Red Bulls need to be pushovers

No revenge, only 3 points needed, as RBNY hosts Houston tonight

Mike Petke humbly took the blame for the Red Bulls' early form that saw them winless through six matches before its 2-1 win at Red Bull Arena last Wednesday over the Philadelphia Union. But surely his players are having none of that.

You sensed the grittiness and hard work that Thierry Henry & Co. displayed in their first victory last week as players walked off the pitch, with Henry limping and Tim Cahill huffing and puffing more so than usual. However, there was relief as the increasingly-versatile Eric Alexander produced an intelligent and quiet yet effective display on the field.

Now the Houston Dynamo roll into town--a team that New York has had success against during the regular season here in nearby Harrison, N.J. and in Texas. The Dynamo have problems of their own, starting out slow once again and scrambling to get back on track much like the Red Bulls are. On the other hand, this is a script that supporters have seen from Houston. Even Henry knows it as he watched the Dynamo's goalless draw in Philadelphia, a game that he feels Houston should have put away.

It doesn't matter that the Dynamo stole a 2-1 win in the second leg of last year's playoff series at Red Bull Arena that eliminated New York, stinging the team and supporters alike. Right now what matters is a win at home for Petke and his side, a result that could kickstart a positive streak in this year's campaign. The playoff loss as well as its Supporters Shield is in the past; their main focus is turning around early-season woes.

That will take focus, commitment and maybe some bullying. New York will be missing some pieces tonight but have the depth to control proceedings, especially against a demoralized Dynamo side that have lost three in a row before its goalless draw in Philly. Houston will be missing a key piece in defense that the Red Bulls can look to exploit.

It's still early in the season but the sole game in MLS tonight will be watched by many. A win by either would catapult them higher up in the Eastern Conference table. 

-Tio Pelotas

@TioPelotas74

Just how good (or bad) is MLS?

Let me start this discussion with this.... this article is not meant to criticize MLS, just discuss how it compares with other leagues. It's not a case of liking one and hating another - it's all football, just there are just different qualities in different leagues.

People say the Premier League is the most exciting league, that Serie A is the most technical, but that La Liga has the best individual players - and you can't forget the the Bundesliga had both last year's Champions League finalists, and boasts a team that has gone 50 games unbeaten in the league. But there is no consensus on which league is the best - essentially as it's a game of opinions, and that's usually why we all enjoy discussing it.

I don't think there's much of an argument to say that the New York Red Bulls (last season's winner of the Supporter's Shield for the best record in the MLS) or Sporting Kansas City (the MLS Cup winners) could compete in the European Champions League, but I wonder how and where they would fit-in when compared to regular league teams.

If you look at the players, there are stars like Thierry Henry, Michael Bradley, Landon Donovan etc, that could probably still get into any team ranked 4-10 in any European League (like a Tottenham, Real Sociedad or Sanit-Etienne), but probably no one in MLS that could get into the starting XI for a Barcelona, Chelsea or Juventus. But that's why they are the strongest teams in Europe - they have the resources and prestige of being the best of the best. There are good teams and players in Brazil, Russia, Mexico etc, but the best players want to be at those top teams competing for the top trophies.

But how does MLS fare against the mid-range teams in the top leagues? Seattle v Toronto had a crowd of almost 40,00, with US, English and Brazilian internationals on show - but it also had Djimi Traore! It's hard to even argue that you'd prefer to watch Sunderland v Crystal Palace or Elche v Real Betis than seeing that MLS game.

Unfortunately though, there are not enough games of that quality (yet) and much of the league has very average players who aren't improving the game in the US. Why the Red Bulls would sign Bradley Wright-Phillips (and Luke Rogers before him) from the lower reaches of the Championship in England rather than try and develop an American player is beyond me. It's nothing personal against those players, but they aren't adding anything to the league here - Jermain Defoe is, Tim Cahill has, Robbie Keane has. Getting good foreign players helps, developing home-grown talent helps the league and the National team.

And that's where I think MLS struggles to compete, and why it is perceived to be of a lower quality than the European leagues. There's no doubt the top talent is in Europe, but while MLS continues to take players that didn't really do much in Europe, then it will be viewed as lower quality league or a place to go to retire.

The league is growing and developing, but I think every team in MLS would finish in the bottom 3 of the EPL, La Liga or Serie A over a full 38 game season. At the moment, it's a league that has a few too many aging foreigners, not enough trust in youth and is technically a bit behind on coaching and tactics.

