The Beautiful Game Thread 10/11

[RobVarak]

Thanks, Naples. That's high on the list of things that I'd like to un-see, if medical technology advances that far during my lifetime.

[10spro]

I am sure Whitecaps will have their share of growing pains. Watched them a bit during the preseason and scoring will be a challenge. Do like the appointment of Jay Demerit as captain of the team.

[Naples39]

Thanks, Naples. That's high on the list of things that I'd like to un-see, if medical technology advances that far during my lifetime.

What, that video wasn't like a typical Varak family day at the beach? OJ and Marcus Allen even make appearances.

[fanatic]

I am sure Whitecaps will have their share of growing pains. Watched them a bit during the preseason and scoring will be a challenge. Do like the appointment of Jay Demerit as captain of the team.

1st year of a new franchise is always fun. Enjoy!

I decided not to renew my TFC season tickets after 4 years due to complete incompetence by the owners to put something promising in place. They were far too happy to take our money and bank on the wonderful atmosphere of BMO field to get us by. Well, the good will ran out, and by the end of last season, the once rowdy crowd had become bitter and quiet.

I'm sure things are going to improve under the new regime...but another rebuilding process after 4 non-playoff years? I always have a great time when I go, but I think I can be satisfied with seeing one or two games a year instead of the full 20 and having to convince non-football buddies every week that they should attend an MLS game with me.

[Naples39]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6224036

Now that the infamous "best" US athletes are playing soccer, the world cup is surely ours.

[Macca00]

Naples,

That video made my day.

[RobVarak]

[miget33]

At least Mario wasnt allergic to grass this week

[Jimmydeicide]

Bibs are a bastard sometimes tho you gotta admit.

[tjung0831]

I'm probably in the minority but I really love MLS. I love the way they built the league, and I think Garber has done things the right way. Love the whole pacific northwest thing they've renewed and I love the passion the fans show for their teams. It's good stuff, I just wish I had a team of my own to support.

[RobVarak]

I really, really try to like MLS. I do. I don't want to be a Euro snob. I go to a couple games every year. I watch them on TV. I even buy a bit of Fire gear now and then. I think it's vital to the US as a soccer nation and I do what I can to support it.

But I'm sorry, it's just so hard to enjoy third-rate football, especially on 100 degree days in the summer.

It's not like minor league baseball either, which I can enjoy despite being...well, minor league. There's an aesthetic pleasure in pro baseball that makes it enjoyable at less than the highest level of play. Soccer, OTOH, is just infuriating to me when it's played sloppily or lazily, and I see too much of both in MLS.

[fanatic]

I really, really try to like MLS. I do. I don't want to be a Euro snob. I go to a couple games every year. I watch them on TV. I even buy a bit of Fire gear now and then. I think it's vital to the US as a soccer nation and I do what I can to support it.

But I'm sorry, it's just so hard to enjoy third-rate football, especially on 100 degree days in the summer.

It's not like minor league baseball either, which I can enjoy despite being...well, minor league. There's an aesthetic pleasure in pro baseball that makes it enjoyable at less than the highest level of play. Soccer, OTOH, is just infuriating to me when it's played sloppily or lazily, and I see too much of both in MLS.

Well said...

It's especially hard on those weeks where you've just watched a Champions League match and can't help but notice the vast difference in quality. You really have to take the approach that you would for your 7 year-old son's team - you can't rant and rave, because after all, they're just kids.

Also, your comparison to minor league baseball is spot on - not only because of the aesthetic pleasure, but because you are watching a development of mostly young players, and can discuss all the ins and outs of who's ready for the big time, etc...

The 100 degree days were certainly harsh, but the rainy and cold April games are what did me in last year.

But still, there's lots of fun to be had on a basic "for the love of the game" level. I'm cranky this morning, so maybe I'm being a bit pessimistic - but not by much!

[Naples39]

I haven't watched that much MLS the last few years, but I think Philly could have an exciting and likable team this year so I'll be checking it out, going to a few games here and there.

Can't disagree about the quality of play sometimes, particularly on those midsummer afternoons when it gets pretty brutal.

I have really cut back on the amount of soccer I'm watching in general actually. Mostly be sticking to US team games when they have a full squad, some Union games, and Champions League.

The Champions league is really the best quality of play for me by far (over any domestic league or internationals), because frankly even most matches in the EPL are a matchup of middle of the table teams that aren't terribly exciting unless you have a rooting interest or waiting for the inevitable ManU/Arsenal victories. The fans are great which helps a lot though.

