Some MLS and Real Salt Lake updates

So I was supposed to work on my history lesson blog post but the day got the better of me so instead I have a couple things for you:

Thoughts from “The Don’s” State of the League Speech

So The done held his annual update on the state of MLS today and here are some of the high points from the call. Don started by announcing some of his key points, first up was that he believes that the launch of the Sounders will go down as a landmark moment in the history of the league. He is right if you have a billionare owner, an existing team to upgrade, and a NFL franchise as your launching point for organization and ticket sales you will be ahead of teams without that, I get it, the slobbering love affair is nowhere near over but Don as long as you let them play on that crappy turf, they will never be the template of a successful franchise.

Next up was the importance of supporter groups to the growth of the league, and he believes it has a lot to do with better TV and media coverage as well as the DP’s and the improving level of play. The league will be doing all they can to reach out and help groups grow. He spoke about the Summer of Soccer that saw over 2 million people attend 100 plus live soccer matches over a 51 day period. He believes the level of competition is improving and pointed to rookies like Frei, Gonzalez, Pontius, and others as a signal to younger players that they can join our league and get a chance to play and develop.

He announced the 2009 MLS Bext XI:
GOALKEEPER (1): Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)
DEFENDERS (3): Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC)
FORWARDS (2): Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas)

Not sure how RSL gets skipped over and not sure how fans vote on that, would love to know what the process is in selecting the 11, but funny that a team in the MLS Cup has nobody and teams that missed the playoffs have players on the list. Conor Casey over Robbie Findley? Conde over Olave? Whatever.

He mentioned that LA’s worst to best turnaround and RSL’s stylish play (sorry Mr. Payne) make for good drama and that TV ratings are up on FSC and ESPN but down a bit on Telefutura. Attendance was down 2% due to the economy but should bounce back. Both Portland and Vancouver are making good progress and that Philly is ready to start moving forward in building their team. The MLS board will meet on Friday and then hold an executive conference at Microsoft.

He went on to take some questions, When asked about the DP’s and if LA making the Cup match was validation of that program. Don said he isn’t sure about the DP rules after the CBA but that it has been a success both on and off the field but teams need to look at DP’s within their economic needs. He was also asked why there are so few DP’s in the league, he said it is taking time for people to get used to the new format where owners are responsible for a majority of the costs vs. the old method where the league paid those costs.

A lot of talk about the CBA, but it boils down to that the current contract is in effect until Jan 31^st and that things like strike talk is very premature. Some talk about the USL and the breakaway group, nothing too exciting. Then came questions from Kurt”what’s his name” from the Salt Lake Tribune, and like typical non soccer reporters he went negative on the hometown team by asking if it was good to have a team with a losing record in the Championship match, and does the current playoff format favor the lower seed. So Don said it was actually a good thing as it shows the parity of the league which is good for fans and that the league always looks at the playoff format to see if there can be improvements. My thought is simple first if you look at a 11-12-7 record RSL got results in 18 of 30 matches (or 60% for the slow local media), then RSL faced the defending Champions of the league and the best team this season and beat them twice including a win on the road, and then they had to go to Chicago and win again. Yup it really favors and is too forgiving to the lower seed, maybe Kurt should stick with the Jazz from now on.

Some talk about how if there is no USL that the league will likely need some type of developmental league to develop players and provide jobs for players, he hope the groups will work something out and is willing to work with them. He mentioned that the league will likely max out at 20 teams which would cover 300 million fans, the will be no relegation and no single table next year but not ruling it out for the future. He talked a bit about stadiums, New York is coming, Philly is coming, KC should break ground by the end of the year, not a lot of progress in San Jose or DC. He also mentioned that 2 of the 3 people running for mayor in Houston support a stadium for the Dynamo, which is good.

He spoke of wanting to make the Champions League a higher priority for the league as it is a global contest and we have to find a way to not only beat the Mexican teams but those from smaller countries with fewer resources than us.

That was the meat of the speech and press conference.

Nick Rimando to host Chat on RSL’s Official Facebook page Tuesday at 10:00 am

Real Salt Lake’s Official Facebook Page is gaining momentum along with the team, and the site will feature perhaps RSL’s hottest player on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. MT, when GK Nick Rimando will hop online to answer questions for the more than 7,700 people that have become official Facebook fans of Utah’s MLS side. RSL faithful that want to have their questions answered by Rimando – and find out details on how to purchase a limited edition “Nick Is My Homeboy” t-shirt in advance of Sunday’s MLS Cup – can click here to join the growing list of official friends of RSL.

 Ironically, Real Salt Lake’s number of fans leapfrogged both the Chicago Fire and the Los Angeles Galaxy late last week to become the third most populous official Facebook site for MLS teams. After Andy Williams’ successful fan chat last Friday prior to the win against Chicago, Real Salt Lake’s Facebook page will again feature an on-site player chat from Seattle this Saturday on the eve of MLS Cup … player information and date/time details will be blasted out to RSL’s fans by Thursday afternoon.

RSL Supporter groups arranging Bus trip for the MLS Cup

Fans interested in seeing Real Salt Lake participate in its first MLS Cup in person now have a cost-effective option, as the club’s supporters groups are arranging a round-trip bus and ticket package for Sunday’s big showdown against the Galaxy. For $120, fans will receive an upper level ticket in the RSL Supporters Section at Qwest Field and round-trip charter bus transportation (lodging accommodations for Saturday night will not be included). Participating fans will gather at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday morning at 5:30 a.m. to prepare for a 6:00 a.m.-sharp departure for downtown Seattle, while Sunday’s night’s return trip to Utah will take off from Qwest Field at midnight following the match.

 As of now, only two buses of 56 riders each will be taking off for Seattle, and reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to register for this weekend’s Supporters bus trip is Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. MT, and payment will be accepted at the RSL Front Office at Rio Tinto Stadium from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday – cash and check will be the only accepted forms of payment. Fans with any questions regarding the bus trip are encouraged to call  801-727-2727 for further details.

Rumors of a special flight

So I heard so rumors tonight that RSL might be on the verge of announcing a charter flight on “Real Blue” for RSL fans that would leave Salt Lake City on Saturday and return Monday, not sure of the details but check their blog, my blog and facebook often tomorrow. I heard that the flight should be around $300 round trip, that isn’t a bad price.

OK that is it for tonight

OFF MY SOAPBOX
Earn The Star

This entry was posted on November 17, 2009 at 2:08 am and is filed under The soapbox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.