Galarcep's Top 10 US Soccer Moments of 2007

Soccer-Point would like to wish all a very happy 2008. "El Zero Ocho" promises great things here stateside with the ongoing expansion of the MLS, the Summer Olympics in Beijing, and the ongoing saga of the LA Galaxy's quest to become the NY Cosmos of the league. After spending an inordinate amount of time consuming English Premier League soccer this fall in search of discovering a favorite English club to follow, I've decided that I'm a fan of the American game, warts & all, above all else, save for International Play.

Here's a nice video from the Brazilian coverage of the U.S. U-21 victory over Brazil earlier in the year. It's a nice combination from Adu to Altidore.



Ives Galarcep does a nice job here summing up the year's highlights.

From ESPN.com Soccernet:

What is the best way to measure how good 2007 was for American soccer fans? Consider how easy it has been to forget the disaster that was 2006.

The U.S. national team crashed out of the World Cup, longtime stars Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride and Eddie Pope retired, and the subsequent search to replace departed head coach Bruce Arena turned into a fiasco. American fans were understandably concerned about what 2007 would bring.

2007 did not disappoint. The year brought the national team's successful transition to new coach Bob Bradley, the emergence of a new generation of young American standouts, and the continued dominance over Mexico.

Major League Soccer also enjoyed a banner season, with David Beckham's arrival, Houston's continued supremacy and an infusion of foreign talent that revitalized the entire league.

So what were the 10 best games, biggest stories and most significant moments in American soccer this year? Here they are:

1. Beckham comes to America

There is little debating that David Beckham's arrival in the United States was the biggest soccer story of the year. The buzz created by his arrival reached unheard of levels for Major League Soccer, in just its 12th year of existence. It is hard to deny that Beckham's contributions on the field were disappointing, but ticket sales, media coverage and overall exposure for the league made Beckham's hefty price tag a bargain.

If any one moment provided the pinnacle of Beckham's arrival in MLS, it was during his one visit to New York to face the Red Bulls on Aug. 18. The Galaxy lost the game 5-4, but Beckham delivered two beautiful assists and both sides put on an entertaining game worthy of the 66,237 fans in attendance.

2. U.S. team maintains dominance of Mexico

The U.S. national team's struggles in 2006 left many fans wondering whether the Americans would be able to maintain their dominance over archrival Mexico. Those fears were eased early in the year when the United States beat a full-strength Mexico side 2-0 in Phoenix on Feb. 7.

Any concerns about the U.S. team losing its grip on top-dog status in CONCACAF were put to rest in the Gold Cup final, when Benny Feilhaber's stunning blast gave the Americans a 2-1 victory in a Soldier Field packed with Mexican fans. We won't have to wait long for the next installment of the rivalry. The United States and Mexico will meet in a friendly in Houston on Feb. 6, 2008.

3. The next generation arrives

To some, the U.S. U-20 team's performance at the U-20 World Cup in July might be seen as a disappointment, with its quarterfinal appearance feeling like an underachievement. What needed to be focused on was how this event helped serve as a coming-out party for the next generation of young American stars.

Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley all enjoyed stellar tournaments to remind us why they are seen as the future of the national team program. No game illustrated this more than the U.S. team's 2-1 win against Brazil. The Americans didn't get lucky against the world power, they outplayed them. From Adu's tricks to Bradley's tireless work in midfield to Altidore's finish, the game was enough to make U.S. fans dream of World Cup 2010 glory. Adu's YouTube-worthy dribble which led to Altidore's game-winning goal in the 81st minute provided one of the goals of the year.

4. Foreign talent infusion boosts MLS

David Beckham stole most of the headlines, but an army of foreign players arrived in MLS just in time to give the league a boost as expansion threatened to dilute the quality of play. Juan Pablo Angel, Luciano Emilio, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Maykel Galindo and Juan Toja delivered a mix of skill, charisma and goals in bunches to energize half the league's teams.

The success achieved by so many foreign players in 2007 helped lead MLS to ease some of its foreign-player restrictions heading into the 2008 season. Concerns over a reduction in opportunities for Americans are misguided. The American talent pool isn't ready to handle extensive MLS expansion, and 2007 showed us that signing the right foreign players can be a coup for MLS.

5. Bob Bradley takes charge

The well-chronicled courtship of Juergen Klinsmann to become U.S. national team head coach was one of the disappointing stories of 2006, but the man who eventually took the position spent 2007 making most American fans forget about the German.

What did Bob Bradley do in his first year as U.S. national team head coach? He led the team to a Gold Cup title, beat Mexico twice, scheduled strong opponents such as Brazil and Sweden, saw his team win games in Europe and Africa, and integrated several new faces into the national team mix. Most importantly, he brought some stability to the program as it heads toward 2010.

6. MLS keeps growing

Investors are lining up across the country to buy into Major League Soccer, and that interest has the league in as strong a position as ever. The unabashed success of Toronto FC, from a business standpoint, in its first season -- coupled with San Jose's return in 2008 and Seattle's impending arrival in 2009 -- has MLS growing in importance. Not bad for a league that contracted down to 10 teams just six years ago.

7. Clint Dempsey blossoms

Who is the most popular American soccer player? Landon Donovan? Nope. Freddy Adu? Nope. Try Clint Dempsey, the Texas-born goal-scoring sensation who has found success in Europe with his distinctively American swagger. The recently named U.S. Soccer male athlete of the year continued his strong play for the national team in 2007 and also helped Fulham become one of the most popular European teams in the United States.

8. Dynamo dynasty

Who will stop the Houston Dynamo? That was the question being asked after the Dynamo defeated New England to land a second straight MLS Cup title. Strong from front to back, the Dynamo have flourished since the club was moved from San Jose before the 2006 season, and there is no reason to believe Houston won't be in the final again in 2008. All the team's key players are expected back, while coach Dom Kinnear has just signed a contract extension.

9. The Solo fiasco

Even if you aren't a women's national team fan, chances are you were caught up in the coverage of the Greg Ryan-Hope Solo debacle. Coach Ryan decided to bench Solo, his starting goalkeeper, for the World Cup semifinal match with Brazil, and the U.S. women suffered an embarrassing 4-0 loss; to top things off, there was memorable postgame video of Solo ripping Ryan and teammate Brianna Scurry (the veteran backup who replaced Solo based on past success versus Brazil). Drama ensued and the story drew hordes of attention, in part because it occurred during a slow news cycle. It didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it will go down as one of the more memorable stories of 2007.

10. SuperLiga Final one to remember

When Major League Soccer and the Mexican Football Federation joined forces to create a tournament that would allow American and Mexican teams to face off, they could not have imagined the event being such a success in its first year, or the first final being one of the games of the year. From David Beckham's injury, to Chris Klein's amazing bicycle kick equalizer, to Landon Donovan's million-dollar penalty-kick miss, the SuperLiga final had the drama of a World Cup final. Here is hoping the tournament can come close to being as exciting in 2008.

Ives Galarcep covers MLS for ESPNsoccernet. He is a writer and columnist for the Herald News (N.J.) and writes a blog, Soccer By Ives. He can be reached at Ivespn79@aol.com

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FC Dallas Offseason Moves

Buzz Carrick over at 3rd Degree has an interesting post & ongoing comments about some potential FC Dallas offseason moves. According to Buzz, the Dallas Morning News quoted Coach Steve Morrow today regarding Carlos Ruiz and Denilson. Word is that they have picked up Ruiz's option and are hoping to renegotiate salary terms with Denilson.

“Hoping to bring back Denilson cheaper” means his contract option was not picked up by FCD for 2008. FCD had a way out and if they had picked up the option would be locked into Denilson for over $1mil. By letting Denilson’s contract option pass, they have in effect made him a free agent Dec 31st. Denilson will be free to sign with anyone he wishes.

By making this public statement FCD is either attempting to lessen the PR hit of Denilson being a “bust” or perhaps they really do expect him to be interested in staying at a cut price. Do you think Denilson would come back for $400k, half of what he was making this year that was supposedly a discount already? Remember that he was expecting over $1mil in 2008.

