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From ESPN writer Jen Chang's blog....- T.K.
Shalrie Joseph
All is not well in New England. As the Boston Globe reported over the weekend, midfield lynchpin and newly-named Revolution captain Shalrie Joseph is embroiled in a contract dispute with the team and MLS. Joseph is so upset about his contract that he's threatened to relinquish captaincy of the team if he doesn't receive what he regards as a fair contract offer.
Joseph told the Boston Globe that "It's an honor and a privilege to be named captain of any team, especially the Revolution. But I wouldn't be able to lead these guys. I have been patient and I have been the good boy they wanted me to be, but I can't wait any more. Our next practice is Wednesday and when that day comes around, I am going to tell my teammates."
Unless there's a tacit understanding that the rest of his Revolution teammates don't read or pay attention to anything going on in the league, it's probably a safe bet that the squad already know how Joseph's feeling ahead of this Wednesday's practice. Kidding aside, I'm not entirely sure what the hang-up here is for MLS. If you're going to deny your star players the opportunity to move abroad (MLS refused Celtic's offer for Joseph last season), then at least pay them a salary commensurate with their standing among their MLS peers.
In Joseph's case, he's undeniably one of the top five players in the league, that rare defensive midfielder who not only can break up plays but actually provide a link from defense to the offense.
Based on reports, he's not asking for anything more than what Chicago's Chris Armas is making (a three-year guaranteed $325,000 salary per season) -- which for a player of Joseph's caliber is eminently reasonable. At this point I don't what is more egregious, MLS' refusal to give Joseph a fair contract or the U.S. soccer system's failure to identify Joseph in the youth player pool long before he opted to play for Grenada due to lack of interest from the U.S.
Shalrie Joseph
All is not well in New England. As the Boston Globe reported over the weekend, midfield lynchpin and newly-named Revolution captain Shalrie Joseph is embroiled in a contract dispute with the team and MLS. Joseph is so upset about his contract that he's threatened to relinquish captaincy of the team if he doesn't receive what he regards as a fair contract offer.
Joseph told the Boston Globe that "It's an honor and a privilege to be named captain of any team, especially the Revolution. But I wouldn't be able to lead these guys. I have been patient and I have been the good boy they wanted me to be, but I can't wait any more. Our next practice is Wednesday and when that day comes around, I am going to tell my teammates."
Unless there's a tacit understanding that the rest of his Revolution teammates don't read or pay attention to anything going on in the league, it's probably a safe bet that the squad already know how Joseph's feeling ahead of this Wednesday's practice. Kidding aside, I'm not entirely sure what the hang-up here is for MLS. If you're going to deny your star players the opportunity to move abroad (MLS refused Celtic's offer for Joseph last season), then at least pay them a salary commensurate with their standing among their MLS peers.
In Joseph's case, he's undeniably one of the top five players in the league, that rare defensive midfielder who not only can break up plays but actually provide a link from defense to the offense.
Based on reports, he's not asking for anything more than what Chicago's Chris Armas is making (a three-year guaranteed $325,000 salary per season) -- which for a player of Joseph's caliber is eminently reasonable. At this point I don't what is more egregious, MLS' refusal to give Joseph a fair contract or the U.S. soccer system's failure to identify Joseph in the youth player pool long before he opted to play for Grenada due to lack of interest from the U.S.
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