MLS is over. It's time to go through the pre-transfer period funny season.
Which means rumors. Lots and lots of rumors.
I'm sure I'll leave some out.
Frees:
Joe Cannon talking to Norway after San Jose dropped his option
Michael Parkhurst looks set to sign in Denmark
Chad Marshall is talking to everyone that will pay his demands ($500k per)
Bobby Boswell is looking for a paycheck.
That's two former defender of the year guys. Plus one of the smartest center backs in MLS. Cannon still has a few years left at only 34 (keepers go longer). Why not get paid instead of being treated like crap by MLS.
Kenny Cooper has Bundesliga teams (and more) talking to him, FC Dallas and the league. Hopefully he goes somewhere and plays. Rumors are floating that Rosenberg is after Edson Buddle since they can't compete with the teams after Cooper.
Donovan has already been loaned to Bayern Munich. If he does well, they will want to keep him.
These seem like the hottest at the moment. There are plenty more out there. And I'm only bringing up some of the items involving MLS player.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Respect
I have loved Pujols since his first at bat with the Cardinals.
But now, he has gone to a level I could not imagine.
He is stepping in with the ownership group for an MLS team in St. Louis. No matter his financial stakes in this, this is incredible publicity.
Wow.
But now, he has gone to a level I could not imagine.
He is stepping in with the ownership group for an MLS team in St. Louis. No matter his financial stakes in this, this is incredible publicity.
Wow.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
To Bobby Rhine...
And all the guys like him.
He has played 10 seasons in MLS. Most people probably have never heard of him. But he has played 200+ games for the Dallas Burn/FC Dallas.
Bobby has helped create MLS. But he is a dying breed. He was a middle class player in a league that doesn't like the middle class.
He started out as a forward. Was converted to a defender. And if the wire piece on ESPN can be trusted, finished as a midfielder.
In the ever cheap beginnings and currents of MLS, he is the indispensable versatile man that's not worth a living wage. Because of the salary cap, he has been required to move from position to position. Learning on the fly.
It's a testament to the guys like him that this league is still here. Still growing. And will never go away.
Rhine will never be remembered in the Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, NY. But he will be looked back in the history books of MLS as one of the guys that helped create the path.
Every guy that makes a decent living in this country playing this children's game owes Bobby something. Even if it's just a hand shake and a pat on the back. I'm sure he would be ecstatic with simply that. If I have the opportunity, I'll buy a round or two.
I'd love to hear the stories behind the scenes in the early days. The great Fire-Burn Brimstone Cup days. The onset of MLS teams taking the US Open Cup seriously (or at least sort of).
Yeah, he played for a team I hate. But I respect him. And I love what he has done. He is only a few years older than me. But like me, he is about to begin a whole new life/career.
So Bobby, and everyone else like him: Ted Eck, David Vaudriel, Richie Williams, etc.
Thanks.
He has played 10 seasons in MLS. Most people probably have never heard of him. But he has played 200+ games for the Dallas Burn/FC Dallas.
Bobby has helped create MLS. But he is a dying breed. He was a middle class player in a league that doesn't like the middle class.
He started out as a forward. Was converted to a defender. And if the wire piece on ESPN can be trusted, finished as a midfielder.
In the ever cheap beginnings and currents of MLS, he is the indispensable versatile man that's not worth a living wage. Because of the salary cap, he has been required to move from position to position. Learning on the fly.
It's a testament to the guys like him that this league is still here. Still growing. And will never go away.
Rhine will never be remembered in the Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, NY. But he will be looked back in the history books of MLS as one of the guys that helped create the path.
Every guy that makes a decent living in this country playing this children's game owes Bobby something. Even if it's just a hand shake and a pat on the back. I'm sure he would be ecstatic with simply that. If I have the opportunity, I'll buy a round or two.
I'd love to hear the stories behind the scenes in the early days. The great Fire-Burn Brimstone Cup days. The onset of MLS teams taking the US Open Cup seriously (or at least sort of).
Yeah, he played for a team I hate. But I respect him. And I love what he has done. He is only a few years older than me. But like me, he is about to begin a whole new life/career.
So Bobby, and everyone else like him: Ted Eck, David Vaudriel, Richie Williams, etc.
Thanks.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
What if Pujols had Howard's chances?
Derrick Goold has a nice post on what Pujols' numbers might have been if he had the chances Howard had this year.
I'm not sure when the MVP award comes out. But I think it would once again be a shame if Pujols does not receive the award. I can't think of anyone in the National League that can put up the stats that he does. And he does it year in and year out.
It is simply a pleasure to watch him play.
I'm not sure when the MVP award comes out. But I think it would once again be a shame if Pujols does not receive the award. I can't think of anyone in the National League that can put up the stats that he does. And he does it year in and year out.
