A soccer diary from across the pond

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

The role of unions in North American soccer

Unions can be a highly controversial topic, as it touches upon some of people's basic political opinions. But at the risk of alienating readers I will delve into this topic.

With its single entity structure and its USSF sanctioned status as the only Division I league in America, MLS has a monopoly on top tier league soccer in the US. As is it is employers usually hold bargaining power over the majority of workers as they have more resources available, but when the employer has a monopoly the workers are few alternatives, and the ones they have have big consequences. In this case it would mean a lower level of soccer, or moving to another country, both of which would mean big changes in either the careers, the personal lives or both of the players.

This position has allowed MLS to keep costs down, which not only helped them in the early formative years, but also continues to be a source of pride (source) for the league. As many American and Canadian players have gone to college prior to their career and many seem to have studied business, they might have the a bigger appreciation and understanding of the necessity of this, but as employees with bargaining power that is comparatively smaller than their counterparts in other leagues as they have a harder time pitting the teams against each other for the players' benefit, they need another tool.

This tool is the players' union. It is the union that gave the players the leverage pressure MLS to raise the minimum wage for developmental players from $12.900 to $33.750 as soon the economics of the league allowed it. It is also exactly these players that the players' union should fight for. The top players have the value of their skills to get non-trade clauses, and other extra benefits, but for the young guys, they need the union the ensure that they have proper health care, some level of job security, and other somewhat quite rights. Ensuring these basic rights will also allow the players to focus more on their career and develop as players.

The fact that the MLSPU has focused on job security (guaranteed contracts) and the minimum salary, rather than more grander demands, show that they acknowledge that they are in a completely different situation than the NHL players' association, and that this is responsible representation of player interests, rather than class warfare.

One overlooked issue however, is the position of semi-pro players in the US and Canada. MLSPU only represents MLS players, and Eddie Pope confirmed to me via Twitter, that despite the fact that they can seek advice from MLSPU, there is no union for NASL, USL-Pro CSL players.

I think Eddie Pope and the rest of MLSPU should consider a change, where they go from being a league specific union, to representing the interests of all professional soccer players in the US and Canada. I am certain that the semi-pro players have an even more urgent need for representation to help them. Not so much to increase wages, but more so to ensure the basic things that allow them to improve their quality of life, but also to help them with career advice and career planning, that will help them make choices that are good, not just for their career, but also their lives.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Lessons of the Chicago Rhythm

One thing I will recommend is for my reader to subscribe to the Pitch Invasion podcast by Tom Dunmore and Peter Wilt. They get really good interviews and really delve into topics that other parts of the North American bloggosphere doesn't manage to do in the same degree.

On the most recent podcast Peter Wilt talks about the process of starting up the Chicago Fire 15 years ago. How he had to fight against Nike to get the "Fire" name rather than the team name being the "Chicago Rhythm". While some people might dislike the Fire name it is a lot better than the Rhythm. I also like how Wilt made an effort out of going against the trend the late 90ies with cartoonish logos and colours for sports team in North America. This decision seems to have been validated by the fact that most other original MLS teams have rebranded themselves, either with a new logo and colours like the Galaxy and the Rapids or a total change including the name like Sporting KC and FC Dallas.

Some MLS 2.0 fans or Europeans tend to look at the early MLS team names, colours and logos as silly, and while there is merit to this opinion, it is important to understand why. MLS was brand new, wanted to be major league at an instant, and in that situation it can be tempting to just go with current fads and trends, rather than trying to build an identity that can last.

While there have been minor adjustments, the look of the Chicago Fire, D.C. United, and to some extent the Columbus Crew, has been consistant since they joined the league. This shows, that the identity and the symbols to represent it, have been chosen in a manner that has reflected over which community the team is in, and how to resonate with that in the long run.

I think this is a good lesson, no matter if the context in soccer or business in general. Go about your business in a way that reflects your identity. If you let fads and trends control your business plan, you as a business runs the risk of becomming a fad itself.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Soccer Newsday column on Canadian World Cup qualification

Another column on Soccer Newsday:´
I've reflected over the Canadian games against Panama, the results, what they meant, and what a qualification to the hex and to Brazil could do for Canadian soccer.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

"Where is our Jogi?"

Full disclosure: I watched the Canada game last night (what an awesome result) and then caught the last part of the US game afterwards. Though I still feel the following holds merit:

So. The first US loss to a Caribbean country since 1969. What to make of it?

After a while with Klinsmann as coach, I think it has become clear what his strengths and weaknesses are. He is a great motivational speaker that can bring something out in players on special occasions, but he has also shown clear faults in his tactical understanding of the game. Based on the last part of the Jamaica game and many other games, the US has shown a lacking ability to impose their will on teams and really dominate the game.


If you have such a situation either pick different players or pick a different tactic. There is not even any development in the game of the US. And I think this is down to the skills of Herr Klinsmann. As Germany coach, he was the one to inspire the players to believe they could do it and Joachim Löw, was the one that told them how to do it.

