Major League Soccer (MLS) - Page 2

**Mooияakeя�** · 04-01-2009, 06:14 PM

I was being ironic with the A-League, in being the new "retirement" league.

There's nothing wrong with the MLS spending money. It needs to. I think a lot of the "anti-MLS" feelings come from people hating teh way u yanks do "trades" and "drafts". It fucking confuses me now still.

To truly progress, it needs to adopt the universal transfer system, in that, the clubs control what they buy, be it the continental europe way (chairman-like figures deciding who they want), or the traditional english way (the manager controls the lot). Whatever works for the club, or whatever the owner wants.

The one thing the MLS has that I envy is the home grown style rule. I don't know it in detail, but like where u have to have a few youngsters that you have promoted from drafts (boo) to encourage continual growth in the team and also, x amount have to be domestic based (US players). Again not sure if this spreads to Canada or something, like how for some reason, domestic players in English league is classed as NI, SCO and WAL players too.

To replace these awful drafts, there's nothing wrong with the MLS teams investing in smaller teams. What we call in England "feeder teams" where 2 clubs strike a partnership, and in this particular case the MLS team would have first refusal on any players from that club. Usually in exchange for money and / or friendly games.

To keep with the US style, this could easily be a college team too. Each MLS team could be allowed to make say 2 deals with US universities to take on college players (as college seems such a big thing over there).

**BCWWF** · 04-02-2009, 09:27 AM

The draft system is pretty wack, and one that will eventually have to be phased out. The system will simply have to adapt from the more traditional style (college then draft) into more emphasis on the academies etc. The ideal situation would be for MLS to align with the lower divisions here, but for now they won't do it. But like you said, having a feeder team in a lower division would pay huge dividends.

As per the transfer rules, the reason that there are such restrictions is because when there wasn't restrictions in the 1970s it didn't work and the league collapsed. Just because, in theory at least, if an outfit like the Seattle club here (owner by Microsoft No. 2, Hollywood producer, etc.) wanted, they have the money to go out and buy all kinds of top-end talent. But with NFL tickets being $100+ per game, and then MLB, college sports, NBA and NHL, even the biggest time soccer wouldn't necessarily be the top two or three sports here. So the league's theory is that instead of having owners risk a lot of money and have an arms race, the goal is just to build the league with the primary intent of developing American players.

To that extent, it's done a fair job so far. In the last couple years the movement of MLS-grown stars to Europe has increased, and as it does that can only help our national game but also boost the standing of the league. Obviously the Beckham-like deals were meant primarily to put the league on the map a bit, but as Beckham has sourly found out, the league is still pretty much a minor league here.

**bigdaddysuperfreak** · 04-02-2009, 09:36 AM

I went to a couple of ny redbulls games last season. Got to see Danny Cepero score on the other goalie, saw Joze Altidore score before he left and got to watch them play FC Barcelona.

**BCWWF** · 04-02-2009, 09:42 AM

When New York's new stadium opens up next season it should be possibly the best soccer stadium in the U.S. It'll be interesting to see how the fans turn out for that.

**Impeccable** · 04-02-2009, 09:48 AM

How is the league system decided in MLS? The English Premier League rewards the most consistent i.e. the team that finished with the most points are champions.

Does MLS have a playoff system, where potentially a team that hasn't finished top of the league can win the overall championship?

**bigdaddysuperfreak** · 04-02-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCWWF

When New York's new stadium opens up next season it should be possibly the best soccer stadium in the U.S. It'll be interesting to see how the fans turn out for that.

Yeah im gonna get a ticket package since they are so ridiculously cheap. Could have gotten 4 tickets to the opening for 90 including free hot dogs and soda but I already told my friend I would work his car show.

**BCWWF** · 04-02-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Impeccable

Does MLS have a playoff system, where potentially a team that hasn't finished top of the league can win the overall championship?

Yeah, this is the preference in American sports, and I believe it is the same system used in Brazil and Mexico.

But this is another one of those never-ending issues with soccer in America. Half the population will embrace the idea and like having our own little characteristics, while the other half of fans will always point to things like this as evidence that soccer here is minor league and gimmicky.

