Comments

1. Cities like Miami, Atlanta, Vancouver and Portland are all clamoring for MLS teams, but these cities all have USL teams right now none of which average more than 5,000 a game. I looked at the USL attendance averages for the last five years and teams like Miami didn’t even average over 1,000 people a game last year. What makes the MLS think these cities are viable candidates? Do they just cross their fingers they’ll be lucky and have another Toronto and people will just show up once they’re in the MLS? In my opinion the first city that should get a team is Montreal. They just built a new stadium and they average over 12,000 in the USL, they would be excellent.

2. Out of the 7 teams vying for for the newest MLS franchises : Montreal, St.Louis, Miami, Vancouver, New York, Portland, Atlanta. Which do you see becoming the 17, 18, 19, and 20th teams? And do you believe expansion will be held to 20teams for several years or stopped at 22-24?

3. Hey Ives,

   I was reading an article that came out after Claudio Reyna when he joined New

   York Red Bulls back in ’07 and it listed his salary with Manchester City as £30,000 a week. Not huge like say Thierry Henry or Frank Lampard or Ronaldinho, but pretty large i’d guess. Now what im wondering is he the highest or was he the highest paid US footballer abroad? And do you know or can estimate the salaries for say other players like Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey,

   Eddie Lewis, Steve Cherundolo, Carlos Bocanegra? I’d like to see how much our players are paid in regard to other players in the European leagues. I figure players like Gooch or Dan Califf or Michael Bradley are paid alot les=

   s being in the small leagues that they play in.

4. Do you think its time for a new commisioner in MLS, how long do we have Garber?

5. With Reyna’s imminent retirement at the end of the season, Red Bulls will plan to use the DP slot to good use and give the team a makeover. Will the future plans include a contract extension to Angel for another season? If not, do you see him as another team’s DP or joining maybe LA for non-DP money?

6. Great work Ives!! How many MLS cups do you think Rudd Gullit needs to win before he can be considered to take Bradley’s job??

   Gabe

7. Ives, I remember a few Q&A’s ago someone asked if there was a chance of the USA and Mexico joining CONMEBOL and you answered him with a very adamant No. Not. Ever. Happening. Would you elaborate on why this is not a possibility? Thanks.

8. Hey Ives,

   What formation was Heerenveen using this past season? What position was Michael Bradley playing for them? Do you ever think we’ll see him in a similar role for the US National team? Why haven’t we seen this happen yet?

   Thanks! Love the site!

9. Second question about Europe:

   Any European coaches that might be willing to entertain coaching in MLS? Any assistants who might be willing to come to MLS for a head job? Do the MLS rules – salary caps, foreign player limits, single-entity negotiations – play into the decision? Or would European coaches prefer to just stay in Europe where the quality of play is better?

10. Similar question to Ben’s above… Which European stars should the MLS be targeting? Who might MLS get, and of those, who might actually useful to an MLS team for something other than just selling tickets>

11. Ives, do you see Bob Bradley coaching the US in 2010? Personally I think we have no chance of advancing from our group with him in charge. We need someone with better tactics and a better idea of how to use his players.

12. 2 questions for you ives. What young american player on the u20 or u17 teams do you seeing the next(or should I say first) big international star. Is there anyone that you see pulling a jozy by entering the league and then exceeding expectations?

    My second question

    Is the Grateful Dead the best band ever? I already know the answer but just thought we could get a glimpse into your musical taste.

13. Ives,

    What have you heard about the Free Kick Masters coming to Houston July 5? Ronaldinho, Deco, Marquez, Del Piero, and plenty of other big names are supposed to show. Whats the word on this?

14. Has FIFA ever discussed changing the rules so spectators don’t have to suffer through a match like Italy/Spain where one team(Italy) has no intention of trying to score all game and play for penalty kicks. Its brutally dull for spectators. Other sports have adopted rule changes to make it harder for teams to play this way. In basketball they invented the shot clock and in hockey they eliminated the 2 line pass to lessen the neutral zone trap. As a soccer fan, its extremely frustrating to watch.

15. Ives, I was wondering your opinion on euro 2008’s impact on the popularity of the sport here in America. From what ive seen with the general public, this tournament has become very popular. It seems soccer to me is coming on faster nd faster here in the states. What do you think?

16. Ives,

    You have said there is no chance at all of CONCACAF and COMEBOL merging, but is there any change that they could cooperate to sponsor a few larger regional tournaments? For instance, have the Gold Cup and Copa America in 2009, and then in 2011 hold a combined Pan-American tournament.