But the key thing to remember is that MLS is improving every year and is already great to watch. It may not be quite up to the top club standard in the world, but it's getting there.

Sounders welcome TFC, Union look to build on Week 1 draw

Red Bulls open up at home, Earthquakes hope new signings spark Wondo

The suddenly-glamorous Toronto FC will open up their MLS campaign tomorrow and what better place to introduce the league to Englishman Jermain Defoe and Brazilian Julio Cesar than to the confinements of Seattle's kingdom of loud.

Sure, the turf won't be easy to adjust to--or even like--but Toronto's newly-acquired employees will be impressed by the boisterous enthusiasm for football. Of course, MLS vet Dwayne DeRosario--embarking on his return yet again to this hometown club--and Michael Bradley most likely will have advised the new recruits on not only to the best-attended park in the league but also on the athleticism displayed throughout MLS. Thierry Henry has already attested to this.

Bradley vs Clint Dempsey in front of a packed house. Who would have thought this just a couple of years ago?

Seattle took three points on a last-minute goal by unlikely hero Chad Barrett in its home win last week over defending champions Sporting Kansas City. The affair was what one would expect to be for a first match of a 34-game tournament--scrappy and hesitant until the latter stages of the match.

About 175 miles further south, the Philadelphia Union deployed their shiny new weapons in Argentine Cristian Maidana and Maurice Edu as well as Vincent Nogueira to patrol the midfield. And they looked good in doing so only to be doomed by a last-second goal by Portland Timbers. The Union will surely contend for a playoff spot and--dare we say it--a possible Shield? Maybe a move or two away from that though!

First, the Union welcome a demoralized New England Revolution side that was blanked 0-4 in Houston to the Dynamo last week.

Further up the New Jersey Turnpike, the New York Red Bulls will look to forget its 1-4 walloping to the Whitecaps in Vancouver last week and hope to kick off its defense of its Supporters Shield in style as they host Colorado Rapids. If it ain't broke, why fix it? But in RB's case, it needed a little tweaking. It did not appear to do the trick initially as Harrison's heroes were sliced and diced and thrown away with yesterday's recycling although the Canadians weren't too shabby themselves as they quickly took control of the match after RB sought to do the same early on.

The apparent antidote is a young Rapids team that haven't won at Red Bull Arena in...it's gotta be years now. Although they have some good youth talent on its side, the Rapids' speed won't be enough to off Red Bulls as they need to respond to last week's debacle immediately.

Another home-opened to watch out for is San Jose Earthquakes' tilt in welcoming Real Salt Lake. The Californians made some interesting acquisitions in the offseason in Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi and grabbed Yannick Djalo from Portuguese football on loan. Chris Wondolowski is going to need all the help he can get after a top season in 2012 saw him notch 27 goals before his 2013 production fell to just 11 goals. What kind of possession play will San Jose head into now with these new players? Don't forget about Alan Gordon and Steven Lenhart. Should be a good mix of touch and physicality.

In other matches: the Dynamo host Montreal Impact, Kansas City celebrates last year's championship with fans before taking on FC Dallas while the Chicago Fire visit the Timbers and Chivas USA takes on the Whitecaps.

-Tio Pelotas

@TioPelotas74

Rimando, Vancouver put in class performances

Philly, Chivas USA among sides to spring surprises

Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando was pure class, the New York Red Bulls were not and Chivas USA's offseason novela didn't affect them on the pitch in MLS' opening weekend.

Rimando reminded folks why he can't be discounted in his side's 0-1 win over the L.A. Galaxy as he stopped Robbie Keane's injury-time kick from the spot although the Irishman didn't do himself any favors with a hesitant swing coupled with a kick that wasn't his usual-potent self. The Utah side will again be a consistent force this campaign as they yet again return with the core of a team that has been a success for several seasons, albeit without their managerial weapon in Jason Kreis, who took off for New York City FC.

In Vancouver, the New York Red Bulls were confident and talking everything about defending their Supporters Shield trophy but were dealt a dose of reality of how difficult that process will be as the Whitecaps--enjoying a newfound chemistry with several new signings and a new manager in Welshman Carl Robinson--tore apart the Red Bulls in a 4-1 walloping, thanks to two goals by Scottish striker Kenny Miller and one by its new designated player in Pedro Morales, the stylish Chilean that should make Vancouver fans quickly forget about last year's 20-goal Brazilian marksman Camilo.

