LA Galaxy at DC United
It is true enough, that love never feels quite so real, as when its not returned. When you love something that doesn't love you back, when you love someone who doesn't feel the same.
Despite two consecutive season victories by the Gals and a cup win, I was still feeling down. Its not that I didn't appreciate the wins, and its not that I didn't hope for the future. But I still just couldn't see how things would work out.
A loss, and I am sure I would have withdrawn further, given up, and closed my eyes so that reality couldn't extinguish that last little glimmer of hope I was keeping alive. But they didn't loose. I haven't lost yet. The season still isn't over, and as Real Salt Lake faced down the wrath of RBNY on the same day, the Galaxy let loose.
I did not get to see the game. I was at work and knew I would not know the result until some hours after the game was over and I was finally home.
Its hard to describe how I felt when I saw the scoreline. I was not relieved and nor was I joyful. The shock I felt, the surprise, the no... no... thats not right, even as I write this, I can not even imagine how this happened.
A barrage of five goals rekindles hope. Against the league's most dominant side this year, it was a dream I didn't even think to ask for. Because some days I feel like the Galaxy and me have a lot in common. Sometimes I feel like we mirror each other.
As we captured the double last year, I was feeling truly happy again, everything seemed in order. We were on the right path and nothing could stop us.
But then things happened. Unexpected things. A death. A betrayal.
A downward spiral, and a hurt so deep that even now we wonder if we can recover and gain the form that we lost. But there have been wins, and the Open Cup is not yet lost. And five glorious goals in front of a hostile crowd means that hope is maybe not be so foolish.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Soccer Log: August 20, 2006
Los Angeles Galaxy VS FC Dallas
It seems like a dream ago that I set foot in the Home Depot Center. My life has taken a few twists and turns, the relationship I was in seems to have gone the same rocky path as the Galaxy. Despite new management and the return of world cup stars, things just haven't been working out. The play offs are still possible, we still have a future, but how much of this is just a dream and how much is real.
This is a key weekend. And after scoring in his first ever game in the green and gold, I can't wait to see Santino Quaranta. With any luck I am sure he will put up enough points on the board that I can miss the last minutes of the game as I stroll down the block to work.
Its difficult seeing the Home Depot Center on TV when your not sure the next time you will ever see the ground, its not as fun watching the game in the middle of the day by yourself wishing you were surrounded by other fans living and dying by the play on the pitch.
And Of course I am only a mild Galaxy fan by my own standards. And once Cobi Jones retires and if me and my personal connections to SoCal lost, I do not think that my dedication to the Galaxy would be strong enough to keep me as a fan. The jersey could be replaced, the scarves just added to the collection, and the Home Depot Center forgotten. Maybe.
A win today would put the Galaxy in a much better position, a loss would all but nail the coffin shut. And I can't help but think my own life is carrying on in the same fasion. Its do or die time. A win and the title isn't so far away, but a loss and we will have to wait till next season.
At least Cobi Jones is playing. I always knew we could count on him.
It seems like a dream ago that I set foot in the Home Depot Center. My life has taken a few twists and turns, the relationship I was in seems to have gone the same rocky path as the Galaxy. Despite new management and the return of world cup stars, things just haven't been working out. The play offs are still possible, we still have a future, but how much of this is just a dream and how much is real.
This is a key weekend. And after scoring in his first ever game in the green and gold, I can't wait to see Santino Quaranta. With any luck I am sure he will put up enough points on the board that I can miss the last minutes of the game as I stroll down the block to work.
Its difficult seeing the Home Depot Center on TV when your not sure the next time you will ever see the ground, its not as fun watching the game in the middle of the day by yourself wishing you were surrounded by other fans living and dying by the play on the pitch.
And Of course I am only a mild Galaxy fan by my own standards. And once Cobi Jones retires and if me and my personal connections to SoCal lost, I do not think that my dedication to the Galaxy would be strong enough to keep me as a fan. The jersey could be replaced, the scarves just added to the collection, and the Home Depot Center forgotten. Maybe.
A win today would put the Galaxy in a much better position, a loss would all but nail the coffin shut. And I can't help but think my own life is carrying on in the same fasion. Its do or die time. A win and the title isn't so far away, but a loss and we will have to wait till next season.
At least Cobi Jones is playing. I always knew we could count on him.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Book Reviews: Soccerhead: An Accidental Journey Into the Heart of the American Game
Continuing a collection of reviews on American-soccer related media, we switch breifly to books...
"Before his son enlisted for a season of Youth Soccer at the neighborhood Boys and Girls Club in College Park, Maryland, Jim Haner was just your typical white middle-class suburban father. And as an award-winning journalist for The Baltimore Sun, Haner was more likely to write about scoundrels than soccer.
But his son had caught the bug, so Haner reluctantly found himself in a room full of anxious parents, listening to the Youth Soccer Commissioner proudly proclaim that 'soccer is the essence of being!' He wondered, What's this all about? and before he knew it, he was giving pep talks to nine-year-olds in shin guards and cleats. As the coach of the Hornets, a ragtag team on ten boys and one determined girl, Harner found himself eating, sleeping, and dreaming soccer; the game became an overwhelming, all-consuming obsession. So he imersed himself in soccer lore, dug deep into the historical record, took road trips to meet the living greats, and funneled his research into an intimate portrait of the soccer craze from the bottum up, and from the past to the present. With pyrotechnic flair, the coach-turned-soccer apostle describes how 'Mob Ball' fever was spread when successive waves of immigrants arrived in the States from England, Europe, South America, and Africa. He traces the rises and falls in the game's popularity in the decades since, up to the current wave of 'soccermania.' When 100,000 people showed up in Pasedena to see the Americans take the Women's World Cup title in 1999, it was clear that the craze had become unstoppable. Now little girls paste up posters of Mia Hamm on their bedroom walls, instead of pop stars. Youth soccer enrollments are skyrocketing. And socer is finally getting its due from the American media.
