In the blinding, steadily falling snow in North London, Landon Donovan made his debut for Everton Football Club. Not against a mid-table opponent, but against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, January 9th.
For sixty-eight minutes at right midfield, Donovan made several decent passes, used his pace to his advantage, and gave the left-sided Arsenal defender Traore fits in his desperation to contain him. Donovan took a corner kick that directly set up Leon Osman’s goal in the twelfth minute giving Everton a 0:1 lead over the hosting Gunners.
In the sixty-ninth minute Donovan began to cramp and came off for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
The final score was Arsenal 2:2 Everton with the Gunners leveling on a stoppage-time equalizer that took a freak deflection of of the boot of Everton and Austraila defender Lucas Neill.
Donovan earned praise from his new teammates and bosses:
"I thought he fitted in superbly and he has done all week," - Phil Neville, captain of Everton
"He was very good today, he worked his socks off. He has got a great fitness but even he showed how tough the Premier League is.” - David Moyes, Manager of Everton
“Donovan did very well. From what I have seen of him his football’s simple, quick, lively and he was intelligent today. He tracked people back and we know he can play off the front or wide. I thought he made a good contribution.” - David Moyes
All seems to be well so far for Landon. We’ll see how it sorts out this weekend when Manchester City make the trip west to Goodison Park.
[Dramatic old radio program music]
Will Landon Donovan train well enough to start versus City?
Will the Goodison faithful accept America’s football head-boy?
Tune in and find out...when Saturday comes.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
An Open Letter to Mr. James Conrad - Defender/Kansas City & United States
Dear Mr. Conrad,
I hope this messages finds you well, fit, and ready to earn a cap in the upcoming friendly vs. Honduras.
It is not my wish to vilify you as the antichrist of football, nor champion you as the savior of domestic football in America. In fact I wish you luck in this training camp and hope that you re-establish yourself in the picture for the USA World Cup Finals squad. It is my belief that you are a gritty competitor, and a fine footballer.
I wrote my point/counterpoint because you tempted us with your idea that the open-source model used to create Linux could be adapted to better the development of domestic football in this country.
Some of the ideas in your two blog pieces at Soccernet.com were things that I have wanted for years in our game. In respect to those issues, including but not limited to the MLS single-table we are in agreement.
What you wrote after the mention of the Linux book, was not in any way based on this open-source model. You did not use this book about Linux as a source to substantiate your ideas in any way, except as a loose metaphor (“creating a platform for the masses”). You suggested a great many things (such as competing football leagues in this country merging) that may charitably be described as highly unlikely. Your blog entry was long, unfocused, and under-researched.
It has taken hours and hours just to break down your two blog posts into the actual issues that you wanted to discuss. Each point or concept that you wished to discuss merited a separate blog entry of its own. It’s as if in your desire to discuss everything you wanted to, each point/concept was a thesis statement for a book.
I understand that you rarely drink, however I would be happy to buy you that pint of lager and discuss presenting these issues in a more focused and accessible way.
I wish you the best of luck in all that you do.
Sincerely,
Charles Therrell (a/k/a 51NC3P0NG)
I hope this messages finds you well, fit, and ready to earn a cap in the upcoming friendly vs. Honduras.
It is not my wish to vilify you as the antichrist of football, nor champion you as the savior of domestic football in America. In fact I wish you luck in this training camp and hope that you re-establish yourself in the picture for the USA World Cup Finals squad. It is my belief that you are a gritty competitor, and a fine footballer.
I wrote my point/counterpoint because you tempted us with your idea that the open-source model used to create Linux could be adapted to better the development of domestic football in this country.
Some of the ideas in your two blog pieces at Soccernet.com were things that I have wanted for years in our game. In respect to those issues, including but not limited to the MLS single-table we are in agreement.
What you wrote after the mention of the Linux book, was not in any way based on this open-source model. You did not use this book about Linux as a source to substantiate your ideas in any way, except as a loose metaphor (“creating a platform for the masses”). You suggested a great many things (such as competing football leagues in this country merging) that may charitably be described as highly unlikely. Your blog entry was long, unfocused, and under-researched.