Chivas USA, the red-headed stepchild of the league for years and which was sold to the league recently, have added pieces to its puzzle that could get the lameduck franchise a playoff ticket for the first time since 2009. (We assume lameduck since the Chivas USA experiment brought forward by Chivas Guadalajara mastermind Jorge Vergara appears to be shortlived as the league hopes to obtain an ownership group that keeps the team in L.A. under a new umbrella name.) Its 3-2 win over Chicago Fire was a grinding decision that the side would have lost in past seasons. A 14-player turnover that includes former Mexican international Adolfo 'Bofo' Bautista and Mauro Rosales along with returning players in Carlos Bocanegra and the smooth Dan Kennedy in net can bring a surprise element to the league before what is expected to be a full-on rebranding (we hope!).

In other matches, DC United's own makeover looked out of sync as they fell 0-3 to Columbus Crew with Federico Higuain (Gonzalo's older brother) netting two and Costa Rican Jairo Arrieta opening up sequences. FC Dallas opened up its campaign with a 3-2 decision over Montreal Impact, Houston Dynamo blanked New England Revolution 4-0 and Portland Timbers needed a final-play goal by Argentine Gaston Fernandez to equalize its match at home against a much-improved Philadelphia Union that should give the East favorites a run for their money. The first match of the season saw Seattle Sounders also tie with a last-minute play at home with defending champions Sporting Kansas City.

-Tio Pelotas

@TioPelotas74

MLS riding continued momentum

MLS enters 19th season with optimism for future generations

Opening day! Are you ready for some futbol? MLS, it's fan-tastic!

See what we did there?

Major League Soccer continues to ride momentum as it opens its 19th season this weekend and seemingly appears to grow more and more in stature but not quite as the Big 3 sports have just yet.

Any perceived negativity towards the state of soccer here in the U.S., however, is brushed aside as soccer's participatory status in this country among youth continues to produce healthy numbers in recreational and advanced levels.

The problem, however, has been the lack of continued development by the U.S. ladder in structuring potential players as they mature both mentally and physically. Countless cases of trying out for other sports in high school or beyond have reached high numbers as athletes had idols to look up to in the National Football League, National Basketball Association or Major League Baseball along with its riches and fame.

As of now, MLS is proving to be a hot commodity though with growing supporters groups, more sponsorship deals and soccer-specific stadiums sprucing up in downtown cities with investors lining up for a crack at ownership. The league continues to attract foreign talent and has provided a respectable push for homegrown players as well.

But television ratings prove otherwise. The miniscule numbers for watching MLS continues to baffle league officials despite negotiating decent packages with networks. The participatory aspect of soccer in America has always been strong but how do we translate that into spectatorship?

MLS stadiums, for the most part, have been full, averaging formidable gate receipts that places it among the top leagues in the world. More and more kids are wearing their favorite jerseys on the street, whether it be MLS or international. Pubs are welcoming supporters groups all over the country from MLS to the lower divisions.

So what's missing here?

Part of the answer is Michael Bradley. No, he's not going to get TV numbers to skyrocket alone but the fact that he decided to come back to MLS and forego several more years in Europe is. The New Jersey native even said it in his presser upon being introduced to Toronto FC's faithful this past offseason--he's here to continue to push the game into the mainstream and show tomorrow's stars that our league can pay and play.

The television ratings are soul-crushing but the pace that MLS has grown in the past two decades gives it ammunition to continue to fight and plan for years ahead. We owe that to our future national-team players.

-Tio Pelotas
@TioPelotas74

Pelotas' Ponderings: MLS sked favorable for more super signings?

Can the league's spring-to-fall campaign attract more players in a WC year? 

There's no doubt the reasonings behind Julio Cesar's reported interest of a loan to the ever-increasingly glamorous Toronto FC (never thought anyone would write that!) is playing time--especially in a World Cup year. In his native Brazil.

The veteran keeper has fallen out of favor on ol' 'arry Redknapp's Queens Park Rangers side but, at the same time, his hefty wages have been weighing on the club's books. Surprisingly, no other team has come in to swoop the 34-year-old Brazilian.

There's been talk of teams in South America looking to engage his services, specifically participating camps in South America' prestigious Copa Libertadores tournament. Recent reports had him in advanced negotiations with Gremio but that was shot down pretty fast by club officials. Money, again, was an issue.

