Un Partido Grande

The Rumble in East Rutherford. The Fight for the Right to Party. For All the Marbles. Loser Goes Home. One and Done, etc. etc. etc. Yes, tomorrow's night's Red Bulls-Kansas City Wizards regular season finale at a chilly Giants stadium is a de facto playoff game, though a draw puts KC through. For the second straight season, NY has waited for the season's final match to determine its playoff fate. Tomorrow night could also be Youri Djorkaeff's final MLS match, and inactive Eddie Johnson's last night as a Wizard.

FSNYs airing of the game on a 2 1/2 hr tape delay will hopefully prod New York-area soccer fans to get their butts to the swamp. To the winner, a first-round date with a talented but slumping DC United side that is 1-3-2 since September 1st.

Here's how I see things breaking down:

The Kansas City forwards vs. The Red Bulls' back line:
Scott Sealy, Josh Wolff, and Dave van den Bergh vs. Jeff Parke, Marvell Wynne, Carlos Mendes, and Todd Dunivant (and Jon Conway). Sealy has paced the Wizards this season with nine of the club's forty-one goals. Dutchman van den Bergh has two goals in his first twelve MLS matches. Wolff has had a sub-par year. KC's offense has been clicking of late, scoring ten goals in the club's last four matches. New York relied a little too much on keeper Conway late in Colorado last week, though the mile high air played against the Red Bulls. The NY defense has been stingy down the stretch, with just seven goals allowed in the team's last five games, including two shutouts. Advantage: Push

New York's attackers vs. The Wizards' defense:
John Wolyniec and Jozy Altidore vs. Ryan Raybould, Jimmy Conrad, Nick Garcia, and Jose Burciaga, Jr. (and Bo Oshoniyi). Woly and Jozy didn't hit the net last week in Denver, but a home crowd may pump up the ebony and ivory scoring tandem. Arena may consider starting Mike Magee and bringing Wolyniec in late in the game if New York needs a goal. KC has solid veteran defenders, including national teamer Conrad, whose broken jaw is still healing. Rookie Raybould is the one to take advantage of. Advantage: Kansas City

The Midfielders:
New York's Youri Djorkaeff, Amado Guevara, Danny O'Rourke, and Dema Kovalenko vs. Kansas City's Jack Jewsbury, Davy Arnaud, and Sasha Victorine. The midfields will be the difference-makers tomorrow night. Amado is playing extremely well lately, but traditionally has trouble meshing with Djorkaeff, who'll want to do something special in his possibly last night as a Red Bull. Kovalenko provides the X-factor. The Wizard side of the ball offers three skilled veterans that can both start the attack and score. Advantage: New York

The Coaches:
Bruce Arena vs. Brian Bliss. If, as Bruce says, he wants to pass up the allocation and win this game, he should be able to push his team's buttons. Bliss is still learning, but his squad is 2-1-2 in its last five. Advantage: Push

Intangibles:
Many NY players know that this could be their final outing with the club. Hopefully fans will brave the cool weather and turn out. Bliss knows new ownership won't look kindly on missing the playoffs. Red Bull knows next year is when the fun really starts. Advantage: Push

The Prediction:
The first goal will be critical. If KC gets scores in the game's first ten minutes, New York will fold. If the Red Bulls score first, it'll be a nail-biter until the end. Aw, heck, the team did it last year on the road. At home, it'll be that much easier. New York wins, 3-1

Here are your television selections for the weekend (times et). Enjoy.

SATURDAY, Oct. 14
9:30am: GER: Bayern Munich, Hertha Berlin, GOL
10:00am: ENG: Arsenal-Watford, FSC
12noon: ENG: Reading-Chelsea, FSC
2:15pm: ENG: Middlesbrough-Everton, FSC
6:00pm: BRA: Sao Paulo-Juventude, GOL
6:00pm: MEX: Monterrey-Tigres, GALA
7:30pm: MLS: New England-Columbus, DK
7:30pm: MLS: New York-Kansas City, DK (10pm TD on FSNY)
8:00pm: MEX: Chivas-San Juis, TELEF
8:30pm: MLS: Houston-Colorado, HDNet
8:30pm: COL: Millonarios-Atletico Nacional, GOL
10:00pm: MEX: Necaxa-Morelia, GALA
10:30pm: MLS: Los Angeles-FC Dallas, FSC, DK
12mid: MEX: Atlante-Toluca, GALA

SUNDAY, Oct. 15
9:00am: ITA: Torino-Chievo, FSC
9:00am: ITA: Inter Milan-Catania, GOL
11:00am: ENG: Newcastle-Bolton, FSC
11:00am: ESP: Celta de Vigo-Valencia, GOL
1:00pm: MEX: UNAM-UAG, UNI
3:00pm: ARG: Banfield-River Plate, FSC
5:00pm: MLS: DC United-Chicago, ESPN2
7:00pm: MLS: Chivas USA-Real Salt Lake, FSC, DK
7:00pm: COL: Independiente Medellin vs Deportes Tolima, GOL

New Colorado Rapids Logo

Shadowy MLS insider Not Doug Logan has produced the new logo and color scheme that the Colorado Rapids will sport next year when they open their new Commerce City stadium. The new "claret and blue" Rapids will nicely mirror KSE's NHL club, the Colorado Avalanche. Note the "SC" for soccer club at the bottom of the logo. Or is it a "96" to denote the team's founding year? Hmm.

What NY Sports Fans Watched 10/7/06

The Red Bulls-Colorado match on MSG pulled a 0.2 in the New York DMA on Saturday, doubling the television rating for NJ Devils and NY Islanders matches on the same day. Here's a sampling of sports ratings, courtesy of the Newark Star-Ledger. In the NY DMA, each ratings point represents 74,000 households.

Saturday, October 7th:
Mets-Dodgers: 14.9
Yankees-Tigers: 12.6
Padres-Cardinals: 2.7
Stanford-Notre Dame: 1.9
Arkansas-Auburn: 1.4
LSU-Florida: 1.1
Texas-Oklahoma: 1.0
Tennessee-Georgia: 1.0
Clemson-Wake Forest: 0.9
Michigan-Michigan State: 0.5
Rangers-Flyers: 0.5
South Carolina-Kentucky: 0.4
NTRA Horse Racing: 0.4
Oregon-California: 0.3
Red Bulls-Rapids: 0.2
Pittsburgh-Syracuse: 0.2
Devils-Stars: 0.1
Islanders-Sharks: 0.1

Some observations:

• Even though the Mets were in prime time, I'm floored that they drew more than the Yankees
• I guess horse racing still has an audience
• There's A LOT of college football on television
• RBNY should feel good about the interest in the club, now the front office has to get folks off their couches & into the stadium. Harrison can't get here soon enough
  

Red Bull PR Earns a Brownie Point

Metro is a free daily newspaper hawked on the streets of NYC, Boston, and Philadelphia. Boasting a NY circulation of 300,000, Metro is mean to be read over the course of a subway ride, then dumped (or recycled). In depth it ain't, and its sports section is far from expansive.

So imagine my surprise today to find a nice two-column story and photo on Saturday's key Red Bulls' match vs. Kansas City. Although the piece does identify KC as "the Wiz" and New York's potential first-round playoff opponent as "the DC United," the small story does do a good job framing the team's situation.

If you're so inclined, please write Metro sports editor Dave Kraska at dave.kraska@metro.us and thank him for the coverage. I did.

Baby steps, people.

Sad Day

The entire US Soccer community is saddened today by the loss of former US Assistant and Colorado Rapids Head Coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick. To learn about the incredible impact that the New Jersey native had on the US game, visit BigAppleSoccer.

On a lighter note, Kristian Dyer and Jason Endres have a terrific interview up on MetroFanatic with former Metro GM and current AEG NY honcho Nick Sakiewicz. Say what you want about Nick, but one wonders if his Metro legacy would have had more shine if the Harrison stadium project became a reality years ago instead of weeks ago.

