4-8-2004: Week before Tax day

[JMU Soccer!]

Spector gets great shot at goal (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/cs-040407onsoccer,1,6421654.story?coll=cs-highschool-headlines) - Chicago Tribune

Growing up fast (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4556240/) - MSN

AC Milan eliminated (http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer8apr08,1,4947563.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-soccer) - LA Times

Rhinos sign ex-MVP Allnutt (http://www.rochesterdandc.com/sports/rhinos/0408IP3S1UL_sports.shtml) - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Rhinos court '96 A-League MVP (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/sports/rhinos/0407RI3ROQE_sports.shtml) - Rochester Chornicle and Democrat

Aloisi joins MLS with LA Galaxy (http://www.dailyorange.com/news/2004/04/08/Sports/Aloisi.Joins.Mls.With.La.Galaxy-654979.shtml) - Syracuse Orange

Ema Bovary boosts win streak to 9 for Washington owners (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001898106_digs08.html) - Seattle Times (Half-way down)

Magee Returns to the Thunder (http://www.soccer365.com/US_NEWS/Breaking_News/page_131_70089.shtml) - Soccer 365

McCullers Likely Headed to D.C. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59256-2004Apr7.html) - Washington Post (For the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission)

Perry Hall alumnus making big moves (http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=807&NewsID=539124&CategoryID=5801&show=localnews&om=3) - North East Booster (Good short read on someone you probably haven't heard of)

Start Adu Now! Accept No Substitutes (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59325-2004Apr7.html) - Tony Kornheiser

Adu Aggravates Ankle (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58763-2004Apr7.html) - Washington Post

[Sneever Flion]

Please tell me Kornheiser is joking.

[Etienne_72772]

I couldn't tell whether TK had written satire or was serious. I can't believe that he could be that dumb, but there was no hint that he didn't mean it throughout. I'm confused...

[rocketeer22]

I couldn't tell whether TK had written satire or was serious. I can't believe that he could be that dumb, but there was no hint that he didn't mean it throughout. I'm confused...

Apparently it is in the same way as his PTI comments (though I didn't see that).

[peledre]

Start Adu Now! Accept No Substitutes (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59325-2004Apr7.html) - Tony Kornheiser

I normally respect Kornheiser, but when he prints an out and out lie like this:
Freddy Adu is the savior of soccer in America, MLS said.
and uses it as a key argument in his piece, I lose a lot of respect for him.

[ShadowNC]

Quote from TK's article...

"Well, you can run your league for the "soccer people" if you want. But you already have them -- all 15,000 a game and nobody watching on TV. Your league is in the toilet with "soccer people." For your league to be successful, you have to attract people who don't know much about soccer and don't care much about soccer, but are willing to love soccer if you give them a reason to watch. You have to grow your league with people like that, because they'll take you from 15,000 to 75,000. But you have to present them with something fabulous to wrap their arms around. Like a 14-year-old kid who's already so good that he's the highest-paid player in a pro league. A phenom. A Gretzky. A Tiger. A Mays.

You sign him. You hype him. And by all means you start him.

Not that I necessarily agree with him that Freddy should be starting...but I certainly understand his argument. He's totally right about needing to attract just more than 'soccer people' to the games. And I think the line about finding the people willing to fall in love with soccer, who need a little push in the right direction, hits the nail right smack on the head.

I don't necessarily think that Freddy has to start right away to do that though. People are already falling in love with the kid's personality, starting will come in time, and hopefully everything will just snowball from there.

Here's something to think about.....if TK and others are so pissed now, just think how pissed they'll be in 4 years when MLS has to think about selling Freddy to another league overseas.

[babytiger2001]

I normally respect Kornheiser, but when he prints an out and out lie like this:

<auto-snip>

and uses it as a key argument in his piece, I lose a lot of respect for him.

Did Tony K actually write that? Moreover, when did MLS's PR people actually outwardly say that, in a news release or whatever? I doubt that even Don Garber actually said it verbatim, even at a news conference.

On this occasion, Tony Kornheiser is out of his tree (which is Aussie-speak for "he's lost his friggin' mind").

Oh well, I think it's safe to say that he hasn't read my Blog article here from last night. :D

[MtMike]

Hey, Kornheiser is writing about soccer in his column. Raising controversy, even. I don't care if he's writing that MLS should bring back the shootout or that Kovalenko should win the FIFA fair player of the year award.

[numerista]

Couple of Spanish-language tidbits
http://www.eldiariony.com/noticias/detail.aspx?section=26&desc=DEPORTES&id=872911

Galvan was given a big celebration by his old club ... he comes to MLS thanks in part to the recommendation of Valderrama, price claimed to be $650K.

http://www.teletica.com/archivo/td7/nac/2004/04/07/breves.htm

Pablo Brenes, described as a "buen volante creativo" (good creative midfielder), is apparently coming to MLS in early May. Is he also rumored to be going to the Metros?

