MLS Daily has a post up on comments made by Kasey Keller on his personal blog regarding the MLS CBA negotiations. Keller's tone isn't to cheery, and he described the sides as far apart on an agreement.


In fact, the exact words he used were "as players we have been told of a probable lockout date of Feb. 1st".


No exactly a confidence builder, that. Now I have a few questions about Kasey's comments, starting with the origin of that potential lockout date. Who exactly told the players to expect a lockout? Kasey doesn't say, though I'm guessing it wasn't the league that dropped that knowledge; if the two sides are so far apart that the word "lockout" is being whispered, then the owners aren't exactly going to give the players a courtesy call, now are they?


The other question involves that word "lockout". Now, I can't be positive Keller was being careful enough with "lockout" versus "strike" to be sure about the validity of his statement. But if we take his comments at face value, then Kasey's given us some insight here; after all of the talk about a possible strike, Keller is now telling us that it will be the owners and not the players who will decide to shut the league down come February 1st.


Despite the end result being the same, that the league will shut down during the labor action, there is a significant difference between a lockout and a strike. One implies that management sees labor's demands as unreasonable and shuts down the business to force them to concede; the other is done by the players to give management a clear message that change must be made in their favor. Neither is good, and it really depends on your point of view as to whether either is justifiable.


Nevertheless, I still haven't reached any level of frantic concern. It's mid-December, and there is still plenty of time before the season starts to get a compromise done (forget that January 31st date expiration date; it doesn't really matter). I'm slightly concerned that the season might not start on time, but I'm holding on the belief that the two sides will come together on something relatively satisfactory to both sides before any serious damage is done.


Eventually, one or both of the parties involved will need to drop the feeling of righteousness that they seem to possess at the moment. Fairly soon, meaning in the next sixty days soon, it won't matter who is right any more; it will only be about getting an agreement done so that a season of Major League Soccer isn't completely lost.


Again, and it's been stated in many quarters by many intelligent people, there's no way to know if the league and the sport can survive a lost year. The general sense is that MLS would be committing suicide if they abruptly stopped whatever momentum they've created, thereby risking the league's existence. Still, if the players demands are unreasonable (and they don't seem to be from here, but remember that none of us outside observers have all of the pertinent information), then the owners cannot afford to agree to a CBA that will ultimately affect the league's ability to do business as a marginal sports product in the United States and Canada.

Very shortly, we'll know in which direction American wunderkind Stuart Holden will take his nascent professional soccer career. Will he head to Europe now, ready to make his bones under the brighter lights of British or Continental football? Or will he choose to remain at home, ready to fully accept the mantle as Major League Soccer's young American star?


It seems like everyone has an opinion on the subject, and we here at MFUSA are no different. To best lay out the cases for each of Stu's options, Jason Davis and regular contributor Jason Kuenle went back and forth on what Holden should do and why he should do it.


Arguing for the MLS stay will be Jason Davis, while Jason Kuenle presents the reasons Stu should go.

***


Jason Davis
Stuart Holden faces a difficult decision this month, having to choose between staying with the Houston Dynamo where his talent has developed, or flitting off to Europe, with its brighter lights and bigger paychecks. The league is making a solid push to keep him, including a massive raise (reported to be near non-DP max) and personal intervention by MLS Don Garber. Wrapped up in all of this is Holden's place in the 2010 USMNT World Cup team; stay, and he plays for sure, helping to make his case that a trip to, and major role in, South Africa should be his. For that reason, I'm advocating that Holden stay in the US and continue his promising career here. The money is nothing to sneeze at, and a young, talented player like Stu needs as much playing time as he can get. MLS is where he should be, at least for now.


Jason Kuenle
As you suggest, his 2010 World Cup hopes are all about playing time. Between now and March, both the US' current starting wingers will be playing in England. In addition, with Beasley's last four games producing a goal, an assist, a PK earned, and two other goal setups, Beas will likely be seeing regular time somewhere in Europe this spring. Holden is no lock for South Africa even with regular playing time in MLS. With three wingers potentially ahead of him, and a few central midfielders playing in Europe sure to go, Holden is in a battle with Feilhaber, Torres, and other MLS options for those last few places in a crowded midfield. A move to Europe gives Holden an additional three months of meaningful playing time to set himself apart, if he signs with a team that is a good fit.


Jason Davis
The additional possible time Holden might get is an advantage of moving to Europe; but there's no guarantee he'll play immediately, and I worry that instead of contributing in MLS, as he would from March to June, he'll be stuck on a bench or getting nothing but added time substitution appearances. That just won't cut it.

We can't discount the potential for Holden to become the new young American face of MLS, either; it's tough to tell a young talented player that he should shirk European glory for the good of the game in the US, but that's exactly what I'm going to do. MLS needs Stu, and he could have a much larger impact here than he could at a Scottish or bottom of the table Premier League team.


Jason Kuenle
The possibility of a bad European move definitely exists, but Holden's move does not need to be perfect for it to be better than MLS. Barring injury to other US players, Holden will be a bench option for Bradley in South Africa. Meaning that being 90 minutes fit is not the highest priority for him. I would consider his latching onto a team where he splits starts or is regularly the first option off the bench a successful move.

