The Celebration of the Day

Those crazy Icelandic fishing fools...

Commissioner Don Garber believes all signs point upwards for MLS - Grant Wahl - SI.com

Baltimore's Own with a weekly column. Some interesting thoughts from the Commissioner.

Commissioner Don Garber believes all signs point upwards for MLS - Grant Wahl - SI.com

From The Sports Guy's Mailbag

Q: Soccer still isn't going anywhere in America for this reason: People like me, who only watch soccer whenever the World Cup is on, are hated by actual soccer fans. They would rather have us not watch soccer at all rather than start watching soccer and rooting for the U.S. during the World Cup. It kills them to see people watching who don't normally. I have heard people say things to other people along the lines of "you don't even know the rules" and "if you don't know what's going on then don't watch." Ironically, diehard soccer fans here are actually hurting soccer's progress here in the U.S..
-- Brandon P, Zanesville, Ohio

SG: You just introduced a premise called "The Cult of Status Quo." Sometimes when people become die-hard fans of something that isn't mainstream -- a writer, a band, a player, a TV show, a sport or whatever -- they want to keep that thing the way it is over seeing that thing take off. Why? Because it's cooler to like something that isn't mainstream popular. Because mainstream popularity begets bandwagon fans and people who aren't as sophisticated about that product. Because it's more fun to love something before it takes off than after it takes off.

Hence, it's easier for original fans to dump on newer fans over tolerating them and hoping they advance the cause of whatever they like. I notice this every time I mention the UFC or poker -- there's this bizarre (and totally dismissive) backlash, as if I'm not allowed to watch those sports or even mention them because I'm not a real fan. Well, how do you become a real fan? By liking a sport without disliking the core people who like it. So it's a self-perpetuating cycle, and as weird as this sounds, the original fans like it that way. It maintains their ownership of the product. When the product outgrows them (specifically in the case of a creative entity), that's when the core fans start throwing around phrases like "jumped the shark" and "sold out," mostly because they're bitter it's not just them and the product any more.

With soccer, die-hard American fans love the World Cup itself, but they hate everything that comes with it; the World Cup drudges up the same storylines they've learned to despise ("soccer can't take off unless X, Y or Z happens," "our best athletes don't play soccer," "it can never be big here unless there's more scoring" and "they should get rid of offsides," to name four). I don't blame them for reacting negatively to that stuff, but you wouldn't call them welcoming, either. And they have taken a ton of crap over the years, which tends to harden the line between real fans and everyone else. I can tell you that over the past 15 months, when I wrote about soccer a few times and it became clear that it was more than a bandwagon thing, and that I was actually starting to understand what I was watching -- the feedback from die-hards has been tremendous (and much appreciated). They just need to be a little less condescending with neophytes.

For fun, I asked David Hirshey (soccer historian, author of the World Cup Companion) and Michael Davies (TV producer, World Cup blogger) for their takes:

Hirshey: "The question of authenticity among fans is hardly soccer-centric. I started watching 'Mad Men' after the third episode had aired. I have a friend who became obsessed with the series once the first season DVD came out. Now he never misses an episode. Are we bandwagon jumpers? Sure, if you want to view it that way. Me, I just want everyone to love soccer the way I fell for it back in the late 1960s -- when you had to walk ten miles (OK, blocks), in the snow, just to hear the score of a Man U.-Arsenal game. Does being a fan for the past 40 plus years make me any more legitimate than someone who embraced the sport this summer because Landon Donovan scored a dramatic goal in the World Cup or Diego Forlan has great hair? Absolutely not. Are there still so-called 'diehards' who want soccer in this country to remain a kind of secret Skull and Bones society where membership is passed down through generations? Sadly, yes. I say DeJong them in the chest and tell them to get over themselves."

