"Hey, hey Woody Guthrie, I wrote you a song
'Bout a funny ol' world that's a-comin' along.
Seems sick an' it's hungry, it's tired an' it's torn,
It looks like it's a-dyin' an' it's hardly been born."
--Bob Dylan, "Song for Woody"

I will not rejoin you again until around Jan. 2.

I'm looking forward to your Christmas Eve breaking news post.

Woody was a huge barca fan-little known fact.

"There's a gator in the bushes, he's callin' my name

And he's sayin', `C'mon boy, you'd better make it back home again!'"

Enjoy the break, Steve. 2008 is going to be busy.

Alas, we all knew this day would come. Which means that DCU will trade Ben Olsen on Christmas morning to a Norwegian team for a six pack of Aass and a transfer fee to be used on more star Argentine players who won't want to play for us. For the sake of Goff's vacation (and his wife and kid's) I hope this does not happen. Thanks for all your super reporting and hard work Mr. Goff. Happy Holidays to you. :-)

May the worst thing possible happen as far as the Insider Nation is concerned:

NOTHING over the next week plus, thus allowing Sir Goff a chance at some overdue R & R.

Peace on Earth, peace for Goff, and goodwill towards all men, even refs.....

"I'm goin' back to the Gator Country where the wine and the women are free"

HELL YEAH Joe Doc!

Sighhhhh..........
Guess I'll have to talk to the family.
Hope you enjoy yours, Mr. Goff.

If my family wants to talk to me, they'll use this blog.

What the hell? You've got the sweetest job in all of soccer. Break? Shmake!

I want to hear about Freddy sneaking into bars and Dempsey getting in freestyle rap battles in London.

Come on Goff... step it up.

All You Fascists

I'm gonna tell you fascists
You may be surprised
The people in this world
Are getting organized
You're bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose

Race hatred cannot stop us
This one thing we know
Your poll tax and Jim Crow
And greed has got to go
You're bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose.

All of you fascists bound to lose:
I said, all of you fascists bound to lose:
Yes sir, all of you fascists bound to lose:
You're bound to lose! You fascists:
Bound to lose!

People of every color
Marching side to side
Marching 'cross these fields
Where a million fascists dies
You're bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose!

I'm going into this battle
And take my union gun
We'll end this world of slavery
Before this battle's won
You're bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose!

Hey Wood,

Don't tell me, let me guess...

Hmmmm... is it Vladimir Putin?

Goff wouldn't really leave us, would he? It has to be a trick. He never leaves when he says he will. If he were really going to leave us, he wouldn't tell us. News only comes when he says he is leaving. I think he is telling United fans to expect big signings and stadium news before January 2. Thanks Steve. Now I will have happy holidays.

Argentine newspapers are reporting that Guillermo Barros Schelotto is seriously negotiating with his original team Gimnasia to return there. Of course, he would also work out a way to get out of his remaining one year contract with Columbus. Independiente and Boca have also been rumored to try to acquire his services, but the leading contender seems to be Gimnasia. However, Boca's coach recently resigned and Schelotto has indicated his interest in immediately coaching Gimnasia or Boca upon his retirement.

"El delantero Guillermo Barros Schelotto podría acordar en los próximos días su regreso a Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata si logra rescindir su contrato con el Columbus Crew de la Major League Soccer (MLS)."
"El "Mellizo" se reunió el jueves pasado con los directivos del elenco platense durante dos horas y la charla fue "súper positiva", según publica hoy el diario platense El Día."
"El encuentro se llevó a cabo en las oficinas del flamante presidente del club, Walter Gisande, que estuvo acompañado de otros miembros de comisión directiva."
"Barros Schelotto tiene un vínculo con el elenco estadounidense hasta junio de 2008, por lo que deberá negociar la rescisión de su vínculo, algo que podría concretarse antes de fin de año, según anticipó el atacante a los directivos de Gimnasia."

If my family wants to talk to me, they'll use this blog.

Posted by: Nut | December 21, 2007 05:05 PM
============================================
Dad, Mom says it's time for dinner.

Dear - your dinner is getting cold...

Son, stop surfin pornography while pretending to be on the Soccer Insider.

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me.

I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
While All around me a voice was sounding
Saying this land was made for you and me.

The sun came shining, and I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
As the fog was lifting, A voice was chanting,
This land was made for you and me.

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and all the other felicitations.

Goff, you are the best. The rest of you, stay warm, stay happy and let's meet in the New Year.

he'll be back; he always comes back...

merry christmas!!

griffin1108: you forgot the last verse:

In the squares of the city, In the shadow of a steeple;
By the relief office, I'd seen my people.
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking,
Is this land made for you and me?

Diego, I think that's the next to last verse. Isn't the last verse:

Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.

Woody certainly believed in being UNITED.

If you really want Steve to show up again, just post a link to a rumors web site.

I heard Goff is about to leave for the Milan newspaper "Gazetto dela Sporte" on a 3.6 million euro transfer.

I need a GOOD excuse to duck out of a family function tomorrow so I can watch the Barca v Real Madrid game.

I need a GOOD excuse to duck out of a family function tomorrow so I can watch the Barca v Real Madrid game.

Posted by: Chico | December 22, 2007 02:21 PM
-----------

You could go with the altruistic "It's my turn to work at the food shelter because I traded off with another volunteer to attend [insert relative's name] birthday/graduation/bar mitzvah/quinceañera/funeral. It's the holidays and everyone (except us) will think you're an honorable man .

