Doyle: Quakes “more interested” in acquiring DP
By Jeff Carlisle · November 12, 2009
The Earthquakes are looking to sign a Designated Player, but it won’t be Stephen Appiah of Ghana, who was recently shopped to the team. Photo: Brooks Parkenridge, isiphotos.com.
While the San Jose Earthquakes finished the 2009 season better than they started, it’s clear that to continue that trend additional reinforcements will be needed. For that reason, San Jose general manager John Doyle has indicated an increased willingness on the part of the Quakes to pursue a Designated Player.
Previously, Doyle had stated that owners Lew Wolff and John Fisher were open to the idea, but with the team headed in a more positive direction, the Quakes’ G.M. feels the team is better positioned to maximize the kind of contribution that a DP would make.
“In the past, we weren’t ready,” said Doyle. “Now I think we have a good team, a good base of players. We’re more interested in doing it.
“The salary cap is probably going to go up. Lew Wolff and John Fisher said that if we needed a DP to be successful, they’d be willing to do it. And Frank [Yallop] and I are saying we do.”
CLS has learned that one name that came across Doyle’s desk recently was Ghanaian international midfielder Stephen Appiah. A source close to Appiah said that the Ghana captain was very interested in coming to MLS, and that San Jose was among the candidates to sign him.
But Doyle contends that the whole process was a bit too rushed for his taste, especially given the fact that knee problems had seen Appiah languish without a club since his contract with Turkish club Fenerbahce expired in May of 2008. Appiah had attempted to latch on with English Premier League side Tottenham in January of this year, but the club took a pass over concerns about his fitness. Since then Appiah had made only intermittent appearances for Ghana.
“We’d love to have a player of [Appiah’s] talent and caliber,” said Doyle. “But we need to do our due diligence. We’d have to watch him and make sure he was healthy.
“We couldn’t legally sign him until December anyway, when the Discovery Player process opens up again.”
Appiah has since signed with Serie A side Bologna, and while red tape over obtaining his International Transfer Certificate has delayed his debut, reports out of Italy have him wowing his new club in training.
If that’s the case, Doyle may regret passing on the opportunity, although it’s important to note that the downside risk of signing a player with a history of injury is a lot greater for an MLS club like the Quakes than for a team in Italy, given their greater financial resources.
Whether talk of increased interest in a DP translates into action, no one knows for sure. But Doyle insists it’s an avenue he intends to pursue, albeit cautiously.
Doyle said, “We have to make sure we get the right one.”
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Quakes need to get on that stadium in order to take advantage of a DP. And by the way, no luxury boxes is a big mistake. Why would I be a sponsor if I cannot bring my prospective clients and or VIPs to enjoy a game in confort and privacy.
No suites make the whole “wait to sign sponsors before we commit to building” much more difficult. You need the suites as an added perk. x$ gets you a sign on the stadium. 2x$ gets you the sign and suite for half the season. 3x$ gets you the sign and the suite for the entire season.
yeah, i’ll believe it when i see the dp. right know it sounds like doyle knows the fans aren’t happy about the way the team finished last AGAIN.so he’ll a some hope, but again i think it’s a bunch of bs.
Good. I hope they do it. I heard Sol Campbell was looking for work.
In addition to a DP, the Quakes also need a new GM and head coach.
A DP would b great, get rid of Convey, bench the newly re-inked Corrales (hey I need money too) and start Zaher at the LB position and give the lwft wing to Alvarez and get a GREAT, I mean GREAT striker to help Johnson. Give Wondo his minutes and let him learn from a great striker because he has what it takes to be a solid MLS forward. WE NEED A STRIKER, NO MID OR DEFENSE PLEASE JOHN & FRANK!!!!!! BY the way, in my FIFA 10 SJ quake season, Corrales retired my first year in charge…………what does EA know that the quakes front office doesnt? hmmmm…….
I agree that if we get a DP, it should be a striker. Someone like Juan Pablo Angel, with strong professionalism and epic consistency.
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for those of you who aren’t aware; the gentleman who tooks these photos, Brook parkenridge is none other than DREW CAREY! he loves his photography and he’s a professional. I think he believes the alias gives his photos credibility