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Frank Isola: European loans improve MLS players
Proven MLS attackers like Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan have seen their stock rise thanks to loan stints in the Premier League.
Jan 11, 2012 12:57:00 AM
By Frank Isola
How come the goals never seemed to come this easy for Thierry Henry when he wearing a Red Bulls uniform?
But dress Henry in an Arsenal jersey and suddenly the French striker regains his scoring touch and rediscovers his joy for the sport.
“A fairytale,” is how Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described it after Henry needed just 10 minutes to make his mark in his second stint with the North London club. Henry, on loan with the Gunners, scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup third round on Monday.
If only Henry (14 goals in 2011) was that efficient against the LA Galaxy in late October maybe the New York Red Bulls would have possession of the MLS Cup today.
Of course, the goal in the FA Cup merely confirms what everybody already knows; Henry, even at 34, is still a world class striker. It was also refreshing to see the huge grin on Henry’s face as he celebrated his 227th all-time Arsenal goal by running to the Gunners bench and embracing Wenger.
“It’s kind of weird,” Henry said on Monday. “I only came back from holiday in Mexico 15 days ago. I never thought I was going to be playing for Arsenal again and then score the winner.”
Wenger is pleasantly surprised by Henry’s form, enough so that Wenger is already talking about possibly extending Henry’s two-month loan from New York.
And that’s when things get tricky for Major League Soccer and the Red Bulls. Renting out MLS stars like Henry and Landon Donovan, who returned to Everton on loan, gives the league increased credibility and exposure. MLS should want nothing more than for Donovan and Henry to excel in the Premier League.
But there are inherent risks in these player transactions. Donovan’s teammate with the LA Galaxy, Omar Gonzalez, had his loan with FC Nurnberg of Germany’s Bundesliga end before the defender ever played a match this week.
According to the club, Gonzalez tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee when he collided with fellow American, Timmy Chandler, during his first training session with the club.
"That's really bitter for Omar," said Martin Bender, Nurnberg's chairman. "He wanted to show us what he is capable of and we had great hopes for him. The important thing is for Omar to get healthy again. In the 24 hours he spent with us we got to know him as an interesting personality and player. We wish him all the best."
Just think how Bruce Arena must feel. The Galaxy coach may have lost the 23-year-old Gonzalez, voted MLS defender of the year in 2011, for all of 2012. Unfortunately, Los Angeles knows the consequences of loaning players during the MLS off-season.
Nearly two years ago, David Beckham had everyone in MLS gasping for air when he ruptured is Achilles while playing for AC Milan. The injury knocked Beckham out of the World Cup and most of the following MLS season.
Injuries can happen anywhere at anytime. Beckham was merely jogging when his Achilles snapped. Gonzalez went down in training. It doesn’t mean MLS is being reckless by loaning out its players. If anything, the league has been unlucky with Beckham and now with Gonzalez.
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But Donovan’s first loan spell with Everton prepared him for the 2010 World Cup and Donovan emerged as his country’s best player. The extra games aboard, the physical and mental demands on the body made Donovan a better player. And Donovan was thrilled by the results, saying at the time: “I’ve proved to myself that I can play against any player in the world and that’s a pretty cool thing to think.”
It would be silly for MLS to discourage players from wanting to join top clubs in Europe for a couple of months. There’s nothing wrong with a little competition. And just look at what it’s done for Henry’s game and demeanor.
Hopefully, the Red Bulls get that same, injury-free player in a few months.
But dress Henry in an Arsenal jersey and suddenly the French striker regains his scoring touch and rediscovers his joy for the sport.
“A fairytale,” is how Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described it after Henry needed just 10 minutes to make his mark in his second stint with the North London club. Henry, on loan with the Gunners, scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup third round on Monday.
If only Henry (14 goals in 2011) was that efficient against the LA Galaxy in late October maybe the New York Red Bulls would have possession of the MLS Cup today.
Of course, the goal in the FA Cup merely confirms what everybody already knows; Henry, even at 34, is still a world class striker. It was also refreshing to see the huge grin on Henry’s face as he celebrated his 227th all-time Arsenal goal by running to the Gunners bench and embracing Wenger.
“It’s kind of weird,” Henry said on Monday. “I only came back from holiday in Mexico 15 days ago. I never thought I was going to be playing for Arsenal again and then score the winner.”
Wenger is pleasantly surprised by Henry’s form, enough so that Wenger is already talking about possibly extending Henry’s two-month loan from New York.
And that’s when things get tricky for Major League Soccer and the Red Bulls. Renting out MLS stars like Henry and Landon Donovan, who returned to Everton on loan, gives the league increased credibility and exposure. MLS should want nothing more than for Donovan and Henry to excel in the Premier League.
But there are inherent risks in these player transactions. Donovan’s teammate with the LA Galaxy, Omar Gonzalez, had his loan with FC Nurnberg of Germany’s Bundesliga end before the defender ever played a match this week.
According to the club, Gonzalez tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee when he collided with fellow American, Timmy Chandler, during his first training session with the club.
"That's really bitter for Omar," said Martin Bender, Nurnberg's chairman. "He wanted to show us what he is capable of and we had great hopes for him. The important thing is for Omar to get healthy again. In the 24 hours he spent with us we got to know him as an interesting personality and player. We wish him all the best."
Just think how Bruce Arena must feel. The Galaxy coach may have lost the 23-year-old Gonzalez, voted MLS defender of the year in 2011, for all of 2012. Unfortunately, Los Angeles knows the consequences of loaning players during the MLS off-season.
Nearly two years ago, David Beckham had everyone in MLS gasping for air when he ruptured is Achilles while playing for AC Milan. The injury knocked Beckham out of the World Cup and most of the following MLS season.
Injuries can happen anywhere at anytime. Beckham was merely jogging when his Achilles snapped. Gonzalez went down in training. It doesn’t mean MLS is being reckless by loaning out its players. If anything, the league has been unlucky with Beckham and now with Gonzalez.
Follow FRANK ISOLA on
But Donovan’s first loan spell with Everton prepared him for the 2010 World Cup and Donovan emerged as his country’s best player. The extra games aboard, the physical and mental demands on the body made Donovan a better player. And Donovan was thrilled by the results, saying at the time: “I’ve proved to myself that I can play against any player in the world and that’s a pretty cool thing to think.”
It would be silly for MLS to discourage players from wanting to join top clubs in Europe for a couple of months. There’s nothing wrong with a little competition. And just look at what it’s done for Henry’s game and demeanor.
Hopefully, the Red Bulls get that same, injury-free player in a few months.
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