U.S. Soccer tackiness, Beckham's travel plans and more
by Steve Davis on May 20, 2011 3:52 PM EDT
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PrintWhat I’m not worried about today …
- I’m not worried about … The U.S. Soccer fed going broke. OK, maybe Sunil Gulati isn’t exactly handing out Ben Franklins as lunchtime tips or making it rain $20s around the U.S. Soccer meetings, but they are making plenty of money. Still, to protect against any unexpected shortfalls, the federation has this greedy little gambit going: they are charging $20 per person to see Spain’s final practice before next month’s friendly. I don’t feel quite as strongly about it as this guy (who’s mad as a stepped-on lizard); I just think it’s kind of tacky.
- I’m not worried about … The Seattle-Portland rivalry losing its pizazz. I mean, Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid and Portland boss John Spencer are firing away at each other like two frat boys at in a Saturday fart fight.
- I’m not worried about … David Beckham going too far with his heroic commitment to MLS and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Word out of Camp Galaxy is that Becks will consider jetting off to England once again, this time for Gary Neville’s testimonial match. If he does he’ll miss the Galaxy’s set-to with Houston, proving once again that he can talk about his devotion to the club cause, but it’s really just PR spin until he does a little better at backing it up. By the way, Bruce Arena’s claims that Beckham would probably be rested for one of those games anyway are a big honkin’ bag of hooey. It’s one thing to be left behind to rest in L.A. while the team travels across three time zones to play a game (as Beckham was last week when the Galaxy played in Philly). It’s quite another to miss a game while you fly across eight time zones to play … in some other game. Seriously, Bruce, we’re not that stupid.
- I'm not worried ... About a lack of gullible writers and supporters, who will happily gobble up any scraps of rumor, speculation and old-fashioned, unsubstantiated guesswork regarding the upcoming summer transfer window. It's already started. Or haven't you heard that Landon Donovan is off to Roma? Except that he really isn't. But why should that stop someone from writing about it?
- Read on for more ...
- I'm not worried about … MLS refereeing being especially bad in June. That’s because two of the worst, Jair Marrufo and Baldomero Toledo, have been selected to officiate games at the 2011 Gold Cup. That means that two of the worst offenders at not wanting to call fouls (which is generally the east way out for referees, an unlovely habit that serves to frustrate players and to make for an uglier match all around) won’t be around to reduce the overall quality. Now, as for the Gold Cup …
- I’m not worried about … Another one of these bummer weeks where I don’t have an MLS match or two to keep me sated ‘til the big slate rolls around on Saturday. There are four matches next Wednesday, including some real dandies. The champs play in New York, Vancouver visits Toronto in a Canadian derby (eh!), Dallas visits Seattle and Houston visits Los Angeles.
- I’m not worried about … Incomplete knowledge of the U.S. Gold Cup roster. U.S. Soccer will unveil the telling list of 23 on Monday, and Bob Bradley will speak about it to reporters on a national teleconference right after. No, Bradley won’t go into too many individual whys and wherefores about who is and isn’t on the list, but I’m sure we’ll learn something from the chat. It’ll be a great way to start an interesting month around the national team.
- I’m not worried about … Chivas USA no longer having an identity. Did you hear? They have one now. … Uh, OK, I lied. I’m still worried about this one. I’ve sang the praises of Robin Fraser recently, and I believe he’s got something going. But as for his employers: I think the Goats are a long way from establishing the Chivas USA brand in a big way across sunny SoCal. Just my opinion.
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MLS should...
either force the owner of Chivas USA (stupidest club name and identity in MLS no question) to move to San Diego and change the name. San Diego FC works for me. Keeping it simple. I’m open to suggestions on this one. But they should move no doubt.
Chad the Ref
Oops...
I meant to say either force the owner to move or sell.
Chad the Ref
by Chad the Ref on May 20, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
The shared stadium and the stupid naming decision are terrible. If they want to cater to the Latino community that’s fine, but use something more generic like the “Aztecs” or something. SD has a huge soccer playing community but they are so-so as a sports city b/c there’s so much fun to do there aside from sports (great beaches, awesome night life). Chargers and Padres only sell when they are winning… otherwise no one shows up.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on May 20, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
CD Chivas
Personally i am an American who loves the name. The club doesn’t have the best attendance, but it isn’t abysmal either – maybe many of the fans attending the game like the name too. I think the opinions that should matter most should be those of the club’s own supporters. Why try to please somebody who isn’t going to support you anyway? If Chivas’ fans aren’t trying to change the name, than Chivas shouldn’t. Chivas!
Here's the problem
No person from Mexico that lives in the LA area who supports any other team in Mexico besides Chivas is going to support Chivas USA. No Club America supporter is ever going to pull a Chivas USA jersey on. They killed the vast majority of their potential audience with the name alone.
Chad the Ref
by Chad the Ref on May 23, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I have to take issue..
with your assessment of Toledo. I will not argue about Marrufo because I think him to be simply bad, not at not calling fouls, but just plain bad at all of it. Talk about riding the coattails of your dad, but that’s another story.
Why do you run Toledo down? I’ve seen all or parts of a few games of his this year, and I don’t think there has been too striking about any of the games. I don’t think he’s been to PHP yet, but I could be wrong. And if I am, then I certainly didn’t notice him. So what’s the beef?
Chad the Ref
Toledo screwed FCD in MLS Cup
by refusing to call fouls, as Steve suggested. Toledo regularly allows the thugs and enforcers to play their game by not calling fouls or handing out yellow cards. that, in turn, limits the effectiveness of the creative players and doesnt allow them to create magic. that’s exactly what happened in MLS Cup last season when Casey was allowed to be a bully, Mastroeni & Larentowicz were simply hacking down David Ferreira & Chavez, and the COL defense just fouled early rather than dealing with FCD speed. it made for an ugly game and played right into Rapids tactics. Its not always about a referee making a crucial error…sometimes its about how the referee let’s the game be played.
teams with lesser skill and tactics ALWAYS want the game to be more physical while teams that like to pass and play ALWAYS want the game to be less physical. some refs cater to different styles better than others.
I was there...
and I don’t agree with this assessment of that game. FCD had their chances, and committed fouls as well. Conor Casey is a bull, and yes, I would have loved to have seen him go off with 2 cards, but I don’t believe that is what that game called for.
Chad the Ref
by Chad the Ref on May 23, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
The LA galaxy have to find a way to get rid of Beckham.
He’s rotten meat. He won’t be around but will still stink. When your best player calls him out too, obviously there’s a problem.
Single, not living happily until the day a Stanley Cup comes my way.
by Henrik_Larsson69 on May 20, 2011 10:32 PM EDT reply actions
Beckham apparently learned from a few years ago
Played for England, flew back to LA on a tender ankle that swelled up and played an MLS game the next day…
Probably realized Galaxy management will cater to him… The Galaxy will never be his first priority…
"You won't be alive long enough to remember my name"
1816, The Year Without A Summer
Barca Blaugranes
Marrufo is a Joke
I was at a game in Houston a couple years ago (i think against RSL) where he called a water break 20 minutes into the game because it was “too hot”. Apparently he had talked to the captains about this before the game but judging by Pat Onstad’s reaction, it was clearly not true. This is the same as Houston getting an oxygen break half way through a half at Rio Tinto. Not only did he take home field advantage away for Houston in that game, he was given Temoc Blanco’s jersey after a Chicago Fire game (he was suspended by the league after).
It was against RSL
He did bring it up with the captain’s before the match, but Mulrooney assumed it was a joke and just laughed. One of the most mind boggling things I have ever seen a ref do.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
