Wednesday, November 29, 2006
It sure is silly season
Maybe it's just me, but there seems to be more news from MLS now that the season has finished than there was during the season. It seems like a day doesn't go by when there isn't something in the press somewhere about Beckham heading to LA (or NY). Throw in Figo and Ronaldo and you've got the most reported MLS story probably ever. But, if nothing else, the "Designated Player Rule" has brought some media attention to the league.
Of course, we now have NY with two Designated Player spots after they traded Amando Guevara to Chivas for it. I'm actually excited to see what they do with it. I can't help thinking that when they use the position, it'll be someone we've heard of, but not the huge names being thrown around already.
The Revs will now be playing on plastic next season. They (the Kraft's) didn't waste any time rolling it out once the Revs season was over. I guess in the long run it's a financial decision. However, I'm not keen on it. Next season we'll have NE, NY, Toronto and RSL with turf fields.
I've been finding myself agreeing with Jamie Trecker a bit lately. So, it's nice to know he's lost the plot again. I don't see the need to review something which probably can't be overturned anyway? It would break up the flow of the game too much. Now, if you really wanna introduce replay into the sport, why not review. It's not like the Americanisation of the game really worked back when the league started, why try it again now? Replay in soccer won't work. You can't stop play for a minute or two (how long do NFL and NCAA officials instances of cheating after the match? Have a committee review players who dive or do other things which give them an unfair advantage and fine/suspend them. If players know they'll get caught taking that dive in the box and miss some matches because of it, maybe they'll think twice. It'll also make the refs job easier. It certainly won't hurt things.
So, no word yet from USSF on the new US coach. Weren't we told there would be a decision by the end of November? We are getting awful close to that date. I wonder if negotiations with the favored candidate have hit a snag? Of course, now that I've posted that, we'll probably get an announcement in the next 24 hours.
Finally, I never thought I'd see the day, but it looks like we may get some Wembley matches some day soon. It sure looks nicer than the original stadium (which I visited once just before it was bulldozed). ¶ 1:55 PM
Of course, we now have NY with two Designated Player spots after they traded Amando Guevara to Chivas for it. I'm actually excited to see what they do with it. I can't help thinking that when they use the position, it'll be someone we've heard of, but not the huge names being thrown around already.
The Revs will now be playing on plastic next season. They (the Kraft's) didn't waste any time rolling it out once the Revs season was over. I guess in the long run it's a financial decision. However, I'm not keen on it. Next season we'll have NE, NY, Toronto and RSL with turf fields.
I've been finding myself agreeing with Jamie Trecker a bit lately. So, it's nice to know he's lost the plot again. I don't see the need to review something which probably can't be overturned anyway? It would break up the flow of the game too much. Now, if you really wanna introduce replay into the sport, why not review. It's not like the Americanisation of the game really worked back when the league started, why try it again now? Replay in soccer won't work. You can't stop play for a minute or two (how long do NFL and NCAA officials instances of cheating after the match? Have a committee review players who dive or do other things which give them an unfair advantage and fine/suspend them. If players know they'll get caught taking that dive in the box and miss some matches because of it, maybe they'll think twice. It'll also make the refs job easier. It certainly won't hurt things.
So, no word yet from USSF on the new US coach. Weren't we told there would be a decision by the end of November? We are getting awful close to that date. I wonder if negotiations with the favored candidate have hit a snag? Of course, now that I've posted that, we'll probably get an announcement in the next 24 hours.
Finally, I never thought I'd see the day, but it looks like we may get some Wembley matches some day soon. It sure looks nicer than the original stadium (which I visited once just before it was bulldozed). ¶ 1:55 PM
