I'm a little booked up today, so a couple of quick hitters:
TV Ratings a Small Victory
Nielsen released the ratings for USA-Mexico on ESPN2 (0.8 rating, 1.2 million total viewers), and despite little effort from ESPN, they were pretty darn good (qualifier: for soccer). The Wednesday broadcast was the most ever watched WCQ on ESPN, a history that includes 26 matches. Univision and ESPN Deportes cleaned up, of course, with Univision setting a new record for viewership. While I'm encouraged by the numbers, I want to be sure I view them in the right context; I may try to break them down a bit when I have a little more time. On the face of it, it looks like soccer is gaining more and more traction as time goes along. The ratings also indicate one or both of two things: one, Hispanic viewers watching the English-language broadcast helped ESPN2's ratings, and two, the Euro Snob factor continues to rear it's ugly head. These ratings (and FSC's EPL ratings) only serve to reinforce the stark fact that American soccer fans just don't want to watch MLS.
Beckham Deadline Day
Today is Don Garber's unofficial deadline day for the Galaxy-to-Milan Beckham transfer. I haven't seen anything that would indicate a deal is done, although the Mail Online is reporting that the Italian club's bid is 8 million pounds ($11.5 million). That number would fit nicely with my earlier prediction, but would certainly be a disappointing result for those of us who believe Milan should be made to pay a premium for Goldenballs. I may be incommunicado when the actual transfer deal comes down (provided the deadline isn't a bluff), but I'm sure I'll have plenty to say as soon as I can get myself back to the keyboard.
DC United Give Up on the District
This is big news (for soccer fans anyway) in my neck of the woods, so I would be remiss if I didn't mention it. Steven Goff and others are reporting that DC United is now actively working with Prince George's County to make a stadium in the county a reality. As the Poplar Point project continues to fall apart, there was really no choice for United. As a Virginia guy myself, I would have loved for a stadium to go up on my side of the Potomac; selfishness aside however, it's good to see one of Major League Soccer's most visible franchises move forward on giving their fantastic fans an actual home. As vibrant and raucous as La Barra Brava, the Screaming Eagles, and La Norte make RFK, they just can't fill it up and give United the atmosphere they deserve. I'll be following this one closely. While my soccer passion has only grown up in the last few years, when it has been difficult for me to make it to RFK, I am anxious to see the team play in person. Although PG County would be a longer trip for me, and for other Virginia-based United fans, I'm sure the trade off of a soccer-specific stadium filled to the brim with rabid supporters more than makes up for a couple of extra miles.
Showing posts with label Briefs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Briefs. Show all posts
Just a couple of things on my mind this bright Sunday morning, so I'll try to keep it brief
ESPN USA-Mexico Commercial
Apparently I haven't been watching enough ESPN recently, because I just saw this for the first time this morning. It wasn't bad, but it also didn't give me that tingly "holy crap I can't wait for that game" feeling either. ESPN attempted to play up the rivalry angle, they just didn't capture it very well. I'd be interested to see what you guys think.
Donovan in Germany
For some reason, GolTV and FSC are on different packages on my cable system, and I've only been able to convince my wife to let me have one at this point. So I'm watching a live stream of Bayern Munich-Borussia Dortmund. Donovan didn't start, with Klose healthy enough to play despite a knee strain. We'll have to see if Donovan is subbed on (which I expect he will be), and at what point Klinsmann turns to him. I'm hoping Landon gets a little more time to settle in this week than he did against Hamburg last week.
Loaning MLS Players to Europe
Obviously, Beckham is the big story when it comes to players who have been loaned to Europe during the MLS off-season; but with Fulham attempting to bring McBride back until the end of the EPL season, and being frustrated that Chicago turned them down, it's worth a look at how these loans are playing out. If European leagues start to look at MLS as some kind of minor league, from which they can pick up players for temporary duty whenever they feel like it, then MLS will have to review their policy. I'm a bit of a hypocrite on this, as I want Donovan to stay in Germany (because I think it's important for American soccer on the whole), so feel free to call me on the carpet for it. Because the MLS schedule allows for these loan possibilities, we'll more than likley continue to seem them proposed. The league may need to come up with an across-the-board policy that applies to every player under contract with MLS, because allowing/rejecting each loan on a case-by-case basis will only lead to problems when situations like Beckham's continue to happen.
There will probably be more later.
ESPN USA-Mexico Commercial
Apparently I haven't been watching enough ESPN recently, because I just saw this for the first time this morning. It wasn't bad, but it also didn't give me that tingly "holy crap I can't wait for that game" feeling either. ESPN attempted to play up the rivalry angle, they just didn't capture it very well. I'd be interested to see what you guys think.
