A couple thoughts on the manner of Clint's arrival in Seattle ahead of the Seattle-Portland Matchup
Thoughts and opinions on Major League Soccer, the USMNT, and the future of Soccer in America.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Holy Shit Jozy
One man's (over)reactions to the American goals during Wednesday's friendly between USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Three guys with a lot riding on the USA-Bosnia Friendly
Friendlies don't matter, but the Bosnia-USA Match-up sure as hell matters to these three guys.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
The European Bracket: TDLF Team of the Season Update!
After writings last night's blog post I realized that the number of teams in the Premier League that were furthering the cause of American's abroad was more than a little bit thin, and rest of the Americans playing in top flight European leagues deserve at least some recognition.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Introducing The DLF Premier League Team of the Season
I'm done trying to choose a Premier League team.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Russia 2018: It isn't too early to start talking boycott.
The upcoming 2014 Olympics in Sochi have brought international attention to Russia's despicable treatment of homosexuals, and have raised the question: Should the United States consider boycotting international competitions in Russia? The question is much more pressing in terms of the upcoming Olympics, but for my own purposes I will be focusing on the FIFA World Cup currently scheduled to be held in Russia in the summer of 2018. If Russia does not make significant changes to ensure the rights of their LBGT community, there is no doubt in my mind that the US Soccer Federation should stage a boycott of the 2018 World Cup.
Let me just say: I LIVE for the World Cup. It is by far my favorite sporting event, and the thought of missing out on the chance to see the Yanks compete is an absolutely terrifying one. The fact that it only happens once every four years, that it unites the sporting community in a truly beautiful way, that the United States is perpetually trying to prove their mettle to the rest of the world; everything. It is truly the most excited that I can be for a sporting event, and a World Cup trophy for the United States is the farthest flung sports-fan's fantasy that my mind can muster.
But competing in an event in a country where this is allowed to continue is unacceptable. Sports are a reflection of the condition of the people that are competing, and are one of the most powerful platforms for social change currently available. The United States needs to spearhead a campaign denouncing Russian policies toward LGBT activists, and pledging to simultaneously boycott the tournament and sponsor an alternate event that supportive countries can compete in. An aggressive campaign aimed at pressuring other countries to pledge their support by boycotting the games would put the impetus on Russia to bow to public pressure, and to enact meaningful legislative changes.
Unless things change, The United States should boycott the 2018 World Cup. We cannot participate in a modern recreation of the 1936 Olympics, when there is an opportunity to use the event as an agent for social good. I hope very much that by the time 2018 comes around there will be no need for any boycott, but if things don't change then we should have the courage to stand for human rights.
Let me just say: I LIVE for the World Cup. It is by far my favorite sporting event, and the thought of missing out on the chance to see the Yanks compete is an absolutely terrifying one. The fact that it only happens once every four years, that it unites the sporting community in a truly beautiful way, that the United States is perpetually trying to prove their mettle to the rest of the world; everything. It is truly the most excited that I can be for a sporting event, and a World Cup trophy for the United States is the farthest flung sports-fan's fantasy that my mind can muster.
But competing in an event in a country where this is allowed to continue is unacceptable. Sports are a reflection of the condition of the people that are competing, and are one of the most powerful platforms for social change currently available. The United States needs to spearhead a campaign denouncing Russian policies toward LGBT activists, and pledging to simultaneously boycott the tournament and sponsor an alternate event that supportive countries can compete in. An aggressive campaign aimed at pressuring other countries to pledge their support by boycotting the games would put the impetus on Russia to bow to public pressure, and to enact meaningful legislative changes.
