The Heat Is On – Sounders FC at Houston Dynamo

30 07 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

Sales on Sounders by Gabi Campanario - 8/5/09 @ Barca Friendly

With Manchester in the Rave Green rear view mirror, and a vital CONCACAF Champions League match coming up quickly, Wednesday’s second-leg CONCACAF qualifier against San Francisco, from Panama, Sounders FC rejoins regular season Major League Soccer play tonight in heavy-heat Houston against the Dynamo.  Where their strong mid-season run will be hotly tested.

Over the last nine league matches, Seattle has looked among the best of MLS. In terms of developing form for the fall playoffs, Sounders FC have looked the best early prospect. The positive run of form includes a team personal best nine game undefeated streak. (6-wins to 3-draws). Houston and heat may pose the toughest challenge in the last 10 matches. A win would secure Seattle’s confident run of form. It would also press them closer to LA for the league’s top record. A draw would be happily acceptable. A loss would pose tough questions for a recently shaky defense.

During their strong midseason run, Seattle has scored an outstanding 17 goals. They have also conceded an unacceptable 11 goals. The defensive lapses have gone largely overlooked because of beautiful free kicks, amazing comebacks, and fanatic goal celebrations. The winning entertainment has rained more than Seattle precipitation. So few have noticed the potential mudslide. Seattle needs to dry its slippery defensive goal rush in the hot Houston heat.

Whenever Houston Dynamo and Sounders FC meet, it feels like a long distance rivalry. Only the Sounders third season in Major League Soccer and memories lay out like entries in a log book:

Season one, Seattle:  Patrick Ianni’s winning bicycle kick.  Or, as Assistant coach Brian Schmetzer said, “If you would have told me before the game that we were going to win on a bicycle kick and ask me which player would kick it, he would have been about No. 9″.
Season one, Houston:  Nate Jaqua hits 70th minute equalizer, for late 1-1 draw.
Season one, Playoffs, first-leg, Seattle:  Pat Onstad hit Montero’s head in the penalty box for what appeared to be a red card. Montero was shown yellow for faking injury.
Season one, Playoffs, second-leg, Houston:  Brian Ching scores heart breaking winner in overtime.
Season one, Seattle:  Steven Waibel bouncing a ball on Ljungberg’s head.
Season two, Seattle:  Keller earns clean sheet, and an assist.  In the 64th minute, Keller found Montero for a long punt, which Montero controlled, turned the defender around, and blasted home.
Season two, Houston:  Zakuani, on a breakaway last year was tripped up by Houston’s rookie Keeper, Tyler Deric, for what appeared to be a sure penalty-kick. Instead Zakuani was shown yellow for simulation (diving). The last laugh was the surprised look on Deric’s face that Zakuani was carded and not him.
Season three, Seattle:  In March Seattle hosted the Dynamo ans served up 26 shots. In the end Seattle only converted one of its many chances to come from behind and salvage a draw.

Houston Dynamo 2006-2007 MLS Cup Champiions

Heat will play a factor. Overstated, it will be an advantage for Houston.  With all of Seattle’s recent success, it is only mid-season.  Including tonight’s match, Seattle has 12 league matches, 1 CONCACAF, and 1 US Open Cup match to go.  With both CONCACAF and the US Open Cup matches will hopefully be added as they win and advance in those competitions. Packed with many scheduled challenges, Sounders FC also face the potential for an equal amount of reward for overcoming those obstacles.  In all, Seattle has the potential to win a Manchester United sized trunk of trophies. Five in all. A take home, Sir Alex Ferguson, would be proud of.

I’ll leave you with one last log. The potential booty the Sounders could plunder.

Cascadia Cup:  Beat Vancouver in Vancouver and take it home.
US Open Cup:  Defeat FC Dallas at Starfiere in Tukwila on August 30th and play for third consecutive US Open Cup.
CONCACAF Champions League:  Defeat San Francisco this Wednesday in Seattle and advance to the CONCACAF group stages.  Advance from group stages and laying ahead would be a possible first ever MLS team CONCACAF Champion.
Supporters Shield:  Keep winning.  Team with best record in MLS regular season play earns top spot in league and takes the Shield.
2011 MLS Cup:  Make the playoffs in top six positions, earn bye for first week and go on a late season ride to earn a first ever title.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Thierry Henry & the Designated Players – Sounders vs New York Red Bulls

23 06 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

Sales on Sounders by Gabi Campanario - 8/5/09 @ Barca Friendly

Dramatic matches.  Dramatic endings.  Sounders FC are born from the dramatic cloth of Rave-Green inception.  The short turnaround to Thursday’s home match at Qwest Field, means the next chance for Sounders faithful to support their club to the next level of dramatic inception is only a work-night away.

Intriguing home stadium changes will take place Thursday.  Same place, different name.  Qwest Field will officially be announced as CenturyLink Field.  How this name change will be written is up for debate.  I see C-Link.  Which gives upset traveling fans or disappointed home fans an easy ”clink” opportunity.  A non issue really, unless Timbers fans are ever handed three points from some sort of Buddle-Juninho-Hassli-esque miracle shot.  Sideline whisper:  How many more “wonder-strikes” do we give up before these magic goals are renamed Sounder-normal?  Back to the blog:  Using “clink” against the Sounders will make for an easy cheese-wiz first layer dis, but nothing that sticks too long.

Thursday marks the Sounders Front Office first attempt at opening up the entire stadium.  All upper-level seats will be uncovered for an enticing $15.00.  It should prove a good first test to see how fans long-awaited “more seats” request works with short notice.

Speaking of wonder strikes.  Ranking high among the Sounders growing list of dramatic finishes, is last Saturday’s 90th minute stoppage-time thriller against Toronto FC, by Fredy Montero.  Mauro Rosales, fouled at the top right side of Toronto’s penalty box gave way to the free kick.  Freddy Montero stepped up with strong intent and purpose.  His strike curled over Toronto’s wall and into the left corner of Stefan Frei‘s goal.  Barely out of reach of Frei’s diving fingers.  It was another winner for what is becoming standard Sounders fare.  Late match heroes making late match drama.

Reds

Toronto FC, "Reds"

One expected fan-thrill, and another Sounders first for Thursday’s match is already certain not to happen.  Thierry Henry, the former French National Team, and Arsenal superstar, playing for the Red Bulls of New York, was issued a red card in the 90th minute of his match against the Portland Timbers last Sunday.  Any attending fans disappointed by his absence, will likely be thrilled by the Sounders desire to play for no fewer than all three points for the win.  New York will be ready to irritate and frustrate Seattle’s attempt to score early and often.  Star power aside, the importance of the match wont be lost on the Sounders players.

Eric Hassli, proved Seattle is a good place for aging French strikers to score dramatic goals.  With Henry out, a pair of french-kissed strikes are completely out of the question.  That is unless Sebastian LeToux is holding an ace in his pocket for when Philadelphia comes to clink one in on Sounders at C-Link later on in colder October.

The Sounders victorious match last week with Toronto FC completed the first half of this 34 match season with a decent 6-win, 4-loss, 7-draw record.  The 25 points have the Sounders sitting third in the Western Conference.  With most teams close behind and holding games in hand, a string of wins could launch Sounders FC into a successful second half season playoff push.  This Sunday is another short home match turn around to face visiting New England Revolution.

The Sounders continue to make lineup adjustments searching for a better winning touch.  Fredy Montero, was given an active “Free-Roam” role last week.  Which could prove valuable against New York.  Michael Fucito, hitting post last week, and being close to striking net so often all season, means he is due to taste joy. Montero, regaining confidence with his dramatic free kick also means he will be a marked man.  That is a good thing for Sounders FC.  With Fredy heavily marked again, Fucito’s speed combined with Mauro Rosales’s crosses and technical ability to get into dangerous positions, as well as create space for other players to get into dangerous positions, means opportunities for either Fucito speed, or Montero poise are likely elements to ignite 40,000 plus into celebration.

New York Red Bulls

Thierry Henry can come to Seattle riding the Red Bull bench, but he can’t come to Seattle without at least a little DP (Designated Player) conversation.  Should your Major League Soccer team have one?  If so, how much should your club spend?  (See Derek Ciapala’s piece on AS Roma’s Francesco Totti possibly coming to the LA Galaxy this season).  The NASL filled itself with aging, and overpaid stars and eventually folded.  Major League Soccer’s slow expansion of Designated Players has proven safer and smarter.  Some teams do not yet have a Designated Player.

