MARTA is coming to WPS via Los Angeles

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Permalink Reply by chevy on January 14, 2009 at 7:57pm

The WNT on a good day still draws between 10,000 to 15,000 for friendlys.

I don't believe Jen Striker has as much inside info as she thinks she does when every single other publication is saying that Marta is signed to a 3 year deal. Also she may have fabricated some of the details of the contract seeing as she doesn't have the Sol paying any of her contract. I think the league wants the club to pay some of the tab for the the players on the roster.

I think the Sol gave up a lot to sign Marta and it was necessary because there is not another talent out there like her in the game. She is the female version of Pele, she is above the game right now. I only hope that the Sol are competitive in the league because if they aren't Marta will be written off as the next publicity stunt, like Beckham.

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Permalink Reply by Soccerdad on January 15, 2009 at 6:48am

Milan said:

Was it a snub on the USMNT when MLS/LA Galaxy spent 250 million on David Beckham?

Not at all, USmens are not on the same level as Becks .... However, Men's team was not coming off an Olympic Gold Metal Victory over the Brazilians. What has Marta done to deserve the money? Now I am a fan that loves to see Brazil play and all that... but in a startup league, is it "THe Team spending the most CASH Shall win" personnally, what is good for getting attention, is not usually good for the league.. Should have learned from the whole Freddie Adu thing (has he made any impact as he was the greatest to play)

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Permalink Reply by Soccerdad on January 15, 2009 at 6:50am

chevy said:

I don't believe Jen Striker has as much inside info as she thinks she does when every single other publication is saying that Marta is signed to a 3 year deal. Also she may have fabricated some of the details of the contract seeing as she doesn't have the Sol paying any of her contract. I think the league wants the club to pay some of the tab for the the players on the roster.

I think the Sol gave up a lot to sign Marta and it was necessary because there is not another talent out there like her in the game. She is the female version of Pele, she is above the game right now. I only hope that the Sol are competitive in the league because if they aren't Marta will be written off as the next publicity stunt, like Beckham.

Actually, the Sol cannot give her a gaurentee, but the parent company can, that is why the Sol are not directly paying her

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Permalink Reply by Robyn McNeil on January 15, 2009 at 9:31am

You can't compare the 3-time FIFA player of the year to Freddy, an overhyped teenager who was not physically ready to play in MLS at age 15. Marta's been brilliant on the world stage and in Europe, so let's see what she does here. I'm not sure how much name recognition she'll have outside of soccer die-hards, though. I'd be curious to see how many fans of the men's game who don't follow the women's game know about her, and would be willing to pay to see her play. You've got to believe her style of play will be attractive to all soccer fans, not just women's soccer fans. So getting them to come and take a look will be the challenge, won't it? I'd rather hear a bunch of 'Ole's' coming from the stands than the squeal of 12-year olds who don't really watch the game. Check that, we need to hear both. And as far as the WNT players are concerned, if they want the league to succeed, they'd better embrace the signing of 'flair' players. It's a business, you put your money where you think you'll get the best return on your investment. Here's hoping the SOL's investment is a good one for them and for the league.

Soccerdad said:

Milan said:

Was it a snub on the USMNT when MLS/LA Galaxy spent 250 million on David Beckham?

Not at all, USmens are not on the same level as Becks .... However, Men's team was not coming off an Olympic Gold Metal Victory over the Brazilians. What has Marta done to deserve the money? Now I am a fan that loves to see Brazil play and all that... but in a startup league, is it "THe Team spending the most CASH Shall win" personnally, what is good for getting attention, is not usually good for the league.. Should have learned from the whole Freddie Adu thing (has he made any impact as he was the greatest to play)

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Permalink Reply by Milan on January 15, 2009 at 10:08am

Soccerdad, what do you mean what has she done to deserve this money? I don't mix the USWNT with the WPS, and individual entity. I've been a supporter of the USWNT religiously for 15 years but IMO in this league a player's status on the USWNT should have little bearing on that player's status on a WPS team. What Pia sees in that player may not be what, let's say Tony D. sees in that player. Marta has done a lot to deserve this kind of pay and attention. The best player in the world by far over the last few years. There is not a player on the USWNT that can come close right now. You name me one. This is a pro league and LA Sol has every right to do what it sees fit in their investment. Like I said, WPS does not take orders from Sunil or Pia unless those two are investors in one of the teams. I will root for the Red Stars for totally different reasons than when I root for the USWNT and not mix the two.