My opinion lies a little more toward keeping a playoff system, for now. I think both sides have their advantages, but it would be too foreign (no pun intended) to not have playoffs in an American, and without much emphasis on the US Open Cup and Champions League they kind of need something like that. Just because, in America they are still trying to convert so many people to soccer, and if it's an odd format and your team is out of contention by mid-season, why care anymore? We just don't have the decades of allegiance to certain teams at this point.

**Mooияakeя�** · 04-02-2009, 02:01 PM

I just think a code of rules was laid down, I find it hard why people change it their own way. This caused a split in Rugby league ffs. Agreed, the "shootout" was scrapped and the countdown clock to zero, which was the best step MLS has ever made, but this playoff thing, wherever it is done, fuckin' gripes me. I guess this is why Europe is the most popular. Cos we do it right.

**BCWWF** · 04-02-2009, 04:36 PM

To be honest, the playoffs make for a much more exciting end of the season than simply crowning a champion. I mean in England right now, barring a crazy year, the most exciting thing going on the last month of the season is who gets a UEFA Cup slot.

As I said before, I think the reason it works well over there is because the top seven teams are still playing for something at the end of the year, so even if it's a runaway you have something to look forward to; it's just not a playoff in the same sense that we use it.

**Mooияakeя�** · 04-05-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCWWF

I mean in England right now, barring a crazy year, the most exciting thing going on the last month of the season is who gets a UEFA Cup slot.

Are you watching the right league?

It's the tightest Premier League season ever and on top of that, the title is going down to the wire.

You play 38 games a season, I think winning the title at the end, is fine. I would say 99.95% of English football fans would not go the yankie playoff way. Probably 100%.

**BCWWF** · 04-05-2009, 10:10 PM

That has more to do with the fact that your system has been like that and its what you are used to. Our system puts more emphasis on the playoffs, and that's what people are used to. It dilutes the regular season a bit, but playoffs in any sport are the most exciting part of a season. It's just a different emphasis.

As far as the Premier League though, my point wasn't as much directed at the actual league champion as it is the league in general. I mean theoretically most teams are playing for something (about four for the league, four or five for UEFA Cup, five or six to escape relegation), but I think the biggest drawback to the European system is that if a team runs away with the title then it takes significance away from everything else. Like say United goes eight points up with four weeks left, what's the point for the other teams? I mean you know what other three teams are going to get Champions League spots, it's just a matter of who gets to bypass qualification.

I really just think it comes down to preference, but neither system is perfect by any means.

**Mike the Metal Ed** · 04-09-2009, 01:31 PM

I heard Christopher Burchall is leaving Brighton to act as cover for David Beckham.

All the world class superstars...

**BCWWF** · 04-09-2009, 03:23 PM

I believe Brighton wouldn't let him go, but this again goes back to my point: Why mock MLS for inquiring about a starting player on one of the better CONCACAF national teams?

What is this standard that you expect them to be reaching? Burchall would fit in quite well with a league of the size and stature of MLS.

**Mike the Metal Ed** · 04-10-2009, 11:44 AM

It's nothing to do with MLS, really. I've got nothing against the league and want it to develop its own culture rather than signing pension cashers. I more find it comical that he's being brought in to replace Beckham. If he was to go on and define MLS as his level, good for him.

**BCWWF** · 04-10-2009, 12:58 PM

To be fair, wherever the word "replace" came into play is where this went wrong. But the story came from what, the Brighton newspaper? I'm not surprised it'd portray it like that.

Really, the guy is an average CONCACAF midfielder, and he would really be there with the thought of being a journeyman midfielder.

Plenty of MLS midfielders have the talent to stand out in the Championship (not saying much though), but the big difference is that Americans don't have the tactical training and the smarts that you get growing up with top European coaches etc. That's always the first thing guys like Beckham point out when they get here and probably the biggest thing holding us back in general right now.

**Mooияakeя�** · 04-14-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCWWF

Plenty of MLS midfielders have the talent to stand out in the Championship (not saying much though).

