MLS sides improve internationally despite latest setback

Latest, stinging defeats will serve a purpose, provide experience

There won't be any cheerleading here after the latest debacle this week following Major League Soccer's elimination of its last three contending sides in CONCACAF's Champions League play.

However, can we take a breather and a step back to recall just a few short years ago the comedic displays the league endured against Mexican teams that looked little interested when the region's continental format was renovated to rival that of its UEFA Champions League and CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores cousins?

It's been reiterated here and in other sites and blogs that the league is growing by leaps and bounds, yes. Its growth in such a short time is to be commended and supporters of this league--including us here--continue to believe that going forward, MLS competition is advancing at a rapid pace, more so than expected.

But, understandably, fans, skeptics and the Don (that is, commissioner Don Garber) continue to be baffled, frustrated and disillusioned at MLS' play in international competition. On the other hand, international level is not only a step up, it's a giant leap into competitiveness that most players in the growing league aren't too accustomed to just yet. Landon Donovan is. Robbie Keane is. Graham Zusi is.

The majority need more of this week's games under their belt. It's a different scene in Tijuana, San Jose and Panama City than northern California and Utah. The hostilities, rapid pace of play and mind games are just some factors to endure but the experience is worth it all.

Mexican sides are justifiably arrogant when partaking in competition against their MLS brethren. And why shouldn't they be? They're a rich league, save for a few deadbeat clubs, have a history of good overall football in its structure and develop class players; only Brazil and Argentina can match what Mexico's league displays if it boils down to pay and competition. 

But the gap between Mexico and U.S. leagues' play can't last forever. Sure, the salary cap here constrains depth a bit, the scheduling of these tournament stages are a bit stagnant and, yes, maybe sometimes luck plays a dirty trick on us. So what's the point here? MLS sides can compete on an international level although the scorelines don't reflect that yet. Some pieces of the puzzle have yet to be completed. It's only a while back that Mexico's sides were toying with MLS sides in previous Champions League versions, sending out reserves and more interested in competing in Libertadores.

Football is cyclical. Football provides payback. Football gives hope.

Just ask the 2002 U.S. national World Cup team.

-Tio Pelotas
@TioPelotas74

Just how good (or bad) is the MLS?

Pink eye? Crying? Partying? Landon's eye even has a twitter account!

The US did it! We're headed to Brazil! 

Many questions were answered last night: how would the US fare against El Tri without the injured Michael Bradley and three suspended players (just fine), would they beat Mexico 2-0 once again in Columbus (they did), would Honduras send us through to Brazil (also, yes).

But the one question that we still don't have a clear answer for is what in god's name happened to Landon Donovan's eye?!?

I mean look at this thing! 

The picture made the rounds over Twitter and the rest of the Interwebs last night during the match. It became such a meme that someone came up with that oh-so-clever thing of having his eye tweeting in the first-person from a single-serving Twitter account. I wonder how soon that thing will go dormant.

While ESPN's Roger Bennett said Donovan had an eye infection, I came up with my own theories as to why Landon looks like he went toe-to-toe with Floyd Mayweather. 

From least likely to most likely:

5) He's been possessed. With qualification still up in the air, Landon took one for the team and sold his soul to the devil to ensure a trip to Brazil. But since selling your soul is a high price to pay, I'm sure Landon got his money's worth and the US is guaranteed to take home the gold trophy next year.

4) He got punched in the eye at Friday's. Now hear me out - the night before the match, the boys went out to the local pub to enjoy a few beers and watch some Monday Night (American) Football. (In Columbus, the place to go is TGI Friday's.) Hailing from California, Landon probably supports the San Diego Chargers, so naturally he was sporting a Phillip Rivers jersey. 

Right before he bit into a jalapeno popper (his favorite), some drunk local started jawing at him over his taste in quarterbacks. (Unsurprisingly, Rivers cost the man a fantasy football championship the year before) Landon defended his QB's rep, things got heated and a few punches were thrown. Landon took a fist to the eye. (He deserved it as Rivers stinks.)

3) He's wearing fashion contact lenses and one fell out. He wanted to look intimidating so he bought a pair of those awful lenses. You try finding a tiny, clear plastic lens on a giant green pitch.

