American Soccer Weblog

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Weekend Attendance

Attendance updated to include Monday's numbers . . .

Attendance figures this weekend for A-League matches (listed high to low):
Fri. Toronto @ Montreal: 6,831
Sat. Atlanta @ Charleston: 5,022
Sat. Milwaukee @ Portland: 4,067
Sat. Rochester @ Puerto Rico: 3,190
Thu. Rochester @ Puerto Rico: 3,000
Sat. Virginia Beach @ Richmond: 2,440
Sun. Minnesota @ Edmonton: 1,913
Fri. Milwaukee @ Seattle: 1,875
Sat. Montreal @ Toronto: 1,826
Mon. Richmond @ Virginia Beach: 1,365
Fri. Edmonton @ Calgary: 1,012

Other notable attendance figures in the lower divisions:
Sat. St. Louis @ Des Moines (PDL): 3,440
Sat. N. Virginia @ Long Island (PSL): 2,629
Sun. W. Michigan @ Pittsburgh (PSL): 1,157
Sun. Reading @ Harrisburg City (PSL): 1,032

Notable women's attendance figures:
Sun. Arizona @ Edmonton (W-League): 1,512
May 22 Maryland @ Steel City (WPSL): 1,250
Sat. Sudbury @ Montreal (W-League): 1,170

MLS Attendance:
Sat. DC United @ NE: 19,314
Sat. Dallas @ LA: 18,460
Sat. San Jose @ Columbus: 14,555
Sat. Colorado @ Chicago: 9,688
Sun. KC Wizards @ MetroStars: 9,101

An Absence

I start my week on the road to visit relatives and someone named Moreno scores a hat-trick at RFK Stadium. Thinking, great, days of lore, and with Freddy Adu scoring a Cold Pizza highlight goal, had to be a DC United win in convincing style, particularly without the Little Fish playing.

Alas, I learn it was Alejandro Moreno of the LA Galaxy who scored his hat trick, with a top play on ESPN and two other goals all within an 8 minute span. Actually, they scored four times in nine minutes to close out the first half and cruised from there. Amazing. I get to see a drab, boring Wizards/United match as my last before my midwest jaunt, and I left behind six goals, a hat-trick and a highlight-goal from Super Teen Star Freddy.

And with Nick Rimando's play, will that be enough for Doug Warren to return to the starting lineup, or does United begin to think about moving one of the two to find someone more reliable? And (again), United showed their typical play that leads to nothing for the first 30 minutes before the four goal outbreak by the Galaxy.

I missed it all while driving past farms in Illinois. I realize how spoiled I am living on the east coast, and in particular in Virginia, where there's never a shortage of a game going on somewhere most days of the week. However, watching my cousin's daughter graduate is a special moment for me, and for a week or so, soccer is on the backburner. But don't worry, I'll be back next week with a vengeance, blogging and posting new OnTheSidelines content. I'm sure Ian Plenderleith, Mark Bushman and Craig Stouffer will have a lot to say about the United/Galaxy, and more on how they do in Colorado. Also check out the rest of the OnTheSidelines content in case you missed something.

While I'm away, check out Dr. Chuck's Blog Matchnight. He's doing a great job blogging the soccer world. I'll return next week to highlight the close of the European season for the American contingent, highlight the minor league world and give an overview of the US Open Cup draw, among other things.

The Quick Clicker

It's been a busy week for us here, with no less than six different people making contributions, but we do have time to give props to those linking back and not thinking us idiots for wanting Freddy to play. At least it was a reasoned request by our own Craig Stouffer. Actually, I want to see more of Josh Gros on the field.

I guess it's not just me, but I also thought that the US MNT against Mexico looked a lot like the DC United team we've seen this season. Heavy pressure from the forwards on back, hard fouling early and often, and overall, a disrupting, dominating menace except when it comes to finding the goal. At least the US shouldn't have to worry as much about El Salvador, as Ian Plenderleith writes.

