February 26th, 2008 By Kartik Krishnaiyer --> No Comments
Donadoni was among the early top shelf foreign signings for MLS
The last two years we have been subjected to loads of conversation, some of it even bordering on propaganda as to how the league is constantly improving. While from a technical standpoint the league seems to be getting better, the results of MLS clubs in competitions against foreign clubs as evidenced by Houston’s thrashing at the hands of Gambro Osaka of the J-League this morning is as poor as it has ever been. This piece is not meant to advocate the position that MLS is not improving, because deep down I believe it is, but it is meant to ask the critical questions that seem to be not asked because so many of us want the game to succeed and are scared to bring up some very obvious points of discussion. [Read more →]
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February 22nd, 2008 By Kartik Krishnaiyer --> 1 Comment
On a night when the LA Galaxy despite a herculean effort from one David Beckham managed to embarrass themselves yet again and legitimately call into question the standard of play and development in the United States, the reigning league champion Houston Dynamo did to Sydney FC exactly what the Aussie club had done to the Galaxy a few months ago: humiliate them in the first half and in the process rescue some measure of pride for an embattled league.
Unfortunately some in the European press do not pay attention to MLS beyond the circus that is the LA Galaxy. So as the Galaxy continue to struggle in foreign competitions it will be easy to pick on the MLS for many of its detractors both home and abroad. Ruud Gullit himself may have been guilty of this in the past. But Gullit should have taken in the second match of the semifinals as a scouting operation. If he did watch the second match he now knows how wide a gap exists between the bottom feeders of MLS, like the Galaxy and the top like Houston. Dom Kinnear has a system in place where he can plug in just about any player of his choosing around the core of Dwayne Dersorio, Brian Ching and Wade Barret (yes he is a core player as he was in San Jose) and make the thing work. LA, and other MLS teams save New England do not have that luxury.
How can a team coming off a three month closed season look so scary good, as the Dynamo did last night? How can a team that hasn’t played a competitive match since November and has lost several players this closed season have such chemistry and flow to where from minute one it looked like they were in midseason form? Dom Kinnear is not only a brilliant coach, but his players have a pride in the shirt, a pride in the club that most MLS players never develop for their club.
The Dynamo were simply scintillating last night. Sydney FC did not win the A-League this season, but were one of the better teams. But the gap in class between the Dynamo and Sydney is what you would expect between a LaLiga or Premier League side and a lesser side in a smaller league in Europe, or according to some critics an MLS side. The gap in quality, technical and tactics was striking, after watching a first match (which I missed part of because of my other sporting obsession: Miami Hurricanes Basketball) with very little to offer in the way of compelling football, the Dynamo rescued everyone’s night and the image of MLS for those who bothered to stick around for the second game.
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February 21st, 2008 By Kartik Krishnaiyer --> No Comments
A retrospective of the Miami Fusion’s history in MLS from 1998 to 2001 will be released in the upcoming weeks. If you have memories of the Fusion, please contact me at kartik@majorleaguesoccertalk.com or kartik@csrnusa.com .
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January 29th, 2008 By Kartik Krishnaiyer --> 1 Comment
Kartik Krishnaiyer, host of CSRN’s American Soccer Show
For all the hullabaloo about the single entity structure of MLS through the years one club has always seemingly gotten it right- always seemingly done better than everyone else with regards to scouting and securing Latin American talent, developing a brand name south of the border and making significant inroads in the mainstream media at home. That club is of course DC United.
For many of our readers and listeners DC United is known by a four letter acronym: SCUM. They are the only MLS team to elicit such hatred because in-spite of the efforts of other clubs like the LA Galaxy to put themselves on a similar pedestal, DC United is the only club that’s earned both the envy and respect of its opposition since the league’s inception. The bottom line is this: Not only has DC won more MLS Cups and Supporters Shields than any other club, but they have won more truly meaningful international matches than the rest of the league combined. DC United is the only American club to have defeated a reigning South American club champion, the only club to have defeated an English Premier League club in England and the only club to have won more than a single road match in the history of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Now after back to back supporter shields coupled with early playoff exits, United wants more. Led by Kevin Payne, the most seasoned executive in the league, and Dave Kaspar whose scouting network is fully developed in Latin America, unlike many other MLS clubs who are just now taking scouting seriously the “Empire” (sorry Red Bulls fans- I know your SC is the Empire Supporters Club, but they not you are the real empire) is retooling and unlike other MLS clubs who have to sell the potential of the American market to players being sought, United can show off its trophy collection and its record of utilizing Latin players in a Latin oriented style better than anyone in MLS.
