MLS/USL thread [R]

[BayernWake]

I was thinking of picking an MLS team to support... then slapped myself. I do watch the Galaxy games on the highlights though.... as its the only team who's highlights are shown (on ESPN Classic about 4 days after the match). Yes I'll admit that I'm only interested in them because of Beckham. Wouldn't say I "support" them though. If Seattle had a team I'd go with them for music-related reasons (see how shallow my interest is?)

I'm more interested in if MLS is gonna work. But all that talk about salary caps and DP's (I thought that was a term in porn) makes me lose the will to live.

I kinda find it hard to believe there are Americans who chose to support Newcastle... what the f**k were you thinking? :D Well done all the same.

Seattle's getting an MLS team in 2009. So there you go!

I walked into an Irish pub here a few weeks ago, and there were a few Irish and English guys there who were surprised to see me wearing my Newcastle shirt (during the Newcastle/Brummies match). "What's a Yank doing wearing a Georgie shirt?", they said. True, most Yanks support the Big Four. I had to explain that Shearer was a big influence. I didn't want to explain that Ottmar Hitzfeld was also a big influence, because that's complicated (being a Bayern supporter...Hitzfeld was rumored to take over Newcastle in 2004...which got me interested in the Toon. Unfortunately we got Souness :rolleyes:...but I stuck with them ever since).

[Russell1892]

Seattle's getting an MLS team in 2009. So there you go!

I walked into an Irish pub here a few weeks ago, and there were a few Irish and English guys there who were surprised to see me wearing my Newcastle shirt (during the Newcastle/Brummies match). "What's a Yank doing wearing a Georgie shirt?", they said. True, most Yanks support the Big Four. I had to explain that Shearer was a big influence. I didn't want to explain that Ottmar Hitzfeld was also a big influence, because that's complicated (being a Bayern supporter...Hitzfeld was rumored to take over Newcastle in 2004...which got me interested in the Toon. Unfortunately we got Souness :rolleyes:...but I stuck with them ever since).

Haha did you order a bottle of Broon Ale to complete the look? I don't mind watching MLS - in particular for some reason I find Americans commentating on football unintenionally hilarious... with their obsession with pointless stats - like how many times the keeper's caught the ball.

If I was gonna pick one to support I might as well pick one thats got a chance of winning something though... might be my only chance to support a team that wins something. :rolleyes: Couldn't be the Galaxy though... not now that they've got Ruud on board. I still hold a grudge against him. He can stick his sexy football up his arse.

[D-Wade]

OK so after rooting through a whole bunch of ridiculous stats and the like in regards to the whole player classification, weird playoff systems, fan sites and boards here on Big Soccer, and in addition weighing heavily the comments and concerns I received here, I have come to the conclusion that I must have been extremely drunk when I started this thread, because can barely find an attractive MLS team to follow.

I have narrowed it to Toronto, because of the rabid fans of a non-existant team, Chicago due to geographics and LA (yes I am eating my words but bear with me) simply because I have lived in SoCal for the greater part of my adult life and San Diego doesn't have a team yet.

:o

so I am not chasing team as of yet, more like slouching vaguely in a general direction... thanks for the insight

Could always go with San Jose Earthquakes

[BayernWake]

Haha did you order a bottle of Broon Ale to complete the look? I don't mind watching MLS - in particular for some reason I find Americans commentating on football unintenionally hilarious... with their obsession with pointless stats - like how many times the keeper's caught the ball.

If I was gonna pick one to support I might as well pick one thats got a chance of winning something though... might be my only chance to support a team that wins something. :rolleyes: Couldn't be the Galaxy though... not now that they've got Ruud on board. I still hold a grudge against him. He can stick his sexy football up his arse.

Can't go wrong with DC United...since they're also "United." They hold the record for MLS championships (4), and IMO they could win a fifth this year (haven't won one since 2004 though).

[ToonUSA]

You gotta make the playoffs to win, son.

Who says Gullit's sexy football will work any better in the kneecap league than it did the Prem? :p

Don't worry about us sweetheart.

We'll be making the playoffs with games to spare!

[ToonUSA]

I kinda find it hard to believe there are Americans who chose to support Newcastle... what the f**k were you thinking? :D Well done all the same.

I had no choice.

Newcastle chose me if anything.

[ToonUSA]

Quality start from the Galaxy. :rolleyes:

Were decent in the 1st half and were unlucky to be down 1-0 at the half. Absolutely amateur refereeing gave Colorado an undeserved spot kick and we never recovered from that. Players absolutely layed down. I'm trying to be positive and say it was only the first game of the year, but it looks very bleak for us this season.

[ToonUSA]

On another note I'm convinced we have some of the worst fans in the whole world after reading some of the shite here on BS. We don't lack in overall support as we have historically the highest average attendances, but most of these people don't have a ********ing clue. Most are just Beckham fans and God forbid someone chide him for being less than spectacular in a 4-0 loss.

