US Soccer Identity: Confused or Just Rebellious?

Photo Credits: Unknown

When I find myself watching soccer games in an American bar, I almost always have the following conversation with one of my fellow patrons:

Patron: "What are you watching?"

Me: "Soccer."

Patron: "Who's playing."

Me: "[Team A] and [Team B]."

Patron: "Oh .... So how did you become a fan? Did you play as a kid?"

And there it is, the one pet peeve I have as a soccer fan in America: I am constantly having to justify and explain why I enjoy and follow the sport. But do I really have any room to complain? No matter how many times die-hard fans argue to the contrary, many Americans are convinced that soccer is un-American and that being involved in soccer past the age of 12 is something to be explained. This makes for - if nothing else - a frustrating sense of identity in American soccer fans.

So when Jason Davis of Match Fit USA began musing this morning on his Twitter account about Americans ceding their soccer identity to British announcers, it got me thinking: Is the American soccer identity one of a crippling inferiority complex or just a rebellious adaptation of the world's sport to the American experience?

On one hand, you have the exquisitely passionate groups of fans like Sam's Army and American Outlaws, the Hudson Street Hooligans, Emerald City Supporters, Screaming Eagles and so on and so forth. While they support the subersive "Sixth Sport" (after American football, baseball, basketball, hockey and NASCAR), they are inherently American in their zealous fandom. Painted stomachs, foam fingers, tail gating and other staples of American sport have made their way into US Soccer. The fans have taken their passion as Americans and applied it to their sport, their team, their way of life.

On the other hand, we have the Soccer Mom syndrome which is unavoidably bound with the perception of the sport in the US. Over 90% of all American kids under the age of 10 are shepherded back and forth from practice and games by the infamous Soccer Mom. Soccer is a safer sport. It's far easier and cheaper to equip kids for it ($10 shin guards and an old plastic milk jug filled with water). And in the words of Dave Egger, it tolerates a fascinatingly high level of incompetence in the early years. But by the age of 10, 98% of those kids have dropped the sport to move on to the "real sports." As such, we find ourselves in a peculiar situation: A majority of Americans between the ages of 20 and 30 have played soccer in their life, but were never pressed to take the sport "seriously" or with an respectful consideration.

And then - if all of this wasn't creating enough confusion for the average soccer fan in America - there's the international stigma placed on American soccer. Many American fans are convinced we're "doing it wrong." The best soccer is played in any country BUT the United States. And the inability of the "average American" to understand the beauty and value of soccer in a global context is just another source of beleaguered frustration.

In light of all these contradictions, it's easy to see why the identity of the soccer fan is a prfoudnly confused one. We love our game, but with a genuine knowledge of the game comes the inevitable realization that our leagues, players and teams just aren't the best on the continent, let alone the world. This can be a tough fact to swallow when we are brought up in a sports culture and a country which places an fanatic emphasis on being "the best."

An inferiority complex is inevitable, but the passion continues to grow. And at the end of the day, that's all soccer is really about.

Why No MLS Strike is a Good Thing

Photo: AP

The second extension of Major League Soccer's collective bargaining agreement expired last night at midnight and still no agreement has been reached.

When the player's union agreed to extend the current agreement back at the end of January, whisperings of a strike began to surface. While the previous CBA did not allow for a work stoppage or a lockout, when both sides let it expire last night, the possibility of a player's strike became a real possibility.

But when it came time to strike, the players were faced with two shocking facts: 1.) The centralized control of the league gives them little room to work with and 2.) The public did not widely support the desire for a strike.

What it all boils down to is that the MLS is at an important crossroads in its life and these negotiations are signs of unavoidable growing pains. The league is currently looking to divest its interests in club ownership and "One owner, one club" system. In this system, each team would have specific rights to developmental players and expansions would be made easier. All of this would contribute to an economically stronger league with teams in lucrative markets across the continent vying for a piece of the action.

With this in mind, it is not that hard to see why a player's strike would be foolish and potentially devastating for the league. Without the economics or the popular support backing them, the players could be shooting themselves in the foot. If the league succeeds, the players succeed and only then will they have the leverage they need to improve their CBA.

The best way to support the players' plight and help them improve their rights to self-determination? Buy season tickets. Buy their gear. Put your money where your mouth is and show the league that the players are worth every penny.

UPDATE: Gil goes to Wizards

The AP is reporting that the Kansas City Wizards have won the rights to US U-17 star Luis Gil.

I will refrain from making any "work his magic" jokes.

Link to Sports Illustrated article:
http://ping.fm/wXgCT

MLS Nabs US U17 Star from Arsenal, But Will They Know What to do With Him?

photo credit: www.ISIphotos.com

According to the Steven Goff over at the Washington Post, the MLS has signed US U17 international Luis Gil (pictured above) in the face of competition from European clubs of no lesser stature than North London's Arsenal FC.

Gil will be assigned to a team through a lottery on Monday. The lottery will be weighted in favor of teams at the bottom last season's table.

So not only did the MLS steal a promising future US international from a team internationally renowned for its outstanding youth system, they are more than likely going to give him to one of the league's worst teams.

I smell another botched career in the making.

To be frank, the MLS has a terrible track record when it comes to developing young players. And now that the MLS reserve system is gone, it seems the track record will only get worse.

If anything, it provides an unnecessarily steep learning curve for the star players who make the unavoidable move to European clubs. Although initially hailed as the savior of American soccer, Freddy Adu is still struggling to prove his international prowess.

