Major Link Soccer - The Friendlies Continue Edition

by Dizzo on Jul 25, 2011 11:00 AM PDT in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

The soccer continued around the league while the Seattle Sounders had a much deserved weekend off. It was generally an exciting, and high scoring weekend around the league. Thierry Henry picked up his 11th goal of the season and now leads the golden boot race. Alvaro Saborio's dive against the San Jose Earthquakes opened up a game that Real Salt Lake would win 4-0. Last, and certainly least, Toronto FC let in four goals in a 4-2 drubbing by Sporting K.C. Toronto may have added a bunch of new pieces, but they've yet to put them together in something that works on the field.

Oh yeah, there were also a ton of meaningless friendlies. Great revenue generators, but ultimately meaningless. Kinda like cotton candy. All fluffy and occasionally tasty, but ultimately devoid of nutritional value.

Beckham Wants 2 More: It looks like David Beckham isn't quite finished with MLS yet. The LA Galaxy star hinted that he has a couple more years left in the tank and that he really 'enjoys' playing for the Galaxy. Something we all knew from his constant loan demands and jaunts back to England for glorified friendlies for Manchester United. The 36-year old midfielder is making more than $5,000 per minute on the pitch and is increasingly a liability on the field (excluding his amazing set pieces of course). For that price tag, I hope any extension includes a Master-Blaster harness so a younger player can haul his carcass around the field until he's needed for a set-piece.

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Comments

Man, that's the first time I saw Saborio's dive

Absolutely disgusting and shameful.

by wyte_lightning on Jul 25, 2011 11:45 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I was suprised as well when I saw it

Unlike Charlie Davies or Carlos Ruiz, Saborio has never struck me as the type of striker to go down easily. I lost a lot of respect for his game watching that dive.

by Dizzo on Jul 25, 2011 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

We don't dive in the MLS

I hope Garber continues ruling with his iron fist of fair-play vengeance. Davies was fined $1,000 – I expect Saborio to see at least that much.

by ABTsportsline on Jul 25, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Especially since if he stayed on his feet he would have had the ball behind the defense.

Why do you need to dive at that point?

by majora999 on Jul 25, 2011 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions

To get someone sent off.

La Vecchia Signora Forever!

by AKSupporter on Jul 25, 2011 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions

that's true...

by majora999 on Jul 25, 2011 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Same here

That’s about the worst I’ve seen. The video is grainy, but it sure looks like there was zero contact to me.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 25, 2011 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Fullscreen and changing the video resolution to 360p clears it up pretty well

At least it did for me.

by wyte_lightning on Jul 25, 2011 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Can MLS retroactively ban players for a dive?

I know they do this in other leagues…and that dive is about as clear as they come. Not to mention it got someone sent off and a penalty kick.

La Vecchia Signora Forever!

by AKSupporter on Jul 25, 2011 12:29 PM PDT reply actions

If they can, there hasn't been a precedent

When dealing with cards, retroactive changes are only allowed if it’s a case of mistaken identity. This doesn’t really fit that mold, but Garber is fining players for diving. Perhaps fine & suspension are “strike 2?”

by ABTsportsline on Jul 25, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Retroactive rescinding a card

is only for mistaken identity

Servando Carrasco was suspended due to video review.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jul 25, 2011 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I meant for diving

Has anyone been given a retroactive red for diving? Can’t remember that myself, but would love to see them start doing it

by ABTsportsline on Jul 25, 2011 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

The league only fines for diving

No cards.

Australia and Scotland are two nations that do card from video review for diving

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jul 25, 2011 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

FIGC in Serie A will not technically card, but hand out retroactive suspensions for diving as long as the player isn't Italian

La Vecchia Signora Forever!

by AKSupporter on Jul 25, 2011 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I would not be surprised

if when the league finds that Saborio deceived the officials that they may rescind the Red Card because if there is no foul how can it be a card able offense? But this is also MLS so I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they stick to their guns even though justice is clear…

by Colin Johnson on Jul 25, 2011 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Great point

It’s not quite mistaken identity, but if we’re going to admit after the fact that the foul was incorrect – it would only be fair to rescind that red to the defender, no?

SSFC | What I do for fun: Sometimes-Interesting

by ABTsportsline on Jul 25, 2011 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Beckham

As usual, mixed emotions on this guy. I appreciate the cachet and relevance on the world stage he brings to MLS. I like how he appears to support the league itself and has expressed interest in future team ownership. He says all the right things about the league, things many other players don’t even bother to say.

In short, he’s a hell of an ambassador for the MLS.

I do question his priorities sometimes. The Galaxy gig sometimes seems like an annoying part-time job obligation keeping him from what he really wants to do. I think a good way for Beckham to win fans back over would be to agree to take a bit of a pay cut in acknowledgement of the diminishing returns of his abilities and reduced contributions on the field. Does he really feel he’s worth $5M+ per year in a league where the salary cap is just over $2M?

by ABTsportsline on Jul 25, 2011 12:43 PM PDT reply actions

When does the transfer window close?

it’s been open for 10 days now and no news of anything big or small. CCL is the focus right now, for sure, but I’d like to know when I should start getting worried.

by agtk on Jul 25, 2011 3:23 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

August 14th

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jul 25, 2011 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I miss Silly Season

"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin

by Little old me on Jul 25, 2011 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Glad you said something

As I was thinking about this all day yesterday. I’m getting ancy regarding the transfer window. Adrian’s non-commital answers to transfer window questions doesn’t make things any more clear: “Our roster will most likely not look the same by the end of the transfer window”. Excellent! But, when? What are you guys waiting for?

We’ve been into the window for ten days and no announced signings – you have to admit, for a team that has known what it’s lacking all year, that’s somewhat surprising. I get that finding & signing a worthy DP striker isn’t easy but you’d think they would have started the process long before the window opened, no? Also, the RB depth obviously won’t be a DP or some high-profile player, so why the wait on that one?

Trying to keep a level head about all this, but I’m still ancy. If nothing has been announced, that means the FO is still negotiating with players, correct? Should we be concerned that a deal couldn’t get done by now? I have theories that it’s because our “first choice” fell through and we’re going to plan B or C.

SSFC | What I do for fun: Sometimes-Interesting

by ABTsportsline on Jul 26, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs