Passion thy name is Soccer

Let's get it started!

2007-02-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

Let the games begin!

The MLS season is still over a month away, but two MLS club see some legitimate action tonight when Houston and DC United play the first games in their respective CONCACAF Champions Cup series.

The Dynamo take on Costa Rican club Puntarenas this afternoon and United play Olimpia in the night cap. Both games, as well as subsequent showings, are on the Fox Soccer Channel.

Hopefully both will do well. But more importantly, we're playing soccer again!

Is Colorado the Rapids or are the Arsenal?

2007-02-01T18:30:00.000-08:00

Who knows what Colorado's going to do now. Sure they've changed the colors, again, and it was always rumored that a name change may be on the horizon. But man. Arsenal?

The above image is a captured screen image that someday got when they went to the Colorado website. Oops! They hadn't even been able to announce this greatest, great of the greatest things ever name change yet. Shucks!

It's true that Colorado has more of a legit claim on the name Arsenal since their new stadium is built on land from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, but what was wrong with the name Rapids? It was a fine name. When are people going to recognize you don't become some legitimate sport or team simply by the name and colors but by being a good team and putting a good product on the field? One also runs into a case where those who are familiar with Arsenal from London are going to think this is just a big poser move and those that aren't familiar with that renowned club are going to wondering why the hell they changed the name to Arsenal. The Rapids was fine.

Of course who knows how this is going to work out? Chivas USA came and the league went on. The MetroStars changed their name to the New York Red Bulls and still games are played. I'm sure the same will occur with this. But geez Louise. If you win and look good doing it, people will follow and pay attention no matter what you're called or what you look like.

2007 MLS schedule released Wed. 1/31 and MLS on XM Radio?

2007-01-29T20:07:00.000-08:00

Word out of the FC Dallas ticket office is the 2007 MLS schedule gets released this Wednesday, January 31st. Again, whether that actually happens or not, who knows. MLS and news releases don't always work out flawlessly.

Also, heard briefly while flipping through stations, that XM satellite radio will announce in a week or so that they've signed a deal to exclusively broadcast all the games from the upcoming MLS season. I know there are a lot of Sirius satellite fans out there so sorry. At least you still have the Premiere League though that doesn't do a lot of good in the summer. But don't worry, chances are XM and Sirius will merge before the end of the year, provided the SEC lets them.

I should be reiterated that the above are rumors but confidence is high in them. Let's get this thing started!

MLS 2007 schedule to be released in a few days?

2007-01-16T08:37:00.000-08:00

Just talked to a person who works with tickets sales for an MLS team who said the 2007 schedule should be out in a few days. Of course, we'll see.

This debunks my theory of the schedule release getting pushed back due to the Beckham signing and the league in turn trying to make sure every team gets at least 1 game with Becks after his August debut.

I'm still going to hold onto my theory, though, that the TV schedules won't be released until we know exactly when Beckham is showing up to play.

Beckham, Davids, Ronaldo, oh my!

2007-01-13T10:39:00.000-08:00

Even people in BFE North Korea have heard by now the David Beckham is joining the LA Galaxy for the 2007 campaign. Originally he wasn't going to suit up until August, but who knows about that now.

And then we have Dutch international Edgar Davids going to FC Dallas? Is he? Is he not?

And of course there's the constant speculation over Ronaldo making the move and Claudio Reyna coming home.

Who knew the DP slots would come into play so quickly? Obviously the Beckham deal was the worst kept secret and RBNY trying to bring in some studs was well known, but FCD trying to hop this crazy train is a bit of a surprise.

I like the Beckham deal more and more I think about it and the more one understands the financials a little better.

Most sane people appreciate that while he's not the best player, he's a damn good one who just happened to be able to capitalize on other assets than strictly talent.

He's the Brian McBride that made it big, i.e. he's probably the best craftsman of the game as compared to the artists like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, et al. He's not going to pull off incredible displays of dribbling and vision but when you ask him to take a free kick or hit a streaking forward pin point from 40 yards away he's going to do it better than anyone else.

It's just funny that a craftsman also became the most popular, world-wide, soccer player. Do hate on him for that. His wide-spread popularity never affected his on-field performance. He may not play the best every single game but he plays 100% every single game.

You also never have to worry about him embarrassing the club or the shirt. He doesn't do off-field antics that distract from his playing. The consummate professional.

The more money LA, other teams in the league, and MLS make the more they can put back into their clubs and upgrade the talent and quality over all. And if a bunch of hunk-happy girls who don't know anything about soccer want to help finance that, then that's fine with me.

And people seem to be talking about the attendance bump of people just wanting to come out and see Beckham as a bad thing. No matter what sport your in this happens. The home games against LA and Kobe, the Cavs and LeBron, Allen Iverson, et al. all have bumps in game attendance because people want to see them. It happened with Jordan. And that's the great thing about pro sports. A lot of the fun is seeing your team play but also see great players from other teams in person.

I hope people will calm down about all of this soon. This is the same hoopla that went on when Chivas USA was coming into the league at that situation resolved itself just fine, turning into an asset for the league.

Just another Beckham to MLS blog post. How special.

2007-01-11T06:07:00.000-08:00

I'm sure I'm only like the 1,000th person to post about the latest on the David Beckham to MLS saga that, if you believe Fox Sports, should resolve itself today sometime.

And there's this from Beckham's appearance on this morning ABC's "Good Morning America" when he's quoted saying, "I've played now for two of the biggest clubs in the world. I've played at the highest level for 15 years, and now I think I need another challenge."

Apparently, though no dotted line has been inked by Beckham for the LA Galaxy, they have a press conference tentatively scheduled for today. This just so happens to be the same day that Becks is supposedly supposed to tell Real Madrid, "thanks, but no thanks" to their two-year extension offer.

Because his current contract with the Galacticos does expire until June, Beckham would have to miss the first two months of MLS action before meeting up with his new team.

Is signing David Beckham a good move for MLS and the Galaxy? Some will adamantly argue "no" but I'm not necessarily in that camp.

LA would be able to get top dollar for what ever jersey sponsor they sell, they'll raise ticket prices, and I can promise that whatever stadium in the league the Galaxy goes to play at will be sold out. Kinda like the attendance boost Adu made but x10. The media attention the team, and vicariously MLS, will garner that year will be a dramatic boost as well, especially internationally.

I'd also be interested in seeing him paired with Landon Donovan. While he's not the best player in the world (nor really ever been) David Beckham is still more talented than all but a few in this league. Donovan, when he wants to be, is one of the few who's talent is on par with his. I think Donovan will be happy to have someone else to share the burden of expectations with rather then often have to carry his team on his own. The Gals getting Joe Canon in net during the off-season will also help.

The waffles in Belgium are better than in Fulham anyway

2007-01-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

So much for if I was a gambling man. Just when we're all (me included) getting all googoo over Onyewu to Fulham FC to join the already sizable group of Americans and ex-MLSers, the talks between Fulham and Gooch's Beligian team break down.

The issue seems to have been the low, low asking price Fulham wanted to pay for Onyewu's services. Agreed, $1.9 million does seem rather low for a player of his caliber. But we've already pointed out that the Middlesbrough deal was a little less at $1.8 million. I'm surprised the deal got as far as they did if money was going to be an issue. I would say, though, that if Fulham's going to dish out $4 million on Clint Dempsey, they could afford to pony up some more lolly for Gooch.

Of course a good player in the midfield may be worth more to them than a good play on the back line. They do already have Zat Knight.

I still wish Fulham could pull off the transfer, though it doesn't seem likely. If AC Milan's interest in Onyewu was serious than the Fulham talks would never have gotten as far as they did.

What Onyewu going to Fulham FC means for the USMNT.

2007-01-04T10:03:00.000-08:00

There are some interesting thoughts on the prospect of Gooch signing with Fulham FC and it's impact on the national team.

Some people have suggested that if the reports that AC Milan and Real Madrid are also interested in his services, than he should take those more seriously than the the lower profile Fulham one. I tend to reject this for the reason that I think it would be better that he be starting at Fulham against top Premiere League competition than riding the pine at the other two mega-clubs. Experience trumps all, especially that gained from playing in meaningful matches.

The things that his signing with Fulham would mean to the USMNT is that Onyewu would be playing against top level competition, which he wasn't in Belgium. Experience at a high level will be the biggest attribute he could bring the the national team. Also, it would pair him with Carlos Bocanegra on the back line, breeding a chemistry and familiarity that could prove to be a great asset in national team games.

Dotted lines have yet to be signed though, so as of now these are all "what ifs" and "could bes". If I had to wager, though, I'd say he signs with them. He would still need to get a work permit but back when he was supposed to go to Middlesbrough, there wasn't much of a concern he wouldn't get one.

Additionally, the low transfer amount of $1.96 million seems to have caught some people off guard. However, when Middlesbrough was going to sign him, the transfer amount was only $1.8 million.

Onyewu set to learn super-seceret-American-at-Fulham handshake soon.

2007-01-03T07:24:00.000-08:00

I mean, there's going to be enough of them to start their own club.

First there was Brian McBride then Carlos Bocanegra. Yesterday Fulham FC's ready to pony up $4 million for Clint Dempsey. Now Oguchi Onyewu looks set to join his countrymen at Craven Cottage.

Manager Chris Coleman must really like the accents. Four Americans now set to be in the starting XI definitely makes FFC unique and the new favorite team of many an American fan.

The only thing better is if all four of them make a significant difference for the team and help scoot Fulham up the table. Nothing makes a statement like success.

Dempsey a more expensive commodity than we thought.

2007-01-02T17:43:00.000-08:00

It looks like US national Clint Dempsey is set to be the biggest transfer in MLS history. At first we thought he would go across the Pond for about $3 million. Well, apparently we were $1 million short of the actual total. Provided Dempsey gets his work permit, MLS will get $4 million of owner Mohamed al-Fayed's money.

Now we're really talking about a win-win-win situation. Obviously we don't want (and neither does MLS) the league to become a place were we just build up players then sell them off for higher prices. We want our stars to stay and flourish and help build the game and league domestically into something grand. But when a player expresses a desire to play elsewhere, it's nice to be able to capitalize on that.

The only hurdle to this deal, as has been mentioned before, is that pesky work permit. And the English FA tribunal system has always been a model of consistency.

The transfer window is now upon us!

2006-12-31T10:44:00.000-08:00

A Happy New Year to all!!!

With the start of the new year, and all the fresh starts it brings, it all means that we are a mere 3 months away from the beginning of the new MLS season. We're also a little less than 2 months away from DCU and Houston playing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, probably just a month away from MLS team training camps starting and then all the subsequent pre-season matches, 20 days away from the first USMNT game since the World Cup, and 12 days away from the MLS SuperDraft! Exciting, exciting!

But on to the thread title:

With MLS' new Designated Player rule ("DP"), this upcoming transfer window assumes much more importance domestically than before. Possibilities are endless and we are all a flutter with trying to figure our what big names which club is going to bring in.

MLS fans' collective eyes are most intensely focused on the New York Red Bulls. We all know that they were a big part of the push for the DP, they've got tons of money, and they have not one, but two, DP slots after trading Amado Guevara away to Chivas USA for theirs.

There is an extensive list compiled out there of possible transfer candidates. A name that can be crossed off is Luis Figo, who's supposedly going to Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad.

Claudio Reyna is a name that's been bandied about but it seems like he's content staying on and Man City for a little while longer. Paulo Wanchope is another name mentioned. Mr. Fish goes a little more in depth with the Red Bulls here.

The LA Galaxy will probably might make the most significant signing (at least from a PR perspective) with David Beckham. They hasn't received near the amount of interest like the Red Bulls have because this signing has been known about for so long while the Red Bulls are unknown plus they have two slots to fill.

People rag on Beckham a lot but I like him. If he does sign, I'll travel down to Dallas to go see him, which is what MLS expects everyone else with a mild interest in soccer to do when Becks plays near them. He's not a Christiano Ronaldo, just plain Ronaldo, or Ronaldinho, but he really is one of the best wide players to play the game and one of the best servers of the ball/free kick takers the game has ever seen. The chance to see someone pass the ball and send it into the box with pinpoint accuracy is so far an improvement over the current form, who wouldn't be excited about that?

As for all the other teams, who knows. Kansas City might surprise us. Word is, the new owners were also pushing for the DP spot. DCU plans on bringing in a Brazilian and an Argentine but neither will probably be their DP.

The only other team that might pay some big money for some is Chicago. Columbus sure won't, Houston doesn't need to yet, FCD probably won't, the Revs FO is too cheap, Chivas USA obviously traded their away, RSL just got Freddy Adu, and Colorado's coaching and FO is too inept to do it right if they do it at all. Toronto FC is a bit of a wild card. Who knows what they're going to do. My gut says nothing this season, or at least this transfer window.

As for non-DP signings, I've already mentioned DCU's South Americans. FCD maybe do something but what, I'm not sure. You might have to ask Buzz Carrick over at 3rd Degree.

Once the names start popping up and the signatures get placed on the dotted lines, I'm sure we'll talk about it and what impact when can expect them to have on their team and the league.

Until then, have a Happy, and safe, New Years!!!

Clint Dempsey to be a Cottager?

2006-12-29T21:12:00.000-08:00

Looks like Clint Dempsey will get his wish and move across the pond during the transfer window in January. Destination: Fulham FC. Everything's depending on him getting a work permit.

It appears the deal is worth £1.5 million ($2.9 million) which would be a nice chunk of change for MLS.

This is a win-win all around, even if you're a NE Revolution fan. MLS makes out with some nice coin, Clint Dempsey gets what he wants: a chance in Europe, and hopefully will get a better player for the USMNT with him.

Clint will also be among friends with fellow US national teamers and ex-MLS palyers Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra and ex-MLS player, New Zealander Simon Elliott. Fulham FC is quickly becoming the team Americans who aren't Eurosnobs will root for with 3 Yanks normally getting substantial playing time.

What's up with DC United? And a correction.

2006-12-23T20:45:00.000-08:00

The DCU fire sale is still on. Alecko Eskandarian gets sent up to Toronto FC for a partial allocation. DC depth at forward has now taken a dramatic nose dive. There's an aging Jaime Moreno and...um...Jamil Walker? It's like they're the Florida Marlins of MLS.

We figured that DC was positioning themselves to sign up a great winger and maybe another M/F but man alive. This is starting to get silly. They're picking up allocations left and right and they still have their DP to use, should they choose to.

Good luck in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. They'll need it.

-----

I have no idea what I was thinking we I stated a post ago that MLS will see 3 new head coaches next season. I seem to have forgotten that Curt Onalfo in KC and Mo Johnston in Toronto will be new head coaches for those teams next year also, raising our grand total thus far to five (5). Duh.

Wildest. MLS. Off season. Ever!

2006-12-21T13:35:00.000-08:00

Things have been flying around fast and furious in the US domestic soccer world. Let's recap the action:

Head Coach Bob Bradley and Chivas USA trade their DP slot to New York in exchange for hot and cold midfielder Amado Guevara.

Bob Bradley becomes interim USMNT and permanent U-23 head coach after Jürgen Klinsman abruptly and shockingly withdraws his name from contention. He then leaves Chivas USA with an expensive player that only he may have been able to control.

The Colorado Rapids send previous MLS GK of the Year Joe Canon to the LA Galaxy. The Galaxy then send their previous #1 GK Kevin Hartman out to Kansas City.

Toronto FC wheels and deals with everybody. The get Jason Kreis from RSL then trade him back to them for a partial allocation. Then they pick up Adrian Serioux from Houston and trade him to FC Dallas along with some other incentives to get Ronnie O'Brien out of Big D and up into the Great White North. They also picked up Nate Jaqua from Chicago and then sent him out to the Galaxy.

