Originally posted by cmullinsTU:
All this talk about the MLS Cup makes me want to start watching and following. I played soccer for almost 10 years when I was younger but really fell out of touch with the sport through HS and College. My daughter is starting to get into it now (she is 6) and its making me realize why I loved playing so much when I was a kid.
I need you're help to decide which team I should start following. When does the season start? Are games televised much or available online?
Glad to hear that the game is bringing you back. More people need to support MLS. You might have stayed with soccer through high school or college if pro soccer were an option for you. I know my interest waned the closer I got to the end of the line. If MLS had been around I know I would have enjoyed the game more during my final seasons -- and would have played harder. That's why Im one of the quirky folks that follows the league -- kids need something to work towards and I didnt have that growing up.
Yes, the games are televised. There are at least three and as many six games a week on TV. ESPN2 has a Thursday prime time telecast every other week, but that is being examined. Fox Soccer Channel had one or two games a week live, usually on Friday or Saturday night in prime time. However, their contract has ended and MLS will be moving to Versus, what will soon be called NBC Sports Network. Telefutura broadcasts the games on Sunday evening in spanish only, but that doesnt matter if you are watching the game in a pub with your friends.
ESPN3 broadcasts at least one game a week live for free. The MLS website charges for most of their content. However, each club is required to have a local tv deal and so many local television stations make their games available for free on-line. Seattle and Portland are examples of this in the past. No clue about the future.
The games are hard to find on TV. I love the league and spend a few hours a week following it, year around. I have trouble finding games. You can sign up for an email alert at mlssoccer.com that will tell you on Tuesday what games are coming up.
The Superdraft is January 12 and will be on ESPN2. The regular season begins March 10th, but most of February find MLS on the road playing exhibition games in cities where the teams camp. Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, etc. There may be a chance to see a game live in your area. I actually take three days vacation and go to Orlando. Surf in the morning. Soccer in the afternoon. Orange Ave. at night.
Which club you support depends on a lot of factors. Traditionally, it should be your hometown or the club nearest your hometown. I played for teams that wore blue and white/gold and KC is close to Tulsa, so if I have to pick a club, Sporting is it. They also have the most offensive firepower in the league right now and a world class stadium.
Galaxy are a good pick, just because they always seem to have the best players. Even in down years, you can look at the roster and see they are three years from a Cup. Beckham is leaving, but Drogba just disclosed that he turned down the option to stay at Chelsea and will be looking for another club. Galaxy made the list along with two other teams. Chris will tell you to back the Galaxy. He used to have a Galaxy avatar, iirc.
Dallas plays pretty good soocer and they have a nice facility, but the crowd is all families and their coach used to coach at SMU, so I cant back that rabble under any circumstances. They do win though.
Houston has a new stadium opening in March and has a long history of championships. They play a physical game.
NY Redbulls obviously have some players known around the world and a brand new stadium. They are underachievers and I just cant deal with the whole " We are the East Coast and better than you even though we lose" sports vibe.
Columbus is an old franchise with a blue collar mentality. They win with no name players and a tiny budget.
Chicago has a nice facility and they are putting the team back together. They have a former player coaching who has turned things around.
As someone just getting into the league, two attractive teams are Salt Lake and DC. Both have very very young coaches who have shown extraordinary technical ability in their first few years as coaches. Jason Kreis retired from Salt Lake, became the coach, and won the Cup just a year later at the age of 35. Ben Olsen, a national team and MLS veteran, took over DC after retiring and is poised for similar results, if this season is any indication. Both teams play technically advanced, attacking style soccer. They both avoid what was once a staple of MLS -- overly physical play with poor passing and substandard finishing. Salt Lake play a beautiful brand of soccer that rivals the styles you see in elite teams in the epl and europe that snobs claim cant be duplicated here in America. They've never seen Salt Lake on all cylinders.
Portland is a new franchise and has the best gameday atmosphere. Youtube portland timbers and you'll see what I mean. Thousands of people singing, dozens of flags, etc. Everyone in Europe who sees it is impressed if not overwhelmed. Plenty of English clubs would like to have their following.
Seattle has the numbers. they regularly draw 65K a game. Everytime I fly, I see some jackwagon in a Sounders jersey.
Or you can simply pick a player and follow whatever team they are playing on. I never miss a Colorado game, but find it difficult to sustain any interest in the team. Watching Conor Casey play for Colorado is like watching old game tape of me. I had basically the same height/playing weight. He is notorious for his physical play as a holding forward and I didnt consider a game a success unless I had a hat trick. Most people think that's three goals in a game. I call a hat trick a goal, an assist, and a card for dissent or unsporting conduct.
Let me know if you have other questions. I love talking about the league, but loathe soccer message boards.