Would you want Denilson back for $400k? I sure wouldn’t. I didn’t see a player worth more than $200. Heck, I didn’t see a player worth more than Toja and his $100. So there’s the bar, is he better than Toja, would you take Denilson back for $100. Ok sure, I might. I might even go to $150k.. maybe. Toja does deserve a raise after all. But then one wonders if Denilson would be A. Happy and B. give enough of a crap to get fit and put in real effort. To me the answer would clearly be no.

If You Missed It and So You Don't

In la Primera División de Argentina, Lanús won its first league title in the Apertura 2007. Lanús drew with Boca Juniors this weekend for the clincher. Maradona who played for Boca, but is from the neighborhood of Lanús gave high praise for their achievement. Then again, Maradona always finds a way to be part of the winners even if he is not invited. Boca is one of the few places where Maradona is still treated like a king (not sure why). My team Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy has one last match to draw or win to avoid being sent down. They take on San Lorenzo this Sunday. Why do I like Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy? 1) I have been to Jujuy. It is isolated and colorful; reminds me of the Four Corners region of the US. 2) Their stadium holds 7,000. We complain about 13,000 showing up for a game. This is a little fish in a big pond. 3) The club name is cool.

With Soccer Point being a Team Blog Soccer Fighting site, I think it is only proper that we have a fencing team (esgrima = fencing). Also, they are proud of their gymnasium. I envision an athletic club that started in the late 1800s (1931 actually) and its membership limited to guys with curled mustaches and striped exercise clothing. Hobbies had to be bare-fisted boxing, fencing, jumping things, and a willingness to try new sports, such as football or llama wrestling.

In la Liga Mexicana, Atlante will be taking on Pumas in the finals of the Apertura 2007. The first match (ida) in the DF is this Thursday at 9PM on Telefutura. The final match in Cancún (vuelta) is this Sunday at 6PM on Telefutura. It has been 14 years since Atlante played in the finals. Back then, Atlante was based in Mexico City in the zone called Neza. This is one of the most dangerous places in the DF. A good friend of Soccer Point used to work there and I ate lunch with him there back in 1996. Great food, happy to leave that part of town. Since then, I have rooted for Atlante simply because they did not have the money to take on other DF teams like Club América or Cruz Azul. This summer they relocated to Cancún. I think they will be glad they made the move. Another Soccer Point friend moved from Houston to Cancún this summer too. He has also lived in Brazil. Ironically, wherever he has gone soccer championships have followed. He is nearly as valuable as Guus Hiddink.

Not to neglect Pumas, I have always liked them too. Their club is close to my in-laws house and most of my in-laws went to school at UNAM. So, I am indebted. Besides, this current team is intense. They fight so much with each other that their hardness is tough to control, predict and beat. Did you know that if you play for Pumas you have to be enrolled at UNAM, attend class, take exams, etc.? Their fans, the student body, are ravenous for the team because they know tomorrow they all have to take exams or turn in papers together. Imagine a Division I school playing in the NFL and making it to the Super Bowl. This is Pumas. Check out the matches; you won’t be disappointed.

On the FC Dallas front, I am waiting for the dismissal of Denilson. His contribution on the team was a goal from penalty kick. Besides that, he was a lazy distraction to a young team trying to become its own and not a supporting cast to a has been. Funny to say, a 31-year old World Cup winner is not good enough for the MLS. Yes, I know the MLS is made up of bottom dwellers who would struggle in 2nd and 3rd divisions of Latvia. Blah, blah, blah. But wasn't someone of his 'caliber' supposed to raise the level of play? This was the last thing that crossed his mind. He saw how much Beckham signed for and said to himself, "Easy Money." He got paid, FCD got rooked, and MLS got nada. Without a doubt, Denilson was a marquee name, but his marquee skills have passed. FCD, take it on the chin, stick with the youth, stay hungry. Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger does it every year. He sticks with the youth and Arsenal wins. FCD should do the same. Keep it fresh and do not be loyal to past flashes of brilliance. FCD's manager Steve Morrow is an Arsenal man and should know this better than any one. Start and finish next season like he started this past one, and FCD should get better results.

Suggested Changes to 2014 World Cup Qualifiers

FIFA drew recently teams for the 2010 World Cup qualification. Ironically, England and Croatia will go at it again. With the exciting battle in the Euro 2008 qualifiers passed, FIFA feels it is only fitting to require the same qualification process again for World Cup 2010. And not just on a UEFA level, but on a global level. It has always been this way, so why change a thing, right? Wrong.

Think about the past few World Cups. Qualified teams assemble the best teams they possibly can. Some players will have nagging injuries and will fight through those. Others may not make it at all due to injuries. And, there are some who are so burned out from club play that they are just showing up to keep the sponsors happy. Regrettably, it presents exhausted or uninterested players who go through the motions for almost half of their games in the World Cup, and then crank it up when it matters most. The World Cup showcases the most talented teams and determines who the best is for that period of time. My opinion is that players are played too much prior to the start of the World Cup and this has affected the quality of play. I suggest the qualification process be shortened for the best teams and taken to a global level for the fringe teams. The result would provide healthier teams for the World Cup and higher level of interest in the game by the world and the players.

For the best teams, FIFA should apply the regional tournament results for qualification. Teams that win or place in these tournaments should be granted World Cup qualification. From the regional tournaments and the host nation, the first 16 World Cup qualifiers would be filled as the following:

UEFA (6): 1st through 6th Place in the Euro Cup.
CONMEBOL (3): 1st through 3rd Place in Copa America.
AFC (2): 1st & 2nd Places in Asian Nations Cup.
CAF (2): 1st & 2nd Places in African Nations Cup.
CONCACAF (2): 1st & 2nd Places in Gold Cup.
Host Nation (1)

For the fringe teams, a second chance would be given. There would be 48 fringe teams battling for the remaining 16 slots. The suggested scenarios for the fringe teams to qualify are the following:

1. Two rounds of home and away series for teams that advanced in their regional tournaments, but lost before gaining qualification placement. FIFA would either rank teams to determine who plays who or arrange for an auto-playoff, such as the 7th place team from Euro 2008 will play the 8th place team from the Gold Cup. Round One would be comprised of lower ranking teams battling to advance against the higher ranked fringed team in Round Two. So, the higher ranked teams would have a Round One bye. I prefer the ranking situation since it leads to random match-ups. Imagine a Round One match up of Republic of Ireland vs. Bolivia and the winner taking on a team the likes of an England or a Nigeria. Has Bolivia ever played any of these teams?

2. Cross regional group qualification for the 48 fringe teams that advanced in their regional tournaments, but lost before gaining qualification placement. These teams would be arranged in 8 groups of 6 teams. Each team would play the other countries in home and away and the top two teams from each group would advance to the World Cup. This would resemble a UEFA qualification for World Cup. Imagine a qualifying group of Austria, Costa Rica, Iran, Paraguay, New Zealand and Senegal. How often does someone from Senegal travel to New Zealand?

Both scenarios provide more exposure for countries that do not get regularly a chance to compete with countries outside of its region. For scenario #1, it reduces the number of qualifiers and would not be as costly. For scenario #2, it would be more expensive and may be an equal number of qualifiers for some countries in today’s set-up. But, scenario #2 would bring qualification to a global scale and the revenues should surpass the costs.

The soonest FIFA could improve qualification would be in 2011 after the Euro 2012 qualifiers. These amendments could then be applied for the 2014 World Cup, but don’t hold your breath. Obviously for this to work, some changes would have to be made, such as increasing the number of countries in regional championships and the scheduling of regional tournaments. My suggestion is not to change the World Cup format of 32 teams, but to reroute the World Cup to a more enjoyable passage, which requires fewer repairs upon arrival.

2007 MLS Season in Review

Happy Thanksgiving, Soccer-Point readers!

As much as it pains me to admit, the main question to be asked about the MLS & Soccer in America remains: "If a goal is scored in the sports wilderness, does it make a sound?" Last Sunday's MLS Cup is a case in point. It was a great game between two perennial MLS powers in the New England Revolution & the Houston Dynamo. It was a rematch of last year's championship game. There was Placido Domingo singing the national anthem. There was a military jet flyover. It was even televised live on ABC.

Yet the most remarkable feature of the game was the half empty RFK Stadium where MLS Cup 2007 was held. Casual observers note that perhaps the league front office was planning for an LA Galaxy presence in that game with a certain David Beckham selling out the 57,000 seats. Don't worry, the decision for where next year's MLS Cup has already been made. And, yes, it's going to be held in a more modest facility: the Home Depot Center - a 27,000 seat capacity Soccer Specific Stadium that is home to two MLS teams: David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy & Preki's Chivas USA.

Beckham's arrival on these shores has caused dissent in both Europe & America. "Beckham's washed up. Now that he's playing in America, he's not good enough for Europe." And, "Who's the pretty boy on the bench? What's he trying to do anyway? We don't watch soccer!" Seems as if to believe that Beckham in America matters at all you have to either be LA Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas or believe in the Tooth Fairy.

But before the Soccer Muggles start again with the put-downs & the insults about The Beautiful Game, let's recap what ended up being a landmark year for the game in this country. 2007 has been the most important year in Major League Soccer history since its inception in 1996.

• The signing & arrival of David Beckham, arguably one of the most recognized faces on the planet, brought unprecedented attention and fanfare in a non-World Cup-year. The media elite have been slagging off the arrival of Beckham because of the injuries & lack of game time. But they're missing the ball. In one fell swoop, the league acquired a media presence it never before had. This goes beyond raising the level of play. It is raising the profile of the league in ways that marketers will no longer ignore.

The Beckham factor has helped boost the MLS's bottom line in virtually every area, even though ankle and knee injuries restricted the former England skipper to just five appearances after he joined Los Angeles in July. Crowd averages (16,770) were the highest since the inaugural season. Television ratings were up 25 per cent. Shirt sales were up 800 per cent, largely on the back of Galaxy's [Beckham's] No.23. Even the MLS website's traffic jumped 80 per cent.

• Soccer Specific Stadiums in Colorado, Toronto & Los Angeles debuted to much acclaim. And this Lamar Hunt-proposed MLS "SSS" initiative continues with the Real Salt Lake stadium to open next year and proposals underway in D.C., K.C., San Jose, New England, Philadelphia & St. Louis. Houston has become MLS "Title Town". So it would be hard to believe that they wouldn't get their act together for a downtown "SSS" stadium.
  
• Club Tournaments: SuperLiga 2007 launched an important international initiative for the MLS & U.S. Soccer. Thanks to David Beckham's inclusion in the festivities, the SuperLiga tournament was a terrific success. Beckham scored his first Galaxy goal during the semifinal match against DC United and Home Depot Center went wild on national television. More importantly, MLS clubs & US players will have regular exposure to Mexican league teams. Congratulations go to Pachuca for winning the $1,000,000 final.
• Big Games: Aside from the fun SuperLiga games, LA Galaxy at Giants Stadium vs. the New York Red Bulls will be regarded as a watershed moment for soccer in this country. 66,ooo fans witnessed this regular season game at Giants Stadium. I regret not having subscribed to the ten year old Fox Soccer Channel that night. I did subscribe the following week though. That gave me the chance to see Germany trounce England at Wembley Stadium - in a part of the world where an international friendly brings together their two countries' leaders. It also brought the Fox Football Fone-In into our home on Tuesday nights. On Bastille Day, Juan Toja & FC Dallas came back from 3 goals down in DC to tie Juan Moreno, Emilio & the rest of the 2007 Supporters' Shield winners D.C. United. In the last game of the Western Conference Semifinals, FC Dallas lost to the mighty Houston Dynamo in a come from behind win in front of 30,000 rabid Heat Mizers in Houston. The Hoops can soothe their defeat somewhat knowing that they lost to the 2007 MLS Cup winners.
  
• Ticket Sales in Toronto & Announcement of new franchises: San José Earthquakes & Seattle. Toronto FC is an MLS ticket-selling phenomenon. The Seattle franchise will be a huge hit in a town that is about to lose its first professional franchise in the Seattle Supersonics. Seattle's MLS team will play in one of the best stadiums in the country: Qwest Field. Given that they've already sold 5,000 season ticket packages and that they won't start until 2009, I think it's a safe bet that they'll be strongly embraced by the Seattle crowds. OK Supersonics? Please.
  

Suggestions for 2008:

Major League Soccer: Embrace the Social Web! Twellman's spectacular playoff bicycle kick was nowhere to be found on YouTube after the Eastern Conference Finals. (Two weeks later I was able to find one) The MLS should encourage this kind of interaction. The MLS website looks like crap on Firefox. Soccer fans are tech savvy. Get with it.

FC Dallas: Play the SuperLiga Mexican team games at the Cotton Bowl. You're guaranteed a stadium full of Pachuca or Chivas fans. That looks great on TV. As much as I enjoy the games at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, I sure miss the Dallas Burn games at the Cotton Bowl. The Toronto FC games at BMO Field look great on TV for a couple of reasons: they're packed full of young, urban, rabid fans with lots of disposable income. And they're buying lots of Molson Goldens and Toronto FC scarves. Also, the beautiful Toronto skyline looks great on TV. It gives that event a much more momentous feel than a game played out closer to the Oklahoma border than to downtown Dallas.

As Dwayne De Rosario said on Tuesday night's Fox Football Fone-In in regards to a potential SSS in Houston: "If you want to compete with the major sports in America, Football, Basketball & Baseball, you have to compete wherever they're at. And that's downtown. That's the prime location." So, while I know we have a terrific soccer facility up in Frisco, I daydream about a day when pro soccer returns to downtown Dallas...perhaps off the banks of the Trinity, maybe someday in a resurgent Cotton Bowl. What? A guy's gotta dream.

Twellman Thrills 'Em, ESPN Crawls

What a goal!

A chilly night in New England witnessed the bicycle kick goal of the year. In the 38th minute, Taylor Twellman followed a blooper up in the air all the way down to his tippie-toes. What a beaut!

Whenever FC Dallas faces New England, Taylor Twellman always has his way with our Hoops. So it's a relief to be able to root for him against the Chicago Fire. And what U.S. Soccer fan doesn't love to root against the Chicago Fire's Designated Player Cuauhtemoc Blanco? It's an instinctual response. And in that sense, it's great to have the Club America legend in our league.

Now that I have the Fox Soccer Channel, I have a basis of comparison for the different networks' soccer coverage. The Fox Soccer Channel is a premium station on any cable or satellite service. So perhaps it's unfair to expect too much from Basic Subscription ESPN.

Here's my gripe: Do we need to have the sports crawler on during almost the entire broadcast? Whatever happened the the 58/28 updates? That would be acceptable. But what is the point of cluttering up the beautiful pitch with the latest NBA scores? As a soccer viewer, is it really that important that I have up-to-the-minute news from the folks in Bristol? Spare me.

If anything, show us some frickin' soccer scores from around the world. We're SOCCER viewers, you numskulls. Get a clue. It's as if they feel embarrassed that they're broadcasting fútbol. So to compensate, they put the crawler on the screen for most of the game. "Earth to Bristol: It's on the Deuce! No one else is watching anyhow!"

That's my Friday rant. Dave O'Brien doesn't really bother me all that much. (I think he bothers Wynalda some, though.) Sure, Glenn Davis would be a better play-by-play guy. But, O'Brien doesn't offend me. But lose the crawler, Bristol.

It Was 8 Years Ago - May It End Tonight

I truly thought it would not take this long. I was sure the pieces were in place for future advancement. It was 1999 when the Dallas Burn, now FC Dallas, last won a playoff series. Many of my Soccer-Point Teammates were there for this series. It is still considered one of the greatest MLS series, the infamous Chicago Fire-Dallas Burn series of 1999. All those who were there say, "aye!"

