MLS Select Team vs. Real Madrid [R]

[Section 37]

Originally Posted by Aero

I think that they were also a little embarrassed at how "close" the game against the Galaxy was and wanted to show everyone that they were better than that.

Let's face it, Real Madrid did not really play against L.A.. They went out, trotted around a bit, but they didn't put any effort into it, that much was clear.
I don't think they necessarily needed to prove anything. They relaxed and had fun against L.A. but they came to play against MLS Select. It probably helped that this game didn't come in the middle of a worldwide good will tour.

[prk166]

The real reason for the match --> So Garber could schmooze + get some good will. Now it better result in something like Real coming for the all-star game, loaning out some young pups to the MLS, etc.

[Rover]

Hey mods, looks like we have dual threads again. The other looks to be older, so request you merge this one into it.

[MomOf8]

Sorry you were dissapointed hun. I'm also sorry I wasnt' able to watch it with you.

[SoccerPrime]

Jason Kreis, MLS Select team player, and MLS King of Goals
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/pgStory?contentId=4802334&pageNumber=13

[Rover]

Jamie Trecker does not hold back in this article from Fox Soccer.

I'm guessing this is Jerry Trecker's kid, and he unloads on MLS. Unfortunately, in listing everyhting that's wrong with MLS he picks the wrong back story. He fails to mention the real problem with the 5-0 loss to Real Madrid--you can't throw a pickup team together, fly them a hemisphere away, practice once, and expect them to hold up against one of the best club teams in the world. It's ridiculous to say that the game proved anything about MLS. Now, no matter what MLS did I don't think we're anywhere near the level of the G14 teams in Europe. Guess what--just about nobody in the world can match the top teams and leagues in Europe, and we all know it.

His other points are the same old stuff spewed by MLS bashers from the beginning of the league. Thanks for telling us what we already know.

His only suggestion? Do away with single-entity. Thanks. OF COURSE WE NEED TO GET RID OF SINGLE ENTITY! But we're not in a position to do so yet, and to say otherwise in being unrealistic. Maybe Trecker wants to throw in some money and take the investment risk?

In the end, I want varied--and critical--opinions of MLS to be given a fair hearing. We can't get better if we don't take a good hard look at how we're developing as a league and sport in the USA. But I would prefer something both original and coherent.

[SoccerPrime]

Rover your dead on.
The Treckers on FoxSports are categorically EuroSnobs and its too bad Fox has hired them to write about MLS.
Its like getting a Ford owner to write about Chevys.
Read ANY article by him/them/it and it is the same. MLS is wrong/dead/boring/screwed up. And their answers are always: make it more like Europe NOW.

If you don't believe me, read his/their article on the USMNT/T&T game.
I think he might be Canadian which would then answer some other questions I have about him.

[Rover]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Rover your dead on.
The Treckers on FoxSports are categorically EuroSnobs and its too bad Fox has hired them to write about MLS.
Its like getting a Ford owner to write about Chevys.
Read ANY article by him/them/it and it is the same. MLS is wrong/dead/boring/screwed up. And their answers are always: make it more like Europe NOW.

If you don't believe me, read his/their article on the USMNT/T&T game.
I think he might be Canadian which would then answer some other questions I have about him.

The Treckers should just move to Europe--and take Paul Gardner with them. They'd be happier and we'd not have to put up with this pedantic ridiculousness.

None of us who've followed this league would say it's perfect, or at all close to where it needs to be yet. And if there's something negative that needs to be reported, then it should be reported.

But we have come so far in such a short period of time that anyone who supposedly knows the game who can't acknowledge how solid MLS is now must have an agenda which prevents them from seeing it.

Most soccer fans that I know understand the history of the game and the fact that the established leagues in Europe and the Americas play great soccer and have the tradition and money to keep it that way. We also know that one of the great things about soccer is the fact that we have so many great leagues around the world, each with their own character and style and not one of them controlling or dominating the global game (not so with national teams, but that's another issue).

For me, MLS has given me a league in my own country that adds to the global game by bringing an American style to the field. That style is not well developed yet, but it's gaining every year. It's amazing to watch. Does MLS need to move away from single entity, arrange its calendar to align with FIFA's, play only in soccer specific stadia, expand to eight more cities, pay players more? Of course! We'll get there. In the meantime, we should all be thankful that folks with big bank accounts and faith in the game and its fans found a way to launch and build an American soccer league. To the critics, that's what I'd say MLS has done right.

[AreliusII]

http://www.90soccer.com/news/200508240001.shtml

[DadOf8]

Originally Posted by AreliusII

http://www.90soccer.com/news/200508240001.shtml

I actually agree with him on some points. I think it was a bad idea to send them over there in mid-season without every having played together. I think it was a bad idea to subject players to the risk of injury. Still, I would like for MLS to catch on and if MLS Select had beat Real Madrid I think the whole world would know that MLS is for real. I think the US Mens team will bring a lot of new fans to the game after World Cup 2006 so maybe MLS shouldn't rely on freindlies like this one to market their product but rather, rely on the USMNT to bring soccer to the forefront.