(Some of) Your Questions Answered

Good morning all. I'm busy going through final candidates for the SBI team correspondent positions (and there are some quality candidates) but I did find time to crank out answers to some of your questions from last week's Q&A.

Here are some of your questions answered. Look for the next installment very soon.

ERIC- What are your thoughts on the Tottenham Hotspur organization, as a whole?

To me, of all the non-Big 4 clubs, they seem like a sleeping giant. Not just because of money and resources, but they also seem to have bought smart in the transfer market.

They've made a commitment to keeping guys like Berba, Keane, Lennon, etc. and have brought in a slew of young defenders and midfielders. Now, with Ramos, it seems like they are an offseason away from really being a force in the Premier League.

IVES- Tottenham WILL break the Top Four in the EPL next season. With the talent already on the roster and the respect Juande Ramos has in Europe, I see him being able to attract the type of star players Tottenham needs to compete with the best teams in England. The current roster isn't good enough yet, but there are good pieces in place. A top-flight striker, quality goalkeeper and winger are definitely on the shopping list for this summer. Look for Juande Ramos to raid La Liga.

--------------------------------

ROB C- Sorry this isn't MLS-related since I know you're trying to steer the questions in that direction, but:

Of the USA's three big-time friendlies coming up (England, Spain, Argentina), in which game do you think they have the best shot at winning?

IVES- Good question. I think Spain is the toughest, playing in Spain against a loaded offense with the type of playmaker in Cesc Fabregas that will cause fits for the USA.

England in Wembley will be interesting. I don't see England as this unbeatable force and the styles of the teams should make for a very good game. It will be an amazing test for Michael Bradley and either Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu or Benny Feilhaber to match up against the likes of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. That battle will be key in a pretty even game. I know England fans will disagree but the U.S. could very easily come away with a result from that match.

Argentina is a great test for a full-strength U.S. team because I see Argentina as an upgraded version of Mexico and we know the success the Americans have had against Mexico. The best example I can give is the first half of the Copa America match, before Argentina blew it open against the USA. I can certainly see a full-strength U.S. squad being tough and disciplined enough to limit Argentina's chances, but that's when a special player like Lionel Messi or Juan Riquelme can do something unreal to change a game. The US team doesn't have that kind of player.

So short answer is I would go England as the best chance for a result and Spain the toughest.

--------------------------------

ANDREW- Ives, if you were MLS comissioner would you raise the salary cap in 2009, and if so by how much?

IVES- Of course I would and I would make it $5 million.

--------------------------------

MIKE K- We RB supporters in recent days have seen JCO do nothing to drop a hint about signings and give us hope. In other major sports, this sort of thing would have leaked or been disclosed. Will the MLS or Red Bull ever think of the fans and tell us such things, or is "secrecy" really a key in signing people?

IVES- I don't think it's necessarily true that every player signing is preceded by rumors that it will happen. I have a feeling that Osorio's transfer targets are not high-profile players and therefore not the types whose movements would be apt to leak out. As for the fans needing to know, it would be nice if stories could leak but the team isn't obligated to reveal information on intended targets.

--------------------------------

JAMES- Ives, What is the latest on Jose Angulo? Thanks.

IVES- The last I heard he was close to signing a contract with an undisclosed club. I hope to find out more today.

--------------------------------

MIGHTY- Seeing how well the United States team play against Poland, how do you rate Coach Bradley? What are his strongest points and his weakest?
Also how do you feel with the United States team so Far? are they meeting your expectations?

IVES- I have always rated Bradley as a quality coach who is well-suited to help the U.S. program grow. As for strengths and weaknesses, I would say Bradley's tactical acumen is much better than American fans give him credit for. He is a true student of the game. As for weaknesses, some would say his loyalty to "his" players is a weakness. I personally don't see the problem with that. All coaches have preferences when it comes to certain players they already have relationships and a trust level with.

--------------------------------

WES- What are the odds that the talks between MLS and the players union will get nasty? Like strike/lockout nasty...

IVES- That's a very good question. I have long wondered if the MLS union would have the back-bone to fight hard in negotiations with the league. If the players are willing to stand up to the league for better salaries I think you will see a nice increase. I also think that MLS realizes that it needs a bigger salary cap to start bringing in more foreign talent so I don't think you'll see MLS be completely stingy at the negotiation table. At least you would hope not.

