Originally posted by Bollocks:
Why did they refuse his work permit earlier this year? That was weird.
I just think starting players too young jeapordizes their career in the long run. Look at Owen, he wasn't really 'young' but he was small and he gets injured very easily now, and I think that's because they pushed him before his body had matured enough for that level. Rooney, as big as he is, (he's built like an ox) I think Everton have done the right thing by playing him relatively sparingly this season.
I think it was because Tottenham were only going to use him for 4 months and then give him back to DC United for the MLS opener.
Until MLS plays it's schedule the same as the rest of the world, this will be an ongoing problem. Landon Donovan tried to go over to Portsmouth before the start of the MLS season, but FIFA changed the transfer rules for MLS players saying that if he went to England, he would not be able to transfer back until the August Transfer window, thus missing the majority of the MLS season. The sad part is, I actually agree with FIFA on this one, though I would like to see more American's in England for development purposes.
And you're spot on about the way Liverpool handled Owen in contrast to Everton's early handling of Rooney. And England and Rooney will be the beneficiary in the future.
The difference in America is that (a) Bobby Convey (who was actually 16, my bad) was the most talented player for United at that position at that time and (b) MLS is in danger of going under and needs a hero now - enter the 14 year old phenom, Freddy Adu. That doesn't make it right, mind you, I'm just letting you know why they did what they did.