Anyone else watch it often? It's one of the joys of my Fridays to watch the Thursday night live match on ESPN. While watching Chivas take apart Chicago and then hold on the whole second half with only 10 men I decided that the standard is better than the A-League, but not by too much.
What do others think?
What do others think?
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I lived in Chicago for while in the late nineties and went to quite a few Fire home games. Since then the standard has improved greatly, and I would say it's at about English League One standard, whereas I'd put the A League at League Two, but improving all the time. As the MLS continues to grow in strength, so will the A League.
Where the MLS has improved is in its ability to attract bigger names. Early on, the big stars were Mo Johnston, Carlos Valderama and Marco Etchevery, all of whom were mid to late thirties and well past their best. In fact, I remember watching Johnston playing in central midfield for Kansa City Wiz against Fire and thinking how sad it was that he and the club were using his name to try and give it more credibility, despite the fact that he was woefully short of the level required.
But now you've got a better quality at a better age, Beckham being the shining example. The MLS clubs have also used the likes of the Carribean well, with a number of players moving from the Islands to the MLS and onto Europe (Stern John ex Crew and Damani Ralph ex Fire spring to mind).
Maybe the A League will long-term be more of a breeding ground for Pacific Island players along the same lines.
Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.
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I think there's a bit of a parallel between the starts of both of the leagues; though Sydney at least have done much better with their marquee players than the MLS clubs did in the first few seasons we can see perhaps a Johnston - Jardel similarity, perhaps even El**ch. I would hope we see more pacific islanders in the A-League, there's some exciting young players (Totori springs to mind) and a lot of potential in the region.
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I keep tabs on it. Will be following it a lot more when Seattle kick off - although I really want Portland to get a team.
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I think the fact is that the US learnt a lot from the ultimate fiasco that was the NASL. I know quite a bit about the old NASL, I have read sh*tloads about it and it failed because of the gap in talent between the superstars (Pele, Best, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, you name them, they played there) and the also rans - there were untold lower division British players there for a holiday, i.e. for the wrong reasons.
There was also the issue of the lack of US citizen succeeding at that level, and when the superstars retired there was virtually no-one to replace them. It fell apart shortly after.
This time with the MLS they did bring in a few big names, some were successful, some weren't, but their focus has always been on producing their own. Also, their imports are generally of a high calibre (David Beckham, Cuatemoc Blanco) and not washed-up like some they brought in at the beginning - again, parallels to the A League.
I think all the USA national side needs now is a couple of players with flair. They are good at producing 'keepers and workhorses but haven't yet produced a top quality playmaker.
Anyway, the A League is following the same blueprint as the MLS when it started, as you've said. It's a very good model to follow.
Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.
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I keep an eye on TFC and RBNY over the net. Unfortunatey I don't have the US Sports (on SKy Sports UK) channel so I can't watch any, but I would watch if I had the channel .. . . .
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I keep an eye on TFC and RBNY over the net. Unfortunatey I don't have the US Sports (on SKy Sports UK) channel so I can't watch any, but I would watch if I had the channel .. . . .
The Andy Boyens connection? 
I follow Columbus Crew a bit because of Duncan Oughton...and partially because of a girl from Ohio I know...
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I keep an eye on TFC and RBNY over the net. Unfortunatey I don't have the US Sports (on SKy Sports UK) channel so I can't watch any, but I would watch if I had the channel .. . . .
The Andy Boyens connection?
Yup, but I keep following TFC partly cos J.Smith is there and also cos my neighbour is from Toronto.
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I find it hard to cheer for Toronto because I support Ottawa in the NHL naturally I try to keep tabs on Smith as well, same deal goes for any Kiwi in MLS.
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The league seems well set up making sound decisions like careful expansion.
Chivas having a purpose built stadium is a step forward.
Seattle Sounders will build on a long term support and I predict will enhance the league.
The standard is hard to assess. I would think MLS and A league are both similar now and about lower Championship standard. They would be similar to Southampton, Norwich City and QPR.
The latin flavour is quite strong in some teams (not just Chivas).
Goalscoring is quite low though...defences seem on top in most games I have watched in last year. Linked also to a tendency to over prepare tactics (at cost of spontaneity).
Chivas having a purpose built stadium is a step forward.
Seattle Sounders will build on a long term support and I predict will enhance the league.
The standard is hard to assess. I would think MLS and A league are both similar now and about lower Championship standard. They would be similar to Southampton, Norwich City and QPR.
The latin flavour is quite strong in some teams (not just Chivas).
Goalscoring is quite low though...defences seem on top in most games I have watched in last year. Linked also to a tendency to over prepare tactics (at cost of spontaneity).
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Well said Orpewise. Completely agree about the Sounders, they are based in a soccer(ish) city and have embraced the past with their choice of name. They'll be a welcome addition, along the lines of Houston Dynamo I expect.
similar to QPR? I wouldn't think they're that bad (LG, I expect a retort).
Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.
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Charleston Battery all over MLS champs Houston Dynamo in their US Open Cup match atm.
