The clock continues to tick on Chivas USA as the club decides whether to take Benny Feilhaber, trade him or pass altogether on the U.S. national team midfielder who signed with MLS last week.
Whether you believe Chivas USA might actually consider passing on the chance to select Feilhaber, and then either keep him or trade him, or you see the rumblings of passing as a ploy to spark up trade interest, it is clear there are several teams interested in his services.
So who could actually wind up with Feilhaber? There are teams with resources to trade for him, and also some teams who will be hoping he slides down the Allocation order as his high salary scares some teams off.
Here is a look at those teams:
HOUSTON DYNAMO
Houston was ready to trade for Dwayne DeRosario, and had already accepted some steep requests from TFC before TFC walked away from the trade table. That shows Houston A) has the cap room to handle a big contract and B) the Dynamo has trade chips to make things worth Chivas USA's while. Geoff Cameron has slotted into a central midfield role, but acquiring Feilhaber could allow Dom Kinnear to moves things around and give the Dynamo attack another dangerous midfield weapon.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Seattle has started to click in recent matches, but the Sounders midfielder would receive a major boost from a player like Feilhaber. The Sounders parted ways with Designated Player Blaise N'Kufo before the season so cap room shouldn't be an issue, and Seattle has some midfield depth to trade from. Sigi Schmid knows Feilhaber well, having coached him with the U.S. Under-20 national team. If not for the impressive form of Mauro Rosales, I might consider Seattle a strong favorite to land Feilhaber. Even with that, a Sounders move for him wouldn't come as a surprise.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Sporting has more quality forwards than it needs and could definitely slot in Feilhaber's creativity into midfield. Throw in the depth at fullback KC could trade from, and Sporting might have the pieces to make a play. The question is whether Peter Vermes would consider Feilhaber a good fit in Kansas City's system.
PHILADELPHIA UNION
If Chivas USA passes, the Union will be on the clock. Rumblings out of Philadelphia suggest the Union would pass, but you can't really ignore the fact Peter Nowak coached Feilhaber at the Olympics and could use a spark in central midfield. The word I'm getting out of Philly is the team has other plans in the works, so if Chivas USA passes, Philly could very well pass to. Or it could be a very clever smokescreen from the folks in Philly.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
No, the Revs aren't likely to have enough to offer via trade to tempt Chivas USA, but if the Rojiblancos pass on Feilhaber, he could slip to New England, which would be hard-pressed to pass him up. A potential Joseph-Feilhaber combination could be incredible, and Feilhaber's creativity could certainly help spark a Revs attack that needs something.
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Who do I think is the best bet in this mix? If Chivas USA decides it would rather wait on summer options and passes on Feilhaber, either New England will snatch him up, or Houston will find a way to get a deal done.
Where would you like to see Feilhaber wind up? Do you really think Chivas USA would pass on him altogether and not even try and trade him? Which team do you think needs him the most?
Share thoughts below.
There is a REASON why Benny can’t make it in Denmark (of all places)and his benching with probably the worst EPL team in decade (Derby). Guess what it is?
Top Shelf? He can’t reach that high…
Yea that’s the only way i see Seattle getting Feilhaber if they trade Fernandez.
A trade involving Feranadez probably makes the most sense for Seattle. He’s a very good player, but doesn’t fit in Sigi’s system. The cap hit would be the same. However, Chivas probably would want something extra to go with Fernandez (maybe a draft pick, a young player or allocation cash).
I meant Cam Weaver and Bruin off the bench. Not Cameron.
Koke – Ching
Davis – Feilhaber – Cameron – Cruz
Ashe – Hainault – Taylor – Freeman
Hall
Off the bench: Cameron/Bruin; Watson; Boswell/Sarkodie
Dude, that is a team and a half.
The question is what would we have to give up to get him from Chivas. It would have to be a starter and a backup. Maybe Boswell and Palmer?
