Good afternoon folks. It is that time again. Time for you to send your soccer questions my way and time for me to try and either give you an answer or give you my opinion on the subject. (Apologies for the lack of posts today. I had to go into Manhattan for some soccer-related business).
You know the drill. Send one or two questions of modest length to me and I will try to answer them by next week (key word being try). Breaking the answers up into segments has helped me finish the Q&A sessions much more quickly so you could see some answers as soon as Friday or Saturday.
Please try to limit your questions to one or two. Also, if you want to ask a pop culture question, be it movies, music or TV, you can ask one as well. No, this isn’t turning into Music By Ives, but I figured I could mix things up a bit and see how it works.
Also remember to check out the Q&A archives. Chances are if you aren’t a regular reader and you have a question, I may have already answered your question before.
Let’s get it started, Send your questions my way.
Ives, love the site, it keeps me busy during boring work days. Anyway, where does Tim Howard rank among the world’s goalkeepers? Is he top 10, top 5?
What are the actual differences between USL1 and USL2?
Should MLS fans be concerned whenever they hear about an onwership change, like us Crew fans were earlier this week? Does an ownership change necessarily portend a relocation? Or are ownership changes likely to leave franchises right where they are? How big will the league get before they cap it? 20? 22? 24? Doesn’t FIFA ‘recommend’ a 20-team limit (38 games home-and-home)?
Just who are the members of the USSF Board of Directors? Names please.
Also, who is Steve Kelly? He seems to be everybody’s agent (Check out Yanks-Abroad quotes). Is this a real person or a figment of somone’s imagination? I tried googling him and have been unable to find anything.
I have seen him quoted on Subotic, Spector, Lichaj, et al.
Gotta be a joke, no?
Ives, Thanks for all your hard work on this site. Two questions:
1) We’ve seen some CONCACAF games recently on fields that appeared to be poorly lighted, at least on TV. Is there a minimum lighting standard from FIFA along with field dimensions, etc.?
2) Any idea why GOLTV dropped “American Soccer”? Low viewership? Too expensive?
Ives,
What is your opinion of going retro and naming NYC’s second team (whenever they might get it) the Cosmos? I know they would have to buy the rights to the name, but I remember reading an interview with the guy who owns those rights a while back, and he said he would be interested in making the Cosmos a part of the MLS.
I would love to see it happen, and I’d like to hear your take on it.
What is happening to USL’s Seattle Sounders next season when MLS gets their own? will there be two Sounders teams in the US?
Also how many hours per day do you spend on your blog? SBI comes across to me as one of the more professional blogs on the web whether it be sports, streetwear, or music related and I was just wondering how much work goes into this blog thats seemingly only run by a handful of people.
What’s stopping Red Bulls from signing a deal with a USL2 team to take on Academy players? Who play a season or two and then sign with RedBull once ready?
The club Exantus is rumored to join in Belgium can’t be any better than a USL2 team!
The biggest weakness is the US’s pool seems to be on the wings. There’s an aging Lewis and Beasley. After those 2, any other wings would have to be there out of position. Is there anyone outside of Robbie Rogers in the youth system that could make their way to South Africa as a winger?
Ives,
Love the site. Regarding Canadian MLS teams (currently TFC, but potentially others), I think a big obstacle to success is the rule that only allows Canadians to qualify as “domestic” players (hence Americans are counted as foreigners and subject to the roster limit on foriegn players). Obviously, this means that there isn’t a level playing field between the US teams and the Canadian teams – which will be exacerbated if additional Canadian teams are added to the league. Why does MLS have this rule with respect to Canada? Is there some reason that MLS could not make the rule such that, for all MLS teams, both Canadians and Americans count as “domestics”. I suspect something to do with the soccer federations, but I wondered if you knew.
Hey Ives, love your site, keep up the great work.
What would be your thoughts on MLS adopting the Mexican league playoff format? And if you could 86 one of the competitions MLS clubs currently play in, (Superliga, CCL, Open Cup) which would it be and why?
1. In light of the (exaggerated) Crew to LV talk, is there any chance the league would move any team once they put down a SSS?
2. MLS: The Musical. Great idea or greatest idea?
You’re the best Ives, keep it up!
What’s happened to John O’Brien? Is he out of the game completely? Practicing with a squad? Coaching?
I think he would be a great former player to help an MLS side to develop their Youth Program.
Ives,
What is the lilihood that you’ll be doing a podcast or radio show?
Who’s might be coming to the MLS in 2009?
OK seriously when DC got rid of Gomes over the summer I was cool with that, made sense, but then the team picked up a high maintenance injury prone disappointment. (To handle the increased international fixture schedule?) I digress, so this situation reminds me of a scenario in college lets call the grass is greener, its like dating a cool chick that you met before you started lifting in college, not the hottest but shes been there for you and instead of going to meet her parents and become real serious ya dump that chick for a hotter model thats got tons of issues and wha-la (parents are crazy, she has a yippie dog, she bangs a friend of yours…) the question how did no one say this might end badly for United especially with the debut of the mighty Quaranta/Simms midfield. ps simms has to be the unsung hero (if any) of this DC united team.
