Haven't done this for a while, but at least have the handy excuse of cranking out previews of my own. There are a few to get to today.
Soccer America got to churning out theirs, under the title of MLS Countdown. I like it. The two teams I came across today were FC Dallas and the Columbus Crew. I have to say, Ridge Mahoney does such a job of finding the upside on FC Dallas that I'm close to reconsidering my more dour assessment of their chances (though, in my defense, I did own up to some personal issues round the bottom). Not surprisingly, though, the main concern comes in defense, 'cause that offense retains some serious potential.
Regarding Columbus, notes the real, if moderately untried, depth. Like a lot of people, he figures Columbus has to get better. And what with the preseason they've had, it looks like that'll come together.
Another team that's looking kind of unnerving (from a New England perspective at least) is Toronto FC (who were reviewed by an outfit I've really got to learn more about; it was run in a Seattle paper though). As not a few of you have no doubt read, they picked up their first win against an MLS club yesterday (Red Bull, ha ha). I'm thinking they've got enough offensive talent that it won't be their last.
Finally, Andrea Canales did a Real Salt Lake preview for ESPN. I'd say she rather nimbly picked through the Freddy/Mehdi bramble as well as playing up the subtle shifts in tactics. I haven't reviewed them yet, but think RSL could do something this season...
...then again, I seem to think that about everyone lately...tells me it's going to be a good year.
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Wow. This is what happens when you get addicted to Bloglines.
If ESPN can be trusted - and, generally, I trust them like I trust my mother when she tells me it wasn't her who farted (decipher that one!) - it looks like we'll wake up tomorrow to a front page of MLSnetcom mentioning a "blockbuster trade" sending Clint Mathis to Red Bull New York.
Dang me. I don't think this was the "proven goal-scorer" we kept reading about, but I still love Mathis as a player. There's no denying the man has fallen off, but maybe getting back in the big lights will give him the requisite inspiration to be the player he can be.
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If ESPN can be trusted - and, generally, I trust them like I trust my mother when she tells me it wasn't her who farted (decipher that one!) - it looks like we'll wake up tomorrow to a front page of MLSnetcom mentioning a "blockbuster trade" sending Clint Mathis to Red Bull New York.
Dang me. I don't think this was the "proven goal-scorer" we kept reading about, but I still love Mathis as a player. There's no denying the man has fallen off, but maybe getting back in the big lights will give him the requisite inspiration to be the player he can be.
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Write On Sports posted the piece to which I referred earlier today.
Seeing as I'm linking to it, it doesn't make sense to labor the points it contains, but I do want to note the general thrust of the argument it makes. The essential point is that seeing as we don't produce great players in this country, the main task comes down to figuring how to fit together the pieces we have. This is partly a reaction to the love-fest Feilhaber received after Ecuador, but it's more fundamental than that.
At any rate, I really struggled with the language I used and don't know that I ever found the correct phrasing for what I'm getting at. To give it one more shot: we've got good enough raw materials - not ideal, mind you, but good enough; the focus needs to be on training these guys to think better about the game. I didn't mention this in the piece, but I think Bob Bradley's headed in the right direction on this, at least conceptually. That's what I get from some of the quotes Marc Connolly dredged out of various people in articles about Michael Bradley and Benny Feilhaber. I think we're to a place where we just need to work on making the people we've got more effective. So, that's the point of the Write On piece. Hope y'all like it.
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Seeing as I'm linking to it, it doesn't make sense to labor the points it contains, but I do want to note the general thrust of the argument it makes. The essential point is that seeing as we don't produce great players in this country, the main task comes down to figuring how to fit together the pieces we have. This is partly a reaction to the love-fest Feilhaber received after Ecuador, but it's more fundamental than that.
At any rate, I really struggled with the language I used and don't know that I ever found the correct phrasing for what I'm getting at. To give it one more shot: we've got good enough raw materials - not ideal, mind you, but good enough; the focus needs to be on training these guys to think better about the game. I didn't mention this in the piece, but I think Bob Bradley's headed in the right direction on this, at least conceptually. That's what I get from some of the quotes Marc Connolly dredged out of various people in articles about Michael Bradley and Benny Feilhaber. I think we're to a place where we just need to work on making the people we've got more effective. So, that's the point of the Write On piece. Hope y'all like it.
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Add another win against another minnow and you've got the New England Revolution at 6-0-0 and, as this guy points out, holding a +20 goal differential with 23 goals scored and 3 allowed. (If nothing else, BigSoccer people are always reliable about knowing such arcana.) And that's a 4-0 win to boot.
So, why am I not feeling easy about the season ahead?
patfan1, another BigSoccer commenter, takes the same view as me (here):
Sums it up nicely, I think. Still, it is good to see the names of the youngsters - Adam Cristman, Arsene Oka, Wells Thompson - all over the several write-ups, because that tells me they're performing at a level higher than that of a preseason Professional Development League (PDL) team; that's what you'd expect when you're players find themselves on the professional side of what a woman in the second link above calls a "half-professional" encounter...bet the Shell Shockers liked that.
Speaking of professionals, the Boston Globe's write-up on the game contained some intriguing details on line-ups, where people (Steve Ralston) played when another (Shalrie Joseph) left; the former elicited a reaction from another message boarder, which precisely matched mine:
Let me go on record now as saying this is something I'd like to see Nicol experiment with. Though I read good things about Ralston's fitness and activity further down in the larger discussion on this game, I'm wondering how he'd do as an outright playmaker. You'd lose the crossing (though not totally), but he's a smart passer of the ball and, through a quick first step and guile, has a decent knack for creating small openings for passes and shots. I'm just saying they could do worse.
Right. All for now. Thanks to the BigSoccer people I borrowed from. If I understood "repping" I'd be happy to pass on some...but I've got no idea what that means.
So, why am I not feeling easy about the season ahead?
patfan1, another BigSoccer commenter, takes the same view as me (here):
"These games mean nothing. It appears that the rookies can play, at least against the level they've played against. Now comes the test. Here's hoping they can do the same with the season here."
Sums it up nicely, I think. Still, it is good to see the names of the youngsters - Adam Cristman, Arsene Oka, Wells Thompson - all over the several write-ups, because that tells me they're performing at a level higher than that of a preseason Professional Development League (PDL) team; that's what you'd expect when you're players find themselves on the professional side of what a woman in the second link above calls a "half-professional" encounter...bet the Shell Shockers liked that.
Speaking of professionals, the Boston Globe's write-up on the game contained some intriguing details on line-ups, where people (Steve Ralston) played when another (Shalrie Joseph) left; the former elicited a reaction from another message boarder, which precisely matched mine:
"Most interesting news to me was the fact that [Steve Ralston] played center mid after Thompson subbed on."
Let me go on record now as saying this is something I'd like to see Nicol experiment with. Though I read good things about Ralston's fitness and activity further down in the larger discussion on this game, I'm wondering how he'd do as an outright playmaker. You'd lose the crossing (though not totally), but he's a smart passer of the ball and, through a quick first step and guile, has a decent knack for creating small openings for passes and shots. I'm just saying they could do worse.
Right. All for now. Thanks to the BigSoccer people I borrowed from. If I understood "repping" I'd be happy to pass on some...but I've got no idea what that means.
My relative silence on the subject of last night’s game between the U.S. and Guatemala has less to do with wanting to forget the whole thing as in trying to put it in some kind of useful context. My attempt to do that should appear shortly on Write On Sports - and I’ll link to it when it shows - but there’s a lot of detailed thinking bubbling underneath all that; that’s what I’d like to look at here.
Since the Write On effort drained me of all ability to think fluidly (it was so...damned...difficult...why?) I think I’ll rock the following, random player comments bullet-style:
- The Feilhaber Man-Crush: Here’s to hoping that last night cooled that a bit. And this has nothing to do with a personal belief he had a bad game; the point, though, is that he didn’t have a good one. Seeing as no one else did, that hardly makes him unique. That Michael Bradley, as I see it, outplayed him on the night gets me wondering whether Bradley wasn’t the decisive person against Ecuador as well. None of this is to say that Feilhaber doesn’t deserve more chances; he does, and many of them. But I’d like to see the Bradley/Feilhaber duo broken up so as to experiment with say, Feilhaber/Ricardo Clark or Bradley/Mastroeni. In other words, team the more-polished passer with an ankle-breaking bulldog and see what happens. The experiment I’m most eager to see is Clark/Feilhaber...so, yeah, it’s not that I don’t like the guy. It’s the hype that gets me.
- Landon Let-Down: I’ll be damned, but those Guatemalans had him figured. I think the only time I saw Landon was when he was picking himself up. He’s still our Landy-cakes and his numbers prove he’s the best offensive player this country has yet produced, but he’s also clearly stoppable. Kids/wife/dinner meant that I couldn’t answer this for sure, but did the Guatemalans just stick a player to Donovan? If I were only looking to kill his game, that’s certainly what I’d do. Whatever they did, though, it worked.
- Mapp’s "Almost" Day: There’s no question in my mind that Mapp posed the most persistent threat to the Guatemalan bunker. Though he never managed the final ball, his runs at least made the Guatemalans chase and lose shape from time to time; damn shame he never managed to crank in that final ball, or totally turn the corner. Still, call this an moderately encouraging outing to place on top of his earlier promising one against Denmark. I’d bump him up to a solid option behind Beasley; on those days you’re feeling cocky enough to play for a win from the outset, you could make him first choice by combining him with a stay-at-home left-back. But, yeah, I like him. He needs to improve to take some attention from Donovan.
- Frank Simek - Best of the new guys. Someone, somewhere detected a habit of Simek hoofing the ball upfield, but I didn’t catch it. What I did catch, was him playing himself smartly out of trouble once or twice, and a late-game surge down the right that looked threatening enough at the time. Credit to him for mixing it up.
- End EJ: For the love of God, can we end this fucking experiment? By my judgment, he didn’t even fight for half the balls lofted his way, which made him nothing as an aerial threat, and he didn’t offer much with the ball at his feet either. Let this guy focus on club ball and see if he can get “it” back - and I wish him luck with it.
- Dempsey: He showed he can play, but only here and there. By the end of the game, though, he was about the only U.S. player still chasing for a goal. Overall, though, he's not winning hearts and minds.
- DeMerit: I’m, frankly, pissed that we still don’t have much to work with around this guy. There simply wasn’t enough for him to do for us to figure.
- Conrad: This may or may not be a lonely position, but I thought he was our best defender on the day. Good at cleaning up and not giving anything away (though that was him on Ruiz’s best shot at the U.S. goal, wasn’t it?).
And finally....
- The Guatemalans: They suck for playing it, but, damn, was that game plan effective. And that leads to...
- The Fundamental Issue: Tedious as last night was, it’s not entirely fair to say the Yanquis don’t know how to break-down an opponent. That “almost-score” - the play that ended with Mapp picking up a smart feed from Dempsey only to send it wide - tells me we do know how. The question is how to do more of it, to train our guys to switch up tactics more comfortably and frequently during the game. Sure, there’s the game plan and there’s the way a player likes to receive the ball, but these cant’ be etched in stone if we’re going to improve as a team and as players. The play described above, which came a bit after the 60th minute, was a good example of that - and we almost caught ‘em out.
All in all, though, we looked awfully confused. And, the reality is, we simply do better against teams who come to play.
All for now...time to shift gears anyway.
Since the Write On effort drained me of all ability to think fluidly (it was so...damned...difficult...why?) I think I’ll rock the following, random player comments bullet-style:
- The Feilhaber Man-Crush: Here’s to hoping that last night cooled that a bit. And this has nothing to do with a personal belief he had a bad game; the point, though, is that he didn’t have a good one. Seeing as no one else did, that hardly makes him unique. That Michael Bradley, as I see it, outplayed him on the night gets me wondering whether Bradley wasn’t the decisive person against Ecuador as well. None of this is to say that Feilhaber doesn’t deserve more chances; he does, and many of them. But I’d like to see the Bradley/Feilhaber duo broken up so as to experiment with say, Feilhaber/Ricardo Clark or Bradley/Mastroeni. In other words, team the more-polished passer with an ankle-breaking bulldog and see what happens. The experiment I’m most eager to see is Clark/Feilhaber...so, yeah, it’s not that I don’t like the guy. It’s the hype that gets me.
- Landon Let-Down: I’ll be damned, but those Guatemalans had him figured. I think the only time I saw Landon was when he was picking himself up. He’s still our Landy-cakes and his numbers prove he’s the best offensive player this country has yet produced, but he’s also clearly stoppable. Kids/wife/dinner meant that I couldn’t answer this for sure, but did the Guatemalans just stick a player to Donovan? If I were only looking to kill his game, that’s certainly what I’d do. Whatever they did, though, it worked.
- Mapp’s "Almost" Day: There’s no question in my mind that Mapp posed the most persistent threat to the Guatemalan bunker. Though he never managed the final ball, his runs at least made the Guatemalans chase and lose shape from time to time; damn shame he never managed to crank in that final ball, or totally turn the corner. Still, call this an moderately encouraging outing to place on top of his earlier promising one against Denmark. I’d bump him up to a solid option behind Beasley; on those days you’re feeling cocky enough to play for a win from the outset, you could make him first choice by combining him with a stay-at-home left-back. But, yeah, I like him. He needs to improve to take some attention from Donovan.
- Frank Simek - Best of the new guys. Someone, somewhere detected a habit of Simek hoofing the ball upfield, but I didn’t catch it. What I did catch, was him playing himself smartly out of trouble once or twice, and a late-game surge down the right that looked threatening enough at the time. Credit to him for mixing it up.
- End EJ: For the love of God, can we end this fucking experiment? By my judgment, he didn’t even fight for half the balls lofted his way, which made him nothing as an aerial threat, and he didn’t offer much with the ball at his feet either. Let this guy focus on club ball and see if he can get “it” back - and I wish him luck with it.
- Dempsey: He showed he can play, but only here and there. By the end of the game, though, he was about the only U.S. player still chasing for a goal. Overall, though, he's not winning hearts and minds.
- DeMerit: I’m, frankly, pissed that we still don’t have much to work with around this guy. There simply wasn’t enough for him to do for us to figure.
- Conrad: This may or may not be a lonely position, but I thought he was our best defender on the day. Good at cleaning up and not giving anything away (though that was him on Ruiz’s best shot at the U.S. goal, wasn’t it?).
And finally....
- The Guatemalans: They suck for playing it, but, damn, was that game plan effective. And that leads to...
- The Fundamental Issue: Tedious as last night was, it’s not entirely fair to say the Yanquis don’t know how to break-down an opponent. That “almost-score” - the play that ended with Mapp picking up a smart feed from Dempsey only to send it wide - tells me we do know how. The question is how to do more of it, to train our guys to switch up tactics more comfortably and frequently during the game. Sure, there’s the game plan and there’s the way a player likes to receive the ball, but these cant’ be etched in stone if we’re going to improve as a team and as players. The play described above, which came a bit after the 60th minute, was a good example of that - and we almost caught ‘em out.
All in all, though, we looked awfully confused. And, the reality is, we simply do better against teams who come to play.
All for now...time to shift gears anyway.
It's a bit under the radar, what with the U.S. v. Guatemala game airing tonight, but the New England Revolution (shockingly) wraps up it's preseason work tonight with a warm-up against the Professional Development League's New Orleans Shell Shockers. A couple of write-ups appear in the local press, one a straight preview and the other a preview-cum-profile of a local player named Josey Portillo.
The latter contains a great line, from Portillo, about what it's like for soccer minnows to play a Major League Soccer (MLS) club just eleven years into the top-flight's existence:
As one who routinely fantasizes about showing up to open tryouts, (much) less to make the team than to fully appreciate how much better those players are than I'll ever be, I can appreciate where Portillo is coming from.
Regular readers of this space (and stray comments on BigSoccer boards know that the relative weakness of the Revs' preseason opposition is something of a going topic for me. Given that, I'll only say that the Revs are hardly testing themselves on this one. To begin, the New Orleans Shell Shockers hardly stand tall on the domestic scene, competing as they do in what amounts to the American fourth division. More to the point, they haven't had a good year since 2003, when, by a count of the number of wins showing, they looked to have done pretty well.
Subsequent years have been less kind: 2004 saw them finish 40th of 54 teams; they improved in 2005 to 36th, but, last year, the compiled a record in the PDL better than only nine teams (I didn't bother counting the number of teams...sorry).
The point of this slagging has less to do with the Shell Shockers - to whom I wish all the luck in the world - than it does with the Revs' curious preseason choices. Anyone else out there think Nicol might be concerned about building up the confidence of his newer players, several of whom he'll no doubt have to play during the upcoming season? I've heard worse ideas if that's the case, but, clearly, a risk of backfiring pertains.
Oh, and Joe Franchino took a leave of absence from the team for unstated reasons. The article reporting this mentions his recent run in with the law, which kind of posits a link between the two. Wonder if that's justified?
The latter contains a great line, from Portillo, about what it's like for soccer minnows to play a Major League Soccer (MLS) club just eleven years into the top-flight's existence:
"It's going to be kind of like a dream going against an MLS team."
As one who routinely fantasizes about showing up to open tryouts, (much) less to make the team than to fully appreciate how much better those players are than I'll ever be, I can appreciate where Portillo is coming from.
Regular readers of this space (and stray comments on BigSoccer boards know that the relative weakness of the Revs' preseason opposition is something of a going topic for me. Given that, I'll only say that the Revs are hardly testing themselves on this one. To begin, the New Orleans Shell Shockers hardly stand tall on the domestic scene, competing as they do in what amounts to the American fourth division. More to the point, they haven't had a good year since 2003, when, by a count of the number of wins showing, they looked to have done pretty well.
Subsequent years have been less kind: 2004 saw them finish 40th of 54 teams; they improved in 2005 to 36th, but, last year, the compiled a record in the PDL better than only nine teams (I didn't bother counting the number of teams...sorry).
The point of this slagging has less to do with the Shell Shockers - to whom I wish all the luck in the world - than it does with the Revs' curious preseason choices. Anyone else out there think Nicol might be concerned about building up the confidence of his newer players, several of whom he'll no doubt have to play during the upcoming season? I've heard worse ideas if that's the case, but, clearly, a risk of backfiring pertains.
Oh, and Joe Franchino took a leave of absence from the team for unstated reasons. The article reporting this mentions his recent run in with the law, which kind of posits a link between the two. Wonder if that's justified?
(Don't ask about the photo...it's the devil in me.)
Past
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on the Revolution’s '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England’s Ins & Outs for roster changes (wait...those aren't just ball boys?)
New England Revolution’s roster from MLSnet.com
And now, the Future...
Key Men
Taylor Twellman - Before you assume it’s just the goals, flash back to the 2006 playoffs. Recall Twellman bellowing in the face of a prone Ivan Guerrero, remember him drifting back to defensive midfield to protect the lead against DC United, and mourn the fact he finally scored a goal in a final only to have Ching’s quirky goal cancel it seconds later. There’s a reason Twellman is one of the faces, if not the face, of the Revolution. He does so much for this team.
Daniel Hernandez - Unlike Coach Steve Nicol, I was a fan of Jose “Pepe” Cancela. The biggest question facing this team is who provides the “cultured” passing Cancela could very well have supplied if he ever saw the field for the Revs. It helps immensely, not least with Nicol, that Hernandez is a solid, if injury-prone, two-way player. But there are times when the team struggles with coherence in the attack and Hernandez looks the likeliest candidate to provide that. Assuming he can, the Revs become a better team without question, because when they stall....(shudder).
Matt Reis - It feels like a bit of disservice to the three men who will line up in front of him, but Reis anchors that line and, therefore, gets the nod here. Frankly, watching Reis play scares the bejesus out of me; it looks like he’s going to miss more than he stops, but there’s the dang ball in his hands and not in the net, so I have to call the man a great ‘keeper for this team. The Revs did manage the league's best defensive record last season, after all.
Andy Dorman - One of the most frequently asked questions of the 2006-07 off-season was what the Revs will do without Clint Dempsey. Dorman’s 2006 answers that one. While Dempsey was away, he improved on his 2005 totals by tripling his goals tally and doubling his assists (stats here). Hard to say. He’s already topped Dempsey for a one-year assists total (Dempsey maxed out at 9 in ’05; see here), but, naturally, this isn’t an apples-to-apples kind of thing: it was Dempsey’s ability to unsettle defenses that provided value; I’m assuming Dorman will do things differently - e.g. pass the ball better. Still, this is an experiment worth watching.
Additional Assets
Great Front Office Support - HA HAA HA HA HA HA!!
Liabilities
Aging - The big issue here, key performers in a number of positions - Steve Ralston, certainly, but also Joe “Personal Leave” Franchino, Avery John, Daniel Hernandez - are on the wrong side of 30. Obviously, different players age differently, so it’s not so much that these guys suddenly start sucking wind once they blow out 30 candles on the birthday cake, but there’s no question that there’s a transition coming; depending on the player (think Ralston) that could start this year.
Snake-bit - The chuck an NFL analogy into the discussion, do the Revs become the Buffalo Bills or the Denver Broncos? The former, of course, reached the cusp of success three times and haven’t been heard from since (maybe...I haven’t follow the NFL for shit since the 1980s/90s). I’ve got a bad feeling about how this team recovers mentally from a second consecutive let-down.
Cheap Front Office - While it’s hard to substantiate charges by Shalrie Joseph about “disenchantment” on the Revolution roster, it wouldn’t be all that surprising given their front office’s apparent pride at consistently running this team under budget. There’s something to be said for keeping a tight rein on personnel costs, but there’s also something to being generous with your players when they take your tax write-off to the final two years running. While it’s true they made Twellman happy - though only after several bitter months - the Joseph mess says something about the relationship between players and admin.
Unknowns
Draft Class - I had originally typed “(Insert New Guy Here)” in the “Key Men” section above. Good as the Revs’ starting eleven is, I can’t see this team having a successful season without several of the new guys (for the record: Arsene Oka, Wells Thompson, Miguel Gonzalez, Ryan Solle, Amaechi Igwe, Chris Loftus, or, the one garnering the best press and looking likeliest to start*, Adam Cristman) becoming solid, first-team contributors.
Injuries - Before the season has started, this team is coping with persistent injuries for Pat Noonan*, a freak injury for Michael Parkhurst, and niggling injuries to Hernandez. If the injury bug keeps biting at this rate, I’m guessing the Revs will face a dreaded “transition year.”
Prospects - Using Gambling Analogies
I think the “snake-bit” liability will be telling. There’s an air of desperation, exasperation - perhaps some other kind of “-ation” - surrounding this team, a wild-eyed vibe one might see in a gambler striking off to the pawn shop down the street from the casino. It’s like they’ve got the wedding ring in hand and ready to hawk and they’re hoping against memory that the stone is real diamond and not cubic zirconium. To me, the quality of that stone is Nicol’s Superdraft savvy. If he guessed right - and he may have - the Revs remain a playoff team; I can’t say a contender, but, in all truth, I stopped believing after 2005. But I can also see the Revs missing out this year.
The Nicol model relies on slow, steady growth and that may work. But there are also worrying signs that it’s done as much as it could and bigger intervention is needed. I suspect his seat is getting warm this year; it will only take a bad start to get it up to hot.
Past
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on the Galaxy’s '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England’s Ins & Outs - (NOTE: this is the first and last time I’ll write the name “Beckham”; he’s already doing plenty off the field, but I’m not sold on what he’s going to do on it do on it until, oh, the playoffs; by that time, he’ll have found his feet and we should have a better idea of how he’ll adjust.)
Los Angeles Galaxy roster from MLSnet.com
And now, the Future...
Key Men
Landon Donovan - This one’s a little automatic - and Galaxy fans almost certainly have to be getting excited about what Donovan’s doing on the national team. In any case, odds are that if you’re reading this you know plenty about Donovan; on his day, he’s the league’s top player - and certainly the best American player - who can score, assist, run at defenders, pass intelligently and well, etc.
Joe Cannon - The odds of Cannon failing to perform are pretty low. But it will be a black eye to the Galaxy front office if the defense stumbles; after all, you don’t ditch a solid ‘keeper like Hartman only to slip. This one will bear watching.
Tyrone Marshall - I’ve always liked Tyrone and have long counted him among the league’s best central defenders (though he is, mysteriously, listed as a forward on the roster page). But as he creeps further into the wrong side of 30, one has to wonder whether he’ll lose a step or two. With Ugo Ihemelu gone, though, Marshall bears responsibility for continuity in the Galaxy defense and integrating the new guys.
Nate Jaqua/Santino Quaranta - One of these two needs to be that clichéd sports animal, “the difference-maker,” for this year’s Galaxy. A big-man/target-man (see: Ching, Brian 2nd half v. Ecuador) would probably bring more to the overall offensive equation, especially when He-who-must-not-be-named joins the team, which is why I view Jaqua as the likelier candidate. Hell, it could be Alan Gordon for all Galaxy fans care. Somebody needs to make this team more complicated in the attack.
Additional Assets
“Joe-Mentum” - This can be double-edged, to be sure, but no team has the same excitement around them this year as LA. I put it here because I think they’re up for the pressure; for all I know, it may give them an edge.
One-Step Away - I’m only emphasizing something here: if this team can find a second banana to complement Donovan in the offense, they’ll be very good. The defense is already there (they finished second in goals-against in ’06 and carried a wicked shutout streak through the middle of the summer), so they’re closer than one might think.
Liabilities
Depth - Like Houston and DC, the Galaxy not only has a busy year with SuperLiga and the U.S. Open Cup (which they’ll no doubt ditch), they keep adding silly shit to it, whether it’s the “World Series of Soccer” or what one suspects will be other exhibitions. Once you get away from the starters, the players get greener pretty quick - and that’s when the “Joe-mentum” upside may became a wearying spotlight. Another factor plays into this...
Call-Ups - The good news is that Trinidad & Tobago’s return to international play means that Tyrone Marshall and, possibly, Shavar Thomas won’t get called up to the Jamaican national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. But they’ll lose left-back Ante Jazic to Canada’s team (I think) for the Gold Cup and, between that tournament and the Copa America, they’ll certainly lose Donovan for one month and Chris Albright and, likely, Cannon for a month as well - though it might not be the same month.
That Road-Trip - MLS, in its quest milk He-who-must-not-be-named’s arrival for all it’s worth, will end the Galaxy’s season with a long, long road-trip. In all honesty, this is semi-unconscionable from a competitive stand-point.
Long story short, the multiple obligations, both competitive and commercial, will likely cause the problems the Galaxy has this season.
Unknowns
Balance - Sorry. I’m confusing myself here with the redundancies. In simple terms, this is basically the mystery point where “additional assets” end and “liabilities” begin.
Prospects - Using Gambling Analogies
Back to craps: whenever a shooter gets hot, it’s very easy to get over-extended. Sure, the more bets you have on the table, the more you collect so long as the shooter stays hot, but you’re also only one craps roll away from losing a truckload of cash. The Galaxy will make plenty of cash - even for teams around the league when they visit them; it’s not unlike the barnstorming concept of baseball’s early days. But you’ve got to wonder whether they won’t pay a price on the field for the cash they’re picking up off of it.
For all that, I’d be shocked if they missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year. An Columbus-sized injury bug could do it, but they’ve got a strong enough first eleven to break even where it counts - e.g. reaching the post-season.
...the first morning since high school when I awoke with wet pants.)
Sorry to start off so nasty, but I can think of no better way to describe my surprise at the lead article in the local sports section, which discussed Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber's visit to Portland, Oregon to study that (and my) city's viability as an MLS market. It's all pretty vague - not least in terms of field turf, timeline, and stadium issues - though it's also clear that something in the calculus of bringing an MLS club to the Pacific Northwest changed sufficiently to bring Portland into the picture. For the past three years, at least, it seemed that Seattle was the only game in town.
Still, MLS to Portland by 2010 remains a pipe-dream feel for now; but pipe dreams are the best kind, aren't they? There's also an element of guilt in this, down mainly to the question of why the city's current team, the United Soccer League Division 1 Portland Timbers aren't good enough. So long as I can afford it, I'll go to the games for either league, though I'd be lying if I didn't confess to being more excited about going to see an MLS club. But there's also a practical side to this: the main reason I stopped covering the Timbers came down to an inability to follow two leagues at once; if a Portland team joins MLS, well, that's problem solved as I see it. Still, I've invested enough in the Timbers for three or so years (last year was my big fall-off), that the guilt is there and it does nag a little.
Anyway, big news to see in my morning edition of The Oregonian. But it's time to get back to the MLS we have, not the one we might want to have...back to the verdammt previews.
(########)
Sorry to start off so nasty, but I can think of no better way to describe my surprise at the lead article in the local sports section, which discussed Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber's visit to Portland, Oregon to study that (and my) city's viability as an MLS market. It's all pretty vague - not least in terms of field turf, timeline, and stadium issues - though it's also clear that something in the calculus of bringing an MLS club to the Pacific Northwest changed sufficiently to bring Portland into the picture. For the past three years, at least, it seemed that Seattle was the only game in town.
Still, MLS to Portland by 2010 remains a pipe-dream feel for now; but pipe dreams are the best kind, aren't they? There's also an element of guilt in this, down mainly to the question of why the city's current team, the United Soccer League Division 1 Portland Timbers aren't good enough. So long as I can afford it, I'll go to the games for either league, though I'd be lying if I didn't confess to being more excited about going to see an MLS club. But there's also a practical side to this: the main reason I stopped covering the Timbers came down to an inability to follow two leagues at once; if a Portland team joins MLS, well, that's problem solved as I see it. Still, I've invested enough in the Timbers for three or so years (last year was my big fall-off), that the guilt is there and it does nag a little.
