And the nominees are......... http://www.chicago-fire.com/pressbox/columnists/costello2003_0120.asp http://www.3rddegree.net/comment/burning/index.htm for excellence in the field of independent (ie probably unpaid) journalism in the face of all mainstream journalistic obstacles. Where would we get real information and analysis without their kind? Feel free to nominate your own favorites. I know there are other deserving candidates in places like KC, Boston, and elsewhere. Let the balloting begin!
You're welcome. I just enjoyed the two articles above so much that I was hoping other people might post links to some of their favorites from the various MLS cities. I think that independent writers are beginning to provide the kind of analysis and reporting that you would normally only get from major media coverage of the NFL et al. My biggest (and only real) complaint with my local paper is that MLS stories are basically box scores. Who, what, where, when, how, and why. They don't really cover the story, just the facts. I know we have the Lopez's, Bradley's, Dure's, and others carrying the torch in the big media outlets, but for me nothing has the immediacy of some of the hard-core fan/reporters out there working in semi-obscurity. So basically I'm just here trolling for links to more good stories.
Dan Loney for always being entertaining and getting people's blood pressure to rise on occasion. http://www.cybersoccernews.com/columnists/loney/0301015loney.shtml
Can I just take this opportunity to say how much I LOVE Major League Soccer? Because in what other sport would I be... (a) encouraged to play drums at every game, which led to that riff on Led Zep's "The Immigrant Song" that you probably heard from Korea (b) able to convince the team to let me call play-by-play on the radio with, literally, NO experience (c) even *considered* to write a regular column on the team's website. Seriously, I may owe the Fire front office my firstborn at this point. And thanks, Jambon. Later, COZ
for dc united, diceson covers the team on the intimate level like no other! http://unitedmania.mlsfansites.com/...pe=2&autID=John Dyson&pgTitle=Dyson’s Reports you have to figure that the league will eventually realize that each team needs true "beat" writer - someone who is at every practice. nothing against the major media people, obviously they are limited by what their editors allow them. however, in my opinion, if the league is going to blossom, it will be on the backs of the fanatics now - marketing can only go so far. if you cannot get the media to come to you, take the media to the fans. at least that is what i learned in school. the only way fanatics will be able to carry the fight to the media and casual fans is with detailed information such as found on unitedmania and 3rd degree.
www.lariotsquad.net For continually breaking Galaxy news and bringing updates on the The Home Depot Center.
I can't comment about the 3rd Degree site in general, but I don't agree that the posted article is "excellent independent journalism." Peter Welpton doesn't appear to have interviewed anyone other than FieldTurf representatives, while recounting negative stories and allegations about FieldTurf's competitors without mentioning their achievements (for example, AstroPlay's FIFA-certified installations in Europe and Japan). Aren't journalists supposed to get 2 or more sides of the story?