Would Seattle have sold out their first season without Freddie Ljungberg?  Possibly not.  On the other hand, interest has seen a ground swell beyond famous players.  Passion and participation in soccer is common and longstanding throughout the Northwest.  Seattle was Broadway for US Soccer before US Soccer had found Broadway.  This Thursday’s stadium-wide opening would have happened on its own.

As fun as Ljungberg was at the start, his easy irritability was not easily adaptable for fans.  Halfway into his second season was a good time for team and player to part ways.  Management brought in Blaise Nkufo, fresh from his Swiss National team appearance in the 2010 World Cup.  It was a good half season and he delivered a solid playoff boost for the club.  But being a punchbag to absorb Montero’s physical punishment was not a role he desired.  So one hour before this 2011 season started he and the club also parted ways.

During the off-season, Montero was promoted to DP status.  Like any athlete or team making the cover of Sports Illustrated, it has not helped Montero’s productivity.  Before his free-kick game-winner last weekend, Montero had scored only two goals.  Some might call that unproductive, and question the Front Office spending.  Yet any team with a DP has a list of curiosities with its stars no different from the Sounders.  In LA’s case, Beckham has arguably a longer list.

Scoring goals is an expensive habit.  Sporting diamonds.  24 carat strikes, like Eric Hassli’s are worth a lifetime to some player reputations.  That goal will be a goal of the year candidate.  (See it here on my recent post)  Spending spectacular Designated Player money is sometimes necessary to acquire a player like Hassli.

Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC - 2009 & 2010 US Open Cup Champions

Is it more important for teams to find players to entertain, put butts-in-seats, and make us deliriously but joyfully buy their kit?  No single right answer exists.  In a perfect world, Roger Levesque would posses Ruud Van Nistelrooy goal poaching skill, and a one club career as long as Paul Scholes, of Manchester United.  Reality is, we have to learn to cheer on Nate Jaqua.  Starter or sub, lifting his spirit to put the ball into the net this Thursday is our job as fans.

Money can’t buy everything, but it does get good entertainment.  Entertainment doesn’t last a lifetime.  Building fan reputation and players that believe in that reputation, costs nothing and lasts forever.  At the end of the day, Sounders General Manager, Adrian Hanaueer is looking for the next soccer guy to sing “Spectacular, Spectacular”.  He is also looking for Ruud Van Levesque.  He has an unenviable task, but also has a knack for finding players, like Osvaldo Alonso, John Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez, Alvaro Fernandez, and Mauro Rosales.

I believe as fans we set the precedent. We build the reputations and passionate spirit. The Front Office finds the role pieces to fulfill the object of our passion.  Occasionally a star will fit.  But if the money to bring talent is too high or the talent is too high above the club, then there are always ways of developing success outside of Designated Players.

© 2011 by Ryan Sales – Sales on Sounders

Contributions:  Fans Look:  Could AS Roma striker sign with the Los Angeles Galaxy?  By, Derek Ciapala, June 17, 2011


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Face the Fire – Seattle Sounders FC play Goliath, to Chicago Fire’s David

4 06 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

Sales on Sounders by Gabi Campanario - 8/5/09 @ Barca Friendly

Face the Fire.  Sounders FC travel to Chicago Saturday to face the Chicago Fire. Realistically the Sounders should feel a swell of momentum in their favor from the remarkable win against Real Salt Lake at their fortress, and home pitch, Rio Tinto Stadium.  On the road last week in Salt Lake City, another heavy downpour match, Sounders FC ended Real Salt Lake‘s 29 match unbeaten streak at Rio Tinto Stadium.  A 2-1 win from unexpected heroes Patrick Ianni and Lamar Neagle.  Goals from unexpected heros means momentum is building for Seattle.  Right?

Adding confidence to the Sounders momentum is a Chicago Fire season record smoldering at 1-win, 4-losses, 6-draws.  Chicago Fire coach, Carlos de los Cobos was dismissed last Monday for the poor season results, with Technical Director, Frank Klopas taking over for an interim basis.

Two trains running.  One headed East, and the other standing still.  Sounders look poised for victory.

If we have learned anything by now, it is that the existence of confidence in this particular sport has less an impact on the final result than any other.  The only way to prepare for a match like this.  Tear up the records, discard momentum, forget last weeks heroics, and be afraid.  Be very, very afraid.

Prove and excite.  It is possible every player for Chicago, instead of feeling down, is seeing opportunity.  A clean slate.  Prove to your new coach, your team, your fans, even yourself what it was that brought you to become a professional soccer player. Create, assist, defend tough, score, and win.  Excite your home fans and reignite a fading season.

Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire - Founded 1997, MLS 1998, 4 US Open Cup Titles

So much for confidence and momentum. Soccer is a bizzaro-world team sport.  A week after defeating Manchester United to win the UEFA Champions league, and cement themselves as one of the greatest clubs in the history of soccer, Barcelona would appear to be a more favored opponent for Seattle this week than the Chicago Fire.  Chicago will fight with a harsh bite for every ball.  The first 15-20 minutes for Seattle may need a boxing like rope-a-dope strategy.  Take punches.  If Sounders FC are still standing by halftime, then chances will come.  Otherwise, it could be a long ride home Chicago.

It’s hard not to root for the underdogs.  With Chicago down, yet built with likable talent, it is hard not to hope they do well.  Most of the non-bias fans will take their side.  Sound familiar?  This was not unlike the Sounders position going into their match with Real Salt Lake last week.  The unlikely David going into Goliath’s mansion.  Good luck getting out alive.  The Sounders are from being a Rave Green Goliath, but that is precisely how they will be perceived facing the Fire.  We already know how that story ends.  In fact, the Sounders saw it played out to their satisfaction last week.  David and Goliath, part II:  Meet Karma.  Sounders face the Fire.

© 2011 by Ryan Sales – Sales on Sounders


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Portland Calling

30 06 2010

The thump of drums, shower of chants, sling of chainsaw, wash of smoke-bombs, flares, and crazy flag waving fans are not English soccer fans.  It’s Timbers supporters from Portland.  All American baby.  No English derby, this is Emerald City Supporters of Seattle against Timbers Army of Portland.  Vuvuzela will be burned.  This rivalry may look like an English Football Derby, but it’s American as apple pie.  It’s the defending 2009 US Open Cup Champion, Seattle Sounders FC vs Portland Timbers.  A rematch of Seattle’s 2-1 US Open Cup victory over Portland in 2009, played at the same site as this years rematch at PGE Park in downtown Portland.

The US run in the World Cup was pretty fun.  On a scale of 1-10 the Algeria game was an emotional 11.  The game play itself was only an 8.  Then what is a 10, Mr. Sales on Sounders, you ask?  Well, thanks for asking.  My friends, the answer is simple.  It is one of the oldest professional club rivalries in American soccer.  In classic English football terms it is a “derby”.  Tomorrow, Sounders FC travel to PGE Park, squaring off with Portland Timbers and their outrageous supporters, the Timbers Army.  A much-anticipated rematch of Seattle’s 2-1 US Open Cup victory over Portland last year on their way to winning the 2009 US Open Cup.  A great achievement in the Sounders inaugural season.

2009 US Open Cup - As special recognition to Sounders supporters owners had fans take cup in March to the Match

Sounders FC celebrated many historic firsts in their 2009 inaugural season.  Top among these achievements was their 2-1 victory at RFK Stadium, against DC United in the US Open Cup Final.  Taking home their first title and hardware helped establish the Sounders as the winning club they are building to become.  More importantly it opened a door for them in season two to make their first attempt at ascending the highest obtainable height for any club worldwide.  This soccer Everest, is the FIFA Club World Cup.  Clubs qualify by winning their regions Champions League.  The Sounders region is CONCACAF.  The same region the US Mens and Womens National Teams qualify through to reach the World Cup.  The FIFA Club World Cup is annual, while the World Cup is every 4 years.

Portland Timbers old logo

Portland Timbers old logo

In last years US Open Cup against Portland, Roger Levesque scored a stunning, and for Timvers fans, heart breaking first minute goal.  Levesque was already one of the most hated players in Portland for having scored the most goals against them from 2005-2008.  The final 3 years Sounders were in the USL-1 division with Portland.  In his first minute goal, Levesque added kindling to the Timbers fire by adding a celebration mocking one of Portland’s famed rituals.  The Timbers have a Lumberjack for a mascot.  He takes his chainsaw, revs it up and cuts wood, spraying sawdust and smoke into the beer bellowed air of the Timbers Army.  Levesque, being savoy and spiteful, had a teammate act like he had a chainsaw, and proceeded to cut Levesque down.  Levesque fell and was dragged away by other teammates.  It was a well choreographed goal celebration.  One that stirred conversation going into the rematch.  With Portland joining MLS next year, Timbers fans already believe they are as good as the Sounders, and don’t need much motivation to try and prove it.

The Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders rivalry started in 1974.  Last year, even with the teams in different leagues, the US Open Cup match, and Levesque’s goal only had added intensity over past rivalry meetings.  The game earned a featured two page picture in Sports Illustrated a week later.  The game will draw even more attention this year, including TV coverage.  US Open Cup matches are rarely televised as the competition has little advertising.  The intensity of this rivalry and the rematch are some of the best inexpensive advertising the US Open Cup has had.

“Why so serious”? Said the Joker to Batman, in, The Dark Knight.  Well, the US Open Cup will never be bigger than the MLS Cup.  But as people begin to understand soccer more they will see the value in this competition.  It allows potential young stars to gain recognition and compete with older former players, top amateurs, as well as MLS regulars.  Even though a small rural county team may never win the cup.  It is every few years that just such a team will knock out an MLS team, and forever place that team and its community in a spotlight.  I invite everyone to support this type of true community sport.  I hope 10 years from now towns all over the US will compete to host a US Open Cup match.  It is “so serious”, because winning it is one means for a US club to potentially reach the status of best club in the world.  The winner gains an opportunity to play in the CONCACAF Champions League.  The winner of the CONCACAF Champions League earns a berth in the FIFA Club World Cup.  By the Sounders winning the 2009 US Open Cup, they make their first attempt at ascending this great soccer Everest this year.

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

This is one of our country’s oldest competed for trophy’s dating to 1914.  In 1999 one of the outstanding patrons of the modern competition, Lamar Hunt, was recognized by adding his name to the competition.   The competition is open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams from amateur to professional.  Prior to joining Major League Soccer, the Sounders had not won a US Open Cup, but had a winning record against MLS clubs.  They knocked Chivas USA out of the 2008 US Open Cup 5-1.  Upsets for some reason, well beyond my comprehension of soccer, exist in this sport more than any other I know.  Earlier this year in Spain’s Copa del Rey, (Spain’s version of the US Open Cup), Real Madrid lost 4-0 to Alcorcon.  A team well below Real Madrid’s

Alcorcon

Agrupación Deportiva Alcorcón - Founded 1971

world status.  Could you imagine Boise State beating the Dallas Cowboys in a pre-season game?  Never, ever, ever.  Well, it happens every year in soccer in almost every country.  This last winter I watched Manchester United get knocked out of the FA Cup, on their home pitch, by a second level team.


For Club and For Country

FIFA = Federation Internationale de Football Association

The 6 regions of FIFA
AFC – Asian Football Confederation
CAF – Confederation Africaine de Football
CONCACAF – Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football
CONMEBOL – Confederation Sudamericana de Futbol
OFC – Oceania Football Confederation
UEFA - Union of European Football Associations

National Teams and Clubs play in the same region.  For example, the US Mens and Womens National Teams play in CONCACAF, the same FIFA region as MLS clubs Seattle Sounders FC and LA Galaxy.

And we wonder why World Cup refs can’t get calls right.  Who the heck even knows all the regions?  No wonder US sports stick to conferences like “North”, “South” “East” and “West”  The toughest one we deal with is BCS.  Nice and short, unfortunately no one knows how it actually works.  Well, that is other than how it works annually to deny the University of Utah and Boise State their due National Championships.  Oh, but that’s for a muse of another day.  FIFA is an association established under Swiss law, located in Zurich.  The President is Sepp Blatter.  As far as I can tell, your chances are better to meet the Pope than Sepp.  Unless of course, you are Bill Clinton or Mick Jagger.  Until that happens, the closest your thoughts and comments will get to anyone in FIFA, including Mr. Sepp Blatter, is with my Sales on Sounders comment link below.  Have at it.

