Fox Football Fone-In Thread

Discussion in 'MLS: General' started by tigersoccer2005, Apr 21, 2008.

  1. equus

    equus Member

    Jan 6, 2007
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    FFF and Super Sunday+ are OK, but for any in-depth analysis of MLS you've got to have people like Sullivan, Bretos, Rogandino, et al to be on the panel. Cohen, Webster, Costigan and Richards give MLS cursory coverage, but they don't know the backstories that give the game analysis in MLS some context the same way they do for the EPL.
     
  2. Milhouse

    Milhouse Member

    Dec 29, 1998
    Clifton, NJ
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    I love how everyone is clueless about this stuff. The lines are permanent at Rice-Eccles and have been since RSL started playing there. They aren't going to just go away because two oafs want them to.

    Anyway, the other discussion that is getting old is the promotion/relegation talk on FFF and WSD. These guys say it'll never happen, but they waste half the show talking about it. If it's not happening, then who cares? You just make yourself out to be a crybaby.

    When MLS has stadiums all around the country, these guys are still going to find a reason to complain about something. I can't wait to hear what they will come up with then. Of course, there will always be promotion and relegation. YES!
     
  3. DLee

    DLee Member

    Apr 24, 2006
    Chicago
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    I think the league itself should pay to have a temporary grass field installed for every artificial away venue Beckham pays in. Yes, it sounds like a hasty, fanboy, favortism for Golden Balls, but the man finally did what the league has been paying him $250 million to do and the only thing foreign viewers can focus on is the green concrete and "UTAH" painted between the posts.

    Those that follow the league, or care to do some research about the league know that RSL's beautiful SSS with a snow-capped mountain backdrop is only 5 months from opening. But the fact is, the soccer fans abroad watching the 1 minute highlight on Sky Sports News and the non-MLS soccer fans in America watching SportsCenter don't bother to research this fact. They just don't. They never will. Period. And chances are they won't tune in the next time they see an MLS match on their TV guide.

    Beckham scores two (TWO!) highlight-reel goals and the rest of the world just chuckles.
     
  4. Milhouse

    Milhouse Member

    Dec 29, 1998
    Clifton, NJ
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    What do you mean people around the world chuckle? How do you know that? The only people chuckling are the two Brits on FFF and WSD who can't be bothered with MLS.

    It would be a complete waste of money to install grass fields everywhere. Don't you think other teams would want the same treatment? What about for Blanco and your Fire? Doing something like this would not be worthwhile. Do you remember what those grass fields at Giants Stadium looked like? What a disaster that was.
     
  5. nbtc971

    nbtc971 Member

    Dec 26, 2006
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    Some ppl just can't stand to have the league criticized. Turf, Football lines, low salary cap, etc, are legit complaints. Talking about a relegation system is worthy of conversation. FFF still promote MLS and they do say nice things when warranted. They mentioned good attendance for instance. Do I wish they gave a little more time to MLS, yes, but lets not be so sensitive we can't talk about real concerns.
     
  6. DLee

    DLee Member

    Apr 24, 2006
    Chicago
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    Sure, I think the other teams in the league would want the same treatment. (Actually it would probably be the home team that would be upset since the fake turf provides a huge home field advantage). But I know that my Fire's highlights against the Rapids or Crew are not going to make Sky Sports News or SportsCenter no matter how well Blanco plays or how nice Toyota Park looks.

    If you really think that "the 2 Brits on FFF" (wasn't Bretos ripping on it too?) are the only ones laughing at "Mountain West Conference" in the backdrop of Beckham's rocket, I respectfully disagree. I would assume the most die-hard MLS supporter cringed as well.

    Unfortunately, wherever Beckham scores or plays a jaw-dropping through-ball to LD is going to be the "face of the league" that week.
     
  7. Milhouse

    Milhouse Member

    Dec 29, 1998
    Clifton, NJ
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    I am not saying it's ideal. I don't like it either, but the new stadium is coming. I just get annoyed when people make it seem like we have to cater to people in other countries.

    We're on the same side here, and these stadiums can't go up fast enough (especially in NJ). Giants Stadium just sucks on so many levels.
     
  8. DLee

    DLee Member

    Apr 24, 2006
    Chicago
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    Excellent post. The "two brits on FFF who couldn't be bothered with MLS" regularlly attend LAG and Chivas matches, watch games on the telly, know the leagues best players, etc. I know in the 2+ years I've been listening to WSD that Cohen can be a close-mided twat at times, but he has also raised very valid constructive criticism of the league.

    I have friends from Europe that not coincidentally have the same criticisms of MLS (poor atmosphere at games, signing the wrong type of players, marketing to the wrong demographic, regular season is meaningless, unwatchable on TV at some venues), yet attend matches regularlly, buy jerseys, etc.
     
  9. DLee

    DLee Member

    Apr 24, 2006
    Chicago
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    Definitely. Starting next season I think only Seattle, Toronto and New England will be playing on the fake stuff and the first two will most likely have atmospheres to make up for it.

