Realmscapes

Insourcing U.S. Soccer

There is an understandable desire for American soccer players to play on the world stage. We want to be respected. We want to be recognised for the talent we have. (Part of this sounds like the lib "we want them to like us" b.s. going around politics right now.) But except for a handful of cases, REALISTICALLY, there is very little chance of ever making a large enough impact on Europe.

Consider that of the 40-some players over on the old continent, only a few are considered to start; not "good enough to start" mind you--there is no argument that they are good enough.

Major League Soccer is building a strong brand at home. Talent from around the world who are tired of sitting on the bench in the premier world leagues are now looking here as an option. This can enrich our game in the reverse way that we are trying to accomplish by allowing our top talent to cross the ocean.

I am not saying that players shouldn't consider the Prem League, or Serie A, or La Liga. What I am saying is that I do not believe it to be necessary for the growth of our game. How are we supposed to get better when our players are sitting on benches? Is bench-sitting and non-competitive training sessions supposed to be better than game competition? Consider how awesome MLS would be in the present if Altidore was still in NYC and Johnson back with KC; is there any doubt that Toronto and DC were hurt by the departures of Edu and Adu?

Bocanegra, Howard, and Dempsey being overseas is fine--they are leaders on the U.S. team and should be over there as American recon and ambassadors. But the rest of the U.S. team should be home, making the MLS more attractive for the likes of Figo and Henry to consider. Like Beckham, lure these stars to our shores to see American capitalism and culture first-hand. Let them add spice to our game, but it is time to create the U.S. Soccer Game. South America and Africa have been successful with their own versions of fußball.

It is time that we forget about trying to recreate a European formula that has taken over a century for them to develop and perfect. Let's get the U.S. style perfected and watch the world try and adapt to us for a change.

'6+5' = B(ad)

This '6+5' rule that FIFA has voted to implement is ridiculous, arrogant, and communist. If enacted, it will impact domestic leagues worldwide, and will restrict the number of foreign players in a club's starting lineup to five. The move is primarily aimed at the Eurpoean leagues (most especially England's Premier League), who are being accused of soaking up the non-Euro talent (specifically those from Africa and South America), thus upsetting "the football karma".

The end result is to restore national identity to domestic leagues, and prevent them from harvesting talent from poorer continents so as those poorer continents can theoretically become less poor. What absolute stinking Bantha Poodoo.This rule isn't about fairness or national identity, or it shouldn't be--that's what the World Cup and regional Federation Cups are for.

At the heart of it are two things:

1) FIFA doesn't approve of the free market--aka "capitalism" (remember that FIFA is run by irritable liberals--just contrast the FIFA motto, "For the Good of the Game" with the communist ideology, "For the Good of the State");

and 2) the dirty secret may be that European crusties are waxing nostalgic for "the good ol' days" when European soccer (played by European players) dominated the World (who do these Africans and South Americans think they are?!)--sans English football (which has always been at odds with FIFA). I find it interesting that this rule almost exclusively is aimed the English Premier League (EPL), who are currently benefiting across the board from record heights of popularity. That means they are successful, and liberals hate any success, especially by such a powerful capitalist nation.

But all the politics and dumbness aside, the real losers of this would be the players--especially those from poor countries who dream of playing for Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga, and (of course) the EPL, in hope of improving their way of life. To us Americans, this means that players are having their Creator-given right to the "pursuit of happiness" threatened by a bunch of crotchety old liberal men.

The saving grace for now is that the agreed-on proposal violates dozens of economic and employment laws on every major continent, not the least being those of the European Union and the United States. So uh, yeah... good luck with that FIFA.

The Race does not go to the Swift...

Most of the U.S. fans are dogging the National Team's performance in the Copa América. And much of the sports media here is joining them. And both are showing the world why our country just doesn't get the world's game of "football".

Having won our native confederation championship (the CONCACAF Gold Cup) against Mexico, Coach Bradley elected to send a largely young and untested squad (internationally) to South America's confederation championship, the Copa América. His selection was met with many raised eyebrows by a country used to seeing its best on display every time, all the time.

Last year's World Cup showed the U.S. is among teams with excellent starting players, but nothing behind them. It is believed that the "B squads" of several national teams could compete with our "A" side, perhaps even outperform them--so imagine our chances when we have untested players on the pitch. The key to being successful on the world stage is team depth and right now we don't have that. When a man is subbed off or can't play due to injury, there is little confidence that his replacement is at the same level as the starter. Coach Bradley is attempting to fix this problem by getting several of our young players major international experience.