Out of no where DC United trades GK Nicky Rimando and teenage phenom Freddy Adu out to Real Salt Lake from a backup GK, draft picks, and claims on money should Freddy get transferred abroad.

Steve Morrow is promoted to the head coach job at the FC Dallas club where he was an assistant under former coach Colin Clarke.

DC United assistant coach Tony Soehn is promoted to the head coaches job at DCU after Peter Nowak leaves to become an assistant under Bob Bradley for the U-23s.

There's some more things that have happened but these are the events that stick out the most to me. To be honest it's hard to keep up with the frantic pace MLS clubs seems to be doing things these days. This upcoming season will see three new head coaches (CUSA, FCD, DCU) and old faces in new places. And we've still got 3 1/2 months to go.

-----------------------------
Twellman out, Califf, EJ, and Hot Toddy in.

Taylor Twellman took him self out of camp to help heal is groin and Bob Bradley called in Danny Califf, Eddie Johnson, and Todd Dunivant.

You may recall from yesterday I named Todd Dunivant as a notable exclusion from the camp roster. Glad to see him make it on the list.

A squad to build with (or not)

2006-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

Just in case you haven't heard, Bob Bradley and US Soccer announced the list of players invited to USMNT camp to train for friendlies against Denmark in January and Mexico in February.

In alphabetical order, he's the list:

Albright, Chris	D	Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Bornstein, Jonathan	D	Chivas USA (MLS)
Boswell, Bobby	D	D.C. United (MLS)
Cannon, Joe	GK	Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Carroll, Brian	M	D.C. United (MLS)
Clark, Ricardo	M	Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Cooper, Kenny	F	FC Dallas (MLS)
Conrad, Jimmy	D	Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Dempsey, Clint	M	New England Revolution (MLS)
Donovan, Landon	F	Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Eskandarian, Alecko	F	D.C. United (MLS)
Gros, Joshua	M	D.C. United (MLS)
Guzan, Brad	GK	Chivas USA (MLS)
Jaqua, Nate	F	Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Kljestan, Sacha	M	Chivas USA (MLS)
Mapp, Justin	M	Chicago Fire (MLS)
Mastroeni, Pablo	M	Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Mullan, Brian	M	Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Namoff, Bryan	D	D.C. United (MLS)
Noonan, Pat	M	New England Rebolution (MLS)
Pearce, Heath	D	FC Nordsjælland (Denmark)
Parkhurst, Michael	D	New England Revolution (MLS)
Perkins, Troy	GK	D.C. United (MLS)
Reis, Matt	GK	New England Revolution (MLS)
Robinson, Dasan	D	Chicago Fire (MLS)
Robinson, Eddie	D	Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Rolfe, Chris	F	Chicago Fire (MLS)
Twellman, Taylor	F	New England Revolution (MLS)

All domestic players save for Heath Pearce who plies his trade in Denmark. Some notable exceptions from the list are Brian Ching who opted out to rest his knee, Brad Davis from Houston, and Todd Dunivant.

To say this group is green is simply stating the obvious. You could also add the adjective underwhelming. I'm withholding judgment until after I see what Bradley does with them. But even then, win or lose, the results of the Denmark and Mexico friendlies who provide a very clear picture into whether Bradley is successful or not.

Losing the first game will garner apologists saying it was such a young, inexperienced group and plenty of teams lose after a regime change. Should the Nats when one could say that it was a weak national team (Denmark) that didn't really test our MLS boys and even somewhat adequate teams can win every now and then against better competition.

I've seen some people around diss on Bradley's selection of Landon Donovan, claiming his invitation is just a perpetuation of Landycakes getting an automatic invite despite not having to earn his place just because he's a system favorite. Blah, blah, blah. He wasn't the only one that didn't show up in Germany. And yes, he gets a free pass more often than not over other players that have to work twice as heard to get playing time but like or not, Donovan is still one of the US' best players when he wants to be.

I'm looking forward to January 20th. My USMNT flag has be itching to get out of the closet and fly again.

Good bye dear friend: Lamar Hunt 1932-2006

2006-12-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

A sad, dark cloud has descended up the world today, blanketing not only the Hunt family and the Kansas City Chiefs organization but all of those who consider themselves as fans of US soccer.

Original MLS investor and patriarch Lamar Hunt died last night from complications to prostate cancer.

It wouldn't be hyperbole to say that without Lamar Hunt there would be no MLS today. His (along with Phil Anschultz's) commitment to the league, going so far as to run multiple franchises, helped keep MLS going through the delicate and tumultuous early years. Through his leadership the league has been able to ameliorate itself to the healthy state it is in today. He was the first owner to build a SSS, starting a trend that many more clubs are now realizing to their improved financial health.

MLS wasn't his first foray into professional soccer. He also owned the Dallas Tornado of the NASL, winning the title in 1971.

Though many soccer fans may have disagreed with him on certain points of late (issues regarding the playoffs, the designated player rule, et al.) that should never diminish the great legacy and incalculable amount of debt we owe Mr. Hunt. He had a reputation of being a visionary and a good track record of his investments paying big dividends in the end. Lets hope MLS can be counted in that number.

Good by dear friend. And thank you from a grateful and heavy heart.

Adu is now King of the Mountain (Wasatch Style)

2006-12-11T22:52:00.000-08:00

Just when I'm thinking, "How boring the off-season is", seemingly coming out of nowhere DCU shipped teenage phenom Freddy Adu and franchise GK Nicky Rimando out to Real Salt Lake in exchange for goalkeeper Jay Nolly, a major allocation and future considerations, including a share of any future replacement allocation money attributed to Adu, should he be transferred.

This trade should pay huge dividends for DC. United relieved itself of considerable cap weight in top heavy Adu and pricey backup GK Rimando. This gives them more money to pass around. Plus it gives them a major allocation to bring in another South American. Plus, plus they'll get some money from any transfer fee the league gets when Adu jumps the Pond. This money could help pay for their Designated Player, should they want one. And Jay Nolly is a seasoned, competent backup that doesn't take a lot of cap space, unlike Rimando.

On RSL's side, they get marketing superstar Freedy Adu right when they need one. They also have a chance to see him realize his potential with their club and perhaps keep him in Salt Lake a little longer than everyone is thinking. Yes, it's a shame that Freddy got sent out west but the fact was that he was never going to get to start at AM as long as Gomez was at United. Going out to RSL will let him play the position he's most suited for and play it day in and day out with virtually free reign. Adu also gets paired back up with former youth coach John Ellinger who now heads the RSL club. Salt Lake made significant strides last year over their inaugural form. They still weren't anywhere near the top of the West but they did bring in some wins that weren't there their first year. Adu will now have Jason Kreis and Jeff Cunningham playing up top and Chris Klein helping him out in midfield. That's really not that bad. RSL will get to sell some more merchandise, season tickets, and get some good pub with Adu right when they're trying to get this whole stadium deal in Sandy done and their financials are released.

As a DC fan I'm somewhat bummed to see Adu go, but as long as Gitmo was at United, Freddy was never going to get to really have a bust out season, especially on the wings. This will get him more playing time in a position that will most allow him to use his creative skills. Hopefully it works out for him, especially right before he's eligible to make a move to Europe.

I really do like Bob Bradley. Honest.

2006-12-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

I don't want my previous posts to seem in any way as a knock on Bob Bradley. To the contrary I think right now he and Frank Yallop are the coaching class of MLS (LA is lucky to have both these guys in town).

Many people are going to look at Bradley's dismissal from NY Red Bulls as a negative. They shouldn't. The New York job has been poisoned to anyone who's taken it. Bradley was never able to do with that club what he really wanted because he had people above him (Alexi Lalas for one) mucking up the works. Bruce Arena is the only person that has the clout and control to finally straighten that club out.

Such a situation isn't all that much better with the Nats job, but it is, still, a little better. The player pool Bob will have to choose from is a much juicier one and doesn't have a salary cap limitation. And just because Bradley is a former Arena assistant doesn't mean he's an Arena clone. Bradley likes to play it faster and more aggressive than Arena did. Maybe that's because it was just MLS and when you get the national level you can't get that crazy. But I don't think so.

I also don't think that Bradley will fall into just picking that same old players that Arena did. Though his time is limited, Bradley will still want to leave with a certain, albeit small, legacy. And maybe since his time is brief he'll be a little riskier with what he does. Try some off the path things. I definitely think we'll see a much younger roster than before and not just because our old guys are just to old to play anymore.

I'm interested to see what he'll do. Not necessarily excited, but definitely interested. I don't think the Denmark game will give us any insight to Bob Bradley's game or provide any indication of how great a coach he'll be. It's the first game with a new coach. Every one's at least given a pass for that.

No matter how well Bradley does, however, in the end I really feel he won't get the head coach's job for good. Gulati is going to get his big signing and try to save as much of this disastrous beginning to his term as he can. Bob Bradley, no matter how he turns out, and done a very noble deed in taking on the job under such dim conditions.

Bob Bradley: It's only kinda what you think

2006-12-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

The USSF announced today Bob Bradley as the men's senior team interim coach and the head coach of the US U-23 team.

This certainly means Bradley will no longer be coaching Chivas USA (have fun in LA with a Guevara that only Bradley had a chance of controlling). There was some speculation that he would pull double duty as head coach of the Goats and interim head coach of the Nats then return to Chivas USA full time once a permanent US head coach was named. That's all done now with the U-23 gig which has no interim label.

We might also be able to guess with a fair amount of certainty that Bob Bradley is indeed the stopgap we figured he was between Klinsmann backing out and another full time coach being named. Bradley gives us someone with intimate experience of the US and MLS systems and can be counted on to compile a good camp roster and guide the Nats through their upcoming friendlies without any concern until a full time man is found.

Who's the Fed going to look to now to fill that head coaches spot? José Peckerman was always speculated about as being high on the list. As far as we knew, the sticking point with him was his limited English. That may not be as large of an issue now as it once was.

I think that whoever they pick, they won't come from MLS. Bob Bradley is probably the best of the MLS lot and if they're going to pass over him then they're going outside the family. Sunil Gulati may be dead set on finding someone with fresh ideas and fresh perspectives on the player pool. He thought he had him with Klinsi. Obviously he was wrong. The trick is finding the second best person that fits his idea of a head coach without wanting as much control as Jürgen wanted.

No Klinsmann = End of the World (as we know it)?

2006-12-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Short answer? No. What it does equal, though, is a bunch of really pissed off people who have every right to be.

Can they be pissed off that we lost out on the best candidate and potential difference maker? Sure.
Can they be pissed off that Bob Bradley will be named interim coach? Sure.
Can they be pissed off that US Soccer may have tragically taken a step backward, or best case scenario, a step laterally, with this coaching move? Once again. Sure.

But all of the above reasons to be mad are simply smaller pieces of the much larger problem behind the legitimate reason to engage in anger towards the USSF and Sunil Gulati right now: that we've squandered that past 6 months in an exercise of organizational dysfunction.

People will hypothesize, theorize, and whatever else -ize out of what the phrase, "Klinsmann and USSF president Sunil Gulati apparently are far apart on issues of executive control over the U.S. program, which is more of an issue than money" means. If the USSF makes one thing very simple, it's that ability to become quickly confused and lost at how the bureaucracy of the federation works. Many lords fighting to control their little fiefdoms of soccer. It's own worst enemy. Therefore I'll leave that up to others to get headaches over.

Essentially, it's not that Klinsmann pulled out. It's that we had to wait 6 months for that to happen. And when it did, we didn't have a Plan B to immediately go to, so instead we get an interim coach until a full time one is found. It could be Bob Bradley or Sir Alex Ferguson in this short term role. It doesn't matter. What does matter is the title 'interim' that precedes 'coach'.

Gone are 6 months of no camps, no games, and no progress. And now the Fred is forced to essentially grab somebody and toss him into the coach's role so that we at least have someone selecting the Starting XI and roaming the sidelines during the friendly matches we've already schedule.

These upcoming matches have devolved from the infant stages of culling players and laying the bedrock for a future system into glorified training sessions, making sure the obvious players keep in shape and somewhat remember each other's faces. And the USSF gets to make money from the ticket sales.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst. The USSF only did one of those thing and now it cost them.

I'm normally optomistic, but unless the USSF pulls off a miracle hire, the dismissall of Bruce Arena (sorry, the option not to re-hire) will be in vain.

Aufwiedersehen, Klinsmann!

2006-12-07T12:34:00.000-08:00

Well, Jürgen Klinsmann has taken his name off the candidates list for the US job.

This from Allen Hopkins over at ESPN:

"Klinsmann, in a statement sent to ESPN, said: 'Sunil [Gulati] and I have concluded our discussions about the US men's national team program, and I have withdrawn my name from consideration as coach. I'm not going to go into details about our conversations. But, I certainly want to wish the next coach of the U.S. men's national team much success, and I want to, also, thank Sunil for the opportunity to exchange ideas.'"

And the kicker, no pun intended, from Jonah Freedman at Sports Illustrated:

"Klinsmann and USSF president Sunil Gulati apparently are far apart on issues of executive control over the U.S. program, which is more of an issue than money."

"Instead, a source close the negotiations tells SI.com the U.S. Soccer Federation will name Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley as the national team coach on an interim basis, which could eventually lead to his taking the job over permanently."

The sky isn't falling because of this. Far from it. But one can't help but think of this as an inauspicious start to Sunil Gulati's tenure as head of the US Soccer Federation. To fall from a list of quality, foreign, coaches to Bob Bradley is a large one. And how much control Klinsmann was trying to wretch away from the Fed is any one's guess (and I'm sure there will be many guesses).

This isn't to say that Bradley isn't a good coach, but he's already on his 3rd MLS team with Chivas USA. Amado Guevara will sure be sad to seem him leave.

More than anything, I wouldn't expect any official coach to be announced for some time now. My instincts said that most if not all eggs were in the Klinsmann basket.

Just when I get excited...

2006-12-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

Just when I get excited about this article from earlier today, this one from ESPN comes out and pours cold water all over my eagerness.

The anticipation has reached a point where once the announcement is finally made, it'll be like, "Now what I'm I going to eagerly check on every day?'

Sure, there'll be all the predictions and "what if's" and everything else that comes with a new guy. But it just won't be the same.

This coaches wait has been almost as bad as waiting to find out what's happening next on "Lost".

Ives is asking the same thing we're wondering.

2006-12-04T19:53:00.001-08:00

Ives Galarcep over at ESPN has been asking the same thing I've been yelling: Where's our new coach?

Most hopeful quote from the piece:

"Gulati promised an announcement this week and all signs point to it finally happening."

By the way, everything Ives says is spot on about Klinsmann. We need to get moving and getting ready for Denmark.

Read more of his thoughts about the subject at his blog.

I have ideas I tell you! Ideas!

2006-12-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

I've decided to take stab on ways to improve the domestic game while I have plenty of time to think about it. The MLS off season and waiting for our new US head coach (to be announced I guess a month before WC qualifying begins at this rate) has left me with plenty of opportunity to toss around ideas in my head.

So here we go:

IDEA #1

As it is, if a player goes down and the trainers have to come on, the trainers will tend to the player on the field before eventually getting him off to the side where, more often than not, he pops up and is ready to come back on in the blink of an eye. An easy few minutes or more is wasted while all of this unfolds.

I say that if a player goes down and the trainers have to come on the field, they stretcher him off to the side and off the field of play before they can tend to him. This way play can be quickly restarted, the flow of the game interrupted less, and players inclined to diving/faking in order to waste time are now punishing their teams by putting them a man down instead of giving their team a chance to rest and regroup while they flail about.

