Former Crew striker Jeff Cunningham has declined to return to the Crew, instead opting to try his luck in Scandanavia.
Cunningham's possible move to Randers F.C. is another chapter in the Scandanavian region's (ever-expanding) incoming transfer book, in relation to MLS players. If such a book was in print, a fitting title would be- How to Become a Popular Employee for American Players Not Keen On MLS Salaries; as over 25 talented American players are on the payroll's of clubs in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
When all could likely have a successful place in MLS.
Cunningham's story is same note, different waltz or Polka or beerhaus tune from Chris Rolfe at Aalborg, Michael Parkhurst at FC Nordsjælland, and Clarence Goodsen at IK Start.
Cunningham's Scandanavian move however has the most in common with the exodus made by Clarence Goodson, another former FC Dallas player who made the frigid move to Scandanavia in 2007.
Since 2008, Goodson has excelled for Tippelegan club IK Start. But, back in the 2007-2008 MLS offseason, Goodson's future was uncertain (like Cunningham's) when Goodson was unlucky enough to find himself stuck in the offseason expansion drafts & re-entry drafts that plague MLS offseasons.
At that time, Goodson (quite possibly annoyed with the dooldrums of 3 or 4 re-entry/expansion/waiver drafts & that no team wanted to pay him the big bucks) probably hypothetically thought, "forget this, I'm trading Dallas for Start, I'm getting my parka, I'm headed to the Norwegian Tippelegan!" And, that began the exodus of such talented MLS players as MLS All-Stars Chris Rolfe (Aalborg) and Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjælland) to the Scandanavian promise land.
The moves by these players are mainly a financial decision, followed secondly by the decision to be in the suburbs of Europe's top leagues. But, overwhelmingly it's a money decision, as let's be serious, none of these players will likely be running out for Bayern or Chelsea anytime soon. So, what it comes down to is that Scandanavia can give these players the payday they think their worth, while the MLS cannot.
For example, let's say Goodson and Cunningham think their worth $200K plus, but MLS teams do not agree in a MLS framework; As MLS teams would have to fit moderately expensive players, such as Goodson and Cunningham, into a $2.4 million dollar salary framework. Both Goodson and Cunningham are good supporting cast players. But, does a MLS club want to spend 10 to 15% percent of your salary on a "good, supporting cast player" when you have to field a team with 10 other players?
The answer is usually no. The only time in MLS you (if you were a GM) want to pay more than $200K for a player- is if that player is a gamechanger or if he's a bigger name who will push the club's merchandise meter and gain your club more attention.. Goodson's a non-flashy defender, Cunningham can change the occasional game but not like he used to. Both have great worth in MLS on the field, but just don't pass the ball as nicely on a MLS budget.
So Goodson in 2007, just like Cunningham in 2010, were deemed surplus to F.C. Dallas mainly because of their pricetags. So, in swoops the Aalborg's and your IK Start's who think $200K to $400K salary is bargain shopping for a Clarence Goodson. IK Start alone found two gems in MLS in Hunter Freeman and Clarence Goodson- that turned their defensive woes around and got the club promoted and then in the top half of the Norwegian Tippelegan.
It's not that Goodson didn't have talent while in MLS either. F.C. Dallas and other MLS teams would like to hang onto players like Goodson and their second all-time leading goalscorer Cunningham; as both are better than the $50K players, straight out of college, likely asked to step up and replace them. But, F.C. Dallas didn't want to pay $150,000 for a defender in Goodson nor did they want to pay upwards of $200,000 for an aging striker in Cunningham, that's too much for a supporting cast member in a $2.4 million dollar payroll.
So, in December 2010 when the Crew gained Cunningham's rights through a second re-entry draft (after an expansion draft for new clubs Portland and Vancouver and a first re-entry draft for waived players) and the Crew weren't willing to pay $200 K to Cunningham, just like FC Dallas was no longer willing to pay $200 K for the 34 year old Cunningham's services; It came as no real surprise to Crew management or Crew fans that Cunningham gave a kind "stick that offer where the sun doesn't shine."
Bliss on the Cunningham offer to The Columbus Dispatch:
"I don't want to say it was on a whim, but if we can't come to an agreement, we're OK with that," Bliss said. "We thought, 'He's available, so let's see if we can't get something done.'"
