Conspiracy Uncovered?

Seems my beloved Everton is close to signing Landon Donovan on a 3-month loan to begin in January. While there will be plenty of discussion about this in the next few weeks, I think the real reason behind the loan deal might have been uncovered by a user on an Everton message board I frequent...

"This is a ploy by England to eliminate Donovan from the World Cup. Obviously he will sustain some injury as soon as he steps into Goodison"

Interesting theory indeed!


As for Donovan at Everton...Moyes needs the bodies with all the injury problems, but I struggle to see exactly when and where he will play. I worry about how he will handle the physicality and speed on the EPL. It's not that Donovan doesn't have pace, something Everton needs desperately at the moment, it's the fact that players often take 6 months to a year to get used to the style of play in the EPL. From an Everton perspective, it can't hurt to have him on the roster for a couple months but I just wonder what kind of impact he will have. Time will tell I suppose and the loan still has to be made offiicial as well.

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Brawl, Fair Play & Investigations: I Love Italian Footy!

What a wild match between Ascoli and Reggina from Serie B in Italy. Here is what went down in a nutshell ("Help! I'm in a nutshell! How did I get into this bloody great big nutshell? What kind of shell has a nut like this?")...

After Reggina's Carlos Valdez was injured and tried to kick the ball out of play, Ascoli's Vincenzo Sommese (either unaware or uncaring) intercepted the ball and set up teammate Mirko Antenucci who scored as Reggina's player protested.

What followed was a a brawl and a red card for Reggina's Andrea Costa, who was sent off for hitting Sommese. Next thing you know, Ascoli allows Reggina to score an uncontested goal out of a desire for fair play. Officials are now investigating the uncontested goal to determine if there was a breach of the rules. Wild stuff and the best part is there's video!

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American Soccer Show: Episode 4

There's a new show available at the American Soccer Show website, or if you prefer, download it here. There's draw talk, strike talk, and USL/NASL meeting talk.


The American Soccer Show is part of the Champions Soccer Radio Network.

Visit the American Soccer Show website for more info

Subscribe to the new iTunes feed here.

DOWNLOAD the show.

LISTEN in the CSRN Media Player

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American Soccer Show: Episode 3

This week, Jason and Zach review the MLS Cup Final, discuss the return of the NASL name for America's second division, and talk to Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch regarding the MLS CBA negotiations.


The American Soccer Show is part of the Champions Soccer Radio Network.

Visit the American Soccer Show website for more info

Subscribe to the new iTunes feed here.

DOWNLOAD the show.

LISTEN in the CSRN Media Player

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The Inequities and the Tyranny of Evil Men?

So first this morning we get word that Fédération Internationale Des Associations de Footballeurs Professionels (FIFPro) has spoken out on behalf of the MLS Players Union supporting their claims that how the league handles player contracts is against FIFA regulations.

Now we hear from Grant Wahl that the 3,000lb gorilla in the room (better known as Sepp Blatter, I mean, FIFA) will not get involved in the labor negotiations between MLS and the MLSPU. What a surprise! FIFA unwilling to involve itself in an issue on behalf of players, choosing instead to support the side of profit and greed. Same , different day. So who is to blame for this? The Seattle Sounders? (I wish, but sadly not this time). I think we need to resort to a nursery rhyme to uncover the truth behind this nonsense...Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell the blood of Sunil Gulati.

With U.S. Soccer just getting the full support of CONCACAF for their 2018/22 World Cup bid, the last thing they need is for labor armageddon in the FIFA sanctioned first division in the United States. Sepp Blatter, Jack Warner and the rest of the money grubbing good for nothings that make up the clown car that is FIFA realize that billions of dollars are at stake in placing a World Cup Final back in the United States. The last thing these clowns are going to do is compromise a money making opportunity, even if it means ignoring potential violations of FIFA regulations and allowing MLS to treat its players like indentured servants. So what if players are being denied fair wages, free agency and having their 10% cut of outgoing transfer fees kept from them, they should just be happy to be playing football right? Don't make me laugh.

We've dealt with this before in Americn sports, legal battles have been fough, careers ruined, all in the name of allowing players to earn fair wages and become free agents. For example, under the current system MLS players are unable to move freely within the league itself even after their contracts end due to a stipulation that allows the club to keep their rights even after the contract expires...Curt Flood* is turning circles in his grave.

Despite the best efforts of the MLSPU it seems very likely that Don Garber and MLS will get away with treating players like second class citizens for another CBA cycle. The league will continue to underpay players, deny free agency, deny guaranteed contracts and continue to hold on to the ability to terminate contracts on a whim. Clark Hunt and John Wagner must love this crap. Of course, the players could strike and dive MLS into the abyss of labor hell from which much stronger and bigger leagues have struggled to crawl back out of. Don't bury your head in sand, this is real possibility.

