How disappointing it is to hear that we lost the chance to host the World Cup again. I will be the first to admit that the numbers were compelling for the US. Stadiums are already built. FIFA would make the most money here.

What went wrong?

My good friend and Soccer buddy and I spent the week walking through why the US would not get it. While he was walking through his analysis, I was really trying to put my hands over my ears, screaming, “I can’t hear you! I can’t hear you!”. But alas, he ended up being right and the reasons for not winning could be many.

And, it is not for the reasons that Alexi Lalas declared on ESPN. FIFA is not corrupt, FIFA has a plan to export the game to all corners of the globe.

Let’s walk through a few things. The US should be proud that we changed how World Cups are selected. That’s right, the 1994 World Cup in the United States changed how World Cups were rewarded. Historically, World Cups were rotated between COMNEBOL (South America) and UEFA (Europe) with the exception of Mexico. I am going to say that Mexico is part of COMNEBOL. Their club teams all participate in both Copa Libertadores and Copa Sud Americana.

Before 1994, you could always rely on the games being hosted in those 2 continents. Then, it all changed with USA 1994. UEFA appears to be the only Federation that will host every other World Cup tournament. Here is how it has gone:

1. USA 1994 – North America – 1st outside S. America or Europe. (I exclude Mexico because they are indirectly tied to S. America)
2. France 1998 – UEFA
3. Japan/S. Korea – 2002 – Asia – 1st in Asia
4. Germany – 2006 – UEFA
5. South Africa 2010 – 1st in Africa
6. Brazil 2014 – Brazil CONMEBOL – 1st time in South America since Argentina 1978
7. Russia 2018 – UEFA – 1st WC in Eastern Europe and emerging Russia
8. Qatar 2022 – Middle East – technically part of Asia, but first in Middle East

Guess – China 2026

Sorry, Alexi Lalas, I don’t think it was FIFA corruption that Qatar won. It was part of a plan to continue exporting the game to all parts of the globe. The power of the game is beyond 22 players on a field.

Could Football be the mechanism that integrates the Middle East into the rest of the world? Would it allow us to lower the barrier of differences to unite us in what globally everyone loves? Football.

If we look at the decision from this perspective, it kind of makes sense. As much as it hurst to think the economics of a US bid also makes sense, I think the bigger purpose of the World Cup should serve to bring people together too.

What’s next for the US Soccer?

We need to keep developing our game here. Football in the rest of the world reaches the poor populations and helps bring the underprivileged out of poverty. Here in the United States, Soccer is a middle class sport that uses a pay to play system.

Could our reliance on pay to play be one of the reasons we were overlooked? Does FIFA know that kids in the inner city are still overlooked as a potential soccer playing population? Dos US Soccer’s mission fit the mission of FIFA?

Do 10 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan send the wrong message to the rest of the world? Is a country engaged in ongoing wars counter to FIFA’s mission?

I think if we stand back and really look what happened, we may find the reason we did not get selected was looking at us in the mirror.

Paul is the President of Professional Blog Service. PBS works with clients making strategic investments into blogging, social media and search engine optimization. He is also assistant Varsity Soccer Coach at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis.

Yesterday, the Major League Soccer franchise, Kansas City Wizards changed their name to “Sporting Kansas City”. Thought the owners said they were not trying to sound European, the soccer community has kind of rolled their eyes to the change. I like their new colors and the new logo, the name? Not so much liking it.

As a joke, someone on Twitter started a thread called #futureMLSfranchise.  If you do a twitter search, you will find some very funny names. One of my favorites, “Boca Seniors” or “Manchester New Hampshire United”.