IDEA #2

This next idea may at first seem complicated, but it's really, really not. It's genesis comes from basketball where they punish teams if they keep hacking away and fouling their opposition.

Too often, I feel, certain MLS matches spiral out of control into hack fests. This is because a defender is either tired, not that good, or a combo of both and is continually hacking down an attacking player instead of getting beat. How often have we seen attacking plays and counter attacks die because the DM takes the attacking player down, allowing the rest of his team to track back? All the fouling brings down the beautiful into something ugly.

You don't foul someone because you're the better player. You do it because you got beat or couldn't stop them legally. If the whole team is accumulating like 20+ fouls a games it's because since they're not good enough to beat you head on, they just hack you, disrupt your rhythm, and hope to get lucky with a counter.

I say that we start punishing teams in game based of team foul accumulations. This is how it's done.

A stat keeper will keep track of all the fouling done during a game. When a team reaches 10 total team fouls the person on that team with the most individual fouls will receive a yellow card. If that person already has a yellow card, then the person with the most individual fouls without a yellow gets it as a team foul yellow can not be used as a second yellow against someone. A yellow is dished out at every additional 10 team fouls, with the yellow going to the player with the highest number of fouls who doesn't already hold a yellow card.

This punishes the fouling team because a yellow card on a player changes tactics and dynamics. That player must play more careful and less reckless now, a coach may have to sub that player out earlier than they wanted to or take them out at all because it's too dangerous to keep them in. The less aggressive play allows for more attacking play to open up.

An important thing to note is that any team foul yellows a person gets is not eligible for fines and does not count against them with discipline points. If a player gets sent off from a game because a double yellow/red card and that first yellow as a team foul yellow, they do not have to sit out the next game or get fined and assessed discipline points except for only the yellow card they earned on their own.

This way it only punishes the team for that one game, and not the player(s) for future games. It also helps avoid get crap from the players union because you're not taking money from their members and making them potetnial sit out future games.

I have another idea but I'll wait to share that with my next posting.

Hey Sunil! Where's our coach?

2006-11-29T09:08:00.000-08:00

We've been waiting, anxiously, for the US to announce who will captain this mighty ship. We've been told that an announcement would come by the end of the month.

Well, here we are, tomorrow being the last day of the month. Where's our coach?

It's great that we've already scheduled an international friendly with Denmark for January. I wonder who'll be managing that team?

I pray that it's Jürgen Klinsmann. Some may disagree but I strongly feel he's the right guy for the job. Foreign sensibility, great pedigree, attack minded, an understanding of the US player, the US organization, and the approach to sports and sports training US players undertake.

It's the best of both worlds. Plus there won't be the same pressure on him like there would be with a Germany of Mexico. Don't get me wrong, we want to win, but the national media won't put the screws to him like they did in Germany at the beginning.

MLS Off Season: The dreaded Designated Player Rule

2006-11-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

Here's looking at the developments of the MLS off season:

The Designated Player Rule (aka Beckham Rule)

This has already been talked to death about. Is it the death of MLS? The return of the NASL? Will it provide the boost to quality of play and attendance? Will it actually help the NY Red Bulls?

My personal opinion is that, no, it will not be the end of MLS. I really don't see it making that big of a difference as far as one team suddenly becoming a super-club because of 1 or 2 new, high-earning players. Soccer is one of the few, true team sports in that while 1 or 2 players can make a significant difference, they can't do it all by themselves. It's great to have someone like Beckham to send in a picture perfect cross but you'll still have a stock MLS player on the end of it.

One interesting development, though, is that Chivas USA has already traded away their DP spot to RBNY in exchange for Amado Guevara. This is a club that many of us had pegged as on the the teams not only ready to use theirs but possibly grab another. My only guess is that they're about to sell Juan Pablo Garcia off, get an allocation, then trade that and a draft pick or two to a team like Columbus in exchange for their DP spot.

Another thing to keep in mind as well is that along with the DP spot, the salary cap had also received a boost to around $2.5 million I think. Hopefully this will mean that players like Bobby Boswell and Troy Perkins from DCU will be able to get their salary bumped up to somewhere near what they're actually worth.

Almost as bad as Not Doug Logan

2006-11-29T08:10:00.000-08:00

That's in reference to the frequencies of my posts. Which, up to now, have been no existent for a considerable amount of time.

But I'll try to remedy that in this upcoming MLS off season.

Rikki Don't Lose That Number

2006-09-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

Or rather that's what Chicago fans are telling the Fire since they seem to have DC's. USOC action last night and the favorites fell flat.

DC goes another year without some USOC hardware in their trophy case to sit next to the only other one they won back in 1996. Houston nose dives against the upstart cellar dwellers that are Landon Donovan & Co. (aka the LA Galaxy).

This will be the second final in a row for LA who seem to perennially start off like crap and then turn it on in the end. This year their success as of late if more courtesy Frank Yallop then the Gals trying to follow an M.O.

The Fire gets to host the shindig.

The hard cores will always want to try and bleed importance all over this tournament but the fact is MLS coaches are concerned with winning the league than with anything else. DC beat up on NY to get to the semis by playing what could generously be described and a little more than a reserve squad.

This same lack of focus extends to the CCC. We'll see what happens next year with the MLS/MFL mixer.

MLS Rankings: Week 23

2006-08-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

12 - Columbus Crew (5-12-8)

Let the Revs slip past them while they remain in the dark, fumbling around the basement.

11 - Real Salt Lake (8-11-5)

It was a nice run but getting slaughtered 6-0 by the Red Bulls just won't do.

10 - New York Red Bulls (6-7-10)

They get the nod over RSL this week for the exclamation point of a win over the Monarchs and The Bruce gets his first win.

9 - Kansas City Wizards (8-12-5)

Another simple 1 goal win. It's good that it's against West leaders FCD but other teams in the East ahead of them got simple 1 goal wins also.

8 - Chicago Fire (8-8-7)

At least they won at home. Yeah.

7 - New England Revolution (7-7-10)

It used to be that the Revs would go as far as Twellman would take them. Now it's Dempsey (for however long they get to keep him.) They did get the win.

6 - LA Galaxy (8-11-5)

This is not the same team it was earlier in the season. That's obvious by now to even those with their heads in the sand. Depending on how LA finishes, Coach of the Year will be a race between Frank Yallop, Piotr Nowak, and Bob Bradley with the nod probably going to Yallop or Bradley.

5 - Colorado Rapids (9-9-5)

Still doing just enough. I wonder how much more love Beckerman would get from the media if he were on a different team?

4 - Houston Dynamo (9-7-8)

Ching is the only Dynamo forward that seems able to put the ball in the back of the net. It's been forever since their forwards have provided goals. They also have a hard time winning without Ching period.

3 - Chivas USA (8-6-10)

Good win over Houston. It's amazing the difference a year, a new coach, and a group of hard working, ethnically diverse players can do.

2 - FC Dallas (12-8-3)

It's like Driver's Ed: Dallas is in the driver's seat but someone else gets to brake the car. They need to pick it up and win some games.

1 - DC United (13-3-8)

Talking about needing to win games. The LA game was an embarrassment and exposed more than a few weaknesses. Olsen, God love him, is not an AM and Jamil Walker is not a winger. Gomez needs to be on the field always, even not at 100%. It's the time of years teams need to be playing their best and DC isn't doing it.

This is why I'd be driving a Nova if I bet on games.

2006-08-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

Talk about sucking big time on my predictions this past weekend. I pick DCU to win and they go off and get drilled at home by LA 5-2. I have Bruce Arena and the Red Bulls settling for a tie against RSL and they take them to the woodshed with a 6-0 thrashing. I tabbed the Chicago-Colorado game to be a low scoring affair but the other team won and FC Dallas botched a pathetic game losing to KC 1-0.

If I wagered real money on these games I'm pretty sure Hatchet Harry would sick Big Chris on me quick. There would be no stopping the massive blood loss.

Speaking of the DCU-LA game: isn't it nice when Landon Donovan actually shows up for games? To bad you couldn't find in him Germany this past summer.

The Good Ship United also seems to have run ashore. Their last league win came back before the All-Star break in mid-July and teams seem to be figuring them out. They're quickly getting into the part of the season where that's going to be a real problem. Losing Dominic Mediate to a broken leg for the remainder of the season effectively snuffed out a promising bright spot.

Congrats to Bruce Arena for his first win with the Red Bulls and what a dominating performance it was. Of course this just typifies the hot/cold existence of New York (mostly cold.) Edson Buddle picks up the hat track and even our favorite left back Hot Toddy gets his first goal of the season. Dunivant just hasn't seemed to get back in form since his pre-season injury but hopefully he's coming along. I hate to say it, but when Todd's on top of his game and Marvel Wynn has some more experience under his belt, along with Bruce Arena's masterful coaching ways, the Red Bulls are going to have the best outside backs going forward in the league which will pay huge dividends. It'll be a tandem he wishes he had had in Germany.

Last year the Western Conference was a joke and the East was the place to be. This season we flip flop that in true MLS style. Outside of DC, no East team is really worth their weight in salt while the West are duking it out and keeping it close. The success FCD was enjoying at the beginning of the season is rapidly slipping away and LA is coming on strong, quickly embracing all that is Frank Yallop and showing it on the field.

We've got 4 mid-week games this week, 3 of them on TV and none really capturing the imagination unless you're a fan of one of the teams.

The college and pro football seasons are upon us so hope you have Direct Kick if you want to see any of the games. There are some lucky enough to have FSC and HDNet though.

You want some Mo? I'll give you some Mo!

2006-08-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

Toronto FC has decided to bring in Mo Johnston to helm the new franchise that begins play in 2007.

This news is a few days old so I'm not saying anything that most have not already heard. I just wanted to comment on how this is a terrific hire for the Northmen (or whatever they'll be called). I've always liked Mo Johnston and thought he never really got a fair shake at Metrostars/RBNY. He broke his coaching seal at an awkward time at the club and the organization was just too fickle for him to do much with it.

Mo is a coach that has a ton of potential and I really think that over the next few years he'll rise up there along Frank Yallop, Piotr Nowak, Bruce Arena (just going on early MLS glory) and Bob Bradley as the creme de la creme of MLS coaches.

I know it might sound a bit cliche to say that when he's able to bring in his own players and set up his own personnel he'll be able to excel and win, but in MLS this is a much more true statement than not compared to other leagues when discussing a new coach's ability to succeed. The discrepancy between the really good players and mediocre players on a team is much larger than in other sports leagues where the majority of players on a team are all about equal in ability save for a handful up upper echelon performers.

An example would be league dominating DC United. There you have Jaime Moreno and David Stokes. This is not a pairing of a good player and a really good player but rather a bad player and a really good player that occasionally start together.

I expect Mo Johnston to succeed though and sooner than some might believe. Let's just hope in Toronto he won't show up to the games looking like he just drug himself in straight from club hopping all night.

Week 22: Weekend Previews

2006-08-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

LA Galaxy at DCU
The Galaxy are quickly showing that they're a much better team than their record would suggest (which we all knew), highlighted but a beating of FCD last weekend. The bottom of the West travel to RFK to take on the top of the East (and league). DC finally remembered what it's like to win (courtesy their USOC victory against RBNY) and are looking to prolong that feeling which is a pretty good bet playing at home.
My Prediction: DCU 2 - 1 LA

RSL at RBNY
Earlier in the season one would have said that if there's a game that Bruce Arena would surely get his first win against, it would be RSL. Not so much anymore as they just seem to keep clipping off wins here and there. The fake grass won't help the Red Bulls either since the Monarchs play on the same stuffs. I can still see Bruce Arena finally breaking the seal with this game though really it's a toss up.
My Prediction: RSL 2 - 2 RBNY

COL at CHI
Pretty evenly matched teams going at it. Kyle Beckerman is quietly having a very good season. Can't discount home field for Chicago though.
My Prediction: COL 1 - 0 CHI

HOU at CUSA
The Dynamo head out to the HDC sans Brian Ching again. Houston was clicking but now they found themselves in a mid-season slumber. Right now they can get away with it but pretty soon is when teams need to start firing on all cylinders.
My Prediction: CUSA 3 - 1 HOU
_______________________________________

CLB at NE
This is a tough game to get up an excitement for unless you a fan of either clubs. Both are just ho-humming along, waiting for the playoffs to get here. It'll show in this game
My Prediction: NE 1 - 1 CLB

FCD at KC
The Western Conference is starting to bunch up a little so FCD is going to have to work a little harder than maybe they though earlier in the season to stay on top. Dropping a game to LA last weekend didn't help anything but they can definitely get one back against the Wizards. It's a shame the whole EJ vs. old team hook is barely more exciting than a yawn.
My Prediction: FCD 3 - 2 KC

GAME TO WATCH
LA at DCU is the game to tune in to if you're lucky enough to have HDNet (which I fortunately do). Expect a lot of action and scoring between a great team and a team that's trying to shake off it's underachiever label. I anticipate at least one GOTW nominee out of this one.

Feel free to post comments. I'm just an idiot.

2006-08-25T13:40:00.000-07:00

This entire time I'm wondering why no one has decided to post comments to my titillating and knowledgeable ramblings. Well, apparently they have but before they get posted I have to get them the 'OK'. I didn't know this and I just saw today that there were multiple comments dating back several months waiting to get my approval before being seen by the masses.

I'm obviously a master of this blogging thing.

At any rate, now that I know what's up, feel free to comment away.

Oh Bruce!

2006-08-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

Not the best start to the Bruce Arena era at Red Bull New York. Thus far they've tied DCU and lost to Columbus in league play and tonight have dropped their US Open Cup game to a DCU team resting a number of starters.

Of course it will take a while to get a hold of this team, get his people in place and bring in his own players but one would hope Bruce Arena, even starting mid-season with someone else's players, would be able to get the Red Bulls into the playoffs.

One would think.

Week 21: Weekend Previews

2006-08-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

COL at DCU
DC's seems to excel at home even when they're playing somewhat mediocre (see DCU at RBNY). Defenses are starting to figure them out so Freddy Adu and Ben Olsen need to step up.
My Prediction: DCU 3-1 COL

RBNY at CLB
Bruce Arena's MLS second coming began with an inauspicious 0-0 draw with DCU at home in Giants Stadium. Columbus will be a much easier team to get past than the current MLS leaders, but even with The Bruce, New York is New York.
My Prediction: CLB 2-2 RBNY

HOU at RSL
Brian Ching's absence due to knee surgery coupled with Monarchs scratcing and clawing their ways to recent victories means the Dynamo will struggle.
My Prediction: RSL 2-1 HOU

KC at CUSA
The Wizards are still floundering, especially with Jimmy Conrad's broken jaw, and the Goats are tough at home.
My Prediction: CUSA 2-0 KC
_________________________________

CHI at NE
Clint Dempsey managed to get himself suspended from games again, this time for breaking Jimmy Conrad's jaw (Clint can relate to recovering from such an injury). This is a pretty even matchup but I just don't predict any fireworks.
My Prediction: CHI 1-1 NE

FCD at LA
The 2nd best team in the league travels to the HDC. This may be the best game of the weekend. Landon will work some mojo but Kenny Cooper will somehow make a mark.
My Prediction: FCD 3-1 LA

GAME TO WATCH
I kind of hinted at it just above but the FC Dallas at the LA Galaxy game is going to be the match to watch. FCD will be clicking offensively and Landon will make some great plays here and there. Should be a pretty good show.

I'm not dead yet.