If that was pointed at slagging off the championship, don't. It's the best 2nd league in the fucking world and to be fair, probably the most supported.

I'd put it out there that most of the Championship sides would beat some of the teams in Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Ere Divisie and even La Liga and Serie A

**BCWWF** · 04-14-2009, 05:24 PM

The Championship is clearly the most supported second league in the world, I'll give you that.

However the Premiership's depth is vastly overrated because of the success of the Big Four, and thus I don't really buy that many Championship sides would be anything more than low-table clubs in Spain, Italy and Germany, just like they are when they get up to the Prem.

However my point was that being able to stand out in any second division isn't going to do much for you. I'd reckon that a team of all-stars from the Championship would not go past the round of 16 in the World Cup, and that is essentially what I'm saying. If the best the American players can do is stand out in the championship, that's not saying much for their chances.

**Mooияakeя�** · 04-14-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCWWF

If the best the American players can do is stand out in the championship, that's not saying much for their chances.

I beg to differ. The Championship is better than you might think.

Have you actually seen anything from Euro leagues? You say the "BIG 4" in England. Well, it's just that. 4. How do you explain the rest of the leagues? As some massive pool of teams who constantly mix up championships??

Italy: Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan 12 other teams have won the scudetto since 1950. That's 59 years and your're looking at almost 50 seasons where 3 teams have shared the title. Big 3????

Germany: Bayern Munich have won the title 20 times since 1969. That's half 50% of the last 40 years. 1 club country???

France: Just seeing Lyon win the last 7 seasons, and possibly on for an 8th successive... again as above. 1 club country???

Czech Republic: Sparta Prague have won 10 titles in the last 15 seasons. That's even more than Bayern's percentage of wins. I see a pattern here... 1 club country???

Portugal: Well, since 1935 only 5 teams have won the title, 2 of them were one-offs, leaving Benfica to win it 31 times, Porto 23 times and Sporting 18 times. Not to mention Porto dominating 14 times in the last 20 seasons. With 72 championships between 3 teams over 74 seasons... well, needs no further comment.

Scotland: Well, nothing to be said here. 2 teams winning the title since 85/86 season says it all.

Spain: Bar a few seasons where Atletico and Athletic Bilbao won the title and even more recently as Valencia have stepped up, It's been Barca and Real all over Spain. Big 2????

Holland: Again, bar a few Feyenoord championships, it's been PSV and Ajax all over. But even though this is a "BIG 2???" all over again, they ain't even as BIG as they used to be in European football

**BCWWF** · 04-15-2009, 09:42 AM

No, you're misunderstanding. This isn't a knock on the Premiership having four good teams. I know every league is like that, and that a couple are really bad. That wasn't my point though.

I've gone through this before in the main thread, but I find that comparing UEFA Cup results is the best test of how good a league is when you cut off the disproportionate top of it. All of the top teams are in a class of their own (Big Four in England, Big Three in Italy, Two in Spain, etc.) Below that is where it gets interesting.

I can look for my breakdown, but when you compare UEFA Cup results since like 2001, it is clear that Spain has the strongest league top-to-bottom. I'm just saying, if you take the G16 or whatever top teams out of each league, the Premiership would not be head and shoulders above the rest.

That all said, the Championship still is probably the top No. 2 league in the world, and the American players don't have the tactical training and knowledge of the game to truly stand out even there yet.

**The Mackem** · 04-15-2009, 10:17 AM

How is my main man Claudio Reyna coming on?

**BCWWF** · 04-15-2009, 10:42 AM

Retired due to excessive injuries

**Mooияakeя�** · 04-15-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCWWF

That all said, the Championship still is probably the top No. 2 league in the world, and the American players don't have the tactical training and knowledge of the game to truly stand out even there yet.

Well, it is the best 2nd league, yes, and I think the best US players would fit here easily. Dempsey, Friedel, Howard, Donovan, DeMerit, Adu and Bradley are easily above Championship standard.

**Ogen** · 04-15-2009, 11:26 AM

Well given they've all played above the Championship ( well I'll be honest and say I've no idea who Bradley is ) thats a given really.

