Major League Soccer 2008 Season thread

[Zeno]

While its great they played well and both Donovan and Beckham scored...it was San Jose though, who will probably have the leagues worst record.

I actually want the Galaxy to do well though, it'll do the league some good if their most visible team is succesful. Beckahm makes LA the most visible MLS team worldwide and anyone with a passing interest in Beckham will pay attention but care less about the rest of the league.

 

[Stout]

Tonight's Galaxy game was a direct opposite of last week. Both Donovan and Beckham scored, assisted by the other. Were you able to check it out? The Galaxy looked like a completely different team out there.

Yeah, sad and funny thing about it. I'm a night person, so I'm checking out what'll be on after the Pirate's game at 10:30. I see the game, and figure I'll give it a try. It was okay, but the problem was I hadn't had much sleep last night. Long story short, I lasted just barely until Becks got his goal. Good goal too, but I was in bed shortly after it. The game wasn't boring (game didn't put me to sleep) so it was okay. Good goal by Becks.

 

[gr000000vy]

Donovan's goal was pure quality... Beckham's "feed" was poor but Donovan made a run onto it and flicked it in over teh defender and the keeper... was really good..

also good to see beckham score off the flow of a game instead of a set piece... can't remember the last time i saw that happen..

LA isn't as bad as they were vs Colorado, but they had to be a bit nervous when San Jose popped the first one in around teh 5 min mark only to be called offside on a real real tough call....

 

[Zeno]

More on the Henry rumors...

Latest rumor re: Henry & Seattle..

Thierry Henry is being lined up to rival David Beckham as the face of U.S. soccer. The French striker has been targeted to launch the newly formed Seattle team when it makes its MLS debut next year. And the franchise's multi-billionaire owner Paul Allen will tempt Henry with a deal worth $300,000 a week. Henry, 30, only joined Barcelona in a $32 million move from Arsenal last June. But the Spanish giants are planning a summer clear-out after slumping to third place in La Liga. And Henry could go despite having more than three years left on his $256,000-a-week deal.

The Sun

I'd be shocked if it happens. While I believe Henry will be here eventually I just can't see it happening within the next 2 seasons. If that $300K a week figure is true though...

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Barca paid way too much for this to be a one and done experiment.

 

[Stout]

Latest rumor re: Henry & Seattle..

Thierry Henry is being lined up to rival David Beckham as the face of U.S. soccer. The French striker has been targeted to launch the newly formed Seattle team when it makes its MLS debut next year. And the franchise's multi-billionaire owner Paul Allen will tempt Henry with a deal worth $300,000 a week. Henry, 30, only joined Barcelona in a $32 million move from Arsenal last June. But the Spanish giants are planning a summer clear-out after slumping to third place in La Liga. And Henry could go despite having more than three years left on his $256,000-a-week deal.

The Sun

I'd be shocked if it happens. While I believe Henry will be here eventually I just can't see it happening within the next 2 seasons. If that $300K a week figure is true though...

If MLS landed Henry in the next 2 years...WOW!!!

 

[Zeno]

Well tonight I will be off to see DC United against Toronto FC. DC United should light up Toronot as they have enough offensive firepower with Emilio, Fred, Gallardo and Moreno now healthy. Should be fun.

 

[Stout]

Well tonight I will be off to see DC United against Toronto FC. DC United should light up Toronot as they have enough offensive firepower with Emilio, Fred, Gallardo and Moreno now healthy. Should be fun.

Poor Toronto...they just picked up Laurent Robert. As a Magpies fan, I can personally attest to how atrocious he is.

 

[Zeno]

4 - 1 DC wins, so far I've been to 2 DC games and they've won by a combined score of 9 - 1.

DC scored before the 2 minute mark and never let off, it didn't help that Toronto had to play a man down from about 1/2 way through the first half.

Awesome game, great fans. I can't wait until my next game in 3 weeks.

 

[Zeno]

Seattle's MLS team is now officially Seattle Sounders FC

 

[Stout]

Seattle's MLS team is now officially Seattle Sounders FC

That has to be one of the worst names in pro sports today. Wow. Columbus Crew is catchy. NE Revolution (that's what it is, right? LOL) works for me. Seattle SOUNDERS? Ugh.

 

[Zeno]

Sounders is actually a traditional name and fits the area. Its the same name their team carried when they played under the NASL (without the FC part) and the same name their USL team had. Its better than some of the other MLS names we've seen "Burn", "Clash", "Mutiny", "Wiz".