Unless things change, The United States should boycott the 2018 World Cup. We cannot participate in a modern recreation of the 1936 Olympics, when there is an opportunity to use the event as an agent for social good. I hope very much that by the time 2018 comes around there will be no need for any boycott, but if things don't change then we should have the courage to stand for human rights.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
MLS on Fallon, and the "Brazilian Beckham"
Fallon ribs MLS players on Late Night
It's not exactly front page of the New York Times, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Jimmy's playful joking at the expense several MLS All-Stars. Light Night talk shows aren't exactly the barometer for public interest that they were in the past, but even a passing reference to MLS wouldn't have made it past the editing room floor ten years ago. And what's more, the segment actually has a couple of legitimately funny moments. I'm not expecting anybody outside of MLS nerds to have any idea who Marco di Vaio or Brad Davis are, but the fact that you can at least tell people "hey trust me, these guys play in MLS" and they won't then say "what the fuck is MLS?" actually represents progress.
It might not seem like much, but hey one step at a time right? Small steps. Baby steps even. Steps so small that it might not actually feel like you're moving whatsoever. More of a sideways shuffle really.
The Brazilian Beckham?
Brazilianaire Flavio Agusto da Silva, owner of the USL Pro team Orlando City, made some waves today by re-hinting that if Orlando is granted entry into MLS, a certain 'Brazilian Beckham' will be sure to join them. Now, it is no secret that Silva is good friends with Brazilian Midfielder Kaka, so the natural assumption is that he is the one that Silva is referring to. That would be great, but let's just get one thing straight:
There is no such thing as a Brazilian Beckham. There is no Spanish, no French, Ghanian, Russian,
Turkish, Argentinean, or Chinese David Beckham. Beckham came along at a time in MLS history that was wholly unique, and he was just the right person at the right time. He was already a global brand before he ever came to the States, and could sell clothing or perfume just as easily as sell out stadiums. His wife and young family brought along the whole reality TV / Kardashian vibe that is always such an intriguing story line, and he made the bold (and previously unheard of) decision to cross the Atlantic and make a go of it in MLS.
The first year with Beckham was like lighting had struck. Teams across the country set attendance records driven by fans who wanted to catch a glimpse of Beckham, and local and national media outlets featured regular stories about Beckham and his exploits in MLS. For those that already followed the league it felt tedious to constantly be bombarded with updates about the seemingly mundane details of Beckham's season, but fans were being exposed and introduced to the league for the first time without even realizing it. Even if they couldn't care less about Beckham, or even actively disliked him for his fame and the personal image that he has cultivated, they were thinking about the MLS ten times as often they would have had Beckham not come to the league.
Kaka is a great player, and I would love to have him in the league, but there is no chance that his arrival could have a galvanizing effect similar to Beckham's. Even if Kaka was a similarly famous cultural icon (which he is not), the league is different now than it was seven years ago. Here's hoping that he and everybody else involved in the endeavor realize that fact, and don't expect his arrival to be anything like Sir David's.
It's not exactly front page of the New York Times, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Jimmy's playful joking at the expense several MLS All-Stars. Light Night talk shows aren't exactly the barometer for public interest that they were in the past, but even a passing reference to MLS wouldn't have made it past the editing room floor ten years ago. And what's more, the segment actually has a couple of legitimately funny moments. I'm not expecting anybody outside of MLS nerds to have any idea who Marco di Vaio or Brad Davis are, but the fact that you can at least tell people "hey trust me, these guys play in MLS" and they won't then say "what the fuck is MLS?" actually represents progress.
It might not seem like much, but hey one step at a time right? Small steps. Baby steps even. Steps so small that it might not actually feel like you're moving whatsoever. More of a sideways shuffle really.
The Brazilian Beckham?
Brazilianaire Flavio Agusto da Silva, owner of the USL Pro team Orlando City, made some waves today by re-hinting that if Orlando is granted entry into MLS, a certain 'Brazilian Beckham' will be sure to join them. Now, it is no secret that Silva is good friends with Brazilian Midfielder Kaka, so the natural assumption is that he is the one that Silva is referring to. That would be great, but let's just get one thing straight:
There is no such thing as a Brazilian Beckham. There is no Spanish, no French, Ghanian, Russian,
Turkish, Argentinean, or Chinese David Beckham. Beckham came along at a time in MLS history that was wholly unique, and he was just the right person at the right time. He was already a global brand before he ever came to the States, and could sell clothing or perfume just as easily as sell out stadiums. His wife and young family brought along the whole reality TV / Kardashian vibe that is always such an intriguing story line, and he made the bold (and previously unheard of) decision to cross the Atlantic and make a go of it in MLS.
