***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

MLS has had success in every business aspect except TV. People just don't care enough to watch it and the ratings have pretty much flat lined for 10 years (outside of last years epic dip).Look at Floppo for example, he is decent MLS fan and even he forgot the leagues championship game was on. I am not sure anything will ever change for many many years in this regard as too many soccer fans continue to ignore the leagues games when it is on TV. The league is just not enticing enough for many US soccer fans to bother with.

The international break didn't help maintain momentum from the previous playoff rounds, and the game itself wasn't a barnburner. The shot of Brad Davis yawning on the sidelines was pretty telling.But I think the MLS TV audience is what it's going to be. The deal with NBC may help or it may not. Versus isn't available everywhere and hasn't penetrated the consciousness of the American sports fan. The league can still be successful on its own limited terms but it's hard to see the MLS Cup becoming must see TV.

You probably already know this but just in case.For MLS, NBC Sports Network is not replacing ESPN, they are replacing FSC. NBC Sports Network is a massive boost in households over FSC.ESPN will continue to hold the rights to MLS Cup, not NBC, until all TV contracts expire in 2014. After that it is anyone's guess what will happen.I do agree though in general MLS is never going to be anything close to must see TV, even for a relatively small group of sports fans as soccer fans.=======================================================================Since we are talking about ratings and tv, the Chelsea Liverpool game did a combined 1.8 on Fox and FSC, which I think is the best combined rating so far for Fox and the EPL.

 

[Christo]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule? What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

I wasn't even thinking that radically. I just don't know why they wouldn't put the final on a Wednesday night so the broadcast is not H2H with the NFL.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Did the Dutch League have any games this weekend? Was wondering why Jozy was not listed.

Cancelled due to weather.

ahh cool, thanks.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule? What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

Blatter is such an idiot we almost need to ban his name from ever appearing in this thread.Ignore what the ratings would be in April/May and think about how bad the games would be in December, January and February in DC, NY, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, Colorado etc etc. It is a non starter until these cities have domed covered stadiums, which is pretty much going to be never IMO.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule? What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

I wasn't even thinking that radically. I just don't know why they wouldn't put the final on a Wednesday night so the broadcast is not H2H with the NFL.

A weeknight final was never a possibility with the game at a neutral site IMO. I suppose it's more feasible now that the game will be hosted by one of the teams playing, but weeknight attendance is pretty unimpressive in MLS as it is, much less with school in session.I'm sure they dont want to go H2H with the NFL, but ESPN isn't bumping college football on Fridays and Saturdays, so Sunday night is the only realistic option right now.

 

[The Gator]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.

Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule?

What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

Blatter is such an idiot we almost need to ban his name from ever appearing in this thread.Ignore what the ratings would be in April/May and think about how bad the games would be in December, January and February in DC, NY, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, Colorado etc etc. It is a non starter until these cities have domed covered under soil heating stadiums, which is pretty much going to be never IMO.

This wouldn't take care of it? I'm pretty ignorant of the weather comparison from those cities to the weather in England. I just know that games get canceled and moved in the BPL due to weather for teams that don't have the heating.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule? What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

I wasn't even thinking that radically. I just don't know why they wouldn't put the final on a Wednesday night so the broadcast is not H2H with the NFL.

A weeknight final was never a possibility with the game at a neutral site IMO. I suppose it's more feasible now that the game will be hosted by one of the trans playing, but weeknight attendance is pretty unimpressive in MLS as it is, much less with school in session.I'm sure they dont want to go H2H with MLS, but ESPN isn't bumping college football on Fridays and Saturdays, so Sunday night is the only realistic option right now.

Agree with everything you said except the concern about attendance. I don't think there is any worry about attendance for an MLS Cup game on a week day especially with the now lack of a neutral site. If it was still a neutral site, then that would be more of a concern.The smaller stadiums help in this case. Seattle won't have any issues so it really is only DC and NE that might not be able to sell out a mid week MLS Cup game.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.

Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule?

What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

Blatter is such an idiot we almost need to ban his name from ever appearing in this thread.Ignore what the ratings would be in April/May and think about how bad the games would be in December, January and February in DC, NY, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, Colorado etc etc. It is a non starter until these cities have domed covered under soil heating stadiums, which is pretty much going to be never IMO.

This wouldn't take care of it? I'm pretty ignorant of the weather comparison from those cities to the weather in England. I just know that games get canceled and moved in the BPL due to weather for teams that don't have the heating.

