Weekend Mailbag- 27 January 2007

Some of our readers have noticed that the mailbag hasn't been attended to in far too long. With that in mind, let's power through some of our reader emails.

Leonardo in Seal Beach, CA: I'll go with the obvious question - Beckham to MLS? What do you think?

Bryce: I think there are different levels on which this move will ultimately be evaluated. In pure footballing terms, few people expect Becks to lift the LA Galaxy or Major League Soccer to respectability on the global scale. There will not suddenly be calls for the inclusion of MLS teams in the Champions League. He should, however, immediately be the most effective one-footed, defensive liability of a midfielder the league has ever seen in its illustrious eleven-year history.

That being said, the exposure alone for the league will provide a much needed boost. Just the fact that people all over the world now know the United States (and now Canada) have a soccer league is significant. Shirt sales all over the Beckham universe are more than just a feather in the cap for Commissioner Garber and Co. or a partial return on the investment of Mr. Anschutz. It's important for developing the league - convincing a promising Latin American player to join MLS will be much easier if he can see the potential for playing time and exposure to media coverage - assuming of course that it doesn't end up bankrupting everyone involved.


Nigel in Dunston, England: Did you happen to watch the Tottenham vs. Newcastle match last Sunday? What a match! Quite possibly the match of the year! Tottenham was playing brilliant football in the first half. And then what a comeback by Toon!

Bryce: Nigel, I have to say, you made my day with this email. I have to put that as my early favorite for match of the year.

Obafemi Martin's equalizer was one of the finest strikes you'll see this season that isn't scored by Matthew Taylor. The only thing prettier than that finish was Nicky Butt's celebratory dance after the match-winner.

Teddy in Madison, WI: What do you make of these rumors of a spat between Abrahmovich and Mourinho at Chelsea? There are stories coming out now how he wasn't even consulted on the Mikel, Kalou, and Sheva signings last summer. Could we see "the Special One" leaving Stamford Bridge?

Bryce: This just in: Mourinho is more than welcome to take over Newcastle United (No offense Glen).

But seriously, it does indeed seem that there is some truth to these rumors. It has been reported that Abrahmovich is set on Mourinho's replacement already (Ancelotti in Milan is being mentioned for some reason), and certainly, not spending any cash during the transfer period when they are in such obvious need of a central defender and striker (Kalou has underperformed more than Shevchenko) has to be disconcerting.

Were Mourinho to leave, the real question would then become which of his players would choose to leave with him (a la Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira from Porto). John Terry has apparently indicated as much already.

I don't know how much of this rift stems from the aforementioned summer signings and how much it has to do with not doing any and everything within the billionaire owner's power to keep the (arguably) best coach in the country happy. Jose obviously wants some love and respect from the one guy that still is in a position to deny him anything. I think this comes down to two giant egos battling it out for supremacy at Chelsea.

If he does walk, he automatically becomes the hottest commodity in the global coaching circuit since Graeme Souness became available....

Pablo in Sparks, NV: Almost four weeks into the winter transfer period, what's been the best new signing so far?

Bryce: Ashley Young will not go down as the best signing this winter. I am willing to say that on record.

I like what West Ham has done, although they had enough pieces in place to be well above the relegation zone. Vincenzo Montella's arrival at Fulham on loan from Roma has looked like a very positive move for the Cottagers and might have the biggest impact on the second half of this season.

Chase in St. Louis: I love your site! I know this isn't soccer-related, but I hear you guys are big karaoke stars. Give me five songs that should be in my rotation these days. And what's your biggest piece of karaoke advice you can give me? Keep up the good work!

Bryce: Well, to be honest, Chase, this is a difficult question to field without knowing a bit more about your particular brand of vocal stylings.

My only advice would be to make sure you know your material from start to finish- don't be that guy that only knows the chorus- it's just never a good thing.

And as for your rotation, I can't really comment for the reasons listed above. I will instead list a top five favorite performances I have personally witnessed.

5. "Like a Prayer (Death Metal style)" - Hilary and Mike
4. "Mrs. Jones" - Moses
3. "Getting Jiggy Widit"- Brian
2. "Loveshack" - Dean and Tiff
1. Whatever song Brian and I were singing when that chick rubbed my face in her boobs

And with that, I'll ask you to please direct your questions to us here.

Pics courtesy of The Washington Post, ESPN.com, guardian.co.uk, and froschkoenig