News: Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011

Paul Gardner, FYI.

 

And further, this sort of article is the reason why he has a reputation.

 

I'll have to take your word for it. I couldn't get past the third or fourth paragraph.

 

Great piece by Darke.

 

The Best Soccer Show: MLS Cup recap, expansion draft and Harkes.
North American Soccer Network

 

Eh, his heart is in the right place, but there's a whole lot of problem with the substance of what he's saying.

For instance:

If this is true, then we're f*()&^ed. Because there are more than enough big-time sports products out there in the US that if there's a 'window' open for the likes of MLS, it is almost definitionally a bad one. There's a lot of competition on Sunday night because that's a good time slot. If MLS is ever going to get a 'window' of any quality at all, it will be as a consequence and not a cause of our development.

And his use of the word 'authentic' is completely devoid of content. It's a classic case of "feels right to me because it's what I'm used to." Although he's right that if MLS wants to market stars like Henry, it would help for fans in every market to be able to actually see him every season, it doesn't follow that not doing this makes anything 'inauthentic.' The actual definition of an 'authentic competition' would be one where the teams are actually competing; MLS more than qualifies.

 

I stopped reading after he complained that they don't give Americans a shot in the commentary booth when Harkes was replaced by... wait for it... another American.

 

Great video of MLS Cup final:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZLlumZKNh4"]MatchDay 360: MLS Cup 2011 - YouTube[/ame]

 

I agree with you that good TV spot for MLS will only become available as a consequence of MLS's success although if it were possible to put the cart before the horse it would certainly accelerate development.

I think you may be splitting hairs or at least using semantics to justify your displeasure that the home/Away balanced schedule format is considered by Darke to be authentic for soccer rather than the bastardised American format we have to look forward to.

Authenticity really relates to the origin of something so I think it is fair to say that when replacing a system that is used world wide and is over 100 years old with one that is new, untried and unique in the world, it is fair to suggest it is losing its authenticity.
Perhaps though you inferred from his comments that he was suggesting that MLS was losing some integrity of competition - if that is what he meant I would still agree with him.

I think it is a valid concern though I would add it is difficult to know what else MLS could do once it reached critical mass regarding expansion though it would probably be more genuine competition wise to have only intra conference games during regular season and inter conference games post season rather than the pretence of single table and muddled compromise we have now.
Still, as muddled compromises go it is about the best MLS could do - other than using common sense and waiting for team 20 before going to an unbalanced schedule.

So, the new schedule could in no way be considered authentic and I think the thrust of Darke's comments in the wider context were that this could only negatively impact on the credibility of the league which it has been so skilfully building up over the years both in important markets abroad and among the MLS doubters in the US.
It may well be that there is no impact and such concern is unwarranted.

 

MLS 2011: best and worst of the season
The Guardian

 

Preparing for the Adieu to Adu headlines now if he is picked up by Montreal...

 

Oh yes and the "without further Adu"

 

Um....no. If Adu doesn't go in the Expansion Draft, he'll go back and play for Philadelphia. It's not like teams are cutting all these players.

 

New Union kits.

 

Nice!

 

So what do they wear when the other team wears blue? Is this considered distinct enough for that?

 

They would just wear the primary kit, I assume.

 

Probably this.