Back to the coaching selection: since this is an exhibition with little or no preparation time anyway, do we really need a "coach"? I have to agree that Sampson was offered this role solely on his ability to speak spanish. If the role of the MLS coach is to interact with local spanish media and this friendly is largely a way to promote the U.S. game in general, how about filing this position with a spanish-speaking American soccer celebrity/representative. Could be a coach, but a former player could be just as useful: Marcelo Balboa Tab Ramos Claudio Reyna (he's bound to be injured by then) Who else?
Fine by me. As long as the Wizards defeat the Thunder on the 24th, I could care less about "MLS prestige" on the 23rd.
Not if you're a fan of a club!!! It just amazes me how many normally smart guys don't understand the concept of being a fan of an MLS team.
It's like that scene in the Bob Crane biopic in which Greg Kinnear and Willem Dafoe are watching some of Bob's home made tapes, naked and stroking, and they're commenting on the artwork on the wall of the hotel.
Right, but he should come out and say that. He shouldn't lecture DC or KC fans about their selfishness.
But wasn't MLS prestige on the line when the Galaxy played Real? And when the Fire played Milan? And when DC played Chelsea? How many ********ing times can these exhibition games be turned into the be all and end all of the league's reputation?
No sh!t. Which is worse for MLS "prestige"? The best allstars MLS can assemble getting whacked 5-0. The worse Allstars MLS can assemble getting whacked 7-0. DC United or The Chicago Fire getting whacked 4-0?
all the time and everytime we play them or any other foreign opposition the only other way to measure how we doing is by Concacaf standards and there is nothing to brag about they were invited and they accepted, and i expect them to make us proud there is no two ways about it, I want the best players out there
You could care less or you couldn't care less? If you could care less, it seems that you would at least care some... KC-Thunder over MLS vs Real Madrid? Are you serious? If the best club in the world invites you to play at their turf, you don't say no. MLS is developing relationships with European giants, and it's not just Real Madrid. adidas has invested heavily in this league and big clubs came here and played our teams this time (unlike previous years).
I expect them to "make us proud," but I don't put anything more than the result of one game on the line and you know why? The real people that matter are not fans.They are investors and leaders of other soccer organizations. As people who have achieved a lot financially or in athletics, they understand - unlike the average fan - that not eveything is predicated on one event. That's what sets the elite apart from the rest of us. They know that if MLS wins 5-0, it doesn't mean MLS is better than Real Madrid, and they understand if MLS loses 5-0 because some of their best players are rested for actual league play or national team durty, it does not mean that the league is worthless. I want the league to succeed as much as everyone, but I'm not going to delude myself into believing any one event is more important than another. Slow, but steady wins the race.
I see merit on both sides of the "what's best for the league" vs. "what's best for my team" argument. But, while I see where AppooOnU is coming from, I don't really see MLS gaining too much from this match. I just don't think it's realistic to believe talented, young Spanish and European players will start looking at MLS as an option. The best thing that can happen is that MLS pulls and upset and beats Real Madrid, right? If that were to happen, which is more likely to follow: A) Dozens of U17 and U20 stars from Spain, Portugal and France suddenly begin to sign with MLS, thereby forgoing lucrative million-Euro contracts, choosing obscurity in the US over fame at home, and giving up the chance to play in UEFA competions and for the domestic league championships that they've dreamed about since they first kicked a ball? Or... B) The bigger clubs in Europe--Real Madrid included--try to snatch up as many of the impressive stars from the MLS All-Star team as possible? MLS is at the point where it needs to continue to grow and flourish domestically. Sure, occassionally in the future we might snag a worthwhile superstar like a Beckham or a Ronaldo that has a few years of quality play left and thus improve the visibility of the league worldwide. But until MLS is truly a big deal domestically, it won't be a big deal in Europe. And playing a midseason All-Star game against Real Madrid will certainly not make it so. The best course of action right now is to cultivate the real passion that exists in some pockets and have teams vigorously pursue championships and cup titles. Matches like this, while potentially fun to watch, are just sideshows. One other way to look at this see if this truly helps MLS is to switch our position with that of another domestic league. Would anyone seriously expect the EPL or Bundesliga to field a "Select XI" in the middle of their domestic campaign for an exhibition match against a foreign club? Of course not, so why should people expect the same of MLS? And I know people will aruge that it's different, because MLS is an infant league and needs to market itself. But, I've addressed that point above: even in a best case-scenario (an MLS win over Real Madrid), there's really not that much to be gained. If we want to be taken seriously in the future the way the EPL and other leagues are taken now, we need to start acting like them, which means placing the race for our domestic title and domestic cup above all other competitions, with the exception of World Cup qualifying and finals matches.
