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MLS News
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Sunday, 05 April 2009 23:43 |
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It's time for fans in Columbus to hit the panic button as the defending MLS Cup champions are still searching for their first win of 2009. Four weeks into the season has seen the Crew rack up two draws and two losses, making their title run of 2008 seem like a distant memory.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest, MLS' newest team still has yet to concede a goal. Seattle has celebrated their inaugural MLS season with three straight shutout victories and remain atop the power rankings for the second week in a row.
Last week's ranking in parenthesis
1. Seattle Sounders FC (1)
It's pretty simple for Seattle. Three matches, three wins. Seven goals scored, none conceded. There was some speculation that the allegations against Freddie Montero would distract the club this week, but they didn't. The Sounders took down Toronto FC 2-0.
2. Chivas USA (2)
Chivas continued their strong start to the season with a 2-1 victory over Columbus this week. They are the only team besides Seattle to not drop any points on the season, and remain tied atop the Western Conference with Seattle after yet another victory.
3. Chicago Fire (3)
Chicago has yet to be defeated in 2009 and remains atop the Eastern Conference with seven points from three matches. Chicago beat New York this weekend with 10 men after John Thorrington was shown a red card, and their success this season has been happening without a completely healthy Cuauhtemoc Blanco. If this team gets to full strength, they could make a title run.
4. New England Revolution (7)
Even though victories over Dallas don't mean as much as they used to, New England still makes a big leap up the power rankings. They are one of the five undefeated teams in MLS at the moment and are sharing the top spot in the East with Chicago. Never, ever count Taylor Twellman and company out.
5. DC United (6)
DC United are quietly putting together a solid start to the season. One win and two draws from three matches, and some key contributions from Christian Gomez and Luciano Emilio have helped DC remain near the top of the table.
6. Colorado Rapids (12)
Colorado picked up their second victory on the trot this week after defeating the hapless LA Galaxy. Conor Casey has come up huge for the Rapids thus far, scoring three goals on the season. Colorado has found their offense, and with a little improvement on the defense, could be dangerous in the playoffs.
7. Real Salt Lake (13)
RSL made a huge statement with their 4-1 victory over Columbus on ESPN Thursday night. Robbie Findley netted a hat trick and Salt Lake looked like a legitimate playoff team against last season's champions.
8. Toronto FC (5)
Toronto has started slowly, but there doesn't seem to be any shame in losing to Seattle. Amado Guevara and Dwayne De Rosario should be a combination to be feared this season. You still have to like Toronto's chances to make some noise in the postseason.
9. Columbus Crew (4)
Does Columbus miss Sigi Schmid that much, or have they just been thrown off by the absence of Frankie Hejduk thanks to international duty? Whatever the reason, they need to find an answer to their troubles soon as they find themselves plummeting towards the cellar in the East. Blown out by Real Salt Lake on national TV, defeated by Chivas...Winless and panicking.
10. Kansas City Wizards (15)
KC picked up their first win of the season this past weekend with a victory over San Jose. They put in an aggressive effort on offense and moved out of the basement in the Eastern Conference. Jimmy Conrad remains one of my favorite players ever.
11. San Jose Earthquakes (10)
The Earthquakes just look out of sync so far this season. They had a decent year in 2008 and didn't struggle as badly as many expansion teams usually do. Perhaps this is just a sophomore slump, perhaps the Convey-Huckerby combination isn't as good in reality as it is on paper.
12. LA Galaxy (11)
Is it too early to say that Bruce Arena is on the hot seat? Nope. LA is on pace to have the worst defense in the league for the second straight season as Landon Donovan grows more upset by the minute.
13. Houston Dynamo (8)
Houston started slowly in 2008 as well, but not this slowly. One win in three matches is not what the Dynamo were hoping for. They clearly miss Dwayne De Rosario, and Dave Van Den Bergh is not an adequate replacement.
