Is Blanco the best DP MLS has seen so far? (Getty Images)

I’ve had this thought for a little while, on the surface the Designated Player rule is good as it brings quality players into Major League Soccer that do help in more areas than just on the field itself. We know the cons against it like teams spending so much money on one player but I started looking at all the past and present DPs and started wondering if this rule really is worth it.

Now first of all I’m not going to advocate for or against this rule today. I just merely want to point out who’s done well with it and who’s not. We’ve seen this rule in place for a couple seasons now and so far only a few clubs have ventured out with this rule. Now it seems like most clubs are going away from the rule, currently only five clubs have a DP (Toronto, New York, LA, Seattle and Houston).

Also, so far five clubs (or six if you count Philly too) have yet to use their DP slot. RSL won MLS Cup 2009 without one so maybe they aren’t worth the money.

So let’s take a deeper look into each DP. What worked about it and what didn’t work on and off the field. We’ll go from worst to best in this instance. I’d also like to note that two fo the DPs on this list have only played a little under a half season with their clubs so grading and discussing them at length seemed unfair at this time. If you are wondering about who I am talking about here those two are Houston’s Luis Angel Landin and Toronto’s Julian De Guzman. (For the record I like De Guzman but don’t care of Landin…but saying that I am very curious about their upcoming seasons.)

Denilson (FC Dallas):

What worked: This may be the one DP in league history that had very little good come from it. Possibly the only good that we can see is it will keep teams like Dallas from spending money on a washed-up player like Denilson in hopes of putting more butts in the seats.

What didn’t work: Nearly everything on and off the field. When former Dallas GM Michael Hitchcock made this move it seemed like he was reaching a good bit at the time on this one. No doubt it was a weak attempt on his part and the rest of the Dallas front office part to sign Denilson. The hope was to put more fans in the stands and improve the on field product in the process due to the flashy Denilson. What happened was no one in Dallas cared and Denilson was a waste on the field.

Final thoughts: I think it is safe to say this is the worst DP in league history. No one in Dallas cared that he was here and most that did care were happy to see him go. Looking back I’m sure Dallas wishes they hadn’t wasted the money on him but that’s what happens when you gamble, sometimes you waste your money.

DP Grade: F

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Claudio Reyna (New York Red Bulls):

What worked: When Renya was healthy you’d see a quality New York team on the field back in 2007. The midfield was a little more complete and the offense had a nice spark to it with him. I think had the timing been right when him coming to MLS we probably would have even seen a decent pump in attendance with him but probably nothing major like Beckham.

What didn’t work: Injuries and overall poor management on New York’s part really did this number in for me. Reyna was never going to be 100% while playing on turf (see Juan Pablo Angel for that too) and with the Red Bulls changing coaches every year stability was always going to be an issue.

Final thoughts: I liked this move at first for the club back in 2007 but as time wore on this move really showed some early flaws in the DP system.

DP Grade: D+

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Marcello Gallardo (DC United):

What worked: He probably came in with too much hype and in some way he wasn’t really the guy DC actually wanted at the time (remember the Juan Sebastian Veron debacle?). Injuries did him in quickly and he was only limited to 15 games. In that time he scored four goals and assisted on a couple others but that was it.

What didn’t work: From what I recall there was always some attitude issues with Gallardo. At times it seemed like he didn’t want to be there and I’m sure that sports hernia didn’t help one bit either.

Final thought: Early on I thought Gallardo could be a big time impact player for DC but after a couple games that thought quickly went away. He disappeared in games that he was needed in and injury aside was just not a good fit for DC or MLS. Then again about every player DC brought in back in 2008 was not a good fit for both.

DP Grade: D+

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Claudio Lopez (Kansas City Wizard):

(Note – Lopez was originally a DP but KC reworked his contract to not be a DP after 2008)

What worked: Late in 2008 we saw exactly how dangerous Lopez could be with the Wizards. The Wizards had a late surge towards the playoffs and were even able to upset Chivas USA in the opening round of the second season. A lot was thanks to Lopez and his efforts on the offensive side of the ball.