On a much, much lighter note, the Red Bulls followed my prediction to a T on Saturday in Denver, making Saturday's swamp battle vs. the Wiz a defacto playoff game. Hopefully New York fans will show up for what may be the Red Bulls' season finale, and the return of Marvell Wynne will push NY into the postseason.

Mile High Goodbye

The Red Bulls really showed the 15K+ and the few thousand watching on HDNet something special last week when they upset Chicago to move into playoff position for the first time since August 26th. The fact that I had to wait for days to see Jozy Altidore's game winner on "Red Bulls Insider" on the official team web site was truly asinine, however. By giving HDNet an exclusive broadcast, does the league think that fans will rush out to finally make that HD set purchase just to see the game? Really.

So tomorrow night's match at Denver can provide some breathing room for NY in the playoff quest. A win against the Rapids, combined with a KC home loss to Chivas, would set up a tie-and-in scenario for New York in the season ender vs. the Wizards in the Swamp a week from tomorrow. Here are the current Eastern standings:

Team, Pts, GD, (matches to play)
1. Y - DC United, 55 +16 (2h)
2. X - Chicago, 44, +4 (1h/1a)
3. X - New England, 42, +2 (1h/1a)
4. New York, 35, +0 (1h/1a)
------------------------------
5. Kansas City, 32, -2 (1h/1a)
6. Z -Columbus, 30, -14 (1h/1a)

Here's a breakdown for tomorrow final MLS match at Invesco field:

The Colorado forwards vs. The Red Bulls' back line:
Thiago and Nico vs. Jeff Parke, Seth Stammler, Carlos Mendes, and Todd Dunivant (and Jon Conway). Journeyman Thiago Martins is on his ninth MLS squad (or something). He has a single goal this season. Nico, though, is the real deal up top for Colorado, with seven goals and five assists. The Argentinian is on a five-match scoring drought, though, and Colorado has scored only three goals in its last five games. New York will be missing Marvell Wynne as a result of his two yellows vs. Chicago last week. Utility man Seth Stammler should pick up the slack. The Red Bulls' goalkeeper controversy will only last until the season's end, when future hall-of-famer Tony Meola hangs it up. Advantage: New York

New York's attackers vs. The Rapids' defense:
John Wolyniec and Jozy Altidore vs. Dan Gargan, Aitor Karanka, Mike Petke, and Hunter Freeman (and Joe Cannon). Jozy has become a terrific story in the rollercoaster Red Bulls' season. His teenage legs may prove meaningful in the mile-high air late in the game. Woly hasn't scored since September 3rd. Can't imagine he'll go the full 90. Colorado's D has three shutouts in its last six outings. Mike Petke will always find love in the NY area. I have never heard of Gargan or Karanka, but they sound like Klingons. Yes, I'm a geek. Advantage: Push

The Midfielders:
New York's Chris Henderson, Amado Guevara, Danny O'Rourke, and Dema Kovalenko vs. Colorado's Terry Cooke, Kyle Beckerman, Pablo Mastroeni, and Jacob Peterson. Youth national-teamer Beckerman is tied with Nico for the team league in goals, and first-round draft-pick Peterson has had a good rookie campaign, with two goals and three assists. Cooke has dished out ten assists from his wing position, and Mastro is Mastro. Looking at their midfield, you'd think that the Rapids would have a better record. For NY, Youri is back with the club, but is out with bursitis (the old man). Henderson will attempt to fill in on the wing, but in the end will be an achilles heel for the Red Bulls. Advantage: Colorado.

The Coaches:
Bruce Arena vs. Fernando Clavijo. Last week, the Bruce was able to coax a win from his team last week against an opponent that had nothing to play for. With the Rapids also fighting for a playoff spot, Arena won't have the same luxury two weeks in a row. I have absolutely no opinion of Fernando Clavijo as a coach, just as I have little opinion of the Rapids' team personality. Advantage: Push

Intangibles:
The Rapids will say goodbye to its current home ground tomorrow night, which may generate a home crowd... or not. Colorado attracted a whopping 3,800 fans to its last home match on September 13th, which is pathetic, even for their standards. Colorado won't have Clint Mathis, and New York won't have Wynne or Djorkaeff. Advantage: New York

The Prediction:
The Red Bulls don't have to win this game. They can make it easier on themselves by winning, which means of course that they won't. A 1-1 draw.

On The Tube
Euro 2008 quallies cut into league play this weekend... (all times ET):

SATURDAY, Oct. 7
2:00pm: EURO '08: Denmark - Northern Ireland, FSC
2:00pm: URU: Nacional-Cerrito, GOL
4:00pm: EURO '08: Serbia - Belgium, FSC
4:00pm: EURO '08: Italy-Ukraine, TELEM
4:00pm: MEX: San Luis-Monterrey, GALA
5:00pm: BRA: Fluminese-Sao Paulo, GOL
7:30pm: MLS: DC United - New England, DK
8:00pm: MEX: Tigres-Cruz Azul, GALA
8:30pm: MLS: Kansas City - Chivas USA, DK
8:30pm: MLS: Chicago - Columbus, FSC, DK
8:30pm: MLS: FC Dallas - Los Angeles, HDNet
8:30pm: COL: Junior-Cucta, GOL
9:30pm: MLS: Colorado - New York, DK
10:00pm: MEX: Atlas-Pachuca, TELEF
10:30pm: HON: Marathon-Universidad, GOL

SUNDAY, Oct. 8
1:00pm: MEX: UNAM-Atlante, UNI
1:55pm: USA: WNT vs. Iceland, ESPN2
2:00pm: URU: River-Penarol, GOL
3:00pm: ARG: River Plate-Boca Juniors, FSC
4:00pm: BRA: Goias-Corinthians, GOL
5:00pm: MEX: Club America-Necaxa, TELEF
6:30pm: COL: Ind. Sante Fe-Ind. Medellin, GOL

Godspeed, Mooch.

ESPN's Skipper: "They'll Bring In Some Stars"

I work on the business side of the media industry. This morning I had the good fortune of attending an industry breakfast with John Skipper, EVP, Content for ESPN (pictured).

John is responsible for the creation, programming, and production of ESPN and ABC sports content across all media platforms.

Skipper recently signed the ESPN contract delivering MLS its first rights fee. As part of the deal, ESPN will take over production of MLS broadcasts on the Disney networks starting next year, saving the league millions of dollars.

Here's a summary of Skipper's comments:

• "I have the best job in America... to walk into bars and impress men... not that that's my intention." (Got big laughs)
• Ingrained in the ESPN culture is the notion that "we serve fans. Fans decide what content is available, we don't."
• "Our intention is to be the leader in every area, print, web, TV, radio, Spanish...the goal is to make the other guys in front worry about us"
• "We're getting back to what people care about: games. In the last year, we've built our portfolio of properties, including:
• NASCAR (Feb .07)
• Big Ten
• Big East
• World Cup through 2014"
• "Eventually, soccer will work. Some folks don't believe it, but they don't have the assets that we have."
• "We'll be creating content to support our properties. For instance, we'll have 10 hours of NASCAR documentaries in Feb '07, to be shown each weeknight in primetime the week preceding ESPN's first NASCAR race on Saturday night. The documentaries will populate a "100 Greatest Moments of NASCAR" property to be:
• Counted down on SportsCenter
• Turned into a feature in the magazine
• Rolled out on ESPN.com and ESPN 360 Broadband service
• Turned into a coffee table book
• Q: "Do the NFL and NBA TV networks create a concern for you?"
• "No, most sports fans are fans of more than one sport... also, we can report on tough league issues that they won't."
• "For instance the NHL is talking of starting a network. They're having trouble getting half a million people to watch for two hours... what are they going to do for 24 hours a day?"
• "We will continue to co-exist with these networks... until they go out of business."

On the recently failed ESPN Mobile service...

• "Mobile was the opportunity to make the most money in the wireless space."
• "We thought that phone number portability was the key to get folks to move to our service... we didn't count on wireless companies' aggressive retention programs... they give away $300 pieces of hardware to keep customers... If you think Sports Illustrated in tough, Verizon is a mother. That said, we intend to be #1 in wireless sports content distribution."