**Mooияakeя�** · 04-15-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogen

Well given they've all played above the Championship ( well I'll be honest and say I've no idea who Bradley is ) thats a given really.

Never said it wasn't. I did say "easily" above. BCWWF said American players wouldn't stand out, well, these would.

G · 04-15-2009, 11:39 AM

I'm not going to read all the posts, but what exactly happened with Beckham over here. Did he really do nothing for the MLS and is going back to Europe or something. I don't know. Give me a brief rundown.

**BCWWF** · 04-15-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooияakeя�

Never said it wasn't. I did say "easily" above. BCWWF said American players wouldn't stand out, well, these would.

I was more referencing MLS players though.

Michael Bradley is a young American midfielder who plays for that team in Germany with the terribly long name. He'll probably move after the season though.

**BCWWF** · 04-15-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G

I'm not going to read all the posts, but what exactly happened with Beckham over here. Did he really do nothing for the MLS and is going back to Europe or something. I don't know. Give me a brief rundown.

Basically, the Galaxy were a shoddily built team to begin with, and Beckham was in poor form and barely played his first season as the Galaxy tanked. Then last season Beckham started off looking spectacular, but the Galaxy itself was still among the worst teams in the league.

Meanwhile, Beckham had been left out of the England squad before coming to MLS. Suddenly he started getting called back to England. This became an obsession for him, which caused him to miss a lot of MLS games and he clearly didn't care very much late last season.

Then he went behind the Galaxy's back to manufacture a loan deal to AC Milan so he would stay in top form and continue to be called up for England. During this, he miraculously realized that playing in Milan was a lot better then in Los Angeles and that he wanted to stay.

In a nutshell, he's basically paying a lot of money to the Galaxy so he can stay in Milan until the summer. Then he will come back to MLS for half the season before going to Milan on a perminant basis.

The easy way to look at it is that the Beckham experiment was a failure. After all his team was terrible and he gave up on his original five-year contract. But in reality his move did wonders from MLS on a commercial standpoint. 2007 was a watershed year for a couple different reasons, but since then the league's overall attendance has gone up, the league got a good TV deal, more stadiums are being built, and the league is expanding.

So as a player he didn't do much, but he raised the awareness of the league and it is doing better financially now then it ever has been. Check out what's been happening up in Seattle.

**Mooияakeя�** · 04-15-2009, 12:25 PM

I'm sure he quoted many times that he wanted to raise awareness of the league. I think he knew in advance it was a money quip, but maybe even he didn't expect to miss good football so much.

Either way, it's a win win on both sides. It could of been more better, but MLS is on the up and Becks got brandbeckham awareness in the US along with his LA coaching school and his missus got to be remembered for a while again.

**BCWWF** · 04-15-2009, 02:02 PM

I think his recall to the England national team probably had a lot to do with his attitude. That all said he has been criticized for failing to take up any leadership in that first year and that clubhouse apparently had no chemistry whatsoever. There's a book coming out about it all this summer.

**bigdaddysuperfreak** · 04-16-2009, 08:25 AM

I think Beckham wants to play in Milan because he wouldnt have made the English squad otherwise. Coppelo said when Beckham was playing for the galaxy he wasnt in top form to play for the squad due to the league he was in.

**BCWWF** · 04-16-2009, 09:22 AM

It had as much to do with the fact that the Galaxy wasn't playing this winter, a crucial time for World Cup qualifiers. Beckham was called up numerous times when he was playing with the Galaxy. Obviously Milan helps, but I think it had as much to do with him currently being on a team as it did anything else.

**bigdaddysuperfreak** · 04-16-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCWWF

It had as much to do with the fact that the Galaxy wasn't playing this winter, a crucial time for World Cup qualifiers. Beckham was called up numerous times when he was playing with the Galaxy. Obviously Milan helps, but I think it had as much to do with him currently being on a team as it did anything else.

I remember Mike Coppello first becoming the England coach saying he would not call on Becks while he was playing on the Galaxy, which was in response to him training with arsenal I believe.

