Lots of interesting things going on in the world of soccer. Lets start first with MLS.
* Dynamo have their main point of contention up front trying to figure out what Joseoph Ngwenya and Nate Jacqua are doing in Europe. Leverage, real interest, Joe phone home?
* The Colorado Rapids still are a poor situation when you look at the overall MLS picture. Kroencke sports has been a disappointment. I still have a hard time figuring out what executive Jeff Plush is trying to achieve? Is he a corporate ladder climber? Is he truly trying to bring this club organization to a competitive level in MLS? Do they really want to win an MLS Cup and become a part of the Colorado sports scene. One has to wonder based on action…………………….
MLS has a number of club executives that’s leadership has to be questioned? For the growth of the sport it has to be questioned.
Those who jacked ticket prices up and only sold “David Beckham” need to be held accountable. Those who have not created relationships in their communities have to be held accountable. Those who meddle in the team affairs while nobody comes to games have to be held accoutable.
The exodus in Colorado continues with goalkeeper coach Leo Perkovich moving on. Rapid goalkeeper Bouna Coundal who is with Senegal in the African Nations Cup has credited Perkovich with his growth in goal.
*Duilio in Dallas. Man do I want to see this work for alot of reasons. I want to see Dallas draw Hispanic fans and create a wild, fun loving supporters group to come out to see the former Club America defender. He could be a great partner for Alex Yi or Drew Moor. I am a big believer in the experienced veteran paired with a young defender. Davino a Club America legend will be under the microscope after an indifferent season with CA which promted the move. FC Dallas management pulls a great move off here but this is not where it stops. Now, get out in the community, win over the top Hispanic leaders, loosen the tie up and have some fun at Pizza Hut Park more often. Get aggressive, the fans will not come to you, you must go to them. Is their leadership in this organization that can deal with top Hispanic leaders in Dallas. If not , hire one.
Davino will be a waste if their is not a comprehensive plan in place to support what could be an excellent signing.
Not to mention that he can put people in the seats around the country.
*Speaking of FC Dallas Carlos Ruiz who is a fan favorite in Houston has been traded back to the LA Galaxy .
So the Pescadito experiment never took off in Dallas but what will he bring to LA. He is cleary not as mobile and dangerous as he once was and his movement is limited in and around the penalty area. Maybe the change will do him good.
*The podcast of my radio show last night is up (790thesportsanimal.com or houstonchronicle.com) and you can listen to Chris Rolfe of the Chicago Fire and the US National team comment on Cuauhtemoc Blanco and the hiring of Denis Hamlett. For me Chicago will find it tough to play their form of defend deep and break out quickly soccer next year over the course of an entire season.
As for Hamlett , he basically gets the job by default since John Spencer declined. It is opportunity for Hamlett who has been an assistant for 10 years and has been loyal to the Fire to make a mark. Makes you want to root for him.
*David Beckham training at Arsenal…..I wonder if that ticks off Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. And after all his time and great moments with United why wouldn’t he go back their to train? Hmmmmmmmm.
*Manchester United will win the English Premier League and will widen the gap during the African Nations Cup . Arsenal and Chelsea lose lots of players to that competition. Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Ryan Giggs continue to rule.
*We forget in the U.S. that alot of poor soccer is played in the Premier League that sometimes seems out of control like a train coming off the tracks. At times it is unwatchable and only about the result. Passion yes, quality soccer , not exactly. I say this with all reverance to history and fan support.
*DC United are looking to sign three foreigners with Franco Neill of Argentino Jrs a forward, defender Gonzalo Martinez a Colombian and goalkeeper Jose Carvallo.
* KC’s Eddie Johnson to Fulham: This may break the four million paid to get Clint Dempsey but I am not convinced with Johnson yet I am glad to see him making this move. Apparently 6 million will be paid to MLS for the fleet footed striker.
Lets hope Johnson can adapt as well as Dempsey. I for one question his mental strenght in the English game. I hope I am strong. He will get kicked.
Technical director Peter Vermes has not conceded Johnson to England.
*MLS Superdraft this Friday.
*African Nations Cup begins this Sunday ……….
*US/Sweden this Saturday night on FSC
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Seems like we’re almost back in full gear with our soccer talk…I seriously can’t wait for Dynamo to start playing again, and for now I will start with my beloved Chivas de Guadalajara taking on Pumas this Saturday…
The Mexican League will keep me entertained while my Dynamo blues start to fade and our guys start CCC games…
Another thing Mr. Davis you forgot to mention Vicente Sanchez’ move to Schalke 04 from Toluca in Mexico…This was a good move for him…I knew he was Europe bound for many years, I just don’t know what took so long..this guys is awesome and Im sure he’ll excel in the Germany…
So all the action is almost back, Copa Libertadores, Mexico vs US, Mexican League, La Liga is back in full force and finally I can get over those re-runs of La Liga on GolTV and Old Games on FSC and FSE…
Colorado would do ok to use Kroenke’s 12% Arsenal share and import Arsenal’s U21 team for the year IMO. The Pescadito thing is just another deal FCD got rooked on, IMO.
Glenn, you read my mind on KSE and Jeff Plush. It seems all he is worried about is sticking to his budget and running a venue that anchors a KSE real estate development play. I just returned from South Florida where I took in a game at the combine. The only Rapids coach I saw at the combine match was Fernando Clavijo. When I ran into him waiting for my flight back to Denver, I asked about Murphy and the rest of the coaching staff. They didn’t make the trip. The Rapids didn’t send them, only Clavijo….WHAT??? Only one coaching staff member allowed to go to a MLS scouting event.
I don’t understand what is going on, but my real hope as a Colorado Rapids fan is that KSE get smart and give Plush a real budget to play with. He doesn’t seem to want to do anything not given to him on a piece of paper from above. As a Rapids fan I am scared of what 2008 has in store.
Glenn, at what point do the Dynamo move on from Jaqua & Ngwenya? I have to figure that with draft time prime trading time, they may find themselves without a return option come Saturday. If so, do the Dynamo still own their rights?
This also could make the Ramiro Corrales return to MLS interesting – if Jaqua and Ngwenya go, there is probably enough cap space to bring Corrales in or use his rights as trade goods for a speedy forward.
Any goalies you like in the MLS Draft at 36 & 42 where the Dynamo pick?
Probaly some fair points made on the Rapids. It is not a very happy camp there right now. Let’s hope we get some good players in – need to spend some money.
Re Beckham. His relationship with Ferguson broke down some while ago (remember the boot flying incident in the changing rooms?). He also has a house very close to where Arsenal train so it’s much more conveneint for him to train with the Gunners.
Nick,
You are right on about the logistics of Beckham’s home.
Still interesting training with your arch-rival during your hey day in England irregardless of the fall out with Ferguson.
Rapids leadership struggles and the franchise will continue to struggle with the current vision.