Monday Mailbag - 12 Feb 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
Do you have a case of the Mondays? We have the cure! It's the Monday Mailbag!
Aaron in Princeton, NJ: I thought the US was lucky to get the 2-0 win over Mexico last week. I know it was only a friendly to begin with, but are people reading too much into this victory?
Brian: Was the US lucky to beat Mexico? Absolutely. The Americans were poor in possession and out-classed in midfield. But they held firm defensively and scored a timely goal early in the second half that clearly swayed the game in their favor. I wouldn't say their win was undeserved. We've known for years that the Mexicans are superior to the Americans in terms of skill. But the US just won't accept anything less than victory over their rivals to the south on American soil. I think there's some truth that the Americans have gotten into the heads of the Mexicans.
I don't think people are reading too much into this win. A win is a win, and the US can feel good about that. And while both teams played most of their top players, it's still a friendly and doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.
Peter in Chicago, IL: Do you think winning the Premiership or the Champions League will be enough to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Man U? Mourinho, Lampard, and Terry at Chelsea?
Brian: It would appear that Cristiano Ronaldo is this season's Thierry Henry. Speculation has run rampant since midseason that Portuguese winger would be headed to Barcelona this summer. It didn't help Man Utd's cause when Big Phil Scolari chimed in, supporting the rumored move. When it comes to Ronaldo, I don't think a trophy will be the deciding factor. It'll probably come down to money and if he wants a return to the Mediterranean lifestyle. Remember, he left his favored boyhood club Sporting Lisbon at a young age to join United, so Red Devils fans shouldn't think loyalty will be a huge factor in his decision.
As for matters in West London, things are far more interesting. The lack of respect shown to Jose Mourinho by Chelsea owner Roman Abrahmovich has been a massive blow to the "Special One's" ego. In disrespecting Mourinho, Abrahmovich risks alienating players who are extremely loyal to the Portuguese coach like Terry and Lampard. Terry and Lampard might be more loyal to Mourinho than to the club itself these days. Even a Champions League medal couldn't keep Mourinho at Porto. I don't think winning one this term will be the deciding factor to keep him at Chelsea either. It should be an interesting summer in West London, especially if the Blues fail to win a major trophy.
Mike in Frosinone, Lazio, Italy: What's up with the lack of coverage of Calcio Italiano on your blog? The Italians proved that they were the best soccer players in the world just six months ago, yet finding coverage of their teams on your site is like finding a needle in a haystack. Posts about Serie A or Serie B are few and far between, and if by some miracle they are mentioned, the analysis rarely goes beyond the top few teams. How about paying some attention to the battle for fourth place by the Bluceleste (you probably don't know, so I'll tell you - that's the nickname for Lazio). How about keeping a tab on one of the best forwards in the world, Fiorentina's Luca Toni? Alberto Gilardino (who can forget his violin-playing celebration last summer) leads Serie A in goals, but has yet to make an appearance on bookable offense. How about a discussion of Massimo Oddo's transfer from Lazio to AC Milan? I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the anti-Italian bias on your site. After all, when the "Azzurri" captured the most revered title in soccer and became the "Campioni Del Mondo" last July 9, Bookable Offense was nowhere to be found for 16 days. Perhaps, to alleviate this bias, you guys can engage Jon in San Diego to provide some occasional coverage of Calcio Italiano (even though he's a Roma fan)?
Brian: Fair enough, Mikey. Bryce and I will certainly take your criticism under advisement. Clearly, our blog has an English- and American-tilted bias. A major reason for that is because the EPL and MLS are the two most prominently featured leagues on television here in the US.
In regards to the World Cup, we updated the site nearly everyday. Since I had picked the Italians to win it all, you'll see in our archives that I kept a pretty keen eye on their progress. You'll see also I'm quite an admirer of Luca Toni as well.
As for your comments about Serie A, I'll gladly resume coverage once it proves to be a fair and competitive league. I can't respect a league and a culture that embraces cheating and has a general disrespect for basic sporting principles we value and expect as sports fans. I applaud efforts to rid the Italian game of corruption. But clearly, as we have seen in the last month, there are still problems in the game and in Italian society as a whole. Football is just a game. It's not an excuse to go fight your neighbors in another city. I have a tremendous amount of respect for guys like Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Maldini, Costacurta, and Totti who play the game the right way. But until the Italian authorities and the Italian people decide to fix the game once and for all, it will be very difficult for me to take Serie A very seriously around here.
Jerome in Birmingham, England: This England squad is just rubbish - a disgrace. How long must we wait for the FA takes action and sacks McClaren? Do they really want us to long for the days of Sven?
Brian: I have to agree with you, Jerome. It's gone from bad to worse on the England front. Sure, it was a friendly. But the display against Spain last week was dreadful. McClaren clearly isn't the answer. England are going nowhere with him in charge. At this rate, the English might not even be in Austria and Switzerland in 2008. There was once a time when I carried on and on about the Three Lions. But these days, they play more like kittens. Wake me up when The FA hires a real manager.
Kelly in Boston, MA: I know Beckham coming to MLS is the big story, but if you were running the Revs, who are some players you would target to bring in? Thanks, and don't forget to support Clint at Fulham!
Brian: Thanks for writing, Kelly. We especially appreciate the support our female readers. If you're referring to an overseas player, I don't think we should be asking who the Revs should target as much as we should ask who would be willing to come to the US to play. Edgar Davids and Luis Figo have been two names thrown around lately. We won't really be able to know potential options until the European season ends in May. Some older players very well maybe out of options on the continent then and could be headed to North America. But if nothing happens, fear not, Kelly. The Revs have locked up Bookable Offense favorite Taylor Twellman to a long-term extension!
Photos courtesy yahoo.com. Send in your questions for the next journey into the mailbag!
