MLS News
Daily FaF Smear (3/28/09)
MLS News
Saturday, 28 March 2009 14:34

The one where Frontier Fiesta will be the death of Fourth and Fifty

 

He's mine... NO he's MINE!

Could there have been some notice that last night was going to be cold as balls?  Goodness, gracious.  Windy, cold, drunken… if Frontier Fiesta at University of Houston was any other way I wouldn’t know what to do.  All of this is to say that FaF is kind of caught up in the weekend (and muddled by the hangover the day after)

So bear with us this weekend.  Not that there are any readers on the weekend anyway.  We don’t even read the site on the weekend.

The good news?  The sole girl in the Fourth and Fifty NCAA pool now has to share the lead.  The bad news?  She still has more possible points.  It will come to the point of me rooting against my picks just so she doesn’t win.  Ya’ll don’t know her.  I do.  I will never hear the end of it.

Today is the start of some fantastic match-ups in the Tourney.  Pittsburgh v. Villanova being the marquee game.  The Big East is living up to the hype this year, justifying the number of bids that they got to the Big Dance.  So, it begs the question… Are we ready to expand the field or cut it down?

Texans: Obviously the big news that we haven’t addressed yet has been the sickening story of Moats being detained by a police officer in Dallas when he was rushing to the hospital to see his dying mother-in-law.  We’re not anti-establishment or anything, but this is pretty messed up and makes you question the system.  Especially if it was even remotely race-motivated.  We have nothing else to say about the matter.  My mom told me if I didn’t have anything nice to say then do blog about it.

Rockets:  Game against the Clippers tonight.  I got nothing else.

Astros:  Houston was so impressed with one of their prospects that they demoted him.  Yes, I’m stretching to make sure I’m writing about the Astros.  Let’s jut pick up again on Opening Day.

Dynamo:  Here is your pre-game analysis of the Dynamo against the Earthquakes for today.  Enjoy.

- Septimus Rex

Posted in College Basketball, MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL Tagged: Houston Astros, Houston Dynamo, Houston Rockets, Houston Texans, NCAA Tournament

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Is Landon Donovan Really the Best that USA Men's Soccer Can Do?
MLS News
Saturday, 28 March 2009 10:48

As the US Men’s soccer team gets ready for a pair of World Cup qualifiers this week, I am once again left to wonder:

Is Landon Donovan really the best soccer player the USA can produce?

First, let's look at the awards and recognition he has received:

FIFA U-17 World Championship Golden Ball: 1999 MLS All-Star MVP: 2001 MLS Best XI: 2003 MLS Cup MVP: 2003 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2003, 2004 CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2002, 2003, 2005 MLS All-Time Best XI Honda Player of the Year: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 Los Angeles Galaxy Golden Boot: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 MLS Golden Boot: 2008 United States Men's National Team All-time Goalscorer (37 Goals in 106 games) United States Men's National Team  All time Assists Leader (33 Assists in 106 games)

Impressive indeed, but can we really count anything accomplished in the MLS (Mostly Listless Soccer)? I think not.

Can we really count anything done in CONCACAF Cups against alleged professional teams like Cuba, Guatelmala, Honduras, etc? I think not.

Can we really count anything done in World Cup qualifiers against the same sorry group of nations, with Mexico being a possible exception? I think not.

Meaningless Friendlies? Once again, I think not.

Of his 37 career National team goals, 19 have come against Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Barbados, El Salvador, and Jamaica. Another 11 goals have come in friendly matches.

So 30 of his 37 career goals have come in matches when the result was not in question or the result didn't matter.

So how, then, can we judge how great of a soccer player Landon Donovan really is?  In my opinion, we must look at World Cup games, when he is playing against world-class players in high-pressure situations.

So let's look at his performance there.

Donovan has played in a total of 8 World Cup games in two separate World Cups. He has a total of 2 goals and 0 assists. The goals came against Poland and Mexico, not the strongest of World Cup teams.

Against the very best competition, like Germany, Italy and Portugal: 0 goals and 0 assists.

Now, for those of you screaming at your flat panel displays "Goals and assists are not everything", I contend, when you are touted as your country's best player and you're an attacking player, not a defender, it IS everything.