[BayernWake]

Holy shite, all our teams lost (ToonUSA's, mine, tigerdave's...pretty sure there's a TFC fan here too)

Toronto 0 Columbus 2
DC United 0 Kansas City 2
LA 0 Rapids 4
Houston 0 Red Sox fans 3 (I hate Red Sox fans)

[BayernWake]

ToonUSA, consider this thread a safe haven for level-minded MLS fans.

[Russell1892]

Quality start from the Galaxy. :rolleyes:

Were decent in the 1st half and were unlucky to be down 1-0 at the half. Absolutely amateur refereeing gave Colorado an undeserved spot kick and we never recovered from that. Players absolutely layed down. I'm trying to be positive and say it was only the first game of the year, but it looks very bleak for us this season.

I remember when Gullit was in charge up here... he completely knackered them in pre-season by working them far too hard so they were the most sluggish, ill-prepared team I've ever seen wear the shirts. He's the worst manager we've had in the last 15 years. Makes Souness look like Wenger. I haven't seen the game but I'm guessing Gullit's "train hard, no energy left for games" attitude still perseveres?

[penubly]

I'm not a big MLS fan. I've watched quite a bit since the league started, but never got enthused. The whole 1836-Dynamo thing pretty much killed any chance of me caring.

I watch occasionally, and have an idea of who is playing well, etc. I must say that the standard of play has improved.

I watched the most of the Galaxy game last night on HDnet. Pretty shocking performance by the Galaxy, especially the second half.

I thought that the Galaxy looked pretty tired in the second half, and attribute some of the performance to altitude.

But honestly, the central defence looked bad, and I thought it was mostly down to the central midfield. Alvo Pires had a shocker; he looked clumsy at best.

Landon Donavan is good, but I swear that dude has a way of disappearing. Beckham looked tired, but still can pass with the best. I saw several chances that he created, and deserved some better finishing.

I didn't see the Dynamo play, but it will be interesting to see if the city continues supporting the team.

[tigerdave]

I'm not a big MLS fan. I've watched quite a bit since the league started, but never got enthused. The whole 1836-Dynamo thing pretty much killed any chance of me caring.

I watch occasionally, and have an idea of who is playing well, etc. I must say that the standard of play has improved.

I watched the most of the Galaxy game last night on HDnet. Pretty shocking performance by the Galaxy, especially the second half.

I thought that the Galaxy looked pretty tired in the second half, and attribute some of the performance to altitude.

But honestly, the central defence looked bad, and I thought it was mostly down to the central midfield. Alvo Pires had a shocker; he looked clumsy at best.

Landon Donavan is good, but I swear that dude has a way of disappearing. Beckham looked tired, but still can pass with the best. I saw several chances that he created, and deserved some better finishing.

I didn't see the Dynamo play, but it will be interesting to see if the city continues supporting the team.

Houston's got a pretty good fanbase, and they're not going to panic over a loss to the three-time defending East champs. Not like not beating them the last two years prevented them from having a successful season or anything. ;)

I think LA and Houston were both kind of set up for the same thing. Important players playing midweek games in Europe isn't something that should be yawned at. Beckham, Ching and Donovan were all tired and for good reason. The Gals especially since they had to play at altitude after having their two best players play in France and Poland on Wednesday.

[penubly]

Houston's got a pretty good fanbase, and they're not going to panic over a loss to the three-time defending East champs. Not like not beating them the last two years prevented them from having a successful season or anything. ;)

I was thinking more long term, than just the result against New England. We'll see how long they continue to draw, and how much $ they actually make. Houston can be a fickle town for sports. I'm also interested to see how the stadium issue is handled.

I think LA and Houston were both kind of set up for the same thing. Important players playing midweek games in Europe isn't something that should be yawned at. Beckham, Ching and Donovan were all tired and for good reason. The Gals especially since they had to play at altitude after having their two best players play in France and Poland on Wednesday.

I don't think Vanney, Xavier and Alvo Pires or the majority of the Galaxy had midweek games. Altitude could be a reasonable answer to the fatigue in the second half, but Beckham and Donavan played better than most of their teammates. I didn't watch the Dynamo, so I can't comment on Ching.

[ToonUSA]

I remember when Gullit was in charge up here... he completely knackered them in pre-season by working them far too hard so they were the most sluggish, ill-prepared team I've ever seen wear the shirts. He's the worst manager we've had in the last 15 years. Makes Souness look like Wenger. I haven't seen the game but I'm guessing Gullit's "train hard, no energy left for games" attitude still perseveres?

That's exactly what happened last night. The players legs absolutely died in the second half. He also doesn't appear to be much of a motivator, as we got a crap peno decision against us and the players just absolutely packed it in. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for a few more games, but what I saw last night makes me wanna burn my ********ing tickets.

