Player Focus: Which MLS Club Could Rio Ferdinand Move To?

MLS was once derided as the retirement home of world football. Of course, that was never totally true, but the early days of the league did see a number of ageing stars pick up one final paycheque before calling it a day.

Now Rio Ferdinand is said to be keen on a move to MLS, with a number of sides interested in the former England international. David Beckham is rumoured to be eyeing up a move for Ferdinand for his new Miami franchise, but with MLS unlikely to take root in South Florida until at least 2017 or 2018 the 35-year-old defender will more likely be thinking about retirement by then.

Ferdinand would be a Designated Player, surely commanding one of the highest salaries in the league. Subsequently that would rule out a number of markets and teams. So which MLS teams could do with someone like Ferdinand?

CHICAGO FIRE

Frank Yallop’s side aren’t so much leaking goals but flooding MLS with them. In just 10 games this season they have conceded 19 times. Much of that defensive uncertainty comes from the full-back positions, but centre-backs Bakary Soumare and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado have hardly covered themselves in glory either.

Yet Soumare’s statistics suggest that Chicago’s problem is the defensive resolution of the central midfield. The Malian centre-back makes an average of 4.4 interceptions per game (ranking him third in the league), illustrating just how busy he has been in a frenetic season for the Fire. In that sense the organisational skills of Ferdinand would be welcome.

But if Ferdinand is looking for a comfortable way to ease into retirement, he won’t find it at Chicago.

NEW YORK RED BULLS

After a disappointing start to the season, the New York Red Bulls are climbing the Eastern Conference table again. But there’s still work to be done at the back.

The Red Bulls still have one Designated Player slot to fill, with Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill occupying the other two places, and with the failure of big-name defender Rafa Marquez – who never really bought into MLS – New York might be keen to use their third DP place on Ferdinand.

Yet would the former Man Utd man really be an improvement on Jamison Olave and Armando, or at least a big enough improvement to warrant a DP spot? Ferdinand undoubtedly endured a poor season at United, averaging just 1.4 interceptions per game (less than Tom Cleverley and Marouane Fellaini) and 0.7 tackles per game (less than Alexander Büttner and Nani).

Olave in comparison averages 2.7 interceptions and 1.6 tackles per game, making him one of the most dependable defenders in the league. Three years ago the Red Bulls spent a fortune on Marquez, a player who was so far past his peak he was out of his depth in MLS. They don’t want to make the same mistake with Ferdinand.

PHILADELPHIA UNION

John Hackworth’s side could certainly do with a defender of Ferdinand’s experience and stature, but considering how the Philadelphia Union have someone like Maurice Edu – on loan from Stoke City – as a DP, such a signing would be nothing more than a pipe dream.

Last week’s 5-3 defeat to the New England Revolution showed just how shaky the Union are at the back, allowing 16 shots on goal for the opposition, 10 of them on target.

Between them that day, the Union defensive due of Austin Berry and Aaron Wheeler made just 5 interceptions, and most worryingly for the club, that was the highest such tally across the team. Ferdinand would at least provide some leadership at the back.

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Peter Vermes’ side have one of the best, if not the best, centre-back pairing in MLS in Matt Besler and Aurelien Collin. But the situation at full-back hasn’t been quite so solid, with Chance Myers – one of the best defensive-minded full-backs in the league, averaging 2.5 tackles per game - struggling through injury for much of the season.

With Ferdinand on the roster Vermes could either move to a back three, using wing-backs and slotting the former Man Utd defender alongside Besler and Collin.

A more likely scenario is one where one of the Sporting KC back four leaves for Europe, whether it be Besler, Collin or either Seth Sinovic. Vermes’ whole system is based on defensive stability, so Ferdinand would be an experienced replacement for any of those three.

NEW YORK CITY FC/ LOS ANGELES SOCCER CLUB

If Ferdinand is to move Stateside it’s possible that the team he would join doesn’t technically exist at the moment. As mentioned already, the defender would likely seek a move to a marquee market, with New York City FC starting up next year.

But if NYC FC’s ownership – a joint venture between Manchester City and the Yankees – proves a problem for the Man Utd icon, then perhaps a move to the West coast would be a better fit.

Chivas USA will be no more when the 2015 season kicks off, after the league purchased the failing franchise for $75 million earlier this year. In its place will rise Los Angeles Soccer Club, or so the leaked trademark registers say. Ferdinand could be tempted by a move to the glitz and glamour of LA, while the yet-to-be-rebranded franchise would have a household name to sell tickets in a new stadium.

Where do you think Rio Ferdinand will end up? Let us know in the comments below