The "best" player has to produce when it counts the most!

Stats aside, what is my impression of Landon Donovan?

Although he may have the best foot skills on the US team, that's not really saying much. He is capable of taking on defenders at high speed while actually keeping control of the ball (how many other US players can claim that?.

However, such forays into high-level soccer always end the same way for Donovan. Ultimately he is run off the ball by a professional defender and ends up on the ground appealing to the referees for a foul.

His next best attribute is probably handling the ball from long crosses or down-field passes. Whether it's getting his head on the ball, using his chest, or softly receiving the ball at his feet, he does a good job gaining and retaining possession.

His passing skills I believe are just adequate. I'm rarely wowed by a perfect through ball into space for someone to run onto. He'll make a lot of square passes and conservative passes. He just seems a lot more interested in having the ball than giving it up.

So, am I here to disparage Landon Donovan? Despite what you've just read, not really. I am, however, saying that the US really doesn't have any World-Class players yet. As a youth coach and a follower of US soccer for the last 25 years, I thought it would have happened by now.

So my real point is: If Landon Donovan is truly our best, then despite all of the USSF's best efforts, we are no closer to being a true World Cup contender than we were 10 years ago.

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Freddy Montero of The Seattle Sounders FC: A Personal Reflection
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MLS News
Friday, 27 March 2009 22:27

The Seattle Sounders started their history as the latest franchise in Major League Soccer with the acquisition of Freddy Montero in 2009. The MLS has never been the same.

The history of soccer in the United States of America was witness to the first game between the Seattle Sounders and the more experienced New York Red Bulls. It appeared that the Red Bulls underestimated the Seattle Sounders and Freddy Montero.

It was a mistake that was to cost the team dearly as Freddy Montero scored the first two goals of the inaugural MLS Game in Seattle. He then proceeded to hammer a nail in the coffin of New York as the Sounders defeated it 3-0.

The soccer world in the United States of America has been celebrating Freddy Montero as if he was the latest fad. It is time for another tribute to a soccer great that is starting his career.

Freddy Montero is a forward for the Seattle Sounders who is currently on loan from the Colombian Club Deportivo Cali. Freddy Montero was born on the 26th of July 1987 in Campos De La Cruz, Colombia.

His full name is Freddy Henkyer Montero Munoz and he started his career with Deportivo Cali at the age of 13. His expertise and discipline earned him a contract with Deportivo Cali after only one tryout.

During his career with Deportivo Cali, Freddy Montero participated in victories over the National Colombian youth team and an equalized game against Juventus FC of Italy. Actually, the victory was against the youth team of Juventus FC.

His career with Deportivo Cali was 20 goals within 38 appearances. He was also loaned out to Atletico Huila. During his time with Atletico Huila, he scored 22 goals in 27 appearances.

Freddy Montero was also a top scorer in the Copa Mustang for Atletico Huila before returning to Deportivo Cali.

Copa Mustang is a competition of the Colombian National Team with a rich history of its own in the world of Football Soccer.

It should be remembered that before signing with the Seattle Sounders, Freddy Montero received his first cap for Colombia during its game against Panama in the year 2007.

Before Freddy Montero became famous for giving the Seattle Sounders their first victory as an MLS Franchise in an inaugural game, he managed to score nine goals within nine games of the MLS Preseason.

Freddy Montero is the future of Football Soccer and is deserving of his success. My best wishes to him and the Seattle Sounders FC.

 

 

http://alvarezgalloso.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/freddy-montero-and-the-seattle-sounders-fc/

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Frankie Hejduk: No. 1 and Sometimes Unlucky
MLS News
Friday, 27 March 2009 13:50
U.S. defender Frankie Hejduk isn't afraid to brag about how great the Americans have been playing as of late.

He even flashed the victory sign when the team landed in San Salvador on Thursday afternoon—a full 48 hours before the U.S. even plays El Salvador in another one of those crucial World Cup qualifiers.

In responses posted on U.S. Soccer's Web site on Thursday, Hejduk boasted that the Americans are the "team to beat" in the region.

Quote: "In CONCACAF we have become the team to beat.

