For decades India's soccer teams and players have had to live in the shadow of the country's first sport cricket. Much like the USA where soccer is second, third and sometimes fourth best to other sports, the game has struggled to find a foothold in the world's second most populous country. However, new investors are looking to put India's soccer players and teams on the map with a new league.
Currently, the I-League is the premier division in the country boasting 14 teams playing a 26 game six month season (December to May); with the champion playing in the Asian Football Confederation's Champions League. But this top flight will have a new competitor in January 2012. Enter the launch of Premier League Soccer in India which will take cues from the country's top sport cricket and the world's top cricket league the IPL.
The inaugural season will be contested by six clubs from Kolkata, Howrah, Barasat, Asansol, Midnapore and Siliguri. The league will only play from January until March in an attempt to take fans from the existing league and wet the appetites of soccer fans in West Bengal followed by the entire country. So what will make this league so different than the current I-League? Similar to the I-League and other Asian countries (Japan, Korea, China) each team will be owned by a company and in some cases carry the company's name as part of the team's name. The differentiating aspects are money, talent based and most importantly to build a new soccer infrastructure and help develop India's soccer fans into domestic fans and players.
One of the biggest and possibly most ridiculous ideas regarding the new league is based around the players they hope to attract and the league's allocating of each player. Firstly, the league doesn't have plans to bring India's top players to the league. The likes on Sunil Chettri and Denzil Franco will not be sought out and paid large sums, at least not at the moment. Sources say, the league will look to develop talent and most importantly bring in professionals who in all opinions are past their prime. Names such as Denilson, who failed miserably as FC Dallas' first ever designated player, is rumored to be a signing; as well as the again retired Edgar Davids. It seems the powers that be are looking at over the hill stars in an attempt to ignite the flames of soccer passion in the country. This sounds a bit of a bad idea if you ask me, bringing in players in their mid-30s to early-40s. If any big name pro is to be attracted it sounds like a pure money grab by the player involved.
However, this is not the most interesting aspect of the league. The most interest part will be the yearly allocation of players which the new league will take from Indian's Premier Cricket League. At the beginning of each season each player will be placed in a lottery and auctioned off to the highest bidding team. A novel idea that seems to work in cricket, but could it work in the world's number one game? No player will be contract to a team for more than one season and will be able to move around the league if the money is right.
In a bid to develop soccer talent in the country the new league will only allow three overseas players plus one extra foreign player of Asia origin (like Korea's K-League), and each team must have a minimum number of players from the region the team is from. Also to enable the game to grow and players to develop only overseas managers, at the moment, with FIFA/UEFA licenses will be hired. All these ideas show the appropriate signs of a league wanting to develop quality homegrown players.
With the exporting of soccer from Europe reaching all corners of the world it is difficult for developing countries, such as India, to find a market within their own country. Currently, while living in South Korea I am seeing a slight boom in the domestic K-League 10 years after the country co-hosted the World Cup. There are already many who are talking about this new Indian league, and there will be a lot of interested over the next year. The true test will be if this league is still being talked about in five years, and whether or not the Indian National Team will become competitive in the Asian region.
***for more information on this topic please download the BBC's World Football podcast***
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Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Giving Props
Being that I am a huge detractor of Chivas USA's Justin Braun, I have to give credit when it's due following his hat-trick against New York Red Bulls. Three well taken goals by the Chivas striker which lands him firmerly at the feet of player of the week. It would be nice to see some consistency from him, however.
More importantly, what has happened to Chivas USA? They currently sit 11th overall in the league and have been on quite a tear as of late getting a result in six of their last seven matches and sit at 3-3-3. The big question for Chivas is can they continue this form over the remainder of the season. There's still a lot that can happen with 25 matches remaining.
More importantly, what has happened to Chivas USA? They currently sit 11th overall in the league and have been on quite a tear as of late getting a result in six of their last seven matches and sit at 3-3-3. The big question for Chivas is can they continue this form over the remainder of the season. There's still a lot that can happen with 25 matches remaining.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Vermes out, please (and Heineman while you're at it)
Sporting KC dropped yet another match over the weekend, 4-1 to LA Galaxy. It was KC's fifth loss out of seven matches already this season. Vancouver has equalled the same amount of losses, however, they have also played four more matches this season. Going into the season many had high hopes for Sporting KC. There was a new name, new kit and colours, a new designated players and above all a new stadium. Unfortunately, that new stadium hasn't opened yet and won't until June 9 (and that is if there aren't any unforeseen problems over the next month). Sporting is in the final stretch of a 10-game (regular season) swing that will finally end soon.
