Major Link Soccer: Klinsmann Not Optimistic About Olympics, Wynalda Continues Speaking His Mind
by Timm Higgins on Feb 10, 2012 7:01 AM PST
in Major League Soccer: News & Analysis
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Jurgen Klinsmann has been a polarizing figure since being named head coach of the USMNT, for me the jury is still out. Soon the US U23's will begin the qualifying rounds to earn their ticket London and the 2012 summer games. The problem I have at the moment (and this just might be my brain) is that Klinsmann isn't being too positive about the whole thing. Now, let me say I don't expect him to spew rainbows and unicorns - but for some reason this quote bugs me.
"Am I saying I want to see them to bring a medal home?" asked Klinsmann, the senior team coach. "I think that would be asking too much if you look at all the teams."
And while that actually might be true, do you want to go on record saying that - Hey, we really don't have a snowballs chance but we're going to give it out best shot?
Eric Wynalda is in the news again, first it was for his twitter 'scrap' with Portland Timbers owner Merrit Paulson and now he's telling The Sporting News that Major League Soccer is a joke.
His actual words, check it out.
"Our league is a joke," he told Sporting News. "I want soccer to continue to flourish in this country, but there’s a whole other level we’re just excluding ourselves from. We’ve cheated the American public out of a better product."
One wonders if Wynalda ever tapped the ball into the net casually, as he doesn't pull punches when he talks.
The Montreal Impact are still on the hunt for the clubs first Designated Player. It's almost as if they're chasing after some mythical creature. Impact President Joey Saputo is headed across the pond.
"DP or not DP. On my way to Europe to meet with one of our prospects. Need to be patient." He added in French that "we are continuing to work on finding a DP."
Apparently at one time, New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft had the silly notion of purchasing a English Premier League team. It didn't take him long to come to his senses - without a salary cap and an even playing field, it wouldn't be worth his time (like the Revs are?) as he likes the comfort of the MLS....
"If our family is to be part of something, we want to be sure we have a chance to compete year in and year out," Kraft said. "You don't have salary caps and you have certain team owners that can spend year in and year out. I'd rather give the money to charity to be honest."
While he might have a point, maybe he should actually pay attention to the team he has?
Aston Villa have failed in their bid to keep LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane on loan for an extended stay. His last match with Villa will be on the 25th versus Wigan Athletic.
San Jose Earthquakes goal keeper Jon Busch is not only a 10 year vet of Major League Soccer but now he has his own line of keeper gear. The new line is called "High Performance Goalkeeping." It is out now. They started with gloves that Busch himself debuted during pre-season training in Arizona.
"I'm excited about it because I'm all about goalkeeping - whether its training, playing or what we like to wear," said Busch, who was named the 2008 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. "Everything I make has a specific reason why I made it and how I made it. It's not just a mass production. Everything is very specific in the line."
In 2005 Alex Smith signed with FC Dallas and then promptly gave up football. Flash forward to 2012 and Smith is enjoying playing for Wellington Phoenix (currently 7 points out of first, held by Central Coast Mariners) of the Australian A-League. Though life hasn't always been rosy down under, Smith seems to have found his groove with the A-League's only team outside Australia (their home is in New Zealand).
"As a footballer you have to take it as it comes," Smith said. "The A-League is a great league. It’s a great place to live in this part of the world. If I spent the rest of my career here, I’d be a very happy man. Having said that you like to challenge yourself and you never know what is going to come. Obviously I’d love to play in Europe and the Asian market over here is just getting massive. That’s always another options. But coming back to the States to get a second chance in M.L.S. is something that could be interesting. You have to keep your options open, but I’m very happy here."
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Wynalda
I know his talk has been rehashed a thousand times but the guy is brash, annoying, and naive. He called Gulati a “dictator” without a hint of irony or self-awareness. That part is actually funny.
It really bothers me, though, when he says things like “MLS hasn’t made any progress” because it’s such a willfully misleading and factually incorrect statement.
The dude is a bit of a megalomaniac.
Ugh.