If the Toronto interest is true, Major League Soccer may have just realized that it could be chipping at a gold mine in its strategy to bring over blockbuster signings in their prime. Their spring-to-fall schedule may benefit the league short- and long-term. It's been analyzed and written that MLS will eventually be able to compete with the world's leagues for some of the game's best players. But did anyone think that the league could attract some now? Can MLS scramble and grab a few top names before the competition? Would it be possible for Euro 2016 and Russia 2018?

The U.S. national team's domestic players will have a nice advantage of being in-season form ahead of the World Cup this year while most of the globe's seasons conclude about two months before the tournament. With Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley all in MLS until Jurgen Klinsmann comes calling them to camp, will these players provide momentum for their difficult group matches?

Julio Cesar may have just found the spark he needs to add to his 77 caps with the national team, which  is under immense pressure to lift its sixth trophy on its home soil. Continuous play and aerial challenges against physical MLS sides could just be what 'Big Phil' Scolari is counting on to complete his puzzle come June.

-TioPelotas

@TioPelotas74

MLS offseason excites fans as training camp opens

World Cup year, top league signings making headlines

The 2013-2014 offseason in Major Leage Soccer was no ordinary trip for football fans that usually kick back and wait out the longest break in between campaigns for any domestic league in the world. In fact, we'd have to point out that this was--and continues to be--one of the more exciting offseasons in league history.

As preseason training kicked off this past weekend, supporters furiously are trying to keep up with any latest signings or rumors of potential signings before the domestic championship kicks off in early March. Next year, the league welcomes two more teams to its format--New York City FC and Orlando SC.

So ahead of what should be a pivotal year before the expansion teams join the fray, we take a look at some of the top signings and trades that will make for an electric season for MLS this year in the midst of the World Cup in Brazil.

* Toronto FC's double-capture of England international Jermain Defoe and U.S. national-team stalwart Michael Bradley set a precedent not only to other sides but to the league in itself and marks an important chapter in the book of U.S. soccer. The signings represent a new era whereby MLS is announcing to the world that it will seek some of the better players it's strived to obtain earlier in its history, whether that means paying out a larger transfer fee or splashing cash in a hefty contract. Despite a dropoff in attendance, supporters of the Reds are some of the more loyal in the league and BMO Field should be rocking come March.

* While Philadelphia Union's acquisition of U.S. international Maurice Edu hasn't been made official yet, the signing would represent yet another coup for the league if Edu can reignite his form that gave him 45 appearances in the national team kit. The Union is looking to build a foundation in its midfield as Edu is only 27 and the team is already on the hunt for others to upgrade its unit and complement Edu. Philadelphia looks like a good bet to get back into the playoffs and keep PPL Park loud and boisterous.

* Eddie Johnson has had a roller coaster ride in his stint with Seattle Sounders but after the Washington side grabbed Kenny Cooper, EJ's days were numbered. DC United now hope his goal-scoring threats can help United climb out of a disastrous 2013 season in which they finished dead last. 

* Before a car crash that claimed the life of a friend and caused major injuries to him, Charlie Davies had a successful season in France and was riding high. After slowly recuperating, he is now back on the pitch and seeks to seize on the opportunity bestowed on him with New England Revolution, who made his loan from last year into a permanent deal.

* Seven years ago, legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto put MLS on the map in Argentina and his Columbus Crew jersey was seen at Boca Juniors games. Today, Argentine players look at MLS as a viable option as current Crew forward Federico Higuain--brother of Napoli's Gonzalo--noted to a publication in his home country. Case in point, Portland Timbers. The fanatical support, the beauty of the city and its surroundings and the professionalism displayed in training and overall regime have given its four Argentines currently on its roster a new love for the game in the U.S. The Oregon side have brought in Gaston Fernandez from Estudiantes and Norberto Paparatto from Tigre.

Of course, we still have the silly season upon us where players like Xavi, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole continue to be linked with the league. But unlike its early days, MLS is now in a position to capture these and other players, who it seems more and more are looking at America's top flight as a serious competition.

-Tio Pelotas
@TioPelotas74

Pelotas' Ponderings: Reflection on historic win in NY

Recovery ends after fans, team celebrate first trophy

(To view additional photos by Danissa Alvarado from Sunday's match, click here)

                                                     
                                           Photo: Danissa Alvarado

As Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" served as the soundtrack to celebrations in and around the stadium Sunday evening, many supporters old and new were seen high-fiving, hugging, crying and exhaling profusely. Was this real?

For it was the MetroStars side that was formed for the league's inception in 1996 that gave fans a chance to connect, assemble, unite and support a top-flight side that hasn't been seen since the infamous Cosmos spectacle that brought massive crowds to the old Giants Stadium in the 70s and early 80s.