Soccerhead is a timely meditation on the poetry and politics of the game- a memoir, a cultural history, and a relfection on the Zen-ness of the sport, all rolled into one. This is a book for soccer moms and dads, sports fans, sociologists, politicians, historians, and last but not least, anyone who's ever been empowered by a pair of shin guards and a two-tone ball."
2006 Jim Haner. North Point Press.
What was good?
A very detailed and easy to read history of soccer in America. Haner very successfuly intersperses scenes of youth soccer with his own journey through the rich, yet very much hidden legacy of American soccer. His own journey from uninformed to soccer historian makes it easy for even those who know little of soccer to pick up the book and understand the progression that takes place.
What was bad?
There is little to complain about. The speed with which I finished the book makes me wish that it were longer, and the journey wasn't over with so quickly. Sometimes the youth soccer scenes are a little hard to follow with the way the historical journey is injected into them.
Overall?
A great book and a must for true fans of American soccer or anyone wanting to know more about this great sport. The youth soccer parts should be familar to both former players as well as parents, coaches and refs. And the historical journey through American soccer that makes up the backbone of this book is an easy read and very enjoyable.
Rating 9/10
Retailed for $24.00 @ Barnes & Nobles
"Before his son enlisted for a season of Youth Soccer at the neighborhood Boys and Girls Club in College Park, Maryland, Jim Haner was just your typical white middle-class suburban father. And as an award-winning journalist for The Baltimore Sun, Haner was more likely to write about scoundrels than soccer.
But his son had caught the bug, so Haner reluctantly found himself in a room full of anxious parents, listening to the Youth Soccer Commissioner proudly proclaim that 'soccer is the essence of being!' He wondered, What's this all about? and before he knew it, he was giving pep talks to nine-year-olds in shin guards and cleats. As the coach of the Hornets, a ragtag team on ten boys and one determined girl, Harner found himself eating, sleeping, and dreaming soccer; the game became an overwhelming, all-consuming obsession. So he imersed himself in soccer lore, dug deep into the historical record, took road trips to meet the living greats, and funneled his research into an intimate portrait of the soccer craze from the bottum up, and from the past to the present. With pyrotechnic flair, the coach-turned-soccer apostle describes how 'Mob Ball' fever was spread when successive waves of immigrants arrived in the States from England, Europe, South America, and Africa. He traces the rises and falls in the game's popularity in the decades since, up to the current wave of 'soccermania.' When 100,000 people showed up in Pasedena to see the Americans take the Women's World Cup title in 1999, it was clear that the craze had become unstoppable. Now little girls paste up posters of Mia Hamm on their bedroom walls, instead of pop stars. Youth soccer enrollments are skyrocketing. And socer is finally getting its due from the American media.
Soccerhead is a timely meditation on the poetry and politics of the game- a memoir, a cultural history, and a relfection on the Zen-ness of the sport, all rolled into one. This is a book for soccer moms and dads, sports fans, sociologists, politicians, historians, and last but not least, anyone who's ever been empowered by a pair of shin guards and a two-tone ball."
2006 Jim Haner. North Point Press.
What was good?
A very detailed and easy to read history of soccer in America. Haner very successfuly intersperses scenes of youth soccer with his own journey through the rich, yet very much hidden legacy of American soccer. His own journey from uninformed to soccer historian makes it easy for even those who know little of soccer to pick up the book and understand the progression that takes place.
What was bad?
There is little to complain about. The speed with which I finished the book makes me wish that it were longer, and the journey wasn't over with so quickly. Sometimes the youth soccer scenes are a little hard to follow with the way the historical journey is injected into them.
Overall?
A great book and a must for true fans of American soccer or anyone wanting to know more about this great sport. The youth soccer parts should be familar to both former players as well as parents, coaches and refs. And the historical journey through American soccer that makes up the backbone of this book is an easy read and very enjoyable.
Rating 9/10
Retailed for $24.00 @ Barnes & Nobles
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Movie Review: MLS Greatest Goals: 1996-2003
"MLS-The Greatest Goals 1996-2003 featers awesome goals scored with diving headers, bicycle kicks and simply incredible moves by Major League Soccer's best players as they fight through the defenders to score. Watch the goals from different angles. Ultra slow motion replays show you exactly how these great players score the great goals when the game is on the line."
2004 Payne Media Inc. Runs Approx. 60min
What was good?
Seeing some of the goals from multiple angles is a great touch, as is the slow motion on others to see how the play develops. Not to mention some really great goals. Year-by-year breakdown of goals is a nice touch.
What was bad?
Unless you watch the year-by-year setting, you don't always know who the goal scorer was, or what team they even played for. Most of the time its obvious, but in a few cases it wasn't so. There is very little set-up for the goals as well, it would have been nice to have a little context for the goals to understand why some of them were so important. Some of the goals in slow motion, don't really need to be. Unfortunately you don't get to see multiple angles for all of the goals. The music sounds like something out of an 80's educational video, techno loops are rarely good ideas in my experience. Some of the goals repeat themselves a couple of times. Would have been nice to have a team-by-team breakdown of goals as well.
Overall?
Considering its a greatest goals DVD and not a history of the MLS DVD, I was probably expecting to much. Its really not that bad, I made it all the way through it, on normal and year-by-year settings. It is also one of very few MLS DVDs out there that I know of, so besides the Goal of the Week highlights at Climbing the Ladder, there is little to compare it to.