I'm not saying it will happen, I'm not saying I want MLS to crash in to oblivion. I am saying the players have every right to defend themselves from inequities and the tyranny of evil men...and no sport is chock full of evil men like football.


*Curt Flood became one of the pivotal figures in baseball's labor history when he refused to accept a trade following the 1969 season, ultimately appealing his case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although his legal challenge was unsuccessful, it brought about additional solidarity among players as they fought against baseball's reserve clause and sought free agency.

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MLS Cup 2009: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

I'm not feeling particularly inspired this morning. The 2009 MLS Cup Final left a bad taste in my mouth, very similar to the feeling you get from that awful concoction dentist use to "polish" your teeth. I just feel like we were cheated out of a good match by a few controlling factors. I'll do my best to outline these factors and explain my thought process; all is not negative however and I'll be sure to talk about some positives as well. And since I love spaghetti westerns, I think I'll throw that in the mix.

The Good: The Atmosphere

Seattle was a great host for the 2009 MLS Cup Final. The stadium looked great (aside from the pitch, which I'll address later), the crowd was loud and boisterous, and despite a rather boring first half and dreadful extra time, the second half and penalty kicks gave us plenty of tension and drama. I hate penalty kicks, absolutely despise them, but much like the analogy of a car crash, you just can't look away. Last night's were particulary good though. We had Landon Donovan's amazing miss, Edson Buddle and the exhausted Andy Williams both with unfortunately poor efforts that turned the momentum, and finally Nick Rimando, looking particularly Smurftastic, amazing again just as he was against Chicago in the Eastern Conference Final. It definitely could have been a better match, but it felt like a Cup final and had all the drama you expect from a Cup final. What more can you really ask for?

The Bad: The Plastic Pitch

That field in Seattle sucks, but then all plastic surfaces suck. Toronto knows it and are getting rid of the crap. Seattle can't really do anything as they are stuck with the field thanks to time sharing in an NFL stadium. It really doesn't do any good to complain, so I'll keep this brief while still saying what needs to be said...which is this: That was embarrassing last night for Major League Soccer. The ball bouncing and skipping everywhere, passes going off target; it was really poor stuff. It doesn't help that the art of the first touch is often lost in MLS when you make these guys play on what equates to being in a FC Dallas bounce house.

The Ugly: The Assault on Javier Morales.

Not the flashiest player, but much like Schelotto in Columbus last season, Morales is the engine that turns the wheels for Real Salt Lake. He is entertaining to watch and when he left the match early yesterday, RSL spent most of the first half looking listless and lost on the attack. Halftime adjustments by Jason Kreis righted the ship, but you have to believe that game might not have needed extra time, let alone PKs, if one David Beckham hadn't eliminated Morales from the match. The first collision I can let go but it's the second tackle that ruffles my feathers. Beckham's assault on Morales' knee was nothing more than a calculated strike to knock arguably RSL's best player out of the match. Morales knew it and he was none to happy with Golden Balls as he limped off the pitch unable to continue. The skill and talent that Beckham has lost has been replaced by petulance, dirty play and a serious case of entitlement. He bellows at referees and rages at opponents and more than one time this season has been the catalyst for escalating on the field disagreements to near full-fledged fights. Worse still, it's rubbing on his Galaxy teammates. Landon Donovan has been especially petulant this season, including his rage filled arm swing and a shout of "F*** YOU!" in the direction of the referee during the Western Conference Final. Last night though, Beckham physically removed an opposing player from the match with dirty tactics...and that is pathetic.

So there you have it: the good, the bad and the ugly of the 2009 MLS Cup Final wrapped up in a couple easy to enjoy paragraphs. Congratulations are in order to Real Salt Lake for winning their first MLS Cup. Now the fun part for Jason Kreis and his players...trying to repeat. Only 122 days to MLS First Kick 2010 and how fitting that it's back in Seattle on their awful turf.

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American Soccer Show: Episode 2

Jason and Zach review the US performance against Denmark, play the Wheel of Garber, and ask a question of you about the potential return of the name NASL.

The American Soccer Show is part of the Champions Soccer Radio Network.

Visit the American Soccer Show website for more info

Subscribe to the new iTunes feed here.

DOWNLOAD the show.

LISTEN in the CSRN Media Player

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Hitler Reacts to Thierry Henry's Handball

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Never Trust a Man Who Used to Have a Mustache Either

Bad Thierry Henry. You cheated and you are the hero of all of France for it. Somewhere Michel Platini is dancing because you did it. Somewhere Sepp Blatter and the rest of FIFA are doing an Arsene Wegner impression. In Ireland your face will end up on dart boards and was the reason that children cried themselves to sleep last night. It's certainly not the end of the world and it's definitely not the last time a football match will be decided by deceitful means, but don't think for one second people will forget this...just ask Diego.

