Trecker's take on the Game

[okocha1]

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5848762

I really agree with several of his comments. Great win for the MLS, but I think the game was better for marketing Chelsea's brand than the MLS "all-stars." Personally I don't think people should be blowing this game out of proportion. Do you think Mainz think that their win shows the growth of the German League, or that they are better than Liverpool because of their win. I don't think so.

[stagnant]

First, I'm an American and I know that if Chelsea would have played our "All-Stars" mid season Chelsea would have likely won.

With that said the article was just more whining and excuse making... the same excuses everyone knew would come if MLS won.
Just let us take our win and celebrate, we know we sucked it up in the WC and every team in the Premier League would on most days blow out any MLS team. But tonight that didn't happen... a team that gets paid tons more than our guys (maybe one individual even gets paid more than an entire MLS team for all I know) got beat.

It's not like we are all saying MLS is the greatest league in the world or anything... and anything said by a player even close to that is being read into way too much. We know where we stand, at best we went up one small peg tonight.

It felt goot to see our guys win, no matter how many excuses were lying in wait.

[okocha1]

First, I'm an American and I know that if Chelsea would have played our "All-Stars" mid season Chelsea would have likely won.

With that said the article was just more whining and excuse making... the same excuses everyone knew would come if MLS won.
Just let us take our win and celebrate, we know we sucked it up in the WC and every team in the Premier League would on most days blow out any MLS team. But tonight that didn't happen... a team that gets paid tons more than our guys (maybe one individual even gets paid more than an entire MLS team for all I know) got beat.

It's not like we are all saying MLS is the greatest league in the world or anything... and anything said by a player even close to that is being read into way too much. We know where we stand, at best we went up one small peg tonight.

It felt goot to see our guys win, no matter how many excuses were lying in wait.

I understand we're your coming from, but these aren't accuses. The team was in a pre-season and lost. If say DC United played USL All-stars in preseason and lost, I would understand the uproar in the USL as well.

[OU9601]

Jamie Trekker speaking poorly of any combination of "United States" and "soccer (or football)" happens about as often as the sun rising in the east.

Nothing against Chelsea -- clearly nothing more than a preseason match to get some legs under the squad. Still, to read Trekker's review of the game, you'd think that Chelsea players decided to take pity on the worthless, talentless MLS side.

If I didn't know better, I'd guess Trekker wrote 2 All-Star columns the day the game was announced -- one about a Chelsea win, and how poor MLS talent is, and the other about an MLS win, and how little it means. All he had to do today was drop in a few names, and viola!

[okocha1]

Jamie Trekker speaking poorly of any combination of "United States" and "soccer (or football)" happens about as often as the sun rising in the east.

Nothing against Chelsea -- clearly nothing more than a preseason match to get some legs under the squad. Still, to read Trekker's review of the game, you'd think that Chelsea players decided to take pity on the worthless, talentless MLS side.

If I didn't know better, I'd guess Trekker wrote 2 All-Star columns the day the game was announced -- one about a Chelsea win, and how poor MLS talent is, and the other about an MLS win, and how little it means. All he had to do today was drop in a few names, and viola!

Lol. I hope not :p I think you're reading a bit too much into his comments, though.

[ChiArsenal]

Jamie Trekker is a douchebag who has never had a good thing to say about American soccer. I have no clue why he decided to cover the sport.

I'd like to thank Chelsea and their fans who came to the game today, it was lots of fun and the chants were cool to hear. Sadly, no we are not Tottenham in disguise, but you guys looked like Fulham in disguise. ;)

Maybe the win meant nothing but it still feels better than losing doesn't it?

[danzig]

Lol. I hope not :p I think you're reading a bit too much into his comments, though.

The history of his 'articles' I actually wouldnt be suprised if he DID do that and write two articles. Bottom line for the game is the MLS should be proud of their performance and winning and Chelsea shouldnt (and arent) worried about the defeat. It is kinda of annoying to see some of the excuses, the team hasnt had time to play together...fine but its an allstar team for MLS they dont play together either. Fitness? Alot of the players are just coming off a world cup 6 weeks ago and MLS players are in midseason and no doubt a bit worn out. There is no need for these excuses or nonsense, the MLS had something they wanted to prove by going out there and playing the game as hard as possible and they did and they won while Chelsea it was obviously just a warmup (except for Terry). It says nothing bad about Chelsea so no reason for any reporter to come up with excuses, it just says alot good about the MLS guys and their desire.

We shouldnt make the victory into more then a moral boost for the MLS but we shouldnt run it down as completely meaningless either because it DID mean alot to the players...look at the picture of some of the MLS guys after the game like someone else said to them this game was as big as a CL final. Imo the MLS guys deserve their brief moment of glory. In a couple of weeks we'll be talking about start of EPL season and MLS fans will be talking about playoffs...Ill be talking about both because I watch both :)

[Northcal19]

Jamie Trecker is an absolute fool. His analysis is, really, not worth reading.

It was great to see Robben, Essien and the gang play, a fine opportunity for the MLS guys. But ya know, Joe Cannon makes $80K (US) a year, and he was better than both Chelsea 'keepers. Just food for thought.

[okocha1]

Jamie Trecker is an absolute fool. His analysis is, really, not worth reading.