Anyway, big news to see in my morning edition of The Oregonian. But it's time to get back to the MLS we have, not the one we might want to have...back to the verdammt previews.
(########)
Obviously, I've been busy with previews of my own...oh, but I'm still reading stuff...so you just watch it, mister...
Anyway...
Here's a collection of the previews I've bumped into around the Web; I'll start with my fellow amateurs. With a hat-tip to du Nord, I found a preview for Red Bull New York, done in a question & answer format. There's some good stuff in there about the impact field-turf might have, something New England fans should be considering as well, as well as good commentary on rumored new signings, etc.
I don't know who these Sports Network people are, but they cranked out a preview for the Kansas City Wizards, the team that has replaced the Colorado Rapids as the one I most often forget exists. They touch on some similar points that I did in my preview, specifically, the absence of changes, but the one-upped me by noting key subtractions from the squad...something I declined to prominently display in my all my reviews. (I posted a link...to all the trades...that's OK.....right?)
Turning now to the pros, ESPN is really hitting its preseason stride now, so I've missed the past few days' previews. In no particular order:
Steve Davis previewed the Columbus Crew's 2007, and, with the offense looking improved, he's more antsy about the defense; he also raises something I may or may not have mentioned in my preview (nope), the possibility that there will be too many chefs in the Crew's kitchen (see: "Can Sigi pull the right levers?").
Davis also drew FC Dallas duty and, here, he raises a great point to counter concerns about Dallas' defense: in Steve Morrow, they've got a good coach to tutor the team's youngsters in the arts of defending. There's also some good stuff in there about personnel, formation, and how they'll fit together.
Finally, Jeff Carlisle drew the Chivas USA preview. Much of what one would expect shows here: whether Preki's up to replacing Bob Bradley and handling Amado Guevara; the matter of who partners Ante Razov up top (his comments on Maykel Galindo versus John Cunliffe is especially worth the gander); finally, there's the depth problems, which are now compounded by the laying-low on one-man depth machine, Jonathan Bornstein.
Whew...all for today.
Anyway...
Here's a collection of the previews I've bumped into around the Web; I'll start with my fellow amateurs. With a hat-tip to du Nord, I found a preview for Red Bull New York, done in a question & answer format. There's some good stuff in there about the impact field-turf might have, something New England fans should be considering as well, as well as good commentary on rumored new signings, etc.
I don't know who these Sports Network people are, but they cranked out a preview for the Kansas City Wizards, the team that has replaced the Colorado Rapids as the one I most often forget exists. They touch on some similar points that I did in my preview, specifically, the absence of changes, but the one-upped me by noting key subtractions from the squad...something I declined to prominently display in my all my reviews. (I posted a link...to all the trades...that's OK.....right?)
Turning now to the pros, ESPN is really hitting its preseason stride now, so I've missed the past few days' previews. In no particular order:
Steve Davis previewed the Columbus Crew's 2007, and, with the offense looking improved, he's more antsy about the defense; he also raises something I may or may not have mentioned in my preview (nope), the possibility that there will be too many chefs in the Crew's kitchen (see: "Can Sigi pull the right levers?").
Davis also drew FC Dallas duty and, here, he raises a great point to counter concerns about Dallas' defense: in Steve Morrow, they've got a good coach to tutor the team's youngsters in the arts of defending. There's also some good stuff in there about personnel, formation, and how they'll fit together.
Finally, Jeff Carlisle drew the Chivas USA preview. Much of what one would expect shows here: whether Preki's up to replacing Bob Bradley and handling Amado Guevara; the matter of who partners Ante Razov up top (his comments on Maykel Galindo versus John Cunliffe is especially worth the gander); finally, there's the depth problems, which are now compounded by the laying-low on one-man depth machine, Jonathan Bornstein.
Whew...all for today.
Past
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on the Wizards’ '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England’s Ins & Outs - again, Hartman’s about the end of it...
Kansas City Wizards’ roster from MLSnet.com
And now, the Future...
Key Men
Nick Garcia - Gotcha! Thought I was going to say Jimmy Conrad, didn’t you? Important as Conrad is to the team, the thing to remember is what happened - or allegedly happened (see year-end review) - when guys like Conrad left for World Cup duty: the Wizards started sucking and rarely stopped for the rest of the summer. Conrad will be gone again in 2007, for one month at least, which means the players who stick around - especially a veteran like Garcia - will have to hold things and keep the record rolling while they’re away.
Kevin Hartman - When you’re the only high-profile trade to come to a team - and in a high-profile position no less - the spotlight just kind of finds you. While I never thought Bo Oshiniyi was a bad ‘keeper, I feel comfortable calling Hartman an upgrade. His off-moments do come, but they’re rare enough for him to retain middle-to-high upside. Coming in as a “star” may help him to a leadership role, which, again, could help while guys like Conrad are away.
Eddie Johnson - A telling moment came early in last Sunday’s U.S. v. Ecuador game: a teammate (Dempsey, I think) sent Johnson on a run to the right corner of the Ecuadorian defense; Johnson, in trying to collect the ball, spazzed causing the ball to bounce around between his legs; momentum and any possible play died on the spot. The thing is, this kid’s confidence is shot. If he can find anyway to play remotely as advertised, the Wizards will immediately improve. Things are to a point where I can’t see that happening...fortunately for the Wizards, they’ve got a competent, and improving, back-up in Scott Sealy (who, incidentally, must be pissed when he thinks about what his under-performing colleague makes).
Jose Burciaga Jr. - Amazingly, this left-back was “Mr. Offense” for Kansas City last year. While many of his eight goals came on PKs, his eight assists, by definition, did not. Burciaga counts among the most under-noticed players in MLS, but that doesn’t do anything to his production; he’d be an asset on any team.
Additional Assets
To be honest, I’m at a loss to name one. They seem to have plenty of talent, but something keeps it from coming out...perhaps too much fluoride in KC? Not that that won’t stop me from trying below...
Wait, I've got one: Settled Ownership - It must be nice to enter a season without thinking you'll be gone the following year.
Liabilities
The Same Mix Mystery - Why a team that missed the playoffs two seasons running made so few changes to their roster I’ll never know. As good as the Wizards look on paper, surely the time will come when a shake-up needs to happen. It’s entirely possible that should have come last year and that the resignation of long-time coach Bob Gansler only started a necessary house-cleaning. The folks who run the Wizards apparently disagreed. We’ll see how that works for them. Suffice to say, I filed this where I did for a reason.
Unknowns
Really Feeling the Draft - To use a favorite term, the Wizards’ roster is a veritable “who’s that?” of names. I’ve heard snippets about guys like Yura Movsisyan, Ryan Pore, and Will John, but there’s a good-sized parade of anonymity that follows: Michael Harrington, Tyson Wahl, Ryan Raybould, Willy Guadarrama, A. J. Godbolt, Lance Watson, Aaron Hohlbein, Edson Elcock, and Michael Kraus. Assuming I didn’t miss anyone, those links should contain as much happy puff as the league has on these guys. But, painful as it is to say, it's a safer bet to wait on one of these guys to come good as it is to wait on Eddie Johnson's brain to settle down.
Prospects - Using Gambling Analogies
The Wizards’ front-office mentality matches that of a poker player who has sucked eggs all night, but who refuses to draw for an inside straight. Sometimes changing one’s luck requires long-shot risks. Johnson’s mammoth contract, which was undeniably a long-shot risk, is undoubtedly a factor here - and how can they unload that thing? - but the lack of off-season action really makes me wonder about this team’s chances.
I think they miss the playoffs for year number three, though there’s also room for the “starvation theory” - e.g. competitive hunger carries them over the psychic barrier that has made their late, regular seasons look like the mirror image of New England’s late surges. Still, what passes for my instincts tells me they miss out - again.
Past
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on the Dynamo’s '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England’s Ins & Outs - not that it matters with this bunch...
Houston Dynamo roster from MLSnet.com
And now, the Future...
Key Men
Dwayne DeRosario - I’ll begin by admitting that his preseason hasn’t been the best - at least not till he sprang Brad Davis down the left flank to set up Houston’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Pachuca. But no one is “on” all the time and I suspect DeRosario’s rhythm will return as the season progresses. Simply put, I count him as the best, current player in MLS; he can dribble, pass long and short, shoot from range, etc. etc. Basically, he does it all. Only Landon Donovan and Christian Gomez share the same class.
Brian Ching - Sure, he’s a classic, back-to-goal big-man, but that he keeps improving his game suggests to me that Ching’s best years are ahead of him. Scary thought for the rest of the league's fans, but he’s not the raw striver who came to San Jose.
Craig Waibel - I rate him highest in a quality Houston defense. Waibel’s solid and not a little intimidating, but he’s another player who continues to sharpen his game. They could do worse than shift him inside - something the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup has revealed - but he’s just as comfortable on the right.
Ricardo Clark (et al.) - Cheating a bit here by slipping the addendum, but, like the rest of the Houston midfield, Clark does the leg-work that allows DeRosario to be all he can be; Mullan deserves honorable mention in that role, plus a bit more, as does Davis. They’re all far better than second-banana journey-man: they all cover a lot of ground, tackle and harass the opposition (Mullan and Clark more than Davis, who’s no slouch either), but also provide something going forward (Davis, especially). But Clark’s the safety net for all of them, covering the most ground, not to mention the other players, when they go forward.
Additional Assets
Happy, Happy - Is it just me or does the Houston squad friggin’ reek of a love-fest? In any case, mutual admiration societies tend to do well in team sports.
That Midfield - I hint at this above, but it’s worth mentioning directly: I don’t see a better, more effective midfield in the league. The longer their starters stay healthy, the better this team will be.
Liabilities
Long, Long Road - In truth, I should have slipped this same note into DC United’s preview (just re-read that as if I did, OK?): Houston not only starts early, they also have SuperLiga on top of U.S. Open Cup and regular season obligations. Does the squad have the depth to handle such a hectic, wearying pace over the next eight months?
Unknowns
Depth? - While there are few, if any, better starting elevens in MLS, it’s not clear that Houston possesses the depth to handle, say, a Columbus Crew 2006-sized injury plague. Recent contributions by guys like Chris Wondolowski, Ryan Cochrane, not to mention Zach Wells’ ongoing star-turn in goal, suggest they’ll be fine, but there’s no test like a long season to identify any pretenders.
Prospects - Using Gambling Analogies
If you know anything about horse racing, you’ll know there’s no such thing as a person who can call the races every time; even the most famous handicappers seem to miss often as they hit. That Houston plays like the best handicapper picks may not sound like much, but it’s actually high praise. It means they’ll walk away with something more often than not - even if it’s breaking even (e.g. those 13 ties from last season) - and nail the big payday from time to time. And that’s what most games are about: minimizing losses and capitalizing on the openings.
They’re a playoff team, to be sure, but I’ll count myself surprised if they return to, never mind win, a consecutive MLS Cup. Everyone has an off-day.
(As you can guess, I'm getting excited about images and such.)
Past
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on FC Dallas' '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
New England Soccer News’ Roster Updates for most roster changes
FC Dallas roster from MLSnet.com
And now, the Future...
Key Men
Kenny Cooper - While he’s not alone, Cooper counts as “the other threat.” It’s crucial that he has a good second year in order to keep defenses from piling on Ruiz. He’ll have help here - Roberto Mina, Dominic Oduro, Arturo Alvarez, and perhaps even new-guy Carlos Toja - but he even helps them improve. The point is, two big-threat options are always better than one.
Ramon Nunez - He griped about being yanked from the deciding game against the Rapids last season. This year, he’s being given more responsibility than ever for running Dallas’ offense. It’s not yet clear what this means, but there’s some potential for a situation in which Dallas’ fortunes match those of Nunez.
Dario Sala - It’s amazing this grizzled veteran (don't mind his bio photo; he is grizzled) signed on for another season of getting shelled behind one of the greenest defenses in the league. Sala managed some remarkably athletic saves last year and he's not nearly old as he looks, so is a repeat possible?
Carlos Ruiz - He’s kind of automatic here. I can’t think of a better forward in MLS. Seriously.
Additional Assets
Subs That Count - Say what you will about departed coach Colin Clarke, but he did assemble one of the league’s more varied attacks. Dallas can give a lot of looks, from dribblers like Alvarez, Nunez, and Mina, to a darting speedster like Oduro, to a big slab like Cooper. That they can dramatically change their attacking approach mid-game counts for something.
Liabilities
Green team.... - Look at that roster again and check out who has the longest tenure on the team: yep, Bobby Rhine. And he almost doesn’t count because he spent, oh, six of his eight years in MLS at another position. Ruiz comes in next with five years’ experience, a couple fourth-year players follow (Alvarez, Chris Gbandi), but from there you’ve got a lot of twos, ones, and not a few zeros. Since not a lot of these guys are imported “pseudo-rookies” (there’s Sala, Serioux; I wouldn’t count Cooper) you’re looking at a serious dearth of professional experience. Ouch.
...Even Greener Defense - In his fourth-year, Chris Gbandi stands out as the wise, old head of Dallas’ field defense. He’ll be leading a line of very green guys - Drew Moor, Clarence “Lucky” Goodson, Alex Yi (who, I think, rates highest in this bunch), and the converted Rhine - which makes one think that the tradition of surrendering untimely goals established in 2006 will continue into the new season.
The Past - Face it: the words “Dallas” and “winners” don’t often come in the same sentence unless the latter word refers to someone else. The long history of flattering to deceive, of general mediocrity, will take some doing to overcome. The amazing thing: 2006 was the best year in club history. Why doesn’t it feel that way?
What They Gave Away - Ronnie O'Brien, Simo Valakari, Greg Vanney, and Richard Mulrooney: two of those guys were no great shakes, but, take them all together and that's the spine of a decent, if aging, team. I don't know much about radical spinal surgery, but suspect it's a complicated procedure.
Unknowns
Toja and ? - As noted elsewhere, new signing Juan Carlos Toja scored in a preseason warm-up against the Rochester Raging; if you’re a Dallas fan, you’ve got to hope that’s a sign of things to come. A week-old (and quite informative) article from the Dallas Morning News mentions another midfield player, Pablo Ricchetti. What will these guys bring to the team? Don’t know. Makes one wonder, though, why they aren’t out looking for defenders.
Prospects - Using Gambling Analogies
That FC Dallas posted the best season in team history in 2006 suggests there’s something in play beyond my knee-jerk opinion. But there’s just something telling me to trust that jerking knee, so, here it is:
These guys are bluffing; the years when they sucked so bad no one could miss it aside, they have always bluffed, or, in less theme-relevant terms, Dallas has tended to flatter to deceive (me anyway*). And what happens when you bluff on every hand? The other players know the score and start calling the bluff. Colorado has managed this twice in as many years. For the reasons above and, out of frustration at getting burned year after year*, I've already put these guys on my "pay no mind" list. I think they’re going to miss the playoffs and that it’s their defense and general lack of experience that does them in.
* BIG CAVEAT: I'm bitter about this team. I've called them to make the Cup more times than I can count and they've failed me every time. If you're a Dallas fan, you should find the harshness of this call highly reassuring.
Oh, wicked cool. Now, I'm posting videos....now, if only I can get ahold of a tight-focus replay on Feilhaber, I can do something about my sense I'm being bum-rushed into singing his praises.
Look, here's the thing. We looked pretty stretched in the first half - e.g. the time Feilhaber was on the pitch solo. I'm thinking this could have been a function of Ecuador playing more down the flanks, which would have largely bypassed Feilhaber. It was that and the give-aways everyone saw that caused me to rate him as marginal.
Still, there's something about that unanimity of opinion on his debut.
Whatever. I suppose I should just sit and hope that Bradley plays/starts him again against Guatemala (and that he's not one of the players leaving early; doesn't appear so; thanks My Soccer Blog).
I feel compelled to 1) point out that Throughball posted a video of the goals from the game, and 2) that I still don't know how to post video. Moving on...
After reading more than I ever wanted to about the U.S. Men's National Team's (aka, Yanquis) 3 - 1 win over Ecuador, I'm going to compare what I saw against what everyone else did...and it won't always make for pretty viewing. I'll link to everything I read below - and a lot of it is quite good - but will start with a re-evaluation of my original analysis....
...which starts with an excuse. I was highly distracted during viewing. To begin, the 9 a.m. start wasn't helpful. I was up, down, out of the room, chasing my kid, sitting another, etc. etc.
I mention this only because what everyone has written positively-to-the-point-of-man-crush about Benny Feilhaber. In my original analysis, I pointed to him as the one guy not deserving of "honorable mention," which I now see runs counter to nearly unanimous opinion. Based on that, I can only conclude that I saw more of the stray passes he managed in the first half than I did of what everyone else saw - specifically when Michael Bradley entered the game; a lot of observers viewed that as a turning point in the game. This, to me, recommends talking up Bradley as opposed to Feilhaber, but, given all I missed, I'm not up for strong statements.
And though I was only dimly aware as to when Michael Bradley came on, I certainly noticed that the U.S. took charge of the game by the second half; it wasn't just the score, but the possession and momentum. So, I'll pay closer attention to the Bradley/Feilhaber thing in future - assuming I get a shot at it.
Other areas of (relative) disagreement:
Clint Dempsey: I thought he did pretty well. I can remember a pair of intelligent, effective runs to match the wayward jogs to the corner that everyone else saw; I also remember two solid, successful defensive battles. No, Clint didn't dominate, but he was hardly anonymous - and, yeah, he exposed Cherundolo more than a little - but I basically liked what I saw and wonder about the extent to which Dempsey labors under, shall we say, Donovan-sized expectations.
Jimmy Conrad: If there was a defender who bailed out the rest when things went wrong, it was Conrad. It's undeniable that the defense didn't look good, particularly in the first half, and that's Conrad's responsibility as much as anyone's. But, his problems with foot-speed aside, I still thought he had the best day at the back and still count him the most reliable defender so far in the current World Cup cycle.
DaMarcus Beasley: I can only say I thought he had a good game. Really. But only one other guy saw that: Ives Galarcep (LINK - see the 67th minute).
All in all, I think some of my first impressions held: it's harder to fire Bradley; Donovan had a great game, but it's only the first step to restoring his reputation; Ecuador is a good team, which people ought to remember when they're criticizing our defense - it's not like this was my old indoor team or anything.
Looking forward to Wednesday, now. I'll be shocked if Bob doesn't make it 4-0-0. Speaking of Bob, USSoccerplayers.com's Jay Hutcherson had by far the most novel take on where he sits with regard to the coaching position; it comes very close to stating outright that getting the job is out of Bradley's hands. Finally, I couldn't hear a word of the commentary - between the kids crawling around my ankles (mentioned above) and my wife planning a birthday party, I didn't hear anything more than a stray line.
Now, the rest of the links (and the odd response from me):
Jen Chang: Part of the Landon love-fest, but there's also love for the Bradley/Feilhaber midfield pairing. (Don't we always get over-excited based on these first impressions?)
Jeff Carlisle: The first place I saw mention of Michael Bradley's impact on the game; also digs into the extent to which Sunday's performance vindicates Donovan. Also credits the "Other Bradley" (Bob) for getting things settled for the second half; it seems he's done this in each of the three games he's coached.
Soccer America turned in both an analysis and grade sheet; the analysis praises the way both central pairings (Donovan/Ching; Feilhaber/Bradley) clicked and they gave Feilhaber high marks (all right, all right...I fucking missed it!)
USSoccerplayers.com's Ken Pendleton wins for most apt description of the game's first half:
Moving now to blogs, An American's View highlighted the defensive errors, dissed Deuce, and added to the widespread love for Bradley-Feilhaber. My Soccer Blog weighed in with grades and analysis, most of which matched everyone else's thinking (though he rated Bradley higher than Feilhaber, which, to my distracted eye, makes sense; he pooped on Deuce too).
On the less thorough side of blog reviews are contributions from Quarter Volley (bashes Dave O'Brien), DCenters (who was underwhelmed), and the Real Salt Lake Blog (who shortened a favorite word, "mofugly," to "fugly" in summing up the game).
That's all...and that's enough.
After reading more than I ever wanted to about the U.S. Men's National Team's (aka, Yanquis) 3 - 1 win over Ecuador, I'm going to compare what I saw against what everyone else did...and it won't always make for pretty viewing. I'll link to everything I read below - and a lot of it is quite good - but will start with a re-evaluation of my original analysis....
...which starts with an excuse. I was highly distracted during viewing. To begin, the 9 a.m. start wasn't helpful. I was up, down, out of the room, chasing my kid, sitting another, etc. etc.
I mention this only because what everyone has written positively-to-the-point-of-man-crush about Benny Feilhaber. In my original analysis, I pointed to him as the one guy not deserving of "honorable mention," which I now see runs counter to nearly unanimous opinion. Based on that, I can only conclude that I saw more of the stray passes he managed in the first half than I did of what everyone else saw - specifically when Michael Bradley entered the game; a lot of observers viewed that as a turning point in the game. This, to me, recommends talking up Bradley as opposed to Feilhaber, but, given all I missed, I'm not up for strong statements.
And though I was only dimly aware as to when Michael Bradley came on, I certainly noticed that the U.S. took charge of the game by the second half; it wasn't just the score, but the possession and momentum. So, I'll pay closer attention to the Bradley/Feilhaber thing in future - assuming I get a shot at it.
Other areas of (relative) disagreement:
Clint Dempsey: I thought he did pretty well. I can remember a pair of intelligent, effective runs to match the wayward jogs to the corner that everyone else saw; I also remember two solid, successful defensive battles. No, Clint didn't dominate, but he was hardly anonymous - and, yeah, he exposed Cherundolo more than a little - but I basically liked what I saw and wonder about the extent to which Dempsey labors under, shall we say, Donovan-sized expectations.
Jimmy Conrad: If there was a defender who bailed out the rest when things went wrong, it was Conrad. It's undeniable that the defense didn't look good, particularly in the first half, and that's Conrad's responsibility as much as anyone's. But, his problems with foot-speed aside, I still thought he had the best day at the back and still count him the most reliable defender so far in the current World Cup cycle.
DaMarcus Beasley: I can only say I thought he had a good game. Really. But only one other guy saw that: Ives Galarcep (LINK - see the 67th minute).
All in all, I think some of my first impressions held: it's harder to fire Bradley; Donovan had a great game, but it's only the first step to restoring his reputation; Ecuador is a good team, which people ought to remember when they're criticizing our defense - it's not like this was my old indoor team or anything.
Looking forward to Wednesday, now. I'll be shocked if Bob doesn't make it 4-0-0. Speaking of Bob, USSoccerplayers.com's Jay Hutcherson had by far the most novel take on where he sits with regard to the coaching position; it comes very close to stating outright that getting the job is out of Bradley's hands. Finally, I couldn't hear a word of the commentary - between the kids crawling around my ankles (mentioned above) and my wife planning a birthday party, I didn't hear anything more than a stray line.
Now, the rest of the links (and the odd response from me):
Jen Chang: Part of the Landon love-fest, but there's also love for the Bradley/Feilhaber midfield pairing. (Don't we always get over-excited based on these first impressions?)
Jeff Carlisle: The first place I saw mention of Michael Bradley's impact on the game; also digs into the extent to which Sunday's performance vindicates Donovan. Also credits the "Other Bradley" (Bob) for getting things settled for the second half; it seems he's done this in each of the three games he's coached.
Soccer America turned in both an analysis and grade sheet; the analysis praises the way both central pairings (Donovan/Ching; Feilhaber/Bradley) clicked and they gave Feilhaber high marks (all right, all right...I fucking missed it!)
USSoccerplayers.com's Ken Pendleton wins for most apt description of the game's first half:
"In the first half, the US lacked any semblance of balance. They looked dangerous every time they came forward, but vulnerable every time Ecuador did the same."
Moving now to blogs, An American's View highlighted the defensive errors, dissed Deuce, and added to the widespread love for Bradley-Feilhaber. My Soccer Blog weighed in with grades and analysis, most of which matched everyone else's thinking (though he rated Bradley higher than Feilhaber, which, to my distracted eye, makes sense; he pooped on Deuce too).
On the less thorough side of blog reviews are contributions from Quarter Volley (bashes Dave O'Brien), DCenters (who was underwhelmed), and the Real Salt Lake Blog (who shortened a favorite word, "mofugly," to "fugly" in summing up the game).
That's all...and that's enough.
Lost somewhere in what felt like a busy weekend, a couple of preseason tournaments involving clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and the United Soccer Leagues Division 1 (USL-1) snuck a bit under the radar. One of these - the Puerto Rico MLS-USL Challenge - concluded with the Los Angeles Galaxy taking the spoils...which may or may not have been limited to redneck gifts certificates to Sizzler, or something of comparable value. Though, there's no underestimating the value of getting fit ahead the long, long (oh god...I just flashed forward to July in my head...the horror...) MLS season, right kids?
At any rate, I really have only stray match reports to pass on: one for each of FC Dallas' two experiences in the tournament, which included a win over the Rochester Raging Rhinos where they played badly and a loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders where they, apparently, played better. Go figure. One thing to note on the win: Dallas' new signing, Carlos Toja, scored in the game against the Rhinos.
Los Angeles won both their games: the first a 3-2 decision over Rochester (written up by the incomparable Laurie on The Offside's LA Galaxy blog), while the other, a (very) brief item run by LA Soccer News, talks about the second game, a 2-1 win over Puerto Rico, in the context of LA winning the whole she-bang.
The Islanders' website tells a longer tale, and one that reads more favorably to the hosts. No shock there...which isn't to say that wasn't true. Still, the pre-Beckham/Donovan-free version of the Galaxy suggests that LA's original team will be a tough nut this season.
And FC Dallas' season so far has to have one wondering how far down the Western Conference table they'll finish.
I'll do a similar update for the Carolina Challenge Cup once that one wraps up.
At any rate, I really have only stray match reports to pass on: one for each of FC Dallas' two experiences in the tournament, which included a win over the Rochester Raging Rhinos where they played badly and a loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders where they, apparently, played better. Go figure. One thing to note on the win: Dallas' new signing, Carlos Toja, scored in the game against the Rhinos.
Los Angeles won both their games: the first a 3-2 decision over Rochester (written up by the incomparable Laurie on The Offside's LA Galaxy blog), while the other, a (very) brief item run by LA Soccer News, talks about the second game, a 2-1 win over Puerto Rico, in the context of LA winning the whole she-bang.
The Islanders' website tells a longer tale, and one that reads more favorably to the hosts. No shock there...which isn't to say that wasn't true. Still, the pre-Beckham/Donovan-free version of the Galaxy suggests that LA's original team will be a tough nut this season.
And FC Dallas' season so far has to have one wondering how far down the Western Conference table they'll finish.
I'll do a similar update for the Carolina Challenge Cup once that one wraps up.
Like some friends call to coordinate outfits, it seems that the LA Soccer News/Sideline Views crew did some coordinating to take on the debate as to whether Major League Soccer (MLS) somehow stunts a player's development. Luis Bueno's contribution comes in the form of a formal column, while Andrea Canales posted hers on the blog they share, Sideline Views. Bueno's deals more directly with the MLS-to-Europe comparison using U.S. Men's National Team players as example, while Canales assails the faulty logic that Europe is always and automatically better using Landon Donovan.
The point of both pieces, to lump them together a bit unfairly, boils down to a statement that MLS is developing players; perhaps not as quickly as we'd all like, but it's doing a job, if not the job. Having gone a little ways down the opposite road - especially where Donovan is concerned - I have to confess they make a decent case; though where Canales is concerned, I tend to be dubious about applying strict logic to real life equations. Still, I think she finds the essential hole in the argument, much like Bueno's numbers capably make his case.
But the killer line closes Canales post:
One rejoinder comes to me right away - e.g., these are relatively new trends we're discussing and the general inability of Americans not named Brian McBride or Claudio Reyna, and those not playing 'keeper, to become real forces in the European top-flight speaks to a weakness in the U.S. game/system that keeps these players from becoming regulars on European clubs....gasp...sorry out of breath - but that doesn't really take away from the basic point.
MLS isn't doing that badly for a twelve-year-old league. We aren't world-beaters, but we're also no longer pushovers on the world scene. This whole thing will take time no matter where our guys play and, if they're not getting playing time, it's not like Americans are going to improve in Europe just by, say, drinking the water and breathing the air. Even as I see some truth in my long digression above, even that will take time. Long story short, you can't rush these things...seriously, you physically can't, not because it's not wise, but because it simply can't be done. The reality is, we're learning. And MLS isn't a horrible classroom.
(#########)
The point of both pieces, to lump them together a bit unfairly, boils down to a statement that MLS is developing players; perhaps not as quickly as we'd all like, but it's doing a job, if not the job. Having gone a little ways down the opposite road - especially where Donovan is concerned - I have to confess they make a decent case; though where Canales is concerned, I tend to be dubious about applying strict logic to real life equations. Still, I think she finds the essential hole in the argument, much like Bueno's numbers capably make his case.
But the killer line closes Canales post:
"If Europe is so wonderful for developing players, why hasn't a U.S. player in Europe come along better than Donovan?"
One rejoinder comes to me right away - e.g., these are relatively new trends we're discussing and the general inability of Americans not named Brian McBride or Claudio Reyna, and those not playing 'keeper, to become real forces in the European top-flight speaks to a weakness in the U.S. game/system that keeps these players from becoming regulars on European clubs....gasp...sorry out of breath - but that doesn't really take away from the basic point.
MLS isn't doing that badly for a twelve-year-old league. We aren't world-beaters, but we're also no longer pushovers on the world scene. This whole thing will take time no matter where our guys play and, if they're not getting playing time, it's not like Americans are going to improve in Europe just by, say, drinking the water and breathing the air. Even as I see some truth in my long digression above, even that will take time. Long story short, you can't rush these things...seriously, you physically can't, not because it's not wise, but because it simply can't be done. The reality is, we're learning. And MLS isn't a horrible classroom.
