(The rest of) Your Questions Answered

Good morning folks (or late night for you night owls). It took WAY longer than I would have liked but I finally finished off the most recent Q&A session.

Here are the answers to the remaining questions asked by the SBI Mafia more than two weeks ago.

Thanks to all of you who took part. There were some good questions this last time around. I can say that I will definitely finish the next Q&A session in a far more timely fashion.

Now, without any further ado, here are the rest of your questions answered:

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VICTOR- How come the MLS hasn't seen a large contingency of Asian players yet? It seems as though we have all corners of the world represented in our league except for Eastern Asia. When I see the support the Korean demographic gives for mediocre MLB players like Chan Ho Park and Choi Hee Sop, it makes me wonder how much interest MLS can garner from heavily asian populated regions if they signed someone like a Park Ji Sung or even someone more reasonable for an MLS salary.

IVES- there isn't a contingent of Asian players in MLS because MLS scouting is pretty thin as it is and doesn't have the connections and inroads into Asia that it has in South and Central America. As for the idea of signing a high-profile Asian player to sell tickets, MLS went that route once before with former South Korea captain Hong Myung-Bo and while the Galaxy sold some tickets, I'm not sure the signing was a complete success.

You should know though that Seattle has plans to address this. Sources in Seattle tell me that one of the priorities for the Sounders is to sign a high-profile Asian player in order to tap into that market.

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KEITH G- How come there are no American women playing in the womens EPL or what not? I was shocked that when the league went out here that they werent picked up by clubs like Arsenal and what not.

Also when the new league does come around, how long will it take to get where the MLS is now, and who will be the 1st big name international?

IVES- From what I understand part of the problem is the women's league in England just doesn't pay much. That's pretty shocking considering all the money invested in the men's game but if you're an female American player trying to make a living there are other options. And there actually is an American woman in England, Lorrie Fair plays for Chelsea.

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NED'S FC- Do you know any of the details of then Metrostars sale of Michael Bradley? Are MLS or the Red Bulls entitled to a sell on fee? It is amazing how the Metrostars managed to rid themselves of a future National Team coach and one of the National Team's most promising young players in one fell swoop. I can't imagine the person who was responsible for this is still working in American soccer! Obviously, it is difficult to say without knowing the details, but where do you think that sale ranks in terms of the all time worst trades/sales in MLS history?

IVES- What it boils down to is Michael Bradley had a golden opportunity to go play for Heerenveen, the type of opportunity that you just don't see players his age get, and the MetroStars let him have that opportunity. I'm pretty sure there was some feeling of obligation considering the club had just fired his father the previous season. And to be fair to the Metros, Bradley wasn't yet the player he is now.

That all said, I'm not sure that Michael Bradley leaves if his father were still the coach in 2006. In fact, enough isn't made of what kind of team Bob Bradley could have built with the Metros if he hadn't been fired. Not just Michael Bradley and Ante Razov, but also Youri Djorkaeff might have enjoyed a much better second season if the coach he came to play for was still around. Then you have the 2006 MLS Draft, which I can tell you might have wound up being one of the best in league history (Bradley would have traded the No. 1 pick, gotten Sacha Kljestan, taken Jozy Altidore as well as Jonathan Bornstein).

We'll never know what could have happened and MetroStars/Red Bulls fans have Alexi Lalas to thank for that.

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DANNYc58- Why do they water the surface at Giants Stadium?

IVES- The turf is watered in order to keep the ball from bouncing too much and skipping too quickly, basically to try and give it more of a grass feel, which obviously is impossible but that's the idea (and no, I don't think they knew it was going to rain on Saturday when they watered the field before kickoff.)

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AUSTIN- First of all, Your web site is great. Keep up the great work.

This is not a possibility anymore, but lets say liverpool or Ac Milan finished 5th in their leagues, but won the champions league...would they get a spot in next years champions league even though they missed 4th in their league?

IVES- Yes, Champions League champion gets a spot. I'm pretty sure this happened to Liverpool the last time they won it. Here's the explanation I have found: If a Champions League winner doesn't qualify through regular means in their league, they then replace the lowest ranked qualifier in their league. So basically if AC Milan had won this year's Champions League they would automatically qualify but they would have replaced Fiorentina (4th in Serie A), which would have been dropped to the UEFA Cup.

