Who Ate All The Cupcakes?

It had to be the Revs, didn't it?

2009-10-29T11:05:00.002-04:00

The New England Revolution ate all the cupcakes! Thanks to Prairie Rose Clayton, the team received a little reward for making the playoffs, check it out...

On a side note, I'll try to get back into the bakery and update things more frequently than every month or so around here. I can't make any guarantees, but I'll give it a shot...

The US Soccer Blame Game

2009-08-12T19:39:00.003-04:00

Mexico 2, USA 1.

USA still can't beat Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, even after a one goal lead.

So, who's to blame?

BLAME THE REF
I thought the cards were inconsistently given, although it wouldn't have led to anything substantial. No one deserved a send off. Yes, I think Nery Castillo deserved a yellow after the Davies incident, but so did Feilhaber.

However, the ref had nothing to do with the result today.

BLAME CONCACAF
This usually follows the blaming of the referee. I don't think there's a grand conspiracy against the US in CONCACAF. There's way too much money to be made by CONCACAF in the United States. Why do you think they have the Gold Cup here every time?

CONCACAF assigns the referees, yes. I don't think they've ever screwed the US over with a referee assignment. If you want to argue about the competency of referees in the region, take that up with the national associations who train and develop referees, not CONCACAF.

BLAME THE COACH
There's lots of Bradley haters out there, I'm not exactly sure why. Is he the best coach in the world? No. Has he done a good job in charge of the US national team? I would say yes.

I'm not the biggest fan of Bocanegra on the left. In this game, I think he was the best option we had. It's a position that is a weakness right now. If you have a kid, teach him to play left back.

I thought he had a good, balanced group on the field. I don't believe it was his call to park the bus after the Davies goal. The team began to play scared and couldn't even complete a pass. Ching was wasted up top, because we couldn't even find him so he could hold the ball. We were not able to relieve the pressure in the first half, and the goal was always coming.

Things seemed better in the second half. I think he did the right thing with Altidore. Jozy was never going to be able to go very long in this game, he hasn't been training consistently and didn't have 90 minutes to give. The Holden sub was the only one I wonder about, I don't think it worked very well. I believe the idea might have been to go to more of a 4-5-1, but it never worked out that way.

Again, I don't think Bradley is the best in the world, but I think he's doing a good job overall. Definitely good enough to get to the World Cup. Who would you replace him with right now? Dominic Kinnear will end up being the coach of the US national team, but bringing him in now wouldn't change things very much. Give him the team at the beginning of the cycle so he can start to build his own team. Right now is about knuckling down and getting the necessary results to qualify for the World Cup.

At the beginning of the hexagonal, who thought we'd beat Mexico in Mexico this time anyway?

Unfortunately, Mexico was the better team today. That's okay. It was a game that they HAD to win, while it was a game that we never counted on winning.

Personal thoughts on the game:

Too much whining about the refs by the announce team of Schoen and Balboa, I think that might be coloring the fans' opinions.
Definitely a big game feel to today, I love these types of games...
Donovan needed to see the ball more. Beautiful pass on Davies' goal.
The altitude/smog definitely took our legs away as the game went on. Bradley really didn't have much else he could do with the calendar on this one. Can't blame him for going into the DF at the last minute. At least we didn't pull an Argentina in Bolivia type of fiasco...

I'm just not that disappointed after today. A little frustrated, yes. Thinking it was an opportunity wasted, yes. Disappointed in the team or the program, nope.

Come see me if we don't make it to the World Cup or go 3 and out in South Africa and then we'll talk...

The Showdown, the Questions

2009-08-11T22:19:00.003-04:00

USA v. Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, not bad for a Wednesday afternoon, huh?

Does the US have to win this? No, I don't think so. I don't think it will kill our qualification hopes or anything like that. However, if Mexico gets 2 wins in a row over the US, and especially if they win in convincing fashion tomorrow, the CONCACAF momentum will definitely swing their way. Also, there is the issue with the seeding for the World Cup draw. A win in Mexico would be helpful in improving the US chances of getting a seed and avoiding the 2006 group scenario.

Does Mexico have to win this? Pretty much. A loss would put El Tri in serious trouble when it comes to qualifying for the World Cup. Staying home next summer will have some serious ramifications on the FMF and the Mexican league, less money will be on hand for sure.

Will a loss be disappointing? Not necessarily, it depends on the performance. I don't think there are very many people who are realistically expecting a US win tomorrow. I'll personally be happy with a point, ecstatic even. I'm mainly looking to see a US team that plays Mexico straight up, doesn't get defensive and negative, and doesn't fold under pressure. I think those are traits that will be needed in South Africa next summer.