The city's own Carly Simon had her "Nobody Does It Better" track blared around the stadium's speakers at the conclusion of all Cosmos matches at home. The Cosmos won titles, brought in superstars and were the talk of the town until the party ended in 1984.

It was natural that Major League Soccer would've wanted a revival of New York's famous team by bringing back the Cosmos but it's been widely discussed that bureaucratic bickering prevented it from happening. Enter the MetroStars.

To say the Metros endured a tumultuous relationship with the soccer gods would be an understatement. Anything and everything occurred on and off the field leading to the "That's So Metro" phrase that caught on with supporters, casual and hardcore. 

The Metros were able to ink well-known players and provided home-based players as well in all of its years but that elusive MLS Cup--hell, any trophy for that matter--was on everyone's minds from equipment manager to the front office to the most ardent of all supporters.

In 2006, when Red Bull came calling to purchase and rebrand the team to its namesake product, debates ensued. The team lost some fans and in-fighting reached new levels but management made its attempt to continue its focus on the field, splashing out cash for Juan Pablo Angel, Shakira and Wyclef Jean. OK, maybe, the latter two wouldn't solve its trophy aspirations but the Austrian empire wanted to show it meant business.

Before Red Bull Arena finally opened in 2010, a team video showed Angel gawking at its surroundings and boasting about how the environment would do wonders for any team and its quest for professionalism and potential projects for dominance.

The latter years up to Sunday provided glimpses of a "superclub," as former general manager Alexi Lalas dubbed them before unofficially retracting and labeling his next employer, the Los Angeles Galaxy, as the rightful owner to that name. For now. 

The run to MLS Cup in 2008 was a Cinderella story as they were crowned Western Conference champions but came up short under the California sunshine to Argentine legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto and his Crew side. Nevertheless, away wins at Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake showed the league's parity and although the chance to lift silverware came so crushingly close, it was possible. Something was missing.

When favoritism towards European managers died this year, native New Yorker and Metros/Red Bulls ex-backline roughneck Mike Petke was appointed manager after the team's flirtations with overseas candidates. He made sure that Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill knew the ins-and-outs of the long-suffering club. The team combined to produce a chemistry that helped it win its first trophy over the weekend in front of its dedicated supporters, all of whom partied well into the night.

Tonight, the playoffs begin. Ten sides will vy for MLS Cup. For the first time in the league's short history, New York's local side is the team to beat.

Pelotas' Pondering: Deuce, MLS got it right

Clint Dempsey comes home to a 'new league'

Now that we've had time to digest the massive Clint Dempsey signing, it's looking more and more like MLS circles, including hardcore and casual supporters, agree that his capture is a historic signing for the young and growing league.

After reading the excellent Sports Illustrated article by the one and only Grant Wahl that detailed the extraordinary events of the last couple of weeks, I have to agree with Wahl and many other footy writers that this has to rank as the top signing in the 18-year journey of MLS.

You see, Dempsey is only 30 years old. He's made his mark with Fulham, flirted with Liverpool and ended up at Tottenham, where it was expected that--prior to signing with Seattle Sounders--he'd see little time with Spurs as they've been tapping the transfer market for additional reinforcements. 'Deuce' had a decent outing in his six years in England but he definitely has a couple of years left for top-flight competition.

But it's interesting to see that Deuce himself sought out a move back home, according to the SI story. That speaks volumes about the league and its stature. Yes, the money had to be right for him but to even consider that an MLS team would shell out cash for a transfer fee was unfathomable just a decade ago. It also helps that he'll be partnering up with his BFF, Eddie Johnson, and barring an epic collapse by the U.S. national team, both Deuce and EJ should be in Brazil next year.

That gives them ample time for chemistry, ideas and, most importantly, continuous playing time. Sure, Jurgen Klinsmann would've probably preferred his captain and one of the top American players the nation has produced somewhere in the vicinities of European football but Deuce was made here in MLS. The league--with all of its questionable officiating, lack of technical abilities in some matches and an occasional and unnecessary intrusion by the league front office (You Suck, A..hole!)--is growing by leaps and bounds in many aspects that many leagues around the world would strive for.

Deuce believes in MLS, MLS believes in Deuce. Now the world should take notice and believe too.

Wonder if Everton and Roma are interested in talking about bringing home some more of our boys.

-Tio Pelotas