For his long term prospects, I wonder how short of a contract MLS will agree to. I'll take what you said a bit further; MLS needs Stu more than Stu needs MLS. If this large MLS contract is their standard two years plus two option years, Holden would be at the mercy of MLS for another four years. We've seen this with guys like Donovan and Shalrie Joseph, players that eventually outgrow MLS, but are contractually bound. Holden has all the leverage in this situation, so maybe he can ink a one or two year deal, but I dread having this same conversation when he's 28 and we're preparing for the 2014 World Cup.


Jason Davis
The contract he signs with MLS, if he does decide to stay, is absolutely key. You're right that the league needs him more than he needs the league, but remember that my argument for him to stay is only based on this World Cup; I'd agree that he can ill afford to sign a typical MLS contract, and should do everything he can to force better terms. When 2010 is over, and Stu is coming off of what I expect will be a good showing at the World Cup and another MLS Best XI type club campaign (provided he stays, of course), I would be disappointed to find him locked into a four year stay here.

As much as a foregone conclusion Holden's World Cup spot seems now, there's always a chance for things to change. If DaMarcus Beasley, a left footed option where the US has few, plays his way back into the team, what might that mean for Holden? In that case, getting as much playing time, first team and 90 minutes, as possible is massive. The only way to guarantee that, even if he's not playing at all until March because of the off-season, is to stay with the Dynamo.


Jason Kuenle
Granted, the only way to guarantee it is to stay with the Dynamo, but there are some options that are not far from a guarantee and would get him into a more fluid player market. Aberdeen, while not the sexiest of clubs, may be the option that satisfies both. As his family's home, there would be little adjustment. They've been averaging less than a goal per game, so they definitely need the offensive help. They're squarely midtable, so there's no additional pressure to perform (besides making the WC team, pressure he would have in Houston as well). And because they would not need to recover a huge transfer fee, with a good few months for the club and a good World Cup, Aberdeen would have him up on for auction during the summer transfer window or he will have led them to at least a Europa Cup spot. Yes, the money might not be as good, club officials have said as much, but this could amount to a six month loan to get playing time and exposure. Looking past this World Cup, Holden's options after this move are key. I think he's more likely to get better transfer offers going forward out of a club like Aberdeen than out of MLS.


Jason Davis
If comfort is the thing, then Houston wins. Aberdeen may be his family's ancestral home, but Texas is where they reside now. Dominic Kinnear knows Holden, knows how to use Holden, and knows how to foster the confidence he will need to be at his best come June. There's nothing wrong with Abedeen from the angle you're taking, but if the only goal is to potentially move on in the summer, then Holden's priorities aren't within the framework of my argument. The caveat for me, as we've mentioned, is that he not get handcuffed by a long or option-laden contract; if he can work out a deal with MLS to sign for a year and move on next January, then he's maintained control of his future while guaranteeing himself a starting role and playing time during the World Cup run-up. If Holden's focus is primarily on his European career right now, there's really nothing MLS can do because their offer won't compare to those from abroad.

This decision, with all the parameters you and I have outlined, is really nothing more than the flip of a coin. If everything goes perfectly, as you've described it (go to a place like Aderdeen, play, and move on in the summer to a bigger club), then he absolutely should go. But with something as important as this, my gut says he should choose the known over the unknown. In Houston, he WILL play, he WILL be comfortable in his surroundings, and he WILL be as ready as he can be for the World Cup in June.


Jason Kuenle
I agree it is a coin flip. I think we've outlined three general possibilities here: a successful move to Europe, a bad move to Europe, and staying in MLS. As long as Holden can get a contract that does not limit his future growth, MLS is the safe option. A successful move to Europe is better and a bad move to Europe is worse than being in MLS for another season or two. But any move to Europe is a crap shoot. While some European options might look safer than others, there is nothing as sure as Houston. From a fan prospective, it's easy to want to see Holden roll the dice. If he doesn't make it, the talent pool exists to fill his place. But from Stu's vantage point, if the offer from Houston is right, I can't fault him for taking it.


There you have it. It's easy to see why Stuart Holden might be agonizing over what very might well be the most important decision of his career.


So who do you side with? Play-it-safe Jason Davis, or seize-the-moment Jason Kuenle?

Landon Donovan is the proud owner of a new four year contract with the LA Galaxy, a deal that will keep him at the club through 2013. The announcement came today during a press conference at the ESPN Zone in Los Angeles, though it was not accompanied by the expected confirmation that Donovan will head to Everton on loan starting in January.


Bruce Arena did drop Everton's name once or twice as a possible loan destination for Donovan, though, while explaining that his star's new contract allows for such loans. Arena also established the length of the loan at ten weeks.


The new contract is guaranteed for the four years, with a base salary of $2.05 million per year, and an additional $200,000 annually coming through marketing and bonuses. Keep in mind that as far as we know, the exception given to the Galaxy for Donovan when the DP rule was instituted still applies.


So what does it all mean? Has Donovan forsaken his Euro ambitions for the comfy confines of the Home Depot Center and a fatter paycheck?


Well, maybe, but this new deal doesn't preclude a foreign club from swooping in and snagging Donovan if he wows at Everton and then the World Cup. Contracts are made to be broken after all, and even if Donovan's deal doesn't include a rumored buyout clause that might allow him to get away from MLS without the hassle of fee negotiations, he might still be in Europe permanently before 2010 is out.