It was great to see Robben, Essien and the gang play, a fine opportunity for the MLS guys. But ya know, Joe Cannon makes $80K (US) a year, and he was better than both Chelsea 'keepers. Just food for thought.

So Cannon is what? Better than Cudicini? Nate Jaqua and De Rosario played better than Lampard and Ballack, does that make them better players. Can one game, really put MLS on the map, in a couple of weeks no one will really remember this game, just like the WC was a non issue in even less than that amount of time. Why is money the issue at all? Let me refrase that, why did it suddenly become an issue? Please mls player make less than many European, even south american players. It is a non factor.

[Dear_Claudio]

Cannon made more saves because MLS mustered a grand total of 1 shot on goal:rolleyes:

[OU9601]

Cannon made more saves because MLS mustered a grand total of 1 shot on goal:rolleyes:


Which makes the save percentage for Chelsea keepers 0%.

[MintyDude]

Can one game, really put MLS on the map, in a couple of weeks no one will really remember this game, just like the WC was a non issue in even less than that amount of time.

No one game wont put us on the map, but good shows against Club America, crushing celtic, and soon to be Real Madrid and Barcalona could put it on the map. As an MLS supporter im not surprised we won, and I'm not saying were better than Chelsea.

All I'm saying is MLS isnt a load of crap like the world wants to think it is. They try to ignore D.C. United's 15-5-3 International record, and just dismiss MLS as insignificant compared to other more respected leagues. The fact is, we can compete, and showings like the All Star game prove it. Luckily there were a lot of people watching this time.

We're not looking to dominate EPL teams, we know where we stand. We'd just like some mutual respect. Good luck next season, from the guys on the other side of the pond.

[bostonsoccermdl]

So Cannon is what? Better than Cudicini? Nate Jaqua and De Rosario played better than Lampard and Ballack, does that make them better players. Can one game, really put MLS on the map, in a couple of weeks no one will really remember this game, just like the WC was a non issue in even less than that amount of time. Why is money the issue at all? Let me refrase that, why did it suddenly become an issue? Please mls player make less than many European, even south american players. It is a non factor.

It hasnt been just one game :rolleyes: . We have been hanging with/beating foreign opposition regurarly (besides the Real Madrid debacle) on a regular basis for a few years now.

No one is saying the players are of the same calbre, just that the gap isn't as wide as you think, and the pay doesnt reflect the actual value of the players.

[DCFAN96]

Lets just take the game for what its worth. The MLS boosted their credibility a bit, its foolish to say because of this win Player X in MLS is better then player Y in Chelsea, I don't think anyone honestly would believe that. I think all MLS would want is that the league maybe gain some more respect and visibility, I doubt their going to flaunt the win and claim MLS is a better league then the EPL.

That said thanks to all the Chelsea fans that came out to support and the players were class during their interviews and public events, best of luck this upcoming season (though I don't think you'll need it).

[nicephoras]

It hasnt been just one game :rolleyes: . We have been hanging with/beating foreign opposition regurarly (besides the Real Madrid debacle) on a regular basis for a few years now.

How many of these were competitive games? How many of these games were played in Europe?

[Prenn]

How many of these were competitive games? How many of these games were played in Europe?

This time of year is so much fun on BigSoccer, it gives you a good idea who the idiots are :D

[nicephoras]

This time of year is so much fun on BigSoccer, it gives you a good idea who the idiots are :D

You think this is bad? This (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9229635&postcount=658) is the worst I've seen yet. Chelsea gave it their "best shot", you know.

I'd cry if I didn't laugh.

[Clan]

It hasnt been just one game :rolleyes: . We have been hanging with/beating foreign opposition regurarly (besides the Real Madrid debacle) on a regular basis for a few years now.

No one is saying the players are of the same calbre, just that the gap isn't as wide as you think, and the pay doesnt reflect the actual value of the players.

You've been 'hanging' with teams that come over to get fit.

Your only real test, against a Madrid team, deep into pre-season, was and is, reflective of the gap.

Of course, we don't expect you to realise this.

[Turk from Pigs Eye]

I think this game should go down in history next to the USA's 1-0 victory over England in the 1950 World Cup, which is the biggest upset in soccer history.:D

[Ubiquitous One]

There was a World Cup skit by Stephen Colbert where he made the logical leap that, because the U.S. tied World-Cup winner Italy in the World Cup, the U.S. actually were World Cup winners. Hence, using the same logic, because the MLS All-Stars beat Chelsea, I want to make the claim that MLS is the best team in the premiership. ;)

Well, Trecker is right in that Adu wasn't really fooling anyone with his one-on-one skills -- he did better with quick give-and-gos. Clark, on the other hand, showed particularly well with his deep runs in the second half, IMO.

I do wonder, though, whether Trecker wasn't being a bit overly-kind and in Chelsea adulation mode when stating that Chelsea "generously allowed the slower, less-skilled Yanks time to settle the ball before relieving them of it." If this was the case, both teams were doing this, simply because it was a friendly and not a meaningful game. The player that he points out as a critical example, Albright, was one of the better players for MLS in the first half, arguably, and should have done better with that one-v.-one that went left of the goal, though a defender was on his back.