The first year with Beckham was like lighting had struck. Teams across the country set attendance records driven by fans who wanted to catch a glimpse of Beckham, and local and national media outlets featured regular stories about Beckham and his exploits in MLS. For those that already followed the league it felt tedious to constantly be bombarded with updates about the seemingly mundane details of Beckham's season, but fans were being exposed and introduced to the league for the first time without even realizing it. Even if they couldn't care less about Beckham, or even actively disliked him for his fame and the personal image that he has cultivated, they were thinking about the MLS ten times as often they would have had Beckham not come to the league.
Kaka is a great player, and I would love to have him in the league, but there is no chance that his arrival could have a galvanizing effect similar to Beckham's. Even if Kaka was a similarly famous cultural icon (which he is not), the league is different now than it was seven years ago. Here's hoping that he and everybody else involved in the endeavor realize that fact, and don't expect his arrival to be anything like Sir David's.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Good luck Juan, you're going to need it.
With the news coming out today that Juan Agudelo is to become the newest American member of the Stoke City family, I think it's a good time to look back on what his career has been since he burst onto the international scene in 2010. Agudelo was a 17 year old that had just performed admirably for our U-17 and U-20 teams when he earned a call up to the US senior team and captured the imagination of the US Soccer public, but that now seems like a rapidly fading memory. Agudelo hasn't featured regularly for the USMNT since 2011, and has similarly struggled to find his form for the New York Red Bulls, Chivas USA, and most recently the New England Revolution. It seems strange that this is the moment for him to make his first professional move overseas, almost as though Stoke has been watching game tape from several years ago and just assumed that he had naturally progressed into a fixture for the United States.
So what gives? Well first of all, it's an indication that lower level EPL teams now see young American talent as a viable option in the transfer market. The possibility of striking it rich with an American difference maker on the pitch is becoming an enticing prospect, because the extremely profitable American TV market is largely still up for grabs. And because clubs know this, a club such as Stoke would be taking a huge gamble in purchasing a proven American commodity like Dempsey or even Jozy Altidore, because the asking price and expectation of playing time would be too great. But buying low on the likes of Juan Agudelo makes perfect sense. He is a very young, very raw talent that has experienced enough downturns in his career to come in with no sense of entitlement, both in his own attitude and that of the media. Americans of course want to see their players on the pitch for their club teams, but anybody who has followed Agudelo's career will certainly be understanding if he does not force his way onto the pitch immediately. Beyond this though, Stoke might be noticing a larger trend in American soccer and looking to take advantage.
I think we're learning that the 'next big thing' in American Soccer is almost always a tease. We have now seen Eddie Johnson, Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore, Teal Bunbury, and Juan Agudelo burst onto the USMNT scene in their teens or early twenties, only to fall short of their vastly overblown expectations in the years that follow. It speaks to the deep seeded hope that all US Soccer fans possess that we will soon be treated to a true World-Class American footballer. When we see a 18 year old Juan Agudelo scoring his first international goal against a powerhouse like Argentina, or we see a 19 year old Jozy post up a Spanish defender like he's Lebron James, or Charlie Davies silencing the cavernous Azteca stadium with one of the most unexpected goals in USMNT history, we are immediately transported with visions of them being signed by Manchester United or Real Madrid, stamping their name into the first team sheet, and proving to the rest of the world that Americans can play.
But it doesn't happen. I would never go as far as to say that these players are impeded by the hype and expectations that are put upon them, but I think that the quickly shifting nature of the hopes and dreams of American Soccer fans can put a strain on these players' professional development. As fans, we feel as though we have a pretty good grasp on who and what each of the players in our pool is going to be (with the possible exception of Michael Bradley). This is part of the reason that Dempsey's decision to come home hurt on some level, because he had established himself as a player with the ability to score at a very high rate in the world's top league. When we see a brand new 17 year old striker take the field for the USA, we have no idea what the possibilities might be. It doesn't take much for a young gun to be the next big thing for US Soccer, and a prospect that is very raw but with true talent is very easily mistaken for a player that is ready to put all of the pieces together. We want so bad for them to be The One, that we look straight past obvious flaws in their game.
But this doesn't mean that these players should be judged based on what they are capable of in the years from 17-21. Now that Eddie Johnson is experiencing a career renaissance in MLS and is suddenly back on track to be included in the 2014 World Cup squad, it is easy to forget the massive disappointment he was when he first left to go try his hand in Europe. When Jozy scored 30 goals for AZ Alkmaar this last season, it went a long way toward erasing the relative failures that were his years at Villareal and Hull city. Both of those players were almost left for dead by the US Soccer community (Johnson more so than Jozy), but both proved that their careers were far from over when they suffered these setbacks.
Juan Agudelo will likely be a relative failure at Stoke City. He will almost definitely struggle for playing time, and there is a distinct possibility that he will be loaned for some or all of the upcoming season to a lower division team. I would like nothing more than to be wrong about this, and for Juan to become a regular starter (or at least contributer) for Stoke. I think it would be fantastic if he managed to get regular time, but if he fails to it does not necessarily mean that this move was a mistake. He is making this move during a plateau in his career, and by doing so he is forcing himself into a crossroads. He will either rise to the occasion, or he struggle to find his footing as a player and will see others pass him by on both the Stoke and National teams' depth charts. But either way, he is making sure that the next part of career starts right now, and that's precisely what he needs.
Even if Juan fails to break through in this endeavor, we haven't heard the last of him. He could flame out in anonymity for 5 years, and he would still only be 25 years old. And now that MLS is a viable option for players that feel as though their time in Europe has run its course, there is almost no risk in making this move now. No matter how badly it goes, a MLS team will always be willing to take a shot on a former rising star of the USMNT.
So what gives? Well first of all, it's an indication that lower level EPL teams now see young American talent as a viable option in the transfer market. The possibility of striking it rich with an American difference maker on the pitch is becoming an enticing prospect, because the extremely profitable American TV market is largely still up for grabs. And because clubs know this, a club such as Stoke would be taking a huge gamble in purchasing a proven American commodity like Dempsey or even Jozy Altidore, because the asking price and expectation of playing time would be too great. But buying low on the likes of Juan Agudelo makes perfect sense. He is a very young, very raw talent that has experienced enough downturns in his career to come in with no sense of entitlement, both in his own attitude and that of the media. Americans of course want to see their players on the pitch for their club teams, but anybody who has followed Agudelo's career will certainly be understanding if he does not force his way onto the pitch immediately. Beyond this though, Stoke might be noticing a larger trend in American soccer and looking to take advantage.
I think we're learning that the 'next big thing' in American Soccer is almost always a tease. We have now seen Eddie Johnson, Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore, Teal Bunbury, and Juan Agudelo burst onto the USMNT scene in their teens or early twenties, only to fall short of their vastly overblown expectations in the years that follow. It speaks to the deep seeded hope that all US Soccer fans possess that we will soon be treated to a true World-Class American footballer. When we see a 18 year old Juan Agudelo scoring his first international goal against a powerhouse like Argentina, or we see a 19 year old Jozy post up a Spanish defender like he's Lebron James, or Charlie Davies silencing the cavernous Azteca stadium with one of the most unexpected goals in USMNT history, we are immediately transported with visions of them being signed by Manchester United or Real Madrid, stamping their name into the first team sheet, and proving to the rest of the world that Americans can play.
