Barca Confirms MLS Miami Bid

Barca & MLS

It’s official.  Today, FC Barcelona will formally submit a bid to bring MLS back to Miami in 2011.  For US soccer fans, this is wonderful news.  While, technically, MLS still needs to select the cities that will be awarded bids, the variables of Barcelona (which already has a partnership with MLS), local owner passionate about soccer (already owns a Bolivian pro team), local government funding (rumored $50M earmarked for soccer stadium), and, of course, the allure of having a presence in Miami, make the selection almost a no brainer.

First, MLS has to have a presence in the Southeast, especially Miami.  Too important of a market, particularly with its international presence, not to.  Anyone who followed the Miami Fusion closely knows pro soccer can and will work in South Florida.  It’s simply a matter of putting a quality product on the field.

Second, that a club like Barcelona is willing to associate its brand with MLS speaks volumes of how the league has come.  With all due respect to Chivas, this is a true sign of international respect.  Barca is a giant.  And having them as investors further legitimizes MLS and soccer in the US.  In fact, it’s only a matter of time before other European giants develop similar plans to affiliate themselves with MLS.  No chance they allow Barcelona to gain a stronghold into the American market without a fight.

Finally, Barca will ensure that this club, unlike the Fusion, is run first class.  Says here they will raise the bar for the rest of MLS on how to run a professional club.  Futbolinsider envisions first rate academies, scouting, player development, etc., all of the qualities that make clubs like Barcelona successful.

MLS needs this shot in the arm.  And as a former Fusion loyalist, Futbolinsider could not be more pleased.  Today is a great day in South Florida soccer.

MLS to Miami Rumors Heating Up

Miami Bound?

Once again the MLS to Miami rumors are starting to heat up.  And, once again, the name tossed around is FC Barcelona.  With FIU’s new stadium set to increase its capacity to 21,000 by 2011, it appears an MLS franchise in Miami could finally become a reality.

A couple of points, however.

• While FIU’s SW Miami-Dade County is ideal, not sure the idea of having an MLS franchise play in a football stadium is.  First, the proven MLS business model is a Soccer-Specific Stadium.  Second, the thought of watching professional soccer with the football hashmarks is bush league.  Gives off the somewhat accurate perception that this is a second rate sport.  So here’s hoping the long-term plans include a Soccer-Specific Stadium in South Florida.
• If FC Barcelona ends up with an MLS franchise, it will be interesting to see how the logistics play out.  Will it be called Barcelona USA (ala Chivas USA)?  Will the parent club own some special rights to the players on the US squad?  And, will Barcelona use the MLS franchise as a farm team (i.e. focusing more on tapping into the immense US youth soccer pool and developing players for the Spanish side)?  Or will the focus be simply on putting the best product on the field, i.e. strategically investing in foreign players?

Ultimately, whatever the outcome, it is encouraging that both MLS and South Florida realize soccer must return to the area.

Blatter: No USA Bid for 2018 World Cup?

Blatter

Looks like Sepp Blatter is at it again, doing all he can to sweeten the pot for FIFA’s cash cow, a/k/a the World Cup.  In a recent interview Blatter all but rules out a 2018 bid from the US because it happens to be in the “Americas” like Brazil, host to the 2014 World Cup.

Some awfully weak reasoning on Blatter’s part, frankly.

Blatter should just come out and say that England should be the 2018 host because it would have been 50 years since they last hosted the event, as opposed to the 24 for the US.  That would make sense.

Instead, Blatter throws out countries like Qatar (you’re joking, right?) and Japan (didn’t they just co-host 6 years ago?) and comes across foolish.  It’s clear Blatter is just looking for ways to sweeten the bids by creating the illusion of competition.

Here’s hoping Blatter’s reign convinces FIFA to impose term limits going forward.  The sport does not need to be politicized and mocked by its leader.

Painful to Watch

Painful

For anyone who watched the entire US v. Cuba game you can attest that it was a painful experience.  Frankly, it resembled a USL game, and a bad one at that.  The only positive is that more mainstream media is starting to notice.

Bad passes.  Poor traps.  Long balls without any purpose.  And absolutely no rythm to speak of.  And while the field and weather conditions were not optimal, it is no excuse.  Not when these types of lackluster performances have become the norm under Bob Bradley.

This US side should certainly qualify for the World Cup.  But that should no longer be the goal.  In fact, just being competitive is not enough.  Advancing to the knockout stages must be the expectation.

But this team just does not seem ready.  They play unimaginative, almost formulaic soccer.  Not only is Bradley not bringing out the best in each player, but many are actually regressing.  Edu, Dempsey, Beasley, Donovan and even Bradley, Jr. seem to play worse for Bradley than any other coach.