2006-08-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

My dearest wallies,

I swear I'm still here, just not here, if ya know what I mean.

A lot has been going on in MLS and league news is flying around like bats outta hell. ESPN news, state of the league news. I'm listening to and seeing all.

I've just been covered up with other things that unfortunately take precedence over my soccer obsession (though not by much).

Hopefully I'll be back soon enough so all three of you return readers will have something news to ponder on before being distracted by something else that's shiny and pretty.

Week 17 Previews

2006-07-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

I went 3 and 3 last week in the weekend games but I'd like to pat myself on the back for calling that Brian Ching would get a goal. Sure, the odds are pretty good that'll happen every game, but I foresaw the future none the less.

This week starts off tonight as we work through 7 games this week.

RBNY at Columbus
The Red Bulls have a new manager in Bruce Arena but he won't take over until Aug 12th. Until then they might get lucky once or twice but not put up much more in the win column. The Crew is looking finally cash in on all the hard work they've been putting in.
My Prediction: CLB 2 - 1 RBNY
------------------------------------

Chivas USA at Colorado
The Goats will look to get out of the evil when they travel to the Mile High City. I think they'll find the right path.
My Prediction: CUSA 2 - 0 COL
------------------------------------------------------------------

LA Galaxy at Columbus
The Crew play in the second home game this week as the take on Landon Donovan and the Galaxy. I think Columbus getting 1 of 2 wins this week isn't that bad.
My Prediction: LA 3 - 1 CLB

Kansas City at RBNY
The Red Bulls also play their 2nd game of the week but this time against a KC team that's working a losing streak. Will NY take advantage of a team when they're down or will KC find an easy team to get their confidence back against? I vote for the latter.
My Prediction: KC 1-0 RBNY

NE Revolution at Houston
The Revs also try to get out of the evil down in the hot, muggy land of Houston. Clint Dempsey comes back a game early but Brian Ching is still on fire and the Dynamo don't like losing at home.
My Prediction: HOU 3 - 2 NE

DCU at Chicago
Chicago hasn't been finding the success they need to at home so far this season and hosting the league's best team but a good stretch won't be easy. The Fire might could pull out a tie but I'm stick with the War Hawks to keep to their winning ways.
My Prediction: DCU 2-1 CHI

FCD at RSL
It was a great win for RSL last weekend and the Super Hoops barely got out of Chi-Town with the win. This is the upset of the week as Jason Kreis will get some revenge over his old team.
My Prediction: RSL 3-1 FCD

GAME OF THE WEEK

Mark it down folks and set your Tivo's, the best game this week will the the NE/Houston matchup. Lot's of action, a couple of great individual plays from Dempsey, and the flying heads of Ching and Twellman.

MLS Rankings: Week 16

2006-07-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

Not a whole lot of shake up this week. Even with the wins the Red Bulls and Monarchs are getting out of the MLS basement this week. However, with the oh so shocking news that Bruce Arena will take over as RBNY coach Aug. 12th, the Red Bulls should end the season well with a lot of promise for the next.

12 - New York Red Bulls (3-6-8)

It didn't take long for Bruce to find another job. Aug. 12th seems like forever to come to the Red Bulls faithful (all 4 of them).

11 - Real Salt Lake (4-9-4)

Nice goal by Jeff Cunningham. Not enough to supplant an ever improving (but still losing) Columbus side.

10 - Columbus Crew (4-8-6)

Snaps to the Crew for showing some moxy in trying to get back into the game with DCU. Still lost though.

9 - LA Galaxy (5-10-4)

A point's a point. It's better than losing to the Goats per the norm it seems this season.

8b - Chicago Fire (5-7-5)

Dropped another one at home. Mid-day heat or not, they can't keep wilting like this.

8a - Kansas City Wizards (6-10-2)

Josh Wolff found net but the Wizards lost again. I can't drop them below Chicago but they don't deserve to be 7th either.

6 - Colorado Rapids (7-6-3)

Lost to the Red Bulls. I know they're the Rapids, but still.

5- New England Revolution (6-6-6)

One of two teams working some kind of evil this week (their record-get it?). They get Dempsey back a game earlier than they thought but a missing Clint doesn't excuse getting blasted by RSL.

4 - Chivas USA (6-6-6)

The 2nd team working their evil way, they should have gotten more than a point against an LA team they've been manhandling most of the season. They didn't lose to RSL though.

3 - Houston Dynamo (8-3-6)

Top 3 remain unchanged. Can't do much if they all keep winning. Ching is working a .91 goals per game average right now. Who knows how many goals he'd have if he had stayed in MLS during the World Cup instead of riding the pine in Germany.

2 - FC Dallas (10-5-3)

Kenny Cooper doing what he does best and pulling a win out from under the Fire in Chicago. Good for Bobby Rhine too, drumming and all.

1 - DC United (13-1-5)

There's a lot of skill and talent behind the 13 games DC's won so far but there also been a hint of luck in some of the contests. Still a phenomenal run.

All hail The Bruce! Good Bye and Good Luck!

2006-07-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

The Bruce Arena era in US Men's soccer will come to a close when his contract runs out this year as US Soccer has decided against renewing it.

The memory and legacy of Arena will always have the small tarnish of such a disappointing and non-Bruce like World Cup 2006. But all of the many, many things that he has accomplished throughout his tenure will outshine such disappointments 100 fold; like the sun blazing on and swallowing up the little speck of Mercury.

Arena's departure flings the door wide open for Jürgen Klinsman to step in and move the USMNT forward as so many seem to think (hope) he will. I'm a big fan of Klinsman entering in as USMNT head coach not just because of what he was able to accomplish with the German national team but that he did itimplementingg a very American line of thinking and sports philosophy. This just demonstrates that he'll be able to work with and coach American players with much more efficacy than another foreign coach might. He's also based out of SoCal and he also brings an exciting, attacking style of play that's very un-German but met with great results.

As for Bruce, rumor has it he's up for the New York Red Bulls job which would take him back to his childhood home and provide the Red Bulls organization the tipping point they need to become a great team.

In the end all I can say is, "Thank you Bruce for everything you've done. US soccer could never have ascended to the heighths they now are without you. You will always have a place in history and our hearts."

Week 16 Previews

2006-07-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Full slate of games including an afternoon affair and evening game on Friday.

Colorado at RBNY
Afternoon game featuring two of MLS' less exciting teams. The Red Bulls are still looking for a coach (could it be former USMNT head man Bruce Arena?) and until they find one they'll still flounder. But not against the Rapids.
My Prediction: RBNY 2 - 0 Colorado

RSL at NE Revolution
An absent Clint Dempsey (courtesy poor decisions via MLS HQ) will put a damper on the recently surging Revs but if you're going to have to play a game (or two) without Dempsey, RSL is the team to play.
My Prediction: NE 2 - 1 RSL

--------------------------------
FCD at Chicago
The Brimstone Cup is up at Toyota Park this Saturday as the Fire try to bounce back from defeat and FCD tries to make everyone else remember they're still a really good team.
My Prediction: FCD 1 - 1 Chicago

Columbus at DCU
DCU rolled over Celtic FC Wednesday night much like they have been the rest of the league this year. Granted, it wasn't a full strength, in-form, mid-season team and it was just an exhibition but it was impressive none the less. Columbus won't put up much of a test and DC will easily pick up their 13th win of the season.
My Prediction: DCU 3 - 1 Columbus

Houston at KC
Brian Ching and company roll into KC to take on a team still looking for it's scoring punch. Ching will net one in this game. Will either of the Wizards dynamic-duo of Wolff and Johnson do the same? The Wizards faithful sure hope so.
My Prediction: Houston 2 - 1 KC

LA "at" Chivas USA
It's Superclasico time at the HDC as LA takes on Chivas USA in the late game. The Galaxy is still slowly improving and rediscovering their winning ways (helped tremendously by the return of Landon Donovan) and the Goats are just as wiley as ever. There's a chance the Galaxy might steal the win from CUSA but don't bet a lot on it.
My Prediction: Chivas USA 3 - 2 LA

Listen up because we've got a lot to cover!

2006-07-12T17:01:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. This is like the 4th or 5th time I've had to apologize for not having posted in a while. I'm sure the 3 readers out there that actually stop in with an every once-in-a-while, phases-of-the-moon, regularity were starting to get annoyed.

So the World Cup is finally over the next 4 years will drag by much as the previous foursome did. It was a pleasure and a joy to watch, especially when you get the game in HD. Come South Africa, expect double or triple the number of people to enjoy watching soccer in high definition like I did this go around.

The Starting XI All-Stars were announced for the up-coming All-Star game against the fantasy-soccer-team-becomes-reality Chelsea FC up at the Fire's new digs in Bridgeview, Il. What do I think of the selections? I think some were penalized for being gone for the World Cup (Brian Ching) and I think some were rewarded for getting on to the USMNT (Albright, Pope, Conrad).
Really though, I think the whole thing is a farce, waste of time and money, and MLS would be better without it, at least during the season. If they insist on staging this event, I'd prefer it to be scheduled much more akin to the Pro Bowl of the NFL at the end of the season after all is said and done. The All-Star game should be a celebration of the best players of the season that has ended rather than a desperately legitimized competition. Baseball was the only sport that had any claim to any measure of relevance when the All-Star game, at first, was the only time people could see (other than the World Series) the best players from the opposing leagues play each other. Everyone else pretty much plays each other during the regular season, including MLB now with interleague play (which I think is a cool and welcomed change).

So who want some Week 15 Power Rankings? That's what i thought.

12 - New York Red Bulls (2-6-8)

Mo's gone. Youri's off in France. Was any sort of fighting spirit ever here to start with? I'm sure this is exactly what Red Bull had in mind before dropping a pretty penny on this traditional successful club. And yes, that's sarcasm.

11 - Real Salt Lake (3-9-4)

There was once the small glimmer of hope that has now been discovered to actually be the sun reflecting off a discarded aluminum can someone tossed on the side of the road.

10 - Columbus Crew (4-7-6)

Is it just me, or does Eddie Gaven look like he just doesn't enjoy playing soccer anymore? He's just an unhappy man, much like the rest of Crew Nation.

9 - LA Galaxy (5-10-3)

Very, very, very happy to have Donovan back. Also cool the Gomez is starting to find the back of the net. It's amazing what happens when you don't have a coach sabotaging your team with incompetence.

8 - Chicago Fire (5-6-5)

Not winning near as many games at their new home as they should be.

7 - Kansas City Wizards (6-9-2)

They've been blanked two games in a row now. Paging Eddie Johnson. Paging Josh Wolff. Where are these guys? Hope the new Dutch signing can find some offense.

6 - Chivas USA (6-6-5)

Still waiting for JOB to make an appear though not like the Goats really need him. They've steadily worked their way up the rankings and Ante is having a stellar season so far.

5 - Colorado Rapids (7-5-3)

The best average team around and have been for some time. They need some new blood at the head coach spot to get to the next level (and some more talent wouldn't hurt either though until the first thing happens all the talent in the world won't do much good).

4- New England Revolution (6-5-6)

Dempsey is keeping up the intensity he came back from Germany with and is showing every game more and more how much better he is that maybe two others on his team. If more Revs could play near his level, this team would be a juggernaut.

3 - Houston Dynamo (7-3-6)

Ching's gotten back into the swing of things and the Dynamo anchor the set of of the 3 most consistent and best team in the league.

2 - FC Dallas (9-5-3)

The Super Hoops would be having an incredible season if they weren't constantly being overshadowed by a DC United team that's playing out of their minds good and out distance them by 11 points.

1 - DC United (12-1-5)

There's United and then there's everyone else. They're dominating so much right now it's a shame they've to mess with playoffs at the end of the year.

Is that MLS on ESPN2?

2006-06-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Forgive me for shirking my responsibilities as of late. No Power Rankings. No previews. This week just needs to be written off.

Things of interest include Mo Johnston getting the boot at RBNY. I still think that he's got a lot of potential but New York is just not a very good proving ground. Many would say it's cursed. I might agree.

The Red Bulls do pick up former LA Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant. If the Red Bulls have nothing else, they should have two very good outside backs now with Marvell Wynn on the right and Hot Toddy on the left. I think Todd was a victim of the new coach wanting to do things his way though that's a little odd since Dunivant and Yallop were both at San Jose at the same time. Suffice it to say, though, the Red Bulls are going to like having a left back that can move up the wing and has a killer throw-in.

Freddy Adu finally got his first goal of the season and the Wizards have discovered scoring in multiples. They're still not winning, however, and it was United's second win at Arrowhead this year after not winning in that stadium in ages (since 2001 I think). DC is now atop the East with 35 points and the league with 8 points between them and 2nd place FC Dallas (though United does have two more games played than the Super Hoops).

The Revs are happy to get Clint Dempsey back and he's already back in the groove of it with an assist on Taylor Twellman's game winning goal against the best of the West, FC Dallas.

Saturday, July 1

New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls - 6:00 p.m. - ESPN2
Kansas City Wizards vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - 8:30 p.m. - DK, HDNet, MLSLIVE.tv
Chivas USA vs. FC Dallas - 10:00 p.m. - DK, MLSLIVE.tv

Only three games this week with one of them back on ESPN2.

Look for the Revs over the Red Bulls 2-1, LA over the Wizards 2-1, and Chivas USA over FCD 3-1.

The game of the week will definitely be Chivas USA vs. FC Dallas. When will we see John O'Brien? Soon I hope.

MLS Week 13 Previews

2006-06-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess I wasn't gone nearly as long as I thought I was going to be. Now that the USMNT has crapped out of the World Cup, my focus can be readjusted back on MLS. We've got a full slate of 6 games this weekend and as a special treat, I'm going to start a new bonus component: the Game to Watch! (Duh-duh-duh-h-h-h!)

Chivas USA at Columbus Crew
A replay of last weekend's matchup between the two that just flip-flops the cities but not the result.
My Prediction: CUSA 3 - 1 CLB

KC Wizards at DC United
The Wizards have finally figured out how to score in multiples and DCU now is winding up with draws. Won't happen at home though.
My Prediction: DCU 2 - 1 KC

Colorado Rapids at FC Dallas
FCD doesn't like giving up results at Pizza Hut park and the Rapids are boring and average enough to not rock the boat.
My Prediction: FCD 2 - 0 COL

NE Revolution at Real Salt Lake
The Revs can't wait to get Dempsey back though who knows how long he'll stay after his WC performance. NE is also not looking as sharp as they need to be. An upset here wouldn't be shocking.
My Prediction: NE 1 - 1 RSL

Houston Dynamo at LA Galaxy
Yallop needs to start winning. His honeymoon is quickly coming to an end in La-La Land. Expect LA to pick up 3 points at the HDC.
My Prediction: LA 2 - 1 HOU

---
NY Red Bulls at Chicago Fire
RBNY is in desperate need of a win. Unfortunately they won't get it in Bridgeview. Chris Rolfe, where have you gone?
My Prediction: CHI 1 - 0 RBNY

Game to Watch
This weekend, if you're going to Tivo a game or schedule two hours to watch something live, it should be Houston at LA. I know it might sound crazy, but this game will showcase a hard fought battle between the two with opportunities going back and forth and some attacking flare that we haven't seen in a while from LA.

Move along folks! There's nothing to see here!

2006-06-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

And as quickly as it started, the World Cup is now over for the Americans.

There are many, many things we learned from this poor World Cup showing for the Yanks. I guess one of them would be for the next time bring a team of nothing but World Cup rookies since they seem to have the best showings. In 2002 it was a couple of unknowns name Beasley and Donovan that shined bright. This World Cup it was Clint Dempsey and occasionally Eddie Johnson.