I could be wrong because I've never been there, but I don't think winters in Britain are anywhere near as cold as they are in the northeast and Midwest US and Canada. It's a courtesy for the fans as much as anything.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.

Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule?

What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

Blatter is such an idiot we almost need to ban his name from ever appearing in this thread.Ignore what the ratings would be in April/May and think about how bad the games would be in December, January and February in DC, NY, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, Colorado etc etc. It is a non starter until these cities have domed covered under soil heating stadiums, which is pretty much going to be never IMO.

This wouldn't take care of it? I'm pretty ignorant of the weather comparison from those cities to the weather in England. I just know that games get canceled and moved in the BPL due to weather for teams that don't have the heating.

You are only thinking of the field not the fans. This past winter we had numerous cities buried under snow. It would literally kill attendance in many northern cities. MLS fans are notorious for being no shows in even a little rain much less when they can't even get out of their driveways to get to the stadium.And there is no comparison weather wise between England and the northern US and Canada.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule? What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

I wasn't even thinking that radically. I just don't know why they wouldn't put the final on a Wednesday night so the broadcast is not H2H with the NFL.

A weeknight final was never a possibility with the game at a neutral site IMO. I suppose it's more feasible now that the game will be hosted by one of the trans playing, but weeknight attendance is pretty unimpressive in MLS as it is, much less with school in session.I'm sure they dont want to go H2H with MLS, but ESPN isn't bumping college football on Fridays and Saturdays, so Sunday night is the only realistic option right now.

Agree with everything you said except the concern about attendance. I don't think there is any worry about attendance for an MLS Cup game on a week day especially with the now lack of a neutral site. If it was still a neutral site, then that would be more of a concern.The smaller stadiums help in this case. Seattle won't have any issues so it really is only DC and NE that might not be able to sell out a mid week MLS Cup game.

So do you think the league would ever consider a mid-week final?Side note : I'm not a fan of the non-neutral MLS Cup final. If PPL doesn't host it next year, I would love it if somehow the game ended up in Buck Shaw, though I'm sure they'd move it to a larger venue

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule? What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

I wasn't even thinking that radically. I just don't know why they wouldn't put the final on a Wednesday night so the broadcast is not H2H with the NFL.

A weeknight final was never a possibility with the game at a neutral site IMO. I suppose it's more feasible now that the game will be hosted by one of the trans playing, but weeknight attendance is pretty unimpressive in MLS as it is, much less with school in session.I'm sure they dont want to go H2H with MLS, but ESPN isn't bumping college football on Fridays and Saturdays, so Sunday night is the only realistic option right now.

Agree with everything you said except the concern about attendance. I don't think there is any worry about attendance for an MLS Cup game on a week day especially with the now lack of a neutral site. If it was still a neutral site, then that would be more of a concern.The smaller stadiums help in this case. Seattle won't have any issues so it really is only DC and NE that might not be able to sell out a mid week MLS Cup game.

So do you think the league would ever consider a mid-week final?Side note : I'm not a fan of the non-neutral MLS Cup final. If PPL doesn't host it next year, I would love it if somehow the game ended up in Buck Shaw, though I'm sure they'd move it to a larger venue

If they could find a decent broadcast window and it would work around international breaks and the playoff format so that there is enough of a break after the Conference Finals I do think they would consider it.As for the non neutral site, I kind of like it but I am an atmosphere guy. LA was a nice scene last night but I can only imagine what it would be like in Seattle, Portland, Philly or even KC (3 years ago I would have bet my house I never would have utter their name in a conversation like this).I do agree with you that they are going to make sure that SJ has access to a bigger stadium that night.They also need to make sure the Revs would have access to Gillette.And I also read that as a standard operating procedure, Rio Tinto is not used on Sundays (not sure what the reason is for this, maybe something to do with religion?).

 

[Eephus]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.

Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule?

What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

Blatter is such an idiot we almost need to ban his name from ever appearing in this thread.Ignore what the ratings would be in April/May and think about how bad the games would be in December, January and February in DC, NY, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, Colorado etc etc. It is a non starter until these cities have domed covered under soil heating stadiums, which is pretty much going to be never IMO.

This wouldn't take care of it? I'm pretty ignorant of the weather comparison from those cities to the weather in England. I just know that games get canceled and moved in the BPL due to weather for teams that don't have the heating.

