Das Auto = Dollars in DC

Looking around the league…

The Big News in MLS recently is DC United’s 5 year, $14 million deal to have Volkswagen as their jersey sponsor. According to Reuters News Service, it’s the second biggest jersey sponsorship contract in MLS (after Herbalife’s deal with the Galaxy) and means that now 9 of 14 MLS teams have such sponsorships.

This, like the stadiums coming on line, is very good news for MLS. Doing the math, the VW deal pays for the entire DC United roster (yes, including Marcelo Gallardo’s designated player contract). Nice. My favorite part of the deal: at future United games, the first 50 Volkswagens to enter a certain RFK parking lot will get to park for free. Better and better.

Meanwhile, down in Santa Clara, the Quakes have a “Colonel’s Corner” at the Buck Shaw Stadium, sponsored by KFC. But with all the food booths, I couldn’t find any fried chicken at the game. Am I missing something? Or is KFC?

The LA Galaxy traveled to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Tuesday to play the USL1 Vancouver Whitecaps in an exhibition game. 37,104 came out to see Dave Beckham (Landon Donovan was not even on the bench) and a Whitecaps 2-1 win. Now, get ready for Alexi Lalas (or some other Galaxy suit) to start whining about how tough their schedule is, and how much they have to travel, etc., as soon as they’re done counting the money.

The Galaxy has defined “success” not as winning trophies, but as becoming a $100 million franchise, so as I see it, everything’s going according to plan. This is fine by me, if it weren’t for all the whining (they’re the ones scheduling these games in the first place) and the fact that one of their starting eleven, midfielder Brandon McDonald, is being paid an intern’s stipend of $12,900 for the season.

The MLS brass defends such low “developmental player” salaries by saying they’re on par with what entry-level baseball players make in the Class A minor leagues. OK, but when a baseball player makes the majors (even without starting in 6 out of 7 games like McDonald has) he gets paid a major league salary. I hope Beckham (or Lalas) at least gives McDonald a ride to and from the games. With gas prices so high, that $12,900 doesn’t go as far as it used to.

With the Premiership season over, my Saturday mornings are suddenly empty. The season ended on an up note, as it was great to see Fulham survive the relegation battle, sparked by the return of Brian McBride (the most underrated, under-hyped, and under appreciated American player going) to grab four wins in their final five games. McBride scored the opening goal in two of those four wins.

With five Yanks on the Fulham roster (McBride, Kasey Keller, Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, and Eddie Johnson), they’ve earned a spot in my heart (though I’m still a solid Liverpool supporter). It wasn’t that long ago that there weren’t five Americans in the entire Premiership – and four of those Fulham five came up through MLS. Sweet.

To finish this week’s round-up: I was surprised to see MLS Commissioner Garber (on his blog on MLSnet.com) defend the practice of fans throwing streamers on the field. He says it’s a “unique phenomenon that happens all over the soccer world,” (unique in that it doesn’t happen in sports like baseball and NFL football).

Sure, some jerks throw stuff on the field in other countries: streamers, coins, water bottles, baggies full of urine, and at least one lit road flare (launched from the upper deck of San Siro). Such behavior is one of the many “unique phenomenons” that plague the sport, like racist chants, violent battles between “ultra” supporters, and the occasional match-fixing scandal.

OK, throwing streamers is not anywhere near as bad as those other things, but as I see it, none of this crap has a place in the Beautiful Game. Yes, as the Commish says, the “fans are part of the game experience… and part of what will drive (MLS’) future success.” But go to a game at places like Anfield, and you’ll see that you couldn’t ask for more passion, intensity, or a better game experience. And there won’t be one piece of paper on the pitch.

It’s called “respect for the game,” and throwing streamers at players taking corner kicks (yeah “1906” supporters, this means you, too) is bush league.

Buck Shaw Stadium gets mixed reviews

Depending on who you’re talking to (and when), the most important challenge facing our new Earthquakes 2.0 (other than finding a solid offensive midfielder) is how they’ll handle game days at their current home in Santa Clara.

Yes, it’s only a “temporary situation” (like everything in this life) but Buck Shaw Stadium will be home to MLS matches for at least two seasons, maybe three. Negotiations are on track for a new, fantastic soccer-specific stadium to be built just down the road, but it’ll be a while before the club even breaks ground on a new home, much less moves in. While we wait (and wait, and wait) for that golden day, Quakes fans will be soaking up the rustic charm of Buck Shaw.

Game 1 in this (temporary) new home went about as well as anyone in the Quakes front office could have hoped for, with a standing-room only crowd providing great atmosphere, but the fans’ reaction was mixed as to whether the experience was what they had hoped (and paid) for.