People are going to crap all over the officiating in this game just like they did in the Italy game, and while there are legitimate gripes, that doesn't change the fact that we came out with only a lone striker in a 4-5-1 when we needed a win and goals (lots of goals actually). Never mind that even down a goal to start the 2nd half we still didn't bring on any more firepower until 10 minutes in or that despite poor play in the 6 months leading up to the WC, an extremely worthless effort against the Czechs, and a general bad attitude all round, DaMarcus Beasley still got the start and did very little with it (except the assist to Clint Dempsey for the US's only self-created goal of the whole damn tournament).

I will say this, and I think a lot of people know this and will be very shocked if it doesn't happen, but Bruce Arena will not be the coach of the USMNT when they return home if not before they even get on the plain. There are a variety of ways this could happen but regardless of which option is employed the end result is the same. Which is a shame. Bruce Arena is the single greatest reason US soccer is where it is (or at least we thought it was). He has been able to accomplish things that only a handful of people would have been able to do. Unfortunately that legacy has now been tarnished with the US past three performances. In time though we will remember the good much more than the bad.

Arena's tactics never jived, he played unfamiliar formations, and put players in positions that weren't really suited for them or their game; a managerial choice in extreme contrast to what he has used to get the US team where they are. He's always managed to put his players in positions to win except now in this World Cup. The best game the US had was when any preconceived game plans were rendered useless after the US lost 2 men and had to play with 9 against Italy.

But the sole blame does not lie with the coach. Heart and spirit were achingly absent in the opening game against the Czech Republic. Yes, Bruce's tactics hindered us initially but even in a perfect formation with a bulletproof game plan the Yanks still didn't come out to play (see: Beasley, DaMarcus, et al.)

The Italy game will still always hold an endearing place in my memory and in my heart as I'm sure it will in many others. That game was everything US Soccer should be: heart, courage, grit, pride, and an outright refusal ever give up. If only that could have disseminated through out all the US matches.

Many people may disagree, but more than the refs seemingly ruining games I put the blame on FIFA for making their refs ruin games. The officials called the games the way they did per FIFA's orders more than of the own volition. Yes, the PK in today's game with Ghana was dubious, but the US team should be faulted with not adjusting to the way the refs were calling the games. The tight calls and rampant yellow cards were not limited to US matches only. Throughout all the matches such calls were taking place.

This World Cup, more than anything, has just highlighted an old problem that has lingered in the USMNT for many, many years before. No matter how fit we many be, or how skilled on the ball our players may become; above having a significant height advantage over our opponents or being endowed with blazing speed, this simple fact remains that we are still woefully inept at finishing. Until we learn how to put the ball into the net all of these advancements we make will be for not. Clint Dempsey was able to finish today. This type of finish, however, if few and far between. If given a clear chance, we have to put the ball into the net (see: McBride, Brian, with perfect chance against Italy that he boots horribly wide) and when presented with a half-chance we need to convert more than not. Too many headers went awry. Too many shots on the move sailed over and away. Every set piece we have should be dangerous, unlike the beautiful setup the US had that Donovan inexcusably sends out over the touchline without a single US player touching it.

It's been a long 4 years since Japan/South Korea and it will now been an even longer 4 years to South Africa. To be fair, this hasn't been a good year for CONCACAF with Mexico the lone survivor into the 2nd round and very fortunate at that after losing to Portugal their last match. This is a little bit of the problem as well for the USMNT's development. CONCACAF just doesn't provide the level of play that South America and Europe can and that hurts.

We will be able to second guess and look back on this failed campaign for many months to come, but undoubtedly hope will slowly spring up again and when qualifying begins anew so will our high expectations and aspirations. The US team came to this World Cup with expectations and pressure higher and more intense than they've ever had to deal with and for all intents and purposes they choked. We weren't able to deal with the thing that we craved the most. Let this be a lesson we learn and next time around, fulfill the vast potential that our team, and country, has with the passion and pride that is intrinsically imbedded in each of us.

Could you water the plants while I'm gone?

2006-06-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

My apologies to all. I really thought I could keep up with MLS action while the World Cup was on. I really did. But alas, I have failed in this task. The weekend's games have come and gone and Wednesday's matches have all had their final whistles blown.

There will be no MLS Power Rankings this week and chances are good that any weekend predictions will be absent as well. My emotions and focus are tied up with the USA's game tomorrow against Ghana. If they don't advance after tomorrow morning, there will be a period where I'm sure I'll be incommunicado, probably drooling over myself as I try to awake from my drunken stupor.

But worry not, I'm still trying to squeeze an MLS game in here and there and the league won't completely vacate my thoughts.

Good night and good luck.

Hello! Let me give you my card.

2006-06-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

I had a few days to simmer down and look at the officiating of the US-Italy game much more objectively and these are my conclusions:

De Rossi, without question, deserved a red.

Pablo Mastroeni probably can't complain about the red he got.

Eddie Pope shouldn't have got booked twice but also shouldn't have put himself into position to get another yellow.

Of course I think the ref was a little card happy. Franz Beckenbauer and I agree on that. I think the thing that really irritates me about the poor officiating, and it went both ways for either team, was how horribly inconsistent it was.

I couldn't help but wonder why, 20 minutes from full time, the ref started letting everything go? People were plummeting to the ground just as they were the first 70 minutes, but there was a nary a whistle. He let the play go and it actually made for a more exciting game, if that was possible since it was pretty darn exciting before.

Another thing to consider as well is how little gets called in MLS games. The Pablo Mastroeni tackles highlights this. In MLS Pablo gets a yellow. In MLS, Eddie Pope maybe picks up one yellow somewhere. In MLS, half the calls don't get called? Is this an indictment of MLS for being to lenient and thugish or the World Cup being to over-sensitive and quick with punishment? It's an unhealthy combination of both I think.

If there's one thing that the US-Italy game did (other allow us an opportunity to release our pent-up frustrations) was that it helped debunk the wide-spread misconception in this country that soccer, somehow, isn't a contact sport. The image of a bleeding Brian McBride introduced millions of American people to the reality of soccer being a hard fought and, at times, rough sport and worthy of such sacrifice. Now that doesn't mean it needs to be rugby-lite.

Like most people, and maybe more than some, I deplore cynical fouling and the dreaded, so-called "professional foul". This is allowed to an unacceptable level in MLS and is something that desperately needs to change. Too often the better player is not rewarded for besting his opponent because his opponent, knowing he has been beaten, fouls and takes down the player and in turn slows the game and allows the defense to reset. This is just aggravating as is listening to the face and voice championing this boring style of play, Marcelo Balboa (but that's a topic for another day). It just lets the worse team stay in the game longer.

But soccer can be physical without fouling. Going up hard for 50/50 balls, shoulder to shoulder tackles, blocking a man off the ball, etc. Going in with all you've got to win a ball as opposed to simply tackling a person so you can catch your breath.

USA - Italy: The Rollercoaster Ride

2006-06-18T11:26:00.000-07:00

I don't know about anyone else, but the US-Italy game was one of the best, most inspirational, gutsy, exhausting games I've ever seen. The US came out in a complete 180 of the Czech game, taking the game to the Italians, forcing the issue and playing inspired soccer. To walk off the field with a hard fought for 1-1 draw with Italy, playing with only 9 men for virtually the entire 2nd half, is nothing short of miraculous.

The officiating in this game was all over the place and as good as this game was the referee was that bad. Completely inconsistent and inept. And it went both ways. Players received yellows when all that was required was a talking to and players recieved red when a yellow would have sufficed (except for the well earned red Italy received).

The image of Brian McBride trotting off the field, bloodied, to get patched up will be an enduring image in US Soccer history.

There will be much debate to come on how this result ranks in the annals of US Soccer. Without doubt it settles comfortably along side the US beating Portugal and the US beating Mexico, both in WC '02.

The Yanks now find themselves in a must win situatino with Ghana on Thursday. That's how we want it. Leaving it all out on the field and going for broke.

MLS Week 12 Previews

2006-06-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

Though it may seem laughable there are, in fact, MLS games this weekend. 5 of them exactly, 4 of which are on TV. I know very few may care but by golly I do so here are the previews.

Saturday

DC United at NE Revolution

6pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

The Revs spoiled Chicago's home opener by waltzing out of Bridgeview with a draw. DCU found themselves with a draw last weekend also but are still on top of the league. Look to see a more tightly contested match than it would have been earlier in the season as the Revs rediscover their rhythm.

My Prediction: DCU 2 - 2 NE

LA Galaxy at NY Red Bulls

7:30pm ET, HDNet, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

Battle of the league's bottom dwellers. Both are trying claw their way out of their respective holes and both definitely have the talent to do it. Unfortunately, both have up to this point opted to wallow in ineptness. The Galaxy have the edge in this game, though, because when God slammed the door shut on them with Steve Sampson he's now opened up a huge window with Frank Yallop. The Red Bulls... not so much.

My Prediction: LA 2 - 0 RBNY

Real Salt Lake at Houston Dynamo

8:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

Houston is one of only a few teams that truly thrive at home this season. They've only dropped one match at Robertson Stadium in the hot, muggy Houston summer. Real Salt Lake, in spite of their recent improvements, are not going to change that. Houston could make this ugly.

My Prediction: Houston 4 - 1 RSL

Chicago Fire at KC Wizards

8:30pm ET, No TV

If you're a fan of either of these teams, you're sad it's not on TV. If you a fan of good soccer, be happy no one will see this game. Well, that's not really fair to Chicago. Not to sound like a broken record, but KC will still only get their 1 goal. Chicago, however, knows how to score more than that. We've been missing Chris Rolfe lately. I wonder if he'll reappear or maybe we'll get to see the Nate Jaqua that we saw last weekend?

My prediction: Chicago 2 - 1 KC

Sunday

Columbus Crew at Chivas USA

10pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

Chivas stumbled a little last weekend but the Crew is just the team to get back into winning form. With the explosiveness their offense has shown several times this season as well as playing at home in the HDC, the Goats are going to beat up on the poor Crew.

My Prediction: Chivas USA 3 - 0 Columbus

Let's give them a reason to watch

2006-06-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

The US's 0-3 loss to the Czech Republic was the most-watched program on ESPN2 this year. Not bad for an afternoon game on a Monday. The question now though is, "Will these people come back to watch the team again on Saturday and then on next Thurday?"

With the game being on ABC it will be a lot more accessible to potential viewers. While most people who care about the USMNT already have cable, the casual fan who's interest is only peaked once every four years might also pop in to take a look just because they can.

My prediction is if the US can get a win against Italy or manage a tie and find themselves in a realistic scenario for advancement, expect the US-Ghana match on June 22nd to beat the 2.4 cable rating the Czech game got. If it goes the other way however, the opposite could happen.

Aside from the obvious good reasons to have such high ratings for soccer, a large dividend that might be realized could be done so by MLS. Soccer United Marketing (SUM) which is the marketing arm of MLS as well as other soccer ventures (which also happened to own the rights to the WC games and sold them to ABC), is currently in negotiations to seal a deal with the ABC family of networks (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2) for the first ever paying broadcast contract. To have the network pay MLS to show their games instead of MLS having to pay to get their games on the air, as has been the normal since the league's inception, would be a welcomed windfall for MLS. High ratings for the WC games can only help get this deal through quicker and with better terms.

MLS Power Rankings: Week 11

2006-06-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

Now that the US has already played a game in the World Cup, most everyone's attention is focused on that with little left to fall on MLS. For better or worse MLS is still playing some games and we would be remiss if we didn't give it some love by way of our renowned power rankings.

12 - LA Galaxy (2-9-2)

The goals are coming fast and furious now (yes, that's sarcasm). Two games at home last week and they could only manage a point. That's not enough to move the about of the cellar but the future is look a lot brighter with Frank Yallop at the helm. I mean, Galaxy players are actually being put at positions that they should be. It's a start.

11 - New York Red Bulls (1-2-7)

Seriously. Winning is a pretty cool thing to do. They should try it every once in a while. Yeah, they're not losing but drawing every game isn't going to get them much higher than the second to last spot in the league that they are now.

10 - Real Salt Lake (3-6-2)

They need to find their spark again. Losing to the Rapids, even if it was in Denver, just won't do it.

9 - Chicago Fire (2-3-5)

They had the win for their home opener right there in front of them then had to settle for a tie. Pity. There are no more excuses not to start winning now that they're finally at home.

8 - Chivas USA (4-5-1)

An awesome goal from Ante Razov isn't enough to keep the Goats from (temporarily I'm sure) dropping a spot this week. The Rapids got a win. It's just the way it goes but I'm not concerned for Chivas USA.

7 - Colorado Rapids (5-4-2)

They beat RSL. Whoo-hoo. Now they have a week off. And yes, I do realize they have more points then a couple of teams ahead of them in the rankings. They keep winning it'll sort out. Patience.

6 - Columbus Crew (4-5-2)

They already knew KC was just going to score 1 goal. Where was the gusto? Go for 2 and you win. Tsk, tsk. It cost them a spot.

5- New England Revolution (3-4-3)

Spoiled the Fire's home opener by sticking them with the tie. Getting 1 point is better than the 0 points they've been getting lately.

4 - Kansas City Wizards (5-4-2)

Only 1 goal. Again. At least they got their first win in what seems like ages.

3 - Houston Dynamo (5-3-3)

They should have done better against the Red Bulls but it was enough to remain 3rd in the rankings.

2 - FC Dallas (7-2-3)

Got the win wearing those awful blue and yellow uniforms they wore to show their connection with their partners from the south. Still trail DCU in the league though.

1 - DC United (7-1-4)

A gorgeous goal by Christian Gomez wasn't enough to get the win. A flat performance but got the point on the road and remain at the top of the league and the power rankings.

I sense a disturbance in the force

2006-06-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

Apparently DaMarcus Beasley didn't take kindly to Bruce Arena (rightfully) calling him out, popping off sound bites like, "I was back there defending the whole time, I don't know what [Arena] wants me to do" and "I was always defending the whole time. That's how the game went. Next time I will leave the guy and play as a striker instead of a midfielder and then we'll see what happens."

Unfortunately DMB's job wasn't to solely play defense. His job was to go at people, get up the wing and send in some service to Brian McBride. Never mind the fact that, natural position or not, he had a horrible first touch and consistently played the ball back.

Arena had some words of is own when responding to a question about his DMB remarks: ""If he's any kind of a player or man, he understands it. If he doesn't, he's not going to be able to help us in Games 2 or 3 either."

Arena did this same kind of thing with Eddie Johnson and EJ took it and stepped up. He was one of the very few players going at the Czechs. One thing this team has always seemed to have going for it was that they were tight and could rely on each other, thick or thin.

---

Expect some changes against Italy. From the same interview with Arena: "We're not going to go with the 3-0 loss game plan. We threw that page away after the game and we'll try to come up with a new one."

Look for EJ and Clint Dempsey to making the starting XI and hopefully infuse some creativity and spirit into the team.

Well that sucked.

2006-06-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that every soccer blog in the universe has already talked about, picked apart, and anyalized the 3-0 thrashing the US suffered today to death. There's probably been talk of drinking the bad Kool-Aid, calls for Arena's head, people drinking the sadness away with various spirits, and everything in between.

I will admit that while I quickly dismissed the idea of sticking my head into the oven after the game I did idle on the thought a beat longer than I should have.

All is not lost though! Will it be hard as hell from this point on? Yep. Can we do it? Of course. Will we? That depends on the guys wearing the uniform.

