On All Leagues Great And Small
Alright, I know I said I wouldn't bring this up again, but come on, how much does Newcastle United suck? Seriously. Three games thusfar and not a single goal. Now, yes they're tied with Fulham on one point but at least Fulham's scored twice (though letting in six goals is more than a bit little worrisome). Today's Newcastle loss to Bolton seriously took the cake for the team that a baker wouldn't let into their shop.
In the 0-2 loss to Bolton, Newcastle managed to entirely stink up the pitch offensively. And this is a Bolton team who Aston Villa scored on twice in less than nine minutes!
I'm still thinking Michael Owen doesn't have enough of a Christ complex to walk into that though the Magpies have a huge offer (a record expenditure by Newcastle) on the table that's been accepted by Real Madrid.
Though, to be fair, Spurs - huh? High octane Tottenham? - only managed one shot on goal against Blackburn (and it was Andy Reid). Brad Friedel must have thought he was playing Montserrat (I had to look up a good example of a toothless team in CONCACAF and losing 0-20 to Bermuda definitely qualifies you for that). He had time to get his hair done - if he had any.
Not that today's EPL action proved boring. Chelsea and Arsenal played a couple of practice matches against league two teams and scored eight goals combined. Wait, that was Fulham and West Brom? Son of a...
---
Don't forget to hug an Australian domestic footcer fan today. I'm sure they've been the bane of your life after the MLS Select Team's defeat but they're going to need some moral support.
They're restarting their top flight league down there and no one is sure that anyone is going to turn up.
There is one pretty sad aspect to the story - that they've decided to stop referring to the sport as soccer when it comes to the league. Now that doesn't leave us alone in the world (well when I'm not calling it footcer at least) but it's a major defection. :)
Here are some interesting similarities and differences to MLS:
- There will be playoff where the majority of the teams in the league make it (though they only have eight teams).
- Fox Sports is going to be the major broadcaster.
- They're allowing a team from New Zealand to enter the league.
- Australia has decided to market to youths and families in their advertising.
- Too many of the few fans they have in Australia will be busy watching the EPL durin the season.
It's kind of odd to be in a country that has a relatively established domestic league in comparison. Now this isn't Australia's first try at a league of course, but MLS wasn't our first try either.
I say we play the bigger footcer nation and wish them luck despite how much the Aussies like to insult all things American footcer.
---
Speaking of MLS, it looks like there's hope for the San Jose Earthquakes after all. And it's coming from a really unusual source (well not too unusual since they've been kicking around the idea for a while) - Ajax Amsterdam.
It turns out Mr. Clean FC has made it publically known that they are interested in buying a minority stake in either San Jose or Kansas City along with a group of local investors (Soccer Silicon Valley a name pretty much known to all in San Jose's case). They already have a minor league affiliate in the PDL, but it's not doing great.
I only say it's odd because unlike an America or a Manchester United or a Real Madrid (three other teams whose names have been bandied around of purchasing MLS teams or expansion franchises), there just aren't that many Ajax fans in the United States to try and build a fanbase on name alone.
Of course Ajax's intentions aren't entirely pure. They want to kick the tires around a little bit before going all in the purchase an expansion franchise in Orlando - a Chivas USA type arrangement to develop talent. Still, if Soccer Silicon Valley's bid is accepted (with the financial backing of the Eredivisie club), San Jose's bacon could be saved!
But it's going to have to happen soon. The deadline that AEG set for announcing San Jose's future is -- TOMORROW (today by the time most people read this)!
Again, as I've been saying, best of luck northern California types. I really do hope you stick around in your current location. Well in a better stadium made just for you but you get the picture.
In the 0-2 loss to Bolton, Newcastle managed to entirely stink up the pitch offensively. And this is a Bolton team who Aston Villa scored on twice in less than nine minutes!
I'm still thinking Michael Owen doesn't have enough of a Christ complex to walk into that though the Magpies have a huge offer (a record expenditure by Newcastle) on the table that's been accepted by Real Madrid.
