Your Questions Answered (Part 1 of 5)

  
 

Hello all and welcome to the newest installment of Your Questions Answered, where I provide answers to your soccer-related questions.

We had another record-setting number of questions, but I think I will be able to respond to them all more quickly than the past few Q&A sessions so stay tuned for all the installments.

We will start with the first batch of questions, which includes questions about MLS expansion, Red Bull Arena and Landon Donovan's impending move to Bayern Munich in January.

Enjoy:

TED HILL- 1. What is the biggest hurdle or obstacle in the way of Miami/Barcelona being awarded one of the next two expansion franchises?

2. Why is the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs a two legged aggregate series and the rest is just one match? I understand the final being one match, but all other rounds should be either two legs or single matches, not two different formats.

IVES- 1. I would say concerns over a future stadium plan. That’s the only thing I think missing from the new Miami bid. With FC Barcelona offering leadership and billionare Marcelo Claure offering the money, the Miami bid is gaining major momentum and at this point I would make it the No. 2 contender after St. Louis.

2. So you're asking about the conference final and why it's one match? I believe the point is to give the higher seed the major advantage of hosting that one match. I was actually a fan of the three-game series, but the complaint was that the lower seed only got one home game and it was a mid-week game, which is terrible for attendance.

One alternative I wouldn't mind seeing is having the tie-breaker in a home-and-home being the higher seed, so if the series is even on goals after two games then the higher seed progresses.

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STEPHEN - Hi Ives: The construction of the new parking garage in Harrison has not yet started. Assuming that RBP opens in the fall of next year, where will fans like me (who live in Westchester County, NY) park our cars on gamedays?

IVES - A parking deck doesn’t take long to build at all so I wouldn’t be concerned about there not being a deck ready for when Red Bull Arena opens.

(A.S.- Stephen: what, you're not considering Metro North to Grand Central, Shuttle train to Times Square, N/R to 33rd Street, PATH to Journal Square, second PATH train to Harrison? (And the reverse on the way home.) )

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DANNYC58- Ives, Any guesses as to whom the 2nd DP for NYRB could be next year?

I'd love Ivan De La Pena.

Your site rules.

IVES- With the impending fire sale at cash-strapped West Ham United, I think the Red Bulls will be able to find some good DP targets there (KIDDING). But seriously, if the Red Bulls keep the second DP, it will be either a striker or a center back. I don’t think it will be a playmaker. Alessandro Del Piero would be the ideal candidate of older players who can still play at a high level. Actually, Henry would be the ideal candidate, but I'm wondering what the chances of him coming to New York are now that Barcelona has its sights set on an MLS team in Miami. Based on Juan Carlos Osorio's recent comments, I wouldn't be surprised if they traded the second DP slot.

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MIGHTY- Ives!!!! We made it to the MLS Finals....!! Now that we secure a Spot on the Finals what changes are we going to need next year so we can compete in all the competitions that the Red bulls will be invited!!! We saw D.C. United and New England Bomb in each competition... how Can the Red Bulls avoid the Same Fate!!! P.S. Hope you had a blast in LA.............. Go Red Bulls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IVES- Red Bulls need to bolster its roster with several players, but MLS proven players, not foreign acquisitions (which are always a crap-shoot). Trading the team's second DP slot for a couple of starters would help. Dealing Jon Conway for some depth would also help. Keeping the second DP slot and adding just one star player sounds like it might be enough, but the Red Bulls need more help than one player can provide.

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ERIC- Who is the best keeper in the world right now? Iker Casillas got a lot of nods on the lists of best players in the world, but I think he gives up soft goals for Real Madrid. With Cech and Buffon not at their best, who would it be, and are we just not seeing anyone playing up to the level of say Oliver Kahn in '02 or Buffon in '06? Cheers!

IVES- Casillas is the best, period. He's given up some weaker goals than you're used to see him give up this year because Real Madrid's defense is in shambles. I'd still say that in terms of ability, experience, age and durability, Casillas is still easily the most valuable. Cech has worked his way back to being close to his best form, but I'm still taking Casillas.

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TOM FROM SYRACUSE- Is there any way you could do a piece on the new Philadelphia MLS team? I heard the groundbreaking is soon (if not already). I don't know if there is much to write on yet, but I've heard some players (Convey) that are originally of Philly would want to return to play for them. Any insight?

IVES- I will be writing about Philly plenty when the time comes. Right now there is enough going on with teams actually in existence to hold off, but you can rest assured that SBI will make covering Philadelphia a priority when the time comes.

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BP- Who will have more success in the Bundesliga: Donovan or Bradley? Will either manage to wear a captain's armband as McBride did for Fulham?