Totally agreed. I don’t have any problem with Feilhaber, just that I’m feeling it isn’t our biggest need at the moment. Also, he has had a lot of injuries over his pro career.
“You get the feeling that Benny’s impressed enough folks to get consideration from many teams but maybe his reputation and/ or work ethic is holding him back?”
I don’t think its work ethic or rep. He’s done some great things for the national team but at the club level he just hasn’t been that impressive (for the bigger clubs in Europe).
I’m not saying you’re saying this, but I get the impression that many people think some American players haven’t had their fair shakes or have attitude issues when the simpler reality seems to be they are just not good enough. If you’re not the best or second best player on your team in a league like Norway, Denmark or Sweden (no disrespect to these solid leagues) its unlikely you’re going to get picked up by a top 4 league.
Its not surprising the offers haven’t been there for Benny. His best season has been at the second level in Denmark.
I think MLS is a good move for him.
Thanks for the input. I just read his dossier on the Revs website, and he seems like a solid attacking player. I don’t know where Benny would be the best fit but I for one think it would be great for the league if NE became strong again and brought some fans back, so I’d be glad to see Benny end up there.
Two words: Rajko Lekic.
I actually like Feilhaber a lot, but is he really a 90 minute guy? And if not, is he really going to make a big impact?
Some players just seem to be more effective in limited roles, at any level. Another example would be Herculez Gomez.
I hope he ends up with a team that sells long-sleeved kits.
I hate all the teams (US nats included) who currently do not.
Houston doesn’t, so…
I could get with Benny at Sporting.
I see what you did there.
No, you’re right. And I wish Fernandez would find his way into the starting 11. That being said, and I guess this is where my argument fails me, is that I don’t think Fernandez would get near the starting 11 for Uruaguay where as Benny…. Point taken.
Feilhaber has always shown well with the nats and having someone of his calibre on the team would be great. Fernandez will hopefully play to his abilities but those first two games he was disappointing.
Yeah, about all that stuff you just said there…
It’s a huge load of nonsense.
I disagree. If a coach has seen your talents/attitude/coachability first-hand, he has better information to make a decision. It also gives the coach exact knowledge of whether a player fits into their system, and if so, where is the best place.
I haven’t seen too many Revs games recently, but I thought their problem wasn’t a failure to control the midfield but a lack of legit scoring threats since Twellman’s untimely retirement? Obviously having Benny can’t hurt but it seems to me his talents would be wasted with no finishers to dish it out to.
Come on RSL! Trade some young pieces to Robin and then pull the trigger on Benny! It would be sick to add Feilhaber to the RSL midfield.
I said that would be the trade in a perfect world. Never did I say Chivas would be dumb enough to take Noonan off of our hands.
Also, I don’t think Sigi or Adrian would trade Evans. Nor do I think they should.
That is the trade-off. I personally don’t know if it worth it in the long run due to the risk factor of potential injuries (both to Benny and our own forwards), but I think he could really help us out if everything magically fell into place. It would be a big gamble if we sent both Evans and Jaqua away though.
yep hence why any trade that involves Evans is not going to happen.
I love how people just take the least valuable player on their roster and say “let’s trade him to Chivas.”
In what world is Pat Noonan, at his current age and injury-rate, worth Benny Feilhaber.
I’m a Sounders supporter, but if I’m Chivas I’m not taking anything less than O’Brian White and allocation money for the rights to Feilhaber from Seattle.
That’s a price I’m sure the Sounders won’t pay. To me there is no chance of a deal with Seattle.
And P.S., all of those people who rag on Evans need to realize the coach loves him. He’s a first-choice midfielder for Sigi if he is healthy.
hasnt kinnear said he is in need of a creative midfielder? if so…..do somethin DK.
Well here’s main issue. Let’s say its Jaqua and Evans for Benny. What is Seattle gonna do if White gets hurt?
