Lots of people have been complaining. In a way, I understand. But, reality is this, and you may have learned this in High School, when you start asking for a date to the senior prom less than a month before it, you are unlikely to be taking your first choice, or even your second, and the homecoming queen is an impossibility. Not that it was entirely RSL's fault. RSL had a date with the homecoming queen (RM), then a month before the prom she changed her mind. RSL had to scramble to find a new date and most of the best choices had already been asked. Really, it's that simple. I think they've done a heck of a job finding quality teams for the friendlies.
You did it wrong. I got a date then had my friends stuff the Homecoming Queen ballot box. I went with an attendant, unfortunately my best friend had the same idea. HE went with the Queen.
The main reason Real Madrid's trip is nixed was that 1) the US dollar is weak and 2) RSL has tied up all its money in the stadium. Neither situation is a "recent" phenomena nor earth shattering news. Therefore the idea that RSL is scrambling to get a team to replace a Real Madrid, although true, is their own fault not some vague, unknown.
I got the impression that RSL backed out of this, in part because the $ is weak compared to the Euro. The deal was for a million Euros, which is like $1.5 million US dollars (im sure you euro junkies know the exact rate off the top of your head), and that was too pricey for RSL. Thus, the analogy would be more like this: RSL had a date with the homecoming queen (RM). RSL understood that in order to take the homecoming queen to prom, they needed to take her to the fanciest restaurant in town, rent a carriage to take them to the restaurant, and then rent a limo to take them to the dance. RSL also needed to purchase an Armani tux and reserve a 5 star hotel room for later. RSL realized that they could not afford all that with their $6/hour fastfood job, so instead they cancelled the date with the homecoming queen and invited a lower maintanance gal. Now, they are going to show up to the prom in a 30 year old suit from DI, driving a Ford Pinto after going to dinner at Taco Bell...
While I will agree playing the Mexican league champions is a decent game, the Costa Rican champions is crap. I don't follow Mexican league soccer, hence the reason I have no desire to go to that game. I imagine that if you took the costa rican champion, and put them in MLS, they wouldn't do well. I haven't seen their league any time recently so I am just going out on a limb here and could be wrong, but that is my bet. Hey at least its a friendly that we will possibly win. Of course knowing us, we will loose in the final 15 again.
Might be your 'impression' but that doesn't fit the facts. RM decided to not do a N. American tour because they could make more money on a S. American tour. Without Beckham, the ticket sales would be a lot lower in N. America compared to S. America.
I believe his impression may have come from this - Real Madrid Although it potentially saved RSL some big $$$ because of the currency fluctuation, I have since learned that RSL was actually PO'd about RM backing out of this. I would expect this raises some discussion between the two clubs about the partnership. I still stick to this belief. Without Beckham I don't think that RM can command the same appearance fees that they did back then, and aren't finding many takers in the US at the price they are expecting, especially with the currency disparity.
If RM had kept their other N. American dates, and just canceled RSL's leg, then the argument that RSL couldn't afford them might be legit. But, that isn't what happened. RM canceled the entire N. American tour and rescheduled for S. America. It suggests RM is the source of canceling, not RSL.
Garth has even said that RSL not RM was unwilling to pay more for the RM to come and that their money is too tied up in the stadium. And thats why RM wasn't coming. Thats my source.
My understanding is that RM wanted something like $3M as an appearance fee plus travel and accomodations...It was a number RSL couldn't recoup with the deal they have at RES, so it made the plan untenable.
TEAM OF THE MONTH - JUNE 2008 SQUAD IN FULL Goalkeepers: Nick Rimando, (Real Salt Lake), Kevin Hartman (Kansas City) Defenders: Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Ryan Johnson (San Jose Earthquakes), Seth Stammler (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Nat Borchers (Real Salt Lake) Midfielders: Steve Ralston (New England), Dave van den Burgh (New York Red Bulls), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus), Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake), Ramiro Corrales (San Jose Earthquakes) Strikers: Luciano Emilio (DC United), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston)
seems a little strange that our only starting defender that isn't on that list is our best defender....
These lists come out each month and are based on fantasy points earned that month. One big hint is Ryan Johnson on there as a defender (where he is listed for fantasy purposes, helping Ismitje quite a bit, thank you very much!) even though he starts at striker for San Jose.
Desnews says Cordoba back to Argentina. I'm too lazy to look. That opens up some salary that we won't spend, right?