Rightyo then I'll remember to keep all Joe Gamble, Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly convos in here too. Thanks for clearing that up.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
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Rightyo then I'll remember to keep all Joe Gamble, Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly convos in here too. Thanks for clearing that up.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Except that this site already has forums specifically dedicated to their league and their teamQuote:
Originally Posted by GavinZac
You are right Gavinzac, why has this lad got a dedicated thread on this forum? We might aswell include half the LOI players in the Ireland section if we are including a donkey from the MLS.
Just because that brilliant manager Staunton gave him a publicity cap in the states doesnt warrant him to be classed as an international, his talent clearly states he is not.
According to this: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showt...=673558&page=3
Lapira has signed for Nybergsund in Norwegian second division...
Wow ...I'd like to thank Lappy for showing me that there are indeed national football league teams out there in Europe that I have certifiably never, ever heard of. Thought I'd wandered across 'em all at some stage or other.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Metrostars
Why would you sign for a Norwegian second division team if you could play at a better level with some of America's top clubs who were all "supposedly" after him?? This is turning into another embarressing episode for the FAI. Lets face it, it looks like they've capped a lad going on hype alone when it it turns out that he'd probably struggle to get a game with Monaghan (no offence intended).
It seems a bit of a bizarre move, but all I can think of is that he wants a European adventure, and with only American college experience, there probably aren't many top class teams willing to take a chance on him.
Also, from his perspective, he will be able to be transferred a lot easier to a big club if he is successful than he would be in MLS. They have a bad reputation for insisting on players fulfilling their contracts instead of selling them if there is European interest. This is because the league owns players rights, not individual teams.
Lapira may not want to play in MLS because of this possible restriction in movement. Perhaps he doesn't want to play in Canada (Toronto have the right to sign him because of the draft system).
He is highly regarded in the US, and almost any MLS team would take him in a heartbeat. He is not being rejected by the MLS, he is rejecting them for whatever reason.
All I can compare it to is something like if Jamie McCarthy tried to get an MLS contract.
He arrives in America, and says he played in the Scottish Second Division. "Hamilton who?" Nah, not interested, never heard of them.
The Scottish second division means about as much in America as American college soccer does here......
The point I'm trying to make here is that Lapira has shown himself to be a very good player at the college level, and is not someone we should be writing off just yet.
What's the harm in seeing how he does in Norway? I mean if you want to judge him on his little cameo appearance in the US with our B team go for it, but I'm not writing him off just yet.
More than likely he'll never play for us again, but if he had declared for America, I'd guarantee that their fans would be keeping a close eye on his development.
Why didn't he try out in the eL ? Surely one of the clubs who wouldn't challenge for honours would have been a good proposition?Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Also this is a quote from one of the posters on the linked website
"I just don't see the logic in this, other than a blind disdain for the American league.
Normally I'd blame the league, MLS does some screwy **** and the salary cap/base is absurdly low, but honestly, the only thing come to mind when reading about this move is "what is it about ND soccer players and these pathetic European moves?"
IMO these are the real world examples of Eurosnobs. Just this blind belief that everything across the pond must be better, I don't buy it, and if you think playing for a club in the Swedish second division, in front of 3000, is better than 20k in Toronto/MLS, I have a few emails about African bank transfers coming your way!
On coaching, you're going to be playing under a manager that has coached in a league you should be looking at breaking into. Surely Carver would be better for Lapira's long-term prospects.
I've never seen the Swedish Second Division, nor have I watched a USL match in about 2 years, but I don't need to see USL games to know MLS is better"
I couldn't help but think of the likes of Byrne or the nippers who go across to some non-descript teams when they obviously would have been better off staying here.
The FAI can hardly be blamed for the teams the manager / Stan picked. I mean we'd be the first to explode in outrage were Delaney picking the team !Quote:
Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse
Donkey or not ...Lapira has never played with a club in the MLS.Quote:
Originally Posted by RivaldoBabb
But I do understand the sentiment. There is another Irish/American kid who perhaps has superior merit for an roi eval than Lapira ever had. So, let's open a thread about Ciaran O'Brien, son of Fran O'Brien, who made his MLS debut with Colorado Rapids last weekend.