It's a triple-threat this weekend along the I-64 corridor, as Virginia Beach opens their season with a home-and-home series against Richmond. Why triple threat? The matches count in the A-League standings, James River Cup and US Open Cup qualifying, but perhaps more importantly, the match tonight is a fundraiser for the Jamie Hess Memorial Fund, which holds a lot of meaning to Kickers defender Chris Fox. After taking a trip with the team last year for a feature that didn't quite pan out, Fox asked me after a 2-0 loss to Pittsburgh if I didn't have anything better to do with my Memorial Day weekend. Sadly, even after the loss, I didn't.

The Kickers, meanwhile, are off to a 0-1-1 start, barely getting a result in Charleston last week after losing to the Battery at home to start their season. Look for Mike Field and the Mariners to set up their tailgate on enemy turf in the parking lot at U of Richmond Stadium tonight.

After all that, if they're not fired up to play this weekend.

Beau Dure notes why relegation/promotion won't work between MLS and the A-League. In a word: stadiums. But in reality, even if you got every MLS team with their own reasonably-sized soccer-specific stadium, you'd still have the problem in the A-League. Rochester and Atlanta are building facilities, but Rochester is a likely MLS franchise in the near future, so they don't really count. Atlanta's building a place in the 5-7K range, and with a handful of exceptions, no A-League team is going to draw more than 5K on a regular basis. Blue Sky Soccer, in an interview with USL CEO Dave Askinas, he thinks teams can have their own SSS within the next decade:

We want to be the best league we can be. The ideal , and we can get there faster than you think, is to have all of our teams in 5-10,000 seat soccer specific stadiums where tickets are in demand. I don't think this is an idle dream but one achievable through 5-10 years hard work. We know what we have to do and we have to continue to aggressively market our product and increase our profile in order to make that kind of progress.

In an article about Olympic spending, it notes that US Soccer spent $31.5 million in 2000, the year the US women won the silver medal. The article does note, though, that the Olympics aren't the only--or main--goal for a lot of sports, including soccer.

Nebraska Says Goodbye To Cooper

On a much sadder note, perhaps by now you've heard about Nebraska's Jenna Cooper, slain at a party last weekend. Lucky Iromuanya, the man who shot her is is being charged with second-degree murder. He allegedly wanted to kill someone else over a shot glass, and fired a bullet that hit Cooper, who was standing nearby. Iromuanya's bail, originally $1 million, was cut in half.

She was laid to rest today. Let's hope the US WNT will use their upcoming match in Louisville, where Cooper was from, as a tribute match to her.

Honoring Nicole

The US U20 match last night against Haiti started off honoring the memory of Nicole Megaloudis, a soccer player at VCU and the daughter of Gail and Nick (former Fusion assistant)--step-daughter of Thomas Rongen, the U20 coach.

A moment of silence was part of the pre-match tribute to her, and so far $30,000 has been raised for a foundation set up in her memory to give college scholarships to high school soccer players having financial difficulty. A portion of last night's gate receipts also went to the foundation, and Bruce Arena plans to start a golf tournament to raise more money. Hear (using current Real Media player) what a close friend of hers--Alecko Eskandarian--had to say about her after he scored and paid tribute to her during DC United's win over San Jose. Well done!

As for the result of the match, Freddy (Jim Rooney sighting) and the youngsters scored a 1-0 win against a Haiti select squad in front of a crowd of 9,105. Freddy tweaked his right ankle, but says he'll be ready to go for Saturday's home match against Chicago. Ray Hudson even made a cameo with one of his trademark phrases: exquisitely gifted little footballer (by the way, Gaven's with an e).

What Are We Doing Here Anyway?

All kinds of things are happening with us now. One of our writers had an edited version of a commentary he first posted for us appear in the Washington Post's Free For All section, which would make the 2nd mention of OnTheSidelines in the Post in about a week.

But to the content, we're posting audio on a regular basis now, of post-match interviews and of the TV show, This Week In Soccer. We split the clips into digestable downloads for easier listening, or if you're daring and want to try the complete download, that's available as well. Make sure you have the updated Real Player, though. Our new batch of post-match interviews from DC United/MetroStars will come tomorrow, and another new TWIS show installment is upcoming as well, with stuff from Charleston's 2-0 win over Richmond in the A-League opener.