I love Wynalda
Not because I agree with anything he says, but because he’s the only personality in the MLS community that makes sparks fly. I think he’s good for the league. When he talks, regardless of the nonsense that comes out, people listen. While he ruffles feathers and gets people all angry, he hasn’t (so far) done anything that goes over the line. It’s exactly what this sports community needs.
The return of THIERRY
by Kyle Ritter on Feb 10, 2012 7:45 AM PST up reply actions 4 recs
I have no time for windbags like Wynalda
He’s the kid in class that doesn’t know anything but needs to be the center of attention, so he just yammers on and on. A complete waste of time.
you may not agree with his conclusions
I certainly don’t agree with him all the time
but he is much more informed than you or I are about the facts and insider information
when he says we need to switch to a bonus and incentives system of compensation for players, he knows what he is talking about b/c he played in that system in Germany for many years before coming to MLS.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Feb 10, 2012 1:47 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
you may feel that way about his conclusions
my point was that your statement that he “doesn’t know anything” is not true. He knows a hell of a lot more than you or I do about MLS and professional soccer. If you take the time to talk to him about his experiences on twitter, you might find out the tip of the iceberg of his interesting and valuable insider knowledge. For example, I never knew he took a 60% paycut to come play here, but he told me that on twitter a couple months ago when I asked him about his experiences playing for the Clash.
I think he’s wrong about fall-spring but it’s not so wrong that it’s not worth debating. It’s a legitimate position that a solid minority of soccer fans in this country agree with. As i said below, it has some merits. I would much rather watch a game in San Jose at 1pm in February than 7pm in Houston in July.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Feb 10, 2012 3:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't think it's worth cutting through the bluster
If Wynalda’s going to make comments like:
“Our league is a joke,” he told Sporting News. “I want soccer to continue to flourish in this country, but there’s a whole other level we’re just excluding ourselves from. We’ve cheated the American public out of a better product.”
Then I’ll let someone else cut through the crap.
it just depends what he means.
Maybe he’s attacking the myth that if more games sell out the salary cap will rise.
If the league continues to increase its profit margin without raising the salary cap then there will be no incentive to raise the cap. You can pretty much see with how small the stadiums that are being built are that there isn’t really room to grow those gate revenues much past 18,000.
If you look at the latest CBA and hard of a fight that was and the salary increase is 5 percent a year. 5 percent of lets just say 2.8 million is 140,000 dollars a year, or about how much it would cost to for one of the top 500 players in soccer to play on your team for 2 weeks.
So there is a whole level that we’re excluding ourselves from. So maybe he’s right, but it is all an interpretation.
by python6114 on Feb 10, 2012 8:48 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
But
The take at the gate is only a small portion of the revenues of major professional sports. MLS stadiums (stadia?) are about the same size as NBA arenas (arenae? my Latin is rusty), but their salary cap is 20 times ours.
Ultimately, it will have to be the players who push the cap up. With the progress that’s been made in the past few years, it’ll be hard for the owners to say no to some decent bump in the cap.
by foolsgambit on Feb 11, 2012 7:20 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Having a preference to a particular system does not prove it's legitimacy
that’s a terrible appeal to authority.
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
by Seattle Coug on Feb 10, 2012 3:39 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs
Incentives
Incentives are a nice idea, but they don’t jive very well with MLS’ cost control mentality. I think most owners would prefer fixed, known costs to budget around. Plus, it would totally destroy a workable salary cap. Pay a piddling guaranteed compensation, plus ridiculous bonuses, and you can stay well below the cap while paying multiple times the cap limit in compensation. Not saying it can’t be done, just that it’s very hard to do right in combination with cost controls.
by foolsgambit on Feb 11, 2012 7:13 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Clarification
While he ruffles feathers and gets people all angry, he hasn’t (so far) done anything that goes over the line. It’s exactly what this sports community needs.
What does this mean? Why do we need this? Do we lack passion for the sport and the league? Honestly not sure what you’re saying here.