Here is a sample:

Dwade1:25pm via TweetDeck Bayern Miami #futuremlsfranchise

Dwade1:25pm via TweetDeck Minneapolis/St. Pauli FC #futuremlsfranchise

jacobdfriedman1:16pm via TweetDeck#futuremlsfranchise AZ Albany

jacobdfriedman1:14pm via TweetDeck#futuremlsfranchise Olympique Martinsville

CoachMcCaslin1:07pm via EchofonI have no idea what that means… RT @EBooyah: As in the Farmer’s Market? RT @CoachMcCaslin Preston South Bend #futureMLSfranchise

rohanv1:04pm via webRT @JeffSvoboda: Another Idaho one for @ShortMeganShort RT @churchofsoccer: BSC Young Boise. #FutureMLSFranchise

rohanv1:04pm via TweetCasterRT @jon_marques: My favorite this far RT @robertjonas: Sao Palo Alto #futureMLSfranchise

UFJamesT1:03pm via webAlmost done compiling the best 30 team names in#futureMLSfranchise. We’ll have a vote for the best ones in case @thesoccerdon needs a hand.

rohanv1:03pm via TweetDeckRT @bacostello: The Old Firm (corrected): Boston Celtic vs. New York Rangers #futureMLSfranchise

kebzach1:02pm via Twitter for AndroidRT @Dev151: #futureMLSfranchise Oklahoma City Sounders

tehdago1:02pm via Seesmic for AndroidSanta Feyenoord #futureMLSfranchise

matthew_hall1:01pm via EchofonRT @bigHaitch: RT @bigHaitch: @SoccerByIves how did KC choose Sporting over this? Metalist Kansas#futureMLSfranchise

tehdago1:01pm via Seesmic for AndroidSpartak Mobile #futureMLSfranchise

evonne281:00pm via webThnx to @MassiveCityFFC @Studio79 @stevesirk@churchofsoccer – catching up on my feed & doubled over laughing at work. #futuremlsfranchise

matthew_hall1:00pm via webRT @BJPS_: FC Twente-One Jump Street.#futureMLSfranchise

rohanv1:00pm via TweetDeckAnd for more chuckles over silly Europhilia, go over the#futureMLSfranchise timeline. “Borussia Kansasgladbach!”

themostbrian12:57pm via Tweetie for Mac@runofplay PSV Pawtucket? Olympique Oakland? Saginaw 04? Dynamo Knoxville? #futuremlsfranchise #fail

matthew_hall12:57pm via webRT @11Kicks: #futureMLSfranchise for fans of The Wire: Ajax Hamsterdam (tough away game)

BuyRight12:54pm via webBayern LeverHouston #futureMLSfranchise

MLS_Analyst12:53pm via Twitter for AndroidRT @Dev151: #futureMLSfranchise Oklahoma City Sounders

tehdago12:51pm via Seesmic for AndroidAEK Athens (Georgia) FC #futureMLSfranchise

jacobdfriedman12:45pm via webRT @soccershow: Greatest. Hashtag. Ever#futuremlsfranchise Get ready to waste a lot of time at work…

tehdago12:41pm via Seesmic for AndroidYoung Boys Tulsa #futureMLSfranchise

tehdago12:40pm via Seesmic for AndroidBostonspor #futureMLSfranchise

tehdago12:38pm via Seesmic for AndroidMinneapolis St. Germain #futureMLSfranchise

tehdago12:35pm via webRT @soccershow: Greatest. Hashtag. Ever#futuremlsfranchise Get ready to waste a lot of time at work…

UFJamesT12:32pm via webRT @soccershow: Greatest. Hashtag. Ever#futuremlsfranchise Get ready to waste a lot of time at work…

bacostello12:29pm via TweetDeckThe Old Firm (corrected): Boston Celtic vs. New York Rangers #futureMLSfranchise

OSUMben12:28pm via webRT @JeffSvoboda: Another Idaho one for @ShortMeganShort RT @churchofsoccer: BSC Young Boise. #FutureMLSFranchise

OSUMben12:26pm via Twitter for AndroidRT @EdwinTheRedwin: Hearts of Oakland#futureMLSfranchise

Mariano_Lusardi12:26pm via webcan’t believe this is still going….Newell’s Old Boise was my best one, hope I win something from @TheOnionBag #futureMLSfranchise

UFJacob12:20pm via twidroidRT @markbacigalupo: MMM Menlo (shout out to Menlo Park, CA and VVV Venlo) #futureMLSfranchise

CHa7ward12:15pm via webRT @derek_willis: RT @SoccerByIves: Louisville-arreal.#futureMLSfranchise <—– that is great! <— good stuff

TheOnionBag12:06pm via TweetCasterRT @jon_marques: My favorite this far RT @robertjonas: Sao Palo Alto #futureMLSfranchise

Thomas1906412:05pm via web@markfishkin well in that case it makes the#futuremlsfranchise gag even better because it feeds into promotion/relegation dreamers

TheOnionBag12:01pm via webMayor @CoryBooker, what’s this about Newark Old Boys being a #futureMLSfranchise? Could become my new favorite soccer team.

