So I didn't exactly watch the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star game last night, I had to work on the copy desk at the newspaper that actually pays me to (occasionally) write.
But I did in fact listen to the game through the Internet, making me perhaps one of the seven other losers than tuned in. I also DVR-ed the match, but erased it as soon as I saw Landon Donovan was the co-host. "I'm just antsy sitting here. It's not everyday you get to play against a team like Chelsea." ... well, perhaps if you stuck it out in Europe you may have.
Of course, sitting through a two-hour exhibition listening to Dave O'Brien and Eric Wynalda call the action has about as much appeal as John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman performing "Man of La Mancha". (Intro by Michael "That's why people used to own slaves" Kay.)
As for the game itself, what is there to say. It's nice PR that MLS can now say our league's best beat two-time defending English Premier League champion Chelsea in a meaningless exhibition, who by all accounts played at quarter speed, most likely since Herr Ballack shaved his helmet-head.
And if you don't think all the league seems to care about is PR, on the radio broadcast the announcers noted that today's Revolution/Chivas USA match will be the largest crowd ever for an MLS match. Something in the neighborhood of 100,000-plus will fill the Los Angeles Coliseum. Perhaps they'll be showing up for the Chivas/Barcelona match, that follows the MLS main event. Maybe? (Remember this when the final attendance stats are released.)
As 'the Special One' (Jose Mourinho) said, "For me this was a training session against other players. And no more than that." (Say a prayer for Joe Cole's knee ligaments, too.)
That's the reality of the situation.
Meanwhile, the game's MVP -- Said/Dwayne DeRosario -- called it his "World Cup." And it should be noted, he is in fact a Canadian. (This goal is prolly the league's all-time best.)
In any event, it appeared to be a nice night for Chelsea, which seems to be hellbent on becoming the trendy team for Americans to support. (It almost worked on me, to be honest.) (Is that World Soccer Daily's Steven Cohen in the front row?) The Blue Flag was certainly flying in the Windy City, at least.
In that regard everyone is happy. Chelsea got more and more U.S. exposure, while the MLS got another foreign scalp to to trumpet.
Don Garber et al can feel all warm and fuzzy, but real soccer fans are wise enough to realize that this was no more than an exhibition and that Chelsea. It's not like this result is going to send ripples across world football with star after star handing in transfer papers wtih a USA destination on them.
Still, to be fair, at least the MLS squad won. And I give credit to the players and coach Peter Nowak. It's not their fault they were throw into this hollow spectacle rife with hidden agendas and alterior motives. Yes, there is some quality in the league, but it only happens in flashes.
Frankly, it's depressing and dellusional for the league that its most meaningful game all season is an exhibition. Although it'll be interesting to see how the MLS's best -- DC United -- fares against Real Madrid at Qwest Field next week.
Lastly, if anyone, I mean anyone, wants to say this result atones for what happened with this USMNT in Germany in June, I'll have John Hartson come kick you in the face. (Way to go West Brom, btw.)
But I did in fact listen to the game through the Internet, making me perhaps one of the seven other losers than tuned in. I also DVR-ed the match, but erased it as soon as I saw Landon Donovan was the co-host. "I'm just antsy sitting here. It's not everyday you get to play against a team like Chelsea." ... well, perhaps if you stuck it out in Europe you may have.
Of course, sitting through a two-hour exhibition listening to Dave O'Brien and Eric Wynalda call the action has about as much appeal as John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman performing "Man of La Mancha". (Intro by Michael "That's why people used to own slaves" Kay.)
As for the game itself, what is there to say. It's nice PR that MLS can now say our league's best beat two-time defending English Premier League champion Chelsea in a meaningless exhibition, who by all accounts played at quarter speed, most likely since Herr Ballack shaved his helmet-head.
And if you don't think all the league seems to care about is PR, on the radio broadcast the announcers noted that today's Revolution/Chivas USA match will be the largest crowd ever for an MLS match. Something in the neighborhood of 100,000-plus will fill the Los Angeles Coliseum. Perhaps they'll be showing up for the Chivas/Barcelona match, that follows the MLS main event. Maybe? (Remember this when the final attendance stats are released.)