Remember that Donovan's previous contract contained two single year team/league options; regardless of whether or not Donovan signed a new deal with the league or stuck with the old, Major League Soccer would still hold his fate in their hands through 2011.


The two extra years on this new contract might seem a little odd if Donovan really does harbor a desire to finally make it in Europe; but again, all is not as it seems. If Donovan is going to make himself attractive enough for a foreign club to buy him, it's likely to happen in 2010; the World Cup is his showcase, and his future may very well be decided by his performance in that tournament. Play well, and a club may offer MLS enough to convince them to sell; play poorly, and he remains at home in MLS, where he's both comfortable and a star. The contract increases his salary while giving him security through 2013 without eliminating the possibility that he won't be around to see it expire.


Incredibly smart, if you ask me.


While we're here, let's have a brief interlude so that I can talk about furniture.


No, no, don't stop reading; this is worth it, trust me.


In my home, I have a TV cabinet. It's made of wood, stained a dark, rich tone, and holds a terribly passe CRT television that the wife and I sometimes watch in the bedroom. It's a nice piece of furniture in my modest house, and adds just a touch of class to a space that might otherwise be without. In a nicer environment, one with a higher standard of decor, it would absolutely look out of place; I have no illusions about the quality of the cabinet beyond a stark assessment. It's made for a tube television, which means that it's usefulness is rapidly coming to an end. The only reason it's not sitting empty in a spare room is because I can't afford another modern TV.


Neither is it in perfect working order. The drawer slides open of its own accord on occasion, and the doors have long since gone wonky. Still, it's a solid piece of furniture, and I happen to like it a lot. In fact, part of the reason I like it so much is very personal; my father, someone I happen to have a solid relationship with (amazing, I know) made it himself a few years back. He's a pretty handy guy, and the cabinet came out wonderfully considering that he's by no means a professional cabinet maker. Because of that, though it's not particularly old, it is in some ways a family heirloom. It not only serves a purpose and looks rather nice for the skillfulness of its maker and the relative inexpensiveness of its materials, it has sentimental value.


Now, if someone was to offer to buy the cabinet from me, I'd have a difficult decision to make. Everything has a price, so I'd be lying if I said I would never sell it, but I'm fairly certain my valuation of it would be drastically different than that of anyone who would actually want it. We're talking a one hundred, two hundred, maybe even three hundred percent markup on what the thing is truly worth; if someone is going to take from me an item I'm attached to, they're going to have to pay a premium. It doesn't matter to me that no one else would find it as valuable; I'm more than happy to hold on to it if no one is willing to pay my admittedly exorbitant price.


Does that make me crazy? Would my asking price be a "joke"? Maybe, and I'm sure you could label it as such just based on my ridiculous attachment to something that is essentially just another piece of furniture in house filled with it. But I would feel no guilt, or be concerned otherwise, with how others viewed me. It's my cabinet, it means more to me than you, and I'm sorry if you want it at the same price as an equivalent piece; it's just not going to happen. There are other factors involved besides what the market says my cabinet is worth.


Sorry for that interlude. Where were we? Ah, yes. Donovan.


Donovan will have two chances to prove his class in 2010. The expected Everton loan is the first, and will go a long way towards determining if he has a larger future in Europe, or if he is destined to play out his days in the second-rate MLS. The World Cup is obviously the other, though his performance in the EPL will mean more simply because it will be a direct representation of his long term potential in a club environment. If Everton goes badly, and it very well could, it won't really matter what he does in South Africa. Back to MLS he'll come.


Which is fine, really. You and I may be disappointed if Donovan never breaks through overseas, but ultimately it's his life to live as he chooses. If he's willing to put in the work, plays well enough, and still has the ability to go if the price offered is right, than this new contract does him no harm. Besides, and I'm simply speculating here, it's possible that Donovan's new agreement allows him a modicum of control over any transfer that might come along. Anything is possible, and I wonder if Donovan only agreed to sign the new deal if the league promised to sell him if a minimum amount they would want to justify letting their premier American player go was met. Call it a Donovan Reserve.


It doesn't really matter. If Donovan wants to end up in Europe, he still can; it's just on him to make it happen. This contract does nothing but secure his future if he's unable to prove himself worthy of a bigger stage.

Another year, another MLS prospect, fresh out of college and ready to go pro, turning his back on Major League Soccer to sign in that hotbed of European football, Sweden.


That probably not fair, and I don't really mean to disparage Swedish soccer. But I'm just a bit frustrated with the situation; players that MLS should be keenly focused on keeping, desperately needs as more teams enter the league through expansion, and ultimately should be a proving ground/launching pad for, are running as quickly as they can to another league.


Scandinavian leagues have embraced young American talent, that much is clear. The troubling part, at least from an MLS viewpoint, of quality college players like Henderson, Marcus Tracy, and Charlie Davies never playing a minute in America's top flight is that those players are better off in Sweden. It's not only about money, though it's certainly better there than here; it's also about the trail to bigger things and better clubs that Charlie Davies blazed only recently. While not every player can burst onto the National Team scene and find themselves moving up the ladder from Sweden to a place like France as quickly as Davies did, the example is now there and supremely tantalizing.