The series had plenty of drama being that these two teams hated each other already. This series became one of the founding pieces for the Brimstone Cup. In those days, teams had to win two games to advance, so some series played the full three games. The first two games went as follows:


October 16, 1999 @ Cotton Bowl
Dallas Burn 2–1 Chicago Fire
Ariel Graziani 52' John Ball 79'
Mark Santel 75'

October 23, 1999 @ Soldier Field
Chicago Fire 4–0 Dallas Burn
Peter Nowak 18'
Roman Kosecki 36'
Ante Razov 42'
Dema Kovalenko 47'

Game 2 was a crusher for Dallas, but optimism still remained. The Burn were coming home and nobody beats the Big Red Wall at home (or, so we thought). The Game 3 scene started with the Country-Western singer Brian Houser "The Beer Man" singing the national anthem. He is a friend of our family (Isabella is a big fan of his). From that intro, I had a great feeling to the game. Lloyd "the Polish Beer Slinger" was selling in the stands and wanted to talk polkas and about "Weird" Al Yankovich's father. The drums were tight, Inferno was kicking, and so was La Mara Loca. Life was good. But within 5 minutes, that all changed. And, our season was soon to be over. I am not sure which beer was the one that changed our luck that night, but all I remember is that the last one I launched for joy thanks to Graziani brilliant junk. Those two hours would go down as one of the most exciting sporting events ever viewed. Remember these?

• Chad Deering's screaming while on TV as he throws in the ball, "Get in the f***ing box!"
• Jorge "Zarco" Rodriguez
• John Jairo Trellez = "Reggae Boy"

Open a beer and check out the article from 1999 on the following link:

http://web.mlsnet.com/history/archive_game.jsp?year=99&content=1027chidal

Tonight may be a changing of the guard, a new sheriff in Texas. The opportunity is there for FC Dallas to advance. The rains of this year have replenished the reservoirs. Hopefully, our 8 year drought is over too.

The match is on TV somewhere at 7:30 PM CST. Come on Dallas!

We're Not Going To Take It!

Yes, I know Twisted Sister does not make it on the air waves anymore. But, the title of their album "Stay Hungry" says it all for FCD. Back in July, FCD was hungry and had a more youthful exuberance. Some injuries crept up around that time and they signed some slacker named Denilson (aka De-nada-son = The son of nothing much). Regardless of his signing, the one time adolescent intensity has since vanished. This is typical for FCD. It seems every year when they feel they have accumulated enough points for the playoffs, they hang up the boots and attentions are elsewhere. Now, they are scrambling to regain the magic they once had in the first half of this season.

Here are some suggestions for FCD as they approach the playoffs.

1. Play team defense. The reason the back line is weak is because no one else is coming to help. Defenses only excel when the whole team helps. Get back on D and rebuild the Big Red Wall.
2. Play young. Need a reference. Look at Dee Snyder above. Simply put, the young are hungry. Any player not hustling and not playing defense, get them out of the game. Keep the young guys in the game and good things will happen. Keep the old guys in the game and the same predictable sleepy sloth match will unfold. The young are hungry and the old are not. Oh and, start Ray Burse, Jr. in goal.
3. Play smart. Get back on defense, chase down loose balls, work together, pass quick. Trying to look impressive by juggling the ball while your teammates streak to an open area to receive your pass late while they're covered is stupid. If you are not going to pay attention to your teammates, please do not come to the park.

FCD played Houston 4 times this year. They earned 1 point against their in-state rival from these matches going 0-3-1. Things do not look good for FCD based on these results. If FCD could get the swagger it had in Superliga and the first half of the season, then they may have a chance.

Grasping at Straws ... In the last two years, FCD has taken on Colorado and lost in the first round of the playoffs. During those seasons, FCD dominated Colorado. I think Colorado won maybe one game over those two regular seasons against FCD. If the strange MLS history repeats itself, then FCD will win. Then again, they are playing the battle harden Dynamo ... The glimmer of hope rests on Arturo Alvarez, Abe Thompson, Juan Toja, Dax McCarthy, Chris Gbandi, Drew Moor, Carlos Ruiz and Kenny Cooper. If these guys rise above, the others will follow.

Last point ... FCD must win the first game by two goals. If they win by one, tie or lose, then they are done. A two goal cushion may be enough for them to survive in Houston. Anything less is another early exit.

If FCD wants to get fired up or have a good laugh, the link below should help. You will thank me for this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs37NSLy3z4

Is "shambolic" actually a word?

So at the tender age of 40, I've finally broken down and posted my very first blog entry. In order to actually post, I've had to overcome the intense guilt at not posting to Bryan's Bar, as well as being intimidated by the previously posted prose of both Bryan and Pablo at their respective blogs.

Speaking of disappointing results, Pablo, Brandon, Kevin and I attended the US Open Cup final between FC Dallas and New England last night. We went with high hopes of seeing Dallas take silverware for the first time since their 1997 Open Cup win over DC United. Although Dallas dominated possession much of the evening and kept things close, ultimately defensive breakdowns left them on the short end of a 3-2 result.
Offensively, FC Dallas looked dangerous all night. They played with excellent width, regularly flying crosses in from both sides of the field. Unfortunately, they just couldn't seem to get on the end of anything, probably owing to their lack of height up front. Arturo Alvarez did have a cracker of a goal in the first half to tie things up at 1-1, certainly the goal of the match.

It was the defense that let the home fans down time and again throughout the match. The Revolution never seemed threatening in their passing and build up. Each of their goals seemed to come out of plays that appeared to be going nowhere until poor marking by FD Dallas led to a cheap goal.

With the team in the middle of a late season fade that seems to be their trademark in so many recent season, hopes of bringing home the MLS Cup appear to be fading along with their results. Perhaps if they can shore up things defensively and show some of the offensive spark they demonstrated last night, some joy may be found in the post season.

A final note: Actual attendance had to have been well below the announced crowd of 10,600. Shocking attendance for a cup final, but after reading Pablo's post on the misguided efforts of the club's marketing department, should we be surprised? Where's my wig?!

Arturo Alvarez & Carlos Ruiz photo courtesy of mysoccer.com: http://www.mysoccer.com/mls6/fcd0606.php

What Will Pack the Stands? WIGS!

Pablonius has sympathy for the FC Dallas Marketing Team since they have such a small budget. I will give him that one. But what I will not accept is the use of the budget. For example, October 11, 2007 at the Pizza Hut Park the first 5,000 fans receive a Juan Toja wig. But come on! Wig Night?! I am not making this stuff up. And you thought Redneck Night was far-fetched?

I have not received an e-mail informing me of the US Open Cup final that is almost 48 hours from now. I checked to see what tickets were available this AM. What was the offer? Front row near mid-field $15 a pop. No, please don't send any free e-mails. Just keep those zany wigs coming! Giving out wigs does not sell more tickets. Getting the word out might sell more tickets. Winning games when it matters will sell more tickets. When Wig Night happens, you will see a half full stadium, FCD lose and our fans sporting mullets. Mullets are only cool when you want to look stupid and FCD will have no problem there.

FCD - flat out - is stinking up the league right now. I am hopeful for the Cup final, but not the playoffs. They have three regular season games and they need to get points in all of them. With Carlos Ruiz showing his temper yesterday and getting the red, he may not be back until the playoffs. I think this is good. The rest of his "supporting cast" need to figure out how to play together again. As for Denilson Watch 2007, he has been a bust and most likely will continue to be. Thank Goodness Kenny Cooper will be back in the line up soon.

Who's on my radar that is off the radar?

• Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy in the Primera División de Argentina. Their past two matches were a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors and a 4-0 trouncing of Gimnasia La Plata. This week they take on Independiente, the league leader.
• In Mexico, Jaguares de Chiapas maybe be going for a record in draws. They are either really bad or really good.

And the one the really look out for....

• Leeds United. 7 wins, 1 draw, no losses. Already nailed for a 15 point penalty, Leeds is clawing its way out of the English League One cellar with hopes of at least making it back to the English League Championship. When that happens, who knows maybe Strongbow and Nike will come back as sponsors? Maybe 2-3 years from now we'll have a good laugh of their run and the Premiership will recognize them as a club again. If your anti-establishment, root for Leeds.

WNT loss means changes

The Women's National Soccer Team is the closest thing that the United States has to dominance in soccer. After multiple world cups, Olympic gold medals and a number one ranking, Nike even created a campaign around "The Greatest Team You've Never Heard Of".

Things fell apart in the semi-finals against Brazil. The defeat was embarrassing for a team that's played 50 games without a loss. Coach Ryan made a change at the last minute, replacing Hope Solo, the goalie that's been part of that streak with Briana Scury, the goalie from a World Cup and Olympic victory.

There's very little argument that this not only affected the team chemistry but also put a player that wasn't the best into, arguably, the most important position in the game. Frankly, Ryan will be luck to keep his job.