-- got a red card, and a fine ...mms://a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akam...edcard_350.wmv
& made it an even more miserable day for Becks.
..Only joking about opening a new thread about Fran's kid. :cool:
aaah!... but this :)Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Adam Moffat, from Glasgow, made his debut with MLS outfit, Columbus Crew last weekend. Scored (possibly gotw) and cleared a saved peno off the line.
Moffat went nowhere in Scotland at any level after youth footie (Kilmarnock youths, Elgin City)... but possibly has found a home in the MLS.
now back to Lapira...
I have a friend who uis an Aberdeen fan. he saw Joe play one game for the Aberdeen reserves. According to him lapira looked out of his depth even at that low level. Another great memory from the Stan era
He played his first game for them last weekend.
Fair point but in any organisation the buck stops with the boss (hierarchy). It's embarressing for the FAI as an organisation because of what Stan did.Quote:
Originally Posted by amaccann
(according to wikipedia): Nybergsund is a village in the municipality of Trysil, Norway. Its population (2005) is 329.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Do you honestly think he has turned down Toronto in favour of a village team?
I've posted before that capping Lapira was a joke and having a thread about him in this forum is a farce. If discussion about Gamble, Healy, Farrelly, Byrne, Crowe (and all the up and coming local players is confined to the eL forum then discussion about Lapira should be confined to the forum on World Football (or the forum titled Rubbish).
I don't think it, I know it. I live in Canada and Lapira was talked about by Mo Johnston (manager) hopefully in the Canadian sports media.Quote:
Originally Posted by fergalr
It is a bizarre career choice, and nobody can really understand it, but it is a choice as screwed up as it seems.
This was written before he signed in Norway:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/f...6908-20298688/Quote:
MO JOHNSTON is threatening to hijack Aberdeen's move for striker Joseph Lapira.
The former Celtic, Rangers and Scotland striker is holding out hope he can convince the NCAA attacker to sign for his Toronto FC outfit after picking him in the fourth round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
Lapira, who has represented the Republic of Ireland due to parentage, is at Pittodrie on a trial.
Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood is running the rule over the international hitman with a view to making a move.
Johnston, however, remains hopeful of luring him back across the Atlantic.
He said: "I talked to Lapira on the day of the draft and I talked to his agent.
"We don't think it's a done deal that he'll stay in Europe. I'm excited about trying to lure Lapira here.
"We used a late-round draft pick but I think it is important we try to get a kid like Lapira to play."
The fact that he took a bizarre route to an Irish cap means that people are going to be interested. Its a strange story but of all the things Stan did, this was one of the more harmless. He's an Irish international so I don't see the problem with having a thread on him (although admittedly one would do)Quote:
I've posted before that capping Lapira was a joke and having a thread about him in this forum is a farce. If discussion about Gamble, Healy, Farrelly, Byrne, Crowe (and all the up and coming local players is confined to the eL forum then discussion about Lapira should be confined to the forum on World Football (or the forum titled Rubbish).
On another note, Ciaran Martyn said that when he was out on loan in Norway, the standard was a lot higher than the Eircom League. Admittefly that's probably not the case for the 2nd division but worth bearing in mind.
I agree it woulda been nice to see him sign for an Irish club.
He scored a brace on his debut.
It was his 2nd game.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philly
Lapira has left his club playing in the Second Division in Norway. Rumor has it he's on trial with Barcelona and Chelsea are also in the hunt for his signature. I don't actually have any clue where he's gone, maybe he rose back to his true home yesterday :p
He scored against me in Football Manager the other day. Neat turn of pace if I remember correctly.
This thread says Staunton had him on trial at Darlo in January! I wonder where he is now...
would he make a 1st div side? cork maybe?
He should go back to North America and play in the MLS.
would he make an MLS team?
No idea, but the standard of football is very poor here. He was the NCAA player of the year in his senior year at college, so he'd get a shot for sure. I think Toronto FC own his rights.
Anyone have his number? My team is looking for guys and if he still lives near Notre Dame Chicago isn't too far (technically the league is semi-professional). :p
He played in the game at Giants Stadium vs Ecuador.
Bloody awful game.