You are only thinking of the field not the fans. This past winter we had numerous cities buried under snow. It would literally kill attendance in many northern cities. MLS fans are notorious for being no shows in even a little rain much less when they can't even get out of their driveways to get to the stadium.And there is no comparison weather wise between England and the northern US and Canada.

The Bundesliga takes a six week break from mid-December through the end of January. February temperatures in Berlin are comparable to those in Chicago.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double last year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.

Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule?

What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

Blatter is such an idiot we almost need to ban his name from ever appearing in this thread.Ignore what the ratings would be in April/May and think about how bad the games would be in December, January and February in DC, NY, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, Colorado etc etc. It is a non starter until these cities have domed covered under soil heating stadiums, which is pretty much going to be never IMO.

This wouldn't take care of it? I'm pretty ignorant of the weather comparison from those cities to the weather in England. I just know that games get canceled and moved in the BPL due to weather for teams that don't have the heating.

You are only thinking of the field not the fans. This past winter we had numerous cities buried under snow. It would literally kill attendance in many northern cities. MLS fans are notorious for being no shows in even a little rain much less when they can't even get out of their driveways to get to the stadium.And there is no comparison weather wise between England and the northern US and Canada.

The Bundesliga takes a six week break from mid-December through the end of January. February temperatures in Berlin are comparable to those in Chicago.

yeah, MLS would need at a minimum to take 6 weeks, and probably closer to 9 weeks. And then after the 9 weeks they would need to schedule the northern teams to play either out west or down in Texas to minimize the weather issues.But I still see no benefit to this. MLS is perfectly situated in the summer right now and fills a decent niche during the summer where only baseball is played.

Moving MLS to the international calendar forces competition with the entire NFL season, NHL and NBA seasons along with the competition from fans who prefer Euro soccer.

I think we will see a fall through spring MLS around the same time we see promotion and relegation, which will be long after I am dead.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting. From WahlJohn Harkes has been replaced by Taylor Twellman as the lead color analyst for ESPN.

LOS ANGELES -- John Harkes is out and Taylor Twellman is in as ESPN's lead analyst in the booth for MLS and U.S. Soccer broadcasts in 2012, several sources have told SI.com. Harkes, the U.S. Hall of Famer who played in two World Cups, was recently informed that his contract would not be renewed. Twellman, the former New England Revolution star whose playing career was cut short by concussions, has spent this season working in ESPN's studio coverage and as the analyst for local broadcasts of the Philadelphia Union.Ian Darke will continue to be ESPN's lead play-by-play voice for the U.S. national team, the English Premier League, Euro 2012 and select MLS broadcasts. Alexi Lalas will continue in his position as an ESPN studio analyst. Adrian Healey is expected to continue calling MLS games when Darke is not involved.The landscape of national soccer broadcasts has been changing lately, with NBC Sports/Versus taking over Fox Soccer's package of MLS and U.S. games for 2012-14. What's more, Fox's recent surprise victory in securing the English-language rights to broadcast World Cups '18 and '22 (over ESPN and NBC) has signaled that Fox intends to be a major player as the demand for soccer in America grows larger.NBC Sports and Fox are still in the process of finalizing their on-air talent for 2012. In conversations with several sources here on MLS Cup weekend, I learned a few things. NBC Sports is currently pursuing Arlo White and Kyle Martino as their targets for broadcasts that could begin as soon as January. White, a British expat, has worked the past two years as the local voice of the Seattle Sounders. Martino, a former MLS Rookie of the Year, has been Fox Soccer's booth analyst for MLS and U.S. games this year.It's possible that White and Martino could turn down NBC and stay in their current positions. I'm also hearing it's likely that veteran play-by-play man JP Dellacamera will stay at Fox Soccer while continuing to work as the local voice of the Philadelphia Union.

 

[El Floppo]

Interesting. From WahlJohn Harkes has been replaced by Taylor Twellman as the lead color analyst for ESPN.

