Shut. Up.

I'm watching the videos for Sierra Mist Goal Of The Week today, (my vote is for Altidore) and I'm noticing again how often the announcers are yammering on about some sort of nonsensical, barely related to soccer subject while one of the teams is driving towards the goal (see Moreno's and Altidore's goal). I don't care if these guys have been coached to not have any "dead air", their opinions aren't so important that they should keep talking while goal scoring opportunities are happening on the field. Now that the English league is underway again, this just makes our announcers seem even more pathetic.

Read This::: MLS Atmosphere?

If you follow Major League Soccer at all (and you should), you know that while there are many wonderful supporter groups in MLS, many clubs simply don't compare. Home games for DC, Toronto, Houston, RSL, New England and Chicago are loud and exciting. They give us a wonderful view of the future of the sport in this country, and how unique our soccer fans are. However, games for Dallas, NYRB, Columbus, and Colorado are typically poorly attended and quiet affairs. Somewhere in-between fall KC, Chivas, and (Pre-Beckham) LA, who are looking like they will eventually catch up to the best supported clubs.

The reasons for this have been discussed at length in many different forums, but just to name a few: massive NFL stadia, lack of marketing, amd suburban stadiums that cater to soccer moms and not to the true fans.

Here is a wonderful article on 3rddegree.net by Jason Benfield that compares and contrasts the atmosphere of Chicago Fire's Toyota Park to FC Dallas's Pizza Hut Park.

Monty Python Football

To blog or not to blog. That is the question...

Read This

Found a great article about MLS fandom on the Guardian, of all places. (the Guardian is a UK newspaper, FYI) Not only is it well written and informed, but the conversation afterword offers up some interesting points of view, along with a few narrow-minded Englishmen's comments to help stir the pot.

So check out Mr. Steven Wells' fine piece of informed, objective wordsmithing:

US soccer punks 1, McFans 0

"Independent, witty, irreverent fan culture is triumphing over Major League Soccer's preprogrammed Disneyfied McFan experience."

Amazing

Use your imagination with me for a second, and pretend like this is Crew Stadium instead of Sweden (yes Sweden, were they make furniture)! Gives me goosebumps thinking about it.

I know people think English fans are the best, but its just not true. Look around on youTube and you'll see some amazing displays from around the world!

Try searching for these key works on youTube: tifo and of course, ultra; and these clubs: Ajax, AIK, Rapid Vienna, Galatasaray, Dynamo, Besiktas etc...

I Thought Goats Ate Everything

A few posts ago, I expressed my concern over Chivas USA's empty stadium. Allow me to quote myself,

"...that sort of vacuous atmosphere is typically reserved for the monstrosities of the Meadowlands and Arrowhead! Not a SSS."

Well, I found this article by Mr. Luis Bueno over at LASoccernews.com that makes a valiant attempt to explain just what's going on in LA. He's got lots of other great articles, too. And his last name means "good", so you know it has to be bueno!

Makelele to MLS?

The "Beckham Effect" is in full swing as the transfer window opens up this summer. It seems like every 30+ year old who is soon to be out of contract is stating their desire to move to MLS. The latest superstar player to name drop MLS as a future destination is none other than Chelsea's Claude Makelele. Read all about it on FSC.

Let the speculation begin on where he would go. I don't know off the top of my head which clubs have DP spots available, but I'll go ahead and start the rumor that Dallas, KC and Colorado are fighting over his rights!

I honestly think this move is at least a year away. It's probably just posturing to make sure he gets a good contract to stay at Chelsea, but fun to think about, none the less!

Haven't written anything in a few days, as I've been playing catch up reading all the cool stuff on Jessica Canizale's blog, Sideline Views. Tons of good info about the US team as it prepares for the Copa d'Oro, plus LA Galaxy and Chivas blurbs.

Platini v G-14 (18)

"I call officially on the major and important clubs in European football to disband their elitist grouping, to withdraw the various lawsuits that they have brought before the courts..."

Seems that Msr. Platini is working hard to keep football from eating itself in Europe, where those evil greedy G-14 (actually 18) clubs are messing things up for everyone. Should be interesting to watch Platini do what he can to help the sport. It was just a few months ago that he was lobbying for Champion's League reform to help out the smaller leagues.

And who said the French were lazy? Look out Blatter, Platini's building up equity to take your job! Michel Platini, you're my Ultra of the Day!

ESPN for full story.

Deez nuts!

Ah...brings back memories of when I hit the post by deflecting a clearance off my "area". Let's just say I didn't finish the game...