What hasn’t worked: He was truly never worth the DP money at the time, also he’s shown his age just a bit while in KC. Also he hasn’t been the offensive spark that some thought he’d be in KC. Only 15 goals in 57 games for the Wizards isn’t DP worthy.

Final Thoughts: Thankfully for KC they got his contract below the DP mark after one season. Since then he’s been doing okay as a non-DP player. I’d say he may still be a little more than he is worth right now but his leadership has been solid nonetheless in KC.

DP Grade: C

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Luciano Emilio (DC United):

What worked: No one can deny that when Emilio was on he was on. After the 2007 season he earned his way into a DP contract with his MVP performance. The only thing was after his stellar non-DP year of 20 goals his production dropped in the final two years with the Black-and-Red with only 21 more goals, 10 of which did come in 2009. Still when he was on his game he was one of the best strikers in the league.

What didn’t work: I suppose his downfall was getting the DP contract after 2007. DC traded for the DP slot from Colorado, only then to trade it back. As mentioned his production dipped considerably after earning the DP money. A pretty typical thing of most athletes that earn a big contract after a strong year.

Final Thoughts: I liked Emilio as a DP last year for the most part, he was one of the few offensive bright spots for DC. After going for 20 goals in 2007 there was a lot expected of Emilio. He got the DP contract and still got 11 goals in 2008 and 10 in 2009 but its hard to live up to what got him the DP contract, that 20 goal tally. DC was smart to low ball him going into 2010 and in a way he was smart to reject it and go home to Brazil.

DP Grade: B-

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David Beckham (LA Galaxy):

What’s worked: For the most part anytime he is on the field people are watching. He brings a lot to the table for Bruce Arena’s side and does create still create a decent amount of buzz for the league.

What hasn’t worked: For starters this loan thing with AC Milan has been a pain for the league. Second of all things did get off on a bad foot (excuse the pun) when he first came over with his injuries. He was expected to some to bring MLS into a lot of people’s houses but let’s be honest he really hasn’t spark that big of an interest in casual sports fans across the country like some thought he would.

Final thoughts: Hey the rule was made for him. He’ll eventually own a team in this league and his footprint will be all over when it is all said and done. While I have seen some issues with him making so many more money in a single season (or half season in his case now with this loan) than a couple clubs combined. But I’d still be willing to bet the positives have outweighed any negatives from him being here. He’s still done more for the league than most who have come over and tried their hand at playing in MLS.

DP Grade: A

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Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC):

What’s worked: When he’s fit he is a dangerous part of the Seattle offense. Even though he’s only been in the league for a single season he has brought a ton of credibility to the league in my eyes. I knew it was a good signing for Seattle last year and I’m standing by it again today. The thing I do like about this signing is he wasn’t brought in to put more butts in the seats at Qwest, he was brought in to facilitate the offense. I think if Ljungberg is fully fit again this year he could have an even more productive campaign.

What hasn’t worked: Injuries have been an issue thanks to his age and the nasty field turf at Qwest. His off the field comments this winter also sparked some issues with teammates for him not showing up on time to camp.

Final Thoughts: Still one of my favorite players all together (gotta stick by my Swedes). Ljungberg will continue to be what’s right with the DP slot. Quality talent on the field and for the most part good stuff off the field that gets fans excited.

DP Grade: A

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Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls)

What’s worked: He’s been a goal scoring machine, despite some injuries and playing on the lovely field turf at Giant’s Stadium. He loves New York and it seems like he is definitely at home in MLS.

What hasn’t worked: Injuries and lots of coaching/management turnover has probably cut into his production. I often wonder at times if he had gone anywhere else in the league as a DP would he be setting some scoring records each year?

Final thought: A move to Red Bull Arena this year will definitely help out with his injuries, which should definitely help New York get some wins this year for a change. Angel has been one of the better DPs the league has seen, some will even say the best. He brings a lot to the field and a good bit off of it.