Who are the key figures? Tim Howard will be called on to make some big saves, no doubt. Landon Donovan will be the spark, and he is respected and feared by the Mexicans. Jozy Altidore provides serious match-up problems for the Mexican defense, something I'm hoping to see exploited.

Will my phone hold up to the text wars? Probably not. You see, I coach a team of high school boys, 90% from Mexico. I had so many camera phone pictures of Mexico jerseys sent to me during the Gold Cup final I finally had to turn it off. I'd like to be able to talk some trash after that awful game...

What are your questions going into tomorrow's BORDER WAR?

Mexico-USA, 8/12, is this your starting lineup?

2009-08-07T15:10:00.002-04:00

GK- Howard
LB- Bocanegra
CB- Onyewu, DeMerit
RB- Spector
LM- Donovan
CM- Bradley, Clark
RM- Dempsey
F- Altidore, Ching

For the whole roster, get it here.

My thoughts...

I think the above lineup is your safest bet for this away match. Maybe Cherundolo reclaims his starting spot, but it's hard to pull Spector after his performances this summer.
With all the love for Davies, I think Ching is the better starter. You're going to be under severe pressure from the Mexicans and will need to play long. Ching is better at holding the ball up and letting you build an attack than either Altidore or Davies. Davies' speed makes him an ideal sub to change a game, Ching can't do that sort of thing. Besides, you already have Conor Casey on the bench to fill the hulking big man center forward role if you need that sub.
Hard to pick 2 out of 3 between Bradley, Feilhaber, and Clark. I'd rather see Clark start due to his workrate, I think he forms a better partnership with Bradley. Feilhaber and Bradley play a more similar style that makes it more difficult for them to play together. Clark will do the dirty work that the others don't, making him a better starting option. If you need offense later, pull him for Feilhaber.

What's your starting lineup?

Sorry Toronto FC, your execs don't like you

2009-08-07T12:26:00.002-04:00

When talking about the Toronto-Real Madrid friendly tonight, one of the TFC higher-ups said...

“It’s a temporary solution to reflect the quality of the team that we’re playing Friday night,” Bob Hunter, executive vice-president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

TORONTO FC ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO GET REAL GRASS, IS THAT WHAT HE JUST SAID???

(HT: theoriginalwinger.com)

CCL update: Sorry about the jinx Liberia

2009-08-07T11:49:00.002-04:00

You take a 3-0 lead into the second leg and you should be okay, right? Not if Real Espana HULKS UP and wins 6-0. Yes, 6-0. Carlos Pavon wreaked havoc all over the field, scoring 3 and having a hand in 2 more.

At least the Red Bulls didn't lose 6-0...

After San Juan Jabloteh and Arabe Unido overcame first leg deficits last night, here's your 2009/10 CONCACAF Champions League group stage:

Group A
Houston
Pachuca
Árabe Unido (PAN)
Isidro Metapán (ES)

Group B
Toluca
Marathón (HON)
DC United
San Juan Jabloteh (T&T)

Group C
Columbus
Saprissa (CR)
Cruz Azul
Puerto Rico Islanders

Group D
UNAM Pumas
Communicaciones (GUA)
W Connection (T&T)
Real España (HON)

Must see TV:
August 18- Columbus v. Puerto Rico
August 26- DCU v. Toluca, Cruz Azul v. Columbus
September 15- Puerto Rico v. Cruz Azul
September 16- Pachuca v. Houston, Saprissa v. Columbus
September 23- Columbus v. Cruz Azul
September 24- DCU v. Marathón
September 30- Houston v. Pachuca
October 20- Toluca v. DCU, Puerto Rico v. Columbus, Saprissa v. Cruz Azul

Other thoughts:

Houston gets 2 out of the last 3 at home. The home and away with Pachuca will be great to watch, nice rivalry building with those teams.
DC also gets 2 out of the last 3 at home. They do not want to be going into Toluca on October 20 needing points to survive, that place is really tough. Stealing points on the road in Trinidad on September 15 would be huge.
Columbus needs to survive the first half of the schedule. They have to go to Cruz Azul and Saprissa, and they host the always tricky Islanders. Their last game is also a tough one, going to Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico gets 3 of their last 4 at home. They need to maximize points at home to have a shot. It won't be easy to steal points on the road against this group.

I'm really looking forward to this again, lots of interesting storylines...

Who's got predictions?

ESPN blowing up footy, good or bad for MLS?