Rating 5/10
Retailed for $19.99 @ Tower Records
2004 Payne Media Inc. Runs Approx. 60min
What was good?
Seeing some of the goals from multiple angles is a great touch, as is the slow motion on others to see how the play develops. Not to mention some really great goals. Year-by-year breakdown of goals is a nice touch.
What was bad?
Unless you watch the year-by-year setting, you don't always know who the goal scorer was, or what team they even played for. Most of the time its obvious, but in a few cases it wasn't so. There is very little set-up for the goals as well, it would have been nice to have a little context for the goals to understand why some of them were so important. Some of the goals in slow motion, don't really need to be. Unfortunately you don't get to see multiple angles for all of the goals. The music sounds like something out of an 80's educational video, techno loops are rarely good ideas in my experience. Some of the goals repeat themselves a couple of times. Would have been nice to have a team-by-team breakdown of goals as well.
Overall?
Considering its a greatest goals DVD and not a history of the MLS DVD, I was probably expecting to much. Its really not that bad, I made it all the way through it, on normal and year-by-year settings. It is also one of very few MLS DVDs out there that I know of, so besides the Goal of the Week highlights at Climbing the Ladder, there is little to compare it to.
Rating 5/10
Retailed for $19.99 @ Tower Records
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Movie Review: The World at Their Feet
"This film takes a look back at the American team that brought women's soccer to the cover of Time Magazine. From the World Cup's visit to China in 1990 to the record setting Final in 1999."
2000 Bombo Sports and Entertainment.
Runs Approx. 60 min.
What was good?
A good job was done getting former players and celebrities to give interviews for the documentary and most of them were very informative. There was a decent amount of archive footage that was shown, which made reliving the events a lot easier. And for someone who knew little about the USWNT before 1999 it was very informative.
What was bad?
The film was too short, considering it covers over ten years of history and moves too fast in my opinion. The actual 1991 World Cup isn't covered as much as I would have liked, and neither are any of the others. More game footage and expanded commentary from all of the US games would have helped flesh it out. And with little in the way of special features, all you can do is watch the short film over and over.
Overall?
Not a bad US centered soccer documentary. Despite its condensed nature I still came away feeling better informed about the USWNT and entertained in the process as I remembered watching the final in 1999 and the emotions that went with it.
Rating
7/10
Retailed for $14.99 @ Tower Records
2000 Bombo Sports and Entertainment.
Runs Approx. 60 min.
What was good?
A good job was done getting former players and celebrities to give interviews for the documentary and most of them were very informative. There was a decent amount of archive footage that was shown, which made reliving the events a lot easier. And for someone who knew little about the USWNT before 1999 it was very informative.
What was bad?
The film was too short, considering it covers over ten years of history and moves too fast in my opinion. The actual 1991 World Cup isn't covered as much as I would have liked, and neither are any of the others. More game footage and expanded commentary from all of the US games would have helped flesh it out. And with little in the way of special features, all you can do is watch the short film over and over.
Overall?
Not a bad US centered soccer documentary. Despite its condensed nature I still came away feeling better informed about the USWNT and entertained in the process as I remembered watching the final in 1999 and the emotions that went with it.
Rating
7/10
Retailed for $14.99 @ Tower Records
Monday, August 14, 2006
Future Events
Having a slow weekend at work gave me more than enough time to ponder those things that soccer fanatics tend to ponder. But instead of dwelling on the past, I was imaging the future. And here are a couple of events I was most looking forward to.
*RSL Stadium Dedication Match VS Real Madrid
Real Madrid did a great job in Salt Lake this past week. Bringing a huge crowd out to watch soccer, announcing plans to help RSL build a world class youth academy, helping break ground on a new stadium, and announcing that not only will they come back, but that they want to play in the first match in RSL's new ground.
One wonders if Real Madrid didn't have some hand in the way events, that had been spiraling out of control, suddenly came together so that RSL can start writing checks and building for the future.
Opening day should be huge, the renderings that have been released and the return of Real Madrid have made an opening day that is at least a year and a half away, something to look forward to.
*Cobi Jones Testimonial Match
I love Cobi Jones. He was my hero as a wide eyed twelve year old in 1996 and 1997 and even though me and soccer separated for a while it was in no small part thanks to him and the Galaxy's pre-season friendly in Hawaii that I am the fanatic that I am (even if he didn't play in the game.)
So when he retires, I expect nothing less than a huge celebratory testimonial match, for a player who has helped define his team. He has been a prized striker, explosive midfeilder, captain, and aged hero. He has made the Galaxy one of the most successful MLS sides in the first ten years.
Now I don't know when he will retire. I hope he still plays a couple more. But when he does hang up the boots, I expect the Gals to throw him a great sending off party. He certainly deserves nothing less.
*RSL Stadium Dedication Match VS Real Madrid
Real Madrid did a great job in Salt Lake this past week. Bringing a huge crowd out to watch soccer, announcing plans to help RSL build a world class youth academy, helping break ground on a new stadium, and announcing that not only will they come back, but that they want to play in the first match in RSL's new ground.
One wonders if Real Madrid didn't have some hand in the way events, that had been spiraling out of control, suddenly came together so that RSL can start writing checks and building for the future.
Opening day should be huge, the renderings that have been released and the return of Real Madrid have made an opening day that is at least a year and a half away, something to look forward to.
*Cobi Jones Testimonial Match
I love Cobi Jones. He was my hero as a wide eyed twelve year old in 1996 and 1997 and even though me and soccer separated for a while it was in no small part thanks to him and the Galaxy's pre-season friendly in Hawaii that I am the fanatic that I am (even if he didn't play in the game.)
