L.E. Eisenmenger
ESPN doubles World Cup coverage, bullish on soccer across the board
ESPN, the U.S. sports broadcasting giant of 5,000 employees, is preparing to launch their coverage of World Cup South Africa 2010, their seventh World Cup and largest operation ever outside of the U.S. The production is twice the scale as the production in Berlin and Munich in 2006 and has 300 full-time staff members dedicated…
Expansion bid by foreign club could spur changes in MLS contracts
MLS Commissioner Don Garber is once again soliciting foreign clubs to buy into the League now that the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) confirmed that they’ll strike if the League doesn’t move towards guaranteed contracts and free agency. That’s to say, if Garber is going to make concessions on the issues that killed the Barcelona bid…
MLS referees don’t cut it for World Cup
FIFA released the list of 30 referees from 20 countries who will officiate at the World Cup and the United States is not represented on that list, even as an AR. Putting aside politics and questionable selections such as Martin Hansson, the Swedish referee who missed Thierry Henri’s handball, the decision is a sharp indictment…
Is it time for youth transfer fees in the US?
US soccer has progressed to the level where like the rest of the world, MLS clubs should considering paying modest youth transfer fees to local clubs that develop the young players they select for their U16 and U18 academy teams. Reimbursement in the form of scholarships would encourage local clubs to develop complete players instead…
Beckham is back in MLS and teaching lessons like the headmaster
David Beckham is back in MLS and and after only a few weeks is fully engaged in every commotion related to soccer in the United States. Expansion team ownership, international competition, player contracts, ticket sales, refereeing, MLS Cup, and fan confrontations are now all Beckham-related and bear his mark. The LA Galaxy are headed for…
Inter sweeps AC Milan for third place in World Football Challenge
Watch Milan v Inter live online here. Tied for third place in the inaugural World Football Challenge tournament, Inter and AC Milan fought for pride at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, and Jose Mourinho’s Inter kept their dignity with a 2-0 win over hometown rival AC Milan. Chelsea won the tournament July 26 by shutting…
Interview with Heather Mitts, USWNT, Olympic Gold Medalist, Boston Breakers Defender and ESPN’s “Sexiest Female Athlete”
Heather Mitts is a left back starting for the Boston Breakers in the new WPS league. Mitts has earned 100 caps with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, and featured colorfully in several magazines. From running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, to her views on collegiate soccer,…
The case for separate East and West MLS All-Star matches v foreign powers in 2010
MLS is ready to double the ante for its annual All-Star competition in 2010 by creating two separate teams for the Eastern and Western Conferences to compete against two international powers. This July 29, EPL Everton and keeper Tim Howard compete against the MLS All-Stars at Utah’s Rio Tinto Stadium, the seventh and newest soccer…
Interview with Hope Solo, USWNT and St Louis Athletica Goalkeeper
Hope Solo is the goalkeeper for the US national team, a 2008 Beijing Olympic Gold medalist, and now the undaunted keeper for St. Louis Athletica, a WPS team currently at the bottom of the table. Noted for her outspoken comments about her coach’s decisions during the World Cup, she is just as genuine and forthright…
Carnival atmosphere at MLS matches pushes the envelope
The carnival atmosphere at MLS games is accepted by fans, but risks overwhelming the game. The quality of players varies greatly in MLS, but fans are always provided with a good display of talent and competition on the pitch. Although unnecessary, it’s become standard for stadiums to employ a wide range of distractions from the…
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