[stinky]

i don't think Kornheiser is kidding.

for all the hype, advertising, etc. MLS did with Adu and the opening match, I agree with what he's saying, from a sports fan point of view. Adu should have started and been subbed later on.

as a soccer purist, what happened is actually pretty normal. when there's a new guy on the team, they normally come in in the 60th minute or so. i wasn't bothered that he didn't start.

the problem was leading up to the match, there was an air of nobody knew if he was going to start, not even nowak. i don't believe that. i think nowak knew all along freddy was going to come in as a sub. stringing the media and fans along.

the same thing is happening with their game against the galaxy this weekend. why not just say, yes, freddy will start.

i could give a rats arse if the other players get upset if freddy gets an automatic start. he's the highest paid player. of course he should play. freddy signed with mls so that he can play. mls needs him to play for ratings/attendance, etc.

adu is the reason for increased ticket sales wherever he visits. therefore, barring injury, he should start. give the people what they want. with 4 teams out of 5 making the playoffs, there's not much being risked by dc by starting the kid. a single goal by freddy adu in LA or NY will get much more publicity both nationally and world wide then a 5 goal game by clint. period.

mls finally has something the average shmoe would come out to see and their not using it to full potential.

and by the way, to put freddy in when the team is trying to protect a lead is unfair to the casual viewer and freddy, imo.

i have a buddy at work who's a sports fan and he tuned into the game at 4:00pm. found out freddy wasn't starting and switched channels. then tuned back in an hour or so and watched freddy a little bit. this is what TK is talking about.

if anyone disagrees with TK, think about one of the international teams your mls team played against, you went ahead and bought the tickets, and a few days before the game, they told you that none of the stars were coming. all the while saying that the full squad was expected to make the trip.

[Woodrow]

If all Kornheiser wants to do is stimulate discussion he has succeeded; but the gist of his article portrays Freddy Adu as a marketing tool and not a soccer player. If all MLS wants to do is capitalize on the hype and move on once Adu is as washed up as Nii Lamptey, then they should listen to Kornheiser. But that would make Don Garber and Co. just as big a of bunch morons. I like the approach that Nowak is taking, he and Bradley have similar approaches to utilizing young talent. By not giving Adu an automatic start; but giving him significant minutes in 2-1 game, Nowak has sent the message to Freddy that he will be given opportunities to gain experience in critical moments. If Adu wants to play more, then he will have to make use of that time to benefit the team.

[TheLimeChicken]

Rhinos sign ex-MVP Allnutt (http://www.rochesterdandc.com/sports/rhinos/0408IP3S1UL_sports.shtml) - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Not to interrupt the Kornheiser show but....

Congratulations Yari. You're a solid human being who deserves one last hurrah, good luck on the return to Rochester.

[Etienne_72772]

If all Kornheiser wants to do is stimulate discussion he has succeeded; but the gist of his article portrays Freddy Adu as a marketing tool and not a soccer player. If all MLS wants to do is capitalize on the hype and move on once Adu is as washed up as Nii Lamptey, then they should listen to Kornheiser. But that would make Don Garber and Co. just as big a of bunch morons. I like the approach that Nowak is taking, he and Bradley have similar approaches to utilizing young talent. By not giving Adu an automatic start; but giving him significant minutes in 2-1 game, Nowak has sent the message to Freddy that he will be given opportunities to gain experience in critical moments. If Adu wants to play more, then he will have to make use of that time to benefit the team.

Spot on. It's funny to me that Nowak is getting this kind of heat, when his team actually won the game! What TK is forgetting is that Freddy is a 14-year old human being that needs to be carefully nurtured so as not to burn out or wash up. This is going to take some very careful planning and execution from Nowak's stand point. Freddy is not a circus freak. The marketing blitz is something that has gotten a bit out of control--even though MLS has stated that they have granted only about 10% of the interviews and appearances that have been requested (see the latest issue of Soccer America). The media, of course, has gone hay-wire with it, and now the proclamations that the media has foisted on Freddy have been attributed to the league and Garber (see TK's statement that MLS has claimed Adu is the savior of American soccer). In fact, I thought I recently read someone in MLS state (maybe Garber?) the exact opposite, and that soccer doesn't need a savior in the US. It's pretty irritating, actually.

If Freddy were to start and couldn't keep up with the game, was completely ineffective--and had to be subbed out, I don't think anyone would have been satisfied. As it is, Freddy played OK in the last 30 minutes, and his team won. I'd say that was a pretty successful first outing.

TK says:Every single person who bought a ticket to that game did so to see Freddy Adu. Every single person who turned on a TV set to the game did so to see Freddy Adu.

To see him play. Not sit and gather dust.

Well, TK--they did see him play. What's the fuss?

[Beau Dure]

Did Tony K actually write that? Moreover, when did MLS's PR people actually outwardly say that (ED: this is in reference to the "savior of soccer" quote, in a news release or whatever? I doubt that even Don Garber actually said it verbatim, even at a news conference.

As someone else has already posted, Garber said exactly the opposite. I was probably five feet away from him when he said it, and the other 3,589 journalists occupying the same space quoted him accurately.

If anyone can provide proof that he's directly contradicting himself, please provide it.

Congratulations Yari. You're a solid human being who deserves one last hurrah, good luck on the return to Rochester.