Ultimately, US Soccer should be at a point where barely beating Cuba and Guatemala on the road is cause for concern, not celebration.  Here’s hoping Sunil Gulati does not let the program spiral further down.

Good US; Bad US

The Good

The Good:

The Women’s Olympic Team avenging the humbling loss to Brazil at last year’s WC and winning the gold.  And doing it without their star, Amy Wambach.  After watching the underachieving men’s side exit in the first round, it was refreshing to see a US squad pull out a gritty performance.

The Bad:

While on the surface winning 1-0 on the road in Guatemala after going a man down thanks to a foolish red card (sound like a familiar story?) could be deemed a

The Bad

gritty performance by the Men’s National Team, Futbol Insider does not share such optimism.  Not when Bob Bradley seems intent on playing the same unimaginative, defensive-minded formation for every game, no matter the opponent.  More and more, it seems as though Bradley is in over his head.  The only question is when Sunil Gulati & Company will come to that realization.  Here’s hoping it does not take another World Cup disappointment for them to make a move.

Argentina Humbles Brazil

Ronaldinho Dejected

Brazil has been humbled.

It is not simply the fact that Argentina eliminated Brazil from the Olympics.  Nor is it the fact that Brazil, once again, failed in its quest for Olympic gold.  In fact, the 3-0 beating is not the most humbling part.

Rather, it was the manner in which Brazil lost to Argentina.  Defending most of the game, allowing the Argentines to maintain most of the possession, and instead hoping for a counter attack.  That is not Brazil.  No matter the opponent, particularly its hated rival, Argentina.

Not only is Dunga’s Brazil not coming close to the jogo bonito mantra of every verde amarela selecao, it is now losing big, and to the Argentines no less.  Add that Brazil’s lackluster performance in the South American World Cup qualifiers (barely 2 wins in 6 games for a current 5th place), and Futbol Insider will be surprised to see Dunga coaching this squad in South Africa.

MLS Shorts

A quick rundown of some of the latest MLS news:

• Story I: Bruce Arena named LA Galaxy coach and GM.
• Futbol Insider’s Take: This is a mixed-bag choice. On the one hand getting perhaps the most accomplished US coach in the middle of an MLS season seems like a coup for the dysfunctional Galaxy. Of course, Arena’s brief stint with the Red Bulls coming off the heels of a disappointing 2006 World Cup campaign makes one wonder if Arena can really make a difference. Also, don’t underestimate the significance of handing the GM duties to Arena as well. Given the salary cap constraints and fledgling youth development system, finding quality, inexpensive talent is a premium in MLS. After all, the Galaxy’s problem is not how Beckham or Donovan are playing but rather how poorly its less heralded players, particularly the defenders, are performing.

• Story II: Maurice Edu to Glascow Rangers for $5 million transfer fee.
• Futbol Insider’s Take: Excellent move for Edu and MLS. Whether it is as a defender or midfielder, there is no doubt Edu has the goods to compete in Europe’s highest levels. And starting off with a respected, tradition rich club where another US teammate already stars is a solid choice.  Also, MLS secures a respectable transfer fee for a 2nd year player with limited national team experience. More important, MLS continues to show elite youth prospects that it can serve as a springboard to Europe.

• Story III: MLS adds two young players, Johann Smith and Will Johnson. Smith, the 21 year old striker, has been allocated to Toronto FC while where Johnson ends up remains a mystery.
• Futbol Insider’s Take: Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for MLS–convincing young North American players a return across the pond is a positive career choice. Smith was one of the most promising US players heading into the U-20 World Cup. If not for a pre-tournament injury, Smith would have started ahead of Sal Zizzo. As for Johnson, the Canadian 21 year old forward comes to MLS after stint with Michael Bradley’s Dutch team, Heerenveen. At the Olympic qualifying tournament, Johnson was one of the best players, amongst a group that included Giovanni Dos Santos, Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore. Though Smith still has plenty of raw talent that needs to be developed (think of Marvell Wynne speed with slightly better skills), Johnson is more of a finished product capable of making major contributions right away in MLS.

• Story IV: Kasey Keller to Seattle Sounders FC.
• Futbol Insider’s Take: As much of a no-brainer as there can be, frankly. Unlike other positions where bringing in aging national team players often backfires (e.g. Claudio Reyna), goalkeeper is the one position where you can still get quality performances. And given Keller’s history in the Pacific Northwest coupled with his interest to join the front office one day and perhaps put his money where his mount is, you can rest assured Keller will be a great ambassador. Smart of MLS and Seattle to put a recognizable soccer face behind the fledging franchise. No offense to Drew Carey, of course.