Or, you could go with the Sarah Silverman excuse that's guaranteed to get you out of anything: "I have diarrhea."

Let me know how it works out.

Was a high wall there
that tried to stop me
A sign was painted
said: Private Property,
But on the back side
it didn't say nothing,
This land was made for you and me.

I love Soccer Insider!

Where else could I read Molly Hatchet lyrics and find out the latest on my beloved DC United and tips on how to sneak out of family functions to watch soccer matches on tv?

I need my Insider fix.

A Steve Earle lyric quote on Insider, now my Christmas season is complete.

"Out here in the perimiter there are no stars, out here, we is stoned...immaculate"

-the late, great Jim Morrison

Peace, My Brothers and Sisters. Happy Holidays, Everybody....especially to you and your family, Goff.

Well, Dempsey scored today for Fulham (1-1 draw with Wigan)... Any word on McBride's return date?

And Arsenal beat Spurs...aGAIN! Love it. My holiday is off to a smashing start! But I'm worried about the AC Milan draw - yeesh!

Go Gunners! Happy Holidays to all of you Insider junkies - even the Spurs supporters!

Why doesn't Goff have a youtube of that Pirlo goal up yet?

I pooped my pants. That clip is on youtube.

Go Man U!!! The king of the football clubs!!! Gunners will fall behind soon.

Don't know how to embed the video like Mr. Goff, but here is a link to the Pirlo shot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkVTxEzmZxY

Thanks, emanon. It's just not the same when it's not Mister Goff though.

NapoleonD: Last I heard, McBride was due back this month. With this month almost over, I guess it's moved to next month. The way Fulham have been scoring goals, they could really use him. But with Sanchez gone and the January transfer window coming, will they really want to depend on a 35 year old striker to save them from relegation?

That Pirlo goal was pretty nice. By the time you realized he was taking the free kick, the ball was rolling back over the six yard line. Truly a Dave Johnson defier: no, dude, it isn't "in the net"-- it was, but now it's rolling back towards the wall, and everyone is running back to set up for the restart.

Thanks for the tip I-270, I tried the diarrhea thing, the old lady told me to suck it up.

Steve?

Hey, Steve, you there?

Steve?

STEVE??!!!

(sigh...)

Guess its time for a week of www.footytube.com!

Thanks for the tip I-270, I tried the diarrhea thing, the old lady told me to suck it up.

Posted by: Chico

You need to use adjectives like "explosive" or "projectile!"

Happy Holidays Goff and the rest of you Insider Nuts!

Reston United

Happy holidays to all you insider freaks ou there, except those of you who support the facist squatrons of Real Madrid.

Happy Holidays, you fargin bastiges!!!

Story on Adu

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/24/AR2007122401934.html

GREAT STORY Goff.

I'll be honest, there are times when I'm not the biggest fan of your writing (mainly stylistic issues), but this was definitely one of the most compelling stories I've read about soccer in the American media.

I'm one of many who had all but written off Freddy after watching him flounder with United, it definitely seems that a move to a much less physically demanding league was the right one for Freddy. Glad to see he's grown up a lot as well.

Great quotes from the Ambassador's Assistant, let's see Ives get that scoop!

Great article from the Post.

With the extra hours from last month covering Taylor and the current push to the playoffs not sure when JLC had time to speak with Freddy, but glad he did.

GREAT STORY Goff.
----------------------------------

Er, check the byline again.

Interesting article on Adu ---- sounds like some dawning recognition that his current success is in part because of and not in spite of time with Nowack and DCU. Either that or he's got a better media advisor . . . . .

GREAT STORY Goff.
Posted by: AlecW81 |

Goff's new pen name - Jason La Canfora.
We knew he couldn't leave us :-)
Good write up either way.
Freddy impressed me as a good kid the couple of times I met him. It was a lot to ask of a 14-15 y/o. He made a few missteps but, none the rest of wouldn't (didn't already) have made. I am glad he is doing well and look forward to his future successes.

""You need to use adjectives like "explosive" or "projectile!"""

or bloody . . .

"Troy Fitrell, a Washington native and assistant to the U.S. ambassador to Portugal, attends most matches,"

And he can probably write the tickets off as a business expense, or a US outreach program. I hereby appoint myself I-270's Ambassador to RFK Stadium.

Watched MLS Cup '96 after dinner last night. Perfect ending to the perfect day.

Chico,

What a great game that was, despite the pouring rain. After that season, I came away with the feeling that DC United is really something special. The feeling has never left.

I think I need to watch that match again...

Chico and Ron,

Thanks for the memory! Sanneh pounding the ball in the net with this head... Etch and Pope connecting at the near post... Shawn (can't remember his last name) pushing in the rebound. And that crowd was awesome.

Happy New Year, Insider colleagues.

I drove up in a van with 6 other Barra Brava fanaticos. Got soaked down to my socks. We partied hearty in the parking lot after the game before trying to find a KMart for new socks and shoes.

Shawn Medved.

A Soccer Times article on MLS expansion mentions in passing that FIFA regulations limit MLS to 18 teams. Does anyone know anything about this? Is it possible that a second division would eventually be created, just to handle the overflow?

http://www.soccertimes.com/mls/2007/dec23

A Monday NYT article on the booming market for sportswriters includes the following quote: "My counteroffer usually comes down to asking them what kind of cake they want at their goodbye party," said Emilio Garcia-Ruiz, assistant managing editor for sports at The Washington Post, which has lost three writers to ESPN in the last year and a half. "The numbers they throw around are out of reach." (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/24/business/media/24sportswriters.html)

Let's all hope Goff is getting a generous bonus and/or raise.