2009-08-06T15:57:00.002-04:00

First, ESPN grabbed the rights to some La Liga games. Good move for ESPN Deportes and ESPN360, with over 20 games also getting on the big boy networks. Then, the four letter drops an unexpected preview of the Gold Cup final, which they weren't even televising.

Now, they've bought the rights to some English Premier League games. Cue the squealing of EPL fanboys...

My question, is this a good thing for American soccer? I love that ESPN is focusing a lot of attention on the US national team. However, with their investment in televising the World Cup, it's a smart move.

Will it help MLS? I don't see how. As much as I love watching MLS, if you're comparing it in quality to La Liga or the Premiership, MLS is going to come up short. While it will produce some entertaining games, MLS just isn't seen as an equal of the biggest leagues in the world.

As long as MLS can keep its relationship with ESPN strong due to SUM's influence, things could work out. SUM has been brilliant in producing money for MLS by piggy-backing off of the cache of the Mexican national team, international exhibitions, and TV rights to the World Cup.

The minute MLS loses that connection, we'll have to start looking back to buying time on ESPN or going the Versus route.

CONCACAF Champions League: 3 MLS teams in group stage

2009-08-06T11:05:00.002-04:00

Poor New York...

Poor Toronto...

At least DC United was able to advance out of the qualifying round. Luckily for them, they're in a manageable group with Toluca, Marathon (Honduras), and either San Francisco (Panama) or San Juan Jabloteh (T&T). San Fran is taking a 2-0 lead to Trinidad tonight.

In other series, Cruz Azul and Pachuca waxed their opponents to no one's surprise. The defending Costa Rican champs Liberia look to be in good shape as they take a 3-0 lead to Honduras against Real Espana tonight. Olimpia of Honduras is taking a narrow 2-1 lead to Panama to face Arabe Unido tonight.

I gave Toronto too much credit when I predicted they'd top SUPER BILL GAUDETTE and his Puerto Rico Islanders. While Colin Clarke doesn't have a bunch of stars to choose from, he has one of the deeper rosters in MLS or USL and it shows in this competition. They are a very organized team, hard to break down, and if you let them get ahead of you, you will suffer. Toronto honestly didn't even look that interested in their loss down in Bayamon, so maybe they're not too upset. Shame...

New York is just snake bitten. Get in the VooDoo priestess to change the club's luck, whatever it takes. If I wasn't a DC fan, I'd probably feel sorry for them.

Early thoughts on the group stage:
-Houston-Pachuca in group A? Yes, please. Must see TV.
-Group of Death? Group C with the Crew, Cruz Azul, Saprissa, and Puerto Rico.
-Tom Soehn really needs to learn how to manage his roster in these competitions. He won't get by with his mix and match approach because then he's always at less than full strength. Sometimes, he's going to have to put out a weak lineup and rest all of the key players in an MLS game, especially prior to tough games with Toluca and Marathon. MLS gives you an out with the playoffs, you don't have time to waste in CONCACAF.

Early predictions for the quarterfinalists: Houston, Pachuca, Toluca, DC United, Cruz Azul, Columbus, Pumas, Liberia.

Insert snazzy theme music here

2009-07-28T09:56:00.002-04:00

The 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League kicks off tonight with the qualifying round. MLS looks to redeem itself after its poor collective performance last year, while the Puerto Rico Islanders try to find another Cinderella slipper to reach the semifinals. Toronto FC plays in its first international competition as Canada's representative.

DC United, who struggled mightily last year with fixture congestion, injuries, and poor play, is in the qualifying round thanks to its US Open Cup win. They host L.A. Firpo of El Salvador tonight in Washington. The winner of the series will join Group B, which includes Toluca and Marathon of Honduras.

Pachuca is also in action tonight against Jalapa of Guatemala in their qualifying series. Los Tuzos shouldn't face too much of a test.

Toronto hosts last year's darlings Puerto Rico in what looks to be the best match up of the qualifying round on Wednesday. Thursday sees New York travel to Trinidad to face W Connection, trying to salvage something out of a horrible season so far.

For all the criticism of CONCACAF, the Champions League is something that they're getting right. Great tournament last year, loads of fun to watch, and something that is only going to benefit MLS and American players.

Did you see how the USMNT JV squad fell about mentally after Mexico took the lead on them on Sunday? It's tournaments like this, where players can get experience in big games in difficult situations, that will change that. The world's elite do not learn how to play internationally at the national team level, they've already learned it at the club level.

CONCACAF's Champions League will raise the level of all of its national teams over time.