(#########)
Nice crowd, eh? The photo comes courtesy of Sean Heffernan (who introduced himself here and gave a bang-up match report here).
Sorry to make this so brief, but I did a bunch of background crap to make my blogging life easier. It didn't help that the U.S. win over Ecuador has produced as much online commentary as any game I've seen. Then there was the time I wasted trying to figure out how to catch U.S. v. Guatemala AND the CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinals; the answer there, of course, is that I don't....I lost track of the weeks, you see.
Suffice to say the New England Revolution turned in a 3-1 win over Honduras' CD Olimpia. Not bad. And the atmosphere down in New Orleans sounded nice enough as well. As nearly everyone mentions, this takes New England to 5-0 on the preseason. And, also as usual, I'd reply with, yeah, but against whom?
There's also the fact that rookie forward Adam Cristman is the story here; he's got four goals now in three games. Again, against whom?
Still, as I confess in the comments field to my colleague's post on the New England Revolution's corner of The Offside, that Cristman appears at all capable of starting right now constitutes good news. And, again, make sure you read the comments from Sean, who caught the game live. He not only offered some nice insight on the game, but he's got me feeling a bit more comfortable about the Revolution heading into 2007.
(#########)
U.S. 3 - 1 Ecuador
Do you feel the goosebumps? Me too - I think. Here are some questions that come to me as I review what just happened in my head; I'll compare notes with the rest of the world tomorrow.
Good Test? - About midway through the first half, I thought to myself (for the rest of my family doesn't care about such things) this game looked like a very good, very real test for the U.S. Men's National Team (hereafter, the Yanquis). Ecuador, as a team, was big, athletic, and quick; they pressured our players well and, usually, the minute our guys hit the middle third, an Ecuadoran player attached himself to his hip, back, etc. They also showed a capacity for breaking down, or getting around, the U.S. defense. The second half made me wonder a bit, though...
What About Bob? - How hard will it be to fire Yanqui head coach Bob Bradley? He's compiled a 3-0-0 record, with two of those games coming against what the overwhelming majority of observers would dub quality opposition (no offense intended to the Denmark B-Team); by the end of the day Wednesday, he's likely to have a 4-0-0. By my estimation, this should guarantee Bradley the reins for the Gold Cup and Copa America: see how he manages this team through a month-long tournament and you should have some sense (with the hiring of Steve Sampson the exception that proves the rule) of how he'll perform on the biggest stage.
More below....
Who Spike Landon's Wheaties? - This is what U.S. fans want to see from Landon Donovan. He was everywhere, he played aggressive yet loose and and kept his head through three - almost four - top-quality finishes. Even if this is what he can do, there's no reason to expect him to do it every game. Still, it had definitely been a while, so, yeah, this was refreshing, even exhilirating to see Donovan rip the opposition.
Oh, and how many records will this kid hold before his career is over?
How well will this defense gel? - OK, we all got our wish (dammit! we didn't...where was Jay DeMerit? How much longer do I have to endure speculation without hard evidence?): the defense Bradley fielded was basically our best. But they did look pretty haphazard for much of the first half. One of the yo-yos in the booth said something about them still finding their roles - and I think he's right - so I'm thankful they've got three years in which to do it. The only guy who looked totally solid: Jimmy Conrad. I never thought I'd write this - and feel no regret in doing so - but is Conrad the Yanquis' best defender?
And, yeah, Onyewu got cooked on Ecuador's goal...don't blame him too much, though, 'cause it was a slick little move. And seeing him with his shirt off before the game - good Lord, he's massive.
We know the MVP, but who deserves honorable mention? - I liked what I saw from Clint Dempsey; not everything, but he had a pair of good, slashing runs and a pair of effective defensive scraps. Obviously, I thought pretty highly of Conrad. DaMarcus Beasley had a good enough game that I'd like to think he played himself back into everyone's good graces. Ching battled and, if I'm not mistaken, sent Donovan through on the run for the second goal - though he was otherwise a bit marginal.
Who doesn't? - Happily, most people had a good game. If I had to pick somebody, Benny Feilhaber sprayed some bad passes around the middle of the field. But, for all that, he didn't look like he didn't belong.
All for now. Talk more about this tomorrow.
Do you feel the goosebumps? Me too - I think. Here are some questions that come to me as I review what just happened in my head; I'll compare notes with the rest of the world tomorrow.
Good Test? - About midway through the first half, I thought to myself (for the rest of my family doesn't care about such things) this game looked like a very good, very real test for the U.S. Men's National Team (hereafter, the Yanquis). Ecuador, as a team, was big, athletic, and quick; they pressured our players well and, usually, the minute our guys hit the middle third, an Ecuadoran player attached himself to his hip, back, etc. They also showed a capacity for breaking down, or getting around, the U.S. defense. The second half made me wonder a bit, though...
What About Bob? - How hard will it be to fire Yanqui head coach Bob Bradley? He's compiled a 3-0-0 record, with two of those games coming against what the overwhelming majority of observers would dub quality opposition (no offense intended to the Denmark B-Team); by the end of the day Wednesday, he's likely to have a 4-0-0. By my estimation, this should guarantee Bradley the reins for the Gold Cup and Copa America: see how he manages this team through a month-long tournament and you should have some sense (with the hiring of Steve Sampson the exception that proves the rule) of how he'll perform on the biggest stage.
More below....
Who Spike Landon's Wheaties? - This is what U.S. fans want to see from Landon Donovan. He was everywhere, he played aggressive yet loose and and kept his head through three - almost four - top-quality finishes. Even if this is what he can do, there's no reason to expect him to do it every game. Still, it had definitely been a while, so, yeah, this was refreshing, even exhilirating to see Donovan rip the opposition.
Oh, and how many records will this kid hold before his career is over?
How well will this defense gel? - OK, we all got our wish (dammit! we didn't...where was Jay DeMerit? How much longer do I have to endure speculation without hard evidence?): the defense Bradley fielded was basically our best. But they did look pretty haphazard for much of the first half. One of the yo-yos in the booth said something about them still finding their roles - and I think he's right - so I'm thankful they've got three years in which to do it. The only guy who looked totally solid: Jimmy Conrad. I never thought I'd write this - and feel no regret in doing so - but is Conrad the Yanquis' best defender?
And, yeah, Onyewu got cooked on Ecuador's goal...don't blame him too much, though, 'cause it was a slick little move. And seeing him with his shirt off before the game - good Lord, he's massive.
We know the MVP, but who deserves honorable mention? - I liked what I saw from Clint Dempsey; not everything, but he had a pair of good, slashing runs and a pair of effective defensive scraps. Obviously, I thought pretty highly of Conrad. DaMarcus Beasley had a good enough game that I'd like to think he played himself back into everyone's good graces. Ching battled and, if I'm not mistaken, sent Donovan through on the run for the second goal - though he was otherwise a bit marginal.
Who doesn't? - Happily, most people had a good game. If I had to pick somebody, Benny Feilhaber sprayed some bad passes around the middle of the field. But, for all that, he didn't look like he didn't belong.
All for now. Talk more about this tomorrow.
CORRECTION at bottom of the page.
And do enjoy the shot of the original, fascism-inspired badge.
Past
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on DC United's '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England's Ins & Outs for (most) roster changes
DC United roster from MLSnet.com
And now, the Future...
Key Men
Christian Gomez (of course) - It’s tempting to say that, without Gomez, DC would be an average team, but that’s not really the case; they're subtly solid all over. He is, however, the brains and legs of their offense, a force that grew just that little bit more menacing with the arrival of...
Luciano Emilio - If Emilio can carry his CONCACAF Champions’ Cup form through to Major League Soccer’s regular season, he’ll not only score a bunch of goals in the league, he will also free up Gomez to do more damage. As things look right now, Emilio raised the bar for David Beckham’s arrival; anyone proving a hotter commodity than the Brit will raise eyebrows and Emilio looks the likeliest candidate to do this.
Bobby Boswell - With Troy Perkins pulling a “church mouse” routine in goal - e.g. he’s the quietest ‘keeper I’ve ever seen - someone needs to lead the D.C. defense, to get in other players’ grills when they screw up or go soft. Steve Goff, the Lord of DC News, mentioned in a post on his blog that Boswell showed a bit of bite in practice this year. If he assumes the drill sergeant’s role, it can only help DC’s defense; for whatever reason, jocks respond to yelling, so the more the better.
Ben Olsen - What Boswell may or may not do in defense, Olsen does for the team. When they need someone to freak-out, fight, and scrap, it’s Olsen who does it often as not (at least when I’m watching). This works wonders when he can get the team to follow.
Additional Assets
That (damned) Tradition - DC’s past successes simultaneously raises the bar for performance and gives players the sense of security that comes with playing for a champion. That’s self-perpetuating, to some extent at least, till it peters out. And, like it or not (and I don’t), it’s not going to peter out in 2007.
Killer Fans - Everyone knows about the environment at RFK. And everyone wants to replicate the environment at RFK. Not many come close. The only “12th man” I’ve really seen in MLS, though Houston fans made it interesting last season.
Liabilities
Defensive Meltdown - No conversation about DC’s 2006 can duck the mystery of what happened with the defense. The team that went from keeping clean sheets and gritting out 1-0 wins in May and June spent the last half of the season looking antsy, clumsy, and lost. Often as I saw it, the phenomenon struck me as an ailment of the head. With the same personnel in place, one gets the sense that it could happen again at any time. A few people out there would say this happened in the second leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinal against CD Olimpia; then again, it went tolerable away against Chivas in the semis. In any case, this is definitely something to watch.
Moreno? - This isn’t a new idea, but I’m drifting toward a camp that says Jaime Moreno is in the twilight of his career and will stand by that till he makes me eat his words. If I were coach Tom Soehn, I don’t think I’d start him at this point, but use him off the bench - and that goes double given the long season. Even as I count him as - well...no, I do - the best player in MLS history, I think his powers are fading, which knocks a side off the oft-mentioned “offensive triangle.”
Unknowns
Foreign Investments - Even if it’s a bit early to call Emilio a proven quantity, there’s at least some first-hand visuals. Observations from camps by various bloggers aside, we’ll have to see how the rest of the DC imports - Fred, Kasali Yinka Casal, Kiki Willis* (am I missing anybody?) - pan out. From what I’ve read they’ve all looked impressive enough, but “doing the business” during the regular season is what counts. Though maybe one, or all of them, will know what to do about...
That Weird Paralysis - Now, every soccer team I’ve ever seen goes through parts of the game where they look just totally fucking clueless, as if they’ve never moved the ball upfield. But DC more-than-common fluidity makes the occasions when this strikes more glaring. It certainly appeared last year down the stretch and in the playoffs and I’ve already seen it this year - from about the 70th minute to the moment when they scored the equalizer against Chivas de Guadalajara. Anyway, this - I don't know what else to call besides an ambling lack of urgency - I just can't explain; the defensive issues looked obvious, but, this? Could whatever "it" is strike again - or, more to the point, again and again?
Prospects - Using Gambling Analogies
Picture a poker game, just a generic one. DC United is the guy who doesn’t seem to pick up anything lower than a straight all night long. His pile keeps growing till he hits a rash of riskier hands - two pairs here, three of a kind there. Even if I count DC more good than lucky, 30 games is a lot and off-nights will happen. DC has the personnel and savvy to win it all, but it all depends on how they ride out those weaker hands. Last year they blew it, though the reasons remain mysterious - to me anyway. Figuring out how to react to hiccups - do you bluff, fold, mix it up, etc. - will be the difference between DC winning the title or going home early the second season in a row.
But, of all the teams in the league, I’d be shocked - SHOCKED, I tell you - if DC didn’t win the East, never mind make the playoffs.
CORRECTION: *I mistakenly listed Kiki Willis as a "foreign import." He's not, as the first commenter pointed out; he's from Ohio fer Crissakes. I also failed to mention Guy-Roland Kpene; and even he spent enough time at U.S. universities that, strictly speaking, he doesn't fit the foreign player billing either.
I'll start with my sincere regrets for talking about myself so much this week. Won't happen next, but I'm working on managing my time...always tricky for me.
Anyway, two announcements to add to those below:
1) I'm canning the Timbers Weekly feature. The thing is, I can either pretend I'm not just ripping off the Timbers Blog or the Soccer City USA message boards, or I can just stop doing it. I'm going with stopping. You can find everything you'd want to know about the Timbers between the two sites - and more than any sane person would want to know with regard to the message board. The thing is, they're paying attention and I'm not. So, yeah, read them. In any case, though I'm planning on seeing as many Timbers' games as I can this season, I also know it won't be all of them, or even enough to have anything intelligent to say about them.
Then there's trying to keep up with everything else. Something had to give.
2) Simpler note: I'm forgoing my half-traditional "Week in" features today, but won't be discontinuing those; I see too much value in the way they keep me up-to-date on news across Major League Soccer. And, yeah, you can get the same kind of thing from du Nord, and on a daily basis at that, but I like to think there's value in a weekly wrap - namely, perspective. Though, I can't speak for whether I've successfully added that.
OK, all for now. Next up, the DC United season preview.
Anyway, two announcements to add to those below:
1) I'm canning the Timbers Weekly feature. The thing is, I can either pretend I'm not just ripping off the Timbers Blog or the Soccer City USA message boards, or I can just stop doing it. I'm going with stopping. You can find everything you'd want to know about the Timbers between the two sites - and more than any sane person would want to know with regard to the message board. The thing is, they're paying attention and I'm not. So, yeah, read them. In any case, though I'm planning on seeing as many Timbers' games as I can this season, I also know it won't be all of them, or even enough to have anything intelligent to say about them.
Then there's trying to keep up with everything else. Something had to give.
2) Simpler note: I'm forgoing my half-traditional "Week in" features today, but won't be discontinuing those; I see too much value in the way they keep me up-to-date on news across Major League Soccer. And, yeah, you can get the same kind of thing from du Nord, and on a daily basis at that, but I like to think there's value in a weekly wrap - namely, perspective. Though, I can't speak for whether I've successfully added that.
OK, all for now. Next up, the DC United season preview.
As mentioned below, I'll be starting to cover the Columbus Crew for The Offside shortly. Right now, I'm trying to get up to speed on where one goes to find information about them. I did a quick Google search using the phrase "Columbus Crew blogs" and came up with a link to one site.
Clearly, I have my work cut out on this one.
But the purpose of this post is a larger one. I've been trying to figure a way to keep up on all Major League Soccer's clubs, but want to do it without larding the ol' bookmark bar with links to mainstream media outlets across the host cities (believe it or not, this hasn't worked all that badly). So, here's what I'm hoping to have happen:
If you run a blog tied to a specific team, could I trouble you to drop word of it into the comments field below or, if you'd rather, by emailing me a link to your site or a heads-up as to its existence?
I've already got a fair number of you set up in Bloglines, but I'm going for total (and relatively easy) coverage! Thanks for your time.
(#########)
Clearly, I have my work cut out on this one.
But the purpose of this post is a larger one. I've been trying to figure a way to keep up on all Major League Soccer's clubs, but want to do it without larding the ol' bookmark bar with links to mainstream media outlets across the host cities (believe it or not, this hasn't worked all that badly). So, here's what I'm hoping to have happen:
If you run a blog tied to a specific team, could I trouble you to drop word of it into the comments field below or, if you'd rather, by emailing me a link to your site or a heads-up as to its existence?
I've already got a fair number of you set up in Bloglines, but I'm going for total (and relatively easy) coverage! Thanks for your time.
(#########)
I'll start with a little announcement: assuming things go according to plan, I'm going to relinquish my place on the New England Revolution blog for The Offside. Sabin, who has been my partner in producing that corner of The Offside, will take over sole authorship.
I decided instead to blog about another Major League Soccer (MLS) club: the Columbus Crew. They need the love and, me being a son of Ohio, I thought I'd make a decent fit. I'll let y'all know as soon as things get nailed down, but I won't, however, be linking back and forth between this site and that one. Why? This is, and will remain, a New England Revolution blog. In spite of my boredom/frustration with my team, I'm not changing allegiances. I'm merely providing a need - though it helps that it's a team for whom I've got a soft spot. So, Go Crew...except when you play New England.
Turning now to actual Revs' there's not much of substance. There are a couple nice pieces on rookie forward Adam Cristman, though one is more practically valuable than the other. That could be a factor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch piece focusing on Cristman's emotional well-being (good, for the record) instead of cold calculations of what will happen on the field, which is the tack taken by Soccer New England. With Pat Noonan's injuries looking to keep him out for the first game or so, these are things you might want to know.
Then again, New England Soccer News ran a piece this morning that is cautiously optimistic about an early return for Noonan. This space's position: it's a long season, people, don't rush it. Please?
Other quick items:
The Revolution corner of the BigSoccer boards is carrying a decent debate on the spat between Shalrie Joseph and the Revolution front office. It was petering into jabs last time I visited, but there's good content on sports economics and the value of a contract versus the value of a player in there as well.
And, tucked in the middle of expansive commentary on DC United and sundry items, the Washington Post's Steve Goff had something interesting to say about the 2007 Eastern Conference race:
Swell.
I decided instead to blog about another Major League Soccer (MLS) club: the Columbus Crew. They need the love and, me being a son of Ohio, I thought I'd make a decent fit. I'll let y'all know as soon as things get nailed down, but I won't, however, be linking back and forth between this site and that one. Why? This is, and will remain, a New England Revolution blog. In spite of my boredom/frustration with my team, I'm not changing allegiances. I'm merely providing a need - though it helps that it's a team for whom I've got a soft spot. So, Go Crew...except when you play New England.
Turning now to actual Revs' there's not much of substance. There are a couple nice pieces on rookie forward Adam Cristman, though one is more practically valuable than the other. That could be a factor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch piece focusing on Cristman's emotional well-being (good, for the record) instead of cold calculations of what will happen on the field, which is the tack taken by Soccer New England. With Pat Noonan's injuries looking to keep him out for the first game or so, these are things you might want to know.
Then again, New England Soccer News ran a piece this morning that is cautiously optimistic about an early return for Noonan. This space's position: it's a long season, people, don't rush it. Please?
Other quick items:
The Revolution corner of the BigSoccer boards is carrying a decent debate on the spat between Shalrie Joseph and the Revolution front office. It was petering into jabs last time I visited, but there's good content on sports economics and the value of a contract versus the value of a player in there as well.
And, tucked in the middle of expansive commentary on DC United and sundry items, the Washington Post's Steve Goff had something interesting to say about the 2007 Eastern Conference race:
"Q: Who do you think is the most improved team in MLS this offseason? Who's going to be worse off than last year?"
"A: Once Beckham settles in, LA could have a very good team after missing the playoffs last year. NY has some potential with Arena in charge and Reyna in the leadership role. Worse? Things aren't looking good in New England."
Swell.
As nearly everyone who could find this site through Bloglines or Soccer Blogs knows, the U.S. Men's National Team (screw "USMNT"; let's call 'em...the "Yanquis") has a pair of games coming up over the next week: Ecuador on Sunday (and damned early....mimosas?) and Guatemala on Wednesday (won't catch this one; bookended between much, much more alluring CONCACAF Champions' Cup games; drool....).
But, for people who don't follow the game (soccer) or this site (title is up top) regularly, I sent a preview of both games to the good people at Write On Sports. It's nothing fancy, but it gives the reader a few names and implies the crucial thing: if you can only watch one of these games, make it the Ecuador game.
Regarding the Guatemala game, this one is likely to tell us only one of two things: 1) that we're still better than most teams in our region and that's only a question of degree on a given day; 2) in the event of a win or a draw, that the Yanquis had a bad day. Anything else we learn - whether we score, or totally fail to score - will carry an asterisk to signify that this was Guatemala, after all. I'm not belittling the Guatemalans for sport, or mocking them; I'm merely saying the reason the Yanquis haven't lost to them since 1988 matches the reason why Liechtenstein freaks friggin' out when they draw, say, the Republic Ireland. There are simply expectations.
Ecuador, on the other hand, promises to be educational. In writing the item for Write On I did a bit of digging on Ecuador, something to refresh my impressions on the team. That digging, which mainly happened on Wikipedia, reminded me of Ecuador's 2006: they made the Round of 16 (where they lost to England) in Germany by beating Poland and Costa Rica. In qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, they topped Brazil in the CONMEBOL marathon. The team they're sending featured a name or two people may recall: Carlos Tenorio, who bagged two goals last summer; Ulises de la Cruz, from Aston Villa and now Reading. I want to pretend I remember more of these guys, but I don't.
What I do remember, though, is that Ecuador looked something solid last summer. Till they hit the hosts (Germany) and England lulled them to sleep in the second round, they looked impressive back-to-front. Their game against a familiar foe, Costa Rica, saw them beat that team by a score the Yanquis attain on a good day.
Based on that, they ought to provide a decent measuring stick for the Yanqui team in terms of where both the trialists (one in particular) and the regulars are. Looking forward to this one...Guatemala...not so much.
I'll close with the observation. Look at the list of forwards called up for these two games:
Where do all these guys earn their paycheck? Does that tell us anything, either about the players themselves or about Yanqui forwards in general? Is there a problem? If so, is there an answer?
For now, I'm willing to say there isn't a problem problem. Like any sane person, I'd rather see the forwards leading my side drawing love from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, and so on. But I also take comfort from the fact that Yanqui teams usually field competent defenders and defensive midfielders. And the fact that American teams know how to defend well enough means that forwards playing in our league at least have some educational work in figuring out how to beat them.
So it could be better, but it could also be worse. We're learning at least.
But, for people who don't follow the game (soccer) or this site (title is up top) regularly, I sent a preview of both games to the good people at Write On Sports. It's nothing fancy, but it gives the reader a few names and implies the crucial thing: if you can only watch one of these games, make it the Ecuador game.
Regarding the Guatemala game, this one is likely to tell us only one of two things: 1) that we're still better than most teams in our region and that's only a question of degree on a given day; 2) in the event of a win or a draw, that the Yanquis had a bad day. Anything else we learn - whether we score, or totally fail to score - will carry an asterisk to signify that this was Guatemala, after all. I'm not belittling the Guatemalans for sport, or mocking them; I'm merely saying the reason the Yanquis haven't lost to them since 1988 matches the reason why Liechtenstein freaks friggin' out when they draw, say, the Republic Ireland. There are simply expectations.
Ecuador, on the other hand, promises to be educational. In writing the item for Write On I did a bit of digging on Ecuador, something to refresh my impressions on the team. That digging, which mainly happened on Wikipedia, reminded me of Ecuador's 2006: they made the Round of 16 (where they lost to England) in Germany by beating Poland and Costa Rica. In qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, they topped Brazil in the CONMEBOL marathon. The team they're sending featured a name or two people may recall: Carlos Tenorio, who bagged two goals last summer; Ulises de la Cruz, from Aston Villa and now Reading. I want to pretend I remember more of these guys, but I don't.
What I do remember, though, is that Ecuador looked something solid last summer. Till they hit the hosts (Germany) and England lulled them to sleep in the second round, they looked impressive back-to-front. Their game against a familiar foe, Costa Rica, saw them beat that team by a score the Yanquis attain on a good day.
Based on that, they ought to provide a decent measuring stick for the Yanqui team in terms of where both the trialists (one in particular) and the regulars are. Looking forward to this one...Guatemala...not so much.
I'll close with the observation. Look at the list of forwards called up for these two games:
Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
Where do all these guys earn their paycheck? Does that tell us anything, either about the players themselves or about Yanqui forwards in general? Is there a problem? If so, is there an answer?
For now, I'm willing to say there isn't a problem problem. Like any sane person, I'd rather see the forwards leading my side drawing love from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, and so on. But I also take comfort from the fact that Yanqui teams usually field competent defenders and defensive midfielders. And the fact that American teams know how to defend well enough means that forwards playing in our league at least have some educational work in figuring out how to beat them.
So it could be better, but it could also be worse. We're learning at least.
Unless I'm missing something, Ives Galarcep's preview for Red Bull New York's 2007 looks to be the only one in town today.
I'll say it again: the guy does good analysis. It may or may not hold up to the cold light of day, but it sure as hell sounds authoritative. And I do think his stuff holds up fine.
With that in mind, the key points of interest for me included: where Claudio Reyna will play and how Red Bull will try to pull that off; Galarcep's comments on defense; Dave Van Den Bergh as the "X-Factor." Overall, though, if you look at what Red Bull lost and gained player-wise between 2006 and 2007, I think they've done pretty well. Yeah, they need that goal-scorer, but if Altidore lives up to half the hype he got last year, John Wolyniec, a personal hero, can handle of the rest; 10 goals last year, people - there are worse journey-men out there.
As for me, I had some other things going on so I won't get to a preview today. Look for a write-up on DC tomorrow. I also think I'll post content - e.g. more previews - over the weekend for once.
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I'll say it again: the guy does good analysis. It may or may not hold up to the cold light of day, but it sure as hell sounds authoritative. And I do think his stuff holds up fine.
With that in mind, the key points of interest for me included: where Claudio Reyna will play and how Red Bull will try to pull that off; Galarcep's comments on defense; Dave Van Den Bergh as the "X-Factor." Overall, though, if you look at what Red Bull lost and gained player-wise between 2006 and 2007, I think they've done pretty well. Yeah, they need that goal-scorer, but if Altidore lives up to half the hype he got last year, John Wolyniec, a personal hero, can handle of the rest; 10 goals last year, people - there are worse journey-men out there.
As for me, I had some other things going on so I won't get to a preview today. Look for a write-up on DC tomorrow. I also think I'll post content - e.g. more previews - over the weekend for once.
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With Watford defender Jay DeMerit seemingly poised to make his debut with the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), glowing tributes of his path to success are popping up here and there. It's a great story to be sure and I admire the hell out of the guy, seriously. I mean, the restraint in not punching Elton John....miraculous...
And I'm glad he's getting his shot; I really am.
But I've got one very serious and respectful plea for U.S. coach Bob Bradley: please, PLEASE, see that DeMerit gets on the field for both the Ecuador and Guatemala games. I want to know, in so far as it's possible to learn from two games, whether this guy is USMNT material. I don't think I can stand another year of half-full hype on this guy. I can't recall any other player for whom apparent presumptions of excellence have so abounded. So, let's add a little hard data to the mix, shall we?
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And I'm glad he's getting his shot; I really am.
But I've got one very serious and respectful plea for U.S. coach Bob Bradley: please, PLEASE, see that DeMerit gets on the field for both the Ecuador and Guatemala games. I want to know, in so far as it's possible to learn from two games, whether this guy is USMNT material. I don't think I can stand another year of half-full hype on this guy. I can't recall any other player for whom apparent presumptions of excellence have so abounded. So, let's add a little hard data to the mix, shall we?
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Luis Arroyave's Red Card was one of a number of sites that picked up Kasey Keller's comments about wanting to stay on with the U.S. Men's National Team thorugh the 2010 World Cup.
Given that, almost exactly a week ago, I wrote something about that it's time for Keller to "let go." I wrote that thinking he didn't have any intention of playing to 2010. I hereby retract that. Let the man compete and, if he's the best we've got, by all means, get him to South Africa.
Love the moxie, Kasey.
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Given that, almost exactly a week ago, I wrote something about that it's time for Keller to "let go." I wrote that thinking he didn't have any intention of playing to 2010. I hereby retract that. Let the man compete and, if he's the best we've got, by all means, get him to South Africa.
Love the moxie, Kasey.
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Sports Illustrated pullled together a chunky Truth & Rumors today, at least as relates to Major League Soccer (MLS). There's the interesting tip about Red Bull New York allegedly chasing Aston Villa's Juan Pablo Angel, but there's also talk of a "british invasion."
The last bit refers to a BBC News article (picked up by du Nord, naturally) in which Toronto FC midfielder Carl Robinson says he's "put in a word" for 6 or 7 English players; we'll have to see how that translates to warm bodies.
Anotehr interesting item from Robinson comes with his comments on the style of play in the American top-flight:
Ah, Carl. I'm blusing on behalf of all MLS fans. Such a nice thing to say....
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The last bit refers to a BBC News article (picked up by du Nord, naturally) in which Toronto FC midfielder Carl Robinson says he's "put in a word" for 6 or 7 English players; we'll have to see how that translates to warm bodies.
Anotehr interesting item from Robinson comes with his comments on the style of play in the American top-flight:
"I'm really enjoying it, they are a good bunch of lads and I'm enjoying the way football is over there. It is much more focussed towards keeping the ball rather than the end-to-end hurly-burly of the Championship and that suits me down to the ground. It's more like international football."
Ah, Carl. I'm blusing on behalf of all MLS fans. Such a nice thing to say....
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Not much to report today in New England Revolution news. The two big stories - preseason and Shalrie Joseph's persisting wishes to leave the club - continue to plod along without generating much in the way of excitement.
Soccer New England keeps up with the Joseph story, which has only moved forward in the sense that Joseph hasn't changed his mind about wanting a trade. In the same article, Joseph states he'll show and give "100%" (let's count our blessings; he didn't offer 110%), but I can't see that holding together if things go at all sideways this season.
Then there's the continuing preseason, which shifts venues next week to Louisiana. There, the Revs will play CD Olimpia (Sunday) and the New Orleans Shell Shockers on the PDL (Wednesday). The news here is the growing list of injuries/recoveries (Pat Noonan, Michael Parkhurst, Daniel Hernandez) and absences (Taylor Twellman, Tony Lochhead, Amaechi Igwe) - the (sparse) details appear here.
