Thoughts on the MLS Expansion Draft and trades thereafter

Now with Scooby Doo and Johnny Bravo flair.

How to Fix the MLS

In post-MLS Cup discussions on Twitter, complaints about the league, its decisions of locations for the MLS Cup match, and its playoff system have risen again.

Play-offs: Are they necessary?

In American society, YES. Americans love underdog stories. When an 8 seed beats a 2 seed, people eat it up (see, MLS Cup 2009 RSL vs LA Galaxy). Now I can argue that doing conference semis home and away and the conference final a one game affair is a little absurd and having seeds 5-8 a veritable wild card spot available to the 4 highest teams no matter the conference is completely unbalanced. In fact, since that system has been utilized, Eastern Conference was won the Western once and Western Conference was won Eastern twice.

Don Garber also announced during half time of MLS Cup 2010 that the playoffs will be extended to 10 teams. Theoretically, 5 seeds will play 4 in a pseudo-wild card and playoffs will continue as normal. I think that the pseudo-wild card is ok as long as it's played in a one game series and that the semi's would be played that way as well, higher seeds hosting. People want drama, and you'll get drama.

Finals Hosting

This is a simple fix. Randomize a list of all the teams that will be in by 2012, and alternate East/West. You host the All-Star Game one year, then the next you host the MLS Cup, then you go to the end of the queue.

and the most important question: How do you attract more people/viewers?

Well, isnt this the biggest Pandora's Box in US Soccer? Obviously, an improvement in officiating would make people less frustrated through matches and speak better about the league. The good folks at The Free Beer Movement have an ingenious way of attracting people of legal drinking age to matches with a free beer or three. Houston Dynamo offer promotional giveaways at nearly every game and offer promotional ticket packages, such as their winter package (2 tickets and 2 special edition scarves).

As for viewers, if you have more hype around the city and stadium and the game isn't on an absurd channel, like an alternate digital channel *ahem-Houston-ahem*, not only will you attract basic television viewers, but cable viewers will see it on their built in TV guide. Now from this, viewers won't be guaranteed, but those curious about the game will tune in though in the late season it will be in direct competition of American football.

Offseason: Who stays and who goes?

sadly, even with a Dynamo win this weekend, the Men in Orange will not advance to the post-season for the first time since coming to Houston. Upside: it gives them an extra month to rest and get in shape. Unfortunately, some of our players might not be training in orange next season. Here's MY opinion on who's going, who's staying, and who the new faces will be.

Sammy Appiah: appeared as a sub in 2 games, netted a game-winner against KC. has good pace. However, with Davis, Cruz and Ashe, I feel he won;t get much time on the field. Vedict: May stay, likely to be picked up in the Expansion Draft

Corey Ashe: What can I NOT say about this guy? he's got pace that's virtually unmatched, is starting to rack up assists and is willing to track back and help win the ball. 18 starts in 26 appearances? The kid is on his way to being a regular in the starting XI and has All-Star potential
Verdict: Stays

Bobby Boswell: A keystone to our once stalwart defense. 25 appearances of 29 games, wore the armband 9 times, Boswell is a major factor for the future of the Orange.
Verdict: Stays

Geoff Cameron: Another up-and-coming Dynamo star. Made a remarkable recover after injuring his PCL in April, 2 goals in 11 shots on goal, can play either mid or d.
Verdict: Stays

Mike Chabala: 21/29 starts, scored opening goal of the season at Dallas and the first of his career, versatile LB, not afraid to make a run. another possible Legacy player
Verdict: Stays

Brian Ching: role model on and off the pitch. despite national team disappointment, Ching went on a scoring run, only downside is his aptness for injury. Never the less, usual scoring leader for the Orange.
Verdict: Stays

Colin Clark: USMNT midfielder in 2009, plagued by ACL injuries the past 2 seasons. 10 goals and 10 assists since 2006. Havent seen much of him, but if Bob likes him...
Verdict: Unsure. Though his injuries may have VAN and POR look elsewhere

Ryan Cochrane: Since returning from San Jose, his play has been sloppy. As much as I dig, I can NOT find a redeeming minute at all this season.
Verdict: Gone

