Soccer America's MLS Confidential reports: "Nearly finalized is the Burn's preseason trip to South Africa. As part of its efforts to secure the 2010 World Cup, the South African government is sponsoring visits by soccer teams as well as other projects. Kansas City will also visit South Africa in preseason but at a different time. Dallas will be there in early March."
I wonder how much good these overseas preseason trips are doing the Burn from a soccer viewpoint. Since the South African government is sponsoring the trip, at least the financial costs to the Burn shouldn't be too high. But could these 2 1/2 weeks be put to better use if the Burn just trained in the States or Mexico? Flying to South Africa alone eats up a couple of days. And then it takes them a few days to get over the jet lag, etc. While they're in South Africa, they'll probably be moving from town to town every 2nd or 3rd day and that will eat into practice time. And then, of course, they fly back to the States and lose another few days of training as well. Granted, these trips improve team cohesion and such, but are the Burn good enough that they can afford to take a 2 1/2 week vacation with a little soccer thrown in during what should be the peak of their preseason training?
I think its better if they went to Mexico, for the better competition. But I understand what MJ is trying to do. Play against poor teams and have all the forwards score a bunch of goals like they did in Chile.
From Atlanat to South Africa is about 15 hours so from Dallas that would be about 17 hours there. If they flew out at 6:30am Dallas, they would arrive Cape Town or Johanesberg(sp) around 10 or 11am there. Wouldn't be too hard to adjust to the time change. On the way back. Leave at about 8:30 and get back to the states before noon. Would need to make sure they tell the airline that their stuff has to arrive back in Dallad with them. Might day a day or two to stop waking up at 5am. Hopefully they would be in Cape Town when they went.
Yeah. I'm going to South Africa... I will take my profits of $0... subtrack the cost of a ticket $1000.... that will leave me a net profit of .... hum my math is not so good. -$1000 is that right? Seriously, I would like to and maybe there is a chance some day of going on one of these... but this one didn't work out, and believe me I tried. Best I can offer right now is a plan to go to the combine next year and then to the Draft. But taking 2 weeks in March to go to South Africa is not feasible... this year. In all serisouness, the Burn do these tours becasue they want to get games versus high caliber talent. playing Colleges is not enough. And playing other MLS teams they see all the time is ok, but playing a team you've never seen with higher talent level is much better. You are right South Africa is a long way, but if the Gov is paying the $ (which I don't actually have confirmation of) then the price must be right. Otherwise you are right Mexico would be better.
If the Burn wanted to, they could go to Mexico every year in pre-season. Maybe they will find a young South African who wouldn't mind a few years in the US to sign as a Discovery. Mexican players are overpriced, while a South African might box well out of his class.
And when was the last time the Mexican government offered to pay the Burn's way to Mexico for pre-season?
Right. I forgot to mention that when the Burn practiced in France, they ended up with Trellez. And that worked out so well.
I vote for you to get a 50% raise. When I become independantly wealthy and make all the events you named I'll pay for you to tag along. What is that lottery worth this week?
Oh, I don't know. Wasn't it Trellez who broke through and crossed to Graziani for the winning goal in game three of a playoff series against Chicago? The Burn should get more Colombians.
Colombians seem to thrive here. Trellez might have been ok had he gotten another season. By that time Graziani was entrenched. Perez could work out here but he is pretty old for a midfielder unless it is a short term deal as a backup especially if someone (Oscar or Joselito) get hurt.
Mlsnet.com reports that Kansas City's 3rd match of their South African trip was cancelled. The Wizards have yet to receive an explanation from the promoter. I wonder if the Burn are using the same promoter and whether this development might affect their decision to play in South Africa.