Yesterday’s massive signing of five players, four of whom come per the usual DC United scouting operation of finding Latin diamonds in the rough is a message to the league. Based on the history of Marco Ethceverry, Raul Diaz Arce, Christian Gomez, Facundo Erepen and Luciano Emilio, the rest of the league ought to be trembling in their boots about these acquisitions. The fifth signing, Designated Player Marcello Gallardo is a bit riskier. Gallardo, unlike many MLS stars has actually had a good club career in Europe and was outstanding for River Plate. Gallardo also was a force for Argentina. However by signing Gallardo, the Black and Red have parted ways with Christian Gomez, something I feel is risky. Gomez fit DC United like a glove and even though he is now 33, Gallardo whose club football has always been played for big clubs in big leagues (River Plate, Monaco, PSG) may or may not adjust to MLS. When you sign player straight away from Latin America, they often times acclimate themselves better than players coming from Europe, even if they are Latin. I cannot properly explain this phenomena, but based on twelve years of watching MLS I am sure it exists.
Regardless of how Gallardo works out in Washington, the other four signings indicate again that DC’s scouting network and reputation south of the border deemed the club ready to take advantage of the liberalized rules regarding international players in MLS, while the rest of the league scrambles to fill their squad.
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January 22nd, 2008 By Kartik Krishnaiyer --> 2 Comments
Key:
Done Deal
Possible
Rumored
Leaving MLS From –> To
Chris Gbandi FC Dallas –> FK Haugesund (Norway)
Brad Guzan Chivas USA –> Celtic (Scotland)
Eddie Johnson Kansas City –> Fulham (England) PENDING A WORK PERMIT
Taylor Twellman New England –> Preston North End (England)
Andy Dorman New England –> St Mirren (Scotland)
Troy Perkins DC United –> Vålerenga I.F (Norway)
Joseph Ngwenya Houston –> SK Austria Kärnten (Austria)
Brian Arguez DC United –> Hertha Berlin (Germany)
Matt Pickens Chicago –> Norwich (England)
Luciano Emilio DC United –> Moreila (Mexico)
Andy Herron Columbus –> Puntarenas FC (Costa Rica)
Coming to MLS From –> To
Marcello Gallardo Paris St Germain (France) –> Red Bull NY
Celestine Babayaro Newcastle United (England) –> LA Galaxy
Tam MacManus Dunfermline (Scotland) –> Colorado
Agustin Delgado LDU Quito (Ecuador) —> Colorado
Freddy Thompson Muncipal (Guatemala) –> Chivas USA
Duilio Davino America (Mexico) –> FC Dallas
Claudio Lopez America (Mexico) –> Kansas City
Gonzalo Martinez Millionares (Columbia) –> DC United
Maceij Zurawski Celtic (Scotland) –> Columbus Crew
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January 21st, 2008 By Kartik Krishnaiyer --> No Comments
Check back in this space in the next few days for a full summary of MLS related transfer activity.
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December 19th, 2007 By Kartik Krishnaiyer --> 1 Comment
What a crazy time it has been already within MLS. Juan Carlos Osorio ends up with the Red Bulls and Chicago is left without a coach. The franchise in its ten years of existence has had three head coaches and two of them have been poached away by the New York franchise. What makes Osorio think he can succeed in New York? Considering Carlos Queiroz and Carlos Alberto Parriera among other big names have failed, why would Osorio be any different? Perhaps Osorio realizes the bad habits he learned at Manchester City from Stuart Pearce and Kevin Keagan won’t work in MLS and he’ll coach more aggressively next season with the likes of Juan Pablo Angel to fall back on. Osorio knows Claudio Reyna from his Man City days and may be inclined to keep Reyna in the fold.
Where will Chicago turn? I would strongly consider either John Spencer or Paul Mariner. With Spencer you get a former Premier League and MLS footballer with a great mind for the game. In Mariner you get a boatload of Ipswich Town fans who see him as a bit of a god like figure to support the club, as well a man who has arguably the best scouting network in the country.
Bobby Boswell’s career with DC United has ended. A year ago at this time Boswell was a star in the making, and was rapidly becoming the poster child for young Americans in the league. His time at Florida International University in my backyard was filled with promise as were his first two years in MLS and his first several call ups with the national team. Then it seems he went too Hollywood, and his game completely deserted him. Boswell heads to Houston for Zach Wells who will likely replace Troy Perkins who is almost certainly headed to Europe. So when Perkins heads to Europe he will be the latest in a long line of American keepers to get a job across the pond.