14. New York Red Bulls (9)
Who would have guessed that after seven combined matches, both of last year's MLS Cup finalists would still be searching for their victory? As ugly as Columbus has been, New York has been worse, with their 3-0 loss at the hands of Seattle on opening night setting the tone for the season to date.
15. FC Dallas (14)
After three games, Dallas is the only MLS team without a single point to their name. Enough said. Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Sunday, 05 April 2009 07:50 |
Nothing particularly surprising happened in LA yesterday: the now-routine MLS "Hat Trick of the Week" award goes to Conor Casey, who a) scored the second fastest goal in league history, b) had the game winner in the 84th minute and c) was so dedicated to defending that he got a caution for persistent infringement.
For Bruce Arena's Greybeard Army, Landon Donovan had two assists, Dema Kovalenko went in studs up on Mehdi Ballouchy and got a sending off courtesy of Michael Kennedy.
For absolute ugliness, it would be hard to match the Galaxy's "defense" on the game winner, as Colin Clark stripped the ball off of Sean Franklin's foot and played a long ball to Casey, who rookie Omar Gonzalez was playing offside but Tony "Big Scat" Sanneh didn't get the memo, which left LA keeper Josh Saunders all alone.
Game, set and match, Colorado.
At the end of the day, Colorado got their second win, the Gals are still looking for their first, Mrs. Arena is hiding all the sharp objects and Los Angeles soccer fans are left to ponder a question:
If Cobi Jones and Doug Hamilton (AKA St. Douglas of Carson) hadn't conspired to fire Sigi Schmid because he "didn't play attractive soccer" just how many very attractive MLS Cups would they have won by now?
Which of course brings us to the Sounders, led by the aforementioned Round Mound of Coaching (AKA "God" in Seattle) who had to leave the league's leading scorer at home with either a) the flu or b) some problems with his social skills, but nevertheless laid a big old can of whoopass on Toronto FC in their home opener.
TFC coach John Carver later apologized to the fans for his team's wretched performance, as wily old Arsenal veteran Freddy Ljundberg—who moved up to Montero's striker spot—scored his first MLS goal.
Superdraft No. 1 overall pick Steve Zakuani, exactly three games out of the University of Akron, also scored his first and Seattle went to 3-0, becoming the first expansion team to ever start the season with three wins and, just for good measure, also the first one to not give up a goal in their first 270 minutes of existence.
And just as a "Welcome to BEEMO" gift for Ljundberg, when he twisted his knee and was helped acrss the touch line for medical assistance, one of TFC's "great, great fans" threw "a full cup of beer" at him (and, to be fair, managed to hit him which is more than you can say for the person who threw the bottle at Sigi; seriously, how bad is your aim when you can't hit someone the size of Jupiter from 40 feet away?) after which about half of those "great great fans" headed for the exits; by around 80 minutes, with their team down two goals, they apparently remembered they had someplace else to be.
Meanwhile, in Gillette Stadium FC Dallas, winless in two consecutive home games, went on the road, made six lineup changes, (mostly due to injuries) and managed to make a game of it but left town still looking for their first 2009 win.
Despite a game-opening goal from Kenny Cooper, FCD couldn't respond to two second half Revolution scores, the first from Sainey Nayassi off of a Shalrie Joseph assist and the game winner, an 80th minute PK from Steve Ralston after George John grabbed a big old handful of Kheli Dube's jersey, apparently not wanting to wait until after the match to get himself one of those snazzy New England shirts.
There are six winless teams in MLS at the moment, but Dallas is the only outfit with three losses, staking a claim to being, currently, the worst team in the league although KC has a shot at matching them later today when they take on the Saint Joe.
At RFK, conversely, DC United left the ranks of the winless in the rear view mirror as Luciano Emilio hit the net a couple minutes after halftime and the DC defense, despite some scary moments, made it stand up for a 1-0 win over the Dynamo.
The Uniteds could have folded after a seemingly very harsh red card sent Jaime Moreno packing around the 70the minute but not even the legendary incompetence of Baldomero Toledo could deny them the win, with Louis Crayton doing some spectacular late work between the pipes.