My predictions for the qualifying round:

San Francisco (Panama) OVER San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad)
Pachuca (Mexico) OVER Jalapa (Guatemala)
W Connection (Trinidad) OVER New York Red Bulls (USA)
Olimpia (Honduras) OVER Arabe Unido (Panama)
Cruz Azul (Mexico) OVER Herediano (Costa Rica)
DC United (USA) OVER L.A. Firpo (El Salvador)
Real Espana (Honduras) OVER Liberia (Costa Rica)
Toronto FC (Canada) OVER Puerto Rico Islanders (P.R.)

Catch the games with MLS or USL teams on Fox Soccer Channel. Most of the other games are on one of the secondary Univision networks (Galavision, Telefutura).

New MLS Playoff Format: Different for the sake of being different

2009-07-27T12:35:00.003-04:00

I'll go on the record as saying that the potential new playoff format, broken by our buddies at Pitch Invasion, is not the best idea.

Round robin playoffs? Can you imagine trying to explain that one to Joe Sixpack? Can you imagine the talking heads on ESPN trying to wrap their heads around it?

Are we having flashbacks to the 1974, 1978, and 1982 World Cups?

I get the idea to reward excellence during the regular season and fully support it. I love the part about MLS Cup being played at the team with the highest seed.

However, I think the Mexican league format of giving the higher seeded team the tiebreaker is a better way of doing this. Each team should get a home playoff game. You shouldn't penalize teams for making the playoffs by forcing them to play every game away. It's the most fair way of doing things.

I prefer the Mexican format even to the WPS or USL models, where the highest seed is given a playoff bye. I've seen too many teams struggle to regain their momentum and chemistry after sitting out through a bye while a lesser team comes in on a high note. It's hard to stay sharp without playing.

It's a good try, but simpler is better MLS.

Hiding under a sombrero

2009-07-27T09:47:00.003-04:00

Ouch.

What else can you say about that second half yesterday?

It's disappointing any time you lose to your rival 5-0. However, when it's the reserves from both teams playing, it's not quite as bad. It doesn't hurt as much.

It's disappointing to lose in a final 5-0. However, when it's the final of a tournament that is lacking in meaning (no Confederations Cup slot, reserves playing, etc.).

I mean seriously, Jay Heaps was our starting right back for four games...

What did we learn from yesterday, and the whole tournament?

- Stuart Holden is a guy who can step up to the first team soon. Maybe not on August 12, but soon.
- Kyle Beckerman is another option in an already crowded central midfield. He held his own very well and I'm curious to see what he can do with the big boys.
- Troy Perkins might just be our #3 goalkeeper, and could push Guzan for #2 if he gets the opportunity.
- We need more depth in the speedy forward category. When Brian Ching is leading your counterattacks, there's a problem.
- Our younger players lack mental toughness. For many of them, that was the most hostile crowd they had ever encountered. They just had no experience dealing with an atmosphere like that. When the mistakes started, some guys fell apart.
- More defensive depth is needed, badly.
- If Giovanni Dos Santos and Carlos Vela continue to develop, and the Federation shows a little patience in the coaching for once, Mexico will return to prominence sooner rather than later.

August 12th sure is going to be fun now. Make sure to get your mun2 ready!

Open Cup Overhaul

2009-07-23T15:57:00.003-04:00

Your US Open Cup final will be played in Washington between DC United and the Seattle Sounders. Seattle is mad because it draws well and feels like it should have gotten the final, and seemingly is implying that DC United receives preferential treatment from the USSF. DCU is offended and feels that they made a better financial offer to USSF.

The biggest issue is the fact that teams can buy the rights to host games. For a tournament that is designed to give every team in the US a chance to win, that is blown out of the water from the beginning with the bid process.

The move to make the tournament regional in the early rounds was a great move. It keeps costs down and leads to some great rivalry games, like the Portland-Seattle 3rd round match this year.

I can understand why things were done this way in the past, but if we want to move on and make this tournament more meaningful, it needs to be done as a blind draw to see who hosts. USSF can set the minimum standards for facilities eligible to host as stringent as they choose, however if a team can meet these standards, they shouldn't lose out because their opponents offered to pay USSF more money.

My NPSL team, Atlanta FC, has a budget along the lines of a developmental player in MLS. It isn't possible for us to outbid a pro team to host the game, we don't have the finances. Should we be punished for that in this tournament? It is precisely teams at the lower levels that need the benefit of hosting these games. Chivas USA, Chicago Fire, or the LA Galaxy visiting a PDL or NPSL team is a great story. Can you imagine what it could do to sustain our teams at the grassroots levels?

Atlanta FC proposed that any games we were chosen to host would be fundraisers for our Soccer in the Streets program, School of Life, that gives kids hands on experience in the business of soccer. We were not chosen to host in the 1st round against the Charleston Battery, and we would not have hosted in the 2nd round against either opponent. I guess money talks.