IVES- Bradley is 21 years old and starting, Donovan is 26 and isn't likely to start for Bayern. Given that, and Bradley's upside I see him having the better career in Germany over the long haul. Now, if we're talking about impact this year, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Donovan go to Bayern and become a super-sub and eventually play his way into a bigger role. The talent is there for him to do it, now the question is whether he is mentally prepared.

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RYAN- What do you think of the Sounders playing at Qwest as opposed to a SSS? They control revenue from their matches, but they don't get all the revenue from other events (concerts, etc.). Also, does it set a bad precedent after MLS seemed ready to stick to a policy of needing a SSS or a plan for one. Now we have Miami hoping to play at the FIU stadium.

IVES- I think it does set a bad precedent, but I also think that if you have an ownership group that clearly has the money and committment to deal with and accept that reduced or non-existent revenue stream that a stadium would provide then you can make that sacrifice. I think that's the ultimate concern with regard to making soccer-specific stadiums a requirement of expansion bids, because running a team can get very costly without that stadium revenue. Obviously Seattle's owner and Miami's potential owners have the deep pockets to offset that, at least in the short-term so I think that's why those groups have gotten and will get the chance to start out without their own stadiums.

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A.S.- Landon Donovan to Munich. Assuming he goes (who know, by the time the question is answered we might already know -- just kidding!), will he get regular playing time? Even if Podolski leaves, they still have Toni and Klose as strikers, Schweinsteiger and Ribery on the wings, and several good central midfielders. Might be a difficult situation for him, even if he has a relationship with the coach. I'd like to see it, just to see how he performs at the very top level, but the collection of great players at BM worries me for his playing time.

IVES- You must remember that European clubs like Bayern can often be involved in as many as three or four competitions and the need for depth and players who can step in and start is very important. Everyone knows about Bayern's Big Four attacking players, but I also think Donovan brings that combination of speed, finishing and passing ability off the bench that could make him a very useful player in Munich. He might not start a bunch, but he should definitely get minutes, and some starts, and the way the top-flight game is, injuries are always an issue so Donovan's chance to be a starter could certainly happen.

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ISLANDIC- Can you list 5 American players out of MLS that you feel or predict will be heading to Europe come January?

IVES- My Five most likely to leave are Landon Donovan, Sacha Kljestan, Marvell Wynne, Chad Marshall and Michael Parkhurst. (My mistake folks, I forgot to include Kenny Cooper. That makes six, but I'll stick with that six.)

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WENDEL- With the emergence of danny cepero do you think he will keep the starting goalkeeper position for ny or will conway get it back once his suspension is over?

IVES- I think Cepero's inexperience and Conway's good form prior to learning of his suspension might make this a tougher decision than people realize, but I think the Red Bulls will have to seriously consider dealing Conway and taking their chances with Cepero. It's no secret that the club needs to strengthen its roster and right now Conway has trade value in a league with a weaker goalkeeper pool than some folks realize. Dealing Conway could not only fetch a useful player back, it could potentially save some money on the cap if the player the Red Bulls get makes less than Conway, which is possible.

Cepero is still raw, that's not really a question, but he showed more than enough during the playoffs to make the Red Bulls seriously consider handing him the job.

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ERIC - What is the definitive pronunciation of your last name?

IVES- Guh-Lar-Sep

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JAKE- How do you think the Miami franchise would fare if they get a team? They'd be in the FIU stadium that will hold 45,000 by the time the club takes the field, in a market that struggles to support the pro teams it already has and would be playing in absolutely brutal heat. How many fans will sit through a match in extreme heat and humidity considering the Marlins say their poor attendance is partly due to the obsene summer heat and humidity?

IVES- Well, first off, I think anyone who buys that excuse from the Marlins is a bit naive. Secondly, the Marlins had a habit of playing day games, which, let's face it, shouldn't be played in the summer in Florida. At least not when we're talking soccer. I think a Miami team MLS team can work if they actually have it in Miami, if Barcelona provides some quality players, and if the team invests good money in marketing the club (which I think it would).

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KEVIN- Hey Ives. Brillant site as usual. My question is why is Pepe Reina underrated? I understand he has not won a CL but was runner-up in 07 and has been far off from winning the Premier League but he keeps the most cleansheets in the league. He won the Golden Gloves for the past three years straight. And if it were not for Casillas, he would be Spain's no.1. What do you think? Why hasn't he gotten the respect he deserves?

IVES- You know, that's a very good question. When I think of Reina, and the countless matches I've seen him play, I can't think of any that stick out where he had a shaky or sub-par performance. He is steady and can be spectacular when he needs to be. I think the fact that he doesn't get that chance to shine on the national team level hurts his exposure, and I also think playing for a defensively-sound club like Liverpool means he doesn't get that many chances to really show what he can do. All that said, I think he would easily be in my Top Five of goalkeepers.

