Disqus - Latest Comments for kkfla737

Re: League of Lawsuits: Good Riddance to the NASL

kkfla737 — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 18:08:22 -0000

I agree that for whatever reason the US Soccer press won't cover the Abu Dhabi human rights abuses. But it's worth noting the New York Cosmos were fronted by Saudi money for years and Saudi Arabia makes the UAE look like a bastion of liberalism.

Re: League of Lawsuits: Good Riddance to the NASL

kkfla737 — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 18:07:02 -0000

To me Wes that is always one of the great takeaways of NASL's approach. Owners who have little experience or long-term cred in business of soccer in the US screaming about fairness and outcomes when they plainly haven't done their time or have the kind of well-founded perspective that comes with time to really understand the nuances of this business. Once owners who have been successful in other lines of business settle in after a few years they either bail completely (Hartman, Frisch) or look to shift leagues (McGuire, Edwards, OSEG). With the exception of the Fath Brothers, NASL's ownership merry-go-round and helter skelter approach (Can you believe Paul McCartney wrote such a lousy song?) make it impossible for perspectives that come with time and experience to guide the boardroom and thus one bad decision after another is made.

Re: League of Lawsuits: Good Riddance to the NASL

kkfla737 — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 18:03:25 -0000

This is a brilliant piece by Alex. One point I neglected to make when this was posted on Friday was that NASL has had one team total build a SSS which creates a more sustainable long-term model. That team, San Antonio defected to USL though not directly. Two other clubs that did defect to USL directly Ottawa and Tampa Bay have good stadium situations relative to other lower division teams. It seems the more sustainable a club was long-term the less likely they were to stay in NASL once they saw how the business of soccer in the US operated and the types of cost overruns that get you into trouble.

Re: NASL Owners to Press Forward — Without Bill Peterson

kkfla737 — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 08:41:01 -0000

While it's easy to blame Peterson because he is after all the Commissioner and has mannerisms that grate on people, I feel like this "Peterson was to blame" mantra is being spun by people in and around NASL want themselves to be absolved from blame for the league's fortunes over time. The league owners themselves drive this train and while Peterson was far from the most refined and convincing spokesperson, the direction of the league, challenging MLS, taking shortcuts to D1, engaging foreign media over domestic ones, etc all came from the owners and perhaps some suggestions from league staff. Peterson is a pragmatist and a survivor in the sports business. He'd have gone wherever the wind was and just followed the lead of owners who in many cases didn't understand the soccer business in this country or the landscape that has been created over two decades of MLS hegemony. As the P/R issue showed when Peterson got out there and the very next day the league sent out a statement at the behest of its owners walking his comments back, Peterson didn't say anything the owners didn't want him to say with that exception. They might have cringed at how delivered it, but he never said anything that was completely off script with that exception. Let's not let owners who didn't quite grasp the magnitude of this business off the hook for bad decisions, reckless spending and the other things so beautifully articulated in this article.

Re: Poku and the Age of Panic in the NASL

kkfla737 — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 09:16:44 -0000

Do you not believe NASL as a league (not a random association of teams) should provide some technical guidance and advice to owners and new coaching staffs? Do you think that is too much to ask and it infringes on club "independence?"

Re: Poku and the Age of Panic in the NASL

kkfla737 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 10:35:11 -0000

Well done Wes. I still am at a loss to explain why NASL teams are so anxious to win at all costs when the correlation between winning and attendance is minimal at this level and all the team that wins NASL gets is a shiny trophy. Also the poor scouting networks many teams have leads to an inflated internal market. Some NASL teams are now paying more for transfers than MLS ones when the revenues in the league for the best NASL club are nowhere near the worst MLS one. I could go on and on... You nailed this.

Re: MLS Western Conference Final: Only for the Hardcore

kkfla737 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:32:21 -0000

Good piece- complicating matters further is a full day of do or die WCQ the next day and of course our own friendly versus Slovakia which is at 10 am ET.

11:27 pm ET kickoff......can you imagine the NBA Finals featuring the Lakers or another Pacific time zone team starting at that time? Nope, especially the day before one of the biggest in the sport worldwide.

Four UEFA playoffs, and of course a ton of attractive friendlies including our own. Bad timing again, MLS. This is a night where 9:27 ET would be much more than a two hour difference than 11:27 ET.

Re: USA-T&T: Three Points is Three Points

kkfla737 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:31:47 -0000

Well said, Jason.

Bob Bradley has done a remarkable job. We stand on the cusp of qualification for our 6th straight world cup. England, Holland, France and Denmark should all be tinged with envy.