--------------------------------

AARON- 1) A long time ago, you collected our names, where we lived, etc. Were you just collecting a hit list or has that project come to fruition?

2) Do you have an opinion on if Seattle MLS discards the name "Sounders"?

IVES- I was planning to post the results of all that information, including where SBI readers were from and what teams had the most supporters. Unfortunately I got caught up in actually running the new site. I do need to post that stuff but of course we're four months away from when I gathered the information and the numbers have certainly changed. Look for me to post something in the next week.

--------------------------------

FROG- What kind of year do you see Mike Magee having if he can stay healthy? Is he really the answer playing behind the forwards?

IVES- When healthy, Magee has the vision and skill to be a quality playmaker. The question is whether he can stay healthy. I know there have been questions about his work ethic in the past but I think Juan Carlos Osorio has had a good influence on him.

--------------------------------

JOHN in ATL- On your recent visit to Austria, did you get a feel for how successful the Euro 2008 tournament will be? Are you going to covering the tournament in person?

IVES- I couldn't really get a sense of that. You didn't really see a lot in the way of preparations specifically for the Euro tournament. And no, unfortunately I am not covering the tournament. There is an outside chance that I make it out for some games but that's still up in the air.

--------------------------------

BJR- Looking to the not-to-distant future, what do you think would be the best way to utilize Dempsey, LD, Adu, and Altidore on the field at the same time? In a related question, why is it that we never see LD or Demspey playing as CAMs?

I haven't complimented you yet, but I've been enjoying the new site since day 1. Thanks for all the info and analysis.

IVES- Thanks BJR, I appreciate it. As for keeping all those players on the field at the same time, I think you could have an attack like this:

------------Altidore-----Dempsey-----------------

Beasley----------- Adu-------------------Donovan

-------------------Bradley--------------------------

Right now, I'm not sure Bob Bradley feels Adu is ready to handle a starting playmaking role to the point that the team is going to change its tactics to accomodate him. The fact remains that Adu's work rate defensively leaves something to be desired and until his attacking prowess on the senior level is such that it offsets the lax defending, I don't know if he's someone you can start in important senior national team games.

--------------------------------

DAVE MARTINEZ- How would you compare Osorio's coaching, in particular, his preperation for the season, as opposed to Arenas style? (since you have a first hand look at both)

Whats your favorite food / dish/ meal(Argentine Milanesa with Ensalada Rusa or the basic Argie BBQ does it for me)?

IVES- The early impression I get is that Osorio's organization and attention to detail have resulted in a smooth and productive pre-season. The group also seems to be a happy bunch that enjoys training. There were periods last year where you really got the sense the team wasn't overly happy and some training sessions were more sullen.

One thing that should pointed out is the amazing lack of training-related injuries the Red Bulls have dealt with this pre-season. When you think about the number of groin strains, hamstring pulls, calf strains and sports hernias the club has faced the past few years, the fact that the Red Bulls have avoided these tells me something has changed dramatically in the way the team approaches training. This is obviously a product of Osorio's planning, training methods and extensive background in the physical side of training.

--------------------------------

MARTELUCCI- Has there been a qualification set for the MLS participants in the CONCACAF Champs league?

Is there the possiblilty of the U.S. Open Cup winner gaining a slot?

Thanks.

IVES- Have not heard the MLS qualification format for the Champions League yet and having the U.S. Open Cup winner of the previous year be one of the teams in it makes a lot of sense. 

--------------------------------

EJS- Will there ever be a dominant striker in MLS who scores atleast a goal every game?

IVES- The league certainly has changed since Roy Lassiter scored 27 goals in 1996 or Mamado Diallo and Stern John scored 26. It's a tough one because the league's top teams play in so many more games now, with all these cup competitions, that you wind up having players needing to rest and teams struggling with form as they cope with the extra games. This impacts goal scorers. Look at Luciano Emilio, who scored 20 last season. In the season opener against KC, Emilio and DC played without star midfielder Fred, who was rested ahead of the Champions Cup. That might have cost Emilio a goal.