Sweden is only a stones throw from the riches of France, Germany, England, etc., meaning that playing well in Scandinavia will draw interest from a more glamorous club much more quickly than doing the same in MLS might. That's a function of geography at its simplest, and league reputation/difficulty of negotiation at its more involved. Neither is encouraging for the hopes of stemming the tide of talented players looking to the Nordic countries first and Major League Soccer only as a fallback.


I don't know what it would have taken to keep Craig Henderson in the United States, and perhaps there was little that could have been done. If that's the case, then it's probably an unfortunate byproduct of salary and roster restrictions still necessary to maintaining cost control. But changes can be made that would make it easier to keep Americans here, and the league needs to look for ways to keep players like Henderson here whenever possible. Some kids will always look to Europe, Sweden included, no matter the opportunities or money available to them in the US; but it's supremely frustrating to watch good college players leave while MLS seemingly stands idly by.


Absorbing the loss of players to Scandinavian leagues would be much easier if MLS had some reliable mechanism for obtaining young talent other than the draft. But they don't and don't appear to be close to developing one.


It's not quite an epidemic, at least not yet, but it is a troubling trend.


Seems I've been outed on my lack of college soccer knowledge; the player in question, Craig Henderson, is a Kiwi and not American. Still, he played college soccer and is therefore a prime MLS prospect; the point is the loss of talent, not necessarily the specific nationality of the player himself. Thanks to Drew from WVHooligan for catching my mistake

Photo Credit: The Dartmouth

None of the news is yet worthy of a dedicated post (at least not yet), so I'm providing you with a brief recap of the major stories of the day.


US Soccer Announces Honduras Friendly

The annual January USMNT camp will culminate in a friendly with fellow CONCACAF qualifies Honduras at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles. There's a bit of dissatisfaction with the choice, especially as the United States has faced the Hondurans more than a few times over the past few years. Due to the nature of the squad that will be called up, and the evaluation exercise the game will be, I don't really have a problem with it. US Soccer might have had other options, but with all of the factors involved (it not being a FIFA date for one), Honduras is far from the worst opponent.


LA Galaxy Schedule Wednesday Player Announcement

LA Galaxy announced today that they will hold a press conference tomorrow at the ESPN Zone in Los Angeles, with Landon Donovan and Bruce Arena in attendance. The planned subject is described as a "major player announcement", so connecting the dots shouldn't be too difficult. Although other clubs have been mentioned as possible destinations for Donovan this winter, everything points to the much-discussed Everton loan coming to fruition.


DaMarcus Beasley Shines for Rangers

Run DMB made a bit of a splash today, scoring one goal and setting up another in Rangers SPL match with Dundee. The performance was good enough to get the soccer-heads on Twitter in a frenzy over Beasley's possible return to prominence as a USMNT option. While Bob Bradley surely has a watchful eye on the winger, one match, and against Dundee no less, isn't enough to vault Beasley back into the team. But if he can replicate his solid play over a period of time, he stands to return to the fold sooner rather than later. There just aren't any other quality left-footed wing options for Beasley not to get another shot.


US Under-20 International Lands in Portugal

US Under-20 striker Tony Taylor, formerly of Jacksonville University, has signed with Portuguese second division side G.D. Estoril-Praia. After the U-20 World Cup, Taylor signed with Traffic Spots, owners of Miami FC, with an eye towards getting a European deal. G.D. Estoril-Praia is also managed by Traffic, and currently sits fifth in Portugal's Liga Vitalis.


Two other notes, one linkable and one not:

I've been passed some info that MLS teams are talking to (not sure who initiated contact) former Inter Milan attacker Alvaro Recoba. Don't have any independent verification on this, just thought I'd pass it along. I'm sure you'll see it posted to your friendly neighborhood rumors site at any moment.

Also, Prost Amerika is reporting that the US is in negotiations with the Dutch FA for a US-Netherlands friendly to take place in March. This has made the rounds for a few weeks, and we've just gotten word that Mexico may have sealed their own Dutch friendly for May.



Share your thoughts on any and all of this news in the comments below.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber is a candidate to be the next United States Olympic Committee chief executive according to a report by the Reuters news service.


Garber is one of a number of potential candidates for the USOC job, though the story does mention that the committee is not revealing its list. With the hiring of a chief executive apparently only thirty days away, the search committee is interviewing candidates with an eye towards recommending one or two to the USOC's full board.


Garber's candidacy, if in fact it is serious and he intends to consider the job, should fill MLS fans with dread. Now is not the time for the league to go through a transition at its most important position; not only is a new collective bargaining agreement still not done, but Garber has successfully led the league through stormy waters to a new era where successful new clubs are joining at a rapid clip.


Garber isn't perfect, and neither has the job he's done. But there's generally more good than bad there, and even those who question his actions have to admit that the devil we know may be better than the devil we don't. It's been more than ten years since Major League Soccer changed over it's commissioner, and unless an experienced soccer brain with an understanding of the difficulty he (or she) will face comes forward, there's reason for concern.


Taking issue with Don Garber over single table (by no means a certain success), the salary cap, or items on the demand list of the MLS Players Union is one thing; knowing for certain that someone else would be a better fit for the job without presenting a viable candidate is another thing altogether.


Garber has been open, accessible, and forthright during a hectic period of Major League Soccer's young life. If he does move on to "greener" pastures, are we sure his replacement would do the same?