LOS ANGELES -- John Harkes is out and Taylor Twellman is in as ESPN's lead analyst in the booth for MLS and U.S. Soccer broadcasts in 2012, several sources have told SI.com. Harkes, the U.S. Hall of Famer who played in two World Cups, was recently informed that his contract would not be renewed. Twellman, the former New England Revolution star whose playing career was cut short by concussions, has spent this season working in ESPN's studio coverage and as the analyst for local broadcasts of the Philadelphia Union.Ian Darke will continue to be ESPN's lead play-by-play voice for the U.S. national team, the English Premier League, Euro 2012 and select MLS broadcasts. Alexi Lalas will continue in his position as an ESPN studio analyst. Adrian Healey is expected to continue calling MLS games when Darke is not involved.The landscape of national soccer broadcasts has been changing lately, with NBC Sports/Versus taking over Fox Soccer's package of MLS and U.S. games for 2012-14. What's more, Fox's recent surprise victory in securing the English-language rights to broadcast World Cups '18 and '22 (over ESPN and NBC) has signaled that Fox intends to be a major player as the demand for soccer in America grows larger.NBC Sports and Fox are still in the process of finalizing their on-air talent for 2012. In conversations with several sources here on MLS Cup weekend, I learned a few things. NBC Sports is currently pursuing Arlo White and Kyle Martino as their targets for broadcasts that could begin as soon as January. White, a British expat, has worked the past two years as the local voice of the Seattle Sounders. Martino, a former MLS Rookie of the Year, has been Fox Soccer's booth analyst for MLS and U.S. games this year.It's possible that White and Martino could turn down NBC and stay in their current positions. I'm also hearing it's likely that veteran play-by-play man JP Dellacamera will stay at Fox Soccer while continuing to work as the local voice of the Philadelphia Union.

Thank god.Harkes is knowledgable, but calls the game as if he's still playing... and gets pretty pissy about things.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting. From WahlJohn Harkes has been replaced by Taylor Twellman as the lead color analyst for ESPN.

LOS ANGELES -- John Harkes is out and Taylor Twellman is in as ESPN's lead analyst in the booth for MLS and U.S. Soccer broadcasts in 2012, several sources have told SI.com. Harkes, the U.S. Hall of Famer who played in two World Cups, was recently informed that his contract would not be renewed. Twellman, the former New England Revolution star whose playing career was cut short by concussions, has spent this season working in ESPN's studio coverage and as the analyst for local broadcasts of the Philadelphia Union.Ian Darke will continue to be ESPN's lead play-by-play voice for the U.S. national team, the English Premier League, Euro 2012 and select MLS broadcasts. Alexi Lalas will continue in his position as an ESPN studio analyst. Adrian Healey is expected to continue calling MLS games when Darke is not involved.The landscape of national soccer broadcasts has been changing lately, with NBC Sports/Versus taking over Fox Soccer's package of MLS and U.S. games for 2012-14. What's more, Fox's recent surprise victory in securing the English-language rights to broadcast World Cups '18 and '22 (over ESPN and NBC) has signaled that Fox intends to be a major player as the demand for soccer in America grows larger.NBC Sports and Fox are still in the process of finalizing their on-air talent for 2012. In conversations with several sources here on MLS Cup weekend, I learned a few things. NBC Sports is currently pursuing Arlo White and Kyle Martino as their targets for broadcasts that could begin as soon as January. White, a British expat, has worked the past two years as the local voice of the Seattle Sounders. Martino, a former MLS Rookie of the Year, has been Fox Soccer's booth analyst for MLS and U.S. games this year.It's possible that White and Martino could turn down NBC and stay in their current positions. I'm also hearing it's likely that veteran play-by-play man JP Dellacamera will stay at Fox Soccer while continuing to work as the local voice of the Philadelphia Union.

Thank god.Harkes is knowledgable, but calls the game as if he's still playing... and gets pretty pissy about things.

Ted, you have likely heard Twellman as a color guy more than the rest of us. What do you think? Will he mix well with Darke?I like the perspective team for NBC.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting. From Wahl

John Harkes has been replaced by Taylor Twellman as the lead color analyst for ESPN.

LOS ANGELES --

NBC Sports and Fox are still in the process of finalizing their on-air talent for 2012. In conversations with several sources here on MLS Cup weekend, I learned a few things. NBC Sports is currently pursuing Arlo White and Kyle Martino as their targets for broadcasts that could begin as soon as January

I just noticed the text I bolded above.

January could mean the US game vs Panama on the newly branded NBC Sports Network. The NBC deal calls for 2 US games on NBC Sports Network and 2 US games on NBC each year.

It will be fun to watch a US game on a broadcast network. Been a long time since that has happened for a non WC game.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Interesting. From WahlJohn Harkes has been replaced by Taylor Twellman as the lead color analyst for ESPN.