**Mooияakeя�** · 04-16-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddysuperfreak

I remember Mike Coppello first becoming the England coach saying he would not call on Becks while he was playing on the Galaxy, which was in response to him training with arsenal I believe.

I wasn't aware that Mike Coppello picked Daniel Brooklyn based on if he was in the Galaxy or not. I thought it was just on form.

**BCWWF** · 04-16-2009, 01:16 PM

*Fabio Capello

And Beckham has played for England several times since Capello took over, so that kind of nullifies that.

**bigdaddysuperfreak** · 04-16-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCWWF

*Fabio Capello

And Beckham has played for England several times since Capello took over, so that kind of nullifies that.

When I posted that I was thinking of a friend, and yeah he is now since going over to milan. That was a major reason for him wanting to go there, he doesnt need the money.

**bigdaddysuperfreak** · 04-16-2009, 04:05 PM

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/stor...bserve-Beckham

**bigdaddysuperfreak** · 04-16-2009, 04:06 PM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-Football.html

**bigdaddysuperfreak** · 04-16-2009, 04:08 PM

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/cl...id=667380.html

**BCWWF** · 04-16-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddysuperfreak

When I posted that I was thinking of a friend, and yeah he is now since going over to milan. That was a major reason for him wanting to go there, he doesnt need the money.

What? Beckham is losing money by leaving Los Angeles for Milan.

**BCWWF** · 04-16-2009, 04:33 PM

Again, his public reason for joining Milan is because MLS doesn't play during that time of the year. That's what your articles say too.

04-01-2009, 06:14 PM	#41
Mooияakeя� ▒▓▀▄WINNER▄▀▓▒ Posts: 5,070	I was being ironic with the A-League, in being the new "retirement" league. There's nothing wrong with the MLS spending money. It needs to. I think a lot of the "anti-MLS" feelings come from people hating teh way u yanks do "trades" and "drafts". It fucking confuses me now still. To truly progress, it needs to adopt the universal transfer system, in that, the clubs control what they buy, be it the continental europe way (chairman-like figures deciding who they want), or the traditional english way (the manager controls the lot). Whatever works for the club, or whatever the owner wants. The one thing the MLS has that I envy is the home grown style rule. I don't know it in detail, but like where u have to have a few youngsters that you have promoted from drafts (boo) to encourage continual growth in the team and also, x amount have to be domestic based (US players). Again not sure if this spreads to Canada or something, like how for some reason, domestic players in English league is classed as NI, SCO and WAL players too. To replace these awful drafts, there's nothing wrong with the MLS teams investing in smaller teams. What we call in England "feeder teams" where 2 clubs strike a partnership, and in this particular case the MLS team would have first refusal on any players from that club. Usually in exchange for money and / or friendly games. To keep with the US style, this could easily be a college team too. Each MLS team could be allowed to make say 2 deals with US universities to take on college players (as college seems such a big thing over there).

04-02-2009, 09:27 AM	#42
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	The draft system is pretty wack, and one that will eventually have to be phased out. The system will simply have to adapt from the more traditional style (college then draft) into more emphasis on the academies etc. The ideal situation would be for MLS to align with the lower divisions here, but for now they won't do it. But like you said, having a feeder team in a lower division would pay huge dividends. As per the transfer rules, the reason that there are such restrictions is because when there wasn't restrictions in the 1970s it didn't work and the league collapsed. Just because, in theory at least, if an outfit like the Seattle club here (owner by Microsoft No. 2, Hollywood producer, etc.) wanted, they have the money to go out and buy all kinds of top-end talent. But with NFL tickets being $100+ per game, and then MLB, college sports, NBA and NHL, even the biggest time soccer wouldn't necessarily be the top two or three sports here. So the league's theory is that instead of having owners risk a lot of money and have an arms race, the goal is just to build the league with the primary intent of developing American players. To that extent, it's done a fair job so far. In the last couple years the movement of MLS-grown stars to Europe has increased, and as it does that can only help our national game but also boost the standing of the league. Obviously the Beckham-like deals were meant primarily to put the league on the map a bit, but as Beckham has sourly found out, the league is still pretty much a minor league here.

