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Why was
Francis Grandpa Doe released by the New York Red Bulls?
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After signing late during the 2007 season last August by arguably
America’s most celebrated coach in Bruce Arena and providing
significant contribution that propelled the squad to the playoffs last
year, Francis Grandpa Doe was summarily released within couple of
weeks of preseason training.
From the dusty soccer fields of Buduburam FC in Ghana to Soccer
sanctuary of Tonnerre Kalara of Cameroon, where he played half a
season and was named best foreign player, came third in total goals
scored, third in votes for the best player overall and, most
importantly, led his club to the prestigious Grand Finale of CAF Cup
by being the MVP for Tonnere Kalara and leading them in goals scored
in that tournament; to Greece where, in his first season he qualified
Atromitos FC of the Greek Super League for the first time in team’s
history to the UEFA, by scoring the two goals in the last game of the
2006 season that propelled the team to the prestigious European
tournament where he played against Spanish giants Seville FC; and
finally, to New York Red Bulls where in only four starts, he averaged
only 60 minutes per game (because of plantar fasciitis) and amassed
two crucial goals the team desperately needed to qualify for the
playoffs.
The mainstay of the Liberian National squad, the only player in the
last qualifying rounds of the African Cup of Nations to score against
Cameroon, was released by the New York Red Bulls.
According to the Red Bulls, "After evaluating our roster over the
course of the pre-season, we feel that we have solid depth at forward
and thought that it would be beneficial to part ways," Red Bulls
sporting director Jeff Agoos said.
After overwhelmingly proving himself to his new team, why was he
dismissed? It is still confusing. But liberiansoccer.com may have
found some facts that may lend answers to the question.
Firstly, the coach that was so excited about having a player of
Francis’ stature because he could play the player on the left side,
right side, middle or up front, Bruce Arena, is no longer with the
club.
The new coach, Juan Carlos Osorio, did not give himself an opportunity
to see the player in a game situation. During the team’s preseason
stint in LA, the player was injured for the two games. Even though,
according to Francis, he played and excelled in all of the inter-squad
scrimmages, scoring more goals than any other player, the new coach
encouraged him to sit out the games because of his injury.
According to Francis, during his exit interview, Osario told the
player that he was being released not because of his play, but because
of the team’s need for defenders and that Francis’ higher salary could
be used to obtain two defenders. However, the team has since acquired
the services of two or three additional Hispanic players (forwards)
from Colombia, the new coach’s home country. Maybe this was a roster
move to create a spot for one of the Columbians.
Still, why release one of your most electrifying attackers? Maybe the
answer lies deeply in the culture of this league.
In an exclusive interview with Charles Dean and Velmer Porte of DISM,
a sports management firm that manages African Players, also the
managers of the player, the pair noted that the league is comprised of
more than twenty percent of players of Hispanic origin. This, they
observed, is mainly because of the large Hispanic population in
America, many of whom are avid soccer followers. Hispanics contribute
largely to the MLS’s fan base so it is important and strategic for the
league to have a large percentage of players with Hispanic origins in
the league.
According to Charles, “The league is missing and ignoring a very
potent and potential fan base in the millions of Africans who call the
United States of America home. Africans share similar fervor for
soccer and there is a high demand to be entertained by soccer players
they, like their Hispanic counterparts, can relate to.” Velmer added,
“Africans looking to be entertained by soccer with an African twist
look to Europe for their entertainment by subscribing to expensive,
and sometimes unaffordable, cable networks that carry European games
with African players they want to see.”
According to DISM, the MLS is missing out on talent and an opportunity
to increase their fan base by ignoring African players. They insist
that the league is in a prime situation to compete with giant European
clubs for African players. Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, and
Chelsea, for example, have scouted and continue to scout Africa for
talent as is evident by their star players. If the MLS desires to
emulate their counterparts in Europe, as is evident in the names of
clubs, i.e. REAL Salt Lake, it will make sense for them to pursue the
talent the continent has to offer.
Bringing in African talent will serve the MLS a dual purpose:
1. it will tap into an untapped fan base in the millions of Africans
in America and Canada
2. it will produce its own Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Samuel Etoo,
etc. (just a few among thousands other), like their European
counterparts.
According to Charles Dean, “This is certainly a winning situation for
a league wanting to increase its fan base and better the quality of
its players. Scouting Africa is certainly cheaper by the millions of
dollars than the current method of securing high-priced players via
the Designated Player Rule, where millions of dollars are paid to
older players on the verge of ending their careers.”
Velmer Porte added, “A little secret the MLS is unaware of is that
this league is in a better position that their European counterparts
as far as securing African players. Any player in Africa will want to
ply his trade with the MLS in the great USA. There is a fifty percent
chance that a player will choose USA over going to Europe. Scouting in
South America, though cheap, is an extremely difficult circumstance
for the MLS because the only players they can possibly have are those
European clubs and prominent well-paying local clubs don’t want.
Currently, the few African players in the league are those from the
college ranks and not scouted from the continent. We have tried to get
two teams to visit Africa with the expressed purpose to scout
particular players, but to no apparent avail.”
This dialogue leads liberiansoccer.com to co-relate the release of
Francis Doe and replacing him with players from South America.
Francis feels he got a bad deal from the Red Bulls. According to
Francis, “I played hurt in all of the games last year. I was diagnosed
with plantar fasciitis after several initial practices on artificial
turf and still continued to help the club make the playoffs. During
practice for the second playoff game against New England, I sustained
an unrelated injury that didn’t permit me to play, even though I
sacrificed by taking all kinds of shots I have never taken, just to
play.”
The player thinks that coming to the MLS may have been a mistake for
his career. Thankfully, his young age allows him time to recover from
this situation. According to his management team, DISM, they have
received several credible interests from England, Spain and Germany
premier clubs. A couple of other MLS squads have also expressed
interests. According to DISM, they want to be very careful in
selecting a team for the player. They will select the best interested
team. This decision will be made in early May of 2008. “Nothing to
rush about”, they claim.
A training situation has been worked out with the Minnesota Thunder,
the first team outside of Africa that Francis played for. The team is
currently in preseason mode, which is great for Francis. “We have a
great relationship with the Thunder and Coach Amos Mcgee. Bringing
Francis to their camp for training purposes only was no problem at
all. This is great preparation for what is ahead in the next couple of
months for Grandpa,” said Charles. Francis added, “Just thinking about
the big name teams that are interested in me causes me to train extra
hard. I do my personal training once a day and then I train with Coach
Amos and the Thunder.”
“Though the present seems bleak, without a contract, the immediate
future for Grandpa is filled with realizable promises”, Velmer
concluded.
Certainly to be continued in the very near future……………..
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