17. Hey Ives,

    I know about the MLS teams partnering with Prem clubs and all that. But FSC ran a story today about Chelsea’s new clinic to develop American players, opening with a line about Ballack discussing the importance of footwork, etc.

    My point is, given US interest in MLS likely lagging behind that in world football, and the hope that with each generation more and more Americans will be engaged in the game in general…I think MLS tagging onto interest in world football is good and important, but to have top european clubs manifest an increasing interest in developing US players can only be a huge key to a quicker, proper development in sophistication of MLS and US soccer. I know this has been going on sometimes (McBride and the Ajax system), but the more official things like this pop up, the better for us…your thoughts, additions, predictions?

18. Do you find value in some of the complex statistics like the Castrol index or Match Analysis? Do they have value or is it just too hard with a dynamic sport like soccer.

19. Hi Ives,

    Great site. I check it 4-6 times a day. 2 questions for you:

    1) I love Americans Abroad but I’d like to know about how players are doing / did in the game. It’s great that you note whether they played, how long they played and whether they scored a goal. But, I’d like more. Any suggestions on where I can get more info?

    2) I’d like to learn more about strategies & tactics. For example, the pros/cons of a 4-4-2 vs a 4-5-1 vs a 4-3-3, etc. An explanation of Total Football. Any site that cover these kinds of topics?

    Thanks,

    Sushant

20. Ives,

    When MLS started we the fans were told that there would not be any player loan deals. Now I see Dallas has a player on loan from a Brazilian team and the word is bandied about in numerous soccer articles. There may be others. Any policy/rules in MLS on loan players?

21. How soon before MLS starts recognizing the FIFA calendar?

22. 1. Do you like the current CONCACAF world cup qualification format? If you could make changes to it, what would you do?

    2. What are your thoughts on host(s) countries getting automatic bids to major international tournaments (Aus & SWI for Euro 2008, RSA for World Cup 2010)? Do you feel they should go through the same qualification like everyone else to ensure there are no weak teams not deserving of being there?

    Thanks.

23. Ives-

    Lomg time reader but first time poster. How come it feels like we never hear transfer rumors regarding Matt Reis? He is having an exceptional year, but it’s not different than any other year. He is consistently one of the top keepers in the league. Is there a reason teams aren’t interested?

24. Hey Ives,

    This question is regarding the exciting world of pensions.

    In the NFL, and other American sports leagues, players receive a pension after their playing years are finished.

    I wanted to know if any soccer leagues also have a pension system. If they do, how does it work when players change leagues? If they don’t, I feel really bad for any MLS player who is making less than 200k. (200k times 14 years = 2.8mil. 2.8mil divided by 60 years = 46k per year)

    Thanks Ives.

    -Mike

25. Serious question: Any Angulo updates?

    For fun: Looking at the USMNT 2010 squad, who will be the oldest player on the team? Who will be the youngest? Which veteran will help the most during WCQ, but get left off the roster? Which young player will be left off the team? Which current USMNT “lock” will lose his roster spot, if any?

26. Do you hold any personal animosity towards me? It seems like you keep ripping on me week after week? Just because a speed cone can defend better than me is no reason to hate me!

27. A few weeks ago I read rumors of Frank Simek moving to Aston Villa on a 2 million pound transfer — any truth to this?

28. Ives

    In regards to MLS’ salary cap and the ability to make trades, do the two teams have to make salaries match to get a trade approved ala the NBA?

    For example, if the Rapids decided they wanted to trade Pablo Mastroeni (who makes $310,000 this year), would the team acquiring Mastroeni have to put together the contracts that add up to $310,000?

29. As you are used to hearing by now, I love the site. With the Rojas signing well known & imminent for that matter, what other players have been mentioned that are you hearing about for NYRB…another center back, attacker perhaps?

30. Do you see any of the Euro 2008 stars maybe heading to MLS…even if they aren’t big names?

31. For international matches with countries with two different languages how does the referee communicate with both teams? Does FIFA supply a ref that speaks both languages?

32. Ives: sorry about that “Vogue” magazine question. I always have to throw you a curve before I get down to business.

    My real question has to do with my future player selections in the espn mls fantasy game (in which I am still beating you, by the way). I still have quite a few transfers left, and I am saving them to select players who will be on the final 8 playoff teams. At this point in the season, I don’t really see any teams in either conference as being dead or out of the playoffs. RSL has been on a roll lately, and even San Jose has won a few. What’s your assessment of the 8 teams most likely to make the playoffs?

33. Can you set aside a “BigSoccer” question in each Q&A, in order to highlight the most delusional, ridiculous, and/or wildly misinformed question? I really enjoy it when you (politely) rebut the BigSoccer-type posters with sound reasoning and actual soccer knowledge.

