Yesterday’s game at the Nou Camp was yet another reminder that video replay is absolutely necessary in football. That is, of course, if the football powers that be really want to do away with the egregious mistakes that not only mar the beautiful game, but cost millions as well.
One has only to replay – no pun intended – two of yesterday’s most glaring (and game deciding) refereeing decisions in order to realize that the problem needs to be addressed again. Thiago Motta’s red card is the first incident. Having already received a yellow card for an arguable foul on Messi (replays showed that his tackle got the ball first and the player second), Motta was given his marching orders after striking Sergio Busquets in the face while shielding the ball. Clearly there was no intent on the part of the Inter player, but Busquet’s oscar-worthy performance ensured that the Brazilian suffered the harshest consequence. The second decision, which came a few minutes before the final whistle, was not as apparent as the first, but equally as bad. Leading by one goal and needing one more to progress to the final, Bojan Krkic was on the receiving end of a lucky bounce before scoring the goal that would have sent Inter back to Italy empty handed. Much to the relief of the Italians, the goal was disallowed after the referee determined that the bounce had come off Yaya Toure’s hand. The replay did show the ball striking the Barcelona player’s hand, however, his arm was tucked into his body, and his hand was covering his stomach. Evidently there was no attempt to play the ball with the hand.
Needless to say, not everyone believes that video replay will benefit the game, and its opponents appeal to our emotions by offering arguments that seem logical at first, but are quickly debunked when put under scrutiny. So what are these arguments? And if they’re so easily discredited, why is it that Sepp Blatter and his cronies continue to ignore the call for more accountability in the game? Well, the first question is simple enough to answer, while the second may prove impossible (although there are many conspiracy theories). Before tacking the first, though, let me just point out that during the group selection ceremony in South Africa, Blatter decided it would be funny to pick up the Jubulani ball and remark that handling the ball is bad. Keep in mind that France had just qualified for the world cup thanks to Thierry Henry’s “Hand de Gaul” against Ireland.
Now, let’s take a close look at those arguments:
1. The most voiced objection to video replay is that the replays will inevitably disrupt the free-flowing nature of the game. Amusingly enough, this is the easiest argument to rebuke. Take yesterday’s game, for example. As soon as Franck de Bleeckere flashed his red card for Motta’s foul, a near melee broke out with Motta chasing Busquets demanding an explanation for his newfound thespianism, while the rest of Inter players futilely disputed the decision. The whole fracas must have lasted around three minutes. Surely it would have taken the fourth official less time to check his monitor, make a decision, and communicate it to the man in the middle. Which unavoidably leads to the second expostulation.
2. If some of the refereeing decisions are being usurped by video technology, and the fourth official, then the referee’s position will certainly be devalued. I don’t see how this would be the case. Referees are already the victims of a tremendous amount of abuse, most of it stemming from controversial calls. The video replay system would actually take some of the pressure off the referees and provide incontrovertible evidence, leaving little or no room for “discussion.” Moreover, there is plenty of evidence that suggests that referees are unwittingly influenced by fans and tend to make calls that are advantageous to the home team. This is a problem that could finally be eliminated.
3. Finally, traditionalists maintain that football has remained unchanged for over a hundred years and we should continue with the status quo. This is simply not the case. Since becoming an official sport, football has undergone numerous changes. For one thing, the ball has changed considerably. At first, balls were made out of heavy leather, and since the introduction of the vulcanized rubber ball in 1855, they have become more sophisticated. During the last few years alone, balls have become much lighter, causing goalkeepers to complain about their unpredictable movement. Some rules have also changed, especially when it comes to goalkeeping. We are only three decades removed from a time when goalkeepers were allowed to pick up back passes. Rules concerning fouls also change regularly. When faced with increased diving in the box, FIFA stipulated that players be booked if they attempted to deceive the ref. Additionally, tackles from behind have been deemed dangerous and are supposed to be severely punished.
There are other arguments in favor of bringing video replays to the game (such as the amount of money at stake in the game), but they needn’t be mentioned. Nevertheless, allow me to bring up the qualifying game between France and Ireland one more time so that I can appeal to your emotions. After playing a grueling qualifying campaign, should the Irish really have been victimized by blatant cheating, and a ref’s mistake? The whole world agreed that Henry handled the ball. Henry himself (as if he had a choice given all the video evidence) came out publicly to apologize for the transgression – albeit while placing the blame the referee for not seeing the infraction, which is tantamount to a robber blaming incompetent police for his crime. If we all agree that an injustice has been committed, why not correct it, or at least implement a system that prevents that justice from happening again? Oh, by the way, did I mention that France was playing at home in that game?
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
FIFA Ranking (April): Brazil Usurps Spain; Portugal's Highest Ever
Ranking (top 15)
1. Brazil
2. Spain
3. Portugal
4. Holland
5. Italy
6. Germany
7. Argentina
8. England
9. Croatia
10. France
11. Russia
12. Greece
13. Egypt
14. USA
15. Chile
1. Brazil
2. Spain
3. Portugal
4. Holland
5. Italy
6. Germany
7. Argentina
8. England
9. Croatia
10. France
11. Russia
12. Greece
13. Egypt
14. USA
15. Chile
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Contenders or Pretenders: The Three (toothless) Lions
Every national team feels the burden of pressure brought on by fan expectations, but hardly any team is put under as much strain as England. Delusional or not, English fans expect their team to win, no matter the tournament, and this year is no different. Yet, similarly to the previous two world cups, there has hardly been any mention of a potential Three Lions world cup win. So, are English fans still wrong about their team’s chances, or have the Three Lions finally found a way to reclaim the glory of 66?
Why They’re Contenders
Fabio Capello
All eyes have been on Fabio Capello, and so far, the austere Italian has delivered the goods. Since his arrival in 2007, Capello has instituted his no-nonsense policies – making it clear that he’d rather have players who do what they’re told, rather than superstars who long for the spotlight – has established his preferred 4-4-2 catennacio strategy, guided England to the world cup after topping its qualifying group rather easily, and has seemingly put together a core group of players that is capable of churning out victories. Having won most of what there is to win at club level with some of Europe’s biggest clubs (Milan, Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus), Capello has the experience, philosophy, and player support to take England far into the tournament, especially given their group and potential knockout round matchups. Far gone seem the days of Steve McClaren’s turbulent reign.
Wayne Rooney’s form
This year Rooney has firmly established himself as one of the best players in the world, with some claiming (perhaps prematurely) that he should be mentioned in the same breath as Messi and Ronaldo. Even if Rooney had not played as well as he has all season, he would still be a key player for the Three Lions this summer; however, if Rooney’s form carries into the world cup, it would be hard to bet against England doing well. What has made the newly anointed PFA player of year so menacing to opponents this is year is the fact that Rooney has finally added heading to his already practically complete attacking game. The frightening part is that his heading ability has improved so much that almost half of his goals this season have his forehead as their birthplace. Rooney has become so important to England’s aspirations that his recent foot and groin injuries have probably caused the usually calm and collected Capello to break a sweat.
Why They’re Pretenders
Steven Gerrard and the wings
At the risk of getting trounced by ardent Gerrard acolytes, the argument here is that Gerrard does not fit into a traditional 4-4-2 formation (which has always been favored by Capello), and not that he isn’t a good player. During qualifying, Gerrard mostly played on the wings, and chances are that he’ll be patrolling the left wing during the world cup, if Lennon or Wright-Phillips is given a shot on the right. Gerrard has never been especially effective on the wings, and this is perhaps one of the main reasons he’s failed to play as well for country as he does for club (where he plays just behind the forward with freedom to roam). There is always the possibility of playing him in the middle with Lampard, but that seems unlikely, since both players have a tendency to do more attacking than defending. That is, after all, why Capello has regularly employed Barry alongside Lampard. Capello has to decide whether to play Gerrard at the expense of an efficacious winger, or drop him and risk dissention. Whatever choice he makes, there could very well be detrimental consequences.
Terryble Chemistry
Very often fans make the assumption that all teammates get along. That’s simply not the truth. Locker room feuds have long been the sustenance of turgid tabloids. The Dutch national team is famous for infighting – one of the biggest problems stemming from players’ wages, as black players earned significantly less than their white counterparts. During the 90’s Lothar Matthaus and Stefan Effenberg had a well-publicized feud, with the latter claiming that the former was a loudmouth. This year the England camp’s unity was fractured by John Terry’s antics off the filed, when his relationship with Wayne Bridge’s ex (and mother to his child) was made public. Terry was stripped of his captaincy, and Bridge subsequently quit the team, causing Capello to lose a solid backup to Ashley Cole, who is only now recovering from a broken ankle. The incident also highlighted Capello’s reluctance to deal with his players’ personal problems, since he left a lot of the housekeeping to his right-hand-man, Italo Galbati, and asked both players to leave the feud out of the team hotel before a friendly match. Surely these are not problems that are easily forgotten, especially if the team hits an early road bump in South Africa.