You Thierry Henry will now and forever more be remembered as a cheater. Years from now after you've left the game far behind people will not remember the goals, the brilliance, the creativity...they will remember you directing the ball with your arm to the palm of your hand then down to your feet and sending it across to William Gallas.

Just because the referee and his linesmen missed it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Shay Given saw it, all of Ireland saw it and even though some won't admit it, all of France saw. We the fans have seen it, we will always see it and you Thierry Henry, you will always be a cheater.

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It's Time for the Hunt Sports Group to Leave MLS

I'm not a Columbus Crew supporter. I don't live in Ohio...but I do follow Major League Soccer and i've watched more than a few Crew matches over the past two seasons. I've seen the Crew go from laughing stock of the league to MLS Cup Champions. While there were several factors that helped turn the club around and change their fortunes, there is no doubt that Guillermo Barros Schelotto was a huge part of that success.

If you watched the Crew play, you've seen Schelotto take a corner kick in front of The Nordecke as hundreds of fans raise their arms in the air and bow to their beloved talisman while chanting his name. It's respect and devotion earned by Schelotto through his consistent performance on the pitch and his pivotal role in leading the Crew to the 2008 MLS Cup.

Schelotto joined the Crew in 2007, but it was in 2008 that he began to really shine. He scored 7 goals and 19 assist on his way to winning the League MVP award. He was outstanding in the Crew's 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup Final, assisting on all three goals. After his incredible season Crew management and the Hunt Sports Group awarded Schelotto by making him the club's first Designated Player.

In 2008 Schelotto earned $375,000. Going in to 2009, the Crew doubled his salary to bring his total earnings up to $775,000 (according to players' union records). Every Crew fan in their right mind would tell you he was worth every penny and at the time, HSG would probably have agreed.

During the 2009 season, Schelotto's played in only 24 matches due to injuries and assumed tactical decisions by new head coach Robert Warzycha in order to protect Schelotto from certain playing surfaces. Despite playing in less matches he still scored 12 goals and had 3 assist and the Crew once again won the Supporter's Shield. This time however, there was no playoff success as the team fell in the first round to Real Salt Lake. Schelotto didn't even play in the first leg of the home and home series and it's a decision that will haunt Warzycha and fans alike.

But there was bigger issue for the Crew beyond their playoff failure. Attendance numbers fluctuated all season despite being one of the best teams in MLS and being the defending champions. Columbus failed sellout Crew stadium once all season and for the home playoff match against RSL only 10,109 fans showed up.

So what is an ownership group to do when attendance is struggling, your supporter's groups are angry with club management and you think you can't afford your star player?

If you are a competent organization you sit down behind close doors and try to come to an agreement to keep that player in your colors.

If you're the Hunt Sport Group, a notoriously cheap organization well known for their focus on balance sheets over the on-the-field success, you tell your club's talisman that if he wants to stay, he needs to take a paycut of over 50% and lose his DP status. It's a joke right? Funny ha ha?

Nope. No joke here, just a decision soaked in incompetence...something HSG knows all about.

Once again the Hunt Sports Group proves that they don't give a damn about their soccer clubs, at least not in the traditional sense of winning matches and trophies. They've run FC Dallas in to the ground, alienating the fan base and building a stadium designed to make HSG money from concerts and events under the guise of being a soccer specific stadium. Just like in Dallas, HSG is going to implode the Crew. GM Mark McCullers has spent the season fighting with the the Crew's biggest supporters and now McCullers and the bean counters above him are completely disrepcting arguably the most influential player in club history. Oh yeah, they built a stage in Crew Stadium too.

It's disgusting. It's shameful and its the Hunt Sports Group at their best. They are a group so powerful and with so much financial impact on MLS that Don Garber and the league have no choice but to stay silent and watch as they made ridiculous decisions and make comical farces out of two of the leagues franchises.

It's time for HSG to sell their teams and leave Major League Soccer. Everything good and positive that Lamar Hunt ever did for the sport of soccer in the United States and for MLS is being tarnished the likes of Clark Hunt, Dan Hunt and John Wagner. You don't care about MLS, you don't care about your clubs. You care only about your money. You care only about making sure you do everything you can to profit at the expense of properly funding your teams and properly funding the people at those teams who are expected market the product and sell tickets. You ham string your own employees in Columbus and Dallas who work so hard to sell your teams to the public by undercutting them with one incompetent management decision after another. Not that you care though, because you are making money thanks to Jimmy Buffet, Edgefest and Kenny Chesney.

If you're a Crew fan none of that really matters of course. All that you're thinking about right now is that Guillermo Barros Schelotto will probably not play in Columbus next season. All that is on your mind is that the Crew's ownership have openly disrespected your most important player and season ticket renewals are due...

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