Posts Tagged ‘MLS’

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Chad Ochocinco and the NFLPA’s influence on the MLS


2011
03.23

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I wrote to a friend my thoughts on Chad Ochocinco’s tryout with Sporting KC.  Read the article I link to in the previous sentence first, or you won’t know what I’m talking about.

Here’s what I wrote back to my friend, unedited:

“soccer shape” I assume means cutting a few pounds.  It’s interesting.  I don’t think it’s that funny, but I think it’s serious…I mean, as serious as sports go, you know.  It could be a big interest boost for the MLS if he makes it, but at the same time, it could be a big legitimacy loss.  I think since I’m torn between the two I can’t find it funny.
Just sorta thinking “out loud” for the rest of this…

The other thing about it is just that the lockout in general could be huge for the MLS.  Even if a an eighth of NFL fans decide to tune into the MLS (and not just 85) it’ll be fantastic for the MLS.  One of the problems MLS has is name recognition.  Messi vs. Jeff Cunningham.  Ronaldo vs. Josh Saunders.  If some of the guys that like soccer but don’t watch MLS give it the time to learn some names and become fans we’re talking about years of good the lockout could do for the MLS.  Once those eighth watch, ESPN gives it more coverage and thus more fans.I think the NFL is probably going to work it out though.  There’s too much money to be lost.  Maybe the thought of it will get people to start the MLS season so they know what’s going on in the fall.  I think that number is going to be very small, but with the MLS’ TV numbers right now even ~40,000 would be significant.

Yet another thing could be that Ochocinco discoveries how little the MLS players make.  He’s not one not to make a fuss.  Particularly with the eye on the NFLPA, the MLSPA could gain a lot by 85 being around.
I doubt he’ll be on the team Saturday when they play Chicago.  Maybe though.  Game time is 15:00 Central.  Whether he’ll make the team eventually I’m not sure.  His touch can’t be that great, but if he can head a ball he’s got some ups.  If he can get some good through balls there’s only so many times you can goof up a 1v1.  It all just remains to be seen.

I hope he makes it.  But I hope he’s legit.  I don’t want him to make it and it be a joke.
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MLS Single Table and Relegation


2010
11.03

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I was just listening to today’s MLS Talk podcast and I had to say something about the relegation topic. This is going to be brief because I don’t have much time at the moment.

If the MLS is going to expand beyond relegation/promotion solves a lot of problems.

1) It gives teams at the bottom (and the top of the “2nd division”) something to play for at the end of the season.  Now, I think these should both be “top divisions”.  The NCAA has Division I for all sports except American football.  the MLS could do something similar. MLS Premier could be the top or MLS Championship could be the 2nd or something.  As far as TV rights go, MLS Championship would be under the same Fox Soccer/ESPN/Versus(!??!) contracts.  Did Newcastle lose it’s history when they went to the English Championship last year?  Is Leeds United still a name that carries a lot of weight in English football? YES! If the LA Galaxy gets relegated, they will still be the team of Beckham and Donovan.

2) True cup competition.  The MLS Cup as it stands can go away.  Allow the “minnows” play the big boys every year in a (Carling) League Cup each year.

3) This isn’t such a problem, as a bonus, but it allows the MLS to bump all the way up to 40 teams if they like.  Let Cincinnati and Charlotte both have teams…or Charlotte and Raleigh if it makes more sense.  There are plenty of markets out there that have a major sport (NHL in Raleigh) and then nothing else (NBA in San Antonio).  ”Everyone” can get in on this.  MLS’ market is local at the moment.  Build the league around that.  The national draw teams are going to rise out of that.  Does the local nature of English football keep Chelsea and Manchester United from being hugely interesting teams on a national basis?  No.  Not at all.

4) This solves the scheduling issue.  Everyone gets 38 regular season games.  If there aren’t that many teams, you could go the German route with 18 teams.  16 teams is how the Allsvenskan does it and I quite liked the 30-game MLS season this year.  Now, it’s a World Cup year, so that filled in the schedule a bit more, but keeping the schedule with fewer games would allow the US Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League to at least maintain the minimal coverage they have now.  I suspect those competitions would become even more irrelevant if the MLS had 8 more games in the season.

The problems and how to resolve them.

