|
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber rejected suggestions that New York City FC is merely a farm team for Premier League club Manchester City, while declining to comment specifically on reports that Steven Gerrard could be joining the league. Garber spoke to SI.com about a number of topics, including the recent news that Frank Lampard would be staying with Man City until the end of the 2014-15 Prem season. "I sensed this was coming, and it didn't surprise me when they ultimately made their decision," said Garber about the Lampard situation. "You're dealing with a very unusual set of circumstances. "Frank has become one of the most important players in Man City's season, and he's scored critical goals to have them tied for first place in the Premier League." Nonetheless, Garber admitted the way things shook out with the former Chelsea great's move to NYCFC was perhaps a bit confusing for fans and understood their frustration, but remained confident the club would easily mend those fences. "If there was an error in judgment on this, it was not just announcing that he would come in July and figuring out how to manage the start of the season," said Garber. "[It's] no different than what happened with Robbie Keane or Thierry Henry or David Beckham. Garber said that Lampard would be joining NYCFC in July along with other MLS Designated Players in the same way they have throughout the history of the DP program in MLS. "I think it's important to say this: These guys [NYCFC] are very committed to MLS and committed to New York. They have made an unprecedented investment in MLS and New York City, and they are going to continue to do so." The other big news over the New Year holiday was that Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is leaving the club he's played his entire career for at the end of the season. That's big news in it's own right, but it's made bigger for the commissioner and MLS fans by the subsequent rumours that Gerrard's new home could be with the LA Galaxy. Garber was more tight-lipped on those dealings, but did not deny there were negotiations taking place, saying in part, "we expect more details soon," but that he couldn't comment further at the time.
|
