Updated my list of MLS Supporters Club....true I left some off, so if you know any that I'm not reppin' please let me know.
Thankful list:
1. The FIRE will have one more fan next year (my newborn son or daughter).
2. The league finally got it's Beckham Cup. After all, they had to deal with quite a bit of hubris to get to that point.
3. Jesse Marsh calling Houston's bluff. You know the guy spent time in Chicago.
4. John Harkes being out of a job. Cold hearted, yes, but man that guy could make a winning lottery ticket seem lame.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Midfield Throw-ins
- As you know, I'm a huge supporter of MLS fan clubs (with a special affinity for Chicago's Section 8). Here's a great article from ESPN on the rise of the MLS fan clubs. I've also updated the fan club links on the main page.
- Tell me if this sounds familiar, MLS based US defensive midfielder loses head, acts out, gets sent off and puts team in bad position. If you are a Real Salt Lake fan, that sounds very familiar as Kyle Beckerman flushed any hope of a supporters shield down the toilet getting sent off in the 10th minute of Wednesday's game against Chicago. If Kyle's head can't handle (or maybe it handled it too much) Daniel Paladini, how is he going to be able to handle the antics of any Central America player? I have a feeling we may find out in the next year and will not like the results.
- Frank Klopas certainly didn't dream that he would have a hard time selecting a team for the Open Cup final after the triumph over Richmond. Sure he knew he'd be facing three matches in seven days, but he surely couldn't have guessed he'd have his team in position to not only make the playoffs, but still have a shot at the division crown. Every game is a must win now. I think he has Interm-Manager of the Year on lockdown.
- Sure seems to be a number of slight, nagging injuries that pop up when Henry and Becks have to get on planes these days. If fans outside of NY and LA are showing up to see Henry and Becks, then that ticket purchase is a gamble these days isn't it?
- Since Open Cup matches go to the highest bidder and attendances have been good, you think they could pony up a bit more for the finalists. $50K for the runner-up, ouch! And only twice that for the winner. Sell the naming rights and pump some cash into this grand old tournament.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday Night Football
I love the NFL and I'm happy that its back and that my beloved Bengals are amazingly 1-0, but the real show is tomorrow on Fox Soccer Channel, where the stakes top Week 1 in the NFL!
CONCACAF Champions League Showdown: USA V. Mexico
8PM EST - The Galaxy travel to Morelia to try to keep MLS perfect record in Mexico entact (I have to use it while we got it!). I'm sure the accomodations and hospitality won't be anything Robbie Keane hasn't seen before in Europe.
11PM EST - Defending champs Rapids take on Bob Bradley snubbers Santos Laguna at the Big Sporting Goods Park.
CONCACAF Champions League Showdown: USA V. Mexico
8PM EST - The Galaxy travel to Morelia to try to keep MLS perfect record in Mexico entact (I have to use it while we got it!). I'm sure the accomodations and hospitality won't be anything Robbie Keane hasn't seen before in Europe.
11PM EST - Defending champs Rapids take on Bob Bradley snubbers Santos Laguna at the Big Sporting Goods Park.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
A few thoughts
A.On Facebook, Fox Soccer just asked "What EPL stadium would you most like to visit?" My answer, Craven Cottage of course. A sampling of some other answers:
1. Ibrox
2. Wembley Stadium
3. Estadio De Luz
Granted, Facebook is not my go to source for soccer knowledge, but come on people!
B. Congrats to FC Dallas for breaking the MLS curse in Mexico. Now I can laugh whenever I see a Pumas jersey.
C. A statement by the Eddie Gavenless Columbus Crew last night. Looks like a few Columbians have started to notice that a first place team is back at MLS' First stadium.
D. Victory for the Dynamo and MLS Academies as Alex Dixon fired the Orange into second place in the eastern conference with the last kick of the match.
1. Ibrox
2. Wembley Stadium
3. Estadio De Luz
Granted, Facebook is not my go to source for soccer knowledge, but come on people!
B. Congrats to FC Dallas for breaking the MLS curse in Mexico. Now I can laugh whenever I see a Pumas jersey.
C. A statement by the Eddie Gavenless Columbus Crew last night. Looks like a few Columbians have started to notice that a first place team is back at MLS' First stadium.
D. Victory for the Dynamo and MLS Academies as Alex Dixon fired the Orange into second place in the eastern conference with the last kick of the match.
Friday, December 31, 2010
The Celtic Swoop
You may have noticed that Freddie Ljungberg has transferred to Celtic. Depending on his form this could really wind up being the final stage of a watershed move for MLS.
If Freddie can be a strong contributor to Celtic, it will kick open the door for players unwilling to accept transfers to Bottom 10 or Second Division (or lower teams) and rather accept transfers for DP money stateside regardless of age with the hopes of rebuilding their careers, cashing in and returning to former glories. Ironic eh?
For my money, Becks and Donovan have already proved that top caliber MLS players can step into top level European teams and be contributors. Can Freddy affirm this?
Could the MLS, make up for the next ten years be:
1. 65%- CONCACAF and fringe African up and comers (examples: Ream, Pappa, Nyarko)
2. 20% - Just shy of national team or fringe national team players from South America (Fernandez, Conde, etc.)