I saw this challenge from the beginning and the exact day that Klinsmann was announced I pointed out the need for a tactically savvy assistant:



And it seems clear that neither Andreas Herzog or Martin Vasquez are the assistant that Klinsmann needs. The US national IS better than Jamaica. They should have won, and with the right player choices and tactical approach it could have been won.

This falls back on both Sunil Gulati and Klinsmann, but in the end it was probably Klinsmann's decision and he needs to realize his own shortcomings.

Fans of the US team should rightfully ask "Where is our Jogi?", because the team needs him.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Christian Wilhelmsson signs for LA Galaxy. Not a DP.

So Christian Wilhelmsson, former Nantes, Roma, Anderlecht and Bolton player, whom LA confirmed is on trial with the club, has confirmed personally to Swedish media that he has signed with the LA side. He had offers from Russia, Qatar and Dubai, but preferred MLS and the Galaxy. He compliments the rising quality of the league and hopes to stay on the Swedish national team. He also says he had offers that paid more, but the chance to play in MLS and live in LA was worth more. Fotballskanalen.se also reports that he won't be a designated player, but will earn $300.000 a year on a 6 month contract with an option for 3 more years. How the hell can LA afford that?

Post script:
I just noticed, that the interview where Wilhelmsson confirms the contract is from SUNDAY the 2nd and the salary article is from last Thursday. Why hasn't LA confirmed anything yet, when Wilhelmsson is speaking openly about it in Swedish media?

Post script 2:
Just to underline: The interview was made the day after the Arena confirmation of the trial, where Wilhelmsson confirms to have signed contract. If it is signed, why isn't LA announcing it?

Monday, August 20, 2012

The Cleetus case and why MLS must sometimes sell big names

Whenever a talented MLS player is transfered to a European league, there is always someone who starts complaining, that MLS will never become a top tier league, if they sell their biggest players.

This idea is partially true, but mostly wrong.

MLS of today is a developmental league. Some people might oppose to that, but the way soccer has developed it is really only La Liga, the Premier League and perhaps the Bundesliga, that cannot be described that way. Most of the best players in Ligue 1, Serie A, the Eredivisie leave for bigger and better leagues and I'm sure thats company MLS and its fans wouldn't mind being a part of.

The thing about players is that most of them are ambitious people. They want to be the best and play with the best, and when you as a club want to sign a player you need to convince them that along of an acceptable salary you can help them achieve that goal. MLS is a good league yes, but there are plenty of leagues, where the quality is higher and the salary is better. Consequently, what MLS must do to attract talent, is tell the players that what it can offer them, is a good league to develop in and when the right offer comes from a foreign club, they won't stand in the way (Unlike the Clint Mathis to Bayern München situation). If MLS and its clubs has a reputation of standing in the way of the players getting to bigger clubs, it will become harder for them to attract the talented players, both foreign and domestic, and this will have a negative impact on the league.

Obviously MLS shouldn't sell any asset at a discount rate, and big efforts should be made at convincing players to stay, but as we saw with Clint Mathis, there are also big downsides to forcing a player to stay, that saw a chance to move on.

Post script:
A more contemporary example: If Fredy Montero decides that he wants to go to a top European league and a club fields a good offer, MLS should accept it. Yes, MLS would lose a top player, but they would earn a good buck and it would send the signal to young South Americans like Montero that MLS is a good, stable league to develop in, in order to get recruited by a top European team and being that stepping stone will help MLS increase its quality as more talented players go there to be spotted.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

New Soccer Newsday column: Women's soccer and MLS

My weekly column on Soccer Newsday got moved to Wednesday, but go give it a read.

Sporting KC and why soccer is more than an immigrant sport

So I have these friends from Edmonton, Alberta, and when I told them about my interest in North American soccer, they rejected any interest any interest in soccer in North America outside of groups of recent immigrants and their kids.

I've heard this many times and in different versions and I've never been able to fit it to my impression of North American soccer fandom.

That is why the outburst of passion that we have witnessed around Sporting Kansas City. This isn't New York or Chicago. This isn't a multicultural metropolis that attracts people from all the world every day. This is heartland America. And they love soccer.

Surveys show that soccer, not MLS, but soccer in general has surpassed hockey in popularity in the US, and what we see in KC is that it is not just because of recent immigration, but a general embrace of soccer by Americans.

It is however also clear, that it is not enough, just offering soccer. You new to have a strategy that shows the local community that the organization is a passionate part of it and that it is committed to creating a winning team.

Americans are soccer fans, but what it takes for American soccer to capitalize on that is a commitment to the community and the fan experience.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Something about Hoilett, myself and this site

Guess what? People actually read this blog. Some guy (Mike Firpo) even thought that what I write here has quality enough for me to write for his site: www.soccernewsday.com.

Today I had my first piece about David Hoilett, which I think all of you guys should read.

I'm really honoured to have the opportunity to write for what will hopefully be a bigger audience and that Mike has faith in my writing abilities. I hope to repay that faith.