What's even more disturbing is Hope Solo's reaction:



This is inexcusable for a player to react like this at this level. Calling out another player should take place in the locker room or on the field, not on ESPN. It sends the wrong message to your teammates and to the public.

Look for Hope Solo to be replaced before the 2008 Olympic games.

Cold Comfort for Chelsea: Cowboys finally returning to prowess 15 years after Jerry fired Jimmy

The shock of Jose Maurinho's sudden departure from coaching Chelsea has made it all the way to Dallas, Texas. The story is familiar to folks here in DFW. New, brassy club owner makes a big entrance into town, hires unproven yet intriguing coach in his first NFL job. Coach Johnson turned out to be a revelation for the franchise, winning two Super Bowls in a row and revitalizing what had become a stagnant, old NFL relic.

After a close but bickering relationship as Owner/Coach, Jones fires Johnson after his second straight Super Bowl victory. Legend has it that Jerry Jones was good and drunk when he fired Johnson. And that Jones didn't like Johnson getting all of the credit for turning the Cowboys around.

What loyal Chelsea supporters have to look forward to is the leadership of an owner with plenty of money to spend, reckless for want of control (just shy of coaching the team himself!) and impatiently looking for the easy way to greatness. If Jerry Jones is any example, it will take years for Abramovich to mature into a proper owner for Chelsea: one that funds the signing of top-level talent chosen by a coach who's entirely in control of on-the-field decisions.

The bad news for Maurinho: Jimmy Johnson never made another coaching splash in his career at Miami. He's a great color guy on Fox's NFL coverage though.

Match Day: Greece vs. Germany

To Arms! To Arms!

It is up to us. There have been blurbs. Postings in the finest of print. Whispered mentions of this event. Something like, “fc dallas new england revolution us open final .” Did you get that?! If you are one of the 7 people who read this blog, then maybe you did. However, most folks did not get the message. So, what’s all my clamoring about?

The U.S. Open Cup Championship
FC Dallas vs. NE Revolution
Wednesday October 3, 2007 @ 7PM
Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, Texas
Tickets start @ $8

Make plans to attend this match. And, tell your families, friends, neighbors, colleagues, congregation, clients, tae kwon do sparring partners, pilates instructors, bridge partners, toll booth operators, librarians, the guy who ran you off of the freeway, the teenager you ordered a 99 cent Wendy’s double stack at 2:05AM last night, the dog walker who did not pick up the poop in your yard – again, the mailman, your waitresses and waiters, yourself, the Latino nation, and anyone else you feel is up for a championship match. How often do we get to witness our home team play in a championship in our home town?

The other reason to get the word out is because FC Dallas will not get off its lazy ass and promote this match. They are more concerned about selling out Sprint PCS Night and giving out baseball hats at a soccer match. I am sure I will get an e-mail promoting this match 48 hours before it is played. But, does that really do justice for a championship match? FC Dallas qualified on September 4, 2007, and there has been one article in the Dallas Morning News. Count ‘em, ONE ARTICLE! Hello, PR department! You all ever heard press releases? Inundate every news source. Get creative! Make up some juicy tidbits that will have the stadium a buzz at kick off. Then, let game speak for itself.

The FC Dallas Marketing Department reminds me of high school cheerleaders. As the home team is on the 1-yard line ready to score a touchdown, the cheerleaders start yelling, “De-fense (clap-clap-clap) De-fense (clap-clap-clap)!” They are giving a great, clueless effort. Wake up! Hit the payment! Open doors! Have these people ever seen Glengarry Glen Ross? This is one opportunity that is slipping through their fingers. I can hear them now . . . .

Lester - Dude, the Burn (laughs, then a long uncomfortable pause), uh, I mean, FCD plays in the championship in less than two weeks! Shouldn’t we advertise for this game?
Bob – Corporate is pushing Redneck Night. You know they want 5,000 Bobby Rhine bobble heads and 10,000 t-shirts with Dax McCarty saying “Ain’t Skeerid”. Besides the League is trying to secretly replace the US Open Cup, remember?
Lester - Oh yeah, the Bowl (laughs through nose)!
Bob – That’s right, junior. Beckham Bowl I – where every team will play the LA Galaxy in a series of 10-minute mini-games in one glorious night. There will be a parade and fireworks at the end. Beckham takes his jersey off. A closing concert with Rascal Flatts and Gloria Trevi, you know the drill. Then, after a day a rest, the team that performed the worst against LA will be in the final of Beckham Bowl. The League has guaranteed that Beckham will score a hat trick in each half.
Lester – (speaking to himself – ‘I’m so high. Who’s Betsham? I hate Bob.’) Yes, true greatness. I’m hungry.

Clearly, this match requires a grass roots effort since the League or FCD are not promoting it. If I have miss represented FC Dallas in any way, please let me know. If they are marketing this game, please let me know and all the other aforementioned folks. I am going and I think everyone else should too. Any chance we can have more than 5,000 people show up for this game? Don't be surprised to see a bunch of red seats during FOX's broadcast.

Toronto FC to share BMO Field with Argonauts?

Flipping through the soccer feeds and I stumbled upon a thorny thread on BigSoccer.com. The word out of Toronto is that the CFL's Toronto Argonauts are looking into a possible move from Rogers Centre (aka The Sky Dome) to Canada's National Soccer Specific Stadium (SSS), BMO Field. This story starts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. The Colts have the smallest stadium in the NFL. Owner Jim Ursay is threatening to dump Indy for Toronto if he doesn't get a brand new state-of-the-art football stadium.

So what happens in Indy may or may not launch the first foreign NFL team.

What does this have to do with the MLS? Well, this would paint BMO Field with those cruddy yardage markings. Nothing spoils a soccer match like yardage markers. It was painful to watch the Revs beat us the other night up in Gillette Stadium: mostly because the field was almost unrecognizable. You couldn't tell when the ball was out-of-bounds or not. It was a butt-ugly spectacle.

The MLS has to stick to its guns on soccer-specific stadiums. BMO Field, despite Toronto FC's tough 1st season, is a success story in the world of SSS: sellout games, great atmosphere, beautiful views. It would be unforgivable if the league allowed it to go mixed-use on a permanent basis.

Last minute draw vs. Fire

Phew! How 'bout "El Pescadito"! That was a really close game. The Fire had a 6-man defense going for most of the 2nd half with the lead at 1-0. We had some nice chances. But their defense kept us back until injury time when Carlos Ruiz slipped the ball past Fire GK Matt Pickens in the 93rd minute. Nicely done, Carlos!

Ruiz saves draw for FC Dallas
FC Dallas draws 1-1 with Fire on last-second goal
Posted: Friday September 21, 2007 12:30AM; Updated: Friday September 21, 2007 12:30AM

FRISCO, Texas (AP) -- Carlos Ruiz scored in the final seconds to help FC Dallas tie the Chicago Fire 1-1 on Thursday night.

Ruiz dribbled past two Fire defenders and chipped in a shot from about five yards away into an open Chicago net in the 93rd minute for his seventh goal of the season. Clarence Goodson assisted on the score.

Chicago's Chris Rolfe scored an unassisted goal in the 56th minute to give the Fire a 1-0 lead. Rolfe fired a right-footed volley into the right corner of the net from about 25 yards away for his first goal since May 12 and his fifth of the season.

The Fire (8-10-7) have not won a game in Dallas since July 4, 1999, a streak of 10 games.

Chicago goalie Matt Pickens had made two spectacular saves in the final 20 minutes of the game to prevent FC Dallas (12-9-4) from tying the game.

In the 88th minute Pickens made a diving save to his left side to deflect a shot by Ruiz and in the 78th minute he made a leaping save to punch away Goodson's header from the top of the goalies box.

Pickens finished the game with six saves, FC Dallas goalie Dario Sala finished the game with four saves.

Rolfe almost scored on a shot from the top of the arc in the 29th minute which grazed the fingertips of Sala and hit the top of the crossbar.

Rolfe's shot was one of only two shots for the Fire. In the first half, FC Dallas outshot Chicago 17-8.

The game was also the first time that Chicago forward and Mexican national team star Cuauhtemoc Blanco has played a game in Dallas since joining the MLS earlier this season.