As 'the Special One' (Jose Mourinho) said, "For me this was a training session against other players. And no more than that." (Say a prayer for Joe Cole's knee ligaments, too.)
That's the reality of the situation.
Meanwhile, the game's MVP -- Said/Dwayne DeRosario -- called it his "World Cup." And it should be noted, he is in fact a Canadian. (This goal is prolly the league's all-time best.)
In any event, it appeared to be a nice night for Chelsea, which seems to be hellbent on becoming the trendy team for Americans to support. (It almost worked on me, to be honest.) (Is that World Soccer Daily's Steven Cohen in the front row?) The Blue Flag was certainly flying in the Windy City, at least.
In that regard everyone is happy. Chelsea got more and more U.S. exposure, while the MLS got another foreign scalp to to trumpet.
Don Garber et al can feel all warm and fuzzy, but real soccer fans are wise enough to realize that this was no more than an exhibition and that Chelsea. It's not like this result is going to send ripples across world football with star after star handing in transfer papers wtih a USA destination on them.
Still, to be fair, at least the MLS squad won. And I give credit to the players and coach Peter Nowak. It's not their fault they were throw into this hollow spectacle rife with hidden agendas and alterior motives. Yes, there is some quality in the league, but it only happens in flashes.
Frankly, it's depressing and dellusional for the league that its most meaningful game all season is an exhibition. Although it'll be interesting to see how the MLS's best -- DC United -- fares against Real Madrid at Qwest Field next week.
Lastly, if anyone, I mean anyone, wants to say this result atones for what happened with this USMNT in Germany in June, I'll have John Hartson come kick you in the face. (Way to go West Brom, btw.)
"Is that World Soccer Daily's Steven Cohen in the front row?"
I was at the game yesterday.
I have never SEEN Steven Cohen before, but I do listen to his podcast.
At half time, I was caught up in a crowd on the concourse, when I notice this dude
with the inflatible cup behind me. He didnt sound at all like he does on the podcast (perhaps hoarse from yelling?) but I did notice he was being stalked by at least a dozen 15 year olds wearing Euro jerseys, and in the 5 seconds he was behind me (getting in line for a vendor) I hear him make some MLS crack. I put 1 and 1 together.
(MLS slams and a following of teenage sycophants?)
I was a bit drunk, so I asked the guy next to me if it was "Nick Cohen", yeah, drunk.
Steven turned on a dime and corrected me (didnt look pleased, hey, sorry dude)
I dont know whether it will be worth tuning in for Monday's show, I can only imagine it will be 2 hours of ripping my home stadium, and incessent excuses and apologies.
Oh, and Chelsea fans cared about the result, while leaving I nearly walked right into a scrum where a couple of Chelsea fans were kicking some poor American on the ground. Which at least tells you there is one good thing about the ex-pats and Euro-posers not usually going to MLS games, American fans can attend the matches in safety.
You know, for an early Saturday evening in the summer, it wasn't a terrible game to watch. The greatest players in the world playing a nice-tempered game in the Chicago suburbs. The MLSers played as if their families were being held at gunpoint. Sure, Chelsea was slacking off a bit, but not all of them. Shaun Wright-Phillips was trying to at least say he belongs on the team, and Shevchenko couldn't have been trying to look as bad as he did. Ballack had some nice balls forward and good control. Dave O'Brien sounds decidedly better without Balboa stuttering next to him. Freddy Adu looked like as he always does - trying to do too much, without doing anything at all. For US Nats consideration, Bobby Boswell is an interestingly competent defender, albeit a dead ringer for Freddy Krueger. Chris Albright re-established his always-on-the-bubble Nats consideration. Eskandarian had some good segments in him but probably needed a full game to do anythign spectacular. Josh Gros seems to have nice pace and control. Everyone else who had a good game was from Canada (De Rosario), Argentinga (Erpen) or Ireland (O'Brien).