I think the thing that hurt more than losing the game is the way in which we lost it. Without heart or urgency. We suffered from a complete and utter lack of creativity, imagination, passion, commitment, pluck or any other suitable nouns and adjectives. We played this game not to lose instead of to win and I have to tell ya, that's just not our style. If we're going down we need to be going down swinging.

I'm not going to go into any sort of analysis; I'm sure everyone reading this has already read such things a lot of other places. I can empathize with those out there that are asking themselves, "I've been waiting 4 years for this?" But it's far from over. We'll regroup, take on Italy and then Ghana.

Hope is slowly returning and by the Italy game arrives will have firmly taken root again.

Week 11 Previews

2006-06-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

We're getting ready to enter into virtual purgatory for MLS as they brilliantly continue to play games while the World Cup is in progress. But when all is said and done, they're not actually bad matchups and the whole Frank Yallop thing is just going to make my predicting that much harder to do.

Week 11 has 7 matches spread out over 4 days so pay attention.

Thursday

Chivas USA "at" LA Galaxy

10pm ET, ESPN2

At the end of last week I could have told you the Goats were going to mop the floor with this shell of a Galaxy team but the variables have changed with Yallop in the driver's seat after LA kick Steve Sampson out while the car was still rolling up the 101. Is still think Chivas will get the win (Yallop isn't Anne Sullivan. He'll need a little bit of time to straight out these damaged goods). But it will be close and LA will find net again.

My prediction: CUSA 2 - 1 Galaxy

Friday

Real Salt Lake at Colorado Rapids

9:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

Even with the tear RSL seems to be on as of late, that's not enough to make this matchup all that intriguing. Add that to the fact that most people will have already gotten their fill the the opening of the World Cup earlier in the day. Expect this game to be on the snoozer side.

My Prediction: Colorado 1 - 1 RSL

Saturday

KC Wizards at Columbus Crew

7:30pm ET, No TV

Not the worst thing in the world this game isn't being broadcast (unless you're a Crew or Wiz fan). Again, KC will get their 1 goal. Will the Crew be able to take their momentum from beating FC Dallas in Frisco last weekend and turn it into another win here? Probably.

My Prediction: Columbus 2 - 1 KC

Houston Dynamo at NY Red Bulls

7:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

The Red Bulls need to reharness the fire power that brief exploded super nova-like earlier in the season against Chivas USA. They've got the talent to win, but unfortunately for them Houston has more talent than they do.

My prediction: Houston 3 - 1 RBNY

Sunday

Chivas USA at FC Dallas

6pm ET, HDNet

Now this will be a fun game to watch, and in HD too! Chivas should be coming off their 3rd win in a row and FC Dallas will be wanting to show that last week was an aberration and there's a reason they lead the West. Should be back and forth.

My Prediction: FCD 2 - 2 CUSA

NE Revolution at Chicago Fire

7pm ET

Another game not on TV which is a shame. This is Chicago's home, stadium, everything opener of the year. They'll be happy to be home at least and the Revs are still off kilter. Who can Jay Heaps slap down in this game? I would pay good money to see him try to do it to Zach Thorton.

My Prediction: Chicago 3 - 1 NE

DC United at LA Galaxy

8pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

This will be the Galaxy's second home game in 4 days. Still not enough time for Yallop to get this team winning though this won't be the walk-over DCU was eagerly anticipating. DCU should maintain their spot at the top of the league.

My Prediction: DCU 3 - 1 LA

A Canadian in SoCal

2006-06-07T20:28:00.000-07:00

Former San Jose Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop was introduced today as Steve Sampson's replacement, just like I (and many others) guessed might.

What does this mean? Good for LA, bad for the rest of MLS. Yallop is an excellent coach who has a great relationship with former underling Landon Donovan and he actually know how to win.

Aside from the obvious good move of getting a coach of such a high caliber, it was also a good move to snatch him up before the Toronto MLS team could snag him.

Steve Sampson, we knew you too daggum much!

2006-06-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

There is much joy in Mudville, I mean Tinsletown, as the LA Galaxy brain trust finally got their little Magic 8 ball to tell them, "Fire his butt now!" Alexis Lalas gave the overly creative coach his walking papers and was then good enough to loan old Steve his cell phone so he could call Century 21 (okay, so I made that last part up).

What sad little country with a GDP equivalent to that of Rhode Island will Sampson get a head coaching job with now? Who cares! His whole hiring was one big snafu, not only because it was him being hired at all but also because first LA booted Sigi Schmid who had the Galaxy in 1st place at the time of his dismissal. Steve Sampson sure brought in much more attractive, attacking soccer, didn't he?

And don't think it isn't just a little apropos that SS met his demise on 06-06-06 but that joke's been done to death. Speaking of death, word is a new coach will be announced tomorrow before Stevo's body is even cold. Who could it be? Frank Yallop wouldn't be a crazy guess, would it?

MLS Power Rankings Week 10

2006-06-06T14:47:00.000-07:00

We're closing in on the World Cup which means the MLS schedule gets whacky and wild. Week 10 had a little of that as well as there's quite a bit of movement in the rankings.

12 - LA Galaxy (2-8-1)

Hey, they do know how to score; finally ending their near-record scoreless streak with a John Wolyniec goal in their 2nd game of the week against Houston. They still lost that one though and also the one earlier on Wednesday away at Colorado.

11 - New York Red Bulls (1-2-6)

Salvaged the tie against Kansas City thanks in no small part to Tony Meola. These guys like drawing games like KC likes only scoring 1 goal a contest.

10 - Chicago Fire (2-3-4)

I know it seems like a gigantic drop but I'm sure they'll pull themselves up mid-season. They still lost ugly to RSL. Hopefully they find Bridgeview much more accommodating than this 9-game road trip they've been on.

9 - Real Salt Lake (3-5-2)

Cunningham gets the brace and the Monarchs of the Wasatch move up a spot. Hopefully all this winning doesn't go to their heads.

8 - Colorado Rapids (4-4-2)

It is a tough blow to win and tie your games in a week and still drop a spot but unfortunately for the Rapids, they'll still winning by just playing less bad than their opponents instead of better. Plus Chivas USA is playing that much better than them, kicked their but for a 4-1 win, and are going no where but up.

7 - Chivas USA (3-4-1)

The Goats managed to get the first consecutive wins in team history with an exclamation point of a win over the Rapids. It's finally clicking for them.

6- New England Revolution (3-4-2)

Jay Heaps must've thought he was in the movie Superfly with that pimp slap he put on Jaime Moreno. Things shouldn't be this ugly for the Revs but they are. Nothing seems to be working.

5 - Columbus Crew (4-4-2)

Lost bad at DCU but pulled out the stunner against West leaders FC Dallas. Ritchie Kotschau also had a GOTY nominee on a fantastic individual effort.

4 - Kansas City Wizards (4-4-2)

They don't want to win any games and they don't want to score more than one goal per match. Yet somehow they're clinging on to this ranking. A loss this weekend though and they're toast.

3 - Houston Dynamo (5-3-2)

No team wants to be the one to end another team's scoreless streak, especially if it's LA but the Dynamo drew the short stick. At least they got a win though they're stilling looking for one of their forwards to figure out how to capitalize on the consistently great air service Davis and Mullan are giving them.

2 - FC Dallas (6-2-3)

Lost to Columbus at home. For shame. In a tight race for tops of the league with DCU, Dallas stumbled first.

1 - DC United (7-1-3)

Beat up on the Crew big time, 5-1, midweek then took the win from New England 1-0 that weekend. Went 3 for 3 in 10 days. That's good enough for the top spot this week.

Week 10 Wrapup

2006-06-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

I only went .500 this weekend, picking 3 out of 6 correctly. Who knew the Crew was going to figure out how to beat FC Dallas at home? I would ask who knew the Red Bulls would squander their lead and settle for a draw with KC but that's not nearly as out there as the FCD-Crew match.

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Real Salt Lake is starting to come alive and not a moment too soon for Coach John Ellinger. Instead of just barely holding on his starting to crawl his way back. The good people of SLC are finally seeing something worth coming out for which has been long over due. Jeff Cunningham picks up the brace and is now in a 4 way tie for top goal scorer in the league. Never mind that it took an average of 4 games for everyone else to catch up to a departed Brian Ching.

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The Galaxy finally end their goal drought but not their losing ways. Baby steps I guess. Steve Sampson is quickly becoming John Ellinger's Mini-Me.

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So of course Kansas City manages to get their 1 goal per usual. That's 8 games in a row with only 1 goal. That last time they scored in multiples was April 8th, almost two months ago. They better hope their new Dutch signing will help them find the back of the net in larger quantities.

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For the first time ever Chivas USA have claimed two consecutive wins with their 4-1 triumph over the Colorado Rapids. And I know I've said it before (I'm starting to be the way Eric Wynalda is about Taylor Twellman) but the Goats are gonna be hella good to darn near impossible to stop once John O'Brien gets back from the World Cup (which hopefully will be sometime in July). Also, maybe it's just me, but I really, really like Paco Palencia. I'd love to have him on my soccer team any day.

Week 10 Previews

2006-06-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

We've already had two midweek match ups, seeing DC destroy Columbus 5-1 at home and Colorado beat the Galaxy, again, 1-0. I called the winners in both those game though who could have predicted DCU scoring in droves and LA keeping their streak of minutes without a goal alive (well, maybe the LA one was easier to foresee? But the midweek matches don't change the fact that we have a full slate of 6 games this Saturday. Nothing on ESPN2 though so hopefully you have another outlet to view the games.

New England Revolution at DC United

7:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

Will United have the legs to go the full 90 after a midweek slaughter of the Columbus Crew? Yes. Things still aren't right with the Revs and DCU is riding some pretty big momentum into this game. New England will put up more of a fight than the Crew and Reis isn't the Revs 5th string GK but United will manage.

My Prediction: DCU 3 - 2 NE

Columbus Crew at FC Dallas

8:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

The Crew flew straight to Dallas after being dismantled by DC United. Lucky them, they get to go from one game against the best in the East to another game with the best in the West, all in the same week. Things are not going to get any better for Sigi Schmid's boys though the Crew are looking more and more like the hands down winners in their even swap trade with LA several weeks ago.

My Prediction: FCD 3 - 1 Columbus

LA Galaxy at Houston Dynamo

8:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

Houston loves playing at home, only dropping 1 game there this season. Now they take on the headless chicken known as the LA Galaxy who are trying their best to beat RSL's minutes without a goal record from last year. Will they find their scoring ways in the Bayou City? It's possible with Canuck defender Adrian Serioux out 6 weeks for toe surgery. But I doubt it.

My Prediction: Hou 2 - 0 LA

NY Red Bulls at KC Wizards

8:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

The Wizards are in a downward spiral right now. They have no offense, only managing 1 goal a game for what seems like forever. The Red Bulls are hungry for more wins. Look for them to steal some points from Arrowhead.

My prediction: RBNY 2 - 1 KC

Chicago Fire at Real Salt Lake

9pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

Finally, the road trip that wouldn't end comes to a close in Salt Lake City. The improvement RSL has shown the best several games has been admirable but won't be enough here, even at home. Chicago will at least get the tie if not the outright win, road weary and all.

My Prediction: Chicago 1 - 1 RSL

Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA

10pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

The Rapids would be wise not to mistake Chivas USA for their floundering LA counter part. The Goats will put up a fight and, yes, will beat the Rapids. Last week Chivas got up early and held on. This week they'll just flat out beat the Rapids for the whole 90.

My Prediction: Chivas USA 3 - 1 Colorado

MLS Power Rankings Week 9

2006-05-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

Will continue the ascending order theme again this week. Not a lot of movement as most of the teams that should have won did.

12 - LA Galaxy (2-6-1)

Had the weekend off to figure out that the ball is in fact supposed to go into the goal. Now let's see if they can actually do it in a game.

11 - Real Salt Lake (2-5-2)

Pulled the tie out of no where with Jason Kreis' late equalizer. He's lucky he doesn't have a broken leg from Rapids GK Bouna pulling a WWE drop move on him while attempting to stop the goal.

10 - New York Red Bulls (1-2-5)

Dropped a home game to FC Dallas midweek and then beat a severely depleted Bayern Munich team in an exhibition game at the weekend. Too bad only the loss counts.

9 - Chivas USA (2-4-1)

Now the wins are starting to come. Scoring early then holding a team off isn't really their style, but it worked. I know I've said it before, but when John O'Brien gets back this team is going to be really good.

8 - Colorado Rapids (3-3-2)

Blew the lead late and gave up what was almost a sure win. C'est la Rapids. They've got two games to try and survive this week.

7 - Columbus Crew (3-3-2)

Also had the weekend off. Thankfully they do know that the ball is supposed to go into the goal.

6 - Chicago Fire (2-2-4)

It's hard not to have a let down at the end of such a long time away from home. Unfortunately sympathy can't keep them from dropping a spot.

5 - New England Revolution (3-3-2)

Having Noonan back helps but they're still not the same team from last season despite keeping Twellman, Noonan, and Ralston in the lineup during the World Cup. And only getting a point at home is shameful, but enough to trade spots with Chicago.

4 - Kansas City Wizards (4-4-1)

The team is now officially reeling. They're winless in the last 4 games, dropping 3 of them. They're still only scoring 1 goal a game. And it's not going to get any better. Lucky for them they got enough points early before losing players to the WC.

3 - Houston Dynamo (4-3-2)

Got the tie against the Revs in Foxboro despite still badly missing Brian Ching up top. Fortunately for them they have the Galaxy at home this weekend which should be fun.

2 - DC United (5-1-3)

Won at Arrowhead for the first time is 2001. They're right there with FC Dallas as class of the league. Adu's finally showing something with Eskandarian's cooled off a bit from his white hot start.

1 - FC Dallas (6-1-3)

You can't argue with winning games. I think they might actually be able to sustain the pace they're on through the season too, which is scary.

Week 10 Midweek Previews

2006-05-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

We've got two games this Wednesday. Columbus travels to DC and the Galaxy take on the Rapids at Mile High.

Columbus Crew at DC United

7:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSlive.tv

DC United joins FC Dallas as the two hottest teams in MLS right now. The Crew are still trying to find their winning legs. United had to settle for the tie a few weeks ago in Columbus but aren't having any trouble getting results at home. Look for DC to expand their lead in the Eastern Conference.

My prediction: DCU 2 - 0 Columbus

LA Galaxy at Colorado Rapids

9:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSlive.tv

Hopefully the Galaxy use their week off to figure out how to score a goal. Never mind winning. They just need to score. Walk before you can run. Colorado is coming into the game kicking themselves for letting a win at RSL devolve into a draw in the final minutes. Colorado has already picked up a win against LA at the HDC earlier this year. Getting another 3 points off the hapless Gals is the safe bet though I'll also venture to guess that LA ends it's scoreless streak.

My prediction: Colorado 2 - 1 LA

Other MLS thoughts from this weekend

2006-05-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

What is with the Current Affaris lead in music at the KC Wizard games? Are they going to expose the Wizards for having a mediocre offense?

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It was announced during the Colorado-RSL broadcast that Real Madrid will be coming to take on Real Salt Lake on August 12th. This games sounds about as much fun as going to the processing plant and seeing cows get turned into hamburger meat. I mean, it's always nice to see Real Madrid play but to be honest it would probably be worth paying money just to see an intrasquad scrimmage.

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According to this article, Ronaldo has turned down the NY Red Bulls and MLS for a 10-year, $120 million contract to come play. I guess the MLS brain trust and investors/operators have definitely decided to implement the "Beckham Rule".