It does however also have an impact on this site. Everything Canada will now be on my Soccer Newsday column and as such this site will get a more American flavour. Though everytime I write a column I'll post a link for it here.

Again. Thank you Mike. Really.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Dispatches from Central Europe

So I go on holiday by train through Europe and all of a sudden MLS goes crazy!



Toronto looses Koevermans, trades for Hassli goes on a winning streak and has actually overtaken the Timbers on goal differential.

On that notes it seems as if it didn't help firing John Spencerp and that Portland is just a poor team.

The Galaxy also seems to have finally gotten their mojo back and it is this kind of late season resurgence that could help the 2012 Galaxy copy the 2005 Galaxy and help them win the entire tournament considering the goals by Keane and the quality play of the DPs in LA, a successful play-off run could true show the value of high quality DPs.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Mariner will save Toronto FC from relegation

Had MLS had relegation TFC would be in big problems. Especially had they continued with Winter. Having seen the team under Mariner, it is now clear that Winter lacked the ability to  instill fire, passion and the willingness to fight in the players. Personally I liked what Winter was trying to do, but soccer is also about winning, about grit and fight, and the TFC of Winter lacked that.


Should MLS decide to introduce relegation tomorrow, I'm not sure if TFC would get relegated. Under Mariner they have gotten 1.25 PPG and this would mean 33 points when the season ends. This would obviously not lead to play-off participation, but in leagues with relegation and similar amount of games 33 points often would save a team from relegation, and I am also pretty sure TFC will get more points than that.


So whats the point of this, you'd might ask? Well, it shows how TFC has changed. Under Winter I almost expected TFC to lose every time (which they did), but with Mariner I really believe that we can get something out of it. Mariner has only lost two games (!) and they comeback against the Whitecaps shows that Mariner has created a team, that fights to the end and it if they sign a proper defender after the de Guzman trade, unlike the Aceval and that other guy they signed in the off-season, I think we could see a second half surge that would save Toronto from the nonexistent relegation and give the fans something to be happy about and something to hope for in the future. 

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

John Spencer chopped down

So that was it for John Spencer in Portland. While I find both the Timbers and John Spencer likable, I can't really say I'm surprised. After finishing 6th in the West (12th overall) with 42 points (1,24PPG) a lot of people, including myself, were expecting Portland to do better in this season, in large part because of people expecting Kris Boyd to be goal scorer that he was at Rangers.


After 19 points in 17 games (1,12PPG, 8th in the West, 16th overall), Gavin Wilkinson and Merritt Paulson had to decide whether or not John Spencer could right the ship. With only 16 goals for Portland and only 5 for Boyd, its easy to see where the problem is and the task for the new coach will be to introduce a style of play that will either give Boyd more scoring chances or work with Boyd to make him convert more of the chances he gets.


Who knows? But good luck to Merritt Paulson with putting together a good team, Portland deserves that.


Monday, July 9, 2012

The truth about TFC and MLS (sort of)

So I finally convinced someone to watch MLS with me and thanks to an early kick-off I could watch TFC play against Philly at 22pm Danish time along with my sister's boyfriend. It was cool to share it with someone else here, but I was also curious about what his thoughts on the level and style of play would be. If you have an emotional attachment to something, it is easier to unconsciously perceive it as better than it perhaps is, so it was fun getting his more independent opinion. This was the result:


He found that it was easy to see that it was a game of two bottom teams, but not a relegation fight, but was very impressed by the speed of the game. He was a bit ambivalent about the quality of the passing as there were many very good diagonal crosses (especially from Philly), but also many missed passes and bad runs.


On the more than well-known topic of the TFC defense, he noticed how they were playing very compact, but that they seemed to lack communication and little happened going forward from them.


On the other hand he was very impressed by the the wide play of Philadelphia, but also missed more attempts from outside the box from both teams.


In the end he was overall impressed with MLS and is looking forward to watching two better teams play.


Do we have a convert? I don't know yet. But he has an open mind and I will continue to expose him to the league. 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

The Impact of Montreal's player strategy

This tweet made me chuckle, but also made me think about the pros and cons of having an old squad in the first season.


In the Montreal-Kansas City game the Impact's starting 11 had an average age of 27,8. This was however without players such as Matteo Ferrari (32), Bernardo Corradi (36) or Eduardo Sebrango (39).


Being an expansion team is difficult. Most of the players haven't played together before and at the same time you need to convince the local citizens of your product. In that sense having an older team in the beginning makes sense. You can use the experience of the old players to get instant success, which will help you established the team in the market (Yes, Montreal needs to reestablished itself - there is a huge difference between selling out the old Stade Saputo in the NASL and the new Stade Saputo in MLS.). 


With that in mind it makes sense for Joey and the Impact to go after players such as Ferrari, Corradi, Rivas, Di Vaio and Nesta. However, the strategy doesn't really seemed to have worked. The instant success hasn't appeared. They aren't Toronto FC bad (then again, who is?), but if you are going with older players in order to achieve something now, you can't really be happy about being behind New England in the standings.