This is supposed to USSF's national championship, let's do it the right way.

Altanta & MLS: The Obstacles

2009-07-21T17:27:00.002-04:00

Stadium: This should be #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 right now. There just isn't a suitable place to play, or a plan in place to build a new stadium. The Georgia Dome is too big and won't work as a Qwest-downsized venue. While the 51K+ for the Mexico-Venezuela game looked and sounded good, how would a 10-15K crowd appear in there?

Georgia Tech allowed the WUSA Atlanta Beat to play at Bobby Dodd for the first year of the league, then booted them out. It was the proposed location for Atlanta's World Cup 1994 bid. The downside is that isn't that much smaller than the Dome and Tech probably wouldn't allow it to be used anyway.

The next smallest stadium would be Herndon Stadium on the campus of Morris Brown University. The WUSA Beat played there after leaving Tech. The new WPS Beat aren't talking about playing there, which says about all that needs to be said. The size is pretty good, slightly over 15K. The field is too narrow and the stadium needs a lot of work to be of MLS standard.

Beyond that, we're talking high school stadiums that aren't suitable for pro sports. One idea that could be explored would be partnering with Georgia State University on a stadium for their new football program that could double as an MLS venue. This would be similar to what the Miami bid proposed at the new Florida International University stadium, except Georgia State hasn't built anything yet. They're planning on playing at the Dome for now, but could possibly be persuaded into working with Atlanta MLS on a stadium.

Getting too far out of the downtown area will limit the potential fan base, similar to FC Dallas' issues in Frisco and Pizza Hut Park. The WPS Beat are in talks with Kennesaw State to play at a new facility they're building with 8,500 seats. That facility will be 45 minutes away (on a good traffic day) from downtown and big soccer hotbeds like Gwinnett County. Forget pulling from the south side of Atlanta as well, at least on a regular basis. Same goes for talk of building a stadium in northern Gwinnett, you're cutting out Cobb and the south side.

The best location for a potential stadium is the old General Motors plant in Doraville, GA. It's on I-285 and the MARTA line, which would open up the potential fan base. That's why Arthur Blank's people have mentioned it as a potential site for a new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons. It's no secret that Blank hates the lease the Falcons have at the Georgia Dome and either wants it drastically reworked to improve Falcons' revenues or he wants out. Blank has to deal with this issue before he can truly commit to MLS.

It's a shame that nothing was able to be worked out a long time ago before Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was demolished. There was a group who was trying to save it for MLS expansion and other events, I think track was one of them. Unfortunately, the Braves needed more parking for Turner Field and it was flattened.

We'll explore more obstacles, and potential solutions, soon...

WORLD'S BIGGEST CUPCAKE

2009-07-20T10:29:00.003-04:00

We here at Who Ate All the Cupcakes? want to honor this great achievement and pass the word that Zach Thornton is ready for his order to be shipped. Thank you.

Beckham vs. Galaxy fans

2009-07-20T10:09:00.002-04:00

First off, I've never seen anything like this situation, especially in American soccer. I can't really remember anything on this level in other American sports either.

I finished reading Grant Wahl's excellent book over the weekend. After reading it, I can completely understand why Galaxy fans would be upset. They feel that this superstar put himself before the club and caused problems for their team.

However, I don't think Beckham is the only one to blame here. AEG, Lalas, Gullit, 19 Entertainment, Terry Byrne, and many others had their shame in screwing up the LA Galaxy over the last couple of years. Beckham is the prime target right now though.

That brings us to last night where Beckham was visibly upset by banners and chants coming from the LA Riot Squad section. I've never been a fan who likes to boo and pull against players on his team. What's the point, other than to bring attention to yourself? It reminds me of kids in middle school who pull against their own football team just because they want to be different.

Now, this case is a little different though. Last night's game was a friendly. But, it was a friendly that would not have happened without Beckham. With all of the hate right now, it's easy to forget some of the nice fringe benefits of having Beckham in your team.

People are now criticizing Beckham's reaction to the fans. He singled one out with words and gestures, and supposedly needed to be held back from going after him. He also shushed that section after delivering an assist on the tying goal. Can you blame the guy?

Fans need to realize that while they have the right to criticize, mock, boo, and say nasty things to players, that they also have to deal with the consequences of their actions. The player might not care for this behavior, might make rude gestures your way, might shush you. Any fan knows that they're not going to get anywhere by jumping on the field, so you can't really blame that one on Beckham.

