With continental competitions consummating around the globe, it's time to check in on the beautiful game (impressive alliteration, I know, that's why I'm an unpaid professional). Today we'll look at all the big stories both internationally and domestically with the World Cup Countdown now under 100 days! Let's roll!
CONCACAF CL
-We were at Crew Stadium on Tuesday Night to see Columbus draw Toluca 2-2 in the 1st Leg of the QF Round in the CONCACAF CL. The game was enthralling as local legend Stevie Lenhart scored 2 goals in the 2nd half much to the delight... of only 4,000 people. Readers around the world might wonder... 4k, for a Champions League game?? Are you serious? Well, a few factors emerge to the terrible crowd-MLS is in preseason mode, so few might actually have been aware of a game being played
-US fans aren't used to seeing their team in two separate competitions, CONCACAF CL isn't SportsCenter material
-Promotion for the game by the league was absolutely atrocious
-The game wasn't a part of any ticket package, cheapest tix were $25
That's just a horrible job by the league. MLS fans talk about their league gaining respect worldwide, how about in your country and continent first? Get more than 4,000 fans to show up at the league's biggest club game. Give your fans some incentive to show up, or at least let them know that there's a game. But, then again, MLS isn't exactly known for its executive competence, which leads to...
MLS Strike?
-This report doesn't exactly bode well for there being an MLS season this year, or at least one that starts on time. In a World Cup year, with ESPN putting all of their promotional eggs in soccer's basket, it's pivotal to have MLS there to pick up on the inevitable rise in popularity for the beautiful game. Too bad the players are almost unanimously in favor of striking should no new CBA be reached. Frankly, the owners must at least allow free agency within MLS and give players basic rights that are afforded in other major pro league. The owners have much more to lose than the players, especially this year.
At some point, the league must take a risk if it wants to grow. The single entity structure has seen it survive till this point, but it can only take MLS so far on the world stage. Giving more to the players (free agency, more guaranteed $) along with some fiscal sanity, will encourage more foreign stars over and more importantly, American stars to stay home. If MLS is on strike during the World Cup, the league will be dead by 2012.
World Cup News
World Cup News
-There was some controversy over ESPN's play-by-play choices for the World Cup. Martin Tyler (above), one of the best announcers in the history of the universe, is the home run choice... but 3 other Brits? Bristolites Derek Rae and Adrian Healey are joined by EPL commentator Ian Darke as the voices of South Africa 2010. Some folks are bothered that no American voice will be bringing the WC to an American audience. In an increasingly globalized world, I don't think people will care as long as the best are bringing us the action, unlike 4 years ago... cough, Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa, cough... nobody wants that nightmare again. If there is one complaint, it's that veteran JP Dellacamera is left out. Healey is perhaps a little corny at times, but does a fine job. It would be nice to have Dellacamera call the US games, but if the nationality of announcers bothers you, you need a reality check. Have a listen to the best of the best and see if you would want anything else...In other international news, the US didn't look great in Holland, but the return of Oguchi Onyewu, Clint Dempsey, and a miraculous recovery by Charlie Davies would boost our hopes. One underrated item is that Guus Hiddink might be in line to coach Cote D'Ivoire at the World Cup. Ivory Coast is perhaps the most talented African team in the tournament, and the Dutch genius who was last seen coaching Russia and Chelsea could be the man to lead them through the Group of Death and beyond.
Madrid Meltdown and Liverpool Lose... Again
-In Euro news, Real Madrid's hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars saw them knocked out in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the 6th year in a row. Yipes. The sky is falling in Madrid after their home failure to Lyon, but at least they aren't Liverpool... who now take a 1-0 deficit after suffering an embarrassing loss at Lille. Every time the Reds look like coming back, they have a hideous result - see Wigan Athletic last week. Now, it looks like either a Europa League triumph and a Top 4 spot might be out of reach. Maybe it's time for Liverpool to blow it up and start over, time is ticking Rafa.
Rooooooooooooney
-Wayne Rooney scored 2 goals to sink AC Milan in their CL tie and now has 30 on the season in 35 games. Plenty of skeptics wondered how United would replace Ronaldo, but Rooney has done that and then some. With Ronaldo and Messi not having the typical awe-inspiring years, Rooney is the frontrunner for World Player of the Year. If he continues this form to South Africa, England will be a legit threat. Here's his 2nd goal, bonus pts if you can tell us what language this is...
The Handshake Snub Heard Round The World
-Finally, we couldn't have a soccer roundup without one of the greatest videos to ever grace the web. If only Wayne Bridge would've shaken his hand and then punched him in the face Vince McMahon style could this have been any better.
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