Wednesday, March 14, 2007

SOCCER SCENE

By JAMES MULLIGAN

David Beckham may not be the only player in Major League Soccer who Japanese fans recognize when the Real Madrid midfielder joins the Los Angeles Galaxy this summer.

Former national team players Takashi Hirano and Takuya Yamada recently had trials at the New England Revolution, and even though the pair wasn't taken on more Japanese players may soon be heading Stateside for a crack at the MLS.

Behind the move to bring players to America is Takehito Nakamura, who works in international business for Soccer United Marketing, the MLS's marketing arm, in New York.

Nakamura played soccer in college with Hirano and Yamada and introduced them to New England, and is using his extensive contacts in Japan and the U.S. to try to place more Japanese players.

"I strongly believe it is going to happen more often and is something I would like to be fully involved in," 30-year-old Nakamura said in a recent telephone interview with The Japan Times.

"My task is international and within that Asia is a market. I deal heavily with teams, agents and the Japan Football Association and, through conversations and being introduced to different players, cases of players coming over can happen.

"We don't do scouting, it is more to do with relationships and business."

With MLS entering its 12th season and the J. League in its 15th, Nakamura believes there are a lot of similarities between the two leagues.

"But when I go to Japan people say the MLS is not good, and when I am in the States people say the J. League is poor, but both don't know about each other enough.

"My task is to engage Asia to the MLS and export the MLS to Asia."

Nakamura believes the salary cap in the MLS may be an obstruction for recruiting top Japanese players, but a career in America has its advantages for youngsters, who may be attracted by the emphasis placed on a college education, the focus on a secondary career outside of soccer, as well as the relative anonymity enjoyed by the players.

"If a player craves fame, then maybe it is not the place for them," says Nakamura.

Nakamura introduced Hirano and Yamada to New England's assistant coach, Paul Mariner. The former Arsenal and England center forward was impressed by them and believes there are plenty of J. League players good enough for the MLS.

"I've spent a lot of time in Japan and I think the MLS is a bit better, but I definitely think there are players in Japan who can play over here," Mariner said in a recent telephone interview with The Japan Times.

"Hirano and Yamada were fantastic guys, model professionals, and worked very hard but they didn't quite tip the scales in terms of being important players."

Hirano and Yamada took part in friendly games against the Bermudan national team and the Los Angeles Galaxy, playing in their customary positions on the left and right of midfield, respectively.

"We have drafted some wide players and athletically it is very strong in the MLS," said Mariner. "We play a 3-5-2, which puts a load on the wide players and Hirano and Yamada came up a little short."

Even so, Mariner says the Revolution are interested in running the rule over other Japanese.

"We're not looking at Japanese players to sell shirts. But we are always on the lookout for quality players," says Mariner.

That's where Nakamura comes in.

New England may have got a little money from the recent sale of Clint Dempsey to English Premiership club Fulham, but Mariner warns that players and agents are wrong if they think the MLS is awash with cash.

"People see the Beckham story and think the clubs have got money to burn," Mariner said.

Beckham recently signed a five-year deal with Galaxy, with a reported base salary paid by the club of $ 25 million over the course of the contract and projected overall salary, including endorsements and image rights, of $ 250 million.

MLS clubs are running a tight ship in terms of finances, which means they will welcome any monetary trickle down effect courtesy of Beckham's transfer.

Mariner said New England has already sold 40,000 tickets for its home game against the Los Angeles Galaxy in August.

Beckham's arrival also has New England thinking about adding its own "marquee" player.

With MLS's Designated Player Rule -- or "Beckham Rule" as it is known -- each of the league's clubs can follow the Galaxy's example and sign one player whose salary is completely separate from the league's $ 1.9 million-per-team cap.

New England boss Steve Nicol, a former Liverpool and Scotland defender, has been in talks with the agent of another famous England player, Liverpool's Robbie Fowler, over a possible move.

"The stumbling block with Robbie is the financial side," said Mariner. "We can't go for a number that he wants, but Steve spoke to his agent last week. There's the link with Steve and Robbie with Liverpool, but we'll have to wait and see."

Mariner is enjoying life in New England, where he is in his fourth year as Nicol's assistant, but wouldn't rule out a move to Japan.

"I love Japan, Tokyo is my favorite place in the world," said Mariner. "I would love to work there."

Mariner has friends in the capital and visits Japan almost every year. He's planning his next trip this Christmas.

Could Mariner follow in the footsteps of the likes of former Tottenham and England player Steve Perryman, who managed Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashiwa Reysol?

You never know, but for now Mariner appreciates the job he has with the Revolution.

"Our president, Sunil Gulati, is fantastic and we are very well supported by our owner Robert Kraft," said Mariner.

Gulati also is the president of U.S. Soccer and Kraft is the owner of the three-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots of the NFL.

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