(More) of your questions answered

Good afternoon again. Here are some more of your questions answered from the most recent Q&A session. If I can't get to the rest today I will look to post some answers over the weekend, and definitely by Monday.

JEFF- With all the talk about future expansion sites, I have one question...

Why would they put another MLS team in NY when the current team has games when they only get 9,000 fans? Am I the only one that thinks that the MLS should concentrate on having one successful team in New York before the plan on the second???

I mean, even my team (The Crew), get better crowds!

IVES- I am almost positive that I have answered this question before, but here goes. The reason another MLS team in New York can work is because there really isn't a team in New York now. The Red Bulls may be called the New York Red Bulls but it inherited the New Jersey-heavy fanbase of the MetroStars. You see, in the MetroStars formative years the organization focused almost exclusively on the New Jersey fanbase. Whether it was because of Jersey-native Charlie Stillitano wanting to cater to his home state or perhaps a secret mandate from MLS in order to keep the area clear for an eventual second team, there just wasn't much done to cultivate the New York soccer fans.

That doesn't mean soccer fans still didn't converge from New York to the MetroStars. It's just that there are thousands upon thousands of soccer fans in the New York area who never embraced the MetroStars or Red Bulls. Now, if you put a team in the heart of New York, in Queens, you will have a chance to draw from not only those fans, but also from the strong ethnic groups in the area that love soccer. These are fans that won't necessarily travel from Queens to East Rutherford, but who could easily be drawn in by a team right in their backyard.

A second team in New York isn't a question of if, but of when. I also believe that having that second New York team will help give a boost to the current club because nothing stirs emotions and bolsters fan bases like good rivalries.

And let me just say that the attendance jab at the Red Bulls was pretty weak. The Red Bulls haven't drawn that well this season but they had just one game where they drew less than 10,000, a game on a rainy Sunday, which has never been a traditionally good day for crowds. Someone could make a similar crack about the Crew drawing less than 7,000 for a game this year but that too would be an unfair crack. Ultimately, when Red Bull Park opens next summer it will be full and will stay largely full for a while.

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MICHAEL- Ives, Good stuff. Enjoy your blog.

As you know there is a good chance that Cuba will play the US in World Cup Qualifying. Have you heard anything about where the away leg will be and the possibility of US supporters getting special permission to charter a plane to the match? I really think it would be an incredible experience to see a game in Cuba.
As for now this is all speculation until it happens but it any insight would be appreciated.

IVES- Back in February, US Soccer president Sunil Gulati addressed this issue and he didn't sound optimistic about American fans being allowed to travel to Cuba (and yes, the road leg is expected to be played in Cuba). That was three months ago but I'm not sure if much has changed. That said, I'm sure some American fans will find a way to get there.

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FREDDY- What club or national team do you think the "Special One" will end up coaching at?

IVES- If I had to guess I would say Inter though I'm really surprised he didn't wind up at Barcelona.

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JOHN- Realistically do you think Beckham will make Capello's 2010 roster or is Capello giving Becks false hope?

IVES- Beckham is a special player but trying to gauge where he'll be in two full years is tough. Nevermind the fact that we could see some young English players blossom in those same two years. I would call it a longshot.

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CACUZCATLAN- What are the chances of either Cobi Jones or Martin Vasquez learning enough from the big name coaches they are working under and eventually becoming the first U.S. coaches to get jobs with recognized clubs in Europe?

IVES- Vasquez has a job with a recognized club. Do you mean head coaching job? I would give Vasquez a better chance than Jones, who needs a full year of coaching under his belt before I even consider him as someone with big-time head coaching in his future.

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ANDY- Is Khano Smith the Nicolas Anelka of MLS in terms of his incredible ability to sulk all game?

IVES- Smith is an emotional player who not only sulks, he also talks trash, gets angry and also shows some happy moments. He could stand to develop a little self-control but he is who he is. It certainly isn't pretty to watch, particularly if you're an opposing fan.

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BRIAN- please for the love of God:

is it Peguero Jean Philippe
or Jean Philippe Peguero?
: )

IVES- According to the San Jose Earthquakes, his name is actually Peguero Jean-Philippe. Apparently MLS had it wrong during his entire first stint in MLS. Nice of him to tell us.

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JOHN- I was wondering how the transfer window works for MLS teams since we are on a different schedule from most of the other leagues. Can you explain when the transfer window is open during the year for player who are currently under contract?

Thanks and keep up the great work.

IVES- The summer transfer window for MLS runs from June 15 to Aug. 15.

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MORITZ- Do you think the CONCACAF Champions Cup should have been demoted to the status of the UEFA Cup in order to give other mid table clubs a taste of international soccer or do you think it was the right decision to do away with it?

