FanNation - The Republic of Sport

"...press does not pay much attention to soccer."

Is this an advantage for MLS or more of a problem for the league attracting young, ambitious players?

"...press does not pay much attention to soccer."

- Excellent, there may be a home for Joey Barton after all.

Is this an advantage for MLS or more of a problem for the league attracting young, ambitious players?

MadridistAmericano | 05/21/08, 10:34 AM

The latter I fear.

"...press does not pay much attention to soccer."
OUCH!!

Yeah that's probably something older players from S. America or Europe tend to find comforting after years of ridiculous scrutiny. If the money was freely flowing through MLS I think maybe then the lack of media coverage would become somewhat of selling point for for league. Prolly won't happen, because the media simply isn't going to pay the league much attention until something sensational happens, like Beckham coming here. If the US made the world cup final and lost the media would still yawn. USMNT has to WIN something BIG for MLS to even get half the media coverage that hockey gets.

Press don't pay much attention becuz some don't know about the sport. Can you imagine Jim Rome interviewing Beckham?
Rome: Before we talk about what your kids will wear for Halloween, Becks, that you corner kick you took......Huge......Phenominal......outrageous.
Beckham: Well Jim...
Rome: Hold on, got an email from my clones.."Dear Rome. My kids are going to dress up as Edward Scissor hands and Carrie...Sign OJ................"
Beckham: ..............
Rome: .........................................................
Beckham: ..............
Rome: .........................................................
Rome: .........................................................
Rome: You clones. Unbelievable. That's...............................Just wrong."

That last line worries me because it's true.

LMAO!!! Thats the unintentional joke of the day

Press coverage depends in different areas. The Miami Herald actually has good soccer coverage for a city without an MLS team. Either way, the press will come soon while the attendances and profits continue to increase.

Otro viejo rascuacho ....no jodan ustedes! Another washed up player - come on now this is getting

I heard Maradona and Pele want to come to the MLS ....

would he bee a good signing.. yeah

but maybe there isnt enough press here for him, and not much fan support if u play somwhere where the stadium is 3/4 empty

Miami Herald is crap. They only give u stories about Europe and Argentina. They dont even say anything about leagues in Mexico or Brazil, maybe 2 sentences. And if they write a story about a cuban soccer player, oh boy, that takes up a whole page.

I think you guys are reading a bit too much into the press comment.
You have to remember, if every MLS team got the same level of press that say the Chicago Bears or Dallas Cowboys got it still wouldn't be as much as most soccer clubs overseas get. To de la Cruz it would still be less invasive press.
Football is basically all the people do in some places and the only thing they live for. I'm not speaking romantically here either as it is a little bit sad, but the press knows this and gives them everything they can possibly give the fanaticos to latch onto to make their miserable lives better.
That said, he'd be a good addition. If any team needs him it's the Gals but I don't know how they could possibly fit him in under the cap. Though I'm sure the league would have a few ideas on how to get that done. :p

Useless de la Cruz was one of the worst players ever to play in the Premiership. He got terrorized when he used to play for Aston Villa

No matter what these latest imports hear from their friends ( "I talked with my friend Juan Pablo Angel...") they just want to make sure they won't be playing in a semipro environment (or lower) and that they can adapt to quickly (small latin communities) yet collect big, guaranteed money.
Unfortunately, the reality is that most of them play at 75% or less of their true abilities. They come in believing that there's 5 real players throughout the league and the rest are amateurs so this should be easy. For some reason, they never adapt to the level of play once they realize most of these guys can play (or will aggressively compete at least).
These former 'select greats' must prove themselves anew in MLS.
If Juan Pablo did say the press doesn't care, I'm guessing he'd clarify his statement by adding that the press is not as invasive in the U.S. as in the rest of the world.
The press is here, they're just not as willing to do a soccer story unless it'll be attached to some headlines (i.e. Beckham in MLS, Arena resigns, US women, etc). Whereas for american football they'll report anything that isn't already scooped.

I wouldnt bring anymore washed up players- Why the MLS feels the need to sign this OLD has been players to please a "section" of soccer fans i.e latinos....
Develop good american players and we will follow. See what's happening to MLB you have all these latino players that noone can associate/identify with cus the are not home grown!!

Miami Herald is crap. They only give u stories about Europe and Argentina. They dont even say anything about leagues in Mexico or Brazil, maybe 2 sentences. And if they write a story about a cuban soccer player, oh boy, that takes up a whole page.
mundo001 | 05/21/08, 10:26 PM

HAHAHAHAHA!