DP Grade: A

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Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew):

What worked: While GBS only spent a single season as a DP he was still very much a good one. Not only did he help get the Crew to their second straight Supporter’s Shield trophy but he also did help them be the only MLS club to make it through the group stages of the CONCACAF Champions League.

What hasn’t worked: Injuries, his age, and the constant threat of him leaving (which has pretty much vanished this winter).

Final thoughts: Even though he was only a DP for a single season he is still one of the best DPs the league has had up until this point. He brings so much to the field and from the sounds of things he brings a good bit of things off the field. He’s a player you build your club around and who knows maybe he’ll become the first DP to turn into a coach in this league.

DP Grade: A

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Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire):

What worked: Its really hard to pinpoint something that didn’t work out right for Blanco in Chicago. He was an instant success on and off the field. While the Fire never got to a MLS Cup with Blanco they did see some quality soccer on the field and in a way the Fire help get his international career back on track. I won’t even mention what he brought to the table for the league in terms of growth in the Latino department.

What didn’t work: Blame it on coaching or management but the one big flaw with Blanco was that he never was able to lead them to any sort of domestic or international Cup while in Chicago. Oh and that US Open Cup mess wasn’t anything fun to discuss either.

Final thoughts: For me Blanco is and will continue to be the best DP the league has seen so far. GBS is a close second for me but Blanco edges him out because of what he brought to the game and the crowds he brought in when the Fire were on the road. He had his issues like any other player but he was well worth the DP price in my book, even though I’m still not the biggest Blanco supporter.

DP Grade: A

Claudio Reyna, former U.S. National Team captain and one of the most accomplished soccer professionals in the United States, will make his ESPN studio debut as a guest analyst on ESPN Soccernet Pregame Show on ESPN2 Thursday, August 21, at 10 p.m. ET. The pregame show, hosted by Rob Stone, will lead into that night’s ESPN2 MLS Primetime Thursday telecast featuring Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the Chicago Fire. Commentary for the match will be provided by Adrian Healey, Shep Messing and sideline reporter Allen Hopkins.

What do you all think of Captain American moving to the booth? Think it could be a good fit or another awkward bust like Brandi Chastain?

But what it appears to be now is he was some what forced into retirement by his own club, the New York Red Bulls. According to Ives Galarcep, the Red Bulls came to Reyna with the idea first in what sounds like a buy-out of his contract.

According to team sources, the Red Bulls first approached Claudio Reyna about the possibility of retiring last month. It remains unclear when Reyna finally made the decision to retire, but the announcement had been delayed while Major League Soccer sorted out how exactly to handle the retirement (yes, you can rest assured that some new DP rules were recently added to the MLS rule book the public has never seen.)

The Washington Post’s Steve Goff reported late last night that league officials told him the Red Bulls will be allowed to use the roster spot and designated player slot, but not the salary cap space. It sounds weird but Galarcep explains it a little more.

Having the DP slot available is more important than the cap space (Either $175,000 or $200,000) because the Red Bulls can the remaining portion of the Jozy Altidore allocation (the original allocation was approximately $500,000, but some has been used on Jorge Rojas and possibly Gabriel Cichero) toward the salary cap. Now, if the Red Bulls actually want to use the DP slot this year they can certainly fit it into the cap. The question is whether they want to. A team source told me on Tuesday that the team didn’t plan to.

To me it sounds like New York is just going to wait it out for the rest of the year and use that DP slot next year in a big way before they open their new stadium, Red Bull Park. We’ve heard talks about them signing a big star for the opening of their new stadium and this seems like that plan is in full motion.

But back to Reyna, his retirement means it is one less player for New York to cut as they continue to bring on a slew of new players (I think I last counted they are up to five or six).

Reyna will still be paid in full for the remaining portion of his contract, which explains why New York isn’t going after a big time player to fill the DP spot. If you read the fine print it pretty much screams that the Red Bulls bought out his deal, had they not and Reyna just up and retired he would have forfeited the pro rated portion of his salary. Thus “retirement” seemed fitting I suppose, millions of Americans know what it is like to “retire” when a company guys out a contract like this.

