(Some more of) Your Questions Answered

We're almost at the end. For those of you waiting for the final portions of the most recent Q&A, here is the next to last batch of answers. I will look to knock out the final questions for this afternoon so keep an eye out for those.

For now, here are some more of your questions answered:

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LEGOLAS H- Concerning the lack of fit and skilled strikers for the US national team, are Brian Ching and Taylor Twellman out for World Cup qualifications? Are Eddie Johnson and for that matter Jozy Altidore the only real options for strikers?

IVES- Not sure if you've been following MLS this year but Landon Donovan has been tearing it up as an MLS forward. Kenny Cooper has also been playing very well. Then you have Clint Dempsey, who can play at forward. Is the forward pool deep? Nope, but there are some options.

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Q- I feel like Zach Wells is the weakest goalie in the league (and it hurts since I'm a DC fan) because of bad communication, bad positioning and no knowledge of his position. Who do you think is the weakest goalie in MLS and why? How about the best?

IVES- I would argue that Steve Cronin is the weakest goalkeeper in the league. I'm also not sold on Greg Sutton, though he's done well this season. As for best goalkeeper, I think Brad Guzan when he's on his game, but otherwise I go with Joe Cannon and Matt Reis.

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JOHN K- How would you rate the current US roster for the Mexico/Poland games and most likely for WC qualifying in comparison to past squads such as the 2002 World Cup and Gold Cup?

IVES- I think the current U.S. roster is deeper but lacks the leadership that those previous teams boasted.

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SEISCO- 1.)Who's more likely to be a DP first Henry or Shevchenko?

2.)Realistically what range do you see the salary cap being pushed up to within the next couple of years? When will MLS abolish the salary cap?

IVES- 1. Henry. 2. The cap will likely go up before the 2010 season. As for when the cap will disappear? Who knows. I think that's still several years away.

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SHAWN- Since MLS uses secondary assists is it possible to have the secondary assist on a goal you score? Example would be a quick give and go where the intial passer then scores.

IVES- No, you can't get an assist on your own goal

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BEN- With Villareal asking about Jozy, how much you think his transfer fee will be if he leaves in this summer transfer period?

IVES- I'll go with $8.5 million.

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DEREK- This isn't an MLS in 10 years question, i hope --- but we've always heard that these soccer-specific stadiums are supposed to help improve MLS's bottom line --- how far along is the league doing in terms of that, and when will the league as a whole turn a profit i.e. any time soon? Thanks.

IVES- Soccer specific stadiums aren't "supposed to" help the MLS bottom line. They do help the bottom line because instead of renting out a stadium and watching the stadium owners rake in the concession and parking and stadium signage revenue, that all goes to the team. When all the league's teams have their own stadiums and their own revenue streams coming in from those stadiums, then you can have teams making money.

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DOMINGHOSA- 1) If you were Barca's technical director or what not, how would you makeover the team?
2) Maybe you're not "up there" yet. But the moment where you realized you "made it"? If it all.
Thanks as always and keep on keepin on...

IVES- Wow, where to begin. The thing is Barcelona is pretty loaded with talent but needs a few things like defensive depth, a new goalkeeper.

And no, I'm not "up there" yet, but there have been milestones and moments throughout my career that have been special and made me feel like I was doing something right. Here are some:

• Covering my first MLS road game in 1999.
• The first time a reader recognized me on the street.
• Covering my first World Cup in 2002.
• Asking Ronaldo the question that produced an incredible answer after the 2002 World Cup final.
• Having ESPN.com approach me and hire me as a columnist in 2004.
• Having some U.S. fans chant my name outside the stadium before USA-Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup.
• My first front page story on ESPN.com in 2006.
• The first time a reader I met in public asked to take a photograph with me.
• The first time my name appeared on the ESPN crawl in 2007.
• The first time I heard Soccer By Ives cited for a story on the Fox Soccer Report.
• Having members of the U-Sector chant my name during a TFC-Red Bulls match.

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JAKE- Whats with the multiple page comments section??? Its really annoying sometimes especially if theres like 200 comments, it takes 5 minutes just to get to the end. Just wondering...

IVES- That was a change made by TypePad, which is my site's host. I wasn't happy with the change either, but at least it's up to 50 comments per page, which is usually enough to see them on one page.

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GUILLERMO- How would you rank each MLS referee? Are there one or two that you think are better than the others, or are they all bad?

IVES- I don't really rank referees but let's just say that when Jair Marrufo or Kevin Stott is reffing a match there is always chance for some jokes. As for who the good refs are, I think good refs wind up being anonymous because they just call the game and don't make any absurd decisions that draw attention.

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WALLY- Hey ives. any news on carlos ruiz's return match?

IVES- Ruiz dressed in the Galaxy's last match, the 5-1 mauling of FC Dallas, but did not play. I would imagine he's ready to see playing time pretty soon.

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DAN- Would MLS consider staging any matches, even if they are exhibitions, in Philadephia in anticipation of 2010? I think it would be a great way to build interest in the new team. Franklin Field would be a perfect small venue for such events.