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MIKE- Ives- Keep up the great work. Quick questions:

1) With Crystal Palace backing a team in the US, what other teams from Europe do you see setting up feeder teams in the US?

2) Who, in your opinion, in their prime, was the best goalkeeper for the US and why? Keller, Friedel, Meola, Howard?

IVES- I don't know if you can call the Crystal Palace USA team a 'feeder' team for Crystal Palace but as far as European club setting up teams here, I know I have heard of Celtic being interested in doing something like that. I would bet that some EPL teams will consider planting academies here to start mining talent. It will be interesting to see how MLS and U.S. Soccer approaches that.

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BILL- 1. What's the one or two (or more) things the Toronto franchise is doing that other MLS teams could learn from or utilize immediately?

2. To the extent you can tell or know, how does Jozy feel about playing in midfield? I thought that was going to be all in the past once Arena left...

IVES- First off, it needs to be made clear that MOST expansion teams and new teams in general start off with great support. The key is keeping that support around and growing it. Toronto has benefited from already having a stadium built and also having that stadium be in a great location with relation to the city of Toronto. The environment at BMO Field does as much to hook visitors as the action on the field does so that has been key to the early success.

I'm also convinced that Toronto is a soccer-loving city uniquely equipped to create a good-sized fan base almost immediately.

2. I'm not sure how many different ways I can explain it but the wing role Altidore has been playing as been a wide forward in a three-forward attack. He has NOT been playing as a midfielder. Are there some similarities between the positions? Yes, but for the most part Altidore has been used as a right and left forward in a three-forward attack. I know some people want to blame his ineffectiveness on being used in a wider role, but I'm not buying that one.

Ultimately the goal of having Altidore wide is to give him space and the opportunity to run at people with the ball as well as to stretch the defense and force defenses to choose between doubling Altidore wide or Angel up top. If the Red Bulls had a true attacking midfielder who was going to feed the two forwards then you could afford to keep Altidore and Angel up top alone, but since there is nobody on the roster capable of feeding the forwards consistently from a playmaker role the next best thing you can do is put Altidore out wide and have him get fed service from the winger on his side or Angel up top.

I also think you're seeing a three-forward look at times because that limits the amount of ground Dave Van Den Bergh has to cover on the left flank. I don't think Juan Carlos Osorio is convinced that Van Den Bergh is equipped to do the running required of a left winger in a 4-4-2 for 90 minutes.

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PETEY- Who do you think will become the next club to win the EPL for the first time? Liverpool seems the obvious choice, but it hasn't happened yet, you know? Also, as close as Hearts came a few years ago, which still wasn't hugely close, do you think a non-Old-Firm club will win the SPL as long as Celtic and Rangers are a part of it?

IVES- I think Tottenham and Manchester City are clubs that might be able to put the pieces together in the near future. That said, I can't see a non-Top Four team winning any time soon. As for the SPL, I would say every team in the SPL is a Russian Billionaire owner away from challenging Celtic and Rangers.

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WILL- What has happened to Freddy Adu? It seems as if he's fallen out of favor yet again at Benfica with the relentless coach-swapping they've gone through. Do you see him getting more playing time there soon?

IVES- The carousel of coaches at Benfica was terrible for Adu to deal with as a young player in his first year at the club, but he showed enough in the first half of the season for the club to feel he is a talent worth keeping. Benfica should hire a higher-profile manager this summer and that new manager will need to decide whether Adu is someone he likes or someone the club should sell this summer.

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JONATHAN- This might seem like a very random question, but does MLS, EPL, La Liga, etc. etc. use the same trophy each year awarded to champions (a la World Cup), or are there separate trophies each year for the champs?

Love the blog!!! as I have for years! Keep it up

IVES- Thanks for the support Jonathan. As far as I can find, Europe's top leagues and MLS award different trophies each year. If anyone knows different, feel free to let me know.

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FEDERER- Why the MLS still allows syntetic grass stadiums? I think is really dumb because increases the chances of a serious injury.

IVES- Stadium issues are going to keep artificial turf a reality in MLS, with Toronto the one team who built a new stadium with turf in it. That is certainly disappointing but with Red Bull Park and Real Salt Lake's stadiums set to open in the next year and a half you will hopefully see the number of teams that play on turf cut in half.

