Photo by ISIphotos.com
Good afternoon everybody. It is time to start answering some of the questions you sent my way recently in the latest Q&A. I will be breaking up the Q&A into four segments, starting with today's.
This batch of questions includes questions about Benny Feilhaber, the U.S. national team, the Seattle Sounders FC coaching search as well as MLS officiating. There were a few questions I couldn't provide answers for yet, but I am working on them.
For now, here are some of your questions answered:
IVES- Haven't heard any updates but someone told me recently that he is in Chicago rehabbing shoulder and hip injuries. I will try to find out more.
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MIKEMIKE- Prediction - Where is Hunter Freeman 2 years from now?
IVES- He's starting for an MLS team. Possibly Toronto FC.
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TIM- Can you give a breakdown of key dates for CBA negotiations (when it expires, etc.). How do you think it will unfold? Will a strike be averted?
IVES- The CBA expires after the 2009 season and I'm pretty sure negotiations will begin before that, so next spring and summer could be key for the negotiations. I see MLS giving some major concessions but it wouldn't shock me if the player's union falls well short of landing a CBA that will push salaries too far up. If you asked me to bet on whether a strike would happen or not, I would put good money on one not happening.
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MIKE D-What coaches (not currently in the MLS pasture) do you see being up and coming coaching stars. We saw Dallas go outside the MLS ranks with Schellas Hyndman (sp?). Any other coaches you might see breaking the barrier and taking over an MLS team when vacancies become available?
IVES- Do I see a current college coach stepping into MLS like Schellas Hyndman just did? Not really. As for MLS assistants. The three that come to mind as the next generation of potential coaching stars, I would say Robin Fraser at Real Salt Lake, Richie Williams with the Red Bulls and John Spencer with Houston. I could see all three of them being head coaches by 2010 or 2011.
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HINCHA TIM- What Mexican player do you think would adapt well, be a good teammate and be sucessful on the field and at the box office that might be available for an MLS team to sign as a DP?
IVES- I don't know if such a player exists right now. A box-office friendly Mexican star worth DP money who would play in MLS? Jared Borgetti perhaps, although I'm not sure what box office impact he will have. He isn't nearly as polarizing a figure as Cuauhtemoc Blanco is.
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CONTRADICTIONS- Any bold predictions for the playoffs? And which teams are best poised for a big offseason?
IVES- It wouldn't shock me to see a San Jose-Houston Western Conference final. That said, it would be pretty interesting if D.C. United got healthy and entered the playoffs as a No. 4 seed in the West. With a healthy Fred and Marcelo Gallardo, D.C. could potentially upset Houston and maybe even reach MLS Cup as Western Conference champions. That would a trophy they haven't won yet.
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STEVE- Ives, love the site, keep up the good work. I love the sport and talk about it as much as I can, but whenever I run into a person who doesn't like/understand the game they always bring up ending major tournaments on PKs as a ridiculous way of ending anything, much less the world championships. When confronted with this I don't really have a defense because it seems that there has to be a better way. My questions are: 1. Why did the powers that be decide that PKs were the best way to decide major tournaments? 2. How would you change/fix this problem if you were in charge? Thanks.
IVES- It's not a great decider but you can't just have them playing forever because the running involved in soccer makes playing more than the current 120 minutes of regulation and overtime a crazy proposition.
One idea I've had that I absolutely do not think would ever realistically be adopted, would be if each team were forced to sit two players after the first 30 minutes of overtime. You play 9v9 for 30 minutes. That would lead to some wide-open action.
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KAREN- What ever happened to Rochester as a prospective MLS club? Is the ownership group there unwilling to pay the hefty price tag or did MLS turn it down as being too small a market?
IVES- I never bought Rochester as an option because the market is just too small and there are just too many large markets interested in MLS. I know Rochester has great fans and is a soccer-loving city, but money and market size talk in the MLS expansion game.
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CENTER COUNTER- Ives, I imagine that when it comes to scheduling friendly matches that financial considerations are as important, or even more so, as competitive ones. Do you know what type of financial aspects come into play when the U.S. tries to schedule a friendly against one of the elite nations and how much the financial aspects affect who the USSF tries to schedule? Is the fact that we've schedule stronger nations a reflection of the USSF's willingness to put up financial resources?
IVES- I think the change in strength of American opponents has more to do with a willingness to take on tougher competition than on the USSF being more willing to spend money to lure the big teams. I don't think money was ever the issue as to why we didn't see more friendlies against world powers.
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WYO FAN- How has Osorio been received by the Red Bulls players? Do you think he was the right coach?
IVES- It is tough to look at what Osorio has done with transforming the Red Bulls and say he's not the right coach for that job. He has shaken things up, added new players and worked with some of the established players to put together a pretty strong team. I think the players respect him, and if the adoration many of Osorio's former players in Chicago have for him is any indication, Osorio is a coach that demands and earns respect, but also develops good bonds with players.
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GAUCHO- Although I'm not in the FIRE BRADLEY NOW, NOW, NOW crowd, I do think that there's a legitimate fear that we're going to see a repeat of the 2006 cycle. By that, I mean that we'll clean house through CONCACAF and then flame out in the group stage of the World Cup because we didn't elevate our game to the level necessary to make the 2nd round.