Basically, let's see if Cunningham wants to play for us for one year at $75K. Real surprise Jeffro (as Cunningham is called) hopped on the first jet to Scandanavia.
"We made an offer that was rejected and he made a counterproposal that was a
bit far-fetched," Crew technical director Brian Bliss said. "That was the last
conversation we had."
Having Cunningham (with his 11 goals this season, and 28 total over the last two seasons) sure would of been a nice option for the Crew in 2011. It beats calling on Lenhart or Garey's four or five goals a season. But, then again, the Crew weren't going to offer a 34-year-old $200 K when they just cut all their 35 year old's (and up club) making $200 K plus.
For Goodson, his Scandanavian journey has worked out quite well since 2007. Goodson has had 63 appearances and 10 goals for IK Start of the Norwegian First Division (Tippeligaen); Goodson has also played an intrical role in taking IK from the Second Division in Norway to an 8th place finish in 2010. His play has been awarded with a transfer this January to Danish top club Brondby IF.
Cunningham appears now headed to Denmark as well, as Cunningham is currently on trial with Danish mid-table club Randers F.C.; It wouldn't be a surprise if the career-long MLS goalscorer, who gave so much to MLS, impresses Randers and gets his $200 K contract, hell I wouldn't be surprised if that's doubled.
You can add him and Goodson to other American players who have elected Scandanavia (leagues not overly superior to MLS) over MLS like Chris Rolfe, Hunter Freeman, Michael Parkhurst, Marcus Tracy, Ryan Miller, Benny Feilhaber, and over 20 other American players who play in Scandanavia.
I think as MLS expands and in turn expands their salary cap they should do something to keep players (such as Cunningham, Parkhurst, Goodson, Rolfe, Freeman, Tracy) in MLS by establishing a Supporting Player Rule, similiar to the DP rule already in MLS. The rule being in the frame of each team receiving 2 Supporter Player spots, where these players can make 200-350 k but only cost 75K-100K on the salary cap.
Because a lot of these players would lift the level of MLS teams and lift the overall level of skilled players in MLS.. And may keep a few players who should never see an MLS field on a MLS bench.
I believe this has to be the next step after the DP rule and the new Reserve league rules (of 6 players 24 and under that do not count against the salary cap). As when the league expands to a $2.7 to $3 million dollar salary cap, this supporting player (or supporting DP player) rule should be in place.
Especilly since players like Rolfe, Parkhurst, and especially Cunningham have brought MLS fans a lot more thrills and joy, and also played a lot better in MLS than Ljuenberg and some other failed DP's ever did. Cunningham's agent Jan Schiefloe makes a good case for MLS teams to want to keep Cunningham in MLS:
“I am quite surprised that more MLS teams haven't pursued Jeff. In the last two years, he's scored 28 goals, which is second in MLS after Conor Casey (29). I see many MLS teams looking near and far for a proven goalscorer, and time and time again pay big money for players who don't produce, while Jeff, who is proven over 13 seasons in MLS, can be signed now at a relative bargain.”
A supporting player rule would lead to a lot of MLS teams breaking down Jeff's door, but at the moment MLS clubs have cold feet and smell a dip in form coming for Cunningham (because of his age, not starting, and dropping down from 17 goals to 11 last season). Not that 11 is anything to sniff at in MLS. But, it's hard for a lot of teams to shell $200 K to $300 k for a 34 year-old player that might reproduce that form over the next two years or may be injured the next two years and score 2 goals a season.
Further, another worry, in the wrong system Cunningham could revert to his form at Toronto F.C. where he had only 6 goals in 32 games.
So, there has to be more incentive for MLS players to hold onto players like Rolfe, Parkhurst, Cunningham, and Goodson... Especially when players like Rolfe and Parkhurst are 100% percent guarentee's not to let a MLS team down. But, it's not going to happen unless these players are holding down Scandanavian type salaries and are being paid at least $200 K to $300 K for their services.
Goodson celebrates a goal for IK Start, the American has not only been a defensive rock for the Norwegian side but also a set piece heading terror, scoring a goal for the club in every six outings.
cool
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