I can swallow Howard going to ManU. But Pope and Mathis gone for most of this summer too? I hope the team can hold it together so we're within striking range of the supporter's shield when Eddie and Clint get back. I realize how important it is for our Nats to do well and it's an honor for the players but it does suck that the Metro will suffer through this. 2 months is a long time for a team to be broken up too and will probably take a couple weeks to get back to where we are now.
It looks like Howard and Mathis will be released to play in the June 7th game. That helps a little bit. I hope that this is the last time the USMNT plays in two major tournaments during a season. I can understand WCQ but I guess that I am one of the few who is against USMNT's participation in the Copa America. MLS is more than just a proving ground for the USMNT.
I have to agree here... there is absolutely no logic to summer call-ups. It's obvious that MLS has helped the national team in a huge way developing players... then why hurt the league that is 'feeding' you by taking their best players away for weeks at a time. Why not set up these friendlies during the winter months? In Europe they are even taking of setting up world wide especific day to play national team game so that the leagues wont be affected.
or how about hte americas(north, south) start playing from september to may/june like european leagues, then summer call-ups have no effect really besides pre-season
Then we would get little tv coverage on ABC or ESPN because we would be fighting football, basketball, and hockey. We would probably get less games on FSW as well because we would be up against the EPL, Bundesliga, SPL, La Liga, and English Cup Games. That would be a good idea as far as scheduling for national team games is concerned, but it would hurt MLS's exposure on television.