Ives,
When will America see the light and realize that Nashville is producing banal, overproduced pop-with-an-accent and real country/folk/Americana comes out of Texas?
Thanks.
Ives, Luis from the Chicago Tribune was asked what his favorite goal of all time was and he said the Zidane goal that won the Champions League back in 2002. What is your favorite goal with video footage.
Ives,
Bruce Arena’s 2002 World Cup squad had a few “surprises”, yet his 2006 squad appeared to be more conservative.
Do you think that Bob Bradley will follow his prediceser’s ’02 or ’06 approach for 2010 World Cup squad?
If he’s more “risky,” what players do you think could be considered as “surprises” (including both green and veteran players)?
If your the Fire and a mexican club comes to you with a great deal for an average Blanco do you take it?
Hi Ives-
Love the site – visit literally 10 times a day.
Was wondering if you had any updates on who we might expect to see playing for Sounders FC on opening day. I hear there are probably 5 more players from the current team going to be brought up, but what about some of the other guys who have been rumored in the past. Ching? Henry? And while I’m at it, how about who might be coaching. Are we staying local with Schmetzer or bringing someone with MLS experience like Sigi Schmid?
Thanks!
How devastating will the loss of Landon Donovan be to the Galaxy next season? In response, who do you see LA going after? Second DP??? Raid another MLS team? And how much does this affect Beckham? Donovan’s been the one attacker who can play off of GoldenBalls…
hi ives! great site – don’t ever stop!
always curious about USL salaries…can you shed some light on them?
super mick and the might wanderers…
Hey Ives,
Two questions?
1) Why does usl teams have many sponsors for each time while many mls teams cant even get one? Even if its not a big sponsor as VW for D.C., something is better than nothing, correct?
2) why is jozy not getting any playing time, I watched the one game he did play and he looked really good. Do you think European managers have some kind ob Bias against American players?
Great site Ives. I know you’ve done all sorts of hypothetical starting XI’s before, but I haven’t seen this one… how about the best starting XI for each region of the world? If you don’t wan to do this, I’ll settle for CONCACAF. Thanks.
Listen folks, I said one or two questions. I am aware that some of you (or at least one of you)is throwing up a ton of questions under different names. I will be deleting those questions shortly. Everyone should please stick to one or two questions and just one comment.
Can a player in team Youth Academy apply for MLS Draft? … (Case Johnny Exantus)…
Johnny Exantus got frustrated waiting for MLS striction & NYRed Bulls rule to add him to the senior or reserved team … So he opted to move to Belgium at the beginning of the year ….
The question.. could Johnny Exantus have enter the MLS draft & made himselfve available to all the clubs in MLS … NBA & NFL players declare for the draft all the time …
If Johnny could not enter the draft because NYRed bull will claim him .. So what .. that would force NYRed bull to include Johnny on the senior team , Trade him or let him go to another club … but to have Johnny leave MLS totally for Europe does not help the MLS …
Why not allowed a player in Academy with no option allowed to enter to MLS Draft instead of MLS getting nothing for him … Letting him move to Europe with no compasation ..
thanks ..
Ives,
Any word on potential shirt sponsors for those MLS teams that currently have none (FC Dallas, Revolution, Kansas City)? Keep up the great work.
Hey Ives,
I’m going to give you a trivia question that was put on world soccer daily radio show with Steve Cohen and Kenny Hassan. Name the 4 English manager’s to manage a club in Champions League play?
Ives-
I’m not jumping ship or anything but just curious what are some other websites you frequent for soccer news?
Why no love for the Houston Dynamo? Impressive form of late in TWO competitions, first MLS side to take points in Mexico in a competitive match, love from premier Mexican league coaches, builders of one of the most impressive rosters in MLS, favorites to win the West, not to mention defending MLS Cup holders…. And nay a peep on your site! How about some love for the Houston Dynamo!!??
I’m curious for an analysis of which MLS teams have done the best job of building fan support? i.e What teams have seen the largest rise in yearly average attendance/ticket sales (year over year) during the last ten years? And does the building of fan support correspond to the opening of soccer specific stadiums or is it better tied to other factors such as perhaps the team’s regular season record?
anybody? link to watch GOOCH in the UEFA CUP, Everton v. Liege???
1. What’s your take on the UEFA 6 + 5 issue?
2. The USMNT qualifies for the 2010 World Cup but fails to make it out of the group stage. Is Bob Bradley out of a job?
I generally think that statistics are kind of silly in soccer, but that said, why does MLS insist on being misleading with the “Game Winning Goal”. If a team jumps to a 5-0 lead and concedes a late goal, why does the guy who scored the second goal get the GWG? More often than not it seems, the guy with the GWG did not put his team in the lead!