It has taken hours and hours just to break down your two blog posts into the actual issues that you wanted to discuss. Each point or concept that you wished to discuss merited a separate blog entry of its own. It’s as if in your desire to discuss everything you wanted to, each point/concept was a thesis statement for a book.
I understand that you rarely drink, however I would be happy to buy you that pint of lager and discuss presenting these issues in a more focused and accessible way.
I wish you the best of luck in all that you do.
Sincerely,
Charles Therrell (a/k/a 51NC3P0NG)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
MLS Labor Dispute
“What’s most disappointing to me is, this isn’t a negotiation for a bunch of players wanting 8 million a year instead of 7 million a year. The main points revolve around us being given the same rights under FIFA as the rest of the players around the world. As an MLS player you have to sign away your FIFA rights before you are allowed to sign your contract. We would like a moderate rise in the salary cap, but the major points for the players are: guaranteed contracts, free agency, and the right to negotiate with other MLS teams. These are some of the basic rights the players in all the other leagues around the world have that we have to sign away. With the huge strides MLS has made since the last CBA this seems very reasonable.”
- Kasey Keller, goalkeeper - Seattle Sounders FC (excerpted from his website)
“Those who believe that we're ready now to start thinking about increasing spending don't believe that it's something that will pay off in the short term. There's a view that perhaps it will pay off in the long term, and there's no guarantee that will happen whatsoever. My role is to ensure that we make good decisions. And this is important: At no point does any owner believe we should make any decisions about spending more money while we're in collective bargaining. It makes absolutely no sense to have anybody think we would be willing to do that.”
- Don Garber, MLS Commissioner (excerpted from a 11/19/2009 interview with Sport’s Illustrated’s Grant Wahl)
Presumed demands of labor:
Guaranteed contracts, true free agency, increase of minimum salary
Presumed demands of management:
5 year CBA, and ?
It seems the true question here is whether or not MLS wants to truly professionalize soccer in America.
Having a high number of players making between $12,900 and $34,000 isn’t true professionalism.
There must be some compromise that can be struck between MLS management and labor that will still ensure a reasonable amount of cost certainty for the league ownership, while affording MLS a chance to experience growth as a legitimate professional sports league.
There is a lot at stake. Large investments in club facilities have been made. The stadiums in Frisco, TX, Sandy, UT, Columbus, OH, Carson, CA and Bridgeview, IL would lie empty, generating not nearly the revenue that they would without the performances of their principal tenants - clubs from MLS. Ownership would have to book a lot of concerts and tractor pulls to make up the difference.
If management is bluffing with a lockout, then it’s a poor bluff as everyone involved has so much at stake. Conversely, labor must be willing to make some concessions.
I don’t think that MLS can survive a lockout or a player’s strike of any length. If MLS were to collapse over this labor dispute, I imagine the players would pursue opportunities in the USL, NASL, and options abroad.
Without full financial transparency, I don’t see how it’s possible for any meaningful agreement to be struck between the two sides. With financial transparency, perhaps the sides could agree to a floating salary cap based on revenues from the season before.
The demands for guaranteed contracts and true free agency seem like reasonable ones from the union. A minimum developmental salary of $30,000/year is reasonable. In return for these things, the union would concede to keeping the single-entity structure in place at least for the course of the 5 year CBA.
If a floating salary cap can be agreed upon, the owners must agree to have their books reviewed by an independent auditor at the conclusion of every season to assess the robustness of the league’s ability to pay salary while maintaining a reasonable profit margin for the different clubs. Of course if management is truly insincere, it wouldn’t matter how many independent auditors went over the MLS ledgers. There is always a way to cry poverty and say there isn’t enough money.
What happened to all the transfer money for Altidore, Dempsey, et. al?
If the franchise purchase price is $40 million, then doesn’t the expansion of Philadelphia, Portland, and Vancouver amount to $120 million in the league’s coffers?
What happened to the money? What has that money been earmarked for?
Too many questions and not enough answers in this debate, and not enough publicly disclosed information on the positions of the sides.
