What are the chances of Becks playing for DC All Stars? If he does there'll be carnage, Becks hates the Micks, he travelled to infamous game against the Republic in the late Eighties, there are pictures of him throwing a brick, if he does play I wouldn't be at all suprised if he goes on "tooled up".
I think it's wrong for some of you to show total disrespect for a storied club like Celtic and for any fans of the club checking out these forums. You are probably the same people who complain that MLS doesn't get enough respect. Now my reasons this will probably be a good game. 1. All-star teams are NOT as solid as club sides. The fact that DCU beat them 4-0 doesn't mean a group of guys who don't play together will have the same success. 2. Do you really think Celtic doesn't remember what happen to them the last time they played a MLS match? I bet they do, and I bet they aren't happy regardless of how much they really cared about that DCU game. They have pride and will come out swinging. If some of you want respect, show respect.
Hopefully we can take chris sutton with us to slap the wee dick about like he did at ryan giggs' testimonial
Well they've never played a MLS match, but the last time they played an MLS side, they tied 1-1 at New England.
Nail on the head. It has nothing to do with the quality of Celtic, which is just fine. But there are too many other more important competitions that this just detracts from by wear and tear on the players if nothing else. Gold Cup, Copa America, Open Cup, and now the Superliga. Yeah, the majority of the players in the league will get a rest this weekend, but not the ones that'll need it, the ones that just finished playing two international tournaments.
a pre-season euro club (and especially a Scottish one) is not the toughest challenge for the MLS All-stars, i don't care how many MLSers are away on NT duty. personally, i'd rather see MLS's most athletic all-stars in a pick-up basketball game versus the Boston Celtics in some kind of summer-league friendly. MLS needs to do away with its mid-season all-star game. a post-season Pro-bowl type all-star game versus the FMF all-stars on their winter break would be a better contest and likely a larger TV success.
I'm fairly certain you and anyone else who read my comments, knew exactly what I meant however for anyone who was confused let me clarify: 2. Do you really think Celtic doesn't remember the game against DCU? I bet they do, and I bet they aren't happy regardless of how much they really cared about that game. They have pride and will come out swinging. Hopefully will get the seal of approval by the semantic police.
The preseason argument is real and valid on both sides, though. It is really frustrating from an athletic standpoint that the seasons aren't the same. Economic reality prevents that. However, regular games between multiple clubs in relatively similar points in their seasons is the only way to get a real on-field measure of how the leagues compare.
While I like the All-Star game and what it represents, going from Chelsea to Celtic is a major step down and diminishes the relevance of the event. MLS can and should do better.
I agree. But the question is .. i guess .... Do they need to play these games? Is it better for the growth of the MLS to concentrate these other competitions and not worry about europe or keep playing games that most people agree ar meaningless, but are used, simply to try to slowly raise the profile in Europe. And by profile i don't really mean what european fans think, but rather something that convinces the best players (which tend to migrate to europe), that the MLS is a viable option. It may be a tiresome exercise, but if the MLS teams keep winning or doing well, the positives may outway the negatives.
I have always enjoyed the All-Star game. I know of three new fans that were a result of last year's game. Any major sport in America has an All-Star game where players are rewarded for their performance. Don't kid yourselves, Celtic is a worthy opponent, steep in tradition. Any fan of soccer will want to watch this game
I'm areeing with you far too often. The midseason AS game needs to get the boot. I wouldn't mind it after the season against some SA team most likely, but everyone seems to have a hard-on for some big team from Europe ......... hence the current format.
The Bhoys come to Denver!!!! By then Celtic will have won the SPL (by perhaps 20pts) and been crowned Champions of Europe. Why not watch them kick some MLS butt in July. Outstanding!!! The Hoops fans are very dedicated and I assure you that supporters will travel from all over the states and Canada to our fair (Commerce) City to see the game. It will be quite festive. Whoever wins it will be a great party, the Rapids and Celtic supporters will make sure of that. Finally, Colorado in July has to be one of the best climates for a game compared to the venues of all star games in years past. Look forward to seeing all of you MLS and Celtic supporters this July in Denver.
Except the only complaint from us is that we're in pre-season form, not any of those other excuses. Nice try
Heck, I'd rather see East vs. West than Celtic !! How about something more like Barca,AC, Inter, I'd even rather see Boca than Celtic !!
This is fantastic I think. The ALL Star game is supposed to be a big party. Celtic fans bring it like maybe nobody else. They're a hybrid of the Scottish and the Irish for crying out loud. Chelsea? Chelsea doesn't have many more real fans than the Galaxy. And as far as the competition goes, Celtic will be more than adequate. Once again real team versus pick-up team. If we somehow pasted them 4-0 that would be great. But anybody expecting that to happen again... well you probably picked Bruce's boys for the '06 semifinals.
It's ok. My point is that if DC beat Celtic last year in their preseason what does MLS beating them prove? The summer is now too crowded for this. We either need to move the game to after the season or just get rid of it.
I agree the All-Star Game is a waste of time, but at least it's not taking up a weekend date. And DC having beaten them 4-0 last year doesn't necessarily mean they'll get trashed this year, does it? Just sayin'. But bashing the All-Star Game, no matter what the format, no matter what the opponent, no matter what, is just part of the annual soccer calendar.
I was very interested when we played Chivas and marginally interested when we played Chelsea. Playing Celtic now, ehhhhh, unlikely I would waste my time with this one.
Completely agree. I'm a Celtic fan so it's rather cool news for me, but I'm more interested in what's best for MLS at this point, and this ain't it. I was in favor of the MLS All-Stars vs. Famous Foreign FC format even before they did it, assuming that we HAVE to have an All-Star Game (which, apparently, we do). But, if MLS is going to start entering non-league competitions seriously, they have to take a long, hard look at dumping the All-Star Game, or at least not playing it every year.