IVES- Good question but what teams do you have play in it? I guess you could have a Red Bulls-DC match but wouldn't that be a bit awkward? It's a little different when you're holding an exhibition in some city or state where MLS isn't heading to. Then you can send teams there and it's well-received. With Philly set to get a team, I'm not sure how the fans would embrace a friendly among non-Philly teams on their turf. I suppose they could boo both teams.

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MARK- 1.Which 3 players do you see getting their first cap under bob bradley this year?

2.Do you think we will see Arsenal make a trip to colorado this summer now that the two clubs are affiliated?

IVES- 1) 1. Robbie Rogers, 2. Michael Orozco, 3. Neven Subotic (if he picks the USA)

2) I haven't heard anything about Arsenal coming over and I think we would have heard some word about it by now if it were going to happen.

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EDB- Do you prefer a system like the MLS where every team every year has a chance to be competitve, or a league like the EPL , Series A where there are only 3-4 teams that have a realistic shot of winning the league

IVES- I like the unpredictability of MLS and the fact that teams have to actually work hard to build winning teams and can't just buy a squad.

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ANDREW KARL- What kind of role does public relations play in the soccer media? I can imagine that front offices send you press releases and such, but do you ever recieve story pitches in your email? If so do they come from agencies or front offices? I'm curious to know if i can take my current carear path down this road.

Thanks so much. Seems like the Q&A's are coming around more and more often nowadays, love it!

IVES- I'll say this about story pitches. I don't get as many as you might think, and the ones I get aren't usually that great. Once in a while I'll hear an interesting one but the ones I do hear usually aren't nearly as interesting as the team/agent/etc. might think it is.

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MIKE O- Great site! Question about the overall finances of the MLS. A mere 5-10 years ago the league was swimming in a vast sea of red, two franchises folded and the league almost became yet another ghost of American professional soccer. Given the rapid new expansion, higher salaries (for top players), corporate sponsorship, new TV contracts and construction soccer-specific stadiums the league appears to be on pretty good footing (pun intended).

My question is this: is any of this a mirage? A couple franchises like LA Galaxy and Dallas declared profitability a couple years ago and one would assume TFC is close if not there as well. However, it all still seems so fragile. The league still carries significant debt and outside of hard-core fans like us the league is still pretty anonymous to most U.S. sports fans. Despite the growth from what you can tell is the long-term viability of the league still a concern at MLS headquarters in NYC? With a dampening economy this seems especially prevalent right now.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

IVES- Not sure how the league's growth can be a mirage at this point. Is attendance where the league would like it to be? No, but the league as a whole is stronger financially and better on the field. With stadiums going up every year the league moves closer to being truly sustainable financially. The state of the economy is certainly a concern but that isn't just an MLS concern at this point. That has to be a concern with every form of entertainment out there. Let's face it, the days of being able to afford large amounts of games, concerts, shows, are ending for a lot of people and that's something pro sports leagues of every kind will have to deal with.

Is MLS more vulnerable than other leagues in this regard? You can say that, but I also think the still relatively small size of the league could make it better equipped to navigate the changing economic landscape. For example, MLS teams would probably be far more inclined to slash ticket prices than a big league like MLB or NBA.

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MZ- what are the US's starting lineups at wc 2010 2014

IVES- OK, I have definitely answered the 2010 one before, as well as the 2014 one, so I'm not going to go there again right now.

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MIKE- How did you get into soccer?

IVES- You can read the story of how I got into soccer and writing about soccer here.

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VICTOR- What, if any, are the relations between MLS and USL? If in a few decades MLS becomes a major American sports league do you see a merger happening a la NBA/ABA or NFL/AFL? Or can USL survive as a small league sort of like the AHL vs NHL?

Love the site, keep up the hard work!

IVES- I'm not sure why but right now there doesn't appear to be any real relationship at all between MLS and USL. At least not like there used to be, when you had an arrangement where MLS teams could call up players from the USL.

I never see a merger happening but I do think USL can continue to fill a niche. Let's face it, there are plenty of soccer-loving markets that just aren't going to get MLS teams so the USL can fill the gaps.

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ROCCO- What is the news regarding the formerly highly regarded Johnny X (Exantus)of the Red Bulls youth academy. I see he has been scoring goals left and right in the U-18 games. Is he back at the top of the list of Academy player's who may eventually be signed to the senior squad? I have a hunch he might be the guy the Red Bulls wants to sign before Kassell. Wasn't the league rule that allows senior teams to sign players from their youth system basically implemented b/c of this kid.

IVES- Exantus is definitely one of the best prospects in the Red Bulls system and I would not be at all surprised if he is signed by Red Bull before the 2009 season. I actually think Red Bull will sign both Exantus and Kassel, though I have heard talk in the past about Exantus making a move abroad once he finishes high school.

Comments

[Neil]

What was the question you asked Ronaldo in 2002 and what was his incredible answer?

[Jamie Z.]