(I'm sorry, but is there a better expression in all of sports than "between the pipes"?)
Houston limps out of town with only a home-opening draw keeping them from joining Dallas in 0-3 territory, having scored a grand total of one goal in three games. Their defense is certainly not playing badly—unlike, for example, the Galaxy's—but a very wise old soccer wizard once remarked to me that you have to score or you can't win.
Keep it between us.Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Friday, 03 April 2009 19:15 |
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Why is it that a mild scuffle between two supporters groups has all of a sudden given Toronto fans such a bad name?
American media tends to feed off negative press and scandals. The MLS is definitely not a source of such writing material. So as soon as something negative occurs, writers, bloggers, and critics are quick to point fingers and classify an enemy and a victim.
Whatever the case, the allegations that the Toronto FC fans single-handedly caused the events that transpired at Crew Stadium in Columbus after last Saturday's game are unwarranted.
I have been to countless sporting events, witnessing altercations which make last Saturday's debacle appear quite minuscule. A couple of fans fight and all of a sudden hooliganism is at the forefront of every conversation and TFC fans are the epitome.
Acts of violence occur right in the stands, leading to multiple arrests at sporting events across this continent. But you cannot draw up a North American comparison to hooliganism. The raw hatred displayed by European or South American soccer firms have, on countless occasions, turned sporting grounds into mirror images of combat at the Gaza Strip.
TFC fans are being portrayed as idiots and animals. Advocates are calling for them to be controlled and punished for their actions, while pacifying the behaviour of their beloved home team.
Approximately 200 Columbus fans from the "Hudson Street Hooligans" and "KKKrew" intentionally integrated themselves into a sea of TFC supporters as they departed the stadium. I do not believe that they did so with the intention to engage in violence. Perhaps they wanted to engage in an old-fashioned shouting and chanting match. But inevitably, the former did happen.
I'm not implying that Security is to blame for this as they did not expect this type of incident to occur. Security at sporting events in the state of Ohio has been historically adequate. An Ohio State college football type of affair draws over 100,000 fans on a regular basis without any major issues.
The mere fact that opposing supporter groups were in the same area, poses questions as to what could be done better in regards to crowd control the next time these two teams meet.
On the bright side it wasn't all cursing and fisticuffs.
Many TFC supporters have gone as far as saying that the home supporters were quite welcoming and were interested in exchanging scarves and other memorabilia for their collection. They interacted civilly and look forward to returning once again.
For lack of a better cliche I say it takes two to tango and although we might have been wearing our dancing shoes, the Columbus fans brought the drums and guitars. So refrain from labelling the Toronto FC faithful as "Hooligans." Such status is not one which they are striving to achieve. Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Friday, 03 April 2009 12:35 |
The one where this is really, really, REALLY late in comin’.
We don't tires.
Welcome to my personal (public) soap box. I’m your host, Septimus Rex. Today we’re going to be talking about tires.
It does not take two and a half hours to patch a tire. Don’t listen to your car dealership. I don’t care if you have a warranty on your tires and it’s free to get them fixed. It’s just not worth it. You know what the cost of “free tire service” was today? My fucking dignity.
I had to sit there for two hours, reading the Chronic-WHAT-le of Houston (doesn’t quite roll of the toungue like this), 002, Envy and whatever other social smut they had splayed out on the tables. My free burnt coffee left a lot to be desired. Even the kolache I had tasted like indignation.
So, that is my long-winded excuse for not putting this up before 10 o’clock as I’m wont to do. Take it or leave it.
Cutler was traded to the Bears for Orton and two first-rounders!!! The first rounder this year, the first rounder in 2010, AND the third and fifth rounders in the upcoming draft! Woweegeezers!!! The Broncos requested, but the Bears denied, the request to throw in an arm and a leg as well.