The United States will get three chances to gain precious points and advance out of the group stage of the World Cup next June in South Africa. Whether it's England, Slovenia, or Algeria, every match is worth the exactly the same; there is no "bonus" for beating the highly-rated English, just as there is no penalty for earning points in the other two matches alone.


Fully aware of that particular reality, and because the US will find itself with an easier task (note I said "easier" not "easy") against Slovenia and Algeria, there must be some temptation for American head coach Bob Bradley to focus more energy on the two lesser teams in the group than on big fish England.


And could we really blame him?


There's a problem with that thinking, however, and we only need to look back to 2006 to identify it; the Americans, led by Bruce Arena, and admittedly in a much tougher group than they will see in South Africa, started the tournament on a low with a crushing 0-3 defeat to the Czech Republic. Although the Americans rebounded a bit in their second match against eventual champion Italy, a notorious slow starter themselves, they crashed to earth in their final match, losing 1-2 to Ghana. All of that added up to one point, last place in the group, and a depressing return home with nothing to show for the effort. The argument could be made that the first game of the group round set the tone for the rest of the schedule; by laying an egg against the Czechs, the Americans may have lost any confidence they had and carried that bad feeling into the remaining two matches. It wasn't necessarily the loss that did them in, but the reverberations of a utterly terrible performance.


Hence the dilemma for 2010. Bob Bradley has a daunting task ahead of him, regardless of the opponents his team will face in June. Slovenia and Algeria, while not the caliber of England, are no pushovers. Advancing to the knockout round is not a guarantee, and it will take strong efforts and cohesive team play in each and every match to amass enough points to move on. To that point, a strong start against England, the first match of the round on June 12th, is crucial to gaining that most enigmatic of sports principles, momentum.


A win isn't absolutely necessary, though playing well enough to deserve one might be. Bradley's preparations, both in terms of scouting and tactics, will likely be evenly split between each of the three opponents; but if a good start is massively important, and England is the best team in the group, shouldn't more focus go to Fabio Capello's team to best prepare the Americans for the match?


That's where my vote lies. That isn't to say that Bradley and his team can afford to take either Slovenia or Algeria, or both, lightly; it's just that a strong start to the tournament seems so important to the Americans that bringing more to bear on the opener is the right way to go. Besides, the two aren't mutually exclusive; the US can both focus more of their energy on the clash with England and still give the proper respect to their other two opponents. It's a delicate balance, but one Bob Bradley gets paid to maintain, and if he's either unequipped or unable to do so, then the US is doomed no matter how they decide to approach the group stage.


Though the points don't count more, there is a "bonus" element to any gained against England. The US isn't supposed to win or draw that match, meaning that doing so would put them in the catbird seat to advance. With another win, against one of the two more beatable teams in the group, their passage to the knockout rounds could be cemented. Adding the surge of adrenaline, confidence, and yes, swagger, to the mix would certainly serve them well heading into a match against another quality opponent from Group D (made up of Germany, Australia, Ghana, and Serbia).


But let's not get ahead of ourselves. First things first, and that just so happens to be England. To trot out a well-worn cliché so often used in American sports, it's all about "one game at a time".


So Bob, do your team a favor and apply that axiom. Put everything you can into the first match on your schedule. Give the English hell, because it's the best way to turn this World Cup into an American success story.

Back in August, I wrote a post on how big the end of 2009 could for American soccer. At the time, I focused on the MLS CBA negotiations, possible MLS expansion, and the World Cup draw; little did I know at the time that second division drama would trump all but one of those.


So here we are, with 2009 just about done and dusted, and a review seems to be in order. Of my three chosen happenings, only one actually came to pass, the one we knew for sure would; the World Cup draw. As it turned out, it was everything we could have hope for and more, thanks both to a group from which the US is capable of advancing, as well as the bonus of a high-profile opening match with world class England.


The buzz for the USA-England match has faded just a bit in recent days, and will probably chug along at a low hum for at least the first three months of 2009; but as the World Cup creeps closer, and the two nations media complexes (obviously that applies to England more than the US) get into full hype mode, you might need earplugs to block out the noise. Everything, and I mean everything from a USMNT standpoint, hinged on that draw. In more ways than one, it did not disappoint.


Unfortunately, the other two areas I pointed out as important for '09 won't be sorted until '10. The CBA negotiations, which are ongoing even as we get very little in terms of actual updates, don't appear to be close to a resolution. Both sides still have heels dug firmly into their respective grounds, and since both belief their ground is high, the stalemate show no signs of breaking. The current CBA expires on January 31st of next year, so the likelihood that the league will be operating without one for at least a short period of time is rising with each passing day. Remember too, that the league won't announce salary cap and roster guidelines until after the CBA has established the basic framework for player compensation.


Expansion, while not as imperative to the health of MLS as the new CBA will be, is nonetheless still a hot topic. Don Garber's recent visit to Montreal to speak with Joey Saputo and local officials makes it seem as though the Impacts "promotion" to MLS is imminent. There's no reason to believe that isn't true, but again, with only a few weeks left in 2009, Montreal's official announcement is likely to happen in 2010.