"A Soccer Times article on MLS expansion mentions in passing that FIFA regulations limit MLS to 18 teams." 22201

The article states that 18 is the maximum number of teams in a first division. I guess the EPL and La Liga are not first divisions.

More likely, it's bad reporting or editing. Sheesh. Steve goes on vacation and the worldwide quality of soccer writing takes a dive.

The article states that 18 is the maximum number of teams in a first division. I guess the EPL and La Liga are not first divisions.
------------------------------------------

My initial reaction, like yours, was to think of EPL and La Liga, and thus to smell something fishy here. But is it possible that these leagues have been grandfathered and MLS has not?

This "rule" was passed by the FIFA congress in 2006, but has not been implemented. Blatter, himself, said it would take a while (see link below). Obviously, the big financial guns (the EPL and La Liga are not in favor of this and carry a lot of weight.) Even if it is instituted it would not necessarily limit the MLS to 18 teams. The rule was passed to limit domestic competition to 34 league games, so cups, international competitions have time. Obviously in a single format table that means a table of 18 teams playing home and away. If the MLS expanded to 24 teams with two 12 team divisions, each team playing every team in its own division home and away and every team in the other division once, this would be a 34 game schedule but with a 24 team first league.

http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2006/aug02.htm

If the MLS expanded to 24 teams with two 12 team divisions, each team playing every team in its own division home and away and every team in the other division once, this would be a 34 game schedule but with a 24 team first league.
------------------------------------------

But other leagues generally don't have MLS-style postseasons. Wouldn't these matches, up to and including MLS Cup, count against the 34-game limit?

Other leagues have intraleague playoffs (for instance the EPL has two knockout competitions: the league cup (Carling Cup) and the F.A Cup which add considerable domestic games). I don't know how FIFA considers those tournaments in its "thinking", but the MLS could certainly have room for playoffs (which is a more limited knockout competition)since the other leagues have thier own intra league "playoffs" (knockout competitions) although they're not called that.

By the way for sake of argument say there was a 24 team league of two divisions. This is how I would like to see it eventually. All the expansion teams are in cities I believe (if they had the ownership put together, etc) could support soccer if done right.

EASTERN DIVISION
1. DC United
2. New England
3. Toronto
4. NYRB
5. Columbus
6. Houston
7. Dallas
8. MIAMI AREA
9. SE (ATLANTA or RALEIGH/DURHAM
10. PHILADELPHIA
11. MONTREAL
12. NEW YORK CITY

WESTERN DIVISION
1. Chivas
2. KC
3. Chicago
4. Colorado
5. LA
6. RSL
7. Seattle
8. Earthquakes
9. PORTLAND
10. VANCOUVER
11. LAS VEGAS
12. ST. LOUIS

Had to put Houston and Dallas in the East to preserve the in division St. Louis/Chicago/KC rivalry.

I'd rather split KC and St. Louis (St. Louis and Chicago in the east) to keep the texans in the west. Chicago has too many rivalries in the east to ship them away (even if it would mean getting rid of them in the playoffs, and god knows that would be useful!) and the texan clubs are much more tied to the west.

It would make life easier if the wizards would just skip town and move to St. Louis, then both Atlanta and Cary/Birmingham/Charleston could join the league

Thanks for the clarification Timoteo.

I feel pretty good about all the expansion cities I listed with the exception of Miami and Atlanta. I do think the MLS has to go to the SE with two teams, but I'm not sold on the Miami area(with their history in the MLS and bad attendance for the current USL team). Both markets (Atlanta and Miami are oversaturated as far as pro sports teams. I always hear about the large latino population in Miami but the majority of the latinos there are cuban whose game is largely baseball, not soccer. I think Orlando might be a good alternative. As far as Atlanta vs. Raleigh/Durham vs. Charleston, that could definitely be debateable.
Philadelphia is a no-brainer with the inherent rivalries, its soccer history and TV market. I think Montreal would do well and set up good rivalries with Toronto, Vancouver, and other NE teams.
I've always been against a 2nd NY team, since the NYRB's have been underperforming as far as attendance, but it sounds like the MLS is dead set on getting a team there, and NYers are ademant that a NYC CITY based team would draw very well.
St. Louis is a soccer team, so should do well even if the pro sports market is over saturated, plus would have great rivalry potential with Chicago and KC.
Portland is a great soccer city with a long tradition of supporting soccer there. They have a potential great stadium right downtown which could be a jewel with some tweeking (for a lot less than 100 million). Several articles (and I agree) point out that part of a soccer specific stadium's recipe for success is that they should be located IN the urban core, not in the suburbs. The Portland team would of course set off great rivalries with Seattle, Vancouver and the Bay area. Same with Vancouver plus the Canadian Monteal/Toronto rivalry.
Las Vegas: Big TV market, no pro team. Growing metro area. Big youth soccer. Sexy location. I don't know why, but my gut says soccer could be a smash hit there. Plus rivalries set up with RSL and the LA teams.

Gotta agree with you Timoteo, Las Vegas would be a big hit. They seem to have it all, a good youth set up, latino population, TV market, one of the fastest growing area's, no other pro sports. I would think they would get a decent amount of fans for the away team as well, especially when they would play LA and SJ.