At the same time Montreal soccer fans has failed to make an impact in the stands. They filled the Olympic Stadium for the home opener against Chicago and against LA, but after the attendance wouldn't even fill the new Stade Saputo. After moving into their right home, the Impact's attendance has collapsed with only 12.000 against Houston and Kansas City and only 14.000 against arch-rival Toronto.


Being a Toronto FC fan I could easily use this to make fun off and ridicule Montreal, but I won't. I want soccer to grow in North America and I want every single team to have some degree of success (obviously everyone can't have that at the same time) and I want them to fill their stadiums with passionate fans. Seeing 12.000 at Stade Saputo makes me sad and I hope Joey Saputo is taking this seriously and hopefully knows that in the long run, it will take more than signing Alessandro Nesta to put people in the seats.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

MLS and its embracement of Canada

Whenever I talk about about MLS I try to make an effort out of calling it a NORTH American  league, rather than just an American one. Obviously it hasn't always been that way, not only because the league didn't have a Canadian team, but also in the way the MLS website and its premiere podcast ExtraTime Radio have covered Canadian content.


Even after Toronto FC's entry, the league was still very much American, and the news was primarily focused on the USMNT and almost all stories had an American angle.


Having followed the league for 10 years, and having paid special attention to Canadian content the last 5, I can really say the the coverage this year has been amazing. Yes, Montreal also joined the league, but last years when it was Vancouver and Toronto, the quality wasn't there yet. The season there has been an abundance of stories about Canadian soccer in and of itself. No American angle, just Canadian soccer. The CMNT has received more prominence and Canadian players abroad have been covered more. 


MLS has stepped up its game, and embraced and included Canada, and I for one, applaud it.


P.S.
 I just have to point out this tweet:
If I put on my megalomaniac hat, I'd like to think it changed after that ;-)

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Sweet relief

"Does anyone have a clean glass? I'm fixin' to pour myself a big ol' helping of Paul Mariner Kool-Aid!" Daniel Squizzato 


What a win! I mean. We actually got a win. Away from home. A clean sheet. 3 goals! Against a rival team. This is amazing. Obviously Toronto FC is still in a crappy position, and this is only one game. But that kind of result does inspire hope after the beginning of the season. It was also nice to see the DPs play well. Say what you want, but in a salary cap league a high pay means you have to perform. Even more so than in other leagues.



Robert Kraft is my homeboy

So it seems like Robert Kraft agrees with me: soccer in most places in Europe is bad business. For soccer clubs to be healthy business that are independent of playground owners like Abramovich or Sheik Mansour, regulation on the spending capability of the clubs are vital.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

A lonely battle. The life of a preacher man

So I have this hope/ambition/dream to work with soccer in North America. I see a lot of potential for the game and it would be amazing to be a part of it. 


The thing is, a lot of people haven't seen that potential yet. Soccer is "fodbold" in Danish and every time I tell people of my dreams, I have to clarify that I am referring to soccerball and not pointy-ball. After having made that point, everyone says: "But Americans don't like soccer", and then I have to begin my speech were I point out the potential: Biggest sport measured in participation. The TV-ratings for European soccer. The endless friendlies played by European and Latin American teams at sold-out NFL size stadiums. The growth of MLS in just 16 years. I've repeated myself so many times. I think that if someone has a passion, that they can't share they become more fanatical about it. At least that is a trait I see in myself. Sometimes when I try to explain to people that Americans (and Canadians) do indeed care about soccer it sometimes becomes more of a rant than an explanation and it makes similar to a missionary in a population of heathens and I am trying to preach the truth, but no one listens. And its so obvious (to me at least)! I mean, why the hell would Barcelona set up youth camps in America if they don't see potential and therefore want to increase brand awareness?


About a quarter of the student population of my university are foreigners and I've been very involved with international students and as such I've often run into Canadians and Americans. And sometimes that is even more frustrating. One thing is failing to convince Europeans about the future of soccer in North America, but talking to people from North America, who fail to see it, is sometimes mind-boggling. I mean, its right in front of them. Its happening. Soccer HAS arrived and will become even bigger.


See? It happened again. It turned into a rant/preaching. I hope I'm not going crazy. Am I crazy? I mean, I'm the guy that made Umbro Canada add Denmark and Sweden to the countries they ship to, so I could get the centennial jersey (and thanks for that by the way). I stay up at 3am to watch soccer. That beats out any eurosnob getting up at 7am to watch the Premier League. I guess I am crazy, but the world needs a bit of crazy and I just hope I can find someone to share it with.

Monday, June 18, 2012

MLS and the Bundesliga as role models

When I'm not an avid soccer fan, I am also a business student and what I love the most is trying combine the two. I kind of started it in my last post about Red Bull, but in this one I will continue to do so. The blog will pretty continue like this, with a lot of smaller posts about my personal experience of the soccer side of things and then once in a while longer posts about the business side of it.

