Marcelo Salas and the Fire; or, “Boys, it has more Killing for long time”.
By: Tom | May 30th, 2007
The Fire’s possible signing of Marcelo Salas is all over the wires. A key figure involved in this seems to be Horacio Matta, a former Chilean tennis player who apparently is promoting Salas in the U.S. According to Matta, D.C. United are also interested in Salas, but the team has denied this.
There’s also the possibility that Salas resigns with his old club, Universidad de Chile. Salas left the club last December after the club entered bankruptcy, but they were bought last Friday and apparently Salas has stated he would return.
Meanwhile, according to the Trib, Fire GM John Guppy has poured a little cold water on the deal, saying it’s far from done. I’m not sure if Salas will start training with the Fire today or tomorrow.
It’s worth emphasising that Salas is 32, which is hardly decrepit, and his record is one of outstanding success for the most part. My opinion is signing him would be worthwhile for the Fire. Our younger forwards have had a chance this season, but apart from Rolfe, they’ve not looked ready for MLS. MLS is not just a developmental league for young American soccer players. The Fire need to win games and score goals, and if it’s a 34-year old Mexican setting-up a 32-year old Chilean, I personally could not care less, as long as it brings the Fire success. If Salas is in good condition, the Fire should sign him.
Others, judging from the comments here yesterday, disagree. I see that side too, but my overwhelming desire is to see the Fire win and play some good football; a fit Salas would help do that.
Salas’ official website has a statement on his trip to the U.S.. My Spanish is, as I’ve mentioned, worse than poor, so if anyone wants to translate beyond Babelfish, that’d be great. It closes with the words, in bold, “Muchachos, hay Matador para mucho tiempo más”. Or possibly, “Boys, it has more Killing for long time” (sounds good to me).
If any more news surfaces today, I’ll post here, of course.
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Comments
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I agree with you 100%. It is a nice notion that MLS exists to develop US players and it does. But I want teams to win and to be competitive. Look at what Angel is doing for RBNY. Salas might not have quite the impact, but he should be able to score.
Posted from
United States
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Yeah I never ment to complain about the players being old, I was only pointing out how much Blanco cost us and effected the remaining salary to spread about since he’s not coming until mid-season. Age is insignificant as long as they can score goals…which once again brings me to suggest we try and convince the fire to sign Giuseppe Signore-which I will continue to suggest until someone acknowledges it’s a brilliant idea or tells me that’s the dumbest thing they’ve ever heard…
Posted from
United States -
That is both the most brilliant and dumbest thing I have ever heard Gisueppe!
Posted from
United States -
Excerps:
Tuesday, May 29, 2007.
I’m writing from the U.S., arriving yesterday, Tuesday morning, after accepting an invitation from the Chicago Fire, a team that plays in the MLS, in an attempt to see and analyze how this club is in person, how the facilities are, as well as to get to know the coaching staff and the squad. This way, like the club’s representatives have said, I can make the decision for whom I want to play this season.I think for all of us the level of play in the U.S. is an unknown. Because of this, and because after preliminary conversations they took many serious and responsible people, I decided to come take a look for myself at what everyone has told me about. It’s also important to me that players of the level of David Beckham, Juan Pablo Ángel, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, among other, have decided to come here to play, which gives more prestige to a league that wants to be a very good quality league.
I must thank the people of the Chicago Fire, who have given me all the comforts and information necessary for me to make the best decision at this important juncture in my career.
It is my intention to play this season, and for at least one year more, which is why I can’t waste any time waiting. It’s been three weeks since I began training with a multidisciplinary team of doctors, kineologists, nutritionists, and trainers, to evaluate and train me so that I can be in the best physical form I can be in for this new challenge that awaits me.
There’s still time for me to decide which jersey I will defend this season–a decision I will make after all the data I collect on this trip, plus all the conversations I will have these days with others who demonstrate interest and make offers to my lawyer in Santiago.
[And the last line, as you may know, is better translated as something like, "Guys, you'll have me around for a lot more time."]
Posted from
United States -
Fuegofan, awesome work. Thank you. Interesting stuff about his plans and thoughts about the league.
And the last line: I dig the Babelfish version more.
Posted from
United States
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