PROLOGUE:
“We are working hard, collectively, both the MLSPU and the league, to try to reach an agreement that’s going to be good for both players and management. We are working very hard to do that. We are meeting regularly…we met several times last week and we’re meeting again next week. But we are going to get to a point where both players and management are going to have to make some tough decisions. We’ve been doing very well over the last ten years making this league very stable. We need to ensure we have the right kind of deal to continue to develop the game the way we have and clearly the players are going to have to try to decide what kind of deal they will accept to get the type of things they are looking for. At the end of the day, this is still a very young sport. For 50 years, soccer has failed in this country. And here we are, about to have 18 teams, nearly 10 soccer stadiums, all because we’ve had a system that albeit different, is one that allows us to have this ability to continue to operate and grow for another day.”
- Don Garber, MLS Commisioner (January 16th - Minnesota Soccer Insider)
“Wednesday, Major League Soccer and the players’ union meet again for another round of negotiations in their efforts to hammer out a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. But MLS clubs aren’t worried about a potential lockout on Feb. 1 — at least that’s what they’re showing publicly. Toronto FC hasn’t issued any warnings to its season-seat holders; Chivas USA reports that its “business as usual” as it heads toward the opening of camp; Philadelphia Union Ceo Nick Sakiewicz said last week that any CBA issues had no impact on its draft strategy, and it continues to ford ahead towards its debut season.
Maybe the reason all is so calm with so little time left is because the MLS Players’ Union has had nothing to say. Before the holidays, executive director Bob Foose would return a call or an e-mail with “no comment.” Now, he doesn’t return messages at all. The MLSPU doesn’t talk to the media about the issues at hand. So everyone is in the dark — and that’s simply brutal. We know free agency, the league’s central control of contracts and guaranteed contracts are the issues. But none of that has come through anyone in the MLSPU office. Yes, established players Landon Donovan and Kasey Keller, both veterans who have earned well during their international careers, have blasted MLS and warned of a lockout — all through FIFpro. Not through their own union, but through a larger global organization. It comes off like a couple of rogue players talking tough while clutching mommy’s skirt. Really. And it’s come to this because their own union has had so little to say. Actually, nothing to say. Donovan is on loan with Everton right now, playing out the spring in the bright lights of the Premiership. And Keller is near the end of a career that’s taken him to England and Germany. Do they speak for the rank-and-file player earning US$80K? No. But it’s time for the union to break its silence. It doesn’t have speak with bombast. but by keeping everyone in the dark, the MLSPU looks like nothing more than a paper tiger. And maybe that’s why no team’s front office seems to be worried.”
- Steven Sandor, QMI Agency, published on January 20th at www.torontosun.com
FORWARD:
Ok, so we (human beings) need rhetoric to help us form arguments to get through the debates that exist in our professions and lives today. But ask yourself this: Do you believe a word that Don Garber is saying? I mean he got the 18 team thing right, but I’m pretty certain that only five MLS clubs own their own stadium. Outside of blogs, I haven’t really seen much in the way of official statements from either MLS or the Player’s Union. Closed-door negotiations feel to the supporters and fans like Dad telling you to trundle off to bed so that he and your mother can discuss an important matter in the drawing room. Thanks for that MLS and Player’s Union.
I think one of the scenarios below is likely to come of the current CBA argument:
1 - LOCKOUT - The MLS owners anticipate a player’s strike and lockout all players.
Predicted result: League fails. Whether replacement players (Remember MLS when it started in 96...oh yeah...it could get that bad) are used, or there is simply no season. I don’t believe MLS can survive a lockout. Supporters and fans lose interest. Game over.
2 - STRIKE - The players, anticipating a lockout from ownership go on strike.
Predicted result: League fails. American fans hate athletes that strike, and will confuse MLS with a totally professional league - something which we know is absolutely untrue. The missed season will destroy what little confidence fans and supporters had of MLS ever developing into a truly competitive league, domestically and internationally. Supporters and fans lose interest. Game over.
3 - CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS...AGAIN.
Predicted result: More of what we’ve been seeing for the last four or five years. Ownership will fail to convince the Union that they are negotiating in good faith, and that they are being truthful about the state of the league’s finances. Much will remain the same, with some sort of token concession made to the players. Maybe supporters and fans lose interest.
4 - CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS WITH THE PROMISE OF SOMETHING BETTER...LATER ON.
Predicted result: See above, but instead of a token concession, maybe something more substantial. No one expects MLS to roll over on Single Entity, but maybe the salary cap will loosen up a bit. Maybe MLS will relax stance and allow Free Transfers at the end of contracts. Maybe the league will grant each club an additional Designated Player slot and/or reduce the amount the DPs count towards the cap. Select any one of these as a concession, but only one of them. The players may be able to use management’s desire for a 5 year CBA commitment as a bargaining chip to get one or maybe two of these things, but probably nothing truly significant in terms of improving the quality of domestic and international results. Maybe everyone makes a whole bunch of money, it couldn’t hurt to try.
5 - NOT SO CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS
Predicted result: Some form of guaranteed contracts for every player. 15-20% salary cap increase, and/or perhaps a promise of some sort of meaningful “if we do well, you do well” sort of arrangement, and some sort of concession regarding moving toward true free agency. Everyone with sense knows that the future of business is giving employees a piece of the business...I can't think of a better motivating factor...can you?
