Hat Trick and Question of the Day: 7 Days Until SuperDraft Edition
by James Coston on Jan 5, 2012 9:34 AM CST
in Smolderings and Links
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Keep Calm...and beat a Top-4 London Rival
Hey, remember that time I was freaking out because I was positive that Fulham F.C. were in a tailspin and I said manager Martin Jol was on the verge on getting fired if they didn't do well in their upcoming matches?
It was only two weeks ago.
And I may have slightly jumped the gun.
Since then, Fulham managed a draw with hated South London rival Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, were mere moments away from defeating Norwich on the road...and then atoned for that by beating Arsenal.
Oops.
If only I could have seen this coming...oh wait, they did this last year as well. Fulham were in the relegation zone after a Boxing Day loss at home to eventual drop victims West Ham United and many were calling for Mark Hughes to be sacked midway through his first season with the club. They then proceeded to win their next match and eventually finished 8th in the Premier League.
Fulham are notoriously slow-starters and always seem to catch some rough breaks early as the team starts to gel. After the New Year though, they typically put the pieces together and play some all-around great soccer...while managing to ride their luck as well.
On Monday at home against the mighty Gunners, the Cottagers fell behind in the 21st minute courtesy of a Laurent Koscielny. Still trailing 1-nil with 15 minutes, Arsenal defender John Djourou picked up a soft second yellow to get sent off. Then in the 85th minute, former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos headed the ball in the box for former Arsenal academy product Steve Sidwell to head home to level the match at 1-1. Then in stoppage time, striker Bobby Zamora completed the comeback with a near-side volley that froze Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Typical Fulham.
Superdraft: The Comic-Con of MLS
To all of us who love the Fire and watch more soccer than might seem humanly possible, you're probably counting down the days until next Thursday's MLS SuperDraft.
However, it appears the rest of the non-soccer...well, make that non-MLS world...doesn't seem to share our enthusiasm.
When I asked off from my full-time job to cover the draft, my supervisor had never heard of the event. When I was invited to a dinner party next Wednesday night and informed them that I'd be driving to Kansas City during that time, the host was convinced I was making it up (sorry Mel). Anyone I tried to explain the event to...was completely unaware of its existence.
When I step back and think about it, I guess I'm not too surprised. The SuperDraft is certainly not on the same level as the NFL or NBA draft. Most people won't plan their day around an event that takes place at 11am CST time on ESPN2.
One of the things I'll miss this year will indeed be watching the event on TV. From the combination of awkwardly bad transitions from the main ESPN announcers to the usually unprepared correspondent down near the podium to the completely over-the-top outbursts from Eric Wynalda or Alexi Lalas over the minutest details, the broadcast is usually a master class in how NOT to attract new viewers.
But for MLS junkies like myself, those moments are pure gold. I mean, it has to be tough to only have an hour or until the first round ends to fit in as much content as possible, but I have to imagine the 17 or so college kids home on winter break are watching the end of the re-run of First Take and then watching the draft and thinking, "What language is this in?"
But that's what makes the MLS SuperDraft in particular and MLS in general so great. It's a league on the verge of being truly mainstream and yet, the draft is basically an homage to everything "American soccer geek." And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I think I'll Tivo it as well and watch it when I get back.
The classic "Americans Abroad" dilemma
Unless you've managed to completely avoid Twitter all day (and if you're able to do that, you're a much stronger-willed person than myself and the rest of the HTIOT gang), it'd be hard to miss Tim Howard's wonder goal for Everton.
But lost in the shuffle was the fact that this was Landon Donovan's second game for Everton this season. Landycakes also joined the Toffees on loan during this period two years ago and greatly impressed the Merseyside fans. He did so well in fact that Everton want to bring in the Galaxy star on a permanent contract.
MLS commissioner Dan Garber would not allow Donovan to stay even though it appeared at the time that Landon was willing to leave. It was one of the few examples of MLS absolutely refusing to let a player go where others such as Clint Dempsey. Jozy Altidore and Maurice Edu have made the move. For some, the move abroad has helped the players tremendously. And in other cases, the players' careers have stalled and the player eventually returned to MLS... *coughFreddyAducough*
But what do you think? Is it more important for MLS to let their best players join the world's best leagues and show that Americans can compete on some of the largest stages in the world? Or is it more important for MLS to hold on to the best and help the league grow from within?
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Speaking of loans, it looks like Landon Donovan’s teammate Omar Gonzalez has been loaned to Nuremberg.
Hot Time In Old Town SB Nation's blog for Chicago Fire, Soccer, & Chicago History
I’m not sure how much I like the short-term loans. I think it’s tough to settle in with a new club that’s already midway through their season. I think training stints like SJ with Everton give them good experience, but it seems like you’d either want the player to spend a whole season there or make a permanent move. Otherwise you risk something like what happened to Beckham with AC Milan in 2010.