11Kicks11:55am via web#futureMLSfranchise for fans of The Wire: Ajax Hamsterdam (tough away game)

TheSquard11:46am via webMLS franchise name generator:http://www.metrofanatic.com/other/expansion.jsp#futureMLSfranchise

iancahir11:45am via web@GrantWahl You’re not playing along in mocking the @SportingKC change with the #futureMLSfranchise game from @UFJamesT ?

juancsalas11:44am via web#LokomotivChattanooga2013 #MLS HAHA!!! RT @FreeBeerMovemnt: Lokomotiv Chattanooga#futureMLSfranchise

iancahir11:29am via webwitnessed a hashtag blow up for the first time that wasn’t related to a live event. Fun to watch #futureMLSfranchiselast night.

soccershow11:25am via Twitter for AndroidRT @Dev151: #futureMLSfranchise Oklahoma City Sounders

soccershow11:25am via webGreatest. Hashtag. Ever #futuremlsfranchise Get ready to waste a lot of time at work…

i_am_33311:20am via Twitter for Android“@Dev151: #futureMLSfranchise Oklahoma City Sounders” – ouch

Topper1811:18am via webApparently I’m the only one who thought my#futureMLSfranchise tweet was funny. Probably because I was the person that saw that team play…

markbacigalupo11:15am via twidroidMMM Menlo (shout out to Menlo Park, CA and VVV Venlo)#futureMLSfranchise

King_Slender7611:05am via web#futureMLSfranchise Feyenoord Carolina (or Dakota)

King_Slender7611:00am via web#futureMLSfranchise

PkSmith910:52am via TweetDeckRT @derek_willis: RT @SoccerByIves: Louisville-arreal.#futureMLSfranchise <—– that is great!

chestrockwell1410:46am via webA nod to @alexilalas22: Calcio Paducah#futureMLSfranchise (assist to @MFUSA)

phil2668710:46am via TwitterrificDC United rebrands to AC DC. #futureMLSfranchise

brosenbaum10:39am via webHertha Berwyn (IL). And I’m done. #futureMLSfranchise

chestrockwell1410:32am via webRecreativo de Helena (MT) #futureMLSfranchise

KW3Connor10:31am via web@arlowhite check out the entries to #futureMLSfranchiseLots of MLS fans are having fun after the unveiling of “Sporting KC”

chestrockwell1410:31am via webRayo Valley Forge #futureMLSfranchise

chestrockwell1410:29am via webFC Erzgebirge Austin #futureMLSfranchise

chestrockwell1410:24am via webWyoming Wanderers #futureMLSfranchise

chestrockwell1410:24am via webQueen of the South Carolina #futureMLSfranchise

brosenbaum10:22am via webWerder Bremerton #futureMLSfranchise

UFJamesT10:19am via webBest part about #futureMLSfranchise? Next time Don/MLS reveals a half-baked Euro/MLS mash-up, it can (and will) rise again.

Do a Twitter Search and have fun reading them off to your friends.

There was a recent question on Linkedin regarding Hispanic players in Youth Soccer:

Why the lack of Latino involvment in U.S. Soccer?
Do you think the focus on building the sport through clubs has left out Mexican American because of the costs? ??Here in Columbia, S.C. we have a huge\well attended ( into the 100s) Mexican League….but it doesn’t seem to transfer over to our local club outfit or the college fan base. ??I think those that are looking to build a fan base should look to the latin community…not just soccer moms or dads. ??Is there a marque Mexican American player on the National Team? ??Nick

I provided my own answer:

I am coaching kids of Mexican descent. Out of High School, they pretty much play pick up ball. Playing in a system has been learned on their High School team. The current club scene locally is too expensive for them to participate. ??Jose touched on part of the problem. Yes, American coaches sometimes reward effort and not ability. So, the mainstream High School teams don’t have patience with some of their technically gifted Latino kids. Neither does Bob Bradley, so he sends a message to everyone that technical players are not needed. ??Yet, Jose, I can also argue that the technical players do not always succeed as teams. There are several High School teams here in Indianapolis with very good technical players of Mexican and African descent that by virtue of their abilities should be beating everyone. Yet, they can’t seem to pull it together as teams in tournaments. They are playing street ball and always fall short. I find it disappointing to see. ??The masters of integration are the Brazilians. Until we stop looking across the pond and consider looking down south to what the Brazilians do to maximize the strength of their diverse cultures, the US will always struggle. ??Brazil has had a positive influence in American Basketball. Soccer taught one of the winningest high school basketball coaches how to integrate players and win. ??It is too bad US Soccer could not come to terms with Juergen Klinsmann, I get the impression he understands the potential here with our multi-cultural and racial makeup.

The United States has the potential to be consistent world beaters. Why? Because we have a diverse population of Soccer players in this country that could make the kind of contributions we admire about Brazil. The problem? We want to have a watered down version of English Football with players made up of Suburban kids that reflect the power within US Soccer.??It is not about technical and physical, it is about integration. Until we embrace our diversity in the sport and figure out how to maximize the strengths in this country, we will continue to always fall just short.

Quit looking over the pond and look south of the equator for some answers on how to make it happen.

Paul Lorinczi is the President of Professional Blog Service. PBS works with clients making strategic investments into blogging, social media and search engine optimization. He is also assistant Varsity Soccer Coach at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis.

Much has been written regarding the reappointment of Bob Bradley as the United States Men’s National Team Coach. There are reasons to keep him and reasons to not keep him.

I am not of the opinion that Bob Bradley sucks and he is terrible. On the contrary, he has proven to be a great coach at the Club level. He knows how to build teams and succeed on the field. The question though today, is he the guy to take us to the next level?

To counter some of the claims for why he should be manager, I have my 5 reasons he should not.

1.  Michael Bradley

The coach’s Son is a good player. So far, he has had a steady career that started in MLS under his Dad with a transfer to the Netherlands and an eventual move to the Bundesliga with Borussia Moechengladbach. Is he the best player the United States has to build a team around?

I would say no. Midfield is the one position we have depth. If there was another Manager coaching the team, would he build it around Michael Bradley? I am not so sure. In 4 years time that Bob Bradley has been Manager, I think Michael Bradley has been substituted only a couple of times.

The whole Bob Bradley/Michael Bradley situation is akin to US Youth Soccer in that the Father holds his player card.

2.  Loyalty to Players

One of the criticisms of Bob Bradley is his loyalty to certain players. While he has tried using a large number of different players over the 4 years as National Team Manager, in the end, he selects players that have played for him already. The exception this time around would have been DaMarcus Beasley.

Of course, the glaring example was Ricardo Clark. Now, I am not saying Clark is a bad player. He is a good player. He had been injured during his club season and was not match fit. Maurice Edu who had been making history for Rangers in Scotland was always a substitute in Bob’s lineup.

Which always left us wondering, did he put our best players on the field?

3.  Exclusion of players

One of the most exciting talents in US Soccer is Francisco Torres. He is a kid from Texas that plays for Pachuca in Mexico. He is one of the most technically gifted US players with the ball. HIs passing is excellent and he is very comfortable with the ball on his feet.

He has more International experience at the club level than any other US player on the roster. He has played in the Copa Libertadores, CONCACAF Champions League and the Club World Championships.

Bob Bradley only gives this kid cameo roles and one bad pass puts him back on the bench. Yet, he provides something we don’t generally have. A technical ability to hold the ball in traffic and distribute with accurate passes.

4.  Style of Play

Many in this country seem content with the “direct” style of play of the current US National team plays. Even Tim Howard admits as much. The US is just trying to mimic an English form of Football.

Here is the problem with this approach. Despite being the inventors of the game, England has won only one (1) trophy in International competition. The 1966 World Cup final that was in England. Apart from this trophy, the generally get knocked out in the quarterfinals.