On the upside, Revs coach Steve Nicol is feeling good about what he's seeing in preseason...sure, I bet you say that to all the girls....
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Soccer New England keeps up with the Joseph story, which has only moved forward in the sense that Joseph hasn't changed his mind about wanting a trade. In the same article, Joseph states he'll show and give "100%" (let's count our blessings; he didn't offer 110%), but I can't see that holding together if things go at all sideways this season.
Then there's the continuing preseason, which shifts venues next week to Louisiana. There, the Revs will play CD Olimpia (Sunday) and the New Orleans Shell Shockers on the PDL (Wednesday). The news here is the growing list of injuries/recoveries (Pat Noonan, Michael Parkhurst, Daniel Hernandez) and absences (Taylor Twellman, Tony Lochhead, Amaechi Igwe) - the (sparse) details appear here.
On the upside, Revs coach Steve Nicol is feeling good about what he's seeing in preseason...sure, I bet you say that to all the girls....
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...which is where I expect I'll be blogging from till there are actual games to pick apart. I learned all I know about Timbers' related news through other blogs and, as such, will give them prominent credit below:
From the Timbers Blog
There are a number of trialists seeking the chance to pull on Portland Timbers green this year; the Timbers Blog named four in one post - forwards Matt McDonough and Bryan Jordan, midfielder Mark Stock, and defender Todd Sabrowski - and he credits another site for pointing him toward another trialist, Michael Caso. That some post discusses Timbers' promotions for the 2007 season. If I haven't said it before, here it is again: the only promotion that floats my boat is Thirsty Thursday, which involves cheap beer. I am cheap and I like beer. That is all.
If I didn't think my daughter would rip the head off, I'd consider picking her up a Timber Jim bobble-head. But I like Timber Jim, so I won't.
In a pair of related items, I still can't comment on the Timbers Blog, which is probably just as well. And, if someone can pop by to tell me how to find a page for the 107 Report that doesn't front an October 2006 podcast as its latest item, I'd appreciate it...unless, of course, that is the latest item.
From the SoccerCityUSA Message Boards
One of the great, personal mysteries for this off-season is what would become of Byron Alvarez, a forward I've always really enjoyed watching. Well, the board tells me he is going to sign with another USL Division 1 team, the Charleston Battery. Seeing as this is big news in my world I bopped over to the Battery's website, but they're not mentioning this as yet and he's not showing on the official roster. I very much doubt that's a good sign, though, as the message boards view an Alvarez trade as a matter of when, not if.
A point original to me
In a bit of related news, the Battery joins the short list of USL Division 1 teams who will enjoy a sexier preseason than the Timbers. Where is my preseason mini-tournament, people?
From the Timbers Blog
There are a number of trialists seeking the chance to pull on Portland Timbers green this year; the Timbers Blog named four in one post - forwards Matt McDonough and Bryan Jordan, midfielder Mark Stock, and defender Todd Sabrowski - and he credits another site for pointing him toward another trialist, Michael Caso. That some post discusses Timbers' promotions for the 2007 season. If I haven't said it before, here it is again: the only promotion that floats my boat is Thirsty Thursday, which involves cheap beer. I am cheap and I like beer. That is all.
If I didn't think my daughter would rip the head off, I'd consider picking her up a Timber Jim bobble-head. But I like Timber Jim, so I won't.
In a pair of related items, I still can't comment on the Timbers Blog, which is probably just as well. And, if someone can pop by to tell me how to find a page for the 107 Report that doesn't front an October 2006 podcast as its latest item, I'd appreciate it...unless, of course, that is the latest item.
From the SoccerCityUSA Message Boards
One of the great, personal mysteries for this off-season is what would become of Byron Alvarez, a forward I've always really enjoyed watching. Well, the board tells me he is going to sign with another USL Division 1 team, the Charleston Battery. Seeing as this is big news in my world I bopped over to the Battery's website, but they're not mentioning this as yet and he's not showing on the official roster. I very much doubt that's a good sign, though, as the message boards view an Alvarez trade as a matter of when, not if.
A point original to me
In a bit of related news, the Battery joins the short list of USL Division 1 teams who will enjoy a sexier preseason than the Timbers. Where is my preseason mini-tournament, people?
Just came across this one: this weekend's friendly between the U.S. Men's Natoinal Team (USMNT) and Ecuador kicks off at 9-friggin'-A.M. MST (My Standard Time - e.g. Pacific).
As big a believer as I am in expansive happy hours, that's pushing it.
P.S. I think yesterday's ramblings got all the angst out of my system. I think someone from the Agency slipped sodium pentathol into my morning coffee.
P.P.S. Hey, USSoccerplayers.com, where's the "Tell Me About Ecuador" feature? Don't tell me I have to look into this myself...
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As big a believer as I am in expansive happy hours, that's pushing it.
P.S. I think yesterday's ramblings got all the angst out of my system. I think someone from the Agency slipped sodium pentathol into my morning coffee.
P.P.S. Hey, USSoccerplayers.com, where's the "Tell Me About Ecuador" feature? Don't tell me I have to look into this myself...
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Just a couple this time around.
Frank Dell'Appa looked forward at the New England Revolution's 2007 for ESPN. Not to dump on Frank, whom I generally like, but....yawn...oh...excuse me.
A second piece, which came from Ian Plenderleith at USSoccerplayers.com was quite a bit more fun, if a bit less informative. He wrote a short, sad-sack preview for each the teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the voice of a permanently disgruntled fan.
I have to say, I resemble far too many of those characters in there.
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Frank Dell'Appa looked forward at the New England Revolution's 2007 for ESPN. Not to dump on Frank, whom I generally like, but....yawn...oh...excuse me.
A second piece, which came from Ian Plenderleith at USSoccerplayers.com was quite a bit more fun, if a bit less informative. He wrote a short, sad-sack preview for each the teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the voice of a permanently disgruntled fan.
I have to say, I resemble far too many of those characters in there.
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I caught a glimpse of a noted Portland Timber on my Tuesday morning commute; Scot Thompson, if you must know, and, for you stalkers out there, he boarded somewhere between Hillsboro and Beaverton. As regular visitors to this space know, I do - or try to do - a weekly Timbers post. So, there it is, a golden opportunity for a “get” and ample stops between the stop where he boarded and PGE Park for whatever questions might come to me.
That’s when I realize I’ve got nothing - absolutely nothing - I want to ask the man. Welcome to my conundrum as an “almost-member” of the media.
I’ve got a note on my machine reminding me that tomorrow is the day I’m supposed to email the New England Revolution’s media people to see about getting some kind of access to members of the team and front office; it’s something I’m mulling in my capacity as a co-blogger for the Revolution’s corner of The Offside. And right now, I’m not sure as to why I’m going bother. (Of course, the person I’m supposed to write may read this and conclude I’m a waste of time...eh...) And my weekly Timbers post suggests some logic in contacting them, just to see about how they’d prefer I approach their people.
But I can’t shake that thing with Thompson. The thing is, what would I do with the access once I’ve got it?
I’ve mentioned this before, but, as I try to figure out what I want to post both here and on The Offside - and, speaking more broadly, as I try to figure the what I like to read in sports reporting on the Web in general - I wonder how much direct contact I’ll need, never mind want.
Take a standard questions: “What did you think about tonight’s game?” Now, if you’ve played soccer in your life, professionally or otherwise, you know there’s a pretty small universe of answers to this question: if you won, you’re happy; if you lost, you’re not - except when it’s close and against a better team; sometimes a draw is cause for celebration, sometimes it’s enough to make you want to go home and kill your cat, etc. Assuming you watched the game as a spectator, though, you already know the answer to this question. You’re asking the player on the assumption that the average reader is more interested in hearing it from the player than in hearing it from you.
It gets worse, of course, when you consider the bland pap you’re likely to get from the average player. I don’t blame the player, though, or think less of him: what would you say?
There are some questions I can think of, but those are of what I’d call “once-in-a-blue-moon” variety. To give an example, I see value in the information I got out of the Wake Forest soccer department (LINK), or Santa Clara’s coach (LINK). At the same time, I got what I wanted for information and don’t see the need to check in again; for all I know, that will be the one and only time I write the Wake Forest soccer department in my lifetime (then again, given the way the Revs draft Demon Deacons, maybe not). But most questions I have for players are, in a sense, pretty one-off: something like “How do you think soccer should be played?” or “What’s your philosophy on the game?” Once I’ve got that, I’m pretty well out of questions.
Other questions in my head - “What do you really think is hurting the team this year?” - aren’t likely to get the answer I actually want; e.g. “Our left-back is fucking killing us.” I mean, a player can’t say that kind of thing without causing a locker-room explosion.
I still think I’ll write the Revs office and just be upfront about the kind of contact I’m after - e.g. “I’ll be writing/calling, say, once every other month and with fairly vague, big-picture questions” - and if they tell me to go away, so be it. I’m thinking it’ll be the same with the Timbers. I want access to the players and staff, but I don’t want access access, like I don’t want to crawl through their trash and chase the players after the game or go out for cocktails with them; and I sure as hell don’t want to go to media tussles or “special events.” It's not that I doubt players are just as interesting as the next person; in fact, given the constant traveling, living on more dreams than money, etc. they’re probably more interesting than most.
I suppose the grand point is that I’m only interested in the inner life of my friends and family; with players and coaches, I just want the vaguest sense of how they approach the game - and that’s only when their new to the team, or when something happens and I can’t make sense of it (hey...it happens; think the Timbers’ 2006). I watch soccer for the games and I can formulate my own ideas about what’s working and what isn’t. All in all, I want access for those isolated cases where I can’t make the observations for myself - and, when it comes to what I care about in the game - that’s not a whole lot.
(P.S. Mr. Thompson: I was the bald dude furtively staring at you on the Tuesday morning train. Didn't mean to stare; it just took me a while to place you.)
That’s when I realize I’ve got nothing - absolutely nothing - I want to ask the man. Welcome to my conundrum as an “almost-member” of the media.
I’ve got a note on my machine reminding me that tomorrow is the day I’m supposed to email the New England Revolution’s media people to see about getting some kind of access to members of the team and front office; it’s something I’m mulling in my capacity as a co-blogger for the Revolution’s corner of The Offside. And right now, I’m not sure as to why I’m going bother. (Of course, the person I’m supposed to write may read this and conclude I’m a waste of time...eh...) And my weekly Timbers post suggests some logic in contacting them, just to see about how they’d prefer I approach their people.
But I can’t shake that thing with Thompson. The thing is, what would I do with the access once I’ve got it?
I’ve mentioned this before, but, as I try to figure out what I want to post both here and on The Offside - and, speaking more broadly, as I try to figure the what I like to read in sports reporting on the Web in general - I wonder how much direct contact I’ll need, never mind want.
Take a standard questions: “What did you think about tonight’s game?” Now, if you’ve played soccer in your life, professionally or otherwise, you know there’s a pretty small universe of answers to this question: if you won, you’re happy; if you lost, you’re not - except when it’s close and against a better team; sometimes a draw is cause for celebration, sometimes it’s enough to make you want to go home and kill your cat, etc. Assuming you watched the game as a spectator, though, you already know the answer to this question. You’re asking the player on the assumption that the average reader is more interested in hearing it from the player than in hearing it from you.
It gets worse, of course, when you consider the bland pap you’re likely to get from the average player. I don’t blame the player, though, or think less of him: what would you say?
There are some questions I can think of, but those are of what I’d call “once-in-a-blue-moon” variety. To give an example, I see value in the information I got out of the Wake Forest soccer department (LINK), or Santa Clara’s coach (LINK). At the same time, I got what I wanted for information and don’t see the need to check in again; for all I know, that will be the one and only time I write the Wake Forest soccer department in my lifetime (then again, given the way the Revs draft Demon Deacons, maybe not). But most questions I have for players are, in a sense, pretty one-off: something like “How do you think soccer should be played?” or “What’s your philosophy on the game?” Once I’ve got that, I’m pretty well out of questions.
Other questions in my head - “What do you really think is hurting the team this year?” - aren’t likely to get the answer I actually want; e.g. “Our left-back is fucking killing us.” I mean, a player can’t say that kind of thing without causing a locker-room explosion.
I still think I’ll write the Revs office and just be upfront about the kind of contact I’m after - e.g. “I’ll be writing/calling, say, once every other month and with fairly vague, big-picture questions” - and if they tell me to go away, so be it. I’m thinking it’ll be the same with the Timbers. I want access to the players and staff, but I don’t want access access, like I don’t want to crawl through their trash and chase the players after the game or go out for cocktails with them; and I sure as hell don’t want to go to media tussles or “special events.” It's not that I doubt players are just as interesting as the next person; in fact, given the constant traveling, living on more dreams than money, etc. they’re probably more interesting than most.
I suppose the grand point is that I’m only interested in the inner life of my friends and family; with players and coaches, I just want the vaguest sense of how they approach the game - and that’s only when their new to the team, or when something happens and I can’t make sense of it (hey...it happens; think the Timbers’ 2006). I watch soccer for the games and I can formulate my own ideas about what’s working and what isn’t. All in all, I want access for those isolated cases where I can’t make the observations for myself - and, when it comes to what I care about in the game - that’s not a whole lot.
(P.S. Mr. Thompson: I was the bald dude furtively staring at you on the Tuesday morning train. Didn't mean to stare; it just took me a while to place you.)
He should be the mascot, eh?
Past
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on Columbus' '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England's Ins & Outs for most roster changes
Columbus Crew roster from MLSnet.com (by the way, the Crew has the best profile photos in the league; Eddie Gaven’s, in particular, is a gem)
And now, the Future...
Key Men
Eddie Gaven - Expectations have followed this wee lad of 20 courtesy of a breakout year he had back in his teens with the now-renamed MetroStars. He’s a wild-card player with potential to wreck havoc on the opposition’s game-plan - that, or completely vanish from a game in some anonymous up-field perch.
Andy Herron - With so many young players in the attack, Herron comes to the Crew as both of a wizened veteran and a (semi-)proven quantity. If he can reach 10 goals with the Crew, focus on him should open up confidence-building opportunities for the young line he’s leading.
Chad Marshall - I didn’t remember this, but all the season reviews listed at the top of the page (including mine - if only briefly) mention that the Crew defense had a decent 2006. Marshall anchored that line (for the most part) and he’ll have to do so again this year for the Crew to succeed. Assuming Frankie Hejduk and Ezra Hendrickson hold up all right, Marshall’s job will have pretty little to do.
Ned Grabavoy - Below*, you’ll see why I almost didn’t list Grabavoy in this section; and nearly every ’06 season review made a big deal out of Duncan Oughton’s return to the team last September. But Grabavoy looked pretty sharp in the Pioneer Cup, which got me thinking that ol’ Ned could bring some much-needed cohesion and pacing to the Crew offense. They’ll still have Oughton for the grit, though.
Additional Assets
Spider-Monkey Power - This is the Crew. They don’t have assets, only questions. If I had to choose something, though, I’d say this is a young team, which should translate to ample energy. Because young males over-flow with hormones, and because I equate hormones with sexuality, and because I, for some reason, think of spider-monkeys whacking off in zoos when I think of over-flowing sexuality, I refer to this as “spider-monkey power.” Hey...at least I explained it...
Real Depth - Last year’s injury bug seemed to produce at least one legacy: the Crew has bodies to burn at forward and midfield. What about quality? Well, that’s a wait-and-see thing, but I don’t think this team looks half bad.
Liabilities
Thin at ‘Keep - One can question the wisdom of waiving Jon Busch - Lord knows he did - especially with only two, relative unknowns left vying for the starting goalkeeper’s gloves. Bill Gaudette played fair amount last year, but 2007 will be only his third MLS season; his competition, Will Hesmer, is about to start his second. Maybe one of these guys will be the next Matt Pickens, but would you want to count on that?
Inexperience - Ah, the downside of youth, the spent spider monkey. Ezra Hendrickson is the oldest guy on this team and he’s 35; there’s also Frankie Hejduk who will turn 33 in August. There’s a smattering of 1970s birthdays after these two (Duncan Oughton), but it’s all 80s from there. As much as these guys will be able to run, they may run a bit aimlessly.
Unknowns
Scoring - There’s a decent amount, if not too much*, of offensive talent in the Crew midfield, even if some players haven’t quite established reputations of note. But the question marks get bigger and thicker as you move toward the opposition goal. Herron can hit devilish funks, Jason Garey, for all his promise, is only a second-year pro, some under-studies are first-year players, etc. etc. It’s not that the Crew will be the only “forward-light” team in MLS this season - there’s always Red Bull - but it’s also fair to say it’s not the regular model.
Injuries, Injuries, Injuries - Last year’s goal-keeping meltdown is only the most memorable symbol of the Crew’s injury woes, but they got beat up something awful last year - and all over the field. Unless it’s something in the water or the team physician subtly destroying the team from within, it seems unlikely that the Crew will struggle as badly this season. Then again, if the injury bugg bites again this year, especially a repeat plague on the 'keepers, what follows from here won’t hold for anything.
Prospects - Using Gambling Analogies
Think of the Pioneer Cup as the Wood Memorial, but, for the love of God, don’t think of Bellamy Road's routing of the field in 2005 or this analogy falls apart. At any rate, the Wood is one of the higher-profile “preps” for the Kentucky Derby and the point I’m making here is that I’m among those people who extrapolated a good season for the Crew out of the Pioneer Cup. It’s more than that game, of course; as in horse-racing, you’re looking at the sheen on the coat, that high, fine rump, that bit of moxie in the paddock. A straight bet to win might not pan out, but I’d certainly consider the Crew for your box bets.
Translation: Tough as the East should be, I like them for the playoffs.
The local paper - The Oregonian - ran an interesting item today on the push by the state's "elite clubs" to form a more competitive league within a the youth soccer set up. The details of the story are interesting enough - I'll ask that you read the article if you're curious - but the general thrust of the article presents an interesting divide in the youth soccer world. On one hand, you have the "Up with Kids!" rec leagues described in the article's lead - where "everyone gets in the game -- and gets a trophy" - while, on the other, you've got the "Psycho Leagues" with bellowing coaches, insane parents, and a fun-sucking premium on winning, winning, and winning.
I've got some thoughts on this, but before digging in, I do feel compelled to insert one BIG CAVEAT: I have zero direct contact with youth soccer so take my observations with that understanding.
Whenever I read this, my first thought is always, where the hell do the rest of us - that is, the normal people - fit in this scheme? In other words, where do you send your kid when you love the idea of them playing soccer, but don't want to put them under the wing of some resume-polishing nut-job, who will ruthlessly suppress all opportunities for expression that don't immediately contribute to winning? And that doesn't even get into the question of the time (believe it or not, I do work; so does my wife) and money (though I'm not terribly well compensated either).
And what if you think it's sub-moronic to give trophies to kids just for showing up? What if you believe there's real value in teaching your kid that losing does happen - especially when you phone it in - but that losing is instructive, motivating, and, most importantly, nothing like the end of the world? I have real contempt for the "everyone is a winner" horseshit and wouldn't believe it actually existed if I hadn't actually seen the trophies.
The really sad thing for me is that I've found my niche as a player - but, crucially, only since becoming an adult. See, I am, or was (it's been a while) a coed player, both indoor and outdoor. I've found coed leagues to be the place where people show up, they try hard enough, and the players do want to win; sure, every so often, you'll play with a guy (and it has always been a guy in my experience) who wants to win, but they're far and few between; moreover, most people on the team either ignore or mock him in any case.
(I'll never forget the "pocket-midfielder" (e.g. short dude with glasses) with whom I played on a team in DC; we gave up a goal and I remember him charging at me, eyes popping, screaming at me, "You've got to get angry! ANGRY!!! We're not losing to these guys!" I still cherish the belief that the look I gave in return was sufficient to embarrass him. If that wasn't, I'm hoping my favorite question, "Do you see any pro scouts in the stands?", did the trick.)
The point is, you show up to these games, you have fun; if you're feeling a little jiggy, you try to pull something off; you either look like an idiot or genius, but no one cares all that much. I have to admit that the adult recreational leagues in Portland, Oregon are pretty well organized. It's not all that hard to find a niche if you're willing to try on different teams. I played on an all-men's team not that long ago and, as much as I liked the guys I played with, they were too into it for me. So, I parted ways and returned to my coed teams. Pretty simple.
So does this exist for kids? Do they organize teams into divisions, allowing kids and parents to find a place where they feel comfortable, to try on varying degrees of pressure. If not, why not? Why can't you have a division or two for the "everyone gets a trophy" mentality (though these kids will get eaten alive in a public school) another couple on the top for the "Soccer Youth" - e.g. ardent disciples of the game - and a bunch in the middle for, well, the rest of us?
Returning to the article, yeah, the elite clubs should get their way here - though they ought to look at ways to make it affordable (and, ideally, teams of this sort should get thrown into the same competition as the youth teams for Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs). But they really need to have the tiers in between. Something where kids can go, have fun, and experience real competition without having their nipples wired to ensure "maximum effort" or exile on the bench. Is this really so hard?
I've got some thoughts on this, but before digging in, I do feel compelled to insert one BIG CAVEAT: I have zero direct contact with youth soccer so take my observations with that understanding.
Whenever I read this, my first thought is always, where the hell do the rest of us - that is, the normal people - fit in this scheme? In other words, where do you send your kid when you love the idea of them playing soccer, but don't want to put them under the wing of some resume-polishing nut-job, who will ruthlessly suppress all opportunities for expression that don't immediately contribute to winning? And that doesn't even get into the question of the time (believe it or not, I do work; so does my wife) and money (though I'm not terribly well compensated either).
And what if you think it's sub-moronic to give trophies to kids just for showing up? What if you believe there's real value in teaching your kid that losing does happen - especially when you phone it in - but that losing is instructive, motivating, and, most importantly, nothing like the end of the world? I have real contempt for the "everyone is a winner" horseshit and wouldn't believe it actually existed if I hadn't actually seen the trophies.
The really sad thing for me is that I've found my niche as a player - but, crucially, only since becoming an adult. See, I am, or was (it's been a while) a coed player, both indoor and outdoor. I've found coed leagues to be the place where people show up, they try hard enough, and the players do want to win; sure, every so often, you'll play with a guy (and it has always been a guy in my experience) who wants to win, but they're far and few between; moreover, most people on the team either ignore or mock him in any case.
(I'll never forget the "pocket-midfielder" (e.g. short dude with glasses) with whom I played on a team in DC; we gave up a goal and I remember him charging at me, eyes popping, screaming at me, "You've got to get angry! ANGRY!!! We're not losing to these guys!" I still cherish the belief that the look I gave in return was sufficient to embarrass him. If that wasn't, I'm hoping my favorite question, "Do you see any pro scouts in the stands?", did the trick.)
The point is, you show up to these games, you have fun; if you're feeling a little jiggy, you try to pull something off; you either look like an idiot or genius, but no one cares all that much. I have to admit that the adult recreational leagues in Portland, Oregon are pretty well organized. It's not all that hard to find a niche if you're willing to try on different teams. I played on an all-men's team not that long ago and, as much as I liked the guys I played with, they were too into it for me. So, I parted ways and returned to my coed teams. Pretty simple.
So does this exist for kids? Do they organize teams into divisions, allowing kids and parents to find a place where they feel comfortable, to try on varying degrees of pressure. If not, why not? Why can't you have a division or two for the "everyone gets a trophy" mentality (though these kids will get eaten alive in a public school) another couple on the top for the "Soccer Youth" - e.g. ardent disciples of the game - and a bunch in the middle for, well, the rest of us?
Returning to the article, yeah, the elite clubs should get their way here - though they ought to look at ways to make it affordable (and, ideally, teams of this sort should get thrown into the same competition as the youth teams for Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs). But they really need to have the tiers in between. Something where kids can go, have fun, and experience real competition without having their nipples wired to ensure "maximum effort" or exile on the bench. Is this really so hard?
OK, putting back on my "serious hat," a Soccer America article contains a highly-intriguing twist in the Shalrie Joseph saga:
Uh-oh. You'd think this would make a deal more likely. It depends, I suppose, on how stubborn the New England Revolution front office can, and are willing, to get.
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"This impasse between Shalrie Joseph and the Revs/MLS is about more than money, and Joseph can prove it, or at least so claims his agent, Ron Waxman."
"'He will play for any other team in MLS under his current contract,' says Waxman of a deal that will pay Joseph a base salary of $157,500, plus bonuses, the same as last year. The salary is not guaranteed, unlike last year. 'I would love for them to come back to the table, but I don't live in fantasy land. I have been told negotiations are over. I hope they have enough respect for him to honor his request to be traded.'"
Uh-oh. You'd think this would make a deal more likely. It depends, I suppose, on how stubborn the New England Revolution front office can, and are willing, to get.
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Slow news days aren't always a bad thing. For instance, someone - Kannell17 on the New England Revolution Fan Blog - took the time to run down the Wikipedia entry on sports hernia. I can't make heads or tails of the entry either, but am pleased he thought to do this.
Not that this will have any effect on Pat Noonan's recovery time...
As for me, the big thing I did today was find peace with the possibility of Shalrie Joseph getting traded. Actually, I did more than make peace with it. At this point, I'll be positively content if it happens...frankly, the Revs have bored me shitless this off-season. All the drama has been highly negative and I got enough of that around the dinner table in high school (just kidding, mom, dad).
Anyway, as noted in that post, I'm feeling a bit philosophical today...I think it's the stuff I'm reading and some thinking about media and blogging a friend prompted that's doing it.
More later.
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Not that this will have any effect on Pat Noonan's recovery time...
As for me, the big thing I did today was find peace with the possibility of Shalrie Joseph getting traded. Actually, I did more than make peace with it. At this point, I'll be positively content if it happens...frankly, the Revs have bored me shitless this off-season. All the drama has been highly negative and I got enough of that around the dinner table in high school (just kidding, mom, dad).
Anyway, as noted in that post, I'm feeling a bit philosophical today...I think it's the stuff I'm reading and some thinking about media and blogging a friend prompted that's doing it.
More later.
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Given yesterday's speculation about FC Dallas looking like a sensible fit (see 4th "real" paragraph) for a wanna-be footloose Shalrie Joseph, I can't help but read the report that the Dallas side traded Richard Mulrooney to Toronto FC with a bit of alarm. As I point out here, it's hard not to notice that this should free up some cap space as well as a space on the field where Joseph normally lurks.
In other Revs news....God...does it matter?
No, we have to face the season...I've seen word elsewhere that Pat Noonan is headed to Germany to get his hernia tucked back in. He won't be available till a little ways into the season, but let's hope they'll finally get his abdomen squared away.
I'm going to close with one crucial point: I AM SPECULATING. And, kidding aside, this is actually kind of fun. So, we lose Joseph. So, the team won't be as good without him. Just close your eyes and imagine Joseph went to Celtic; see him helping them beat AC Milan in the Champions League...now, open your eyes and cope with the fact that Joseph could very well be around next season as well as being grumpy with his employers.
It gets to a point where you wonder if an exit wouldn't be better in the long run.
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In other Revs news....God...does it matter?
No, we have to face the season...I've seen word elsewhere that Pat Noonan is headed to Germany to get his hernia tucked back in. He won't be available till a little ways into the season, but let's hope they'll finally get his abdomen squared away.
I'm going to close with one crucial point: I AM SPECULATING. And, kidding aside, this is actually kind of fun. So, we lose Joseph. So, the team won't be as good without him. Just close your eyes and imagine Joseph went to Celtic; see him helping them beat AC Milan in the Champions League...now, open your eyes and cope with the fact that Joseph could very well be around next season as well as being grumpy with his employers.
It gets to a point where you wonder if an exit wouldn't be better in the long run.
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With a game on Sunday and next Wednesday, people are starting to pick at the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) roster and guess about who we'll see where and when.
Before getting to that, though, there are a couple changes to note: as reported all over the place (but here too), Brian Mullan and Wade Barrett replaced late scratches Chris Rolfe and Ricardo Clark. It's far from a straight swap positionally, but I'm content with the replacements, though I'm not sure Wade Barrett will get a sniff at left-back given everyone else on the roster; as for Mullan, I just think he's handy, kinda like a younger Cobi Jones. We could do a hell of a lot worse for backup.
The rest of what I've got is all Galarcep, as in Ives. He has not only dedicated himself to a project of analyzing the players called up by position, but he also turned in a nice primer on some of the new guys who answered USMNT Coach Bob Bradley's call from across the pond. The position-by-position previews offer some more grist for debate and, as noted above, he's doing these by position: goalkeepers, defenders, and midfielders.
I don't know enough about the Euro-boys to provide meaningful commentary and, rather than quibble with every last detail in Galarcep's posts (and I don't quibble with much), I'll briefly mention what strikes me in two of them.
1) If you look at his guesses on the defenders for both the Ecuador and Guatemala game, you'll see one name on both: Jimmy Conrad. All I've got to say there is, "hmm." As in, "you don't say?" I don't know why that surprises me, not just the call but the very real potential for it to happen, but it does.
2) Regarding Mullan, Galarcep states his call-up "doesn't excite" him, which, I know isn't the same as saying it isn't justified; he adds that "I just feel like we've seen what we're going to see out of him." I think this is true as well. But I still think it's a good call. The reasons go back to the comments about Cobi; I think Mullan has the same, late-game, fresh-legs upside.
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Before getting to that, though, there are a couple changes to note: as reported all over the place (but here too), Brian Mullan and Wade Barrett replaced late scratches Chris Rolfe and Ricardo Clark. It's far from a straight swap positionally, but I'm content with the replacements, though I'm not sure Wade Barrett will get a sniff at left-back given everyone else on the roster; as for Mullan, I just think he's handy, kinda like a younger Cobi Jones. We could do a hell of a lot worse for backup.