The Verdict: pretenders
Rooney may be in a rich vain of form, and Capello may be an excellent manager, but the former has had two significant injuries in the past month that will disrupt his rhythm, and the latter has shown that for all his experience, dealing with his players on a personal level is not his strong suit, and that could prove costly when inflamed egos need some cooling down during the world cup. There’s also the question of who will partner up with Rooney. There are a number of options – Crouch, Heskey, and Defoe, to name a few – but none of them have shown to be consistent enough, let alone confidence inspiring. One shouldn’t underestimate the impact of Beckham’s absence, as well. He may not have clinched a starting place, but his experience and agreeable nature were crucial to locker room tranquility. Finally, there’s a tendency to think that England’s group (C) is one of the weakest, made up of a possible threat (USA), and two pushovers (Algeria, Slovenia). Besides reminding people that there are hardly ever any easy games in the world cup, one mustn’t forget that Algeria beat Egypt (African champions) to claim its world cup squad, while Slovenia clinched a playoff spot at the expense of the Czech Republic, before beating Russia. All things considered, England will reach the knockout stages of the world cup, but whoever clinches second place in group D (my bet is either on Germany or Serbia) may prove too much of an obstacle to the Three Lions.
Why They’re Contenders
Fabio Capello
All eyes have been on Fabio Capello, and so far, the austere Italian has delivered the goods. Since his arrival in 2007, Capello has instituted his no-nonsense policies – making it clear that he’d rather have players who do what they’re told, rather than superstars who long for the spotlight – has established his preferred 4-4-2 catennacio strategy, guided England to the world cup after topping its qualifying group rather easily, and has seemingly put together a core group of players that is capable of churning out victories. Having won most of what there is to win at club level with some of Europe’s biggest clubs (Milan, Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus), Capello has the experience, philosophy, and player support to take England far into the tournament, especially given their group and potential knockout round matchups. Far gone seem the days of Steve McClaren’s turbulent reign.
Wayne Rooney’s form
This year Rooney has firmly established himself as one of the best players in the world, with some claiming (perhaps prematurely) that he should be mentioned in the same breath as Messi and Ronaldo. Even if Rooney had not played as well as he has all season, he would still be a key player for the Three Lions this summer; however, if Rooney’s form carries into the world cup, it would be hard to bet against England doing well. What has made the newly anointed PFA player of year so menacing to opponents this is year is the fact that Rooney has finally added heading to his already practically complete attacking game. The frightening part is that his heading ability has improved so much that almost half of his goals this season have his forehead as their birthplace. Rooney has become so important to England’s aspirations that his recent foot and groin injuries have probably caused the usually calm and collected Capello to break a sweat.
Why They’re Pretenders
Steven Gerrard and the wings
At the risk of getting trounced by ardent Gerrard acolytes, the argument here is that Gerrard does not fit into a traditional 4-4-2 formation (which has always been favored by Capello), and not that he isn’t a good player. During qualifying, Gerrard mostly played on the wings, and chances are that he’ll be patrolling the left wing during the world cup, if Lennon or Wright-Phillips is given a shot on the right. Gerrard has never been especially effective on the wings, and this is perhaps one of the main reasons he’s failed to play as well for country as he does for club (where he plays just behind the forward with freedom to roam). There is always the possibility of playing him in the middle with Lampard, but that seems unlikely, since both players have a tendency to do more attacking than defending. That is, after all, why Capello has regularly employed Barry alongside Lampard. Capello has to decide whether to play Gerrard at the expense of an efficacious winger, or drop him and risk dissention. Whatever choice he makes, there could very well be detrimental consequences.
Terryble Chemistry
Very often fans make the assumption that all teammates get along. That’s simply not the truth. Locker room feuds have long been the sustenance of turgid tabloids. The Dutch national team is famous for infighting – one of the biggest problems stemming from players’ wages, as black players earned significantly less than their white counterparts. During the 90’s Lothar Matthaus and Stefan Effenberg had a well-publicized feud, with the latter claiming that the former was a loudmouth. This year the England camp’s unity was fractured by John Terry’s antics off the filed, when his relationship with Wayne Bridge’s ex (and mother to his child) was made public. Terry was stripped of his captaincy, and Bridge subsequently quit the team, causing Capello to lose a solid backup to Ashley Cole, who is only now recovering from a broken ankle. The incident also highlighted Capello’s reluctance to deal with his players’ personal problems, since he left a lot of the housekeeping to his right-hand-man, Italo Galbati, and asked both players to leave the feud out of the team hotel before a friendly match. Surely these are not problems that are easily forgotten, especially if the team hits an early road bump in South Africa.
The Verdict: pretenders
Rooney may be in a rich vain of form, and Capello may be an excellent manager, but the former has had two significant injuries in the past month that will disrupt his rhythm, and the latter has shown that for all his experience, dealing with his players on a personal level is not his strong suit, and that could prove costly when inflamed egos need some cooling down during the world cup. There’s also the question of who will partner up with Rooney. There are a number of options – Crouch, Heskey, and Defoe, to name a few – but none of them have shown to be consistent enough, let alone confidence inspiring. One shouldn’t underestimate the impact of Beckham’s absence, as well. He may not have clinched a starting place, but his experience and agreeable nature were crucial to locker room tranquility. Finally, there’s a tendency to think that England’s group (C) is one of the weakest, made up of a possible threat (USA), and two pushovers (Algeria, Slovenia). Besides reminding people that there are hardly ever any easy games in the world cup, one mustn’t forget that Algeria beat Egypt (African champions) to claim its world cup squad, while Slovenia clinched a playoff spot at the expense of the Czech Republic, before beating Russia. All things considered, England will reach the knockout stages of the world cup, but whoever clinches second place in group D (my bet is either on Germany or Serbia) may prove too much of an obstacle to the Three Lions.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
2010's Dark Horses: An Ivory Tower of Hope
Referring to the Ivory Coast as a dark horse may elicit some grumbling from the most avid soccer fans. After all, the team does boast a number of elite players, including Didier Drogba, arguably the world’s best striker; a world cup tested coach in Sven Goran Eriksson; and plenty of people who believe that Les Éléphants will survive this world cup’s group of death at the expense of Portugal. Be that as it may, African teams are notorious world cup underachievers, and since 1990, only two teams have made it to the quarterfinals (Cameroon 1990, Senegal 2002). Nevertheless, at the risk of sounding like a Holland fan that redundantly claims that, “this is the year,” this may indeed be the Ivory Coast’s year. Here’s why:
Reason 1: Didier Drogba – Quite possibly the most dominant forward around, Drogba’s size and speed make him virtuously impossible to defend against. This may be especially true when the Ivory Coast face Portugal and North Korea, two teams that lack in size at the back. At 32, this may also be the last opportunity for Drogba to shine on the world stage, something that is surely not lost on the tempestuous forward.
Reason 2: The proverbial “soccer backbone” – One of the most clichéd axioms in soccer is that in order to win, a team needs strong players down the middle. Les Éléphants have just that. Apart from Drogba, who may very well be platooning at the top by himself, the Touré brothers furnish the team with a sturdy spine. Although Yaya hasn’t found last season’s form, and has been relegated to Barcelona’s bench by Sergio Busquets, he still ranks among the world’s best defensive-midfielders. As well as disrupting opponents’ offensive fluidity, Yaya is very comfortable on the ball, and can thread devastating passes. The older Touré’s wealth of experience will also prove fundamental to the team’s success. Though slightly undersized for his position, Kolo’s strength and pace make him a dogged man-marker who can cause imbalances when he steams up the middle of the pitch to help the attack.
Reason 3: Sven Goran Eriksson - His appointment may have been received with some skepticism, but one would be remiss to underestimate the Swede’s vast experience. A European and world cup veteran, and league winner in both Italy and Portugal, Eriksson is an adept tactician who is well liked by his players. Often vilified for not having won any silverware with England, and including Theo Walcott in his 2006 world cup squad, Eriksson also has a good eye for talent, and was the first to vocalize the scarcity of world-class English wingers (a problem that may still prove fatal to England’s world cup hopes). Besides the short amount of time between his appointment and the world cup, Eriksson’s biggest struggle will be to win over his new players. If he overcomes that challenge, the Swede could guide the team to the knockout phases.
Potential Handicap: Didier Drogba – There is no doubt that the Ivory Coast will live or die by Drogba. If Drogba keeps his emotions in check, there are very few players who will be as important to their teams, as he will. On the other hand, if Drogba suffers a meltdown (think Chelsea’s Champions League games against Barcelona and Inter), he will surely derail any chance the team has of triumphing. Drogba will also be key to Eriksson’s success. Bitterly disappointed that Guus Hiddink turned down the position, Drogba must quickly show that he has trust in Eriksson’s leadership. If Eriksson fails to control the influential Chelsea man, the mild-mannered Swede will surely fail.
What to Watch For: The Ivory Coast’s games against Portugal and Brazil will provide two mouth-watering matchups. Against Portugal, Drogba will most likely be marked by his Chelsea teammate Ricardo Carvalho. When battling Brazil, Drogba will come up against Lucio once again, and if this year’s Champions League is any indicator, the Brazilian Bully could get into the Ivorian’s head and do some psychological damage.
Reason 1: Didier Drogba – Quite possibly the most dominant forward around, Drogba’s size and speed make him virtuously impossible to defend against. This may be especially true when the Ivory Coast face Portugal and North Korea, two teams that lack in size at the back. At 32, this may also be the last opportunity for Drogba to shine on the world stage, something that is surely not lost on the tempestuous forward.
