Such dreamy music on The Park's web site

$150,000? What a bunch of cheap s.o.b.'s Seriously. Bumping the cap by less than 400,000 (the d.p. cap hit), is unacceptable. This league needs a better product on the field.

**Off Topic**
**Spoiler Alert**

Scotland already down in the first minute, and I expect Russia to win today, no British teams in the Euro. Championship finals is looking very realistic now.

Maybe we'll see the "Home nations tournament" next year?

I know there are the historical/regional loyalities - but imagine how strong a unified UK team could be; doubtful but perhaps we will see it at the London Olympics

-Forgive me for asking such a silly question: why doesn't United just buy RFK Stadium from the city? Will it be "structurally unsound" soon if it isn't already? Too pricey? D.C. waiting for the skins to come back? Too many seats?

To anyone interested, much to my shock ESPN360 has Italy v. Scotland live mixed amoung meaningless college football games. They also had Ireland v. Wales earlier, which was a very good match. It's still available via archives.

****SPOILER ALERT****

Scotland has drawn level with Italy in the 65th minute off a goalmouth scramble after Buffon fumbled a free kick. Terrific game!

***Spoiler alert ********

Not only is Scotland-Italy tied up; Israel has a 1-0 lead over Russia

Russia is looking really slopy. I think they came with too much over confident. That will ruin your chances. Even if Isreal wins England can't over come with Croatia coz they are a really good team. Either way England is going down down down.

An disgraceful decision by the Spanish referee gives Italy a free near the corner flag 2 minutes into extra time, and Panucci buries it off the header at the death for a 2-1 Italy win. Awful decision by the referee, he penalized the wrong side and it cost the Scots dearly. Still, a wonderful battle between Italy and a dogged bunch of Scots who matched them stride for stride.

tough call by the ref at the end - but might not have mattered if McFadden had been able to finish the goal earlier in the half

How about a US-Scotland friendly in Scotland this summer?

From Garber's interview in the TIMES:

Q: But when look at players at lower end you clearly are not spending on players. I mean a large number of Americans are making near or less than the league minimum, about $30,000, for a full roster spot.

A: Where we have a soccer stadium our teams can be profitable. However, we've been increasing our player spending, Beckham, Blanco Ángel, we've been managing through the concept of continual investment to drive up value of team. We've seen the value grow from where Chivas and Salt Lake paid $10 to enter the league as expansion teams. Toronto then paid $30 million. Chicago was sold for $35 million. Houston could be sold soon. The asset continues to grow, which speaks to investor community that believes that soccer has a long-term value as a sports investment.

We have recently expanded roster sizes, gotten involved in youth development, provided more opportunities for young players to keep playing and we're going to pay those players what we feel we can afford in light of what their opportunities are and what value they are providing to our clubs. Not that dissimilar to AAA baseball players or N.B.A. developmental players. I'm confident it's the right approach now.

Q: Will any teams be profitable this year?

A: There will be several but there's no value in me naming them going into negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. Our current CBA expires at the end of the '09 season. You will see us saying less and less about finances.

UVA tp RFK:

the RFK complex is actually owned by the National Park Service, not the city.

Could't see all matches today. Another spirit lift up for the league for DCU by Emilio earning new comer of the year award. Keep rocking!

A 200k increase is reasonable *if* the minimums for players, especially developmental ones, make up the majority of the increase.

The current collective bargaining agreement between the players union and management calls for developmental salaries to remain the same in 2008 and to rise slightly in 2009.

My problem isn't with the developmental salaries, it's the fact that someone can start half the games in a season and still be on a developmental contract, earning 12-17k a year. After say 6 starts, developmental players should earn either a 10-15k bonus from the league, or be paid bonuses for each start, say $1k.

**Off Topic**

RE: Scotland vs. Italy
Is the Spanish referee the same one that gave Italy a bad penalty against the Aussies, and the same one who spotted Zidane giving the headbutt?

This guy may have Italian ancestry.

Never mind, I'm wrong, I'm mixing him up w/ Cantalejo.

"Where we have a soccer stadium our teams can be profitable"

Then why expand to SJ and Seattle??

I agree with that last post about expanding to sj and seattle.

Goff - Have you heard any talk about alligning MLS's schedule with international friendly/match dates?

What would MLS have done if the Galaxy had made it into MLSCup this year? Play the game without Beckham? Keep Beckham from playing with England? Force him to play-fly across the atlantic-play again (since that worked out so well earlier in the season)?

At least the date picked for MLS Cup next year (Nov 23rd) won't directly conflict with the FIFA date of Nov 19 2008.

The MLS minimum senior salary will go up next season to $33,000. Developmental salaries will stay the same, however.

It's official: Emilio is Best Newcomer

Emilio, Gomez & Olsen named to MLS Best XI team

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20071117&content_id=129866&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

The fact that Gomez, Emilio, and Olsen all made MLS best XI shows how big of a joke the MLS All-Star game is... Of those 3, only Gomez actually made the all-star team.

Can't really argue with that Best XI. Nice to see Schelotto make it, too.

A bit OT, but in an earlier thread I had said that the ACC men's final would be shown live at 3:30 p.m. on CSN. Today I picked up the early edition of Sunday's Post, and learned that it will actually be on the so-called CSN Plus channel (check your local listings). Also, MASN will air a delayed broadcast of the Big East men's final (UConn-Notre Dame) at 7:30 p.m.

why expand to SJ and Seattle if you need a soccer stadium to be profitable?

I think Garber answered this, at least as far as Seattle is concerned. I think the soccer team ownership group overlaps (or is identical with) the group that own the Seahawks and the stadium. As for SJ, I think a stadium is in the works.

Exactly zero new information in the Post story.

Exactly zero new information in the Post story.

-------

What exactly were you looking for, Mr. Boots? The Post and the Insider have been breaking exclusive news (locally and nationally) for weeks, months, years. I know we set the bar pretty high, but that doesn't mean we're going to blow you away with new information 365 days a year.

Goffinho,

Don't take it personally, the Insider is a bit like methamphetamine, it's so good we just need more and more!

Off to RFK, tell Garber to hold my seat.

Think there's lingering animosity between Italy and France? from soccernet:

>>>>
For combative midfielder Gennaro Gattuso the only downside was helping rivals France qualify too.

Gattuso told reporters: 'I am proud of reaching qualification with this national team. But it annoys because I know we have also helped France qualify.

'Domenech always has to say something, he doesn't deserve to go through really. Now I hope we will play them again in the Euros and give them a lesson.'

There is a good article on GOAL on NYT today about the league's DP players and how it's doing well.

Just back from RFK. Classic cheer coming from Screaming Eagles at about the 20th minute - "B-O-R-I-N-G...You Guys are BORING"

And it was loud. Not sure if you could hear it on ABC but I am sure Garber and MLS heard it. And of course the DCU United singing was louder than either Houston or New England.

There is a good article on GOAL on NYT today about the league's DP players and how it's doing well.

Posted by: td | November 18, 2007 09:38 AM

A New York paper calling DPs a success... it's like rain on your wedding day.