Besides that, Ian Plenderleith tells us that Mr. Pain-In-The-Behindsight is up-in-arms about DC United's loss to the MetroStars. Also, Mark Bushman makes his season debut of his In Hindsight column.

Staying in our own region, we should also note that U.S. Open Cup qualifying started up again over the weekend in Pro Soccer League action, with the Northern Virginia Royals falling to the expansion Harrisburg City Islanders (not to be confused with debutants Puerto Rico), 5-2. The match also served as the season-opener for both teams. By the way, the Royals played that first "home" match at the Maryland Soccerplex in . . . Boyds, MD.

Northern Virginia ... Boyds, MD--all the same here.

Stay tuned for Americans Abroad news. In the meantime, check out what Dr. Chuck is up to over at MatchNight. He's been pretty busy of late. He probably had a better perspective of Freddy Adu's goal from his couch than I did 30,000 feet up in the Giants Stadium press box. And, he's telling a lot of people to shut up too. Entertaining stuff.

Mark Cuban: NBA Owner Cites Soccer In Protecting Investment Value

Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban says soccer clubs are getting smart about releasing players without compensation for outside competitions such as the Olympics--in his case--and for Euro 2004, for the top soccer clubs.

I guess I’m not the only one that thinks paying players to work for another company that profits from them isn’t such a good idea.

Cuban cites this Reuters article noting that big clubs in soccer want compensation for their players being used in events such as the Olympics.

The G-14 clubs, including European champions AC Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, made an official complaint last week to Switzerland's competition commission, which has opened a preliminary inquiry into FIFA's rules.

"This complaint concerns points of dispute between clubs and national teams, particularly concerning clubs making players available to national teams for free for competitions organised by FIFA," the competition commission said.

"The preliminary inquiry will aim to show if there are elements of illicit competitive restrictions under FIFA rules."

Clubs pay top players high wages and want a share of the huge revenues generated by tournaments such as the World Cup and European championship and the G-14 was anxious to reach an agreement before Euro 2004 starts in Portugal in June.

In essence, the clubs want compensation for the use of their players, which is a point Cuban has been arguing regarding NBA players. Cuban makes this point in a previous entry.

Read the whole of his entry for his entire point, but relating it to his role as an NBA owner, he asks this:

Lets put this in basketball terms…Would you trade KG, TD, Peja, Jermaine and 10 more all stars, and pay their salaries in case they get hurt, for ….......nothing.

That's the point he's making, and that's the point the soccer clubs seem to be making as well. Why should we let our players that we're paying--such as Beckham, Figo, play in outside competition without getting something in return, particularly when it likely will have an effect on the way they play for us, and, heaven forbid, they're injured during the competition? You're not going to compensate us for any injury or effect upon their play once they return to training with their club, so why should we release our product to you without getting something in return?

How do I know they're saying this? Just read more from the article:

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who is both chairman of Bayern Munich and vice-chairman of G-14, countered by saying: "The legal analysis we have asked for concludes that we have to release our players but we don't have to do it for free."

Michael Van Praag of Ajax, another G-14 vice-president, said: "At the moment, the only ones who do not benefit from the huge revenues of the World Cup finals are the clubs who provide the players.

"We take all the risks because we get the players back tired, injured and lacking in motivation. The clubs also pay their salaries and insurance while they are away. We just want some compensation for that."

Stay tuned.

Soccer Fanatics Radio Show Coming Back

The Soccer Fanatics Radio Show, after a brief hiatus, is coming back April 12, 8:00 p.m. ET for 2 hours every Monday, promising, they say, to be bigger and better. They'll be hosted by Fanatic Radio and they still plan to keep with their focus of covering all levels of American soccer--MLS, USL, US NTs, you name it. More details are said to be coming. In the meantime, check out Soccer Audio for the latest in soccer programming for the American audience.

MLS, Americans Abroad And The Nats

We've returned in our new format. Once again we hope you like it. Now, with the news.