what exactly do I not understand? I understand perfectly well, you're just not hearing the answer you're looking for
so if I don't have a specific league, it's impossible for me to be passionate about MLS? did someone pass this rule while I wasn't looking? I must have missed the memo.
I'm not talking about signing a life-time contract. and MLS won't BE obscure once we prove that MLS developed players can hang with anybody. Everyone loves to claim that the playing time MLS offers is better than the academy/reserve system in Europe.
everyone will agree with that Why did MLS agree to play this game ? What are the benefits ? no MLS team will get hurt by this game , its about making our mark on the international stage, opening eyes . It could lead to big money for MLS either by finding new investors, more advertising power, and definetly scouts who would buy our MLS players to say the least. Playing games like this its a win win situation. here is a good read and something to be proud about , http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/new...805:MTFH02183_2005-08-05_00-14-39_N01551692:1
I'm perfectly ok with letting KC, DC keep their players for the USOC/Sudamericana, whatever... Metro, NE at least 3-4 players each (off the top of head Guevara, Razov, Gaven (if he gets better by then) and/or Youri....Dempsey, Twellman, Noonan and/or Joseph .... Chicago at least 1 player (preferably Caballero ) ..that being all from the East... From the West the teams out of the OC can contribute... but we also would need LD, EJ, Ruiz to represent... Just an opinion.... Whatever happens.... it's easier to make judgments on it as the date gets closer...BTW does the game have the usual 3 subs or more than that? Depending on the anwer, one could already not need to have even 20 players....
as far as i know the Fire doesn't have any games scheduled for 2 weeks period around that time ? ....they can send any number of players .They actualy played very good against Milan. I would take 6 players or so from the Fire to start then add on.
Indeed. I do care. But I care a lot more about the Wizards/Thunder. How could I not be? One game is the Quarterfinal of the oldest domestic soccer competition involving the team I've cheered and cried over for 10 years. The other is an All-Star team feature players I'm familiar with playing an exhibition against a foreign club. Hmm. Meaningful knockout game featuring my club vs an exhibition that interferes with my club... I'm not saying no. Just don't take any Wizard players. Or play the game in MLS's off-season.
No MLS team will get hurt by this game? You do realize there are competitions that can win these teams money and/or playoff positions going on, don't you? This is not to say MLS shouldn't do it, but it is not the be all and end all of MLS competition. It is an exhibition game and should be treated as such. What message does it say to potential investors and sponsors when an exhibition is elevated above the league? This is the fourth time fans are being told that an exhibition game needs to be a priority. It gets old after a while. Play the game. Build the relationships. Show them respect by bringing a good team, but respect your teams by not gutting them for meaningful competitions.
Yeah, but how can it really be a true MLS All Star team if there are no Wizards? What bigger stars are there in MLS? Personally, I think at least 4 or 5 Wizards players should go play in this match and show Real what's what. Send all your stars to Spain. Play your reserves in the Open Cup match. It's only the lowly Thunder. The 10th place Thunder no less. No need to worry. What's the worst that could happen?
At the very least, MLS-slayer and USL star Melvin Tarley should represent all lower division players. It's just not fair that MLS get the entire spotlight.