I'm sure most euro fans most soccer fans would freak out at this comment, but I really think it's a shame there's not a euro-super league where it's truly the best players in the world in a league where the teams from top to bottom are competing on (more-or-less) equal footing. I guess I've been spoiled by American sports which are magnets for the top talent worldwide. I mean how fun would the NFL be if the Patriots played 75% of their games against the bottom handful of teams in the NFL or CFL quality teams?

[10spro]

Almunia has a funny way for thanking his team for resigning him. I swear I saw a smirk from Lehman's face. Arsenal's D still defend like a bunch of rookies though, and while the attack is a bit better, Brom is defending tightly. Arshavin gives the yellow team some hope.

[JRod]

I'm sure most euro fans most soccer fans would freak out at this comment, but I really think it's a shame there's not a euro-super league where it's truly the best players in the world in a league where the teams from top to bottom are competing on (more-or-less) equal footing. I guess I've been spoiled by American sports which are magnets for the top talent worldwide. I mean how fun would the NFL be if the Patriots played 75% of their games against the bottom handful of teams in the NFL or CFL quality teams?

What American sports aren't magnets for the best talent worldwide. I don't see Rugby players jumping ship to play in the NFL. The only reason why we have so much Latin American and Japanese talent in baseball is because of developmental resources, MLB has invested. Basketball may be second to the NHL in talent coming from other parts of the world. One because the Leagues in Turkey and Spain are more developed.

Maybe the most worldwide American League (it's Canadian though) is the NHL. Again because of the amount of developed leagues in the world from russia, to the nordic countries to some on the eastern bloc.

Golf is the only "world-wide" competition but Europeans still stick to their tour and do join our tour en masse.


And the MLS puts on a boring game. They could solve this by trying to develop tactics that did away with route one football. It's not quite route one more like route 2, they will get a few good passes before the half-line before they try to wing in an impossible pass. The problem is the league itself, it has no focus and thinks expansion is going to grow the game. What will grow the game is focusing on developing talent where a high percentage of our players can be successful in Europe. Only then will people see the MLS as a good league. Right now, the quality of the league reminds me of a Championship relegation battle.

[Naples39]

What American sports aren't magnets for the best talent worldwide. I don't see Rugby players jumping ship to play in the NFL. The only reason why we have so much Latin American and Japanese talent in baseball is because of developmental resources, MLB has invested. Basketball may be second to the NHL in talent coming from other parts of the world. One because the Leagues in Turkey and Spain are more developed.

Maybe the most worldwide American League (it's Canadian though) is the NHL. Again because of the amount of developed leagues in the world from russia, to the nordic countries to some on the eastern bloc.

What? The NBA has by far the best talent of any basketball league in the world. The NHL has by far the best talent of any hockey league in the world. Ditto for MLB. Rugby players playing not changing sports to play in the NFL is completely irrelevant to my point.

And call me a cynic, but the best baseball players from Japan and Latin American come here because of the money. I don't think poor latino kids have been coming to the MLB from small countries for decades because MLB is investing developmental resources there. Baseball is popular there, and the players aspire to play with the best and make the most money. Simple.

And the MLS puts on a boring game. They could solve this by trying to develop tactics that did away with route one football. It's not quite route one more like route 2, they will get a few good passes before the half-line before they try to wing in an impossible pass. The problem is the league itself, it has no focus and thinks expansion is going to grow the game. What will grow the game is focusing on developing talent where a high percentage of our players can be successful in Europe. Only then will people see the MLS as a good league. Right now, the quality of the league reminds me of a Championship relegation battle.

MLS puts on a boring game? Are they supposed to mandate how teams play tactically? Maybe we should also make the goals bigger while we're forcing teams how to play.

The league is expanding to gain more national traction and actually make money off tv (MLS used to pay to have their games on TV). Maybe they're doing too fast though.

And the key to MLS is developing talent so the best players leave for Europe? Maybe more fans will show up knowing that their local team used to have a good player, but he left for Europe? Interesting theory.

The level of play in MLS compared to abroad is highly debatable. MLS teams being championship quality is probably more or less accurate (where in the championship is more difficult to say).

Get butts in the seats, make some money off TV and team's payrolls will expand, and raise quality of play with it. The international market for soccer players is pretty liquid, and the vast majority of players simply go to the teams and leagues that pay the best and give them an opportunity to play.