The rest of what I've got is all Galarcep, as in Ives. He has not only dedicated himself to a project of analyzing the players called up by position, but he also turned in a nice primer on some of the new guys who answered USMNT Coach Bob Bradley's call from across the pond. The position-by-position previews offer some more grist for debate and, as noted above, he's doing these by position: goalkeepers, defenders, and midfielders.
I don't know enough about the Euro-boys to provide meaningful commentary and, rather than quibble with every last detail in Galarcep's posts (and I don't quibble with much), I'll briefly mention what strikes me in two of them.
1) If you look at his guesses on the defenders for both the Ecuador and Guatemala game, you'll see one name on both: Jimmy Conrad. All I've got to say there is, "hmm." As in, "you don't say?" I don't know why that surprises me, not just the call but the very real potential for it to happen, but it does.
2) Regarding Mullan, Galarcep states his call-up "doesn't excite" him, which, I know isn't the same as saying it isn't justified; he adds that "I just feel like we've seen what we're going to see out of him." I think this is true as well. But I still think it's a good call. The reasons go back to the comments about Cobi; I think Mullan has the same, late-game, fresh-legs upside.
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As we get closer to the kick-off, I know I won't be the only one churning out previews for the 2007 season. On a personal level, I get such a geeky little thrill out of reading previews; I view this as the wholesome side of my gambling impulses - e.g. being "hep" to what will happen before it does, which is the essence of gambling, right? (And I'm lousy at it). So...I'll be passing on previews of the season as they roll in and, assuming not too many get made per week, I'll try to do the same thing with the week's action during the season.
And, don't worry, I won't bore you with preambles in future installments.
Because we're still a ways off, there's not a whole hell of a lot out there. But the presence of Jeff Carlisle's preview for the Los Angeles Galaxy hints that ESPN appears ready to start churning them out. For the record, he sees good things happening in LA this year - and, damn my eyes, I do too. Carlisle dubs a return to the playoffs as "certain" and he expects the club expects a championship; I'm on board with the former for sure, though not the latter.
Elsewhere - and, to be honest - yesterday, a site called Vasco USA previewed the Eastern Conference. I'll give you the author's rankings, but you'll have to visit his place to see his reasoning. Assuming, he's listing them in order (and I think he is), here's what he's seeing:
In case you're wondering, I'm on board with DC at #1 (though I'm not happy about it), Columbus in the playoffs, and Chicago out of them; I'm working on the rest.
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And, don't worry, I won't bore you with preambles in future installments.
Because we're still a ways off, there's not a whole hell of a lot out there. But the presence of Jeff Carlisle's preview for the Los Angeles Galaxy hints that ESPN appears ready to start churning them out. For the record, he sees good things happening in LA this year - and, damn my eyes, I do too. Carlisle dubs a return to the playoffs as "certain" and he expects the club expects a championship; I'm on board with the former for sure, though not the latter.
Elsewhere - and, to be honest - yesterday, a site called Vasco USA previewed the Eastern Conference. I'll give you the author's rankings, but you'll have to visit his place to see his reasoning. Assuming, he's listing them in order (and I think he is), here's what he's seeing:
1. DC United
2. Toronto FC
3. Columbus Crew
4. New England Revolution
5. Kansas City Wizards
6. Red Bull New York
7. Chicago Fire
In case you're wondering, I'm on board with DC at #1 (though I'm not happy about it), Columbus in the playoffs, and Chicago out of them; I'm working on the rest.
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It's worth reading Brian Straus' solid article on the so-far underwhelming response by Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs to the designated-player rule, but there's an no less engaging question about player compensation snuck in as well. Here's that:
In spite of my appreciation for market mechanisms, there's a little socialist that lives somewhere behind my appendix (he kicks it frequently, which might be why it hurts so damn much) who tells me that there's something better about a "we're-all-in-this-together" ethos when you're trying to build something on limited resources. And while the international market justifies spending more, or even crazy, money on, say, a proven goal-scorer (arguably, Twellman for the Revs) or even a guy who can move season tickets (Beckham), I remain deeply paranoid about the impact of the Beckham rule for creating subtle, poisonous jealousies among MLS players living as much on their dreams as on a thin paycheck.
Sports economics is what it is, of course; a talent for putting the ball in the goal will always earn more than being one of the three or four guys trying to stop it from happening. But soccer teams field eleven players for any given game and they all play a role; how far can you go in rewarding one talent at the expense of the other?
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"Most teams elected to spread their money more equitably through the roster. Neither MLS Cup finalist fielded a player earning more than $200,000. But Houston featured the highest number of players pulling six figure base salaries (nine), while New England was tied for second with eight."
In spite of my appreciation for market mechanisms, there's a little socialist that lives somewhere behind my appendix (he kicks it frequently, which might be why it hurts so damn much) who tells me that there's something better about a "we're-all-in-this-together" ethos when you're trying to build something on limited resources. And while the international market justifies spending more, or even crazy, money on, say, a proven goal-scorer (arguably, Twellman for the Revs) or even a guy who can move season tickets (Beckham), I remain deeply paranoid about the impact of the Beckham rule for creating subtle, poisonous jealousies among MLS players living as much on their dreams as on a thin paycheck.
Sports economics is what it is, of course; a talent for putting the ball in the goal will always earn more than being one of the three or four guys trying to stop it from happening. But soccer teams field eleven players for any given game and they all play a role; how far can you go in rewarding one talent at the expense of the other?
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I like Cobi Jones plenty, but, I'm sorry, there's no way I'm going to get excited about this being his final year. I'll feel blue when he actually retires.
I can't believe they hyped this one for a full day. As news, it ranks comfortably with Major League Soccer's (MLS) "partnership" with the Bundesliga, the Colorado Rapids' "partnership" with England's Arsenal, and the "World's Series of Football."
Jesus, people. I mean...Jesus...I'm not a monkey! I will not jump!
UPDATE: See? I'm not alone in thinking things have gotten silly.
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I can't believe they hyped this one for a full day. As news, it ranks comfortably with Major League Soccer's (MLS) "partnership" with the Bundesliga, the Colorado Rapids' "partnership" with England's Arsenal, and the "World's Series of Football."
Jesus, people. I mean...Jesus...I'm not a monkey! I will not jump!
UPDATE: See? I'm not alone in thinking things have gotten silly.
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You wore green, once....
Past
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on Colorado's '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England's Ins & Outs for most roster changes
Colorado Rapids roster from their official site (what do they have against foreigners? Just look at it; you’ll see what I mean.)
And now, the Future
Key Men
Greg Vanney - The Rapids also picked up Brandon Prideaux and Ugo Ihemelu in the off-season, but one gets the feeling Clavijo picked up Vanney to lead the defense. With Colorado tying for the league’s worst defensive record last season, he’ll have plenty to do.
Kyle Beckerman - With much respect to Pablo Mastroeni, who does many things, good (tenacious) and bad (cards) for this team, Beckerman is the two-way engine for this team; enforcing is important, but Beckerman can make Colorado a better team if he can build on his impressive '06...and, say, ups his assists.
Terry Cooke - Last year’s chief supply line for the Rapids attack (such as it was). He’s got more to work with this time around personnel-wise, so a repeat for Cooke could spell serious trouble for the rest of the West.
Zach Thornton - So, I hear he’s an asshole with the media. I don’t hold that against him, but there’s no question Thornton is plugging a big, big post-Joe Cannon need for the Rapids (seriously; read the season review and “big questions piece above and see who the reporters talked to the most). On the upside, he’ll have very little patience for questions about how he stacks up against Cannon. And I can hardly blame him for that.
Additional Assets
New Ground in the Thin Air - Courtesy of playing a “mile high,” no team has a home-field advantage like Colorado. Add a new stadium to the mix and they could prove a tougher road game still. The idea of feeling pressure to win may render the home stadium advantage inoperable in the near-term, but they’ll have something special down the road.
Stacked D - I mentioned the importance of Vanney leading the defensive line above and, holy crap, will he have a lot of minions: I’ve already mentioned the new additions, but they join Mike Petke as well as up-and-comers like Dan Gargan, Hunter Freeman, Chris Wingert, and, though I don’t see him on the roster, there’s a guy named Daniel Wasson, who seemed to impress the coaches last year. This is a team deep on defense.
Liabilities
The Past - One of the bigger obstacles Colorado will have to overcome is a weird one. It’s true there are teams who have never reached an MLS Cup, but the Rapids one trip in 1997 doesn’t seem to do anything about what can only be called a kind of inferiority complex. I pick up on this as an observer of the league, which wouldn’t be nearly so valid if Cannon didn’t second that perception in the “big questions” column. Whatever it is, it plays a part when it comes to...
Scoring - I had originally plugged both Clint Mathis and Nicolas Hernandez into the “Key Men” space above, but there’s something about Colorado’s scoring record that compelled me to back away. The fact is, this team has struggled to score for as long as I can remember; personnel doesn’t seem to matter. Mathis’ “issues” are well known (and discussed below) and Hernandez seems to have a knack for clutch goals, though he doesn’t score nearly enough of them. Maybe the addition of Herculez Gomez, a pure scoring threat in a previous career, will give everyone else some space to make Colorado the team they can be. But there’s that past to overcome.
Unknowns
Back Four Conundrum - The MLSnet.com ’06 review quotes assistant coach Steve Trittschuh as bemoaning the Rapid’s lack of consistency. As noted above, the Rapids tied for league-worst on defense, giving up - yikes! - 49 goals on the season; that’s 5 more than FC-freakin’-Dallas. In clarifying the problem, Trittschuh pointed to the instability at fullback, as opposed in the middle, where the Rapids tried a variety of players throughout the season. They’ve certainly got the personnel, but what about the right formula?
Clint Mathis - (DISCLOSURE: I’m something like the last unwavering Mathis fan on the planet.) I’ve got grand theories about art and think those apply to Mathis; he possesses talent no other American player has, but seems hampered by a lack of inspiration...which, of course, only builds on the “artist” theme. If he can find the switch in his head, Colorado becomes something big and scary. But “ifs” don’t come bigger than this.
Exotic Arrivals - Yherland McDonald, Roberto Brown: right now, they’re just names occupying space on the big list of MLS players. But who are these guys? I learned what I could through a Google search on each (McDonald and Brown), but that’s not enough to know how they’ll adapt to the league. Could be good, could be bad.
Prospects - Using Gambling Analogies
I don’t talk about it much, but I love craps. Think about Colorado’s 2007 this way: their point is 8 and I’m feeling sufficiently jiggy about their chances that I’m willing to say they’ll not only make their point, but I’m betting a hard eight to boot. They’ll repeat to the conference finals and, if they don’t make the final, they’ll scare the holy shit out of the team that does. I like nearly all their acquisitions and think Clavijo’s confidence in his squad is justified.
I've been sitting on a concept for a while, specifically the notion that Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs can gain respect through international club competitions. A post over on Soccer y Futbol just under a week ago touched on this grand idea of "respect," and they dismissed it, correctly as I see it, as irrelevant and manufacture, the latter at least to some degree.
The relative success of MLS clubs in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup got me thinking that events had reached a point where kicking around the concept in my head made sense. So, I went ahead and sent it over to Write On Sports and they were good enough to post it. In broad terms, MLS clubs will earn respect when they win, win, and win again. That might not even work, but I'll tell you what won't gain us any sporting slaps on the behind: continually griping about the conditions and timing of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, whether it's venues or the fact MLS clubs are in their preseason. And I know this is deadly tempting: I know I made plenty out of that God-awful field in Puntarenas. But the point is, you have the conditions you have and you adapt to them, not gripe about them.
But in the end, it's only the "W's" that ultimately matter - and the more you get, the more respect; put another way, it's not something you ask for, but something you earn. In any case, I elaborate on this in the article, so I'll shut up about it now.
On a related note, I do a fair review of the first legs in the article, but very little on how I see the MLS delegation - e.g. DC United and the Houston Dynamo - playing the return legs in Mexico. Yeah, those games are a ways off, but seeing as we'll all be preoccupied with the U.S. National Team by the tend of the week, we may as well get the thinking about this out of the way.
Game-Plan for Houston
If either team had a greater need to carry a cushion into the second leg, it's Houston; playing at nearly 8,000 feet certainly complicates this tie. The question is, do they try the ol' bunker-and-counter, knowing the Pachuca will be running at them, or do they try a push a possession game up the field - e.g. moving the ball up the field, but dropping it back to keep Pachuca chasing? While I'm dubious as tow whether Houston has the skill to pull this off, the latter would look a lot like how Chivas played against DC: retain possession near midfield and dump in the occasional ball to keep Pachuca honest. My guess is that Houston will go for a bunker-and-counter and, this being a results-oriented affair, I suppose I can't blame them. But I think the "Chivas" game plan would work better for them.
The biggest question mark, though: what to do if Ricardo Clark can't play the second leg? Houston fans will know this better than me: is it time for Chris Wondolowski's debut? Time to move Kelly Gray into the d-mid slot (though his passing for much of last Thursday hardly justified it)? What's the adjustment here?
Whatever they do, I think Houston's focus should be in killing this game, as opposed to winning it.
Game-Plan for DC
I didn't realize "tricky" was spelled "carrying a tie into a return leg in Guadalajara" till I started thinking about this game. It's clear that DC needs a win and, therefore, it would seem they'd have to take the game to Chivas at some point. The question is how early and for how long?
My first impulse tells me DC should come out swinging hard. See if you can throw Chivas off their game - I know; easier said than done - for 20 minutes or so. Maybe the disruption will carry over deeper into the game and keep Chivas wary...crap, I don't know. And for the obvious reason: Chivas sneaking in an early goal on a counter would make DC chase the game - opening the MLS club to more counters as the game, and their players, wear on. In the end, that possibility is too risky for my tastes.
The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to think DC just needs to go to Guadalajara and operate on Plan A - e.g. the way they'd play any other game of the season. You adjust for a player here or there, of course, but otherwise DC should just play there game....only better than they did at home. Play a patient game, looking for openings, and making them where you can, but, otherwise, keeping shape and poise are the watchwords. A stretch, I know, but I can't see a departure from their game working for them against a Chivas squad, backed by a hostile crowd at altitude.
Well, that's all I've got. Back to the season previews tomorrow.
The relative success of MLS clubs in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup got me thinking that events had reached a point where kicking around the concept in my head made sense. So, I went ahead and sent it over to Write On Sports and they were good enough to post it. In broad terms, MLS clubs will earn respect when they win, win, and win again. That might not even work, but I'll tell you what won't gain us any sporting slaps on the behind: continually griping about the conditions and timing of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, whether it's venues or the fact MLS clubs are in their preseason. And I know this is deadly tempting: I know I made plenty out of that God-awful field in Puntarenas. But the point is, you have the conditions you have and you adapt to them, not gripe about them.
But in the end, it's only the "W's" that ultimately matter - and the more you get, the more respect; put another way, it's not something you ask for, but something you earn. In any case, I elaborate on this in the article, so I'll shut up about it now.
On a related note, I do a fair review of the first legs in the article, but very little on how I see the MLS delegation - e.g. DC United and the Houston Dynamo - playing the return legs in Mexico. Yeah, those games are a ways off, but seeing as we'll all be preoccupied with the U.S. National Team by the tend of the week, we may as well get the thinking about this out of the way.
Game-Plan for Houston
If either team had a greater need to carry a cushion into the second leg, it's Houston; playing at nearly 8,000 feet certainly complicates this tie. The question is, do they try the ol' bunker-and-counter, knowing the Pachuca will be running at them, or do they try a push a possession game up the field - e.g. moving the ball up the field, but dropping it back to keep Pachuca chasing? While I'm dubious as tow whether Houston has the skill to pull this off, the latter would look a lot like how Chivas played against DC: retain possession near midfield and dump in the occasional ball to keep Pachuca honest. My guess is that Houston will go for a bunker-and-counter and, this being a results-oriented affair, I suppose I can't blame them. But I think the "Chivas" game plan would work better for them.
The biggest question mark, though: what to do if Ricardo Clark can't play the second leg? Houston fans will know this better than me: is it time for Chris Wondolowski's debut? Time to move Kelly Gray into the d-mid slot (though his passing for much of last Thursday hardly justified it)? What's the adjustment here?
Whatever they do, I think Houston's focus should be in killing this game, as opposed to winning it.
Game-Plan for DC
I didn't realize "tricky" was spelled "carrying a tie into a return leg in Guadalajara" till I started thinking about this game. It's clear that DC needs a win and, therefore, it would seem they'd have to take the game to Chivas at some point. The question is how early and for how long?
My first impulse tells me DC should come out swinging hard. See if you can throw Chivas off their game - I know; easier said than done - for 20 minutes or so. Maybe the disruption will carry over deeper into the game and keep Chivas wary...crap, I don't know. And for the obvious reason: Chivas sneaking in an early goal on a counter would make DC chase the game - opening the MLS club to more counters as the game, and their players, wear on. In the end, that possibility is too risky for my tastes.
The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to think DC just needs to go to Guadalajara and operate on Plan A - e.g. the way they'd play any other game of the season. You adjust for a player here or there, of course, but otherwise DC should just play there game....only better than they did at home. Play a patient game, looking for openings, and making them where you can, but, otherwise, keeping shape and poise are the watchwords. A stretch, I know, but I can't see a departure from their game working for them against a Chivas squad, backed by a hostile crowd at altitude.
Well, that's all I've got. Back to the season previews tomorrow.
(UPDATE: I neglected to link to an item posted on The Offside Rules, which contains a fantastic analogy about being a fan of Major League Soccer versus being a fan of the harder-to-reach Euro leagues. I'm leading with that now to make up.)
An Andrea Canales column posted on LA Soccer News inspired this post, an essay in which she questions how much marketers can do to sell American sports fans and Euro-snobs on the league. (And, no, Canales or Bueno contacted me to link exclusively to their stuff today.)
I think the reason this notion interests me is because I remember being one of those Euro-snobs. Back in my earliest days in Boston (Cambridge, actually - though I started out in Jamaica Plain; long story), I made the long-ish trip to a sliver of a Cambridge bar called The Plough & Stars (I think...drunk there most the time) once a week at least where I'd watch as much Premier League action as one man possibly could (no girlfriend/wife made this both possible and, in a weird way, desirable). During that time, I'd catch the odd MLS game, but certainly only when that didn't coincide with the Premiership.
At some point in there, though, my viewing habits shifted. Part of this came with picking up my first copy of Pictures of Chairman Mao, which helped me follow the local team a lot better. The fact that the Boston Globe gave a shit and periodically dished a column or two at least helped a lot as well. Another factor might have been moving in with a new roommate, who happened to have just enough interest in the Revolution that watching a game here and there - or, God forbid, going to the stadium - gave us something to talk about while we drank away a Saturday afternoon. The place we shared was in Somerville, as opposed to Cambridge, which I hardly believe could be significant, but one never knows. Around the same time, I shifted my drinking venue to Charlie's Kitchener, a Harvard Square joint that has this wonderful upstairs bar; nice as the Plough was, it couldn't really compete, not with whiskey served in little boots anyway.
By the time I left Boston, I was going through the motions with the Premiership. I'm to the point today where I barely care - a feeling further aggravated by having Chelsea, Manchester United, or Arsenal vie for the title year after year.
So, based on my experience, one becomes a fan of MLS through several factors: availability of coverage, which helps keep you current with the team - and a really killer fanzine can't hurt there, either; companionship/shared interest; alcohol, preferably in a boot-shaped shot glass.
Once you get hooked, though, it's an oddly self-reinforcing phenomenon. Your team plays, say, the Colorado Rapids, so suddenly you want to know something about them. Then you notice players on teams around the league getting called up to the National Team - and you follow the national team 'cause, well, they're the National Team, right? You just do it. And before you know it, you realize that you know Taylor Twellman grew up in St. Louis, though you don't remember why you know this and know you don't care, you know why Michael Parkhurst hurt his shoulder, etc. and, you suddenly find you don't have time to care about the Premier League any more - not if you want a job, your marriage to work, and to keep your kids out of therapy down the line.
Well, there's my conversion story, brutally edited for length. What's yours?
Some time last week, I posted something about the rankings for CONCACAF club teams with which noted freelancer Luis Bueno closed an article for the Southern California Press-Enterprise. If you return to that original post, you'll see the teams Bueno ranked and where, but what made me most curious about the item was how he compiled this list.
Anyway, I was curious so I asked him - and, to be honest about it, mainly because the New England Revolution appeared on the list and I thought they didn't belong. Here's what he told me over email:
His criteria makes enough sense, I suppose, though I would have used a different label - e.g. "Top teams in the CONCACAF Region by Country" (ugh...clunky as hell). But he's also got a Top 10 format he's uses, so that's how he titled it. And title issues are a quibble in the end; it's an interesting list no matter what one calls it.
So, if any intrepid souls out there check out the original post/article, any thoughts on that list?
Anyway, I was curious so I asked him - and, to be honest about it, mainly because the New England Revolution appeared on the list and I thought they didn't belong. Here's what he told me over email:
"Thanks for reading my stuff and for the plug.
I try and do some sort of Top 10 list every week to try and supplement the column. I wrote once about Brad Friedel and for the list I put his 10 best victories with the USMNT. So when I wrote about the CCC, I figured why not put it in perspective some with this whole tournament and the region and all the clubs and such.
As a general rule, I don't like rankings based on who could beat whom. That doesn't fly with me because what clubs do in their leagues or what national teams do in their confederations has to mean something. Might the 10th team in Mexico beat the top team in Costa Rica? Maybe. Maybe not. I don't like to play that debate.
Now, I didn't come up with some intricate formula or anything like that. Perhaps that would be easier to point to but since the leagues are not on the same calendar that wouldn't make sense anyway.
I took into account what the clubs have accomplished roughly over the last 8 months or so. Pachuca won the Copa Sudamericana and were semifinalists in the Apertura 2006 season and are atop the league now. Chivas won the Apertura 2006, reached the CL semis in 2006 and are tied for Pachuca atop the league (they were when this story ran). America were semifinalists in Apertura 2006, reached the Copa Libertadores and are doing well in league.
To me, those three were no-brainers. Then I threw in Houston because they won the MLS Cup and reached the semis of the CCC. D.C. is also there because they won the Supporters Shield and also reached the semis of the CCC and played very well. It was more of a 4 and 4A if I were basing it on form as well.
Costa Rica is a strong league so I added Alajuela, Puntarenas and Saprissa because those are the most accomplished clubs right now. Cruz Azul also had a good run and is near or at the top of the Mexican league and New England were runners-up in MLS obviously.
It's not an exact science and really it just makes for good debate. But when I do lists I generally try and take things other than the "well, our league is better than yours so our worst team can beat your best team" factor."
His criteria makes enough sense, I suppose, though I would have used a different label - e.g. "Top teams in the CONCACAF Region by Country" (ugh...clunky as hell). But he's also got a Top 10 format he's uses, so that's how he titled it. And title issues are a quibble in the end; it's an interesting list no matter what one calls it.
So, if any intrepid souls out there check out the original post/article, any thoughts on that list?
Just as I was getting warmed up to my day, a post by my colleague on The Offside tells me that midfielder Shalrie Joseph finally reached his limit with the coal-to-diamonds tightness of the New England Revolution front office purse strings and his asked to be traded.
As noted in the comments there, the only upside to this situation comes with the fact that I've not yet produced my season preview for the Revs. A grumpy Joseph, never mind an absent one, will severely downgrade their chances of success this season. And, here's a personal note to the Revolution organization: get bent. I'm really missing the virtue of running a roster below the salary cap for year after year; you're pissing off your players, some of them the best in the league. I'm an underemployed middle-aged man who runs a blog as a kind of methadone for writing - and it seems I've got more ambition in one typing finger than you've got across your organization. Kind of sad, really.
Naturally, there's a full-blooded and growing freakout underway on the Revolution message boards on BigSoccer. Most of them match the sentiment of the above, and all are unanimous in demanding that the responsible party in the Revolution front office just pay the man what he deserves (league maximum), but there's one looking to what happens next. That post builds on something Steve Goff posted on The Soccer Insider, which came out of a conversation with Ron Waxman, who is Shalrie Joseph's agent. The key sentence there:
And that's where the other post, by someone who goes by "JoeW," comes in: he looks at which teams might have the needs and available cash to pick up Joseph. I can't vouch for his list (though it reads sound enough), but there's one team he mentions who should be sending all kinds of mating displays in the direction of Joseph and his agent: FC Dallas. They definitely view Joseph's position as a personnel need as evidenced by their pursuit of Edgar Davids and Joseph will come with a much smaller price tag. If I'm Dallas, I top any offer New England kicks up up to the salary cap; and I'd bid 'em stupid on bonuses. Basically, show the guy you give a shit about his material well-being and I'm guessing he jumps.
Turning from Joseph to the big picture - both for the Revolution as a team and the league as a whol - there's one quote from Joseph that underlines everything about the Revs' business operations that keeps appearing in articles (like this one) and posts on this subject:
Another poster a little ways down the thread (here; he goes by RevsFanDan) brings up the designated-player rule and that's worth exploring because it gets at a very large potential problem: how will players who were bonafide stars in the league prior to the rule's establishment take it when a foreign player comes in making all kinds of bucks while they continue to toil below, sometimes well below, the league's maximum?
Someone mentions a strike. It's a scary thought, and I don't know what the players have for leverage at this point given soccer's precarious state in the U.S. sporting landscape, but I wouldn't put outside the realm of possibility either.
As noted in the comments there, the only upside to this situation comes with the fact that I've not yet produced my season preview for the Revs. A grumpy Joseph, never mind an absent one, will severely downgrade their chances of success this season. And, here's a personal note to the Revolution organization: get bent. I'm really missing the virtue of running a roster below the salary cap for year after year; you're pissing off your players, some of them the best in the league. I'm an underemployed middle-aged man who runs a blog as a kind of methadone for writing - and it seems I've got more ambition in one typing finger than you've got across your organization. Kind of sad, really.
Naturally, there's a full-blooded and growing freakout underway on the Revolution message boards on BigSoccer. Most of them match the sentiment of the above, and all are unanimous in demanding that the responsible party in the Revolution front office just pay the man what he deserves (league maximum), but there's one looking to what happens next. That post builds on something Steve Goff posted on The Soccer Insider, which came out of a conversation with Ron Waxman, who is Shalrie Joseph's agent. The key sentence there:
"Waxman says Joseph would be willing to play for any of the other 12 clubs in MLS."
And that's where the other post, by someone who goes by "JoeW," comes in: he looks at which teams might have the needs and available cash to pick up Joseph. I can't vouch for his list (though it reads sound enough), but there's one team he mentions who should be sending all kinds of mating displays in the direction of Joseph and his agent: FC Dallas. They definitely view Joseph's position as a personnel need as evidenced by their pursuit of Edgar Davids and Joseph will come with a much smaller price tag. If I'm Dallas, I top any offer New England kicks up up to the salary cap; and I'd bid 'em stupid on bonuses. Basically, show the guy you give a shit about his material well-being and I'm guessing he jumps.
Turning from Joseph to the big picture - both for the Revolution as a team and the league as a whol - there's one quote from Joseph that underlines everything about the Revs' business operations that keeps appearing in articles (like this one) and posts on this subject:
"There is a lot of disenchantment on the team; I don’t want to speak for all the guys, but I know I have been unhappy about my contract situation and others have been worried about theirs."
Another poster a little ways down the thread (here; he goes by RevsFanDan) brings up the designated-player rule and that's worth exploring because it gets at a very large potential problem: how will players who were bonafide stars in the league prior to the rule's establishment take it when a foreign player comes in making all kinds of bucks while they continue to toil below, sometimes well below, the league's maximum?
Someone mentions a strike. It's a scary thought, and I don't know what the players have for leverage at this point given soccer's precarious state in the U.S. sporting landscape, but I wouldn't put outside the realm of possibility either.
Past
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on Chivas' '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England's Ins & Outs for most roster changes
Chivas USA Roster from MLSnet.com (given what they had for Chicago, I'm a bit dubious)
And now, the Future
Key Men
Amado Guevara - Can I call Guevara the “Great Brown Hope” without getting into trouble? In all seriousness, Chivas may have made the smartest “dumb” trade of the off-season with this; he’s not just a proven quantity in the league, but a proven-MVP quantity. The big concern here comes with the possibility of Guevara deciding first-year head coach Preki doesn’t know what he’s doing; at that point, bringing in Guevara could be the dumbest smart trade of the off-season.
Ante Razov - You can’t leave a 14 goal, 8 assist player off a “key men” list of any kind. He all but carried the Chivas offense for some stretches last season. (And, is it just me or does Razov look stoned in his profile picture?)
Jesse Marsch - This guy’s demeanor just screams “leader.” At 34, the young legs might not hold up (don't know for sure), but he keeps things organized with rising stars like Sacha Kljestan - who, by the way, I really, really wanted to add here, but one can have only so many key men.
Orlando Perez - With both Claudio Suarez and Carlos Llamosa being born in the 60s (!), Perez stands as the most mobile of the wise, old heads in the back line. The arrival of Alex Zotinca from Kansas City could help here.
Jonathan Bornstein - As much as I like Bornstein - he’s alert, smart, and skilled, so what’s not to like? - he rates in this group in his capacity as a one-man depth machine. His capacity to plug so many different holes on the field makes him a deeper asset than he’d be on playing ability alone.
Additional Assets (Chicago didn’t have this ‘cause I didn’t think they had any)
Depth at ‘Keep - With Brad Guzan and Preston Burpo, this time doesn’t have a “1-2” in goal so much as a “1-1a.” Both are solid ‘keepers and give Chivas plenty of depth in nets.