    I agree about not catering to foreigners also, but I think the artificial turf deal is not really a "they need to respect MLS" issue but more of a "MLS needs to respect the global game" issue.
     
  10. jbgeach

    jbgeach Member

    Apr 5, 2005
    Chattanooga, TN
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    1. Agree fox needs to do FFF during the summer, I am sure they could get Bretos and a different guest host for the summer. They could get the guy that does those espn soccer pod casts or something.

    2. Cohen has legit complaints, but he continually airs them, while ignoring a constantly improving product on the field. Our worst teams showed very well in the Concacaf cup. We need analysis on the stories of the league. Listen FSC there is a market.

    3. Drop the poll question and make an online or text poll. Much less distracting to the show.
     
  11. narko

    narko New Member

    Jul 16, 2007
    North Carolina
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary


    Uhh... He doesn't ignore the product on the field. He has complimented the play on the field all the time this season. The only game I can remember him saying wasn't played well was the Galaxy/Chivas match, but said it was entertaining A couple of weeks ago, he said a Columbus Crew match was one of the three best games he watched that weekend.
     
  12. Milhouse

    Milhouse Member

    Dec 29, 1998
    Clifton, NJ
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    I don't want to start a crazy argument here, but what do you tell the Russians and the Scandinavians? They're not respecting the game?

    We just need to slow down with some of the over the top comments. I listen to WSD and watch FFF. I just don't understand why Cohen rambles on about the same things all the time. The stuff you mentioned are valid criticisms, but he doesn't have to harp on it all the time. it gets tired.

    Here is the rundown:
    -New stadiums coming, so hopefully no football lines.
    -salary cap has been increasing little by little
    -regular season games are meaningless because of the playoffs, but that will change as more teams are added. That got adjusted in the NHL and NBA too. Do you remember when the NHL had 21 teams and 16 made the playoffs after an 82 game season? Talk about meaningless.
    -atmosphere. i totally agree here, except for certain venues (DC, Chicago, Toronto)
    -DP rule allows for bigger named player to join a team or to keep rising stars.

    There are other issues to with one of the biggest being the departure of Americans to lesser-known European leagues.

    Actually, my biggest gripe with the shows is most of the callers. I have heard countless Americans bash MLS and talk about how they just can't stomach MLS. I think that's the part that really shocks me. We finally have a league (for those of us who remember what soccer life was like before 1994), and we thumb our noses at it.

    Anyway, enough ranting.
     
  13. DLee

    DLee Member

    Apr 24, 2006
    Chicago
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    No crazy argument at all, just some good banter. I think the most intriguing aspect of the league is that we are watching it in real time sprout up from nothing and develop into something growing in quality by the day.

    Both from a business and sporting aspect it is fascinating to see how changes are implemented, improvements are made, what qualities in new franchises are valued, what things suceed (ESPN and Univision TV deals, Superliga, Blanco, DP slot) and what things don't but can be addressed, (salary structure, players bolting for Norway's DII, annoucers like DOB). Good stuff.
     
  14. Milhouse

    Milhouse Member

    Dec 29, 1998
    Clifton, NJ
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    I agree we are seeing a league develop from nothing into something significant. I think that's why I get upset when people just bash MLS and bring up the same old arguments.

    I have been following US soccer for a very long time, and I remember what it was like to have nothing on television. Just one Serie A game a week and some Mexican soccer. What we are experiencing now with MLS and three soccer tv stations is just amazing.
     
  15. Flagreekguy

    Flagreekguy New Member

    Aug 13, 2007
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    They are only bringing up MLS out of courtesy. I'm a die hard MLS fan and it sucks that they only do it out of courtesy. BPL is the only reason they have a show to be frank.

    As for steven. Either the execs of FSC are going to make sure he talks a tad more politically correct about MLS and sponsors or he's going to get canned.

    He dogged a English day thing that HDC is going to be having. HDC payed for that plug and steve spent 3 minutes talking about how offended he was. The only BIG time he spent on MLS was all regarding the grid iron lines and not the the fact NYRB are having a great season or that TFC is looking good. It's just getting annoying and i'm sure the exec's are going t o start letting him know.
     
  16. Diego Pasley

    Diego Pasley Member

    Jun 26, 2005
    Lake Ozark, MO
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    I disagree with the hate of FFF. I am a fan of the sport 1st, the MLS 2nd, and my team 3rd. This being the case, FFF is a decent show in my opinion. They give U.S. fans a chance to talk about the global sport. This is their primary goal and they accomplish it. They do spend some time on the MLS, catering a bit to my desire to see my home league covered. Sure, they cover the other leagues, but I watch the program to see what is going on in ALL leagues, not just the MLS. Finally, they show clips from games and cover a little news from the teams I support in the MLS. All in all, they do a decent job. Do I agree with what they say? Not usually, but I enjoy programming that challenges what I think. Watching a show that did nothing but agree with what I think would be about like talking to myself. For those of you that don't like the show (or the football lines on some fields) I have a suggestion. Weigh your desire for news or to watch the game with your option of changing the channel.
     
