Ummmmmmmmm

[slag]

Cerveza!

[Loki]

Watched that game

and then the replay of England vs Russia.
It was like watching the JV teams play prior to the Varsity game.

[slag]

Not sure I completely agree with that ... and the Philadelphia crowd did a good job.

[AthensEagle]

definitely a higher quality of hooligan at the England Russia game

[slag]

Oh no doubt ... even bottles at Howard and flare guns can't compete with those guys.

[Loki]

Oh come on.

The skill levels of the games were vastly different.


I'll root for the US, but you can tell quite easily that many of their players are used to playing against MLS quality teams.

[McCarthy12]

You think it's vastly different? I don't think there is much difference between the US and Russia, for example. Paraguay is not a good team.

Quality in the MLS has gotten a lot better. I used to not be able to enjoy watching it. It's not comparable to a top tier Euro league, but it's not bad. Certainly enjoyable to watch IMO.

[slag]

I agree ... the US played England to a draw the last time they played in WC.

There are more Premier League level players on national teams in UEFA but it's not a "vast" difference.

[Drama Queen]

The Russia/ England clash at the game was the finale to and eventful weekend between the two groups. Youtube has all the clashes in the streets of Marseilles.

[Loki]

Meh. The MLS is a retirement home for players past their prime.

Has it gotten better? Yes.


But still....look at what Drogba has done with Montreal.


And that the Union is even considering adding John Terry (or New York is) tells you pretty much all you need to know.

[McCarthy12]

It's a start. They need to drive enough revenue so they can afford to pay premier players and premier players can be lured. Having these guys, even at the end of their careers is a step in the right direction. A bona fide American star would help, too.

[Loki]

If the American players are truly going to improve...

they need to play in Europe against top level competition.


I firmly believe that Bradley's game has gone down hill since he came to the MLS.


Is it a coincidence that the best US forward is Wood and he plays in Germany?

[Loki]

That being said...

I think the quality of American players is vastly improved versus the quality of the league. The league is still a lot like the old NASL in the regard that only aging vets will play in the MLS. And is it really a start or just a continuation of the sort of thing like the New York Cosmos signing Pele?


I hope to God the kid from Hershey goes to play in England or Spain or France or Germany. Otherwise, it will be a wasted talent.


All the camps and all the academies and all the training for younger players is the biggest improvement that I see for American players. Those types of things used to be nonexistent.


By the way, could you imagine Charles Barkley as your center back? Would he ever not get his head on a cross?

[McCarthy12]

I believe already plays for Borussia Dortmund. That's the problem, our players will be better playing in Europe at the expense of our own league. I think MLS is on an upward trajectory, though. The quality has improved dramatically over the last five years. I'm excited to see where it is in five more.

Barkley playing any sport besides hoops is kind of comical.

[AthensEagle]

I don't agree with Loki that our international team looks JV, but I completely agree that we need more players in Europe. When the Clint Dempseys and Brian McBrides (McBride is/was the man) come home, they're just not up against the same competition. Real Salt Lake, really? WTF?