I am sorry that I haven’t had as much time to post things this week as I would have liked but when I saw all the articles quoting RSL owner Dave Checketts desire to see MLS bring back PK shootouts, well the only thing I can say is it caused a little throw-up in my mouth. He is dead wrong, we do not need it, and most real soccer fans would not like it, yes it is cute for a while but all it leads to is road teams bunkering for 90 minutes and hoping they can steal points on the road, heck one bad kick (Freddie) and you can lose all the points at home despite having outplayed the other side. In a draw you at least come away with something. Dave mentioned that he thinks bringing the shootout to the NHL has helped, I say he is wrong and fewer people watch the games on TV now than they did before the strike and lockout, attempts to “americanize” football/soccer have been the bane of the sport.
No cheerleaders, no shootouts, no more silly names (not sure if Real is a silly name) are things that will be vital to the long term growth of the sport in the US. I have to believe that most MLS fans (and a higher percentage of season ticket holders) watch soccer from other places like England, Spain, Mexico and others and having our teams play with different rules will just not work for most fans. I think it is fine after stoppage time in tournaments, heck I love the idea in exhibition matches, but when you are talking about normal matches as part of the 30 match schedule well for me the answer is no.
Things that could improve the MLS experience are easy, better officials (can’t be major league with minor league officials (Abby, Kevin, and oh so many others)), a higher salary cap (I understand the need for one for a few more years), changing the international rules (my NAPFA- North America Player Freedom Act will be needed if Montreal becomes the 3rd Canadian team) would allow all players from Canada, the US, and Mexico to be counted as North American players, adoption of goal line technology to ensure as much accuracy as possible on goals, and most importantly better treatment of fans by the teams and the league.
A 3 day period that could have been historic for Salt Lake soccer fans, was mediocre at best. Practices closed to the public, well unless you were a Club America or Blanco fan, events located over 30 miles away from the stadium, when local business in Sandy have been slow to see the value of the stadium, autograph sessions with players at league sponsors with little to no public announcements resulting in small crowds, and the treatment of the local RSL staff, media, and fans as second class citizens by the MLS staff (I think our folks did well to not go “postal” on them).
Heck the only things that really impressed me were the Carnival Real area with autographs and giveaways, the match itself and Andy Williams at halftime
and the “nobody likes Conor Casey” chants. MLS needs to move this game to Sunday’s with events leading up to it starting on Friday and truly allow the host city to get benefits beyond just the match, I understand it was hard to get attention to this event during the “Summer of Soccer” but it wouldn’t have been hard to turn this midweek event into something even better than it was.
I wonder what it will take to get the energy that was in the stadium for the match on Wednesday to be an every match occurrence? I don’t think that it was the PK’s, I think that despite the low score 1-1 that the action of the match, which was dominated by the MLS All Stars was the key. It was good attacking and counter attacking football, only a defensive lapse and some great goal keeping kept this match from being 3-1 for the MLS. I am not sure what went on in the many closed door meetings up in Park City, but with the CBA ending this year and the sport enjoying good success despite a rough economy and fans clamoring for a higher level of play, some changes have to be made. Situations like Beckham have to be avoided, yes he is going to get a lot of crap from fans this year both at home and away from the Home Depot Center, he needs to just shut up and accept it. We need to find ways to keep players like Kenny Cooper
Sorry I am a bit behind in trying to process the video and pictures from 3 very hectic days as Real Salt Lake hosted the 2009 MLS All Star Match. I literally have over 2,000 pictures to review, convert (very slow process) and with my main computer still waiting on me to pay it some attention to it and hopefully get it back up and running I am on my older and slower computers. So here are some pictures from the All Star Jam and after party from Tuesday night, it was a good time with good friends.
The gang heading up to the Jam
Will
Javi
and Kyle were signing autographs
Some of the gang just hanging out and listening to the music
A decent sized crowd for a Tuesday night event
Sometimes you can get into some great places with media credentials
One of the vehicles the league used while in town
So this group of soccer entertainers (juggling and other tricks) was at a number of venues including Harry O’s
Another cool trick
Even with a drink sometimes talking to JK leaves you with more questions than answers (kidding)
Drinking on a weeknight can lead to trouble
Still the winner in flash tag, sorry Chris
I don’t know about nets, a can of off would have been nice
It took a little while, ut eventually everyone started having some fun
He was trying so hard
For others it was natural
Good bartenders remember your order
It is always a good time watching people dance
A good DJ
People were jumping for joy (not Ian)
Other were just hamming it up
In the end it was all for a good cause
and part of a great couple days
More pictures tomorrow as I get a little more time.
So after a couple attempts here are some pictures from today’s MLS All Star practice, and here is a little breaking news/rumor, It looks like landycakes will not be able to make it for the match and I suspect that David Beckham will be on the roster as a replacement for him.
Well there were a good number of Blanco fans at practice, hmm
Freddy was ready
Nice to see a first time All Star having fun, Geoff Cameron
Stuart was also having a lot of fun.
Conde not so much
Chad Marshall back from a good Gold Cup tournament
Mr. Soccerball Head
A little air time
Freddie takes a shot
and another
who knew a Crapid could use their head?
Will looked good in practice today
Kasey was here and made some great saves in practice
Well as an added bonus to the MLS All Star practice, I got a chance to meet the latest addition to RSL’s roster Rachid El Khalifi. He seems like a great guy and I had to laugh when he was asked what he knew about Utah and Salt Lake City, he said he googled it. But some local media asked him what he brings as far as skills to RSL, his answer was to come out and see him. Well you saw last week a clip of some of his highlights so by googling him I know he is an offensive player who is a playmaker from the wings and has a good shot up close and from distance.
Here is a quick clip of him answering a question and I will put up a little footage from some other questions that were asked a little later.
Here are picture to go along with the video above:
Well day one, or better said “night one” was a little bit crazy but a lot of fun. I have some videos from the team press conferences, where both coaches said they will be playing to win the match on Wednesday, which I will try to upload today when I get a hardwired internet connection, but until here are some pictures from the press conferences and the MLS practice.
Timmy answering questions
I wonder if he knows where that mic has been?
Kinnear on how this is an important match for the league and soccer in the US.
the big announcement by “The Don”, I still think you may hear more from him before he leaves Salt Lake
Some of the branding at the Canyons
Some more branding, I wonder if anyone would notice these missing?
It was a very light, light practice. Kyle looked beat but Freddie looks much more comfortable here
Seattle’s other Freddy
Will looks happy to be there
Not so much
It has to be better than playing at the Dick’s, there were almost as many fans at a closed practice.
Here are the events that I believe are open to the public for Day 2 of the All Star activities:
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM MLS W.O.R.K.S. Home Depot Community Build
(Photo opps with MLS Commissioner Don Garber select MLS Stars Andy Williams, Kyle Beckerman, Chad Marshall, Freddie Ljungberg, Javier Morales, and Stuart Holden)
Northwest Recreation Center, 1300 W. 300 North, Salt Lake City
I believe players will be there about 1:30 and I am not sure of what level of access fans will have.
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 2009 MLS All-Star Jam
(Concert, games, entertainment with appearances by select MLS Stars)
The Canyons, Forum
10:00 PM – 1:00 AM MLS W.O.R.K.S. All-Star Party benefitting Nothing But Nets ($10 donation at the door)
Harry O’s, Downtown Park City
The word that I just received is that both the Everton and MLS practices are closed to the public today, sorry.
Well I am off for now, but more info to follow later today.
