Nope. F.F.F. stands for Friday. Friday. Friday! And the new tradition is that on Friday, I will throw out some recent news 'trends' surrounding soccer; throw in my opinion on those topics (H.ere's W.hat I. T.hink A.bout T.hat--HWITAT) and open it up for YOUR comments. Should be fun. I hope.
1. Landon Donovan announces his retirement at the end of MLS season. HWITAT: Thank you , Landon, for your service to the game in the USA. You have been not only a good player, but you've been interesting as well. You marched to the beat of a different soccer drummer, and did things your way, and you know what???? You were a HUGE success. You were GREAT for the MLS. (A league that certainly needs something good/great to hang it's 'hat' on.) Thank you! And, oh....by the way--Jurgen Klinsmann made a HUGE mistake by not taking you to Brazil. HUGE. (I'll bet JK wishes it was you instead of Wondo in front of the Belgium goal with a chance to score......just sayin'). Thanks Landon.
2. Pep Guardiola does the "fly-by' on Caleb Porter at the MLS All-Star game. HWITAT: Pep. TOTALLY understand why you were pissed-off. Totally understand. No doubt that Johnson's and Alonso's fouls were stupid, 'freshman-like', impetuous moves. Totally naive and ignorant by them. BUT. BUT. And again....BUT, Pep you should have shaken hands, grasped Caleb firmly by the shoulder and told him in no-uncertain terms that Alonso and Johnson's actions were bull-poop, not appreciated, and not worthy of 'big-boy soccer' in an exhibition match. You should have whispered in Caleb's ear that "we will see you again next Summer, and I will start Bayern's first team and not leave 7 starters off the field, and we will 'Uber Alles' your ass all the way back to MLS headquarters in New York." That way, Pep, you make your point about the match, you look like a good sport, and maybe young Caleb learns a bit. Oh. And by the way.........MLS, stop crowing about how your All-Star team beat Bayern Munich. Really? C'mon, Man! It's pre-season. YES, there is NO DOUBT that MLS has made GREAT strides through the years. There is NO DOUBT that MLS is becoming a good league. But we are NOT at the Bundesliga level. No way. No how. To intimate that somehow MLS has "turned the corner" with the Bayern win and is now a 'world class level league' rings hollow. To quote from the movie, The Gladiator, "Not Yet. Not Yet". Just sayin'.
3. MLS' collective Bargaining Agreement expires after this season. HWITAT. The MLS and it's Players Union will be negotiating for the future this year. Already the MLS is setting the stage with the usual "We don't want a fight, and I don't think they do either" quotes coming out of Mark Abbott--deputy commisioner of the League. So, Mark....you've already established the 'us against them' angle?!?!?!? Maybe not too smart at this point. Base salary is going to be a HUGE issue in this negotiation. The average MLS player does not make much money. MLS is going to have to address this situation because we still have a huge attrition rate in soccer at the 13-16 age group. MLS has all the trappings of a professional league--but they don't pay their players enough. 3 things that I think would help MLS' status: A. Base salary should be 120K. B. Teams should be chartering flights for travel. (You're not a 'big league' until your teams travel by chartered jet. Plain and simple). C. MLS needs to move to the world schedule of Football. (I know, they abhor that suggestion....but it needs to be done).
4. College Soccer Cranks Up. HWITAT. Colleges--of all levels--are beginning their pre-seasons this week or within the next 7 days. Good luck to everyone out there involved with College Soccer. From Coaches, to Parents, to Friends, and most important--to the PLAYERS. Players; enjoy each and every minute of the experience. From Training to Games to travel and all the off-field activities that you have to do. 4 years passes A LOT quicker than you think and then next thing you know, you're playing co-ed league on some ratty field somewhere after work. Trust me. So, enjoy every aspect of the college soccer journey! Just my advice.
5. Barclays Premier League starts next week. HWITAT. Cannot wait! CANNOT WAIT! Do you think Man U wins it all? Or do you think another club sneaks in to snatch the title at the end?
OK! Shoot me your opinions! We encourage dialogue and differing viewpoints! Thanks!
As always, may the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the opposing forwards always shoot RIGHT at you! And may your goalposts be 3 feet wide!
All the Best--EV