For all of the public statements, Beckham has always been a driven professional who gets off on proving people wrong. He's now in another situation where he has to do this, let's see what's he got.

Casual fan v. Internet fan

2009-07-16T11:15:00.002-04:00

This is the man who is dividing soccer fans across America.

Those of us who read and write blogs, follow the message boards, and use the internet to keep up with our soccer are a different breed than the casual fan. It's easy to forget and think that our voice is the most important, but we're outnumbered.

Watch the mainstream media coverage of Mr. Beckham's return and you'll see it. Matt Lauer gave our boy Dave one of the all time greatest tongue baths I've ever seen on TV yesterday. I almost threw up watching Headline News later, it was even more disgusting. I thought the anchorwoman was going to get graphic. Meanwhile, if you read the hardcores on the internet, you'd think Beckham had broke in their house, ate their food, and kicked their dog.

I'll be very interested to see how this huge difference of opinion plays out. The more play Grant Wahl's book gets in the mainstream, the more change we'll see. I think this book could be the best thing to happen to American soccer.

Too many people look at soccer in the US as a diversion, something nice and nonthreatening, safe and easy. MLS hasn't really had any mainstream controversy over the years. You haven't seen a steroid scandal, players having affairs with pop stars, offseason troubles, no one's made it rain at a strip club, etc.

Sadly, I think some think MLS is small time because of this.

Finally, we have a little controversy, a little bit of a soap opera for people to sink their teeth into. It gives people something to talk about, and more importantly, something to watch for. Will Beckham come out and perform? Will he show a greater level of commitment? Or, will he and Landon Donovan start kicking each other?

I'll be curious to see where this goes...

Passion in the stands

2009-07-14T21:51:00.002-04:00

How do you measure a fan?

If they stand for 90 minutes, do they care more about the team? If they sing for the whole match, are they more hardcore? If they coordinate banner displays and tifo, does that make them the best?

I personally saw the best fans I've ever come across at a live event last month at the Georgia Dome. The Mexico-Venezuela match showed me how far American soccer has to go.

There wasn't a coordinated supporters' section, the whole stadium was like a Mexican supporters' section. People didn't stand or sing for the whole match, but reacted to the game with more fervor and volume than almost anything I've ever heard in that stadium (the Falcons' playoff game on a Saturday night a few years ago topped it, barely).

What stood out to me more than anything were the families, specifically the fathers and sons. For the overwhelming majority of the kids, this was the first time they had seen El Tri in person. Their excitement was incredible to see. It reminded me of when my dad first took me to a baseball game when I was a kid.

Soccer is a part of the family for their culture in a way it might not ever be here. Baseball used to be like that, I don't know if it still is. Is anything like that?

Will we ever see soccer create that type of sustained passion in the US? I think it's come a very long way since I fell in love with soccer, but I don't know if it will ever be like it is for young Mexicans.

The Great Debate: Episode 1

2009-07-14T13:26:00.002-04:00

Michael Buffer: It's time for the Great Debate, soccer edition. First up, which cup means more this summer? Gold Cup or Open Cup?

LET'S GET READY TO... never mind, these guys are paying me enough for the gimmick...

The Gold Cup
The winner gets a big shiny trophy, but what else. Some playing time for their B-team? A trip around the stadiums of the USA?

It's time for this tournament to shift to a 4-year cycle to maximize its importance. CONCACAF thankfully realized a few years back that they didn't need to invite guest teams, now it's time to make this the most important event in North America every four years.

The Open Cup
This is the oldest trophy played for in the US, one of the oldest cup competitions in the world. It's a chance for small teams to make a name for themselves against MLS. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean as much when the Revolution or Crew are playing their bench and hosting the game at a high school instead of their stadium. MLS teams not taking this seriously really tarnishes the prestige of the tournament.

What can raise that prestige? The winner qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League is a good move. More prize money could help. A national TV contract might be the best thing. Would MLS teams risk national embarrassment by losing to the Michigan Bucks or Dallas Roma if it was on TV for all to see? Maybe not...

For this week's expert opinion, let's hear from Max Bretos...
Max Bretos: YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Michael Buffer: Okay then, the winner of this debate is the US Open Cup. It has meaning this year, unlike the Gold Cup.

Send in your debates for next week's episode.

Inside the Beckham-Donovan summit

2009-07-12T11:15:00.005-04:00

At Mastro's in Beverly Hills...

David Beckham: Landon, we have to talk about the things you said in that book. In my whole career, I've played with world class players and have never been accused of being unprofessional...

Landon Donovan: Dave, look, this isn't a media event. Talk to me like a normal person here, there's no cameras here. This is just between us.