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MIKE- Can you elaborate on the Altidore to Europe rumors? More specifically, the Altidore to Villareal rumors? Where do they come from? Have you confirmed with the Red Bulls that talks or inquiries have happened? What is the real truth there?

IVES- Red Bull doesn't talk about these things, choosing to keep things under wraps. That said, the list of European clubs interested in Altidore is long and growing and we aren't likely to find out which teams are on the list unless the info comes from Europe. I will definitely keep the antennas up though and hopefully I can unearth another offer like the Reading offer last winter.

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JERRY- I read on a Honduras newspaper that George Welcome the guy who score the goal to win the Olympic qualifiers over USA has a tryout with NE Revs any news on that and whether its true? whats the possibility of him getting signed?

Also, What really happened with Amado Guevara that I read that he wouldnt talk to reporters untill after you left the press room? was it that bad? what did he say when he saw you at BMO field last thursday?

IVES- My sources tell me that New England has in fact expressed interest in Welcome and have actually put in a Discovery claim on him. Don't be surprised to see him sign when the transfer window opens in June.

As for the Guevara story, it was in the post-game interviews after the Honduras-Mexico Gold Cup match last summer. When I arrived in an interview session with Guevara, he stepped away from the assembled media and said he wouldn't continue speaking until I left. Since I didn't want to keep my fellow journalists from being able to do their jobs I just walked away. Guevara was basically unhappy with some of the things I wrote when he left MLS last year.

What happened when I went to Toronto a few weeks ago? He gave me a handshake and a hug and we had a good talk. All is forgiven, which I'm glad to see because I covered him for three years and we had a very good relationship then. I have written more pieces praising him as a player than criticizing him as a player and I think he is going to help Toronto be a contender all year.

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AMIT- a)Are the Red Bulls trying to sign any free agents, or are they just waiting until the summer window? Players are dropping like flies, which is starting to scare me.

b)Where do groceries for the SBI compound come from?

IVES- Red Bulls will be signing at least one, and probably two players during the summer transfer window. Juan Carlos Osorio stated after last Saturday's game that he was in talks with a big player whose arrival would be significant. I'm not quite sure how big we're talking since the team doesn't have an available designated player slot and doesn't have a ton of cap space available.

The SBI compound's groceries are bought mainly at the Pathmark in North Bergen, New Jersey.

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ERIK ANDERSON- Who do you see as the best 11 players in MLS? What about if you had to make a starting XI using only one player from any team?

IVES-

Best XI players in MLS:

• David Beckham
• Juan Pablo Angel
• Shalrie Joseph
• Landon Donovan
• Cuauhtemoc Blanco
• Guillermo Barros Schelotto
• Taylor Twellman
• Dwayne DeRosario
• Amado Guevara
• Christian Gomez
• Michael Parkhurst

Players who just missed the cut: Jozy Altidore, Marcelo Gallardo

Starting XI with only one player from any team:

--------------------Juan Pablo Angel-------------------

Kenny Cooper------------Guillermo Barros Schelotto

------------------Cuauhtemoc Blanco------------------

Sacha Kljestan------------------------David Beckham

---------------------Shalrie Joseph----------------------

Wade Barrett---------------------------Marvell Wynne

--------------------Jimmy Conrad----------------------

----------------------Joe Cannon-----------------------

BENCH- Kyle Beckerman, Christian Gomez Luciano Emilio

Now, if I were just trying to get talent on the field, I probably go with Gomez in place of Kljestan, but I really would love to see this lineup and formation play. Also, you could make a case for Beckerman in place of Cooper so it could be a slightly more stable 3-5-2 formation.

GEOFF- Ives,

Fantastic Blog mate, excellent work by far.

My issue is the guys on ESPN who cover the Champions League matches what is your opinion of them? I personally can't stand any of them. Tommy Smyth, what has he done in the game? He has no previous history of playing or managing in the game! The only respectable character who was on there was Stevie Nicol who at least played at the highest level and won a European Cup. Adrian Healey has to be one of the worst commentators ever! Whats your thoughts on them?

IVES- I really don't listen to enough broadcasts to have an opinion but I have always liked the Derek Rae-Tommy Smythe tandem.