Latvia is one of those Baltic states

2006-05-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

In the US's final send off series game, they squeeze out a 1-0 win of the small Baltic nation of Latvia. It was again a better performance than Morocco but still not nearly as satisfying as one would hope.

Brian McBride got a knock on his head early in the game that reminded me of, but what as bad as, the one he got over his right eye in the qualifier against Mexico in Columbus for the 2002 World Cup.

Pablo Mastroeni has been the steadiest player for the US. He shows up to play every minute he's on the filed as opposed to some others. Bobby Convey has also shown great tenacity and fire and I think he's played his way onto the Starting XI against the Czechs.

Good to see Eddie Johnson closer to his old form. He was robbed on two offside calls against him that weren't. He deserved a goal somewhere in that game.

"Paging DeMarcus Beasley. Mr. Beasley, please meet your party in Germany." Where as DMB gone? The player that's been trotting around out there these past games his nothing more than a shell of the player from the last World Cup and from his club team in Holland. At this point he's only coming in as a sub for games.

Well, the USMNT has another match ahead against Anglo that closed to the public and media then it's the Czech Republic on June 12th (your very own blogger's birthday).

Other people loved them, but I wasn't a big fan of the special edition "Don't Tread on Me" jersey's the USMNT sported for this game. But that's just me.

Week 9 Wrapup

2006-05-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I went 3 for 5 in my Week 9 predictions, even calling the correct scores on two games so a big pat on the back for that.

I also predicted that the Colorado vs. Real Salt Lake game was going to be a waste of national broadcast and I was right. Shame.

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This was not a good weekend for MLS refs. Referee Colin Tait in the Rapids-RSL match blew a litany of calls, including what should have been a straight red on Colorado's GK Bouna Coundoul for his attempted two-footed tackle that turned into Bouna landing his flying butt on Jason Kreis' leg. And then in the DCU - KC match, ref Terry Vaughn quickly lost control on the game after calling a PK in DCU's favor for a foul in which no one was actually touched then giving Alecko Eskandarian a yellow card after he was pushed into KC keeper Bo Oshioniyi and then calling off Alecko's subsequent goal off the corner kick due to another mysterious foul.

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Speaking of Bouna Coundoul, the Colorado keeper is quickly acquiring people's Carlos Ruiz level of disdain for his time wasting play acting and dirty play. Not a good start.

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I wish someone would have told me I could get away with wearing a pair of different colored but same brand of shoes again. I had to find this out from Clint Mathis in the COL-RSL game. Granted, the last time I did it when I was 10 years old in 1988 the colors I choose weren't neon yellow and hot pink, but I still think the one red, one black Chuck Taylor All-Stars I did lace up were pretty cool.

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Jovan Kirovski is the most killjoy of a player to have 5 goals on the season. The goals he's scored this year have just been the most anti-climatic things that leave you with feeling of general malaise.

2-0 is such a magical score

2006-05-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

There are numbers in this universe that have some magical, mystical, spiritual qualities like 3, 7, and 12. Well it seems like 2-0 is a magical score for the US team. It just seems to keep popping up places, for example US 2 - 0 Mexico in World Cup '02 or US 2 - 0 Mexico in World Cup '06 qualifying. Eerie.

The USMNT came back from a lackluster match with Morocco on Tuesday to show a much more confident, offensive side tonight against Venezuela, beating the OPEC nation 2-0.

Not having your opponent try to keep 80% of their team behind the ball at all times helps to open things up and give players space to work with which the US seemed to take advantage of. Brian Ching's well-timed goal helped quiet the naysayers that quietly (or loudly) questioned Bruce Arena's decision to include him over Taylor Twellman for a WC roster spot. Convey was a monster on the left flank, terrorizing that side with his frequent dangerous treks up into the attacking third. He consistently out ran defenders, took people on 1v1, and sent in numerous quality crosses. The amount he has improved from playing with Reading in the English Coca-Cola Championship (and next season in the Premiere League) is nothing short of remarkable. Tim Howard performed admirably in net and Clint Dempsey managed to send in a diving header for a goal.

The Starting XI this evening were pretty much the 'B' team as 9 of the perceived starters against the Czech Republic June 12th started and mostly finished the game on the bench. Nice to see Michael Bradley get his first cap as a reward for all the hard work he's put into helping the USMNT train.

Up next is Latvia for the 3rd and final game in the send-off series and the super-secretive (though not really) "Don't Tread On Me" all red, limited edition US jerseys.

Week 9 Previews

2006-05-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

nWe've already had a midweek matchup that feature FC Dallas pulling out a late win against the New York Red Bulls, 2-1, up at the Swamp. Now there are 4 games left of Week 9 this Saturday.

Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake

4pm ET, ESPN2

It's the early game and one that probably shouldn't have been wasted in the national broadcast spot. However RSL and the Rapids are both coming off wins so it may turn out to be an explosion of offense and sophisticated soccer. Don't hold your breath though. Don't be shocked with a boring, low scoring affair but RSL may kick in a few goals too. Look for RSL to nab their 3rd win in a row at home on the fake turf.

My Prediction: RSL 2 - 0 Colorado

Houston Dynamo at NE Revolution

7:30pm ET, HDNet, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

Finally a game that shouldn't be a waste of high definition. Both teams are coming off losses: Houston a narrow heartbreaker at home and New England an embarressing slaughter at Dallas. Noonan probably won't start again, but that shouldn't prevent the Revs from giving a bit more effort than they did last week. Houston missing Ching and NE missing Dempsey should wash each other out. A draw is a very really possibility unless DeRosario can pull Houston along to a win.

My prediction: Houston 1 - 1 New England

DC United at KC Wizards

8:30pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

Two weeks ago DCU was able to steal the win on the road at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Look for them to pick up the win again at home but in a much more convincing fashion. KC is really hurting offensively with Josh Wolff and Eddie Johnson gone for nats duty. Of course they'll score their customary goal but a strong game from Jaime Moreno, Freddy Adu, and Christian Gomez will help DCU score more than that. Look for Adu to finally get his first goal of the season.

My prediction: DCU 3 - 1 KC Wizards

Chicago Fire at Chivas USA

11pm ET, Direct Kick, MLSLive.tv

The Goats lost in a shoot out last weekend at the Swamp to RBNY which is going to leave a bad taste in their mouth. Chicago is nearing the end of it's initial 9-game road trip and are just wanting to go home by now. A surging Chivas at a wearing down Chicago spells Chivas' second win of the season and Chicago's second loss (which is still impressive). Ante Razov will probably strike for a goal and the game should be pretty open and free flowing with plenty of offense. And after watching John O'Brien playing for the USMNT Tuesday against, Morocco, Chivas USA is going to be damn good when he gets back.

My prediction: Chivas USA 3 - 0 Chicago.

Crap! We lost another one. Who's left?

2006-05-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

In a bit of tragic USMNT news, defender Cory Gibbs has knee-injured his way out of the US World Cup team (the extent and type of which is unknown to us public as of yet). Gregg Berhalter, veteran of WC '02, takes his place after being called up from the alternates list.

This is the second of three alternate defenders (Chris Albright being the first) to be needed and the US is now finding itself a little on thin side in a position that has traditional been our strongest.

Gibbs had played admirably against Morocco on Tuesday and is one of the few defenders we had that would be truly comfortable playing in a 3-man backline should we have decided to play one. Berhalter, on the other hand, you may remember as turning in a horrible performance when the USMNT played Germany and effectively playing his way onto the alternate list from an out-right WC roster spot.

The lone remaining alternate defender now is Todd Dunivant who I'm sure would love to not only go to Germany but also get away from Steve Sampson and the woeful LA Galaxy for a month.

Preview: FC Dallas @ RBNY - Wed. May, 24th

2006-05-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

It's a midweek clash of MLS' best and one of their worst. Fresh off a 5-4 win against Chivas USA, the Red Bulls are hoping to nab their 2nd win of the season tonight in the cozy confines of Giants Stadium (and yes, the cozy part was sarcastic).

If you want to watch you should probably know:

New York Red Bull vs. FC Dallas - 6:30pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, MLStv, MSG, FSN-SW

Will Jean-Phillipe Peguero continue with his red-hot scoring ways? Or will FCD simply run over them the way they did against the NE Revolution?

I don't think FCD will run away with it but I do think they'll come out with some points. A win more likely than a draw, but they're not losing. It's looking like we'll see the same starting XI for FCD that we did last week. The biggest obstacle they'll have to over come is playing on the fake turf which the Red Bulls would hope to exploit. But I'm thinking they won't. And unfortunately for the Red Bulls offense, FCD's backline isn't nearly as porous as Chivas USA's was.

NY had a great game last week but they'll have a let down tonight. But hey, at least it's on TV.

My prediction: FCD 3 - 1 RBNY

Nashville Star... or not

2006-05-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

There are a variety of ways that one could take the USMNT's 0-1 loss to Morocco last night. Many may view it as a horrible omen of disaster to come. That last night was just another in what has been several games in a row where the offense has struggled to score. Others may look on it as a tactical and personnel experiment that can now be put to rest. That last night was not necessarily a precursor to our future performance but that the Nats need to stop messing around and get down to the business of preparing their starting XI. And there are still the rest of us that are very glad we had such a game as the one we did and think that what we will have learned from this game will pay huge dividends at the World Cup. Here's why:

Unlike what many believed, playing a North African team isn't going to help us against Ghana rather the Atlas Lions were the perfect scout team for Italy. The Moroccans consistently played 8 behind the ball, congested the midfield and attacking third, relying on occasional counter-attacks for their offense. They forced us to move the ball quicker and acclimate to a higher speed of play. Hello Italy.

At the World Cup, one little mistake can cost you the game, even in the 90th minute like what happened last night. I don't think anyone realized how good Morocco was (after all, they just missed the WC by 1 point in qualifying). They were technically sound and quick. And most importantly they weren't a walk-over.

Again, I'm very happy for the game, even with the loss. The USMNT can take nothing for granted and this game will help them remember that. This team also needs to gel a bit more and I'm far from convinced that the line up and formation we saw out there will be what goes on the field June, 12th. Look for Eddie Lewis and Eddie Johnson instead of Gibbs and Wolff. We'll also have to see what's going on with Claudio Reyna's hamstring. Hopefully, and probably, it's just a little tweak that may keep him out of the match with Venezuela in a couple of days, but John O'Brien, even being only 80% match fit (according to him), proved he's more than capable to do the job.

MLS Power Rankings - Week 8

2006-05-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

Shall I go worst to first, or first to worst? This week let's start with the bottom and work our way up.

12 - LA Galaxy (2-6-1)

Suffered their second straight home loss to a perennial MLS underachiever. At least this one wasn't the smack down they got from Real Salt Lake. I'm not sure this team could look anymore disinterested in winning. Veris is the lone bright spot right now but unfortunately it takes more than just one player, especially a defender, to win. Their scoreless drought is now at a club record 390 minutes and counting.

11 - Real Salt Lake (2-5-1)

Picked up their second win of the season and in a row by knocking off the KC Wizards 2-1. Five goals in the last two games is a heady improvement. If they string it to 3 wins in a row, or even a tie with a couple of more goals, they may very see some positive movement in the rankings.

10 - New York Red Bulls (1-1-5)

Congrats to Mo Johnston of finally finding his first win of the season and also for picking up Jean Philippe Peguero from the Colorado Rapids several weeks earlier. The Haitian international picked up the hat trick and the Red Bulls the 3 points. The good news with Red Bulls having a win under their belt is that they're probably the most consistent team in MLS. The bad news is that they’re consistently bad. RBNY now gets to try and keep this winning train rolling when they host league leading FC Dallas at the Swamp. Chances are, though, they'll run out of steam.

9 - Chivas USA (1-4-1)

On this side of reality, 4 goals should be more than enough to secure a win, especially against an historically moribund Red Bulls team. Unfortunately the planets aligned, there was a rip in the time-space continuum, or something else only Isaac Asminov could imagine happened this past weekend and the Goats were on the losing end of a 4-5 shootout. It also needs to be said that at this point in the season Chivas has played an average of 2 games less than everyone else also. So if you're wondering about their somewhat high ranking in relation to their record, then consider that. The wins will start coming.

8 - Colorado Rapids (3-3-1)

At least there are the majestic Rockies and other beautiful things to see and do in Denver because right now if you're expecting to find something similar at a Rapids game you're going to be very, very disappointed. They've managed to squeeze out 3 wins this season, two against similarly inept teams. It's nice that they're going to build a very nice and cozy stadium in the coming years, but I just can't see a time in the near future, especially with Clavijo as manager, that they are going to be something resembling a contender to go deep in the playoffs.

7 - Columbus Crew (3-3-2)

It's pretty apparent that the Crew made out better than the Galaxy in their 4-man swap two weeks ago. Ned Grabavoy gets a goal the first game and Joseph Ngwenya nabs one in the second. They managed the tie against DCU this past weekend. The loss of Frankie Hejduk and Jacob Thomas are a little less noticeable with the new additions, but their absences are still felt.

6 - New England Revolution (3-3-1)

There's no excuse for the 0-4 whipping the Revs took from FC Dallas this past weekend. Losing Clint Dempsey as an excuse will only go so far and they still have Taylor Twellman who very well could have been on the US World Cup roster. Getting Pat Noonan back playing 90 minutes will help but giving up 4 goals in 18 minutes is nothing short of unfathomable from a Steve Nicol team. I'd hate to be in the Revs training this week.

5 - Chicago Fire (2-1-4)

The traveling road show that is the Fire are nearing the end of their 9-city opening tour. With 2 games left before they get to move in to their new home, only suffering one loss is not a small accomplishment. The team's not quite clicking yet, though, instead managing to keep it together just long enough to get out of town with something to show for their efforts.

4 - Kansas City Wizards (4-3-1)

We're now at 6 straight games with only 1 goal scored a contest. It's enough that other teams are going to realize as long as they can put two into he net, that'll be enough to beat KC. With starting forwards Eddie Johnson and Josh Wolff gone for national team duty, it is slightly forgivable that the Wizard's offensive production has dropped. But they've dropped their past two games so they better find some more goals from somewhere and quickly.

3 - Houston Dynamo (4-3-1)

Tough loss this weekend for the normally steady at home Dynamo. They're really starting to miss Brian Ching more and more. While Alejandro Moreno and Ronald Cerritos are quality players in their own right, they just don't bring the aerial presence and work rate that Ching was able to consistently give. Thankfully Houston was able to get Dwayne DeRosario back from a high ankle sprain so soon and with (at least that we could notice) minimal reduction in his ability to contribute as much as he has been.

2 - DC United (4-1-3)

Unlucky not to get the win at Columbus this weekend. They outshot the Crew 17-7 but were only able to put 1 into the back of the net. They visit Arrowhead Stadium to take on a declining KC Wizards team. Fortunately Freddy Adu is starting to make a surge, turning in his most complete game of the season against Columbus and Jaime Moreno seems to be more interested in the attack as well.

1 - FC Dallas (5-1-3)

When you post 4 goals on the New England Revolution in 18 minutes then hold them off to maintain the clean sheet and you sit at the top of the table in MLS, you get to be the Number 1 team in the Power Rankings. Getting Richard Mulrooney back from his ACL tear is already paying huge dividends. Kenny Cooper is a monster on the ball, Carlos Ruiz is clever as ever, Ramon Nunez is finding his scoring touch, and Ronnie O'Brien is a deft as ever with his crosses. Right now, the Hoops have the right formula for success. Not loosing anybody to for the World Cup sure doesn't hurt either.

At least the Red Bulls won...

2006-05-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

So MLS Week 8 has drawn to a close. There was some good, some bad, and the Red Bulls got their first win of the season.

