My apologies for another Adu thread, or a poor joke. However, in terms of the public relations timing of this event... do you think it's right of MLS to overshadow the cup, or to spurn so much interest in MLS before the cup? Also, the whole news media is talking about what a coup it was for Freddy to sign with MLS. However, given the FIFA rules it seems like that was probably his only legitimate option. Given all the reports and rumors of him signing with a foreign team, I had speculated that they'd find a way to get around the rule. They obviously haven't. How much do you actually think this is a coup for MLS or is it just spin - highly effective spin at that. So PR wise. Was this the right time for the Adu announcement? How much of the Freddy 'coup' was just spin?
I could call the media and tell them that I just picked my nose and the booger was shaped like Lincoln's head, and that would overshadow MLSCup right now in this country. The timing of this is great. People are talking about MLS. On my way home from work today, I was floored after stopping to get gas to hear National Public Radio interviewing Mark Noonan from MLS about the Freddy signing. Overshadow MLSCup??? That's the last thing MLS needs to worry about. The league has gotten and is still getting more national coverage than any other time in its history. This isn't bad no matter when it comes out.
Re: Re: There's no way MLS Cup is 14 y/o!!! I just am thinking in my head drawing the comparrison to MLB mandating that there's no news released about signings or firings until after the World Series. I imagine you're right from a public relations perspective, and hell. Maybe we'll see a bunch of big ratings, relatively big, for the MLS Cup?
First, thanks for another Fred Thread. Secondly, I'm surprised MLS didn't sign Freddy, "allocate" him to San Jose, let him play on Sunday (so that the Quakes might actually have a chance against Chicago), watch the ratings go through the roof, make the "we're better than the NFL claim," and then "trade" him to DC United.
Well to maybe bring this thread onto the MLS Cup. Im absolutely amped up about the MLS cup. As I mentioned in a different thread I think that the Landon/Run DMB matchup could potentially be something we look back on as a Bird vs. Magic type thing. Granted in basketball individual matchups are much more key. But here are two guys at the start of their careers taht are begining to come into their prime and are facing each other in a championship.
Hopefully it'll be better than the LeBron-Carmelo(i.e. Magic v Bird) classic from a couple weeks ago that I can't believe anyone watched. MLS needs to dictate that Onstad and Thornton each let two goals in during the first half. That way, casual fans won't complain since the score won't be 0-0. Then the two teams can start level for the second half.
Boca would make a better Rambis. I quess Mulrooney would be Ainge, and Agoos would be McHale. Doesn't really work as well. Man that Chicago team is stacked with talent. 3-1 Chicago.
I hope that this filters down to the players and they realize they need to step it up even more. Of course there will be more people watching this weekend because of the Freddy news, how many? Don't know, but definitely more. Truth I agree with you, I think the league should mandate to both teams that they play an open attacking game, and tell the ref to make sure and call all of the stupid hacking and tugging jersey fouls. Now that they have the attention hopefully San Jose and Chicago can capitalize on it.
He is supposed to be in the area, i'm guessing he WILL be at the game and either have a pre-game, during-game or half-time interview...Stone with him pre-game or half-time, Wynalda with him on the field or he goes into the booth to talk with JP and Ty during the game sometime...
From Tino Palace: "MLS CUP: Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Yeah, the big Chicago-San Jose clash (get it?) is the final everyone wanted, but it has obviously taken a wee bit of a backseat in the soccer world and beyond. Truth be told, 137 people could show up Sunday to witness a dull 0-0 draw settled by thumb-wrestling and this would still be a banner week for MLS. Granted, it’ll be more like a packed house of 27,000 to see the two best (and hottest) teams in MLS go to war, probably in pretty entertaining fashion, but you get the point. MLS Cup normally is the league’s showpiece. But right now, its new showpiece is a 14-year-old kid with a million-dollar smile and the talent to match. Yeah, it’s a big week for Major League Soccer. Even I can sort that out. "
From Peter Hirdt "Sunday’s match will mark the sixth time that Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley have faced each other in MLS play. Chicago holds a 2–1–2 edge in the previous five games. DmB has outscored LD 2–0, scoring both of his goals in Chicago’s 4–1 victory over the Quakes on May 31. … San Jose took 21 shots against the Wizards last week, only six of them on frame. That was their highest total of shots not on net since the second game of the 2002 season (8-for-24 in a 1–0 loss at Colorado)" http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/analyze1121.html