Danny Cruz: 24 of 29 games, 14 starts and gets his first career goal in his first career start. has 2 goals and 2 assists on the season. Alongside Ashe, could be a very dominant midfield duo for years to some
Verdict: Stays

Brad Davis: another high-class player on and off the pitch, venomous left foot, maestro of the free kick. 5 goals, 9 assists and has another good 5 years left in him
Verdict: Stays

Tyler Deric: First academy signing, posts a clean sheet on his first professional start. Likely to get more action next season as the reserve league returns, but I wouldnt be surprised to see him in for the 1st team.
Verdict: Stays

Andrew Hainault: The Super Ginger. 25 starts in 27 appearances, Canadian National, 1 goal, 1 assist, tenacious as heck.
Verdict: Stays

Tally Hall: 5 appearances with a shut out and a 1.6 Goal Against Average. The ladies love him.
Verdict: Stays

Richard Mulrooney: He's been a good winger the past few seasons, unfortunately, since his knee surgery he hasnt been quite on form.
Verdict: Uncertain, likely to retire.

Francisco Navas Cobo: Not much to tell about him. has 1 minute in the season. Possible starter for the last game, but he does have 5 caps for the U-20 USMNT
Verdict: Stays

Joseph Ngwenya: I like him as a striker, but since going to Turkey after the 2007 season, he just isnt on his form. 1 goal in 12 matches is not that impressive.
Verdict: Goes

Anthony Obodai: 4 starts in 6 appearances, Ghana International with loads of experience in Europe. Will likely get more playing time as he acclimates.
Verdict: Stays

Dominic Oduro: 18 starts in 26 games, tied with Ching for top goal scorer. Has certainly stepped up since 2009. Like Ashe, has virtually unrivaled pace, will be deadly for the orange for seasons to come.
Verdict: Stays

Pat Onstad: played 23 of 28 games, 4 shutouts and an unheard of 1.73 GAA. Oldest player in league history at 42. Commonly referred to as The Creator of Soccer.
Verdict: Uncertain, likely to retire annually, but continues to come back

Lovel Palmer: Jamaican International with a long bomb that rivals Ex-Dynamo Ricardo Clark. Has appeared in every game he's been eligible for and 23 starts 2 goals, and 1 assist.
Verdict: Stays

Eddie Robinson: Arguably my favorite player. 1 goal and 2 assists this season, 22 appearances and 18 starts. However, he's left 3 different games with injuries. Likely to be in his last 2 seasons
Verdict: Stays or Retires

Adrian Serioux: Another Inaugural Dynamo returned. 12 appearances and 7 starts, 2 goals and an assist on the season. His plays has been a bit sloppy after yo-yo'ing from Toronto and Dallas, and his long throw has been eclipsed by Chabala's
Verdict: Gone

Cam Weaver: 13 games, 8 starts. 2 goals 1 assist (I'm beginning to see a pattern here) a bit of an injury problem, but has been fairly consistent.
Verdict: Stays

Now as for our DP standpoint, after AEG higher-ups told Chris Canetti "Just tell us what you want" both a striker and creative mid are worth looking at. Here are my suggestions.

Wayne Rooney: Former Everton, and current ManU striker and England national. After a prostitute scandal threw him off his game this season, Rooney is looking for an out. What better out than the same league England teammate David Beckham plays for? Low publicity overseas make it possible for the young striker to re-hone his focus for the game.

Diego Forlan: Prolific Uruguayan striker that had an amazing World Cup in South Africa. Ironically left ManU right before Wayne Rooney was signed, continued on to Villarreal and now playing for Athletico Madrid. Led Uruguay to 4th place in the 2010 World Cup. If signed with Rooney, could likely be converted to an attacking/creative mid.

aaaaand we're back

After a most Epic fail on my pc during the world cup, I finally got everything back to normal just in time to watch the Dynamo fizzle out of the playoff race and to see the roster named for October's USMNT friendlies! Hooray!

So Dynamo finally got their first win in a WHILE last weekend in DC with a fairly nice come-from-behind 3-1 result. Both Dom and interim DC coach Ben Olsen got tossed for the exchange of a handshake outside their respective technical areas.