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SAWATSKY- Who would you like to see Bob Bradley call in for the usual January camp, assuming he again takes a look at players on the fringe of the National Team pool? (I.e., assume no Howard, Guzan, Gooch, Boca, Dolo, Pearce, Califf, Demerit, Orozco, Beez, Bradley, Edu, Kljestan, Torres, Mastroeni, Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore, Adu, Ching.) Seems there is popular sentiment for Davies, Cooper, Marshall, Rogers, Szetela, and Holden. Any lesser-hyped players you think are deserving? Beckerman? Jewsbury? SBI-fave J. White? Whitbread? Or Hernandez from SJ?

IVES- This will be its own post very shortly. And is Jeremiah White really an SBI favorite? I think he deserves a look based on his success in Denmark but is he the SBI favorite? I think that nod might go to Chad Marshall right now, who I think needs to get called in ASAP.

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RANDALL- Who are the most likely from the USMNT pool to move from MLS to Europe during the upcoming window, and what teams/leagues do you predict they will sign with?

IVES- I answered this above, but here's where I see them going (some are obvious, some are just clubs that fit the type of I see them going to): Donovan-Bayern Munich, Kljestan-FC Twente, Wynne- Groningen, Chad Marshall-Aalborg and Parkhurst-FC Nordsjaelland.

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WILL- Matt Pickens to the Galaxy this offseason. It makes too much sense for it to happen right? Also, who could possibly be available for the Galaxy to sign or trade for and use as the defensive midfielder the desperately need?

IVES- Pickens will cost too much. I'm not sure the Galaxy can afford what he would want. As for a defensive midfielder for the Galaxy, one player who makes plenty of sense is Dema Kovalenko, who RSL is bidding farewell to. Kovalenko is a Bruce-Arena foot soldier and would bring the Galaxy the sorely-needed bite they've been missing. Also, if LA keeps struggling, and ticket sales wane, they can always have a Kovalenko-Joey Franchino UFC-style MMA fight at halftime of games.

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MAGICHAT- Should Dempsey stay with Fulham? He's sure to get the start against Liverpool this weekend and should be part of the startin XI for some time. Now should he stick with Fulham and show his talent or head to Holland or Germany?

IVES- Dempsey looks to have broken through and cemented a starting role on a Fulham team riding high right now. I'm not sure he should think about going anywhere. If anything, he has shown that peserverence pays off.

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GAUCHO- Congrats on the award nominations for the blog--well deserved. How has your reporting changed now that a sizable portion of your time is devoted to the blog? Do you think that you'll ever go essentially full-time with the blog? What has surprised you the most from getting the blog going? What changes should we expect in 2009? I know that's four questions, but I think you get the thrust of what I'm interested in.

IVES- Thanks Gaucho. I wouldn't say my reporting has changed much, what has changed is the type of things I write when compared to when I worked at a newspaper. Nowadays I can do more news bits throughout the day and week and fewer features (though I want to start writing more features for SBI). Having the freedom to decide what I want to cover and what events I want to attend has proven invaluable. As for going full-time with SBI, that's what it already is for me. I write for ESPN.com but SBI has become a 60-70 hour a week endeavor for me and that time isn't just taken writing, but also handling the business side and design side.

What has surprised me the most? First, how quickly readers found the new site, secondly how diverse the readership is in terms of having readers all over the country and sprinkled around the world. Secondly, the respect the site already has among soccer people, be they players, coaches or management. Some people get hung up on ideas of what a blog is but I think enough people realize that my site is a news site that keeps people informed, and more importantly in the eyes of some, a site that soccer people in this country read.

Changes in store for 2009? I want to do a re-design of the site, so you should expect a different look, a more user-friendly look that should make SBI look more like a news site than a blog (I've wanted to do this for a while but there just hasn't been time). I also want to start a podcast, which has been something I've wanted to do for months. Lastly, I think I will be adding more correspondents. Not a ton so that the site loses its identity, but I like the idea of finding some yong writers who know the game and who can deliver the type of stories SBI readers want to read (I'll be starting a search for new writers soon so stay tuned).

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BUBBLEHOUSE- Would you agree that by the time world cup rolls around Charlie Davies will be the super sub and Freddy Adu with his lack of playing time will not even make the team. Who will make the NCAA Basketball final four? Since Louisville is a given please list the other 3 teams.

IVES- I'm not ready to say Freddy Adu won't be on the 2010 World Cup team. He's too talented to just write off now because of lack of playing time at Monaco. That said, I'm a big believer in Charlie Davies emerging as a major factor by 2010.

