No wonder ESPN hired the guy: he's just an excellent writer. I agree with him about the Galaxy. They've probably set their sights on the treble at this point. Glad to read about Vermes too. I personally value quite highly how accessible MLS and American soccer players in general are, and how they often are out there "preaching the faith", even with few results. We all owe a debt of gratitude to them. And yes, like the American economy in general, the middle class of MLS is being increasingly squeezed out of the picture.
wow, that stadium in des moines looks very nice... so why is it that there are cities in the nation <des mines, cary, charleston, etc.> building these 6,000 seat SSS yet the cities in which there are exisiting MLS teams cannot for the life of them get a SSS built?
BTW: an artists's rendering of the stadium plan for the Des Moines Menace as referenced in the article: The Magpie
Great column. The new format (First XI) is an excellent idea. There's also an artist's rendition of the Des Moines stadium in the Jan. 20, 2003 SoccerAmerica that depicts the entire facility and some of the surrounding area. According to the caption: Liberty Bank Stadium, $24 million, capacity around 6,000 (with obvious room for expansion). The Des Moines Menace plays in the PDL. Hmmm... JB also mentions the Charleston Battery and their 5,000 seat Blackbaud Stadium. Again, I say, hmmm...
Another great column. It's interesting to see that the design includes expansion options for up to 17,000 seats. Growing in spurts from 6,000 to 17,000 would seem like a perfect range for an MLS expansion team... grow to 10-12K for first few seasons and then expand again when sell-outs become commonplace. The fund-raising for the stadium seemed to go well, I wonder if there are deep pockets in Des Moines that could put together an MLS owneship team...
Great column. Very good point about Blackbaud stadium. Everyone I know who has attended a game there has been impressed.
Nice job Jeff. As for the Fox Sports World Report, while they haven't done any interviews as yet they have had an increasing number of news items concerning US Soccer and MLS. Last night for example they reported on Tim Howard's signing, so ideally I would envision some good coverage when the season starts.
mlsnet does that from time to time. This is what I really want to see: "7. Memo to league. Let the MetroStars wear white shorts and socks with their dark home top and let the Fire wear red shorts with their white road top. Time to lose the dark-dark-dark, light-light-light matrix and give teams more unique visual identities." Some people don't care one way or the other. Others do. Its a cheap and easy way to make some of us very particular fans happy. I mean we've only got 10 teams and they play each other all the frigging time. We've got mix it up a little to keep things visually interesting. Doesn't have to be every game - just some.
Yeah, I saw The Clean Sheet had that last week as well -- very nice gesture by MLS. Two minor things (aside from all the excellent stuff mentioned above): --Jeff's proposed look for the Metros would have them be exactly like AC Milan...not that I'm complaining --The shoutout for Mike Hill, my favorite soccer announcer. Mike Hill for highest office in the US a foreigner may hold!
From the Menace Foundation link from above: "The Menace, in conjunction with the Stadium Foundation, is currently developing plans for one of the only soccer-specific stadiums in the nation! The facility will meet the most stringent soccer regulations, allowing it to play host to soccer teams competing at the national -- and even international -- level. Plans call for Liberty Bank Stadium to open in May of 2005." They looked to move the stadium from Urbandale, but couldn't come up with a better deal. Haven't heard much lately, but appears to be set for Urbandale.
Yes, it was. For those who want to know how to grow the game, one player at a time, click on the link to the story about his memorial service in Montana.
This is not the only good soccer news coming out of Iowa. The DM Soccer Academy has recently opened a Futsal facility in the Northwest suburbs of the city. The first ever Iowa Futsal Cup was held there two weeks ago. It's a very nice facility with two, fully enclosed, permanent futsal courts. Iowa has incredible numbers per capita participating in soccer. Especially, considering it is the state with the largest population of people over the age of 85.
Well, judging by the players in that Egyptian Futsal tournament they showed on FSW, that's probably pretty close to the median age.
Trying to look like Milan is nothing new for the SoS. Don't you remember the Scum of the first few years? They were trying to be both Juve and Milan--black and red vertical stripes on one shirt, white and black on another.
Of course, prompting the cheer from the Casbah (and I'm sure elsewhere): Juventus Wants Their Jersey Back!!!
Rob Myslik Jeff, thanks for touching upon Rob's contribution and impact on the American soccer community- the ripples will be felt for decades to come. He will be deeply missed.