News Roundup

FIFA has approved a few amendments to the Laws of the Game, including allowing artificial turf (under its conditions), permitting six substitutions in friendlies and eliminated golden and silver goals in favor of two 15-minute overtime periods followed by penalties. Jersey removal after goals will earn a caution. Also, FIFA has confirmed that the official opening of the 2006 World Cup would be held immediately before the opening game in Munich Stadium June 9, 2006. The 2006 FIFA Ordinary Congress would also be staged in Munich before the tournament.

Cleveland-area folks are crunching numbers to see what it will take to locate an MLS franchise there. Summit County officials say it's going to take $120 million and 100 acres. They have a meeting today with Cleveland-area developer Bert Wolstein and hope to partner with him on a stadium. Wolstein holds the rights to a 2005 MLS franchise.

Staying with MLS, MetroStars and Colorado will play an exhibition in San Antonio March 27. It will be played at the North East Independent School District's Blossom Soccer Stadium rather than the Alamodome. With the mayor's announcement of that match, he's also making big plans for soccer in San Antonio. Mayor Ed Garza says the next 30-45 days are crucial in the city's efforts to land an MLS team.

Adin Brown is happy being the NE Revolution's goalkeeper, though he wouldn't mind at some point an opportunity to play overseas.

Alexi Lalas made his first trade as San Jose GM, going for Wes Hart in exchange for a conditional 2005 draft pick. ... The Chicago Fire lost a friendly to Portugal 1st Division side Academica de Coimbra 2-0. ... The Dallas Burn tied the Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev 2-2 in La Manga tournament in Spain, but did not advance, though they play two consolation matches today and Thursday. The MetroStars are also playing in the tournament. ... DC United waived Milton Reyes. ...

A "bitterly disappointed" Ray Hudson, holding no regrets, speaks out about his tenure with DC United. Hudson, at home in Ft. Lauderdale, described the task he and assistant John Trask had:

"When I arrived, this team was in worse shape than Dallas and spiraling downwards. I put the brakes on that, and in the second year we got into the playoffs. Now the club is in the ascendancy. We were handed a desperate team and we were told this was a championship club," he said. "That was atrocious. John and I were seeing a very different team from what the management saw."

The Major Indoor Soccer League is trying to rediscover its niche.

“If you compare where we are right now to where we were then, it's not going to look too good,” said Tatu, Dallas' coach and a 21-year veteran of indoor soccer. “The key for us is we can't target the NBA or Major League Baseball or the NFL. Compared with them, we're just a bunch of babies. We're almost starting all over. But we are getting better. We are improving.”

Chicago and Stockton, California may have new MISL franchises next year, and Portland, Ore. is on the shortlist.

Festival sites for the WUSA are set to be revealed today. Two cities are expected to be announced today, with another one possible later on. The U.S. WNT are one win away from the Olympics after a 2-0 win against Mexico in Costa Rica. They will play either Canada or Costa Rica for the right to go to Athens. (Note: More on this and other women's soccer news in the Thursday weblog.)

Brian McBride/Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham), Tim Howard (Manchester United)

After scoring in his debut, Brian McBride has settled in well with fellow-national teamer Carlos Bocanegra at Fulham, who tied Manchester United 1-1 Saturday. McBride had the assist on the tying goal by Luis Boa Morte, while Bocanegra sat out the match as part of his three-match suspension. Tim Howard was also rested in the match, said to be suffering from a "slight stomach bug." The two teams play again in the FA Cup at Old Trafford this Saturday.

Claudio Reyna (Manchester City)

City is without a home league win since the end of October, though their most recent 1-0 loss at home to Chelsea did the Blues little justice by how they played. If records were kept for missed chances they would have a headline of their own. Reyna rated out a 6: Another useful, busy if unspectacular display from City's Steady Eddy.

It made little difference to the flow of the game as City tore into their visitors again. That might have come as something of a surprise to the Eastlands customers many of whom might have been tempted to bring back the tackling talents of either Joey Barton or Paul Bosvelt rather than send out the central coupling of Antoine Sibierski and Claudio Reyna. It was a masterstroke from Keegan.