3. 10% -Rehabbing/Reclaimation Euro/Mexican "Stars": (Ljundberg, Castillo Collins John, etc.)
4. 2%- Retiring Euro Stars (Henry, Stoitchkov)
5. 3% - Height of power, world class (or near world class) players (Donovan, Bravo, Beckham, DeRo, Marquez)
Certainly some bone can be picked as to the time periods where I'm classifying some of these guys, but I think the major buckets have been hit. It is also important to note that without the DP rule, #3 and #5 would not even be options.
The other big Celtic/MLS story is the "unauthorized" training of DeRo with the Hoops. There is quite a bit of press over the Freddie move in Glasgow, but this DeRo thing should be the front page news. Although he is only one year younger than Freddie (32!, I know I was shocked too), he has always had "it" and would be a huge loss of MLS. Heck, just the historical significance of being the only strong pick up of the Trader Mo era makes DeRo worth keeping. Jeez, this thing is really coming full circle!
If Freddie can be a strong contributor to Celtic, it will kick open the door for players unwilling to accept transfers to Bottom 10 or Second Division (or lower teams) and rather accept transfers for DP money stateside regardless of age with the hopes of rebuilding their careers, cashing in and returning to former glories. Ironic eh?
For my money, Becks and Donovan have already proved that top caliber MLS players can step into top level European teams and be contributors. Can Freddy affirm this?
Could the MLS, make up for the next ten years be:
1. 65%- CONCACAF and fringe African up and comers (examples: Ream, Pappa, Nyarko)
2. 20% - Just shy of national team or fringe national team players from South America (Fernandez, Conde, etc.)
3. 10% -Rehabbing/Reclaimation Euro/Mexican "Stars": (Ljundberg, Castillo Collins John, etc.)
4. 2%- Retiring Euro Stars (Henry, Stoitchkov)
5. 3% - Height of power, world class (or near world class) players (Donovan, Bravo, Beckham, DeRo, Marquez)
Certainly some bone can be picked as to the time periods where I'm classifying some of these guys, but I think the major buckets have been hit. It is also important to note that without the DP rule, #3 and #5 would not even be options.
The other big Celtic/MLS story is the "unauthorized" training of DeRo with the Hoops. There is quite a bit of press over the Freddie move in Glasgow, but this DeRo thing should be the front page news. Although he is only one year younger than Freddie (32!, I know I was shocked too), he has always had "it" and would be a huge loss of MLS. Heck, just the historical significance of being the only strong pick up of the Trader Mo era makes DeRo worth keeping. Jeez, this thing is really coming full circle!
Monday, December 6, 2010
US Soccer Snob Update - 12/6
I'm just throwing this update out there as I figured I'd have the MLS news market cornered today.
A couple of things on my mind since my last post (three years ago...).
1. I think it is safe to say that the 2010 MLSCup was a disaster:
2. As was the announcement that the next playoffs will have 10 teams.
3. Speaking of unmitigated disasters: The Chicago Fire
5. Amazing Stadiums: From RedBull Arena and PPL Park last year to BC Place and Sporting KC next year. Crew Stadium is virtually on the scrap heap already (with Toyota Park not far behind).
6. The Denilson Award goes to Mista for outstanding underachievement.
7. The streak is alive: No designated player has ever hoisted an MLS cup. Well, I guess there was one thing to like about MLSCup 2010.
Please check out: beerandsoccer.com for "real" fake soccer news.
A couple of things on my mind since my last post (three years ago...).
1. I think it is safe to say that the 2010 MLSCup was a disaster:
2. As was the announcement that the next playoffs will have 10 teams.
3. Speaking of unmitigated disasters: The Chicago Fire
- De Los Cobos
- Busch Release
- Nery Castillo
- Post Season: 8 departures and counting: McBride (retirement), CJ (retirement), Lowry (expansion draft), Thorrington (expansion draft), Krol (released), John (released), Ljunberg (get me out), Conde (get me out). More to come!
5. Amazing Stadiums: From RedBull Arena and PPL Park last year to BC Place and Sporting KC next year. Crew Stadium is virtually on the scrap heap already (with Toyota Park not far behind).
6. The Denilson Award goes to Mista for outstanding underachievement.
7. The streak is alive: No designated player has ever hoisted an MLS cup. Well, I guess there was one thing to like about MLSCup 2010.
Please check out: beerandsoccer.com for "real" fake soccer news.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
US Soccer Snob's US Soccer Update - 5/28/08
MLS Game of the Week
Chicago FIRE 5 - NYRB 1
The Bulls game into match riding a nice unbeaten streak, while the FIRE were still smarting from dropping just their second match of the year. What a difference 90 minutes makes! Again on the edge of a benching the maddening Chad Barrett completes the brace while DP Blanco, showed DP Reyna what it’s like to actually earn your paycheck with a goal and two assists. You think there’s any correlation between Arenas firing and the Reyna transaction? Nah! Pure speculation. Barrett even said what the rest of the team wouldn’t (again), that they were out to show Juan Carlos O$orio that he made a mistake going to the side where coaches go to die.