04-02-2009, 09:36 AM	#43
bigdaddysuperfreak George"The Animal"Steele Posts: 9,047	I went to a couple of ny redbulls games last season. Got to see Danny Cepero score on the other goalie, saw Joze Altidore score before he left and got to watch them play FC Barcelona.

04-02-2009, 09:42 AM	#44
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	When New York's new stadium opens up next season it should be possibly the best soccer stadium in the U.S. It'll be interesting to see how the fans turn out for that.

04-02-2009, 09:48 AM	#45
Impeccable Tag Team Wrestling Mark! Posts: 2,340	How is the league system decided in MLS? The English Premier League rewards the most consistent i.e. the team that finished with the most points are champions. Does MLS have a playoff system, where potentially a team that hasn't finished top of the league can win the overall championship?

04-02-2009, 02:01 PM	#48
Mooияakeя� ▒▓▀▄WINNER▄▀▓▒ Posts: 5,070	I just think a code of rules was laid down, I find it hard why people change it their own way. This caused a split in Rugby league ffs. Agreed, the "shootout" was scrapped and the countdown clock to zero, which was the best step MLS has ever made, but this playoff thing, wherever it is done, fuckin' gripes me. I guess this is why Europe is the most popular. Cos we do it right.

04-02-2009, 04:36 PM	#49
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	To be honest, the playoffs make for a much more exciting end of the season than simply crowning a champion. I mean in England right now, barring a crazy year, the most exciting thing going on the last month of the season is who gets a UEFA Cup slot. As I said before, I think the reason it works well over there is because the top seven teams are still playing for something at the end of the year, so even if it's a runaway you have something to look forward to; it's just not a playoff in the same sense that we use it.

04-05-2009, 10:10 PM	#51
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	That has more to do with the fact that your system has been like that and its what you are used to. Our system puts more emphasis on the playoffs, and that's what people are used to. It dilutes the regular season a bit, but playoffs in any sport are the most exciting part of a season. It's just a different emphasis. As far as the Premier League though, my point wasn't as much directed at the actual league champion as it is the league in general. I mean theoretically most teams are playing for something (about four for the league, four or five for UEFA Cup, five or six to escape relegation), but I think the biggest drawback to the European system is that if a team runs away with the title then it takes significance away from everything else. Like say United goes eight points up with four weeks left, what's the point for the other teams? I mean you know what other three teams are going to get Champions League spots, it's just a matter of who gets to bypass qualification. I really just think it comes down to preference, but neither system is perfect by any means.

04-09-2009, 01:31 PM	#52
Mike the Metal Ed VALENT�A Posts: 11,988	I heard Christopher Burchall is leaving Brighton to act as cover for David Beckham. All the world class superstars...

04-09-2009, 03:23 PM	#53
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	I believe Brighton wouldn't let him go, but this again goes back to my point: Why mock MLS for inquiring about a starting player on one of the better CONCACAF national teams? What is this standard that you expect them to be reaching? Burchall would fit in quite well with a league of the size and stature of MLS.

04-10-2009, 11:44 AM	#54
Mike the Metal Ed VALENT�A Posts: 11,988	It's nothing to do with MLS, really. I've got nothing against the league and want it to develop its own culture rather than signing pension cashers. I more find it comical that he's being brought in to replace Beckham. If he was to go on and define MLS as his level, good for him.

04-10-2009, 12:58 PM	#55
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	To be fair, wherever the word "replace" came into play is where this went wrong. But the story came from what, the Brighton newspaper? I'm not surprised it'd portray it like that. Really, the guy is an average CONCACAF midfielder, and he would really be there with the thought of being a journeyman midfielder. Plenty of MLS midfielders have the talent to stand out in the Championship (not saying much though), but the big difference is that Americans don't have the tactical training and the smarts that you get growing up with top European coaches etc. That's always the first thing guys like Beckham point out when they get here and probably the biggest thing holding us back in general right now.