It is simply a pleasure to watch him play.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
US vs TnT
I was not able to make the game at Bridgeview due to other obligations.
However, it was nice to finally watch a US game on the boob tube and hear the fan support the entire game. That logically goes hand in hand with the support of the Fire.
True, there weren't many fans there (11k+), but USSF doesn't exactly advertise, it's a midweek game (FIFA calender), and it is understood who will dominate (US).
That said, the fans were loud the entire game. I do not care that they were repetitive. They did their job and did it amazingly well. They are setting the bar high for everyone else. That needs to be done more often.
Variety in making noise is not advantageous unless you remain organized AND loud. In the absence of familiarity, you keep it simple to maintain vocal support. That carried through loud and clear on the ESPN2 telecast last night.
Kudos to the guys from Section 8 that lent a hand to the US players. It is not necessary that all Section 8'ers will be US fans. Just as it does not hold true that all US supporters at the game would be Fire fans.
However, the majority of the supporters would be Fire fans, often work together, and must lend their expertise. It's their site, their turf, their lead. Well played.
As Chicago gets more games, the songs and cheers will vary. But until then, they will keep it simple. It's the Section 8 way. You give it everything you've got and make it as intense as humanly possible.
It's also moments like this that I wish Columbus had a solid core of supporters. When national team games occur, they get shut out by the influx of DC, NE, NY/NJ, and Chicago supporters. Which often means a clash of styles, instead of one being dominant.
It is getting better. Slowly, but it definitely is.
Now if we can just get rid of euro-poseurs, yuppies, and nimby's.
However, it was nice to finally watch a US game on the boob tube and hear the fan support the entire game. That logically goes hand in hand with the support of the Fire.
True, there weren't many fans there (11k+), but USSF doesn't exactly advertise, it's a midweek game (FIFA calender), and it is understood who will dominate (US).
That said, the fans were loud the entire game. I do not care that they were repetitive. They did their job and did it amazingly well. They are setting the bar high for everyone else. That needs to be done more often.
Variety in making noise is not advantageous unless you remain organized AND loud. In the absence of familiarity, you keep it simple to maintain vocal support. That carried through loud and clear on the ESPN2 telecast last night.
Kudos to the guys from Section 8 that lent a hand to the US players. It is not necessary that all Section 8'ers will be US fans. Just as it does not hold true that all US supporters at the game would be Fire fans.
However, the majority of the supporters would be Fire fans, often work together, and must lend their expertise. It's their site, their turf, their lead. Well played.
As Chicago gets more games, the songs and cheers will vary. But until then, they will keep it simple. It's the Section 8 way. You give it everything you've got and make it as intense as humanly possible.
It's also moments like this that I wish Columbus had a solid core of supporters. When national team games occur, they get shut out by the influx of DC, NE, NY/NJ, and Chicago supporters. Which often means a clash of styles, instead of one being dominant.
It is getting better. Slowly, but it definitely is.
Now if we can just get rid of euro-poseurs, yuppies, and nimby's.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sweep!!
Cards earn their second sweep of the season. This one was extra special due to the four game set. Not to mention all the come from behinds in this series.
Wow was that fun watching Miles grit a walk-off grand slam. Not the guy you think about ever hurting you with the long ball too.
He's turning in one hell of a season.
Wow was that fun watching Miles grit a walk-off grand slam. Not the guy you think about ever hurting you with the long ball too.
He's turning in one hell of a season.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
More fun with Series Results
Colorado (2-1) Win
Washington (3-0) Win (Sweep)
Houston (2-1) Win
San Francisco (2-2) Draw
Milwaukee (2-1) Win
San Francisco (1-2) Loss
Milwaukee (1-1) Draw
Pittsburgh (1-1) Draw
Houston (2-1) Win
Cincinnati (2-1) Win
Chicago (2-1) Win
Colorado (2-2) Draw
Milwaukee (1-3) Loss
Pittsburgh (1-2) Loss
Tampa Bay (2-1) Win
San Diego (2-1) Win
LA Dodgers (2-1) Win
Houston (2-1) Win
Pittsburgh (2-2) Tie
Washington (2-1) Win
Houston (2-1) Win
Cincinnati (2-1) Win
Philadelphia (2-1) Win
Kansas City (0-3) Loss (Sweep)
Boston (2-1) Win
Detroit (1-2) Loss
Kansas City (2-1) Win
New York Mets (2-2) Tie
Chicago (1-2) Loss
Philadelphia (1-2) Loss
Pittsburgh (2-1) Win
San Diego (?-?) Win
W - L - D
18 - 7 - 4
Currently the Cardinals have won the four game San Diego series, but still have the fourth game to play. Additionally, the Cardinals have swept and been swept once each this year. This series is the first four game series they have won all year. They have also lost only one four game set. The rest were draws (obviously).