Reason 2: The proverbial “soccer backbone” – One of the most clichéd axioms in soccer is that in order to win, a team needs strong players down the middle. Les Éléphants have just that. Apart from Drogba, who may very well be platooning at the top by himself, the Touré brothers furnish the team with a sturdy spine. Although Yaya hasn’t found last season’s form, and has been relegated to Barcelona’s bench by Sergio Busquets, he still ranks among the world’s best defensive-midfielders. As well as disrupting opponents’ offensive fluidity, Yaya is very comfortable on the ball, and can thread devastating passes. The older Touré’s wealth of experience will also prove fundamental to the team’s success. Though slightly undersized for his position, Kolo’s strength and pace make him a dogged man-marker who can cause imbalances when he steams up the middle of the pitch to help the attack.
Reason 3: Sven Goran Eriksson - His appointment may have been received with some skepticism, but one would be remiss to underestimate the Swede’s vast experience. A European and world cup veteran, and league winner in both Italy and Portugal, Eriksson is an adept tactician who is well liked by his players. Often vilified for not having won any silverware with England, and including Theo Walcott in his 2006 world cup squad, Eriksson also has a good eye for talent, and was the first to vocalize the scarcity of world-class English wingers (a problem that may still prove fatal to England’s world cup hopes). Besides the short amount of time between his appointment and the world cup, Eriksson’s biggest struggle will be to win over his new players. If he overcomes that challenge, the Swede could guide the team to the knockout phases.
Potential Handicap: Didier Drogba – There is no doubt that the Ivory Coast will live or die by Drogba. If Drogba keeps his emotions in check, there are very few players who will be as important to their teams, as he will. On the other hand, if Drogba suffers a meltdown (think Chelsea’s Champions League games against Barcelona and Inter), he will surely derail any chance the team has of triumphing. Drogba will also be key to Eriksson’s success. Bitterly disappointed that Guus Hiddink turned down the position, Drogba must quickly show that he has trust in Eriksson’s leadership. If Eriksson fails to control the influential Chelsea man, the mild-mannered Swede will surely fail.
What to Watch For: The Ivory Coast’s games against Portugal and Brazil will provide two mouth-watering matchups. Against Portugal, Drogba will most likely be marked by his Chelsea teammate Ricardo Carvalho. When battling Brazil, Drogba will come up against Lucio once again, and if this year’s Champions League is any indicator, the Brazilian Bully could get into the Ivorian’s head and do some psychological damage.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Getting America to Love Soccer (and why it still doesn't)
In recent years soccer has been among the most participated youth sports in the United States. Given this reality, the assumption had been that soccer’s popularity in this country would grow exponentially, and would inevitably rival the nation’s three traditional sports powerhouses – football, baseball, and basketball – for exposure among the country’s leading media conglomerates, especially those that are featured in basic cable, and satellite packages. However, while soccer has become more popular in the United States than ever before, it has failed to reach the cultural prevalence, and commercial weight that many pundits had predicted. The failure to attain its expected popularity is particularly surprising considering the progress that the US men’s national team has made since the US hosted the world cup in 1994. Since then the US has competed in three world cups (making the quarter-finals in 2002), has won 3 gold cups, and achieved second place in last year’s confederations cup.
Various explanations have been offered for the nonfulfillment of soccer’s promise in the US. Some attribute it to the influence traditional American sports have on the sports media. Traditional sports in this country command enormous audiences, and as such, teams are able to demand incredibly high prices for television rights. This, of course, limits the amount of money sports channels have to acquire the soccer rights of various world soccer leagues, especially the most popular ones, such as the Barclays Premier League, La Liga BBVA, and Serie A. There are a few sports conglomerates that are able to dish out the kind of money that is required to secure television soccer rights; nevertheless, these are the same conglomerates that purchase the rights to numerous sports, and a plethora of sporting events, and as a result, they lack the time slots to adequately televise soccer games, as well as the programs that promote the sport. Only adding to this problem is the fact that many of today’s American sports pundits have a visceral distaste for soccer, and take any and every opportunity to denigrate the sport.
There are critics who place most of the blame on the youth soccer system in this country for the problem. As it currently stands, soccer in the US is aimed primarily towards upper middle-class Americans who can afford to pay for their children’s participation on a team (in order to participate in some teams, parents have to shell-out close to two thousand dollars to play. And very often, many of those children share their time between soccer and other sports). Logically, these price tags make it nearly impossible for children from low-income families to play soccer competitively. These same children tend to come from immigrant backgrounds that have traditional ties to soccer, and are therefore more likely to get seriously involved in the sport. Their diverse backgrounds also influence distinctive styles of play, which make soccer far more diverse and pleasurable to watch.
However, perhaps the biggest problem facing soccer in the United States is our professional league’s lack of quality. Admittedly, MLS fans are right to argue that the league is in its infancy – this year marks its fifteenth anniversary – and as such it is unreasonable to expect the league to offer more than it can at the moment. Furthermore, they argue that the MLS is not below standard, as it competes yearly in the Concacaf Champions League. Unfortunately, the infancy argument stands for now, but it won’t in another few years, and the way the league is currently being run will prevent it from taking the leap. The league’s major drawbacks are that it relies on talent being developed collegiately; it lacks a serious youth development program; and like its predecessor, the NASL, depends too heavily on foreign stars that are fast approaching the twilight of their careers. As for the success of MLS teams in the Concacaf Champions League, one has only to look at their opposition. Most of the Mexican teams that compete in the cup are mid-tier teams that are unable to qualify for the Copa Libertadores, and the remaining Central American teams play in leagues that are inferior to our own.