IVES- I know a lot of USMNT fans have this 2006 World Cup hangover and have decided that it was the preparations leading up to 2006 that led to the collapse. While I agree that the friendlies the team played leading up to the World Cup were pathetic, I also think a lot of people choose to ignore the fact that the U.S. national team wound up in an extremely difficult group that year so to try and draw parallels between that and 2010, when we don't even know who the U.S. national team will face, is just a bit misguided.
I think that playing stronger opponents will help. I think playing in the Confederations Cup will help. I think the fact that there is a strong generation of younger players making the move to top Europeans league will help. I really don't get all the gloom and doom when we are two years away from the World Cup and the current national team pool is arguably stronger than it has ever been.
I think the goals should be to develop this next generation (Altidore, Bradley, Adu, Edu, Kljestan, etc.) and continue to face stiff competition to help get the team battle tested. That can only help once 2010 arrives, but what needs to be realized is that the draw is going to go a long way in determining what the U.S. team's chances are. I personally think the U.S. team will reach the second round in 2010.
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RAFAEL- Can MLS help DC United with the soccer specific stadium? It's sad to see a team with so many fans not have a stadium of it's own. Plus the revenue that is being lost at RFK.
IVES- The D.C. stadium situation is arguably one of the ugliest running stories in the league. I'm not sure what MLS can do. The whole threatening to move the team thing to Maryland or Virginia and a good distance away from D.C. itself doesn't really seem like a good option but may wind up being the only option. I do think it's a shame that D.C.'s fans can't have their own stadium. I would love to see that group in a soccer-specific stadium. Then we could really compare them to Toronto FC's fans a little better.
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CHAD- Will the MLS be going to an Apertura/Clausura system soon?
IVES- No, I can't see that ever being adopted in MLS.
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ISAAC- Hey Ives other than Kenny Cooper What MLS Unsung American deserves a call up to the USMNT?
IVES- I'm working on a story on this for ESPN. Some names I'll throw out include Charlie Davies, Chad Marshall and Jeremiah White.
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BFBS- Ives, you are an inspiration for working so hard (and taking chances) at your craft. Questions:
1)Who is the Original Winger? On his blog, he makes occasional references to having played with one current MLS player or another. But who is he, and more importantly, what is his soccer background? (Haven't heard of his blog before the DP thing.)
2)Charlie Davies: to my mind, the most dynamic forward option USMNT currently has outside of Jozy. Seems to have it all: speed, technic, nose for goal. The Allsvenskan just might be a weaker league than the MLS, however. If you are BB, do you call him into camp ahead of Buddle (who also has talent but seems to be benefitting from playing with LD and Becks) and Cooper?
IVES- Thanks for the kind words BFBS. Now, as for your questions.1. The Original Winger is run by former MLS player (and one-time U.S. Olympian) Brian Dunseth and Ben Hooper. 2. I'm a Davies fan as well and would also prefer him to Buddle. I need to see Buddle finish out the year strongly and he'll merit a look in the January camp. Davies is someone I think should get a call this year.
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LASSIDAWG- Who do you think will become the Sounders FC coach?
Will you travel all the way to Alaska :) to watch the opener next season?
IVES- Here are my odds on who will be Seattle's next coach (They have been adjusted after Columbus bookies poured money into non-Sigi candidates):
- Sigi Schmid- 5/1
- Paul Mariner- 10/1
- Brian Schmetzer- 12/1
- Fernando Clavijo-30/1
As for me going to their opener next year. i certainly hope to.
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BEN- heard anything about Del Piero to MLS at some point ?
IVES- What I heard is that before this season Del Piero inquired about MLS and that at least one team made a serious offer. The impression I get is that Del Piero was mildly interested in MLS and may have used the interest from MLS to leverage a new contract from Juventus. I personally think Del Piero would be an amazing DP signing. I just don't see it happening at this point.
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MIKE- Ives, any rumors about Stuart Holden going abroad (again)? He's already been on the books at Sunderland & has Scottish citizenship, so a work permit in Britain wouldn't be a problem. What do you see for his future?
IVES- Holden has all the talent in the world but I feel like he can be inconsistent at times. He needs to grow up a bit as a player and find that consistency that will help him make the big move abroad. I know he could theoretically move this winter but I think he needs another year in MLS. (Okay, so maybe I was a bit hard on Holden. Let me clarify that I do rate him highly as a player, I just don't think he plays at his most consistent level at all times. He's skilled, versatile and bold. I just think he has some more growing to do before he's going to crack the national team midfield mix. I know I originally wrote that he needed another year in MLS, but a move to Europe wouldn't be a bad thing if he's going to see consistent minutes in a good league.)
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MARK- With qualifying for the hexagonal just about a certainty, it seems likely that Bradley will experiment with the roster and get some of the younger guys playing time. Which players would you call in and who would you leave at their club? Let's assume there are no conflicts with any MLS clubs that might affect your choices.
IVES- Players I would like to see this year:
- Jozy Altidore
- Charlie Davies
- Freddy Adu
- Kenny Cooper
- Chad Marshall
- Jeremiah White
Those are just some of the names that come to mind.
