Colorado Rapids To Sign Greg Dalby…Finally…

We’ve written about Greg Dalby’s path to the pros a few times here at FCTP. Take a look for yourself. Here are just a few examples.

His name is probably one of the most used on this blog due to him being a hot prospect going into the 2007 SuperDraft, being drafted by my team and then his going AWOL and ending up in Europe. Dalby was a consensus top 10 pick going into the draft before the word trickled down that he was headed to Europe.

We’ll folks, he’s boomeranging back home and we expect him here in Denver after the July 15th transfer window opens.

In actuality he’s already here training with the club and the Rapids organization is thrilled to have him back.

"Everyone is thrilled with Greg joining us. We took a chance drafting him at #17 in the 2007 MLS Super Draft, and even received some criticism for the move. However, it was a calculated risk that has paid dividends despite the year and a half long wait. Greg should be able to make a contribution with our team in 2008 and prove to be another talented young player with a bright future for our organization."
- John Murphy, Rapids Director of Player Development

Between the 2007 SuperDraft, rejecting MLS’ original contract offer and today Dalby has spent time bouncing around Europe trying out for teams from Italy’s Serie A to Germany’s Bundesliga and Scotland’s Premier League. After many trials Dalby found his way to Belgium and second division R. Charleroi S.C. After not catching on with the Flemish side, Dalby is returning back to the States. The Colorado Rapids still hold his rights and they’re releasing Brazilian Rafael Gomes to make room. After the window the signing will be made official by the league and club.

Dalby will join a stable of other promising American midfielders. Over the past few drafts the Rapids have stockpiled young players who can compete in MLS. Early in the season the Rapids found their best success while captain Pablo Mastroeni was injured. Rapids fans got their first taste of Nick LaBrocca and John DiRaimondo and enjoyed what they saw. Dalby’s addition packs the house and could make one of the other young, up and coming midfielders surplus to the Rapids’ needs.

To be frank, I was one who was critical of the Rapids drafting Dalby. At the time I felt like it was a waste to take a player who had openly made it clear he was going to Europe. Additionally, I was critical of Dalby for going on trials around the world instead of working on his game in a professional environment. Here we are today with him coming back to MLS as another young American boomerang. He's 22 years old and could be behind the curve compared to his teammates who stepped right into MLS following college. Nick LaBrocca and John DiRaimondo aren't going to give up their positions in the club too easily after working hard while Dalby traveled around Europe.

It will certainly be interesting to see how Dalby fits into the team. The Rapids are currently floundering in league play and are out of the US Open Cup after not qualifying. The coaching staff is seemingly in transition or turmoil, depending on who you talk to, and Dalby is just now stepping into this. Should he play well and keep his mouth shut, coach Clavijo will have a new weapon in his arsenal of young American midfielders.

Another aspect to consider is the Olympics. Will playing on American soil help his chances of making the team? I'm sure he hopes so.

*Edit: After publishing this post Rapids GM Jeff Plush added the following:

We are very excited about Greg. He brings us ability and versatility,
but as important he has a strong record as a leader as captain at both Notre Dame and the US u-20 squad. We look forward to seeing him develop with our club.

One Fast Boomerang....Robbie Rogers Returning to the US...

Two weeks ago today I blogged about the recent Boomerang effect going on with American players leaving for Europe and then swinging back home a few years later. Recent news has one more highly rated youth international returning to the US from a European adventure. Yanks Abroad is reporting that Robbie Rogers and Dutch club Heerenveen will be parting ways after only six months has expired on a three year deal. The article makes it sound like the youngster was home sick, however a lack of breaking into the first team probably contributed to his yearning for the USA.

Heerenveen press liaison Tina Lagerweg:

He would like to go back to the United States. He is only 19 and wanted to be in America, so we respected his wish.

Growing up Rogers was a soccer stud. He found success at all youth levels, and won a national championship with Maryland as a freshman. I can understand how going from top dog to just another youth player with promise in Holland is tough. However, Rogers is coming back at a tough time. Most MLS clubs are getting ready to pare down rosters as opposed to taking on new trialists. The roster compliance date is March 1. Hopefully his youth status will allow him to jump onto a MLS roster with such short notice. On the other hand, if his ego is high after signing on with a European outfit, and he makes outrageous contract demands, he may find MLS coaches disenchanted.

A similar story is playing out for once highly rated MLS prospect Greg Dalby. Dalby has been bumping around Europe ever since the MLS draft where his stock fell from certain early 1st rounder to second rounder because he wouldn't sign the league's contract offered before the draft. Now he is trying to get a third trial with a mystery European club after unsuccessful trials with Italian side Siena and Swiss club FC Aarau. Frankly I think Dalby is being misled by his European based agent. Is a playing for FC Aarau really going to be better then playing for the Rapids? The club is currently last in the Swiss first division. Dalby's agent continues to release stories to Yanks Abroad in an attempt to create value for his player by making a sense of competition for his signature.

Dalby's agent:

(Siena) are still trying to get rid of one non-EU player. I think they want to come to him with something

I just don't believe that Siena is trying to dump another non-EU player to sign Dalby. If they were going to, they would have by now. At this point Dalby should be in MLS training camp, fighting for his spot. Dalby continues to depress his value by going on trial after trial. MLS' roster compliance date is March 1. After that the Rapids are probably going to have some heartburn about dumping another player for Dalby who thumbed his nose at them to begin with.

The story of Adolfo Gregorio is not ringing in enough young players' ears. Adolfo skipped MLS to go straight to Europe. He signed with a club, couldn't make things work and came back to MLS. He bombed out after one year. My point. A successful college career does not guarantee professional success. Hard work and a willingness to put in your due can. Rogers and Dalby are going to learn that.