34. If MLS suddenly opened up the purse, like many fans seem to suggest lately, what happens to the American players if a squad is suddenly filled with world stars?

    Does this help the American player improve more quickly, does it prevent the stars from playing their best football with so many mediocre Americans around them, and/or does it bankrupt the league because the improved play will take time to lure fans?

35. In your opinion, what non-capped players of foreign or dual citizenship, naturalized, etc, do you see has having a good shot at the US MNT?

36. Ives:

    What will it take to get Clavijo fired? Every year the Rapids are stuck in mediocrity, never quite bad enough for him to be shown the door, but never with any significant hope to be a contender? We’d prefer Spencer as coach- do you think he’d be the top candidate?

    Visit your site every day- keep up the good work!

    Tom

37. Kyle Martino — what on earth happened to him? Last I heard LA waived him, but I can’t imagine another team not taking a chance, whether it be MLS or USL. To simply fall out from soccer like that is pretty surprising, especially from a guy that was capped by the national team not long ago.

38. Ives,

    What is the national word on the Portland Timber expansion talk? Local papers seem to be saying things are looking good, but for some odd reason I keep hearing Atlanta, New York and Arizona. Hopefully Gerber will wise up and give Portland and Vancouver the next two spots, move a rebranded Chivas to San Diego and euthanize A Lazy Lalas!

39. 1. how would the current red bulls do in the epl? in the championship (2nd division)?

    2. how would an in-form dc united, NE, or Chi-fire team do in the epl? in the championship?

40. Could and will MLS teams in need of talent (Red Bulls) bring up and coming European players in on loan? Furthermore, how would this work under the MLS salary structure?

    It seems to me that this could be a win-win situation.

41. I read recently that the Crew were waiving someone in preparation of Stefani Miglioranzi coming off the 6-week DL. Before then, I had never heard of a specific time limit of a DL in MLS. Could you clarify the (I’m sure) latest MLS rules on DLs (including IR) and when it started?

42. I have two questions:

    1) I know he wasn’t getting much playing time, being his first year with Hannover 96, but I was impressed by Sal Zizzo during the 2007 U-20 World Cup, and hope he gets a future shot with the senior team. Do you see him possibly loaned out to another team or will he probably stay with Hannover to continue to develop?

    2) The holding/defensive midfielder who really surprised me during the recent national team games was Mastroeni, until that injury. Looks like the old warrior has still got it! If not the 2010 World Cup, I’d still like to see him and Eddie Lewis at the 2009 Confederations Cup. Do you see Bradley continuing to bring Mastroeni on to provide experience while the younger players at that position continue to gain national team experience?

43. Ives-

    Thanks for the hard work in giving us something to read every day. My question is regarding the new Sounders FC/Microsoft partnership. If you read the press release there were indications that Xbox would be a sponsor of not only the Sounders, but have rights to things like the All-Star game and other league wide things. My question is if there is some sort of league wide revenue sharing of the reported $4M per year deal. I don’t see how Seattle would be able to get all of this if there are contractual obligations for the rest of MLS. Thanks!

44. You said you were of Peruvian descent? Do you follow Peru’s national team as avidly as the USMNT?

45. I’ve read that a number of Americans are considering coming back to MLS(could have been on your blog). Have the Red Bulls approached any of them about the opportunity to play here? I’m talking about guys like Josh Wolff, Robbie, Russell, Cory Gibbs and Eddie Lewis. I think RB should be talking to Felihabre, since he’d fill a need and would get the chance to play on an every day basis barring injury. Have any approaches been made to Felihabre by RB or any other MLS clubs?

46. Who will be the next americn to move to a big club from mls(Johnathan Borestein)? Who will be the next foreign player to come to the mls to make an impact?

47. After showing well in Tolon and gaining some European attention Brek Shea got what seemed liked a surprise call up to the full team. I see him being Nowak’s wildcard addition to the Olympic Team. His size, technical ability and for me, most impressive was his tenacity I think this kid can contribute sooner rather than later. And being naturally left footed helps as well. Should we see a summer move?

48. Hey Ives, this is just something that I’ve always pondered about. How do these rookies making 17K a year survive? I mean I’m a pretty solid lower-middle class citizen and I still find it hard to make ends meet. Do they have part time jobs or do the orginizations take care of living expenses and food costs? I know it might be kind of a long question but it boggles my mind that the league can’t seem to pay their athletes a decent salary.

49. what’s the best way to start a career (not as a player) with MLS?

50. Do you know what the ratings for ESPN’s coverage of Euro 2008 has been?

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