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The First Week's Alphabetical Power Rankings: A Soccer Rundown
MLS News
Thursday, 26 March 2009 21:10
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago
2. Columbus
3. DC United
4. Kansas City
5. New England
6. New York
7. Toronto

Western Conference
1. Chivas USA
2. Colorado
3. FC Dallas
4. Houston
5. Los Angeles
6. Salt Lake
7. San Jose
8. Seattle

No real surprises. Let's see how the WPS looks going into the inaugural weekend:

WPS
1. Boston
2. Chicago
3. FC Gold Pride
4. Los Angeles
5. Sky Blue
6. St. Louis
7. Washington

Pretty much what you'd expect.

I would do a detailed WPS preview—really, I would—but I'm so unqualified. I remember 1996, when I confidently handicapped the initial MLS season by stating who had the most US national team members—for our younger readers, the 1996 US National Team members were horrifying. I mean, every last one of them was horrible, with the possible, marginal, barely justifiable exceptions of Agoos and Harkes. Cobi didn't get good until 1997, Meola didn't get good until he joined Kansas City, Lalas had to retire and unretire before he got good, and Waldo—I love you, but you were more trouble than you were worth to your MLS employers.
Do you know who I thought would meet in the final, considering that that criteria—Colorado and New England.  I can laugh about it now.

I thought Etcheverry would be crap. What can I say? I thought Campos and Sanchez would be crap, as well—at least I got those right.

Actually, for comedic purposes, maybe I should go through the rosters tomorrow and give completely non-expert previews. Hopefully, someone like Beau, Melissa, or Jacqueline Purdy will give some real ones from which I can borrow. Fox has a page dedicated to WPS, as is appropriate, considering FSC is showing the games and gets their content from places like the Associated Press. There's an official league site, but I'm not really expecting to see a preview along the lines of "Boston (or whoever) will finish last - what a godawful collection of three-legged pigs they slapped together. Season tickets still available!"

I completely forgot to mention this, but Club America is playing Morelia in Santa Barbara on Sunday. I wonder if they will outdraw Chivas USA?

Hell, I wonder if they'll outdraw the Galaxy or the Sol. I hope they don't outdraw the Sol. I want to support the most popular soccer team in Los Angeles.

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Is The MLS Really Getting That Good?
MLS News
Thursday, 26 March 2009 18:17

No.

People who don’t know soccer often ask about the MLS. Is it any good? How does it compare to soccer in Europe?

No it’s not. And it doesn’t.

People who do know soccer would never ask. It would be like asking if the Lions are any good, and how they compare to teams from the NFL.

Will the MLS get better? Maybe.  

Then again, it’s all perspective. Is Justin Timberlake better than he was?  Just because he’s not in ‘N Sync anymore doesn’t mean he’s sweet now.

Did I just use ‘N Sync and sweet in the same sentence?

Anyways, it's true that quality players came into the league last year, like David Beckham.

And then he left.

More quality players are coming into the league this year, like Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg.  

The fact that they are at the end of long and successful careers in Europe doesn’t diminish the significance of their arrival. Actually, that’s exactly what it does. No amount of money would have gotten Ljungberg to leave Arsenal in his prime.


Ok—maybe Ljungberg can be bought.


This is to make up for the previous picture.

Brian McBride left Fulham to come back to MLS last year, making room on their roster for another American—Clint Dempsey. Maybe when he turns 36, he’ll come back to MLS too.

When kids reach the age that pro clubs start to look at them in Europe and South America, kids in the states have a coach whose tactical advice is usually, "Kick the ball. Get it. Run. Go.”

Hmmmmm.

But we are getting better. A number of our players are true quality, have left MLS and earned spots on some of the world’s almost best teams.

But the fact is simple. Since Claudio Reyna played for Glasgow, not a single American has had a regular spot on a Champions League squad. Maurice Edu and DaMarcus Beasley play for Glasgow now, but they have only 11 starts between them all season. Jose Altidore made it to Villarreal, also one of the top teams in the world. But by midseason, they loaned him off to a second division club.

Giuseppe Rossi also got a spot on Villa. But he’s half Italian, and when an interviewer asked him if he ever thought of playing for the US instead of Italy he smacked the microphone out of the journalist’s hands.