Wynalda has attempted to position himself as the only guy who “truly” cares about the health of MLS and US Soccer while at the same time trying to convince the world he is the only guy who has the answers. The worst part is the way in which he bullies people who don’t agree with him.
Just this morning I had a bizarre Twitter exchange with him where he called me an idiot and implied I was tweeting from jail (in turn, I linked him to the Wiki page for Narcissistic Personality Disorder — something I probably shouldn’t have done).
Anyway…
I think we lack passion
from a broadcaster point of view. Max Bretos gets fired up, but he has no opinions. The rest of the “personalities” that find their way onto ESPN or FSC to talk soccer usually put me to sleep. Sports buzz is all about opinions. The existence of Jim Rome (bad example) and PTI (good example) is evidence of this. I’m just saying, as much as I may disagree with his opinions a lot of time, he gets people who often wouldn’t care to care. My dad (who marginally cares about the Sounders, but not really MLS in general), read an article about Wynalda after his speech, called me just to talk about MLS and the parity structure. It was incredible.
I think Wynalda is probably very defensive because his entire life he’s played a marginalized sport and lives overshadowed by players like Donovan who have a way larger platform than he ever had, despite the fact that it was players like Wynalda that paved the way for players like Donovan to have that platform. Whether he’s wrong or right. I don’t feel sorry for him or anything, I just think he probably really believes he’s the only person that actually cares about the MLS, because he was one of the few who has cared the whole time. He had to fight for any publicity he ever got, and I think it’s just his default setting now.
The return of THIERRY
by Kyle Ritter on Feb 10, 2012 9:01 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
That's probably a fair assessment.
I’ll try to keep it in mind the next time he calls me an idiot who is tweeting from jail. :)
I agree with your points, Kyle
But man, Wynalda isn’t doing himself any favors this morning on Twitter.
by ABTsportsline on Feb 10, 2012 10:11 AM PST up reply actions
And I agree that he acts like a child most of the time
I’m not arguing with you there.
The return of THIERRY
But he also does it in defense of our sport
need I remind anyone of his famous quote:
“Jim Rome can suck my ****. And he should be very afraid, because I’m the kind of guy, if I get too many drinks in me, I will club his ass. I’ve been on with Jim Rome, and I said, ‘Let me get this straight, you’re more impressed with water polo?’”
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Feb 10, 2012 1:49 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
In your defense:
This is under his Twitter handle: Fox Soccer analyst. Forget the other stuff for now, its really irrelevant anyway.
And that’s basically the generally theme of all of his soccer analysis. In the space of 3 hours it looks like he’s picked Twitter fights with about five different people.
One must only list to the Wynalda. Only the Wynalda can lead us from the soccer wilderness. /sarcasm.
he's right, soccer players and media in this country are way too stoic
we need more characters and people in MLS and US Soccer who grab attention. The mario balotellis, eric cantonas, greg nolls, and dennis rodmans of the world. People who will introduce showmanship and drama. Now, once we get these people into our league, I will probably hate their guts. But at least they provoke a reaction, create drama, and get the attention of the mainstream public.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Feb 10, 2012 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I hate all of these things.
If the choice is MLS now with no Wynalda being a narcissistic prick or an MLS that more people pay attention to with Wynalda being a narcissistic prick I think I prefer the former.
by Aaron Campeau on Feb 10, 2012 9:32 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Wynalda
I believe Wynalda still has a bone to pick about not having been given a coaching opportunity in MLS. His comments do kind of bother me for someone who claims to ‘love U.S soccer and only wants to see it grow’ comments like these do the exact opposite and make him come across as insincere and frankly ignorant (similar to is Fox Soccer commentary). If anything I believe Wynalda has hurt the league more than he has really helped it at all.
by cal.robinson on Feb 10, 2012 11:28 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
"If anything I believe Wynalda has hurt the league more than he has really helped it at all."
