Weekend Mailbag

Another big weekend in the world of the Beautiful Game can only mean one thing: that's right, another peek into the old mailbag. And remember, these are all questions emailed in by readers of Bookable Offense. To email your questions, hit us up at bookableoffense@gmail.com.

Ian in Hackney, London, UK: Chelsea is wrapping up its second straight EPL title under Abramovich. Before 2004, Chelsea was a rather mediocre club. But now they have the best team money can buy, and actually buy players and stick them on the bench just so other teams can't get their hands on them. My question: Is Chelsea good for football?

Bryce: I see where you are going with this one, Ian. Chelsea have thrown their billionaire owner's money around and managed to bring home their first steady stream of trophies in club history. Michael Essien and Shaun Wright-Phillips were both big-money transfers last summer that perhaps could have made a larger impact with other clubs, sure. But the thought that finances might have something to do with a club's success is not new.

In the history of the Premiership, how many other teams have lifted the silverware at the end of the competition? How many of those teams had (as in the case of Blackburn) or have considerable financial resources (Arsenal and Man U) in comparison to less successful clubs? Money has always been the difference for long-term success of clubs in the modern game and will only continue to be the case.

Get used to it.

Charles in Denver, CO: You guys notice how much the headsets that the referees are wearing in the Champions League look like Madonna's old set up? Is that something we should be concerned about?

Bryce: Well, for some reason the fashion questions keep pouring in when it is my turn to answer reader emails. Brian is much more equipped to handle these questions, if for no other reason for his passionate following of Madonna's career. But I will do my best.

I think you raise an interesting comparison, Charles. We all know FIFA wanted to spice up the ladies game by changing to tighter-fitting uniforms and shorter shorts, so maybe this is Sepp Blatter's ingenious leadership at work again. What else could possibly add more sex appeal than the officials doing their best Britney Spears impersonation or showing a bit more style?

The only way to make these headsets more appealing would be to have the referees' comments broadcast live on television as they officiate matches. The prospect of players comments being picked up by the mic and accidentally broadcasts into the homes of millions has all kinds of promise. Sepp should look into that one immediately.

Sanjay in Bangalore, India: Do you think any Asian teams - Japan, Korea, Iran, or Saudi Arabia - will go far in the World Cup? And what about Australia? Thanks.

Bryce: No, but thanks for writing.

Peter in North Caldwell, NJ: Hey guys, love the website. Teams like Arsenal get a lot of criticism for having a lineup of foreign-born players. Do you think it's important that a club team consists of mostly players from its own country?

Bryce: Again, like fashion questions, I usually let Brian handle these Arsenal queries, but since I've drawn mailbag duties and you technically could be refering to handful of other clubs, I'll humor you.

Obviously where the problem is felt the most is in the national side of the club's country of origin, not by the clubs themselves. L'Arsenal certainly hasn't been hurting for fan support or domestic success over the years.

One worry about the EPL in particular is that while it is highly entertaining and features a tremendous quality of play, young English players have fewer and fewer opportunities to play at an elite level in their home country.

Whether we'll see a greater stratification of domestic leagues in Europe remains to be seen. But is it difficult to believe that more and more young players from England, Italy, and Spain (and Germany to a lesser extent), whose leagues are net importers of talent will eventually be sending more players to France, Holland, or even (shudder) Eastern Europe for more regular first-team action? Me thinks not, Peter. Me thinks not.

Taylor in Huntington Beach, CA: Let's hear your MLS predictions for this year! Who's going to be in the MLS Cup Final this year? Who takes the cup? And who's the league MVP?

Bryce: Someone has to be feeding Taylor questions. I thought no one would ever ask!

Obviously, New England is a popular pick for the consistent form they've shown over the past few years and the emergence of potential World Cup participants leading their attack. How many games Twellman, Dempsey, Noonan, and Ralston miss due to National Team duties will be a huge factor in determining their regular season record. Of course, that doesn't matter at all in MLS, so I like their chances of finally winning their first MLS Cup, although I think DC will finish with a better record in the regular season.

Picking a winner out of the Western Conference is a much tougher task. Based on fan support, Chivas USA would win it in a landslide. If you haven't had the Chivas experience, you are missing out on the best thing going in MLS.

Real Salt Lake and the Rapids aren't built to win this (or any) year, so they're out.

The team formerly known as the San Jose Earthquakes and now playing in Texas somewhere is not worth mentioning. They're dead to me. They should be dead to you, too.

If it weren't for his spectacular chat earlier this week, I might have some bad words for PrimaDonovan and the Galaxy. I'll just say I don't like him, their team, or their chances of winning anything this year.

That leaves Dallas, 2006 Western Conference Champions.

As for MLS League MVP, I have to go with Carlos Ruiz. He's the best player not missing a month of the season for the World Cup and arguably the best goal-scoring threat in the league.

Nigel in Boston, MA: Who do you think the next England manager should be? Is it important that he's an Englishman?

Bryce: As far as I'm concerned, the nationality of the coach means a whole lot less than his managerialaccomplishments and potential. Scolari would have been a great fit- a proven winner, someone that has dealt with the pressure cooker that is being the Boss of a highly-regarded national side, etc. And he's got a mean game face.

I am still surprised that the "need for an Englishman" story still has legs. If Scolari or another foreign coach were taking the job away from an equally deserving homeborn coach, maybe it would be an issue. But as things stand, there isn't an English coach nearly as qualified for the job.

Don't be surprised if the FA finds a way to postpone the decision until after the World Cup.

Pedro in Yakima, WA: We love you guys in Yakima! But I have to know, who is the better football player, Brian or Bryce?

Bryce: Brian, hands down. I pity the fool audacious enough to challenge the man to a game on FIFA 2006.

Thanks for writing in everyone. And keep on reading, Yakima.

If you'd like to send us your question, email us at bookableoffense@gmail.com.