.

2. Neer-do-wells - A group who never made it in British football and were delighted to get the chance to play in the States.

3. Opportunists - Those who scoffed at the whole idea and availed of the opportunity to visit the States and earn some easy cash.

There were two outstanding exceptions, Phil Woosnam who became the NASL commissioner and Clive Toye who went to the New York Cosmos. Much has happened since then with the demise of the NASl and the birth of the MSL. Things are looking up !!!!