But it doesn't happen. I would never go as far as to say that these players are impeded by the hype and expectations that are put upon them, but I think that the quickly shifting nature of the hopes and dreams of American Soccer fans can put a strain on these players' professional development. As fans, we feel as though we have a pretty good grasp on who and what each of the players in our pool is going to be (with the possible exception of Michael Bradley). This is part of the reason that Dempsey's decision to come home hurt on some level, because he had established himself as a player with the ability to score at a very high rate in the world's top league. When we see a brand new 17 year old striker take the field for the USA, we have no idea what the possibilities might be. It doesn't take much for a young gun to be the next big thing for US Soccer, and a prospect that is very raw but with true talent is very easily mistaken for a player that is ready to put all of the pieces together. We want so bad for them to be The One, that we look straight past obvious flaws in their game.
But this doesn't mean that these players should be judged based on what they are capable of in the years from 17-21. Now that Eddie Johnson is experiencing a career renaissance in MLS and is suddenly back on track to be included in the 2014 World Cup squad, it is easy to forget the massive disappointment he was when he first left to go try his hand in Europe. When Jozy scored 30 goals for AZ Alkmaar this last season, it went a long way toward erasing the relative failures that were his years at Villareal and Hull city. Both of those players were almost left for dead by the US Soccer community (Johnson more so than Jozy), but both proved that their careers were far from over when they suffered these setbacks.
Juan Agudelo will likely be a relative failure at Stoke City. He will almost definitely struggle for playing time, and there is a distinct possibility that he will be loaned for some or all of the upcoming season to a lower division team. I would like nothing more than to be wrong about this, and for Juan to become a regular starter (or at least contributer) for Stoke. I think it would be fantastic if he managed to get regular time, but if he fails to it does not necessarily mean that this move was a mistake. He is making this move during a plateau in his career, and by doing so he is forcing himself into a crossroads. He will either rise to the occasion, or he struggle to find his footing as a player and will see others pass him by on both the Stoke and National teams' depth charts. But either way, he is making sure that the next part of career starts right now, and that's precisely what he needs.
Even if Juan fails to break through in this endeavor, we haven't heard the last of him. He could flame out in anonymity for 5 years, and he would still only be 25 years old. And now that MLS is a viable option for players that feel as though their time in Europe has run its course, there is almost no risk in making this move now. No matter how badly it goes, a MLS team will always be willing to take a shot on a former rising star of the USMNT.
Monday, August 5, 2013
The CONCACAF Champions League: Is it a waste of time?
Hell no.
Although there is no comparison in quality to the European tournament of the same name, what the tournament is means little to what it represents. The stated goal for MLS is to become a top league by the year 2022, but over the next 50-70 years? There is no reason to think that MLS couldn't become the top league in the world, given the resources and cultural appeal that American markets can offer.
But an aspect that often gets lost in the pursuit of this dream is the importance of the development the CONCACAF region as a whole. Teams like Honduras, Costa Rica, and Jamaica have already benefitted from experience their players have gained while playing in the MLS, and there is every reason to think that this trend will continue. Players from smaller Central American and Caribbean countries already view MLS as a shot at the big time, because they know that if they can get on the field in America, the eyes of the world's scouts will be on them. The league's ability to poach the best players from the region will increase those country's strength on the national level, and their success could stoke more interest in the regional league.
The reason why the CCL is considered a joke internationally is because nobody gives a shit about the leagues that are being represented. Liga MX is still the league with the highest quality of play, but their appeal is mostly regional and won't carry a broad American or international TV audience. Despite of the quality of play, Liga MX is not in play to land any major international stars such as David Beckham or Kaka. This might seem like a trivial point at the moment, but if the landscape shifted to the point where American clubs could begin offering competitive transfer fees and salaries for the worlds top players, then things could really get interesting. America has proven to be a destination where athletes across all sports want to live, while Mexico has no such track record. If there is a league in CONCACAF that has the ability to become one of the worlds best, MLS is it.
But if MLS is going to be the worlds best league, the the CONCACAF Champions league has to be one of the world's best tournaments. The represented teams from MLS and Liga MX have to be household names, and match-ups like Seattle-Monterrey and SKC-Tigres have to get people as excited as they might be for a match between the American and Mexican national teams. A run to the tournament final by a Panamanian team has to be latched onto and become a national news story for a couple weeks, catapulting their two standout players to MLS contracts. Arguments about players being sat for league games in anticipation of CCL match-ups need matter to people.