LOS ANGELES -- John Harkes is out and Taylor Twellman is in as ESPN's lead analyst in the booth for MLS and U.S. Soccer broadcasts in 2012, several sources have told SI.com. Harkes, the U.S. Hall of Famer who played in two World Cups, was recently informed that his contract would not be renewed. Twellman, the former New England Revolution star whose playing career was cut short by concussions, has spent this season working in ESPN's studio coverage and as the analyst for local broadcasts of the Philadelphia Union.Ian Darke will continue to be ESPN's lead play-by-play voice for the U.S. national team, the English Premier League, Euro 2012 and select MLS broadcasts. Alexi Lalas will continue in his position as an ESPN studio analyst. Adrian Healey is expected to continue calling MLS games when Darke is not involved.The landscape of national soccer broadcasts has been changing lately, with NBC Sports/Versus taking over Fox Soccer's package of MLS and U.S. games for 2012-14. What's more, Fox's recent surprise victory in securing the English-language rights to broadcast World Cups '18 and '22 (over ESPN and NBC) has signaled that Fox intends to be a major player as the demand for soccer in America grows larger.NBC Sports and Fox are still in the process of finalizing their on-air talent for 2012. In conversations with several sources here on MLS Cup weekend, I learned a few things. NBC Sports is currently pursuing Arlo White and Kyle Martino as their targets for broadcasts that could begin as soon as January. White, a British expat, has worked the past two years as the local voice of the Seattle Sounders. Martino, a former MLS Rookie of the Year, has been Fox Soccer's booth analyst for MLS and U.S. games this year.It's possible that White and Martino could turn down NBC and stay in their current positions. I'm also hearing it's likely that veteran play-by-play man JP Dellacamera will stay at Fox Soccer while continuing to work as the local voice of the Philadelphia Union.

Thank god.Harkes is knowledgable, but calls the game as if he's still playing... and gets pretty pissy about things.

Ted, you have likely heard Twellman as a color guy more than the rest of us. What do you think? Will he mix well with Darke?I like the perspective team for NBC.

I liked TT in the booth this year the Union. He was clearly raw in some areas but has a strong opinion and is not afraid to share it. He worked well with JP. I assume we're losing him locally which is too bad.Definitely an upgrade over Harkes

 

[Sebowski]

MLS Cup with an overnight rating of 0.8, which is double laist year (though less than 2009) but still disappointing that they still can't even crack a 1.0 since there likely will never be the amount of star power that was present last night.

Not easy going up against SNF and the Survivor Series PPV, among other things

It's unfathomable that they would choose to go up against the NFL.

Anyone catch the interview with Blatter talking about how MLS NEEDS to get on the FA schedule?

What would having these playoffs and final at the end of April beginning of May do for ratings?

Blatter is such an idiot we almost need to ban his name from ever appearing in this thread.Ignore what the ratings would be in April/May and think about how bad the games would be in December, January and February in DC, NY, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, Colorado etc etc. It is a non starter until these cities have domed covered under soil heating stadiums, which is pretty much going to be never IMO.

This wouldn't take care of it? I'm pretty ignorant of the weather comparison from those cities to the weather in England. I just know that games get canceled and moved in the BPL due to weather for teams that don't have the heating.

You are only thinking of the field not the fans. This past winter we had numerous cities buried under snow. It would literally kill attendance in many northern cities. MLS fans are notorious for being no shows in even a little rain much less when they can't even get out of their driveways to get to the stadium.And there is no comparison weather wise between England and the northern US and Canada.

The Bundesliga takes a six week break from mid-December through the end of January. February temperatures in Berlin are comparable to those in Chicago.

yeah, MLS would need at a minimum to take 6 weeks, and probably closer to 9 weeks. And then after the 9 weeks they would need to schedule the northern teams to play either out west or down in Texas to minimize the weather issues.But I still see no benefit to this. MLS is perfectly situated in the summer right now and fills a decent niche during the summer where only baseball is played.

Moving MLS to the international calendar forces competition with the entire NFL season, NHL and NBA seasons along with the competition from fans who prefer Euro soccer actual soccer fans.

I think we will see a fall through spring MLS around the same time we see promotion and relegation, which will be long after I am dead.

Fixed

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting. From WahlJohn Harkes has been replaced by Taylor Twellman as the lead color analyst for ESPN.