So when he retires, I expect nothing less than a huge celebratory testimonial match, for a player who has helped define his team. He has been a prized striker, explosive midfeilder, captain, and aged hero. He has made the Galaxy one of the most successful MLS sides in the first ten years.
Now I don't know when he will retire. I hope he still plays a couple more. But when he does hang up the boots, I expect the Gals to throw him a great sending off party. He certainly deserves nothing less.
Ching Out
Hawaii's top men's soccer player will be out for a month after undergoing knee surgery, despite playing in two more games for his MLS side, Ching believes that he injured himself against Chelsea FC of England during the MLS All-Star game.
"It's a little disappointing, frustrating," Ching said in Monday's editions of the Houston Chronicle. "I feel a little unlucky."
Ching currently has ten goals this season, putting him in fourth for the Budweiser Golden Boot award, despite the fact that he has missed much of the season while on National team duty at the world cup.
"It's a little disappointing, frustrating," Ching said in Monday's editions of the Houston Chronicle. "I feel a little unlucky."
Ching currently has ten goals this season, putting him in fourth for the Budweiser Golden Boot award, despite the fact that he has missed much of the season while on National team duty at the world cup.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Soccer Log: June 22 2006
USA VS Ghana June 22 2006
Sometimes as a fan you begin to think that no one else understands. Sitting in a poor excuse for an airport bar I realized that no one else understood me or the US National Team. Even as the minutes wound down and it become clear the US would not win, something inside of me wanted to scream. I wanted to scream at the only mildly disappointed faces around me, at the off hand comments about the US loosing, the very tone that seemed to say 'of course' or 'it was inevitable'.
I wanted them to know they were wrong, the US was brilliant, they were going to win the cup and shock the world. There had just been some mistake.
I walked out of the bar and away from the TV before the final whistle. I think something inside of me still thought a miracle would save us. Maybe if I wasn't watching God would give us a hand, or maybe it just wasn't happening at all. At some point you begin to wander if it was all just a dream and sooner or later you are bound to wake up so you can go see the real game. Of course I haven't woken up yet. I'm still hopeful, but I have a nagging feeling its just not going to happen.
Its hard to accept reality is not what you knew it was. The US did not win the World Cup. Kesey Keller was not the stone wall I knew he was. Donovan, Beasely, they had all betrayed me and had a good laugh about it. Somewhere inside of me I know they must have taken this harder than anyone else, but in the aftermath of disaster its hard to feel sorry for anyone but yourself.
And so I began my day proudly wearing my new US away jersey only to feel embarrassed by lunch. I woke up knowing victory was at hand and that by wearing my jersey I would be bathed in a prideful radiance all day. However, as I walked out of the bar in shock I realized I was now covered in the filth of shame (and air travel). My jersey was not a glorious badge of pride, but a dirty reminder of the reality that was melting away.
Its hard for any fan to stay in that mood forever though. Before I finished my flying the jersey had again become a source of pride. The doom that befalls all of us lifts after a while, sometimes remarkably quick as we again begin to believe the hype and something inside of us begins to remind us how brilliant the team really is. The immaculate runs of Dempsey, the leadership of Reyna and the courage of McBride. We construct our own beautiful realities. The jersey became a badge of honor, proclaiming that I was a real fan, no matter the struggles or harsh results, that I had faith the team would win and even elimination could not stop our World Cup triumph.
Sometimes as a fan you begin to think that no one else understands. Sitting in a poor excuse for an airport bar I realized that no one else understood me or the US National Team. Even as the minutes wound down and it become clear the US would not win, something inside of me wanted to scream. I wanted to scream at the only mildly disappointed faces around me, at the off hand comments about the US loosing, the very tone that seemed to say 'of course' or 'it was inevitable'.
I wanted them to know they were wrong, the US was brilliant, they were going to win the cup and shock the world. There had just been some mistake.
I walked out of the bar and away from the TV before the final whistle. I think something inside of me still thought a miracle would save us. Maybe if I wasn't watching God would give us a hand, or maybe it just wasn't happening at all. At some point you begin to wander if it was all just a dream and sooner or later you are bound to wake up so you can go see the real game. Of course I haven't woken up yet. I'm still hopeful, but I have a nagging feeling its just not going to happen.
Its hard to accept reality is not what you knew it was. The US did not win the World Cup. Kesey Keller was not the stone wall I knew he was. Donovan, Beasely, they had all betrayed me and had a good laugh about it. Somewhere inside of me I know they must have taken this harder than anyone else, but in the aftermath of disaster its hard to feel sorry for anyone but yourself.
And so I began my day proudly wearing my new US away jersey only to feel embarrassed by lunch. I woke up knowing victory was at hand and that by wearing my jersey I would be bathed in a prideful radiance all day. However, as I walked out of the bar in shock I realized I was now covered in the filth of shame (and air travel). My jersey was not a glorious badge of pride, but a dirty reminder of the reality that was melting away.
Its hard for any fan to stay in that mood forever though. Before I finished my flying the jersey had again become a source of pride. The doom that befalls all of us lifts after a while, sometimes remarkably quick as we again begin to believe the hype and something inside of us begins to remind us how brilliant the team really is. The immaculate runs of Dempsey, the leadership of Reyna and the courage of McBride. We construct our own beautiful realities. The jersey became a badge of honor, proclaiming that I was a real fan, no matter the struggles or harsh results, that I had faith the team would win and even elimination could not stop our World Cup triumph.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Natasha Kai Update
Quoted from: Women's Soccer USA
"A group of senior US WNT players are lobbying coach Greg Ryan to start Natasha Kai (5 goals in 8 games) ahead of Christie Welsh in the upcoming friendlies vs. China and Mexico. (Various)"
Could be a big break for the Hawaii Alum.