A child with a lemonade stand understands revenue in, product out. The problem is that MLS is not a child’s lemonade stand. It’s been 14 seasons now with the current single-entity system. Perhaps it’s time for things to become a little more flexible. Businesses succeed and fail all the time. Perhaps it’s time for the clubs of MLS to stand on their own. There would have to be revenue sharing and corporate sponsorship, but I think it could be done. Better football, more supporters, dollars in the pockets of everyone involved.
- Kasey Keller, goalkeeper - Seattle Sounders FC (excerpted from his website)
“Those who believe that we're ready now to start thinking about increasing spending don't believe that it's something that will pay off in the short term. There's a view that perhaps it will pay off in the long term, and there's no guarantee that will happen whatsoever. My role is to ensure that we make good decisions. And this is important: At no point does any owner believe we should make any decisions about spending more money while we're in collective bargaining. It makes absolutely no sense to have anybody think we would be willing to do that.”
- Don Garber, MLS Commissioner (excerpted from a 11/19/2009 interview with Sport’s Illustrated’s Grant Wahl)
Presumed demands of labor:
Guaranteed contracts, true free agency, increase of minimum salary
Presumed demands of management:
5 year CBA, and ?
It seems the true question here is whether or not MLS wants to truly professionalize soccer in America.
Having a high number of players making between $12,900 and $34,000 isn’t true professionalism.
There must be some compromise that can be struck between MLS management and labor that will still ensure a reasonable amount of cost certainty for the league ownership, while affording MLS a chance to experience growth as a legitimate professional sports league.
There is a lot at stake. Large investments in club facilities have been made. The stadiums in Frisco, TX, Sandy, UT, Columbus, OH, Carson, CA and Bridgeview, IL would lie empty, generating not nearly the revenue that they would without the performances of their principal tenants - clubs from MLS. Ownership would have to book a lot of concerts and tractor pulls to make up the difference.
If management is bluffing with a lockout, then it’s a poor bluff as everyone involved has so much at stake. Conversely, labor must be willing to make some concessions.
I don’t think that MLS can survive a lockout or a player’s strike of any length. If MLS were to collapse over this labor dispute, I imagine the players would pursue opportunities in the USL, NASL, and options abroad.
Without full financial transparency, I don’t see how it’s possible for any meaningful agreement to be struck between the two sides. With financial transparency, perhaps the sides could agree to a floating salary cap based on revenues from the season before.
The demands for guaranteed contracts and true free agency seem like reasonable ones from the union. A minimum developmental salary of $30,000/year is reasonable. In return for these things, the union would concede to keeping the single-entity structure in place at least for the course of the 5 year CBA.
If a floating salary cap can be agreed upon, the owners must agree to have their books reviewed by an independent auditor at the conclusion of every season to assess the robustness of the league’s ability to pay salary while maintaining a reasonable profit margin for the different clubs. Of course if management is truly insincere, it wouldn’t matter how many independent auditors went over the MLS ledgers. There is always a way to cry poverty and say there isn’t enough money.
What happened to all the transfer money for Altidore, Dempsey, et. al?
If the franchise purchase price is $40 million, then doesn’t the expansion of Philadelphia, Portland, and Vancouver amount to $120 million in the league’s coffers?
What happened to the money? What has that money been earmarked for?
Too many questions and not enough answers in this debate, and not enough publicly disclosed information on the positions of the sides.
A child with a lemonade stand understands revenue in, product out. The problem is that MLS is not a child’s lemonade stand. It’s been 14 seasons now with the current single-entity system. Perhaps it’s time for things to become a little more flexible. Businesses succeed and fail all the time. Perhaps it’s time for the clubs of MLS to stand on their own. There would have to be revenue sharing and corporate sponsorship, but I think it could be done. Better football, more supporters, dollars in the pockets of everyone involved.
USA Wins 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship
Saskatoon, SK
After a gritty semi-final effort seeing the United States past Sweden 5:2, the USA faced Canada in the final match of the World Junior ice hockey tournament on Tuesday.
It was a similar match to the 4:4 group game the USA played against Canada. Canada won the shootout, as there was little separating the two teams.
In the Final, it was again proven that there was little between the two sides as they would exchange the lead three times over the first two periods.