So, how do we solve these problems and get Americans to really embrace soccer? If we wait for the sports media conglomerates, we may be waiting for a while. Which is funny, seeing that ESPN has just purchased the television rights to the Barclays Premier League; yet, while the network broadcasts many games in England, it only sporadically does so here - I believe weekend morning soccer on ESPN has been trumped by the thrilling spectacle that is bowling. Youth development programs don’t look to be changing much, so we can forget about that. And the MLS seems destined to continue to rely on college talent (or lack thereof), as well as on the talent and experience of slightly above average, fast deteriorating foreign stars. It seems that avoiding a drawn-out solution may be impossible.
Thus, here’s my (temporary) solution, and ironically, we have an American sports media conglomerate, and a very American tradition to thank for it: ESPN, and college basketball’s bracket challenge. Fortunately, ESPN does have the rights to the World Cup, and as a result, the games will be easily accessible to a broad audience in the United States. Moreover, there are world cup brackets available for printouts on various soccer-specific websites. Combine the two, and there is reason for being optimistic that the world cup will ignite some soccer passion even in the most reluctant fan. I’ve seen people who had absolutely no interest in college basketball, fall in love with the sport during March Madness just because they had money riding on their bracket. This year my mother-in-law, who had never even watched a college basketball game before this March, was almost in tears when Deshaun Butler (she calls him Deshaun, such is her newfound devotion for the game) tore his cruciate ligaments during West Virginia’s game against Duke. If college basketball brackets are able to turn people onto a sport that they once considered insignificant, imagine what a world cup bracket might do.
There isn’t a sporting event in the world that elicits as much of a passionate response in its fans as the world cup. Turn someone onto that energy with a measly bracket, and a few dollars, and you may have just produced another soccer fan.
Print out a bracket at http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/bracket?cc=5901&ver=us and start converting the soccer-indifferent!
Various explanations have been offered for the nonfulfillment of soccer’s promise in the US. Some attribute it to the influence traditional American sports have on the sports media. Traditional sports in this country command enormous audiences, and as such, teams are able to demand incredibly high prices for television rights. This, of course, limits the amount of money sports channels have to acquire the soccer rights of various world soccer leagues, especially the most popular ones, such as the Barclays Premier League, La Liga BBVA, and Serie A. There are a few sports conglomerates that are able to dish out the kind of money that is required to secure television soccer rights; nevertheless, these are the same conglomerates that purchase the rights to numerous sports, and a plethora of sporting events, and as a result, they lack the time slots to adequately televise soccer games, as well as the programs that promote the sport. Only adding to this problem is the fact that many of today’s American sports pundits have a visceral distaste for soccer, and take any and every opportunity to denigrate the sport.
There are critics who place most of the blame on the youth soccer system in this country for the problem. As it currently stands, soccer in the US is aimed primarily towards upper middle-class Americans who can afford to pay for their children’s participation on a team (in order to participate in some teams, parents have to shell-out close to two thousand dollars to play. And very often, many of those children share their time between soccer and other sports). Logically, these price tags make it nearly impossible for children from low-income families to play soccer competitively. These same children tend to come from immigrant backgrounds that have traditional ties to soccer, and are therefore more likely to get seriously involved in the sport. Their diverse backgrounds also influence distinctive styles of play, which make soccer far more diverse and pleasurable to watch.
However, perhaps the biggest problem facing soccer in the United States is our professional league’s lack of quality. Admittedly, MLS fans are right to argue that the league is in its infancy – this year marks its fifteenth anniversary – and as such it is unreasonable to expect the league to offer more than it can at the moment. Furthermore, they argue that the MLS is not below standard, as it competes yearly in the Concacaf Champions League. Unfortunately, the infancy argument stands for now, but it won’t in another few years, and the way the league is currently being run will prevent it from taking the leap. The league’s major drawbacks are that it relies on talent being developed collegiately; it lacks a serious youth development program; and like its predecessor, the NASL, depends too heavily on foreign stars that are fast approaching the twilight of their careers. As for the success of MLS teams in the Concacaf Champions League, one has only to look at their opposition. Most of the Mexican teams that compete in the cup are mid-tier teams that are unable to qualify for the Copa Libertadores, and the remaining Central American teams play in leagues that are inferior to our own.