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JONATHAN G- 1. Tim Ward? What has happened to him? Three years ago, he was the starting left back for the Metrostars and considered the future LB for the USMNT!
2. why were the women's olympics soccer groups labeled group e, f, and g instead of a, b, and c? Also, why isn't their an age limit (of 23 yrs old) for the women?
3. Not long ago, you mentioned some Prison Break lookalikes. So I assume you watch the show. What do you think of Season 4 so far?
Keep it up, love the site! :-)
IVES- 1. Not every youth player sees their success on the youth national team translate to the pros. You've seen players like Memo Gonzalez and David Arvizu who just didn't make the transition. I'm not sure Ward ever grew into the pro game. He certainly had some great tools but just hasn't evolved as a player.
2. No idea about the groups. Perhaps the men's groups were A-D. As for the lack of an age limit, there isn't as much of a concern about club conflicts.
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LOUIS- Will you be buying FIFA 09? Be a Pro mode lets you play as a CAM online!
IVES- I wish I had time to play FIFA 09. If I had time I would probably play Total Football Manager instead.
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JORDAN- Ives, with no MLS clubs willing to open up full-time academies and lack of American talent set to be an issue very soon (16 teams), why doesn't MLS start a full-time academy (Bradenton style) in one location funded by all teams? The "Academy" could simply pick the best 50 players or so from across the country after the U17 World Cup is played and sign whichever players it could at the time they are college eligible. This way, each team is only financially responsible for about 3 players each year and the talent pool expands greatly.
IVES- I'm not sure if MLS teams aren't "willing" to open up full-time academies so much as the evolution of MLS player development hasn't gotten to that point yet. I think the day will come when you will have proper MLS academies in the mold of European youth systems, but there will always be that hang-up about young prospects and their college eligibility. I do agree that steps need to be taken to bolster the talent pool, which is set to face a real strain for talent.
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NICO- How do you rate Reinaldo Rueda of Honduras? Is he among the best coaches in CONCACAF national team?
IVES- It looks as if he has struck a perfect balance between the European-based stars and domestic players and Honduras is definitely playing with real confidence that I haven't seen from Honduras in qualifying since 2000.
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RASHID- Hey Ives, any news on Benny Feilhaber and how he's fairing with his new team?
What are the chances of the Galaxy making the playoffs?
IVES- Feilhaber hasn't settled in as a starter for Aarhus yet but I also think an injury sidelined him recently.
Galaxy will not make the playoffs.
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BEN- When is the soonest you think we'll see Benny Feilhaber back with the senior team and how is he doing at Aarhus? If you ask me, his fall from grace has paralleled the Nats offense struggling this year.
IVES- I'm not sure when Feilhaber will be with the senior team again. He has all the talent in the world but I wonder if he didn't have too much success too soon. I absolutely do not buy any suggestion that if Feilhaber were on form and in the national team mix that the offense would somehow be a gear higher. I rate Feilhaber as a good prospect, but you would think he has had a ton of masterful performance for the national team the way some fans swoon for his return.
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JOE K- are the referees in the MLS the best the US has to offer?
and, on a slow day, i'd like to see a feature on the best and worst refs in the league, it would be interesting.
thanks ives, keep up the good work.
IVES- I have to say that I think the officiating has been better this year than in years past. Yes, I know there have been blown calls, but that's the case anywhere. I have seen some new referees entering the mix and doing a good job of controlling games without getting out of control. I also see some established refs improving, such as Kevin Stott and Jair Marrufo. I have long been a vocal critic of MLS refs but right now I can't say too many bad things.
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YED HILL- The recent rumor of FC Barcelona establishing an MLS franchise in Miami. One, do you think it will happen? Two, Do you think it is a good idea?
IVES- I do. If anyone can make MLS work in Miami it's Barcelona. I've stated repeatedly that I would love a Miami MLS franchise, but I also think there are more deserving markets waiting, and by more deserving I mean markets with more potential to succeed, not markets that have great history relating to soccer.
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BEN- Another angle on Feilhaber: Does he still have a chance of starting in South Africa?
IVES- I wouldn't bet on it.
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SOCMIN- As always, great job, Ives. Since so many want to make comparisons of a 13 year old American league with long-established foreign leagues, I wanted to pick your brain on, IMHO, a more realistic yardstick. How do you think MLS compares with NASL?...quality, finances, public attention, etc. Also, a note or two with MISL would be interesting. Thanks.
IVES- I'm afraid I don't know enough about the NASL to offer an in-depth comparison to MLS but I do think that after a dozen years MLS is healthier and more stable than the NASL was after a decade. Yes, the NASL had some huge names, but the overall strength of the league wasn't anywhere near what we see in terms of depth and balance in MLS. i agree that people trying to compare MLS to the NBA or NFL are European leagues are just plain foolish. For a dozen years in business, MLS has done well to overcome some stumbles and is on a good path of growth.
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BECKSTER- Thanks Ives. I was wondering what the status is of Jon Spector's recovery. Have you heard anything and what are his prospects for playing this year for both the Hammers and the MNT?