IVES- I like the expanded Champions League format and don't think there would have been room to keep around the Champions Cup as some seperate event.

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MR. GOODBAR- Could you take Luis Arroyave in soccer:

1. 1v1 real life
2. 1v1 FIFA 08

Follow up, how about all of the other soccer reporters?

IVES- Well, Luis is going to outrun me all day, but if we're talking skills I think I could sit in and deliver nice passes from midfield without moving like Valderrama in his last MLS days. As for FIFA 08, I haven't played FIFA since FIFA 05 but I'm pretty sure I would still smoke Luis. We'll have to set that up next time I'm in Chicago.

As for who the best soccer-playing soccer journalists are, I would say Jen Chang and Steve Davis are probably two writers who would go high in the soccer writer draft (I think I'd be a late supplemental draft pick.)

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MATT- What are your thoughts on the average attendance around the MLS and why there appears to be certain cities (Toronto for instance based on your earlier post) that draw better crowds than others? It is just amazing to me that teams in such large metropolitan areas like NYC and Boston that have such diverse populations cannot draw more than 10-12K fans to a game. Especially the Revolution who have been consistently one of the best teams in the league. Maybe we could see a post that discusses each team's attendance and what factors may be contributing to the attendance or lack thereof (i.e. demographics, previously had a professional soccer team, other pro teams (NFL,NBA,MLB) in the area).

IVES- People who wonder about this really haven't been to these cities to understand the differences between a Toronto or D.C. United and New York and New England. While Toronto and D.C. do have strong soccer fanbases, both teams also play at stadiums that are extremely accessible to public transportation and are located within the main cities. I was pretty amazed at the location of BMO Field and how convenient it is for most folks in Toronto to get to the stadium. The same goes for RFK, where there is a Metro stop right across the street.

This isn't the case with Giants Stadium, which is extremely difficult to get to using public transportation, or Gillette Stadium, which is also not that accessible to public transport and is located pretty far from Boston itself.

I also think the newness of Toronto FC adds to it (because last time I checked, new teams always draw well) as well as D.C. United's tradition of success. I am absolutely convinced that if you gave D.C. United the failed history of the Red Bulls/MetroStars then D.C. would have a fraction of the fans. It's just easier developing a fanbase when you win. That's pretty simple.

I think people are going to be surprised at how well the Red Bulls draw once Red Bull Park opens because it will be located right near a large population rich with soccer fans, as well as right near a PATH station that will be able to bring in fans from New York who would previously have had a terrible time trying to get to games.

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JOE K- do you play soccer video games? preferences on the konami or fifa version?

IVES- The only game I play these days, and it isn't nearly as often as I'd like, is Football Manager. As for actual game simulation I was a big FIFA guy but stopped playing about three or four years ago. Just don't have the time for it.

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MIKE K- Will Keano's Sunderland make any big landings this summer? They're up for this year, but is a sophomore slump likely?

IVES- Sunderland spent quite a bit last year and I am pretty sure Roy Keane will get a reasonably sized transfer budget, though perhaps not as big as last year's. I'm still wondering when Keane might make the next step up in class as a manager.

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STEVE- Given all players available are at perfect health and at the top of their game REGARDLESS of age, what's your 2010 World Cup roster look like?

IVES- I'm going to say it once. I've answered this question before and I won't answer it again after this time at least until the fall. Here goes:

GK- Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann

D- Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Heath Pearce, Jonathan Spector, Marvell Wynne, Michael Orozco, Eddie Lewis

M- Clint Dempsey, DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Ricardo Clark, Freddy Adu, Robbie Rogers, Sal Zizzo

F- Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan, Kenny Cooper, Preston Zimmerman

I'm sure people will take issue with Eddie Lewis, but I can't imagine Bob Bradley picking a team without a veteran like Lewis on it. Zimmerman is my wild card, well that slot is my wildcard. I couldn't decide between Zimmerman, Gabriel Ferrari or someone like Chris Rolfe.

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GLEN- What's going on with Jimmy Conrad? Why hasn't Bob Bradley been using him in more National team games lately?

IVES- Good question. I know he didn't have the best of showings back in January but Conrad has been strong for Kansas City. It's tough to say whether Conrad has lost a step without seeing him in some international games.

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GAGE- You talk a lot about trying to grow the presence of soccer in the states. I play on a few different rec league teams with people who LOVE the game but I've encountered very few people who actually follow the professional teams. I've even tried in the past few weeks to say things like "how about that Man U/Chelsea match?" and people know the teams, but just don't follow the game.