Davies: "I completely agree that many diehard soccer fans in the U.S. have learned to become just as annoying and condescending as diehard soccer fans in England and all over the world. Globalization is a wonderful thing. But that doesn't seem to be the main premise of the Q from Zanesville. What BP is actually arguing is that soccer still isn't going anywhere in the U.S. And whatever Glenn Beck says, it's just tough to argue against the empirical data -- TV ratings, website traffic, bar tabs. They're all going up during and around soccer games. That seems to indicate that however annoying or casual the fans are, or however annoying they are to each other, they are still watching. Yes, the World Cup more than anything else. But U.S. interest in the English Premier League and Champions League and the ratings and website traffic surrounding those leagues is growing significantly too. There are even people who watch Major League Soccer. And that may be the biggest miracle of all. And the biggest proof that soccer must be going somewhere here. It's like Daniel Kellison's [former executive producer of 'The Man Show' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'] heterosexuality test -- any man can have sex with a model. But only the most heterosexual of men can bring himself to have sex with a truly unattractive woman. The fact that American soccer fans can sit through 90 minutes of MLS is proof of a love of soccer beyond anything the rest of the world can possibly fathom."

zlatan ibrahimovic ajax amazing goal vs nac breda

Today's "Goal of the Day"

It's painful. So very painful.

I now know where The Onion gets their inspiration.

New FIFA Rankings out

So here are the new FIFA rankings.

Apparently, England showed well in this WC as they move up a spot to 7. Seriously? Ghana, however, was a missed PK from being in the Semifinals and they are 23rd?

Does anyone at FIFA watch soccer?

And the Winner of the 2010 Hunter FC Pick Classico is...

Final Standings
Peter 49
Mike 40
Julie 37
Mark 34
Keith 34
Dad 22

Winners from the knockout round with 21 points each...drum roll...were:



Winners from the group stage with 28 points each....drum roll...were:

My World Cup Best XI

Ok, I tried putting together a line-up, but the truth is mine would have a goalie, 8 midfielders and 2 forwards.

So here are my top 10 mids:

Honorable Mention: Michael Bradley (USA)
10) Dos Santos (Mexico)
9) Lionel Messi (ARG) He plays where he wants and made the most impact in his midfield role.
8) Cesc Fabregas (ESP) He was so good (and is my fave player period), he makes it in his super sub role.
7) Kevin Prince Boateng (Ghana)
6) Thomas Muller (Germany)
5) Landon Donovan (USA)
4) Bastian Schweinsteiger (where else?)
3) Wesley Sneidjer (Holland)
2) Ineista (Espana)
1) Xavi (Espana)

World Cup Thoughts

Just a summary on my thoughts about the 2010 cup.

The single biggest surprise to me was the depth and even more importantly the breadth of support for the US MNT. The crowds at all the venues I was at, in Baltimore, at the Arlington Draft House and even at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, supportive and excited. The television ratings for viewership has to be revised to account for the people who are not at home when they watch the games. Advertisers should be ecstatic because you can't fast forward through the commercials when you are in a bar, movie theater, or casino.

FIFA is an old and decrepit institution that needs to be replaced. The sport deserves better and would do a lot better without it than it does with it. Wouldn't it be nice if some 21st Century company like Google or Yahoo! took over the game the way the television networks took over the NFL in the 20th century. The world wide viewership fits the world wide web. Having said that I thought the Disney channels did a fine job of televising the games.

Why Germany stopped playing after they beat Argentina will remain a profound mystery. But also congrats to Spain who seem to have overcome their predilection to lose games at the worst possible moment. This world cup they reserved their loss for a preliminary round game. In the final, I was supporting the Dutch for historical reasons but they did not distinguish themselves. A lot fewer Dutch players should have been on the field at the end of the game then were there.


South American soccer is faltering.

Kung Fu Yellow Card

I was watching this with about 25 referees/mentors, etc. Pretty easy red card. I think the referee was screened on the play (upon looking at it again). I have to imagine that if he saw this clearly he would have sent this hacking clown off the field. He's a disaster waiting to happen, I hope he costs Man City sometime this year.

Campeones Del Mundo: Espana

Great Q&A: Landon Donovan & Grant Wahl

Link Here: Q&A with Landon Donovan - Grant Wahl - SI.com

A few excerpts:

On the reaction returning home and specifically about THE goal...

