1) MLSnet post game analysis feature. Intelligent commentary on the tactics of the game. Me likey. 2) Kyle Martino 3) Landon Donovan getting assists 4) MLS on FSW Just a few...What does everyone else like so far???
I just have to say that it is SO bigsoccer to have much more replies to things you hate than things you like. That being said, I like... 1. LA Galaxy's white uniforms 2. Ruiz back on his goal scoring tear 3. Amado Guevara 4. Ronnie O'Brien's strike against Galaxy 5. The end of Naperville's Cardnail Stadium by season's end
Good news on stadiums. Soccer is here to stay for awhile. More good players than last year. The whole league's expectation has raised. Good news on expansion. Earthquake's speedy attack even after losing several starters. FSW Improvement of many young players. Some foreign old farts either left or announced their retirement
1. MLS Shootout package, I have been able to watch every single game in full so far. 2. MLS Wrap, This is a great show, even though I have watched all the games I look forward to watch this show. 3. The Crew could be the next great team, fun to watch also. 4. The rookie class could be the best ever. 5. Attendance has been better than I expected.
...Is this THE Blind Willie McTell? Likes: 1) FSW Broadcasting the games 2) MLS Wrap- Harkes isn't pulling punches (at least as much as he can and keep his job) 3) Better skill being displayed in league overall 4) New stadiums coming! 5) Expansion coming 6) Columbus's aggressive play 7) Crowd sizes/attendance 8) Broadcasting quality on ESPN2 and FSW is better than what's been seen before (that's the positive side) 9) Young players being played more/starting 10) The overall feeling that the league is about to rise up to a new level in this country.
Except for Dragon Stadium, I don't think there's anything I DON'T like, and even there there's a silver lining, as allegedly the Burn will make more money (i.e., lose less money), by playing there, so it's not all bad. I love: 1. The Quakes' road unis. Pure class. 2. Guevara. The 60 minutes I saw of him, also pure class. 3. Etcheverry's assist on DC's 2nd goal v. the Wizards. 4. The overall play of the Crew. They actually play like a real soccer team with all the parts in place. I don't like yellow unis but such is life. 5. Max Bretos and Alan Hopkins broadcasting MLS games (either on FSW or for the local Galaxy carrier). 6. Dallas stadium announcement. Made me feel that MLS was actually going to live long past 2006. 7. Justin Mapp. The kid's got game. 8. Arturo Alvarez. The kid's got serious game. 9. Donovan's assists, subtle and smooth. Could have had two or three more already if teammates had finished. 10. Howard's stone save on Ruiz to save the Metros bacon in waning moments of regulation to preserve tie. 11. The general excitement I feel on Soccer Saturday, starting at 1pm, extending to about 10 pm out here on the West Coast. 12. The excitement I feel knowing I will be attending the Galaxy opener at the Home Depot Center. 13. Watching Martino play. 14. Watching Preki play. 15. Watching Meola in goal (though the guy drives me crazy with all his yelling, scowling and screaming). 16. I could go and on but you get the idea... Good thread!!! And Blind Willie McTell is one of the top 10 greatest songs of all time. "And I know no one/can sing the blues/like..."
Manny Lagos' steamrolling through the Zards defense Saturday Night That blur on the screen was DMB Etch regaining foot speed compared to the last two years. Watching Donovan The Crew front Line Saturday night's crowd at Spartan. I hate to admit this, but Meola's save on Mullan to end the match.
1) not too shabby attendance 2) the fact that landon can actually do something in mls now, not just with the USMNT
1) Another vote for Martino ! He's got skill. And he's fun to watch. 2) DC Not losing their home opener (well....it's better than nothing) 3) This year's rookies. People have mentioned Dunivant and Clark. Dunivant is playing well, and scoring points for my Fantasy Team 4) Move San Jose....Oh wait, that doesn't work anymore....17K, nice job guys ! Keep it up. 5) Lots of articles in local papers. I love seeing all the articles in the daily News thread. 6) Meola saving 9 out of 10 of SJ's shots on goal ! I guess he didn't eat all the pies.... 7) Etch, He isn't out of gas (yet) 8) Expansion teams and New Stadiums 9) The new DC Uniforms And this is only some of what I like so far this season.
As of this post, the hates outnumber the likes 4:1. Good times, good times #1 Fox Sports World. I'm usually able to catch 4 soccer games on Saturday -- 2 of them being from MLS. Really, you can't ask for much more. #2 The excitement from seeing the younger guys play. Donovan, DMB, Martino, Buddle...this is what everyone means by having the US team and MLS' success play off each other. #3 Over the Easter break, hearing my 9 year old cousin say he wants to play in MLS some day. #4 Having San Jose play out in New England twice this year so I can actually see my team. #5 The offseason moves of MLS (uniforms, stadiums, ticket selling, etc.) are only the beginning.
#1 The refs actually don't seem as bad as in previous years..seem to have more control of the game. #2 watching Martino dance around defenders with class only to finish like Albright. #3 watching Buddle become the next US Men's national team forward. #4 Ricardo Clark and Arturo Alvarez, amazing skills witht he ball at their feet..Clark has great vision for a D-mid as well. #5 Getting to chant "Fall Down Beasley Fall down...Fall Down beasley fall down" at the home opener and hearing it audible on the TV broadcast that I taped. #6 We need more updated pics of the Home Depot Center...can't wait for this place to open! #7 my first year of MLS Shootout, my gf is already hating saturdays now. #8 Todd Dunivant looking like a possible future fix to the Nats left back spot.
The best news yet!! And it may be too early to pencil in Dunivant as a Nats left back, he has gotten off to a great - and somewhat surprising - start, a desperate shot in the arm fo rthe Quakes. Looks like Yallop may have pulled two rabbits out of the hat with Dunivant and Alvarez, injecting some much needed youth into his team.
I've noticed that play seems faster, the offenses more cohesive (notable exception: New England), and more creative w/ one-touch passing.