Lalas Pops Off

Nice shot nevzter...I don't see the MLS being a draw for top talent anytime soon. Probably not even in 20 years. They've made fantastic strides, but top talent is naturally drawn to Europe. Don't see that changing. Plus, as you said, it is all about money and the European clubs have plenty to spend.

 

I remember reading an interview with Alexi where he basically stated he wants to always stir things up. I thought it was awesome since he gave Clint Dempsey a nod for his style and showmanship.

I see this as yet another way for him just to get in the spotlight for himself, the Galaxy and MLS.

It's too bad the Galaxy are based in L.A., or I wouldn't mind supporting them.

 

Could never really see myself supportering the Galaxy. While it is good for Lalas to stir things up in the world of soccer and help the MLS get notice;he is becoming just a wind up that people just get pissed as soon as his mouth opens. I am sure he didn't even believe what he said about the prem.

 

Ummm... Actually what he said about the Prem is basically true and we all know it. Well, maybe not ALL of us.

Do you REALLY think that Fulham under Coleman would have run away with the points if they were playing in the MLS?

Yeah... they should have won the Supporter's Cup but they wouldnt have just waltzed into the MLS Cup.

Thing is it's also true about just about all the Premiers, isnt it? Maybe the least true about the Italian and perhaps the Spanish.

BTW, I didnt write the negative commentary because I vehemently disagreed with him. It's because I'm tired of his showboating when all he is is a mouth. Leave that stuff to Wynalda.

 

Wynalda for President! Now there's some "Straight Talk Express".

"You sir, are an @$$. Now excuse me, the USMNT is playing and I have to run down to the War Room to watch it on the wall screen".

:idea:

 

Wynalda at least makes some sense of what he is saying. Lalas on the other hands seems to be caught coming out of a bar everytime, becaus he must be three sheets to the wind to make some of those comments.

Anyone catch the article on the BBC about La Liga and how it compares to the EPL...worth a look. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A23958462?s_fromedit=1

 

I don't think its just money that attract the best players to europe, I think it is also passion the fans have for the game. My most favorite thing about going to (1 so far) and watch EPL games is the crowd. It makes the game come alive. Even with new stadiums the MLS games have no fan excitement (toronto excluded) Hopefully over the years each team will devolop a large, loyal and vocal fanbase. Then it will be as good as the EPL. Oh and a relegation battle wouldbn't hurt either. There is nothing worse than sitting in the stands at gillete stadium and looking across the field at 30,000 empty seats. The game just losses something. Lalas may be an idiot, but at least he cares.

 

Passion is a big part of the game, but I have never heard of a player going to a certain side based on the fans. Money is what runs football today and of course silverware. Would love to see fans embrace the game in the US, but it is still a 4th or 5th tier sport in America.

 

I, honestly, think soccer could become the 3rd biggest sport in the country in the next couple of decades. It is always commented on how soccer is now the biggest youth sport in the nation. Well thankfully, those little kids playing in the Bumblebee leagues grow up to become soccer lovin' fans spending money and taking their kids to games.

See? It's growing, and growing fast. I still remember when the MLS started. Me being a soccer player in my high school was weird, and we never had to worry about cuts on the team. I talked to my old coach last summer and he said he's had to cut upwards to 40 kids a season. And this only in 10 years.

I think it'll be Football as King, baseball as the old queen who people like because they feel they have to, and then soccer and basketball as the fighting twins.

</rant>

 

Remember what Wynalda said about the stupid MLS position on youth team kits and naming. Once they get their heads out'a their asses, and make the same exception as the 'major sports' THEN we'll have the kids in a lock!

 

QD...I do agree on the timeline you threw out of a few decades before any real progress is made in the sports popularity. At the grassroots level there is no question that the sport is huge, everyone plays it and then the majority stop playing it after high school. The true test will be the ability to market the league and making sure that the image of simply a feeder league or one that is second tier in terms of talent. The more tournaments the MLS enters the better. Libertadores as someone mentioned before should be a goal to enter in the future. Although that is a fair bit of time down the road.

 

It's stuff like this that makes the MLS look bad. Sure, the MLS is rising, sure, we're attracting talent, but look at it -- HUGE players in the MLS like Jaun Pablo Angel were let go by mid level teams in the Premeirship. And as much as I hate to say it, teams like chelsea (may they burn in Stamford) can still afford to buy a whole MLS-worth of talent. WHich MLS team would not be satisfied with Ballack, Sheva, eissen, Drogba, Cech, Lampard, Terry, even Robben or Phillips. God, they've got enoguh players to give to almost every MLS team. Of course, they're still a load of sh*te to all of us -- give me Toronto andy day over Chelsea.