That’s not true, but it was a stupid question.


Sure Rossi is talented and jumps like a deer—but he’s not really American.

And then there’s Donovan. Landon. I had high hopes for him going to Bayern. Truth is, it was complicated and I don’t think he had enough time. But what does it say when arguably the best player in the US can’t get a starting job in Munich?

Simple. It says that MLS sucks. The level of play just isn’t there.

The touch isn’t there. The vision, the flow, the creativity—all not there. It takes ten guys out on the pitch to do it, and in MLS you’re lucky if you have three.

The reigning MLS MVP is Argentine, in his mid-30s. In over 15 professional years, he was chosen nine times for the Argentine national team. Nine times is not a lot. Beckham, for example, has been selected by England over 100 times.  In other words, a second rate Argentine playing past his retirement years is the best in MLS.



Guillermo Schelotto: the youthful look of the best in the MLS.

Still don’t get it? Of the 22 players named by coach Bradley to play for the US in World Cup qualifiers this coming week, 16 play in Europe.

Without them, we’d probably lose to El Salvador.  

Yeah, El Salvador.

 

For more Walter Gibson, check out http://www.dailyballbreakers.com/ (real guys holding sports accountable), or if you hate the MLS, try www.dbbsports.com <http://www.dbbsports.com> .

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My 10-Year Love Affair with Major League Soccer
MLS News
Thursday, 26 March 2009 14:04

Ten years ago, I was merely nine years old and recording NHL games off Channel Five had become somewhat of hobby.

I had become fascinated by American sports.

It was an alternative. I felt like I was different to my friends, and more in touch with the wider world, because of my love for athletic competition across the pond.

My fixation towards American sports continued to grow, particularly when I watched my first MLS game.

Like the NHL, I stumbled upon MLS by accident.

My natural inclination was to tape the NHL for about six hours on a videocassette simply labeled “NHL.” To this day, I can’t quite fathom why I used to over-record by so much.

One day, around this time of year in 1999, I had just obtained my weekly fix of ice hockey. Usually I would’ve stopped the tape right away but for some reason I didn’t follow normal protocol.

Thankfully, the next program featured my first true sporting love—soccer!

I didn’t really care that I didn’t know the participants; I mean Miami Fusion and MetroStars sounded cool enough to demand my attention for the next 90 minutes.

Okay, the quality of soccer on display was by no means mind-blowing, but I couldn’t have cared less.

Why would I? It was soccer after all.

The following week, I knew exactly why I was recording Channel Five for six hours. In fact, the NHL was becoming less important to me. It wasn’t long before I was frantically reaching for the fast forward button on my remote.

I just wanted to watch a game of soccer. I wanted to watch an alternative to the English Premier League. I wanted to be different from my friends.

While my friends were clambering to view games between Manchester United and Arsenal, I couldn’t wait to see the Tampa Bay Mutiny and New England Revolution do battle.

The season rolled on and I began to have a deep affection for the Miami Fusion. The South Florida outfit were not going to be world-beaters any time soon and they drew the smallest crowds in the league.

To me, they seemed like the underdog. I wanted to be a fan of the franchise when they finally made it to “The Promised Land.”

Regrettably, three seasons after I first began to follow the league and Miami, the Fusion ceased all operations after the 2001 season.

The following seasons seemed to offer less of an appeal to me. Consequently, I watched less and less of the league that I had once treated like some sort of religion.

MLS had consumed me, but not anymore.

Whenever I played soccer with my friends, I would inevitably end up playing in goal. No doubt my friends would imagine that they were Dennis Bergkamp or Alan Shearer. I, on the other hand, dreamt of being like Nick Rimando or Tony Meola.

After the burden of MLS had been, sadly, removed from my shoulders, I began to dream of one day following in the footsteps of Iker Casillas.

MLS would later enter the spotlight in mainstream British media when David Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy, thus more coverage of the league was available to the interested British fan.

Many Brits were getting to grips with MLS for the first time, but not me. I would like to be able to say I welcomed the league wholeheartedly back into my life, alas there was something wrong.

MLS wasn’t the way I remembered it.

Miami still didn’t have a team to replace my beloved Fusion, but that was the least of my worries.