Liabilities
Spring/Autumn Defense - In his write-up of the 2006 season, Luis Bueno mentioned a “lack of concentration” as costing Chivas games. How many of those came due to a green-ish defense? On the other side of the age equation are Llamosa and Suarez. Between the lack of foot-speed and the lack of experience, Chivas could again struggle on defense.
Scoring - If last year’s regular-season stretch-run showed anything, it’s how dependent this team was on Razov for scoring. They didn’t add any players of major note in the off-season, but I’ve read a nice(-ish) thing or two about Matt Taylor, then there’s word of Laurent Merlin perhaps joining the team, Maykel Galindo, who played well in the USL Division 1, joining from Seattle, etc. The question is whether those players can make up for the losses of Jesus Morales (tricky, fast), Juan Francisco Palencia, and Juan Pablo Garcia. On paper, though, it’s hard to not be dubious.
Unknowns
Jorge Barrera - Shows in that link as a midfielder, but the roster shows him as a defender. If the latter is the case, maybe he’s the answer to the concerns about the spring/autumn defense. (If you hit the link, by the way, you’ll get bits and pieces about some of the other new players).
New Coach - It could be I’m giving Preki the benefit of the doubt by slipping him down here, but, till a man has a record, it seems more fair to list him in the unknowns. The biggest potential problem, I’ve already mentioned: Guevara. But he’d only offer the most dramatically negative reaction; a lack of faith in the new coach will manifest itself in a dozen little ways. So, for Preki’s sake, let’s hope it doesn’t happen.
Prospects - Using Gambling Analogies
Picture a baseball poker game with some cards showing all around the table; by acquiring Guevara, Chivas is gambling on filling an inside straight; because it’s baseball, there are a fair number of wild cards in play, but it’s a risky maneuver nonetheless. It’s not for nothing that I view acquiring Guevara constitutes one of the highest potential upside gambles since Eddie Johnson left Dallas for Kansas City. Overall, the seeming improvement of a couple Western Conference teams has me wondering whether they'll be able to keep up in 2007. I wouldn't write 'em off, either, but suspect they'll struggle.
Here's a general round-up of Major League Soccer stuff I failed to note or comment on over the past week:
Done & Dusted
Toronto FC
MLS's one and only Canadian team added Andy Welsh to their roster this week. According to the report in Soccer America Toronto picked up a young, left-sided buck in this transaction. We shall see....we shall see....
DC United
Disgustingly, the Capitol's black-and-red were most active this week, siging two players to developmental contracts: Kiki Willis and Kasali Yinka Casal. The latter sounds the more impressive of the two, but we'll never know anything about them for sure till they take the field. Speaking for the rest of the league, I'm hoping for more Filomeno than Gomez.
Rumors 'n' Such
Chicago Fire
Still no Blanco. It's fun to rack up cheap site visits by mentioning his name, though.
Chivas USA
Will the So Cal Goats add Laurent Merlin to their roster? LA Soccer News says new Chivas coach Preki made an offer - not much of one, but an offer all the same.
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Done & Dusted
Toronto FC
MLS's one and only Canadian team added Andy Welsh to their roster this week. According to the report in Soccer America Toronto picked up a young, left-sided buck in this transaction. We shall see....we shall see....
DC United
Disgustingly, the Capitol's black-and-red were most active this week, siging two players to developmental contracts: Kiki Willis and Kasali Yinka Casal. The latter sounds the more impressive of the two, but we'll never know anything about them for sure till they take the field. Speaking for the rest of the league, I'm hoping for more Filomeno than Gomez.
Rumors 'n' Such
Chicago Fire
Still no Blanco. It's fun to rack up cheap site visits by mentioning his name, though.
Chivas USA
Will the So Cal Goats add Laurent Merlin to their roster? LA Soccer News says new Chivas coach Preki made an offer - not much of one, but an offer all the same.
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Here's a general round-up of Major League Soccer stuff I failed to note or comment on over the past week:
Red Bull New York
One of the biggest items of the week, without a doubt, came out of Ives Galarcep's report on how much cash Red Bull lost running MLS's New York franchise in their first year of operation: $14 million. Ouch.
He elaborated on this - far better than I'll ever be able to - on his blog and a couple other outfits picked up the story as well...just not this one...I have no excuse.
The most shocking bit to me was the incredible $3.5 million they spent on the 2006 opening day celebration - and the impression that the vacuum which followed implies they thought this would be sufficient.
DC United's Roster
I'll be touching on this again later in the trades/rumors section, but 'round about midweek Steve Goff posted the latest edition of DC's roster. All I'll say here is that, if I didn't see them struggle last night (OK, against one of the regional superpowers) I'd be awfully nervous about DC running away with the title for the second straight year. Still, DC's restructuring is both somewhat unique and, therefore, a bit ominous.
FC Dallas
File under "can't-catch-a-break": FC Dallas not only lost a prominent game this past weekend, but they also lost a(nother) key defender: Chris Gbandi is out for six weeks, leaving a team that's already shaky in defense with "two of its best defenders" injured.
Colorado Rapids
Finally, enjoy some stadium porn overlaid with some U2 out of Commerce City, Colorado. It does the soul good.
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Red Bull New York
One of the biggest items of the week, without a doubt, came out of Ives Galarcep's report on how much cash Red Bull lost running MLS's New York franchise in their first year of operation: $14 million. Ouch.
He elaborated on this - far better than I'll ever be able to - on his blog and a couple other outfits picked up the story as well...just not this one...I have no excuse.
The most shocking bit to me was the incredible $3.5 million they spent on the 2006 opening day celebration - and the impression that the vacuum which followed implies they thought this would be sufficient.
DC United's Roster
I'll be touching on this again later in the trades/rumors section, but 'round about midweek Steve Goff posted the latest edition of DC's roster. All I'll say here is that, if I didn't see them struggle last night (OK, against one of the regional superpowers) I'd be awfully nervous about DC running away with the title for the second straight year. Still, DC's restructuring is both somewhat unique and, therefore, a bit ominous.
FC Dallas
File under "can't-catch-a-break": FC Dallas not only lost a prominent game this past weekend, but they also lost a(nother) key defender: Chris Gbandi is out for six weeks, leaving a team that's already shaky in defense with "two of its best defenders" injured.
Colorado Rapids
Finally, enjoy some stadium porn overlaid with some U2 out of Commerce City, Colorado. It does the soul good.
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Here's a general round-up of Major League Soccer stuff I failed to note or comment on over the past week:
MLS-on-MLS Action
Chivas USA 2 - 2 Red Bull New York
I've got nothing to pass on here except a link to the release. Well, that and the myriad posts of photos showing over on Sideline Views (an example, just scroll down for more and up for what looks like some video).
MLS-on-Minnow Action
Los Angeles Galaxy
At some point early this week, the Galaxy beat up on the Fresno Fuego, and god-awful headlines ensued. The win took the Galaxy's preseason record to 6-1-1 (guess who caused that middle one?) - and since when is John Thorrington playing for LA?
Chicago Fire
Um, wow. Good as UCLA's soccer program may be, even preseason is an insufficient excuse for the Chicago Fire to lose to them. And giving up two goals....just shocking. This takes Chicago's preseason total to 4-4-1.
Colorado Rapids
Dan Gargan scored and NKOTB Nico Colaluca provided the assist in the Rapids 1 - 0 win over Barnet of the, whoa, English third division side Barnet. Believe me, this one read a lot more impressively when I read it knowing nothing of Barnet, not least that they're currently holding down 17th in their division.
Toronto FC
It seems minnow-bashing is all the rage this preseason. Toronto FC got in on the act by beating Notre Dame by a respectable margin. This takes the new franchise to 8-1-1 in preseason play, which is kinda, sorta impressive...I guess. Could be worse....could be Chicago...
Well, that's that. I posted on the New England Revolution's preseason efforts (LINK and LINK) elsewhere.
MLS-on-MLS Action
Chivas USA 2 - 2 Red Bull New York
I've got nothing to pass on here except a link to the release. Well, that and the myriad posts of photos showing over on Sideline Views (an example, just scroll down for more and up for what looks like some video).
MLS-on-Minnow Action
Los Angeles Galaxy
At some point early this week, the Galaxy beat up on the Fresno Fuego, and god-awful headlines ensued. The win took the Galaxy's preseason record to 6-1-1 (guess who caused that middle one?) - and since when is John Thorrington playing for LA?
Chicago Fire
Um, wow. Good as UCLA's soccer program may be, even preseason is an insufficient excuse for the Chicago Fire to lose to them. And giving up two goals....just shocking. This takes Chicago's preseason total to 4-4-1.
Colorado Rapids
Dan Gargan scored and NKOTB Nico Colaluca provided the assist in the Rapids 1 - 0 win over Barnet of the, whoa, English third division side Barnet. Believe me, this one read a lot more impressively when I read it knowing nothing of Barnet, not least that they're currently holding down 17th in their division.
Toronto FC
It seems minnow-bashing is all the rage this preseason. Toronto FC got in on the act by beating Notre Dame by a respectable margin. This takes the new franchise to 8-1-1 in preseason play, which is kinda, sorta impressive...I guess. Could be worse....could be Chicago...
Well, that's that. I posted on the New England Revolution's preseason efforts (LINK and LINK) elsewhere.
Just bumped into a press release announcing that the Portland Timbers finally signed a goalkeeper, two in fact: Bayard Elfvin and Josh Wicks.
With these signings the Timbers can, at long last, field a team comprised of professionals familiar with their assigned position. So, pencil those two guys over the word "none" in the space after "goalkeepers" on the most recent roster posted on the Timbers Blog, and, voila, we've got a team.
And, with that, let the season commence.
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With these signings the Timbers can, at long last, field a team comprised of professionals familiar with their assigned position. So, pencil those two guys over the word "none" in the space after "goalkeepers" on the most recent roster posted on the Timbers Blog, and, voila, we've got a team.
And, with that, let the season commence.
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Houston Dynamo 2 - 0 CF Pachuca (Report)
Overview
Um, holy poop. Never did I expect this score-line, not least after that frantic first half. But the more remarkable thing was that after scoring that first, somewhat fluky goal, Houston settled into an impressive rhythm; I think it’s fair to say they had Pachuca on the back-foot by the game’s end. Not to take anything away from Houston - and I can’t believe I’m writing this about a game between Mexicans and Americans - but the officiating helped Houston; the question is to what extent.
One big picture point to pass on: this game was a hell of a lot more fun to watch than the DC United v. CD Chivas de Guadalajara affair.
Pachuca
These cats looked so slick for the first twenty minutes that I feared a rout going opposite the final tally. They looked able to carve openings with short, tight passing in the Houston defense at will. With Kelly Gray struggling, they had their best luck down their left side, though Pachuca’s #10 player’s storming runs up the middle caused some problems as well. Their massive center-back was certainly imposing; didn’t look like Houston would ever get around that guy.
Then, something happened; I’m still working out what. Part of it was Houston settling down - Gray’s left side in particular - and, gradually, the gaping opportunities, of which there were a few stopped appearing; Zach Wells saved their best chance, over-enthusiastic finishing launched shots over the bar, and other pulled their shots wide. Then the officiating - which wasn’t awful, but, shockingly, was generous to Houston - seemed to get inside their heads. Players got angry, then they get chippy, and, finally, they got flustered.
In the end, Pachuca’s worst enemy was Pachuca. They got unsettled, they gave up one soft goal (Brian Ching’s near-range, wide-open headed goal) and utterly fell apart on the second. Finishing just one of their several first-half chances would have meant a lot to this series.
Houston
I count myself a fan of Kelly Gray; his versatility is a valuable commodity if nothing else. But I can’t think of a player on either team who had a worse day. So many lowlights: more desperate lunges than I can count (though he nailed a crucial one smack in the middle of the second half), a ten-to-fifteen minute period in the first half when Gray could, literally, not complete a pass to a teammate, and a lackadaisical moment where a lurking Pachuca forward caught him napping en route to a retrieving a ball rolling toward his goal.
But Gray’s individual performance embodied that of his team. That crunching, 70th-ish minute tackle, which that stopped a Pachuca counter dead in its tracks, came around the time Houston started to assert itself in the game. By that time, Gray, along with the rest of Houston, sharpened their game: they intercepted pass after pass by stepping assuredly into the passing lanes; they knocked the ball around quickly and efficiently, keeping possession for decent chunks of time for the first time in 2007. By the end of the game, Houston was on something close to cruise control. If you told me I would type that last sentence anytime before 4:15 p.m. PST yesterday, I would have laughed in your face.
But it happened.
Houston Player Notes
Craig Waibel - Your man of the match. No question for me. Just dominating in the back. He paired well enough with Robinson that I’d consider making the switch permanent.
Wade Barrett - deserves honorable mention at the very least. He and Waibel combined to keep Houston afloat when things looked dark early.
Brian Ching - was absent for so much of the game, but I’m mainly preoccupied with trying to figure out how he got open as he did on his goal. Like the rest of the team, he picked it up and made a couple of nice runs with the ball at his feet, which led to fouls, etc. Good enough day.
Brad Davis - finally looked like himself. The free-kicks/corners/crosses looked good and, toward the end, he did very well with managing possession. And sharp cross on the second goal.
Brian Mullan - can’t lay much claim to having an effective day, at least on offense; little of what he attempted came off. But he was active and disruptive on Houston’s right defense. He seems to be having trouble getting started this year.
Kelly Gray - enjoyed a late tale of redemption; I could hear the stirring music in the background.
Alejandro Moreno - I finally caught how this guy draws so many fouls. His sense of how to establish position at the very last possible second recalls the knack some basketball players have for drawing charges. He had a basically useful day. And I love the sly grin this guy wears as he plays; put another way, Moreno looks how he plays: cunning.
Zach Wells - Clutch, half-lucky first-half save aside, his other notable contribution was less clear-cut. When he came way off his line to try to head the ball away from a Pachuca player, he did leave his net terribly exposed (Waibel covered); but would that have been any worse than letting the player settle and charge in on goal? Even if it almost fell apart, it was a defensible decision.
Dwayne DeRosario - I don’t recall DeRosario being the focus of a tussle like that before; doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, but it was noteworthy to me. No less noteworthy: that simple pass that sprung Davis to set up the second goal.
Chris Wondolowski - way to go, kid! Hell of a finish. Come to Portland and I’ll buy you a beer.
Conclusion
While Houston is by no means on to the final, they certainly did what they had to ahead of the return leg to Mexico. Resisting the temptation to play “bunker-ball” might be the wiser course; killing of games is one technique with which MLS clubs still need practice, even if the future is now. Still, that second half performance has me believing they could actually get a result in Pachuca. And they should expect something very different by way of officiating.
Overview
Um, holy poop. Never did I expect this score-line, not least after that frantic first half. But the more remarkable thing was that after scoring that first, somewhat fluky goal, Houston settled into an impressive rhythm; I think it’s fair to say they had Pachuca on the back-foot by the game’s end. Not to take anything away from Houston - and I can’t believe I’m writing this about a game between Mexicans and Americans - but the officiating helped Houston; the question is to what extent.
One big picture point to pass on: this game was a hell of a lot more fun to watch than the DC United v. CD Chivas de Guadalajara affair.
Pachuca
These cats looked so slick for the first twenty minutes that I feared a rout going opposite the final tally. They looked able to carve openings with short, tight passing in the Houston defense at will. With Kelly Gray struggling, they had their best luck down their left side, though Pachuca’s #10 player’s storming runs up the middle caused some problems as well. Their massive center-back was certainly imposing; didn’t look like Houston would ever get around that guy.
Then, something happened; I’m still working out what. Part of it was Houston settling down - Gray’s left side in particular - and, gradually, the gaping opportunities, of which there were a few stopped appearing; Zach Wells saved their best chance, over-enthusiastic finishing launched shots over the bar, and other pulled their shots wide. Then the officiating - which wasn’t awful, but, shockingly, was generous to Houston - seemed to get inside their heads. Players got angry, then they get chippy, and, finally, they got flustered.
In the end, Pachuca’s worst enemy was Pachuca. They got unsettled, they gave up one soft goal (Brian Ching’s near-range, wide-open headed goal) and utterly fell apart on the second. Finishing just one of their several first-half chances would have meant a lot to this series.
Houston
I count myself a fan of Kelly Gray; his versatility is a valuable commodity if nothing else. But I can’t think of a player on either team who had a worse day. So many lowlights: more desperate lunges than I can count (though he nailed a crucial one smack in the middle of the second half), a ten-to-fifteen minute period in the first half when Gray could, literally, not complete a pass to a teammate, and a lackadaisical moment where a lurking Pachuca forward caught him napping en route to a retrieving a ball rolling toward his goal.
But Gray’s individual performance embodied that of his team. That crunching, 70th-ish minute tackle, which that stopped a Pachuca counter dead in its tracks, came around the time Houston started to assert itself in the game. By that time, Gray, along with the rest of Houston, sharpened their game: they intercepted pass after pass by stepping assuredly into the passing lanes; they knocked the ball around quickly and efficiently, keeping possession for decent chunks of time for the first time in 2007. By the end of the game, Houston was on something close to cruise control. If you told me I would type that last sentence anytime before 4:15 p.m. PST yesterday, I would have laughed in your face.
But it happened.
Houston Player Notes
Craig Waibel - Your man of the match. No question for me. Just dominating in the back. He paired well enough with Robinson that I’d consider making the switch permanent.
Wade Barrett - deserves honorable mention at the very least. He and Waibel combined to keep Houston afloat when things looked dark early.
Brian Ching - was absent for so much of the game, but I’m mainly preoccupied with trying to figure out how he got open as he did on his goal. Like the rest of the team, he picked it up and made a couple of nice runs with the ball at his feet, which led to fouls, etc. Good enough day.
Brad Davis - finally looked like himself. The free-kicks/corners/crosses looked good and, toward the end, he did very well with managing possession. And sharp cross on the second goal.
Brian Mullan - can’t lay much claim to having an effective day, at least on offense; little of what he attempted came off. But he was active and disruptive on Houston’s right defense. He seems to be having trouble getting started this year.
Kelly Gray - enjoyed a late tale of redemption; I could hear the stirring music in the background.
Alejandro Moreno - I finally caught how this guy draws so many fouls. His sense of how to establish position at the very last possible second recalls the knack some basketball players have for drawing charges. He had a basically useful day. And I love the sly grin this guy wears as he plays; put another way, Moreno looks how he plays: cunning.
Zach Wells - Clutch, half-lucky first-half save aside, his other notable contribution was less clear-cut. When he came way off his line to try to head the ball away from a Pachuca player, he did leave his net terribly exposed (Waibel covered); but would that have been any worse than letting the player settle and charge in on goal? Even if it almost fell apart, it was a defensible decision.
Dwayne DeRosario - I don’t recall DeRosario being the focus of a tussle like that before; doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, but it was noteworthy to me. No less noteworthy: that simple pass that sprung Davis to set up the second goal.
Chris Wondolowski - way to go, kid! Hell of a finish. Come to Portland and I’ll buy you a beer.
Conclusion
While Houston is by no means on to the final, they certainly did what they had to ahead of the return leg to Mexico. Resisting the temptation to play “bunker-ball” might be the wiser course; killing of games is one technique with which MLS clubs still need practice, even if the future is now. Still, that second half performance has me believing they could actually get a result in Pachuca. And they should expect something very different by way of officiating.
DC united 1 -1 CD Chivas de Guadalajara (Report)
Overview
All in all, a very interesting game imbued with a kind of “getting to know” you vibe; it’s hard to say whether that’s good or bad for DC’s future. The sure thing, though, is that this isn’t the score DC wanted in pocket for their upcoming visit to Chivas’ Jalisco stadium.
Chivas
To begin, it’s clear to me that, man for man, Chivas is better than DC: by this I mean on the level of individual, technical skill all the way up and down the team, Chivas players possess better “skillz” - e.g. trapping, quick passing, playing the ball into and out of tight spaces. Against that, I wouldn’t suggest that DC is a whole, or even half step below; what they lose on an individual level, they recover tactically.
Speaking of tactics, one of the great mysteries of the game for me was Chivas’, for lack of a better word, impatience. Apart from a flatly magical spell smack in the middle of the first half, where they pushed the ball quickly around the turf and had DC chasing, Chivas spent much of the game hoofing long balls to semi-isolated forwards and midfielders. Such maneuvers served a purpose - it kept the ball in DC’s end and most of their players between the ball and the Chivas goal - but it also failed to produce much offense. Probably a tactic for the road, but it’s fair to question how well it served them (OK, scoreline says tolerably well, but...)
One last point: the Goats defend remarkably well and all over the field. It’s mostly the little things they did well: cutting off passing lanes, generally pressing and, most interesting of all, their players do a really good job of playing the opposition to their defensive help.
Oh, and Chivas’ goal? The finish wasn’t the prettiest, but the cross was lovely.
DC United
Unfortunate score aside, there was a fair amount to like in DC’s game. They played the ball quickly and well for the most part, retaining possession against dogged pressure from Chivas; that held, at least, except on the occasions they reached Chivas’ defensive third and for a twenty-minute spell just before they’re goal when it appeared they had run out of ideas. That’s to say, they found players in useful positions, but just couldn’t make that final, telling pass - except when they finally did. And, apart from the odd giveaway moving the ball out of the back, they defended well - a good sign for them.
Still, the slight hiccup in offensive flow did pose a problem and it hardly helped that Christian Gomez often had to go deep into DC’s back and middle to get the ball. DC did have their moments, most of them down the flanks through Joshua Gros, who made a decent opening or two, and Clyde Simms roving forward down the right. It may be discouraging that these maneuvers didn’t come off in the end, but setting them up is the requisite first step. The thing is, I can’t put my finger on what exactly kept DC from breaking through, but it hit them at the step before the finishing department; they just didn’t seem able to create much.
For all that, scoring the late goal must have come as a massive relief. And hats off to Fox Soccer Channel for getting a good close-up of Luciano Emilio’s sneaky little spin away from his defender.
DC Player Notes
Perkins - didn’t look all that bad, though I thought I saw him pull up every so often; he certainly wasn’t at fault for the goal.
Facundo Erpen - I think it’s probably by habit that I hold him responsible for many of the give-aways in the transition between DC’s defensive third and the middle of the park, but he looked to have had a good game.
(Was it?) Brian Carroll - unlucky on the deflection that led to the Chivas goal. UPDATE: Nope. DCenters tells me it was Bryan Namoff and they should know.
Clyde Simms - is interesting player to watch. For every time he goofs up, there are two instances where he looks solid and one in which he looks very sure. I think I like him.
Ben Olsen - is great heart-and-soul player, the kind of guy that makes a team go.
Luciano Emilio - continues to build a reputation. He was good nearly all night, whether it was coming back to receive the ball and seeing that, against close attention, DC kept possession. But the artful slip from his defender was a natural highlight. Hard not to dub him DC’s man of the match, but....
...I’d give a nod to Bobby Boswell, who looked pretty poised in the back, or Joshua Gros, who, by my foggy recollection (it was late and the Pabst flowing), posed the biggest threat to Chivas’ generally firm defense. (NOTE: that long-haired dude they kept showing - don’t know his name - was their only liability.)
Conclusion
There’s no use pretending this wasn’t the ideal result. I don’t even think this reaches “moral victory” territory. A win was wanted, maybe even needed. DC’s undoing came with being just a half-step off heading into the attacking third.
Overview
All in all, a very interesting game imbued with a kind of “getting to know” you vibe; it’s hard to say whether that’s good or bad for DC’s future. The sure thing, though, is that this isn’t the score DC wanted in pocket for their upcoming visit to Chivas’ Jalisco stadium.
Chivas
To begin, it’s clear to me that, man for man, Chivas is better than DC: by this I mean on the level of individual, technical skill all the way up and down the team, Chivas players possess better “skillz” - e.g. trapping, quick passing, playing the ball into and out of tight spaces. Against that, I wouldn’t suggest that DC is a whole, or even half step below; what they lose on an individual level, they recover tactically.
Speaking of tactics, one of the great mysteries of the game for me was Chivas’, for lack of a better word, impatience. Apart from a flatly magical spell smack in the middle of the first half, where they pushed the ball quickly around the turf and had DC chasing, Chivas spent much of the game hoofing long balls to semi-isolated forwards and midfielders. Such maneuvers served a purpose - it kept the ball in DC’s end and most of their players between the ball and the Chivas goal - but it also failed to produce much offense. Probably a tactic for the road, but it’s fair to question how well it served them (OK, scoreline says tolerably well, but...)
One last point: the Goats defend remarkably well and all over the field. It’s mostly the little things they did well: cutting off passing lanes, generally pressing and, most interesting of all, their players do a really good job of playing the opposition to their defensive help.
Oh, and Chivas’ goal? The finish wasn’t the prettiest, but the cross was lovely.
DC United
Unfortunate score aside, there was a fair amount to like in DC’s game. They played the ball quickly and well for the most part, retaining possession against dogged pressure from Chivas; that held, at least, except on the occasions they reached Chivas’ defensive third and for a twenty-minute spell just before they’re goal when it appeared they had run out of ideas. That’s to say, they found players in useful positions, but just couldn’t make that final, telling pass - except when they finally did. And, apart from the odd giveaway moving the ball out of the back, they defended well - a good sign for them.
Still, the slight hiccup in offensive flow did pose a problem and it hardly helped that Christian Gomez often had to go deep into DC’s back and middle to get the ball. DC did have their moments, most of them down the flanks through Joshua Gros, who made a decent opening or two, and Clyde Simms roving forward down the right. It may be discouraging that these maneuvers didn’t come off in the end, but setting them up is the requisite first step. The thing is, I can’t put my finger on what exactly kept DC from breaking through, but it hit them at the step before the finishing department; they just didn’t seem able to create much.
For all that, scoring the late goal must have come as a massive relief. And hats off to Fox Soccer Channel for getting a good close-up of Luciano Emilio’s sneaky little spin away from his defender.
DC Player Notes
Perkins - didn’t look all that bad, though I thought I saw him pull up every so often; he certainly wasn’t at fault for the goal.
Facundo Erpen - I think it’s probably by habit that I hold him responsible for many of the give-aways in the transition between DC’s defensive third and the middle of the park, but he looked to have had a good game.
(Was it?) Brian Carroll - unlucky on the deflection that led to the Chivas goal. UPDATE: Nope. DCenters tells me it was Bryan Namoff and they should know.
Clyde Simms - is interesting player to watch. For every time he goofs up, there are two instances where he looks solid and one in which he looks very sure. I think I like him.
Ben Olsen - is great heart-and-soul player, the kind of guy that makes a team go.
Luciano Emilio - continues to build a reputation. He was good nearly all night, whether it was coming back to receive the ball and seeing that, against close attention, DC kept possession. But the artful slip from his defender was a natural highlight. Hard not to dub him DC’s man of the match, but....
...I’d give a nod to Bobby Boswell, who looked pretty poised in the back, or Joshua Gros, who, by my foggy recollection (it was late and the Pabst flowing), posed the biggest threat to Chivas’ generally firm defense. (NOTE: that long-haired dude they kept showing - don’t know his name - was their only liability.)
Conclusion
There’s no use pretending this wasn’t the ideal result. I don’t even think this reaches “moral victory” territory. A win was wanted, maybe even needed. DC’s undoing came with being just a half-step off heading into the attacking third.
As promised, U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) coach Bob Bradley announced call-ups to training camp today. You can wade through the kiss-ass, blah, blah, blah release posted on ussoccer.com or work with the shorter, tidier version showing on USSoccerplayers.com, but they'll both tell you the same thing, right?
Since this will no doubt occupy many of us till the games themselves, let's do the like/dislike thing quick and dirty:
Dislikes
Kasey Keller - I write this as one who, on one of the most aggravating day of the past 365, smiled broadly after accidentally discovering Kasey Keller Boulevard in Yelm, Washington: Keller is a great 'keeper, but it's time to let go. I would have rather seen Marcus Hahnemann.
Brian Ching - He's recovering from injury; leave him be. There will be time later.
Dubious, but Neutral (yeah, this is cheating)
Eddie Johnson - When does this guy run out of chances? I'm OK with him being there, but...dang...
Likes
New Blood - While I'm almost certainly the only person even remotely associated with the U.S. soccer community who did not pitch a mini-tent about Jay DeMerit's call-up, I'm glad to see he's his shot. Ditto with guys like Frank Simek and Benny Feilhaber. I don't know anything about either first-hand (I've seen DeMerit a couple times now) and look forward to learning more.
Michael Bradley - I'm glad Coach Bob didn't quail before perceived and real "coach's son" taunts. If Bradley's not good enough, we'll all see it. But he deserves a chance to prove it.
All in all, I'm happy with what we've got. The Ecuador game ought to be worth a gander; Guatemala, probably not so much. Still, beats the hell out of last fall when there was nothing, doesn't it?
(#########)
Since this will no doubt occupy many of us till the games themselves, let's do the like/dislike thing quick and dirty:
Dislikes
Kasey Keller - I write this as one who, on one of the most aggravating day of the past 365, smiled broadly after accidentally discovering Kasey Keller Boulevard in Yelm, Washington: Keller is a great 'keeper, but it's time to let go. I would have rather seen Marcus Hahnemann.
Brian Ching - He's recovering from injury; leave him be. There will be time later.
Dubious, but Neutral (yeah, this is cheating)
Eddie Johnson - When does this guy run out of chances? I'm OK with him being there, but...dang...
Likes
New Blood - While I'm almost certainly the only person even remotely associated with the U.S. soccer community who did not pitch a mini-tent about Jay DeMerit's call-up, I'm glad to see he's his shot. Ditto with guys like Frank Simek and Benny Feilhaber. I don't know anything about either first-hand (I've seen DeMerit a couple times now) and look forward to learning more.
