My thoughts on Deuce to MLS Part 1: The part where I am absolutely stoked

The last week has been an absolute whirlwind of soccer news, between Don Garber announcing that MLS is expanding to 4 teams, the Cosmos playing their first competitive game, European transfer rumors, and Landon Donovan's renaissance, but one storyline completely dominated them all on the domestic soccer front. Clint Dempsey is coming back to MLS as a Seattle Sounder. As I've taken time to digest this information, read Grant Wahl's excellent reporting, and other blogs, I've had a couple thoughts that I'd like to put down. I'm breaking it into three parts, and the first part is from the MLS fanboy inside of me:

Are you freaking kidding me!? Deuce is coming back to MLS while still in his prime. US fans get to see him at his peak in competitive league games at least 34 times every season. The (arguably) best player in stars and stripes, and the USMNT captain is taking his talents stateside. We have new fodder for the Donovan vs. Dempsey debate. And the best part of all? More of this...

Dempsey is a boon for MLS. He is a player with attitude, swagger, skill, a permanent chip on his shoulder the size of Texas, and he's as 'Murikan as you can get. Fans love him and identify with him. He's a workaholic who is never satisfied and always is pushing to up his game to the next level. MLS will undoubtedly be a better league because of his presence. When I texted my brother about the move his response was "Looks like I'm going to be driving to Seattle". He lives in Boise, Idaho and I have a hard time getting him to come to RSL games. Dempsey is well worth a $9 million transfer fee and ~$30 in salary.

He will be a boon to the league and its players in other ways as well. The MLS TV deal is soon coming to a close. If the league can get a viewership boost by his presence, it gives them more leverage when they negotiate a new contract. Additionaly, the MLS collective bargaining agreement expires in 2015 per wikipedia and Deuce's arrival, including the transfer fee and salary, should give the players more clout in their discussions, increasing the chance of a greater increase to the salary cap. This doesn't affect top end talent, but higher median salaries mean that the overall quality of the league improves, which can only be a good thing (as long as spending doesn't balloon to old school NASL levels, but I don't see that happening). From both a fan and player perspective, Clint Dempsey to the Sounders is a very good thing. From an MLS revenue standpoint, both in ticket sales and TV ratings, Clint is well worth the investment. But, unfortunately, the story doesn't stop there, parts 2 and 3 are still to come...