I couldn’t, and still can’t, quite put my finger on what had changed. I think it was loads of little things that revealed themselves in due course.

Since then, I have gradually allowed MLS back into my life.

After a more than rocky relationship, I am prepared to embrace the league, for better or for worse.

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Club v. Country, Sort Of
MLS News
Thursday, 26 March 2009 12:53
Ever since the MLS schedule was released for the 2009 season, I have been looking forward to this weekend. I know it's been said here, there, and everywhere that DC United isn't supposed to be that good this year, and that's fine. And I know that Sunday's result v. the Los Angeles Galaxy still gnaws away at United fans who feel United would have gotten away with three points had it not been for that meddling referee.

But while United hosts the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night in the home opener, the United States will play El Salvador in a World Cup qualifier at 9 p.m.

I was at the match v. Mexico last month in Columbus. Even though it was the first of 10 matches in this round, it is a memory that right up there with attending a game of the Stanley Cup finals for me in terms of favorite sporting events I've been to. Between the atmosphere, the weather, and of course, the result, that US win is quite a memorable one for me.

And it got me really hyped for the rest of qualifying. I had to know when the next game was, had to know if I could get to the next home match (which I can't, unfortunately, but I'm still holding out hope for the game in Chicago in June), all that.

And of course, Saturday's match v. El Salvador starts while the United home opener that I've had circled on my calendar for weeks is still going on.

I'm not complaining that MLS is playing on a FIFA date or anything like that. You can have your own opinions on all that and it's fine. I'm not even tempted to go off on it. It's fine.

And it's perhaps a great sign that several years ago, it was a chore to even find one game to watch anywhere, from anywhere, and now we regularly have conflicts about what game we'd like to see between MLS, internationals, the Premier League, etc.

It's just a conflict that tugs at the heart. There's a small part of me that would rather hang out at home, or at a bar somewhere, and watch the US. I know it's only the second game of qualifying. I'm sure the US is going to qualify. And I know the US can recover and still qualify if it all goes wrong Saturday night.

And yes, I know I could just record it and watch it later. But that just has never worked for me. Besides, I'm going to be at a soccer game. Someone is going to be following the score on their phone or some such thing, and I will hear it. And that's OK, I think I'd rather know. I'm not one of those folks that surfs BigSoccer and then complains when the score of a game I recorded 24 days ago shows up in a thread about lugnuts.

The complex I have in being a Cubs fan tells me that if I don't watch the US game, and they lose, it's going to somehow be because I didn't watch. This isn't true, of course, but hey, I'm superstitious. And, well, being a Cubs fan, I'm used to my team not winning.

But that's a risk I'll have to take. I'm going to the United game Saturday and hopefully the home team can pull out a good result.

If you see me there, feel free to tell me the US score. Just make sure and get it right. 
PS: I'm not staying up for the F1 race.

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MLS Newcomers: Week One and Fredy Is King
MLS News
Wednesday, 25 March 2009 18:23
First week of the new feature and there should be a lot of debate about who gets on the list and what not (especially if they have yet to play). The rookies seemed to outplay the acquisitions. Montero stays at No. 1, rightfully so, while two other Sounder teammates complete the sweep of the top three. "Points" will be counted starting next week...

1. Fredy Montero (Seattle)

Fredy made it easy on us with a two-goal, one-assist debut vs. New York, solidifying his catch as No. 1 MLS newcomer. Most importantly, the 21-year old looked comfortable out there and with his supporting cast in fine form, he was able to capitalize on several chances. Let's see the kid face a tough Crew defense before declaring him a worthy opponent for Landon Donovan at the top of the scoring charts. The talk of the preseason has not failed to disappoint so far though...

2. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Seattle)




Did anyone see Juan Pablo Angel last Thursday? Precisely. Yes, Angel failed to get proper service from his teammates (in fact there was not one Van den Bergh-esque cross delivered by RBNY last week) but he had a chance every once in a while. It was the strong, athletic presence of Hurtado that got in his way. If Hurtado can man-mark Angel, I would like to see him against a speedier Landon Donovan. Regardless, he delivered a performance worthy of 2nd spot.