END OF CURRENT SPECULATION FOR TODAY
EPILOGUE:
Single-Entity protected the league in its infancy, but at some point the training wheels have to come off, and allow MLS room to succeed or fail based on what happens when some of the current constraints are lifted. No one with any sense proposes that MLS clubs should do business the same way the top twelve European clubs do, running at massive financial deficits to try to put together unstoppable teams. Having said that, perhaps the clubs are negotiating from a position of surely being able to do a bit better for the players. Trying to out-Stingy-Old-Coot managers of sporting past, such as the New York Yankee’s Branch Rickey. Honestly, it makes MLS look ridiculous, and Mark Abbott (MLS President), Garber, Anchutz, Hunt, Kroenke, and Dietrich Mateschitz look like carbon copies of Scrooge McDuck.
Gentlemen, many businesses are leveraged by a certain amount of debt. I’ve never seen so many men that profited so much from the free market begin to piss and moan about how the free market doesn’t apply to situations where they might lose money. It’s called entrepreneurial risk for a reason. All the owner-investors in MLS understood they were taking a risk, and presumably agreed to be in it for the long haul to create a truly great thing down the line someday.
Gentlemen...when is someday? Let me know when MLS achieves true professionalism (When the salary caps are comparable to the NBA and NHL), and I’ll be happy to order up some season tickets. Make it soon though, you still owe me for turning MetroStars into the New York Soft Drinks. Despicable.
I’m starting to really not like MLS. Too many promises of promise, not enough clear declarations of when or how promise will be achieved. If it’s going to be like this forever with only a few guys at the top getting true pro cash, and the rest a reserve team of hopefuls living on ramen...then I’m not interested and will cultivate my footballing interest in the development of United Soccer Leagues and its clubs.
Until that day comes it might be wise if collegiate, US youth national team, & amateur club players give it a shot overseas if they want a job with a living wage. Give it three years, see what happens. Refusal to sign with MLS might be the only leverage that American players possess, do not concede your allegiance so cheaply.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
San Jose Earthquakes: Post-Draft Blues In The Bay Area
Credit to the San Jose Earthquakes’ brain-trust of manager Frank Yallop, and general manager John Doyle, they did secure the services (provided they are able to sign him) of defender Ike Opara with their first round pick. The United States and Wake Forest standout will serve the Quakes very well at the Buck Shaw in the coming months ahead.
There was a puzzling turn of events in the second round though. San Jose selected 3rd in the third round, 19th overall. They had a chance to select standout forward Andrew Wiedeman, who in his three years at the University of California scored 30 goals in 59 matches - a strike rate of roughly a goal every other game. These numbers come in one of the most competitive conferences in the NCAA, the Pac-10. Not only could they have signed a talented, true goal poacher of a forward, they would also have signed a talented local player.
Instead the Quakes selected a midfield player, Michael Thomas, from Notre Dame. A fine enough player, perhaps, but outside of collegiate footballing circles virtually unknown.
The selection of Opara was a much needed boost for the league’s worst defense in 2009 conceding 50 goals. In goal scoring the Quakes hit 36 goals. Nine out of the fifteen MLS clubs scored more.
Going strictly by the numbers the scoring was mediocre and the defense deplorable. With this in mind, the second round might have been a good time to choose a ruthless goal poacher such as Wiedeman.
I believe that the management firm of Doyle & Yallop has made a rather serious error in judgement in not selecting Wiedeman. Thanks for exiling him to Texas gentlemen. Perhaps it is time for new leadership at the Buck Shaw. If this coming season produces results that are as comprehensively poor as the last two, I believe that it becomes very clear that John Doyle and Frank Yallop must be thanked for their time of service with the club, and then should graciously step aside in favor of their successors.
There was a puzzling turn of events in the second round though. San Jose selected 3rd in the third round, 19th overall. They had a chance to select standout forward Andrew Wiedeman, who in his three years at the University of California scored 30 goals in 59 matches - a strike rate of roughly a goal every other game. These numbers come in one of the most competitive conferences in the NCAA, the Pac-10. Not only could they have signed a talented, true goal poacher of a forward, they would also have signed a talented local player.
Instead the Quakes selected a midfield player, Michael Thomas, from Notre Dame. A fine enough player, perhaps, but outside of collegiate footballing circles virtually unknown.
The selection of Opara was a much needed boost for the league’s worst defense in 2009 conceding 50 goals. In goal scoring the Quakes hit 36 goals. Nine out of the fifteen MLS clubs scored more.
Going strictly by the numbers the scoring was mediocre and the defense deplorable. With this in mind, the second round might have been a good time to choose a ruthless goal poacher such as Wiedeman.
I believe that the management firm of Doyle & Yallop has made a rather serious error in judgement in not selecting Wiedeman. Thanks for exiling him to Texas gentlemen. Perhaps it is time for new leadership at the Buck Shaw. If this coming season produces results that are as comprehensively poor as the last two, I believe that it becomes very clear that John Doyle and Frank Yallop must be thanked for their time of service with the club, and then should graciously step aside in favor of their successors.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Landon Donovan’s Premiership Debut
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.
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.
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.
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