During my bachelor degree I've been part of two group projects that wrote two assignments of 60 and 90 pages about the business of soccer in Europe and accordingly I feel I know a fair bit about it. What I really learned from it is that the best business model today in Europe is the one of the Bundesliga. As soccer has been extremely commercialized the benefits of a Champions League qualification or the problems of a relegation leads to aggressive risk-seeking and there is little incentive to spend responsibly. The only thing that can change this is heavy-handed regulation and a large degree of revenue sharing as it happens in the Bundesliga. I also think the key in the Bundesliga, is that soccer isn't treated as a business, but as a sports. Because 51% have the shares have to owned by fans, the purpose of profits is to strengthen the team, rather than to benefit any owner. These factors combined is what I think gives the Bundesliga the attractive combination of success both off and on-field.

This being the blog it is, I also want to add a perspective from North America. The key behind having a healthy business model is curbing the incentives to attempt to outcompete the opponent by outspending them. I also see MLS as having a good model if the ownership is going to be corporate rather than fan based. The single-entity structure, the salary cap, revenue sharing and the lack of relegation allows for teams to try and think long term without being punished by relegation and the salary cap means that teams aren't driven to unhealthy wage/revenue ratios.

Obviously, the culture and history of soccer in the individual countries needs to be factored in when designing the league, but as I the Bundesliga and MLS as two of the best leagues at controlling expenses, which can be attributed their business models, they stand in a good position of having a prominent position in the future global landscape of soccer.

Why Red Bull ownership actually has benefits for fans

The header is probably controversial. Some people see the Red Bull takeover of SV Austria Salzburg, the New York/New Jersey Metrostars and SSV Markranstädt as the peak of the commercialization of soccer and cries foul over this development. 


But when you look at it, is it any different from any other non-fan ownership of sports teams? Most owners are trying to earn money from running the team, a good example of this being Malcolm Glazer at Manchester United or Lew Wolff of the Oakland A's. This means that unlike the fan owned clubs, like the Bundesliga clubs, a lot the revenue generated by the teams end up in the pocket of the owner rather than being put to use by the team.


The Red Bull approach is different. Yes, they want to earn money, but the main product is the beverage and all other activities are in support of this product. What does this mean? It means that Red Bull Salzburg/Leipzig/Brasil/Ghana/New York could spend like the Chelsea FCs of the world and Red Bull could just put it in the budget as a marketing expense. Any profit generated by the teams are obviously welcomed, but the main goal of owning the team is increasing brand awareness for the beverage. This mean that Red Bull is likely more ready to spend on players, facilities, etc, in order to have on-field success as this will reflect positively on the brand.


Obviously, there are issues, especially in the cases where Red Bull took over clubs that had a previous history, as it must be tough for fans to see their club being changed, but when you consider the commercialization already in place in soccer, Red Bull ownership isn't that drastic. Commercial partners are everywhere and its impossible to watch soccer without being exposed to a gazillion advertisements: I count 4 sponsors + Nike on this Helsingborgs IF shirt worn by current Red Bull Markus Holgersson.
 (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Red Bulls running soccer clubs is something that can be criticized on many levels, but those are also criticisms that can be pointed at other owners of pro-sports teams and one huge benefit of having Red Bull owning your team, is that they are very likely to have a very strong focus on improving the on-field product and the atmosphere at the stadium. Red Bull showed this in New York with their investments in Red Bull Arena, and the high-profile coaches and DPs. While they have not had success yet, there should be little doubt that Red Bull is ready to spend money in order for NYRB to have success.

I will totally understand why people will reject Red Bull ownership, but it should not be a debate without nuances.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Two awfully important games

The games against Honduras and Guatemala are actually quite exciting. There story lines are great. 


Canada got the win against Cuba and has momentum, but the match is against an opponent with whom there is a lot of history, both good (1984) and bad (2008). I really hope the Voyageurs, other fan groups and the CSA have managed to sell a lot of tickets to Canada supporters, which will give a boost to the team and help them get a win as this will almost surely give them a place in the hexagonal. Because the 4th place team will play an OFC team this means that CONCACAF is almost ensured 4 team in the World Cup. If Canada can finish at least 4th in the hexagonal, they really should be able to beat any OFC team and accordingly a win tonight will put them on the path towards Brazil 2014.


USA is under a lot more pressure. This is the first time EVER Klinsmann is coaching in World Cup qualifiers anywhere and I just hope that he doesn't underestimate the psychological  pressure of Central American games. I don't fear that the US won't get to the World Cup, but if Klinsmann underestimates these game, it is a real risk.


I think that this is one of the most important World Cup (and qualifiers) in a long, long time for soccer in the US and Canada. Because the World Cup is in Brazil, the games will be in prime time, meaning that two national teams have a unique opportunity to showcase themselves to the soccer fans in their countries that are not supporting them yet. This can really be a step forward for soccer in both countries and in a way it all starts tonight. Canada will get a A LOT closer to the World Cup by beating Honduras and Klinsmann needs to show he respects CONCACAF and he is able to apply his system and style of play under tough circumstances.