3. Sebastian Le Toux (Seattle)

A sweep of the trifecta for Seattle. Not surprising considering their performance vs. New York. Both Le Toux and fellow former USL-er Osvaldo Alonso proved that the gap between USL and MLS really isn't that big. Consistency is key and a lot of Seattle fans see that as not a big problem for Le Toux and his crew. He assisted Seattle's first-ever goal which is fitting for the Frenchman considering his roots in the old Sounders.

4. Santiago Hirsig (Kansas City)

Only 30 minutes of playing time and Wizards fans are already calling Hirsig a much better version of midfield flop Carlos Marinelli. Hirsig provided the assist on Davy Arnaud's second bomb to make things interesting vs. Toronto FC. He certainly showcased his creativity from the get-go, especially considering Curt Onalfo called on him a lot earlier than the Argentinean expected. He couldn't win the game, but he definitely influenced it.

5. Chris Pontius (DC United)

Pontius' first MLS goal put United up 2-0 as he cut in on two LA defenders and bent one to the right upper 90. Forgetting about the goal for a second, it was the rookie's work ethic and determination that impressed the whole game, tracking back at times and really making things difficult for LA's back four.

6. Kevin Alston (New England)




The second rookie on the list, Alston drew rave reviews for his work on San Jose's Darren Huckerby out wide. The former Norwich City striker got his chances here and there but Alston, as a rookie back, did what only what he was supposed to—keep him scoreless and help preserve a New England shutout.

7. Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle)

The DP Freddie only drops due to not playing, but the hype is there and he is expected to make his much anticipated debut on Saturday night vs. Real Salt Lake. The former Gunner has looked a bit rusty in training, understandably so after hip surgery, but with Seattle's opening performance many Sounder supporters will be itching to see how he fits into the high-octane offensive set-up that blitzed New York.

8. Sam Cronin (Toronto FC)

He started out wide for TFC, an interesting move considering he hadn't featured there all preseason. John Carver admitted his play was great and that he'd probably see more time there as the year went on, but Cronin's performance—though it didn't knock any socks off—was indicative of a great debut week for all 2009 rookies.

9. Stefan Frei (Toronto FC)




The rookie goalkeeper looked pretty solid in net despite giving up two goals. Those two Kansas City goals were delivered by Arnaud and borderline "unsaveable". His debut, otherwise, was somewhat quiet and it's still unclear with John Carver if the 22-year old Frei deserves yet another start over a close to 100 percent Greg Sutton or second-year keeper Brian Edwards.

10. Pablo Vitti (Toronto FC)

The Argentine striker didn't get in the goalfest vs. Kansas City, but if his offense can produce at that clip all season it bodes well for a guy in search of some much needed goals. Not to mention a team looking to extend this kind of three-goal performance all season. Carver sat in favor of more defensive-minded Sam Cronin away vs. Kansas City, but he should be a sure lock for a start vs. Columbus this weekend when three Reds are away on international duty.

OTHERS CONSIDERED: Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle), Steve Zakuani (Seattle), Jeremy Hall (New York), Kasey Keller (Seattle), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles), AJ DeLaGarza (Los Angeles), Kyle Patterson (Los Angeles), Sanna Nyassi (Seattle)


DROPPING OFF: David Ferreira (FC Dallas), Albert Celades (New York), Bobby Convey (San Jose)


BAD WEEKS FOR: Steve Purdy (FC Dallas), Eduardo Lillingston (Chivas USA)

Looking back at this, Zakuani, Nyassi, Gonzalez, Hall, or even Keller should take Vitti's position at No. 10. I just couldn't decide though. So I kept it as is. Chime in below. Who do you think is most likely to pan out through out the year? Biggest busts?

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What a drag it is getting old
MLS News
Wednesday, 25 March 2009 14:35
White-out in Chicago? Blanco soon to be Coo-out-temoc?

Don't you hate it when Designated Players out of nowhere decide to rip on their current employers? I wonder where this came from, it does seem like

Quote: Originally Posted by Luis' blog He did, however, say he was surprised Denis Hamlett had him come off of the bench against FC Dallas on Saturday.

Say no more.