For more on here you can check out an earlier post about the amazing pace she has been on.
"A group of senior US WNT players are lobbying coach Greg Ryan to start Natasha Kai (5 goals in 8 games) ahead of Christie Welsh in the upcoming friendlies vs. China and Mexico. (Various)"
Could be a big break for the Hawaii Alum.
For more on here you can check out an earlier post about the amazing pace she has been on.
MLS Working Class Heros
I was walking through campus today, wearing my Galaxy away jersey. I love wearing the jersey, not so much because I am a Galaxy fan, I am only a marginal one at best, but because I always wonder if someone will recognize it. Until today no one ever had.
I was stopped just shy of my destination by an elderly British man. He stopped me and inquired if that was in fact the MLS team from LA. I replied positively, but through in a quick, they suck though. Just In case he stopped me to mock me, I wanted first dibs on that. But the conversation quickly switched to another topic as he asked me about the All-Star game and if I'd watched it.
Within a five minute span I knew that this man grew up just blocks from Highbury and loved going to midweek matches between Arsenal and Spurs and had even played on the Arsenal youth team when he was a much younger lad.
But really, he just wanted to deride the English stars as "overpaid, over hyped, and in some cases overweight". He was quite proud of what the MLS All-Stars had done against Chelsea and had enjoyed reading post game reports about how much quicker and stronger the MLS side was. A side whose players had hardly been looking at by the British giants, a side whose players were still making not much more than an honest salary, journeymen and working class players.
I actually found myself defending Chelsea. It was only there first game I tried to tell him. No, I was told. For players, some of whom make millions of pounds a year, there is no excuse to loosing to players who only make thousands a year.
Which comes back to his original point, that the Chelsea players and indeed most players in England are over paid and over hyped. But MLS, MLS should enjoy the journeyman aspect, the working class players, that we know our boys play for the love of the game, because for most, that big break will never come.
And while I never found out if he supported Arsenal or Spurs or even his name. He was a nice old man, and I can only hope I run into more like him wearing the green and gold.
I was stopped just shy of my destination by an elderly British man. He stopped me and inquired if that was in fact the MLS team from LA. I replied positively, but through in a quick, they suck though. Just In case he stopped me to mock me, I wanted first dibs on that. But the conversation quickly switched to another topic as he asked me about the All-Star game and if I'd watched it.
Within a five minute span I knew that this man grew up just blocks from Highbury and loved going to midweek matches between Arsenal and Spurs and had even played on the Arsenal youth team when he was a much younger lad.
But really, he just wanted to deride the English stars as "overpaid, over hyped, and in some cases overweight". He was quite proud of what the MLS All-Stars had done against Chelsea and had enjoyed reading post game reports about how much quicker and stronger the MLS side was. A side whose players had hardly been looking at by the British giants, a side whose players were still making not much more than an honest salary, journeymen and working class players.
I actually found myself defending Chelsea. It was only there first game I tried to tell him. No, I was told. For players, some of whom make millions of pounds a year, there is no excuse to loosing to players who only make thousands a year.
Which comes back to his original point, that the Chelsea players and indeed most players in England are over paid and over hyped. But MLS, MLS should enjoy the journeyman aspect, the working class players, that we know our boys play for the love of the game, because for most, that big break will never come.
And while I never found out if he supported Arsenal or Spurs or even his name. He was a nice old man, and I can only hope I run into more like him wearing the green and gold.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
MLS All-Stars
In today's All-Star match the mostly dollar store toys of MLS defeated the expensive imports off fellow today collector Chelsea FC. Or something like that. But before anyone gets any ideas about buying any of the MLS stars, whose profiles might have been raised today, I must direct you to Ivan Gazidis.
I am glad the good guys won. I was very impressed with the way our players handled themselves against one of the most expensive sports teams ever assembled. But now the excuses will start to pile up at our doorsteps. A few, hey its an entire leagues all-star team against just one British side, some more, hey we aren't in season and could care less about some MLS All-stars, and even more, its right in the middle of their season damnit, its all just a matter of fitness.
But who cares. We won. If we had lost, then we'd have two super clubs looking down on us (thanks Real... goodluck at Salt Lake!). So whatever the excuses we still won.
And we reserve the right to use those very excuses when we bomb out of the CONCACAF Cup every year as well. We all know the things a joke, something to be taken less seriously than the US Open Cup. Only three countries can even afford to compete in it, the US, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Some continental competition.
So bottles up. It was an entertaining game, played in a great looking stands, and even though the grass was too long play moved along at a good pace. The 1-0 score didn't do justice to the chances each team had, it could have easily been more, and perhaps that's too bad, we all know those casual sports fans love to see high scores, not all of them have soccer fans at hand to multiply scores by seven and convert the action into football for them to understand what's going on.
So what's the plan now that we have scored a victory over a top opponent in a meaningless exhibition game? Forget it ever happened and move on I bet. It was a good game I said, yes, and the good guys won, yes, but really? Eh. I'm not into All-Star games, especially ones like this in which I see little gained. As far as respect goes (the only thing even on the line here) I feel like we bet the house for the return of a toaster if we win. Not a bet I would make.
But hey, now we've got a new toaster.
I am glad the good guys won. I was very impressed with the way our players handled themselves against one of the most expensive sports teams ever assembled. But now the excuses will start to pile up at our doorsteps. A few, hey its an entire leagues all-star team against just one British side, some more, hey we aren't in season and could care less about some MLS All-stars, and even more, its right in the middle of their season damnit, its all just a matter of fitness.