Amen. In his two years with the Carolina Dynamo, he was the most inspirational player I've ever seen. I liked seeing in the Rhinos' Open Cup run, too.

[gherter]

Please tell me Kornheiser is joking.

He isn't joking, but he is insincere, I'm sure. He is too smart to be so clueless about how soccer works. He is just trying to stir up some interest in his column by bashing MLS and DC United a little. At this point I'm just pleased that someone so well known in the Washington sports world is taking any notice of MLS at all. BTW, didn't Tiger Woods go through all four years of college before turning pro. Lots of people were after him to make the jump before that. Tony was probably one of those, too.

It may be frustrating to us, but these sorts of "controversies" around Freddy will be MLS's saviour. A local TV station here in Washington last night even had a bit about how Freddy was demanding to start this weekend. "HOW LONG CAN HE BE SATISFIED BY NOT STARTING?", the sports guy asked. Followed by some interview quote from Freddy saying, "ya, of course I'd rather be starting. It is no fun to sit on the bench." I just laugh, and am happy that we are getting some press that the mainstream fans can take an interest in. Just wait until Freddy gets a flashy girlfriend, starts getting pulled over for DUI's while out on the town with his Posse, and demanding to be traded to the MetroStars or even Manchester United. Then you will see some real interest and controversies. :eek:

[babytiger2001]

As someone else has already posted, Garber said exactly the opposite. I was probably five feet away from him when he said it, and the other 3,589 journalists occupying the same space quoted him accurately.

If anyone can provide proof that he's directly contradicting himself, please provide it.

You're definitely a trusted source, Beau. And being five feet away from the commish, that's good enough for me.

If I had been back home there, on my old beat, also behind you, I probably would have taken the quote down the same way as well (even if I was Journo #3690).

Not sure if there are pockets of those who would classify the Washington Post as a sensationalistic paper, along the same lines as the main papers here in Melbourne (such as The Age and the Herald Sun) happen to be, or even those papers' partners in the News Ltd and Fairfax chains across Australia, but-- dare I say it?-- on this instance, Tony Kornheiser has presented a particular quote and viewpoint in a sensationalistic manner.

Not saying that Tony's a sensationalistic journo-- that's a different matter entirely. But it has our tongues wagging, even if he's got the quote very much wrong.

[babytiger2001]

As someone else has already posted, Garber said exactly the opposite. I was probably five feet away from him when he said it, and the other 3,589 journalists occupying the same space quoted him accurately.

If anyone can provide proof that he's directly contradicting himself, please provide it.

You're definitely a trusted source, Beau. And being five feet away from the commish, that's good enough for me.

If I had been back home there, on my old beat, also behind you, I probably would have taken the quote down the same way as well (even if I was Journo #3590).

Not sure if there are pockets of those who would classify the Washington Post as a sensationalistic paper, along the same lines as the main papers here in Melbourne (such as The Age and the Herald Sun) happen to be, or even those papers' partners in the News Ltd and Fairfax chains across Australia, but-- dare I say it?-- on this instance, Tony Kornheiser has presented a particular quote and viewpoint in a sensationalistic manner.

Not saying that Tony's a sensationalistic journo-- that's a different matter entirely. But it has our tongues wagging, even if he's got the quote very much wrong.

[babytiger2001]

Sorry for the double-post, folks. My apologies.

It's late-night over here, so that's my alibi. :)

[HalaMadrid]

I love Tony K, and this article is actually pretty funny, but even I agree the sentiment is wrong. Nowhere did anyone claim Adu is the savior -- in fact, people like Payne, Nowak, and Garber went out of their way to say he is not.

There is no guarantee on your ticket if you go to see Real Madrid that Ronaldo, Zidane, and Raul will play. And that's not even a good comparison because Freddy is not as integral to his team, yet.

The best way to see it is this: Even Mark Prior, a man who Tony K believes is one of the top 2 or 3 pitchers in baseball, and another young phenom, pitched 9 games in the minors before coming up to the Cubs in 2002 - not to mention the 2 seasons he pitched for USC.

MLS doesn't have a minor league system. Freddy din't play in college. AT LEAST a few games are needed to work him into the lineup and properly prepare him for day-in day-out professional competitiveness. I have no doubt if Adu plays well and stays on track, he'll be starting full-time by the end of this year or the start of next - but the Cubs aren't going to blow their rotation and any shot at competitiveness trying to work in a new young pitching phenom too early just because of marketing. Nor should DC United toss in the towel for the early part of the season - one with a new coach and new system, mind you - because Freddy sold 7,000 tickets.

On top of everything, it's not like he didn't play at all.

God love you Tony, and bless you for being the first sports columnist in some time to accurately represent MLS attendance in your column, but on this one you're off.

[drew_VT_6]

I have no doubt if Adu plays well and stays on track, he'll be starting full-time by the end of this year or the start of next - but the Cubs aren't going to blow their rotation and any shot at competitiveness trying to work in a new young pitching phenom too early just because of marketing.

WOWWW Freddy is so good that now he's going to pitch for the Cubs? This is MAJOR news people.

Watchout Kornheiser might pick up on your quote for his next article.