With the United States leading 5:3 late in the 3rd and final period, a heroic effort by Canada culminated in two late goals scored over a span of 1:14 by the skillful, dynamic Jordan Eberle. Eberle would go on to be named Best Forward at the tournament. Well deserved accolade for the young Canadian.
Displaying closely-knit team play, gritty determination and some fine goaltending by young Jack Campbell, the United States held off Canada’s attempt to score a last gasp winner and forced overtime.
The overtime would see a shock winner scored by defenseman John Carlson, his second of the match. The sudden-death goal, scored 4:31 into the period clinched a gold medal for the United States and ended the Canadian’s streak of 5 consecutive World Junior championships.
In victory, USA captain Derek Stepan showed admiration for the skill of Eberle and Canada. Exemplifying class well beyond his years, Stepan credited his teammates and coach Dean Blais in helping to secure the title for the Americans.
This young team led by such players as Jordan Schroeder, Chris Kreider, Ryan Bourque, Mike Lee, Jack Campbell, Jerry D’Amigo, Derek Stepan, John Carlson, Cam Fowler and Danny Kristo, are perhaps giving us a glimpse of the team that may play in Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics. The exploits of the Americans, Canadians, and the Swedes (who convincingly defeated Switzerland 11:4 in the bronze medal match) have certainly given us a preview as to who may be selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft that will be held this Summer.
After the USA had won, the predominantly Canadian supporters in the stadium stood and applauded. A classy display by civilized and decent people. I hope that if the situation is reversed in Buffalo, New York with Canada defeating America that the mostly Americans in attendance will show the same respect and sportsmanship.
Well done United States, well done Canada.
After a gritty semi-final effort seeing the United States past Sweden 5:2, the USA faced Canada in the final match of the World Junior ice hockey tournament on Tuesday.
It was a similar match to the 4:4 group game the USA played against Canada. Canada won the shootout, as there was little separating the two teams.
In the Final, it was again proven that there was little between the two sides as they would exchange the lead three times over the first two periods.
With the United States leading 5:3 late in the 3rd and final period, a heroic effort by Canada culminated in two late goals scored over a span of 1:14 by the skillful, dynamic Jordan Eberle. Eberle would go on to be named Best Forward at the tournament. Well deserved accolade for the young Canadian.
Displaying closely-knit team play, gritty determination and some fine goaltending by young Jack Campbell, the United States held off Canada’s attempt to score a last gasp winner and forced overtime.
The overtime would see a shock winner scored by defenseman John Carlson, his second of the match. The sudden-death goal, scored 4:31 into the period clinched a gold medal for the United States and ended the Canadian’s streak of 5 consecutive World Junior championships.
In victory, USA captain Derek Stepan showed admiration for the skill of Eberle and Canada. Exemplifying class well beyond his years, Stepan credited his teammates and coach Dean Blais in helping to secure the title for the Americans.
This young team led by such players as Jordan Schroeder, Chris Kreider, Ryan Bourque, Mike Lee, Jack Campbell, Jerry D’Amigo, Derek Stepan, John Carlson, Cam Fowler and Danny Kristo, are perhaps giving us a glimpse of the team that may play in Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics. The exploits of the Americans, Canadians, and the Swedes (who convincingly defeated Switzerland 11:4 in the bronze medal match) have certainly given us a preview as to who may be selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft that will be held this Summer.
After the USA had won, the predominantly Canadian supporters in the stadium stood and applauded. A classy display by civilized and decent people. I hope that if the situation is reversed in Buffalo, New York with Canada defeating America that the mostly Americans in attendance will show the same respect and sportsmanship.
Well done United States, well done Canada.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
US Soccer TV
I was perusing the Everton website today, and noted the ballyhooed arrival of Landon Donvan on a 10-week loan spell from LA Galaxy. And I started thinking how cool it would be if Landon, if deemed match-fit by the always worried-looking David Moyes, might feature as a substitute against Arsenal this Saturday. Landon Donovan playing against one of the feature clubs of not just Britain, but also all of Europe.
With my imagination still captured with this sparkly set of thoughts, I think to myself
“Who will televise this game?”