That’s your national news that I wanted to “weigh in on.” See? I even got in that joke. I’m a good blogger. Good, boy. /pats self on top of head
Up ahead are your Houston sports updates:
Texans: Houston b stacking up with linebackers, ya’ll. They’re taking a look at two more in the free agent market: Buster Davis and Tyjuan Hagler. Tyjuan… that’s a hell of a hybrid name. My new name will now be Sep-thunderous Rex. *Fixed
Rockets: Kyle (not Mike) Lowry went to Villanova, just to let you know. Instead of news, I’m reporting history. For, those who forget are destined to repeat… So, yeah… got it. Moving on.
Astros: LOST TO THEIR FARM TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *ahem* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have no words.
Dynamo: Ade Akinbiyi!!!! Officially on the team! WOOOOO!
University of Houston: Lady Cougar Softball news… The ladies in red and white took care of Southland Conference powerhouse [Ed. Note - that's a terrifyingly uninformed statement], Sam Houston State in both games of their double-header. The Coogs put up three runs in both games. Yay! Ladies! Sorry, I didn’t make it past the scores in bold at the beginning of your paragraph. I’ll do better next time [Ed. Note - not likely].
- Septimus Rex
Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Friday, 03 April 2009 12:25 |
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Seattle Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero (or “Mitsubishi,” as I like to call him) is in trouble. The best player on the hottest team in town has been accused of stalking and sexually assaulting a Sammamish (Wa.) woman within the past week. That’s not good.
The 21-year-old middle-of-the-road SUV has been a hit for the Sounders FC so far this year. He’s already recorded three goals in the team’s first two games, and was just named the MLS Player of the Month (or Playa of the Month, depending on your perspective).
The allegations surrounding Montero were first reported to the Bellevue (Wa.) police on Mar. 31, but no charges have yet been filed.
Montero is being held out of action from this Saturday’s road game in Toronto, with what the team is calling an unspecified “illness.”
Is it so hard to say you’ve suspended the man until some clarity on the issue can be uncovered? Grow a pair, Sounders, and tell the truth.
Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Friday, 03 April 2009 09:34 |
The Seattle Sounders "Parade to the Championship" tour has run into a bit of a speed bump.
It seems that Wunderkind/Instant Legend Fredy Montero, MLS Player of the Month, winner of two consecutive MLS Goal of the Week awards and poster boy for the Seattle Sounders Miracle Season, is in some serious legal hot water.
A Sammamish, Washington woman told King County Sheriff's Deputies that Montero HAS BEEN STALKING HER.
Hard on the heels of this report came word from the Bellevue Washington Police Department that the same woman filed a sexual assault complaint against Montero on March 22.
According to the ever-vigilant IVES GALARCEP the Sounders are telling local media that Montero "has the flu" and won't be accompanying the team to Toronto today.
This is most certainly good news for TFC—who by the way are ENCOURAGING THEIR "BOISTEROUS" FANS TO THROW STUFF ON THE FIELD THIS WEEKEND—and will challenge Sigi Schmid to come up with an offensive plan B.
The less said about the ugly display of ineptitude shown by the Columbus Crew in Rio Tinto last night the better. Injuries—Jason Garey, carried off the field on a stretcher last night being just the latest—combined with bad timing (internationals all played the day before while other teams will have theirs available this weekend) still doesn't explain Wil Hesmer's sudden unfamiliarity with the fundamentals of goalkeeping.
At the same time, Robbie Findlay's first-ever-in-team-history Hat Trick is a tremendous way for Jason Kreis and the Church of Latter Day Taints* to kick off their home season.
In case you had something better to do last night, like rearrange your sock drawer, welcome to Findlays' dream and Hesmer's nightmare:
YouTube - Columbus Crew at Real Salt Lake - Game Highlights 04/02/09
YouTube - Columbus Crew at Real Salt Lake - Game Highlights 04/02/09
If RSL can manage to live up to expectations and the local citizenry can be convinced to come to that splendid stadium, the perennially weak Western Division may be theirs by default.
I don't begin to understand the issues involved in this DC-to-Maryland kerfuffle, and I'd be happy to have someone explain it all to me.