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James Coston
December 2010 Graduate - Strategic Communication (Emphasis in Public Relations)
University of Missouri - School of Journalism
"And that hit me. I was like, I've got to do the right thing. I can't tell God to wait on me." - Chase Hilgenbrinck
This is a tricky poll question
I’m not too crazy about how much control the league has over player movements and the folks up top have certainly made some missteps (e.g., Taylor Twellman in one sense, maybe Adu in another). But at the same time, I see the benefit in keeping a player like Landon in the league. All in all, I’m hoping to see the day when those kinds of power plays by the league won’t be necessary.
I agree that it is tricky, Mateu, because there is no simple answer. I think in Landon’s case though, it was a situation where he was doing extraordinarily well at Everton the first time around. If he reverted back to his Bayer Leverkusen form, then yeah, bring him home. But if the player is thriving abroad? Makes it hard to make them come back.
Hopefully the poll at least made some people think. I didn’t intentionally try to make it deceptive or slanted.
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James Coston
December 2010 Graduate - Strategic Communication (Emphasis in Public Relations)
University of Missouri - School of Journalism
"And that hit me. I was like, I've got to do the right thing. I can't tell God to wait on me." - Chase Hilgenbrinck
I agree, I meant tricky as in difficult to answer, sorry if that wasn’t clear. I certainly didn’t mean deceptive and it definitely made me think. There’s something to be said for judging the situation based on player performance rather than league publicity needs. But given the way MLS handled the LD at Everton situation, it seems that the latter won out in that case. Either way, I’m glad he got the opportunity to go back.
Thanks for clearing that up. Apologies if I overreacted.
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James Coston
December 2010 Graduate - Strategic Communication (Emphasis in Public Relations)
University of Missouri - School of Journalism
"And that hit me. I was like, I've got to do the right thing. I can't tell God to wait on me." - Chase Hilgenbrinck
I like the Comic-Con reference...
it makes me imagine everyone parading around the SuperDraft in costumes. Wait, what’s that you say? The Sounders fans already do this? Hmmm….
Good poll question too. And you are correct, the MLS pretty much tried to prevent Donovan going to Everton permanently on purpose. Although they didn’t explicitly say it, they priced him so high Everton couldn’t afford him. Now if you have a rich club like Man. City, that’s pocket change to them, but Garber and co. knew what they were doing. I don’t know why Holden and Dempsey were allowed to leave so easily when other cases such as Twellman and Donovan are different. I don’t think anyone foresaw the level that Stu would attain (before the injuries), and especially not the heights that Dempsey would reach. So maybe the league figured letting them go was not that big of a deal vs. a huge name star like Donovan. That’s my guess at least.
One thing to keep in mind is that with all these big foreign names coming into the league, maybe the MLS will start being more lenient in cases like Donovan’s. I really think it came down to keeping his name in the league to keep it growing. Now that the league is getting some other big names of it’s own, maybe Garber won’t feel obligated to keep that American legend here if here really wants to play abroad.
Hot Time In Old Town SB Nation's blog for Chicago Fire, Soccer, & Chicago History
Tradition. Honor. Passion.
To me, the difference between LD and Twellman or Dempsey is that Landon, alongside Beckham, pretty much is the face of MLS. He’s a “marquee player” and carries worth that goes beyond his play on the pitch (though he obviously contributes there, too). MLS still is open to making money from selling players, but I think they thought LD was worth more to them than a transfer fee. I’m still not sure I’m totally okay with interfering with a player’s career like that, but hey, that’s the nature of the game I guess. It might not be that much difference at a big club elsewhere in the world, even if the structures are rather different.
It is worth pointing out that almost everything MLS has done regarding growing the league has been very slowly and meticulously. The fact is, that has worked. They didn’t over-expand early like the original NASL and have kept player salaries from exploding for example. The Donovan to Everton dilemma may have been an overreach, but it’s not as if it wasn’t completely inconsistent with the league’s prior actions.
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James Coston
December 2010 Graduate - Strategic Communication (Emphasis in Public Relations)
University of Missouri - School of Journalism
"And that hit me. I was like, I've got to do the right thing. I can't tell God to wait on me." - Chase Hilgenbrinck
Good points...
Mateu’s sentiment was what I was saying. LD’s value to the MLS is something that they see as “priceless”, or, at the very least, way beyond his actual value to an English team. If Dempsey was the Dempsey that he is now when he played for the Revs, then I think it’s the same situation.
I think that the constant arrival of big name European stars to the league will help the league let some of it’s American talent go easier if there is interest and they want to go. The league still needs Landon, but with players like Keane, Henry, and others, he is not needed quite as much for league growth and exposure because he is getting help from some others now. Obviously he is getting old enough now that a permanent move is more and more out of the question, but it would have been nice to see what he could have done in England even 3-4 years ago.
Hot Time In Old Town SB Nation's blog for Chicago Fire, Soccer, & Chicago History
Tradition. Honor. Passion.