Diver Down

Some people like him, fewer love him, and the majority hate him. That's right, we're talking about everyone's favorite player Carlos Ruiz for FC Dallas.

I've come to think that Carlos Ruiz is the Barry Bonds of MLS. He's a person that you have to recognize as having an enormous amount of talent and respect his abilities as a player that few in MLS can match, but someone you also don't want to succeed and can never really root for (unless you're an FCD fan).

This weekend Ruiz showed again why he's consistently near the top of the list in scoring goals and always contends for the Golden Boot every season. He's quick, accurate, creative and as shown with his 45+ yard goal over Matt Reis this past weekend, has a vision that only a handful of his peers share. Which is why it's so mind boggling that he feels a need to resort to theatrics so often and so aggressively. It's a shame that such a great player in time will simply be remembered rather than celebrated.

Now that's more like it

Finally we get to taste once more the sweet nectar of high scoring games that we were first introduced to us the opening weekend of MLS. FC Dallas spanks the New England Revolutions for 4 in the first 18 minutes of action and then the New York Red Bulls out-gun Chivas USA for their first victory of the season with a 5-4 win. New Red Bulls signing and Haitian international Jean Philippe Peguero gets the hat trick while 4 different players (including Peguero) scored 2 or more goals.

Steve Sampson, please pick up the white courtesy phone...

You've gotta wonder how much longer Stevo can keep going before someone from the front office's Magic 8 Ball tells them, "The Answer is Definitely Yes" when they ask if they should fire Steve Sampson. That's the only logical reason I can come up with as to why they haven't fired him yet; they're just wanting on the Magic 8 Ball to do the dirty work.

And the order is...

I've decided to do a weekly MLS ranking, as if there aren't enough already. Top to bottom, 1 - 12, I'll post my weekly rankings every Tuesday as that will give me enough time to watch and digest all the games from the weekend. So tune in tomorrow, same bat time, same bat blog, for the list.

MLS season analysis Part II: Electric Boogaloo

2006-05-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

I realize this post is a day later but it's definitely not a dollar short. So without further ado:

The (6)Chicago Fire are a difficult team to dissect right now just because they have the unenviable task of starting the season off with 9 straight roads games while their digs in Bridgeview, Il. are having the finishing touches put on them. So far, though, they've done about as well as one could hope, picking up a win here and there and sneaking out of town with a few points they had no business taking (the 5/6 KC game for sure). Chris Rolfe is showing some steady improvement, putting away a couple of goals, and Chad Barrett has been showing well in his time to shine, replacing the recovering Nate Jaqua.
Even more than the having to play consistently in front of hostile crowds at their opponets stadiums, though, is the not being able to stay in one place for more than a week and always being gone. That can wear a team down mentally. But when they finally get to flip the coin and play 9 straight home games they'd best clean up.

The (5) New England Revolution and (4) the Kansas City Wizards are both going to have to figure out how to win without their star players and quick. The Revs are lucky in that only Clint Dempsey is gone for nats duty but he was a big cog in their machine. A disappointed but remaining Taylor Twellman should be able to over compensate for Clint's absence and I anticipate them working their way up the rankings before Deuce returns.
The Wizards on the other hand are three starters lighter for the next month and a half and the strain is already starting to show. The started off the season scoring in multiples but have since settled down into their Wizard normal, posting 5 straight one-goal games. Their lost last weekend at DCU is only the beginning of a stretch of a couple of draws but mostly losses in the days to come. Having your scoring tandem of Josh Wolff and Eddie Johnson gone is going to make scoring really tough and then you have the anchor of the defense in Jimmy Conrad missing too which is going to making keeping goals out tougher as well. The Wizards are only going to go as far as Davy Arnaud can take them before they can finally experience some relief at the end of June or early July.

Apparently the heat and humidity isn't effecting the (3) Houston Dynamo, transplanted from the cooler surroundings of the Bay Area, for their 1st season in the Bayou City. Losing Brian Ching and his goal-scoring noggin is going to hurt, but the Dynamo are one of the most fluid teams in MLS. They still have arguably the best keeper in MLS in Pat Onstad, the have the deft Dwayne DeRosario in the middle, Brian Mullan and his spot-on crosses on the wing, and rock-solid newcomer Adrain Serioux and his By-the-Power-of-Grayskull throw-ins back in the defense. They're the 2nd best team in MLS with maintaining possession and working the ball around. They're only knock is that they just haven't been able to get the wins that their play would suggest they should have gotten. Unfortunately, people tend to remember wins more than losing in style.

(2)FC Dallas might actually contend for the Supporter's Shield and go deep into the playoffs this year. The effort the front office put into keep Carlos Ruiz is paying off and their quick with the catch, slow as molasses with the release GK Dario Sala has shown well between the pipes. They've finally got Richard Mulrooney back from an ACL tear which should really improve the middlefield play and raise the team to a higher level than they already were. Alex Yi and Drew Moor in the backfield are giving the oppostion's attack fits.
Getting beat down in Houston then following it up the next weekend with a heartbreaking draw to the same Houston team is tough but they'll be able to take advantage of most team's USMNT losses.

And finally we arrive at (1)DC United. They're once again showing (for the most part) the same discipline and poise on the ball and with the possession that they've become known for under 3rd year head coach Peter Nowak. Alecko Eskandarian has been producing some firecracker goals, tallying 4 on the young season after coming back from a year off due to residual migranes that stemmed from a concussion he had suffered. The 5/6 Colorado game aside, this team is either finding ways to win or simply dominating from the outset. Troy Perkins is making his claim on the starting GK spot with several outstanding performances in net. Nowak's substitution patterns are still a little suspect but he, like the team, seem to be improving over last year. Seeing them in the MLS Cup championship game again at season's end is a very distinct possibility.

Just call me Lazarus, man.

2006-05-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, it may very well seem like I have risen from the dead. After quickly failing on the one most important vow of mine to post with frequent regularity, I have returned to post once more (and hopefully to continue doing so).

We now have 7 weeks of the MLS season in the history books, accounting for approximately a third of the season. My how time does fly. We also have the World Cup right around the corner in June. If you're asking yourself right now, "I wonder if he'll talk any about the US Men's National Team and the World Cup also or is he just going to talk about MLS?" Well, have no fear, this blog is about soccer and all things relating to the beautiful game (read the header, duh) so of course I'm going to talk World Cup. I've been anxiously awaiting Germany '06 for 4 years since Japan/Korea '02. I'll have plenty to say.

But first I'll do a little first third of the MLS season analysis in two parts with the bottom 6 (in my humble and always correct opinion) primero, and then the top 6 the following day (hopefully). So here we go!

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I can't say I'm all that surprised with Steve Sampson systematically screwing up the (12) LA Galaxy, but how quickly and to so severe a degree their downfall has been accomplished is very unexpected. We all knew some big time hurt was heading their way when Landon Donovan went auf deutsch with the rest of the USMNT for World Cup '06 in Germany, but they were certified for hospice before his departure. And after their 0-3 humiliation to Real Salt Lake this past weekend, the only thing left to do is make them as comfortable as possible while death over-takes them.

Speaking of (11)Real Salt Lake, the fine folks of the Wasatch Front deserve a better team then the 2nd year franchise is limping out there for them. Yes they did smack around the Gals last weekend but for better or worse, that just doesn't carry the same weight that it once did. You can't get too excited where at the end of the game all the players got a medal for participation and a ticket for a free soda.
John Ellinger to date is still the coach only because the incompetence of the RSL front office has managed to trump his own. He's a great guy but has only succeeded at drafting poorly, making questionable-at-best personnel moves (Clint Mathis anyone?), and dragging down his team into the bowels of MLS along side Sloth and that Vincent guy from the Beauty and the Beast TV series.

The (10)Colorado Rapids and (9)Columbus Crew are providing me with a great excuse for a Saturday afternoon or evening nap. And to make it worse, both teams have managed to get on HDNet somehow and scar my child-like sense of wonder and awe at soccer in high definition. Much like Terri Hatcher, not everything looks better in HD.
I do expect Sigi Schmid to get the Crew moving in an upward direction, though. He swindled Steve Sampson out of Ned Grabavoy and Joseph Ngwenya and he's too good of a coach not to find success soon. The Rapids on the other hand, as long as Fernado Clavijo is at the helm, is an aimless, drifting ship that occasionally crashes into land out of blind luck.

The (8) Red Bulls of Gotham should be better than they are right night, but per the course, they're not. They have so much talent, financial backing out the whazoo now, and a good coach that will eventually be a really good if not great one. But the just can't get the pieces to fit right and in Amado Guevarra's case, have a piece that's more than a little messed up and just won't fit anywhere. It's good to see that the organization is finally taking some steps to deal with that situation but it could all blow up in their faces just a soon and work out the way it's supposed to.

And as if to prove some more that Red Bull New York is a bizarro team, coach Bob Bradley, hero in Chicago but a zero in the Big Apple, is working his magic again and bringing (7)Chivas USA from the MLS basement to respectability. It's good that Chivas figured out that latinos like winning more than just have a team full of other latinos, and Bob has brought it some hefty talent including Ante Razov, John O'Brien, Tim Regan, and Jesse Marsch to compliment Chivas USA mainstays Brad Guzan and Paco Palencia. They're definitely going to make the playoffs this year and may even slip into the second round.

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y - night!

2006-03-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

Had fun at the game last Saturday in Moore. I won't lie, I was a wee bit disappointed with the starting XI for both sides, especially FCD. But still had a grand time none the less.

The kidos enjoyed themselves at the pre-game fun fest, thoroughly wearing the rubber off the inflatable slide to the point that it posed some danger to continue sliding.

As for the game it was a brisk evening, the crowd was larger than I was anticipating with as little marketing as they did for it. The quality of the game about what you'd expect from an February reserves game but at least I didn't have to drive 3 hours to watch it.

I do hope they bring it back bigger and better next year like they claim they will and I eagerly look forward to it since MLS hasn't handed over our own team yet.

Who's on the list?: The Sequel

2006-03-22T20:32:00.001-08:00

Here's the starting lineup from tonight's 4-1 FC Dallas drubbing of Club Atlas of Mexico.

48 - Dario Sala (GK)
3 - Greg Vanney
4 - Chris Gbandi
6 - Ronnie O'Brien
12 - Arturo Alvarez
13 - Dax McCarty
14 - Drew Moor
17 - Simo Valakari
19 - Bobby Rhine
20 - Carlos Ruiz
33 - Kenny Cooper

Roberto Mina came on for Kenny Cooper and Ramon Nunez for Dax McCarty.

Not bad at all. Can't wait for 3 more days.

Who's on the list?

2006-03-21T18:56:00.000-08:00

Some clues as to what we can expect at least one of the opposing teams' roster to look like for the Saturn Cup Challenge reside in FCD's line-up against Mexico's Club Atlas this Wednesday, March 22nd, when the Hoops take on the Foxes in an exhibition game at Pizza Hut Park.

Buzz at 3rddegree.net has intimated that the roster we see in that game will probably be the same as the OKC game and the opening day game on April 1st kicking off the MLS season.

I hope this is true as well as hope that the Kansas City Wizards follow suit and play their opening day roster in kind.

Too often in pre-season exhibitions we only get to see the bench warmers, second teamers, and fringe players fighting and clawing for roster spots and never any of the money players. Of course this is logical strategy on the part of the clubs as they don't want any unnecessary injuries to befall their best and brightest. But it would still be nice to possibly see Ruiz and O'Brien, et al. for FCD and Johnson, Wolff, and Conrad, et al. for KC.

I feel pretty good about it.

So legit it's got a sponsor

2006-03-19T13:38:00.000-08:00

This coming Saturday, March 25th, FC Dallas will be taking on the Kansas City Wizards in their final pre-season tune-up in the inaugural Saturn Challenge Cup - Oklahoma City to be played at the intimidating confines of Moore HS Stadium in the OKC suburb to the south on I-35. More info and ticketing go to http://www.oklahomachallengecup.com

I'm excited about the game if for no other reason that it's always nice not to have to drive 3 hours to go see an MLS game. My hope is that since this is the final match before the start of the MLS season that we'll get to see some starters like Ruiz for FCD and Johnson and Wolff for KC play. I'm not holding my breath but I'll try to find out what the rosters and likely starters will be of both teams for the game.

I'm also excited for this game because my wife and I will be taking our niece and nephew (3 and 4 years old respectively) to their first ever soccer, let alone MLS, game. We plan on hitting the pre-game festival that will be going on starting at 1pm and then the game. Should have a blast.

On a side note I went by the stadium yesterday and the field is in pristine condition and should be excellent for both teams to play on. The grounds crew has done a fantastic job with it.

And Red Bull was it's name-o!!!

2006-03-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

I know much has been written about the subject of Red Bull purchasing the Metrostars and rebranding them Red Bull New York a.k.a. The New York Red Bulls. I'll briefly touch on my feelings about this just so that I can add my opinion to the countless other already in existence.

At first I was a bit leery of the deal just because the notion of a corporate entity buying a team and remaking it into some sort of running, jumping, and playing advertisement is instinctively nauseous. I, like many others, at first thought that MLS was starting down a slippery slope of capitalism run amok and the grief they would take but the outside media would be excessive. However, once and laid out all the facts and considered them my opinion gradually evolved into something much more positive.

The huge infusion of cash into MLS is the biggest positive to take away from this deal. To define it even more, a huge infusion of much needed cash. The long and glorious history of the game of soccer does not sire an equally long and glorious history of MLS and people need to remember this. The league is but a mere 11 years old. The league also has yet to break even and turn a profit financially. Add these things together and it means that MLS doesn't have the luxury that the other top tier pro leagues in this country have in turning down that kind of money. It's just a simple fact.

Some other positives to consider is that along with this deal:

Red Bull will help pay to finish and then own half of the Harrison, NJ stadium. A stadium long overdue.

As far as corporations naming sports teams go, at least Red Bull sounds like a very real and probable nickname for a sports team. It's true that this is not the first soccer (or sports team) to be owned and play under the name of a corporation. PSV Eindhoven (Philips Electronics) Bayer Leverkusen (Bayer Pharmaceuticals) are soccer teams. The Green Bay Packers were named after the Indian Packing Co. when the company paid for new team uniforms. At least a few Japanese baseball teams have a corporate name. It's not like the team is called the New Yorks Nikes or the New York Mitsubishis. Even the name 'Metrostars' was named in part for Metromedia, the originals owners. And not to be insensitive but personally I think the Red Bulls is a much better name than Metrostars.

It subtracts from the number of teams AEG owns which is a very good thing.

In the end it is an experiment that many would like to see how it turns out. I wouldn't expect anything similar to happen again anytime soon. This has all the makings of being an anomaly and with the money they bring in may very well be the catalyst needed to really boost MLS over the threshold into money making super-league and the next time a similar offer from a business arises that can respectfully decline. Just because they do it once doesn't mean that have to do it again. Many decisions throughout history have been made based on the needs of the time. As times change so do the needs. This will hold true to MLS as well.

A hopeful start

2006-03-17T17:30:00.000-08:00

My sincere hope is that I can actually maintain posting on a regular basis here. Once the MLS season begins April 1st I'm certain that I'll have plenty of thoughts and topics to talk about which is encouraging.

Please remember that everything I post is obviously my own personal opinion but I will promise you all that every post will be (hopefully) intelligent, logical, and (again, hopefully) well thought out. Though we are all prone to knee-jerk reactions to events or the occasional venting of emotions in haste, I will do my best minimize if not out-right bar any such posting on my part.

I look forward to posting in this blog and also the MLS season!