Sgt. Largent":1bpgdiz8 said:
Uncle Si":1bpgdiz8 said:
You do in the MLS.
Look, if the Sounders want to risk putting together a lineup that relies on a 33 soon to be 34 year old player on the decline of his abilities and coming off a heart condition whose very playing future is still in doubt, so be it.
Seems a perfect time to move forward though. I'd say they protected him because of what he brings to the team off the field as much as on.
What roster in the MLS has their DP on the bench? No DP, especially one with as big of an ego as Dempsey is cool with rotting on the bench of an MLS club for the final years of his career.
It's not prudent for either side, player or organization. The cap is limiting enough without wasting a DP spot and cap hit on a bench player.
If Dempsey's here, he's starting. If he's not, it's because the Sounders brass wasn't comfortable with his health moving forward.
Gerrard started 18 games for the Galaxy last year. Robbie Keane started 16.
Those are just two. It doesn't take much research to show what DP players were mainstays (played in more than 20 regular season games) in their club's lineups (look at Dallas) and which ones played far less time... and why (age)
Injury to aging players is a real thing. You are taking a huge risk on a 33-36 year old player to start games all season.
Tell me what's prudent. Tell me why LA did it here despite the talent already on that roster and why it would somehow not be similar to what Seattle has planned with Dempsey.
DP players can bring a lot more to a roster than just influencing the game over an entire season. Some clubs still choose to go with those types of players, others are looking for something different (again, Dallas).