COYW
Good write up about Fulham. At the 80th minute I was just hoping for a couple chances to get a goal let alone getting a win. I’ve been saying to my Fulham followers on Twitter that they’re a second half team so good times are sure to come. I was on the “fire Jol” bandwagon too, but I’m not sure I’m fully off it yet. He makes some baffling line up choices sometimes and seems to refuse to make a sub before the 75th minute.
If you don't have a card, you're not playing hard.
I wouldn’t say I’m completely off the angry bandwagon yet. You’re right, this team has been unlucky at times, but there has also been some questionable decision-making by the manager. If they can keep the momentum going through January though, it could be another top-ten finish for the club. Not to mention the FA Cup is always a good place to cement one’s legacy.
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James Coston
December 2010 Graduate - Strategic Communication (Emphasis in Public Relations)
University of Missouri - School of Journalism
"And that hit me. I was like, I've got to do the right thing. I can't tell God to wait on me." - Chase Hilgenbrinck
Agree with you guys...
I usually only watch Fulham because of Dempsey. However, Fulham never seem to be out of a match and have a knack for that late rally/comeback to pull back a point or 3. Very impressive. Those are the types of clubs that I like to watch the most. I feel Newcastle is similar to Fulham- they don’t have the money to spend like the mega rich teams, but they find a way to find good deals and uncover top talent. Also, I think it’s a better team cohesion/atmosphere with teams like the ones we support. Look a Liverpool or Man U. World class talent, and they can’t even get in matches, and then they get bitter and help team locker rooms apart. It’s nice to make that big signing, but when it jeopardizes the clubhouse, it hurts more than helps. I look at it like the working class, blue collar team is doing well because it works hard and does things right.
I must admit Fulham has really turned it on. Credit to you guys. Through the first 2 months I was wondering about relegation, but once Fulham gets going, they certainly can reel off quite a run! They seem to be a bit of a late start type of team, where it takes them a little while to gel and get going.
Hot Time In Old Town SB Nation's blog for Chicago Fire, Soccer, & Chicago History
Tradition. Honor. Passion.
*help tear team locker rooms apart (Tevez anyone)?
Hot Time In Old Town SB Nation's blog for Chicago Fire, Soccer, & Chicago History
Tradition. Honor. Passion.
what's the point?
When American players (eligibility for MNT) start in MLS, they should only go abroad once they reach the level where they would START (not merely to be a training player) for the team chasing them … especially if they’re good enough to be in the top 20 for the Nats … otherwise all that happens if they make better (than MLS) money but their MNT career suffers or dies … Klinsmann wants impact players … impact players don’t allow themselves to sit the bench … ANYWHERE …
This is a great post, CoachTony. I agree 100%. There’s no reason a player should be rotting on the bench in Europe instead of starting in MLS. I think what happens is that some players will see the money these clubs have and the opportunity to start and they become smitten and make a move without thinking about how much playing time they’ll actually get.
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James Coston
December 2010 Graduate - Strategic Communication (Emphasis in Public Relations)
University of Missouri - School of Journalism
"And that hit me. I was like, I've got to do the right thing. I can't tell God to wait on me." - Chase Hilgenbrinck
Agree with both of you...
that’s what I think would happen if Ream goes abroad, and Agudelo until he gets a year or two under his belt. But, when discussing a player like Donovan, who is good enough to start for Everton, let alone a few years ago when he was even better, than an argument can be made I think. Of course Dempsey and Stu are also starters.
In the end, if a player just rots on the bench, then I think he should re-think even going to Europe (but money does talk). It’s of course not possible to predict the future, but if a player feels like they have a legit shot at a starting spot in the future, then it should be a valid consideration I think. Sometimes it takes a little work/paying your dues to get into the starting XI. So a player may go abroad knowing he won’t start right away, but if he does good can be in the starting XI a short time down the road. I think that’s one of the big issues a player faces when deciding to move abroad.
Hot Time In Old Town SB Nation's blog for Chicago Fire, Soccer, & Chicago History
Tradition. Honor. Passion.
by Ryan Sealock on Jan 6, 2012 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
Details, details
The first Q to ask whether the player is under contract and what’s remaining time. For sure Stu Holden and I think Deuce Dempsey were at contract’s end and had not resigned – they were free agents (plus Stu held a UK passport and had already tried once before after 2 years of college). So they had leverage, if not freedom.
Dumbass Taylor T had just re-signed for several years and then asked out. Sorry. The league has every right to apply the contract; he & his agent were stoopid.
Other guys I dunno their particulars. What was Boca’s situation? Or Zach T?
And, whether he deserves it or not and whether it is good for the league or not, Landon is a unique case. Always will be in terms of his contract situation.
The idea of playing elsewhere is great provided you max the combo of league quality and playing time. If you’re not playing, I could care less that you train in Spain (see Jozy a few years bac)…But that’s the rub, the clubs that can buy our guys’ contract are at least the ones that have sufficient squad depth for competition, which results in Jozy not even dressing, but he stuck it out……Completx, case-by-case, but I think for a while we will be like SAm countries were our best go to Europe.
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