I approached Skipper afterwards and thanked him for supporting soccer and MLS. He said that he was at the Red Bulls-Chicago match on Saturday night. He said that next year "the league will bring in some stars... we'll have some original content around MLS... Thursday night MLS matches will get the TNT-NBA treatment."

Desperation In the Red Bull Nation

For the second straight season, New York will need a late-season push to get into the MLS Cup playoffs. There are plenty out there that feel that missing the playoffs will do more good than harm for the long-term prospects for the Red Bulls, considering a first-round matchup with Eastern Conference Champion DC United would await in the post-season. Here are the current standings...

Team, Pts, GD, (matches to play)
1. Y - DC United, 55 +17 (2h/1a)
2. X - Chicago, 44, + (1h/2a)
3. New England, 39, +0 (2h/1a)
4. Kansas City, 34, -2 (2h/1a)
------------------------------
5. New York, 32, -1 (2h/1a)
6. Columbus, 27, -16 (2h/1a)

The 10/14 KC at NY match looms, but a Wizards win over RSL and a Red Bulls loss at home to Chicago on Saturday would all but extinguish New York's hopes. Here's how I see things matching up for tomorrow's tilt with the US Open Cup champs.

The Chicago forwards vs. The Red Bulls' back line:
Chris Rolfe and Andy Herron vs. Jeff Parke, Marvell Wynne, Carlos Mendes, and Todd Dunivant (and Jon Conway). Herron (8 goals) and Rolfe (6) account for over a third of the Fire's 39 goals. Chicago's offense has been on... well, has been really strong of late, hitting for 13 goals in the club's last 10 games, including USOC matches. Herron has four game-winners on the year, but has yet to find the net against New York in three matches this season. The Red Bulls have given up seven goals in the last three games. Advantage: Chicago

New York's attackers vs. The Fire defense:
John Wolyniec and Youri Djorkaeff vs. C.J. Brown, Tony Sanneh, and Dasan Robinson (and Matt Pickens). Three goals against DC last week were nice, but none came from New York's starting forwards. Woly has cooled off significantly since the 6-0 RSL game. Youri looks like he's ready to head back to Paris. Chicago, despite its graying back line, has allowed only five goals in its last seven matches. Advantage: Chicago

The Midfielders:
New York's Markus Schopp, Amado Guevara, Danny O'Rourke, and Dema Kovalenko vs. Chicago's Justin Mapp, Chris Armas, Diego Gutierrez, Gonzalo Segares, and Thiago. While Guevara is in terrific form after his two goal, one assist perfomance in DC, and Schopp will be more comfortable with his mates, the Fire's mix of up-and-comers and veterans have stronger help both in front and behind them. Advantage: Chicago.

The Coaches:
Bruce Arena vs. Dave Sarachan. The "master" in this relationship was able to motivate his team to a competitive match last week against a better team. Sarachan "the student" is riding high after beating LA for another piece of hardware for the Fire. Advantage: Push

Intangibles:
In my mind, the only way the Red Bulls win this game is if Chicago, realizing they have little to play for, and still in celebration mode from their USOC win on Wednesday, decides to take the night off. If Arena can get his forwards motivated, there is a chance, however small, for an upset. Advantage: New York

The Prediction: Chicago is 4-1 in it's last 5 league games. Over the same span, NY is 1-4. Chicago wins, 2-0.


Television Weekend
Lots, lots, lots on the tube this weekend (all times ET):

SATURDAY, Sept. 30
9:30pm: GER: Wolfsburg-Bayern Munich, GOL
10:00am: ENG: Chelsea-Aston Villa, FSC
12noon: ENG: Sheffield United-Middlesbrough, FSC
12noon: ITA: Atalanta-Reggina, GOL
2:00pm: GER: Werder Bremen-Moenchengladbach, GOL
2:15pm: ENG: Everton-Manchester City, FSC
4:00pm: ESP: Atletico Bilbao-Barcelona, GOL
5:00pm: ITA: Torino-Lazio, FSC
6:00pm: MEX: Atlante-Chiapas, GALA
6:00pm: BRA: Paranaenese-Sao Paulo, GOL
7:00pm: USL1: Championship: Rochester-Vancouver, FSC
7:30pm: MLS: New York - Chicago, MSG, HDNet
7:30pm: MLS: New England-Colorado, DK
8:00pm; MEX: Chivas-Club America, TELEF
8:30pm: MLS: Houston-DC United, DK
8:30pm: MLS: Kansas City-Real Salt Lake, DK
8:30pm: COL: Ind. Medellin-Once Caldas, GOL
10:00pm: MEX: Necaxa-UAG, GALA
10:30pm: MLS: Los Angeles-Chivas USA, DK

SUNDAY, Oct. 1
9:00am: ITA: Cagliari-Inter Milan, FSC
9:00am: ITA: AC Milan-Siena, GOL
11:00am: ENG: Tottenham-Portsmouth, FSC
12noon: ESP: Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid, GOL
1:00pm: MEX: Toluca-Veracruz, UNI
2:00pm: GER: Hertha Berlin-Stuttgart, GOL
2:00pm: NCAAW: Texas vs. Oklahoma, ESPNU
3:00pm: ARG: Boca Juniors-Velez Sarsfield, FSC
4:00pm: ESP: Valencia-Gimnastic, GOL
4:00pm: USA: WNT-Chinese Taipei, ESPN2
6:30pm: COL: Millonarios-Chico, GOL
9:30pm: ITA: Roma-Empoli, GOL

Carny #5: Metaphor League Soccer

Jeff Bull of It's a Simple Game is hosting the fifth installment of the Carnival of American Soccer.

The question at hand from an MLS noob...

"I need to get into MLS to understand who all the teams are and the relative hierarchy..."

Well, MLS fan-to-be, here's one man's attempt at putting it in perspective for you, in alphabetical order...

Chicago Fire = Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
They showed up on the scene and won, quickly. The 'Lanche's title in their first season nicely mirrors the Fire's 1998 inaugural season championship. Chicago has frequently challenged for the MLS Cup, and has a bitter rival in FC Dallas just as the NHL's Denver club has intense games with the Detroit Red Wings.

Chivas USA = Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
Here's a relatively new club (discounting Memphis' tenure in Vancouver) that is in its second season, is making all the right moves, and appears headed for a playoff berth. I doubt the Grizzlies draw a huge Mexican crowd in NBA cities as Chivas does, but I believe that "The Chivas Way" will deliver a championship to the LA-based club in the next three years.

Colorado Rapids = Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)
Um, they're ok, but just as Toronto has finished in the middle of the AL East for the last five seasons or so, the Rapids have a similar track record of playing bland seasons which aren't awful, but aren't good enough to contend for a title. A true vanilla team with little personality.

Columbus Crew = Tampa Bay Devil Rays (MLB)
Ecch. Here's a team in a small market that has a stupid name, draws few fans, has little history of success, no stars, and a small payroll. The Crew does have the first soccer-specific stadium in the US, which gets it exactly one brownie point. When the US plays Mexico in Columbus Crew stadium, it's a big deal. As of late, however, there's nothing to be excited about this Crew.

DC United = Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)
A recent return to championship form for MLS' most successful franchise. A franchise player in Freddy Adu a la Pittsburgh's Big Ben (though Freddy doesn't ride motorcycles). Both clubs are lethal when in form, have iconic coaches, and strong fan followings. Both are usually the teams to beat. DC is currently seeking "one for the thumb."

FC Dallas = Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Both have silly names. Both are quality teams. Both have distinctive uniforms. Neither have won a championship. Both have relatively new arenas outside of more populous cities. FCD will be trying to reach the league final in its own house for the second straight year. They could just do it.

Houston Dynamo = Tennessee Titans (NFL)
Forgetting the NFL club's poor start to the season, the Dynamo is a good club with a history of success that left town for greener pastures. The Steve McNair/Eddie George era Titans are a nice mirror to the Dynamo's Dwayne DeRosario and Brian Ching. Houston/San Jose has two league titles to the Tennessee/Houston's none.