That match and Kansas vs Carolina are free here http://usl.playonsports.tv/
Critical_Lemon2008-07-02 11:57:35
That match and Kansas vs Carolina are free here http://usl.playonsports.tv/
Critical_Lemon2008-07-02 11:57:35
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Who saw Ante Razov's goal for Chivas last Friday against Galaxy? What a finish! The MLS gets classier every time I watch. Now if only they can sort out some of the stadia they use (which they are doing gradually).
Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.
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I love watching the MLS when it's on. We don't get much coverage of it and i think they should show it because there quite a few kiwis involved and at the moment there isn't much football on t.v!!
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To be fair, it's only three. Anyway, the reason we only get one a week is because I'm pretty sure that's all that ESPN cover.
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I've been watching the last 2 seasons on mlslive.net and love it. Here in Syd it means being up around 08:30 on a Sun morning for their Sat games but that time diff would be perfect I would've thought for NZ?Traitor2008-07-27 13:47:33
"Sharing rewards the weak"- Steven Colbert
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yeh i agree with the goalscoring they get on an attack then knock the ball right back to there goalkeeper alot of the teams are negative
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Boyens vs Oughton this weekend in the MLS cup final.
Boyens seems doubtful after missing the RSL game with a fractured forearm. Has Oughton been playing at all?
Thoughts on the outcome? - general feeling from forums in the states is Crew to be too stong
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The Columbus Crew Win the League!!! It's been 12 long years but the Massive finally take the Trophy that matters most!
Highlights here:
http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/sights/index.jsp?club=t102
I recommend to anyone who's neutral on the MLS throw some Love Columbus' way. Smaller market, Black and Gold colors and Dunc's to boot.
Highlights here:
http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/sights/index.jsp?club=t102
I recommend to anyone who's neutral on the MLS throw some Love Columbus' way. Smaller market, Black and Gold colors and Dunc's to boot.
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Well stoked for ya CrewUltra 
I've got friends in Columbus so I am a little partial to them myself. Still neutral though 
I've got friends in Columbus so I am a little partial to them myself. Still neutral though
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Just got a text from Robb saying Jarrod Smith has been picked up by the Sounders for next year. If I didn't love them already...
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Just got a text from Robb saying Jarrod Smith has been picked up by the Sounders for next year. If I didn't love Real Salt Lake already...
Fixed
And yes, his source is correct
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Haha. Im genuinely pondering who I'll love more for when they play each other. I could break it down to my family or my religion and still not get anywhere.
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RSL doesn't have any Kiwis. Support Seattle. End of
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Got an email today re Seattle's new singings.
I decided when their entry was announced some time ago I would support them.
http://www.soundersfc.com/Article_noheader.aspx?id=2592&languageId=1033
"Sharing rewards the weak"- Steven Colbert
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One of my fellow LARSers met someone from NZ and swapped scarves at the recent MLS Cup game held at the Home Depot Center, the Galaxy's home stadium.
As you might expect, NZ was well represented.
I kept looking for Bret and Jemaine but i guess they couldn't make it.
As you might expect, NZ was well represented.
I kept looking for Bret and Jemaine but i guess they couldn't make it.
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One of my fellow LARSers met someone from NZ and swapped scarves at the recent MLS Cup game held at the Home Depot Center, the Galaxy's home stadium.
Actually, we organised the scarf swap over Facebook and he receieved it a few days prior to the match
(And to say I'm from NZ is only part true 
)
)
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One of my fellow LARSers met someone from NZ and swapped scarves at the recent MLS Cup game held at the Home Depot Center, the Galaxy's home stadium.
As you might expect, NZ was well represented.
I kept looking for Bret and Jemaine but i guess they couldn't make it.
As you might expect, NZ was well represented.
I kept looking for Bret and Jemaine but i guess they couldn't make it.
It was business time - that's why they weren't here.
When Hibs, went up, to win the Scottish Cup - I wisnae there - furfuxake!
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Just got a text from Robb saying Jarrod Smith has been picked up by the Sounders for next year. If I didn't love them already...
I'd be careful before jumping on board because of smith. I'd wait to see if they trade him away to another club for another player. Expansion Draft players rarely last more than a season or two on their respective teams. Hell, Terrible F*cking Club traded away all their expansion draftees before the season even started. San Jose only had 5 starters left out of the 11 they got in the expansion Draft and only protected 3 of them from Seattle. From the RSL, Chivas start up i think there are less than 4 on the team between them. So i'd keep checking in on them, expansion drafts are the left overs after all.
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One of my fellow LARSers met someone from NZ and swapped scarves at the recent MLS Cup game held at the Home Depot Center, the Galaxy's home stadium.
�
As you might expect, NZ was well represented.
I kept looking for Bret and Jemaine but i guess they couldn't make it.
It was business time - that's why they weren't here.
�
As you might expect, NZ was well represented.
I kept looking for Bret and Jemaine but i guess they couldn't make it.
Excellente senor.
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How can you stand the American commentators?
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How can you stand the American commentators?
You think the NZ ones are better?!!
"Sharing rewards the weak"- Steven Colbert
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How can you stand the American commentators?
You think the NZ ones are better?!!
Oh, come on, Fred De Jong and Harry Ngata are infinitely better than Tommy Smyth. At least they know the game. I really can't believe the hard time they get. They are not great but they are nowhere near as bad as everyone says. Tommy Smyth, however, is. In fact, he's worse.
Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.
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