FIFA is more like the UN of soccer. Only with unanimous consent does anything happen. Everyone know that Jack Warner of CONCACAF has integrity issues, but nothing happens. FIFA likes tradition and the purity of sport, but they like the money so much more. Sepp Blatter puts his foot in his mouth weekly, no one cares. We will have the league we need for a nation that spans an entire continent because the people with the money will make it happen. The worst part will be that the Blatters and Warners will profit as much as anyone.

TPS REPORT 1:34A/07

RE: Soccer Insider Survey:

(1) Two months before taking on Harbour View in the Champion's Cup, what do you consider United's most pressing need?

(2) What players represent the answer?

Atlanta has a large immigrant population. A sizeable hispanic community. In addition, lots of carpetbaggers. It seems most people in Atlanta are from somewhere else. The Silverbacks have been there for quite a while and are well established, as far as I know.

Atlanta is no more sports-saturated than DC: Falcons, Hawks, Braves and Thrashers vs Redskins, Wizards, Nationals/Orioles and Caps...(if you count college, put UGA and GA Tech vs UMD and Georgetown).

What matters is good ownership, intelligence marketing and a decent stadium (I think the S-backs play at DeKalb stadium, cap. 15,000).

I wonder if a MLS franchise would dissolve the S-backs or if that ownership group would be involved in a MLS club. The Seattle experience would serve as an example. S-backs can't "promote" into MLS, since the league truly owns the teams. Ownership groups merely buy the privilege to operate a franchise. The owners cannot move their clubs up/down. For that either MLS would need to also own the USL clubs, or the MLS ownership model needs to be dissolved and allow to outright ownership (my preference).

Atlanta is a better place than Miami, to be sure...for cultural reasons, the only way a Miami club would succeed would as a tie-in to a homeland club. There was a rumour during the MLS season that Boca(!) was looking at owning an MLS franchise. Miami would be a logical choice with all the Argy expats and tourists. But a generic plain-jane MLS franchise will flounder and die.

Good read by Steve Davis:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/section?id=us&cc=5901

What's the story with Nery Castillo?

I know that he's on loan now with Manchester City, which is a great opportunity for him, but he seems to have a history of falling out with his coaches, from what I've read of his time in the Ukraine and Greece.

He showed very well at Copa America and the Gold Cup this past summer, which obviously increased his transfer value, but I'm wondering if he gets along with his teammates and is coachable.

Should be an exciting CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament with several Honduran and Mexican players playing for Champions League teams like Barcelona, Inter Milan and Stuttgart.

Atlanta playes at RE/MAX Stadium, a 3000 capacity park along the northern loop.

Probably wouldn't be the worst expansion choice, but I suspect they would be a lot like the Rapids-- atmosphere issues and only a casual local interest.

Sepp Blatter puts his foot in his mouth weekly and no one cares? I guarantee the people of Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador care. That lying scumbag has gone back on the altitude issue 3 times now. He can rot in hell for all I care.

I'm with you Chico. I never quite understood FIFA wanting to limit playing at altitude but saying nothing about having to play in sweltering heat and humidity in the Brazilian (or Honduran)lowlands.

I've seen a lot of posts about various factors that contribute to the sucess of a team. Here's some enlightenment from relatively scholarly unbiased sources.
Source 1: An evaluation of the Relationship between Hispanics and Major League Soccer:

http://www.econ.unt.edu/research/pdf/00-13RTJmls.pdf

In a nutshell it finds:
a) Local Sports competition from other pro leagues has a significant impact on attendance.
b)MLS in cities with NFL have lower attendance
c) Those with NHL have highter attendance.
d) NBA and MLB are insignificant.
"Specifically, MLS has shown a willingness and desire to place teams in big media markets, but these markets may already be saturated with sports entertainment. It might be wiser for them to choose smaller cities with little or no sports competition."
e) Teams located in areas with relatively more Hispanics have lower attendance.
f) The four best expansion cities for MLS are Portland, Rochester, Philadelphia, Seattle.

http://numeridicalcio.wordpress.com/2006/09/14/mls-attendance-analysis-part-i/

This statistical study found the following factors negatively significant:
a) # of teams from NBA, NFL, MLB
b) High and low temperatures

There is a long list of positive significant ones which I won't list.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11329765/

This bizjournal.com study calculated the best markets and worst markets for new sports teams, based on various factors to include amount needed to support different pro teams, population, economics of area, other sports teams, etc.
They found the following:
10 best Metros for New Teams in general(not just soccer):
1) LA
2) Philadelphia
3) Hartford
4) Las Vegas
5) Portland
6) Oklahoma City
7) Rochester
8) Virginia Beach, VA
9) Northern NJ
10) San Bernandino, CA

10 Worst Areas (worst first):
1) Tampa
2) Phoenix
3) Denver
4) Pittsburgh
5) KC
6) St. Louis
7) Milwaukee
8) Cincinnati
9) Buffalo
10 Minneapolis/St. Paul

In the full study, they also predicted that Miami, Cleveland, New Orleans, San Diego, Seattle and Atlanta would not be able to support an MLS team either.

I hope they are wrong about Seattle. How about a derby with Vancouver or Portland?

""e) Teams located in areas with relatively more Hispanics have lower attendance.""

That doesn't make much sense. Higher Hispanic population = lower attendance?