1) The main problem with relegation is that “owners will not stand for it.”  First off, make the “minnows” pay the same entrance fee.  Also, allow expansion teams in the top division and relegate 4 instead of 3 (if there is the standard relegation #) and if there is more than one expansion team, up the number of relegated teams.  Perhaps expansion teams get a 3-year grace period of relegation or something.  The MLS CBA would apply to this “2nd division” as would any other MLS rules.  The MLS “2nd division” owners would have the same votes as the MLS Premier division.

2) Americans won’t understand.  Who cares? “Americans” don’t like soccer.  Stop trying to cater to a non-existent market. Maybe people like me would care a little more if I didn’t have to drive 3 hours to a game.  Maybe I’d go to local Madison matches if one day Madison United could get promoted to the USL or to the MLS or something. I am *not* proposing the USL get involved in this, I’d just making a point about local football.

What this doesn’t address is the scheduling.  Personally, I’m fine with the summer games.  The World Cup* is difficult, but until the US consistently gets past the round of 16, playing through the latter changes isn’t that big of a deal.  If it is a bigger deal, start the season earlier every 4 years. It’s not that big of a deal.  I know personally I’d probably end up watching less MLS if it was always competing with Bundesliga, UCL, La Liga, EPL, SPL, NHL, NBA and NCAA hockey/basketball.  Right now it fights those to a certain extent but during the summer it’s main competition for me is the Allsvenskan and for most Americans, it would be MLB (I’d watch more MLB – and MLS for that matter – if there weren’t so many blackouts on DirecTV).

*There’s also the Gold Cup, but my feeling is it could be played every four years the year before the Confederations Cup so that it “means something”.

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Thoughts on US Chances with ~3 days to go


2010
06.08

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First off, join my World Cup bracket group.

I got the following excerpt from someone that will remain unnamed:

Oh now I understand why you are heading there for the early rounds and not the finals. Sorry to hurt your feelings, but the teams you are supporting aren’t going to get past the first rounds. Except maybe for England – but I don’t expect them to get near the semis.

I second you on the French though. Hate em and want to see them head back asap. Same goes with Brazil – except that I’ll miss their samba chicks on TV.

I’ve been supporting Argentina and Italy since 98. Hoping that Messi will do great this year and I’m also looking forward to seeing Milito repeat his champions league performance (if they let him play). At least he seems to be in the squad.

The following was my response:

Really, you don’t have the US getting out of the group stage?  Who do you think is going to go ahead?  I could see Algeria winning the group or not getting a point.  They are the most inconsistent side I’ve ever seen.

To be clear, I think the US will go out against Germany in the 2nd round, but it’s really a tough call…

The US’ road could be pretty easy *should they win the group*.  They could see a weakened Ghana side in the 2nd round and then potentially Uruguay in the Quarters.  In the semis they’d play Brazil, which they proved last summer they can play with, but ultimately they’ll lose that match I think.  The US proved last summer they can play in the altitude and the cold of South Africa.  Now, I’m not predicting that will happen, but whoever wins Group C might have an easy road to the semis.  Even if the US finishes 2nd in the group, Germany has tons of injury problems and Maradona hasn’t proven himself to be a great manager, so even if the US comes 2nd in the group, they could be looking at semi –finals.

There are three x-factors: 1) how do teams play in the cold (the old MLS players have done that in Chicago, New York and New England in the past) and 2) how do they play at altitude (Salt Lake City and Denver for the former MLS players…which is basically everyone on the US squad). 3) How will being in Africa work for the African nations.  With injuries, the African nations are looking pretty weak at the moment.

England has looked pretty bad in the warmups and the US has looked pretty good.  Now, what to take from friendlies is hard to say but with Buddle and Findley added to the team the US may have found a strike partnership like they’ve never had before.  Gomez has been on fine form as well.  The defense has been shaky, but hopefully they learned some lessons against Turkey.

It’s pretty exciting that there are no teams without questions.  Brazil has no plan B and Spain has injury concerns, despite being the clear favorites.

Please let me know how you feel about this assessment.  I’d love to get some good conversation going in the comments!

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EPL, FA Cup, etc wind down. MLB, MLS, etc get started. The Circle of Life.


2010
04.11

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Just quickly, NCAA Frozen Four final was yesterday.  The hometown Badgers got annihilated by Boston College.

Also, what was the deal with the ESPN spring football coverage?  Are you really hurting that much for content.  Here’s an idea, PUT THE MADRID BARCELONA GAME ON! It’s not a matter of rights, because ESPN had English coverage of the game on ESPN3.  BTW, I can’t tell you how happy I am that ESPN3 (old ESPN360) now works in Linux!