So, how do we solve these problems and get Americans to really embrace soccer? If we wait for the sports media conglomerates, we may be waiting for a while. Which is funny, seeing that ESPN has just purchased the television rights to the Barclays Premier League; yet, while the network broadcasts many games in England, it only sporadically does so here - I believe weekend morning soccer on ESPN has been trumped by the thrilling spectacle that is bowling. Youth development programs don’t look to be changing much, so we can forget about that. And the MLS seems destined to continue to rely on college talent (or lack thereof), as well as on the talent and experience of slightly above average, fast deteriorating foreign stars. It seems that avoiding a drawn-out solution may be impossible.
Thus, here’s my (temporary) solution, and ironically, we have an American sports media conglomerate, and a very American tradition to thank for it: ESPN, and college basketball’s bracket challenge. Fortunately, ESPN does have the rights to the World Cup, and as a result, the games will be easily accessible to a broad audience in the United States. Moreover, there are world cup brackets available for printouts on various soccer-specific websites. Combine the two, and there is reason for being optimistic that the world cup will ignite some soccer passion even in the most reluctant fan. I’ve seen people who had absolutely no interest in college basketball, fall in love with the sport during March Madness just because they had money riding on their bracket. This year my mother-in-law, who had never even watched a college basketball game before this March, was almost in tears when Deshaun Butler (she calls him Deshaun, such is her newfound devotion for the game) tore his cruciate ligaments during West Virginia’s game against Duke. If college basketball brackets are able to turn people onto a sport that they once considered insignificant, imagine what a world cup bracket might do.
There isn’t a sporting event in the world that elicits as much of a passionate response in its fans as the world cup. Turn someone onto that energy with a measly bracket, and a few dollars, and you may have just produced another soccer fan.
Print out a bracket at http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/bracket?cc=5901&ver=us and start converting the soccer-indifferent!
Friday, April 9, 2010
El Classico Decider
The Spanish Classico is always eagerly awaited (especially by GOLTV, which dedicates three hours of pre-game coverage), nevertheless, tomorrow's game is possibly the most anticipated classico in recent years. Only eight games away from the season's conclusion, Barcelona trails Real by a whopping one goal difference. Perhaps more importantly to the neutral fan, Ronaldo and Messi will duel once again, both at the top of their form, and both hoping to maintain the kind of rhythm that will allow them to etch their name into world cup folklore just sixty-two days from tomorrow.
Although Real are the current La Liga leaders, few will argue that Barcelona is playing the more effective football, and has only recently hit it's stride, leaving a trail of carnage wherever they play. Messi alone has tallied an amazing fifteen goals in six games. Tuesday's humiliation of Arsenal was the most recent reminder of the Pulga's present form. Andres Iniesta's return is also a big boost to the team, especially since Ibrahimovic has been ruled out with a pulled leg muscle.
While not playing at the same level as Barcelona, Real has good reason to be confident about tomorrow's game. Apart from succumbing to Lyon in the Champion's League, the Royal Whites have been cruising in the league, and the team is showing signs that it can be a well oiled machine under the tutelage of Pellegrini. Ironically, as the team is progressing, so have the rumors of Pellegrini's dismissal and subsequent replacement by a more demonstrative manager. Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez have both been linked with the position, and neither of them has been reticent about the desire to move to greener ($) pastures.
Barcelona's Champions League success could also be an added benefit to Real. While clearly jealous of their rival's European accomplishments, and quietly praying that Puyol won't be lifting the Champion's trophy for a second successive season at the Bernabeu, Real is well aware that Barcelona's fatiguing schedule may be a determining factor in the former's success.
Of course, one mustn't overlook the Ronaldo factor. The Portuguese wonder boy's arrogance could also play a role in the game's outcome. With all the recent praise Messi has been lavished with, little attention has been placed on the former FIFA player of the year. One can be sure that Ronaldo will fight to the death - and throw a few tantrums - in order to get the spotlight firmly place on him, and to put him back into player of the year contention.
All things considered, tomorrow's game is, in theory, one for the ages. And if previous clashes between these two titans are of any indication, this classico will live up to the bill. From a neutral's perspective, picking a winner is a daunting task, but few would bet against the Blaugranas. My money is on Barcelona since there's nothing else Guardiola and co. would rather do than beat real in their stadium, just a few weeks before they further rub salt into Los Blancos' wounds by lifting the Champions League trophy.
Although Real are the current La Liga leaders, few will argue that Barcelona is playing the more effective football, and has only recently hit it's stride, leaving a trail of carnage wherever they play. Messi alone has tallied an amazing fifteen goals in six games. Tuesday's humiliation of Arsenal was the most recent reminder of the Pulga's present form. Andres Iniesta's return is also a big boost to the team, especially since Ibrahimovic has been ruled out with a pulled leg muscle.