“Surely Fox Soccer Channel or Setanta Sport will broadcast it.”
I check the FSC schedule and no dice. I check the Setanta listings...nothing. This means that the match will happen as scheduled, but is effectively blacked-out in the United States.
(The Arsenal v. Everton match was later added to the Setanta Sport schedule on Saturday, January 9)
We’ve finally gotten to the point here where there is a ton of football coverage in this country. Sadly, there aren’t many matches that feature American players that might actually score a goal. I was hoping that the ManU v. Leeds match would feature former Duke University striker Mike Grella. Grella rode the pine for the entire match, and I feel quite fortunate that I slept through the match’s 5 a.m. Pacific Time kick-off.
The last time I saw a match featuring a United States forward was Bolton v. Hull. Altidore was subbed at the 55th minute for Nick Barmby.
US Soccer should consider beginning a great venture. A venture that might generate a serious amount of capital that could be used to bolster and improve both MLS and the United State’s national team programs.
US Soccer TV.
Not the snappiest name, but that’s what the ad guys are there for.
US Soccer would purchase the rights to televise any match featuring a player who is eligible to suit up for the United States in international play. No need to peruse listings from three or more different providers. No bouncing between Gol TV, Setanta Sport, and Fox Soccer Channel.
Want to see the best we got play overseas - done. It would be the equivalent of state television, except in this case only for the purpose of broadcasting soccer. It could feature all matches of US National teams. It could be available in glorious High Definition. They could carry advertising from all of the corporate sponsors of US Soccer and MLS. Most Americans probably don’t know that American forward Seb Harris plays at Northampton Town in England’s League Two. US Soccer TV could change all that. Kenny Cooper Jr. starting for 1860 Munich in the 2 Bundesliga - no problem. Rangers reserves match featuring DaMarcus Beasley - done.
We read about the exploits of Marcus Tracy, Mike Grella, Jemal Johnson, and many other American players overseas. We seldom get to see them play though, and that is quite sad really.
Sunil...US Soccer TV.......think about the possibilities....or in a language you better understand, think about the dollars - the millions of dollars.
With my imagination still captured with this sparkly set of thoughts, I think to myself
“Who will televise this game?”
“Surely Fox Soccer Channel or Setanta Sport will broadcast it.”
I check the FSC schedule and no dice. I check the Setanta listings...nothing. This means that the match will happen as scheduled, but is effectively blacked-out in the United States.
(The Arsenal v. Everton match was later added to the Setanta Sport schedule on Saturday, January 9)
We’ve finally gotten to the point here where there is a ton of football coverage in this country. Sadly, there aren’t many matches that feature American players that might actually score a goal. I was hoping that the ManU v. Leeds match would feature former Duke University striker Mike Grella. Grella rode the pine for the entire match, and I feel quite fortunate that I slept through the match’s 5 a.m. Pacific Time kick-off.
The last time I saw a match featuring a United States forward was Bolton v. Hull. Altidore was subbed at the 55th minute for Nick Barmby.
US Soccer should consider beginning a great venture. A venture that might generate a serious amount of capital that could be used to bolster and improve both MLS and the United State’s national team programs.
US Soccer TV.
Not the snappiest name, but that’s what the ad guys are there for.
US Soccer would purchase the rights to televise any match featuring a player who is eligible to suit up for the United States in international play. No need to peruse listings from three or more different providers. No bouncing between Gol TV, Setanta Sport, and Fox Soccer Channel.
Want to see the best we got play overseas - done. It would be the equivalent of state television, except in this case only for the purpose of broadcasting soccer. It could feature all matches of US National teams. It could be available in glorious High Definition. They could carry advertising from all of the corporate sponsors of US Soccer and MLS. Most Americans probably don’t know that American forward Seb Harris plays at Northampton Town in England’s League Two. US Soccer TV could change all that. Kenny Cooper Jr. starting for 1860 Munich in the 2 Bundesliga - no problem. Rangers reserves match featuring DaMarcus Beasley - done.
We read about the exploits of Marcus Tracy, Mike Grella, Jemal Johnson, and many other American players overseas. We seldom get to see them play though, and that is quite sad really.
Sunil...US Soccer TV.......think about the possibilities....or in a language you better understand, think about the dollars - the millions of dollars.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Thoughts on the MLS labor negotiations
Kasey Keller has written on his website that Management and Labor are far apart in the MLS labor negotiations. Keller states that MLS anticipates a lockout, and has set a probable lockout date of February 1st.
http://kaseyslastline.com/
So maybe better a league with single-entity than no league at all.
I have the feeling that there isn't a tremendous amount of wiggle room on this one, and that the best that the Player's Union can hope for is a slightly expanded salary cap. I doubt it will be a very large increase. The minimum developmental salary does need to be more than the roughly $12,900 and $17,200 that I think is the going rate just now. If they could get the minimum up to, say, $30,000 it would be competitive with many professional starting salaries in non-sports jobs.
Jordan Cila opted to leave his MLS club in New York, retiring in 2006, because he accepted a position as an interest rate derivative analyst for Goldman Sachs.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jordan-cila/4/576/1a8
I wonder how many others like him have had to make similar choices since MLS was founded?
As far as guaranteed contracts and players leaving on a truly "free" transfer within MLS...I don't think the league would grant that, even if they could.
http://kaseyslastline.com/
So maybe better a league with single-entity than no league at all.
I have the feeling that there isn't a tremendous amount of wiggle room on this one, and that the best that the Player's Union can hope for is a slightly expanded salary cap. I doubt it will be a very large increase. The minimum developmental salary does need to be more than the roughly $12,900 and $17,200 that I think is the going rate just now. If they could get the minimum up to, say, $30,000 it would be competitive with many professional starting salaries in non-sports jobs.
Jordan Cila opted to leave his MLS club in New York, retiring in 2006, because he accepted a position as an interest rate derivative analyst for Goldman Sachs.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jordan-cila/4/576/1a8
I wonder how many others like him have had to make similar choices since MLS was founded?
As far as guaranteed contracts and players leaving on a truly "free" transfer within MLS...I don't think the league would grant that, even if they could.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
USA Team for South Africa 2010…Maybe
December 31, 2009
Let’s assume that Bob Bradley will select three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and four strikers to go to the World Cup Finals in South Africa this coming Summer.
Given that the above is true, this is who I think should be selected at this moment:
GOALKEEPERS:
Howard, Guzan, and Seitz - Howard is arguably the best we’ve got, Guzan is an ample backup and heir apparent the no. 1 shirt after Howard retires. Seitz is one for the future, and a fine young goalkeeper in his own right.
DEFENDERS:
Onyewu, Bocanegra, DeMerit, Marshall, Goodson, Spector, Cherundolo, Whitbread – Most of this is self-explanatory. I choose Whitbread because I think he’s good and we don’t have much to choose from at Left Back after Bocanegra. Goodson and Marshall as cover for Gooch and DeMerit. Spector with Cherundolo as cover at Right Back.
MIDFIELD:
Bradley, Edu, Feilhaber, Clark, Donovan, Rogers, Holden, Adu – Bradley as attacking mid with Feilhaber as cover. Edu at d-mid with Clark as cover…Clark can also play Right Back. Donovan at Right Mid, with Clark, Dempsey, and Adu as cover. Holden at Left Mid with Rogers, Dempsey and Adu as cover.
FORWARDS:
Altidore, Dempsey, Cooper Jr., Findley – Jozy and Findley as strikers, Coop as traditional target Center Forward, and Findley to attack with pace as a striker.
I know what you’re thinking…but we could do worse. Far worse.
A lot of people may say what about Torres and Castillo. Both of these gentlemen have only seen spot duty for the Yanks. Perhaps they will play their way in…perhaps not.
Regarding Freddy Adu: I know he’s not getting games at his club. I know many think he is a complete disappointment. So my reasoning is: He would be strongly motivated to silence his critics and he is versatile. He plays at striker, center forward, center attacking mid, and left and right wings.
For that matter, I don’t consider DaMarcus Beasley out of the picture either. Walter Smith’s endorsement is no small thing. If Smith thinks DMB can make it back into the USA national picture – then maybe it’s not the craziest idea.
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