Post Match

When a soccer match comes to Penalty Kicks a few things are certain.  Any player still standing after playing a nearly full 130 minutes is physically and mentally running on empty.  The full 90 played out with a few minutes tacked on for stoppages completing the first half, and again at the end of regulation time.  No winner decided.  Two extra time periods of 15 minutes each elapsed, again without a winner emerging.  So, all that is left is guessing right, or guessing wrong.  Simple really.

In 1994 an Italian guessed wrong in the World Cup.  Chances are you don’t know his name.  Baggio stepped up for his PK, (common name for Penalty Kicks) one of the brightest, high-profile Italian stars in European soccer, and his brightest moment was upon him.  Italy and Brazil squared off in the Rose Bowl, in Passedena, for the 1994 World Cup Final.  If Baggio hits his PK, Italy knocks out Brazil.  Confidence is what Baggio is known for as much as any player on the pitch that day.  His shot is confident and strong.  A little too strong.  His shot sails over the crossbar.  Brazil win another World Cup.  I was in Nak-Nek, Alaska working at a fish processing plant.  I saw this Italian go down to the ground.  I thought briefly, “ah too bad for him”, then I jumped up and down with everyone else enjoying the Samba Kings celebration.  His star status shot from the sky.  In the harsh world of soccer, he’s no big deal anymore.  The less likely Brazilian hero, who made his shot, is Dunga, who is coaching the 2010 Brazilian team to another likely appearance in the South Africa final.  When such an intense and grueling sport comes to guessing right, or guessing wrong, it’s fair to say, the outcome will always be unreasonably unfair to someone.

Portland matched the Sounders ability for 130 minutes.  The Sounders took a 1-nil lead in the 13th minute, but Portland fought hard for the equalizer in the 38th minute.  That was the end of the scoring summary.  Penalty Kicks would decide the fate of both teams.  The winner advancing in the US Open Cup, and the loser out.  The coin toss chooses advantage.  The first team to shoot has that advantage.  Portland won the coin toss.  Each team gets five penalty kicks.  Team with the most made, wins.  If still tied after five, then it keeps going until one makes it and the other misses.  Keller took the advantage away from Portland making the first save.  Seattle hit the next three shots.  In the fourth round of PK’s Keller again guessed correctly, making the save.  Patrick Ianni only has to make his shot and Sounders win.  Like Baggio, his shot goes high and off the crossbar.  Portland makes their last shot.  Zach Scott for Seattle is last to go.  He guesses correctly, missing the Portland keeper and Sounders advance.  It’s glory for Sounders.  How unfair for Portland at home.  I’d almost feel bad for Portland, except not much has gone well for Seattle in 2010.  So a little fortune in guessing right feels like just rewards.

Scoring Summary

13th min, Seattle -  N. Jaqua, (goal), Montaño, (assist)
38th min, Portland – B. Dike (goal), Pore (assist)

Final – Seattle 1 – 1 Portland

Penalty Shoot Out
Seattle
1. N. Sturgis (Goal)     4. P. Ianni (Crossbar)
2. F. Montero (Goal)    5. Z. Scott (Goal) – Winning PK
3. S. Zakuani (Goal)
Portland
1. R. Pore (Save) 4. R. Smith (Save)
2. D. DeMartin (Goal)   5. R. Lopez (Goal)
3. M. Danso (Goal)

Penalty Kick Final – Seattle (4) – (3) Portland


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Categories : 2010

A little CBA before the season.

23 03 2010

My Granddad, Len D Hill was a World War II Veteran.  He was honorably recognized for his service during the Berlin Airlift.  He was also a baseball fan, most of his life.  After the ’94 strike he never really revisited the game he loved.  Born in Texas he had football, and that meant Cowboys.  But baseball just sort of fell off his radar.  Leukemia took his life in 2002.  Because the Mariners were so darn fun during their magical 1995  “pull another rabbit out of the hat” and “Refuse to Lose” playoff push, he paid attention to that run.  Especially, when they did justice for all baseball by knocking out the Yanks.  I think we only talked baseball two times after that.  Both times he showed clear disappointment in the way the game was played, and the kind of money it took to play the game.  I am proud and honored to have my grandfathers genes.  His first four grandsons all played the beautiful game.  His oldest son coached.  His oldest blog writing grandson also went on to coach.  I feel confident in saying he would be proud Major League Soccer resolved its labor dispute between owners and players before lockouts or strikes took place.