If Blanco is open to considering offers from other MLS teams, as the Jose Luis Sanchez Pando article suggests, then at least this isn't an indictment of the league. Sure, Blanco is questioning a roster that's a near-unanimous favorite to go deep into the playoffs, but the fact that he's not completely ruling out an in-league move spares MLS some irritation.

(Actually—he's complaining about the Fire covering their bases too much defense? Has he tried to fill out a fantasy league team without loading up on Fire and Crew defenders? Especially now that Parkhurst is gone?)

Of course, so does the fact that for all sorts of reasons, the Fire have been far less embarrassing about their abasement towards their DP than, to pick an example not entirely at random, Los Angeles. They didn't change the crest or the colors or the coach on the DP's whim...although they did let him hire security. Chicago survived losing Nowak and Stoitchkov, after all.

Assuming the Fire didn't saddle themselves with the kind of sponsorship requirements regarding Blanco that the Galaxy did - not a safe assumption—and assuming that as long as Blanco is still in the league, MLS and ESPN won't care—a slightly safer assumption - the smart thing to do may be to move him now. He draws some fans, and that nice little goal against Dallas may con people into thinking he can contribute more than the calendar would imply.

The Fire could try the "screw you" trade to a turf team like Toronto or Seattle, or the real "screw you" trade to Chivas USA—I mean, if Blanco didn't know the second year option wasn't his, then maybe he also forgot to put in a no-trade clause. Much more receptive audiences for all concerned would be found in San Jose, Houston, Dallas or Colorado. New York doesn't need help up top. Neither does Los Angeles, but it's really more of a case of, what could LA give?

(Actually, this is more a case of me being scared Leiweke would say "Blanco? Great! I'll give you Buddle and Gonzalez for him! Plus draft picks!")

There's also the strong possibility that Blanco has a reconciliation with the Fire once he's starting again...but where's the fun in that? That's like predicting he goes back to Mexico. BORING. I'd prefer him as a Rapid.
___________________

Dear Frankie,

You had a turning point in your life against Houston this weekend. No, it wasn't the revelation that MLS has a big future in beach soccer. No, it wasn't to put Chris Wondolowski on your fantasy team, although that was a DAMN sweet assist. Some friendly deity decided to spare Brad Davis' leg, and your reputation.

We know you're much more hardcore than your surfer dude look would lead people to believe, and we know you're probably the most driven player on the field at any given point. We also know you're not only a sentimental favorite to get on the World Cup squad, you might make it on experience and merit. Snapping legs on horror tackles means that all goes away.

Yeah, you have enough of a career to point to that, like Marcelo Balboa, one tiny little disgusting play that destroys another man's livelihood won't stick to you, and that's fine. Either because your studs were a little bit off, or because Brad Davis tried out the adamantium shin guards, you don't have to find out. Yet.

Look, just for a few months, okay? We can talk about this again, oh, sometime in the second week of August, and see if we want to review this policy.

Your fan,
Dan
____________________

While we're on the topic of guys near the end of their careers (okay, Hejduk has another ten years left, but play along with the segue for once), what happens once the cleats are hung up for the final time?

I think it must be something like Ray Liotta at the end of "Goodfellas," or James Garner at the end of "Barbarians at the Gate"—an awkward transition to "ordinary schnook."
But it doesn't have to be. Take the example of former Coventry City goalkeeper David Icke.

Struck down in the prime of his career with arthritis, Icke today is a well-known political commentator. He's written 17 books about international politics, economics, and society. He is a very popular, though controversial, speaker, with a following across the world.

So to all my readers, whether athletes or no—a life of physical activity, while rewarding, is only temporary. But the life of the mind lives on after we die.

Hm? What does Icke write about?

Oh. Well, you know. This and that. 9/11. Barack Obama. Shape shifting alien lizards secretly control the world. The point is, he's out there making a difference.



A very silly difference, but a difference nevertheless.

Quote: Originally Posted by davidicke.com For the benefit of any would-be speakers and attendees at any event involving a Victoria Jack, organiser of the Bay UFO Conference in Santa Clara, California, it is our sorry experience that she cannot be trusted to honour agreements, nor treat people with even a modium of courtesy or respect, once an event is over.

You may wish to consider our experience before doing any business with her.

Source: Click Here

 
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