We should still get more information on what will and won’t happen to the roster spot and more importantly the open DP spot.

A press conference about Reyna’s retirement is scheduled for later today.

After a 14-year career that saw him play in Germany, England and Scotland before returning to the United States, Claudio Reyna has decided it is time to stop playing. The former U.S. national team captain and New York Red Bulls midfielder is retiring immediately, according to Ives Galarcep and his sources withing the league. The Red Bulls are expect to announce the retirement this week.

Leg and back injuries limited Reyna to just six games this season, and 27 games total during his two seasons with the Red Bulls.

Reyna’s retirement immediately frees up a designated player slot the team is expected to use to sign a forward to replace departed U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore, who was sold to Villarreal last month.

Some will place Reyna in the bust-department of the MLS Designated Players along with Denilson, and some will say he just came back home to retire anyways. Either way you look at it we are seeing the end of a quality soccer player here in the States and what could end up being a good deal for New York.

I say its good for New York because now they have a load of space to get a high profile striker this summer in hopes to push their playoff hopes from dreadful to legit.

More to come on this as I get details on it…

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a fan of Captain America during his time with the National team and what not but anymore with the Red Bulls I find myself not being a fan.

I don’t know if it is the waste of money (and cap space to some) that the Red Bulls have done with Reyna. The fact that he may be on the same level in terms of being a DP-bust like Denilson. Or maybe it is because of little stunts like this past week where he doesn’t follow his club to a friendly and instead plays in a charity pick up game.

Now, I loved the charity game as much as the next guy but after reading some comments from some Red Bull fans it appears he has pulled the final straw with most of them. Lack of communication with the press and maybe his own club, not trying to work back from an injury in a proper manner seem to grow large with Red Bull fans.

I know if I were a Red Bull fan I would be tired of Reyna eating up a chunk of salary that could be used a little wiser.

I don’t see the guy going anywhere this summer in terms of getting cut or traded. But I am starting to wonder if this really is his final season of soccer. If that is the case it may be a sad one because its almost like he went into retirement well before he got to MLS. I saw him a couple months ago here in Dallas and saw little glimpses of the player I use to enjoy watching. But for the most part I saw an aged, tired and somewhat injured picture of what I had already become accustomed to since he joined the league last season.

So my question of the day to you all, or questions really. Are Reyna’s days in New York numbered? Is he really going down as one of the worst DPs that the league has seen so far? And what could happen to help him save face with his club, fans, and the league right now?

Let’s hear it.

Claudio Reyna and Steve Nash had a little event. Okay little doesn’t even start to describe it.

First off, the event was packed as packed can get. Hell even Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber and U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati were sitting on the turf to watch the game because every other inch of space inside the park was taken. Outside of the park, fans climbed trees and fences, others stood on a roof of an adjacent apartment building to catch a glimpse.

The scene was crazy, the game was crazy but in all it looked like one hell of a time. The collection of soccer and basketball stars was impressive.

Nash, the two-time NBA MVP, and Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa, were former Liverpool greats Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Rob Jones.

Playing with Reyna, Jozy Altidore and Gregg Berhalter were Jason Kidd and Baron Davis and Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou.

Oh yeah, some guy named Thierry Henry was there as well.

Uh yeah, that’s just a nasty combination of stars folks.

I won’t go into any other details because I think these two write ups will sum it up the best. SF from The Offside Rules and the wonder Ives from SBI. They were there, so they had a better experience than I did from my home reading about it.

Ives brought up another good point though about this with Reyna. Should he have played? Hmm…interesting. Sounds like something fishy is going on with him these days. I wouldn’t be too thrilled if I were a Red Bull fan.

I will provide this video to you all that I found in SF’s post.


Thierry Henry and Steve Nashled from peter cortez on Vimeo.