It's Official: Metros are the Chosen Ones!

[Rover]

All pigs are created equal, but some are more equal than others.

And MLS's fattest, ugliest pig is Metro. Just listening to the press conference where AEG is bringing in Alexi Lalas to save the Metros (again). No, not to coach, but to President and GM. Nick Sakiewicz is now the President, AEG Soccer NY/NJ. OK.

Goodbye San Jose! Does it feel like everyone is jumping ship?

According to AEG's Tim Liewicke (and, let's face it, MLSHQ too), if the Metros don't succeed, the league fails. As mentioned in previous posts, the worst kept secret in the league is the constant jamming of talent into New Jersey, with the result of a trophy case filled with the following: NOTHING.

I, for one, have been very satisfied with that. I back whoever is playing any team from the NY area. Always have, always will.

So AEG wants the best players in New York. Uh, guys, you've been trying that for ten years.

Is Liewicke right? Does MLS need to have a winner in New York? Maybe--I doubt it--but I do know that AEG needs a winner in New York. So we'll let them give it (another) shot.

Personally I hope they continue their tradition, well, no tradition.

[Jose Luis Luviano]

The Knicks haven't won anything since the days of Willis Reed and they did not even make an NBA finals until Michael Jordan decided to play baseball for a while.

And the Nets are usually Clippers East.

And the NBA did OK. Actually, they usually have good teams in Chicago and/or LA; so maybe I just refuted my point.

The NFL would probably lose money on the deal if a team went to LA.

I've only ever been to Long Island to change planes; and as I understand it, real estate there is pretty expensive.

But I have to imagine that a Hudson River Derby between the Metros and the Long Island Wizards would sell a few tickets.

Suffolk County Wizards fans could chant "1996, 1996" like Islanders fans used to chant "1940".

[Stucki]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

The Knicks haven't won anything since the days of Willis Reed and they did not even make an NBA finals until Michael Jordan decided to play baseball for a while.

And the Nets are usually Clippers East.

And the NBA did OK. Actually, they usually have good teams in Chicago and/or LA; so maybe I just refuted my point.

The NFL would probably lose money on the deal if a team went to LA.

I've only ever been to Long Island to change planes; and as I understand it, real estate there is pretty expensive.

But I have to imagine that a Hudson River Derby between the Metros and the Long Island Wizards would sell a few tickets.

Suffolk County Wizards fans could chant "1996, 1996" like Islanders fans used to chant "1940".

The NBA thought they needed a strong Knicks team to thrive as well. Does anyone else remember the frozen card/bent corner from the very first NBA draft lottery? Of course the Ewing pick didn't work out quite as well as they hoped.

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Alexi Lalas is a great commentator (Well, I liked him) and a good guitarist.

And he was 2nd Team all-1994 World Cup.

But (pardon the expression on a day like today), the jury is still out on his front-office ability.

So if you want to convince me that MLS is really fixed, you'll tell me that Peter Wilt is taking over in The Swamp.

Hm, maybe Wilt will take over in San Jose now and either turn around The Smurfs or guide their move to Houston, Rochester or wherever?

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

Alexi Lalas is a great commentator (Well, I liked him) and a good guitarist.

And he was 2nd Team all-1994 World Cup.

But (pardon the expression on a day like today), the jury is still out on his front-office ability.

So if you want to convince me that MLS is really fixed, you'll tell me that Peter Wilt is taking over in The Swamp.

Hm, maybe Wilt will take over in San Jose now and either turn around The Smurfs or guide their move to Houston, Rochester or wherever?

AEG built the HDC, which buys them some credit.

But they're looking like 0-for-2 on executive personnel decisions this season.

Sure is good to be an RSL fan. Any doubts that the suits at MLSHQ would never have put a team in Utah if Uncle Dave hadn't said "Salt Lake or nothing?"

These are the guys who thought the Alamodome would be good for soccer, or that we should merge MLS with the Mexican League. Who would be the golden club then? America or Metro?

I didn't fully understand how lucky we are at RSL until I heard Big Red was going to run Metro. Thank you, Dave Checketts.

[Aero]

Originally Posted by Rover

I didn't fully understand how lucky we are at RSL until I heard Big Red was going to run Metro. Thank you, Dave Checketts.

Yes, we are very lucky. Thank you Uncle Dave!

[SoccerPrime]

I wanted to add that ESPN is saying that the Metros really got their stadium issue solved.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=335488&cc=5901