I’m not going to say much about this game beforehand except for this: if the US cannot get it together enough for this game, cannot overcome their road woes to get up for what is looking to be a qualifier of magnanimous proportions, then Bob Bradley needs to go right now.  In the past I’ve said that it was a horrible idea to fire a coach this close to the World Cup, but the team is playing for it’s World Cup life for all intensive purposes, and Bob is coaching for his life tonight.  That’s all.  Good luck guys…we’re all behind you.

Over the past several weeks I have had the opportunity to see several important games in different locations.  For example, I saw the UEFA Cup championship in an Irish pub, I regularly watch games from the couch, and I sat in the seats for a DC United match.

Hands down the in person viewing of football is the best in my opinion.  The crowd energy and enthusiasm is awesome, even if you don’t care for the teams playing.  You can’t help route for the home team, and DC’s fans are rabidly loyal to their team.  If you wear an enemy jersey to a DC United match, you might get pushed around the crowd.  I look forward to seeing Chelsea vs AC Milan, and DC United vs Real Madrid this summer.

Watching the UEFA Cup title match in an Irish bar with friends comes in second in my book.  The energy was great, and the food was cheaper, but it was missing the fan unity.  There were equal fan split in the bar, which made the cheers and jeers more contentious.  Due to the timing of some international games, I will be seeing more games at the bar down the street after work, than running home and missing the first half.

Now home viewing of games are by and large the format that is the cheapest, and most comfortable.  Yet, all the energy and spirit of the game is gone.  I have fallen asleep during more games lately than I’ve finished.  The MLS games that start at 10:00 est. are starting to bug me, but I get why they are on so late.  I have my DVR scheduled to record all of the US Men’s games in South Africa next week, and I’m still hoping to run out to a bar to watch the game.

Well fans, how do you want to watch the beautiful game?

Last year in the MLS the Eastern Division ran away with the points and dominated the Western Division.  This year it looks like the balance of power is adjusting back to the middle.  I am not going to say that the MLS Champion will come from the Western Division, yet the domination tide has crested.  With teams like the Columbus Crew stumbling in the first few games and the surging Seattle Sounders, this season has the potential to show more diverse and meaningful divisional rivalries.  I enjoy watching games with emotional draw, for example; whenever Chelsea vs. Man U play, Red Sox vs. Yankees, UNC vs. Duke, or Bears vs. Packers I’m watching.  In the MLS we have significant rivalries in FC Dallas vs. Houston, Chivas vs Galaxy, and NY vs. NE.  These regional rivalries make sports fans go nuts.  With the divisions tightening up and every game being that much more important, this sport will see a marked improvement in viewership and ticket sales.  I predict a concerted effort by the league to maintain the balance between the Eastern and Western Divisions.  Through the expansion of the designated player guidelines, and more televised games stuttered throughout the day(like football Sundays).  If the league is able to capitalize on the growing positive excitement in the divisional competition, they stand to see a huge benefit this season.

Major League Soccer has an even bigger opportunity this season to hype up the non-international players in preparation for the World Cup in 2010.  The players that will be in and out of the league this season due to international play could pull viewers away, or diminish the importance of games during those time periods.  MLS executives need to promote players that will not be pulled away for international duty, and make them regular faces to watch along side the big name stars.  I do have a few ideas for players, but if you want to add a name or two please add your thoughts.  I would love to see young and old players highlighted such as; Brian McBride, Brad Davis, Blanco(if he is health), Schelotto, Casey Keller, Fredy Montero, and any other rookie that is punching through.  Without a strong story line to sell, MLS fans will watch, yet new or seldom viewers will not feel the passion some of us have for the game.  MLS, please promote the league like there is a reason to watch every week, and to every game.

I just purchased my ticket to see Chelsea vs. AC Milan this summer in Baltimore, MD.  The World Football Challenge is on tour in the US staring the previously mentioned teams as well as Club America and Inter Milan.  All of these teams will be in preseason mode, yet the opportunity to see top level football is to much to pass up.  Many of these teams will also be taking on MLS teams while on tour including Seattle vs. Chelsea and AC Milan vs. LA Galaxy (as part of the Beckham return deal). Check out these dates, venues, and matches:

Sunday July 19th Club America v Inter Milan @ Stanford Stadium Palo Alto, CA

Tuesday July 21st Chelsea v Inter Milan @ Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA

Wednesday July 22nd AC Milan v Club America @ Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA

Friday July 24th Chelsea v AC Milan @ M&T Stadium Baltimore, MD (yeah!!!)

Sunday July 26th AC v Inter @ Gillette Stadium Foxborough, MA

Sunday July 26th Chelsea v Club America @ Cowboy Stadium Arlington, TX

Check out: www.worldfootballchallenge.com for tickets and info

Well, with the US men coming out on top in last evening’s extremely emotionally charged contest I have to say that I’m proud of the ol’ boys this time.  I’ve few complaints, plenty of kudos, and a little guarded optimism.  I think the obvious storyline is that of Michael Bradley’s development.  Let’s not jump to the conclusion that he’s “arrived” much like many people said of Sasha Kljestan after his hat-trick against Sweden.  Anyone who’s ever played competitively can tell you that one game does not a player make, nor does it break.  Any player can be over-the-top on fire or completely ineffective in any given game.  However, Michael Bradley is starting to string together enough impressive showings, as well as demonstrating growth over time, that I think it’s only fair to say that we may have a budding dominant midfielder in our pool.  At the very least it’s time for the cynics who like to pout about him only getting playing time because of his blood relations to be a little more honest about his abilities and his future on this team.

