By ADAM TROXTELL
The future of rising American star Haji Wright is becoming more clear, and it appears that future does not include MLS for the time being.
Wright, 17, is set to sign for the NASL’s New York Cosmos, according to a report from the New York Times. The Cosmos are expected to confirm the deal in an announcement as early as Monday.
Already considered a promising young player, Wright confirmed this even more when his goals helped the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team qualify earlier this month for the World Cup in Chile. He scored 18 goals in 22 outings for the U-17s last year.
Wright is a former LA Galaxy Academy player, earning a spot as the golden boot winner in the 2013 Nike International Friendlies tournament. He has also been training with German Bundesliga club Schalke 04, leading to speculation that he would make the jump to Europe.
The New York Times cites sources close to the deal as saying Wright will join the Cosmos, who open NASL play next weekend against Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
What do you think of this development? See this as a big mistake by Wright? Think it’s a shrewd move by the Cosmos? See more young talents going to NASL rather than MLS?
Share your thoughts below.
he looks really good when he is faster and bigger than the players he is playing.
Huge adjustment to play people that arent slower than you and a head shorter
smart move, most young kids should do the NASL route. They actually treat their players like players. MLS’ restrictions will slowly kill it till Garber realizes
there are players making 15K a year in in NASL
c’mon, hector- tell us how you really feel.
The Cosmos hate has to stop. They have a great program from top to bottom and I hope they get a stadium in a borough.
A Cosmos, NYCFC rivalry in MLS sounds a hell of a lot more appealing then NYCFC, Redbull.
Sorry, that wasn’t meant to be posted underneath yours
Grossly overrated, overpriced and a complete disaster in the past U17 qualifiers in Honduras. Responsible of most of the team turnovers ; bad as striker , terrible defending. Honestly I don’t see any future to this guy playing soccer/football.
he was great when he matured before the rest of the kids his age
Btw what happens with Ibarra? Is he on contract with the team as they go to MLS?
This could be a real interesting niche developing with Cosmos and NASL.. Especially with 1-2 more U17 or U20 age kids and if at least 1 develops into a bonafide ..
Only problem I see with MLS youth players: lack teen players starting in their MLS. Back 10-15 years ago, there was more teen “stars” playing and having impact with MLS teams.
I think it is a good move. I think it started with the LA Galaxy Academy, when the family was first informed on how it was going to be with homegrown player contracts. etc.etc. Like many players who did not want to be snared by the MLS restrictive player model, a move to Europe was contemplated, but at a 16/17 yo, first team football was too far in the distance.
Wright did not do “bad” in the concacaf qualifying, in one game. he clanged, I think, three shots of the post/crossbar. I think he got frustrated, tried to hard and tried to force things.
I believe that some time training and playing with the Cosmos is a good thing for the player and the U17 team prior to the WC this summer. He’ll get in some good training and, hopefully some good matches and after the WC, should he shine, more opportunities will open up, home and abroad, as most likely his contravt will include buy-out/separation clauses that are less restrictive than the MLS
More importantly — at 16/17 — there’s no way to move to Europe under FIFA rules without an EU passport. If he could have signed at Schalke, he would be there already.
Not a bad move. Playing time with former World Class Vets and above average salary: increase Wright’s development as a pro, and could pick-up tricks those Vets.
I do not approve of this. How dare anyone exercise freedom of choice and sign with a non-MLS side. How dare someone turn down an opportunity to play for Galaxy II. This is an outrage. I will do everything to crush this young man’s career, the NASL and Freedom of Choice. My omnipotence shall not be questioned. I am the Lord Thy Don. You shall no other league before mine.
So if I’ve been keeping track of SBI correctly over the past 18 months or so, the Cosmos currently have a starting XI of Raul, Marcos Senna, Monty Burns Giorgio Chinaglia, Carmelo Anthony, Pele, Pierluigi Collina, Charles Renken, Captain Beefheart (C), Shannon MacMillian, and now Haji Wright.
Solid group. I like it.
don’t forget about me!!! watch this! OOOOOHHHHHH!!!
Speaking of cosmos, can’t wait for the new 3rd kit. I heard it’s retro and blue.
Might be the best jersey in soccer in the United States.
Hopefully they buy red bull because I see New York giving a stadium to nycfc first.
Cosmos don’t have the resources to buy the Red Bulls they need to worry about getting a stadium first
Would you give up on this Cosmos buying Red Bulls thing. Never going to happen. Cosmos management made the decision they did not want to follow the MLS business model. No salary cap or player movement restrictions for them. That is fine, but I do wonder how the Cosmos can maintain their level of expenditures. How long will their sponsors (other than their deep pocketed owners) stick around with only 6-8K attending games. If their Belmont stadium plan does not come to fruition (and it certainly looks like it won’t happen), it seems they have no plan B.
This is such a misleading article.
Haji had a horrible tournament, his lack of playing time showed how much he has regressed.
Not sure if he had “goals”, I only remember 1.
Yes, 1 goal in 6 games (not sure if he played in all 6). He scored in the 2 – 0 win over T&T.
He didn’t have a good tournament, but I’m not sure you can cite his playing time as indicative of that. He played in 5 matches, played 90 in 3, 86 in one and 69 in another. He sat out one match for squad rotation.
Waste of talent he won’t learn anything there
Yeah, Raul won’t teach him anything about scoring goals. Waste of talent for a young striker to be learning from one of the best goal scorers ever in European soccer.
LOL. I love it when people comment without thinking. Adam is completely right. He should learn from Raul no to mention Cosmos has a lot less restrictions if one wants to move to Europe (price/contract length or clause).
my point exactly!
This has to be a move by his agent to get him playing without MLS’ restrictive player movement regulations. Smart move by Cosmos to have vision to pursue this route. I wonder if Wright’s agent forced them into a short term deal or a low buy-out number?
I always wondered why lower tier teams haven’t pursued more of these U17 stars to grab them for a few seasons and sell them on to Europe.