Michael Bradley - I'm glad Coach Bob didn't quail before perceived and real "coach's son" taunts. If Bradley's not good enough, we'll all see it. But he deserves a chance to prove it.
All in all, I'm happy with what we've got. The Ecuador game ought to be worth a gander; Guatemala, probably not so much. Still, beats the hell out of last fall when there was nothing, doesn't it?
(#########)
OK, apart from running unopposed, how is it that Trinidad & Tobago's Jack Warner has won the CONCACAF presidency for the fourth straight time? I've never read anything favorable about the man and being exonerated of anything tends to be a dubious honor. So....who is it that likes this guy? Why does no one stand for election against him?
(NOTE: None of these questions are rhetorical. Honestly, I don't get this one.)
(########)
(NOTE: None of these questions are rhetorical. Honestly, I don't get this one.)
(########)
There's a part of me that feels guilt about not covering the U.S. Women's game; another part of me knows this is a matter of both time and, if I'm being honest about it, preference. Even if time is the bigger factor, that I essentially ignore the women's game is regrettable nonetheless.
Still, I can at least acknowledge the game from time to time. And with the U.S. Women's national team lifting the Algarve Cup for the fifth time, today seems as good a day as any.
Good job, um, ladies. You whoop ass. Wish the men had the strangle-hold on international soccer that all y'all do, but there are reasons the way things are as they are.
(########)
Still, I can at least acknowledge the game from time to time. And with the U.S. Women's national team lifting the Algarve Cup for the fifth time, today seems as good a day as any.
Good job, um, ladies. You whoop ass. Wish the men had the strangle-hold on international soccer that all y'all do, but there are reasons the way things are as they are.
(########)
It's been a busy week in Portland Timbers-land, though more off the field than on; the former will come later, no doubt...
...as in the middle of April. OurSports Central caught the Timbers' press release on the latest preseason plans. Yeah, training camp opens on March 19 (so what?), but the same release notes a couple preseason scrimmages open to the public:
April 13, v. University of Portland Pilots
April 15, v. (the damn) Vancouver Whitecaps
The latter will leave less than a week before the start of the "fer-reals" regular season, which, as the newly-face-lifted Portland Timbers official site points out, happens on April 21 versus the Puerto Rico Islanders (who, by the way, had a way sexier preseason).
Preseason announcements aside, the big news of the past week came with the signing of Leonard Griffin from the Chicago Fire. Because I follow Major League Soccer (MLS) much more closely, I thought for a moment that I just might have something intelligent to say about Griffin. But, nope, can't say I've ever really seen the guy play. Hope he's good though. Judging from some comments on the Soccer City USA message board, it looks like people think he will be. If nothing else, guys Luke "Krispy" Kreamalmeyer and Alan Gordon speak well of "almost-MLS" players (that's not a knock, by the way, even if MLS has shown to be consistently better in, say, the Open Cup; the way players fit with teams is a complicated business).
And, by the way, if you're wanting to stay on top of Timbers' comings and goings, I stumbled on (what looks a lot like) a good source today: a sidebar on the Timber Mill lists more players associated with the Timbers than I've ever heard of and shows the players' status with the club. Nice.
Returning to fan events and related activities, a couple things to pass on. A trip to the BigSoccer.com Timbers message board revealed that the Timbers Army will have their inaugural party of the season on March 30. I won't be attending that one and the reasons are complicated....but it's also fair to say I've been called "aloof" more than once over the past decade. But, if you're in to that kind of thing, well, there it is.
Finally, the ever-valuable Timbers Blog makes note of all the apparent TV dates for Timbers' games this year; and, for the record, the Timber Mill mentions the same games, but with less caution about whether Fox Soccer Channel has yet firmed up the dates. The Fox Sports Northwest piece to this prompted one question for me: Fox Sports Northwest appears to be showing only one Timbers' game, so, with only three or so teams up this way, who else are they going to show?
Anyway, that's what I learned about the Timbers' this week. Perhaps during the regular season, I'll expand on this concept by having an "All-USL Division 1 Day" each week. Hmmm.....
...as in the middle of April. OurSports Central caught the Timbers' press release on the latest preseason plans. Yeah, training camp opens on March 19 (so what?), but the same release notes a couple preseason scrimmages open to the public:
April 13, v. University of Portland Pilots
April 15, v. (the damn) Vancouver Whitecaps
The latter will leave less than a week before the start of the "fer-reals" regular season, which, as the newly-face-lifted Portland Timbers official site points out, happens on April 21 versus the Puerto Rico Islanders (who, by the way, had a way sexier preseason).
Preseason announcements aside, the big news of the past week came with the signing of Leonard Griffin from the Chicago Fire. Because I follow Major League Soccer (MLS) much more closely, I thought for a moment that I just might have something intelligent to say about Griffin. But, nope, can't say I've ever really seen the guy play. Hope he's good though. Judging from some comments on the Soccer City USA message board, it looks like people think he will be. If nothing else, guys Luke "Krispy" Kreamalmeyer and Alan Gordon speak well of "almost-MLS" players (that's not a knock, by the way, even if MLS has shown to be consistently better in, say, the Open Cup; the way players fit with teams is a complicated business).
And, by the way, if you're wanting to stay on top of Timbers' comings and goings, I stumbled on (what looks a lot like) a good source today: a sidebar on the Timber Mill lists more players associated with the Timbers than I've ever heard of and shows the players' status with the club. Nice.
Returning to fan events and related activities, a couple things to pass on. A trip to the BigSoccer.com Timbers message board revealed that the Timbers Army will have their inaugural party of the season on March 30. I won't be attending that one and the reasons are complicated....but it's also fair to say I've been called "aloof" more than once over the past decade. But, if you're in to that kind of thing, well, there it is.
Finally, the ever-valuable Timbers Blog makes note of all the apparent TV dates for Timbers' games this year; and, for the record, the Timber Mill mentions the same games, but with less caution about whether Fox Soccer Channel has yet firmed up the dates. The Fox Sports Northwest piece to this prompted one question for me: Fox Sports Northwest appears to be showing only one Timbers' game, so, with only three or so teams up this way, who else are they going to show?
Anyway, that's what I learned about the Timbers' this week. Perhaps during the regular season, I'll expand on this concept by having an "All-USL Division 1 Day" each week. Hmmm.....
My latest contribution to The Offside offers a preview, of sorts, for this afternoon's preseason warm-up against Pioneros de Cancun, which takes place today, um, in Cancun. I won't lie to you: I only posted this one for the translation out of the marvelous, free translation of a Mexican newspaper article.
In other New England Revolution news, a guy who posts as ngower on Bigsoccer compiled a video of last year's season. ngower makes an interesting story-line by beginning at the end (which sucked) and wraps with a flurry of happier memories. The allusion that came to me was that of a phoenix. The video has a nice artistic arc to it, I'll confess, but I'm not seeing this Revs team rising from the ashes of last season...though, as always, I'd love to be proved wrong. (NOTE to Steve Nicol: post the record of my doubts on the locker room bulletin board if you think it'll do any good; I can lay on more pessimism if you think it will help.)
Part of my angst on that score grows from something else I saw in my Revs-related wanderings. Over on the New England Revolution Fan Blog, Kanell17 posted his thoughts on a likely Revs line-up for the coming season. If you think you've seen this one before, that's because you have - say, the middle of June 2006, though with Avery John and Pat "Hobbles" Noonan missing. This line-up didn't get us to the Promised Land last year and I don't see how it does it this year with many of these players a year older.
Then again, I'm bitter. About 2002. And 2005. And 2006. I wanna be the fucking bride.
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In other New England Revolution news, a guy who posts as ngower on Bigsoccer compiled a video of last year's season. ngower makes an interesting story-line by beginning at the end (which sucked) and wraps with a flurry of happier memories. The allusion that came to me was that of a phoenix. The video has a nice artistic arc to it, I'll confess, but I'm not seeing this Revs team rising from the ashes of last season...though, as always, I'd love to be proved wrong. (NOTE to Steve Nicol: post the record of my doubts on the locker room bulletin board if you think it'll do any good; I can lay on more pessimism if you think it will help.)
Part of my angst on that score grows from something else I saw in my Revs-related wanderings. Over on the New England Revolution Fan Blog, Kanell17 posted his thoughts on a likely Revs line-up for the coming season. If you think you've seen this one before, that's because you have - say, the middle of June 2006, though with Avery John and Pat "Hobbles" Noonan missing. This line-up didn't get us to the Promised Land last year and I don't see how it does it this year with many of these players a year older.
Then again, I'm bitter. About 2002. And 2005. And 2006. I wanna be the fucking bride.
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(NOTE: A decision against being totally psychotic about research no doubt played a hand in making it easier to churn out these previews. I anticipate getting to one of these a day...allowing for the odd day off. That is all.)
Past
Before looking forward, it seems a good idea to look back, so here's a look at what some easily located items had to say about the Chicago Fire's 2006:
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on Chicago's '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England's Ins & Outs for (most) changes to the roster (listed alphabetically)
Roster
MLSnet.com's tardy listing; or the actual current roster from ChicagoLand Soccer
Now...The Future.
Key Men
Justin Mapp - Call him what you will - Clint Dempsey’s little brother, the one-man revival the Peter Tork cut - but he’s unquestionably the unsettling presence for Chicago’s offense. He had a great 2006, not to mention showing flashes for the U.S. men in early 2007, and, absent a key signing, he’ll have to carry still more of Chicago’s offense this year. Skills-wise, he’s up to it, but he has gone missing before.
C. J. Brown - One of the two most-hated players on the Fire - and that’s saying something - but, near as I can tell, Brown is the team’s leader in the back. He’s wicked smart and not a little dirty, but very effective.
Ivan Guerrero - Though he pushes for “most-hated” honors, especially among New England fans, I count this cat as one of the most under-rated offensive contributors in the league. He’s more than his numbers; he gets forward like gang-busters and pulls the opposition defense like taffy.
Liabilities
Forwards? - With Nate Jaqua and Andy Herron gone, there’s a very real question about who will score for the Fire. Calen Carr? Chad Barrett? Rookie Jerson Monteiro? Pencil in “maybe” for the first two and “doubtful” on Monteiro and that leaves a lot of work for Chris Rolfe. Soccer New England’s trade sheet mentions Ryan Coiner, but he’s not showing on any roster I can find. Between Rolfe, Mapp, and Guerrero they do have good mobility up top, but only one player possesses much by way of size (Barrett). After these few, though, there’s a clear shortage of proven quantities. If the Blanco thing fails to come together - or, failing that, an equally impressive deal, or, failing that, one of the new guys coming out of left-field - look for the Fire to stay in more games than they win.
Thin at ‘Keep - I like Matt Pickens; just think he’s a bang-up ‘keeper. But, after him, there’s just some 2nd-year ‘keeper named David Mahoney and a completely new guy named Nick Noble (great name, by the way). One or both might prove as much a happy surprise as Pickens proved to be...but would you want to count on that?
Unknowns
Central Midfield - Whether it’s going forward (Thiago) or having the legs to police the space in front of the back four (Chris Armas, Diego Gutierrez), I can’t believe Chicago will have the players to control the middle of the park. Brian Plotkin looked decent last year and I seem to remember some good things about Logan Pause, but they’re not of the same caliber as the two elder statesmen, not yet at least. I would have put the Armas/Gutierrez midfield pairing in the “liabilities” column had those two not proved me wrong - Armas, in particular - in the past. On the “going forward” side, I’ve seen two sides of Thiago: the raiding, pillaging midfielder and the guy you only notice when he fails to pass the damn ball. The Fire’s chances, and the size of the burden Justin Mapp must carry depends quite a bit on which version of Thiago shows up.
The Entire Draft Class - To be blunt about it, someone in this bunch of new players needs to pay off and not now, but right now.
Prospects in Gambling Analogies
Assuming nothing changes, Chicago off-season strategy amounts to standing pat on a 14 with the house showing a seven. Put another way, enough teams across the league improved that I can’t see these guys keeping up. I think they’ll miss the post-season this time around.
Past
Before looking forward, it seems a good idea to look back, so here's a look at what some easily located items had to say about the Chicago Fire's 2006:
MLSnet.com: 2006 Season Wrap
MLSnet.com: Big Questions after '06
My Thoughts on Chicago's '06 (Know my biases)
Present
2006-07 Off-Season Changes
Soccer New England's Ins & Outs for (most) changes to the roster (listed alphabetically)
Roster
MLSnet.com's tardy listing; or the actual current roster from ChicagoLand Soccer
Now...The Future.
Key Men
Justin Mapp - Call him what you will - Clint Dempsey’s little brother, the one-man revival the Peter Tork cut - but he’s unquestionably the unsettling presence for Chicago’s offense. He had a great 2006, not to mention showing flashes for the U.S. men in early 2007, and, absent a key signing, he’ll have to carry still more of Chicago’s offense this year. Skills-wise, he’s up to it, but he has gone missing before.
C. J. Brown - One of the two most-hated players on the Fire - and that’s saying something - but, near as I can tell, Brown is the team’s leader in the back. He’s wicked smart and not a little dirty, but very effective.
Ivan Guerrero - Though he pushes for “most-hated” honors, especially among New England fans, I count this cat as one of the most under-rated offensive contributors in the league. He’s more than his numbers; he gets forward like gang-busters and pulls the opposition defense like taffy.
Liabilities
Forwards? - With Nate Jaqua and Andy Herron gone, there’s a very real question about who will score for the Fire. Calen Carr? Chad Barrett? Rookie Jerson Monteiro? Pencil in “maybe” for the first two and “doubtful” on Monteiro and that leaves a lot of work for Chris Rolfe. Soccer New England’s trade sheet mentions Ryan Coiner, but he’s not showing on any roster I can find. Between Rolfe, Mapp, and Guerrero they do have good mobility up top, but only one player possesses much by way of size (Barrett). After these few, though, there’s a clear shortage of proven quantities. If the Blanco thing fails to come together - or, failing that, an equally impressive deal, or, failing that, one of the new guys coming out of left-field - look for the Fire to stay in more games than they win.
Thin at ‘Keep - I like Matt Pickens; just think he’s a bang-up ‘keeper. But, after him, there’s just some 2nd-year ‘keeper named David Mahoney and a completely new guy named Nick Noble (great name, by the way). One or both might prove as much a happy surprise as Pickens proved to be...but would you want to count on that?
Unknowns
Central Midfield - Whether it’s going forward (Thiago) or having the legs to police the space in front of the back four (Chris Armas, Diego Gutierrez), I can’t believe Chicago will have the players to control the middle of the park. Brian Plotkin looked decent last year and I seem to remember some good things about Logan Pause, but they’re not of the same caliber as the two elder statesmen, not yet at least. I would have put the Armas/Gutierrez midfield pairing in the “liabilities” column had those two not proved me wrong - Armas, in particular - in the past. On the “going forward” side, I’ve seen two sides of Thiago: the raiding, pillaging midfielder and the guy you only notice when he fails to pass the damn ball. The Fire’s chances, and the size of the burden Justin Mapp must carry depends quite a bit on which version of Thiago shows up.
The Entire Draft Class - To be blunt about it, someone in this bunch of new players needs to pay off and not now, but right now.
Prospects in Gambling Analogies
Assuming nothing changes, Chicago off-season strategy amounts to standing pat on a 14 with the house showing a seven. Put another way, enough teams across the league improved that I can’t see these guys keeping up. I think they’ll miss the post-season this time around.
With the kick off to the Houston Dynamo's semifinal first leg now just hours away, I thought I'd squeeze in some last minute notes on what to expect.
First of all, don't think that Mexico's Pachuca isn't up for this one. As an item on Soccer365.com points out, they seem to view winning this competition as a natural progression in their growing success.
Turning to Houston, the Houston Chronicle is churning out some good stuff, though with an assist from MLSnet.com. The latter chipped in today (or yesterday) with a preview; the key detail came with Houston coach Dominic Kinnear's blunt game-plan:
Well, we'll see how that goes.
Turning to the Chronicle, apart from passing on a classic phrase from Kinnear - he's adivising the team to "play within ourselves" - there's some good dish on tactics, notably about attacking down the flanks, something the absence of Dwayne DeRosario encourages. Another interesting wrinkle to consider: with King Foul-Lure Alejandro Moreno looking likely to take DeRosario's place, that may open up some free-kick opportunities for the Dynamo. Given Brad Davis' left foot - and hoping he's been practicing with it a lot - perhaps the Dynamo ought to play Moreno to the right to provide Davis with ideal opportunites.
Finally, another Chronicle item gives us all a heads-up that, due to Kinnear's hesitance to tinker with a line-up that worked before, Eddie Robinson won't start this one; we should expect to see Craig Waibel paired with Ryan Cochrane in the middle, with Kelly Gray on the right and Wade Barrett on the left.
All right, y'all. Happy viewing. (MUST stop stalling...must look at Chicago Fire...to...preview...the...season....)
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First of all, don't think that Mexico's Pachuca isn't up for this one. As an item on Soccer365.com points out, they seem to view winning this competition as a natural progression in their growing success.
Turning to Houston, the Houston Chronicle is churning out some good stuff, though with an assist from MLSnet.com. The latter chipped in today (or yesterday) with a preview; the key detail came with Houston coach Dominic Kinnear's blunt game-plan:
"Let's go try to attack them and see if they can handle us."
Well, we'll see how that goes.
Turning to the Chronicle, apart from passing on a classic phrase from Kinnear - he's adivising the team to "play within ourselves" - there's some good dish on tactics, notably about attacking down the flanks, something the absence of Dwayne DeRosario encourages. Another interesting wrinkle to consider: with King Foul-Lure Alejandro Moreno looking likely to take DeRosario's place, that may open up some free-kick opportunities for the Dynamo. Given Brad Davis' left foot - and hoping he's been practicing with it a lot - perhaps the Dynamo ought to play Moreno to the right to provide Davis with ideal opportunites.
Finally, another Chronicle item gives us all a heads-up that, due to Kinnear's hesitance to tinker with a line-up that worked before, Eddie Robinson won't start this one; we should expect to see Craig Waibel paired with Ryan Cochrane in the middle, with Kelly Gray on the right and Wade Barrett on the left.
All right, y'all. Happy viewing. (MUST stop stalling...must look at Chicago Fire...to...preview...the...season....)
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I've got nothing more in mind here than to pass on a link: over on Du Nord, brucio raised the question of whether Major League Soccer (MLS) could benefit from an earlier start, and end, to their season.
Head on over and join the commenting fun. Here, for the record, is my contribution (around #8):
And, no, I'm not all that high on having a longer off-season. But the "product" should come first.
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Head on over and join the commenting fun. Here, for the record, is my contribution (around #8):
"Tough call. While I get the "it's cold in England" argument, it is butt-ass cold in New England. Just friggin' miserable. Ditto with Chicago."
"The problem also comes on the other end. Personally, I think it's good (feeble attendance excepted) that the league hits its stretch run when the weather is cooling; those August/early September games are ass because the players get over-heated."
"So...tough call. While I realize this goes outside the assignment to some extent, I'd shrink MLS's spill-over into deep fall, by reducing the number of regular-season league games and shrinking qualification pool for the playoffs to four teams. Then split the difference on the front end by having the season start in mid-March."
And, no, I'm not all that high on having a longer off-season. But the "product" should come first.
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Mark Ziegler, the seeming wunderkind who writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune, turned in an interesting piece today on how much money the city of San Diego made off the recent Mexico/Venezuela friendly.
The trick, and it's one no one has yet figured out, is how to make Major League Soccer's marquee games draw anything like these exhibitions. The person who figures that one out - whew! - he or she will be a genius, I tell you. And stinking rich.
Anyway, it's a good article on the lure our sport possesses when the stars line up, which is more often than one might think.
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The trick, and it's one no one has yet figured out, is how to make Major League Soccer's marquee games draw anything like these exhibitions. The person who figures that one out - whew! - he or she will be a genius, I tell you. And stinking rich.
Anyway, it's a good article on the lure our sport possesses when the stars line up, which is more often than one might think.
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Over on The Offside, I posted some comments on the 7-0 hurt the New England Revolution put on Inter Playa del Carmen, a team from the Mexican Third Division (which is called, mysteriously, the Segunda Division). Opposition aside, that's the kind of scoreline that gives a body warm cockles.
The other Revs' news I've got to pass on came from an unusual place: a Luis Bueno piece for the Southern California Press-Enterprise. Right after he finishes previewing the looming Champs' Cup ties, Bueno does something I've never seen done: he ranked CONCACAF club teams. And here those are:
I can't say how he reached his conclusions - perhaps I'll ask him - but my first reaction was "Whaaa?" Even these aren't listed by order of ranking - for one, I don't think Houston would be Cruz Azul in two out of three matches, nor would I put them above DC United or high above the Puntarenas side they just edged in the quarterfinals - he's at least got New England in the correct spot. Then again, I'm not sure I'd put them on this list at all. I mean, I love my Revs, but in much the same way a mother loves her son posting a string of C's in elementary school.
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The other Revs' news I've got to pass on came from an unusual place: a Luis Bueno piece for the Southern California Press-Enterprise. Right after he finishes previewing the looming Champs' Cup ties, Bueno does something I've never seen done: he ranked CONCACAF club teams. And here those are:
TOP 10 CONCACAF CLUBS
1. Pachuca -- Class of Mexico and the region.
2. Chivas -- Only league loss since November was against Pachuca.
3. Club America -- Boasts one of top offenses in region.
4. Houston Dynamo -- Reigning MLS champion survived tough cup quarterfinal series.
5. D.C. United -- New coach, new players could lead United back to cup glory.
6. Alajuelense -- Costa Rican leaders have won four consecutive matches.
7. Cruz Azul -- Mexican side could be in line for first title since 1997.
8. Puntarenas -- Costa Rican side narrowly lost to Houston.
9. Saprissa -- Traditionally one of Costa Rica's top sides.
10. New England -- MLS Cup runner-up brings back a quality side.
I can't say how he reached his conclusions - perhaps I'll ask him - but my first reaction was "Whaaa?" Even these aren't listed by order of ranking - for one, I don't think Houston would be Cruz Azul in two out of three matches, nor would I put them above DC United or high above the Puntarenas side they just edged in the quarterfinals - he's at least got New England in the correct spot. Then again, I'm not sure I'd put them on this list at all. I mean, I love my Revs, but in much the same way a mother loves her son posting a string of C's in elementary school.
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Out of a desire to kick my own ass for absolutely no financial compensation, I’m embarking on my third or fourth (lost track) attempt to handicap each and every one of Major League Soccer’s (MLS), now, 13 teams. I think I’ve succeeded on one occasion, with all the others petering out once the season got underway.
There’s a good chance that will happen again this year. My “project outline” was built on the assumption that I’d spend two days on each team - the first stewing on the data, the second writing up the conclusions - but a quick count of days remaining till the regular season tells me that 26 days starting tomorrow pushes the “wrap date” to April 8 - e.g. the second day into the season. That may yet suffice, but, regardless of success or failure here, I expect this project to take up a lot of my blogging time. So, expect things to get thin ‘round here.
(NOTE: A curious side-note to that: my traffic count didn’t suffer even though I took yesterday off. As it turns out, a lot of my traffic comes through Google searches, which speaks to the advantages of babbling non-stop about damn near everything.)
In any case, I’m kicking off this project starting tomorrow. Just to avoid thinking about such things, I’ll work through the teams alphabetically. That makes the Chicago Fire the first subject....great...right as they’re wooing a major acquisition...like that won’t muddle any assumptions...
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There’s a good chance that will happen again this year. My “project outline” was built on the assumption that I’d spend two days on each team - the first stewing on the data, the second writing up the conclusions - but a quick count of days remaining till the regular season tells me that 26 days starting tomorrow pushes the “wrap date” to April 8 - e.g. the second day into the season. That may yet suffice, but, regardless of success or failure here, I expect this project to take up a lot of my blogging time. So, expect things to get thin ‘round here.
(NOTE: A curious side-note to that: my traffic count didn’t suffer even though I took yesterday off. As it turns out, a lot of my traffic comes through Google searches, which speaks to the advantages of babbling non-stop about damn near everything.)
In any case, I’m kicking off this project starting tomorrow. Just to avoid thinking about such things, I’ll work through the teams alphabetically. That makes the Chicago Fire the first subject....great...right as they’re wooing a major acquisition...like that won’t muddle any assumptions...
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The CONCACAF Champions Cup will constitute one of the bigger distractions in the days ahead - I've mentioned the other elsewhere and will elaborate on that before the day is done.
Turning to business, as all y'all know by now, we're at the semifinal stage of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. For the record, a Wednesday night game will pit the Houston Dynamo against CF Pachuca, while the Thursday game features DC United taking on CD Chivas de Guadalajara. And, thank whatever God you praise, these games will be televised. (On a personal note, work obligations mean I'm going to see a lot more of Houston v. Pachuca, which is kind of a shame because I think DC v. Chivas will be a better game.)
This will be the (rough) extent of the previewing I'll be doing, but I want to point interested parties to the refined scribblings of Luis Bueno, who is working toward making himself a one-man source for the Champions' Cup semifinals. Between an "check-up" article on the Mexican Primera's 2007 Clausura he posted on LA Soccer News and a pair of Champs' Cup primers - one for Sports Illustrated (LINK) and the other, a more hard-numbers piece he produced for an outlet called The Press-Enterprise.
Returning to the one-man show meme above, I was about to chide Jeff Carlisle from ESPN for falling off between his coverage of the quarterfinals versus the looming semis, but thought to check that site before doing so. And, sure enough, he's got something up and it's pretty dang good. Looks like there's two on this beat and Carlisle deserves props for naming some players to watch.
I'll be making a modest contribution of my own to this fray: a heads-up preview article for Write On Sports, but I want that to be pretty bare-bones and that's by design. I'm going to make a conscious effort this year to scale back on my previews in order to save time and energy to report on the games themselves. After all, it's the games we're all watching, right? So expect a heads-up with a touch of framing, but nothing like the total coverage you'll get by reading all the stuff linked to above.
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Turning to business, as all y'all know by now, we're at the semifinal stage of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. For the record, a Wednesday night game will pit the Houston Dynamo against CF Pachuca, while the Thursday game features DC United taking on CD Chivas de Guadalajara. And, thank whatever God you praise, these games will be televised. (On a personal note, work obligations mean I'm going to see a lot more of Houston v. Pachuca, which is kind of a shame because I think DC v. Chivas will be a better game.)
This will be the (rough) extent of the previewing I'll be doing, but I want to point interested parties to the refined scribblings of Luis Bueno, who is working toward making himself a one-man source for the Champions' Cup semifinals. Between an "check-up" article on the Mexican Primera's 2007 Clausura he posted on LA Soccer News and a pair of Champs' Cup primers - one for Sports Illustrated (LINK) and the other, a more hard-numbers piece he produced for an outlet called The Press-Enterprise.
Returning to the one-man show meme above, I was about to chide Jeff Carlisle from ESPN for falling off between his coverage of the quarterfinals versus the looming semis, but thought to check that site before doing so. And, sure enough, he's got something up and it's pretty dang good. Looks like there's two on this beat and Carlisle deserves props for naming some players to watch.
I'll be making a modest contribution of my own to this fray: a heads-up preview article for Write On Sports, but I want that to be pretty bare-bones and that's by design. I'm going to make a conscious effort this year to scale back on my previews in order to save time and energy to report on the games themselves. After all, it's the games we're all watching, right? So expect a heads-up with a touch of framing, but nothing like the total coverage you'll get by reading all the stuff linked to above.
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Bill Urban wrote a solid item for USSoccerplayers.com wondering what the hell the Los Angeles Galaxy is thinking with their mid-summer scheduling overload. The piece is worth reading for the devilish details of that scheduling and and that only deepens the doubts that arose (sorry to quote myself, but I liked my phrasing; see fourth comment here) after the World Series of Football was announced.
Presuming a Galaxy player won't die in harness this season, Urban concludes his article by floating a concept that has always appealed to me: a split season, one with some summer month, or parts of two, taken off. I wrote up a big, informal proposal to that effect back when I worked on another blog. Even if I would now shrink my proposed mid-summer window, I still think it's a good idea to go this way, even if the mechanics might get tricky.
But, as Urban points out, is that any less tricky than chucking one friendly after another into the middle of the Major League Soccer season?
UPDATE: I'd be hugely remiss if I didn't link to the reflections posted by Laurie, the author of the Los Angeles Galaxy blog for The Offside. She makes a good point about raising the importance of raising the league's profile.
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Presuming a Galaxy player won't die in harness this season, Urban concludes his article by floating a concept that has always appealed to me: a split season, one with some summer month, or parts of two, taken off. I wrote up a big, informal proposal to that effect back when I worked on another blog. Even if I would now shrink my proposed mid-summer window, I still think it's a good idea to go this way, even if the mechanics might get tricky.
But, as Urban points out, is that any less tricky than chucking one friendly after another into the middle of the Major League Soccer season?
UPDATE: I'd be hugely remiss if I didn't link to the reflections posted by Laurie, the author of the Los Angeles Galaxy blog for The Offside. She makes a good point about raising the importance of raising the league's profile.
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As I threatened to do a couple of days ago, I expanded on my theory that the Columbus Crew could have a decent year, which, in turn threatens the New England Revolution's shot at one of the same. That's posted on The Offside and, given that I'm ostensibly that site's Revolution blogger, it probably contains too much commentary on the Crew.
There's one wrinkle in that post, this one regarding the changes made between 2006 and 2007 to the Major League Soccer's playoff format. Now, the majority of these rules are pretty straightforward - see seeds #1, 2, and 5-8. It's seeds #3 and #4 where things get a little wacky:
And then there's seed #4a, which invalidates the rule on the fourth seed in the case that said team's roster contains more than five left-footed players....
