It's a step towards opportunity. The step up/step down frame ... the way you've presented it ... is not the most insightful ... certainly doesn't bring justice to to some of the dynamics mentioned in the thread. For instance, one would have to be wearing blinders to blandly cast Keller's move to Seattle as a step down (based on your frame we would arrive there).
Anyway, as to perspective on the MLS keeper picture in the last two years ... have a look here and here.
Knockabout here for additional perspective.
Ultimately (not from the links), you'll probably conclude that contributing factors to the MLS pic also have to do with with keeper longevity, the quota on foreign players, the critical need of the American game, where MLS sources players (or has had success sourcing players), the developmental draft, $$$, immediate needs ... it's a pretty big picture.
Step up/down in terms of the competitive nature of the league. Hislop's move from the EPL where he faces the likes Manchester United, Arsenal, and the likes of Milan etc (europe) week-in week-out is definately a "step down" to a league where perhaps the most potent striker is a Carlos Ruize or Dwayne DeRosario.
Anyway, The MLS has exported some good gola-keeper talent to foreign leagues all over the world, i just thought I'd takje a look at the other side of the fence...and it appears they rarely attract goalies to their league.
If Shilton or Seaman were still playing today and opted to come to MLS, would that be a reflection of either's lack of ability, a decline in their ability or a fit with where they are in their careers? Ricketts gets a call from Reggiana or Verona ... his time at Village aside, step-up or step-down from Bradford?
Him seh bwoy, cho! Italy or Merika? Dollars or euros? Hmm. (Mind you, both clubs are Serie C teams). Step up or step down? It depends? Money a mek? My read of Ricketts career is that he has NOT engaged in a whole lot of career-planning.
This is opportunity knocks. Arena likes the player. Availability meets opportunity. Nothing wasn't a gwaan fi him. Why not? Walk bettah dan siddung, nuh true?
Especially in the case of keepers, for reasons mentioned before earlier in the thread even by you
, the 'step-up/step down thing' is better viewed as relative to (where) the player (is as a player at that moment) and not just merely on an assessment of how 'competitive'? one views the league in which the player plays or is heading to.
Obviously I'm not going to argue whether Kicking for Village is on par with kicking for Toronto (we don't even have to take to the field to figure that one out
... personally more partial to Seba ...) but I am saying that ... to herald Ricketts signing in the MLS at the same moment as .... say Keller's ... just by saying 'step-up/step-down' misses some of the plot ... at the heart of your contention is a sense that "di bwoy good ... him good him good him ... him get MLS contract rah rah, ray ray and him buss local direct to farin ... and he's
better than [fill in the blank ______ ______] ...
Hence why you sought out this Caribbean comparison ... which unmasked is/was actually a futile attempt at Yard-Trini one upsmanship
So I ask ... you seriously want to place Ricketts on the table as if Village was his first club a Jamaica and him juss buss a MLS? First 'big' gig? Lef outta yah! (I'm enjoying this
) See the part about Bruce again.
Throughout the thread, you've adjusted from 'is Ricketts the first?' to 'oh, if he's not the first ... well, where did the first come from, was he a national player blah blah blah ...' to stumbling to Village is really a semi-pro club ... mek mi help yuu ... what a f**kery him end up back a di same place whey him did start, nuh true?
No retreat, no surrender.
Oh, I'm sorry ... 2014.
By the way, the answer to your initial/modified/second question is Jorge Campos.