Kansas City Wizards = the 1985 Chicago Bears (NFL)
The 2000 Wizards and the Super Bowl Shuffle Bears each won their lone titles with stifling defenses. Though Da Bears have been on an upswing of late in their re-made Soldier Field, the Wizards, currently hoping for a new home of their own, have taken a downturn of late. KC is in danger of missing the MLS playoffs for the second straight year... which is hard to do in MLS.

Los Angeles Galaxy = San Francisco Giants (MLB)
Both clubs have a superstar that people even love or hate. Sure, Landon Donovan hasn't been accused of taking steroids a la Barry Bonds, but Donovan's lack of desire to push himself in a top European league stunts the US National Team star's development as a player, hurting the US' chances in future World Cups. This in turn pisses a lot of people off. The Galaxy have won two recent league titles, something SF can't boast.

New York Red Bulls = Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
Yecch. Both of these teams have histories of being miserable both on and off the field. The former MetroStars have had 10 head coaches in 11 seasons. They've never advanced to the league title match. However, as with the Cardinals, a new infusion of cash and a new home (for NY, to open in 2008) portend better days ahead.

New England Revolution = Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
The Revs have recently improved against their history of bad form to become one of MLS' top clubs. New England has reached two MLS Cup Finals in the past five seasons, but have been unable to win the big one. While the Revs don't have a transcendent player a la Peyton Manning, the club does have a cadre of stars (Clint Dempsey, Taylor Twellman, Pat Noonan) that can score at any time.

Real Salt Lake = Houston Texans (NFL)
RSL is a new club in its second season. They haven't had success on the field with a roster full of aging stars, but they have attracted large crowds. As with the NFL, however, clubs can radically re-tool from season to season and may be a force in years to come.

Red Bulls Tonight: Opportunity Knocks

Without playmaker Amado Guevara, the Red Bulls didn't look all that great during Saturday's 1-0 win versus Columbus. Guevara and newly-signed midfielder Markus Schopp will be on the field tonight in the Toro Rossos' key match vs. New England at the Swamp (7:30pm on FSNY and FSNE). Here's how the Eastern Conference currently stands:

Team, Pts, GD, (matches to play)
1. X - DC United, 51 +16 (3h/1a)
2. Chicago, 41, +4 (2h/2a)
3. New England, 35, -2 (3h/2a)
4. Kansas City, 33, -2 (2h/2a)
------------------------------
5. New York, 32, +2 (3h/2a)
6. Columbus, 26, -16 (3h/1a)

With a win, New York can leap frog over idle Kansas City and the Revs into third place in the Eastern standings. Here's a breakdown of tonight's key matchups:

The New England forwards vs. The Red Bulls' back line:
Jose Manuel Abundis and Taylor Twellman vs. Jeff Parke, Marvell Wynne, Seth Stammler, and Todd Dunivant (and Jon Conway). Former Mexican NT player Abundis should get his first start for the Revs. New England's Dempsey and Twellman (14 goals between them) have not been as productive as in past years due to Dempsey's absence for World Cup duty. Much has been made about Dempsey's desire to leave MLS for Europe, and while Deuce did hit the net in the Revs' last match vs. DC, it was only his first MLS goal since July 4th. The Revs have only scored three goals in their last six league games. The Red Bulls have been decent on defense of late, allowing only six goals in the club's last seven matches. Dunivant's return from an injury should lift the club. New York's Carlos Mendes is out with yellow card points. Advantage: New York

New York's attackers vs. The Revs' defense:
John Wolyniec and Edson Buddle vs. Avery John, Michael Parkhurst, and Jay Heaps (and Matt Reis). Despite Wolyniec's tenacity and Buddle's skill, Red Bull fans know that striker is one position that Coach Bruce Arena will be looking to improve for next season. Mike Magee is out serving a suspension, so look to last week's teen hero, Jozy Altidore, to come off the bench to deliver a late spark. Remove New England's embarrassing 0-3 loss at Columbus on September 2nd, and the Revs have allowed two goals in their last five games. Note that only I may find interesting: Jay Heaps has appeared in 226 league matches. Amazing. Advantage: New England

The Midfielders:
New York's Markus Schopp, Dema Kovalenko, Amado Guevara, and Youri Djorkaeff vs. New England's Troll Franchino, Andy Dorman, Clint Dempsey, Jeff Larentowicz, and Steve Ralston. With the UN General Assembly gathered in New York, it's appropriate that the Red Bulls go with all-international midfield. The 6'2" Schopp certainly won't be at 100% in d-mid in his first MLS game (Danny O'Rourke may play depending on Schopp's fitness). Dempsey moves to midfield for the injured Shalrie Joseph. The Revs midfield (short of Larentowicz) is a veteran solid group that's played as a unit all season long. Advantage: New England

The Coaches:
Bruce Arena vs. Steve Nicol. After watching and listening to Il Bruce these last few weeks, one surmises that NY is mailing in this season ahead of a major retooling in 2007. Still, it has been an historic week in Red Bulls history, and perhaps Arena will push his team hard. Nicol is Scottish, yes, but his team is only 2-2-5 in its last nine MLS games. Advantage: Push

Intangibles:
New York has a two-year reprieve on hearing "60-90 days"... until inevitable weather delays hold up the opening of Red Bull Park in the Summer of 2008. At least the Revs will be playing in front of thousands of empty seats instead of a massive blue tarp. Advantage: New York

The Prediction: The lack of cohesion between the Red Bull midfielders will give the Revs the advantage. New England wins, 1-0.

First Hand Account: Red Bull Park Groundbreaking

A link to photos of today's event can be found at the bottom of this post.

Politicians, soccer executives, media members and hundreds of Red Bull fans gathered in Harrison, NJ today to celebrate the groundbreaking to Red Bull Park, the first component of a $1 billion redevelopment of the Hudson County town across the Passaic River from Newark.

The trip from midtown Manhattan took about 35 minutes to get to Harrison on the PATH train with a change of trains in Journal Square. The Harrison station, which is to undergo a $50 million facelift, left little to be desired, and the ten-minute walk to the stadium site took fans past energy substations and construction parking lots. A decades-old brick wall down the left side of the street gave way to a four-story abandoned warehouse, where signs and red and yellow balloons directed visitors around the corner to a full-on construction site where bulldozers sat at the ready and construction workers surveyed the land.

A "Welcome to the Site of Red Bull Park" sign greeted visitors, and a samba drummer and two bikini-clad samba dancers entertained fans waiting for the program to begin. A bulldozer and soccer goal with Red Bull park signs on them awaited the golden ceremonial shovels. Longtime Metro and Red Bulls fans mingled with Shep Messing, Bogie of the Cosmos, and Nick Sakiewicz, to whom the day clearly belonged.

Three large tents kept most the crowd out of the hot midday sun. Fernando Fiero of Univison's Republica Deportiva had made the trip from Miami to emcee the program. Fiero professed to being a "Jersey Boy," who arrived in the US from Argentina in 1980 with little English, and settled in Hoboken before his success in the Hispanic media world. He told the crowd that MLS was his favorite soccer league, and added that he missed his beloved Miami Fusion. His love of the league may more to do with Univision's new MLS contract, however, than his passion for American futbol.

Nick Sakiewicz was next to speak, and he noted the trials and tribulations he'd experienced since launching the stadium effort in 2000. Love him or hate him, Sakiewicz has stuck with the project through the days that it seemed unlikely to materialize. Sakiewicz noted that Red Bull's infusion of cash made it possible for the project to move forward. One wonders if Uncle Phil would have made the project a reality if Red Bull had not stepped up in March to purchase the team.

Numerous NJ politicos got their moment in the sun, including former Governor Richard Codey, who kicked off with a few off-color jabs at his disgraced predecessor Jim McGreevey.

MLS Commissioner Garber noted the day's importance for the future of MLS and American Soccer, and confirmed that the league would have 16 teams by the 2010 season.