Aaron in Princeton, NJ: I thought the US was lucky to get the 2-0 win over Mexico last week. I know it was only a friendly to begin with, but are people reading too much into this victory?
Brian: Was the US lucky to beat Mexico? Absolutely. The Americans were poor in possession and out-classed in midfield. But they held firm defensively and scored a timely goal early in the second half that clearly swayed the game in their favor. I wouldn't say their win was undeserved. We've known for years that the Mexicans are superior to the Americans in terms of skill. But the US just won't accept anything less than victory over their rivals to the south on American soil. I think there's some truth that the Americans have gotten into the heads of the Mexicans.
I don't think people are reading too much into this win. A win is a win, and the US can feel good about that. And while both teams played most of their top players, it's still a friendly and doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.
Peter in Chicago, IL: Do you think winning the Premiership or the Champions League will be enough to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Man U? Mourinho, Lampard, and Terry at Chelsea?
Brian: It would appear that Cristiano Ronaldo is this season's Thierry Henry. Speculation has run rampant since midseason that Portuguese winger would be headed to Barcelona this summer. It didn't help Man Utd's cause when Big Phil Scolari chimed in, supporting the rumored move. When it comes to Ronaldo, I don't think a trophy will be the deciding factor. It'll probably come down to money and if he wants a return to the Mediterranean lifestyle. Remember, he left his favored boyhood club Sporting Lisbon at a young age to join United, so Red Devils fans shouldn't think loyalty will be a huge factor in his decision.
As for matters in West London, things are far more interesting. The lack of respect shown to Jose Mourinho by Chelsea owner Roman Abrahmovich has been a massive blow to the "Special One's" ego. In disrespecting Mourinho, Abrahmovich risks alienating players who are extremely loyal to the Portuguese coach like Terry and Lampard. Terry and Lampard might be more loyal to Mourinho than to the club itself these days. Even a Champions League medal couldn't keep Mourinho at Porto. I don't think winning one this term will be the deciding factor to keep him at Chelsea either. It should be an interesting summer in West London, especially if the Blues fail to win a major trophy.
Mike in Frosinone, Lazio, Italy: What's up with the lack of coverage of Calcio Italiano on your blog? The Italians proved that they were the best soccer players in the world just six months ago, yet finding coverage of their teams on your site is like finding a needle in a haystack. Posts about Serie A or Serie B are few and far between, and if by some miracle they are mentioned, the analysis rarely goes beyond the top few teams. How about paying some attention to the battle for fourth place by the Bluceleste (you probably don't know, so I'll tell you - that's the nickname for Lazio). How about keeping a tab on one of the best forwards in the world, Fiorentina's Luca Toni? Alberto Gilardino (who can forget his violin-playing celebration last summer) leads Serie A in goals, but has yet to make an appearance on bookable offense. How about a discussion of Massimo Oddo's transfer from Lazio to AC Milan? I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the anti-Italian bias on your site. After all, when the "Azzurri" captured the most revered title in soccer and became the "Campioni Del Mondo" last July 9, Bookable Offense was nowhere to be found for 16 days. Perhaps, to alleviate this bias, you guys can engage Jon in San Diego to provide some occasional coverage of Calcio Italiano (even though he's a Roma fan)?
Brian: Fair enough, Mikey. Bryce and I will certainly take your criticism under advisement. Clearly, our blog has an English- and American-tilted bias. A major reason for that is because the EPL and MLS are the two most prominently featured leagues on television here in the US.
In regards to the World Cup, we updated the site nearly everyday. Since I had picked the Italians to win it all, you'll see in our archives that I kept a pretty keen eye on their progress. You'll see also I'm quite an admirer of Luca Toni as well.
As for your comments about Serie A, I'll gladly resume coverage once it proves to be a fair and competitive league. I can't respect a league and a culture that embraces cheating and has a general disrespect for basic sporting principles we value and expect as sports fans. I applaud efforts to rid the Italian game of corruption. But clearly, as we have seen in the last month, there are still problems in the game and in Italian society as a whole. Football is just a game. It's not an excuse to go fight your neighbors in another city. I have a tremendous amount of respect for guys like Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Maldini, Costacurta, and Totti who play the game the right way. But until the Italian authorities and the Italian people decide to fix the game once and for all, it will be very difficult for me to take Serie A very seriously around here.
Jerome in Birmingham, England: This England squad is just rubbish - a disgrace. How long must we wait for the FA takes action and sacks McClaren? Do they really want us to long for the days of Sven?
Brian: I have to agree with you, Jerome. It's gone from bad to worse on the England front. Sure, it was a friendly. But the display against Spain last week was dreadful. McClaren clearly isn't the answer. England are going nowhere with him in charge. At this rate, the English might not even be in Austria and Switzerland in 2008. There was once a time when I carried on and on about the Three Lions. But these days, they play more like kittens. Wake me up when The FA hires a real manager.
Kelly in Boston, MA: I know Beckham coming to MLS is the big story, but if you were running the Revs, who are some players you would target to bring in? Thanks, and don't forget to support Clint at Fulham!
Brian: Thanks for writing, Kelly. We especially appreciate the support our female readers. If you're referring to an overseas player, I don't think we should be asking who the Revs should target as much as we should ask who would be willing to come to the US to play. Edgar Davids and Luis Figo have been two names thrown around lately. We won't really be able to know potential options until the European season ends in May. Some older players very well maybe out of options on the continent then and could be headed to North America. But if nothing happens, fear not, Kelly. The Revs have locked up Bookable Offense favorite Taylor Twellman to a long-term extension!
Photos courtesy yahoo.com. Send in your questions for the next journey into the mailbag!
Labels: mailbag
posted by Brian at 2/12/2007 08:30:00 PM 
1 Comments:
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