that is not true at all. The guy was the Landon Donovan of the 90’s and he took a 60% pay cut to leave Germany and come play in MLS while he was in his prime. Disagree with him fine but don’t take away what he has done and sacrificed for our sport and our league.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Feb 10, 2012 1:54 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
correct
Apologies on not being more specific. I did not mean on the field. I dont think anyone would argue what he has done in that regard to grow MLS. I mean what he has done since leaving the game. It is one thing to criticize in a constructive manner but the way he has done it being borderline hostile and making it personal with some of his points is not beneficial for the growth of the sport or for reform in the sport you love. Progress comes when you are able to constructively talk about issues and how to resolve them not by attacking people.
by cal.robinson on Feb 10, 2012 2:48 PM PST up reply actions
That's my take as well
I learned early on that it’s not an end in itself to be the self-proclaimed “smartest man in the room”. It doesn’t mean anything if you’re not actually listened to (he’s definitely heard but I wouldn’t listen to him).
this isn't a courtroom or a business meeting, it's sports
he certainly isn’t doing himself any favors for his career by being personal, but that doesn’t mean he’s hurting the sport by making some waves and shaking things up. I disagree with him, but his ideas are not outside the realm of reality. There are a solid minority of MLS fans, and a solid number of non-MLS American soccer fans, who believe we should switch to fall-spring schedule and enact performance bonus compensation system. I disagree with the fall-spring schedule idea, but it’s not some crazy tinfoil hat position, it does have some merits (i.e. I’d much rather be playing a 1pm game in San Jose in early February than a 7pm game in Houston in July). I think Wynalda’s incentive compensation system idea is very interesting and I want to find out more about it.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Feb 10, 2012 3:40 PM PST up reply actions
you know, I thought about that
he’s a sports pundit, for FOX, and stirring the pot is their (pundits) stock and trade. Unfortunately he’s a guy caught between two camps for me: is he an American football icon who wants the best for MLS and is willing to rattle cages to be heard, or is he an incendiary shock-jock playing the Ann Coulter role of provocateur? His legacy seems to be an albatross around his neck for him, or maybe it is for us…?
Wynalda has been blind to Seattle and the Northwest
and everything he says about MLS is definitely MLS 1.0 stuff. Same problem as with Lalas. They think that MLS stopped improving the minute they quit playing in it. You could even go one step further and say that MLS improving now threatens their legacies, and they hate to see over all play improving as a result. I know one thing, I’m very tired of the bloviating by past stars against present teams, ours included.
by luckystriker on Feb 10, 2012 12:58 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Wynalda and Lalas are really in different boats
Lalas, let’s remember, was working in MLS much, much longer than Wynalda.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 10, 2012 3:11 PM PST up reply actions
i really don't think lalas should get any credit for working for MLS longer
in fact I trust Lalas less than Wynalda because of the shady things he has done while in MLS like dismantling San Jose and self-dealing away Landon Donovan to LA for peanuts. He has blood on his hands. When the MLS power brokers wanted him to do some dirty work he was more than happy to oblige and kept his mouth shut. He was then rewarded for being a yes-man and refusing to snitch with the GMship of NY.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Feb 10, 2012 3:30 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
what ever happened to
Is our ex sounder Aussie still playing?
by Tstuar on Feb 10, 2012 7:31 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions
You talking about the Kiwi Jarrod Smith?
I think he’s in Norway now
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart | Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
I have no problem with what Klinsmann said
He’s just being honest. How could anyone look at the USMNT in its current form and say they should finish in the top 3 of a major international tournament this summer? Jurgen was hired for World Cup, not the Olympics.
The USA generally punches above its weigh in the Olympics
I think gunning for a medal (which would take Donovan &/or Dempsey in the overage slots) is a worthy goal and would help US soccer grow more than advancing another round in the next World Cup.
The U-23s will already have several very talented players on it, about a third of whom are already on the USMNT.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart | Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
They might well punch above their weight, but I don't see the harm in the new coach managing expectations
I think Americans are used to hyperbole and ebullient optimism from its leaders, where Klinsmann looks at his revamped side and calls it like he sees it. Refreshing.
by lemonverbena on Feb 10, 2012 8:24 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Think of it from the players' point of view.