LOS ANGELES -- John Harkes is out and Taylor Twellman is in as ESPN's lead analyst in the booth for MLS and U.S. Soccer broadcasts in 2012, several sources have told SI.com. Harkes, the U.S. Hall of Famer who played in two World Cups, was recently informed that his contract would not be renewed. Twellman, the former New England Revolution star whose playing career was cut short by concussions, has spent this season working in ESPN's studio coverage and as the analyst for local broadcasts of the Philadelphia Union.Ian Darke will continue to be ESPN's lead play-by-play voice for the U.S. national team, the English Premier League, Euro 2012 and select MLS broadcasts. Alexi Lalas will continue in his position as an ESPN studio analyst. Adrian Healey is expected to continue calling MLS games when Darke is not involved.The landscape of national soccer broadcasts has been changing lately, with NBC Sports/Versus taking over Fox Soccer's package of MLS and U.S. games for 2012-14. What's more, Fox's recent surprise victory in securing the English-language rights to broadcast World Cups '18 and '22 (over ESPN and NBC) has signaled that Fox intends to be a major player as the demand for soccer in America grows larger.NBC Sports and Fox are still in the process of finalizing their on-air talent for 2012. In conversations with several sources here on MLS Cup weekend, I learned a few things. NBC Sports is currently pursuing Arlo White and Kyle Martino as their targets for broadcasts that could begin as soon as January. White, a British expat, has worked the past two years as the local voice of the Seattle Sounders. Martino, a former MLS Rookie of the Year, has been Fox Soccer's booth analyst for MLS and U.S. games this year.It's possible that White and Martino could turn down NBC and stay in their current positions. I'm also hearing it's likely that veteran play-by-play man JP Dellacamera will stay at Fox Soccer while continuing to work as the local voice of the Philadelphia Union.

Thank god.Harkes is knowledgable, but calls the game as if he's still playing... and gets pretty pissy about things.

Ted, you have likely heard Twellman as a color guy more than the rest of us. What do you think? Will he mix well with Darke?I like the perspective team for NBC.

I liked TT in the booth this year the Union. He was clearly raw in some areas but has a strong opinion and is not afraid to share it. He worked well with JP. I assume we're losing him locally which is too bad.Definitely an upgrade over Harkes

Yeah, I bet there is enough overlap in the national tv schedule with the regular MLS games that he would likely have to give up the local gig.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Seattle fans seem to have nothing but great things to say about Arlo White so he might be a nice signing for the NBC crew.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

The Seattle fans seem to have nothing but great things to say about Arlo White so he might be a nice signing for the NBC crew.

That would be a good get. Martino is a solid analyst as well. We had him locally last year. A little dry but knows what he's talking about

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS Offseason is starting up quickly

* All teams have to submit the protected player lists today for the expansion draft

* KC traded Ryan Smith to Chivas for two picks (1st and 3rd) in the Suuplemental draft

* Portland has cut a deal with Montreal in which Montreal will not pick any Portland players in the expansion draft

 

[Eephus]

The annual Donovan to Everton rumors have begun

 

[Steve Tasker]

BTW, I wore my Gerrard jersey to the local burrito shop tonight and found out the guy behind the counter was an Arsenal fan. I told him that I'd say hi to Steve Tasker for him. He seemed confused.

I love him already.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I love expansion stuff. All the lists have been published? Remember when looking at the protected lists they do not include GA or home grown players which are automatically protected.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/21/mls-clubs-release-expansion-draft-protected-lists

Brian Ching, Freddy Adu, Mehdi Ballouchy, Omar Bravo, Chad Barrett, Bobby Convey, and Julian De Guzman are just a few of the names Montreal could take. Obviously some of these guys are left unprotected because they know they will never be touched. There are also two other DP's from the Revs and DC that were not protected.

In terms of price, skill and age, I have to think ***ito from Seattle is almost assuredly going to be scooped up. I am a bit shocked that DC protected Davies. I wonder if they already know they can sign him to a much smaller contract....

 

[NewlyRetired]

Blackburn are looking at Danny Williams and Maurice Edu as winter transfer/loan targets.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

I love expansion stuff. All the lists have been published? Remember when looking at the protected lists they do not include GA or home grown players which are automatically protected. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/21/mls-clubs-release-expansion-draft-protected-listsBrian Ching, Freddy Adu, Mehdi Ballouchy, Omar Bravo, Chad Barrett, Bobby Convey, and Julian De Guzman are just a few of the names Montreal could take. Obviously some of these guys are left unprotected because they know they will never be touched. There are also two other DP's from the Revs and DC that were not protected.In terms of price, skill and age, I have to think ***ito from Seattle is almost assuredly going to be scooped up. I am a bit shocked that DC protected Davies. I wonder if they already know they can sign him to a much smaller contract....

