My memories of the first year are great and very vivid. I remember being very exited during that history making season. I taught is was a great season, dispite the dreadful shootout's. I remember  "El Diablo" linkingup with Roy Lasiter, that was a strike force that set the league on fire. There was also, "El Pibe,"  "Doctor Kumalo,"  "Digital Takawira" etc. looking back at those years I can't help but feel nostalgic.  Although there was a period of transition the excitement of that first season was enough to carry the league forward. Now the future looks bright with very exciting players like Beckham, Pavon on their way. I am once again not only willing to pay to watch MLS again, but I am very exicited about the future of the league. The addition of young local talent and the hability to bring exiting players to the league will ensure a bright future for MLS. More importantly  the league's success ensures Foot ball is here to stay.

Barcelona should consider what occured in their arch-rival's camp not so long ago, and learn from history inorder to avoid making the same mistakes. I am refering to the failed experiment formerly known as "los Galacticos". The problems of having gigantic egos floating around in locker room has proven to be a disaster in the past. On the other hand, all succesful teams in the past were those madeup of a cohesive unit. That is a good reason why Barcelona should not go the "Galactico" route; Instead they should capitalize on the value of some of the current superstars on the roster. They should bring in talented players who have hunger for success. I think Rycaard is a great coach. however, the begining of the "Galacticos" period at the club will be the beginig of the end for him at Barcelona despite never finishing lower than second in "La Liga".

the "Italian job" pulled of by the referees in the usa/ panama and the mexico/costa rica matches confirmes that the gold cup organizers have no intersest in fairplay. I submit that by submitting to these tactics they do very good teams in mexico and USA a disservice since these teams are good enough to win the gold cup without the help of referees.