Washington (3-0) Win (Sweep)
Houston (2-1) Win
San Francisco (2-2) Draw
Milwaukee (2-1) Win
San Francisco (1-2) Loss
Milwaukee (1-1) Draw
Pittsburgh (1-1) Draw
Houston (2-1) Win
Cincinnati (2-1) Win
Chicago (2-1) Win
Colorado (2-2) Draw
Milwaukee (1-3) Loss
Pittsburgh (1-2) Loss
Tampa Bay (2-1) Win
San Diego (2-1) Win
LA Dodgers (2-1) Win
Houston (2-1) Win
Pittsburgh (2-2) Tie
Washington (2-1) Win
Houston (2-1) Win
Cincinnati (2-1) Win
Philadelphia (2-1) Win
Kansas City (0-3) Loss (Sweep)
Boston (2-1) Win
Detroit (1-2) Loss
Kansas City (2-1) Win
New York Mets (2-2) Tie
Chicago (1-2) Loss
Philadelphia (1-2) Loss
Pittsburgh (2-1) Win
San Diego (?-?) Win
W - L - D
18 - 7 - 4
Currently the Cardinals have won the four game San Diego series, but still have the fourth game to play. Additionally, the Cardinals have swept and been swept once each this year. This series is the first four game series they have won all year. They have also lost only one four game set. The rest were draws (obviously).
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Mulder
Please check out what Stan Musial's Stance and Bryan Burwell at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had to say about Mulder's apparent end.
Both said things that I could never say better.
Both said things that I could never say better.
Gordon Gecko
I don't care about how many All-Stars we had, should have had or anything. It doesn't matter.
What matters is how this team is playing.
We've been stuck at 10 games over .500 for some time. We've gotten near 14 or 15 games once or twice, but keep settling at 10 games.
We need to get hot. The pitchers, the hitters, and the defense.
I don't care that Mulder, Carp, Clement, whomever else is hurt. There is still a game, and we should be trying to win that.
Our starting pitching has been pretty solid, but our pen has been crap of late. The bats look like they are starting to awaken again.
We've swept one series all year. One. That's pathetic.
If often looks like we are taking one game off every series. Maybe just a few innings. Not cool.
I know we are way better off than all the prognosticators prognosticated, but we are doing fine. So we should ask for more. Greed is good.
What matters is how this team is playing.
We've been stuck at 10 games over .500 for some time. We've gotten near 14 or 15 games once or twice, but keep settling at 10 games.
We need to get hot. The pitchers, the hitters, and the defense.
I don't care that Mulder, Carp, Clement, whomever else is hurt. There is still a game, and we should be trying to win that.
Our starting pitching has been pretty solid, but our pen has been crap of late. The bats look like they are starting to awaken again.
We've swept one series all year. One. That's pathetic.
If often looks like we are taking one game off every series. Maybe just a few innings. Not cool.
I know we are way better off than all the prognosticators prognosticated, but we are doing fine. So we should ask for more. Greed is good.
Fire
The Fire have been pants for some time now. They can't put squat together and put out a decent 90 minute effort.
It's carrying over and Blanco has been getting more and more irate. He got in a dust-up with Conde after a game a couple weeks back (Luis Arroyave's blog had a bit about it). Then he went off for a red card in last week's Open Cup loss to DC United.
I can understand the frustrations. But he and this team have to respond. There is too much talent to be getting the results they are getting.
The season started off great and is pretty much sucking right now. It's depressing.
I'm happy Blanco is showing displeasure. But as I already said, the team has got to respond. Or his efforts to get something out of his team mates is absolutely worthless.
I believe this whole team wide blah period started about the time the McBride rumors began. I question how much it's on their minds. Be it will he take my spot, will I get traded, or whatever. But someone's gotta start knocking heads together and make them play *now*.
It's carrying over and Blanco has been getting more and more irate. He got in a dust-up with Conde after a game a couple weeks back (Luis Arroyave's blog had a bit about it). Then he went off for a red card in last week's Open Cup loss to DC United.
I can understand the frustrations. But he and this team have to respond. There is too much talent to be getting the results they are getting.
The season started off great and is pretty much sucking right now. It's depressing.
I'm happy Blanco is showing displeasure. But as I already said, the team has got to respond. Or his efforts to get something out of his team mates is absolutely worthless.
I believe this whole team wide blah period started about the time the McBride rumors began. I question how much it's on their minds. Be it will he take my spot, will I get traded, or whatever. But someone's gotta start knocking heads together and make them play *now*.
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