Major League Soccer had its showcase event played over weekend between the two best teams deemed within the respective Eastern and Western conferences. And who'd have known that this event was taking place ? And even though it was televized was there infact a great deal of interest shown by the most ardent of fans of the sport here in North America ?
Joseph Ngwenya of the Houston Dynamos is tripped on a play during the MLS Cup game between the Revolution and the Dynamos played at RFK Stadium in Washington , DC. He's covered by Khano Smith and Michael Parkhurst of the Revolution. picture courtesy of getty images /Johnathan Ernst.....
The game played between the New England Revolution and Houston Dynamos champions of the respective eastern and western conferences of Major Leauge Soccer hoped to showcase what was indeed the best of what the league had to offer. And at the same time ground itself into the psyche of its alleged growing number of fans. That initself would be a feat if were not for the somewhat farcical introduction into the league of the oft hyped superstar David Beckham who made his league debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Dwayne De Rosario of the Dynamos goes up for ball against the Revolutions' Shalrie Joseph in the MLS Cup game won by the Huoston Dynamos 2-1. picture courtesy of reuters/ Molly Riley......
In the Houston Dynamos we had the defending champions who were intending to repeat the feat as champions. And in their opponents we had the New England Revolution who were trying win the title for the first time. And with the reinvigorated interest in sports in the New England area because of the success of the professional franchises in the area of the Patriots, Red Sox and the Boston Celtics. It was felt that the Revolution could join in on the excitementof the furore created.
Joseph Ngwenya of the Dynamos celebrates his goal scored against New England in their game played RFK Stadium . His teammate Brian Mullay races over to congratulate him . picture courtesy of reutrers/Molly Riley.....
Whatever success that could be gleaned out of this for the Revolution would definately put it on the map in the New England area. That being said it wasn't going to be an easy task going against the reigning champions of the MLS. They're a team known for the steadfast commitment and play an exciting brand of soccer not often seen within the league itself. Something that's not entirely indicative of what's happened within the league. It's been slow to adapt and attract large enough crowds that'd enthuse even the most congenial of fans. But there's still support there gor the game and the league itself in an ever widening fan base. It's coverage on television has been somewhat sparse and has only been heightened with David Beckham's introduction to the league. That has only brought out the more curious of fans for the raribility of seeing the superstar himself at play with his team.
Taylor Twellman of the New England Revolution scores his team's only goal in their loss to the Houston Dynamo's the MLS Cup. picture courtesy of getty images/ Johnathan Ernst......
The game itself would prove to be exciting for those with a thorough knowledge of the game. But for the uninitiated they may have found it a bore from start to finish. As the game of soccer here isn't initially seen as action packed with an end to end flowing brand of soccer often seen on display in Europe. The game was filled with excitement and for the fans in attendance they well have felt that they got their monies' worth from the spectacle. But that initself would be a joy for MLS Commissioner Don Garber. If this showcase can could prove to be the attraction that he's come to anticipate over the years. Then his justification in wanting to expand the league with a further 9 franchises could very well be fulfilled over the next couple of years.
Dwayne De Rosario of the Houston Dynamo celebrates his team's win of the MLS Cup as well as his own winning of the MVP trophy as the game's best player. picture courtesy of reuters/Jim Young....
The Revolution were somewhat tentative in their play and one would determine that this was from their lack of inexperience. But that shouldn't have been the case as they'd been in this position before. Only to fail at the final hurdle in pulling of the win that'd ensure a win the MLS' premier showcase event. Having reached the finals of the event on three previous occasions they've failed to win each time. The Dynamo's own play itself was skillfull though tempered with bouts of over creativity. But when judged against the play of their opponents they were indeed the better team on the day and deserved their 2-1 victory.
De Rosario celebrates his game winning goal in the Dynamo's 2-1 defeat of the New England Revolution in the MLS Cup game played at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. picture courtesy of reuters/Jim Young......
For the game to flourish in North America one would expect that the fans in particular with what has happened in the decade that MLS has been in existence. The game though played widespread across the country in schools and unviversities has yet to meet the expectancy of what may had thought it'd be able to approach. Though fans at first remained to indifferent to its plight. It seems to have caught on in various parts of the country. And in aparticular where there's a strong Latin or European influence and demograghics. Added to that fact now that there's also a growing number of the indigenous population that taking their families along to see a game. That may well have been brought on by the inevitable expectations of seeing a player like David Beckham on display.
The Dyanmos' Wade Barrett holds aloft the MLS Cup after Houston's win over the Revolution. His teammates are at hsi side for the celebrations. picture courtesy of reuters/Jim Young.....
As a showcase piece of the league's product to the fans it was a spectacle that very few would be able to identify with. But for the fans with a knowledge of the game it was basically their own Superbowl, World Series all wrapped into one. At the end of the game it was the Dynamos who swept the game with a proud win for the franchise repeating as champions. And some may feel a beckoning of dynasty to rival that of DC United who've won the MLS Cup on four occassions since the league came into existence.
Michael Parkhurst of the Revolution and the Dynamos' Joseph Ngwenya tussle for the ball during the MLS Cup game. picture courtesy of ap/photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais.....
Much can be said for the state of the game here in the United States as it tries to find an audience that can identify with the game. It has a built in audience amongst the minorities from the Caribbean , to Latin America and beyond. But for most North Americans it'll be seen as a game that's only marginally entertaining to them from an observation standpoint. Their avowed love of the more popular sports such as baseball, basketball and football make the sport of soccer seemingly facing an uphill battle to find avaoed audience that'll have an avowed affinity for it once and for all. The likelihood of that happening seems even far more difficult with the fact that in terms of a television audience it barely registers a blip in the Nielsen's ratings. But seemingly its popularity amongst the high school and university players has never been greater.
Members of the Houston Dynamos gather together for the post game picture to officially celebrate their winning of the MLS Cup. picture courtesy of getty images/ MLS/ Michael Layton......
On the international front the men's team has had its up's and down's. But if the game is to prosper then fufill the ambitions of the league and Soccer USA. Then it'll have to market itself and their players with a lot more resolve and at the same time garner success in order to create a much greater stir amongst the fans on the homefront. In doing that then they'll be able to garner the respect they look to obtain. Also the players seeking to gain fame from playing the game will also have to be more adroit and exceptional in their skill level to gain the respect of the peers abroad. As it is the US has yet to really earn the respect of its fellow soccer playing nations.
A dejected Avey John of the New England Revolution looks on while members of the Houston Dynamos celebrate their 2-1 win as the game ends in the MLS Cup played at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. picture courtesy of ap/photo/ Pablo Martinez Monsivais.....
When and if they should attain this level of overall competency perhaps then the game will be taken more seriously amongst the indigenous population as a whole. Once that happens then the game will attain its own standing within the public's conscience here in the US. And in the hope also that they'll also be able to brandish their own legion of homegrown international stars not only domestically , but also abroad.
tophatal
Actress & comedienne Jenny McCarthy .....
Wash that pain off Jenny as we'd all like to see what's underneath it all !
You're absolutely right. I remember hearing last week that the big MLS game was this weekend, but, until now, I completely forgot about it due to all the NCAA and NFL football games this weekend- not that I would have watched it anyway lol.
Kudos to Houston, I guess (just looked it up)... Forgive me if I'm too "Americanized" to care about soccer.
It proves an irrefutable fact soccer will never come close to being as popular in the U.S. as it is everywhere else around the globe.
Americans have been raised on sports involving a lot of action. Even in baseball where the pace is slower, a scoreless game going into the bottom of the 9th means we've had an incredible pitchers duel. In soccer, a scoreless games means we've had an incredible bore.
MLS will probably not be watched as much as other sports. It will catch on in certain parts of the country and both my boys play it. I believe it will be a popular youth sport but not as popular an adult sport. The World Cup will always be a little bit more watched because of the size and level of the competition.
tophat- great post, Being over here in London and watching the matchs and seeing how the home crowds sing and chant all togather is really wild to see that loyality to their home team. I think the only time I ever saw that in a team sport was football NFL Houston Oilers in the dome.
I know some places can make some nosie, but can they sing. lol Hey all your babes from past post are disapearing ?
Man I was clued in to the results on Saturday night as I was watching ESPN News for football scores. Otherwise, unless the hometown Crew had been involved, I would never know or care. I have been to Crew games when there is nothing else going on, and that would include the AAA Clippers minor league baseball during the summer, but usually because the tics are free and its just another excuse to drink beer and look at women.
None look like Jenny, but did I mention the beer?
Soccer will never reach the popularity in the states that it enjoys internationally simply because it wasn't established here first. Period.
pete nice
The problem with the game here is that it won't reach the rapturous heights of say the NFL or NBA. Because the public at large feels that the sport is pedantic. It's not as actioned packed as they'd want it to be. And at the same time the homegrown talent possesses none of the charisma or talent of their counterparts playing in Europe. That being said it'll find a place here and have an affinity for many of the immigrants who grew up playing or watching the game. As for Jenny you're not going to find chicks looking like her attending a game.
Soccer has never reached the level it should in the USA for a few reasons ,but mainly because it IS an intelectual sport without violence per say, (CEPTIN FANS ) almost like our baseball but the reaL REASON is its a goofy bettin' sport like ice hockey ... as stated for 3 years on my website and blog without the pointspread and gamblin' the NFL would not exist as it does... this years super bowl will have a MONEY HANDLE THAT WILL SURPASS ALL MAJOR SPORTS FOR THE TEAR TO INCLUDE SOCCER BY 10 FOLD THAT'S ONE GAME ...ALL OUR KIDS HAVE PLAYED SOCCER AND MOST OF US HAVE COACHED , BUT even the most consevative people in america will bet on the super bowl be it an office pool in vegas , on-line , or wit the local bookie ... as always your da man ....BIG TIME IN THE STATES NOT IN OUR LIFE TIME ....
0-0 does not necesarily equal boring. For two ace pitchers just swap in two outstanding 'keepers.
football might be a big minority sport but never a big sport. the american mind either can't grasp the nuances of the christmas tree versus the 451 or just doesn't 'get' the lack of violence or the low scores.
Maybe if 6 points were awarded for a goal more americans may watch. After all a 21-7 win in football is only 4 scores, in one hour.
You can watch 1 hour of acion which may take 3 or 4 hours to be completed
or
you can watch two 45 minutes halfs with one 15 min interlude.
Easy choice for me.
craigy_f
There are far more people playing the sport of soccer now. Than there are playiing football and baseball combined. But the real problem is that the sport has never got the exposure it deserves. And at the same time Garber as commissioner isn't all that knowledgeable when it comes how to handle the real issues facing the sport. It's like watching the Keystone Cops at play.
tigervidmar
There are now far more kids playing the sport in college and high school than there are playing the sport of football. That initself should tell you all you need to know. However it's being marketed in the wrong way to the fans and public alike.
Whatever you might think about the game it'll never win over the fans completely.
If however the national team starts to have some success then perhaps we'll see a genuine change in the attitude of the public. But for now it'll just remain an affinity with the immigrants who love the game and those who have a real interest in the sport.
Tophatal, great post. Could you imagine if New England had won?? OMG, we'd NEVER hear the end of how great a sports region New England is!! Depending on the two teams involved, a 0-0 score could mean great goalkeeping or a total bore. If it's two great teams such as Arsenal and Manchester United, a 0-0 score could well mean both goalkeepers were sharp and on their games.
Nice pic of Jenny McCarthy. I'd love to smear some more of that paint on her! Of course it would have to be edible...
jon 464
The game itself proved as such that the game will be able to find its own niche here. But beyond that who can really say what'll happen ? What's needed is the national team to have more success on the field. And then perhaps the rest of the nation would sit up and take notice ? But as of now the game here is still struggling to find its overall audience in terms of the indigenous population. As for the Revloution Saturday just wasn't its day. As the Dynamos were the far better team in all facets of the game.
slshusker
I think that RINGO has got his head buried into a pint of Guinness. As for the Revolution losing . It just wasn't meant to be their day from the outset. They weren't as determined as the Houston Dynamos.
The Revolution have now become the Buffalo Bills of the MLS. See my post written under the rampantfanatic guise about Saban and his latest rant. It's titled Yes It Was A Tragedy But All 'bama Did Was Lose A Game ! Let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece ?
gambitxxx
No matter on the soccer front as it take all sorts to make the world go round. As for Jenny whatever she wants to do with that hose pipe is fine by me. I'd dare say that she's as playful as she looks ?
Forensic2
This was the MLS' showpiece and it barely registered a blip amongst most here. As if the sport has really become all encompassing with the public at large ? They still feel as if it's effeminate and not warranted paying any real attention to. The only real fans the game has here are primarily amongst the immigrant population and the more curious amongst the indigenous population as a whole. As for the pics don't worry about it. I'll always post up more of the same as usual.
nospin
Things'll change once the sport is marketed in such a way where the public realizes its merits. As of now the success of the national side has limited its success domestically. However that wasn't the same for the women's game here once they'd won the Women's World Cup. The problem there was that they never converted that success commercially nor domestically. And even though they're about to start over once again with a women's professional league. They'll have to rethink their strategy this time around to ensure their success. On the men's side lets just say that the Beckham experiment was as close to a bust as one could wish for. He came here injured and never once was he able to reproduce his supposed talent. To my mind he'll be nowehere near the success they're expecting. He'll be commercially viable for the Galaxy and MLS as a whole and that'll be about it. The team just isn't good enough to win anything domestically.
Flying Pig
No worries my man ! Just glad to know that you're alive and kickin' within the forum. I've been extremely busy on the job front. As I've been working on a couple of special expansion projects for the boys of Brown(UPS).
At the same time some professional buddies and I are trying to get something off the ground in cooperation with a local vets' organization. We're trying to help out that front with regard to assisting the guys returning from the Middle East assimilate back into a normal working life. One of our closest friend's had recently just committed suicide after suffering from PTSSD (post traumatic stress syndrome disorder). All they could do for him at the local veterans' administration hospital was to pump him full of pills. And they did nothing for him psychologically. To me that has been the disgrace of what's been happening.
To say I'm saddened by this loss is an understatement. So we're trying to do as much as we can in cooperation with the local VA and some other private establishments.
Hopefully it'll amount to some good ?
MoonDogLeft
That's not necessarily true as the players here aren't as physically adept as their counterparts in Europe as well as other parts of the world where the game is played. That being said the game isn't being marketed right. Also how is that as of now there are far more kids in high school and players in college playing the game than there playing football and baseball at the high school and college level ?
There's got to be an interest there as of now.
The fact of the matter is that the game will have an affinity here amongst the immigrant population and the more curious amongst the indigenous population.
And until there's success at the international level there'll woin't be a real interest shown in the game domestically once and for all. It's exposure on tv here is only marginal as of now.
The Sports Intellectual
Never mind that the game had about as much publicity as you'd find with a PSA being given by some neophyte. But there wasn't that much of an interest overall. Other than from the immigrant population and the more curious amongst us who might still have an affinity for the game. That being said the game won't prosper here until the national side gleans some success internationally.
As for Jenny McCarthy I hear that within reason she's open minded and would share a hot tub with even the most amenable guy.
Top: Nice post; though I am not into soccer (at all). It is really a tough sport, lots tougher than our football. Course I am in to Jenny anytime. Fuzz
fuzzboss
It doesn't matter whether or not if you're a fan of the sport. What matters is that we acknowledge that it's now gaining a foothold in the US. That if anything is worthwhile I feel. At the end of the day what'll matter is whether or not the product will find an identity within the sporting diaspora.
A belated Happy Thanksgiving to you and your immediate family my gracious friend !
Born in the UK of Caribbean parentage and having lived in the US for the last 15 years. A keen martial artist (Black Belt 2nd degree in karate. I also practice savate , tae - kwondo ) College Grad BA's in Econ and Int' Fin. Served five years in the British military. I've gotten use to the American way of life and the language. The women on the other hand, that's something else ! Sports is my great passion along with music and the movies. However I feel that having resided here for all this time , I still somewhat miss the land of my birth. That being said I 'love this great country and all that it has afforded me' An avid Pats and Spurs' fan. Soccer Chelsea ,
tophatal..... ....
Joseph Ngwenya of the Houston Dynamos is tripped on a play during the MLS Cup game between the Revolution and the Dynamos played at RFK Stadium in Washington , DC. He's covered by Khano Smith and Michael Parkhurst of the Revolution. picture courtesy of getty images /Johnathan Ernst.....
Dwayne De Rosario of the Dynamos goes up for ball against the Revolutions' Shalrie Joseph in the MLS Cup game won by the Huoston Dynamos 2-1. picture courtesy of reuters/ Molly Riley......
Joseph Ngwenya of the Dynamos celebrates his goal scored against New England in their game played RFK Stadium . His teammate Brian Mullay races over to congratulate him . picture courtesy of reutrers/Molly Riley..... 
Taylor Twellman of the New England Revolution scores his team's only goal in their loss to the Houston Dynamo's the MLS Cup. picture courtesy of getty images/ Johnathan Ernst......
Dwayne De Rosario of the Houston Dynamo celebrates his team's win of the MLS Cup as well as his own winning of the MVP trophy as the game's best player. picture courtesy of reuters/Jim Young....
De Rosario celebrates his game winning goal in the Dynamo's 2-1 defeat of the New England Revolution in the MLS Cup game played at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. picture courtesy of reuters/Jim Young......
The Dyanmos' Wade Barrett holds aloft the MLS Cup after Houston's win over the Revolution. His teammates are at hsi side for the celebrations. picture courtesy of reuters/Jim Young.....
Michael Parkhurst of the Revolution and the Dynamos' Joseph Ngwenya tussle for the ball during the MLS Cup game. picture courtesy of ap/photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais.....
Members of the Houston Dynamos gather together for the post game picture to officially celebrate their winning of the MLS Cup. picture courtesy of getty images/ MLS/ Michael Layton......
A dejected Avey John of the New England Revolution looks on while members of the Houston Dynamos celebrate their 2-1 win as the game ends in the MLS Cup played at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. picture courtesy of ap/photo/ Pablo Martinez Monsivais.....
Actress & comedienne Jenny McCarthy .....
Wash that pain off Jenny as we'd all like to see what's underneath it all !