Did the Cinco Five (whatever the term was) make it back safely into the US from Cuba? Hoping you could find out.
Ives,
If MLS does take more USL cities, what do you see the USL doing? Will they just expand, or do you think teams from USL-2 will move up? There are some pretty big markets in USL-2 right now, like Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
Anyone know of a stream for the everton liege match>?
Ives,
What shows are you currently watching and whats your on your ipod?
Do you think Heath Pearce is the long term answer at LB for the U.S.? I know Bornstein has had some injuries but is that the only reason he hasn’t been called up recently or did I miss him playing poorly at some point? I actually like Heath Pearce but it doesn’t seem like he has a lot of speed and I like the pace that Bornstein brings. Thoughts?
Really enjoy the site. Thanks for updating so frequently throughout the day.
Two questions:
1) i know you reported on “the mets” looking to acquire a team and put it in queens. i know there is potentially a financial windfall to be had if you can fill a stadium you completely own. but is that realistic for a first year franchise. wouldn’t it be smarter to work out a deal with red bull?
2)the USMNT has seemed to be able to gut out a lot of its better performances (win vs. guatemala, staying close against spain) on discipline and heart rather than on tactics and skill. but with seemingly few americans getting quality minutes in top leagues these days, how do u make the argument that the US will mature enough to make it to the knockout stages in south africa?
Ives- great work keep it up.
This question may be wayy out there but I figured it would be worth asking.
Have you heard anything about former NY Red Bulls player, David Arvizu? Is he still playing or what is he doing?
Thanks!
One more Q:
What do you think of the Don’s comments today that league finances and not team needs will drive the expansion of rosters? I’m paraphrasing of course, but believe I’m accurate.
I can understand where he’s coming from, but isn’t the league wasting an opportunity to build support for itself and soccer as a whole in this country.
There doesn’t seem to be much better to drive interest in a sport than international competition…and success internationally. By forcing these teams to play in Superliga and Concacaf CL with undermanned squads, it seems to me that MLS is wasting a good opportunity to build public interest.
Failure isn’t usually a good way to bring in money or fans.
I’ve heard a rumor that Frank Simek’s injury maybe career threatening. Any truth to that?
Ives,
Couple of related questions. With the USL gaining some publicity this year with Seattle moving to the MLS/bids for future MLS teams/good showing in tournaments, do you see the MLS forming partnerships with USL teams to farm out younger players (outside of the occasional loan deals)?
With at least one, and possibly more, USL teams making the jump to the MLS, how do you think that will affect the USL Div. 1 and 2?
Let’s pretend Soumare gets his passport and Subotic chooses the States (more like doesn’t succeed in his quest for Germany), who do you think starts on the back line in 2010?
Personally, I think Onyewu gets too much flack, particularly over his time at Newcastle. I watched almost every game he played in. Save his Arsenal disaster, I think he actually did pretty well. There was one week he was named man of the match and at least two others where he pretty much saved the game for that struggling team. I think his dismissal may have had more to do with the coaching change than his “terrible” play. Not to mention, this is a club that thought Titus Bramble was good and has seriously mis/underused N’Zogbia and Martins. Either everyone watched that Arsenal match and made too big of a deal out of it, or I was watching the wrong Newcastle/Onyewu. Rant ended (sorry for that).
Sub-question: this is a tired question, but what do you think the chances are Subotic will play for us? I didn’t think this was possible (and he’s probably not entirely to blame), but this actually makes me dislike Rongen more. Wow.
3 questions:
1: I’ve always been an MLS fan, but never followed the European leagues much. Because of this I’m often confused about which seasons are happening when, and when UEFA is thrown in the mix I have to admit I get confused. Can you give the basic calendar of the major leagues (Premier, FA, Orange, Bundesliga, La Liga, UEFA, Mexican 1st division, etc.)
2: Do you have any take on the controversy over at MLS-Rumours?
3: Who should play up top w/ McBride on the Fire? I find Andy Herron ineffective personally.
At this exact moment, who do you see as our starting XI for World Cup2010 and who do you see on the bench? Also what are our forward options beside say Altidore/Donovan? Do you think Kenny Cooper or Brian Ching can make it against better opposition?
Predictions on how the season will play out for Jozy, Freddy, and Bradley.
Do they get significant playing time, super subs, earn starting positions, loans, number of goals & assists, etc.?
Ives,
We often hear that MLS is on par with the English Championship. Where would leagues like the Russian Premier League, The Primera in Mexico, The Eredivisie in Holland and the Belgian Jupiter League compare with the English Premier League?
Kind of off the wall, but with the newest release on the 14th, do you ever play the FIFA videogame? If so, do you think MLS players are rated accurately?