Meanwhile, the USL/NASL fight has risen to a place of prominence on the list of concerns heading into 2010. The USSF has yet to decide on the status of the newly formed NASL, and it will be that action which dictates the direction that battle will take. If the USSF sanctions NASL, then at least we'll know that those clubs signed up with the new league will definitely play in 2010; with the amount of time, effort, and money they've put into their new endeavor, it would be a pity to have it go any other way. The USL lawsuit, naming three NASL-committed teams (Rochester, Tampa Bay, and CP Baltimore) will linger no matter the USSF ruling, and will also need to be sorted out. A peek at the Hillsborough County court website indicates that a hearing has been scheduled for early March.


In retrospect, the expansion and CBA questions were long shots for answers in 2009. It's 2010, with both club and country being in the news, that will ultimately be when those answers will come.

It's time for another American Soccer Show. This time around it's USL v. NASL from a legal perspective with Ben Berger of footiebusiness.com, then Donovan to Everton and other USMNT topics with Max Zeger of Goal.com.

Don't forget to email you top 5 American soccer moments of 2009 to show@americansoccershow.com for our year end show next week.


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The citizens of Houston made history Saturday, electing the openly gay Annise Parker as the city's next mayor. The largest American city to hold such a distinction, Parker will take over for the departing Bill White in the country's fourth largest municipality.


As momentous as Parker's election is, and as much of a credit to the city of Houston as it might be, from a soccer fan's standpoint, it is mildly worrying. Of the two candidates running for mayor of Houston, Parker was the least amendable to a new downtown stadium for the city's MLS club, the Dynamo. Houston has built several new facilities for its professional sports teams in recent years, and Parker's reluctance to fully support a new home for the Dynamo could be tied to stadium fatigue.


It was Parker's opponent, Gene Locke, who was in full support of pitching in for a Dynamo stadium. With the club itself willing to contribute $60 million of an estimated $80 million price tag, it will be up to the new mayor to finish off an agreement already drafted by the outgoing Bill White.


Remember that the Dynamo are Houston's team because the franchise was unable to make headway on a stadium project in their original home of San Jose; now, the Dynamo stadium project, a no brainer for soccer fans but still at the mercy of local politics, and which seemed to be picking up steam during 2009, is no longer a certainty to get done.


Land for the project has been secured at the city's expense, and the stadium is set to also house Texas Southern University college football a move designed to offset operating costs. But the facility would be the Dynamo's ground first and a college football stadium second, exactly the type of situations that MLS needs in a market as strong as Houston. The hangup on the deal is the allocation of TIRZ funds to the construction; these funds are usually used to spur economic development in other parts of the Texan city.


Congratulations to Annise Parker, and congratulations to the people of Houston for refusing to allow her sexual orientation to be an issue if she was the best candidate. Let's hope that Ms. Parker now does right by the passionate soccer fans of Houston and gets the Dynamo a proper home.

Today is the one year anniversary of this particular soccer blog. Just one of thousands, it has somehow become relatively popular, relatively respected, and relatively fun for yours truly.


When I started this thing last year, I'm not really sure I knew what I wanted to do with it. I just started writing (something I enjoy doing), throwing my opinions and analysis out on a variety of "Soccer in America" topics. Most of it is long-winded dreck; still, I managed to attract a few readers, kept at it, and eventually evolved into a more accessible writer with commentary on the news of the day.


I think I always assumed I'd make it a year without breaking a sweat, though it was much more difficult that I thought it would be. Anyone that runs their own blog knows that the day-to-day pressure to post and do so in a worthwhile way is not an easy task.


Part of the fun of blogging, specifically on soccer, is joining the community that exists. A few of the people I've formed relationships with thanks to MFUSA to weigh in with their thoughts; part of this is self-flagellation, admittedly, though I'm happy to link to each one of their blogs (where possible) because their contributions to both the soccer world and my "success" as a blogger deserve recognition. If there are sites in this post of which you weren't aware, please visit them; you won't be disappointed.


A special thanks goes out to Zach Woosley for being a humorous jackass who knows his footy, helped redesign MFUSA earlier this year, and pushed the podcast I started to a new level, as well as those that have contributed here in recent months, Jason Kuenle, Joseph Millar, Kevin McCauley, Matt from US Soccer Daily, and Adam Soucie of the Captain Positive blog. Oh, and I certainly can't forget Scott "Lil T-Rex Arms" Bornstein.


If I've left anyone out, my apologies; there are literally a hundred people I should be thanking.


***


John Pini - MFUSA Reader/Contributor:

I heard about MatchFitUSA during my winter break in December 2008. I was listening to The 2 G’s (back in ancient times when it came out on podcast), and Graham plugged it, having received an email from Jason. It was right up my alley at the time—and still is—being relatively new to professional soccer myself, and already a diehard USMNT fan. Yeah, Jason was pretty angsty back in the day—and you can’t cut this part out!—and posted a lot about Eurosnobs and NFL fans etc. Having achieved a level of success, that sharp edge has sort of smoothed off (never affecting the inner drive), and Jason has evolved into a truly professional journalist...okay, a more professional journalist. What I’m trying to say is: he’s the Jose Mourinho of the soccer blogosphere. Minus the special part. Keep blogging jbdavis.