Looking back I hope the suites at Sporting KC realize what a ridiculous idea it has been to start on the road for first three months of the season; and it has definitely shown in the results of a team that is comprised of some quality attacking options, but few options in the midfield or defence. The architects of this squad are two people that seem to get a pass from many of Sporting's faithful fans. Robb Heineman has been the team's president since 2006 and has given most of the ruling power to Peter Vermes as both manager and technical director during this time. Vermes has been with the club for the same amount of time, first solely in the TD role, but since the latter part of 2009 has also filled the role as manager. But during his five plus years with KC/Sporting this club has rarely put out a team worthy of contending. Since taking over as manager in 2009 Vermes' KC has failed to make the play-offs and has an overall record of 15-25-9 (W-L-T). Not sparkling form by any means. The man Vermes took over for, Curt Onalfo, in comparision went 25-24-28 during his two plus years in charge. That included two play-off appearances making it to the semi-finals and quarter finals in 2007 and 2008 respectively with very weak teams (going out with a wimper at these points). Both seem to have very similar records, but atleast Onalfo made the play-offs with two teams with less attacking abilities than Vermes' current team(s).
Since taking over for Onalfo, Vermes has tried to implement an attack minded 4-3-3 formation that has at best shown mixed results. He also seems to be a manager that is unfamilar with the old adage that you build your team from the back and up the middle. He has decided to do the opposite and build from the front; and one can only assume he believes his team can out score every opponent they face. Seattle's manager Sigi Schmid, who has done it all in North American soccer, has been quoted to saying the 4-3-3 cannot work in MLS. Looking at Sporting's disjoined version of it it's hard to disagree. Anyone with some soccer knowledge could see the many fundamental mistakes that this team is making on the pitch from not tracking back, following runs and not closing down opponents. Those are simple soccer aspects that all players must do, but what the 4-3-3 is doing every game is leaving large gaps between the back four and the midfield and attackers. Often the midfield three are pushed too far forward and the team has been beaten on the counter attack as a result. Watch the matches against Vancouver, New England and most recently LA to see this for yourself. With such weak centerbacks this team needs a player to sit in front of the back four to protect them. In their current 4-3-3 they should have someone like Stephane Auvray or Craig Rocastle to sit there and break up the play in the midfield, but we don't see that from this team.
With the product on the field I'm not sure where this team is headed. Sporting hasn't signed a player from abroad of significance since Claudio Lopez (though many disagree with that) and the juries still out on Omar Bravo in my opinion. They've also had mixed results in the draft; not to mention the trade of Luis Gil a young moldable attacking player to Salt Lake last season. Though they have done better with the drafts of Teal Bunbury and C.J. Sapong. I know Kansas City isn't a luxurious destination, but if Dallas and Salt Lake can find quality in South America and abroad than why can't KC? Either KC's scouting is that bad or people would rather live in Utah than Kansas City (no offense to Utah).
I've been an advocate of Vermes and Heineman's removal for sometime. But would that make this team any better? Probably only for a short time. I appreciate the accessibility of Heineman, that's great to see, but having a genuine soccer mind assisting Vermes in the GM/TD role could help immensely with some new perspective (I'm willing to apply). The biggest thing that would help this team is some change and flexibility in Vermes' formation and tactics. Watching from the stadium or on TV it's becoming obvious that you can see the players aren't wanting to play for this team. And who would want to when they're rock bottom and going no where fast.
But as I've read the hardcore Sporting forum writers keep saying, in MLS a few wins and they'll be in the play-offs. Well, I really hope they're cool heads prove me wrong in October.
Looking back I hope the suites at Sporting KC realize what a ridiculous idea it has been to start on the road for first three months of the season; and it has definitely shown in the results of a team that is comprised of some quality attacking options, but few options in the midfield or defence. The architects of this squad are two people that seem to get a pass from many of Sporting's faithful fans. Robb Heineman has been the team's president since 2006 and has given most of the ruling power to Peter Vermes as both manager and technical director during this time. Vermes has been with the club for the same amount of time, first solely in the TD role, but since the latter part of 2009 has also filled the role as manager. But during his five plus years with KC/Sporting this club has rarely put out a team worthy of contending. Since taking over as manager in 2009 Vermes' KC has failed to make the play-offs and has an overall record of 15-25-9 (W-L-T). Not sparkling form by any means. The man Vermes took over for, Curt Onalfo, in comparision went 25-24-28 during his two plus years in charge. That included two play-off appearances making it to the semi-finals and quarter finals in 2007 and 2008 respectively with very weak teams (going out with a wimper at these points). Both seem to have very similar records, but atleast Onalfo made the play-offs with two teams with less attacking abilities than Vermes' current team(s).