Delantero,
You're right, on the face of it, you'd think a higher hispanic population would equal greater attendance. Here's the rub: the authors theorize that most hispanics identify with the teams from their home country (whether its the Mexican league or Argentine Primera for example) and tend to stay home and watch their team on TV rather than miss that game and go watch the local MLS game. I guess it kind of makes sense. If I were in Europe and had a choice to watch the local NFL Europe game or the NFL on TV on a Sunday, I'd stay home. It goes to show that the MLS can't take its hispanic population for granted as fans. There is outreach needed to build that fan and brand loyalty like any product.

Re: relatively more latino= lower attendence

is that lower attendence among latinos or among the european and african descended population? or lower in total?

also, have there been any studies done on the racial and/or socioeconomic makeup of the MLS fans? That would be interesting.

SG,

Taking breaks is the #1 way to kill a blog, this time off is making people go shopping for news & scoops.

Seattle already has about 10,000 season ticket commitments. So they are off to a good start so far in dispelling the report.

Taking breaks is the #1 way to kill a blog, this time off is making people go shopping for news & scoops.
-----------------------------------------

Yeah, but at least some of us are bringing the news and scoops back here and sharing them.

Timoteo,

Thanks for the study. That is interesting.

Note they listed VA Beach as one of the desirable locales. They had the Mariners, which went bankrupt before the start of the 2007 season (I think DCU picked up one of their players). The Mariners' plan was to find new ownership before the 2008 season and be up and running in time for that season. I haven't heard the status of that. It is a sad story, really...staff and players working without pay for months on end, and an argument between owners - basically, each side saying the other guy was the true owner and therefore responsible for signing checks, yet in the meantime neither signed anything and no one got paid.

As far as NFL presence...I think of San Antonio. Two of my military teammates there were on the mayor's committee to put together a proposal. Mayor Ed Garza really pushed hard to get the city behind it, but it fizzled out. S.A. has the Spurs, a AA baseball team (the Missions) and used to have a minor league hockey team. Perfect void for the MLS to fill. Aside from the cavernous Alamodome, which is no good. But there is Alamo Stadium, cap. 23,000, which is smack in downtown, right on the highway, a perfect stadium (now used solely for high school football, but once had a NASL team in teh 70s).

One city missing from the expansion discussion is San Diego. I was amazed Chivas didn't go there in the first place (and they still might...) Fast growing, on the border, great weather, opportunity for friendlies with Mexican teams...

Also think MLS should stick with NFL cities. Why? In the US the fact is that NFL is king of sports. Any city that doesn't have an NFL team connotes bush league in casual fans minds. This has been the problem with Columbus and San Jose. There are plenty of attractive NFL cities to base expansion plans on (St. Louis, Miami, San Diego, Philly, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Charlotte) without going to Va Beach or San Antonio.

5 more days until Christian Gomez's contract with United runs out. I hope Goff is enjoying that fruity umbrella drink.

Memo to self:

1. Call Goff to find out when he's going on vacation.

2. Schedule my vacation at the same time.

I'm wicked drunk in Puerto Rico, ok actually hung over next morning, but still drunk!!! Thats some news for ya!!!

USL and MLS are different beasts. Poor attendance for USL does not mean there will be poor attention at MLS matches. Why NFL cities? They had stadiums and they are normally larger markets.

Can we at least get steinberg to step in and throw us a bone here? An update on kpene's off-season haircut plans or something? Anything? Please?

If anyone's interested some Barra Brava members are getting together tonight at Kilroy's in Springfield to see the Johnny Artis Band at 9:00. Good tunes, good brews, good food and we might even be able to get whatever soccer channel is showing a game on.

"Also think MLS should stick with NFL cities."

After twelve years, it's astounding to think that there are people who still believe that MLS has to prove its legitimacy.

NFL sucks all oxygen out of many medium-sized sports markets (including Charlotte, St. Louis, and the Twin Cities from your list) from August, when training camp starts, until November, when MLS Cup is hidden in early time slots to avoid competing with mid-season NFL games.

If a city isn't one of the eight or so largest in the country, where there's money to be made on the margins, it's best to avoid NFL markets.

The imigrant population in San Diego may attend matches between two Mexican league teams, but I'm not sure there's much interest in American soccer. MLS has stages some matches there in past years and the attendance has been dismal.

"Any city that doesn't have an NFL team connotes bush league in casual fans minds."

Maybe (although I doubt that casual fans hold Charlotte, NC and Tampa, FL in high esteem), but the relevant issue is selling tickets in the local market. I'm agreeing with Mastodon Juan on this - Why not, I can agree with him once a year and the year is almost over :-).

I'm with MJ on this one. I think, in general, that locating teams in cities with fewer other major sports teams is actually preferable. The MLS becomes the big ticket in town. I think this would happen in places like Portland, San Antonio, Vancouver, Orlando. The point by K is valid though about NFL cities in that they tend to be in major television markets. This has been crucial in the league's decision to place teams recently. It was a major reason that the league is prioritizing placing teams in Seattle and Philadelphia (vs. Portland and St. Louis). National TV packages are such an important revenue stream for the league that they need teams in almost all the major TV markets to gain the big buck TV deals that really underpin the economic viability of ALL pro sports leagues. What I do believe is that MLS soccer in Portland would be very, very successful from a fan interest/ attendance perspective and I think the MLS is missing the boat there in not trying to encourage an ownership group to come together (like they did in Seattle and are doing in Philadelphia).

Here's and interesting article on St. Louis vs. Phila for an expansion team. It discusses league considerations for placing a team besides the ones they always tout. I love the way the commish has been going around the country recently giving interviews where he variously has said that NYC (a second team), Miami, Portland, St. Louis and Philadelphia are all real possibilities (cranking up the pressure on each of these places to get their act together by playing them off each other).

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20071226_St__Louis_and_Phila__battle_for_pro_soccer.html

P.S. Thanks Du Nord for finding that article.

It appears the Melbourne Victory are still a bit salty about losing Fred to United:

THE spirit and legend of Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva lives on. Make no mistake.

That is because the ghost of Fred, as the Brazilian attacking midfielder is better known, has hovered over Melbourne Victory throughout its poor A-League season and not many, especially fans and critics, have been prepared to exorcise it.

Such is the power of that lingering ghost that it has spawned an imposter. A man purporting to be Fred's brother has been contacting the media and the club claiming Victory is going to sign him and that Melbourne erred badly in its negotiations with Fred.

Using the name Tiago, the man has been exposed as not even a relative of Fred, who has three younger brothers, none of whom live in Melbourne.

It is another outrageous example of the legend of Fred, which may have grown so large that his departure for DC United in the US Major League Soccer is considered the one and only reason for Victory's slump.

That Victory has gone from a premiership-championship double to fighting to avoid the wooden spoon is due to more than Fred not being in the navy blue shirt he wore for 20 of 24 games last season.

Those reasons have been well-documented, with injuries and suspensions major factors in Melbourne's struggle this year.

But was all that down to hard-running Fred and his four goals and nine assists, four of which were supplied to Archie Thompson during the 6-0 grand final thrashing of Adelaide United?

Can it simply be said that because Fred has gone, Thompson and fellow striker Danny Allsopp are nowhere near last season's combined 27 goals or that captain Kevin Muscat has not been as clinically effective in midfield?

What might be hurting Victory most is the perception it did not try hard enough to keep Fred -- that he was allowed to leave because club officials did not add a little extra cash to his contract.

If Fred was so eager to stay, as he publicly stated, why did he not take up the new offer that was put on the table in November and rejected in March?

The bottom line is, Fred thought that after his good season Victory would offer him an enormous contract to stay.

With the A-League's salary cap and Thompson as Victory's marquee player who is paid outside the cap, that was never going to happen.

So with DC United offering a deal said to be at least $350,000 per season plus a car and a house, it cannot have been too difficult a decision. Especially after Fred and his Brazil-based agent Marcio Bittencourt declined an offer from an A-League rival to make Fred its marquee player for 2008.

It is worth revisiting a post on the Victory internet forum from Bittencourt, which read in part: "I indicated to (Victory football operations manager) Gary Cole that the offer had to be higher and he worked hard to make the offer better, which he did, but unfortunately with A-league salary cap restrictions, they could not go higher.

"When an official proposal came finally from an American club and a Brazilian (first) division club, they were two to three times more than Victory.

"Fred is 28-years-old, and had to make a decision based on his future and his family's. It was too hard for him to refuse."

The memory of Fred carving up Adelaide United like a Christmas turkey in the grand final is one for all Victory fans to cherish.

Keep the memory, but it is time for the ghost of Fred to be released.

Dempsey, Boca and their Fulham teammates have a new manager - Roy Hodgson

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/7163374.stm

Wonder when Chicago will announce who their new coach will be?

Goff, hope you had a great Christmas and here's wishing for a Happy New Year.

Now to address my selfish needs...please come back soon, I am on the verge of de-evolving back to an atavus form. This info drought is tearing the life out of me.

Happy New Years all.

Hey folks,

Any news on a soccer stad... hdfuioghdfiouhoheohfo[hdofhouht93[h'rhodhnooy94qnvcmniorh

Oops, sorry 'bout that. Dozed off and my forehead hit the keyboard.

As I was saying, any news on a possible stadfkhuiorhuhdf;hoyhweyr[ehoasdnfiodsfhy978ty3h;hoeh9ughpy

If anyone gets the Independent Film Channel, a documentary about Thierry Henry is going to be on at 10:30 p.m. Eastern:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/27/AR2007122702067.html

I came across this while trying to fill the vacuum created by Steve's absence. It a set of maps showing the location of teams in top-tier leagues of the US and Europe. It's helps me understand derbys and other regional rivalries. If you haven't seen it before, it's a nifty tool.

http://www.sportmapworld.com/

another fun site to explore is

http://www.footiemap.com/

same principle as the site posted above

Actually, whats as interesting as the map itself is the list of stadium capacities for each of the major leagues. The following is a list of the leagues and the average (median) capacity of their stadiums and the number of stadiums which seat 30,000 or less:
EPL: 36,000. 6/20
La Liga: 33,000. 9/20
Serie A: 36,500. 9/20
Bundesliga: 44,000. 5/18
Dutch League: 16,700. 15/18

It would indicate that if the MLS could get to around 30,000 average attendance that it could compete (gate receipt wise) with the major European leagues. Of course, the difference I'm sure are the TV contracts, merchandise sales, and sponsors.

MLS already outdraws the Portuguese league and DCU outdraws all but the big three of Porto, Benfica, and Sporting. As Timoteo said though, TV, sponsors, and merchandise sales make them much richer.