FC Dallas has released Denilson. What a waste of a DP. But more importantly Juan Toja has been resigned which shows MLS is serious about keeping young Latin players stateside.
I have heard some interesting speculation regarding Landon Donovan’s future in Los Angeles. Regardless of what some US fans and American talk show hosts think of Donovan he is highly respected south of the border. In fact I will go on record as saying he is the most respected American player in history south of the border. I’ve heard that Moreila who pushed deep into the Mexican Apetura playoffs would love to take Donovan on loan for the Clausura season. I have also heard one or two other Mexican clubs may be interested. In addition, what MLS team wouldn’t want to add Donovan to the fold? The way I see it, if Los Angeles is really keeping Clint Mathis it must be dealing Donovan. Or maybe it is Mathis who’ll be gone to Sydney FC or San Jose in the upcoming months. Stay tuned- this will be interesting.
Another bit of potential transfer news involves Eddie Johnson possibly heading to Newcastle or Reading. Please let it be anywhere but Newcastle. ANYWHERE!!!!!
Of the possible DPs coming to MLS this season, only the names of Andriy Shevchenko and Jared Borgetti makes sense. The other names like Ronaldo, Juan Sebastian Veron, and Claudio Lopez. In the case of Borgetti the fact that MLS still hasn’t signed him, a Mexican admirer of the American game is mind boggling. When Borgetti left Bolton two years ago, MLS had an easy opening to get him before he went to the Middle East, and then back to Mexico. But as has been the case often with potential signings the league was asleep at the wheel. Now MLS will have to try and sign Borgetti while some suitors in Europe are still in the mix. My guess is if he signs with MLS he’ll be allocated to Colorado, and Daniel Osorio will be history with the Rapids.
Finally, the future of MLS Talk is still in the air. I plan on the continuing to add to this website in the future, but right now my energy is focused on the American Soccer Show on the Champions Soccer Radio Network.
Along with my co-host Dave Denholm of ESPN 710 in Los Angeles, we’ll delve into the wide world of American Soccer every week and take your emails as well. I hope to continue MLS Talk or some work with the EPL Talk Network but that is to be determined.
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December 12th, 2007 By --> No Comments
We’re proud to announce that Major League Soccer Talk and our sister sites have joined Football Media, a network of leading football websites from around the world covering the beautiful game.
Fellow sites within Football Media include Soccerlens, Footy 24/7, Anfield Red, FCB News, The Republik of Mancunia and several other sites.
Some of the goals behind Football Media is to share best practices among soccer bloggers about how to create better sites, generate advertising revenue and to answer technical questions.
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December 6th, 2007 By Kartik Krishnaiyer --> No Comments
Episode 38 of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast has been released. It is an interview with Trevor Hayward from My Soccer Club USA a group based on very successful British based My Football Club effort. As we announce at the end of the show, I have accepted an opportunity to co-host a show about US Soccer (focusing largely on the national team) on the Champions Soccer Radio Network. The website for the new show which will be debuting in the next few weeks is located here. It is however my plan to continue to do these podcasts to be released on this stream from time to time but obviously the release of future podcasts will be far less regular and subject to approval from CSRN.
I’ve enjoyed the show for the past eight months and hope that we can continue to bring it to you in the future. I want to thank all of our loyal listeners and contributors for their support and suggestions that have made this podcast so successful. Until next time, Enjoy your Football!
Kartik Krishnaiyer
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December 2nd, 2007 By Kartik Krishnaiyer --> No Comments
Our friend Joseph Oaster’s ( http://ruscoachjoe.blogspot.com/) seven year old daughter Abby is very sick and in critical condition right now on a breathing tube and ventilator. She has been fighting numerous illnesses all of her
life. We ask for your prayers and support for Joseph’s family. Abby has been a member of local disabled soccer players club but has been unable to play for the last few
seasons because of serious illness. Please send your well wishes to Joseph at
rtpd113@yahoo.com . As fans and supporters of the beautiful game in this country we all share a common bond, a brotherhood and sisterhood of sorts. Please keep Joseph and his family in your well wishes in the upcoming days and hope for Abby’s recovery.
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Donadoni was among the early top shelf foreign signings for MLS