I don’t think MLS was first on his list. He took his time to look for a place to land in Europe and found no takers so he has to reestablish himself in MLS.
I think it speaks more toward the quality in the league that teams are considering letting Feilhaber go in order to keep their place in line when a better player gets ready to come back home.
I forgot about the 3 month contract thing. The deal did make sense in my head though. Numbers aside, something where we send one of our forwards and one of midfielders would be ideal IMO.
I can see the Chicago argument.
RSL needs more good midfielders.
I didn’t see this take posted already so thought I’d ad:
Benny isn’t a classic number 10 but still can shore up any mid-field he plays in. Similar to the position Holden plays at Bolton, he would play central with good technical ability and spraying the ball around. But not necessarily playmaking, just keeping possession in tight spaces and serving dead balls. At this Benny is very good and would be an upgrade to most MLS teams.
Where he falls down a bit (not that I’ve seen him play as often as Holden), is that he isn’t as good defensively. Holden rated one of the better tacklers in the EPL this year and when he got hurt Bolton hasn’t been able play the same. So Stu’s clearly better at an all around game than Benny and the rest of the Mid’s on Benny’s team will have to be much more disciplined with their shape defensively.
Stu also has Benny (and most all the Nats) beat in the “all around good teammate” category, right? Everyone loves the guy and wants him to succeed. He even was pulled to Bolton with Coyle. He got a contract extension despite his injury before he truly cracked the line-up as a full time starter. People just want to see Stu succeed. You get the feeling that Benny’s impressed enough folks to get consideration from many teams but maybe his reputation and/ or work ethic is holding him back?
Here’s to hoping he comes back to MLS to grow into that player we all hope he can become. And if he does go to NE or Chivas, it would give me a reason to DVR that game each week. I’m watching DC more this year than I have the past 3 years combined. Charlie’s looking good!
Why would Chivas be foolish to not trade him? Frasier stated that they want to keep the top spot on the allocation order so trading negates the top spot. I easily find him going to New England.
And these “so and so coached him when he was at the U-20 or Olympics” references are laughable. That is not a reason why a team would pick him up.
When you say lack of D, do you mean lack of defensive ability, or lack of defensive work rate? Cause the guy worked his behind off in the World Cup and I can only remember a few games where that hasn’t been the case….
His defensive ability on the other hand….well it’s actually good for an attacking/creative/passing midfielder, but I wouldn’t expect him to hold down a fort or anything y’know?
Absolutely agree – I can’t see why Chivas would pass him up, considering the dearth of talent on their roster, but I assume it has something to do with them lining up to sign someone else who plays a similar position.
Dallas however, makes alot of sense – Hyndman has repeatedly stated that he wants someone to fill McCarty’s old role, and as you said, they’ve got a number of pieces they could offer up in trade. Avila, Jair, Chavez, or some of the younger guys like Davies or Marosevic – might be able to put together a good package.
I had no idea that Danny Szetela read and posted here.
Learn something new every day.
Fair enough……. I guess Fernandez playing on the Uruguay team doesn’t count for much, eh?
LOL, yeah, that game was pretty one-sided, would’ve been a travesty if Dynamo didn’t take all 3 points. Shots: 26-9, Shots on Goal: 8-1, Corners: 12-1
On a positive note for the Revs, Alston is still playing really well. And Cochrane is rocking an impressive 70s porn-stache.
Hope to see Benny go to Dynamo or NE.
Nor it would make sense.
Noonan is on a 3 month contract with seattle.
If by chance its noonan and Evans for example that would only be about ~200k which means seattle would have to take in 92-142k more in cap space.
50-100k for Feilhaber + 42k for that opened senior spot.
FCD would be great but I doubt there’s cap room. Not sure SH would like his lack of D, but we have lots of enforcers. But he sure would have a ton of targets to spray passes to. Style-wise, FCD and RSL would really fit his abilities. I think he will struggle in a situation that calls upon him to be a physical presence in the midfield.