well stars past their prime can help, but can destroy a team in the long run.
im not realy a fan of it, they should focus on younger players. the problem is, the MLS isnt so attractive for younger players.

1 - For playing ML, yes it's good. It isn't an European or Latin America level roster, tough. They have some interesting youg guys and the more experienced Lampard and Villa that will make a lot of difference.

2 - It varies, but is around 40 years. It depends on the position too. A wing-back is the guy that runs the longest distances during a match and usually have to run the entire field in a single play, so he will have problems with age earlier. A center forward can stay close to the opponents goal and just move in that tiny area waiting a chance, so he can play until an older age.

3 - Yes, he does. The current cap (the maximum per player, I'm not even talking about the team's cap) is crap. A new talented player in Brazil or Argentina will be paid more than that and probably move to an European team for much more. An experienced player will get more than that in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, maybe Mexico, England, Germany, Russia, France, Portugal, Spain, etc. When Seedorf left Milan, he came to Botafogo in Brazil and was paid way more than that. In Latin America some players are closer to the MLS team cap than to the regular player cap! In major EU leagues a top player or a simply good one can get more than the current team cap.

4 - Don't think so. They can use it as a B team, sending new talents that need experience and probably older guys that won't play in their main team anymore. I see that as a big advantage for NYC, since these new talents would be generally held by their original team with iron clads until they got a contract with a good salary and ended up sold for a big team. It's good to note that most Manchester City players are way, way, over the NYC budget, so they won't "steal" any player and will probably provide new talents and older experienced guys, and that's great.

Remember, new talented guys (like Neymar some years ago before all the fame) are great. You get some years of a guy that in 5 years may be one of the most exoensive players in the world and would be totally out of your reach. But you need some experienced players too. Of course, they aren't the athletes they used to be, but in harder competitions the new guys usually suffer with the pressure and you need an experienced guy that won't be affected by it.

Usually field players begin to break down in their early 30's and goalkeepers in their mid-late 30's, but there are factors that have an impact on this like how many parties he attends each day. Just look at Ronaldinho...

Rivaldo is one of the most underrated players ever and one of the best players I've ever see (this). He won the 2002 World Cup for Brazil.

OT: Yeah, this team is OK for MLS. In general, the players are not too old.

also a great actor :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiW0IPrv1Ro

As far as I know you are allowed 3 salary cap exceptions to allow foreign players or huge local players (Donovan)

But with $3m, you're not going to get much quality, are you sure that's right? Most of the players on Chelsea or Man City's roster earn that in themselves. Their overall budgets are well over $100m

In terms of age, peak is 25-30 in general. But their decline all depend on how important their physical skills are to them. Lampard for example has lasted extraordinary well, but isn't going to be as good as he has been for Chelsea and won't quite have the stamina

One of The most important things for a Club is to have a junior team, base teams, thats is the cheapest and most effective way of succeeding in football. Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi all come from that. Americans teams does not put proper money on that comparing with Brazilian and Spanish clubs. Hiring star can be costly and they might not end up play well with others. That's why some Asian teams are not successful, even though they have star power.

First, it is no soccer, it's football! It will be necessary when you discuss it with other people

Anyway, nice that you will try to get into the sport, I know it is sooooooooooooo different from other american sports and I know it is hard for americans to enjoy it. But believe me, it is a very passionate sport, fans go totally crazy about their teams.

Myself for example, live in Brazil, but travelled all the way to Japan to see my team win the FIFA club world cup against Chelsea (england).

Heck, even my avatar is a picture of my team logo.

I hope you enjoy. All the world likes it, give some time, get to know the rules, get past the fact that there are ties and the players like to fake injuries, the referees makes a lot of mistakes (which causes weeks/years of discussions). Its all part of the show.

People have already given their opinion but thought I'd give mine.

1) Yes, with Fat Frank alone. However, he's out on loan at Man City (the parent club) much to the annoyance of a lot of people (Financial fair play rules being questioned).

2) Majority outfield players 32 up. There are exceptions, Fat Frank on NYC for one. Ryan Giggs was 40 before he retired. Pirlo is another great example, sometimes skill comes with experience. Keepers on the other had can go until they are late 30s.

3) Yes, Beckham knows his sh**

4) Yes, see Fat Frank. :P

Will Manchester use this to abuse and screw over NYC?

They already have lol.