What I can say with some certainly is that WHEN YOU CAN'T EVEN GET THEM TO APROVE A STUDY it's safe to say that there are some serious issues yet to be resolved.
I'm sorely tempted to dig right in and poke fun at THIS REALLY DUMB ARTICLE but I've expended my allotment of snark for the week and have to take a pass.
Suffice it to say that playing in the NASL over 30 years ago really serves to give him literally nothing in the way of insight into MLS.
In fairness though, he did get two things right: Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Neeskens and Pele HAVE in fact retired (I recall reading that someplace) and the weather is still pretty nice.
After that—well, like I said, I'll take a pass.
* Hat tip to NORDECKE LUCHADOR for the best line I read this week.Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Thursday, 02 April 2009 13:22 |
In current cultural parlance, the important thing to do in the wake of unfortunate occurrances in our lives is to "move on".
No need to linger on the negatives. Bad for everyone's psyche.
But unfortunately, when we "move on" without learning anything or changing anything or—worst of all—allow ourselves to indulge in the warm comforts of denial over what really happened in the first place, you can pretty much guarantee that the situation is going to happen again and again and again until you finally admit that there's a problem and deal with it.
So it is with our friends in Toronto today.
In the wake of the incidents (note the use of the plural here) in and around Columbus Crew stadium last weekend, Toronto FC's fans have been subjected to a good deal of criticism. Never having gotten anything but huggie love previously, like any spoiled child, they aren't happy about it.
Now, when that criticism comes from someone like me, they just tell themselves that I'm a "Canada basher" (as if that made any sense) and it's easy to ignore.
But when that criticism comes in the form of editorials in most of Canada's news outlets, it's a lot harder to sweep under the rug.
Harder, but not impossible, because they've now managed to do just that.
The Official TFC Fan Explanation of What Happened in Columbus, which is currently being chiseled into marble for permanent enshrinement on a large plaque someplace at BMO Stadium, goes like this summary, which comes to us COURTESY OF TOM ANSELMI, CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment:
Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Thursday, 02 April 2009 12:03 |
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Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…
Chicago (3): How do you seize No. 1 with a tie? Do it on the road without your two best defenders, that’s how.
Seattle (7): From last to second in two weeks. Wow. If they convincingly beat Toronto this week, they will be No. 1.
Chivas USA (5): Back-to-back wins has Preki feeling good about his ”no name” squad, and I like them too.
Columbus (1): After back-to-back ties, Columbus has slipped from its perch. Their schedule now becomes brutal.
Toronto (6): Toronto FC should maybe be even higher up. A well-fought draw and a win have them off to a hot start.
New England (8): Two gutsy performances in a row (without many starters) has the New England Revolution rising up the ranks.
Houston (2): A very tough loss for Houston drops them a ton and their schedule isn’t going to get any easier.
Salt Lake (4): Real Salt Lake falls far due to their loss to Seattle Sounders. But they will be at home this week, so I think they’ll rise.
San Jose (15): Want to climb up quick? Beat last year’s West Champ by scoring three goals, and you do it.
Colorado (14): Colorado has some spunk. A nice win in their home opener has pushed them into the Top 10.
D.C. (12): Two weeks, two draws for DC United. They haven’t looked poor, but they have been mediocre thus far.
New York (11): They outplayed NER for 89 minutes. But an unfortunate tie at home moves them down again.
L.A. (13): They didn’t play, so they don’t move this week in the rankings. I still don’t think too much of them.
Kansas City (9): Kansas City hasn’t looked poor, but the results (two losses) have landed them all the way down here.
Dallas (10): Dallas has looked terribly bad. If not for Cooper’s 60 yarder last week, they would still have zero goals.
Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Thursday, 02 April 2009 09:00 |
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For a while now, I've been unhappy with the player decisions some of the US Mens Soccer team coaches have made.
I didn't get the love affair with Demarcus Beasley as an attacking player.
I didn't get why Landon Donovan was made a striker.
I didn't get why Jozy Altidore was not starting (even if he's still a teenager).
