According to Goal.com and the New York Daily News, multiple sources are reporting that Mikkel “Mix” Diskerud will be joining NYCFC within the next few days. Amidst the madness in the Big Apple surrounding the Frank Lampard fiasco and the fresh news of Mike Petke’s shock firing with New York Red Bulls, this is somewhat refreshing to the city of the expansion franchise.
Skyscraper Blues
Diskerud was born and grew up in Norway, but was eligible for the US Men’s National Team due to having an American mother. He tussled around with both US and Norway youth national teams before selecting and being capped the good ole US of A in 2010. He was on the United States 2014 World Cup roster, and even had Landon Donovan’s No. 10, but did not see any minutes on the pitch. His promising performances in the Gold Cup and other friendlies, though, have American fans salivating at his potential with the national team in the coming years.
MLS has been on the verge of acquiring Diskerud twice; once before the 2013 season reportedly to Portland Timbers and again last season with Columbus Crew SC. Both times, for different reasons, the move fell through. While that is a distinct possibility this time around, the third time looks to be a charm.
NYCFC has the top allocation spot, which allows them the first crack at signing a National Team player. It is also reported that the contract may not be a DP contract, allowing the already rich, new franchise a crack at getting another big name signing in addition to Mix Diskerud, David Villa, and Frank Lampard.
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What kind of statement does this signing make for the league?
For one, the transparency that MLS lacks is on full display once again here. The fact that Jermaine Jones did not go through allocation because he was “a designated player of a certain threshold” and now Mix is going through this allocation order that has been avoided by other National Team stars (Dempsey, Bradley) in addition to Jones sheds light on the joke MLS can be at times. They seem to make the rules as they go and, once again, a high profile player is being handed to a high profile team. The rich get richer, which wouldn’t be a problem if transfer rules and league operations were a bit more transparent. Clubs not named Los Angeles Galaxy, Toronto FC, and NYCFC lose once again. I digress…
This is a wonderful signing for NYCFC, as the good news can temper the anger City fans obtained learning that they won’t see Frank Lampard until June. Diskerud, a skilled central midfielder, can flexibly play both an attacking and defensive role although it is believed his greatest performances came as an attacking midfielder with the USMNT. Diskerud should be able to hold the midfield down until Lampard comes, at which point there shouldn’t be many games that NYCFC don’t boss the midfield. David Villa will also likely get the quality service NYCFC will need to link the midfield to the attack. The fact, as mentioned above, that NYCFC would be able to get Diskerud on a non-DP contract is huge news as it’s no secret that the ownership has the money to bring in another high profile star.
MLS Multiplex
For Mix and USMNT fans, this is brilliant! How is that? Well, Diskerud will be around world class stars and World Cup veterans Frank Lampard and David Villa. While those stars obviously are reaching the twilights of their career, the advice and mentoring to young Mix will be invaluable. Even if you are a fan of an MLS team that continues to be shunned by big names or has a lack of them and do not like the influx of big stars to the same teams, but are also a fan of the USMNT, at least this developing star will be around guys who have done it before. It will be interesting to see Jürgen Klinsmann’s take on this as he generally is not a fan of American stars leaving Europe to ply their trade in MLS. In this situation, I don’t see how he can be upset by this move for one of his budding talents.
Next: Timbers Want USMNT Player
What is your take on this developing story? Are you looking at it from an MLS or USMNT point of view? Stay tuned as this story heats up and any developments will be reported here at Playing for 90.