Sadly, it was time to head back to work before I could see the shovels hit the dirt, but camera crews from SNY, NJN, and channels 7 and 47 were on hand to record the event and surely will have coverage tonight, as well as the major print media for tomorrow's papers.

It's a new era for Red Bull. Here's to hoping the investment of the field will be matched by an investment on the field.

Click here to see photos of today's event.

9/19/06: When the Shovels Hit the Ground

Since 2000, the team formerly known as the MetroStars have been trying to build a home of their own. Six years after stating their intentions, AEG and Red Bull say they will begin construction of Red Bull Park in Harrison, NJ, on September 19th which, I must note, is only 38 days (not 60, not 90) from today. Given the delays that the Harrison project have endured since the turn of the century, fans of the team have learned to take such proclamations from former Metro GM Nick Sakiewicz as... well... untruths. However, the involvement of Red Bull seems to have pushed the project into the land of reality. The latest stadium rendering is nothing short of beautiful. The timing of the release, late on the day before the Red Bulls take on Barcelona, should provide some powerful press for the Saturday newspapers. Have a nice weekend, indeed.

Eurosnobs and MLS Fans: Happy Together?

Ives Galarcep has a terrific piece on Soccernet today about the need to unite American soccer fans of both the Euro and domestic game. It's a must read. So read it, please.

What a Week We're Having

Massive crowds in LA, Seattle, and Houston. A sellout in Chicago. MLS squads standing toe-to-toe with the top teams of Europe. The past week has been a nice transition from the World Cup back into the European season, while at the same time letting the public know that MLS clubs still have a few months left to play.

Huge props to Seattle Sounders owner Adrian Hanuer for driving 60,000+ fans to Qwest field for the DC-Real Madrid match in with only two weeks advance notice. Shame there isn't more support for the hometown Sounders, but it seems that savvy Seattle soccer fans will come out for a quality product, and they don't perceive the USL1 as providing that quality.

More than 70,000 tickets have been sold for New York-Barca tomorrow night at Giants Stadium, and walk-up sales could make the match a sell-0ut. Here's hoping that NY doesn't completely stink up the joint, as they're so prone to doing in front of large crowds.

Nice photo op yesterday when NBA MVP Steve Nash took part in the Red Bulls practice. You'd think it'd be just as easy for Nash to practice with Barcelona instead.

Down the Stretch
With two months to go in the MLS regular season, the five Eastern clubs behind DC United will be fighting for three playoff spots. Here's how the standings look, including remaining games:

Team, Pts, GD, (matches to play)
1. DC United, 45, +19 (6h/5a)
2. New England, 28, +0 (7h/3a)
3. New York, 24, -3 (6h/6a)
4. Chicago, 22, -2 (8h/5a)
------------------------------
5. Kansas City, 22, -6 (6h/5a)
6. Columbus, 20, -12 (7h/4a)

Who's hot: NY, 3-0-1 in last 4 matches
Who's um, lukewarm: NE, 0-0-4 in last 4 matches (NE now has 10 draws, tops in MLS)

Bizarre
Due to the lightning storm which cancelled the Fire/Wizards Open Cup match on Aug. 2nd, the two clubs will play the 4th Round match Monday, August 14th in Bridgeview, then play a league match Wednesday, August 16th... in Bridgeview. Hmm...

Your Weekend Television Schedule (ET):

Saturday, August 12th

9:30am: GER: Schalke 04-Eintracht Frankfurt, GOL

11:30am: GER: Hamburg-Armenia Bielefeld, GOL

5:00pm: BRA: Corinthians-Figueirense, GOL

6:00pm: MEX: Monterrey-Pachuca, GALA

7:30pm: EXH: New York-Barcelona, FSC, DK

8:00pm: COL: Nacional-Tolima, GOL

8:00pm: MEX: Chivas-Santos, TELEF

8:30pm: MLS: Chicago-Chivas USA, DK

8:30pm: MLS: Kansas City-Columbus, DK

9:00pm: MLS: Colorado-Los Angeles, HDNet, DK

9:30pm: EXH: Salt Lake-Real Madrid, FSC

10:00pm: HON: Marathon-Hispano, GOL

10:00pm: MEX: Necaxa-Toluca, GALA

11:30pm: PDL: Final: Laredo-Michigan (delay), FSC

12mid: MLS: Houston-FC Dallas (delay), ESPN2

Sunday, August 13^th

10:00am: ENG: Chelsea-Liverpool, FA Community Shield, FSC

11:00am: GER: Hannover-Werder Bremen, GOL

1:00pm: ECU: Aucas-El Nacional, GOL

1:00pm: MEX: UNAM-Veracruz, UNI

3:00pm: ARG: Velez Sarsfield-Racing, FSC

3:00pm: BRA: Cruzeiro-Fluminense, GOL

5:00pm: MEX: Club America-Tigres, TELEF

5:30pm: ELS: L.A.Firpo-Vista Hermosa, GOL

7:30pm: COL: Millonarios-America, GOL

Hank Evans...

The Kin of Fish will be away for a few weeks. Having a beautiful baby girl will do that to a guy.

All Aboard the Red Bull Train

Two wins in a row and there's some real momentum around the Red Bulls heading into Saturday's home match vs. The Wiz, under new head coach (and former Metro) Brian Bliss. With a win and help, New York can solidify their renaissance under interim head coach Richie Williams. Here's a preview...

The Kansas City forwards vs. The Red Bulls' back line:
Eddie Johnson and Josh Wolff vs. Jeff Parke, Carlos Mendes, Marvell Wynne and Seth Stammler (and Jon Conway). KC's two national-team forwards should be melding together, though the two each have only two goals in their nine MLS games to date this season. Even with the World Cup assignment, defender Jose Burciaga should be the leading scorer on this club. The Red Bulls have posted back to back shutouts for the first time in three years, albeit against the league's bottom feeders. It's hard to imagine a shutout against such talented strikers, but NY has the hot hand here, even moreso if Todd Dunivant gets on the field. Advantage: New York

New York's attackers vs. The Wizards defense:
Jean Philippe Peguero and Edson Buddle vs. Tyson Wahl, Nick Garcia, Jimmy Conrad, and Jose Burciaga (and Bo Oshoniyi). The JPP scoring drought is now seven games long. Perhaps opposing defenses are keying on him. Buddle had a beautiful diagonal pass to set up NY's first goal on Wednesday in Columbus, but neither NY striker is in stellar form right now. The Wizards have a veteran defense anchored by World Cup vet Jimmy Conrad, though KC has let in 26 goals in 18 games, 2nd worst in the league. Advantage: Push

The Midfielders:
New York's Danny O'Rourke, Chris Henderson, Amado Guevara, and Mike Magee vs. Kansas City's Alex Zotinca, Sasha Victorine, Kerry Zavagnin, and Lance Watson. Yes, Chris Henderson is old. Yes, he did score a fantastic goal from a crazy angle in Columbus on Wednesday. No, he can't seem to serve crosses of any quality whatsoever. Amado continues to heat up like Vinny(The Microwave) Johnson. For KC's veteran midfield, the coaching change may be wake-up call to get them going. I don't think so. Advantage: New York

The Coaches:
Richie Williams vs. Brian Bliss. ABMOD has his side believing they can win. Bliss will be trying to ignite a moribund team that has only one win in its last seven games... in the Open Cup vs. the not-so-terrifying Des Moines Menace of the PDL. Advantage: New York

Intangibles:
NY is gunning for its first three-game winning streak this season. Will the new optimism around the team translate to fans in the stands? KC should get a boost from its new head coach, but Red Bulls may just be for real. Advantage: New York.

The Prediction: A blissful night in the swamp eludes KC. New York wins 2-1.

Television Man
Here's the best soccah on the tube this weekend (all times et)...