So why do you think more rec players (at least in my area) don't follow professional soccer? Is it just an exposure issue?

IVES- If we're talking 30-somethings and older, I think you might have a generation that just wasn't raised on the international game. I think this has changed quite a bit in the past five years so now you will have more and more soccer players who have been able to watch the world's best teams and players player on a regular basis. That exposure makes better soccer fans and I think in the next decade you will see the difference because there will be this generation of soccer players/fans with a much better knowledge of the game and better ability to appreciate and adopt MLS.

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ERIKA- 1. Who are you rooting for to win EURO and who do you think will actually win the tournament?

2. Who do you predict coming out of the Italy, Romania, France and Holland group?

IVES- Not sure if I have a rooting interest. I made a bet with some Swedish tourists I met in New York back in January where I picked Spain to win and they picked Germany to win. I'm really liking my chances there. So I guess Spain is my pick right now but I need to really study the teams before making final predictions. SBI readers can expect extensive coverage of the European Championships, including previews and predictions.

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OZZIE- Any word on the whereabouts of Kyle Martino???

IVES- I was told he was in the investment banking biz in Manhattan. Whatever he's doing involves wearing a suit in New York as far as I know.

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GIORGIO CHINAGLIA- Do you think the Red Bulls will ever sign a striker as great as I was?

IVES- Next year.

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KORIORDAN- No questions about where Bradley/Dempsey/et al. will go. I am curious about the CRITERIA that you think they should use to DECIDE where to go (e.g., potential playing time, club prestige, league, training quality). Obviously, this is different for every player, but it seems like selecting a club for prestige alone is a bad idea. At the same time, players seem to try to sign with the most prestigious club they can get an offer from (the result: Preston Zimmerman is mired in reserve games for Hamburg SV II, Szetela is on loan to a Serie B club from Racing Santander).

IVES- Okay, a few things. You mention Zimmerman and Szetela, two players who are very young. How is Zimmerman "mired" at Hamburg II? He's a starter and key player there at the age of 19. Szetela is at a quality Serie B squad in Brescia where he has gotten some starts and playing time despite varous injuries. This at the age of 20. I'm not really sure how either of these players are doing so badly. Szetela probably made a mistake going to Racing Santander, but right now he's at Brescia and could wind up staying there.

As for what players use to determine what clubs they will go to, I really doubt prestige is the overriding factor in these decisions.

Comments

[sublicon]

Yeah, Jeff . . CHEAP! Learn to spell your name correctly.

[Paul]

The summer transfer window for MLS runs from ***July*** 15 to Aug. 15.

[Ives]

No Paul, the MLS transfer window runs from JUNE 15 to August 15.

[PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo]

Ives, if a team would draw better in Queens rather than Jersey, why not move the RB's there?

[Ives]

Pancho, I didn't say the Red Bulls could draw better in Queens. I said there is an audience there that can support a soccer team. The Red Bulls will draw well once they move into their new stadium. If that I have no doubt. The location, transportation and attraction of a new stadium will make Red Bull Park a hit. That's my opinion (which I have gone on record with repeatedly) and I'll welcome any other pundit to say it won't be a success.

[Amit]

The NY/NJ rivalry is desirable in any sport. That is why you don't move the NJ team to NY.

[seven]

I'll post this next time you answer questions. Is it feasible to build a stadium in the heart of Queens?

[Tony in Quakeland]

If the US player a qualifier in Havana, what are the odds of getting Eddie Johnson to defect to Cuba?

[Matt]

My point relating to attendance is just that it is disappointing for a city as large and diverse as NYC to have such a poor turnout for their MLS team. I do realize how much of a pain it is to get to Giants Stadium and I am going to have to mess with that again for the US/Argentina game. But I live in Houston and it is also a pain to get to the Dynamo home games. Public transportation is terrible in the city as I am sure you realized during the US/Mexico game and there is no real convenient way to get to the Dynamo stadium without driving. But they still manage to draw 18K+ to their home games. Obviously it helps that they were MLS champs two years in a row but most people I know don't support them because they were champs; they support them because they are the only gig in town. Considering that the population of NYC is over 8 million (just the city itself, not including the entire metropolitan area) and Houston is only 2 million, I would hope that their attendance numbers would be more in line, if not NY's higher. As you mentioned there are definitely some other contributing factors including the newness of the Dynamo to the city as well as the failed history of the MetroStars/Red Bulls.

[wjmooner]

I live right across the river from Manhattan on the Jersey side after having been raised in the west, and lived in Manhattan for a few years, and honestly it is difficult to understand the NY/NJ travel dynamic until you have lived here.