Yet, we want to play like them. Organized defense and counter-attack game. Yes, we are physically fit for the first 4 games. But, you can’t go through a tournament and survive. Eventually, you have to learn how to play by controlling the ball and maximizing the energy in your body.

It is time to rid ourselves of the English influence in our game and start building our own style. We have Caribbean, Latin, European and African influences in this country. We could build a style that has speed and creativity up top, technical ability in the middle and strong defense in the back. We could be world beaters.

It’s time to turn to Brazil. Let them help us develop an “American” style of the game to reflect the real diversity that exists in this country. There is talent here and we need to tap into it. It does not all reside in the suburbs. Make the game more inclusive.

I am not sure Bob Bradley can do this for us.

5.  Bruce Arena-2006

The next World Cup will be in Brazil.

The US has done well when the World Cup has been hosted in non-traditional markets like the US in 1994, Japan-Korea 2002 and South Africa 2010. We were dead last in Italy 1990, France 1998 and failed in Germany 2006.

The next World Cup will be in Brazil. Enough has been written to show that Managers in their 2nd stint very seldom succeed beyond their first stint. In most cases, they go backwards.

My prediction is Bob Bradley will be 3 and out of the 2014 World Cup with a team built around his Son.

See, it’s not that I don’t like Bob Bradley, I just don’t think he has the vision or ability to get us to the next level. Project 2010 is over. We need a new project that will take us from England wannabes to American Soccer Power.

Brazil is the country that can help us. How can you argue with their success?

Paul is the President of Professional Blog Service. PBS works with clients making strategic investments into blogging, social media and search engine optimization. He is also the assistant Varsity Soccer Coach at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis.

This is the start of a 4 part series of my World Cup Soccer history.

Well, June has come and gone.

I have lived through my 9th World Cup. I remember ABC’s Wide World of Sports in 1970 when Brazil beat Italy in the final in Germany. You know, the scene where Pele scores and jumps into his teammate. I remember the day my Dad was watching it on TV. I don’t remember the details of the game. I do remember my Dad watching it.

In 1974, I spent 2 months in Hungary. I arrived in Hungary about the time of the final in Germany between Holland and Germany. Again, I don’t remember the details. I did go to my first professional game that year, as my Uncle Pali took me to my first Ferencvaros game in Budapest. I think I may even have the ticket stubs from that game somewhere.

He then took me to subsequent professional games while I was there, as the league started in August. It was at a time where we always had August off for the whole summer.

1978 began my love affair with the World Cup. Back then, all of us foreigners would congregate at venues where the games were shown on closed circuit TV. In Michigan, we had to drive to Detroit and watch games at the Masonic temple or across the river in Windsor at the hockey arena. Hungary was in the World Cup at the time. Several of us Hungarians went to watch games.

I fell in love with the World Cup. The fans at the Masonic temple brought their mini-flags and were passionately rooting for their favorite teams. I was hooked. There was the excitement in the game. The edge of your seat emotions that go with that expectation of a goal being scored.

The critics that call soccer boring. They just don’t get it. There is passion like nothing at an American sporting event. World Cup fever is in the blood, not in the conformity of following a winner.

I did not make it to the final in 1978. My Dad and his buddies did. It was a great game. Holland made it to the final again, as they did in 1974, only to lose to the home team again. This time in overtime to the heroics of Mario Kempes of Argentina.

The images of River Plate stadium full to the brim with Argentinian fans willing their team to win the whole thing. The field covered in paper confetti when Argentina scored their goals. The fans going crazy.

I started playing the game in 1976.   The 1978 World Cup in Argentina was the event that pushed me over the edge into a life-long fan of the game.

Book of Dreams, “God will produce the greatest soccer player in the world. And, he will come from the United States – the chosen nation of the world.”

Photo by ISI Photos

In the United States, we always seem to be looking for the next great Soccer savior to emerge from our shores. Several years ago, it was a young Ghanian immigrant kid that out dribbled everyone here in Indianapolis at the then Snickers National Championships. That young man was Freddy Adu, a player that has struggled since going professional at the tender age of 14. He was the next Pele and walked on water.