But who cares. We won. If we had lost, then we'd have two super clubs looking down on us (thanks Real... goodluck at Salt Lake!). So whatever the excuses we still won.
And we reserve the right to use those very excuses when we bomb out of the CONCACAF Cup every year as well. We all know the things a joke, something to be taken less seriously than the US Open Cup. Only three countries can even afford to compete in it, the US, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Some continental competition.
So bottles up. It was an entertaining game, played in a great looking stands, and even though the grass was too long play moved along at a good pace. The 1-0 score didn't do justice to the chances each team had, it could have easily been more, and perhaps that's too bad, we all know those casual sports fans love to see high scores, not all of them have soccer fans at hand to multiply scores by seven and convert the action into football for them to understand what's going on.
So what's the plan now that we have scored a victory over a top opponent in a meaningless exhibition game? Forget it ever happened and move on I bet. It was a good game I said, yes, and the good guys won, yes, but really? Eh. I'm not into All-Star games, especially ones like this in which I see little gained. As far as respect goes (the only thing even on the line here) I feel like we bet the house for the return of a toaster if we win. Not a bet I would make.
But hey, now we've got a new toaster.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Don Garber Speaks
The State of the Game speech has rarely been ground breaking or earth shattering news. But represents a feel good moment where we can delight at what has been accomplished and exult in what's coming. So lets look over what was said.
1) Look, We're On TV!
The ESPN deal has been confirmed yet again. Thursday night coverage is a certainty on ESPN and it has been announced elsewhere that Saturday coverage will be on FSC and HDnet and Sunday coverage will be on Univision (or a sister network). ESPN and MLS will be looking for ways to improve coverage, from an 18 yard offsides cam, sky cam (remember what happened to the last one?), HD coverage, and pre-game coverage on sportscenter. Although in the after chat Garber stressed that the final programming grid had not been determined, but that MLS does expect to receive its share of ancillary programming.
So here's to the MLS Monday Night show! (Note, no such show was mentioned.....yet)
2) Beckham/Superstar/Franchise Player Rule
No deal. It turns out it isn't financially viable for the league to invest in big names to try an drive attendances and sponsorship revenue. Not a huge surprise for some, but probably a disappointment to others. But this announcement was mentioned along with the next big announcement.
3) Vertical Player Development
No no, not growth hormones for height. But the institution of an academy system, or at least the right to develop and sign local talent rather than seeing them snatched up by other teams because of the current rules with signing players. This should be huge for those teams that have already made some youth investment like Chicago or New York. We can only hope to see more MLS teams invest in PDL franchises, expanded roster, and an expanded reserve division. But its a relief to me to hear them talk about greater investments in "vertical player development" than bringing over players known for their name rather than their ability these days.
Of course Garber has said we'll have to wait a while for an announcement with any kind of details, but that they are in the final stages is a good sign.
4) Expansion & Relocation
Current plans are still to expand to 16 teams by 2010 and then take a break. Obviously Toronto was one of the four that will be added. As for the other three Garber mentioned Las Vegas, Miami, Seattle, Cleveland, St. Louis, and Atlanta. I hesitate to say it, but I think San Jose will also get one of those three remaining spots, Lew Wolf has certainly been making a point to announce the staff he has hired and the offices he is opening for them. All of those cities have been mentioned before, besides Las Vegas. So we know Cleveland has made progress as well as St. Louis and Philidelphia. The Atlanta bid sounds like it has promise, but I would be curious to find out who the investors for Seattle are, and who is trying to bring MLS back to Miami.
Kansas City may or may not be relocating, Garber still seems hopeful that the situation can be resolved. And Salt Lake City will not be going anywhere, Garber seemed pretty firm in his resolve that Salt Lake City will find a way to build a stadium and that the team is in no immediate danger or relocating.
5) Scheduling Issues
Plans are in place for an unbalanced 13 team schedule next year, using the current conference set-up. Although Garber did not totally discount the possibility of a single table in the future, it was not mentioned as still being discussed. However he did mention that they would be discussing the possibility of a split season schedule, or a summer break. So we'll see what happens, be very interesting to see what comes out of the board of governors meeting in respect the schedule, conference set up and the future of the playoffs.
6) Advertising?
Ads on the front of jerseys are apparently "a plan" that's being worked on. So good news there as far as helping teams hit the black. Currently many teams have little quarter size ads on the back of jerseys. I can only hope that front ads will generate greater revenue. Otherwise they just wouldn't be worth it.
Gardner also hopes that MLS advertising will expand this coming season now that ESPN/FSC will have a vested interest in promoting the programming that they are paying for. So we should start seeing ads aired on ESPN during more than just the actual game.
7) Stadiums
Red Bull Park should break ground any time now. And this time it really seems like its going to happen. And despite failures by the MLB and NFL to build a stadium in Boston, the MLS has been having some success in this area. The cost and size of a soccer stadium make it a lot easier to fit in somewhere in the city, so I guess all we can do is stay tuned.
1) Look, We're On TV!
The ESPN deal has been confirmed yet again. Thursday night coverage is a certainty on ESPN and it has been announced elsewhere that Saturday coverage will be on FSC and HDnet and Sunday coverage will be on Univision (or a sister network). ESPN and MLS will be looking for ways to improve coverage, from an 18 yard offsides cam, sky cam (remember what happened to the last one?), HD coverage, and pre-game coverage on sportscenter. Although in the after chat Garber stressed that the final programming grid had not been determined, but that MLS does expect to receive its share of ancillary programming.