Some of these things were discussed in the comments of my article on Landon Donovan. Walter Gibson commented how he thought Donovan would be better as a winger, where he could play in open field. I commented how Altidore should be starting—period.
Well last night, as the USA Mens Soccer team was preparing to play Trinidad and Tobago in a World Cup qualifier, something caused me to jump off the couch. The game announcers were talking about major changes in the lineup. Some were due to return from injury or suspension, but others were pure strategy changes.
What caused me to jump was that the changes were exactly what I wanted to see! Huh? Since when do I agree with any decision by a USA soccer coach—hardly ever.
Yet there is was in a beautiful ESPN graphic on my screen. Beasley moves back to left fullback, Donovan moves back to left midfield and Altidore starts at striker.
EUREKA! That's perfect! (although truthfully I would have opted to bench Beasley entirely, but no worries, I can accept him as a left back).
The game starts and very soon, one thing is obvious—the moves have had a great impact. Donovan is finding the room he needs and firing off some great left-footed crosses to his teammates. He connects with Altidore and the USA goes up 1-0.
At that point, it really didn't matter what happened the rest of the game. I was just ecstatic that Bob Bradley had found the right combination and everything was clicking.
Sure this was Trinidad and Tobago, but if you saw how they played against El Salvador last weekend, you had to appreciate what was going on. I fired off a few comments to some B/R writers in my excitement.
As if that wasn't enough, Altidore goes on to score three goals for the hat trick, all assisted by Landon Donovan. Just icing on the cake.
I went to sleep that night a happy man—and that doesn't happen too often for me after watching a USA Men's Soccer game. Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Thursday, 02 April 2009 06:26 |
(This piece was supposed to have posted yesterday but, for a variety of reasons, none of them involving Carlos Slim, it obviously didn't.)
In part two of our interview with Nick Sakiewicz, the current CEO of the ownership group of the Philadelphia Major League Soccer team that will begin play in 2010, we discussed Philadelphia specifically, and the organization's efforts leading up to their debut nest season.
-Opening day 2010 is now 12 months away. What's your timetable for filling the key player personnel positions; Technical Director, Head Coach and GM? Have you talked to anyone specific? Care to share any names? How important is it that you get those people in place quickly so they can start looking at talent?
"We have been talking to some people and there are many that have interest in coming to Philly'. Hiring an experienced, committed and high quality staff is key to on-field and off-field success. We have a terrific staff right now and will look to add more over the next six months. Sorry, can't give you any clues on names. Those conversations are highly confidential."
-What's your current timetable for announcing a team name and colors and unveiling a uniform? Have these decisions been made, or are there still some discussions going on?
"We are very close (four to five weeks away) from announcing. We ran a very successful campaign in January where the fans had a chance to weigh in on the name and we've been working very closely with Adidas on the uniforms and logo. I think most people will be very pleased with everything."
-The hardest thing for MLS teams to do is undoubtedly getting a soccer specific stadium built. You fought long and hard to get the stadium in Harrison off the ground, and then turned around and got the building in Chester started as well and both stadiums will open next spring. By any measure, that's an incredible achievement. What were the toughest obstacles involved in both projects?
"Honestly, there are so many things that are tough about getting these stadium deals done. Keeping your internal team in the game and not letting them get discouraged, managing political agendas, communicating properly with the media, fans and public. The list goes on and on. It's like juggling chain saws sometimes but in the end it is worth it because although there is no magic bullet to making it all work a proper soccer stadium is a very big key to long term success."
-What is your response to the people who say that, particularly with the current economic climate, building stadiums is a bad investment?
"The most frustrating thing to deal with in these stadium developments is the misperception that some people create around these developments. The fact of the matter is they work to create tremendous economic impact and jobs for a community and no different than attracting a major company or headquarters to a community. Yet because its pro sports there is always a group of people that distort the facts and create a lot of negativity that sometimes kills great projects. But in most cases the numbers and benefits prevail and communities find a way of getting them done because in the end they make good economic sense."
