So last night I am watching depleted, fatigued MLS teams playing against clubs like JOE PUBLIC of TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO and FC TAURO of PANAMA.
Both NE and Chivas USA come out on the losing end and I say to myself….’Can this be good for soccer in the UNITED STATES. Televising empty, emotionless stadiums against obscure teams who are BEATING MLS teams. It can’t be great at this stage and it only goes to remind us that this process of the sport growing is a slow and steady growth in some areas. This is another of example and vote of confidence that the salary cap has to be extended and the depth and quality of players on MLS rosters have to be increased.
MLS as you continue to want your teams to participate in these international tournaments you must look at your product. You are now extending it beyond belief and rendering the coaches to be in impossible positions. Not whining here but putting more resources behind these tournaments will enable MLS teams to win them.
Then there is the whole issue of the COPA LIBERTADORES…won’t get into that here.
Now the positive take. MLS players and coaches will become more familiar with CONCACAF and it’s environments. For young players those environments last night were lessons learned. For coaches it is also any opportunity to familiarize themselves with Concacaf and maybe identify a player or two worthy of playing in MLS. The more understanding and experience gained in these situations the better for the future. But from a marketing and PR standpoint these games last night did little to help the sport in the U.S. Do you care?
Conversely, how interesting is it to watch giants like BARCELONA have to go to play at WISLA KRAKOW in POLAND in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE qualifiers. These are intriguing matches and challenging for giant clubs
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The CONCACAF Champions League’s first night was a very disapointing evening for the MLS. I am not sure if it is an indictment against the MLS, but I would like to know what Tauro and Joe Public draw in attendance in a normal league match. Joe Public looked like they played at a Drive-in and Tauro looked to have 12 people in the stands all armed with irritating air-horns. I know the United States and the MLS are not a world renowned brand in the soccer world, but my goodness these places could not have generated enough income to pay for the lights last night. Also, did you notice that they must have retained Dave Maggard as a groundkeeping consultant.
I know Chivas was a depleted side, but Preki must really regret trading for Zach Thorton. After last night and the game against the Dynamo…he is hands down the worst keeper in the MLS. I know his defensive support was lacking at times, but his decision making is questionable at best.
Hopefully, as some of the marginal teams are eliminated, this becomes more attractive. The idea behind the whole thing is exciting and perhaps, in time, it becomes something that teams are desperate to qualify for.
Man, what happened. Truthfully, I don’t think that it helps MLS, but at the same time, it’s not a disaster because frankly I think only the hard core fans are watching these. Those fans that are already on board no matter what.
p.s. I just thought Tony Caig had some bad moments in goal. Did you check out Thornton!
“Also, did you notice that they must have retained Dave Maggard as a groundkeeping consultant”
Comment by O4 — August 27, 2008 @ 10:50 am
ROTFL! Great comment. Go Dynamo!
These tournaments expose weaknesses, so in that sense they serve a purpose. Will the league pay attention? I hope so because many players looked like they were phoning it in….
chivas outplayed tauro they are just desvistated by injuries, but how good is sacha he be ready for a move up very soon. new england on the other hand looked horrid and was the worst i have ever seen them play. they later rounds will be much better and i for one can’t wait for it to kick off. just wish we weren’t in our off-season when the knock out stages start (not gonna be pretty for mls). well except for our dynamo, gonna take it this year and off to the world club cup.