MLS CUP AND RANDOM RAMBLINGS
1. Watched the MLS championship game today and was impressed by the quality of play. If this game proves anything, it shows that while it certainly has a long way to go the league is on the upswing at least in terms of eye appeal. It was a reasonably attractive game to watch and the skill level exhibited was pretty darn good. The whole playoff system is a big joke however and the fact that almost every team makes the post season (almost including the Galaxy which is shocking after seeing them play in Denver- they looked like a bad rec league team) makes the whole season painful to watch. How hard would it be to have the US Cup culminate the season (like the FA Cup) and make the league's regular season leader be the champ?
2. Nate Jaqua looked pretty good for Houston and while i know that he stunk for LA early in the year, he played well after his trade and it's easy to imagine that he could have been a good target for Becks. More proof that Lalas is over his head?
3. Kudos to Israel for their spirited play against Russia. The lifeline they gave to England is amazing, but I wouldn't be overly shocked if Mclaren's boys blow it. The fact that he is national team coach is amazing- he has never really done anything (I don't count losing in the UEFA Cup final as anything) except be Sir Alex's assistant.
4. Some guys from MLS Cup to look for in Europe someday- Wells Thompson, Michael Parkhurst, Sharie Joseph (I know he just signed a deal but he has talent) and Twellman. He has a nose for goal and appears to be really tough- I know that he is not supposed to be great with ball at his feet and he is not that big, but it seems that he could play at the bottom of the Prem or in Germany. He has got to get more minutes with the MNT- who else do we have? He and Johnson seem like they would work well together.
5. One final thing- a question for the Ref and AR: why wasn't TT's bicycle kick called a dangerous play? Great piece of skill, but he almost kicked the defenders in the face.
1 comment:
Response to 1.
I think the MLS is on the upswing and they are presenting the game better, although the new ref green jerseys are hideous and were bad to look at, especially the loose long sleeves. I have suggested in the past that there is a US Cup that would coincide with the end of the MLS regular season. end of regular season you have the MLS Champ and then the Semis and Finals of the Cup, so that there is a playoff system.. if you need it just one game between eastern conf champs and western.
2. Lalas is being a personality which the MLS needs. Its great seeing him up on soccernet.com under the europe headlines instead of the US headlines. much needed attention but he still needs to prove himself
3. in response to Israel a few weeks late - look to them to qualify for WC2010 because the only big bad teams are the Swiss and Greeks, and no one can beat them in their home
4. More USians we get in europe the better but we need to keep our young talent nurturing. Altidore to Amsterdam or Portugal, not Spain or Italy.
5. as discussed, only a dangerous play if contact is made. they know what they are doing with their bodies at that level. If I saw fear coming from the Fire player to hold back then maybe you call it but he went in without hesitation
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