http://espn.go.com/soccer/news/2002/0912/1430895.html So interesting quotes from Brad. Some Highlights: - "Our national side is very good and is comprised, for the most part, of players who play in various top leagues in Europe" Hmmmm... hey Brad, hate to tell you this buddy, but there was a large chunk of the 23 players from your former MLS. - "we are no longer the whipping boys and have not been for some time and yet it is almost the case that, because America does not have this prestigious league, the rest of the world can write poorly about it. OK, prestigious we are not, however, what's with the bad-mouthing? Somebody not getting any loving and sleeping on the couch currently? - Friedel gave credit to the seven-year old MLS, saying it was "not a bad league.'' Gee, don't overdo it there buddy. Wouldn't want you to say anything to gracious, now would we? - "It is not like starting a league up a hundred years ago, where the money was a lot smaller'' Thank you Captain Obvious! - "I would like to see other countries just start up a league, from scratch, as we have in the United States. It's not easy..." Wow, way to back us up buddy after tearing us down. Don't go to far out of your way next time to do us a lot of favors from a global perspective.
I think he is telling the truth. The only to pick is about the majority of players being from Europe.
I don't want to know how many times i have used this exactly line in my life. Its what i say when people ask about MLS
12 of 23, 11 of 23, that doesn't matter. by saying that it mostly comprises of EU based players, one automatically assumes the number is something like 18 of 23 or so. It makes it sound like MLS can't help in the NATs picture.
If you want to split hairs, Friedel said "top leagues" in Europe. That means that guys in second divisions don't count (Lewis, Cherundolo). I doubt most people count the Swiss league (Frankie) as a top league, and you can debate the French one (Regis). That really leaves four guys in the Premiership, two in the Bundesliga and two in the Dutch league as guys from the top European leagues. MLS is a much larger part of the picture in the national team. I think Brad knows this, but also knows that saying it won't impress the Eurosnobs, so he dressed things up a bit.
5 of 7 goals scored by U.S. in WC were scored by MLS players. Brad's short term memory must be affected by the pollution in Blackburn.
Although Cherundulo's team Hannover is playing as if they were in the Second Division, they won promotion last year to the Bundesliga.
And if you want to split hairs, both Lewis and Frankie were with EPL and Bundesliga teams at the time of the world cup, respectively.... gee sorry Dave.
1. Midwesterners tend to mimic the local accent... because of our own "flat" accent. 2. Friedel said the best thing, in balance, to give his statement credibility in the Euro community. 3. Havent we always said we're equivalent to English 1st div?
I think its more like a cross between 1 and 2. There is no way MLS is as good as the upper Div.1 clubs, but not as bad as the lower div.2 ones I would love if MLS was as good as the first division, that would be a major step in the right direction.
well... you're there, I'm here. -so- You are the authority, but having seen a couple of those games on tv and seeing what happens when onna those 2nd div starters come here.... I would think mid table 1st.
My thoughts exactly. It's a pity he didn't get signed by a German club. Man, that would be real funny.
Oh, come on. Friedel's "accent" is such a joke. If he wasn't doing so well, everyone would be bashing him. Midwesterns have an accent, it's called American.
Whoops, DGA you're right about Hanover and Kraut, you're right about where Lewis and Frankie were during the World Cup. So I guess with all the player movement, it's best to stick to saying that about half the national team plays in top-level European leagues. Or at least are on the roster. Playing is another story. This brings us back to the old argument of whether it's better to be paid by an EPL team and only play reserve matches, or play league matches for a Divison One team...