The thing Twitter is blowing up about is Chivas leaving Gaven and Valentin unprotected, despite just graduating GA. First of all, I can't believe Valentin graduated already. But besides that, did Chivas misunderstand the rules (many people's theory)? Id say they're being cheap but the league pays salaries up to the cap so I'm shuked here.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I love expansion stuff. All the lists have been published? Remember when looking at the protected lists they do not include GA or home grown players which are automatically protected. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/21/mls-clubs-release-expansion-draft-protected-listsBrian Ching, Freddy Adu, Mehdi Ballouchy, Omar Bravo, Chad Barrett, Bobby Convey, and Julian De Guzman are just a few of the names Montreal could take. Obviously some of these guys are left unprotected because they know they will never be touched. There are also two other DP's from the Revs and DC that were not protected.In terms of price, skill and age, I have to think ***ito from Seattle is almost assuredly going to be scooped up. I am a bit shocked that DC protected Davies. I wonder if they already know they can sign him to a much smaller contract....

The thing Twitter is blowing up about is Chivas leaving Gaven and Valentin unprotected, despite just graduating GA. First of all, I can't believe Valentin graduated already. But besides that, did Chivas misunderstand the rules (many people's theory)? Id say they're being cheap but the league pays salaries up to the cap so I'm shuked here.

The Chivas thing is so egregious I have to assume they also cut a deal that is not yet announced with Montreal to not touch their players. If that did not happen, someone needs to be fired.

 

[GoFishTN]

Have the MLS playoff changes for 2012 been discussed? I don't care about the double round robin single table stuff, so they look pretty good to me.

In particular, playing the final at the field of the team with the best record is so much better than what they have been doing.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Have the MLS playoff changes for 2012 been discussed? I don't care about the double round robin single table stuff, so they look pretty good to me.In particular, playing the final at the field of the team with the best record is so much better than what they have been doing.

No more cross-conference playoffs. Top 5 in each make it regardless of record. Makes sense given the unbalanced schedule

 

[NewlyRetired]

Have the MLS playoff changes for 2012 been discussed? I don't care about the double round robin single table stuff, so they look pretty good to me.In particular, playing the final at the field of the team with the best record is so much better than what they have been doing.

We talked about it a little when the info was released this weekend. Lots of people like it, just as many hate it. Very hard to come up with a universal scheme for a 19 team league once the league decided they could not do a balanced schedule any more.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

The annual Donovan to Everton rumors have begun

They need the help.

 

[El Floppo]

I love expansion stuff. All the lists have been published? Remember when looking at the protected lists they do not include GA or home grown players which are automatically protected.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/21/mls-clubs-release-expansion-draft-protected-lists

Brian Ching, Freddy Adu, Mehdi Ballouchy, Omar Bravo, Chad Barrett, Bobby Convey, and Julian De Guzman are just a few of the names Montreal could take. Obviously some of these guys are left unprotected because they know they will never be touched. There are also two other DP's from the Revs and DC that were not protected.

In terms of price, skill and age, I have to think ***ito from Seattle is almost assuredly going to be scooped up. I am a bit shocked that DC protected Davies. I wonder if they already know they can sign him to a much smaller contract....

Hey andy- could you flesh out the bolded please. Never be touched because of salary, or something else?Without even knowing if Montreal has players they are considering bringing up with them- and I assume they do- there a lot of guys on that unprotected list I'd be happy to have on my team. Seattle, IMO, did a fantastic job with their initial draft- taking a nice mix of quality youth and dependable journey-men with a couple of less expensive "stars". They were up and running right away.

 

[El Floppo]

Speaking of Montreal... did this get discussed?

Associated PressMONTREAL -- Saying he regrets not having done it earlier, pro soccer player David Testo has come out of the closet.The former Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder tells CBC Radio-Canada that teammates knew he was gay and accepted him, but he was afraid to go public until now.“It's like carrying around a secret, you know, and carrying around luggage and just never being allowed to be yourself.”-- David Testo"It's like carrying around a secret, you know, and carrying around luggage and just never being allowed to be yourself," Testo told CBC.The 30-year-old player from North Carolina says he feels more confident and mature and now is ready to speak openly.Testo joined the Impact in 2007 but is without a contract and won't be back with the team for its MLS debut next year. Testo previously played for the Whitecaps, Columbus Crew and Richmond Kickers."David Testo's declaration is in fact very personal," Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo said in a statement. "We knew David's orientation prior to him joining our club from Vancouver in 2007.""During his career in Montreal he has always been a professional and dedicated player to this club on and off the field," he added. "His decision to go public must have been a difficult one and we respect it."Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

I've wondered when we'd see this happen- seemed inevitable. SO now, we'll have to wait and see who's next and if it ever becomes acceptable enough for one of these guys to come out of the closet while playing. As far as I recall, there hasn't yet been an openly gay actively playing professional athlete in any of the big sports... am I wrong there? Tom Brady?