David Beckham: Everyone has always talked about my professionalism and my commitment.

Landon Donovan: Well, I guess I'm not everyone. You were a bad teammate last season. I wish it hadn't come out this way, I should have talked to you first. But, you didn't act like you wanted to talk about anything last season.

David Beckham: I've played with the biggest players in the world and the biggest teams in the world...

Landon Donovan: What are you trying to say? That I can't criticize you? If you're such a hot shot, where were you at the Confederations Cup? Oh yeah, that's right. Your SUPERSTAR team didn't even qualify for the last European Championship...

Beckham slaps Donovan in the mouth

Terry Byrne appears

Terry Byrne: You little bastard, you can't talk to David like that. He's a superstar. Who are you?

Landon Donovan: The best player in the league your boy plays in. You were probably too busy trying to score another paid consulting gig to notice.

Byrne slaps Donovan in the mouthSimon Fuller appears

Simon Fuller: You're ruining David's marketability! We're going to miss out on new Sharpie commercials! You're going to pay for all of this!

Landon Donovan: Go back to Star Search or whatever lame new talent show you're doing this week, this has nothing to do with you.

Fuller slaps Donovan in the mouthVictoria Beckham appears

Victoria Beckham: You can't talk about my David like that. You're a nobody! You're not a star! You're ugly and stupid!

Bianca Kajlich appears

Bianca Kajlich: That's where you're wrong, nobody talks to my LandyCakes like that, YOU'RE GOING DOWN, WAG!
Landon Donovan and David Beckham: CATFIGHT!!!

David Beckham: Wow, look at 'em go. Your wife is pretty tough.

Landon Donovan: Posh isn't so bad herself, I didn't think she had it in her.

David Beckham: You know, I'm sorry about what happened last year. It's just hard sometimes to get used to all this. I've never been the big fish in the team, you know?

Landon Donovan: It's okay, just try to be a part of us. We're decent enough guys. Everything doesn't have to go through your management people. Just be yourself.

David Beckham: I know, I'm sorry. I need to just start doing things on my own and not let them run everything. Terry, Simon, leave us now.

Terry Byrne and Simon Fuller do as they're told

Landon Donovan: It's okay, just don't let it happen again or I'll send Bianca after you.

Bianca Kajlich and Victoria Beckham: Everything's okay now? We can stop fighting?

David Beckham: Honey, remember when you laughing about Bianca on Dawson's Creek?

Bianca Kajlich: THE SPICE GIRLS SUCKED!

The fight continues

Landon Donovan: Well played, sir. I think everything is going to be just fine this year...

FMF Freak Out, part 2

2009-07-10T11:32:00.002-04:00

Tying with Panama was bad enough. Getting a red card was okay. Getting your coach sent off for kicking at an opposing player, Woody Hayes would be proud. To top it off, your fans throwing everything they could find at the other team, and you have an FMF Freak Out.

What a debacle for Mexico last night in the Gold Cup against Panama. What was Aguirre thinking when he kicked at the Panama player? What kind of suspension will we see for him?

Security at the stadium was also an issue. You could see it after the Aguirre send off, the fans were ready to explode. Security should have been ready to deal with it. When the Panama player refused to exit through that tunnel, things should have been handled better. Instead, they just force the guy through there and he gets doused with trash, beer, and anything else that could be thrown.

After that, you'd think security should be on high alert. Nope, they allow an injured Panama player to have more stuff thrown at him.

Credit to the Mexico players, they were begging their fans not to act like this. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Let's see what happens next...

FMF Freak Out

2009-07-09T16:37:00.002-04:00

3 pm local time (Central) kickoff on a Wednesday afternoon? That's what the Mexican Federation has decided to do with the crucial Mexico-USA World Cup Qualifier on August 12.

Will it give them an advantage? Hard to tell, most are saying the average temperature is in the mid-70's that time of year in Mexico City. The smog and pollution could be worse at that time of day. I really can't think of anything else.

It wasn't that long ago that Mexico could schedule their home match with the US anywhere in the country at any time and not have to worry about the result. Times are different now, and we're reduced to this.

This should be interesting...

Santino's redemption

2009-07-09T11:53:00.002-04:00

Go watch Santino Quaranta's post-game interview from last night...

There's very few articles that have affected me as strongly as Steven Goff's excellent piece on Santino's struggles. He played with such heart and passion last season in his comeback with DC United. Next to Ben Olsen and Jaime Moreno, at this point, Santino is DC United.