Since taking over for Onalfo, Vermes has tried to implement an attack minded 4-3-3 formation that has at best shown mixed results. He also seems to be a manager that is unfamilar with the old adage that you build your team from the back and up the middle. He has decided to do the opposite and build from the front; and one can only assume he believes his team can out score every opponent they face. Seattle's manager Sigi Schmid, who has done it all in North American soccer, has been quoted to saying the 4-3-3 cannot work in MLS. Looking at Sporting's disjoined version of it it's hard to disagree. Anyone with some soccer knowledge could see the many fundamental mistakes that this team is making on the pitch from not tracking back, following runs and not closing down opponents. Those are simple soccer aspects that all players must do, but what the 4-3-3 is doing every game is leaving large gaps between the back four and the midfield and attackers. Often the midfield three are pushed too far forward and the team has been beaten on the counter attack as a result. Watch the matches against Vancouver, New England and most recently LA to see this for yourself. With such weak centerbacks this team needs a player to sit in front of the back four to protect them. In their current 4-3-3 they should have someone like Stephane Auvray or Craig Rocastle to sit there and break up the play in the midfield, but we don't see that from this team.
With the product on the field I'm not sure where this team is headed. Sporting hasn't signed a player from abroad of significance since Claudio Lopez (though many disagree with that) and the juries still out on Omar Bravo in my opinion. They've also had mixed results in the draft; not to mention the trade of Luis Gil a young moldable attacking player to Salt Lake last season. Though they have done better with the drafts of Teal Bunbury and C.J. Sapong. I know Kansas City isn't a luxurious destination, but if Dallas and Salt Lake can find quality in South America and abroad than why can't KC? Either KC's scouting is that bad or people would rather live in Utah than Kansas City (no offense to Utah).
I've been an advocate of Vermes and Heineman's removal for sometime. But would that make this team any better? Probably only for a short time. I appreciate the accessibility of Heineman, that's great to see, but having a genuine soccer mind assisting Vermes in the GM/TD role could help immensely with some new perspective (I'm willing to apply). The biggest thing that would help this team is some change and flexibility in Vermes' formation and tactics. Watching from the stadium or on TV it's becoming obvious that you can see the players aren't wanting to play for this team. And who would want to when they're rock bottom and going no where fast.
But as I've read the hardcore Sporting forum writers keep saying, in MLS a few wins and they'll be in the play-offs. Well, I really hope they're cool heads prove me wrong in October.
Baldo, really?
Just wanted to say how impressed I was that Baldomero Toledo didn't give a red card in the LA Galaxy v. Sporting KC match this past weekend. I was a little worried when KC's Roger Espinoza karate kicked David Beckham in the box (the 18-yard box that is) that we'd see a red; but to his credit Toledo gave a penalty and the game resumed with two full sides.
Other than that moment there really wasn't any altercations that could have provoked the man with the red right hand. Props to Toledo or to MLS for telling him to stop influencing matches.
On a similar thought, I being the Europhile that I am and lover of the German Bundesliga (the highest attended league in the world), I caught the Hoffenheim v. Wolfsburg match on Saturday. Wolfsburg needed three points to be sure of preserving their top-flight statis for next season. Late in the match the referee for the contest used great judgement in not giving a yellow or red card to Mario Mandzukic following his winning goal that kept Wolfsburg in the division for next season. Following the goal Mandzukic proceed to run to the Wolfsburg supporters and partially climb the fencing to celebrate with the fans. A great display on the final day of the season. MLS refs should take notes from the Bundesliga, and in general MLS needs to take notes from the Bundesliga regarding fan and club interaction and support.
*** I've been to a several matches across Europe, and without a doubt the best atmosphere, price and fan friendly clubs and stadia I've been to is in Germany. Even the picture on our main page comes for Bundesliga 2's side Dusseldorf's ultra modern stadia where you'll get plenty of German punk rock and lovely Dusseldorf Altbier to go with your footy.***
Other than that moment there really wasn't any altercations that could have provoked the man with the red right hand. Props to Toledo or to MLS for telling him to stop influencing matches.
