7/9/07: Back To Work

[GPK]

Crew Review-Columbus Dispatch (http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/sports/stories/2007/07/09/crew_review0709_ART_07-09-07_C6_JD782RU.html)
FC Dallas has one goal for event-Dallas Morning News (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/soccer/stories/070907dnspofcdallaslede.3811427.html)
Beckham: From working-class boy to Man U-LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-beckham9jul09,1,7028641.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-soccer)
Melted Ice Makes Way for Fever Pitch at FIFA Under-20 World Cup-NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/sports/soccer/09soccer.html)
Revs show signs of resurgence-Boston Herald (http://sports.bostonherald.com/soccer/view.bg?articleid=1010267)
Their best shots not good enough-Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2007/07/09/their_best_shots_not_good_enough/)
Slumping Colorado still firing blanks-Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_6329508)
Futility lingers for goal-challenged Rapids-Rocky Mountain News (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mls/article/0,2777,DRMN_23926_5621140,00.html)
Wolyniec's goal lifts Bulls to victory-Herald News (http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMDYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcxNjU3OTcmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2)
Dynamo click on all cylinders-Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/4952128.html)
Learning experience-Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/4952074.html)
Houston Halts Streaking D.C. United-Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/08/AR2007070801381.html)
TFC coach unhappy despite road streak-Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070709.TORFC09/TPStory/Sports)
U.S. soccer looking better than ever-Merced Sun-Star (http://www.mercedsunstar.com/sports/columnists/story/13770667p-14352069c.html)

[usasoccerhooligan]

well soooorrryyy Mr. Van Dyk from San Francisco.

[SAFC Yank]

From the NY Times article on the U-20s linked above:


The attraction of the tournament is not just its atmosphere. Van Dyk said that compared to the under-20 games, professional soccer games in the United States seem “like children’s league play.”


Sigh.

I heard this from the guy behind me during the opening game in Burnaby, too. "All the teams in this tournament would kill the Whitecaps." He must not have watched his host country side play much.

I suppose it shows, not for the first time, how the atmosphere around the game has an impact on how the quality of the games are perceived. Most of the games in Burnaby have been great to watch, very enjoyable. Only Uruguay-Jordan was a dud. But some, like Scotland-Costa Rica, were great despite (or maybe because) of the number of mistakes being made.

Making MLS look like a "children's league'? Puhleeeze.

[RSwenson]

it is the same group who say that these kids would beat the team that went to Copa America... while they might get lucky, the CA team would beat them 6/10 times with a couple of draws and a loss of two...

all that many of these people see is the competition and the atmosphere... which is admittedly great...

all you need to know is that none of these U20 players are a critical member of their league team (except the college kids;))...

[usasoccerhooligan]

it is the same group who say that these kids would beat the team that went to Copa America... while they might get lucky, the CA team would beat them 6/10 times with a couple of draws and a loss of two...

all that many of these people see is the competition and the atmosphere... which is admittedly great...

all you need to know is that none of these U20 players are a critical member of their league team (except the college kids;))...

i'd say Jozy is a pretty big part of the Red Bulls. not the star, but a pretty big part.

[Gorky]

Reminds me of people constantly saying "Why doesn't Adu perform like this in MLS?"

It's because these are 18 year old boys, while MLS players are grown men. Of course playing in your own age group is easier.

[sprovi]

Reminds me of people constantly saying "Why doesn't Adu perform like this in MLS?"

It's because these are 18 year old boys, while MLS players are grown men. Of course playing in your own age group is easier.

To be fair, most of these of these players are 20 and Adu just turned 18. Not exactly the "same age bracket." The biggest difference to me is that Rongen is allowing Adu to play his position and is giving freedom on the field that none of his MLS coaches have ever given him. If he was used properly, we could see this Adu in MLS.