Goff :: Chat :: washpost.com Wednesday, 5/10 at Noon (EDT)

[geordienation]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/05/08/DI2006050800548.html



Sicknote questions anyone?

[Knave]

Sicknote questions anyone?
Screw that, I'm asking about Gazza.

[BigKris]

1) Walker's health
2) What was Nowak thinking with starting Walker and pushing esky to the midfield?
3) How're we gonna replace Olsen
4) What BigSoccer sockpuppet is he using to smuggle information out of the nats camp in Cary
5) Does he know anyone who can help me with a home equity line? ;)

[JayRockers!]

Question from Germantown, MD-Now that the Nationals thing seems all wrapped up, what's the progress on the DC United stadium.

Goff-Zzzzzzzzz.

Oh, wait, I haven't asked it yet.

Thx,

Jay!

[shepchews]

Q: Are work place blood drives really just a pyramid sceme for Dracula and his night slaves?

[MikeLastort2]

I asked him to predict Italy's World Cup roster.

[MikeLastort2]

He answered my question - sort of. He said that Vieri was not going, which is something I already knew.

;)

BTW, who the hell is this guy?

Bethesda, Md.: Steven, I am sure you have followed the WC team selection. What do you think about leaving Twellman off? He scored many goals in the World Cup qualifiers.

Steven Goff: Twellman scored one goal in World Cup qualifying, and it came in the meaningless finale against Panama.

I'm not piling on here; I like Twellman a lot and I think he's one of the most electrifying scorers in MLS history. But clearly Arena didn't think his game is suited for the World Cup.

Many goals in qualies? Huh???

[NattyBo]

He answered mine:

College Park, Md.: I read recently that German Officials are going to be checking each ticket matches the name of the person who is holding it before the matches this summer.

For those of us headed to Germany, what does this means in terms of delays/crowd trouble/etc? I have legit tickets with my name on them, but I cant see how they're going to get people into the stadiums unless they open 3 or 4 hours before the game!

Steven Goff: Get to the stadium VERY EARLY! especially if you have tickets to matches at the start of the tournament.

It will be interesting to see how this policy plays out; FIFA is very worried.

[writered21]

Fredericksburg, Va.: Eric Wynalda sure has been vocal in his criticism of both Bruce Arena and Alexi Lalas recently. Is he just trying to make some noice, or is there some personal animosity between them?

Steven Goff: Eric is nuts. He admits it.

Quality.

[Knave]

Rough and Ready, Calif.: I hear from the voices in my head that DC United is looking to trade Quaranta. Any truth to those rumors? Or should I go back on my medication?

Steven Goff: They had trade talks during the offseason about Quaranta. Columbus was interested.
He didn't answer my medication question.

Interesting about Quaranta though.

[jason1551]

WTH? An entire Q&A session and no one asked about Anderton? I'd at least like a denial or something.

[MattMathai]

I don't understand this at all:

Steven Goff [speaking of Beckham]: Yeah, he would bring some more mainstream attention to MLS, but it's not like he would show up and score every game. People would turn out for the novelty of it, marvel at his free kicks and crosses, shrug and go home.



Beckham isn't a scorer. Free kicks and crosses are what he does, and very well. Would he dismiss Buffon by saying "it's not like he would show up and score every game. People would turn out for the novelty of it, marvel at his saves, shrug and go home."?

[Pints]

Alexandria, Va.: How can I possibly convince ESPN to cover more international soccer? It was mind boggling several weeks ago when I tried to catch Arsenal-Villa Real only to find ESPN2 choosing to cover a jump roping competition. Seriously, what are they thinking? What can I do?

Steven Goff: You would have to call them or write them; public pressure could change things

???? Funny I caught both games. Granted I wasn't pleased with the outcome but I saw both, and on schedule too. This has to be Brian, pulling strings.

[GUTuna]

Quality.

Sometimes I think we all take Wynalda's comments too seriously because we don't know him personally and if we did, we'd know he's nuts. That's why so many can just disregard what he says without getting worked up.

[jgildea8]

I don't understand this at all:

Steven Goff [speaking of Beckham]: Yeah, he would bring some more mainstream attention to MLS, but it's not like he would show up and score every game. People would turn out for the novelty of it, marvel at his free kicks and crosses, shrug and go home.



Beckham isn't a scorer. Free kicks and crosses are what he does, and very well. Would he dismiss Buffon by saying "it's not like he would show up and score every game. People would turn out for the novelty of it, marvel at his saves, shrug and go home."?

I see your point, but I think that he is saying that only a scorer could convert the non-soccer fan.

[BigKris]

BTW, who the hell is this guy?

Many goals in qualies? Huh???

Yeah, and this one, too:
Bethesda, Md.: Steven,

Why do you think Bruce decided to put an injured John O'brien but not an injured Steve Ralston. Ralston does so much work on the right side but with tracking back and his crosses.


Bet it's the same guy. Apparently we have a revs fan in Bethesda.

[MattMathai]

I see your point, but I think that he is saying that only a scorer could convert the non-soccer fan.

That's probably what he meant, but I find that pretty dismissive of the average sports fan. While that characterization might be accurate now, there's no reason people who come to matches only because of a big name can't learn to appreciate what that player has to show. If NBA players can be superstars and MVPs (Steve Nash?) for assists, then a legitimate world star should be able to get acclaim for the similar (non-scoring) skills.

This might be a tad optimistic, but there it is...

[MattMathai]

I see your point, but I think that he is saying that only a scorer could convert the non-soccer fan.

That's probably what he meant, but I find that pretty dismissive of the average sports fan. While that characterization might be accurate now, there's no reason people who come to matches only because of a big name can't learn to appreciate what that player has to show. If NBA players can be superstars and MVPs (Steve Nash?) for assists, then a legitimate world star should be able to get acclaim for similar (non-scoring) skills.

This might be a tad optimistic, but there it is...

[gocaps]

If NBA players can be superstars and MVPs (Steve Nash?) for assists, then a legitimate world star should be able to get acclaim for the similar (non-scoring) skills.
Yeah, but that's a media-voted award in a sport that a lot more Americans watch and understand - and Nash still doesn't get as much casual fan notice as, say, Tracy McGrady.

In soccer, the best, most influential, and important player on the field in any one game might never even take a shot on goal. That's totally outside the frame of understanding of the casual American sports fan (hell, part of what makes Nash so good is that you have to respect his excellent jump shot). That guy is going to have to watch more than a half of Beckham in a Metrostars uni to understand that a midfielder can have a great game and not be on the "scoresheet".

[MikeLastort2]

I got the impression that Steve likes beer.

:)