[Russell1892]

That's exactly what happened last night. The players legs absolutely died in the second half. He also doesn't appear to be much of a motivator, as we got a crap peno decision against us and the players just absolutely packed it in. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for a few more games, but what I saw last night makes me wanna burn my ********ing tickets.

His man-management was dire. Robson's recently talked about the situation with Shearer when he took over. Shearer couldn't buy a goal and Gullit decided he was finished (much like what a lot of people have said about Owen this year) also tried to sell him to Barca. Robson came in and talked with him about what the problems were with his game and in his first home game in charge Shearer scored 5.

If you think Newcastle were shite in January this year... it was like getting a blowjob compared to what Gullit did to us at the start of 99/00. He's a big name but...... I wouldn't let him run a f*cking bath never mind my football team.

[ToonUSA]

His man-management was dire. Robson's recently talked about the situation with Shearer when he took over. Shearer couldn't buy a goal and Gullit decided he was finished (much like what a lot of people have said about Owen this year) also tried to sell him to Barca. Robson came in and talked with him about what the problems were with his game and in his first home game in charge Shearer scored 5.

If you think Newcastle were shite in January this year... it was like getting a blowjob compared to what Gullit did to us at the start of 99/00. He's a big name but...... I wouldn't let him run a f*cking bath never mind my football team.
You see the problem is the GM out here is treating the Galaxy like it's his own personal game. (Much like Fat Freddy did mind you) Brings in Becks to sell tickets and jerseys (he can still play a bit though to be fair), he signs big name hacks from Europe (Abel Xavier from the Beasts and we had Babayaro at the beginning of the year), brings in this big European name to coach us when a well versed American coach would have done just fine, and then we can't buy any decent squad players because we've blown our wad on all the big names. It's shambles.

[Russell1892]

You see the problem is the GM out here is treating the Galaxy like it's his own personal game. (Much like Fat Freddy did mind you) Brings in Becks to sell tickets and jerseys (he can still play a bit though to be fair), he signs big name hacks from Europe (Abel Xavier from the Beasts and we had Babayaro at the beginning of the year), brings in this big European name to coach us when a well versed American coach would have done just fine, and then we can't buy any decent squad players because we've blown our wad on all the big names. It's shambles.

Yeah I know Lalas hasn't got a clue what he's doing. The Beckham thing has worked in terms of getting attention for the league (the Galaxy was on the front page of the sports section of the Guardian on Saturday) but it won't work without having a good team. I would recommend anyone but Gullit.... Roeder would have been a better choice.

I'm thinking if they were to import a coach from Europe go for a manager who has experience in Scotland or the Championship (as they're the ones experienced with a physical league with a limited budget.) I see Jon Carver is managing Toronto now... he was a quality coach and worked under SBR (hey it worked for Mourinho). They seem obsessed with gala press conferences and big names.

[ToonUSA]

Yeah I know Lalas hasn't got a clue what he's doing. The Beckham thing has worked in terms of getting attention for the league (the Galaxy was on the front page of the sports section of the Guardian on Saturday) but it won't work without having a good team. I would recommend anyone but Gullit.... Roeder would have been a better choice.

I'm thinking if they were to import a coach from Europe go for a manager who has experience in Scotland or the Championship (as they're the ones experienced with a physical league with a limited budget.) I see Jon Carver is managing Toronto now... he was a quality coach and worked under SBR (hey it worked for Mourinho). They seem obsessed with gala press conferences and big names.

Agreed again on the coaching aspect. It wouldn't exactly be easy to lure a decent championship or SPL manager away from Europe (although if there was 1 club with enough to offer it would be us) to come be mired in mediocrity in the MLS. However, watching a few games yesterday I've got to say I'm pleased with the level of play for the most part (well apart from my shit side) and can see more knowledgable European managers and players possibly wanting to play their trade out here on the frontier.

[Russell1892]

Agreed again on the coaching aspect. It wouldn't exactly be easy to lure a decent championship or SPL manager away from Europe (although if there was 1 club with enough to offer it would be us) to come be mired in mediocrity in the MLS. However, watching a few games yesterday I've got to say I'm pleased with the level of play for the most part (well apart from my shit side) and can see more knowledgable European managers and players possibly wanting to play their trade out here on the frontier.

I've been over and read the Galaxy boards a few times and laugh when they call Gullit "a top European coach" just because he's European doesn't make him a top coach - for hell's sake he was sitting next to Souness doing Sky Sports punditry on the CL when LAG snapped him up (there's a reason why nobody in europe will touch him). I do think more players will consider going over there. I'd probably rather play in the MLS than the Championship. You will attract your fair share of Babayaros and Kluiverts though... how long before Luque shows up in MLS?

I do think a manager that can make a team is the most important - I know you all thought Yallop was sh*t but Gullit? Big names may bring the people who think Beckham is "hawt" but for fooks sake.

Just seems like the only fans the LAG cares about are the ones it doesn't already have.