So I'm watching some EPL game between two midtable teams, and look who's in the stands, Sven. Sven seems to be at every EPL and FA Cup game played. So that got me thinking, I want to see Bruce at more MLS games. Its good for MLS, its good for the players wanted to impress the Bruce, and I think it will be good for Bruce to make the rounds. He may already do this, and I just dont know it. Maybe Sven is a prima donna. Maybe I think it's a good idea because the English do it and nobody does football like the English. Who knows, seems like a good idea to me.
Articles I've read make mention of the satellite system he has, which (presumably) allows him to get most MLS games thru MLS Ticket (or whatever it's called) as well as a lot of Euro games with US players. I'm sure Sven could also sit at home and watch the EPL games too, but he goes to the games in person. I agree with you that it would be "nice" for Bruce to go to the games in person, but the bottom line is Bruce can watch more of his players from his home than he can by travelling to the games in person.
This post sealed with winky protection! Hmmm ... I wonder if Bruce has problems ordering the MLS Shootout. Sorry. I'm just bored right now.
*Arena lives right outside of DC. *He's at most DC United home games, when he's in the area. *When he has reasons - usually promotional - he attends other MLS games. *He's always at MLS Cup and the men's soccer Final Four. *At most stadiums in England, Sven sits in the open in the stands where it's easy for the camera to spot him. At most stadiums in MLS, Bruce sits in a luxury/press box where it's tougher for camers to find him. *The US is much bigger than England. Therefor, it is much more time consuming, and more expensive, for the national team coach to go to any old game. For instance, when the Quakes play the Galaxy, it's not really worth it for Arena to fly out to San Jose to catch the game then fly back. That's about $1,000 - flight, hotel, meals, transportation, Ronnie Ekeulnd souvenier t-shirt for Kenny - just for Arena to watch one game that is available on TV. *The Fed has a limited budget and while they aren't as poor as some claim, I'm sure they would rather not shell out 1K a week for Bruce to watch some games. That said, if there is a game that Arena really wants to watch in person, I'm sure that the USSF would pay for him to go see it. *MLS, believe it or not, has a much more thorough TV package than the EPL. In a given week, usally only about 3 EPL games are on the tube where as in a given week, most MLS games are on TV if you have the Shootout, FSW and HDnet. It's a lot easier for Arena to see all the players in his pool on TV. (OF course, this doesn't address why Sven is at the games that ARE on TV, but that's another issue.) *Arena is a macro-manager and relies on the people to whom he trusts and delegates responsibility. If Bob Bradley or Sigi Schmid or Bob Gansler or Dave Sarachan reccomend a player or if he asks for their input on a player, he's gonna trust the info he gets and use it accordingly. That, combined with seeing players on video tape is just as good as scouting in person. *The players know about Arena's videtape system. They know he watches every game. They all should know that if they play well - 'cept Mark Chung - they will get Arena's attention and likely get a chance at a camp. If they raise their games only because the national team coach is in the stands and otherwise don't play as hard, perhaps they aren't the caliber of player we - and Bruce - wants on the national team.
Thanks, Sandon, you said it much better than I was prepared to say. Also, Bruce is known for viewing oodles of tapes of games here and abroad. I think he's watching plenty of games in person and on TV.
yeah, and it's not like bruce has the national team in terrible shape. I think what he's doing now has proven to be working just fine. it seems to me that no mls players are getting overlooked. is somebody just looking for a gripe when none exists?
One other point: the US has a much smaller player pool. Realistically, there are very few options for most positions and thus the forms of individual players factor a lot less in the player selection process.
You know, I was dying to the WC to come and go so this board would be quiet, but, it's almost too quiet. What we need is another good bad call. Ah, for the days of another Prendergast non hand hand ball call.
ok, my bad. I was just thinking at my keyboard. I will now return to my hole and not bother you good people anymore.
His remote control is broken..... Well it seems that his remote control is broken and he is only watching JOVAN KIROVSKY ....
scary news..... ....well accept my apologies JOVAN KIROVSKY this explain why i will have to tolerate your mediocre a$$ on the national team "A SMALL PLAYER POOL"
On the other note, it would be nice to see some celebrities attending MLS games, as many do in Europe camera focusing on them very nice thing. Would be good for MLS if they did.
The Mark Chung cheapshot was uncalled-for. Mark Chung announced his retirement from the national team in January of 1999. If he hadn't, he'd probably have been in the mix for WCQ (especially when we were really badly depleted).
In they MLS Rivalries section someone said that Freddie Prinze Jr. was a big Galaxy fan. I'm sure he'll be there for at least a few of their games at Victoria Street.
no, you don't understand. the guy said 'celebrities' not no-talent hacks who get jobs based on their dead father's name recognition and the reflected glory of their wives. there's a subtle difference
I'm sure that Bruce sees his share of games. The important thing about Bruce involves a comment that he made shortly after being rehired to lead our run to WC06. He started that his first go around was a learning experience but now he "knows what to look for in a player in order to succeed at the international level." Bruce is looking and he has a better idea what to spot when searching MLS for diamonds in the rough.
He could get a DC United Season ticket... or whatever team is closest to where he lives. That way he would get to see all the teams at some point... and he could also go to huge matchups between away teams if he wants. I think that he should at least show up for LAs Home opener because the opening of that stadium is huge for soccer in the United States, I think it would prove a point if he showed up.
He's got one and there are posters on this board who see him regularly at games. He sits in one of the boxes on the mezzanine level, so he's not going to be in the view of the camera like that Swedish guy you mentioned.
1) He doesn't go to games for promotional reasons, he often travels to mls games if it fits into his sched and he has particular teams he needs to see. 2) He doesn't bring home tshirts for Kenny, he gets his own tshirts. 3) If he doesn't get to watch MLS games in person, live on the shootout package, all games are taped for him for viewing at a later time. 4)I think that should sum up this topic......
First, it's a bit easier to get from Leeds to Newcastle than it is Boston to Denver. Second, he apparently watches every game on TV.
Mooch still goes to Rapids games, last year I talked to him at half time when he was at a game to watch Pablo, so in a way Bruce is everywhere, kinda like God and Santa Claus.