Saturday, July 22
4:00pm: MLS: Colorado-Los Angeles, ESPN2
5:00pm: BRA: Fluminense-Sao Caetano, GOL
7:30pm: MLS: New York-Kansas City, FSNY, HDNet, DK
8:00pm: COL: Independiente Santa Fe-Chico, GOL
8:30pm: MLS: Chicago-DC United, CSN, DK
8:30pm: MLS: Houston-New England, FSH, WLVI, DK
10:00pm: MLS: Real Salt Lake-FC Dallas, FSSW, DK

Sunday, July 23
1:00pm: ECU: Deportivo Quito-LDU, GOL
3:00pm: BRA: Ponte Preta, Sao Paulo, GOL
7:00pm: COL: America-Bucaramanga, GOL

Arena Football, Game One

Ok, so Bruce Arena will watch tonight’s Red Bulls-Crew match on a very expensive flat-screen TV somewhere in NYC or Virginia. Still, it’s not wrong to say that the Arena era begins this evening in Cow-town. Here’s a brief preview.

The Columbus forwards vs. The Red Bulls’ back line:
Kei Kamara, Jacob Thomas, and Eddie Gaven vs. Jeff Parke, Carlos Mendes, Marvell Wynne and Seth Stammler (and Jon Conway). Kamara, the Crew’s scoring leader with three goals, has had a strong rookie season. Thomas is spending his first season in MLS after eight years in the lower German leagues. Gaven (I’d imagine) wants to play well vs. his former club. The NY defense posted a shutout last time out against a poor Colorado team. Look for Conway to have another good performance. Advantage: New York

New York’s attackers vs. The Crew’s defense:
Jean Philippe Peguero and Edson Buddle vs. Ritchie Kotschau, Chad Marshall, and Chris Leitch (and Noah Palmer). After a torrid start to his Red Bull tenure, JPP is suddenly immune to goal scoring, having failed to hit the net in his last six matches. Buddle continues to be a mild disappointment. For the Crew, Kotschau is in his 43^rd season in the league, Marshall’s a real USMNT prospect down the road, and Leitch will do his pit bull routine all night. Palmer has had a solid 1.22 GAA. Advantage: Push

The Midfielders:
New York’s Danny O’Rourke, Chris Henderson, Amado Guevara, and Mike Magee vs. Columbus’ Ezra Hendrickson, Leonard Bisaku, Jose Retiz, and Tim Ward. I have never heard of Bisaku or Retiz, but they did turn out a positive effort against DC over the weekend. As for the Red Bull boys, Magee has come on over the last few weeks, and while Youri is still AWOL, Amado gets to run the show like the old days. Advantage: New York

The Coaches:
Sigi Schmid vs. Richie Williams. It’s got to be a little strange for ABMOD tonight, but he certainly wants to build a little momentum ahead of the future Arena era. Sigi is building for the future, and should have his young charges ready to go. Experience points push the ad into his column. Advantage: Columbus

Intangibles:
The Red Bulls will all be putting their best foot forward for their future coach, watching from 800 miles away. For the first time in months, they won’t be wondering if their head coach will be sticking around. He will be. He’ll just be demoted. Advantage: New York.

The Prediction:
Optimism reigns! New York wins 2-0.

That’s Amore!

First Italy wins the World Cup, then the Red Bulls hire an Italian coach. In between, the Italian karma was working big time in Santa Barbara, CA, last Wednesday, when amateur Dallas side Roma FC took the biggest scalp in US Open Cup history, knocking off Chivas USA of MLS in pks after a scoreless draw. While Roma (the club) is overjoyed, Chivas coach Bob Bradley has got to have big-time egg on his face. While the USOC suffers from a lack of attention among US soccer fans, the loss is a huge smack in the face of MLS… which is what makes the Cup such a great tournament. Roma is back in LA to face the Galaxy in the fourth round on August 1^st.

USOC Third Round Results on July 12th:
Michigan Bucks (IV) 1:4 Columbus Crew (I)
Wilmington Hammerheads (III) 2:1 Atlanta Silverbacks (II)
Chivas USA (I) 0:0 (4-2 pks) Dallas Roma FC (Amateur)
Carolina Dynamo (IV) 3:2 Seattle Sounders (II)
Kansas City Wizards (I) 2:1 Des Moines Menace (IV)
Rochester Rhinos (II) 5:1 New Hampshire Phantoms (III)
Real Salt Lake (I) 2:1 Virginia Beach Mariners (II)
Charleston Battery (I) 3:1 Portland Timbers (I)

USOC Fourth Round Matches on August 1^st-2^nd:
DC United – Columbus
LA Galaxy-Roma FC (Amateur)
Wilmington Hammerheads (III)-New York
Rochester Rhinos (II)-New England
Houston-Carolina Dynamo (IV)… Go, um, Dynamo!
Chicago-Kansas City
Real Salt Lake-Colorado
Portland (II)-FC Dallas

"I Want to Work for Red Bull"

I’ve mentioned in the past that MLS is the fan- friendiest league in the country. Today "friendly" was taken to the next level, as yours truly got to ask former US head coach and current Red Bull “Sporting Director” a number of questions during his welcome press conference at Mr. Cindy Crawford’s swanky Stone Rose Lounge at NYC’s glitzy Time Warner Center.

Bruce Arena showed up 45 minutes late to his own party, allowing the city’s soccer media (including Michael Lewis, Jack Bell, Brian Lewis, Ives Galarcep, Jane Havsy, Steve Cangelosi, and Paul Gardner) and a few hard-core fans the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of steamy Columbus Circle and Central Park on the hottest day of the summer. Gorgeous waitresses handed out Kobe beef skewers, spicy tuna rolls, mushroom crostini, etc. etc. while we waited… and waited. Had the Metros/Red Bulls karma thrown Arena under a bus on the way to his press conference? We wondered.

Finally, Arena the Bruce was there along with Red Bull Managing Director Marc deGrandpre, who looked like he wasn’t super comfortable in the relative glare of the media.

Nuggets we learned:

Arena was “fairly certain” he didn’t want to come back to MLS after his US tenure, but Red Bulls advances, which started about 30 days ago (which would be during the US’ World Cup run) were “very intriguing.” The team and the coach came to terms about 2 weeks ago.

Arena didn’t think a team the likes that Red Bull is planning “could be built” within MLS, but the Austrian drink makers have been able to convince him of their "vision."

Red Bull fans shouldn’t expect many on-field changes this season. “There’s only so much we can do this year," said Arena. “We’re not in a position to acquire [players] through the transfer window,” he added, and said that changes would “most likely will be made in the offseason.” Arena noted that the club plans to have a strong team in place for the 2008 Harrison Stadium opening.

Arena did mention a number of current Red Bulls that he was impressed with, including Guevara (“one of the top midfielders in the league”), Dunivant, Wynne, Mendes, O’Rourke (“a ton of potential”), Peguero, Buddle, and Stammler. As for missing midfielder Youri Djorkaeff, Arena noted that “the old regime” had the relationship with the French World Cup champion, so Djorkaeff’s future with the club may be in doubt.

Arena knows better than anyone just how good an MLS side can be, though he noted that “this isn’t the Cosmos. This is the league where Americans play.” He was optimistic about the future, however. “Ten years down the road," he added, "this league looks different.”

Current assistant coach Richie Williams and goalkeeping coach Des McAleenan will be staying on with the Red Bulls, and Arena will be bringing on another assistant coach, a fitness director, a “technical director,” and possibly another coach.

Arena’s first game behind the bench will be the August 12^th tilt vs. European champion Barcelona, and he’ll be relaxing & moving his team from Virginia to the NY area before getting with the team on the practice field by August 7^th.

deGrandpre noted that Arena will have input on the locker rooms and training facilities at the widely rumored (and delayed) Harrison Stadium project. deGrandpre said that final designs were “a few weeks away," which caused some audible eye-rolls in the crowd, and added that 100% of the seats in the stadium designs would be covered. A heated field, which would allow the club to play through the winter, was also a possibility. The Managing Director told the crowd that the stadium, when built, would be the premier [soccer] training facility in the US. Mmm-hmm.

