Philadelphia Union Salary Cap Situation After The Carlos Ruiz Transfer
by Scott Kessler on Aug 8, 2011 10:54 PM EDT
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PrintTwo weeks ago the Brotherly Game released information regarding the Philadelphia Union's roster and salary cap, breaking down what the team looked like after releasing third string goalkeeper Thorne Holder. Selling Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz to Veracruz, in Mexico, has created some additional room in the Union's salary cap for possible moves (but not an additional international player slot, as some people have speculated).
Danny Califf, Brian Carroll, Keon Daniel (International), Gabriel Farfan, Michael Farfan, Juan Diego Gonzalez (International), Sebastien Le Toux, Justin Mapp, Stefani Miglioranzi, Faryd Mondragon (International), Kyle Nakazawa, Veljko Paunovic (International), Roger Torres (International), Carlos Valdes (International) and Sheanon Williams are the only players currently emplyoed by the Union as first team members that count against the cap (also known as the senior team).
Together those 15 players add up to $1907498.17 in guaranteed salary fees, well under the $2.67 million 2011 season's salary cap. Prior to selling Ruiz, the Union had about $413,831.83 to spend in salaries, sans Paunovic's salary, which is currently unknown. If Ruiz's full salary was to be wiped off of the Union's cap, the team could bring in two designated players and still have a decent amount of money left over. That's not how MLS rules allow it to work, though.
When a player is sold from a MLS team his salary is removed as a prorated amount. Ruiz played 22 of 34 regular season games for the Union at a rate of $306,607 for the year. That means the Union spent $198,433.96 on Ruiz through 22 games, meaning that $108,236.71 of his $306,670.67 salary is now free. All told the Union have $522,068.54 in cap room to make moves this season, before factoring in Paunovic's salary.
Additionally, the Union have one discovery claim left for the senior team this year and one international roster spot open, since Holder was waived.
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Serious question
If we get to the 15th and our roster looks the same as it does now, is there any way of letting the Union know how displeased I am other than the normal methods? I mean, I’m legitimately angry about how this transfer window has been handled. As a fan (and season ticket holder), I expect a first place team to try to improve, not to sell sell sell. Meanwhile, Seba Le Sucks has played every minute of every game this season in an attacking position and has only managed 13 shots on goal. Absolutely pathetic.
This is a situation that really has never happened before.
You’d never see a top team sell at the trade deadline in baseball.
Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Aug 9, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Which is exactly why I'm so upset.
I feel betrayed. I don’t care if you’re in your 1st year of existence of your 100th, when you have a chance for glory, you embrace it, not run from it as fast as possible. It’s not like this team was fluky. The defense has been legit all season. We just need to score a couple more goals (21 goals in 21 games taking out the Toronto aberration). This generally involves not giving away your top goalscorer. Can you imagine the Phillies giving away Ryan Howard any time soon, bad contract or not, for no return?
Le Toux is less a matter of transfer window mismanagement (beyond thinking we need to get somebody to replace him) and more a case of wondering why a guy who needed to be benched 4-5 games into the season has yet to miss a minute. I jumped on Le Toux after the 3rd game of the season (http://www.brotherlygame.com/2011/4/2/2087517/match-3-philadelphia-union-los-angeles-galaxy-gamethread#62985468), continued to rail against him, and he’s still done absolutely nothing to make me change my mind that he hinders the team much more than he helps it right now. My gf knows one player, and it’s because she can hear me shouting “f***ing Le Toux!” ten times a game from another room. When I’m at games and he takes a shot, I don’t even get excited because I know it’s not going in.
Can you tell I’m frustrated with this team right now?
Lay off Le Toux
I think you need to relax a little bit.
Le Toux has performed pretty well overall. He has 8 assists and works hard on defense. Understandably, he is currently 5th on the Castrol Index for the U. Also, keep in mind that he’s playing in the midfield much more than last season. While I agree, he hasn’t been able to match last year’s form, he’s still one of the more effective (and harder working) midfielders in the MLS.
by Jason Rodriguez on Aug 9, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
No
First, he has played striker for most of the season, even when he was supposed to be in midfield (he forced Mwanga into the midfield in at least two separate games I can think of when Le Toux was supposed to be in the mid). Second, as a striker, 0 goals in the run of play is unacceptable. Even if you want to say he’s only played 17 games there (an underestimate I think), even though he’s got 8 assists (although almost all were of the “he happened to be playing all the way up, crossed a ball, and somebody else found it” variety), he’s been a striker with no striking ability whatsoever. He’s like an OF who can cover two OF positions by himself but can’t catch. Yeah, he looks really good, but he’s ultimately useless.
Chance at glory...too funny
Thats just the unreasonable expectation philly fans have. Buy Torres outright now so next year we dont have to use the money to do it. We’re gonna need next years cash to pay the graduating Gen adidas guys. I really dont get the bashing of the U when any reasonable person would say they have already exceeded expectations for the year. Complain or cheer, i suppose its your choice. Personally, Id rather see Jack,Danny, Valdez and Torres here for years than see another 5 goals from Ruiz.
The season is already a success, play the kids.
Check out the capsule from most reacent power rankings..
“There wasn’t a fan outside of Philly who wasn’t happy to see Carlos Ruiz go, but it’s always a risk for a winning team to mess with its chemistry midseason. The spotlight’s on Jack McInerney, Danny Mwanga and Sébastien Le Toux now and, quite frankly, they came up short against the Dynamo. Still, the Union are in the best shape of any Eastern team. "
Im cool with that.
Do you always just pack your bags when something's exceeded expectations?
Seriously? We’ve been running in first place most of the year. Young, new, whatever, we’ve still been one of the 5 best teams in the MLS all year. If you were to play in the WSoP Main Event, would you just give away your chips and walk away after you get to a point where you exceeded expectations? FUCK NO! You would keep on playing your goddamn hardest and try to exceed expectations as much as possible! And, at the end of the day, you’d be happy. There’s no unreasonable expectations here. Expecting a first place team to stand pat isn’t unreasonable. Expecting a first place team not to sell off two starters and cut a backup for no apparent reason isn’t unreasonable. I’m not expecting a championship, but I’m also not willing to accept a punt from the 35. Try the long field goal, it might have a chance (especially if it’s against the Eagles, but I digress).
It’s not a money issue, and if it is, the Union have much bigger problems. They’re selling out or close to most games. They’re selling merch. They don’t have a DP making big money. If they need to sell two starters every year to maintain payroll, they’re in huge trouble. That’s not the case. But if you’re pocketing all this money, you better damn well spend it.
Dont get me wrong, I understand what your saying. I just think that Garfan and Jackmac are not the downgrade from Harvey and Ruiz that you do. If fact I think its an upgrade. Additionally, I truly believe someone is gonna be signed , someone good. Remember that all the most significant transfers occur on the last day of the window, thats how soccer works. Ronaldo to Barca,last day. Cesc will be last day.. Adebayor…the list goes on. Since the window has been open, no MLS team has signed ANYONE who I would want in a U shirt. Pavel Pardo, Carlo costly…no thx
If the U sign someone Like Josue Martinez on the last day , dont say I didnt tell ya so.
It’s not a matter of upgrade or downgrade in this case. I disagree with you that they’re upgrades, but even then, with 10 games + playoffs left, selling off three pieces who provide depth for substitutions, in case of injury, red card, etc. is counterproductive.
Also, Josue Martinez seems a lot like two strikers we already have. Young, talented, but not quite there yet. Bringing in a 3rd young striker makes little sense to me. In fact, we have youth all over the field. Let’s stop worrying about getting younger, and worry about getting better.
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