Thought this was interesting:

http://goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=529453

Gallardo is an attacking midfielder/forward that can also play on either wing. Obviously, this is a loose rumor and, even if it is true, won't pan out. The notable thing, to me, is that we've been linked with Juan Sebastian Veron, Claudio Lopez, and now Gallardo; our front office must have really loved that '98 World Cup team (a team I know all too well, after my high school team decided to try and use all of their very clever set pieces for the following 2 seasons).

So, noting the age of that group of players, I'm wondering when we tender Hernan Crespo an offer that is rejected, and thus move on.

Gallardo would be a much better choice than Veron if you are looking for a playmaking/attacking midfielder. Although he's getting a little long in the tooth, he was still delivering for River Plate a year ago. He can really serve as a number 10, something that Veron would not have been able to deliver in my estimation.

Love the site you linked to, I-270, Exit 1.

But "nifty?" Be careful... words like that could earn you a temporary ban from the SI. Or at least require you to buy us all a round at Kilroy's.

It's da bomb diggity!

Do you youngsters still say that?

The officials for the Chelsea v Newcastle match just made our MLS officials look very, very good.

sup ya'll, heard the mls gave seattle a spot.
Well which city you think will be next ?

I am originally from europe and would like to buy oor invest in a team so any suggestions

Dear Phelix,

Scroll back a couple fo days for a discussion of future MLS cities.

To invest in a team you need to follow these simple steps:
1. Create a useful product or service this is widely used. Failing that, use your inherited wealth to acquire a major corporation.
2. Become a billionaire.
3. Call Don Garber

Interesting suggestings Exit 1.. but i will go for number 3 seeing as am not a billionarie yet, so what Garber's number?

thanks for the suggestions

Hey by the way which team in th MLS do you support?

This is a blog associated with the Washington Post, most of whose participants live in the Washington area and read the print version of the Post. Which MLS team do you think most of these people support?

This is a blog associated with the Washington Post, most of whose participants live in the Washington area and read the print version of the Post. Which MLS team do you think most of these people support?

Posted by: 22201 | December 29, 2007 03:25 PM
-----------------------
Barca?
:-)

This DC United video warms my heart during this hibernation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg16DwgN39U

Awesome video.

Incredible video. It brought a tear to my eye. Vamos United!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great video!

Strong work on the video. Compliments to the artist.

Oh my, what a good finish by calling out Fenty!

I came across this while trying to fill the vacuum created by Steve's absence. It a set of maps showing the location of teams in top-tier leagues of the US and Europe. It's helps me understand derbys and other regional rivalries. If you haven't seen it before, it's a nifty tool.
_______________________
It is a cool tool.

In a similar vein, for Christmas, my daughter used Google Earth to create a set of maps of the MLS, Premier League, BundesLiga and La Liga stadiums.

Did anyone else see the highlights of the Patriots win tonight?

In the background of Tom Brady celebrating in the tunnell was a New York Red Bulls logo.

My thought process:

F*ck Brady...Holy sh*t it's the Red Bulls...Maybe I should look outside to see if the world of ending.

I'm glad my head didn't explode.

A soccer article from, of all places, yahoo sports.

Re: Liverpool owner Hicks, etc.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=ApjIJ3KdHAVDpR4tQWQiUcAmw7YF?slug=ap-merseysideyankee&prov=ap&type=lgns

n a similar vein, for Christmas, my daughter used Google Earth to create a set of maps of the MLS, Premier League, BundesLiga and La Liga stadiums.

Posted by: Proud Dad from 232 | December 29, 2007 10:55 PM
--------------------

Raise her allowance.

Sundhage has called in 27 women for the camp leading up to Four Nations. Absent with injury Markgraf, Mitts, Wagner, also Lilly who apparently is still deciding her future. Lopez is back, now Cox after getting married. Two players with local ties, both Nittany Lions, get called in -- Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman. Hey "Go Penn State" are you still around?

Same three keepers.

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_4521984.html

Just heard a nice version of Adam Duritz singing Crossing Muddy Waters (Hiatt). It's out there somewhere for you.
That makes it about a donut short of a good end to the year.
Merry new Year!

It's da bomb diggity!

Do you youngsters still say that?

Posted by: I-270, Exit 1 | December 29, 2007 10:57 AM

STILL say it? Thank the Lord, I never did!

But I did have a brief stint with a mullet, for about a week in 1987. I looked like one of those dudes from A-ha. Given that what hair I have left is as sparse as a Jamil Walker goal, I'd take that mullet -- and all of the ridicule -- in a heartbeat.

BTW... if you guys haven't seen I Am Legend, please do so. It's worth the price.

Sorry guys. I failed to sign my name to the above post...

There are apparently a lot of people that want for this blog to keep going. I know that Goff knows it. Washington Post editors, I hope that you are seeing the demand.

Sundhage has called in 27 women for the camp leading up to Four Nations. Absent with injury Markgraf, Mitts, Wagner, also Lilly who apparently is still deciding her future. Lopez is back, now Cox after getting married. Two players with local ties, both Nittany Lions, get called in -- Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman. Hey "Go Penn State" are you still around?

* * * * * * *

I've changed my nom de plume at least twice since then, and I may do so again, if I get bored with my current handle.

Sundhage didn't call in Christie Welsh or Tiffany Weimer, which is disappointing, but she did call in a coach from Happy Valley. I suppose she can manage through the Olympics using two assistant coaches (Krikorian and Walsh) who have day jobs on university campuses.