Soccerdad said:

Milan said:

Was it a snub on the USMNT when MLS/LA Galaxy spent 250 million on David Beckham?

Not at all, USmens are not on the same level as Becks .... However, Men's team was not coming off an Olympic Gold Metal Victory over the Brazilians. What has Marta done to deserve the money? Now I am a fan that loves to see Brazil play and all that... but in a startup league, is it "THe Team spending the most CASH Shall win" personnally, what is good for getting attention, is not usually good for the league.. Should have learned from the whole Freddie Adu thing (has he made any impact as he was the greatest to play)

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Permalink Reply by Soccerdad on January 15, 2009 at 11:13am

I was comparing them in terms of Name regognition and attention getting, not skill

I Agree that Marta is Fifa player of the year (without a WWC or Olympic Title) but my point is that Is that one team can afford to Sign her and many can't.

In Terms of Pay the USWNT is Negotiating with the WPS as a group, not as an individual for some would be given a higher value and some lower, but they will be held to a group contract.

Hope Solo would surely command a larger contract, as would HAO (Because of where she is and name recognition)

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Permalink Reply by JR Salazar on January 15, 2009 at 3:00pm

If the Sol hoist the first championship banner, then I am confident that Marta will have proved why she is the world's best player. Right now, I want to see if she gets LA on the right track, starting with the match against Washington.

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Permalink Reply by Sal on January 15, 2009 at 8:25pm

3 years 1.5 Mil...already the highest paid female athlete in the states...

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Permalink Reply by Leyla on January 16, 2009 at 10:33am

Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t Cristiano Ronaldo win this years FIFA Player of the year I don’t think he has an Olympic medal or has won a World Cup and has a huge contract. Marta deserves every right to be the FIFA Player of the year. In sports their have been many winners of MVP trophies and they have never won a world championship or an Olympic gold medal.
Anyways, I think we should not confuse the USWNT with the WPS. Yes the players from the USWNT are the basic foundation for the league but not the only players. In La Liga or the Serie A the Spanish and the Italian players are not given the better contracts only cause they were the recent winners of the World Cup and won Europe. The highest contract is given to the best players. Soccerdad says,
I Agree that Marta is Fifa player of the year (without a WWC or Olympic Title) but my point is that Is that one team can afford to Sign her and many can't.
Ofcourse other teams can’t sing her, many teams can’t afford to sign Kobe Bryant, Manny Ramirez, Lebron James or the whole New York Yankees roster, etc…. WPS is a business not the National Team
Once again lets not confuse the National Team with the WPS.
Marta deserves this type of contract, I have been following soccer and playing in semi pro leagues for years now and I have never seen such a skillful women soccer player as her (yes better than Mia)


Soccerdad said:

I was comparing them in terms of Name regognition and attention getting, not skill

I Agree that Marta is Fifa player of the year (without a WWC or Olympic Title) but my point is that Is that one team can afford to Sign her and many can't.

In Terms of Pay the USWNT is Negotiating with the WPS as a group, not as an individual for some would be given a higher value and some lower, but they will be held to a group contract.

Hope Solo would surely command a larger contract, as would HAO (Because of where she is and name recognition)

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Permalink Reply by JOHN MEIXNER on January 16, 2009 at 2:21pm

I love the fact that Marta is going to play in the WPS! She is one of the best female players out ther and she will help bring fans to games! I love seeing her play! Marta is so exciting!

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Permalink Reply by Susana Capra on January 17, 2009 at 8:22pm

Marta is a 3 Time FIFA player of the year, and it will show on the field. WPS made all the right moves by securing her jersey with the Los Angeles SOL. I think that Marta being a part of this league not only is a boost for sales but more so for the field. We have seen Marta compete against Solo and Wambach on huge international stages and the competition was fierce. Now we can see this fierceness more often.

All other soccer issues aside, including Beckham, Marta's star power matched with her soccer skill is worth it on many scales for the WPS.

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Permalink Reply by Irma Letran on January 19, 2009 at 8:30pm

I'am excited about Marta joining the LA team , I think she is a good team player, and the Wp's will benefit from this decision. GOOooooooooooooo MARTA

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