More Olympic Fallout

We proved we could play with the rest of the world…We’re certainly disappointed we did not advance. We surprised a lot of people around the world showing we could play with such style and class.

Bruce Arena, 1996 Olympics

Came across this quote in an article by ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, which offers yet another candid critique of the 2008 Olympic team’s performance.  Carlisle resurrects Arena’s 1996 quote to support his point–the days of US Soccer accepting moral victories should be over.

Perhaps violating the no-moral victories mantra, Futbol Insider does see an important silver lining.  Finally, it appears that both the US media (at least those covering soccer) and the US Soccer federation are giving up on the moral victory approach.

It is a sign of true progress in US Soccer when this Olympic performance is met with a collective “not good enough” from those involved in covering and advancing the sport.

Gulati Fires Warning Shot?

Gulati is Watching

In an interview with Grant Wahl, Sulati made some candid remarks about the US Men’s Olympic team’s performance, including some of the coaching decisions made by Peter Nowak.  While he was not talking directly about Bob Bradley, it was clear Gulati was speaking with Bradley in mind.  This is especially true considering Nowak is Bradley’s key assistant on the senior team.

Some highlights of the interview.

In expressing his overall disappointment with the early exit, Gulati lamented:

Well, we’re not at a stage anymore where there are moral victories in tournaments like this. We’re well past that. And so I think what’s really frustrating when I look at it is we didn’t lose to superior teams necessarily.

Then, Gulati commented on Nowak’s performance:

You know, aside from extraordinary moves of taking an unproven player and making a player out of him, things like that, you end up judging coaches mostly on results. And so we didn’t advance, so he’s disappointed like I’m disappointed in that . . . So I’ve read things that Dax [McCarty] should have played and Robbie [Rogers] shouldn’t have played, and why did Jozy [Altidore] play less or play more, or whatever. I talk about those things with Peter to understand his logic. I certainly asked him why he chose to pull Freddy [Adu] off in game two.

When asked what did Nowak say, Gulati tersely responded,

That’s for you to ask Peter. I wanted to understand it.

Gulati then summarized,

So I don’t evaluate Peter, it’s evaluating the team, and obviously Peter’s the head of that team. And those reviews are we clearly didn’t get done what we set out to do.

These comments are significant for a number of reasons.

First, rarely does one hear a federation president, at least a US Soccer president, publicly criticizing a national team’s performance and openly questioning coaching decisions.  Clearly this is Gulati’s salvo to other federation coaches that the bar has been raised.  Moral victories no longer count.  Only results matter, regardless of the opponent.

Second, it sends a clear signal to Bob Bradley that he and his staff are on a short leash.  In questioning the decision not to play some players and take others out prematurely, Gulati invaded what is normally sacred ground for US coaches.  To wit, the federation will not publicly second guess player selection.  The days of getting free passes from the federation seem to be over.

Finally, Gulati’s comments send perhaps an even more subtle message.  He clearly believes this team was talented enough to compete for a medal.  And, he no longer believes that talent requires further development, instead noting “this isn’t like the under-17 or under-20 team where you say, hey, the main thing here is to develop players for the senior team.”  In Adu, Altidore, Bradley, Jr., Edu, Wynne, Holden and Kljestan, to name a few, it seems Gulati believes the US has enough talent to compete with the world’s best. Perhaps not the Argentinas or Brazils of the world, but certainly everyone else, including Holland and Nigeria.

And guess who will take the blame when the US comes up short?  Memo to Bob Bradley, you have been put on notice.

Emerging Soccer Markets

Came across an interesting video report from CNN regarding Arsenal and how the club is expanding its brand by opening up academies in emerging markets. It reminded me of another Arsenal video, albeit from Nike.

more about “Nike – Take It to the Next Level“, posted with vodpod

Beyond being an incredibly clever soccer commercial, when coupled with the CNN report it also conveys an interesting point about the powerful clubs and emerging markets. Not only do these clubs want to expand their brand but they also want to grow and diversify their talent pool.

And perhaps no emerging market is as vital the US.

No longer are the big clubs content on simply taking summer tours. They are now forming allegiances with MLS clubs (e.g. Real Madrid with Real Salt Lake, Arsenal with Colorado) and setting up academies stateside. Indeed, there are rumors teams like Barcelona and Boca Juniors are exploring purchasing an MLS franchise and creating a USA version of their clubs much like Chivas USA.

Considering its financial prowess and sheer number of youth playing the sport, it only makes sense for the soccer elite to venture into the American market.