Numerous fans in the announced crowd of 15,059 were sporting a yellow Club America jersey, Blanco's former team in the Mexican league. Blanco's only shot of the game came in the 72nd minute when his attempt from 12 yards out sailed high over the crossbar.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



Find this article at:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/09/21/bc.soc.mls
.fire.fcdalla.ap/index.html?eref=si_soccer

The Brimstone Cup 2007

OK, so I had no idea that there was such thing as The Brimstone Cup. I was watching the Fox Soccer Channel's "Fox Football Fone-In" this week. Nick & Steven's guest was none other than FC Dallas Coach Steve Morrow. So they're asking him about the season so far. "Great year, besotted with some tough injuries, but we've done really well all considering." And they're asking him about the playoff picture. "Would've loved to have sewn things up in Boston. But we had a tough night."

Then he mentions something about the "Bridgestone Cup" and the Chicago Fire game. And I'm thinking to myself, is Bridgestone Tires headquartered in Chicago? (Nope, they're a Japanese conglomerate) Why are we playing for a "Bridgestone Cup"?

Well, it turns out we've been playing the Brimstone Cup for 6 years now. And every time we play the Chicago Fire, it's on the line. The Cup is on the line tomorrow night in Frisco, TX on national TV ESPN2 at 7pm. Tune in. Boo Blanco. And GO FC Dallas! GO HOOPS!

The Wide World of Fútbol

I just returned from a really nice trip to Montréal, QC (despite American Airlines' attempts to sabotage our experience). Yonder north of Burlington, Vermont lay Montréal: a beautiful city with a wonderful international vibe. The cuisine is out of this world. (The serving sizes are downright American!) The people are unabashedly friendly. "Pas posible!" you say?. Vendors, shops & restaurants readily accept American dollars and hand you back Canadian change, zesty Montréal Brisket & Cuban cigars. Order any beer at any dive in Canada, and you get bubbly gold. Gambling is legal. It's an American Dream!

And Quebecers love their sports. Montréal still mourns the loss of its beloved baseball Expos (Expos paraphernalia is ubiquitous, t-shirts, ball caps, etc.)

Montréal, not Canton

Montréal, it turns out, is the birthplace of modern American Football. British soldiers garrisoned in Montréal in the late 19th Century introduced a variation of their rugby football that has since evolved into its various forms today: the NFL, the CFL and the darling of summer: the Arena Football League. Nothing in my American upbringing would have led me to think that Canada was the breadbasket of American Football. We hiked up from downtown Montréal to the Parc Mont Royal (Montréal's Central Park). All along the way, we heard what we thought were flocks of Canadian geese. Au contraire! After a steep climb up the steps towards the Kondiaronk Belvedere (sure wish someone had told me there was a tram we could have taken!), we realized that what we were hearing weren't Canadian geese, but rather the cheers from nearby Molson Stadium of Alouettes' fans celebrating a victory against the BC Lions. And it's a very odd sensation to watch the Alouettes play on TV and hear the French language play-by-play. But their passion and enthusiasm is unmistakable.

During this trip we also had a chance to meet a Canadian lobbyist from Toronto. I happened to bring up the great Galaxy/FC Toronto game last month. And it turns out he had been to that game in person at BMO Field! He raved about FC Toronto (even though they've had a rough first season). BMO Field in Toronto has one of the most spectacular views in the sport: overlooking downtown Toronto's skyline. It also happens to be the National Soccer venue for the Canadians. So they play most of their big international games there. FC Toronto has sold out its season. Yes, that's right. A Major League Soccer franchise has a team that sells out regularly. Their fans are positively feverish with the fútbol spirit. They are young, upwardly mobile, urban-dwelling fans with a lot of loose change for Molsons, Labatts and FC Toronto soccer scarves. This bodes well for another Canadian franchise in the MLS. Vancouver? Montreal? Just make certain that the soccer-specific stadiums up north have retractable domes.

I watched the end of the FC Dallas/FC Toronto game from Canada. The Canadian broadcast team was pretty weak. They had a Canuck and a Brit on there. I'll cut them some slack because of how long it's been since FC Toronto has scored a goal. Frisco's Pizza Hut Park pitch had American football yardage markers all over. Why does a soccer-specific stadium have football stripes on it? But I'm very happy that locally we have Brad Sham. He's a broadcasting giant in DFW. He could have easily been a national play-by-play guy. But all the same, I'm glad we have him all to ourselves here in Big D.

Happy Birthday, Cristobal! Soccer-Point blogger Cristobal Cuarenton steered me in the direction of the "Fox Football Fone-In". I had recently begun listening to the podcasts of "World Soccer Daily" with Steven Cohen. And, as it happens, he co-hosts "Fox Football Fone-In" on the Fox Soccer Channel every Tuesday night with Nick Webster. (Thanks, Cristobal for the tip.) The two hosts, both ex-pat Brits, seem to be having a marvelous time talking futbol from L.A. They are nicely sun-tanned. They get along famously. Their humor & enthusiasm is contagious. They aren't snooty at all towards their American cousins. And the American callers are real soccer fans who follow the sport very carefully. Viewing the "Fone-In" is like sidling up to a couple of blokes at the local pub to hear them spout off about their beloved sport. They have great guests on the show. The first time I watched them they had Johnny Rotten on there. Turns out, he's a huge Gunner. They had Preki on last week. He has done an OUTSTANDING coaching job at Chivas USA. They're in first place in the West now after their Super Clasico victory Thursday night on ESPN2 against the lowly LA Galaxy. This past week's guest was Chivas player Jesse Marsh, the guy that tackled Becks a couple of weeks ago and a melee ensued. Nick & Steven can chatter away about the whole wide world of soccer: from Serie A in Italy to the EPL, Spain's La Liga, Australia's A-League and Le Championnat. That's a lot of soccer to cover.


Years ago we loved watching ABC's Wide World of Sports. Jim McKay's opening segment remains one of those few sports anthology shows along with NFL Films, the Olympics & ABC's The Superstars that gave me the chills. (OK, ABC's The Superstars was cheesy. But who didn't love their TV Theme Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar"?)

Major League Soccer has its anthology soccer show now: It's called "David Beckham's Soccer USA". After this summer, you could question the judgment of programming chiefs naming the show after David Beckham. But this show is also televised in the UK. So they've got to convince otherwise unsuspecting Englishmen to watch Major League American Soccer. But I think this kind of show is very important in translating the sport to the American audience. The League has to get the stories across in this medium. I'm thinking specifically about a few passages in the NY Cosmos book I read this summer: "Once In A Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the NY Cosmos", the companion piece to last year's wonderful documentary. In the late 70's, the NASL really wanted a big time TV network contract to show their games weekly. But one of the ABC guys tried to convince them to instead go with a weekly anthology style show along the lines of the Wide World of Sports. The book goes on to explain how the network aired the games on Saturday afternoons when no one would be around at home to watch the games. The ratings were abominable.

October 28th, the NFL will take their product for another overseas exhibition in their International Series. This time it will be the Miami Dolphins squaring off against the NY Giants at Wembley Stadium. It appears that the NFL has shrunken their European operations so as to retool their efforts and focus on the UK.


It's very exciting to have the NFL season once again underway. I'm a huge Cowboys' fan. But the NFL has a much bigger challenge trying to sell their sport overseas than Major League Soccer has in getting a foothold in American Sports.

What is a FCD? What does Denilson bring?

Yes, I know what FCD means, but doesn't sound like a business acronym?

Lester - "Hey Bob, did you see the latest from headquarters?"
Bob - "Yes Lester, I did. The FCD is now set for a 2Q08 deployment."
Lester - "Can you believe they moved it again? Those bastards!"
Bob - "I proposed the move."
Lester - "Oh."

Or, a feminine hygiene product?

"Don't let Romeo be a no-show because of odor problems. Have him get a whiff of dessert after dessert with a Joan Collins' signature product FCD - Feminine Chocolate Deodorant. There are two things man can't resist - chocolate and your good thing, ladies. FCD, the sweet smell of 'oh man, that is refreshing.'"

Now for a futbolito perspective...