MLS withdrawal

When I started this blog I had set I rule for myself, that I'd limit how much I'd write about European soccer. I'll break that rule a little bit today.


MLS is on international break. This is tough. Its actually worse than the off-season. In the off-season there are friendlies, trade rumours and all sorts. Now its all nothing.


Being Danish and Denmark being at Euro 2012, I'll admit to being interested in the tournament, but to be honest it doesn't fill the gap. I'm passionate about Denmark and when we beat the Dutch I was dancing in the streets of Copenhagen along with many others, but I've come to realize how big a part of my life MLS and North American soccer have become. 


Yes, I think more about how the Whitecaps are able to keep that many offensive players happy, while rotating them, than about where Didier Drogba goes (unless it is MLS ) or whether or not France gets out the group. Don't get my wrong, I'm a soccer junkie, I DO care where Drogba goes and I've watched most of the Euro 2012 games, but I seriously need my fix and the only thing, that really does it is MLS.


At least there is the USA and Canada games.


Allez les rouges.
Go USA go.

Friday, June 8, 2012

"And now for something completely different"

Hey. So there are some soccer games to be played today right? There are four awesome games today. The World Cup qualifiers are kicking off tonight and as a warm UEFA was nice enough to schedule the EUROs right before. But with traditional disregard of Canada they scheduled a game, which collides with Canada's game.


What will I be doing tonight? I have the pesky thing called a social life and I made the mistake of failing to cancel this over the next two weeks. So I will probably miss all four games, though I'd might have a chance of catching parts or all of the US game if the party sucks. 


Because of this risk of collision between social life and soccer fandom, I quite like midweek games because being a student with an ability to totally disregard, societal conventions of daily rhythm, there are less clashes with midweek games than weekend games.

"Here I stand; I can do no otherwise"

So. Winter out, Mariner to the bench. What to say. While still passionate about the club, it becoming increasingly hard to have a strong reaction about front office changes. With Winter's record its not surprising that he ended up getting fired. 

I just hope MLSE and the front office have a strategy, whatever it is. I don't care if its idealistic or pragmatic; 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. Heck it could be a 1-8-1 for my liking as long as they win. The only thing I want is direct play. I dislike passive play, and I want players going forward, fighting for the win.

If that is what Mariner will bring, then wonderful. My only wish is for MLSE to make sure that they find a strategy and an identity for the team, so they ensure that players developed in the academy fits with the first team. This is why I chose the quote in the header. With such a turnover in the front office and the management, all you can do as a fan now is hope that this is finally the time they get it right.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

10 freakin years. How to make a young man feel old

Oh dear. Its actually been 10 years since this obsession of mine started. I remember 10 years ago. I was 15, living with my parents and because of the time difference I could wake up every morning and watch soccer. I remember turning on the TV and watching the game, while getting dressed and all of a sudden O'Brien scored and I was like: "WHAT? Aren't Portugal supposed to beat the crap out of these guys?" I watched the entire game and I was amazed. This lead me to following the team for the rest of the tournament and after that my attention turned to MLS and that is how it all started.

North American soccer and my fascination thereof have followed from boyhood to manhood and it has become a big part of who I am and how I spend my time. Its been one heck of a ride and I look forward to the next 10 years and hopefully this will include new record setting performances by the US in the World Cup and a new appearance by Canada in that tournament.

Monday, June 4, 2012

CAN-USA post game comments

I actually really like this game. I can't really complain about the fact that it was a tie. But I have to admit I was sorta hoping for Canada goal in the end. They fought hard, shut down the US team and played with grit and passion. I quite like soccer played that way.


Ricketts was amazing and really showed the defensive limitations of Castillo. Both goalkeepers played well. Lots of chances for both teams.


In the end the result for useful for both teams. Canada proved that they can fight their way to a result (could have won if not the the referee) and the US got a reminder of the playing style of CONCACAF opposition. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think Klinsmann has a better track record against non-CONCACAF teams.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Something about the soccer game tonight

Having come off a 4-day binge celebrating the hand-in of my bachelor thesis (on financial regulation in European soccer), I'm now faced with a tough choice: do I support Canada or the US tonight?

I guess it can be compared to choosing between two very loved adopted children. It's hard. Considering many of my page views are Canadian and American (expect for the two Russian spam bots, let's call them Yuri and Dimitri) many of you will have a diverse heritage and will know how it feels having emotions invested multiple places.

Considering it is a test match and all, I'll be a chicken and just hope for a good match. Though because it's a special game for the Canadians I'll probably be extra happy if they get a good result.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Social life vs soccer

So this weekend life got in the way of some great moments. Until 10pm Saturday night I didn't have any plans and was more than happy to stay at home and watch both the TFC-Union game and the USA-Scotland game. But then life got in the way. Some friends called my and asked if I wanted to go to a party and I went. Around midnight the MLS app on my phone then told me that TFC had finally won, and then it felt weird having not seen it. Luckily my departure from  the party and my return home coincided with the start of the US game and I start watching it. I think I watched like 5 minutes and then I fell asleep because I was tired and drunk. I wake to the news that they won 5-1. COME ON!