He was selected 35th in the MLS draft in 2008. PLayers selected below 20th aren't usually offered professional deals
To put it in perspective, Pats' Ryan Guy was selected 22nd in 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_MLS_SuperDraft
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_MLS_SuperDraft
he would make mervue or limerick at least
Lapira was very highly regarded by MLS teams, and would have been selected very early on; however, he expressed his desire to play in Europe before the draft, so most teams avoided him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Toronto FC "wasted" a late pick on him because they felt the slight chance of him signing was worth the risk, as it was a late round pick anyway.
Just because he hadn't earned an Ireland cap doesn't mean he's a joke; this guy was very good at the college level in America, and it's not his fault he was selected for Ireland.
Toronto FC would be very happy to have a young player of his calibre return to North America.
Personally, I hope he becomes a good solid pro wherever he goes, just to shut some people up in this place.
EDIT: I've added a couple of sources:
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=ro-draft011808Quote:
7. The best player in the draft goes … 35th?
Johnston also took arguably the best player in the draft at No. 35, but it is unlikely he will ever get to use him.
Notre Dame's Joseph Lapira, who has already represented the Republic of Ireland national team, looks certain to pursue options in Europe rather than play in MLS. However, if for any reason things do not work out and he decides to play in North America within the next two years, Toronto would hold his rights.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...499902&cc=5901Quote:
Johnston could wind up with the steal of the draft when he grabbed Lapira in the third round. If Lapira signs with MLS, Toronto will have run away with this draft.
http://www.onlyonefootball.com/?p=10Quote:
Joseph Lapira, the once-capped Republic Of Ireland international and former Notre Dame star, was one of the most exciting prospects to come out of the MLS draft. Lapira fell to the third round since it was well known that he would put a pursuit of a career in Europe as his top priority. Still, Toronto FC took a gamble on the striker.
http://proplayerpipeline.wordpress.c...team-analysis/Quote:
Toronto FC draft fortune is based upon possibilities. If Lapira (#35) signs with MLS, they have the steal of the draft with a mid 3rd round selection.
Yep, and he's doing nothing now so its immaterial
Surely he would have been better off playing in the MLS rather than the Norwegian 2nd divison, or where ever he was.
Had a look for him on that Norweigan club's website, but no sign of him. What's he at this season I wonder?
I posted in another thread that last he was heard negotiating with a professional team in India:Quote:
Originally Posted by AlaskaFox
http://zipsport.com/wordpress/?p=683Quote:
Irish-American footballer Joseph Lapira, who has played internationally for Ireland is looking to a move to Kolkata club Mohun Bagan.
For who? Dell?...Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Laugh at MLS if you wish, but it is light years ahead of the League of Ireland. Players in the US are coached properly and the league in general is technically better than the Championship in England. In the games MLS teams have played against Premier League teams they have fared quite well. Admittedly the MLS teams would be no match for EPL teams in mid-season but generally speaking US soccer is on the right road and has been for some time. Keep in mind they were Leinster Senior League level about 15 years ago. It's all about coaching at the end of the day!
if Ireland/the FAI could retain its best players or the majority of them as the MLS does then we would be light years ahead of the MLS. Its more than just coaching. Ireland has a lot of good coaches at every level.
Though i agree that it is overall a better league than LOI, I have to say that the defending in the MLS is atrocious (generally).
Set-piece defending in the MLS is laughable. I remember watching a match a month or two ago where the centre-forward was being marked by FOUR defenders on a free kick near the corner flag. Smart little pass to one of the wide open players, and bang, goal.
mark is correct the mls is a decent standerd and can hammer any loi side. they have soccer stadiums here and quite good ones. they have a amature u23 league that acts as the 4th division here in the usa. even though they are u23 they are run as a pro team and play in the national cup. also the mls players leave the mls to go to top flight leagues. jozy altadore left mls to go to villareal in spain. donovan left for everton bocanegea to fulham ect. how many loi players go right to the english prem right away? our guys go t northampton town then get released!! the loi can learn alot from the mls in the way of developement of players ok the league is weak in some areas but the players are leaving mls for TOP FLIGHT TEAMS not league 2 sides in england. the usa have more players playing top flight football than ireland does. we can learn from the mls the league is a good standard and has come a long way since it 1st started. there miles ahead of the loi