-There are persistent rumors that the league would like some additional investors involved with the Philadelphia team, and Barcelona has been mentioned specifically. What can you tell us about where that stands? Are you in discussions with anyone else?
"We have, from day one, stated that we were interested in strategic equity investors to join us in Philly'. This is nothing new and not an initiative recently started by the League. We are in discussions with a number of such potential strategic partners and hope to solidify something very soon. The idea behind partnering with a strategic partner is to bring investors to the table that contribute more than just capital but can also make our organization stronger by bringing business, soccer, general sports and entertainment expertise to our organization.
-What do you think, in general, of involving "big name" foreign teams with MLS?
"I believe strategic relationships with foreign clubs can be a very good thing if managed properly. I'm not convinced a complete brand take-over makes sense because the fan data I've seen indicates that soccer fans in the U.S. want to cheer for their own soccer team and not one imported from somewhere else.
We see great success with teams like Toronto, Seattle, DC United, Houston Dynamo, etc. and I believe the soccer fans in this country prefer their own brands. However, I do think it makes a lot of sense to form alliances or strategic partnerships with foreign clubs to take advantage of best practices to improve the quality of the game."
-Seattle opened to huge crowds, a sold out building, something like 20,000 season tickets and a good deal of excitement. They've set the bar pretty high in terms of new MLS teams. Can you match that kind of a debut? What will you have to do to make that happen?
"Seattle did a great job and we have been studying how they have gone about launching their team. It reminded me a lot of 1996 when we launched 10 teams and the League. If you recall the first games of the inaugural 10 teams were spectacular events with huge crowds and we will be sure to have the same type of grand event in Philly'.
In some ways producing that spectacular event is easy. We will also focus on making sure we have a strong season ticket base and that all the games are great experiences for the fans. In Philly the key to making that happen will be to put a competitive and attractive team on the field."
-You probably don't have a crystal ball, so I'm guessing that you can't say absolutely that the stadium in Chester will be ready for opening day, but what is your gut feeling on that? If unforeseen problems do cause a delay, is there—as FIFA president Sepp Blatter would say—a "Plan B" involving the use of another facility?
We always have a plan b.
-It's no secret that the MLS Players Union is in a pretty grim mood right now over a whole host of issues. How concerned are you that the league and the Union won't be able to come to a new agreement by Opening Day 2010? In general terms, what do you think it's going to take to get a new CBA signed?
"I won't comment on the CBA. That is for the League to handle but I'm confident that everyone will see the reality of both the economic environment we are in and the fact that we are still in the beginning stages of growing the sport in this country. I think its important for everyone to understand both these realities especially the fact that we still have a long way to go in building the sport in this country."
-Maybe my memory is shaky, but I recall back in 1995, when the league was first proposed, the Single Entity concept was presented as a more or less temporary measure, to ensure that MLS got off the ground without the team closings and city-hopping that helped doom the NASL. However my memory may be serving me, and despite the wishes of a lot of fans, it seems like Single Entity is going to be the way this league is operated for a long time to come. How do you see the SE 'experiment"? Has it served the league well? Do you ever see a time when MLS will abandon it?
"I don't ever recall single entity being discussed as a temporary measure or an experiment.
In fact single entity was created for the long haul. It has served the League well and frankly one of the main reasons the league is beginning to flourish today. It has allowed the league and individual teams to manage their business in a steady and reliable way without the extreme volatility that other sports leagues have to deal with. Keeping control of expenses and aggregating marketing rights has been a big benefit of single entity and those benefits have allowed us to grow the League.
The League has done a great job of adjusting the business plan and tweaking the rules to constantly improve the system. I think this is smart business and hope it continues to constantly improve the rules to make the product better to meet the demands of the consumer/fans. It's interesting because when I speak to foreign clubs, be it in Europe or South America they are all impressed with the single entity structure and hope their own leagues could get closer to the benefits of single entity. There have been too many good things that have come from the single entity structure that I can't see a time MLS would abandon it."Source: Click Here
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