While it was a positive start for Arena is New York, it’s obvious that the rest of this season is not to be taken too seriously by team management. With the Red Bulls only three points out of a playoff spot, avoiding DC United in round one should be the focus of this club down the stretch. Hopefully Arena’s signing will help sell some tickets & generate some buzz around a franchise that has consistently underperformed.

And away we go. Again.

Upsetting an Icon

Romario, the Brazilian World Cup champion and goal-scoring Lothario who’s slumming in South Beach this summer with Miami FC, got quite a shock last night in the US Open Cup’s second round in the Dallas suburbs. Taking on amateur side Dallas Roma FC, USL1 Miami suffered a pk call in the match’s ten minute, and went down 0-1 when Roma’s John Waters converted for the hosts. Roma then played eighty minutes of bunker ball to score the most significant upset in the USOC’s MLS (post-1996) era.

The win sets up the first-ever matchup between an amateur (USASA) side and an MLS club, as Dallas Roma now heads to Los Angeles to take on Chivas USA. Other Cup upsets last night include 3 amateur PDL (Div. IV) victories, including:

• Last year’s cup darlings, the Des Moines Menace, overcoming the USL1’s (Div. II) Minnesota Thunder 1-0 in the twin cities
• The homestanding Michigan Bucks beating the USL2’s (Div. III) Cincinnati Kings, 2-1
• The Carolina Dynamo taking the USL2’s Richmond Kickers, 1-0, in Greensboro, NC

Third Round matchups, to be played July 12^th (League Level)

Michigan Bucks (IV) – Columbus Crew (I)
Wilmington Hammerheads (III)-Atlanta Silverbacks (II)
Chivas USA (I)-Dallas Roma FC (Amateur)
Carolina Dynamo (IV)-Seattle Sounders (II)
Kansas City Wizards (I)-Des Moines Menace (IV)
Rochester Rhinos (II)-New Hampshire Phantoms (III)
Real Salt Lake (I)-Virginia Beach Mariners (II)
Charleston Battery (I)-Portland Timbers (I)

Release

When I look back on the US’ experience in the 2006 World Cup, I won’t focus on the lack of offense, lack of breaks, and lack of discretion the referees showed our boys. I’ll try to forget the fear of Landon Donovan, the injury to Claudio Reyna, and the absence of John O’Brien. What I will remember above all that negative karma is the one, pure moment of unadulterated joy for our Yanks, the moment that Clint Dempsey introduced himself to the global soccer community. What I’ll remember was the moment that The Deuce blistered a perfectly-served ball from DaMarcus Beasley past Ghana keeper Richard Kingson to bring the US level in their final group match. Dempsey’s strike set off celebrations from Nuremburg to Hawaii. All the frustration of the Czech debacle and Italian stalemale was momentarily erased by the man from Nacogdoches. While the quality of Clint’s goal dance was debatable, it was the certain fury of his shot that allowed all of US soccer fandom to scream for joy, unabashedly. For that, I thank him, and Beasley, for providing a moment of pure soccer bliss.

Ch-ch-changes

Mo’s out. ABMOD’s in. Dunivant’s in. August 15^th’s out as Red Bull Park’s groundbreaking. September 16^th is in. Over/Under for tonight’s home match: 5,000 fans. Yawn. Wake me when the Red Bulls are worth watching.

Yes, Virginia, There Will Be Soccer Today

Though the World Cup has it’s first day off since June 9^th, there’s plenty of stateside soccer going down tonight, including the second round of the 2006 US Open Cup. Brazilian Football legend Romario and his Miami FC club take on amateur side Roma FC in the Dallas suburbs in what could be the night’s biggest mismatch. Here’s tonight’s schedule, with links to audio broadcasts of selected Cup matches, courtesy of the good folks at USOpenCup.com. Enjoy.

Tonight's Schedule (Times EDT):
7:30pm: MLS: New York – Columbus, MSG, DK
7:30pm: MLS: New England – FC Dallas, FSNE, FSSW, DK
7:30pm: US Open Cup: Charleston (USL1) – Sonoma County (USASA)
7:30pm: US Open Cup: Wilmington, NC (USL2) – Virginia Beach (USL1)
7:30pm: US Open Cup: Michigan (PDL) – Cincinnati (USL2)
7:30pm: US Open Cup: Carolina (PDL) – Richmond (USL2)
7:30pm: US Open Cup: New Hampshire (USL2) – Milford Int’l of CT (USASA)
8:00pm: US Open Cup: Minnesota (USL1) – Des Moines (PDL)
8:30pm: MLS: Kansas City – DC United
8:30pm: US Open Cup: Roma FC of Dallas (USASA) – Miami FC (USL1)
9:00pm: MLS: Chicago – Salt Lake, FS Utah, DK
10:30pm: MLS: Chivas USA – Houston, FSPT, DK

Rollercoaster

Regardless of the US result tomorrow, the first round of the World Cup has been a fantastic ride. I won’t soon forget watching our boys get stomped by the Czechs with veteran Red Bull defender Steve Jolley at a jam-packed Stout Pub in NYC.

Steve is a big reason why MLS remains one of the fan-friendliest leagues around. Imagine watching the US basketball team in the Olympics with members of the Knicks! On that day, Jolley was just a US fan like the rest of us, and offered some great insight on the US players, the Red Bulls, and his stint in Dallas. After the US match, Steve, Metro/RB diehard fan Joe Tiernan, and our new Aussie pal Felicity and I made it over to the Molly Wee pub on 8^th Avenue to watch Italy-Ghana. Leaving the soccer-friendly confines of Stout brought us back into the real world, as a bunch of barflies were giving us crap about rooting for the US in the World Cup.

Questions we fielded:

• Is Pele still playing?
• Is that guy Ronaldo... um, Nehemiah still on Brazil?
• So the US is out of it now, right?
• Why don’t Americans like soccer?

Ugh. Baby steps, people.

Saturday’s Italy match was a different story. Arena once again proved to be a master motivator, and the US fans were in fantastic voice. The Deuce was huge, and I was so impressed with Gooch and Jimmy Conrad. After watching the epic US-Italy match at a pal’s in Brooklyn, we headed to the Mets game. There were a surprising number of US jerseys in the crowd, and as I had my Gooch #22 on, quite a few folks approached me to find out the result. A few more who had watched the match wondered aloud why Arena had left Eddie Johnson on the bench. I wondered, and still do, as well.

Which brings us to tomorrow. I’ll be back at Stout, where the place should be packed once again. With all four Group E teams needing a win, the morning should be fantastic. With a little luck, the US journey will continue. Enjoy, folks.

Ready to Go

Wallydrag of Passion Thy Name is Soccer has done US fandom a solid by bypassing the Fed and producing the pictured flag now proudly hanging from the House of Fish in suburban New Jersey.

Talk about user-generated content! For all those in the NY Metro area, you're more than welcome to join me and the Empire Supporters Club at Stout on 33rd Street, just East of 7th Avenue, tomorrow to watch the US open World Cup play vs. the Czechs. I'll be in my Gooch jersey & DTOM hat. The first three "fans" that find me and mention The Kin of Fish win a Nike "Jogo Bonito" box with poster and Nike ID gift card. Only 15 hours to go!

Reason Alone to Watch

Nothing like a big, international sporting event to get the heart wrenching stories of athletes’ perseverance out in the open. As if US Soccer fandom needs another reason to watch the Nats on Monday, check out this story on the Deuce himself, Clint Dempsey. ESPN’s Wayne Drehs does an amazing job telling the story of the kid from Nacogdoches, TX. I dare you not well up while reading about Clint and his mom, Debbie. Good stuff.

Ja, It’s On

Congrats to the Germans for opening the World Cup in style. Torsten Frings has few fans in the US after Japan/Korea, but his 40-yard bomb to close out the Krauts’ 4-2 win over Costa Rica was a thing of beauty.

Oh, What A Feeling!

Chicago Fire broadcaster and sports attendance junkie Kenn Tomasch has some great photos of the new and newly-named Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL, two days ahead of the $98million soccer-specific stadium's “soft opening” match between the Fire vs. New England. When’s that Red Bull Park groundbreaking, again? Hmm?