This was a result of fan voting..their choices were Seattle FC, Seattle Republic and Seattle Alliance...Sounders was the write in vote winner. For once the fans have spoken.

I could care less either way since I'm now firmly a DC United fan.

 

[gr000000vy]

i think sounders fc is pretty good.. would have liked emerald city better though... i'm all for good history and that's cool that they went with sounders.. i would still like to see a ny cosmos..

curious on what the new philly name will be...

 

[Chaplin]

Maybe they should have called them Supersonics FC, since they'll want at least ONE sports team there with the Supersonics name...

(For those without basketball knowledge, the rumor is that the Sonics are moving to Ok City)

 

[Zeno]

Seattle has already sold 14,000+ season tickets for next year. That franchise could be pretty succesful pretty quick with a solid fan base and a strong ownership group.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Not that it means anything, but the US moved up 7 spots to #21 in the latest FIFA world rankings. However, there are a couple teams in front of them that they could wipe the floor with :coughmexicocough:

 

[Zeno]

I went to my third DC United game and they are 3-0 in those games with 13 goals for and 2 against. The team might as well hire me as their good luck charm.

Donovan is looking really good for the Galaxy right now...8 goals so far this season. Thats impressive. The defense is still a weakness but their scoring should even be better when Ruiz returns.

Toronto's moves seems to have paid off for them especially adding Guevara.

This MLS season is shaping up to be a pretty good one.

 

[Chaplin]

Galaxy put a beat-down on Chivas! Loved it! We played lights out in that 2nd half--Chivas couldn't stop us at all.

And even though Alan Gordon scored 2 goals, I still think it's a mistake to start him. The rookies are looking pretty good as well, especially Sean Franklin. Ruud decided to put Mike Randolph at the left MF spot instead of left FB, and it seems to be paying off.

Donovan may very well on his way to have his best year in MLS--and maybe one of the best years overall in the history of the league. His intensity is just great to see.

And I didn't even mention Beckham, who is making some great pinpoint passes.

 

[Zeno]

Gordon won't be starting when Ruiz is back in the lineup will he?

Did anyone catch Gallardo's goal for DC United? a one time volley off a floating cross at a difficult angle into the upper V at the far post...awesome.

 

[Stout]

Excellent to hear that Becks is playing well. Always good to hear about Donovan playing well too, but I don't think his game will progress in the MLS. I think he needs to get back out there in Europe and really push his game.

 

[Chaplin]

Gordon won't be starting when Ruiz is back in the lineup will he?

We can only hope. My fear is that he'll start in place of Pires, not Ruiz, in the midfield. Luckily, though, the new guy Franchino hopefully will be taking that spot from Pires.

 

[Chaplin]

Excellent to hear that Becks is playing well. Always good to hear about Donovan playing well too, but I don't think his game will progress in the MLS. I think he needs to get back out there in Europe and really push his game.

I don't know, if the NT needs him to score, he's getting some great work in the MLS so far.

It helps when most of his goals are receipts of pinpoint Beckham passes, though.

 

[Stout]

I don't know, if the NT needs him to score, he's getting some great work in the MLS so far.
It helps when most of his goals are receipts of pinpoint Beckham passes, though.

That's just it, though. The MLS isn't near the level of other pro leagues, so when he gets that great work in the MLS, it doesn't always translate to the next level. He's facing lesser competition. That's why he seems to do so great in CONCACAF, but often disappears against larger foes. Not always; he does show up for some of the big games. He's often outclassed, though, and with his raw talent I think his game could use the lift of playing in a better league. Just MHO.

 

[Zeno]

Rumor is Donovan is reconsidering going to Europe in the winter transfer season. Supposedly Beckham has been talking it up to him. We shall see...

Sure LA would lose their leading scorer but they could probably use the money they'd save with him being gone to sign 3 or 4 higher quality players at other positions rather than having to field a bunch of guys who only make $35-50K a year because Donovan, Beckham and Ruiz cost so much.

 

[Zeno]

We can only hope. My fear is that he'll start in place of Pires, not Ruiz, in the midfield. Luckily, though, the new guy Franchino hopefully will be taking that spot from Pires.

Franchino is the guy who got in a fist fight with Dempsey during practice...thats about all I know about that guy. I thought he was a defensive player though??