I kid, I kid. I think I see what they're going for here - e.g. preserving some meaningful separation between the conferences - and that it's the language necessary for seeding the two conference runners-up that it read so clunky. But, if I'm reading this correctly, it's pretty straightforward: the top two teams from both the Western and Eastern Conferences, 1) make the playoffs, and 2) get seeded above the rest, which, again, if I'm reading this right, offers potential for only one free ride (e.g. the runner-up from one of the conferences could have a sucky record - worse in fact than one or more teams seeded below them - but not only still make the post-season, but place high within the bracket).
But, in concrete terms, it's hard to know whether this hurts or helps the Revs. I'm about to do a season-preview freak-out, which (I hope) will better familiarize me with the ramifications of this - e.g. how they stack up in the East and against the Western Conference teams who can pip them on points if New England fails to finish either first or second.
P.S. I like the new playoff format thus far. It should make people nervous and that's a good thing.
In other Revolution news, the Boston Globe ran a rare piece on the Revolution, this one looking at who's likely to play in tonight's friendly against AC Inter Playa del Carmen. To save you the read, it looks like Adam Cristman, who has impressed the Revs' coaching staff, will get a shot at forward while James Riley will (gulp) start in central defense. That's less a shot at Riley, who I like well enough elsewhere on the field, as it speaks to an uneasiness about him playing central defense in a three-man defense.
But, as the article points out, Revs coach Steve Nicol has faith...we'll see if it's justified later.
The new guy - and the new-ish guy - owe their breaks to a pretty scary injury bug making the rounds through the Revolution locker room. The missing include Pat Noonan (surprise), Daniel Hernandez, and Michael Parkhurst.
There's one wrinkle in that post, this one regarding the changes made between 2006 and 2007 to the Major League Soccer's playoff format. Now, the majority of these rules are pretty straightforward - see seeds #1, 2, and 5-8. It's seeds #3 and #4 where things get a little wacky:
"3) Conference runner up with highest point total."
"4) Conference Champ runner up with the point total lower than the other Conference Champ runner-up"
And then there's seed #4a, which invalidates the rule on the fourth seed in the case that said team's roster contains more than five left-footed players....
I kid, I kid. I think I see what they're going for here - e.g. preserving some meaningful separation between the conferences - and that it's the language necessary for seeding the two conference runners-up that it read so clunky. But, if I'm reading this correctly, it's pretty straightforward: the top two teams from both the Western and Eastern Conferences, 1) make the playoffs, and 2) get seeded above the rest, which, again, if I'm reading this right, offers potential for only one free ride (e.g. the runner-up from one of the conferences could have a sucky record - worse in fact than one or more teams seeded below them - but not only still make the post-season, but place high within the bracket).
But, in concrete terms, it's hard to know whether this hurts or helps the Revs. I'm about to do a season-preview freak-out, which (I hope) will better familiarize me with the ramifications of this - e.g. how they stack up in the East and against the Western Conference teams who can pip them on points if New England fails to finish either first or second.
P.S. I like the new playoff format thus far. It should make people nervous and that's a good thing.
In other Revolution news, the Boston Globe ran a rare piece on the Revolution, this one looking at who's likely to play in tonight's friendly against AC Inter Playa del Carmen. To save you the read, it looks like Adam Cristman, who has impressed the Revs' coaching staff, will get a shot at forward while James Riley will (gulp) start in central defense. That's less a shot at Riley, who I like well enough elsewhere on the field, as it speaks to an uneasiness about him playing central defense in a three-man defense.
But, as the article points out, Revs coach Steve Nicol has faith...we'll see if it's justified later.
The new guy - and the new-ish guy - owe their breaks to a pretty scary injury bug making the rounds through the Revolution locker room. The missing include Pat Noonan (surprise), Daniel Hernandez, and Michael Parkhurst.
General, Non-Soccer Business
First off, it was good to see two teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) duke it out - even if the opening coin toss and sparse crowd made for awkward spectacle; then again, it's good, every so often, to be reminded that the entire country isn't waiting for MLS's regular season with baited breath; that brings one down to earth. Second, did the game remind anyone of a PBS pledge drive? And the player interviews? Apart from Ned Grabavoy - who opted for "uh" where everyone else went with multiple "y'knows" - those recollections of Lamar Hunt won't make Bartlett's Familiar Quotations any time soon. But, of course, that's not what we're paying these guys for, so I neither expect nor demand better.
For all that, a good time was had by all....even me....OK, except maybe FC Dallas. And that's what inspired me to write anything at all.
Game Notes
For some inexplicable reason, I think this game foreshadowed the season ahead for both teams. That's not to say that FC Dallas will be as dire as they were in the game's second half (I just saw, but have not yet read, about fatigue being a factor), but there was something significant in the serious defensive lapses in the Dallas back-line. And that's the rub - at least for Dallas. If anyone asked me what I counted as FC Dallas' greatest need for the 2006-07 off-season, I would have said "defense" and without hesitation. But FC Dallas' roster shows a team one injured player away from the 2006 status quo; even when Adrian Serioux gets fit, I'd be shocked if he can make Dallas' green bunch the brick wall they need to be when the offense doesn't click - much like it didn't today.
On the other side of the ball, I'm going to say it: if the Columbus Crew stays healthy, I think they'll make the playoffs. That's to say, I like the way Columbus played today. Moreover, they've got a solid starting eleven (out of this roster); not a stellar one, mind you, but a good one, filled with some of the league's more under-rated players: Grabavoy, Joseph Ngenwya, Duncan Oughton, and more besides (I especially like the idea of shifting Ezra Hendrickson inside). So, underestimate these cats at your own risk. I'll elaborate on this tomorrow over on The Offside, but I'm kind of buzzing (and anxious) about the concept right now.
Team/Player Notes
FC Dallas: If Ramon Nunez is going to demand the star's job, he's got to show more; I think Nunez may have it in him, though, by which I mean I don't think offense will be FC Dallas' problem this year; they were rusty today, but there's too much talent in this group for the good stuff not to come. But the back four, frankly, scares me. And it's a weird thing. They'll make completely solid plays for extended periods then - POW!! - they screw up, Dallas almost inevitably gives up a goal and, in so many words, that's been the problem: their mistakes are nearly always fatal. One player-specific note to pass on: now that I've seen him, I liked Dax McCarty well enough.
Columbus Crew
Because it's the only way I ever see a player in college, I caught Ned Grabavoy playing for Indiana University on accident, but I liked him even then; he's got a very efficient game featuring little fluff and a lot of accurate passing. When I say the Crew has under-rated players, he's the guy I'm thinking of as much as anybody. Seriously, though, think of a midfield featuring Ngwenya, Grabavoy, Oughton, and Ricardo Virtuoso; then consider there's also Jacob Thomas lurking out there, and even Danny Szetela. Eddie Gaven can sneak back or go up front, where he can join Andy Herron, whom I've always liked; add Kei Kamara to the mix along with Jason Garey and you've got some decent options. Then there's Robbie Rogers, who, unfortunately, didn't play much today, and one walks away with the sense that the Crew has fairly quietly built a competitive team on offense; on the other side, their defense never scared me much.
If calling a spot for Columbus in the playoffs seems a bit nuts, who after DC United looks automatic out of the Eastern Conference? Put another way, I'm seeing a stressful year ahead - and that's largely a good thing...except where your own team is concerned.
As for the Western Conference, I'm saying it here and now: barring a major acquisition, FC Dallas won't make the playoffs.
First off, it was good to see two teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) duke it out - even if the opening coin toss and sparse crowd made for awkward spectacle; then again, it's good, every so often, to be reminded that the entire country isn't waiting for MLS's regular season with baited breath; that brings one down to earth. Second, did the game remind anyone of a PBS pledge drive? And the player interviews? Apart from Ned Grabavoy - who opted for "uh" where everyone else went with multiple "y'knows" - those recollections of Lamar Hunt won't make Bartlett's Familiar Quotations any time soon. But, of course, that's not what we're paying these guys for, so I neither expect nor demand better.
For all that, a good time was had by all....even me....OK, except maybe FC Dallas. And that's what inspired me to write anything at all.
Game Notes
For some inexplicable reason, I think this game foreshadowed the season ahead for both teams. That's not to say that FC Dallas will be as dire as they were in the game's second half (I just saw, but have not yet read, about fatigue being a factor), but there was something significant in the serious defensive lapses in the Dallas back-line. And that's the rub - at least for Dallas. If anyone asked me what I counted as FC Dallas' greatest need for the 2006-07 off-season, I would have said "defense" and without hesitation. But FC Dallas' roster shows a team one injured player away from the 2006 status quo; even when Adrian Serioux gets fit, I'd be shocked if he can make Dallas' green bunch the brick wall they need to be when the offense doesn't click - much like it didn't today.
On the other side of the ball, I'm going to say it: if the Columbus Crew stays healthy, I think they'll make the playoffs. That's to say, I like the way Columbus played today. Moreover, they've got a solid starting eleven (out of this roster); not a stellar one, mind you, but a good one, filled with some of the league's more under-rated players: Grabavoy, Joseph Ngenwya, Duncan Oughton, and more besides (I especially like the idea of shifting Ezra Hendrickson inside). So, underestimate these cats at your own risk. I'll elaborate on this tomorrow over on The Offside, but I'm kind of buzzing (and anxious) about the concept right now.
Team/Player Notes
FC Dallas: If Ramon Nunez is going to demand the star's job, he's got to show more; I think Nunez may have it in him, though, by which I mean I don't think offense will be FC Dallas' problem this year; they were rusty today, but there's too much talent in this group for the good stuff not to come. But the back four, frankly, scares me. And it's a weird thing. They'll make completely solid plays for extended periods then - POW!! - they screw up, Dallas almost inevitably gives up a goal and, in so many words, that's been the problem: their mistakes are nearly always fatal. One player-specific note to pass on: now that I've seen him, I liked Dax McCarty well enough.
Columbus Crew
Because it's the only way I ever see a player in college, I caught Ned Grabavoy playing for Indiana University on accident, but I liked him even then; he's got a very efficient game featuring little fluff and a lot of accurate passing. When I say the Crew has under-rated players, he's the guy I'm thinking of as much as anybody. Seriously, though, think of a midfield featuring Ngwenya, Grabavoy, Oughton, and Ricardo Virtuoso; then consider there's also Jacob Thomas lurking out there, and even Danny Szetela. Eddie Gaven can sneak back or go up front, where he can join Andy Herron, whom I've always liked; add Kei Kamara to the mix along with Jason Garey and you've got some decent options. Then there's Robbie Rogers, who, unfortunately, didn't play much today, and one walks away with the sense that the Crew has fairly quietly built a competitive team on offense; on the other side, their defense never scared me much.
If calling a spot for Columbus in the playoffs seems a bit nuts, who after DC United looks automatic out of the Eastern Conference? Put another way, I'm seeing a stressful year ahead - and that's largely a good thing...except where your own team is concerned.
As for the Western Conference, I'm saying it here and now: barring a major acquisition, FC Dallas won't make the playoffs.
Before going further, I'll acknowledge that San Jose's stadium situation, good as it looks, isn't a done deal.
But it was the phrase, "the to-be-resurrected Earthquakes" that arrested my attention. When you think about the backbone of the team(s) that won San Jose the 2001 and 2003 MLS Cups, it's one thing to note that they've all moved on - and nearly all of them, with the exception pictured above, to Houston. But it's something else to think about what that means: if, or more like when, the team gets resurrected, they'll be a true expansion team, quite unlike what happened in Houston.
And the league hasn't been all that kind to expansion franchises of late.
Then again, maybe Toronto FC will give Bay Area fans some hope. Still, it's going to be different, isn't it?
(#########)
I've read, now, four articles on Robbie Rogers going to the Columbus Crew (1, 2, 3, 4). Sure, they're all mining the same quotes - and there's nothing wrong with that - but there's one person going unquoted in all of them: Robbie Rogers.
In all seriousness, I'm not trying to make more of this than ought to be done. I'm mainly having fun with the concept. I hope Rogers settles nicely in Columbus and, no less important, that he makes Columbus into something better. Lord knows they need it.
Still, I wouldn't be surprised if the kid was less than thrilled. To begin, he's from California.
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In all seriousness, I'm not trying to make more of this than ought to be done. I'm mainly having fun with the concept. I hope Rogers settles nicely in Columbus and, no less important, that he makes Columbus into something better. Lord knows they need it.
Still, I wouldn't be surprised if the kid was less than thrilled. To begin, he's from California.
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Curse you, Sports Illustrated's truth & rumors. Why, you ask?
Middlesbrough? Man. City? C'mon, Robbie. Step away from the ledge and remember, you're a rich man. It's the adulation you want, the love of the fans screaming your name from the stands. You can get so, so much more of that here, in America, near, say, the Boston area. Yes, there will be fewer fans (many, many fewer fans), but they'll make up what they lack in numbers through desperation.
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"A string of Premiership clubs are lining up summer moves for Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. Middlesbrough, Bolton and former employers Manchester City are reportedly keeping tabs on Fowler's situation."
Middlesbrough? Man. City? C'mon, Robbie. Step away from the ledge and remember, you're a rich man. It's the adulation you want, the love of the fans screaming your name from the stands. You can get so, so much more of that here, in America, near, say, the Boston area. Yes, there will be fewer fans (many, many fewer fans), but they'll make up what they lack in numbers through desperation.
(########)
Quickly as I can - after all, the people to which I'm linking have a lot more to say...
Colorado Rapids
Soccer365.com ran a great article at the start of the week on the optimism around the Colorado Rapids camp this year. I think this quote from head coach Fernando Clavijo says a lot:
For me, this is the first year I haven't looked over Colorado's roster and thought, "God. What the hell to make of that?" They've made some good moves this year; I think they're a team to watch.
Red Bull New York
Ives Galarcep turned in one of his progress reports from the RBNY preseason. The notable stuff in there includes Dema Kovalenko's strong start to the season and Galarcep's cooling toward Ansu Toure.
Real Salt Lake
The stadium saga continues, though not nearly as powerfully: there's a petition drive attempting to reverse the Utah state legislature's decision to fund a stadium. When I first saw the headline I thought they had a pretty good shot, due mainly to the general, popular distaste for the project. But then I read this:
It's the state-wide piece that makes this look like an uphill battle; you'll see why if you read the article.
In other RSL news, toward the bottom of the (brief) match report on the team's recent loss to Spain's San Sebastian, there was a nice, and mildly surprising, bit about what to expect by way of a formation for the Utah team:
The thing to note is in bold.
Toronto FC
Holy shit. I'm beat. Can't type another word about soccer.
As such, I'm only going to link to Bill Urban's impressive look at how Toronto FC is shaping up in their first preseason. Just bang-up work.
(#########)
Colorado Rapids
Soccer365.com ran a great article at the start of the week on the optimism around the Colorado Rapids camp this year. I think this quote from head coach Fernando Clavijo says a lot:
“I’ve been saying all along it would take 3 years to put a group of players together and this is 3 years, so no excuses. Everything is falling into place and you have to believe that this is our time.”
For me, this is the first year I haven't looked over Colorado's roster and thought, "God. What the hell to make of that?" They've made some good moves this year; I think they're a team to watch.
Red Bull New York
Ives Galarcep turned in one of his progress reports from the RBNY preseason. The notable stuff in there includes Dema Kovalenko's strong start to the season and Galarcep's cooling toward Ansu Toure.
Real Salt Lake
The stadium saga continues, though not nearly as powerfully: there's a petition drive attempting to reverse the Utah state legislature's decision to fund a stadium. When I first saw the headline I thought they had a pretty good shot, due mainly to the general, popular distaste for the project. But then I read this:
"However, the group has a big task ahead. Per state law, they must collect 91,996 signatures of voters who participated in the last gubernatorial election. Those signatures must be collected statewide from at least 15 counties by April 9."
It's the state-wide piece that makes this look like an uphill battle; you'll see why if you read the article.
In other RSL news, toward the bottom of the (brief) match report on the team's recent loss to Spain's San Sebastian, there was a nice, and mildly surprising, bit about what to expect by way of a formation for the Utah team:
"RSL started the game in a 4-4-2 formation, with keeper Nick Rimando behind a new-look back four, as Chris Lancos joined the selection on the right next to Eddie Pope and Daniel Torres, pushing Jack Stewart to left back. Captain Jason Kreis and Carey Talley assumed their usual midfield positions, with Chris Klein on the right and Freddy Adu as a pinched-in left midfielder, behind front-runners Luis Tejada and Jeff Cunningham."
The thing to note is in bold.
Toronto FC
Holy shit. I'm beat. Can't type another word about soccer.
As such, I'm only going to link to Bill Urban's impressive look at how Toronto FC is shaping up in their first preseason. Just bang-up work.
(#########)
Done
DC United
In what looks like another phenomenon of the rich getting richer, DC United signed another Brazilian, Fred. Or, as his parents named him, Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva. Here's to hoping he doesn't adjust well to Major League Soccer. In other DC news, DCenters ran a good interview with new 'keeper Jay Nolly. There's some interesting stuff about picking up and moving across the country in there. Good job, guys.
Toronto FC
Conor Casey finally made it official with Toronto FC. It's nucking futs how long that deal took to come together. With Edson Buddle, Alecko Eskandarian, and, now, Conor Casey, they've got an interesting set-up at forward...and I think "interesting" is about as far as I can go on that one.
In other Toronto FC news, the Canadian also picked up bitter, bitter former Columbus Crew net-minder, Jon Busch. Good luck with it up there. I don't know what Sigi sees in Bill Gaudette, either.
Red Bull New York
Looks like RBNY picked up Chris Leitch. I get this one well enough, though Ives Galarcep, from whom I learned of this one, wonders whether another player will have to make room on the roster.
(NOTE: I'm doing the Robbie Rogers thing elsewhere...there's something about that one I can't stop picking at.)
Rumors and Addenda
The good folks at Sideline Views caught sight of former LA Galaxy trialist Laurent Merlin talking to a Chicago Fire official. Given that's been quiet lately, it probably means nothing, but it's a good photo nonetheless. One trade rumor looking a bit more solid, if far from complete: Cuauhtemoc Blanco to Chicago; Luis Arroyave reported on his blog that the fiery Mexican met with that Guppy guy from Chicago's front office. I remain cool to this move...can't help it.
Finally, I feel compelled to note that former #1 MLS-draftee Steve Shak looks to have signed with the Charlotte Eagles. Fascinating.
(########)
DC United
In what looks like another phenomenon of the rich getting richer, DC United signed another Brazilian, Fred. Or, as his parents named him, Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva. Here's to hoping he doesn't adjust well to Major League Soccer. In other DC news, DCenters ran a good interview with new 'keeper Jay Nolly. There's some interesting stuff about picking up and moving across the country in there. Good job, guys.
Toronto FC
Conor Casey finally made it official with Toronto FC. It's nucking futs how long that deal took to come together. With Edson Buddle, Alecko Eskandarian, and, now, Conor Casey, they've got an interesting set-up at forward...and I think "interesting" is about as far as I can go on that one.
In other Toronto FC news, the Canadian also picked up bitter, bitter former Columbus Crew net-minder, Jon Busch. Good luck with it up there. I don't know what Sigi sees in Bill Gaudette, either.
Red Bull New York
Looks like RBNY picked up Chris Leitch. I get this one well enough, though Ives Galarcep, from whom I learned of this one, wonders whether another player will have to make room on the roster.
(NOTE: I'm doing the Robbie Rogers thing elsewhere...there's something about that one I can't stop picking at.)
Rumors and Addenda
The good folks at Sideline Views caught sight of former LA Galaxy trialist Laurent Merlin talking to a Chicago Fire official. Given that's been quiet lately, it probably means nothing, but it's a good photo nonetheless. One trade rumor looking a bit more solid, if far from complete: Cuauhtemoc Blanco to Chicago; Luis Arroyave reported on his blog that the fiery Mexican met with that Guppy guy from Chicago's front office. I remain cool to this move...can't help it.
Finally, I feel compelled to note that former #1 MLS-draftee Steve Shak looks to have signed with the Charlotte Eagles. Fascinating.
(########)
(NOTE: After establishing the essential insanity of trying to cover everything on any given day, I'm now testing the insanity of trying to cover as much of what I missed as is reasonable on a weekly basis. Bear with me as I massage the organizational concepts into shape.)
With the preseason rolling along nicely (thanks very much) there are plenty of results from around Major League Soccer (MLS) that deserve (some, minimal quantity of) attention.
MLS-on-MLS Action
(By way of tribute to the departed Rick Santorum, I was going to dub this sub-title "dog-on-dog action," but didn't want to throw anyone and thus went with the obvious.)
Fairly early in the week, the Chicago Fire topped Chivas USA; the city of Angels struck back later in the week when the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the Fire, taking the aggregate score in the LA versus Chicago series to 3 goals apiece. For the record, I'm pulling for Chicago. Albright scored a beauty for LA, while Chris Rolfe appeared pretty active for Chicago in both matches.
The Houston Dynamo is another team having a busy week - likely in preparation for their CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal against Pachuca. They lost to the Galaxy yesterday (who's also busy, yes?) and managed only a draw against Red Bull New York (RBNY) earlier in the week. Ugly as those results read for the Mexico-bound Dynamo, the game-day roster for the RBNY game makes it clear they're still getting players up to match speed. Then again, so was New York.
One final note: I'm thinking the Galaxy will be hard to beat this year - i.e. they're going to be strong on defense. And it's more than that Houston game pointing me that way.
Elsewhere....
MLS-on-World Action
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is currently warming up in Brazil around the club and facilities of Club Atletico Paranaense (which may fortunately be abbreviated as CAP). A March 3rd report notes that Dallas managed to beat the CAP B-team, with Carlos Ruiz scoring the lone goal of the game. Things went somewhat worse against the first-team. By the way, Soccer365's report on that second game tells you more than you could possibly want to know about what went down - good stuff.
Real Salt Lake
With the latter training in Spain, it's hard to say who got luckier on location between FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake (RSL). Whatever one's thoughts on that, RSL has been busy, busy over there: beginning with a bit of last week's news, the drew Rayo Vallecano 2-2, and have lost twice since then to Real Madrid Castilla (3-1) and San Sebastian (2-0). Hopefully, the weather is nice.
MLS-on-minnows
I'll treat these as addenda, as they properly ought to be treated. DC United gave up a suprising number of goals against Florida International University, in a 5-3 thriller. Elsewhere, Toronto FC pounded the stuffing out of the University of Connecticut. Nice work, by the way, the MLSnet.com interns for running a photo of Alecko Eskandarian in a DC uniform for the Toronto piece. At least he scored for the right team...
Whew. All for now. And I think it's plenty.
With the preseason rolling along nicely (thanks very much) there are plenty of results from around Major League Soccer (MLS) that deserve (some, minimal quantity of) attention.
MLS-on-MLS Action
(By way of tribute to the departed Rick Santorum, I was going to dub this sub-title "dog-on-dog action," but didn't want to throw anyone and thus went with the obvious.)
Fairly early in the week, the Chicago Fire topped Chivas USA; the city of Angels struck back later in the week when the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the Fire, taking the aggregate score in the LA versus Chicago series to 3 goals apiece. For the record, I'm pulling for Chicago. Albright scored a beauty for LA, while Chris Rolfe appeared pretty active for Chicago in both matches.
The Houston Dynamo is another team having a busy week - likely in preparation for their CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal against Pachuca. They lost to the Galaxy yesterday (who's also busy, yes?) and managed only a draw against Red Bull New York (RBNY) earlier in the week. Ugly as those results read for the Mexico-bound Dynamo, the game-day roster for the RBNY game makes it clear they're still getting players up to match speed. Then again, so was New York.
One final note: I'm thinking the Galaxy will be hard to beat this year - i.e. they're going to be strong on defense. And it's more than that Houston game pointing me that way.
Elsewhere....
MLS-on-World Action
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is currently warming up in Brazil around the club and facilities of Club Atletico Paranaense (which may fortunately be abbreviated as CAP). A March 3rd report notes that Dallas managed to beat the CAP B-team, with Carlos Ruiz scoring the lone goal of the game. Things went somewhat worse against the first-team. By the way, Soccer365's report on that second game tells you more than you could possibly want to know about what went down - good stuff.
Real Salt Lake
With the latter training in Spain, it's hard to say who got luckier on location between FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake (RSL). Whatever one's thoughts on that, RSL has been busy, busy over there: beginning with a bit of last week's news, the drew Rayo Vallecano 2-2, and have lost twice since then to Real Madrid Castilla (3-1) and San Sebastian (2-0). Hopefully, the weather is nice.
MLS-on-minnows
I'll treat these as addenda, as they properly ought to be treated. DC United gave up a suprising number of goals against Florida International University, in a 5-3 thriller. Elsewhere, Toronto FC pounded the stuffing out of the University of Connecticut. Nice work, by the way, the MLSnet.com interns for running a photo of Alecko Eskandarian in a DC uniform for the Toronto piece. At least he scored for the right team...
Whew. All for now. And I think it's plenty.
Over on The Offside I posted the latest look at the New England Revolution New-Boys. This one looks at Wells Thompson and Ryan Solle through the eyes of a Wake Forest assistant coach - and he says some good things.
As for other Revs news, it's a bit of scratch today. I neglected to mention yesterday that the Revs have pegged March 25 as the day they look to be the next MLS team to beat up on CD Olimpia; they'll get to that one when they return from Cancun. Maybe the Hondurans are looking for redemption?
Speaking of games - even those somewhat long past - the Revs official site has video from the two preseason games in Bermuda. They're not half bad, but the highlight comes with Wells Thompson's dribble around the Bermudian left back; good stuff, kid. * I still haven't taken the time to figure out posting video....someday, my prince will come and explain this shit to me. But, for now, you'll have to click here and, on the subsequent page, click on the video image next to the entry reading "Spring is Sprung."
Finally, someone over on the BigSoccer Revolution message board posted the most current edition of the Revs' roster. Is it accurate? Shit. I don't know. I'm still trying to figure out all the damn sub-rules on the roster - e.g. Youth International, Generation Adidas, etc.
Simplify, man.
(#########)
As for other Revs news, it's a bit of scratch today. I neglected to mention yesterday that the Revs have pegged March 25 as the day they look to be the next MLS team to beat up on CD Olimpia; they'll get to that one when they return from Cancun. Maybe the Hondurans are looking for redemption?
Speaking of games - even those somewhat long past - the Revs official site has video from the two preseason games in Bermuda. They're not half bad, but the highlight comes with Wells Thompson's dribble around the Bermudian left back; good stuff, kid. * I still haven't taken the time to figure out posting video....someday, my prince will come and explain this shit to me. But, for now, you'll have to click here and, on the subsequent page, click on the video image next to the entry reading "Spring is Sprung."
Finally, someone over on the BigSoccer Revolution message board posted the most current edition of the Revs' roster. Is it accurate? Shit. I don't know. I'm still trying to figure out all the damn sub-rules on the roster - e.g. Youth International, Generation Adidas, etc.
Simplify, man.
(#########)
OK, to be totally honest I'm still catching up on this whole follow-the-Portland-Timbers project (and, if I'm being honest about it, this has as much to do with getting me to pay attention to them...unless, that is, something I've got in the back of my head pans out). So, bear with me till I find the second beat in my rhythm (crap...that word must be Welsh). And, no matter what I do, I seriously doubt I'll ever keep up with the people who run the Soccer City USA message board. I mean, based on one message thread I just read, these people all but buttonhole the players for information*.
Anyway...
The big news of the week, I suppose, is the signing of a new forward, goes by the name of David Hague (a shock of red hair, like the fires of Hell...). The press release linked to there constitutes the first time I've ever heard of Hague or Grand Canyon University, where he played his college ball - and well, from the looks of it. Obviously, I don't have much to pass on here, but the Timbers Blog posted a thought or two on this as well.
Speaking of the ever-useful (for Timbers' fans anyway) Timbers Blog, it got a facelift! It's a new change, and it looks better than most real-world facelifts, but, also like the real thing, the body carrying that new face, in this case Oregonlive.com, is pretty dang rickety. In fact, you'd have to walk halfway 'round the world to find a clunkier web-site. We're talking the Third World. Seriously. When you hit the ocean, keep walking.
The addition of Hague takes us to the question of what the 2007 Timbers roster does, or even will, look like. The Timbers Blog posted the most recent list of signed players (and it's on the new site already) and, there, I'm counting a total of, um, 14 players...and no goalkeeper. Hmmm. On the upside, we can at least field a team at this p
Anyway...
The big news of the week, I suppose, is the signing of a new forward, goes by the name of David Hague (a shock of red hair, like the fires of Hell...). The press release linked to there constitutes the first time I've ever heard of Hague or Grand Canyon University, where he played his college ball - and well, from the looks of it. Obviously, I don't have much to pass on here, but the Timbers Blog posted a thought or two on this as well.
Speaking of the ever-useful (for Timbers' fans anyway) Timbers Blog, it got a facelift! It's a new change, and it looks better than most real-world facelifts, but, also like the real thing, the body carrying that new face, in this case Oregonlive.com, is pretty dang rickety. In fact, you'd have to walk halfway 'round the world to find a clunkier web-site. We're talking the Third World. Seriously. When you hit the ocean, keep walking.
The addition of Hague takes us to the question of what the 2007 Timbers roster does, or even will, look like. The Timbers Blog posted the most recent list of signed players (and it's on the new site already) and, there, I'm counting a total of, um, 14 players...and no goalkeeper. Hmmm. On the upside, we can at least field a team at this p