Dynamo forward Ngwenya to try out in Germany

[rhino17]

Dynamo forward Ngwenya to try out in Germany
Dynamo forward Joseph Ngwenya is in Germany for a weeklong tryout with second-division club Alemannia Aachen.

Because Ngwenya's contract with the MLS champions expires at year's end, the Dynamo tried to re-sign him prior to him leaving for Germany. Ngwenya, however, preferred to attend the tryout with a clear head, Dynamo chief operating officer Chris Canetti said Tuesday.

Should things not work out for Ngwenya, with Alemannia Aachen, the Dynamo, who retain the Zimbabwe native's MLS rights, will welcome him back with open arms.

"We want him back (with the Dynamo) and we made that clear to him," Canetti said. "Our objective is to have him back with us."

Because Ngwenya is still under contract, the Dynamo could have denied him the chance to undergo the tryout but decided against it, Canetti said.

Ngwenya, 26, came to the Dynamo from the Columbus Crew in May via trade and was instrumental in helping the team to a second straight MLS championship.

He scored the tying goal in the Dynamo's 2-1 MLS Cup victory over the New England Revolution on Nov. 18. Ngwenya finished the regular season tied for the scoring lead (seven goals). He also tallied three assists in 25 starts.

"I always do a little training in Europe after the season and if an opportunity comes up, great, but if not I'll be back in orange next year," Ngwenya said. "Either way I hope this experience will help get me better as a player."

Alemannia Aachen, which spent last season in the Bundesliga's top division before being relegated, is ninth in the second division, 12 points behind leader Borussia Moenchengladbach..
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5334206.html

[leroy420]

Good luck to him. This isn't an uncommon thing with MLS players. You'll start seeing more and more head overseas over the next month or so to train with teams. Most end up back here, but some will stick (Bocanegra, McBride...well most of the Fullham roster).

[emjohn]

Man, if you're leaving us for Germany, at least tryout for FC Bayern.

Evan

[Puedlfor]

Good luck to the young man. Players progressing from the MLS to success overseas can only help the league in the long term.

[Hippieloser]

I read that the Iguana did the same last offseason. Hope he comes back, we need the depth.

[DrLudicrous]

I wish him the best, but at a totally selfish level I hope he's playing in Houston next year. I thought he had potential when we got him but wasn't sure how it would work out, he more than proved his value to the team over the season though.

I wonder if these smaller division and leagues are really that much better of an option than MLS. Bundesliga 2 can't be that much better if any, but a lot of players end up in smaller European leagues like Denmark and Switzerland. I wonder if it's money, level of play, or a stepping stone to bigger European leagues that draws players to there.

[ferrari77]

I wish him the best, but at a totally selfish level I hope he's playing in Houston next year. I thought he had potential when we got him but wasn't sure how it would work out, he more than proved his value to the team over the season though.

I wonder if these smaller division and leagues are really that much better of an option than MLS. Bundesliga 2 can't be that much better if any, but a lot of players end up in smaller European leagues like Denmark and Switzerland. I wonder if it's money, level of play, or a stepping stone to bigger European leagues that draws players to there.


Its all about pay. If Ngwenya resigns with Houston, he will not make a dime more than 150k while at a 2nd div. team in europe he could pickup around 200-300 k or at least 150 k.

its all money.

[Stack24]

Not only money factors in his..the fact that he will get more exposure and does well he has a chance of landing in higher divisions. He has to move up somehow while he is in his prime.

Good luck to him even though I would like him to come back.