For my part I’m willing to lay off Bob for a while.  The Nats showed a level of preparation and fire in this game that requires credit given to the coaching staff.  So for now I’m shutting my trap about roster selection and line-ups and simply offering my gratitude and kudos to Bob Bradley.

The last observation to make about the possible insights this game offered is the interesting pattern of the step-up player.  For the last run of games whenever the US has been under some sort of pressure to perform, we’ve had a player or two step up to sort of own that game.  Last evening Tim Howard and Michael Bradley put their unmistakable stamp on the game to get us through.  Sweden saw the best of Kljestan.  Argentina was left befuddled by Howard as well.  Slowly but surely (and it’s really too early in the tough qualifiers to be spouting off TOO loudly about this) we seem to be gaining ground on the fire that’s needed to challenge at this level.  One of the major pieces of any world class team is that they play with passion, desire, heart.  Spain and Argentina live and breath the game.  The African and Carribean nations that so impressed in Germany played with such heart that no one could argue that they didn’t deserved to be there, no matter what the scorelines or odds were.  2002 saw the US step onto the field against some real heavy weights, but we took to the task with pride and shocked a lot of people.  On the flip-side, the ‘98 and ‘06 finals were built up to like the US was a lock to advance before the draws were even done.  Maybe our group of youngsters are taking it seriously…maybe we’re finally getting the right attitude.  I don’t want to make TOO much out of this game, after all Mexico seemed a little dazed…understrength…not quite themselves.  And there are other factors in this series and in Mexico’s recent run of poor form that could have brought a lot of positive things out in us last evening in Columbus, but I could see this being the beginning of our run into the finals.  If anything good is going to come of 2010, we will all look back and say that this was the game where we really first saw it beginning.

PS – I also want to point out that, even though I gave Mexico credit for a possible goal that never materialized, I did call the 2 goals from the US (*pats self on back*)…although considering how many times we’ve scored exactly 2 goals against Mexico lately I guess it wasn’t really that much of a stretch.  Oh, well.

I was unable to watch any of the Saturday or Sunday games due to travel issues, but the results are shocking and inspirational at the same time.  What I will say is that the LA Galaxy situation is now resolved ,with Bruce Arena taking the head coach position and hopefully he can bring a focus and stability to the team before the end of the season.  Also, the top positions in each division have been rocked.  I had mentioned a few weeks ago that the Columbus Crew were on fire and playing good.  Their consistency paid off this week and they pulled ahead of NE in the East.  Similarly, Houston Dynamo has had consistent defensive play, and their offense has stepped up to gain wins over ties.  They took the top spot away from Real Salt Lake this weekend in a high goal scoring affair.  I have got to go back and watch these games when I get a chance.

Sorry, I’ve been gone for so long.  I went on a well deserved vacation.  Now that I’m back lets review what has been happening in the MLS.

First of all the commissioner has heard my request and added some names to the all-star game roster that were previously un named.  Pat Onstad was added as GK, De Rosario was added as starting midfield, and Edson Buddle was named for forward(just to name a few).  These picks as well as the names added due to Olympic absences, were deserved and right.  There are a few names still missing, such as Luciano Emilio, but the team seems more complete now.

Secondly, last year’s game of the year was the NY vs LA that ended in 5-4 victory for NY and this years match up at Giant Stadium was no less exciting.  NY and LA did end up with a tie 2-2 but the game was very entertaining to watch.  These two teams were poised to be great rivals, after all they are the two largest cities in the country, and this game should that their games together will most likely always be exciting.  Buddle proved why he was added to the all-stars by providing Carlos Ruiz with a header into the goal in the 29th minute.  NY’s van den Bergh evened it up in the 35th minute, and Juan Pablo Angel pushed them into the lead in the 71st minute.  Then LA’s Landon Donovan pulled it even in extra time(92nd minute) to a 2-2 draw.

Lastly, the Superliga 2008 is shaping up to be a good diversion to the All-Star game.  I have mentioned in the past that MLS teams should focus on their league first then the side bar tournaments second.  The depth of our teams are being pushed to their limits.  If a team goes into these tournaments with full force, they run the risk of injuries and player wear and tear.  Teams that have strong depth can play through these moments, and the teams that go into these games injured just get worse off.  I do hope that a MLS team wins the Superliga, just at what expense to their league play?

I don’t usually like to put up two new posts in one day, but I came across a blog post written by the gentleman over at That Soccer Thing that I think everyone who has ever had to listen to the stupid American argument against the beautiful game that there’s “not enough scoring” should read! Just trying to disseminate good writing as far and wide as possible!

Cheers!

PS – be sure to read the first comment made by poster “papa bear”…

So this isn’t going to be much of a post because it’s late and all, but I felt like I should put something up because the page appears all blank and lonely.  All I really wanna say is that this blog is just a fan blog.  We don’t claim to be experts (although we’ll talk that way sometimes), and we can’t keep up with every bit of news, but we love the game.  This beautiful game, whatever you call it wherever you are, we love and appreciate it for all it’s pieces, and all it’s history, and all it’s greatness.  We love the way it brings people together and we love the way that it brings out competition in everybody.  On top of that we are a group of friends who are spread out across these great United States in various locations.  Hopefully we’ll offer diverse opinions and insight into the game as it stands today and maybe even where it’s going.  If you’re reading, please let us know what you think…throw your two cents (or more!) into the pot, because that’s the great thing about this game…the pot’s so big that there’s room for everyone!  Whether you follow a team closely, are just curious about the game in general, play competitively, or just with some trashcans and a ball in the yard, we all play the same game and that’s what we’re here to celebrate.