The Gold Cup is like a mini-version of MLS...too many games against too few teams in too long a competition. I would like to see the Gold Cup go from 12 teams to a semi-final (skip the quarters). That would give us the US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Honduras in the semi-finals without putting us to sleep first...
No, its not ESSENTIAL. But it would make the friendly a better sales event for the league, not unlike the all star game. My main point is that it wouldn't cost the Bruce a whole lot to do it. So, it has some potential upside for US soccer in the sense of showing the league in a good light, and little downside for US soccer because it doesn't really hurt the national team. Not ESSENTIAL (very little in life is really "essential") but it would have been nice.
i think the sales benefit of beckham, ronaldo, zidane, roberto carlos, and michael owen far oughtweighs the sales detriment that not having landon does.
WTF?!?!?! I have plenty of positive reps and just two neg reps from two jackasses who are just full of themselves and now I got a red nipple next to my name? What's up with that? What makes it worse is that I was neg repped 2-3 weeks ago by those two holier than thou low lives! Great! Now I'm going to be perceived to be in the same class as other idiot posters on these boards. What a crock o' sh_t
Yeah, but who would subscribe to that theory??? It's a friendly. Watch in the next few months, you'll see some crazy, crazy results in friendlies. Was it Walsall that beat ManU, the clinching goal coming on a long chip that went off the crossbar, then off Barthez' back, that ended Barthez' ManU career? If not Walsall, it was some other then-Div. 2 team. They beat ManU by 2 goals. Who cares?
These matches give fans a chance to have these kinds of discussions. That alone makes them valuable. Does LA vs. Real Madrid sound any worse that Wigan vs. Man U.? There are disparities between the haves and have nots in all sports. But having a chance to face such opponents gives MLS credibility. No matter what happens, MLS can't win. If they beat RM, then RM was out of season and not really trying. If they lose by a few, same argument. If they lose by a lot, see how bad they are. But the buildup, attendance, and discussion are worth it, and a few converts may see MLS as improving. I hope all three MLS teams fare well.
Sorry. Bad choice of words. I meant a showcase event with an opportunity for the league to "sell" itself to people who are drawn in by the allure of RM. Its like the all-star game in that it has the flavor of an "event." And, you are right, it has sold out with most people knowing that LD was unlikely to be there. But I meant something more general than gate receipts.
I understand your point. But I wasn't talking about advancing the league's image among hard core BigSoccer types. This will draw a different and broader audience. Sure, they will be drawn by RM and they will hope to see some of the Galacticos' skills on display. And they probably will be rewarded. But surely it is better for the league to make a credible showing if possible. And LD being there would help toward that end. And, as I said, it would come at little or no cost to the USMNT.
I think most of the bigsoccer posters miss the point. A game like this is going to reach more than just the hardcores who post on this message board. Every point Cadaver makes is certainly a valid one and should not be ignored. How we forget the cries on Bigsoccer when all the ChampionsWorld tour games where drawing more people than MLS' All-Star game. Have we not learned time and time again that there is a soccer market out there that MLS has not had success drawing. That's exactly the market this game will attract. It's a shame Landon will not be there, but I certainly understand the circumstances as unfortunate they may be. Personally I'm just thrilled this game will be on TV.
Sort of bummed LD won't be there. But I can't wait to see the game -- especially Ned Grabavoy. He looked the part last week, maybe he can turn some heads.
If AEG cared about the appearance to "more than just the hardcores who post on this message board" then they would have scheduled the Fire v. Real Madrid in Chicago and real Chivas v. Real Madrid in LA. This is not a benchmark of MLS v. the world. This is AEG trying to make a buck.
Well, apparently it's not set in stone that Donovan won't be there. http://cybersoccernews.com/mls/galaxy/050715gal-chivadv.shtml I don't know, I'm starting to lean towards Donovan getting released to play. Perhaps AEG and Galaxy and MLS aren't taking no for an answer.
Barring massive injuries, Bruce releases him for a half. No way Real Madrid comes to town, and Bruce says no
What and not try to showcase arguably the most succesful club off the field the LA Galaxay to a broader audience in America? Their definately trying to make a buck, I'm not disputing that. All things aside, this game will certainly have a more pronounced buzz to it more-so than the Chivas - Real Madrid game in Chicago.
FYI - No MLS club has won more games on the field than the L.A. Galaxy. None have a better record through the ten years of the league. Of course, off the field it's no contest as well, but sometimes all the people who jeer about the Cups we've lost forget what it took to get to those finals in the first place. The Galaxy have earned the matchup against Real Madrid - the one they were cheated of years ago - and for more than just attendance and profits and a nifty stadium.
I really believe you are all overestimating Real Madrid here. I can't see them winning by more than 2 goals. Prediction Real 2-1 Galaxy. ( I wouldn't be supprised with a 1-1 draw without Donnovan)
The most LD could play against RM would be 45 min. And considering the travel from Houston and playing a full international in the heat just 2 days prior, he will probably play poorly and be susceptible to an injury. And there will always be the following years when MLS can better schedule matches against euro teams now that AEG is the promoter. So I'll give BA the benefit of the doubt on this.