I don't regret going to the party, but those matches would've been sweet to watch. But those are the choices faced by a Danish fan of North American soccer. 6pm EDT games means midnight here. So earlier games often clash with social events (especially the Saturday games) and later games are in the middle of the freakin' night, where I run the risk of falling asleep during them. So while many MLS fans hate games kicked off at noon, I have an admission: I love them.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Toronto FC - Philadelphia Union preview

TFC won the Voyagers Cup, which is pretty awesome. But even more so, it confirmed my theory of the necessity of a trophy and a cup feel. 

Philly is visiting BMO tomorrow and we need a name for the cup. I don't want to be cruel, but we have to be honest and realize that we are talking about the bottom-two teams in the Eastern Conference (make that MLS), so I really can't find a more fitting name than the Suc(k)tion Cup.


I love TFC and at time the play has been promising, but its hard to argue against that both teams have sucked at getting results this season. And as TFC has tended to play better in cup play, me naming this game the Suc(k)tion Cup™ this is bound to spur on TFC to win. The winner gets to say that they don't suck that much.



TFC, Trophies and Some Canadian Guys

So this day turned out to be quite a roller coaster of a day. I woke this morning and lo and behold: TFC HAD WON THE FREAKIN' VOYAGERS CUP! Pretty good way to start the morning I'd say. The entire day was spent putting the last touches on my bachelor thesis along with my group (the topic btw is Financial Fair Play in the top-3 European Leagues - I'd might make a post about it, inspire of the non-eurocentric perspective of this blog) and this evening I go on Twitter and get some of the worst news in a very long time: Some Canadian Guys Talking About Soccer is going on an indefinite hiatus. This has been one of my favourite podcasts, I am going to miss it greatly and I count myself lucky to have met Daniel Squizzato, while I lived in Toronto last year. Great guy.


Back to Toronto. I'm going to repeat myself. Toronto wins if there is a cup on the line. Buy A LOT of trophies and name every game a cup. Boom. Plenty of victories.





Monday, May 21, 2012

something about average attendance

Some people complain about the attendance in MLS. And yes, it sucks seeing half empty stadiums in Denver or Dallas. But is average attendance really that bad in MLS? Its the soccer league in the world with the 9th best attendance. Pretty good, eh? And its probably the soccer league in the world that faces the fiercest competition from other sports in their country/countries.

Denmark and MLS Part 1: The Danes in MLS

Considering that MLS get minimum coverage here in Denmark, anytime something happens that connects the Danish Superliga, Canada, the US and MLS  it gets my attention.


Obviously the Danes of MLS get my attention. I think its awesome how Jimmy Nielsen has rebooted his career in KC. He needed that after getting relegated with Vejle.


Wow. How is that for a coincidence. Just as I am writing this post I hear the news linking Mads Junker to MLS. I'm looking forward to see if it pans out. And back to the original post:


I also quite like Christian Sivebæk in Seattle. He was known as a guy with plenty of talent, but a bit of an attitude problem in Denmark, and without knowing it I'm pretty sure that limited his options. Then Seattle came knocking, and tell me where you'd prefer to play. In front of 38.000 Sounders fans or 6 or 7.000 quite quiet fans in Denmark? While the strengths are different and its hard to compare leagues, in my opinion MLS is not a step down in any way.


I remember back in 2002 when I started following MLS, Ronnie Ekelund was playing for the Earthquakes and I though it was pretty cool to have a Dane, who had been under contract with Barcelona, was now winning MLS cups. I looked into the history it was also pretty cool to find Miklos Molnar who not only scored his way to a MLS cup with KC but also play for Denmark at EURO2000 while playing for an MLS side.


Brian Nielsen was just a bleep on the NYRB radar. I don't even think he has a team these days. Too bad, he could have amounted to more with a better attitude and less injuries.









NEWSFLASH: DANISH STRIKER TO MLS

Danish broadcaster DR links Danish striker Mads Junker to MLS. He has scored a lot of goals in the Dutch Eresdivie over the years (65 goals in 187 games since 2006) with 7 goals in 34 games this season. In spite of his goals he rarely got a chance for the Danish national team as Denmark coach Morten Olsen didn't think Junker would fit into the system. Junker is 31 years old and should be an improvement for a lot of MLS teams.

New favourite shirt! And something about foreign national teams

So last week I decided to buy the CSA centennial jersey. It looks sharp and it only costs $60. First hindrance appeared: They don't ship to Denmark. What does one do? Well tweet to Umbro Canada of course and after a short correspondence they added Denmark (and Sweden) to the list of countries they ship to. Second hurdle: $30 shipping. I decided that it wasn't a hurdle anyway. $90 for a limited edition jersey isn't that much and I've grown to have a special relationship with Canada.

So I'd like to thank Umbro for being flexible and FedEx for getting it here in 3 days.

