2007 MLS Draft Candidate, Michael Harrington, Courted By Kaiserslautern...

I just read over on Yanks Abroad that UNC Senior, Michael Harrington has been offered a contract by German side Kaiserslautern. The deal is structured so that Harrington will start with the reserves and when he earns a spot in the first team, his salary will go up. Kaiserslautern is currently fighting for promotion to the Bundesliga so Harrington would be passing on MLS for a second division reserve team with the potential for a move to the first team and the potential for a move to the top league.

Harrington's agent reveals that the deal is monetarily similar to what MLS will be able to offer. I'm not sure how the agent knows that without having preliminary talks with MLS. With Harrington being a consensus first round pick, many MLS teams being interested in his left back services, MLS should do everything in their power to make sure Harrington stays in the States for a few years. However, if his contract gets too big, and he isn't protected by GA status, how will he fit in at the clubs already tight in salary cap and needing his services? After all, rookies are expected to make very little when adidas isn't paying them. If Harrington slips down the draft board, will MLS be able to pay him the sum he wants, forcing him abroad? A team like Real Salt Lake would greatly benefit from his services, plus coach Ellinger is no doubt interested in many of his former players, however the addition of Adu has no doubt strained their salary budget and adding a high priced, untested rookie is a risk. Seems like a tough catch-22 could develop if Harrington isn't picked by the right team.