While not playing at the same level as Barcelona, Real has good reason to be confident about tomorrow's game. Apart from succumbing to Lyon in the Champion's League, the Royal Whites have been cruising in the league, and the team is showing signs that it can be a well oiled machine under the tutelage of Pellegrini. Ironically, as the team is progressing, so have the rumors of Pellegrini's dismissal and subsequent replacement by a more demonstrative manager. Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez have both been linked with the position, and neither of them has been reticent about the desire to move to greener ($) pastures.
Barcelona's Champions League success could also be an added benefit to Real. While clearly jealous of their rival's European accomplishments, and quietly praying that Puyol won't be lifting the Champion's trophy for a second successive season at the Bernabeu, Real is well aware that Barcelona's fatiguing schedule may be a determining factor in the former's success.
Of course, one mustn't overlook the Ronaldo factor. The Portuguese wonder boy's arrogance could also play a role in the game's outcome. With all the recent praise Messi has been lavished with, little attention has been placed on the former FIFA player of the year. One can be sure that Ronaldo will fight to the death - and throw a few tantrums - in order to get the spotlight firmly place on him, and to put him back into player of the year contention.
All things considered, tomorrow's game is, in theory, one for the ages. And if previous clashes between these two titans are of any indication, this classico will live up to the bill. From a neutral's perspective, picking a winner is a daunting task, but few would bet against the Blaugranas. My money is on Barcelona since there's nothing else Guardiola and co. would rather do than beat real in their stadium, just a few weeks before they further rub salt into Los Blancos' wounds by lifting the Champions League trophy.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
World's Best Player Debate
Besides proving that Arsenal's "beautiful" football is no match for Barcelona's beautiful football, yesterday's thrashing of Arsenal at the hands of Barcelona, has once again brought the world player of the year debate to the forefront of football's discussion forums. Needless to say, Messi's majisterial performance yesterday has reinforced the fast-growing belief that he is head-and-shoulders above any other player on the planet (based on today's soccer websites, most pundits seem to agree). Still, before anointing Messi, one aught to consider certain factors.
Although Messi deserves many accolades this year, pronouncing him (or any other player) the best player in the word, is a little silly. Many players do make an evident beneficial impact on their teams, and Messi undoubtedly makes the difference at Barcelona, since the team is not the same without him. Nevertheless, he is surrounded by an incredible team, made up of some of the best players in their respective positions. Furthermore, Messi has developed at Barcelona, and has always played for the club. He has trained within a system for years - perhaps the most important being
his formative years - and currently plays within that same system. Simply put, Messi is, and has been, navigating in a very comfortable environment that he is more than familiar with.
his formative years - and currently plays within that same system. Simply put, Messi is, and has been, navigating in a very comfortable environment that he is more than familiar with.
If we must continue to laurel a best player then we should consider players who have transitioned from one team to another, and examine their adaptation to the teams, as well as the leagues. Thus, if we are going to bestow such an honor on a player, i still believe Ronaldo is at the top. He was the catalyst at Manchester United when he was there, easily overshadowing Rooney. And since his departure, the team, while performing well, has dropped a gear or two (they relied on him too much, and now the same can be said about their reliance on Rooney, lest we forget what Chelsea did at Old Trafford this past weekend). Additionally, Ronaldo's adaptation to Real Madrid is nothing short of amazing. He has scored almost one quarter of the team's goals, and the team relies heavily on his performances. Perhaps it bears reminding that some of the world's greatest players have had a lot of trouble not only adapting to a new league, but Real Madrid in particular. In the 90's, after taking Juventus by storm, Michael Laudrup found it difficult to find an immediate comfort zone at Barcelona, although he made a seamless transition to Madrid. Furthermore, Zinedine Zidane, who coincidentally also made his move from La Vecchia Signora, was the target of various critics who believed his price tag made a long adaptation to the Spanish League unacceptable (when he went on to become the team's puppet master, those same critics developed a fitting case of selective amnesia).
Moreover, isn't it about time that defenders are afforded the same recognition as midfielders and forwards? Since 2000, only Oliver Khan and Fabio Cannavaro have been among the top three contenders (Cannavaro having won the award in 2006, after Italy won the world cup). There are currently a hand-full of defenders that are as important to their teams as Messi and Ronaldo are to Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. Although Wesley Sneijder has been key to Inter's new found fluidity, Lucio has been fundamental to the team's once porous defence. Chelsea is also not the same team without Terry and Carvalho - possibly the best defensive duo in Europe.
Ultimately, as much as the world player of the year award glamorizes players, and is of enormous economic value to the game, world football should focus more on the team of the year, rather than just one player (at least for the sake of defenders' emotional well-being). It is the team that allows Barcelona to play such wonderful football, after all. Dare i end this column by reluctantly regurgitating the old adage: "there is no "I" in team?
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