Though, to be fair, Spurs - huh? High octane Tottenham? - only managed one shot on goal against Blackburn (and it was Andy Reid). Brad Friedel must have thought he was playing Montserrat (I had to look up a good example of a toothless team in CONCACAF and losing 0-20 to Bermuda definitely qualifies you for that). He had time to get his hair done - if he had any.
Not that today's EPL action proved boring. Chelsea and Arsenal played a couple of practice matches against league two teams and scored eight goals combined. Wait, that was Fulham and West Brom? Son of a...
---
Don't forget to hug an Australian domestic footcer fan today. I'm sure they've been the bane of your life after the MLS Select Team's defeat but they're going to need some moral support.
They're restarting their top flight league down there and no one is sure that anyone is going to turn up.
There is one pretty sad aspect to the story - that they've decided to stop referring to the sport as soccer when it comes to the league. Now that doesn't leave us alone in the world (well when I'm not calling it footcer at least) but it's a major defection. :)
Here are some interesting similarities and differences to MLS:
- There will be playoff where the majority of the teams in the league make it (though they only have eight teams).
- Fox Sports is going to be the major broadcaster.
- They're allowing a team from New Zealand to enter the league.
- Australia has decided to market to youths and families in their advertising.
- Too many of the few fans they have in Australia will be busy watching the EPL durin the season.
It's kind of odd to be in a country that has a relatively established domestic league in comparison. Now this isn't Australia's first try at a league of course, but MLS wasn't our first try either.
I say we play the bigger footcer nation and wish them luck despite how much the Aussies like to insult all things American footcer.
---
Speaking of MLS, it looks like there's hope for the San Jose Earthquakes after all. And it's coming from a really unusual source (well not too unusual since they've been kicking around the idea for a while) - Ajax Amsterdam.
It turns out Mr. Clean FC has made it publically known that they are interested in buying a minority stake in either San Jose or Kansas City along with a group of local investors (Soccer Silicon Valley a name pretty much known to all in San Jose's case). They already have a minor league affiliate in the PDL, but it's not doing great.
I only say it's odd because unlike an America or a Manchester United or a Real Madrid (three other teams whose names have been bandied around of purchasing MLS teams or expansion franchises), there just aren't that many Ajax fans in the United States to try and build a fanbase on name alone.
Of course Ajax's intentions aren't entirely pure. They want to kick the tires around a little bit before going all in the purchase an expansion franchise in Orlando - a Chivas USA type arrangement to develop talent. Still, if Soccer Silicon Valley's bid is accepted (with the financial backing of the Eredivisie club), San Jose's bacon could be saved!
But it's going to have to happen soon. The deadline that AEG set for announcing San Jose's future is -- TOMORROW (today by the time most people read this)!
Again, as I've been saying, best of luck northern California types. I really do hope you stick around in your current location. Well in a better stadium made just for you but you get the picture.
posted by incendiarymind at 7:43 PM
4 Comments:
Ajax & Ajax America: Not exactly the same thing. But hopefully it'll work out.
Yeah, it's one of those really complicated "relationship" deals like Real Madrid and Real Salt Lake. But the impression that I'm getting from all the stories is that Ajax Netherlands is the money men in the deal. It's not like Ajax America has the budget to buy a stake in an MLS team and still stay afloat with its PDL team(s).
Appearantly, Blackburn had been thugging it up (what's new, I know...) on Wednesday night. As a result, Spurs weren't able to penetrate the Rovers rearguard for any good opportunities. Of course, it doesn't help that they've got some players banged up and Davids wasn't 100%. But really, I think we'll see many more teams only getting about 5 shots, max, against Rovers because they are thugging it up, and the officials aren't going to send off more than one guy a game.
The only way to ever regain order in Blackburn is for the refs to send off multiple guys. Only if Blackburn has their backs against the wall, down two guys or whatever does it look like they'll ever learn.
Then again, with Blackburn down two men, we'll be lucky if they don't bring out crobars to try to even up the odds.
I just thank goodness Fulham's already played Blackburn in the prison where they get home crowd calls (or, in Blackburn's case lack of calls).
Post a Comment
<< Home