This comes at a time when our top line talent is worse than any time since before the 1994 World Cup. We don't have a midfield maestro like a Reyna or a Ramos, a clean finisher like a Waldo, or a ball winner like Harkes or O'Brien. We don't have a classic winger like Cobi Jones or Earnie Stewart either. Right now we have a hodgepoge of players who have been over rated by our fans in our efforts to appear relevant in the footy world and who are nothing more than journeyman players who most top European sides wouldn't tough with a ten foot pole.

Bottom line: Bradley has gotten the most out of this squad, qualifying again and setting up our team to where we can secure critical points on the road. That is an accomplishment with this group.

Re: USL Restructures, Marcos Out As President

kkfla737 — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:32:31 -0000

I think it is important to note the relationship between USL and MLS broke down earlier this decade largely due to MLS. The affiliate agreement was not helping USL and was being violated by MLS per the comments of some club officials. To expect all the effort to renew this agreement to come on the USL end (ie USL must give in, MLS doesn't have to) is simply not fair, and it will not happen. The previous affiliate agreement broke down because of MLS' taking advantage of things. USL clubs have investors who must protect their investment and the previous agreement saw MLS clubs looking at USL clubs as feeder teams and completely disrespecting the value of players to USL clubs.

MLS must make concessions if they want an new agreement either with USL or a potential breakaway league. The rest of the US soccer structure doesn't exist just to serve their league.

Re: Railing on CONCACAF

kkfla737 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:23:59 -0000

Very good analysis. It should be noted though in Mexico, the thinking is that MLS teams and Puerto Rico Islanders have gotten nothing but favorable calls when playing at home. Add to that the long laundry list of times the USMNT has gotten favorable even borderline criminal calls from officials in CONCACAF matches, and you see it is a two way street.

But you are right when it comes down to it. The Confederation is poorly run, and this CCL was setup to make money. Mexican teams have been more focused on Copa Lib. than CONCACAF tournaments for sometime and Jack Warner sensing the Mexican money was leaving the region wanted to do something about it. But now that the post swine flu compromise means FIVE mexican teams go to Copa Lib, I doubt the FMF sides will take the CCL seriously. Even when winning last night, they were fielding under strength sides with little or no interest from the Mexican media, who is focused on the ongoing Apertura and looking forward to Interliga which plays into Copa Lib.

So in other words, CONCACAF CL is a massive FAIL. Maybe the Panamanians care, but probably not. Even the Puerto Rico Islanders, darlings of last year's tournament are slipping further and further behind in the USL-1 table and fielded a second choice side against Saprissa, and subsequently got thrashed.

I agree with your sentiments Jason, but I am not sure what we can do about it. This ship has sailed and has taken on water already, I fear.

Re: USL For Sale, MLS Potential Buyer

kkfla737 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:57:09 -0000

I do not work for USL, but I do enjoy a close relationship with one of the groups looking to buy the league, and also have decent (not great, but decent) contacts with the league itself.

They have a very different vision for USL than what MLS would do with it. More when I am allowed to speak more openly. I'd point out F. Marcos felt burned the first time a USL/MLS relationship was consumated and hopefully if we go in that direction, this time will be different.

Only time will tell.

Re: Davies and Adu: A Study in Contrast

kkfla737 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:58:55 -0000

Very good piece, and it is worth noting that all four guys you mention, Tracy, Arnoux, Davies and Peterlin, all used the PDL to learn how to be in a professional club setting before going to Europe. More reason we don't need MLS buying USL and ruining the PDL.

Re: USL For Sale, MLS Potential Buyer

kkfla737 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:57:02 -0000

I cannot reveal anymore, but the potential buyer of USL is much bigger in world football than MLS and will give the league instant credibility abroad. As I said earlier on MLS Talk today, once I have clearance to reveal more I will, but do not worry about USL's viability once this deal is completed if it gets done. I'll save the specifics as to why for when I can say more.

Re: USA-Mexico: The Good, the Bad, the Invisible

kkfla737 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:14:33 -0000

GREAT CLEVER TITLE. Obviously the third category was the most important and prevalent.

Re: Cutting out the MLS Middle Man

kkfla737 — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:55:08 -0000

Outstanding piece Jason: No arguments whatsoever- a great piece of reasoning and logic, and for many of us the summer has been revealing.

Re: Islanders, DC United Advance in CCL

kkfla737 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:21:04 -0000

Fair enough, but they are the same people who label anyone who dislikes MLS as a "eurosnob" "latinsnob" or "Mexisnob" They say support the game in your own country, but unlike Jason and myself they have not taken the time to learn about what exists beyond MLS. To me that is a problem. If they didn't use the term snob to describe someone like you (maybe they'd call you a Fulhamsnob :)) I( wouldn't call them snobs.