RE; WNT

Sundhage didn't call in Tina Ellertson either. After seeing her toasted by Marta with the heel flick, I'm not surprised - then again, no-one played in well that match.

"...said Sundhage.'We want to continue to play with passion and start our change in attacking style.'"
I'm starting to love this woman.

I thought Mitts was back from that injury for some reason. These women getting married and changing their names really messes me up. It takes me at least 3 years to realize who they are again.

re Ellertson

Can't recall where I read it, but I'm pretty sure she is pregnant

a bit more searching found the article I was remembering

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_4259848.html

Christian's contract runs out at midnight tonight. This not knowing anything blows dead bear.

These women getting married and changing their names really messes me up. It takes me at least 3 years to realize who they are again.

Posted by: sitruc | December 30, 2007 09:56 PM
------------

Me too. If one works hard to establish a reputation (name) for one's self, changing it is counter-productive. You see this too often in science where a name change cuts off woman's publication record on a literature search.

IIRC, Mia Hamm wore Garciaparra on her jersey only in the second half of her last "tribute match." So women should ask themselves, "WWMD?"

ADDENDUM: On the soccer field, men should also ask "WWMD?"

*Mitts was called in to the December camp; haven't read anything about a re-injury, I have just read "continuing rehab."

*Garciaparra is the second Mr. Hamm, and neither had his name on the WNT shirt excepting the tribute match, I think. I personally don't care what the married women do; I'll call them whatever they'd like to be called. One of my hopes for 2008, though, is that they remember Herb Brooks, the name on the front of the shirt is a helluva lot more imnportant than the name on the back.

*If someone could post a clip of the give-and-go that Baptista finished last night for Real Madrid it would be almost like Goff was back. Bonus points for Ray's commentary.

Figo to MLS Anschutz team. http://www.libero.com.pe/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39943&Itemid=

WNT fan
I don't know if it is there for sure, but you can probably find that Real goal on footytube.com

Re: Ali Krieger

Someone ought to do a count of the number of players Gene Mishalow and Ken Krieger have coached that went on to earn a cap with one of the national teams. Combined, I'd have to say a dozen or more.

WAMU is rebroadcasting an earlier interview with Nick Hornby at 12:30 p.m. EST today. It can be heard over the air if you are within hailing distance of WAMU's transmitter (88.5), or over the Internet:

http://wamu.org/programs/kn/07/12/31.php#19004

Figo to MLS Anschutz team.
Posted by: Mifflin | December 31, 2007 10:58 AM

The article seems to indicate that he would come to Chicago, LA, or Houston - but didn't AEG sell the Fire to Andell Holdings and LA doesn't have a 2nd DP slot (and/or the cap space), so guess Figo would be coming to Houston.

Here is a more reliable source for the Figo Deal:

Inter star Luis Figo could delay his plans to retire at the end of the season by moving to the American MLS.

The 35-year-old wing-wizard has been linked with a move to America in the past and was considering a move there in the summer before signing a one-year extension at Inter.

Figo had stated that he intended to retire from football at the end of the current campaign, however today's 'Correio da Manha' says he has changed his mind.

The Portuguese legend has reportedly signed a two-year contract with the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) worth $3.5m a season.

AEG own two MLS sides - Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy - meaning that he would turn out for one of these clubs.

David Beckham plays for LA Galaxy and is said to be desperate for his former Real Madrid team-mate to join the club.

Figo is currently sidelined with injury, having fractured his right fibula in the match with Juventus on November 4.

Sorry, it was posted on Goal.com

"Thank you Kevin for this D.C. United jersey and congratulations on your terrific season," Fenty said. "It is great to see over 20,000 fans here at RFK supporting D.C. United. It is my hope that your fans will soon be coming to your brand new soccer stadium at Poplar Point in Anacostia. World class fans, and a world class team like D.C. United, deserve a world class stadium. And I am going to make it a priority to help you build that stadium. Thank you -- congratulations and good luck to the Black-and-Red!"

-Adrian Fenty on Oct 29 2006 (right before a mayoral elction mind you)

link to full article: http://www.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20061031&content_id=77524&vkey=news_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=t103

I find it hard to believe MLS would allow AEG to sign Figo to a deal if the team they were signing him for does not have a DP slot. So if they already signed him it is for Houston. If Houston trades their DP to LA and Figo goes there, then I call shenanigans!

So George Mason basketball is more important than the insider now, Goff? Don't apologize, there's nothing you can say to ease the pain.

why do you have to remind us about that two face jerko**. thanks RRR i needed something to stoke the fires of ineptitude in govt.

Now I know what a junkie goes thru when he's trying to get that monkey off his back.

Goff? Goff?

[crickets]

Sources in Portugal have indeed confirmed this morning that Figo is going to be assigned to the Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, or Los Angeles Galaxy.

GMU hoops Goff?
Nice, let's go Patriots =)

"...said Sundhage.'We want to continue to play with passion and start our change in attacking style.'"
I'm starting to love this woman.

Posted by: I-270, Exit 1 | December 30, 2007 07:22 PM
----------------------------

She opened the first team meeting in December by singing "The Times They Are A'Changin" a cappella. A video is on the ussoccer web site. Should be an interesting 2008.

4 locals (3 from VA, 1 from DC) were named as NCAA Women's Soccer 3rd Team All-Americans; national award ceremonies are in B'more 1/19.