• FCD look better against TFC, but then again everyone has looked better against Toronto.
• US vs. Brazil - nice match by both sides, poor officiating led to goals for Brazil and not for US. Better effort for US from the last four matches. Bobby Convey is a loser and does not need to play for the US again.
• Euro 2008 qualifiers - no real surprises, but Wednesday is coming. Shockers abound. Watch out for Ireland. Backs against the wall and need a win at Prague to be tied with the Czech Republic in points. England-Russia should be violent and I feel a draw coming on.
• La Liga Mexicana - Santos is on a worst to first run and now claim the Superlider position. They trounced America 4-0 last week. Jaguares de Chiapas keep losing and that's okay.
• La Seleccion de Mexico played one half versus Panama in Puebla. 2nd half cancelled due to a deluge. Mexico won 1-0 due to an auto-gol.
• Another auto-gol of note is the one on the US by Oguchi Onyewu. The US was winning and playing tight with Brazil until the unlucky auto-gol bounced off of him. Big galoot.

As for Denilson, the jury is still out on him. Yes, it is nice to get someone with global recognition or does he? Who is following his moves from abroad these days? As I recall, he was and is not the most prolific goal scorer. He does control the ball nicely and can be a nice play maker, especially when Dallas is healthy ( I envision crosses with Kenny Cooper heading in goals). But, I still think it will take time for Denilson and his teammates to adjust to each other's play. MLS is a glorified suburb league that has college players becoming employees and foreign players who no one really wants. Who else wanted to sign Denilson (or Son de nil - son of nada)? Wasn't his last place to play in the Middle East? I am sure there are some good teams there. But much like their US counterpart, who outside of their countries is following them? Ball control is great. Juggling is pretty, but it does not score goals. So, let the jury be out and have it rule when Dallas exits again in the 1st round and everyone will say, "Man, if we only scored more goals....."

What is a FCD, and why won't it win in 2007? The other top three teams in the West have our number... Houston (First Comes Dynamo) ... Colorado (Frustratingly, Colorado Dominates) ... Chivas USA (Finalmente Chivas Domina) ... So, the 2Q08 deployment may be our best option, or we may want to contact Joan Collins. At least, there is the US Open Cup.

The FC Dallas Mojo

It's called the beautiful game for a reason. There's nothing like a well executed play in soccer. Ball control, passing, dribbling and that shot in the net. Every sport has it but in soccer, maybe because of the fact that there's not a lot of scoring compared to other sports, it's different.

To really make it beautiful, it has to go beyond just the technical aspects of the game. Great teams have great chemistry. They can tell what each other is thinking. They operate as one.

I haven't seen this in FC Dallas in the last two games. The game against the DC United not only had defensive problems, the offense wasn't as smooth and clean as I had seen it in previous teams. Even against Seattle, a USL team, it just didn't seem to click (although I have to admit I didn't see the overtime).

Is it the addition of Denilson? Are they just tired from playing so often?

Let's hope they get it together before the playoffs start. Like Austin Powers, they need to find their Mojo.

I think we all have such high hopes.

The Lion, The Monk & The Baron

Tough night on the home pitch for FC Dallas. DC United spanked us 4-nil. It was 2-0 at half time, so part of me was holding on to the hope that we could pull together a come back similar to the one we mounted back in RFK a month or so ago.

But it was not to be. Not even the magic of the North American debut of Brazilian midfielder Denilson's fairy dust could sprinkle any hope for a 2nd half Hoops' rally.



It was a beautiful night at Pizza Hut Park regardless. I got to take my pal the Lion (a baseball & hockey fan extraordinaire) out to his first FC Dallas game. And Lion & I got to share three cold Tecate's and a cold Frisco pretzel with the Baron of Beef himself at half time.

My Galaxy Jersey Just Came in the Mail

Wow, Becks out for all of September and probably most of October. I can't remember how long the MLS season is, but I get the feeling that LA won't be making the playoffs. Does that mean Beckham won't be playing any more in 2007?

David's arrival to play in the US has increased the interest in Major League Soccer in Europe. I'll agree to that, if only from a soap opera angle. It's unfortunate that he's now injured, but for some reason I figured something like this would happen.

(Beckham Photo courtesy AFP: Robyn Beck)

On the other side of things, guys like Keller and McBride continue to impress at Fulham (though McBride is out for the next couple of months himself), DaMarcus Beasley now plays for Rangers and recently scored a goal, and more than a handful of English teams have American players that have earned starting positions. Brad Friedel is by far one of the best keepers in the league; all of the US keepers play starting positions for English teams. It's those players that tend to earn more European respect. At least that's my perception as I have conversations with ex-Pats from around the world.

Elsewhere in Europe, it will be interesting to see what happens to Freddy Adu. He seems destined for the subs bench for the next little while, but assuming he gets an opportunity, he might just impress a few people, too.

Week after week, these players tend to keep a low profile, and quietly go about the task of gaining more experience. I'm just surprised that more players aren't following their lead. True, Fulham FC probably has more American players than any other Premiership club, but I'm certainly not saying that's the reason that they're currently in 2nd to last place. In fact, I'm saying quite the opposite. I think they're getting some excellent experience playing against some really really good players from around the world.

I seem to recall former US National Team Coach Steve Sampson saying something back in '94 or '98 like, "The US will win the world cup in about 12 years," and I'm not seeing that materialize. I'll excuse the loss to Sweden and consider that a bad day out at a friendly, but more US players need to get out and get some experience playing outside of the US. The MLS cannot afford to bring in another Becks to try to raise the level of play. They'll go bankrupt. Besides, one Becks cannot completely change the make up of a team. LA still look like they're going to hold up the Western Conference.

At least I got my jersey before it becomes a collectors' item.

Open Cup

It's kind of amazing how little attention is being paid to the open cup. If a pro-baseball team was beaten in a game by a farm team, it would be all over ESPN. Yet in this tournament where a few MLS teams have been beaten by USL teams, you don't hear a thing.

Seattle is playing F.C. Dallas next Tuesday. Really, F.C. Dallas has nothing to gain from the game. They're expected to win and if they do, they'll play a top-tier MLS team, the New England Revolution.

That they're even having this tournament is awesome. Most MLS players are paid next to nothing (except for the famous Galaxy mid-fielder). USL players must be paid even less. They play for the love of the beautiful game which makes it even more exciting.

What I really don't understand is that they'll probably be more people at 5A high school football games in Dallas than they'll be at the game.

Just doesn't' seem right....

Cue: "Sweet Georgia Brown" for Denilson Juggle

Cue up the Harlem Globetrotters' famous theme song, "Sweet Georgia Brown" while you watch this one. (Actually, click here for an MP3 from the US Patent & Trademark Office). These little player signing photo opps normally have an awkward air to them, but Denilson, to his credit, shows good humor & knows the drill. Hope he plays on Saturday night in Frisco against MLS all-time leading scorer, Jaime Moreno (sorry Jason Kreis) and DC United. Tobias Xavier Lopez has good coverage of the presentation here.

Denilson brings charisma and experience to Dallas

By TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

FRISCO -- Brazilian playmaker Denilson achieved international soccer fame for his vibrant smile, his eye-popping step-over move (called "The Denilson"), his Nike commercials and his role in helping Brazil win the 2002 World Cup.

Denilson's charisma and fun-loving attitude came through clearly Monday in his initial news conference as FC Dallas' first designated player.

Denilson jokingly referred to David Beckham as "the blond one" and brushed off concerns about the Texas heat by saying "I might get a little darker."

However, the 30-year-old attacking midfielder/forward spoke candidly about his one-year stints with previous clubs, France's Bordeaux (2005-06) and Saudi Arabia's Al-Nasr (2006-07). He said the "financial package and cultural experience" prompted his move to Saudi Arabia.

"As soccer players, we have the opportunities to be able to learn more about our world," he said. "After nine months, I was able to share these experiences and a new culture with my friends and family back home. It was a difficult situation for me because it was difficult to adapt in some levels, but I would do it again because of the experience."

In the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, Denilson played a prominent role in Nike's worldwide commercial campaigns. When he was sold to Spain's Real Betis in 1998 for about $36 million, it was a record transfer fee.

"With respect to the transfer, I was [20] and it was a lot of money and a lot of responsibility, and the first two years I was there were not so good for me," he said. "But, after that, I was able to adapt and have success. Now, where I'm at, I can accept the responsibilities that are coming to me through my experience."