  17. John L

    John L Member+

    Sep 20, 2003
    Alexandria, VA
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    They have no useful commentary for leagues in the Americas -


    ...

    ...


    They have no useful commentary for any league outside of England -


    ....


    ....


    Come to think of if - They have no useful commentary even for the EPL
     
  18. GIO17

    GIO17 Member

    Nov 29, 1998
    Re: Fox Football Fone-In--Cohen is funny!!

    First of all I was informing you. If you took it as critizisium, then that's your own fault. Calling me a cry baby? It's called being pasionate for the sport in the USA. It's called taking a stand against him and the crap that spews out of his mouth. I never said you can't critizise MLS. Whatever negatives the league has done with certain rules that were changed, or are still around that needs change or deletion we can discuss it. But where are the positives about the league? He gives none, doesn't want to give one. Since they started on their Sirius deal it's been bash, bash, bash. He may try recently to change his tune, but it's fake.

    The way you've been acting it sounds like you enjoy watching the wiggles. I have already provided evidence. It's the same evidence that everyone who hates Cohen has seen him on F.F.F. or on his Sirius show. I'm in the Sports News Business sir. I'm the guy that helps NBC affilliate WDHD in Boston get your Bruins, Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots & Revolution highlights. So listen up son, if you sound so smart you will pay attention to what I am saying.

    His opinion is the same old boring & tiresome talk of why Chelsea is the best. Why the MLS is pathetic and everything else. If Cohen tried an ounce of mixing in some positives on MLS, I wouldn't be doing this. He doesn't try at all & he shows that he is a lazy host of either show. Poor little Stevie can't get off his fat arse and go to a LA Galaxy training session to interview David Beckham? BOO HOO HOO!

    Provacative? Before his Sirius deal I can say that. Now, it's just embarassing.

    Sorry don't own a dog. Stop assuming that I have a dog. But since you don't want to see the truth, like I said go on and keep listening to him. It's a free country. He can say whatever he wants & I know he will have his American Euro Snobs listen to him. As long as he continues to bash our league, oops wait I'm sorry I should say our league but not you, I will continue to go against him. Like I told you son, I'm in the Sports News Business I know what's going on.
     
  19. narko

    narko New Member

    Jul 16, 2007
    North Carolina
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Fox Football Fone-In--Cohen is funny!!

    GIO obviously doesn't listen to the show.
     
  20. nbtc971

    nbtc971 Member

    Dec 26, 2006
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    And if I use this post as my example, you have no useful commentary on this or any thread.
     
  21. brittkamp

    brittkamp Member

    Nov 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    I watch the show every week but I do not watch it for MLS content. Two weeks ago the show had 10 minutes of MLS commentary which was Cohen bitching about Donovan celebrating in front of Chivas. I find it funny that he did not mention the whole preki/donovan apology pissing contest or the fact Landon was saying/excusing that he was only running over to where his wife was sitting.

    Cohen gave ten minutes of the usual I hate the Galaxy and Donovan is a ********** speech and then it was... Coming up on FFF the Champions league.
    So.. watch it for other content and enjoy.
     
  22. Qrom

    Qrom Member

    Oct 26, 2007
    east bay
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    I've heard more from MLS coaches and players on their show than ANYWHERE else. Hardcore MLS fans need a constant circlejerk or they start freaking out and insulting people.
     
  23. UShornet

    UShornet Member

    Apr 4, 2008
    Omaha, NE
    Club:
    Watford FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Fox Football Fone-In--Cohen is funny!!

    All FFF does is talk about the Big Four. It's always the same boring stuff about Liverpool and C.Ronaldo and blah.. blah.. yawn.. But I still tune in week in and week out b/c i like to hear what they have to say about MLS.

    World Soccer Daily on Sirius is fantastic and I really enjoy it. They talk about much more interesting things and are always comical, as well as great interviews. I agree with Cohen on lots of things and I hope he continues his work.

    I also can't stand the typical caller on FFF:
    "hello, hello...."
    "yes, you're on go ahead"
    "Yah, ummmm do you think Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world?"
    OF COURSE HE FECKING IS, next topic!
     
  24. Ngadhnjyesi

    Ngadhnjyesi New Member

    Dec 14, 2007
    Brooklyn
    Nat'l Team:
    Albania
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    Absolutely right. Most people get hung up on Cohen's criticism of MLS but this season alone they've had Kinnear, Soehn, Nicol on the phone for a good 15 minute interview. In all those interviews they've praised the coaches for a job good done. Razov and Lalas have both been in the studio. And I'm sure I'm forgeting some other appearances. What other show gives MLS such treatment?
     
  25. alexp92

    alexp92 Member

    Jul 5, 2007
    Re: FFF still no useful MLS commentary

    people just want these guys to talk perfect about mls all the time. are league is far from great.;)
     

Share This Page