MOTM – Gonzalo Segares – Sega was a monster shutting down the dangerous Dane Richards and putting one in the back of the net to boot.
MLS Notes
Goal of the Week – Although Beck’s 73 yard bomb was the picture of accuracy, Tom McManus’ 40 yard sizzler to beat an actual keeper got my vote.
The Quakes stepped up on national TV to take down their former selves at the first opportunity. Ann Killion at the Mercury news declared it the day the Earthquakes were officially reborn.
Steve Nash – why wouldn’t you invest in a Montreal team?
State of the Nation
Learning from Arena’s pre-World Cup(cake) warm-ups in ‘06, Bob Bradley prepares the boys for Barbados with a brutal three game stretch against England, Spain and Argentina. While the matches are all friendlies, if the US can get four theoretical points from these matches, it would amount to a statement.
First, the Red, White and Blue step onto the revered Wembley pitch on Wednesday intent on handing England their latest loss. The Three Lions, clearly overlooking the US, were still focused on the results of the Champions League final and the EPL at recent press conferences. This was taken to an extreme as Fabio Capello handed John Terry the captain’s armband in what amounts to a “Get Well Soon” card. Look for a motivated US to get at least a draw from a less than full strength England side.
On the Eurorail
Gooch looks for an escape route out of Belguim, but still must have Titus Bramble cooties on him. Think he’ll be motivated Wednesday.
The other half of the presumed US starting central defense, Carlos Bocanegra, was sent packing by Fulham and will also be looking to impress.
Freddy Adu received less than 200 minutes of first team action in his first season at Benfica. Freddy’s got a big summer coming up and always seems to step it up when wearing the national team jersey, however, it will be interesting to see if the Portuguese splinters (cork?) affect his play in upcoming string of games.
Kasey Keller is right where you never want to be as a keeper, stranded. While he is a year away from a near certain move to MLS’ Seattle franchise, his starting role at Fulham is likely gone due to the signing of Aussie Mark Schwartzer. All Keller did was stand on his head at times to give Fulham the opportunity to save their butts. Keller could point to the goal differential that saved the Cottagers as the reason he should be between the posts next season.
Eddie Johnson, please report to the nearest team trainer. We need to get a pulse check.
Chicago FIRE 5 - NYRB 1
The Bulls game into match riding a nice unbeaten streak, while the FIRE were still smarting from dropping just their second match of the year. What a difference 90 minutes makes! Again on the edge of a benching the maddening Chad Barrett completes the brace while DP Blanco, showed DP Reyna what it’s like to actually earn your paycheck with a goal and two assists. You think there’s any correlation between Arenas firing and the Reyna transaction? Nah! Pure speculation. Barrett even said what the rest of the team wouldn’t (again), that they were out to show Juan Carlos O$orio that he made a mistake going to the side where coaches go to die.
MOTM – Gonzalo Segares – Sega was a monster shutting down the dangerous Dane Richards and putting one in the back of the net to boot.
MLS Notes
Goal of the Week – Although Beck’s 73 yard bomb was the picture of accuracy, Tom McManus’ 40 yard sizzler to beat an actual keeper got my vote.
The Quakes stepped up on national TV to take down their former selves at the first opportunity. Ann Killion at the Mercury news declared it the day the Earthquakes were officially reborn.
Steve Nash – why wouldn’t you invest in a Montreal team?
State of the Nation
Learning from Arena’s pre-World Cup(cake) warm-ups in ‘06, Bob Bradley prepares the boys for Barbados with a brutal three game stretch against England, Spain and Argentina. While the matches are all friendlies, if the US can get four theoretical points from these matches, it would amount to a statement.
First, the Red, White and Blue step onto the revered Wembley pitch on Wednesday intent on handing England their latest loss. The Three Lions, clearly overlooking the US, were still focused on the results of the Champions League final and the EPL at recent press conferences. This was taken to an extreme as Fabio Capello handed John Terry the captain’s armband in what amounts to a “Get Well Soon” card. Look for a motivated US to get at least a draw from a less than full strength England side.
On the Eurorail
Gooch looks for an escape route out of Belguim, but still must have Titus Bramble cooties on him. Think he’ll be motivated Wednesday.
The other half of the presumed US starting central defense, Carlos Bocanegra, was sent packing by Fulham and will also be looking to impress.
Freddy Adu received less than 200 minutes of first team action in his first season at Benfica. Freddy’s got a big summer coming up and always seems to step it up when wearing the national team jersey, however, it will be interesting to see if the Portuguese splinters (cork?) affect his play in upcoming string of games.
Kasey Keller is right where you never want to be as a keeper, stranded. While he is a year away from a near certain move to MLS’ Seattle franchise, his starting role at Fulham is likely gone due to the signing of Aussie Mark Schwartzer. All Keller did was stand on his head at times to give Fulham the opportunity to save their butts. Keller could point to the goal differential that saved the Cottagers as the reason he should be between the posts next season.
Eddie Johnson, please report to the nearest team trainer. We need to get a pulse check.
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