Re: Islanders, DC United Advance in CCL

kkfla737 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:48:00 -0000

Deep is the key word- good term Jason. MLs fans don't realize that the Islanders have more depth than ANY MLS team. Obviously they don't have the 3-4 stars each MLS team has, but the Islanders success in CONCACAF the last two years is largely due to depth and Coach Clarke aka the general's ability to platoon guys between the league's fixture congestion (which is worse in USL than MLS) and the CONCACAF CL.

Bravo!, for pointing out what so many MLS fans or MLS snobs as I have taken to calling them miss.

Re: Hull and Fulham Eye Altidore

kkfla737 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:04:02 -0000

I sincerely hope at 20 he goes to a club that is going to do a good job of developing him- historically English clubs have done a poor job developing American talent. Now Jozy could be so special that it doesn't matter but I'd much prefer he go to Holland or Germany so his technique and tactical understanding gets better especially on wider pitches. Is Craven Cottage even FIFA regulation size for the pitch or do they get a waiver? KC Stadium isn't that great a pitch either.

Re: MLS Clubs Feel CCL Heat

kkfla737 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:53:21 -0000

Good predictions. I see Clarke parking the bus today as he did last year in the same round against Aljeneuese (sp?????) and getting a late counter attacking goal to win it- that's what they did last year when the Islanders scored twice late to win.

I think PRI starts Addlery or Noel up top tonight and then bring Jadeosingh on late for that counter attacking goal.

Re: Players Looking for Major CBA Concessions

kkfla737 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:45:03 -0000

Part of the players case is that if your contract expires with the club you play for, you are still property of that club in MLS terms. You can sign on a free in USL or abroad, but that club still would receive compensation if you go to another MLS team, and in fact can prevent you from signing elsewhere in the league even though your contract has expired. How backwards is that?

The players from what I am told are being reasonable in the proposals. Let's see if the investors in the league show the same good faith and meet them halfway.

Re: A Cooper Transfer Question

kkfla737 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:20:52 -0000

I'd say Kinnear, Nicol, maybe Arena and Clarke with PR.

Keep in mind Cooper returned to the US to play for Clarke. Since he was fired ridiculously by the Burn/Hoops, Cooper hasn't improved and Clarke has been a hit in USL and CONCACAF.

So, maybe four coaches between MLS and the top tier of USL are of a League 1 standard. Probably just Clarke and Kinnear are of a Bundesliga 2 standard.

Bundesliga 2 is a much much better league than MLS. It's really not even close. The depth training, the tactical awareness of managers, the media attention, etc blow MLS away.

This is not a lateral move at all. Josh Wolff made the same move to 1860 after playing in two World Cups for the US, because he too wanted to get out of MLS and wanted a bigger challenge.

The league is very psychical and tactical. 1860 also has financial issues mounting, at least according to my lone German source. Not that I do not trust him but I'd like more backup before advertising that, so if it is inaccurate, I apologize.

Re: Cooper Leaving After All?

kkfla737 — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:21:15 -0000

Wow, that club loves Yanks! Hello Munchen!

He's the 4th American to play there in the last 3 years and of course Taylor Twellman played there as well after the U-20s in 1999.

Re: Summer Friendlies Put MLS Issues In Focus

kkfla737 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:38:51 -0000

One of your best pieces, Jason. Good stuff. I hope that Garber, Kraft, et al read your lines on the CBA. From what I am hearing they are still dug in even though the players are being very reasonable and understanding. Again, as Jamie Trecker said on my show the other day what other league in the world can young players go to the second division (USL) and make more $$$. While that be a boom to certain USL clubs, ultimately it hurts the overal landscape of American soccer.

One note I would caution everyone on is that I believe (and could be wrong but believe it :)) that certain American fans who are in love with Europe will look down on any American product in this sport including MLS, the USMNT and even some American player who had success in Europe (like Claudio Reyna) simply because they are American and not European. Those fans may never be won over, but they are a minority for sure.

Good piece, hope Don Garber takes notes.

Re: Context Lacking in the Mexican Press

kkfla737 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:48:35 -0000

Know zero, obviously is what I meant to say! Sorry!

Re: Context Lacking in the Mexican Press

kkfla737 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:47:56 -0000

Can you blame them? Our fans and press always lack context when we beat them in friendlies where they don't have their full squad. Moreover, even though we consistently beat them they consistently get further in major tournaments with the exception obviously of the 2002 World Cup.

Many of our fans no zero about Mexico other than to hate them. I hate them too, in fact hate them so much that I never miss a real game of theirs (not the SUM friendlies against some overmatched side on American soil to grab cash) just to scream obscenities at their players.

But we have taken so many of the wins against them since the mid 90s out of context that they are entitled to do the same to us. Sorry, if we weren't so arrogant and proclaiming some sort of false dominance over them it would be different.