Denilson worked with teammates Monday but won't officially join the club until his visa is approved, probably in five to 10 business days. Once Denilson is eligible, Dallas will have to clear one of the senior international spots held by forward Carlos Ruiz, midfielders Marcelo Saragosa and Pablo Ricchetti, and defender Adrian Serioux.

Major League Soccer's designated player rule allows clubs to sign players outside the salary cap.

Beckham Ruminations

A couple of feisty columns from the cybersphere on the state of "Beckham Over America 2007".

Steve Davis over at ESPN.com criticizes the LA Galaxy for playing Beckham the day after the England/Germany friendly and other crimes. And he goes on to suggest that the Galaxy front office & coaching staff should lose their positions from the mishandling of the injured Becks. Rumors from Home Depot Center are that Frank Yallop will be replaced by former German national coach, Jurgen Klinsman. If Coach Yallop should have done anything, he should have forbidden David Beckham to play in that friendly against Germany.

Then the Times of London has a column by Martin Samuel sniveling about the lack of interest British viewers have for American Soccer. He has the same complaints that Steve Davis has about exploiting the good sport David Beckham.

It's hard to argue with either of these columnists in terms of playing an injured player...particularly a talent like Beckham. But they're forgetting an obvious factor: Dollars & Pounds. That's what this is all about. If Becks is supposed to be making $25 million this year, shouldn't he play? If he's injured, I suppose he could just give back the money, right?

I'm delighted that Becks helped Real Madrid to the Liga championship. I'm psyched for American spectators that Becks is playing once again on the England squad. This is all positive in terms of proving his flight level in international play at 32 years old. He's good enough to start at any club in the world. But playing in those matches at the end of spring were what aggravated his ankle injury - MLS got an injured spokesman for the league. What's the Galaxy supposed to do? Just bench him for the whole summer? Then he misses an entire season of the 5 he's supposed to play here. What's Becks supposed to do? Sit out the whole season?

That there was a huge expectation from Beckham this year should make AEG, LA Galaxy & the MLS very content. This is what it feels like to shoulder an entire league. Ask Pele what it was like. This is the challenge that Becks wanted.

The bigger picture that both of these columnists are missing out on is the greater interest in the sport at a national level here stateside and the development of its international players here in the MLS and abroad. Then there's the terrific performance of our U-17 & U-20 squads in World Cup play this summer. And did Mr Samuel note the new foreign ownership of Liverpool & Man U? Americans. There's a Ruskie in the mix somewhere there too...over at Chelsea.

Stiff upper lip, chaps. Get ready for the Yanks. They're in Fulham now, yes. But they're going to be all over the world soccer scene soon enough. Anyone notice the lightning fast Maykel Galindo of Chivas USA against the Galaxy last week? The Cuban exile won't be playing for England in South Africa. He'll be playing for his new country. And Jozy Altidore? And Freddy Adu? Might as well start to accept it, lads. The future's ours.

Tune in to the SuperLiga Final tomorrow night: Pachuca vs. Galaxy on TeleFutura.. It's probably the Galaxy's last chance to redeem themselves this season. And yes, Becks will play.

Frick'n Sweeds

I can't believe that the US Men's National team lost to Sweden. After playing so well in the Gold Cup, especially against Mexico, they can't get it back together.

Where is the aggressive play that characterized this team early on?

Where was Donovan?

Where was Clint Dempsey?

Where were the mid-fielders who were supposed to support them.

They could have beat this team.

After four straight losses this team needs to find themselves or Brazil will really take it to them. Bradley needs to make some changes.

They're calling the US vs. Brazil match the "Clash of Champions". The way they've been playing it will be more like "Flash of Champion" as the Brazilians score one goal after another.

Futbol Meets Football

“Sometimes I think you love Arsenal more than your family.” Nonsense, I told her, I love you both the same.

Very clever musings about a life spent as an Arsenal fan. I had no idea that the Queen of England has a favorite football team - seems positively unconstitutional for a figurehead to take sides like that. And Fidel Castro follows soccer? I thought he was exclusively a baseball & boxing guy. Who knew?

Denilson in Big D

The Hunt Sports Group & FC Dallas are going to put Major League Soccer's Designated Player Rule (aka "The Beckham Rule") to use in its signing this week of Brazilian midfielder Denílson de Oliveira Araújo. A little "Jogo Bonito" might be all that's needed to sweep the Hoops into the MLS Cup (November 18th in RFK Stadium) for the first time in the club's 11 year history.

He won't be arriving as a very familiar name here in Texas. Aside from international glory on the 2002 World Cup Champion Brazil team, he played in Spain's La Liga for Real Betis Balompié (Sevilla) from 2001-2005. After Spain, he went to play in Bordeaux. A year later, Bordeaux was unable to match his salary demands. Off he went to Saudi Arabia to play for Al Nasr in Riyadh where he must've found little beyond riyal paradise: a soccer mirage. Come on now, a swinging, young Brazilian soccer star in Saudi Arabia? What was he thinking?!

If the contractual negotiations are any indicator, Denilson, 27, could prove to be inconsistent. The talks are rumored to have gone back and forth: frustratingly fickle, lasting all summer and having ended on a variety of occasions without a contract. On his Wikipedia entry, he's described as:

A player of outstanding close control and dexterity, Denílson is renowned for his 'stand still' stepovers, with many referring to the skill as the "Denílson".

This could be a very sly signing on behalf of Coach Steve Morrow. He & GM Michael Hitchcock have brought in some wonderful talent from south of the border. The Denilson contract won't be for anything in the range of the David Beckham's signing. It will be interesting to find out how much of a financial gamble FC Dallas are taking here.

The Joys of International Program Management and Football Friendlies

Due to a customer visit yesterday in the repair facility where I work, I elected not to wear an England kit. It wasn't so much the idea that all my German colleagues would throw me into an unused office and beat me up, it was more like the fact that I didn't want the company CEO and CFO getting bent out of shape with me not following company dress code...again.

My local was filled with football fans last evening for the big event. Sure, there were a couple of English floating around, but there were mostly German supporters. Not a surprise, being Frankfurt.

Frank Lampard's goal wasn't half bad, but I was more concerned about the keeper; I don't need Arsenal's number one making any more mistakes than he has already this season. I was saying as much to a friend of mine when Germany equalized off some pretty questionable play by England's own keeper.

A festive pub is always cool during a match, particularly with the rivalry like this one.
Things turned up a notch when Pander struck a nice shot past Robinson late in the first half. It was a worthy winning goal.

During the half time break I finished my pint and paid up; I needed to get home and get some rest before my customer arrived the following morning. Of course, this only meant that I left the pub, walked 20 meters to my flat, keyed in, then turned on the telly to see the second half of the match. Not terribly exciting, save for a bit of SWP, but there you go.

I normally support England when it comes to International football, but this was a so called friendly, and I'm not all that big of a fan of these things. Too many times it interferes with club play. In short, I wasn't too concerned about the result, and went to bed dreaming of sugar plums and whatnot.

This morning on the commute to work, I saw lots of smiling faces; something that's unusual with German commuters at 7am. But, their team had one a good victory last night, and they were proud.

Upon my arrival to work, my colleagues excitedly talked to me about the game, then they gave my English colleague a bit of ribbing when he walked in the door. "We just can't seem to lose at Wembley," they said.

Big fun. Hopefully all the Arsenal players got through the evening without too much wear and tear, and I hope Becks has a good flight back to LA.

go gunners
bryan

DOWNLOAD THE NEW FC DALLAS FIGHT SONG!

Adidas and the MLS have teamed up to bring some Rock n Roll to each team. FC Dallas is represented by non other than Dallas' own Polyphonic Spree. Their stadium rocker is called HOOPS YES! and will hopefully be played at every opportunity during play. Its got a lot of drums and chants that is right in any true soccer fans wheelhouse. I can just hear all the drum lines in Pizza Hut Park playing along with this. I must admit my nubile soccer mind was confused by the terminology of HOOPS but I'm told that's what their stripes on their uniforms are called. What's so cool about this is that they make it downloadable for FREE and it's all legal! go here to check it out


http://www.adidas.com/us/campaigns/mls/content/default.asp