Sure, one may have to drive to Houston's stadium, but practically everyone in Houston has at least one car. On the other hand, the majority of people in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan don't have one. And if you do have a car you don't want to travel by car to Giants Stadium from Queens, because the only realistic way to do so is to cut through Manhattan, which is a disaster at 5 p.m. on a Saturday (or anytime truth be told). The pubs are packed for soccer games, so there are lots of soccer fans in New York, but getting out to the Meadowlands on the bus is torture, and everyone knows it.

[chris]

I think its a waste of time to worry about attendance while Red Bull is still at Giants stadium. If its still low at Red Bull Park then its definately a concern. Until then, who cares? Once in Red Bull Park you will see a whole different level of marketing would be my guess. They have no incentive to get people out to Giants stadium right now.

[Ramon]

Ives, You seem to get really defensive anytime someone questions your judgement. So my question is how tall are you? Are you dealing with a Napoleon complex?

[Ives]

Ramon, what exactly was defensive about my responses? I corrected someone who was wrong about something they thought I got wrong and then I answered a question about moving the Red Bulls to New York. Maybe you reading them as defensive says something about your own insecurity (see, I too can play the dime-store shrink).

And I'm 5-11, so no Napoleonic complex here.

[jerry]

Ives, what do you think about Brunner signing with Miami ?

[not so sure]

hey ives - thanks for the blog, i know i hate sometimes, but i enjoy and respect what you're doing...that being said, i dont really agree with your national team selection at all. though it is obviously extremely hard to predict at this point, i thought id give it a shot also.

GK- Tim Howard, Hahnemann, Guzan
D- Gooch, Boca, Cherundolo, Spector, Pearce, Parkhurst, Orozco, Demerit
M- Dempsey, Beasley, Bradley, Edu, Adu, Rogers, Zizzo, Convey (lets not count him out so quikly), Feilhaber
F- Jozy, Landon, Johnson

That's what I'm going with now. i think lewis won't be on there, i think he's a midfielder, but given the US's problems at outside back it's possible, but id put my money on subotic, gibbs, or simek getting there before he does. in addition, i think you sold short convey - hes battling back from injury and will likely switch teams soon, and his attacking ability is undoubted. up top is obviously our weakest point, and i think we could even see ching back up there. if donovan is going to play forward he'll need to be paired with a big tough guy, so i can see ching coming back. i also think johnson wasnt that horrible at fulham. yes he didnt score or didnt impress incredibly, but the thing i noticed was that he definitely improved game after game, and im starting to think he may actually have some ability after all... just my opinion though, as i said its impossible to really predict anything now... again, id like to see edu at central back more, i dont like the gooch onyewu pairing, both of them are big slow and stupid. one of those guys paired with a spector or edu i think would work great....thanks ives!

[Homey]

I have a question for anyone with an answer. A year or so ago, I heard all these transfer rumors about Parkhurst. Lately, I've heard nothing. Is he still a possibility to go to Europe this year?

[tsingletonvt]

Homey - I believe that Parkhurst's contract with MLS expires this year so I think the possibility of a transfer is realistic. He has an Irish passport, it is a year before the new CBA, and the Revs might try to continue to retain him at a "hometown" price. As a Revs fan I hope he stays a few more years, but I would not be surprised to see him go, maybe even on a free transfer in the winter window depending on how the Revs are doing in late August.

Ives - Not to nitpick but, I am surprised that Bornstein did not make your (super early) 2010 team. I thought Bradley had blind man-crush on Bornstein? :)

[Ramon]

Ives,

You're right! I was reading into your tone and peppering it with my own insecurity. Who knew that soccer could be so good for the soul? Actually I'm guessing everyone that's addicted to this blog. Keep up the good work and stop giving me ambiguously toned replies to read into.

[papa bear]

NY2 is a disaster waiting to happen. There are thousands of soccer fans in every city who are supporting the current offering.
I've spent more than a little time in the NY area and the constant griping about travel is ridiculous. The Giants and Jets both have hundreds of thousands of people from NYC who go to the Meadowlands every year. Sure NFL is far more popular, but it doesn't change the fact that NYC residents are more than willing to make the trek for a team they like.
If NY2 does happen, they better have a 5 year contraction clause. If they don't pull over 16K a game, they get moved to Milwaukee or somewhere else very very far away.
You all forget the biggest factor out there: fickle unrealistic NY'ers. When NY2 sucks for 2 or 3 years the support will dry up. Same as what's happened with the MetroBulls.

[papa bear]

re: attendance, the fly in the theoretical ointment is LA. They are as far from LA as they can be without being outside of LA county and draw more than any other team in the league, even pre-Beckham.
Some cities simply have more try football fanaticos than others.