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Chris Nee - twofootedtackle

As a newcomer to the US soccer scene for the 2009 MLS season, I needed somewhere to find information and opinions. MFUSA gave me everything I needed and has grown at the perfect pace for me, transforming its podcast just as I wanted more in-depth analysis to further my education. Jason is a fantastic writer and a superb podcast presenter, and getting Zach on board was a masterstroke.


***


Brian Bentley - Winning Ugly Radio, The MLS Show (Around the League)

Jason Davis is the Lou Dobbs of American Soccer blogging.


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Hank Alexandre - The Midnight Ride

"If Soccer wants to get in its Miata and put on his red pants and sunglasses....who are we to judge?"
Jason Davis, The Winning Ugly Show, Episode 19, March 2009

So I get this e-mail back in March of 2009 from this guy who I have never met and only sort of know from his "association" with the Winning Ugly Radio Show, and he's asking me if I want to be a guest on his podcast. I'm thinking to myself - I know NOTHING about this guy - only that he was in on some random e-mail chain with the Winning Ugly gang about some episode involving some underhanded comments about yours truly. So here he is asking me if I want to do a podcast. Well the first thing I do is go and listen to his podcast - and I am thinking YOU'VE got to be kidding. What's with the cheesy computer voices saying "examining the state of american soccer" and that intro music - what the hell is that - some kind of super hero theme song? I'm thinking about coming up with some excuse to get out of it but then I realize - this guy knows his stuff. Everything he is saying is spot on and timely and to the point. So I agree to do the show, and I proceed to step all over his opening segment. That was the first and last time I was asked to be on Match Fit USA.

In the year that Match Fit USA has been in existence, Jason has set a new standard in what an American soccer blog and podcast should be. His level of dedication to his craft is only matched by his desire to succeed. He constantly sets the bar higher and higher for himself, and never settles for mediocrity. Someday, years from now when Jason is Soccer Bureau Chief for ESPN, he can look back on his days with Winning Ugly, Epic Footy, and CSRN with a sense of pride in what he accomplished. Until then, I wish him continued success in his future endeavors with CSRN and The American Soccer Show, and of course on Match Fit USA.


***


Kartik Krishnayer - MLS Talk/Set Piece Analysts

Jason Davis and Match Fit USA has done an outstanding job of bringing a fresh approach to the analysis of soccer in the United States. A welcome addition to the blogosphere, Match Fit delivers an objective and analytical look at all aspects of the sport stateside. This includes looking at not just the national team and MLS, but also USL, youth development and other issues around the game. Congratulations to Match Fit on its first birthday!


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Brian Quarstad - Inside Minnesota Soccer

It's been a fun year watching your blog grow with a lot of parallels to my site which has been active just a few months longer than yours. You've done a great job of reporting on the US soccer scene and I also enjoy your very professional sounding podcasts. Here's to another great year coming and let's hope we can be congratulating each other 5 years down the line when MLS will have greatly improved and the 2nd division soccer woes of this country are long behind us.


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Drew Epperly - WV Hooligan

First of all congrats on the one year anniversary here. Time flies huh? I recall around this time last year when you reached out to me as you started your blog. Back then it was long essay type articles that really helped build a foundation to your site. After a couple months it grew into something special with your daily work and your podcast. It also didn't hurt that your shameless promote your site all the time during Live Blogs and what not. Keep it up and good luck with year two!

Again congrats Jason, I don't think any soccer site that I've seen over the last few years grow as quickly as yours.


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Graham Bell - President and Founder, Champions Soccer Radio Network

Congratulations Jason on such a successful debut year for Matchfit USA. From the first email I received from you it was clear that you have a true dedication to providing compelling reading for the game in America. With the world of media looking to take as many shortcuts as possible, your balanced fact filled work becomes even more important to assist in the development of the sport especially in the USA. It is no surprise you were nominated as one of the top blogs for the sport by US Soccer in your debut year. I personally am looking forward to even more compelling content from Matchfit USA in the forthcoming World Cup year.


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Ben Rycroft - It's Called Football

I’ve never met Jason Davis. I’ve never even seen Jason Davis.

He could pass me on the street tomorrow wearing an ‘I’m Jason Davis’ T-shirt and I still probably wouldn’t connect the dots. And yet Jason Davis, of Match Fit USA, has asked me to write a happy little paragraph or two about him as his site comes up on its 1 year anniversary.

So what do I know about this man I’ve never met?

I know Jason Davis likes football.

I know Jason Davis writes about it too. Jason Davis has a show which I believe covers the same topic.

And I do know that he’s as talented an analyst as is out there.

So, for all that, I commend and applaud him. Lord knows covering football in North America isn’t a glamorous job. Or it isn’t yet. But with the continued efforts and energy of people like him, maybe one day it will be. For now though, it remains a lot of nerds sitting around computers, debating each other in Cover It Live chatrooms.

Jason Davis is a gentleman and a scholar in that community.

Here’s hoping he’s not an axe murderer when he’s away from the computer.


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Mark Fishkin - The Kin of Fish

In the span of one short year, Jason has developed a multimedia empire for American soccer fans. MatchFit USA and the newly re-christened American Soccer Show podcast, along with live call-ins around key events, have become must-visit destinations for the serious fan. His ability to quickly boil down the issues and news of the day into short (and not-so short) dispatches has been invaluable for his viewership. Though Jason, do us all a favor. Stop apologizing for trying to do 18 things at once! Seriously, congrats, Jason on your anniversary, and here’s looking forward to a great 2010!