I don’t want to hear my coach say that.
by ABTsportsline on Feb 10, 2012 8:31 AM PST up reply actions
Bingo and that's why I was trying to get across..
…I don’t want my senior team coach and basically head of the program to tell the press, that well we’re not going to medal…it’s the last thing I’d want to hear from a coach. I don’t expect him to spew unicorns and puppies. But man..
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 10, 2012 8:46 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Some players would go all out to prove the coach wrong
Not saying they’ll love the coach for it, but different strokes for different folks.
He's the senior coach, not the U-23 coach
You think Caleb Porter won’t use this to motivate the kids?
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
by Seattle Coug on Feb 10, 2012 12:18 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
There's little evidene that this Olympics should be difficult for the USA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_at_the_Summer_Olympics#Men.27s_results
Non-powers tend to do well
Of the current qualifiers who are clearly better than the USU23s?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_tournament
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart | Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
I still think it is just a strategy of managing expectations
Americans are accustomed to confidence and unbridled optimism. Maybe you’re right that Klinsmann’s quote will rattle the players’ nerves, but I personally don’t think it will ultimately affect performance either way.
by lemonverbena on Feb 10, 2012 8:59 AM PST up reply actions
If anything it might help the players relax.
It’s also possible that his comments may motivate the players to prove him wrong.
by ryanhealy on Feb 10, 2012 9:01 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It could also help the players mail it in
Well, I guess we weren’t supposed to win….so no big deal. Time to go party with people from all over the world. (I’m on vacation in England!)
I have a feeling
Klinsmann knows his team a bit better than we do
The return of THIERRY
by Kyle Ritter on Feb 10, 2012 9:12 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
It's not like he's been with these kids for years
I doubt he knows much about their psychological make-up. If he does know them better, “a bit” is probably the upper limit of how much better he knows them.
Yeah but there is the fact..
..the team hasn’t even been put together yet. He’s supposed to help the U23 coach. I don’t have a link but awhile back they asked Klinsy about the Olympic team and his more or less said — that’s not really my problem. I’ve got a guy for that (paraphrasing of course.).
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 10, 2012 9:17 AM PST up reply actions
Gamesmanship
Lower the expectations of the American fans = allows you to over-deliver.
Lower the expectations of rivals = chance to catch them off-guard.
And I doubt he’s telling the team the same message, but rather letting them in on the tactic and presenting a more optimistic set of goals.
Maybe I'm not giving his English enough credit...
…but I don’t think a native English speaker would have put it the way he did. The coach should want his team to get a medal, even if he doesn’t expect his team to get a medal. I think there’s a fine art to fielding media questions as a head coach. You want to be honest, sure, but you also have to show some faith in the team. It would have been perfectly honest and reasonable for Herb Brooks to say “Am I saying I want to beat the Soviets? I think that would be asking too much if you consider all of the professionals on their team.” But that’s also not exactly the attitude you want to take when you’re headed into competition.
The second-language difference could be part of it
But Jurgen is a smart guy and I think he knows what he’s doing. Keep in mind that we’re dissecting a comment made to the press, not to his own team. I think we tend to exaggerate the importance of this kind of comment and its effect on players’ psychology. He isn’t telling his squad he expects them to lose, he’s managing the expectations of US Soccer and the fans. I’m quite sure that in the locker room, he expects and pushes his side to win.
by lemonverbena on Feb 10, 2012 8:50 AM PST up reply actions
Sure, but players read the stuff that their coaches say about them in the press
Maybe they understand, but we’re talking about a team of mostly U23 kids here. I know I wasn’t very understanding at that age. If I read that my coach didn’t think we would win, I’d be pissed off. Maybe that would motivate some players, maybe it would deflate some players, but it’s bound to have an impact on some of them.
Klinsmann a political jerk?
Maybe Klinsmann wants the U23s to fail. If Porter does well and Klinsmann does poorly people are suggesting Porter could get the number 1 job. Porter at least has a system, Klinsmann just gets everyone fit and has them run around like headless chickens. Otherwise why would Mr. enthusiasm be so negative? Very curious.
Wynalda
is feisty on twitter. He’s jumping all over Sounder at Heart just for posting the story about him lol. Guy is ridiculous and I’m having to fight a strong urge to troll him.
| Recessionproof since 2009 | Win all the trophies! | You will surely get the Karkand |
Who knew he'd get his boxers in a bunch for me posting LINKS to a couple articles...
….didn’t mean to rile the guy up.
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 10, 2012 9:43 AM PST up reply actions
He's very combative
| Recessionproof since 2009 | Win all the trophies! | You will surely get the Karkand |
If the state of soccer in this country is so bad...
…and Wynalda has all these great ideas to fix it, how is it that he has so much time to spend on Twitter?
by ubelmann on Feb 10, 2012 9:46 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I liked him on the Fox Phone In
And have hated him just about everywhere else. So maybe having british around is the only way to keep his ego in check.
by luckystriker on Feb 10, 2012 1:00 PM PST up reply actions
He is a self-obsessed attention craving gasbag.
Being a dick is not a virtue.
by Aaron Campeau on Feb 10, 2012 9:34 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Whyne alda?
Help me out people, since when did the olympics add soccer and why do we care? It’s kind of sad what the olympics has become, glomming on to every sport to grab some tv ratings. When I think summer games, i think track & field and gymnastics. That’s how it used to be, we americans would care about track & gym every four years. Soccer in the olympics? no thanks
Club World Cup Champions 2012
by seattle dude on Feb 10, 2012 9:55 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
and swimming too
sorry phelps! and pass that here btw
Club World Cup Champions 2012
by seattle dude on Feb 10, 2012 9:58 AM PST up reply actions
Actually the only time soccer has NOT been in the Olympics is in 1896 & 1932
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 10, 2012 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
Rec'd
for the Whine-alda nickname
| Recessionproof since 2009 | Win all the trophies! | You will surely get the Karkand |
Wynalda successfully rattled Merritt Paulson's cage
For that, among other things, is why I ultimately like the guy. Probably because I’m blunt, dry, and can see where he is coming from on an issue, even if I don’t agree with his position.
Go banana!
by Disco_Stew on Feb 10, 2012 10:52 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
I didn't hear about the Paulson peeve till now
OK, now I’m a Winealdo fan! Can’t stand that Paulson douche, it’s fun that goldman sachs money owns the timbers. Banksters plus poser slackers equals timbirs. At least our owners come from the entertainment industry where you have to produce something for a buck. Guys like the Paulsons just shuffle paper back and forth, then say they are doing you a favor.
Club World Cup Champions 2012
by seattle dude on Feb 10, 2012 11:22 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Banksters + poser slackers = timbirs
Love it.
by lemonverbena on Feb 10, 2012 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Hey Wynalda
Tweet about this:
Your ideas sound more like what would serve the players, which makes sense as you were one. I don’t want to watch soccer in the winter, in Seattle. Toronto is playing indoors on the 7th. Indoors, that is what is going to save soccer ?
The idea that switching a schedule to a worst time is going to “save” soccer, when all it really does it put at risk the huge gains that soccer in the country have made over the last decade, is a joke.
I am just trying to speak up for what is right, not trying to get pub for myself, or my self serving needs…………seriously.
AMEN BROTHER!
Enough with the European schedule already. Has Wynalda ever been to Chicago in January? Outdoors in shorts when it’s 10 degrees outside with three feet of snow. Thats a recipe for some wonderfull games!
by DaveValleDrinkNight on Feb 10, 2012 1:56 PM PST up reply actions
Pretty sure his proposed schedule has a two month break from early December to February.
You do all the work for us, Honey Badger, and we'll just eat whatever you find.
I see, that's much better, Chicago in February is obviously way more comfortable than Chicago in January
Half the league has snow on the ground in February, I’m sure casual fans can’t wait to stand outside in that weather.
Isn't that just called an offseason? :P
I met a possum.
by s0merand0mdude on Feb 10, 2012 10:24 PM PST up reply actions
Exactly
Why not just have an apertura and clausura system, if we’re going to take that much time off? Not a fan of that system.
by foolsgambit on Feb 11, 2012 7:34 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Paulson
Nah, Paulson owned Wynalda. I think Paulson earns points for showing passion, and Wynalda loses for making a lame attack via twitter. Wynalda comes off like a 4 year old.
I disagree
Whenever Paulson feigns self-righteous indignation (which is to say a lot) he comes off looking childish, Wynalda gets paid to stir the pot and Paulson knows this. If Drew or Adrian did this stuff on Twitter I’d be embarrassed. At the end of the day it’s the equivalent of a school yard shoving match; neither Wynalda nor Paulson should but this much effort into looking like a hard ass on the internet.
Go banana!
I am so glad
that Drew, Adrian and everyone else on our side stays out of stupid Twit fights. Wynalda is a whiner, Paulson is a richie rich daddy’s boy and portland are amusing. All is right in the world.
by luckystriker on Feb 10, 2012 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Lose-lose situation for the two of them...
…but I think Wynalda comes off looking ill-informed.
Wynalda fights with Timber's owner on Twitter.
Wynalda fights with SounderAtHeart on Twitter.
Common enemy?
Sounders 'til I die
Olympics are stacked this year
so Klinsman may just be throwing down the gauntlet for the kids… a smudgy watermark if you will….
Wynalda is a provocateur, much the same as Lalas, only slightly more from the hip. In that light, he’s good at what he does, imo.
by swansuite on Feb 10, 2012 1:16 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
The Olympics are stacked?
I’m totally not seeing that.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart | Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
It seems a little odd to me that Montreal is having problems getting a DP.
It’s a cool city and it looks like the team is building a great fan base. Are players that averse to speaking French?
by DaveValleDrinkNight on Feb 10, 2012 1:22 PM PST reply actions
The ownership group
I’ve heard have a reputation for being kind of dickish. Plus, in my experience, people in Quebec are insufferable.
Go banana!
But POUTINE!
Think I spelled that right.
by DaveValleDrinkNight on Feb 10, 2012 1:47 PM PST up reply actions
Wynalda is a jerk
But I kind of like him. I have a high tolerance for jerks, I guess. Not high enough to tolerate his recent seatmate Piers Morgan, on ESPN, who is a candidate for Worst Human Being On Earth, though. But Wynalda knows the game. Just because he has a chip on his shoulder and talks trash about MLS doesn’t bother me.
slagging MLS is not what I have an issue with
It’s the way he goes about making his arguments and his inability to actually have a debate. If you don’t agree with him, you’re an idiot. He’s not interested in a dialogue, he’s interested in giving speeches.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 12, 2012 2:59 PM PST up reply actions
The only good thing I have to say about Wynalda is
At least he’s not John Harkes…
by Sobchak on Feb 10, 2012 4:41 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Resisting the urge to make the obvious joke here.
Because Sounder at Heart is a classy board.
by luckystriker on Feb 10, 2012 5:40 PM PST up reply actions
lulz
I always get a huge kick out of people’s reactions to guys like Wynalda. I would say that the fact most of the 86 comments (as i type this) are justification enough for his actions. It’s certainly easy to judge the man for doing it because he’s an attention whore, but we really have no way of knowing that. Fact is, sometimes its nice when someone say what their actually thinking and just doesn’t repeat talking points and add to the echo chamber
...and you will hear us scream
by malcontentjake on Feb 11, 2012 6:13 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I also appreciate that Wynalda speaks his mind.
It’s justifies my belief that he’s a gigantic a-hole.
by Aaron Campeau on Feb 11, 2012 6:45 PM PST up reply actions
Except that his response to being told he speaks his mind
is to call every one who writes for this site an idiot.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart | Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
Lots of things get 86 comments here
In fact, a lot of things get a lot more. I’m not sure that’s really indicative of anything.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 12, 2012 3:00 PM PST up reply actions
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