04-14-2009, 05:24 PM	#57
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	The Championship is clearly the most supported second league in the world, I'll give you that. However the Premiership's depth is vastly overrated because of the success of the Big Four, and thus I don't really buy that many Championship sides would be anything more than low-table clubs in Spain, Italy and Germany, just like they are when they get up to the Prem. However my point was that being able to stand out in any second division isn't going to do much for you. I'd reckon that a team of all-stars from the Championship would not go past the round of 16 in the World Cup, and that is essentially what I'm saying. If the best the American players can do is stand out in the championship, that's not saying much for their chances.

04-15-2009, 09:42 AM	#59
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	No, you're misunderstanding. This isn't a knock on the Premiership having four good teams. I know every league is like that, and that a couple are really bad. That wasn't my point though. I've gone through this before in the main thread, but I find that comparing UEFA Cup results is the best test of how good a league is when you cut off the disproportionate top of it. All of the top teams are in a class of their own (Big Four in England, Big Three in Italy, Two in Spain, etc.) Below that is where it gets interesting. I can look for my breakdown, but when you compare UEFA Cup results since like 2001, it is clear that Spain has the strongest league top-to-bottom. I'm just saying, if you take the G16 or whatever top teams out of each league, the Premiership would not be head and shoulders above the rest. That all said, the Championship still is probably the top No. 2 league in the world, and the American players don't have the tactical training and knowledge of the game to truly stand out even there yet.

04-15-2009, 10:17 AM	#60
The Mackem VG + Q&A FORUM REPRESENT Posts: 38,940	How is my main man Claudio Reyna coming on?

04-15-2009, 10:42 AM	#61
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	Retired due to excessive injuries

04-15-2009, 11:26 AM	#63
Ogen Posts: 16,220	Well given they've all played above the Championship ( well I'll be honest and say I've no idea who Bradley is ) thats a given really.

04-15-2009, 11:39 AM	#65
G Selectively Social Posts: 16,336	I'm not going to read all the posts, but what exactly happened with Beckham over here. Did he really do nothing for the MLS and is going back to Europe or something. I don't know. Give me a brief rundown.

04-15-2009, 12:25 PM	#68
Mooияakeя� ▒▓▀▄WINNER▄▀▓▒ Posts: 5,070	I'm sure he quoted many times that he wanted to raise awareness of the league. I think he knew in advance it was a money quip, but maybe even he didn't expect to miss good football so much. Either way, it's a win win on both sides. It could of been more better, but MLS is on the up and Becks got brandbeckham awareness in the US along with his LA coaching school and his missus got to be remembered for a while again.

04-15-2009, 02:02 PM	#69
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	I think his recall to the England national team probably had a lot to do with his attitude. That all said he has been criticized for failing to take up any leadership in that first year and that clubhouse apparently had no chemistry whatsoever. There's a book coming out about it all this summer.

04-16-2009, 08:25 AM	#70
bigdaddysuperfreak George"The Animal"Steele Posts: 9,047	I think Beckham wants to play in Milan because he wouldnt have made the English squad otherwise. Coppelo said when Beckham was playing for the galaxy he wasnt in top form to play for the squad due to the league he was in.

04-16-2009, 09:22 AM	#71
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	It had as much to do with the fact that the Galaxy wasn't playing this winter, a crucial time for World Cup qualifiers. Beckham was called up numerous times when he was playing with the Galaxy. Obviously Milan helps, but I think it had as much to do with him currently being on a team as it did anything else.

04-16-2009, 01:16 PM	#74
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	*Fabio Capello And Beckham has played for England several times since Capello took over, so that kind of nullifies that.

04-16-2009, 04:05 PM	#76
bigdaddysuperfreak George"The Animal"Steele Posts: 9,047	http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/stor...bserve-Beckham

04-16-2009, 04:06 PM	#77
bigdaddysuperfreak George"The Animal"Steele Posts: 9,047	http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-Football.html

04-16-2009, 04:08 PM	#78
bigdaddysuperfreak George"The Animal"Steele Posts: 9,047	http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/cl...id=667380.html

04-16-2009, 04:33 PM	#80
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	Again, his public reason for joining Milan is because MLS doesn't play during that time of the year. That's what your articles say too.