I think it was something to the effect of, "What are you going to do to celebrate now that you've won the World Cup?" and, "I'm going to find some transgender prostitutes!"

Okay, seriously, I was curious about that, too.

[joe k]

have you considered writing a piece on the referees of the MLS? i'm sure there are some refs that are consistently good, and some that are consistently awful (that guy who hands out red cards like candy in a children's hospital; and jair maruffo, who thinks that grabbing shirts and holding arms are part of the game)

[CA81]

Ives,
Greg Sutton has been incredible this season. He made several world class saves against the galaxy and DCU. And in their last four games hes only conceded 1 goal. He should be starting in the all star game

[BMer]

IVES- "...as for best goalkeeper, I think Brad Guzan when he's on his game, but otherwise I go with Joe Cannon and Matt Reis"

what? no love for Bouna? its Bouna Time!

[Richard Bruns]

I agree with Ives, Arsenal won't be coming to Colorado this summer. Their preseason is pretty well booked already. From their website:

July 19 - @ Barnet, the traditional first preseason friendly
July 30 - @ VfB Stuttgart, Stuttgart's renaming their stadium and it looks like it might be where Jens Lehmann will be next season
August 2 - Juventus (Emirates Cup)
August 3 - Real Madrid (Emirates Cup)
August 6 - @ Huddersfield Town to mark Huddersfield's centenary year and celebrate the contributions made to each club by legendary manager Herbert Chapman

They had 7 preseason games last year but I don't see them traveling across an ocean in the middle of any of that or starting their preseason early to come over. Hopefully in two summers, I'll be too busy next summer with getting married and whatnot to make a trip out to Colorado.

[Earl Of WA]

Ives,

Since we know that West Ham will be coming to North America this summer, do you know who and where they will be playing besides the MLS All-Star game in Toronto?

[Kev]

Any ideas where Fulham will be going on its pre-season tour? I read on the site of a possibility in South Korea, but im figuring with all the coverage over having 5 U.S. players, they surely should be considering coming to the USA and playing a few MLS teams. What do you think? It wouldn't be nowhere as big as Real Madrid or Man U but surely would expand their already sizeable American audience

[Jamie Z.]

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if come September, Fulham have got closer to two US players.

[Mike O]

Thanks for getting to my question, Ives. In general I agree with your points. It did get me seriously thinking though.

First off, my viewpoint is probably colored by the early days because when I first saw the MLS in the late 1990's/early 2000's it still seemed to be a crude curiosity and an earnest but struggling niche league. The play was sloppy, crowds dwindling and for several years I assumed the league would eventually fold. I started following the MLS more closely a couple years ago when I saw a few games on TV at Lucky Bar in D.C. and at RFK and saw how much more polished the game and the overall product was starting to become. It gave me honest but cautious hope for a U.S.-based soccer league to finally break through.

I agree that the MLS is more solid now than even 2-3 years ago. One can't argue with the increased media coverage & sponsorship, new stadiums, new big names and expansion (although as NASL taught us expansion and singular big names by themselves don't necessarily ensure stability). Supporters' clubs have grown and started to become more visible. With the DP rule there has definitely been a solid infusion of talent as well as exposure.

It's just that since the Beckham signing and the positive signs I hope people don't lose sight of the fact that the MLS is still a VERY young, small and relatively unestablished league by both world standards and the standards of other major American team sports. His addition, along with Blanco, Angel and other productive big-name foreign players have been a nice shot in the arm the league. However, overall MLS still has a long way to go to gain lasting visibility and traction and compete in a difficult sports and economic environment. Quality of play, while improving, is still inconsistent and rosters are thin top to bottom. Attendance is still relatively small and inconsistent market to market. Some clubs like LA and TFC seem to be doing great financially, others like NYRB and Columbus and even my own DC United still aren't yet. Also, it's expensive for clubs to put in the resources to produce world-class talent through their academies even if more of our most superior athletes go into soccer at earlier ages. Additionally, there are many other fast-rising sports like MMA and NASCAR to compete with (probably not directly our audience but still).

My point is a series of bad press, bad business deals or overextended franchises that struggle could still sink the progress being made. While it's in better shape the MLS is still far from profitable league-wide. Stadiums and better TV deals will help but it doesn't address the fact that much of the popularity of soccer in this country still goes to the most famous European or Latin American sides who continue to gobble up more and more of the very best talent. Simply put, the MLS needs not only soccer fans but MLS fans. They need more people who care enough to feel a stake in the league continuing to survive and thrive. While I'm happy to see the progress and definitely see good momentum I'm not sold that the league is out of the woods just yet. Maybe a smaller league is more navigable in tough economic times but it's still a small fish in a number of different bigger ponds.

All that said, I hope you're right and the league's passed the threshold and is headed for the long haul. Only time will tell.

Anyways, thanks for the response and the forum. I just had a lot of thoughts on that.

[Jr]

There have been so many injuries to the Red Bulls so far this season...what is the timetable for the returns of the still-injured?