While many of you are waiting for today's UEFA Champions League action to kick off, here are some more answers to questions submitted in the most recent Q&A.
It's a small batch, eleven answers to be exact. The topics range from the Columbus Crew, to future U.S. national team managers what's on my TIVO, to Chris Rolfe's impending departure from Chicago.
Enjoy:
MATT- As a Columbus Crew supporter, I was wondering how you see the Crew finishing out the season. Supporters Shield? MLS Cup? Both? With the exception of topping everyone's power rankings, I just feel we aren't getting the love in the media we deserve. We are unbeatable at home, and our team is as deep as any team in the league. Thoughts on the Massive Club?
IVES- The Crew look like a team ready to repeat as MLS Cup champions. If Schelotto stays healthy and the back-line can stay healthy, I don’t see anybody beating Columbus, but I will say that anything can happen in a one-game situation so it wouldn’t shock me of Chicago could knock off the Crew in the East final. It does deserve noting how Columbus has added depth and lost no major players from its title-winning team of last year. Yes, the team did lose Brad Evans, but replaced him with Adam Moffatt. The Supporters Shield should be in the bag, but the way the MLS playoffs go every year it is tough to assume that everything will go the Crew’s way for a second straight post-season. ------------------------------ GABE- Going forward after 2010, who do you see as the ideal manager for the United States if Bob Bradley is no longer the guy (hypothetically). What do you think of this short list? IVES- Guus Hiddink is the dream pick for 2014 and he really should want the job. He’s already succeeded so many places and his time with Russia has made him more money than he could ever spend. If he could lead the Americans to World Cup success he could move a step closer to being considered an all-time great head coach (though he already has achieved tht status). If he’s available, the USSF should make a serious push for him. After him though, there are some MLS candidates like Dom Kinnear and Steve Nicol, and yes, Mr. Klinsmann, though I’m not sure he’s the lock he once was ------------------------------ FELIX- Great site Ives, I have two questions: 1)Do you think Edgar Castillo would have made the switch to the US if there wasn't any backroom talk ensuring him he will have a legitimate shot at making the World Cup roster? 2) Can you envision a scenario where because of his injury and the recent international form of Ricardo Clark that Jermaine Jones does not walk into the starting XI or even make the World Cup roster? IVES- 1) I doubt highly he was given any assurances about playing time. That’s silly talk. Yes, I’m sure he was re-assured that he wouldn’t be black-balled because he played for Mexico before, but that’s about it. 2) I’m not sure we can say Ricardo Clark has been in stellar form. He wasn’t anything special vs. Mexico and was pretty invisible vs. Trinidad before his goal. As for Jones, when healthy I can’t see him not making the U.S. World Cup team. I also picture him starting. ------------------------------ MARK- Great site and love your insight, but I have a general feeling that I think a lot of other fans of the USMNT share, which is that the media is too soft on the team, specifically coach Bob Bradley. First, are they right to criticize some of the strategic and in-game decisions? And why do you think Bob Bradley has drawn the ire of so many fans considering the success that they've had on the field? IVES- I think it is every fan’s right to criticize or praise a team or coach of their team as they see fit. Does that mean fans are always correct in the aim of their criticism? No. Has Bob Bradley made mistakes? Yes. Has he gotten undeserved criticism at times? Yes. As for the ire of “so many fans” that Bradley has incurred, I’d say that there is certainly a portion of the U.S. soccer fan base that never wanted Bradley as head coach and were always going to judge his missteps and losses more harshly and minimize his successes. Bradley has had things to be criticized on, but the level of criticism that some have heaped on him is laughable. Crticism comes with the job, and no coach is or should be immune, but there also needs to be some rational thinking involved with the criticism. At least that's the case for me as a journalist. Fans can do, say and feel how they want. That's a fan's right. ------------------------------ DON TURTUCCIO- Even though we are under a new coaching regime, how do you think Taylor Twellman and Ante Razov feel knowing that Ching and Casey are getting so many looks based on their MLS prowess? IVES- There are always going to be different times in national team cycles where positions are stronger or weaker than in the past. Also, Twellman and Razov usually lost out on