Full disclosure:
I got into this whole MLS-US-Canadian soccer thing because of the US national team back in '02 (I still can't believe its been 10 years). I follow them closely and I still get passionate whenever they play. But I've decided I can also support Canada just as much. Also, Denmark being my home and all they are #1 and then after that I allow myself to support multiple other countries, with the knowledge I'll always support Denmark against them.
That means that while this shirt is #1 to me
 this

as well as the new Canada jersey are both special to me.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I also support Germany every now and then:


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Adrian Cann agrees with me. Sort of.




So. We lose again. This is getting ridiculous. Adrian says that the difference is that they wanted to win a cup on wednesday. I can only point to a previous post about that.


I've never been big on the whole tiki-taka-Dutch-Barca thing. Teams with plenty of possession and chances, who don't win pisses me off. It won't stop me from supporting the team, but its frustrating. So I can't agree more with Danny K.


Dear TFC please win the Voyageurs Cup, and after you do so, please buy those trophies as I suggested.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

something about how winning doesn't matter... that much

This might sound stupid, but I'd like to talk about how winning doesn't really matter all that much for me as a fan and I don't think it should for others as well.


For me supporting a team, is all about community, a sense of belonging and shared experiences. If winning was important I'd support Manchester United or Real Madrid (which I don't). For reasons I've presented earlier I support Toronto FC. But the tough part isn't the losing record. The tough part is not having anyone to share the downs and ups and downs with. This is why I love twitter. It allows me be part of a tormented community that shares my passion for TFC and for MLS. I don't mind being sad over a loss, but it would be harder if I was alone with it.


Tender by Blur describes how I feel about TFC. Love is great, no matter if its tough, and one day it will be better.





something about VAN-TOR

  

So, I only just watched the highlights. Watching games 4AM on a week night just can't be pulled off often. But judging from those and my twitter feed it seems like Johnson has just confirmed that he is a beast. So nice to watch him play. It was also pretty cool to see a line-up with 5 players eligible for the CMNT. I'm not sure where I stand on the quota debate and the discussion between many TFC and 'Caps fans on the amount of Canadians on the teams, but I take pleasure in seeing talented players getting playing time and experience, which they can transfer to the CMNT.

Also. I can't wrap my head around how well TFC plays, when its a cup match and how poorly they play when its a league match. My solution: Buy a trunk-load of trophies and make every single game "a cup". Heck, we'd win the league if the front office did that.

Oh yeah, that Hassli goal. It was good.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The CSA Centennial jersey is really cool




















(source: Canada Soccer)

I gotta say, I like this jersey. Its look retro (which I guess a centennial jersey should be) and I like the idea of having a one time jersey just for the centennial games.

Now if they only shipped to Denmark.

I love gay right advocacy. Especially in sports

Awesome awesome to hear that MLS is partnering up with "You can play".
I remember learning about Brandon Burke in the fall when I did Sociology of Sport, when I studied at Ryerson University in Toronto in the fall and the story really touched me.

I am however also a business student and one of the first things we learn about communication and branding is that, if it is going to be successful you have to be consistent and not be perceived as sending mixed signals. And when an entity also has a partnership with the Boy Scouts of America, who have been critized for homophobia.

MLS should be applauded for supporting "You can play", but should be worried that it can come of as opportunist.

awesome soccer moments

Some of the awesome soccer stuff I've experienced:

  • First MLS game in Toronto in 07
  • MLS Cup 07 in DC
  • Getting quoted as a source for news on yanks abroad by Bruce on du nord
  • Meeting Shawn Francis outside the revealing of Klinsmann as US coach and him interviewing me for an article on MLSsoccer.com
  • Moving to Toronto for 5 months in 2011 and following TFC
  • Having the courage to walk up to Duane Rollins at pre-game beers and thank him for his hard work
  • Having been around U-Sector, both at BMO and for away games at the Duke
  • Getting published in a real freakin' news paper with an article on me and TFC
Late inclusion:

hey, is that JPA next to me at MLS Cup '07? I'm pretty sure it is


hey this is my first MLS game in Toronto back on '07!


mandatory first post

I'm gonna be honest with you guys. I actually don't know that much about soccer. That is. I know a lot of stuff about teams and players and leagues and stuff. But the actual game. I can hardly tell if a tackle is illegal or not. Big chock. The European soccer fans doesn't know soccer. But what I have is passion. At least thats what I think it is. It must be. Its 230AM here in Copenhagen and I can't fall asleep because I kept on thinking about how I've wanted to start blogging about soccer for a while and my head was full of ideas.


Full disclosure: I'm a TFC fan. But almost as much I'm a fan of MLS and the US and Canadian national teams. I'm passionate about the growth of the domestic game in the aforementioned countries. I dream of working in any kind of position in North American soccer where I can help it grow.


What you'll get from this blog won't be analysis. Just my thoughts and experiences of following the beautiful game across the pond (and of supporting a team on a losing streak).


For this first post I'll direct you to an article I wrote for a Danish daily called Politiken about my relationship with TFC, though I'm guessing you'll prefer the translated version at Canadian Soccer News.