Comments on: MLS. Because “Geriatric” Starts with an “M” http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html League Football, Soccer News and Views from Around the World Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:09:10 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Elisa http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91969 Elisa Sun, 06 Jan 2008 02:39:54 +0000 http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91969 I hope to see more American players go and play in the FMF earn some decent bucks, competition and kick ass in the Nats. The Latin influence and style is much needed in the US. I hope to see more American players go and play in the FMF earn some decent bucks, competition and kick ass in the Nats. The Latin influence and style is much needed in the US.

]]> By: Laurie http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91897 Laurie Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:05:01 +0000 http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91897 Melissa, funny, it never occurred to me that people might be planning to send out a search party. I haven't posted much recently due to the holidays, and I had Thurs and Fri scheduled off before doing weekend duty. But fear not, I'm now on for seven days straight, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to get sick of me again. :-) Melissa, funny, it never occurred to me that people might be planning to send out a search party. I haven’t posted much recently due to the holidays, and I had Thurs and Fri scheduled off before doing weekend duty. But fear not, I’m now on for seven days straight, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get sick of me again. :-)

]]> By: Melissa http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91887 Melissa Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:29:01 +0000 http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91887 On the subject of money, we also can't pay enough to entice many Mexican stars to leave the FMF. Apparently our dollar just goes a lot further in other South American countries and their leagues pay players even less. Another argument to raise the cap! Anyhoo - Laurie, glad to see you're back and posting regularly again. On the subject of money, we also can’t pay enough to entice many Mexican stars to leave the FMF. Apparently our dollar just goes a lot further in other South American countries and their leagues pay players even less. Another argument to raise the cap!

Anyhoo – Laurie, glad to see you’re back and posting regularly again.

]]> By: Nolan http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91869 Nolan Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:57:48 +0000 http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91869 As a South American football fan, I would hate to see the US hurt their national teams, but as someone who lives in North America I see no reason why we shouldn't have scouts across Latin America. Immigration is the number one reason the US national team and MLS are improving the way they are - Canada is still a lost cause, but the United States is finally moving away from what I always perceived as a stereotypically English (in part thanks to the more popular sports here) way of playing the game - all athleticism and dedication, with poor technique and virtually no flair. I heard MLS described a couple of years ago as a "destruction derby" more than a football league, and with our close proximity to the countries that produce some of the most technically gifted players in the world, this shouldn't be the case. As a South American football fan, I would hate to see the US hurt their national teams, but as someone who lives in North America I see no reason why we shouldn’t have scouts across Latin America. Immigration is the number one reason the US national team and MLS are improving the way they are – Canada is still a lost cause, but the United States is finally moving away from what I always perceived as a stereotypically English (in part thanks to the more popular sports here) way of playing the game – all athleticism and dedication, with poor technique and virtually no flair. I heard MLS described a couple of years ago as a “destruction derby” more than a football league, and with our close proximity to the countries that produce some of the most technically gifted players in the world, this shouldn’t be the case.

]]> By: Laurie http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91867 Laurie Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:51:07 +0000 http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91867 Nolan, I'm guilty too. If Zidane were to say, "I'm coming out of retirement tomorrow and moving to MLS," I'd be the first to buy season tickets and a jersey, even if it were for a team across the country. I'm still trying to convince myself that this would not be in the best interests of the league. :-) And I'm laughing at your soccer exploitation comment. On one level, it saddens me to see the South and Central American teams lose so much talent. But on the other, if they're leaving anyway, why not bring them here? Nolan, I’m guilty too. If Zidane were to say, “I’m coming out of retirement tomorrow and moving to MLS,” I’d be the first to buy season tickets and a jersey, even if it were for a team across the country. I’m still trying to convince myself that this would not be in the best interests of the league. :-)

And I’m laughing at your soccer exploitation comment. On one level, it saddens me to see the South and Central
American teams lose so much talent. But on the other, if they’re leaving anyway, why not bring them here?

]]> By: Nolan http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91865 Nolan Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:46:12 +0000 http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/mls-because-geriatric-starts-with-an-m.html#comment-91865 I think the biggest problem is us North American FOOTBALL fanatics. Yes we are a limited group but if MLS brings in big name players, even if they are past their best, they are guaranteed to get our interest. Of course even back when MLS was weaker name recognition wasn't enough, while my boy Stoichkov had a decent MLS run you also had Lothar Matthäus fail completely. I'll admit to being guilty of wanting to see someone like Figo or Henry on Red Bull, even if they are past their best. Because let's face it, while MLS is improving tremendously those who want to see the game at its finest, especially those of us who like continental football more than the EPL (which MLS looks up to the most) are going to continue to put European leagues first, and of course we'd want to see some of the players we spent the past decade of our lives following play in our own backyard. It's dangerous for MLS, but won't actually hurt the league if done in moderation (and not LA Galaxy style) Of course what I really want to see is as much Latin American influence in North America as possible. To be cynical for a second - The US loves politically exploiting Latin America, why not do the same with football? I think the biggest problem is us North American FOOTBALL fanatics. Yes we are a limited group but if MLS brings in big name players, even if they are past their best, they are guaranteed to get our interest. Of course even back when MLS was weaker name recognition wasn’t enough, while my boy Stoichkov had a decent MLS run you also had Lothar Matthäus fail completely.

I’ll admit to being guilty of wanting to see someone like Figo or Henry on Red Bull, even if they are past their best. Because let’s face it, while MLS is improving tremendously those who want to see the game at its finest, especially those of us who like continental football more than the EPL (which MLS looks up to the most) are going to continue to put European leagues first, and of course we’d want to see some of the players we spent the past decade of our lives following play in our own backyard. It’s dangerous for MLS, but won’t actually hurt the league if done in moderation (and not LA Galaxy style)

Of course what I really want to see is as much Latin American influence in North America as possible. To be cynical for a second – The US loves politically exploiting Latin America, why not do the same with football?

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