Mixed Messages

It’s tough to take MLS seriously when it sends it's star players across the pond for a “meaningless” exhibition match in the middle of the playoff race and the US Open Cup. Yet, thanks to the MLS bigwigs, players such as Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Ronnie O’Brien are jetting to Madrid for Tuesday’s Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu match vs. Real Madrid as the “MLS Select XI.” Six MLS teams are playing in the US Open Cup quarterfinals the following night and must make due without their big guns, which is a huge slap in the face to the USSF and the history of the cup, which the players take very seriously. I can only hope that there’s a payday in the match for MLS/SUM, ‘cause otherwise this trip makes no sense. Soccernet’s Ives Galarcep chimes in here with a similar stance.

Will the biggest US home match this year be televised on English language TV? ESPN isn’t so sure. The September 3rd US-Mexico WCQ match was scheduled to air on ESPN Classic of all places, due to college football commitments at the mouse network(s). SI’s Grant Wahl doesn’t see the match on ESPN’s program guide. And they say the boys in Bristol don’t care about soccer…

Unrelated, but Nike is getting ready to promote the Nats with a soon-to-be-released commercial. Click here to see the foundation of a Nike site just for the Yanks. Clint, don't drive angry.