The next step on his journey was to get back into the national team. I honestly wasn't sure if it would happen. Santino was playing himself into strong consideration for the 2006 World Cup team, but blew it by showing up to an offseason training camp out of shape. As hard as he played last season, you had to wonder if he could overcome all of it and make it back. He's been even better this season in MLS.

If anybody earned their call-up for the Gold Cup, it was Santino. I was hoping he'd play from the start, but nothing against Grenada. It all just seemed too perfect, coming back to RFK, playing in front of his hometown fans, friends, and family. Would Bradley be that sentimental?

I think he's glad that he made the move. Quaranta was the best player on the field in the first half, and capped it off with an excellent finish to put the US in the lead. You don't see many more emotional celebrations that that one.

Welcome back, Santino.

English language TV for Mexico-USA? Not so fast...

2009-07-08T17:47:00.003-04:00

According to Grant Wahl's Twitter, ESPN does not own the rights to the big Mexico-US game from the Azteca on Aug. 12. The price is "extortionate".

Some people are taking this an yet another opportunity to talk about how much ESPN hates soccer, or ESPN sucks, or whatever else they want to blame ESPN for in the world (MJ? McNair? Iran? It's all possible at this point). I guess I missed the memo that ESPN is supposed to pay whatever it takes to get the rights to a match.

ESPN is a business, folks. Plain and simple. The ratings are getting better for soccer, but they're still not the greatest. Why would ESPN blow huge money on something that will get so-so ratings? Just so Aaron in his Chelsea replica jersey can be happy?

Besides, this is how negotiation works. ESPN will say the price is too high, they'll try to talk it down. They showed the '01 game on delay and then paid up to show the '05 game live. The last time you couldn't see the game in English was '97. And if you remember, that was the only time the US has gotten a result in Mexico. ¡Viva el Español!

If you're not watching games in Spanish at this point in the game, you're missing out. Tons of La Liga (I'll still say that La Liga is a better league overall to watch than the EPL), Mexican league, Argentinian league (great stuff), and Copa Libertadores. In fact, watch the first leg of Libertadores final tonight if you get Fox Sports en Español.

Aristocratic sport?

2009-07-06T12:36:00.002-04:00

A great article in the New York Times this weekend got me thinking. Well, that's not true, but it did get me thinking about this topic again (probably for the 400th time).

Why is soccer in the US a sport of the upper class?

The US is the only country that suffers from this. Elsewhere, the game is truly the people's game. It is played by everyone, but loved and cherished by the lower classes. It only takes a ball to play. Only in America do kids think that they need coaches, referees, fancy cleats, shin guards, a perfect grass field, parents on the sideline in folding chairs, and orange slices to play. It only takes a ball, and not even a fancy new Nike or adidas one...

While American professional players are starting to become more diverse, there's still a long way to go. Most had to pay huge fees to play on high level youth teams. While a few are getting scholarships to play, the kids who can't afford it usually have to settle for lower level teams that might not offer the same opportunities or have to give up playing altogether.

The big money business of youth soccer stifles the growth of the game in the US. It limits the number of players who have the opportunity to be seen and receive high level coaching. It discourages kids and parents from economically disadvantaged background from getting involved or even becoming fans. It creates an elitist system.

There are organizations out there doing something about this. The members of the Urban Soccer Collaborative, the US Soccer Foundation, any many other teams, clubs, and individual coaches are out there trying to give the game to everyone.

When everyone feels welcome to enjoy soccer in the US is when we'll truly see soccer embraced by the country.

Fool's Gold?

2009-07-03T12:16:00.002-04:00

Does anybody else think that it's time for the Gold Cup to go to a 4-year cycle? Coming off of Confederations Cup and with teams sending B-teams, how exciting will it be?

Of course I'll still be watching, but that's not the point...

2007 was a great tournament. With the Confederations Cup berth on the line, the tournament had a big time feel to it. FSC showed some of those games recently. The US-Canada semifinal was great drama, especially after Canada was hosed in stoppage time. I'll put the second half of the US-Mexico final up against any other half of soccer I've seen. Incredible pace and excitement, I was on the edge of my seat watching it again a few weeks ago.

This time around, not so much. While it will be interesting to see guys like Colin Clark, Davy Arnaud, and Luis Robles get some time, this tournament is taking on the feel of a Spring Training baseball game rather than a continental championship. The jerseys are the same, but the players just aren't at the same level.

Let's really blow the Gold Cup into the tournament it should be. I like the idea of keeping it the year after the World Cup. Let Europe have their year, North and South America will have theirs.

World Cup, then Gold Cup/Copa America, then Euros, then Confederations Cup, not a bad little calendar there...

The Pyrite Cup starts tomorrow, check it out!