North-American Soccer - Mapping Out the Future · Apr 2, 07:53 PM
Adam Spangler at This is American Soccer wrote a great post which has a very cool map (made by Bill Turianski) of the location of American soccer teams. The map includes the MLS and USL.
It’s great to see all the teams at one glance, but leaves no one wondering why the MLS is struggling to create rivalries – those teams are just too far apart!
— GeordieInExile
Major League Soccer - Convince Me · Mar 29, 04:25 PM
So I’m a believer that the Barclays Premier League is the best league in the world right now. There is no other league in European soccer that comes close to the excitement, passion and quality of players.
The first round of fixtures for Major League Soccer starts today, but I’m a bit bored by it all – I think its all hype and no substance. I watched a decent amount of MLS last year but wasn’t wowed in the slightest. I am however, willing to give it a chance. If you’re a Major League Soccer follower and are an ardent supporter of an MLS side, explain to me in the comments why I should follow the MLS on FSC. I’m even willing to go so far as to pick out a team, stopping short of following one of the big boys.
— GeordieInExile
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Partnership With Soccer City FC · Mar 16, 11:21 AM
Sean Grybos runs Soccer City FC and is dedicated to bringing a voice to the World Soccer Community. Recently Sean and I spoke about an ad-hoc partnership in which we’d write articles for each others blogs. You can see my article titled “Newcastle United: He Who Dares Wins” and Sean’s article ‘The Defenders of Entertainment’ immediately follows.
The Defenders of Entertainment
When Sir Bobby Robson and his assistant John Carver arrived at Newcastle United, the players were known as The Entertainers. The named was coined under previous manager Kevin Keegan.
Fast forward several years and Carver now finds himself across the ocean in his new role as Toronto FC’s Head Coach. In a recent interview with the Toronto media, Carver stated that he plans on bringing attractive and entertaining football to Toronto FC. He also stated in the interview that he was in contact with TFC management including new Director of Soccer Operations Mo Johnston prior to Major League Soccer’s SuperDraft. He was aware of TFC’s decision to select defenders with back-to-back picks in the first round. At first glance, it seems odd that Carver would want defenders Patrick Phelan and Julius James. You would have guessed he would have gone after one of the few playmaking midfielders in the SuperDraft to help him carry out his plan. Upon further review, it is clear now that choosing two of the SuperDraft’s best defenders ended up being the wisest decision possible.
For those who don’t know, Toronto FC had a tough time keeping opponents off the score sheet last season. A scenario that is fairly common for expansion teams. There is no room for creativity and stylish soccer when you are bleeding goals in the back. Once defense is stabilized, the attack will be able to flourish under Carver’s directives. The Defenders of Entertainment have arrived.
— GeordieInExile
LA Galaxy Recruits Another Hasbeen · Jan 23, 04:58 PM
C’mon now, it’s just not funny anymore. The MLS has now became the place where old and average soccer players go to retire.
Fresh from signing Carlos Ruiz, the LA Galaxy go out and recruit Celestine Babayaro. Good ol’ Celestine was released by Newcastle for being incompetent, injured and just plain useless.
Take this piece of journalism by a local Newcastle paper, and what is it we see? Is that a sliver of determination in Babayaro? No, he’s just too useless to realize that no other BPL manager would take him.
Galaxy fans, you should be completely underwhelmed by this transfer. If this is the best Ruud can bring in, what hope that next season will be better than the last?
— GeordieInExile