Any REAL football fans here? (Page 31)

I caught the second half of the ManUre game.  It was interesting.  Then again, I really enjoy seeing these larger, big name clubs come here from wherever.  AC Milan, ManUre, Tottenham (they mentioned that Robbie Keane is going to have to work for his spot this year and that he very well could be coming to the MLS this year on loan which would be interesting).  Seems to me that there appears to be quite a few teams here in the states this year.  I'd like to see that continue if only to get more exposure in the States AND so that our boys will see a smidgeon of what real competition looksl ike.

HA!  Nope.   

I think the Ronaldinho trade is in there somewhere. 

High praise from the "stodgy old Scottsman" (Tommy Smythe quote from the '06 WC)

Ferguson: MLS has made strides

High praise indeed--saying the play level had obviously and massively improved. I guess he had to say that after the results against Philly and KC.

Even though last night's game didn't look good. But I attribute that more to the nature of playing an all-star team--guys that don't play together.

I don't know.  Last night was only the second loss in the last 5 or 6 years of All Stars playing a big squad.  Unless now our STARs are acting more like STARs and not playing as well together in the past? 

This kind of crap makes me sick.  And it feels like it is becoming more frequent.  Then again, it could just be because of the internet it is easier to find it.

http://unprofessionalfoul.com/2010/07/30/rabotnicki-racism/

That's disgusting. Glad to say that I've never experienced that kind of racism at a sporting event.

On a much happier note, it looks like your boys will survive what you  have called the "silly season" fairly intact, no? I've seen that Torres has said he's staying.

He is staying for now.  There has been some interesting things flying around Anfield from a Chinese billionaire trying to buy the debt (and thus gaining a huge share in ownership) to now a Syrian wanting in on the action.  Should be interesting.

Speaking of interesting.  What do you think about us getting Freddie from you guys this past weekend before we spanked LA?

Yeah, that was interesting. With the signing of Alvaro Fernandez, it looked like Freddie's services weren't needed anymore. It will be interesting to see how much playing time he gets for you guys. 

Speaking of the Sounders, their turnaround has been fun to watch. I really thought they were going to miss the playoffs, now they're right there. Montero got player of the month for July.

Alright.  So I have an observation I would like to throw out there and see what you all think, specifically as it relates to the MLS.

So with the recent signings of some fairly higher profile (not Beckham esque but still) DP's (Designated Players) I've noticed a trend.  They seem to be getting younger and not as far removed from their purported glory days. 

Sure Henry is up in age, but not too much, at about 33 or so but it was only a year ago that he was directly influential for the treble at Barcelona.  And is arguably one of the more marketable players, given that he was in the Gillette commercial a year or two ago with Woods and Federrer only to eventually be replaced with Jeter. 

And look at two of the others.  Nery Castillo is only 29 and Rafa Marquez is 31.  Rafa was the friggen Mexico captain in this years WC.  And all three of them appear to be head and shoulders above the rest of the players they are with on the field.

I guess what I'm getting at is that is this a blip on the screen or is it a potential trend?  To me, it feels like a trend.  Other's, in Europe, have talked about coming here to finish their careers.  There were rumors about Zidane.  Heck, there are even rumors about Robbie Keane and I know that last year, or the year before, Robbie Fowler was considering it, if albiet briefly.

Some call it marketing.  And I don't doubt that there is a pretty good part of it that is marketing.  But in the long run, I truly believe (and sincerely hope) that this is a trend in helping the QUALITY of football played here in the states continue to improve. 

Thoughts?

Just got back from the other side of the pond and had this conversation over a few pints of lovely bitter with a good friend....prevailing thought was that the MLS is a sort of half way house for professionals who can still play but are on the wane so to speak. The major problem is the fiscal conservative nature of the MLS leadership and the reduced income for the players....could MLS attract a Messi or a Ronaldo? Nope..but it can get stars with a few good years willing to take reduced income and still play etc.

It is good to see the age coming down rather than the previous trend for over the hill players coming to just play out their last days...

Quality wise...the recent preseason and friendlies show the gap is not too wide but is still there...the US team at the WC was predominantly Euro based and until that changes and they are competitive with home grown and MLS regulars I dont foresee any change in the age of incoming "stars"...too much to lose for younger players who still want to be considered for National duties etc

Bit of a ramble....but hopefully gets my point across

Actually, those hit onto my points exactly.

It is kind of a double edged sword, in a way.  For our league to get better, we need better talent, but at this point, the development of that better talent is not here, it is elsewhere.  And you are right about the USMNT.  A lion's share of the talent there, particularly the good talent, playes in Europe. 

And I can see the turmoil right now with Landycakes (yes, I still call him that even though he had a MUCH better WC) and the MLS.  He has said he wants to go back to Europe (Everton gave him a great taste) but the MLS want him to stay so they can have that "home grown hero".  Very VERY tough decision.  Although, most MLS fans that I talk to would rather see him abroad and continue his development than stay here. 

I do want to quickly hit on your statement about the fiscal conservative nature of the MLS.  I think, at this point, it needs to continue to stay that way.  Sure, if they had some owners that could throw money around like it was water, we might be able to attract those types of talent, but based on what I've seen abroad, I see that as a VERY short term gain with tremendous long term impacts, including a team going bankrupt and potentially worse, the league going belly up.  The MLS has continued to see modest growth in the past 13-14 years, and I want to see it continue that way.  Maybe in 10-15 years, they can open up the purse strings a bit and start to slowly attract more and more REALLY BIG $ players.  Until then, I'll keep what we have.

But I LOVE this kind of conversation.

Welcome back, by the way. 

Being fiscally conservative is a good thing for MLS...I predict that the top teams in most European will suffer major issues including bankruptcies in the next 24 months from fiscal Irresponsibility...hardly a stunning prediction but its got to happen..as said before the structure is a house of cards...

You think the leagues will finally get around to putting in some kind of salary cap?

I believe Platini is right on this one...for the health of the game there has to be controls...too big a gap between those with deep pockets and those without...its not about development any more...its about money.....look at Man City..they are buying all sorts of talent and not letting there youth into the first team....same at all the big clubs...this last world cup was poor quality in my opinion and its because the players now place the emphasis on the club side due to pay packet and not the National side and pride.

A salary cap, a 6/5 provision or the current "home grown" rule is a start.....level the playing field and the game will continue to thrive

Good discussion guys. I think if you want any league to thrive, you should model what the NFL does. So yes to salary caps.

A few years ago, when some of the MLS teams started to "sister" with clubs abroad (Europe and Mexico) I remember one of the teams, and I think it was Colorado and Arsenal, the Arsenal rep specifically said they were very interested in learning how the MLS and how US Pro Teams in general "handle" players and their salaries.  It HAS to be coming down the pipeline.  Otherwise, many teams are going to go belly up.  They have reached their limit.  Now hopefully, the fairly slow (except Man City) July transfer market is a hint of it slowing down, but I just don't see it until the leagues themselves start to clamp down with regulations.

EPL Season has started!

I'm sorry. 

Seriously, though.  Welcome.  You can see this thread has been around a while.  And there are all kinds on it.  We talk MLS, EPL, la Ligua, Serie A, etc, as well as international play.

I'm a Liverpool supporter and a Fire season ticket holder.  we should get along just nicely

Speaking of which.  We play each other tonight.  I'm assuming you are going to the game.  Hope you are disappointed. 

Yeah.  I'm an idiot.  For some reason, I've been thinking this game was in NE all week.  You would think a season tix holder would know when his team is at home (I only have a 10 game packet and this isn't on my packet).  DUH!