Sources: New York and Northern England both suck

[Matrim55]

According to Amado Guevara (http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=9367) and Julio Baptista (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=423037&cc=5901). How totally out of character from Amado. Always such a pro, especially when he was tanking games during the first half of last season.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: No team will ever win consistently with him at the helm. Get ready for the August fade, Chivas fans. All 12 of you.

Speaking of the Goats, I found this (http://www.petitiononline.com/chivas/petition.html) petition to change the team name to be worthwhile. In general I'm against rebranding (I miss the Metros), but in this instance it would be the right move. Chivas USA have not caught the imagination of the LA Mexican community and have actually managed to alienate much of the other latin American communities while simultaneously being unable to tie themselves to the city as a whole. I concede that the Chivas brand is too valuable to lose in terms of sponsorships, however, so CD Chivas LA seems the best choice.

Once they're changed, and once someone has the good sense to change Real Salt Lake to something marginally less stupid, that should be it for MLS rebranding. I'm looking directly at Stan Kroenke as I say this.

Tonight's Game

Shalrie Joseph in the shop window again, though my prediction is that he goes nowhere. The Revs won't trade him for less than equal talent, and most likely won't trade him in the Eastern Conference for any reason. That leaves only five teams (Houston's not going to be interested) that could conceivably make a move. Of those five, three (Dallas, Colorado and CD Chivas Carson) are probably content with their midfield at the moment. Which means LA or RSL would have to come up with a package that could pry him from the Revs. Not gonna happen.

On the other side of the table we have the Crew still looking for their first tally of 2006 after I brazenly predicted they'd finish second the Eastern Conference. Thanks for the donuts, you bastards. Right now I'm going to lay the blame on Sigi's ample plate simply for the baffling decision to play Herron on the wing instead of as a center forward. Makes no sense at all. Conversely, the Crew have yet to give up a goal this season, which is also largely due to Sigi as well as the inspired play of Andy Gruenbaum, so far the frontrunner for keeper of the year.

Also worth noting is that this is a meeting of the two central mids, Grabavoy and Dorman, who I picked to be the break-out players in the EC this year. So far they've both looked very, very good. Should be an enjoyable game.

Final: 2-1 NE

This Weekend

Week off for the three teams that most clearly need it: DC, LA and TFC. Somehow I expect United and Foutball Club to give up 3 goals apiece anyway.

Top of the table clash between the Dynamo and my Red Bulls. I'll be there, and am greatly looking forward to my first MLS match of 2007.

Final: 3-1 CFKA Metro

The Zards head to Chicago to take on the Guppys and their inventive 5-3-1-1 formation that makes the baby Jesus cry. The new Argentine, Marinelli, proves the difference.

Final: 1-0 KC

CD Chivas San Andreas hosts Real Salt Lake in the battle of teams that need new names. Sacha Kljestan outplays Freddy Adu and is signed to a $500,001/yr Nike contract.

Final: 2-0 Chivas

And Sunday's Telefutura match sees FC Dallas hosting Arsenal Rapid Colo Colo at Pizza the Hutt in their first home game of the season. Ruiz and Cooper.

Final: 2-1 FCD

[Justin O]

How does Chivas USA do at drawing Chivas fans when on the road? I always assumed the "USA" part of their name was an attempt to market themselves to Chivas supporters in other markets as well as LA.

[metroflip73]

How does Chivas USA do at drawing Chivas fans when on the road? I always assumed the "USA" part of their name was an attempt to market themselves to Chivas supporters in other markets as well as LA.

When C-USA visits NJ, there are some Mexican fans, usually wearing an MFL club shirt.

[viper]

When C-USA visits NJ, there are some Mexican fans, usually wearing an MFL club shirt.

Some? In the Red Bull NY game against Chivas at Giants Stadium last year there were several thousand Mexican Chivas fans.

[MtMike]

The Los Angeles Chivas.

[El Naranja]

How does Chivas USA do at drawing Chivas fans when on the road? I always assumed the "USA" part of their name was an attempt to market themselves to Chivas supporters in other markets as well as LA.

In Houston last year, when Chivas USA came, there were always huge crowds, with thousands of Chivas Guad. fans (a few Chivas USA as well). They were loud, and their Supporter's Group sat on the south end, competing with Texian Army and El Batallon on the north. They were always great games and a whole lot of fun. This year, though, there were only a handful of Chivas fans (a few hundred at most). It was something of a shock to us. I don't know if it was because Chivas Guad was playing that night as well or what, but, for the sake of the league and Chivas USA, I hope this doesn't continue and become a trend.

[Bjorn Taroque]

I'm not any kind of Guevara fan, but he didn't really sound like he was trying to diss New York, he was just being honest. Sometimes I tuned in to my MLSnet.com feed, and all I saw were the players' families too. You can't compare 800 fans in the Meadowlands with even a half-full HDC, especially when the ones there are Chivas fans.

I did like Baptista's line: "They value a corner kick more than a fancy flick." Maybe that'll be my new sig line.

[Bizz]

On Baptista---isn't the point of being clever with the ball to be able to do so before the defense can properly defend you? Why should a defense allow you to do anything? Is it his birthright to be given time to figure out what to do with the ball? Are taller players not supposed to jump for headers to make it fair for shorter players? Should faster players be required to run slower?

I understand that he is complaining about the less technical attributes of EPL relative to Brazil and La Liga. But that is a bit of a different argument (other people not making the right runs, etc) than to say that he can't pull anything off because the defenders take him to town while he is figuring out what to do.

[DoctorK]

They aren't called CD Chivas Mexico. I've always found the USA in the name stupid. LA Chivas or CD Chivas LA make much more sense.