All of this will come in time, but someday I believe that it won't be ridiculous to compare the CONCACAF and European Champions Leagues. 2020? Not a chance. But 2060? Don't be surprised.
Although there is no comparison in quality to the European tournament of the same name, what the tournament is means little to what it represents. The stated goal for MLS is to become a top league by the year 2022, but over the next 50-70 years? There is no reason to think that MLS couldn't become the top league in the world, given the resources and cultural appeal that American markets can offer.
But an aspect that often gets lost in the pursuit of this dream is the importance of the development the CONCACAF region as a whole. Teams like Honduras, Costa Rica, and Jamaica have already benefitted from experience their players have gained while playing in the MLS, and there is every reason to think that this trend will continue. Players from smaller Central American and Caribbean countries already view MLS as a shot at the big time, because they know that if they can get on the field in America, the eyes of the world's scouts will be on them. The league's ability to poach the best players from the region will increase those country's strength on the national level, and their success could stoke more interest in the regional league.
The reason why the CCL is considered a joke internationally is because nobody gives a shit about the leagues that are being represented. Liga MX is still the league with the highest quality of play, but their appeal is mostly regional and won't carry a broad American or international TV audience. Despite of the quality of play, Liga MX is not in play to land any major international stars such as David Beckham or Kaka. This might seem like a trivial point at the moment, but if the landscape shifted to the point where American clubs could begin offering competitive transfer fees and salaries for the worlds top players, then things could really get interesting. America has proven to be a destination where athletes across all sports want to live, while Mexico has no such track record. If there is a league in CONCACAF that has the ability to become one of the worlds best, MLS is it.
But if MLS is going to be the worlds best league, the the CONCACAF Champions league has to be one of the world's best tournaments. The represented teams from MLS and Liga MX have to be household names, and match-ups like Seattle-Monterrey and SKC-Tigres have to get people as excited as they might be for a match between the American and Mexican national teams. A run to the tournament final by a Panamanian team has to be latched onto and become a national news story for a couple weeks, catapulting their two standout players to MLS contracts. Arguments about players being sat for league games in anticipation of CCL match-ups need matter to people.
All of this will come in time, but someday I believe that it won't be ridiculous to compare the CONCACAF and European Champions Leagues. 2020? Not a chance. But 2060? Don't be surprised.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Dempsey to Seattle? ... I'm not ready.
Clint Dempsey moving to the Seattle Sounders doesn't feel right. Although it is coming from an entirely selfish place, a part of me feels as though (like Landon), Clint's work across the pond wasn't finished.
Someday I would love for all of the brightest American stars to play their soccer in MLS, but there is no denying that at this point moving from the EPL to MLS is a step down in terms of quality of play. It is still in MLS' best interest for their products (such as Clint) to play at the highest level possible, and continue to market the brand through their play. Every time that he scored for Fulham or Spurs, he was proving yet again that talent from the MLS can be successful at the highest level.
When Tottenham bought him at the end of last year, it was the first time in my life that I thought an American truly had a chance to be a difference maker for a champions league contender (goalkeepers aside). I imagined the possibility of Dempsey being a regular starter for Spurs, backing up his Fulham campaign with similar blistering scoring numbers, and holding hands with Gareth Bale whilst they skipped into the Champions League. It would have been the ultimate advertisement for MLS. Clint had a chance to be The One. Or at least, it felt that way for a moment.
Besides the slight dent it puts in my fanciful vision for US Soccer abroad, Dempsey's move makes sense. He'll be paid comparably to what he was making in England, he get's to live in the same time zone as his loved ones, and finally gets to experience MLS as a league that actually has supporters. I can't begrudge a man for making a move that makes sense in every other aspect of his life, but I wasn't yet prepared to give up on Clint as the prime example of American talent abroad.
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