So here's to the MLS Monday Night show! (Note, no such show was mentioned.....yet)
2) Beckham/Superstar/Franchise Player Rule
No deal. It turns out it isn't financially viable for the league to invest in big names to try an drive attendances and sponsorship revenue. Not a huge surprise for some, but probably a disappointment to others. But this announcement was mentioned along with the next big announcement.
3) Vertical Player Development
No no, not growth hormones for height. But the institution of an academy system, or at least the right to develop and sign local talent rather than seeing them snatched up by other teams because of the current rules with signing players. This should be huge for those teams that have already made some youth investment like Chicago or New York. We can only hope to see more MLS teams invest in PDL franchises, expanded roster, and an expanded reserve division. But its a relief to me to hear them talk about greater investments in "vertical player development" than bringing over players known for their name rather than their ability these days.
Of course Garber has said we'll have to wait a while for an announcement with any kind of details, but that they are in the final stages is a good sign.
4) Expansion & Relocation
Current plans are still to expand to 16 teams by 2010 and then take a break. Obviously Toronto was one of the four that will be added. As for the other three Garber mentioned Las Vegas, Miami, Seattle, Cleveland, St. Louis, and Atlanta. I hesitate to say it, but I think San Jose will also get one of those three remaining spots, Lew Wolf has certainly been making a point to announce the staff he has hired and the offices he is opening for them. All of those cities have been mentioned before, besides Las Vegas. So we know Cleveland has made progress as well as St. Louis and Philidelphia. The Atlanta bid sounds like it has promise, but I would be curious to find out who the investors for Seattle are, and who is trying to bring MLS back to Miami.
Kansas City may or may not be relocating, Garber still seems hopeful that the situation can be resolved. And Salt Lake City will not be going anywhere, Garber seemed pretty firm in his resolve that Salt Lake City will find a way to build a stadium and that the team is in no immediate danger or relocating.
5) Scheduling Issues
Plans are in place for an unbalanced 13 team schedule next year, using the current conference set-up. Although Garber did not totally discount the possibility of a single table in the future, it was not mentioned as still being discussed. However he did mention that they would be discussing the possibility of a split season schedule, or a summer break. So we'll see what happens, be very interesting to see what comes out of the board of governors meeting in respect the schedule, conference set up and the future of the playoffs.
6) Advertising?
Ads on the front of jerseys are apparently "a plan" that's being worked on. So good news there as far as helping teams hit the black. Currently many teams have little quarter size ads on the back of jerseys. I can only hope that front ads will generate greater revenue. Otherwise they just wouldn't be worth it.
Gardner also hopes that MLS advertising will expand this coming season now that ESPN/FSC will have a vested interest in promoting the programming that they are paying for. So we should start seeing ads aired on ESPN during more than just the actual game.
7) Stadiums
Red Bull Park should break ground any time now. And this time it really seems like its going to happen. And despite failures by the MLB and NFL to build a stadium in Boston, the MLS has been having some success in this area. The cost and size of a soccer stadium make it a lot easier to fit in somewhere in the city, so I guess all we can do is stay tuned.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Soccer Log: July 15, 2006
July 15, 2006: L.A. Galaxy VS CD Chivas USA
It took two weeks of internal debate on the part of my girlfriend to decide that yes, we could go to the game when I stopped over in California to visit her. Although in all honestly I had wanted to visit her earlier in the month when chances were good I could catch two or three games at the Home Depot Center. But I was willing to settle for whatever I could get.
Her internal debate about whether or not we could go lasted until two hours before game time. It had taken me no more than thirty seconds to know I had to go to a game some weeks before. After that I had spent two weeks trying to impress upon her that going to the game was not a big deal and our relationship was not based off going to a soccer game. But I knew it was likely my only chance to see a game that year after the Galaxy qualified for the continental cup and had forgone their supposed pre-season tour.
The game promised to be amazing, as many of the Los Angeles derbies had proven to be passionate affairs. I tried to pump my other half up for the game with tales about the game, discussion of the HDC, histories of the teams, and just letting her know how big this game was. If the Galaxy lost, they would have little hope of catching Chivas, and yet if they won they would only be a few wins back and in perfect position to make a run on the western table.
I think slightly ruined the mood of the game yelling at the girlfriend for getting us lost on the way to the game. I couldn't handle knowing that I would miss any of the game. In true fanatical style I felt as though I needed to be there a cool hour early. But ultimately nothing could ruin the game for me.
I dressed out in my national team jersey, sure it would declare me for the Gals and their pair of national team players. But to make it more obvious I wore my Galaxy scarf, purchased the year before at the Aloha Cup.
Unfortunately, the girlfriend's indecision had lead me not to buy tickets before the match and showing up on game day I was loath to stand in the long lines that had formed. But again, nothing could ruin the game for me. Getting lost and standing in line almost cost me the kickoff. But I made it by scalping tickets for a VIP box. I felt famous. Upon entering the box I realized I would be spending the game with one of the player's families. Not the way I would have chosen to watch the game, but again I was just glad to be there.
The game itself was a rather dull affair. They sold all the tickets they put on sale. Which for some reason did not include the upper deck. The fans were passionate, although not as they appeared on TV. The Galaxy fans were silent almost the whole game. Besides a couple of sections of gold, you would have forgotten they were there.
And despite both teams needing the win, it ended up a 0-0 draw. Both teams threatened, and the Gals had a rather dubious goal called back, but by the last quarter hour or so both teams seemed to have forgotten that they needed wins and sat back and just hoped not to loose.