But Thats not what I'm here for. US Soccer and Bobbo named the 20 man roster for the upcoming friendlies in October.

GK: Howard and Guzan

DEF: Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Goodson, Lichaj, Gooch, Parkhurst, Pearce, and Spector

MID: Bedoya, MB90, Edu, Feilhaber, Holden, Jones and Shea

FWD: Altidore, Deuce, Johnson

Obviously Bob's going with the 4-4-2, and a couple new faces, Lichaj, Jones and Shea, will obviously show what the future holds for the USMNT.

My prediction on the starting lineup:
GK: Howard
DEF: Boca (c), Gooch, Goodson, Lichaj
MID: MB90, Holden, Jones, Shea
FWD: Altidore, Deuce

I honestly think after the performances Jones and Shea have given for their clubs, they'll easily be in the Starting XI. Lichaj is a good selection for the back 4, as he's suitable for either LB or RB.

World Cup Match Day 3

I feel terrible today. Technical difficulties and me staying out late last night prevented me from catching the first two matches today, both of which presented an ejection, and Ghana received the first PK of the tournament. Both Ghana and Slovenia took their matches 1-0.

Now the match I DID see most of, was Germany v Australia, with Germany being the obvious heavy favorites. Germany dissected the Soccerroo's defense with surgical precision and never looked back. Podolski kept his form from 2006 by starting the scoring for Germany from a well-placed through ball. Klose would net another goal off a header, barely beating the Aussie keeper. Germnay would go on two net two more by Mueller and Cacau to seal the Aussie's fate. Australia and Everton striker Tim Cahill would get a straight red in the 56th minute for a reckless challenge on Bastien Schweinsteiger.

Germany certainly put on a display against the Aussie's, proving that they're the team to beat in Group D.

World Cup Match Day 2

Well, games started early this morning, but I deferred to sleep in instead of watch Greece and South Korea. Sadly, this was a good idea due to Greece playing like shit and South Korea kicking their asses.

Nigeria v Argentina

Everyone thought Argentina would just run rough-shot over Nigeria, due to Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez up top. Oddly enough, the only goal came from Heinze: a defender. The Nigerian keeper kept them in the game and continually denied Messi throughout the match.

and the big match of the day: USA v England

The BIGGEST match of the opening round and continually hyped for the past 6 months. England same out strong and struck in the 5th minute, catching the US defense and Rico Clark napping. Capello pulled King in the 31st minute, I mean seriously, he may have had a yellow already, but thats just stupid. Clint Dempsey pulled the US back with a screaming shot and Robert Green just fumbled the save. Through the second half, the US looked like the better team. Altidore almost put the US ahead, but Green got saved by the post.

All in all, a 1-1 tie against England is an amazing result. More to come tomorrow.

World Cup Day 1

Told you I'd write a daily wrap-up of the World Cup, so here it is.

Opening Match: South Africa v Mexico

Mexico started strong the first half, but Khune's heroics between the pipes kept RSA in the game. Mexico had an almost-guaranteed lead towards the end of the half, but it was called back for a quite rare offsides call, with the goalie being the second-to-last opponent.

Second half, RSA came out with spirit. Tschabalala (I honestly enjoy saying his name) put Bufana Bufana up in the 56th minute on a gorgeous breakaway goal, finishing in the upper 90. Mexico would tie it back up a little while later off a short corner, crossed to Marquez. Mpene would have one last chance in the 90th minute to give RSA the full 3 points, but would be denied by the post.

Match 2: Uruguay v France

Uruguay controlled this game the whole time through their defense. There were no solid scoring chances until the 2nd half, when Theirry Henry subbed on for Nikolas Anelka. Uruguayan Nicolas Lodeiro debuted in the 63rd minute, but would see his debut only last for 16 minutes, before retiring to the locker room early. Uruguay still controlled their third of the pitch and kept Ribery, Henry and France's attack harmless.

I'll be back tomorrow with the recap of the day, and a special edition for USA v England.

THE YANKS ARE COMING!