On a similar thought, I being the Europhile that I am and lover of the German Bundesliga (the highest attended league in the world), I caught the Hoffenheim v. Wolfsburg match on Saturday. Wolfsburg needed three points to be sure of preserving their top-flight statis for next season. Late in the match the referee for the contest used great judgement in not giving a yellow or red card to Mario Mandzukic following his winning goal that kept Wolfsburg in the division for next season. Following the goal Mandzukic proceed to run to the Wolfsburg supporters and partially climb the fencing to celebrate with the fans. A great display on the final day of the season. MLS refs should take notes from the Bundesliga, and in general MLS needs to take notes from the Bundesliga regarding fan and club interaction and support.
*** I've been to a several matches across Europe, and without a doubt the best atmosphere, price and fan friendly clubs and stadia I've been to is in Germany. Even the picture on our main page comes for Bundesliga 2's side Dusseldorf's ultra modern stadia where you'll get plenty of German punk rock and lovely Dusseldorf Altbier to go with your footy.***
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
World Football Exploitation
This went completely under my radar: Major League Soccer has announced the dissolving of the Superliga tournament. Though a good idea at the time to cash in on the USA v. Mexico rivalry the tournament seemed to fizzle over the past few years in attendance, especially with the non-Hispanic fan in the USA. You can check my old blogs to see how I truly feel about the tournament.
However, MLS has decided to go a different way to make money off of the casual and hardcore soccer fan in America. They will revive the World Football Challenge. The first WFC took place in 2009 with Chelsea, AC Milan, Internazionale and Club America competing in a pre-season tournament. For one, I am completely against MLS teams playing mid-season friendlies; but it's another cancer of the game in the US when teams from abroad come to America to cash in on the American sports fan. Yes, it's great for the game in America. But as an American soccer fan it is also a slap in the face that people won't/don't come out to watch MLS matches when they have the opportunity at a fraction of the price.
In my opinion MLS is hurting itself by playing this types of mid-season friendlies. It basically tells the casual fan that our league is inferior so don't come out to a league game, but do come out and watch when we play a team from Europe. At the end of the day money talks, and despite what happens to the state of the league, MLS and it's "richest" clubs will continue to follow the practice of cashing in on the soccer fans of America.
Here is an updated version of this summer's friendlies:
May 2011
May 22: D.C. United v Ajax
May 25: Portland Timbers v Ajax
July 2011
July 13: New England Revolution v Manchester United
July 16: LA Galaxy v Real Madrid
July 18: Vancouver Whitecaps v Manchester City
July 20: Houston Dynamo v Bolton Wanderers
July 20: Philadelphia Union v Everton
July 20: Seattle Sounders v Man United
July 20: Sporting Kansas City v Newcastle United
July 23: D.C. United v Everton
July 23: Chicago Fire v Manchester United
July 26: Columbus Crew v Newcastle United
July 27: MLS All-Stars v Manchester United at Red Bull Arena NJ
July 30: Barcelona v Manchester United in Washington D.C.
August 2011
August 3: Barcelona v Chivas Guadalajara in Miami, FL
August 6: Barcelona v Club America in Dallas TX.
However, MLS has decided to go a different way to make money off of the casual and hardcore soccer fan in America. They will revive the World Football Challenge. The first WFC took place in 2009 with Chelsea, AC Milan, Internazionale and Club America competing in a pre-season tournament. For one, I am completely against MLS teams playing mid-season friendlies; but it's another cancer of the game in the US when teams from abroad come to America to cash in on the American sports fan. Yes, it's great for the game in America. But as an American soccer fan it is also a slap in the face that people won't/don't come out to watch MLS matches when they have the opportunity at a fraction of the price.
In my opinion MLS is hurting itself by playing this types of mid-season friendlies. It basically tells the casual fan that our league is inferior so don't come out to a league game, but do come out and watch when we play a team from Europe. At the end of the day money talks, and despite what happens to the state of the league, MLS and it's "richest" clubs will continue to follow the practice of cashing in on the soccer fans of America.