The biggest problem with games at Buck Shaw is Santa Clara University’s ban on tailgating. As all soccer fans know, tailgating IS the social experience of the game, the only chance to talk soccer and get in a drink with your fellow fans before the focus moves to the action on the field. (Games in Oakland are tailgate friendly, and the team has promised their new stadium will also welcome tailgaters.) The Quakes front office addressed the tailgating issue by opening the “Club Quake Tailgate Zone,” a grassy area behind the “clock end” goal complete with booths selling food and drink two hours before kickoff, but that failed to satisfy some fans yearning for those great pre-game Club Quake pot luck parties of days gone by.

The “zone” looked good at a glance. The food choices were basic ballpark quality, and if you shopped around you could find several choices. Separate stands sold bratwurst, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, Louisiana hot links, Polish sausage, or a British banger, each accompanied by a bag of Lay’s potato chips for $7. Tri Tip sandwiches and Pulled Pork sandwiches, also with chips, went for $8.

Besides the refreshments, sponsors (Comcast, Verizon, KLOK Radio, 24 Hour Fitness, the Red Cross, Wyndham Vacations, the Sports Gallery, and the Earthquakes) had booths set up. The Comcast tent invited kids to come play Guitar Hero (with a few of them competing as part of the half-time show) while the KLOK guys first had youth soccer teams participate in a ball juggling contest, then had the kids simply spin themselves silly. Other youngsters kicked around soccer balls in the gentle Santa Clara sunshine as their parents lounged on the freshly laid lawns.

But when I talked to some folks, all was not well. The issue: beer prices. One angry fan told me, “They said we’d have affordable beer prices! $8?! I won’t be buying a season ticket again, and I won’t be coming early again.”

I checked out several tents and found different areas selling various brands. Gordon Biersch, Corona, Tecate, and Heineken were all going for $8, while MLS league sponsor Budweiser and Bud Light sold for $7. Also, drinkers were penned into each beer vendor’s zone, so the Corona lovers, for example, couldn’t hang out with their friends who preferred another brand.

Hmmm. Since no outside food or drink is allowed in the stadium, some fans are already proposing a rethink of pre-game strategy. One fan told me folks were tailgating down by the nearby Cal Train stop, but I could find no one to confirm that rumor. Someone else suggested this provided a great opportunity for Brittania Arms (or someplace similar) to become the pre-game party home for Quakes fans, if they’d provide a shuttle bus from the bar to the stadium. (I like that idea myself.) In the meantime, I bought one $8 beer, and would have bought one or two more if the price was lower.

Once the game kicked off, the only problem (besides the lack of scoring) was getting a good view of the action, at least from the temporary stands on the West side. These stands aren’t raked very steeply, so it was challenging to see over other people’s heads and around the steady stream of fans searching for seats. Shots would disappear behind a vendor’s cloud of cotton candy, and it was impossible to see anything happening along the near sideline. (Cue memories of Spartan Stadium.) Luckily for me, writing for CLS earns me a pass allowing me access to other parts of the stadium. At halftime, I abandoned my $35 seat to watch the last 45 minutes standing by the TV press box, enjoying a clear view of the game.

But a game at Buck Shaw isn’t all bad (or even, mostly bad). The seats are close to the field, and the pitch itself is simply the best the Quakes have ever enjoyed. The huge TV screen rocked, with great replays of the action and a welcome lack of graphics telling you when to cheer. The standing room only crowd of 10,515 pumped a lot of energy into a grinding game, with the Casbah in good voice behind the North goal, and the “1906” fans at the other end. Chants and songs filled the air all night, and fans throughout the stadium picked up the cheers pretty well, one side yelling “Earth” with the other side responding “Quakes” as the boys in black struggled to find a goal.

So those expansion team blues may continue for a while, for all concerned. But, it’s only temporary, right?

Now, about that offensive midfielder…

A quick look around the league

Okay, so the new ‘Quakes forward is “Peguero Jean Phillippe.” Somewhere, the old NASL Chicago Sting’s Ingo Peter (who’s also in the record books as “Peter Ingo”) is smiling.

Taking a quick look around the league…

Can someone in the MLS office take steps to stop fans throwing streamers (and other crap) at players taking corner kicks? That kind of behavior is embarrassing, strictly bush league. I love all the passion MLS matches can muster — chants, songs, signs, flags, etc., but when you start throwing things at players, the Commish has to step in. If the fans can’t respect their opponent, they should at least respect the game. Yeah, Toronto, I’m looking at you. LA, too.

While I’m addressing the MLS brass, Don Garber’s letter about his “concerns of a lack progress” in Houston’s negotiations for a stadium deal was a complete misstep in what has otherwise been a very successful run as MLS’ fearless leader. In his new blog on MLSnet.com, the Commish said he was “very surprised” that letter was leaked (welcome to big city politics) and that “anyone who read the letter knows, I was not threatening the Mayor (of Houston) in any way.” Um… yeah, right. The letter was addressed to the Dynamo owners, but Don Garber telling Phil Anschutz what city his team can or can’t be in is a laugh. And if the letter wasn’t threatening the city of Houston with moving the franchise, how do you read this part:

It is inconceivable that MLS will allow the team to continue playing as a secondary tenant in a college football facility, particularly after the League moved the team due to the challenges at San Jose State.