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Dan Wiersema, Founder of the Free Beer Movement

Jason Davis and the MatchFitUSA site (along with his podcast, the American Soccer Show) has been a great revelation to the soccer blogosphere. MatchFitUSA and Davis goes beyond just soccer news, but insightful commentary about the American game. Too often our sport lacks proper perspective (with a lot of knee jerk reactions and little depth of knowledge, but Jason and his website are a great home for for a solid soccer community.

We consider Jason a great soccer-blog-friend (even if we're not on his blog roll!) and are happy to wish MatchFitUSA a happy one year anniversary. We can't wait to see what the coming years bring!

From one American soccer lover to the next, we appreciate the great contributions that MatchFitUSA and Davis brings to our sport. One of the main ways that soccer can get bigger in this country (along with the prospect of free beer!) is having intelligent and interesting individuals to bring clarity and commentary that improves the standing of the sport. Jason Davis is a huge part of that.

Thanks for everything.


***

Again, thanks to everyone that has not only helped MFUSA last a year, but that spurred myself and the site on to bigger and better things. Not in my wildest imagination would I have thought that this site would be where it is, nominated for an award, or given me the ability to cover a sport I love so closely and get as much out of it as I have.


Feel free to leave a comment, even you haters; I'm not naive enough to think that there aren't more than a few of you out there ready to take your shot on the anniversary of the site. Believe it or not, I want to thank you, too.


Here's to an even better year two.

by Matt - US Soccer Daily

It certainly was a rough start to 2009 for Stuart Holden. After a January call-up saw Holden poised to make his debut for the USMNT in their friendly against Sweden, the young Dynamo midfielder had to deal with frustration of having to withdraw from camp due to a hip injury. This disappointment regarding an opportunity lost, however, was nothing compared to the anguish that Holden would have to deal with just one month later. On February 16th, Holden’s father Brian passed away at the age of 56 after a six-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Just weeks before the MLS season was set to begin, Holden had to deal with the biggest loss of his life while continuing on with his professional duties.


In a display of strength and maturity well beyond his 23 years (at the time), Holden pushed on from the offseason tragedy and immediately established himself as the key cog in the Dynamo attack. After a breakout season in 2008, Holden became a full-fledged MLS superstar. In the first 15 league games of 2009, Holden scored three goals and tallied three assists, starting every game. His modest numbers did not fully reflect the talent and attacking creativity that Holden displayed, but fans and pundits alike recognized the ability of the blossoming midfielder. Fortunately for Holden, the guy whose opinion really matters took notice as well, as Bob Bradley brought him in for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.


While the many saw the Gold Cup as merely a tournament for B-teams that had little importance outside of temporary bragging rights, Holden saw it as an opportunity to make his case for bigger and better things. He made his USMNT debut in style, heading home his first international goal in the 31st minute in the team’s 4-0 rout of Grenada. This was just the beginning, however, of what proved to be a fantastic tournament for the former Clemson Tiger. Holden was pure class in the USMNT’s third group stage match against Haiti, with a sublime through-ball to Davy Arnaud to set up the opening goal and an absolutely stunning strike in stoppage time to rescue a point. All in all, Holden would finish the tournament with 2 goals and 3 assists, as he guided a young squad to the final. His efforts not only earned him All-Tournament honors, but also earned him a call-up from Bob Bradley for the big one: USA-Mexico at Estadio Azteca.


In a match where, USMNT players grew noticeably sluggish, Holden came on in the second half and injected life into the lineup. Making his World Cup qualifying debut in the most hostile of environments, Holden showed no fear, becoming one of the team’s most dangerous attackers as the final 45 wore on. His performance in Mexico City and his continued club level exploits made Stuart Holden a frequently discussed name in US soccer circles, and Bob Bradley brought him back into camp once more the USMNT’s critical pair of September qualifiers.


Once more, Holden took advantage of his opportunity to shine, looking very dangerous off the bench. His quality showings and continued growth have many believing that Holden will be among the 23 headed to South Africa next summer. In the span of six months, Holden’s stock has risen exponentially, as he has vaulted himself from second-tier prospect to potential World Cup starter.


As if all of his on-field success wasn’t enough, Holden is also garnering recognition for his off the field work. Holden earned the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Athlete for his charitable efforts with the Dynamo and his own organization, Holden’s Heroes. He was honored alongside NFL stars Justin Tuck and Nnamdi Asomugha earlier this week in New York, adding one more highlight to 2009.


Things still have yet to slow down even though 2009 is drawing to a close. Holden finished off the year with another deep playoff run, with the Dynamo eventually falling just short of another MLS Cup appearance. With just weeks left in an already eventful year, the Aberdeen native sits on the brink of the biggest decision of his young career. Europe is beckoning, and Holden could very well return overseas four years after a brief stint with Sunderland. Don Garber and MLS, however, are still in talks with Holden (whose contracts with the league expires this winter), as the two sides met yesterday to discuss the possibilities. This next move will be a critical one, as Holden looks for the right team to help continue his growth as a player and assist him in achieving his goal of playing in next summer’s World Cup.


Whatever he ends up deciding, it will just be another memorable moment in a year that Stuart Holden will not soon forget.