national team looks to other MLS forwards so I’m not sure how the question is a fitting one. ------------------------------ MONTANA MATT- Love the site Ives. Which three keepers does the US bring to South Africa? Howard is a lock. Guzan probably is too. But the third keeper, who will it be? I'd bring Friedel (assuming he'd be willing to come along) because he starts in front of Guzan on a weekly basis at Villa, meaning he's probably a better, more experienced keeper. Do we bring Hahnemann who has tons of EPL/Championship experience? Do we bring Perkins who is less experienced but seems to possess a great deal of potential? Keller is still playing at a high level and would offer a lot of WC experience too. Should we bring Reis? Hesmer? A penny for your thoughts. IVES- Since the third goalkeeper is more a player who can fit in well with the team and provide a positive presence in the locker room I’d say it wouldn’t shock me of Hahnemann got the nod again. I don’t see Friedel coming out of retirement to be a No. 3. Never see that happening. I’d say Hahnemann and Perkins are the front-runners, while Kasey Keller hasn’t officially retired yet as far as I know. ------------------------------ 3VIL L33T-Is John Spencer on the Short list to go coach in New York? Who would be on your Short list for coaches? IVES- I don’t know if Spencer would be hired ahead of Richie Williams since both have very similar resumes and Williams has been successful with the club, but it should be noted that it’s tough to know which direction the club goes in until it hires a general manager. Who’s on my short list? Richie Williams Paul Mariner Peter Vermes Robin Fraser John Spencer Brian Bliss ------------------------------ JAMES T- When Jermaine Jones is finally eligible, who do you think he will replace in central midfield? Has Bradley's recent poor form put him on the cutting block? IVES- I can see a Jones-Bradley tandem in the middle, but yes, Bradley’s club situation bears watching. If he’s not playing for Moenchengladbach then perhaps someone like Maurice Edu could slide into his spot. That said, I think Bradley will get back to his top for and be in the middle with Jones for the 2010 World Cup. ------------------------------ DMAN- What made you want to get into writing and specifically sports/soccer? IVES- I was a sports junkie from an early age, reading the sports pages in elementary school. Once I got into college I really got into writing, and also got into covering soccer. ------------------------------ PAT FROM NEW PALTZ- So what is on the SBI tivo? entourage? 30 Rock? Are you interested in any of the new hbo shows? what fall show has you excited? IVES- Entourage, EPL Review Show, High Stakes Poker, WSOP, The Daily Show, DEA, Manhunters (For those who watch, I went to college with Sergeant Peppers), Futbol Mundial. And when they come back: Lost, Heroes, Chuck, Fringe, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Big Love. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some. I’ll add them when I remember. ------------------------------ ADAM- Chris Rolfe is reportedly leaving Chicago due to the Fire's front office valuing him less than he (and Aalborg) feels he's worth. If you were in Frank Klopas' shoes would you have paid Rolfe good money, let's say in the $250,000 range, to resign Rolfe knowing that there are several other players like Segares, Conde, and McBride whose contracts will be up? IVES- From what I understand, 250K is what Rolfe was offered, and while I wouldn’t call it an insulting offer, It was never going to be enough to keep a player like Rolfe home. Why? Consider that as a free agent he can go to Europe and be paid at least double, if not triple that. Then consider that with the MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement about to expire there is no telling what will happen to salaries when the new CBA kicks in. Salaries aren’t going to decrease, and are more likely to increase if anything, so Rolfe would be crazy to sign a long-term deal at 250K when the new CBA could turn that into an average salary. In the end you can’t really blame the Fire. They couldn’t well break the bank and offer Rolfe max of $400K a year, not with all the other players they have to deal with this winter, and you can’t blame Rolfe for exploring and finding better options. If anything, I think you could blame Chicago for not signing Rolfe to an extension a few years ago. When you let players in MLS get closer to the end of their contracts it becomes almost impossible to keep them around when bigger money is awaiting in Europe. Some teams have lucked out, like Columbus with Chad Marshall, but I think Chicago set itself up to lose Rolfe a few years back. ------------------------------
Steve Nicol
Jurgen Klinsmann
Brian McBride (just for fun)
Guus Hiddink
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