Kasey Keller (Tottenham Hotspur)

Spurs are currently on a training break in Dubai. Their last result was a 4-4 home draw with Leicester. They next play a week from tomorrow at Middlesbrough.

Brad Friedel (Blackburn)

After having a topsy-turvy match where he scored a goal in the 89th minute (Brad Luck For Friedel), only to allow the match-winner deep in stoppage time, Brad Friedel's Blackburn club tied Southampton 1-1. Rovers have not won at home since November.

Marcus Hahnemann (Reading)

Reading's 2-1 win against Sheffield United put United out of the top six in the 1st Division for the first time all season.

Only the width of a post stopped Ashley Ward grabbing what would have been a deserved equaliser while Kozluk, Gray and Nick Montgomery all had chances as United peppered Marcus Hahnemann's net. Andy Parkinson forced a fine finger-tip save from the American with a vicious effort from 25 yards but Reading muddled their way through the closing stages and held out.

Reading tied Burnley 2-2 earlier in the week, which was disappointing for them after a 1-0 win vs. Gillingham--where Hahnemann saved a 1st half penalty--because they need to string some wins together to get into the playoff picture and have a chance at the Premiership for 2004-05.

Eddie Lewis (Preston North End)

Eddie Lewis was booked in the 16th minute of a 2-0 loss by Preston to Ipswich. Lewis came out in the 55th minute.

The Rest

John Thorrington's Huddersfield Town side did not play this weekend in their 3rd Division match at Carlisle because of poor field conditions and are set to play tomorrow against Yeovil. H-Town had won 8 of their last 10 matches after a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Lincoln City. The match vs. Carlisle will be played March 9. Thorrington most recently played 81 minutes of a reserve match against Sheffield United's reserves, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Frankie Simek will be captaining his reserve side tonight as Arsenal's reserves go up against Leicester City's. Danny Karbassiyoon will start the match on the bench.

Blackburn's reserves, with Jemal Johnson most recently held Liverpool's reserves to a 1-1 draw, with Johnson scoring the lone Rovers goal.

National Team

Reflecting on the U23 loss, Richard Snowden of Soccer 365 says the Olympic debacle is a huge red flag for the sport in the US.

Normally, Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer get plenty of praise for their contributions to the development of American soccer. In general, this praise is justified, but it would seem that we have reached a point where stagnation is setting in, and that stagnation boils down to the simple fact that MLS and the USSF are not doing anywhere near enough to bring sufficient numbers of top-caliber prospects through the ranks.

Former US national team defender Fernando Clavijo is trying to hold together the Haitian national team in the middle of a crisis in their home country. Haiti's soccer team has been in South Florida for the past few months without money and a sponsor until recently. Haiti plays the US March 13. Bocanegra will be the only overseas US player on the roster for Bruce Arena for the match.

Germany

Clint Mathis, despite his team's mixed success, is having a bang-up start to his Bundesliga career, scoring four times in his five matches for Hannover, including another goal in the 67th minute from 24 yards out in a 3-1 loss to Hertha Berlin. He credits a higher level of play to his own success thus far. Mathis and Steve Cherundolo received solid ratings by Kicker--3 and 3.5 respectively (1 best, 6 worst). In 2 Bundesliga action, Conor Casey scored twice (Kicker rating 1.5) for Karlsruher in a 2-2 draw with Arminia Bielefeld. He leveled the match at 1 in the 69th minute and put Karlsruher ahead in the 78th before Bielefeld leveled the match once more. Gregg Berhalter rated a 2 by Kicker in a 1-0 win for Energie Cottbus against VfL Osnabrück. Most lower division German matches were postponed due to field conditions. John van Buskirk came on in the 57th minute of a 5-1 loss for Sportfreunde Siegen to FC Schweinfurt 05. Eric Lukin started and played 90 minutes in the loss.

That's all for today.

Let us know what you think. See a headline you'd like us to link? Email jlaroue@onthesidelines.org.