The League, The League

New York (1-2-6) hosts the Houston Dynamo (5-3-2) at the Swamp on Saturday night. The over/under on attendance is 7,000 fans. The silence has been deafening from the Red Bull marketing machine since the April 8^th home opener. It’s truly embarrassing.

Here are my thoughts on what to expect:

The Houston forwards vs. The Red Bulls’ back line:
Ronald Cerritos and Alejandro Moreno vs. Jeff Parke, Carlos Mendes and Steve Jolley (and Tony Meola). The absence of US Nat Brian Ching is massive here. The Houston forwards have scored one (1) goal in over twelve hundred minutes of play. The New York defense has allowed two (2) goals in the last one hundred and eighty minutes of play (and one pk), or one per game. That’s Houston: 1 goal scored per 13 games; New York, 1 goal allowed per 1 game. Advantage: New York

New York’s attackers vs. Houston’s defense:
Jean Philippe Peguero and Youri Djorkaeff vs. Craig Waibel, Ryan Cochrane, Eddie Robinson, Wade Barrett (and Pat Onstad). NY is down with JPP, but Houston’s allowed only a goal per game over its last three contests, a loss and two ties. Advantage: Push

The Midfielders:
New York’s Danny O’Rourke, Chris Henderson, Amado Guevara, and Mark Lisi vs. Houston’s Brian Mullan, Ricardo Clark, Brad Davis, and Dwayne DeRosario. It’s old home night in NJ as former Metros Clark and Davis aim to do a number over their old, um, former club. DeRosario will give O’Rourke fits, and Mullan has seen limited US duty. Once again we wonder which Guevara will show up for the Bulls. Advantage: Houston

The Coaches:
Dominick Kinnear vs. Mo Johnston. Mo is only working with what he has, but he’s got to feel the pressure. I mean six ties in nine games? Kinnear gets a free pass with Chingy in Deutschland. Advantage: Houston

Intangibles:
The Red Bulls should be playing to remain on the roster when the transfer window opens after the World Cup. Houston should be loose and ready to run all night: Advantage Houston.

The Prediction:
I wish I was more bullish on NY (sorry). Houston wins 2-1.

A TV Party (times EDT):

SATURDAY, June 10

9:00am: World Cup: England-Paraguary, ABC, UNI

Noon: World Cup: Trinidad & Tobago-Sweden, ABC, UNI

3:00pm: World Cup: Argentina-Ivory Coast, ESPN2, UNI

7:30pm: MLS: New York-Houston, DK, FSNY

SUNDAY, June 11

9:00am: World Cup: Serbia & Montenegro-Netherlands, ESPN2, UNI

Noon: World Cup: Mexico-Iran, ABC, UNI

3:00pm: World Cup: Angola-Portugal, ESPN2, UNI

6:00pm: MLS: FC Dallas-Chivas USA, HDNet

6:30pm: COL: Deportivo Cali-Once Caldas, GOL

7:00pm: MLS: Chicago-New England, DK, FSNE

8:00pm; MLS: Los Angeles-DC United, DK, CSN, FSW

9:30pm: GUA: Municipal-Marquense, GOL

US Soccer and the Future of Television

US Soccer is one of a host of organizations that have turned to generating their own content (beyond traditional PR) to connect and engage with their fans/customers, and the Fed deserves huge kudos for producing a terrific web TV show from Germany. “Studio 90” has done a fantastic job bringing fans content about the Yanks that the mainstream broadcast, internet, and print outlets simply cannot. Mind you, Studio 90 serves up the party line, so won’t see DaMarcus Beasley’s claim that he’s “irritated” that he doesn’t know where he’ll be playing on the 12th. As long as the ship sails smoothly, however, the added access surely outweighs the lack of "real journalism" on the show. Neil Buethe is growing into his role as host and interviewer as the days roll on, and while the “ad spots” for the team’s online store are as amateur as they come, Studio 90 puts fans right in the middle of the team’s World Cup experience. A blog by the production team, while a little less focused on the players, is a nice addition as well.

If you’re reading this, of course, you know how comparatively little press (World Cup-time excluded) that the US team, and soccer in general, gets in this country. With increased penetration of broadband access here, major media companies are getting into the internet television game. Disney’s ESPN360 (which will show World Cup matches LIVE) and ABC, Viacom’s MTV, Comedy Central, and CBS, and Time-Warner’s CNN are a few, and combined with online-only sites YouTube and Fox's MySpace, IPTV (internet television) has finally become a reality.

Soccer enthusiasts need no longer be reliant on their televisions for their soccer fixes. The internet finally offers fans high-quality live and archived video as well as inside access to the world’s most (and least) popular teams. During this World Cup, Asian and European fans can download game highlights through their cell phones. By 2010, that technology should be stateside as well.

Aside from Studio 90, another piece of US Soccer content which I wholeheartedly recommend is the “Journey to Germany” DVD, available at ussoccerstore.com. The disc does a great job portraying the ups (and very few downs) of the Yanks’ 2005 final World Cup qualifying round. Watching Dr. Bob and Sunil Gulati hanging in the back of the locker room after the US’ clincher vs. Mexico in Columbus, sharing a hug as Bruce congratulates his players, and then running away to avoid a champagne bath was priceless. Added “extra time” features include a special recap of the US-England match, a recap of every goal scored by the US during qualifying.

With the World Cup finally upon on, it’s a great time to be a soccer fan! Enjoy the games, everyone!

Touchdown

This one didn’t score any points, but our Nats touched down in Hamburg today, where they’ll stay and train before trying to bounce the Czechs on June 12. The hard-cores were in full effect yesterday, with BS’ SoccerScout sending off the team at Newark airport. He’s got some great photos and a nice autographed jersey for his effort. You want to talk about geeked out for our boys? Some loons used the web to follow the Nats’ plane overnight last night to Deutschland.

ESPN/ABC sports have the above Landon & Pope billboard (cell phone photo, sorry) up outside Penn Station in NYC.

Nats on the Web
The Deuce is also doing his thing at his newly launched site. Here's a preview:
Keeper Keller has his final blog posting up at CBS Sportsline as well.

Tubin’
ABC Sports has two hour-long soccer shows this weekend: Tomorrow’s look at the top ten American soccer moments, and Sunday’s World Cup Preview. Krauts vs. Ticos now less than a week away! Woo Hoo!

Media Mix

We’re only 8 days away from the biggest party in the soccer world kicking off, and in NYC, the excitement is palpable. Lots of jerseys are visible walking the streets. In the morning walk from Penn Station to midtown, I saw Brazil (x3), England, Portugal, Argentina, France, and Ireland. Mind you, one might see these jerseys any day of the week in the big city, but those wearing them had a little more swagger today. Except for the Irish fan :). Sure wish I could wear my Gooch #22 in the office, but they frown on that here.

The US played a little footy at Chelsea Piers this morning on Good Morning America (cross-promo on the Mouse Network) before jetting off to Deutschland today.

Both ESPN (the magazine) and Sports Illustrated graced us soccer fans with their quadrennial cover story. Neither pub picked the Yanks to escape Group E, which is just as well considering the team’s less-than-dominating performance during last week’s Send-Off-Series. As we all know, greater attention will lead to a greater let-down and derision should the Nats pull a three-and-out.

Big ups to Nike for covering a downtown Hartford parking garage with a US jersey, above (HT: Shelly).

NPR’s Tom Goldman has a nice audio preview of the US team.

Just in time from Steven and Harry Stark comes the “Smart Geopolitical Guide” to the World Cup. Only $2 for the four-book series! Support soccer, folks!

Jaime on High

As a Metro/RB fan, I have nothing but disdain for DC United’s Jaime Moreno, but it’s hard not to give the Bolivian striker his due after becoming only the 2^nd player in MLS history to hit the triple digits in goals in his club’s 5-1 pasting of injury-riddled Columbus last night at RFK. Moreno has truly been a cornerstone of the league since '96.