I've been lazy. But there's some interesting stuff going on:
EPL is under way and *Chelsea* is on top - Man U is not!
American soccer is gaining world power. Feilhaber is in Germany, Danny Szetela to Newcastle, Adu to Benfica, the boys at Fulham, etc.
Blanco is the "designated player" hero - two goals, five assists, renwed Chicago's playoff hopes. Blanco also says players have been asking him about his stint in the MLS with interest.
Becks is out for the rest of the season (knee). Shit.
The U.S. take on Brazil Sept. 9th and will announce the roster Monday - they want to give a couple fringe players a look (Feilhaber, Adu, other players settling into their team) but most have been selected already.
Lamps is out for England
I'm back!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Tomorrow = Becks
Well, the fun starts tomorrow at 4:30 PT with a special on becks, which will be followed immediately by his debut game, although his appearance will mst likely be short becuase of an injured ankle. Thats ok though, its still cool, sort of. Now that I think about it, the MLS may not be ready for it. But, if we keep our net export talent ratio balanced, we should be ok. Young American talent needs to be exported to EU while we bring a couple legends back to tout the beautiful game. Will soccer succeed in America? if it does, it will not be becuase of David Beckham, but Posh might have something to do with it. The image of soccer needs to change from a social sport for suburbanites that fill shared stadium parking lots with mini-vans to a cut-throat competitive athletic showcase in 50,000 capacity stadiums near public transportation and drinking establishments.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The best day of my life...
I was feeling tired and bored today, but then I saw the news. The Earthquakes are coming back to The Bay!!!!! I honestly thought it'd be a few more years till I saw the colors again, but Garger (The MLS Comissioner) announced the news today. I can't wait, I'll be one of the first season tickets, no doubt.
Lew Wolff, managing partner of the Oakland Athletics (Go Giants!), bought the rights to the team colors, name, and frnachise when they moved to Houston and has been trying to get a team back ever since. He originally planned to build a new stadium for the San Jose State Spartans, but they couldn't agree on a revenue sharing scheme. He now will have the team play in "temporary" venues 'till a stadium is built right by my house (!) in 2010. Wow.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The American Dream
So I guess its not so bad having a terrible league afterall. If we had a world class league, world class clubs wouldn't come to play off-season friendly's, like the Chelsea vs. Club America game I attended yesterday. It wasn't the most exciting game, like one you'd hope would be equivalent to a UEFA game, but the atmosphere was great. If they can pack nearly 50,oo0 into Stanford then why can't we have a MLS club in nor cal? Beckham won't change it either. He could ruin it, if the caliber of play doesn't significantly increase. More on that later.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
CONMEBOL muy mad
The CONMEBOL, the South American soccer federation that puts on the Copa America, has stated its frustration with the U.S. becuase of their sending of a second rate team. CONMEBOL feels the U.S. didn't show the tournament the respect it deserves, and used Argentina as an example of a team that hasn't left one star of the roster. Here's the article.
So why did the U.S. disrespect the tournament? I don't think they did. They saw this as a chance to give their youth some playing time against the best in the world - a rare chance for the young MLS player. They also let the MLS stars return to their teams, as they would have missed nearly two months with their club team (the MLS needs to change the season schedule begin and end dates, or have an international summer break). But our stars need to play against the best in the world too, and I think its part of Bradley's master plan to make this happen. Had the U.S. not won the Gold Cup, they wouldn't have qualified for the Confederations Cup (the tournament for all the winners of the regional tournaments like Copa America and the Gold cup), and he most likely would have sent the studs.
So why did the U.S. disrespect the tournament? I don't think they did. They saw this as a chance to give their youth some playing time against the best in the world - a rare chance for the young MLS player. They also let the MLS stars return to their teams, as they would have missed nearly two months with their club team (the MLS needs to change the season schedule begin and end dates, or have an international summer break). But our stars need to play against the best in the world too, and I think its part of Bradley's master plan to make this happen. Had the U.S. not won the Gold Cup, they wouldn't have qualified for the Confederations Cup (the tournament for all the winners of the regional tournaments like Copa America and the Gold cup), and he most likely would have sent the studs.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Speechless
USA 1 ~ Paraguay 3
The U.S never found their groove, but it could have easily been the reverse scoreline. More of the same inexperience, but its good for them and the MLS. I can't wait to see guys like Feilhaber, Clark, and Donovan in the midfield dominating those socialist sympathizing Europeans.
The the youth of the U.S. look promising, as long as Eddie Johnson starts finishing - but when? He's 23 and has spent a good chunk of time in the mediocrity that is the MLS - when will he bloom. He's big, athletic, and fast with good technique, but I haven't seen a thirst for goals and a win at all cost attitude. That's what the U.S. lacks in general as well: a win at all costs attitude. It's OK to do a little spitting, a little clashing, a little tugging and a lot of shit talking, but the "everyone plays, fairly" attitude of the AYSO turns our boys into little suburban sissies! Send them overseas our Central America, better yet, and let them see how it's done. I'm sorry, but the NCAA Division 1 (go broncos) is not anything comparable to a youth academy. I'm going to start ranting, so I'll stop there. Cheers.
The U.S never found their groove, but it could have easily been the reverse scoreline. More of the same inexperience, but its good for them and the MLS. I can't wait to see guys like Feilhaber, Clark, and Donovan in the midfield dominating those socialist sympathizing Europeans.
The the youth of the U.S. look promising, as long as Eddie Johnson starts finishing - but when? He's 23 and has spent a good chunk of time in the mediocrity that is the MLS - when will he bloom. He's big, athletic, and fast with good technique, but I haven't seen a thirst for goals and a win at all cost attitude. That's what the U.S. lacks in general as well: a win at all costs attitude. It's OK to do a little spitting, a little clashing, a little tugging and a lot of shit talking, but the "everyone plays, fairly" attitude of the AYSO turns our boys into little suburban sissies! Send them overseas our Central America, better yet, and let them see how it's done. I'm sorry, but the NCAA Division 1 (go broncos) is not anything comparable to a youth academy. I'm going to start ranting, so I'll stop there. Cheers.
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