Henry to New York exactly what MLS needs

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07/12/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In one of the worst-kept secrets in soccer, French striker Thierry Henry will be announced as Red Bull New York's second designated player at a press conference on Thursday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

What does the signing of the former Arsenal and Barcelona star mean to New York and Major League Soccer?

Everything.

Not only will signing the 32-year-old star add a big name to help Red Bull and MLS gain some long-term traction in the New York market, but it will immediately put MLS in the news cycle after the dramatic World Cup exploits of the United States national team put soccer's popularity in America at an all- time high.

The fact that New York is able to add one of the top scorers in English Premier League history, a player only three years removed from being Arsenal's captain, is a major coup for MLS.

Don't believe me? Ask Henry's buddy, Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash, also part-owner of the 2011 MLS Expansion Vancouver Whitecaps.

"He's played at some of the biggest clubs in the world," said Nash at Red Bull Arena on Saturday. "He's had a fantastic time at Arsenal, a fantastic time at Barcelona and when you've been a professional soccer player at the highest level with all those expectations since you're 17, sometimes you welcome a change."

Nash went on to talk about how much Henry loves New York and the United States, and how much he can add to MLS.

"I think we're lucky, too, because Thierry's still a world-class player," he said. "We've seen players come over before who've shown how great they were but not necessarily every night. I think he's still capable of playing at the highest level of this game. It's amazing that he's willing to come over here at this stage of his career, to be honest."

Not since the Los Angeles Galaxy signed David Beckham prior to the 2007 season has MLS scored such an international star.

In a league where the Galaxy have cornered the market in both points and headlines (even with the long-term Achilles injury to Beckham), New York now has an opportunity to balance out the spotlight with its own star, in the first year of its brand-new soccer-specific stadium.

Prior to the 2010 MLS season, New York's other designated player, striker Juan Pablo Angel, told The Sportsbook Betting Lines he was "excited about [opening Red Bull Arena] because I'm sure it will change the perspective of the game in this region."

Now with Henry, and the Red Bulls reportedly closing in on a third DP, that perspective should continue to evolve.

"Getting top-quality, experienced players is obviously going to help us continue what looks like a decent year for the club," New York general manager Erik Soler told media on Saturday. "We're going to get a good player in and we'll have to take it from there and see. It will lift the whole team and make everybody even sharper and better, and it will be a great experience for us."

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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