Donovan: I haven't been out a lot yet. The one thing that was really clear to me was I've heard the same comment from almost everybody: Thank you for inspiring our country. It gives me goose bumps to say it. You've been around us for a long time and you know this is what we do. It's our job, what we do for a living. So we don't think of it in that way. It was my job to continue running and get in front of the goal and hit a six-yard shot into the goal with an empty net. So for me it's an easy play, something that happens over and over in my career. But the reality for everybody else is that was a moment where people could get away from everything, get behind their country and their team and went from--as I saw in the [YouTube] videos -- devastation to pure joy in one moment. Everybody has said, "Thank you for inspiring us." People I've known for a long time have sent me letters and presents saying, "Thank you so much for allowing me to share that moment with my kids or my granddad." It's just really cool.

If Bob Bradley or US Soccer decide to move on from each other...

Donovan: I'm a little skeptical of foreign coaches in our league and in U.S. Soccer just because of how different our league is and our players are than other players around the world. So in theory sometimes it sounds sexy to have a guy like Ruud Gullit or in this case, who knows? You could bring in [Fabio] Capello and I'm not sure you would get the results you wanted because there's so much to our league and our players than people realize. So it would be a little risky to do that unless you find the right person who really cares and understands and wants to learn about our league and our players.

Donovan: I had a really good experience with Jürgen. I like Jürgen a lot. I know his name gets thrown around a lot and was before Bob was hired. We'll see. If Bob's here I will be very happy. Jürgen was a guy I like a lot and respected. If he were hired I'd also be happy.

On the WC Final...

Donovan: I would like to see Spain win. I like the way the Holland plays, but I think for so long Spain has played the right way. You want that to be rewarded because you want that to be emulated by young players, by other teams. You don't want a team that just bunkers in for 90 minutes to win it. To that point it would be fine to see the Netherlands win too, but I just hope Spain wins.

I'm pulling for Holland (obvi), but if any other team were to win, I'd want Spain for this same reason.

Viewing the World Cup

Not sure where to view the World Cup this year. It seems like this should be a year to view it outside. Here in DC we have a zero chance of precipitation, although given the past month that isn't a surprising forecast.

There are two good choices, in Dupont Circle and Fairfax City. Dupont Circle has the advantage of probably attracting national press so making it to TV is a possibility. It's downside is getting there isn't necessarily half the fun. Fairfax has the advantage of being the home of one team I coached and Julie played for that team so there is a historical association. Also Auld Shebeen provided a nice place to watch Germany lose (grr...) to Spain.
So where are people going to watch the Netherlands win their first World Cup?

Paul

Keith: you forgot to mention paul
me: and i'm going with the octopus
Keith: like you always do

Suarez... discuss

I've been reading a lot of articles/comments about the validity of Uruguay being in the semifinal while Ghana has gone home. Obviously, this discussion has been brought about due to the way the game ended on Friday afternoon. I have pretty strong feelings on this issue, but I wanted to see what the rest of Hunter FC had to say.

The question is simple, did Suarez "cheat"?

Bradley on Fulham shortlist

Rumors are going to run amok for the next few weeks/months. As such, I will not be posting anything I see about any of our American boys. That said, this would be ground-breaking if it were to happen. It's something to keep an eye on. I really hope he gets a chance to manage somewhere in Europe, even if it's not in the premier league.

Bradley on Fulham shortlist: "

 

photo by Joe Toth/ISIphotos.com

When it comes to Americans, It appears Fulham is interested in more than just players.

U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley is on Fulham's shortlist to succeed manager Roy Hodgson, who joined Liverpool late last week. 

While Bradley is not considered the favorite to land the job, he would make history for becoming the first American to land a head coaching job with a European club if he wound up as the Cottagers' coach.

Sven-Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes are also reportedly being considered, with Eriksson currently Fulham's top choice.

What do you think of Bradley possibly coaching Fulham? Think he would succeed? How much do you think this could help open the door for other American coaches in Europe?

Share your thoughts below.

"

rooting for teams

The New York Yankees are a team I despise. Admittedly, they are the greatest team in baseball, ask a Prince how many championships they've won, I don't know, but I think it's a lot, more than anybody else, maybe twice as many. Even though I hate them, I can think of some times when I've rooted for them.

