http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/so...tional-champions-cup-tournament/?sct=sc_t2_a3 Apparently we are competing in this?
Wahl is usually solid. Interesting. Is MLS really going to move our schedule around to play in a knockout friendly tournament?
This is lame. I'd rather win the US Open Cup. I just hope we don't have play another MLS team in a "friendly" mid-season.
Interesting but it will never be given proper importance given it's during preseason for the bigger clubs.
It seems like a smart marketing move to hype up the preseason prep games for the Euro teams and not intended to become a serious tourney given the timing. Only problem I see is that I assume the # of preseason games played by a team would be dependent on their advancement in the tourney. As a manager you would want that # to be more predictable bc it would determine which players you want to put on the field in each preseason game (play prospects more early on, shifting to established players as # of preseason games runs down). Same issue for MLS teams in tourney - advancement could be a negative given the league is in midseason.
I hate it. I understand we are one of the big clubs over here so it kind of is our duty but I just wish all of the friendlies could be minimized. But, seeing as we need more and more money I guess it can't be helped. What sucks is that, unlike the WFC where there was a one off game, this is actually in tourney fashion so means we could end up playing many more games. Not liking how crowded our summer is going it be. Maybe if we weren't in the CCL this might be cool but as of now we are going to end up having a bunch of games crowded in a little bit of time again.
I'm sure our European DP's will be tied to these games for marketing purposes but if we can get away with only Robbie, our third DP, and Cudicini mixed with our reserve squad that would be ideal.
Another made for TV soak the rubes series of crap games to distract us from the SS/Cup races. Oh goody goody goody.
I'm most excited about the prospect of injuries! Actually, I'm a sucker, so I'll probably enjoy this. But I admit that these probably hurt us more than help us in terms of the league.
My feeling exactly. I would love these games if they were offseason or actually meant something...unfortunately, they aren't and don't.
Well, if you can't make it to the FIFA CWC, the next best thing is hold your own version in your backyard. Marketing-wise, this is a smart move.. Many plastic fans will only bring dollars to MLS if they are playing against big money Euro teams. However, like the rest of you, I fear that by the time the tourney rolls around, our players will being running short on energy.
Today's LA Times (maybe in the comments section and therefore not necessarily reliable) says that all the teams play all the scheduled games - no knockout rounds. Which is horrible in terms of the burden on the team. And do we have to travel to Europe as well? And no other MLS clubs are participating? So, do you think the league will shut down for the duration of the tournament?
The only thing this will be good for is the teams bank account and hopefuly getting the reserves quality minutes against stronger opposition. Hopefully no injuries come from this.
Bingo. Lets see if we can avoid being on the receiving end. A few of those for the "big clubs" might close down this stupidity.
Except they play at 50% for the purpose of avoiding injury. We're playing all out to "make a statement about the quality of the league!" so we end up hurt while they pull out of every tackle. (Which is good common sense. They have nothing to gain by whopping an MLS team.)
But what about the old sports cliche about "you only get hurt when you are not going all out." I'm sure I have heard that one a few hundred times. Don't tell me its not so!!!
You can also get pricked by a nettle that you grasp firmly. Trust me, I've debunked that one quiet a few times while doing back-country hiking. The worst sports injuries I have had were when I was pushing the limits. Never gotten injured taking a play off.
http://news.yahoo.com/real-juventus-headline-u-based-tournament-072412958--spt.html Real Madrid, Juve, Inter, LAG, 2 EPL clubs, and Galatasaray + AC Milan "rumored". LAG win a match = its only pre-season LAG lose a match = MLS sucks On top of WC Qualifying and Gold Cup this will be a very interesting summer.
Well, if the Galaxy wind up playing in New York or New Jersey (never quite sure what they mean by "New York"), I'll have to choose between seeing my Gs live again, and not supporting these stupid, stupid mid-season friendlies.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/real-madrid-juventus-inter-la-130000622--mls.html This article has a few quotes from Kline...
"We have a crowded schedule...." No kidding. The dumb ICC looks to overlap with the first round of the next CCL and who knows when the USOC Cup games start again. Unless we are up against real minnows, I want us to take those cups seriously and screw the ICC - but since it's a made-for-TV event I fully expect it to be the other way around.
http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/...s-cup-real-madrid-juventus-galaxy-inter-milan At least we are the only MLS club and can cement even more our role as THE mls club. On the other hand we get another mid season distraction... Ugh also, perhaps this ties into our 3rd DP?