And no, there's nothing royal about Salt Lake.

[viper]

On Baptista---isn't the point of being clever with the ball to be able to do so before the defense can properly defend you? Why should a defense allow you to do anything? Is it his birthright to be given time to figure out what to do with the ball? Are taller players not supposed to jump for headers to make it fair for shorter players? Should faster players be required to run slower?

I understand that he is complaining about the less technical attributes of EPL relative to Brazil and La Liga. But that is a bit of a different argument (other people not making the right runs, etc) than to say that he can't pull anything off because the defenders take him to town while he is figuring out what to do.

Baptista has been a complete and utter failure at Arsenal. This is a guy who has shanked so many sitters that he'd be leading the league in goals if he'd put half of them into the back of the net. Now he's complaining that he's not being given enought time to get the ball and think. Hey, that's just the way it goes, brother. It takes a special kind of player to play in the EPL and Baptista is not one of those. I don't know if given another season he could possibly turn out to be one but I doubt it. There's a long list of so called stars that were never able to adapt to EPL play but were superstars in other leagues (Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1). To quote Sinatra 'If I can make it there (EPL), I'll make it... Anywhere". I won't shed a tear when Baptista leaves Arsenal. Hopefully Mr. Wenger can get top poundage from Real Madrid for Jose Antonio and Arsenal can get a top player with 'big ones' who doesn't complain about the weather or the time he has to think with the ball.

[DoctorK]

I won't shed a tear when Baptista leaves Arsenal.

At least the Beast said this: "I am lucky to be with Arsenal, as they are a team that likes to play proper football."

Three words for someone who complains about not having enough time on the ball: not good enough.

If he leaves (big if, as Reyes ain't comin back), then I'll remember him for what he did to the Kop. ;)

As for Lobo's comments: I just don't understand why he'd disrespect those of us who stood by him.

[igli]

relax guys.
when he says there aint enough time, hes right.
most challenges in the epl are fouls in europe.
and it shows in the cl.
everything baptista said is true.
when a player is rushing at you uncoordinated as they do in the epl, it scares you. you think youre going to get hurt.

im amazed at the amount of late challenges that are not whistled in the epl.
thats why english players have no skills. its all about heart for them.
heart is fine but you also need a brain. and you cant go choppin down everybody in sight.

[igli]

"The moment you stop to think, someone has taken the ball off you and knocked you to the ground."

you see what i mean. he is complaining of the crippling challenges that get ball but also man.

[luftmensch]

relax guys.
when he says there aint enough time, hes right.
most challenges in the epl are fouls in europe.
and it shows in the cl.
everything baptista said is true.
when a player is rushing at you uncoordinated as they do in the epl, it scares you. you think youre going to get hurt.

im amazed at the amount of late challenges that are not whistled in the epl.
thats why english players have no skills. its all about heart for them.
heart is fine but you also need a brain. and you cant go choppin down everybody in sight.

"It shows in the cl?" Care to elaborate? No?

I see your point, but you're way overstating it. And the strikers with brains in the EPL think quickly enough to get a good shot off before the scary tackles come in. Something Baptista has obviously been unable to do. Can't wait to see all his bicycle kicks and fancy flicks wherever he ends up, that shit's the coolest...

[DoctorK]

The speed and physicality of the English game are what make the Premiership the most exciting league in the world.

[Bizz]

I know it is only one year, but 3 of the semifinalists are EPL teams this year. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool have all been very successful in recent years in CL. I know that those teams do not represent the quality of play top to bottom in EPL since they are clearly a cut above--but the point is that they are successful in both venues. And in UEFA, English teams fare pretty well despite the recent lack of silverware.

The challenges in EPL are hard--but are there more injuries in EPL than in other leagues? Real injuries---not rolling around in hopes of getting some BS call or in order to stop play.

I don't buy Baptista's argument at all. It is true that other leagues may be willing to give you more space and so you can do more creative things---but I don't think that is necessarily "proper". Defenders have a job to do. So long as the play is fair, they should go full speed.

[MannyMayhem]

I'm not any kind of Guevara fan, but he didn't really sound like he was trying to diss New York, he was just being honest. Sometimes I tuned in to my MLSnet.com feed, and all I saw were the players' families too. You can't compare 800 fans in the Meadowlands with even a half-full HDC, especially when the ones there are Chivas fans.

I did like Baptista's line: "They value a corner kick more than a fancy flick." Maybe that'll be my new sig line.

that's totally how I took it as well. It's not a slam if it's true. RBNY draws terrible most of the time and it is bone chillingly quiet most of the time. It is also cold there at the beginning and end of the season. I mean, Guevara is 3/3 in his assertions.

Baptista was pretty much right on with a lot of his claims as well about the EPL "style" though some weren't worded so well. It is ludicrous to fault a league because the people actually defend you and don't let you do 50 ballet moves with the ball before they get up on you.

[Bucky-O'Hare]

Does the Chivas brand not alienate Mexicans who support other mexican teams? Is Chivas USA only supported by mexicans or do other sectors of the population support them? I think Deportivo Los Angeles would be a good name. It sounds a lot more like a club in its own right rather than an extension of the 'big boys' in Guadalajara.

[John L]

The speed and physicality of the English game are what make the Premiership the most exciting league in the world.

Thats like wanting both a headache and an upset stomach

[Bellus Ludas]

According to Amado Guevara (http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=9367) and Julio Baptista (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=423037&cc=5901).

Time for Kronke to get a majority share of Arsenal and move Baptista to SUNNY Colorado!:)