While another relocation would be equally traumatic, we both must consider our options to ensure that the team has a path to economic success.

In a league where playoff games often see smaller crowds than regular season games (sound familiar, New England?) the Houston Dynamo drew over 30,000 to each of their two home playoff matches last year. Garber might say a strong fan base isn’t enough to ensure success, but it’s one hell of a good start.

A group of investors led by boxing’s Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya recently purchased half the Houston club from AEG. When you put all that working capital next to two shiny new MLS Cups, it should be good times in Houston. I hope they’ll be able to file Garber’s letter next to all those old “Houston 1836” logos and move forward. In Houston.

As the Quakes continue shopping for more help on offense, some folks might wonder why Amado Guevara ended up in Toronto instead of California. Not me.

A glance Columbus’ way shows what a difference one man can make to a team, if it’s the right guy. With Guillermo Barros Schelotto in the lineup, Columbus is atop the East and (at times) is even entertaining. Toronto is hoping Amado Guevara will work the same wonders for their club, and while his signing immediately makes them a better team (for now), it’ll be interesting to see how long the love lasts.

Guevara played hungry in his TFC debut, scoring two goals (the first TFC player to ever net 2 in a game). Still, he has a long way to go to erase memories of his departure from Chivas USA last year. The Goats had traded their Designated Player slot for Guevara, but ate that investment when he couldn’t get with coach Preki’s program. Preki kicked Guevara to the curb after just four games, and went on to win the Western Division and MLS Coach of the Year.

New York was also glad to get rid of Guevara, despite his 2004 MLS MVP trophy (that Joe Cannon should’ve won for carrying Colorado to the playoffs that year despite an offense that produced less than one goal a game). So, stay tuned. Guevara can be a big talent, and an even bigger pain in the… coach’s side. I’m glad the Quakes didn’t consider him.

Next up: searching for US Open Cup results, and getting ready for Buck Shaw’s debut as a MLS venue. See you at the game.

Basking in the afterglow

Back when Frank Yallop was done with his first draft of putting together a roster from scratch, he took a look at the defense he’d assembled and said the Quakes should be difficult for other teams to break down. We’re seeing that forecast coming true, as the Quakes didn’t give up much against Chicago, and then kept a clean sheet in Colorado. With former MLS MVP Christian Gomez running the offense, the Rapids had scored 7 goals in their first 3 games, which (at the time) tied them for the league’s best offensive output. Well done, D!

Things happen fast around MLS. Last Sunday I wrote that the Quakes had “no new names” under consideration at forward, and by Tuesday it’s “Hello, Jean Philippe Peguero.” Not a bad addition, he’s another MLS veteran (20 goals, 13 assists in 58 MLS regular season games) and even if Kei Kamara can score goals in this league you can’t have too much offense. No word (yet) about whether or not Peguero will be ready to go next Sunday against his old ‘mates the NewYork/New Jersey /and parts of Southern Connecticut MetroRedStarBulls. As of today, the Quakes web site doesn’t mention JPP at all. So the work in progress (key word: progress) continues.

Looking ahead, the Quakes begin play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, Apr. 30, hitting the road to take on Real Salt Lake (a 6:00 Pacific Time kickoff). The winner will advance to play the Columbus Crew in Columbus. While I’m glad MLS participates in the U.S. Open Cup (something the old NASL never did), I wish the tournament itself could get some more love from the league.

The U.S. Open Cup dates back to 1914, but MLS has spent far more time inventing trophies like the coveted “Brimstone Cup” for regular season meetings between Chicago and Dallas (it used to be Fire vs. Burn, get it?) than promoting this tournament that helps connect MLS to the greater soccer community across the country. Checking the Quakes web site, their home page doesn’t even list the Open Cup game under “upcoming matches.” (It does show up, however, on the “schedule” page. Not Good Enough.)

Here’s a thought: the folks at Soccer United Marketing could coordinate the Open Cup Final with the yearly Soccer Hall of Fame vote, and maybe schedule the match to be played in media-capital-of-the-world New York once Red Bull Park is up and running next year to help the game might seem more like an Event. ‘Til then, the league could at least give us a heads up as to when the games will be played.

(Since I mentioned the HOF, let me ask a quick question. Why, exactly, is the Soccer Hall of Fame in the middle of nowhere, a.k.a. Oneonta, New York? Baseball fans are all taught the myth about Abner Doubleday’s inventing that sport in Cooperstown, but what is the connection between soccer and Oneonta?)

Okay. Focus. Next game: Red Bulls. Sunday. Noon. Telefutura.

Enjoy!

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