I think Freddy listened to all his press and has since struggled to make the impact everybody thought he would make. I think American Soccer fans expected too much from a 14 year old kid. He is still a young player that possesses some great technical ability. Let’s hope that his time in Greece allows him the opportunities he has been lacking the past 2 years in Europe.

Jozy Altidore

American Soccer fans need to calm down. Because now the same expectations are being put onto a young kid from New Jersey named Jozy Altidore.

Jozy is and has been a natural goal scoring talent. He featured for the New York Red Bulls at 16. The difference between he and Freddy was most people left him alone. They did not want to make the same mistake with him. And, he produced on the field.

Jozy was transferred from the MLS side New York Red Bulls to La Liga’s Villareal 2 years ago for a record $10 million transfer. He had limited playing time on his arrival into Spain. He was sent to Xerex of the Segundo Division for playing time. The problem was Xerex was playing so well, they did not need him and they were working towards promotion. It just did not work out for him. Villareal always had it in mind to send Jozy on loan.

This year, they sent him to England to play for Hull City. No offense to Hull City fans, but the team was crap before Jozy arrived. He was not going to make it that much better. Hull City’s midfield still sucked and their defense let in goals like a sieve. For selfish reasons, I can say that Jozy got out of Hull City what he went there to do – get playing time, get knocked around and adapt to the game in Europe.

Now he can go back to Villareal battle tested and stronger for the experience. And, he can start tearing up La Liga.

Here is why I say this, if you look at the careers of players like Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry, Ruud Van Nistelroy and even Eric Cantona. They were not world beaters at 20 years old. Their games played and goal production are very similar to what Jozy has accomplished. Jozy has actually done more, as he has 8 national team goals to his name in competitive FIFA competitions.

(Yeah, but that is in CONCACAF) Well, some of the European groups are pretty weak as I am a follower of one of those weak teams. I wish my Hungarian team had a forward of Jozy’s ability.  (They do actually, but the coaches are reluctant to put too much expectation on a young kid name Krisztian Nemeth – only the fans see him as a savior too).

The magic number 25

A player does not reach his full potential until he is 25 years old. How old are Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo? When did they really come into their own and start dominating games? Even Lionel Messi was allowed to develop his talent at Barcelona. Give Jozy a break.

Point is, to expect that out of Jozy Altidore is premature and just not going to happen.

My only concern for Jozy was his goal production should have been higher for Hull City. However, what he did not produce in goals, he did draw important fouls that led to goals. He was generally rated pretty high in post-game player ratings on Sky Sports.

I know American soccer fans have had their disappointments from the 2006 World Cup. We can’t put our hopes and dreams onto a 20 year old kid from New Jersey who is really just getting started. He accomplished what he needed to accomplish at Hull City. He will play for the US National Team. He may even be the impact player against talent from Slovenia and Algeria.

To expect him to carry us through to the final is a little much.

Freddy Adu is the lesson for all of us. We were too impatient with him. Let’s not do the same to Jozy Altidore.

What is with the soccer fans in Dallas?

Pizza Hut Park in Dallas seems to always be empty when you watch games on TV. Last night was no exception. The game between FC Dallas and Seattle Sounders looked more like a scrimmage than a league match. There was nobody in the stands.

(I wish John Harkes would just shut up. He spends 90 minutes criticizing everything. I really want to go to a single announcer like Tobey Charles during the good ole days of Soccer Made in Germany).

Yet, last summer, Soccer opened up the new Cowboys stadium and they filled the place up with what? 80k of people? Yet, they can not get 15k-20k to find their way to Frisco on a beautiful evening to watch professional soccer.

The Dallas market hosts one of the biggest youth tournaments in the world each year. They have a lot of soccer being played.

The drive is no excuse. I used to drive from New Hampshire down to Foxboro. Shame on you Dallas Soccer people – support your team!!

“According to a report published by European football’s governing body in February, English Premier League clubs have a combined debt of 3.8 billion euros, more than the combined total of all the other European top flight clubs.” – Agence French Press, April 14, 2010

How long will it be before the English Premier League teams do something about the financial crisis occurring in their game? Can they take the measures needed to make their clubs financially stable? Or, are traditions and clan club rivalries more important in the end?