A bore game I said. But I was intoxicated by it all. And despite knowing it lasted a keen two hours. I remember a mere ten or fifteen seconds. The girlfriend never complained, but I'm sure she was well aware that the game lasted two hours and wasn't the same as what she saw on TV during the World Cup.
It took two weeks of internal debate on the part of my girlfriend to decide that yes, we could go to the game when I stopped over in California to visit her. Although in all honestly I had wanted to visit her earlier in the month when chances were good I could catch two or three games at the Home Depot Center. But I was willing to settle for whatever I could get.
Her internal debate about whether or not we could go lasted until two hours before game time. It had taken me no more than thirty seconds to know I had to go to a game some weeks before. After that I had spent two weeks trying to impress upon her that going to the game was not a big deal and our relationship was not based off going to a soccer game. But I knew it was likely my only chance to see a game that year after the Galaxy qualified for the continental cup and had forgone their supposed pre-season tour.
The game promised to be amazing, as many of the Los Angeles derbies had proven to be passionate affairs. I tried to pump my other half up for the game with tales about the game, discussion of the HDC, histories of the teams, and just letting her know how big this game was. If the Galaxy lost, they would have little hope of catching Chivas, and yet if they won they would only be a few wins back and in perfect position to make a run on the western table.
I think slightly ruined the mood of the game yelling at the girlfriend for getting us lost on the way to the game. I couldn't handle knowing that I would miss any of the game. In true fanatical style I felt as though I needed to be there a cool hour early. But ultimately nothing could ruin the game for me.
I dressed out in my national team jersey, sure it would declare me for the Gals and their pair of national team players. But to make it more obvious I wore my Galaxy scarf, purchased the year before at the Aloha Cup.
Unfortunately, the girlfriend's indecision had lead me not to buy tickets before the match and showing up on game day I was loath to stand in the long lines that had formed. But again, nothing could ruin the game for me. Getting lost and standing in line almost cost me the kickoff. But I made it by scalping tickets for a VIP box. I felt famous. Upon entering the box I realized I would be spending the game with one of the player's families. Not the way I would have chosen to watch the game, but again I was just glad to be there.
The game itself was a rather dull affair. They sold all the tickets they put on sale. Which for some reason did not include the upper deck. The fans were passionate, although not as they appeared on TV. The Galaxy fans were silent almost the whole game. Besides a couple of sections of gold, you would have forgotten they were there.
And despite both teams needing the win, it ended up a 0-0 draw. Both teams threatened, and the Gals had a rather dubious goal called back, but by the last quarter hour or so both teams seemed to have forgotten that they needed wins and sat back and just hoped not to loose.
A bore game I said. But I was intoxicated by it all. And despite knowing it lasted a keen two hours. I remember a mere ten or fifteen seconds. The girlfriend never complained, but I'm sure she was well aware that the game lasted two hours and wasn't the same as what she saw on TV during the World Cup.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
MLS Single Table
What the MLS would look like under a single table.
1. FC Dallas 11-3-5 36PTS 19GMS
2. DC United 9-6-2 33PTS 17GAMES
3. Houston Dynamo 7-8-3 29PTS 18GMS
4. Colorado Rapids 7-3-6 24PTS 16GMS
5. Red Bull Ny 5-9-5 24PTS 19GAMES
6. CD Chivas USA 6-5-6 23PTS 17GMS
7. Chicago Fire 5-7-5 22PTS 17GAMES
8. NE Revolution 5-7-6 22PTS 18GAMES
9. Columbus Crew 4-8-5 20PTS 17GAMES
10. Real Salt Lake 5-4-8 19PTS 18GAMES
11. KC Wizards 5-2-9 17PTS 16GAMES
12. LA Galazy 4-4-10 16PTS 18GAMES
Now how can you take unbalanced schedules and make a single table? Isn't that a little weak, what with the way DCU has feasted on an usually weak Eastern Conference? Well no. Not if we only let teams play each other twice. In order to do that I only counted the first two meetings between teams, which hurt a few teams, but overall didn't really change things too much.
So throw in promotion and relegation and LA and KC would both be gone and right now Montreal and Charleston would be coming up. Of course chances are with Toronto joining next year you would just want to relegate one team to have a 14 team top flight.
But as promotion/relegation will never happen between leagues owned by different entities and MLS single table remains not much more than a rumor/pipe dream of the future.
1. FC Dallas 11-3-5 36PTS 19GMS
2. DC United 9-6-2 33PTS 17GAMES
3. Houston Dynamo 7-8-3 29PTS 18GMS
4. Colorado Rapids 7-3-6 24PTS 16GMS
5. Red Bull Ny 5-9-5 24PTS 19GAMES
6. CD Chivas USA 6-5-6 23PTS 17GMS
7. Chicago Fire 5-7-5 22PTS 17GAMES
8. NE Revolution 5-7-6 22PTS 18GAMES
9. Columbus Crew 4-8-5 20PTS 17GAMES
10. Real Salt Lake 5-4-8 19PTS 18GAMES
11. KC Wizards 5-2-9 17PTS 16GAMES
12. LA Galazy 4-4-10 16PTS 18GAMES
Now how can you take unbalanced schedules and make a single table? Isn't that a little weak, what with the way DCU has feasted on an usually weak Eastern Conference? Well no. Not if we only let teams play each other twice. In order to do that I only counted the first two meetings between teams, which hurt a few teams, but overall didn't really change things too much.
So throw in promotion and relegation and LA and KC would both be gone and right now Montreal and Charleston would be coming up. Of course chances are with Toronto joining next year you would just want to relegate one team to have a 14 team top flight.
But as promotion/relegation will never happen between leagues owned by different entities and MLS single table remains not much more than a rumor/pipe dream of the future.
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