One cherry down...MLS to dis St Louis bid

As I predicted in my previous MLS is holding back on Saint Louis until they know either Seattle and Philly can't make the feild for 2009 or 10.

With the announcement of Seattle as the next expansion city (even without a SSS), MLS is now sitting on the Philly announcement. But, that has become a bit more problematic with the announcement that the government entity has delayed their decision on funding.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/chester/20071110_Decision_on_Chester_soccer_team_delayed_Investors_have_not_yet_secured_a_subsidy__League_officials__who_hoped_to_release_details_soon__say_they_are_in_no_rush_.html

It is clear that St Louis has become the fall back date to the dance if MLS gets rejected by the cuter, more desirable Philly.

Courtemanche said the league has a financially strong ownership group and does not have to expand to generate sufficient revenue. League officials can take their time to make a decision that makes "strategic sense," he said

Shame on MLS being such a tease.

Tyranical Rex

We all new that Arena was a bit controlling, but word out of the RBS locker room is that he was a real asshole. ESPN.com reports that vets like Claudio "I should only earn half my salary" Reyna didn't speak to him for weeks. I would say that any UVa soccer reunions might be a bit uncomfortable. What I find funny is that the RBS GM De Grampe said that he didn't even consult with the players before canning (aka mutually deciding) The Bruce. He said he would never ask players before making a decision like this. WOW! Great lines of communication. And you wonder if NJ will EVER have anything to cheer about when you you have corporate shit like this, with no soccer background, running a club...

But in the end you gotta feel for Harkes who jumped ship from DC to assist under Arena. If he hadn't he'd still be with a championship club and I would have predicted the top spot at some point in the future...

Cherry picking, or the cherries have already been picked...

Is it just me or do you get the feeling that The Don (Garber) has already picked the expansion cities and is just dragging his heels so that the sweetest cherries have more time to get their house in order? I think that it is pretty evident that the next two cities on the expansion list are Philly and Seattle. Unfortunately, Saint Louis is only second runner up in case one of the other two choke on their pit.

Case in Point, Saint Louis has everything MLS says they need; ownership group with 30 million (check); SSS developement in place and ready to go (check); strong soccer community (check). So why are Saint Louis investors being so coy about this presumably golden ticket? Because MLS is putting them off until they know Philly or Seattle can't do a deal! Seattle is planning on using the Seahawk stadium with no talk of a SSS in the mix - Paul Allen would be a part owner on the strength of his opening up the stadium (on artificial turf - see previous post). That's supposedly a non-starter if you want a valuable MLS franchise. And in Philly, MLS is waiting on government approval that is not guarenteed.

I will wait until MLS Cup - when Garber typically makes the big announcements - to see if I'm right. Either he will announce that Seattle and Philly are the next contestants or he will continue to say that everyone is in the mix - including my hometown of Phoenix - even though Saint Louis should be getting a green light...

Yalloping Out of Town...

Who wouldn't want to leave the black charred fields of Carson City on the next stage coach to the Bay! But it's not because of the weather...two words...Alexi Lalas. The Gals need to clean house! Lalas has shown himself to be nothing more than a blowhorn. His best decision was firing Sampson (no brainer) to have Yallop manage the team - and that horse just yalloped out of town (and the Gals had to pay him to do it). Any GM in MLS would want to pull the trigger on signing Beckham, AEG were the only ones who could afford it, so don't give Lalas too much cred. How many chances is AEG going to give this guy whose best attribute is popping off his mouth - remember his promises in New Jersey to make them a super club...and his Adu sound bite that pissed off DC's Payne.

Here's a question: What will Lalas be remembered more for - playing in Serie A OR getting racked in the balls by some Mexican player during a dead ball?...

One lap around the Arena...

One year and out for the American soccer prophet? Did the Bruce become that disenchanted with MLS that he would throw up his hands after one season? Or is he just bored?

I have to believe that this was Arena's idea. The RedBullShits aren't the Damn Yankees for God's sake. While the season might have fallen a little short of expectations, at least New Jersey/York weren't fighting for a spot on the last day of the season AND they had a winning record. They also have two of the more exciting players in the league in Angel and Altidore.

This is where I'm most concerned, as much as I dislike the RBS, Altidore was under the supervision of one of the greatest American coaches at the College, pro, and national team levels. Who is going to watch over him now? Some Euro coach who doesn't really give a shit about the National Team or Altidore's maturation? Altidore might as well jump the pond now while he is worth something AND he can start training at the next level to truly develope into one of America's greatest players....

Crossing their fingers...

Ya think that MLS corporate and the Gals are crossing their fingers that a miracle in Tel Aviv DOESN'T happen? If Russia beats Isreal in their next Euro qualifer and Croatia gets a point against some minnow, then England would have to pray that Andorra beats Russia OR some other insane scenario...

If you don't realize the consequences...Beckham would be all MLS' next season, no time out for country...what a pity, its time he earns his silver...

By any other name...its still artificial, and still stinks...

Just because FIFA has approved this artificial field crap, doesn't mean it doesn't stink. Garber was commenting to a poster on one of the mainstream soccer websites that those who criticize the artificial turf in favor of grass are just being a bit too puritanical, get a grip, its coming, and plus FIFA has approved it, blah, blah, blah... I'm sorry but this ball doesn't bounce right, literally.

Just when MLS is really gaining momentum building SSS, ending the scourge of American "football" lines for fans and players' enjoyment, THEY are going to allow artificial fields. It might be less noticable to viewers, who only see the little rubberized black beads being kicked up. But the players don't like it (look at Toronto's hit list this season) and the designated players really don't like it, witness Beckham's comments and his no shows at Toronto and New England and RedBullShit (before he injured his knee). Maybe media magnets (designated players) should sign riders to their contracts that say they can skip artificial field games without cause.

Playoff format sucks

In its usual bend over backward attempt to have MLS assimilate to football played in Europe, (except of course for single table and relegation) we continue to have the best teams during the season lose any advantage by playing away and home series. OK, OK so I'm a bit bitter about DC's bump by the Fire! But shit, show me the homefield advantage! The Fuego bunkered in like a bunch of pansies and during the two times they countered, they score. DC was the better team. Just like a few years ago when the Galaxy sucked all year and got lucky in the playoffs and won it. MLS had a sub 500 team representing the league the next year in Concacaf play... At least now MLS has offered up a spot to the regular season champs to play in the Concacaf tourney and the top four regular seaon teams will play in LaLiga, against the Mexican teams...

When the league gets to 16 teams or more, the bottom feeders who qualify for the "playoffs" should have to play in - seeds 4 and 5 in each division play a one and out game on a Wednesday and the winner has to turn around and play at the 1 seed on the weekend - one and out. Play multiple game series for the semis with winners to the Championship.