"But what about Jozy Altidore," I hear you yell at me. Yes, he spent two successful years with New York, but he has struggled since to find the proper footing in European club football. While Altidore is liking life with Hull City FC, scoring only one goal in 19 appearances may not be enough to keep both he and his club in the Premier League.

On the other side of the argument, you have West Ham United's Johnathan Spector. Signed at the age of 17 by Manchester United after less than a year with the Chicago Fire's youth team, Spector has had a quiet but successful career as a defensive workhorse in the Premier League and at the international level.

Don't get me wrong. I want US youth players to do well. I want them to become the stars I know they can be. I just don't think the MLS is equipped to give them the challenge and discipline they need. The bottom line is that the MLS should stick to the development model it does best, signing college stars, and leave the art of youth development to the clubs that have the money, coaching staff and experience to do so.

When it comes to the future international success of MLS youth players, it's a fine line between a Jozy Altidore and a Freddy Adu, and even longer odds. So while I'm excited to see Gil's MLS debut, I'm slighted worried about yet another brilliant young player whom the league may never fully develop.

Why the MLS Cup is a Joke

So Martin Rogers over at Yahoo Sports has finally asked the question which has been bothering me since my beloved Columbus Crew was knocked out of the MLS Cup: What does it say about the state of American soccer if a team with a losing record (eg. Real Salt Lake) can be in the running to win the title of 2009 League Champions?

The numbers paint a disturbing picture:

Of the 13 complete MLS Seasons (1996-2008), only 5 times has the winner of the Supporter's Shield also won the MLS cup (DC in '97, '99; Kansas City in '00; LA in '02 and Columbus in '08). And even more shockingly, only ONCE has the second place team at the end of the season won the MLS cup (San Jose in '03).

The other 7 MLS cups (a majority of those held, mind you), were won by teams that finished third place or lower during the regular season.

When DC United won the inaugural MLS Cup in 1996, it did so with a regular season record of 16-16 (there were no draws) and from third place in the table.

In 1998, the Chicago Fire won the MLS cup from third place in the table (East and West combined) and with a winning record of 20-12 (still no draws).

In 2001, the San Jose Earthquakes won the cup from third place in the table, 8 points behind the leaders and with a record of 13-7-6.

In 2004, DC United won the cup from fourth place in the table, 7 points behind the leaders and with a record of 11-10-9.

In 2005, the LA Galaxy won the cup from a shocking eighth place in the table, finishing a full 14 points behind the leader and with a record of 13-13-6.

In 2006, the Houston Dynamo won the cup from fourth place in the table, 9 points behind the leader and with a record of 11-8-13.

Finally, in 2007, Houston won the cup again, but this time from third place in the table, just 3 points behind the leaders and with a record of 15-8-7.

And this year, Real Salt Lake is just one win away from being the first team in Major League Soccer's history to be crowned champions having lost more regular season games than it has won (11-12-7).

No matter the arguments about how egalitarian or exciting knock-out round cups can be, the fact of the matter is, the MLS Cup has failed to crown the league's best team 8 out of 13 times. And still the winner of the cup carries the title of "MLS Champions."

The fact of the matter is that soccer is a marathon and not a sprint. And for whatever reason, MLS's playoff structure does not appreciate that intrinsic aspect of the game.

What a sad, sad joke.

Discovering the United Soccer Leagues

With the addition of Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) to my digital cable lineup, I have been able to finally delve into the lesser known aspects of the American professional soccer pyramid.

As it turns out, the pillars holding up the foundation of professional soccer in America take the form of the United Soccer Leagues (www.uslsoccer.com). Consisting of two tiers (straight-forwardly named USL-1 and USL-2), the USL serves two immediate but incredibly important purposes.

The first is to provide a kind of professional reserve system for the comparatively limited teams in the MLS. Much like the minor leagues in baseball, some players find themselves gaining much needed playing experience while trying to catch the eye of coaching staffs on the mainstream professional teams.

The second function served by the USL is to widen the scope and exsposure of professional soccer in America. The Seattle Sounders built an incredibly fan base while in USL-1 and have carried it to the MLS. The Portland Timbers seemed poised to do the same.

Along with being able to watch at least one live USL-1 match each week on FSC, you can watch nearly every USL-1 match live online at www.usllive.com.

For my part, I've found myself to be a Cleveland City Stars supporter ... but I'm pretty aggravated that I can't find a jersey online to buy! Somebody need to fix that and soon before the season's over.

Sitcky Summer Ahead for Manchester United

Manchester United secured their third consecutive and 18th overall topflight title with a gritty draw against London rivals Arsenal today at Old Trafford.

Comments made by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as well as players Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were filled with sentiments of inexpressible joy.

But while the team basks in a well-earned threepeat of Premier League titles, a storm brews in the wings.

As the Premier league season winds down and all eyes turn to the stage of all club stages - the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on May 27th - transfer rumors abound.

Currently, Carlos Tevez, the 24 year old Argentinian striker is the center of a maelstrom of speculation over his future. His 2 year loan deal at an end, Tevez and his represntation are seeking a higher profile for the striker at Old Trafford with stoic signals coming from management.

On the other side, the wunderkind and FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked (via hearsay mostly) to a number of Iberian sides. However, if Manchester United win in Rome and Ferguson works his magic, it seems likely that he will stay at Old Trafford.

In the end, Tevez's fate is more than likely up to Ronaldo. If Ronaldo leaves, Feurguson will surely look to keep Tevez in a 4-3-3 setup of sorts. But if Ronaldo stays, then Fergie can certainly afford to let the selfish striker go.

Only time will tell.