[10spro]

23.000+ Whitecaps fans celebrated the successful MLS opening for VAN as the home team doubled TOR 4-2. Great atmosphere, co-owner Steve Nash was also in the stands, the visitors had more possession of the ball but didn't know what to do with it as the Caps' offense made their D look like jello.

Season tickets start at $319, I maybe persuaded by my pal after all.

[tjung0831]

23.000+ Whitecaps fans celebrated the successful MLS opening for VAN as the home team doubled TOR 4-2. Great atmosphere, co-owner Steve Nash was also in the stands, the visitors had more possession of the ball but didn't know what to do with it as the Caps' offense made their D look like jello.

Season tickets start at $319, I maybe persuaded by my pal after all.

Awesome game, watched it via the MLS Direct Kick package. Great atmosphere, love seeing the fans all fired up for the Whitecaps MLS debut. TFC looked like the expansion team in that game.

[EZSnappin]

23.000+ Whitecaps fans celebrated the successful MLS opening for VAN as the home team doubled TOR 4-2. Great atmosphere, co-owner Steve Nash was also in the stands, the visitors had more possession of the ball but didn't know what to do with it as the Caps' offense made their D look like jello.

Season tickets start at $319, I maybe persuaded by my pal after all.

Awesome game, watched it via the MLS Direct Kick package. Great atmosphere, love seeing the fans all fired up for the Whitecaps MLS debut. TFC looked like the expansion team in that game.

I'm watching it now via the MatchDay Live interface (the web version of Direct Kick - watch replays or live, etc) which is only $39.99 until March 28th.[/advertisement]

TFC looks bad - their fullbacks are getting abused over and over again - but the atmosphere is great in Vancouver. This will be the first year I really follow MLS, so if people want to tip me to players and teams to watch it'd be appreciated.

[10spro]

23.000+ Whitecaps fans celebrated the successful MLS opening for VAN as the home team doubled TOR 4-2. Great atmosphere, co-owner Steve Nash was also in the stands, the visitors had more possession of the ball but didn't know what to do with it as the Caps' offense made their D look like jello.

Season tickets start at $319, I maybe persuaded by my pal after all.

Awesome game, watched it via the MLS Direct Kick package. Great atmosphere, love seeing the fans all fired up for the Whitecaps MLS debut. TFC looked like the expansion team in that game.

I'm watching it now via the MatchDay Live interface (the web version of Direct Kick - watch replays or live, etc) which is only $39.99 until March 28th.[/advertisement]

TFC looks bad - their fullbacks are getting abused over and over again - but the atmosphere is great in Vancouver. This will be the first year I really follow MLS, so if people want to tip me to players and teams to watch it'd be appreciated.

I am pretty new to MLS too but with Vancouver's debut I will have more of an interest now. I do recognize a few Latino players here and there from different teams, sure that you know a few guys from LA Galaxy, but for the Whitecaps you can look at J. DeMerit, Eric Hassli and homeboy Terry Dunfield who had a goal yesterday.

Commish Garber knew there was always interest here to make it to the bigs but not to the extent that was shown by the City yesterday. Great atmosphere as you mentioned, after 27 years it's nice to be back in MLS.

[EZSnappin]

Dunfield had a great game. I like his hustle and grit. I know a bunch of the internationals and designated players, but it's the Dunfields of the league that interest me most.

Whitecaps debut was special. Hope the city and fans can keep that atmosphere all year.

[Rodster]

Anyone watching the USA - Argentina match? Good match !

[10spro]

Anyone watching the USA - Argentina match? Good match !

Dude, you're talking to a 'Gaucho'. Entertaining for sure although the tie left a sour taste for Argentina for sure. The triangle of Lavezzi-Cambiasso-Di Maria controlled the midfield from the get go but they lacked finish. Not even an inspired Messi could beat a hot Tim Howard who was the best player for USA by far. Whitecaps Jay DeMerit was also solid on defense and J. Agudelo showed me some flashes of talent, he was at the right place, at the right time to get the tie.

[Rodster]

Yeah Tim Howard is a stud but then again it's expected since he plays in the EPL.

I like how the US team FINALLY had the balls to go on offense. I like the kid Agudelo who scored. The US team looks like they are making steps to get better.

[Naples39]

Was actually a fun game between US and Argentina. Argentina put on a clinic in the first half, and the US actually showed up in the second half.

Can we please please please stop with the one-forward formations. EVERY time the US uses them they look hopeless, and promptly look like a different team once they go 2 up-top. Altidore is a horrid lone forward because all he knows how to do is go straight forward--can't hold up at all.