As for NCAA basketball, I'm ashamed to admit it but soccer has officially taken over my life to the point that I don't even follow other sports anymore. It's pretty insane really. I grew up an American football player and NFL junkie. This year, I've watched exactly one full NFL game, and it was a game I was at. I've watched more Serie A games than NFL games this year, which would have sounded insane to me just a year ago. I used to be a big NBA and College hoops junkie too but that died for me around 2006. The only American sport I probably still follow as much as I used to is baseball, and that's mainly because I'm a roto baseball junkie. I don't think that will change.

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JEFF- Do you think Spurs sticks with Gomes or does Harry sign a new keeper in January? Also, do you think Harry makes another big signing, most notably to play defensive midfield (Xavi has been rumored)? COME ON YOU SPURS!!!!!!

IVES- Funny you ask that. As you know by now, Tottenham has its eyes on Marcus Hahnemann. Spurs need to do something because as talented as Gomes is, he is far too shaky and mistake-prone to rely on. He's like the Gabriel Cichero of top-flight European goalkeepers.

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JACK- 1. What are the odds of Truth and Consequences, New Mexico getting an MLS team?

IVES- I believe it's Truth OR Consequences. And I'll say 0.05 percent. Now, a USL-2 team, that's another story.

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GEOFF- Ives, Thanks for the excellent work that you always do. My question is a simple one really. Do you think the Red Bulls will use Claudio Reyna's DP slot next season on someone else? That's assuming they still have it and with Henry describing his love for NYC it almost sounds like a perfect fit and with the new stadium opening (knock on wood). I know Del Piero has been linked as well.

IVES- If the Red Bulls could get Thierry Henry this summer, and had a very good reason to believe he was on his way, then I would say the Red Bulls should keep their second DP slot and use it on him then. If that isn't the case, then I think the club has to consider dealing it to strengthen the squad. I think having a good team is more important than adding a marquee name. I'm a firm believer that Red Bull Arena will fill up the first season, with or without a marquee name.

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STEAL YOUR SOUNDERS- Everyone always asks the 5 players most likely to go overseas so I will reverse and ask the 5 most likely to come home.

IVES- Five Americans most likely to return from Europe:

• Gregg Berhalter

• Bobby Convey

• Benny Feilhaber

• Andrew Jacobson

• Eddie Johnson

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REID- Ives, what is the word out of redbull country when talking about the new stadium? Do you think it will bring same amount or more people, or do you see it selling out with consistency. I'm hoping they do sell out, so it might light a fire under the Revs ownership to get them a new stadium.

IVES- I've been a firm believer for some time that once the stadium in Harrison is built it will sell out with consistency. I just think that the combination of the buzz that always comes with a new stadium combined with the location (and the strong soccer fanbases in that area) and the fact that the stadium is so much easier to get to via public transportation than Giants Stadium makes it a winner. I think 2009 home games at Red Bull Arena will be great. How the team draws in 2010 will be determined on how good the team actually is.

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MAGICHAT- For the Ballon d'or and FIFA World Player, who are in your top10 for consideration? Mine are no.1 Ronaldo (deserves it) no. Messi (amazing play he has recovered this season) no.3 Fernando Torres (hit 24 goals in 33 games for Liverpool and scored winning goal at euro2008) no.4 Iker Casillas no.5 Rio Ferdinand no.6 Steven Gerrard no.7 David Villa no.8 Samuel Eto'o no.9 Zlatan Ibrahimovic no.10 Van der Sar

IVES- As you know by now, Ronaldo won, Messi finished second and Torres third. That's a pretty easy outcome to see.

Here's my Top 10:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

2. Lionel Messi

3. Fernando Torres

4. Iker Casillas

5. Marco Senna

6. Xavi

7. Andrei Arshavin

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

9. David Villa

10. Steven Gerrard

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WISPY- Hey Ives -- hope you win the USSoccer best Blog, you totally deserve it. One question: why doesn't Bradley ever call in players from lesser known leagues that could provide depth at forward, which we desperately need? Good example is Ryan Guy in Ireland -- good young player, playing 90 just about every game and got some early round UEFA Cup games under his belt this year. If players like Davy Arnaud and Conor Casey are getting into camps (no knock on them) seems like players like Guy in Ireland and Matt Taylor in 2.Bundesliga should be given a shot, especially in the January camp.

IVES- Thanks Wispy, I appreciate your support.

I don't think it's fair to use call-ups of guys like Arnaud and Casey to make a case for a player like Ryan Guy. The U.S. national team will always call in fringe domestic players for inconsequential qualifiers, that's nothing new. It's a matter of convenience and also a chance to see players who have excelled in the domestic league. No offense to the Irish First Division, but I'm not sure that simply playing in Ireland makes Ryan Guy a better prospect than a Conor Casey or Davy Arnaud. That said, I also wouldn't assume that Guy isn't on Bradley's radar on some level.

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