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ADAM- Is anyone else concerned about the lack of big name, U.S. born stars in the MLS? Seems like this season, more than in the past, the only two I hear mentioned are Donovan and Jozy. Are we getting flooded with internationals?

IVES- How many "big-name, U.S. born stars" are there anywhere in the world? There just aren't that many anywhere, let alone MLS. If you just mean top national team players, many of them have left for better opportunities in Europe, something that happens throughout the Americas, and has nothing to do with the influx of foreign players in MLS.  The reason the league is "flooded" with foreign players is to fill the void that exists because of the departure of American players as well as because of expansion, Their arrival isn't the reason why there aren't more American stars in MLS.

It's a tough situation because you are starting to see more quality young American talents leaving for Europe before they even become established pros so they wind up playing and developing abroad rather than in MLS. Some will say that's because there are foreigners standing in their way. i think that's pretty foolish. MLS just doesn't have the money to pay young talents salaries comparable to what European clubs can pay those same prospects to develop. MLS teams can only afford to really pay players who are actually going to play and contribute immediately.

Consider American prospects like Preston Zimmerman, Johann Smith and Gabriel Ferrari, young talents who are now in European youth and reserve systems rather than MLS systems because A) MLS just can't pay them well and B) the MLS reserve system is woefully inadequate. If MLS had a better salary structure (I'm not talking European-level money, but much better than what exists) some of these young Americans might be more inclined to stay here and grow in MLS, but when the salary difference is so significant, and the player development system is so much better, it becomes an easy decision for many American youngsters.

And honestly, how many American stars have left in the recent past? Clint Dempsey and Freddy Adu. They left for better opportunities, not because of an influx of foreign players. Those extra foreign players are coming in to help fill the voide created by the departure of the Dempseys and Adus of the world.

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Comments

[YankatOxford]

Good read.

[Nicole]

You're right, it did happen to Liverpool a few years ago - they won Champion's League but failed to finish in the top 4 in EPL. I do believe they had to win a "play-in" game or somehow re-qualify via playing in some kind of playoff in order to get to defend their title in Champions League.

[Jacobw]

Liverpool simply entered into the tournament from the first qualifying round instead of the third qualifying round they would have found themselves in had they finished fourth.

[Matt]

Regarding the Altidore question...

Wasn’t Reyna supposed to be that attacking midfielder you mention that would allow Altidore to play more centrally? Oh yeah, right... Well at least we have a fully competent replacement in Magee, right?

The problem with this approach is that you just have the opposition right back and defensive midfielder ganging up on Altidore, clutching, grabbing, and crowding him off toward the touchline while the center backs concentrate on stifling Angel up top. It’s not working. All the more reason to focus on buying a true playmaking midfielder. Why JCO has not done so, and does not seem to think this is a priority, is a bit of a mystery.

This team is crying out for some creativity in midfield. How that is not totally obvious to anyone who has watched this team is beyond me.

[kpugs]

Just to toss this in there, there is definitely at least one American playing in the women's EPL. I know that the question probably meant "why aren't there a whole bunch," but Lorrie Fair plays for Chelsea.

[kpugs]

Also, well said on Bradley Ives. I couldn't be happier with the player Bradley has become. But he is at least ten times better (literally) now than he ever was for the MetroStars.

Matt...I think Reyna could provide that, if he could stay healthy. I disagree with anyone who says he's useless when healthy. But I can't disagree with anyone who wants to replace him with someone who can stay on the field. Ideally I'd like to keep him on the roster, but not at the cost (and DP slot) that prevents bringing in a true attacking midfielder. As much as it hurts to say it, I just can't oppose anyone who wants him out of there due to injury/salary concerns.

[Ives]

Matt, you sure do make a lot of assumptions. The reason Osorio didn't bring in an attacking midfielder in the previous transfer window is because he couldn't find one that would fit in the team's salary budget. That's the reality some people insist on ignoring. It's easy enough to say, "Hey, we need a playmaker" but you must consider how you pay for that playmaker.

Reyna could handle playmaking duties if the team had two competent defensive midfielders to use behind him, but the team really doesn't have that, so the Red Bulls will have to go with Stammler and Reyna playing behind Magee (when these guys are healthy.

