The players wanted unlimited free agency. The league was happy with its system of indentured servitude, even if it did prevent bidding wars and spiraling salaries.
It was an argument that nearly claimed the 2010 Major League Soccer season as a victim and threatened the growth of professional soccer in North America, until the players’ union and the league stumbled upon a compromise that could be one of the most inventive in pro sports.
Thus was spawned the two-stage MLS re-entry process, which will begin on Wednesday, when D.C. United goes on the clock — since it finished last in MLS in 2010 — with the first choice of players who are out of contract next season or did not have their contract options picked up by their current teams.
The only catch: In the first stage, players are available at their most recent value. If they fall to stage two, clubs can suggest their own price.
Here are three intriguing options for D.C. United:
Jimmy Conrad, D, Kansas City Wizards » United needs help in central defense and in the locker room, where it has suffered from a massive leadership void in recent years. Although he’s creeping up in age — 33 years old — Conrad is an 11-year veteran who is skilled and vocal, and he’s close with D.C. head coach Ben Olsen, having played with him for the U.S. at the 2006 World Cup. He would cost a minimum offer of $245,000 in the first stage. Chivas USA has also shown interest in the Southern California native and they pick second.
Juan Pablo Angel, F, New York Red Bulls » D.C. United reportedly had interest in trading for the prolific Colombian during the season. The drawback is that he’s 35 years old. But what better way to show it’s serious about scoring goals — and that it’s not hampered by financial restrictions — than to bag the guy who has 58 in the last four seasons. The offer cost for Angel would be $1.7 million in the first round, but he will be extremely enticing if he drops to stage two.
Ryan Cochrane, D, or Joseph Ngwenya, F, Houston Dynamo » If D.C. doesn’t want to splash the cash right away, the Dynamo have left available a couple of more affordable options. Cochrane ($105,000) has been a steady contributor for a winning club, and Ngwenya ($75,600) is far more attractive at his price than splurging on a guy like Kansas City forward Josh Wolff ($231,000) based on name recognition.