Growing up, there was a kid on Syracuse Street in Williston Park named Gavin who had connections to tix. I can recall two times in the Reggie/Munson years when I got to games with him. I rooted for them then. In 2001, after 9/11, they had a great run, coming back to win games in the 9th inning of World Series. I rooted for them then. Even in the late 90's, guys like Jeter and Paul O'Neill, made me think, I hate them, they're evil, they're fans are evil, but these guys are cool, it's OK for me to like THESE Yankees.

It was excellent for the Netherlands to knock out those Brazilian favorities. I love Ruud in the ESPN studios, he is much better than they guy I remember with dreads who was friend with that Frank guy in dreads who spit on the Rudi guy in the world cup. But this isn't clockwork orange. This isn't a "cool" Dutch team. They whine when they get subbed, they act like they're hurt when they're not, they stall, they're "disciplined", meaning they win 1-0, instead of 3-1, and they have a great player who plays for Arsenal (ok, that last one's just me).

Anybody want to jump on my German bandwagon? Because THESE Germans play futbol the way it's supposed to be played. They show the English how old and feeble Jon Terry is. They show Maradona how to truly insult somebody. And they fill up Capital City Square the bestses of vibes. Go Deutschland!

SBI's 23 for 2014 (and other players to watch)

This is an article that does not need to be printed. However, it does provide some names for people to track over the years if one is interested. Plus, I can put this article on the blog and check it in 2014 to see how Ives did.

SBI's 23 for 2014 (and other players to watch)

U.S. national team fans shed tears and let out screams after the USA's loss to Ghana last weekend, but for some, the thoughts turned quickly to 2014 and what they might have to look forward too.

So what might the U.S. national team look like in 2014? It should be a stronger attacking side than in 2010, with many of the key players expected to return. There are major question marks in defense, and there continues to be uncertainty about the forward position, but there is no denying that the American talent pool is deeper than it has ever been, and the number of young prospects emerging seems to grow by the day.

Here is the 23-man squad I can see the United States taking to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, along with a look at all the positions in question, with players to watch for:

SBI's Projected USA World Cup Roster for 2014

GOALKEEPER- Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Chris Seitz

DEFENDERS- Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Jonathan Bornstein, Tim Ream, Omar Gonzalez, Ike Opara, Kevin Alston, Kofi Sarkodie

MIDFIELDERS- Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres, Alejandro Bedoya, Sacha Kljestan

FORWARDS- Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies, Yura Movsisyan

Some thoughts on some of the picks:

There are a total of 10 players on this squad who weren't on the 2010 team. That might not seem like enough turnover, but the 2010 was a young team, especially in midfield.

Here are some player thoughts:

Seitz- Okay, the memories of his awful start to the season are still fresh, but he's now starting to show the qualities that made him a "Goalkeeper of the Future" label wearer since he came into MLS. The pipeline for goalkeeping prospects has dried up and Seitz is young and playing games.

Sarkodie- He's an exciting fullback who can overlap well and deliver dangerous crosses. He'll be in MLS by 2011 and is one of the most exciting college prospects around. Yes, he's our long-shot young player on the squad.

Ream/Opara/Gonzalez- All three are quality prospects, and while Gonzalez is arguably the best pro right now, both Ream and Opara have more upside for the international game. Ream's technical skills are unmatched in the pool and Opara is a freak athlete who should have no trouble adjusting to the challenges of the international game.

Kljestan- He's skillful and desperately needed a move away from Chivas USA to maximize his ability. Anderlecht is a respected European club where Kljestan's skills can be honed.

Movsisyan- Much like Herculez Gomez, Movsisyan went from top goal-scorer, to ice cold, to out of MLS, to succeeding in a foreign league. He's young and should only get better with time. He's not an American citizen yet, but he's in the process of securing citizenship.

Here is a closer look at the positions in the pool:

GOALKEEPERS

Tim Howard will be the starter. Don't buy the retirement talk. He will be there in Brazil in 2014.

Don't forget about- Dominic Cervi. He's been on the bench in Europe for two years, but if he could get some steady playing time over the next four years, he could push his way into the conversation.

Long-Term Prospect- Bill Hamid. He might be too young, but there's no denying he's the best young goalkeeping prospect in the league.