EPL

It’s hard to imagine anyone but Chelsea winning the EPL.  The one thing that gives me hope is the two tough away games versus the one tough away for ManU.  However, if Chelsea gets a draw and ManU wins out, Chelsea could still win on goal differential…which they are winning by four at the moment.  Based on how ManU has been playing, I just don’t see it happening.  I am pleased with the signing of the Mexican striker though.

FA Cup

It’s also pretty hard to see anyone but Chelsea winning the FA Cup, thought Portsmouth doesn’t really want to quit, it seems, despite certain relegation and a likely summer sell-off.  And by likely, I mean, as likely as the sun rising in the east tomorrow.

La Liga and Champions League

With the victory over Real Madrid, I can’t imagine anyone but Barcelona winning the La Liga or Champions League.  Go Barca and Big Z!

Playoffs

The Carolina Hurricanes and many other NHL franchises are having their seasons come to a close within the next few days.  Fliers made it today, so roommate is happy.  I don’t care too much.  I’ll just cheer for the ‘local’ Blackhawks or whoever comes out of the east, accept perhaps not Crosbyburg.  I used to kinda like Crosby, but he’s become the hockey version of Laettner post-Olympics.  NBA Playoffs are also coming up.  Bucks and Bobcats are in, so plenty of basketball to watch.  It’s hard to imagine Bama or UK getting an automatic bid, but UNC seems likely…and UNC will get an at-large barring a collapse.  However, conference playoffs don’t start until late May, so I’m really jumping the gun on that.  If you’re not aware, UW-Madison does not have a baseball team.

MLB

Way too early to say anything about the MLB.  I’m hopeful for the Reds and less so for the Brewers though they have nearly identical records.  I hope the Reds only go for the for pushing off free agency and not for the Super 2 clause with Aroldis Chapman.  For a small-market team like the Reds, an extra year could be a big bonus before the Red Sox or Yankees come swooping in.  At least they brought Leake into the rotation, because, it’s never a good thing to be looking up to the Pirates.  For Chapman, keeping him in the minors for a while makes sense to me.  Chapman is learning English and I doubt there are any countries in the western hemisphere less like the US than Cuba.  Venezuela still trades with the US and has oil revenue coming in.  I’d be interested to hear if someone thinks I’m off-base with the Cuba comment.

MLS

Much, like MLB, we aren’t far into the season. However, 3 of 30 is a bit further along than 6 of 162…and baseball has a longer playoff.  Much looms over the 3-0 Galaxy though.  Buddle is playing well, but what will happen if Donovan goes to the EPL like he should?  What happens when/if Beckham comes back?  How will Beckham play without a world class partner, such as the one he has in Donovan?  The MLS is always topsy-turvy with their ridiculous salary cap, but with a few big names heading to the World Cup, will teams lose steam?  Will the big names be tired?  Will a World Cup run inspire confidence?  It’s impossible to tell.  The one thing that’s obvious is that a World Cup injury, even a short one, to a name such as Donovan, could be the difference in the playoffs or not or a championship or not.

What a dumb post?  I hate to even link to it to point out how uninformative it is.  Wikipedia is much more informative about the changes.  I’d like to see it higher.  Maybe five designated players?  I understand the rule, but it’s keeping the MLS from being a viable alternative to getting up at 6:30am to watch EPL games.  The rise of cable sports has kept the NBA and NHL off the major networks, but it would be nice to see the MLS get on the basic cable rotation more than once a week.  Of course, the question is, what would ESPN or VS drop to make more room for the MLS?  I’d certainly be fine with ESPN Deportes becoming part of basic cable, but there’s not going to be any push for something like that until the MLS is really worth watching for the casual soccer fan.  Right now, it makes more sense to pick a club in Spain and/or England and follow them, at least in Central and Eastern times.  I’m not sure I’d be willing to get up at 5:30 or 4:30 in the other two time zones.  The growth of US soccer and the MLS specifically is another post though.  Right now, I’m just happy there are games again and I’m excited about the Bobcats maybe making a run.  It’s pretty sad that the Bobcats are the highlight of my sports life, but maybe if they make a run this year Jordan will splash some cash and I’ll no longer feel that way.  They are going to need to drop the orange before I’m buying a jersey though.

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