Many sports in the US have overcome strikes and lockouts.  Other sports besides MLS are dealing with labor issues.  Some are positioned better than others to take on and deal with various player and owner disputes.  In 2004 the NHL took a hard hit in fan support due to its lockout.  The NFL has long since healed over its use of SCAB players.  Even still, union issues are creeping into the NFL and NBA.  However both leagues have strong backing from advertisers, TV networks, cable companies and other various financial sources to survive league stoppage.  Major League Soccer does not have this same kind of broad footprint of financial support.  So, even if MLS had continued for a while its financial resources are not enough to avoid a collapse.

For a financially resourceful professional soccer league, look no further than across the Atlantic pond.  The International Football Hotbed Isle of Britain, is the most successful international football league in the world is realizing club and league level financial concern.  Was the MLS aware?  Yes, had to.  The English Premiere League appears cash strapped.  Some reports claim the EPL may even be worse off than that.  So, MLS surely realized a strike would flush the league down the NASL drain pipe.  Two of the English Premier Leagues and the worlds biggest teams, Liverpool and Manchester United have debt issues.  Another EPL team, Portsmouth has recently been placed into “Administration”.  Still another team, Fullham, with American star, Clint Dempsey, has an owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed asking fans to spend more money on team merchandise, to avoid growing debt.

Now for an administrative “administration” review.  In all honesty, Portsmouth’s “administration” status issue is a bit more Monty Python than Liverpool’s or Manchester United’s debt issues.  What I take “administration” to mean is that instead of a team going directly into bankruptcy court, filing for chapter 11 and liquidating, the club accepts a 9 point season penalty, and gets a short-term loan.  The loan buys Portsmouth owners and supporters time to raise capital.  There is more to it than that, but I am not British, and I do not have a degree qualifying me for a position in the Ministry of Football and Financial Sciences.  I am merely a simple quiet American banker by day, and loud Rave Green Sounders supporter the rest of the time.  I know debit cards, working 9-5, paying bills, and “bluest skies”.   What I can say in Sales on Sounders blog-speak about the EPL’s Pompey (Portsmouth) issue is, really?  Slap a basement team with a 9 point penalty, really?  A team already slated for relegation to a lower league needs to be knocked down further, really?  I mean really, that is like the NBA telling Oklahoma City Thunder fans, every time you lose a home game you have to do the Trailor-n-Twister dance.  Really?

With Liverpool fans wanting the exit of American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillette, and Manchester United fans wanting the same for Joel and Avram Glazer.  It simply means the MLS has to be a unified league.  Players need to see the owners issues.  The LA Galaxy’s and AEG’s Tim Leiweke has done for Major League Soccer similar to what Lamar Hunt did, but more behind the scene.  Players need to honor that.  Similarly, owners need to honor players right to develop and find the team they best fit.  Even with a 5 year agreement in hand, if the players v owners lack of unity does not get resolved, we could see the slow decline of the league.  Whereas the EPL has resources to fiscally straighten itself out after labor or league issues, similar to how the NFL would.  The MLS is well advised to stay tuned to the current EPL debt issues because there are not the same resources afforded to the MLS.

United States professional soccer players need a more competitive wage for US soccer to improve.   If MLS wants the best American soccer players to play here, this must happen soon.   The base increase to $40k, with 5% annual increase is a good start.  As much as I believe this increase is necessary and support the players in their well put together agenda of issues, I think the “strike” option should not have ever been forged.  This being a World Cup year combined with last years improved attendance means advertisers and networks are ready to put more money into the US game.  That should be incentive enough for players and owners to put differences aside and support the growth of the American game.  The other option is to stay in separate corners and commit MLS hari kari starting with watching Colorado become our Portsmouth.

Averting the strike was a big step for the league and heads it in the right direction.  It is the kind of galvanizing moment the league needs.  One that had baseball realized in ’94 would have made my Granddad a happy baseball fan the rest of his life.


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Categories : 2010


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