Here is an updated version of this summer's friendlies:
May 2011
May 22: D.C. United v Ajax
May 25: Portland Timbers v Ajax
July 2011
July 13: New England Revolution v Manchester United
July 16: LA Galaxy v Real Madrid
July 18: Vancouver Whitecaps v Manchester City
July 20: Houston Dynamo v Bolton Wanderers
July 20: Philadelphia Union v Everton
July 20: Seattle Sounders v Man United
July 20: Sporting Kansas City v Newcastle United
July 23: D.C. United v Everton
July 23: Chicago Fire v Manchester United
July 26: Columbus Crew v Newcastle United
July 27: MLS All-Stars v Manchester United at Red Bull Arena NJ
July 30: Barcelona v Manchester United in Washington D.C.
August 2011
August 3: Barcelona v Chivas Guadalajara in Miami, FL
August 6: Barcelona v Club America in Dallas TX.
Rivalries and Derbies
I was perusing MLSsoccer.com and had a read over some of the Cascadia Rivalry articles. It dawned on me that MLS has always used the word rival or rivalry rather than the universal soccer term derby (darby is the British pronounciation) for a heated match/grudge match. Though, numerous announcers especially the British invasion has used the traditional term. In a way being that I am pro use of American terms and people for announcing MLS matches I find it a very calculated move by MLS to use this term.
Yes, derby isn't a common word in the American vernacular unless we are talking about horse racing, ala the Kentucky Derby. However, in that case we use the American pronounciation for this word (being an English teacher who teachs outside the USA I find this fascinating).
Yet, the true reason I believe MLS uses the word rival or rivalry is because of the negative connotation the word could have in the soccer world. MLS has always been about family friendly entertainment, and by replacing the word derby with rivalry it gives it a slightly friendlier connotation. A connotation in which the teams play a hard match on the pitch, but at the end of the day shake hands and everything is okay. Say the name derby, however, and the people who have experienced it will know the difference in the feeling and atmosphere that is experienced on a derby day.
I have no problem (for once) with MLS writers and the league using the word rivalry in place of derby for those US fans that are unfamilar with the term. However, that one word can create so much emotion and passion in a true football fan; and by using the universal soccer/football terms so many can be educated on the ettiquette of the greatest game in the world
Yes, derby isn't a common word in the American vernacular unless we are talking about horse racing, ala the Kentucky Derby. However, in that case we use the American pronounciation for this word (being an English teacher who teachs outside the USA I find this fascinating).
Yet, the true reason I believe MLS uses the word rival or rivalry is because of the negative connotation the word could have in the soccer world. MLS has always been about family friendly entertainment, and by replacing the word derby with rivalry it gives it a slightly friendlier connotation. A connotation in which the teams play a hard match on the pitch, but at the end of the day shake hands and everything is okay. Say the name derby, however, and the people who have experienced it will know the difference in the feeling and atmosphere that is experienced on a derby day.
I have no problem (for once) with MLS writers and the league using the word rivalry in place of derby for those US fans that are unfamilar with the term. However, that one word can create so much emotion and passion in a true football fan; and by using the universal soccer/football terms so many can be educated on the ettiquette of the greatest game in the world
Monday, May 2, 2011
Be original
There two things that have begun to bother me about MLS announcers. Yes, I bitch a lot but isn't that what blogs are for? The first is the influx of British announcers to MLS. Sporting KC has Callum Williams, Robbie Earle has joined Portland (though I quite like his work), Adrian Healey has taken over on ESPN and there are others from the British isles that grace the league with their voices. Being that I love the English game, have lived in England and have an English wife I do greatly enjoy the British announcers. On the other hand I am against the constant outsourcing of soccer that America and MLS does. I know there are some terrible USA soccer announcers like Rob Stone and Christian Miles and analysts in such as the idiot Alexi Lalas and most of the people who work for Fox Soccer; but instead of outsourcing these positions why not try and find the next JP Dellacamera who is the best America has to offer. Perhaps MLS or the clubs could send some of the rising announcers to England to learn from the English announcers. A study abroad if you will.
The second thing that is bothering me is MLSsoccer.com's frequent use of the word golazo. Yes, I get the meaning and I understand where it came from, but come on guys find your own catch phrases. I find MLS to be very good a using other countries' catch phrases and even team names (Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake), and I'd love to see something more original. Starting with the removal of this damn catch phrase.
The second thing that is bothering me is MLSsoccer.com's frequent use of the word golazo. Yes, I get the meaning and I understand where it came from, but come on guys find your own catch phrases. I find MLS to be very good a using other countries' catch phrases and even team names (Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake), and I'd love to see something more original. Starting with the removal of this damn catch phrase.
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