Whereas parts of the world is probably delighting in seeing the Americans get beat, those teams that aren't laughing are the ones that know just what Coach Bradley is up to...and they know that he is right. What's more, having focused on our own championship and winning it, the Yanks have already earned a spot in the prestigious Confederations Cup in 2009. So other than pride, the U.S. National Team gains nothing by winning the Copa América.

Something else that every national coach has to take into account is each player's club responsibilities. Many clubs have invested thousands of dollars into their players and the last thing they want is unnecessary exposure to injury. I am sure that if we had lost to Mexico in the Gold Cup Final that the U.S. national team sent to Venezuela would have looked much different.

World football is a game of patience and waiting for your oppurtunity to strike. Building a successful national team takes much of the same patience for the same reason, a tough thing for a country used to instant gratification on a daily basis. But I would rather lose international games for a year or two so that we can have a revolving door of talent for a decade or more, than to win every tournament and then bomb in the World Cup (again).

Get Real, Madrid

Wow is Real Madrid all sour grapes! It's "LOL" funny reading the European sports pages every day. I have never seen so many grown men cry.

What did they expect Beckham to do?

Perhaps you don't realize that Beckham had to give Real Madrid 50% of all the money he made from his endorsement deals and such while he was with them. Real Madrid didn't get Beckham to play maybe. Perhaps they just got him because they could make an easy million Euro while he sits on the bench. If this didn't bother Beckham, then I would have been disappointed.

But Beckham is a competitor. And Beckham made the choioce that only a competitor can make. Maybe if Spain understood this they would have better results in international competition.

Beckham +10

After dropping the ball to bring in Jeurgen Klinnsman as the coach of the U.S. national team, I needed the announcement that David Beckham will be coming to MLS this year. Beckham is my favorite EuroFootball player. But with that sentiment out of the way, I am legitimately excited for the near future of the MLS brand of EuroFootball as well as for David Beckham the player.

First, MLS: The sports pundits are already shrugging their shoulders with either disdain or disbelief. Many seem to believe that at best, the English superstar might being in interest from across the pond, but that a David Beckham signing is hardly news in a country where "Football" means pigskins, spoiled receivers, and Bowl games. And besides that, in their opinion, his best years are behind him.

But there is more interest out there than they might think. The World Cup did extremely well in the ratings last year. On top of that, this is America--the great melting pot. And one of the passions brought to our shores from the World is a passion for EuroFootball.

More imporantly for MLS is that it is going to be fun to watch what stars other MLS teams will try and lure to their clubs. $250 mil is a lot of dollars, and you can be sure that Beckham's colleagues noticed. In fact, I can see several "aging" stars who would jump at the chance to make similar money and cast their shadows long on American fields. Ronaldo, Figo, Kahn, Toni, Robben, Kewell...maybe even Zidaine could be lured out of retirement to take his suspension and show more than a few of his American critics some of his rugged gameplay up close and personal.

And with so many stars will come knowledge--valuable knowledge of the different styles of the World; knowledge desperatey needed to put the U.S. back on the EuroFootball-ing map.

And for Beckham: the MLS will give him the chances that Real Madrid selfishly refused to him  (is there any doubt that Real bought him to keep him out of opposing competition, perhaps even to dull his fitness and edge on the international level?). Here's a chance for Beckham to show Coach McLaren that he is still an important asset to Team England's success on the World stage. Something that shouldn't have to be proven if you watch Beckham's conduct after their elimination by Portugal.

Not only should David Beckham be made welcome, but he should be made welcome with more than a bit of an incline of the head.

Beckham's Future

Given David Beckham's frustrations in football outside of his native England--and being well aware that he doesn't intend to return to England--this EuroFootball fan hopes that Beckham will indeed return to his native soil. Although he may be under scrutiny by the relentless English media, at least he'll be appreciated and playing (hence the heckling English media).

More importantly, it will put the ball on McClaren's side as to whether it is finally time to invite the Englander back to the national squad. Beckham's non-English peers have already spoken that England is a much more dangerous side when Beckham's name is on the active roster.