I love Football (the round kind). I agree with Michel Platini that something is wrong. Let’s take my beloved Hungarian Football as an example. The clubs there are struggling and the most popular club in the region – Ferencvaros almost melted down financially a few years ago. It took a rich Englishman to pull them from the abyss. The reality of the purchase was for the real estate deal on the club’s current property rather than for purely football reasons.

Why are Hungarian Clubs trying to compete against each other for the hearts and minds of 10 million and shrinking population? If you look across the border to Austria where their population is even smaller and shrinking, you could ask the same of their clubs. Isn’t it time for Football in these regions to consider changing their structures and breaking down the borders? Why not have a Central European Football League where there are maybe 1 or 2 super clubs from each country competing each year?

They will not because traditions will win out at the expense of the game. The rivalries are so great that the individual clubs’ egos would never allow the cooperation needed to develop such a league.
Here is where MLS comes in. There has been much criticism by many here in the United States that the single entity system is no good. The reality is, it is the future of the game. The single entity system of MLS allows it to maintain tight cost controls on players and salaries without bankrupting the league or its clubs.

It makes you wonder why FIFA kept its fingers out of the recent contract negotiations. I am sure they are using MLS as a possible model for how football should look in the future. Business management is the contribution American Soccer may make to the world game. All our sports leagues have made the necessary changes to become profitable leagues.
If Europe does not wake up to its excesses, it may find itself out of business soon. While MLS, may find it becomes the league that survives and prospers. Why? There are fans in this country and last summer demonstrated that people will go watch games, if there is talent on display.

I say Major League Soccer is poised to become what it says it wants to be when it grows up. A top league in the world competing for top talent to display.

I personally think the team that turned Major League Soccer into the hot property today was Toronto FC.  They had fans

from day one attending games and filling up their stadium.  They even added more seats this year and replaced their field turf with real grass.  Since TFC entered the league, other expansion teams have come into the league with similar support.

Do I feel sorry for their fans though.  The product on the field has much to be desired.  TFC brought Mo Johnston as their coach, but he decided to move into the front office where he can’t seem to find the right mix of players to play attractive Football on the field.

Last night was no exception.  The new Philadelphia Union were in town and pretty much owned TFC on the field for much of the 1st half.  TFC were lucky not to go down to 10 men after their right back went studs up tackle on a Union player.  Then TFC got a break as Danny Calif elbowed DeGuzman in the neck to receive a red card.

Eventually against 10 men, TFC ended up winning but not without help.  Both their goals were on set pieces and not in the run of play.  And, the fact that Philadelphia was only playing with 10 men helped.  In the end, I think Philadelphia was still the better team.

TFC’s style of play is so British.  Hoof the ball from the back to the front and have your forwards jump up for head balls.  Forgetting the fact that they have some of the best in DeRosario and DeGuzman to work the ball.  Midfielders are for defensive purposes.

I love Toronto as a city and think their fans are fantastic.  MLS owes those fans a lot of thanks for it was the Toronto franchise that got fans in the other MLS markets to step up and be heard.

Mo, put a decent product on the field for them.  You owe it to them, the league owes it to them.  Give those poor people something to cheer about.  They deserve it.

Ives Galacerp has written a very detailed account of the recovery of Charlie Davies, a US National Soccer Team forward who was

Photo by ISIphotos.com

involved in a terrible car accident back in October. He woke up 3 days later in the hospital and did not know where he was and thought he was in Honduras having his organs harvested.

His accident happened in October 2009.  He broke most of the bones in his right leg.  Fractured bones in his face.  And, fractured bones in his elbow.  He also injured his posterior cruciate ligament.  The miracle is his bones have healed and he is on the treadmill already.  He has one more surgery to remove the plate and screws from his elbow.  He is schedule to return to France and start training with his club Sochaux at the end of February.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is freaking unbelievable.

You can read the full article here at Soccer by Ives and his published article at ESPN Soccernet.

I have to admit, I was one of the people guessing we have to scratch Charlie Davies from the World Cup.  Let’s hope he can continue on his recovery.  He was one of the bright spots in US Soccer in 2009 as we led up to the World Cup.