DISQUS

Mike · 1 year ago

Great analysis. This was my first game at Toyota Park and I have to admit that at some moments I'd rather have been at home watching it. The majority of the fans around me had no idea what they were talking about and were constantly talking about the Cubs, basketball, business, etc.

Some of them had no concept of basic strategy. When the ball went backwards at all or to the keeper I heard questions of "Why'd he do that, that was pointless, this game's terrible" and when shots weren't taken fans started boo-ing immediately. I wanted to turn around and try to explain to them why possession, passing, and other parts are so important, even though it may not be all out attack, but I didn't think I'd get through to them.

I think more than a few first timers to soccer went home with a terrible view of the game because of; 1. the defensive mindset, 2. the disinterest of some of the players, and 3. the fact that Everton played like it was preseason. Some fans have a view now that top teams in the EPL like Everton are bad enough that the Fire could compete in the Premiership.

I wouldn't go as far as to say "only do the 39th game or dont come at all" but I would make sure that the teams coming over the pond play like they mean it and play attacking soccer so as not to disappoint the fans and at least make the game competetive.

eplnfl · 1 year ago

Mike: Thanks for the nice comment. Do not give up on Toyota Park or the Fire. I'll be back out there on Aug 16, when the Fire take on DC United for what maybe the first appearance of Brian McBride in a Chicago uniform. The Fire league games are fun and really worth the money. I've had great times at the park. You may want to see the US Men in a WC qualifier come this September at Toyota Park for something that is really big.

United4life · 1 year ago

Stop bitching and fly to England to watch a real EPL game then. I want to see Chicago or any other crap MLS team travel to England during their preseason and play English teams and get thumped by League 1 & 2 teams. Because thats all the MLS teams are compared to.

kkfla737 · 1 year ago

Well it is truly appalling that Chicago did not play Blanco either. Considering Everton was in pre-season if your the Fire and you've charged an arm and a leg for tickets the least you could do it play your best and more recognizable player even for just 15 minutes.

kkfla737 · 1 year ago

Hey United 4 Life,

How many players who have played recent World Cups are in League one or League Two?

I am not as high on MLS as most Americans. Personally I think it is a decent league but run by dishonest people. Mexican Football I prefer to MLS and would put almost any Mexican team in the PL and take my chances with them to finish anywhere from 5th to 15th.

Back to my point. If MLS is like League Two, why are so many players who have participated in recent World Cups and Copa Americas in the league? Does League Two boast lots of World cup and Euro veterans? (The Euros and Copa are interchangeable here since we are talking about leagues in different parts of the world)

I'd like an answer before you shoot off your mouth like this again.

Kartik is a Wanker · 1 year ago

Well for once Kartik, you make sense.

Someone like United Fan should broaden his horizons and watch MLS before believing the UK media's ignorant commentary about the league.

Honestly, do you think Claudio Lopez or Marcello Gallardo both of whom England fans should know and remember would play in League One? How about Pepe Rojas? Blanco? Ruiz? Toja? Martinez? Angel? Gomez?

Give it up already. Your media is so bit by the McLaren era that they feel in order to be jingoistic they must trash everything outside of Europe.

United4life · 1 year ago

Hey Kartik, MLS players mostly are from N. & S. America correct? Those players play for their National teams who do compete in the World Cup. They also are playing in the MLS because they simply are not good enough for the big European Leagues or are to old to play in those Leagues. The Coca Cola Leagues also have National team players who play for countries like Wales, N. Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, and various smaller countries that usually do not qualify for the World Cup because qualifing from Europe is hell of a lot harder that qualifing out of CONCACAF. So know your Football before you call me out again.

kkfla737 · 1 year ago

Argentina would not qualify for the World Cup from UEFA, United for Life? Most of the players I speak of are actually from COMNEBOL. I'm not a fool, I would not rate any non Honduran or Mexican CONCACAF player with a few exceptions.

I can rattle off a long long long list of English or UK players who have FLOPPED in MLS. Know your football before responding in such a typically ignorant and Brit fashion.

The fact that none of the home nations could even qualify for the Euros speaks loudly about the lack of quality in the English lower leagues. You know I recall a time when Eric Cantona and David Ginola could not even get called up to the French National Team yet they dominated the Premier League.

Has Wales EVER qualified for a major tournament? Naming Wales would be like me saying "we have internationals from Guatemala so we must have a great league." Considering Latvia made the Euros in 2004 and Slovenia made the WC in 2002 out of UEFA qualifying don't pretend like it is impossible to qualify.

You know nothing of MLS or football on this side of the globe. Do not pretend as if you somehow are knowledgeable about it.

eplnfl · 1 year ago

United4life:

Just to let you know i been in england twice now and have been to Chelsea. Nice tube stop there btw.

If, the MLS is as bad as you think how come we keep having players, especially Yanks being signed from the MLS to play in the EPL. Last year, a keeper that couldn't play in the MLS, no knock on him btw, did a very good job in the EPL and last I heard Brian McBride was wanted back by Fulham.

Iced T · 1 year ago

MLS has put lots of players who aren't Americans not only into the EPL but several other top leagues in Europe.

The point above about none of the home nations making the Euros was outstanding. But the point I really liked was about Latvia and Slovenia! That's like Bahrain or Qatar qualifying out of the AFC, something which NEVER happens. When the World Cup is held in Asia or the Americas we see how poor the European countries fare when out of their element.

I also would submit comparing leagues is just plain dumb. England doesn't have the altitude, heat or the great distances that need to be traveled like the US. America doesn't have the rain, the real grass pitches and the self important fans of England. Comparing Tigers to Bears my friends. I find this debate everytime it comes up to be juvenile.

kkfla737 · 1 year ago

Agreed Iced T. Any EPL club that is dumb enough to buy Michael Bradley deserves the sure ineptitude and recklessness coming their way. He's awful as an international, and right now has no confidence.