Euro2008: Oct 06 Qualifiers PT II

Group A: Poland v Portugal
Portugal has an excellent oppurtunity to take move up several places in their group, perhaps even knocking Serbia out of the "b" place in the group. Poland will provide the largest hurdle and is one of those teams inspired by Scotland's defeat of France. But Portugal's rare away unbeaten streak of early thirty games is even more inspiring.
My Pick: POR 2-0

Group B: Ukraine v Scotland
This is a chance for Scotland to build on their excellent qualifying performance thus far. What makes this game even more of a pressure situation for the Scots is that group favourites France and Italy are both playing teams at the bottom of European football. And oh yeah, Shevchenko will be back.
My Pick: TIE 1-1

Group D: Slovakia v Germany
The DFB has got to be looking for some payback after the last time these two teams met. It turned into an emotional match then, and I expect another hard-fought match this time as well. The question: is Germany back in top form after more than a month since their last "vacation match" against San Marino?
My Pick: GER 2-0

Group E: Croatia v England
Another team in a must-win to stop a tailspin. Unlike fellow football powerhouses on this day, the Three Lions don't have a gift match like the others. And on top of that, England won't be playing another qualifying match until early next spring. Rooney shouldn't be starting yet, but he undoubtedly will. perhaps Mclaren will at least pull him at the 60' for Defoe this time. If England doesn't come out of this match with a win and/or mutiple goals, Mclaren has got to seriouslly think about sending Beckham a Christmas card. Having Beckham on the team for at least morale is better than nothing.
My Pick: TIE 1-1

Euro2008: Oct 06 Qualifiers PT I

Here are my picks on select game of interest this month:

Group B: Scotland v France
With both teams fielding several injuries to the starting eleven, this matchup becomes pretty even in what is a tough group for anyone who isn't on les Bleus or the Azzurri. I think the Scots know that this is a golden oppurtunity for them to capitalize on one of football's juggernauts--in this case, even a tie against the World Cup runners-up is still a victory (especially if Ukraine can manage to take points away from Italy).
My Pick: TIE 2-2

Group C: Greece v Norway
Which Greek team is going to show up in these qualifiers? If the Greeks expect to go anywhere in this Euro2008 qualifying competition, they are going to have to have an excellent showing against the group leaders. Norway is also looking establish their persona after inconsistent play on the international stage over the last half-decade.
My Pick: NOR 2-1

Group E: Russia v Israel
The Russians are another difficult team to try and take a win from in their country. But Russia should have been able to score against Croatia, especially at home... Meanwhile Israel is looking stronger than ever, especially after such an excellent performance in their WC2006 qualifying group (undefeated with six wins out of ten games).
My Pick: ISR 1-0

Group F: Sweden v Spain
La Furia Roja are needing to bounce back from their upset defeat at the hands of Northern Ireland. This match is the time and place to do so, especially with Sweden losing key players to injuries (GK Isaksson), retirement (FW Larsson) and inter-team problems (FW Ibrahimovic). Spain is also without veteran striker and leading goalscorer, Raul--left off the team in the hopes of letting the younger talen pave a way for itself.
My Pick: ESP 3-1

Soccer and Politics

Watching the U.S. soccer team "play" in this World Cup has been like hearing fingernails on a chalkboard, or someone a half-tone behind on a song, or whatever else grates under on your eardrums.

The one thing the team did prove is what happens when a team (or say, a country) takes a defensive stance and tries to play out of the backfield. The result: you lose. It's funny how liberalism is only conservative when it means losing. I suppose a lot of libs out there were happy that the team got it's arse cut up and handed back to us on several small platters. Afterall, the world is mad at us enough as it is, let alone us going into an international tournament with an aggressive mentality and beating the world at it's game.

Getting back to soccer.. the U.S. team will continue to have 2006-style World Cups as long as we believe that we can beat the world at its game with arrogance. This country has always been about taking what the world does and improving it, with a bit of American originality to boot. And that's what we need to do. Fuse a bit of European tactics with some of our American aggressiveness and then we'll be in business. Hey, look at the German team. You think it's coincidence that the team is winning by being more aggressive? You do realize that their coach, Heir Klinsman (an international soccer superstar in his own day), resides in s. California... even more proof is that the German press calls him nothing short of traitor for living here.

But they're pretty silent right now. At the end of the day, everyone loves a winner, and a leader who stays the course regardless of the pundits.