Right now I think Juan Pablo Angel and Luciano Emilio are capable of putting up that kind of year. The question is can their teammates create enough chances for them.

--------------------------------

DAVE R- If you had to pick one of the lesser known/spoken about cities for an MLS franchise (Not Vancouver, Montreal, St Louis, Tampa, Miami), which "under the radar" city would be most successful?

IVES- I would have to go with Los Vegas. I have heard some rumblings about MLS putting a team there, and the possibility for a dome to play in (because players would die in the summer heat there), but I'm not sure if there's a real chance of that happening. If it does happening, SBI will be moving its headquarters to Nevada. You can book that one (okay, I'm kidding. Okay, half-kidding).

--------------------------------

JB- What do you see happening with the Liverpool ownership situation? Will Hick's be able to go 100%, how long can he block Gillette from selling his stake? What are the potential ramifications of a Hicks/DIC ownership and how would infighting among owners hurt the club?

IVES- I thought I had read that Hicks has the right to make an offer for Gillet's portion of the team. I doubt very highly that a Hicks-DIC partnership would ever happen or work. I'm pretty sure the FA would step in at some point to clean things up.

--------------------------------

BEN- How good do you think the chances of the US hosting the 2018 World Cup are at the moment with England's misbehavior both on and off the pitch and the PR disaster it looks like China's olympics are going to be?

IVES- I would say the chances are very good. USSF president Sunil Gulati is a resourceful man, as evidenced by the impressive string of upcoming international friendlies for the senior national team. The U.S. federation hasn't come out and said it just yet but I think 2018 is a priority and I like our chances.

--------------------------------

KJ- Ive heard rumors about Michael Bradley moving over to the Premier League. What teams are interested and who do u figure is gonna get him? And could he set a record transer for an American?

IVES- Reports have mentioned Blackburn, Everton and even Manchester United. I would put my money on Everton, though it wouldn't shock me if Bradley wound up in Germany, where several clubs have seen him tear up the Eredivise and are interested.

--------------------------------

WILLIAM ANDERSON- Off limits?? But, don't you think that if John O'Brien came out of retirement and played for the Red Bulls at their new stadium the team might avoid the prospect of relegation to the USL? Assuming of course that MLS institutes promotion/relegation before the new stadium is completed (when is that supposed to be again?).

IVES- Well William, the Red Bulls stadium is well on its way to being built so I think the better question is whether O'Brien's beach soccer team will be relegated from the California Pro-Am beach soccer league.

--------------------------------

KJ- Who is likely to be in the starting XI for the game against England? I figure itll all be European based players with the exception of LD and Altidore. Is there a chance EJ will start as striker?

IVES- KJ, you do realize the game is two months away right? Yes, I know, we can always speculate on a lineup.

Here's the starting XI I see facing England:

-----------Altidore---------Johnson-----------

Donovan------------------------------Dempsey

------------------Bradley- Edu----------------

Pearce----Bocanegra--Onyewu----Cherundolo

--------------------Howard----------------------

We're going to have to see the Johnson-Altidore tandem up front sooner or later so why not here? It will be great to see them matched up against Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

JK-When are teams like Houston Dynamo, San Jose Earthquakes, New England Revolution and Kansas City Wizards set to have their own stadiums? How big would u guess they would be?

IVES- I believe KC is the closest of that group to having a stadium. Houston is moving toward getting approval for one. New England is looking into it while I'm not sure what San Jose' status is.

--------------------------------

ARTC- 1) Why, in your opinion, is Donovan usually selected for taking the free kicks for the national team? He is too inconsistent.
2) Who in your opinion, should be the main selection as the choice for free kicks at the national level? I saw Lewis has a good talent, but he will not be around for the 2010 World Cup. I can see Adu in the future for the senior team. I actually remember Dulo being decent at it also. Donovan is usually only good for corner, or lobbing kicks, not a free kick on goal.

IVES- I'm not sure who you would have take the kicks instead of Donovan. Bobby Convey would be an option if he were healthy but I think there aren't many American free kick takers of any quality.

2. I like Adu as a future free kick taker, but I'm not sure he's ready to be a national team starter. Of national team starters in the current pool I think Donovan gets the nod for free kicks.