Lots of 'alphabet soup' going on now-a-days. Let's start with MLS:
Lots of US born, foreign based players are making their way back to MLS. Altidore, Diskerud, Shea, Agudelo, even talk of Tim Howard coming back. So, evidently the money in MLS is getting better? Or, maybe the level in Europe is getting to the point where the US born guys are having trouble earning and keeping a spot on the roster? Maybe living is Europe is just not as attractive as living in the USA? Who knows? It will be interesting to see how this all turns out. But, $6 million for Altidore?!?!? Really?
The CBA. MLS and MLS Players Association are still very far apart on the CBA, which supposedly expired at the end of January (although no one has said anything....strangely quiet). If free-agent status is the main item separating the 2 sides, I would expect to see a strike at some point. MLS will try to make some sort of 'don't worry, we'll get it sorted out for you" overture to the Player's Association, and the PA could accept that--to their own peril. On the other hand, if the Players are unified and decide indeed to strike, it will hurt MLS (which is 'trending' up). So, it will be very interesting to see what ultimately happens.
USMNT. Jurgen Klinsmann can't be very happy with most of his players leaving Europe and heading home. Klinsmann has long advocated for players to remain in Europe "in the big leagues" as he prepares the National Team. Problem is, if the players aren't getting PT (playing time), what's the real point? The other side of that quandary is, will the players coming back raise the level of MLS? I think to a point, but not to the level of Europe. We will ultimately see, but I don't think Klinsmann is going to be very happy.
BPL. Transfer window just closed, and no HUGE changes. Still the most entertaining league in the world, and always fun to watch.
NEP. NEP? Yeah, New England Patriots. GREAT Super Bowl win for the Patriots! (That from a veteran Patriots fan--me!)
6 Super Bowls, 4 Super Bowl wins. Yeah.
STFU. (You figure it out). Richard Sherman--STFU. You're a smart kid (supposedly), and a GREAT player. But as often happens, you tried to market yourself, not just through your play in the field, but through your STUPID trash talk--and your team lost. So now, your marketing $ will begin to gradually dry-up because you only won 1 Super Bowl. See? #flashinthepan #onlyonechampionship #notreallyasgoodaswethought Have a sit-down with your agent and try to re-cast yourself.
OG. Old Guy. The above rant brought to you by an 'old guy' (player and coach) who has always thought the final score was WAY more important than the "look at me antics". JAOG. (Just Another Old Guy)
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team always shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV
Lots of US born, foreign based players are making their way back to MLS. Altidore, Diskerud, Shea, Agudelo, even talk of Tim Howard coming back. So, evidently the money in MLS is getting better? Or, maybe the level in Europe is getting to the point where the US born guys are having trouble earning and keeping a spot on the roster? Maybe living is Europe is just not as attractive as living in the USA? Who knows? It will be interesting to see how this all turns out. But, $6 million for Altidore?!?!? Really?
The CBA. MLS and MLS Players Association are still very far apart on the CBA, which supposedly expired at the end of January (although no one has said anything....strangely quiet). If free-agent status is the main item separating the 2 sides, I would expect to see a strike at some point. MLS will try to make some sort of 'don't worry, we'll get it sorted out for you" overture to the Player's Association, and the PA could accept that--to their own peril. On the other hand, if the Players are unified and decide indeed to strike, it will hurt MLS (which is 'trending' up). So, it will be very interesting to see what ultimately happens.
USMNT. Jurgen Klinsmann can't be very happy with most of his players leaving Europe and heading home. Klinsmann has long advocated for players to remain in Europe "in the big leagues" as he prepares the National Team. Problem is, if the players aren't getting PT (playing time), what's the real point? The other side of that quandary is, will the players coming back raise the level of MLS? I think to a point, but not to the level of Europe. We will ultimately see, but I don't think Klinsmann is going to be very happy.
BPL. Transfer window just closed, and no HUGE changes. Still the most entertaining league in the world, and always fun to watch.
NEP. NEP? Yeah, New England Patriots. GREAT Super Bowl win for the Patriots! (That from a veteran Patriots fan--me!)
6 Super Bowls, 4 Super Bowl wins. Yeah.
STFU. (You figure it out). Richard Sherman--STFU. You're a smart kid (supposedly), and a GREAT player. But as often happens, you tried to market yourself, not just through your play in the field, but through your STUPID trash talk--and your team lost. So now, your marketing $ will begin to gradually dry-up because you only won 1 Super Bowl. See? #flashinthepan #onlyonechampionship #notreallyasgoodaswethought Have a sit-down with your agent and try to re-cast yourself.
OG. Old Guy. The above rant brought to you by an 'old guy' (player and coach) who has always thought the final score was WAY more important than the "look at me antics". JAOG. (Just Another Old Guy)
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team always shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV