In a story dealing with New York City FC’s next steps en route to their debut season next Spring, club sporting director Claudio Reyna discussed his desire to land a third Designated Player before the season.
Reyna said he’s looking for another “goal scorer” or “goal creator” to join David Villa and Frank Lampard on the Yankee Stadium pitch in 2015.
And with several other teams potentially bringing in new DP blood — the Galaxy almost certainly, the Red Bulls and Orlando City, too — we thought we’d take a look at some names that could be available to MLS.
[ MORE: Sunday’s Euro qualifying wrap ]
This is purely speculative, of course. Heck, any player is possible with City Football Group’s money. But let’s stay mostly with veteran players in the final years of their contracts or out of contract, and churn a few names out for the rumor mill.
So despite how easy it would be to guess at City spending money to unite Fernando Torres with Villa, we’ll keep logic and reason in mind, too.
– Bryan Ruiz – The Costa Rican winger and captain was producing at PSV Eindhoven, so a full-time move there is possible. But there’s something to the 29-year-old attacker leaving Fulham for America that fits just fine.
– Marco Donadel – Bit of cheating here, as the 31-year-old Italian free agent midfielder did some training with Montreal in October while visiting his friend Marco Di Vaio, but also said he’d be going back to Italy before making any decisions. Yet
“In Italy, when something comes out, they make it bigger than what it really is,” Donadel told reporters. “It’d be nice to get an experience in MLS. I feel I’m at the top of my game. I don’t want to come here at the end of my career; I’d like to come here now. I feel I’d be able to do something here.”
– Jermaine Jenas – Still rehabbing from a torn ACL, the 31-year-old former Tottenham, Newcastle and QPR player could positively affect an MLS game for sure and wouldn’t cost as much as some of his peers.
– Macnelly Torres – The Colombian attacking midfielder is 30 and a free agent, with the sort of passing acumen that would thrive in many leagues. His representation also takes care of Claudio Bieler and Boniek Garcia.
– Juan Agudelo – Still out of contract and still hunting for a deal. Is it not possible that the youngster sees NYCFC or another big market MLS club as an avenue to get back on Jurgen Klinsmann and European clubs’ radar?
– Steven Gerrard – I know, I know… Red for life and all that. But the 34-year-old’s game has regressed a bit this season and his bullet free kicks and football smarts would fit neatly into Major League Soccer. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see Gerrard and Lampard recreating the England set-up in New York City? Yep. By the way, Gerrard is represented by the same agency as Steven Caldwell (Toronto FC), Tim Cahill (NYRB) and Robbie Keane (L.A.). Will he make the $9 million he makes in England? Unlikely, but close.