Donovan in Germany
For some reason, GolTV and FSC are on different packages on my cable system, and I've only been able to convince my wife to let me have one at this point. So I'm watching a live stream of Bayern Munich-Borussia Dortmund. Donovan didn't start, with Klose healthy enough to play despite a knee strain. We'll have to see if Donovan is subbed on (which I expect he will be), and at what point Klinsmann turns to him. I'm hoping Landon gets a little more time to settle in this week than he did against Hamburg last week.
Loaning MLS Players to Europe
Obviously, Beckham is the big story when it comes to players who have been loaned to Europe during the MLS off-season; but with Fulham attempting to bring McBride back until the end of the EPL season, and being frustrated that Chicago turned them down, it's worth a look at how these loans are playing out. If European leagues start to look at MLS as some kind of minor league, from which they can pick up players for temporary duty whenever they feel like it, then MLS will have to review their policy. I'm a bit of a hypocrite on this, as I want Donovan to stay in Germany (because I think it's important for American soccer on the whole), so feel free to call me on the carpet for it. Because the MLS schedule allows for these loan possibilities, we'll more than likley continue to seem them proposed. The league may need to come up with an across-the-board policy that applies to every player under contract with MLS, because allowing/rejecting each loan on a case-by-case basis will only lead to problems when situations like Beckham's continue to happen.
There will probably be more later.
Brief thoughts on three stories:
More Beckham Nonsense
Reports have AC Milan's bid to make Beckham's loan permanent at 14 million pounds; seems about right to me, no matter what some will say. If MLS is willing to sell him, they have to be realistic about his value as a footballer and leave out all of the extraneous stuff. If they don't want to let him go (which might lead to a much messier ending), then I guess they could play hardball and let Milan make a tough decision. Just for perspective, 14m pounds is $19.86 million as of this morning.
Links:
David Beckham could stay at AC Milan if LA Galaxy accept £14m bid
We want Becks for good and will pay £14m to keep him, reveals Milan chief Galliani
USA World Cup Bids
The USA World Cup bids for 2018 and 2022 have spawned a host of stories and opinion on the subject; I may address it more in depth soon, but it won't be about the USA's chances to secure a Cup (mainly because it's going to be covered to death). I'm more likely to talk about what American soccer may look like when (or if) the world's biggest sporting event returns to the States. Contrasting what a potential Cup might mean for the game here, and the environment that Cup would take place in versus how things were in '94 may also be worth a few words. Opinion seems to be that that we're more likely to get the 2022 World Cup than the 2018 version, although it's all purely speculation at this point. As an admittedly biased observer, I'd like to think one bid or the other are bound to be successful. USSF seems to have all of their ducks in a row.
Links:
Univision executive Downs to direct U.S. bid
USA more likely to get 2002 World Cup
The case for the USA
Beasley Transfer Nixed
Bundesliga side Schalke apparently made a move for DaMarcus Beasley, but wanted him on a free transfer (which Rangers weren't going for). The move would have made me happy if it meant first team football for DMB. The man needs to be on the pitch as we head towards 2010, and it's just not happening at Rangers.
Link:
Schalke bid for Beasley rejected
More Beckham Nonsense
Reports have AC Milan's bid to make Beckham's loan permanent at 14 million pounds; seems about right to me, no matter what some will say. If MLS is willing to sell him, they have to be realistic about his value as a footballer and leave out all of the extraneous stuff. If they don't want to let him go (which might lead to a much messier ending), then I guess they could play hardball and let Milan make a tough decision. Just for perspective, 14m pounds is $19.86 million as of this morning.
Links:
David Beckham could stay at AC Milan if LA Galaxy accept £14m bid
We want Becks for good and will pay £14m to keep him, reveals Milan chief Galliani
USA World Cup Bids
The USA World Cup bids for 2018 and 2022 have spawned a host of stories and opinion on the subject; I may address it more in depth soon, but it won't be about the USA's chances to secure a Cup (mainly because it's going to be covered to death). I'm more likely to talk about what American soccer may look like when (or if) the world's biggest sporting event returns to the States. Contrasting what a potential Cup might mean for the game here, and the environment that Cup would take place in versus how things were in '94 may also be worth a few words. Opinion seems to be that that we're more likely to get the 2022 World Cup than the 2018 version, although it's all purely speculation at this point. As an admittedly biased observer, I'd like to think one bid or the other are bound to be successful. USSF seems to have all of their ducks in a row.
Links:
Univision executive Downs to direct U.S. bid
USA more likely to get 2002 World Cup
The case for the USA
Beasley Transfer Nixed
Bundesliga side Schalke apparently made a move for DaMarcus Beasley, but wanted him on a free transfer (which Rangers weren't going for). The move would have made me happy if it meant first team football for DMB. The man needs to be on the pitch as we head towards 2010, and it's just not happening at Rangers.
Link:
Schalke bid for Beasley rejected