CENTRAL DEFENDERS

Will Oguchi Onyewu still be around in 2014? My money is on him being around. If not, it will be interesting to see who the United States turns to for some veteran leadership at centerback.

Don't forget about- Geoff Cameron. No, Dom Kinnear is probably not going to play Cameron at centerback in 2011, but there's no denying Cameron looked great there in 2010. If Cameron can move to Europe and play central defense, he could definitely be in the mix for the national team.

Long-Term Prospect- Gale Agbossoumonde. Currently at Portuguese power Sporting Braga, Agbossoumonde is likely a long-shot for 2014, but it's exciting to consider a centerback with his physical tools moving to an established European club at age 18.

FULLBACKS

Left back remains an area where depth isn't a luxury. There are several quality right back prospects, which makes you wonder whether Spector will make a permanent move to left back on the national team (assuming he's not moved to central defense). If someone like Alston could make the move to left back, things would clear up quite a bit.

Don't forget about- Sean Franklin. The Los Angeles Galaxy fullback is fast and has shown improved technical ability. Playing for Bruce Arena can only help him and he should push Kevin Alston for best young American fullback honors (if Kofi Sarkodie doesn't steal the crown).

Long-Term Prospect- Eric Lichaj. He's just 21, is paying his dues in England and very well could play his way onto the 2014 roster. Sarkodie fits in this category, but he made our 23.

WING MIDFIELDERS

The top of the pool is pretty strong with Donovan and Dempsey likely to be around and Bedoya and Holden also in the mix. Robbie Rogers is another popular name, but he needs to work on his game to be seriously considered for this squad.

Don't forget about- Bobby Convey. Remember him? The guy who played a role in 2006 at age 23? He'll be 31 in 2014 and is enjoying a standout season for the San Jose Earthquakes. If he can stay healthy and continue playing well, he'd give the national team pool one of its few natural wing options.

Long-Term Prospect- Brek Shea. Whether he develops into a forward, or continues to be a marauding winger, Shea has loads of talent and potential. He's still just 20, but is starting to really blossom with FC Dallas.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS

There is no Mesut Ozil on the horizon, at least not one that we've seen emerge yet, but there are plenty of talented young players with upside. Will any unseat veterans like Bradley and Edu? That's tough to project at this point. The chances of that happening in 2018 seem more likely.

Don't forget about- Freddy Adu. He's just 21, and is still one of the most skilled players in the American pool, but his club situation remains unsettled as he looks to be on the way out at Greek club Aris FC. Seems crazy to think we could "forget" about a 21-year-old, but at this point it's tough to project him onto the 2014 team until he settles at a club and establishes some longevity and success.

Long-Term Prospect- Charlie Renken. The prodigal playmaker fell off the radar after being sidelined by knee surgery, but there has been raving about Renken for some time. If he can stay healthy, and find some playing time sooner rather than later, he just might be able to crack the roster. Luis Gil and Sebastian Lletget are others in this category, as is Mikkel Diskerud. One intriguing player is Tony Tchani, who could develop into a difference-maker. He still needs to secure his citizenship though, assuming he wants to play for the United States.

FORWARDS

Charlie Davies needs to come back and be the old Davies for this position to look much better than it does right now. There are a lot of question marks here. Can Marcus Tracy stay healthy? Will Mike Grella continue to develop? Will Yura Movsisyan get his citizenship and keep scoring goals in Europe? It's tough to envision Dempsey not making a permanent move to forward by 2014.

Don't forget about- Chris Pontius. The D.C. United striker hasn't had the best sophomore campaign, but the tools are there for him to develop into a quality striker. Marcus Tracy is also a player to consider as long as he can overcome his lingering knee injuries.

Long-Term Prospect- Tristan Bowen. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker is just beginning his pro career, but he's already showing some impressive characteristics and could be part of the youth movement in 2014. He isn't alone though, with Juan Agudelo, Jack McInerney and Joseph Gyau also on the radar as potential stars of the future.

What do you think about the above 23-man roster? Which player do you like seeing on the team? Which player do you think was the most glaring omission?

Bill Simmons - 20 Questions Article

This Bill Simmons article is required reading for Hunter FC Blog Members. It's the kind where you click the link and actually print the article.

Enjoy,
MH