Does this mean the team isn't looking to add a playmaker this summer? No. I think that's a top priority., but the same problem remains regarding finding a way to pay for that player. The Red Bulls thought they found a solution in Ernst Obster, the Red Bull Salzburg player, but Salzburg basically decided its reserve team was more important than the company's New York club.

As for Altidore getting double-teamed when he's played as a wide forward, yes this has happened but that should and does create room for other players to make plays and I think we have seen the Red Bulls' wingers take advantage of that space on occasion.

What I would be interested to see is a five-man midfield with Van Den Bergh as the attacking mid with Borman on the left flank. I really liked what Van Den Bergh was able to do in central midfield against KC (before the red anyway). I have a feeling we'll be seeing that when he comes back.

[Matt]

What does it say about Red Bull that we can't even manage to get a guy from the Salzburg reserve team on loan? What's the point of linking up with the Salzburg club if all we get from it is crap like Markus Schopp and a bunch of overly aggressive Austrians hacking down our best players in pre-season friendlies?

And when are we going to have a replacement for DeGrandpre? JCO seems to be holding the squad together right now and has them playing hard, but from an organizational and marketing standpoint this club is a shambles.

Sorry, just venting a bit!

[LJ]

Ives,

I think it goes beyond money. Players want the experience of playing in europe.

"Before taking any offer in MLS, I would definitely have tried out here in Europe first." -Ferrari

"...play in europe, because this is where football lives" - Ferrari

A lot of players want to go where the fans are passionate, it's in the media, it's in the air all the time. We MLS fans are great, but were not strong enough in numbers. I think once our league in avg 18-20k fans in the stands, players will be enticed by that environment.

Money is a problem too though, I agree!

[kpugs]

LJ, I think the flip side is also that MLS can do a world of good for young players who are a)patient and b)can deal with the monetary situation for a couple of years.

Clint Dempsey would have pulled a Landon Donovan if he had gone to Europe immediately rather than play in MLS. Guys like Donovan and Twellman learned the hard way by riding the pine in Europe.

It's not that I disagree with you, just saying very young American players who can go to Europe and actually play are still by far the exception rather than the rule.

[Ives]

Hey Matt, you have every right to vent and every point you just made is absolutely valid. It's just that in your first post you made some comments as if the Red Bulls staff itself is choosing not to improve the team. They have tried, and have gone after countless players, but the salary cap is what it is and credit should go to Osorio for deciding, "You know what, I'm not rushing into buying some player. I'll make do with what I have until the summer, when there is more talent available." I think any Red Bulls/MetroStars fan can put together a long list of terrible player acquisitions done in haste.

You're right about Salzburg though. I'm going to find some time to really comment on that situation soon.

[Joey]

To the question about Asian players in MLS...don't forget about the strong play of Kosuke Kimura for the Rapids, the first Japanese-born player in MLS.

[siv]

Tottenham and Manchester city have both won league titles before.

[gerald]

Spurs and City have not won the EPL, I suspect that he meant

[Ives]

EPL Siv, that's what the question asked.

[Thom]

Ives,

1. Why was Toronto allowed to install syntetic grass?

2. Do you think your MLS best 11 could avoid relegation in the P.L. or La Liga and if so whereabouts do you think they would finish ?

[LJ]

KPugs, I am aware of all that. I am just trying to add the fact that players like europe because soccer is so popular in everyday life. It goes beyond the money argument, which is all that is ever talked about.

[Hincha Tim]

"I'm also convinced that Toronto is a soccer-loving city uniquely equipped to create a good-sized fan base almost immediately." Ives, I wouldn't be so quick to come to that conclusion. I believe Portland and Montreal have that same potential.

Also RSL's stadium is going to be ready this year, not next year.

[Ives]

"I wouldn't be so quick to come to that conclusion."

Um, I think Toronto has already proven to be a soccer-loving city. No need to jump to a conclusion.

And I'm aware that RSL's stadium will be done this year. The Red Bulls' won't be done until summer of 2009.

[doug]

to answer the question about the trophies, the winner gets the actual trophy for one calender year before they have to return it to the federeation (UEFA, CONMEBOL). After that, they get a life-size replica they get to keep in the club's trophy room