2) He's been crying over his breakup with his wife. Yes, his split with actress Bianca Kijilic happened way back in 2010, but I could see why he might still be upset.

and the most likely scenario...

1) He has pinkeye because he doesn't wash his hands properly after wiping / or someone farted on his pillow. Pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, is the swelling of the mucus membrane between the eye and eyelid and it can be caused by allergies, bacteria or a virus (such as herpes!). Hands can become contaminated by coming in contact with infectious tears, eye discharge, fecal matter, or respiratory discharges, according to the CDC.

If pinkeye is indeed the case, it's probably because Landon was in such a hurry to get back on the practice field to ensure US domination that he skipped a step or two while utilizing the training facility commode. 

Or maybe someone just farted on his pillow. It could have been a prank gone horribly awry by one of his puckish teammates (my money is on Eddie Johnson) or a revenge stunt by the hotel staff in Costa Rica. We may never know for sure.

What we do know is that pinkeye is pretty contagious, so I'm surprised he didn't find himself in open space more often last night. And while it hasn't been confirmed if beer helps with conjunctivitis, I doubt anybody was in a rush to hold his bottle for him.

- Nick 'The American' Hatcher

If you read one thing today, make it this

Something the US National Team won't look back on with pleasure

Ok, so this is how Grantland describes this article...

"And that was how the most amazing photo shoot in the history of U.S. soccer came blazing — literally blazing, like a Mack truck filled with dragons and pushed off the top of Mount Rushmore — into existence."

If you read one thing today, make it this. I'm sure Landon Donovan, Kasey Keller and Pablo Mastroeni (yeah, me too) have been given a hard time about it in many dressing rooms, but a gentle reminder never hurts.

Here's a sneak peak (and yes, he was a current national team player at the time), and here's the link to the article.

Geezer of the Day

What is there to say about this guy? Every soccer fan says he's a New Jersey and USA legend - and the kind of guy who Geezers would love to have a pint with - basically he's everything that Alexei Lalas isn't.

(UPDATE: Fair play to Alexi @AlexiLalas - he tweeted back to point out I couldn't spell his name!)

He was drafted by the New York Yankees out of high school, tried out for the New York Jets as a kicker, played 100 times for his country and most importantly, had a Super Nintendo game named after him.

I know I'm gonna see him at Satin Dolls soon (that's the Baba Bing to all Sopranos fans).

In 2012, he was inducted into the Mullet Hall of Fame - who can argue with that?

Business in the front, party in the back.

 and seems he inspired a generation!

MLS All-Stars vs AS Roma Preview

The MLS All-Stars (probably 9 starters that you've never heard of) are playing AS Roma tonight in Kansas City. The format is foreign opposition against the American (and Canadian) league’s very best. It has an exhibition game feel and tempo, but that's because it is an exhibition game. It's not that no-one cares, but it's a pre-season game for the Italian side, and hard to convince players like Thierry Henry and Marco Di Vaio that they should go all-out. Some players may be trying to impress foreign scouts, and to prove that they can compete.

The showcase was awarded to Kansas City last year following a successful rebranding and subsequent passionate fanbase culture that has led to its 18,000-seat stadium constantly selling out. The all-star festivities--with citywide parties, charitable causes, activities and a state-of-the-league conference with the league commissioner, Don Garber--mirrors that of what the Big 3 sports usually produce annually.

It's also a way to celebrate the US winning the Gold Cup (7 of that team are in the squad), and a good way to show the progress the MLS is making.

They'll be plenty of flag waving and people with faces painted, but unfortunately the majority of American 'sports fans' will be watching game 107 out of 162 in the regular season of baseball or talking about how many snaps Tim Tebow will get in pre-season NFL games!  

Get ESPN2 on at 9pm (US Eastern time) for the game (you'll never guess what's on regular ESPN at that time). 

Landon Donovan looking for a new sponsor?

US National team plays Honduras on Wednesday night

Donovan making a play to be first player to wear Google Glass during a game?

Landon Donovan has been in good form for the US recently after being recalled to the squad for the Gold Cup. Seems he may be mellowing a little in his old age too - he usually looks like he's sucking on a lemon, but has shown some emotion (other than arrogance) in this year's tournament.

I'm pretty sure the assistant wanted those glasses for himself too!