 

[Moe.]

Champion's League caught me off guard today, completely forgot to set my DVR. Man City v Napoli should be a good one.

 

[El Floppo]

Champion's League caught me off guard today, completely forgot to set my DVR. Man City v Napoli should be a good one.

I've been spacing on all the games I want to watch- even the USMNT games which are usually sacrosanct.

 

[B Maverick]

I didnt see it above, but did I hear correctly that the head of FIFA (i did see his name should be banned from this thread) as a follow up to his post game "Handshakes will solve racial tensions" remarks told Harkes (i think?) that if the US moved to the international calander, more European players would want to play in the US? Basically saying that the US doesnt get more players coming hear because they dont play the same time of year as the European teams do?

Please tell me I didnt hear this correctly?!

On a better note, Benfica at Old Trafford to face United for the top of the group. CL is back on!

And the weekend brings the battle of Uniteds with Newcastle facing ManU

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Guardian's recap of the 2011 MLS season

Nothing earth-shattering here but a nice recap from the other side of the pond

 

[B Maverick]

And Phil Jones scores an own Goal!! Benfica up 1-0 on United....

 

[Mjolnirs]

Champion's League caught me off guard today, completely forgot to set my DVR. Man City v Napoli should be a good one.

once again Bayern doesn't make the cut to get shown on TV

 

[jonessed]

Amazing that if United don't win at BASEL they are out. They really should win, but United has been playing so poorly in the CL I think it will be pretty close. Even if they win there is still a decent chance they draw second in the group.

Tough break for City to get drawn into that group. I don't think I have ever seen a tougher group.

 

[Christo]

Amazing that if United don't win at BASEL they are out. They really should win, but United has been playing so poorly in the CL I think it will be pretty close. Even if they win there is still a decent chance they draw second in the group.Tough break for City to get drawn into that group. I don't think I have ever seen a tougher group.

ManU has no one to blame but themselves. Benfica created almost no opportunities for themselves and both goals came on horrible defensive blunders.HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111

 

[derek245583]

City sucked today. Deserved to probably lose by more than 1 goal. Gonna need a miracle now.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

FORZA NAPOLI!!!!!!

 

[El Floppo]

FORZA NAPOLI!!!!!!

 

[Eephus]

Amazing that if United don't win at BASEL they are out. They really should win, but United has been playing so poorly in the CL I think it will be pretty close. Even if they win there is still a decent chance they draw second in the group.Tough break for City to get drawn into that group. I don't think I have ever seen a tougher group.

MCFC should be doing better. They're spent a ton of cash; more than even Bayern. City is leading a domestic league that claims to be the best in the world. Villareal is in the bottom half of La Liga. Napoli's record acquisition was Gokhan Inler €13M. City has squad players who cost more than that.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I love expansion stuff. All the lists have been published? Remember when looking at the protected lists they do not include GA or home grown players which are automatically protected.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/21/mls-clubs-release-expansion-draft-protected-lists

Brian Ching, Freddy Adu, Mehdi Ballouchy, Omar Bravo, Chad Barrett, Bobby Convey, and Julian De Guzman are just a few of the names Montreal could take. Obviously some of these guys are left unprotected because they know they will never be touched. There are also two other DP's from the Revs and DC that were not protected.

In terms of price, skill and age, I have to think ***ito from Seattle is almost assuredly going to be scooped up. I am a bit shocked that DC protected Davies. I wonder if they already know they can sign him to a much smaller contract....

Hey andy- could you flesh out the bolded please. Never be touched because of salary, or something else?

In all sports during expansion drafts some what surprising names surface as being available. But in most of the cases the player is either old (wrong side of 30) and/or has too much salary attached to him which makes him much less attractive to a team trying to build from scratch.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Amazing that if United don't win at BASEL they are out.

I don't understand.United is in second right now with 9 points and Basel is in 3rd with 8 points with one game left for each team.

I think United only needs a draw to advance as the second team in the group.

What am I missing here?

 

[The Gator]

BENFICA!!!!