Soccer Minus Players = MLS?

The United States soccer team hasn’t even played yet and I’m already excited about the 2011 Woman’s World Cup. Part of has to do that it’s an international competition that the U.S. has a shot at scoring a medal. But the more important and simpler piece of the pie is that we get to the best athletes in the world at this sport compete against each other in every match.

The best vs. the best, every game, every day is something that’s missing for soccer in the United States. It’s why Major League Soccer is stuck in the grassroots stage of development with little light at the end of the tunnel.

As Americans, we’re use to seeing teams comprised of the best talent in the world compete against each other on a regular basis. The NBA has the best basketball players in the world. The NFL has the best football players in the world. America’s soccer league does not. The MLS has some very good players and some players who used to be among the best in the world recently, but are now past their prime.

This is why I believe soccer in the United States has to find its niche with important international competitions. Americans will not accept the MLS on a national scale when its All Star Game showcases the best in the league versus a regular European squad. It also doesn’t help when their All Star team doesn’t win. Can you imagine a team comprised of MLB All Stars losing to Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines?

The MLS is a niche sport on a local level and that’s OK. Some MLS teams pack their stadiums and have great success. But the MLS on a national level? Not yet, not now.

On a national level, soccer in the United States is at its best during international competitions. It will not be until we see the best soccer players in the world playing in the United States that soccer will become more then just an occasional sport here.

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The Jose Reyes Equation

I am a New York Mets fan. For better or worse, I’m always a Mets fan.

I am also a Jose Reyes fan. Call me fair-weathered, but I’m only a Jose Reyes fan when he’s not injured. When Jose Reyes is injured, he’s the most frustrating player to be a fan of.

But despite his injury-prone history, I believe the New York Mets should re-sign Jose Reyes at almost any cost. Hands down, Jose Reyes is the most exciting player since … Mike Piazza when he was a consistent home run threat at every at bat? I might have only been watching the Mets for the last 20 years or so, but I’m pretty sure Jose Reyes is having one of the most exciting seasons the Mets have ever seen.

The Mets are a franchise whose payroll will be questioned, doubted, and have restraints for the next few years. So tying up $20+ million per season on one player might not make sense economically. But when he’s healthy, Jose Reyes is simply one of the most exciting players in Major League Baseball to watch every single game. And not just because he hits home runs – because he doesn’t pop them out on a consistent basis. Singles and stolen bases, doubles and stolen bases, triples and daring the pitcher to balk. He brings excitement to small ball baseball.

Jose Reyes might turn in an injury-riddled season every few years – that’s just how he plays. So if the Mets sign him to five, six or seven seasons and he’s healthy for two-thirds of those, that’s what you have to expect. For those healthy seasons, he’ll be great.

Now I understand Reyes is having a career season and the greatness we’re currently seeing might be his best and where his career tops off. But even 75% of this makes him worth the investment and he’ll be able to produce that. He’s a homegrown player with a million dollar personality. His talents are worth “Carl Crawford money” and maybe more so.

I understand a team will not want Jose Reyes at the end of his career because his game is predicated on speed and health. But at 28 years of age, Reyes has plenty left in the tank. And I want to see him in a Mets uniform next season.

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The Rory McIlroy Postulation

I watched golf’s U.S. Open this weekend and rooted for Rory McIlroy -- even though I hardly knew who he was. But here’s why I, a sports fan who only watches golf during the Major’s that have a good storyline, paid attention this weekend:

1) Rory McIlroy imploded at the previous big tournament and was completely outpacing the entire field and

2) His wasn’t named Tiger Woods.

McIlroy had a redemption/feel-good vibe about him and it was intriguing. Along side of the “will he crack again in the final round” plotline, I wanted McIlroy to win. I wanted him to win because he was demolishing U.S. Open records, a lot that Tiger Woods held.

I didn’t like Woods long before he drove a car into a tree. I did not, do not and will never like Tiger Woods because he’s too good and too big of an asshole on and off the gold course. What’s the fun in rooting for him?

Now, Rory McIlroy could be as big of a jerk as Tiger Woods, but I do not know that yet. All I knew this weekend was that he was breaking records and putting Woods and his records in the rearview mirror. In twelve months times I could hate Rory McIlroy for the same reasons I detest Tiger Woods. But that did not matter this weekend.

For this weekend, Rory McIlroy made golf matter to me. Will he be able to do it again?

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Diminishing Returns of Fan Riots

When fans riot, it gives a black eye to not only an entire fan base, but also an entire city. That’s unfair, but a fact.

As in the case with Vancouver and Canucks fans after a disappointing and devastating Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Vancouver is a beautiful city, one of the best in North America. And I know first hand that the people of Vancouver are generally very nice and accommodating. And what was represented in the aftermath of the Game 7 loss should not reflect the city and Canucks fans in general.

But the truth of the mater is that it does and it will continue to.

Controlled rioting (if there is such a thing) can be a good thing. For freedom; against oppression; to stand up for civil rights and liberties. Not for losing a sports championship. (Not for winning one either.)

What does rioting after a sports event even prove? Nothing. But it does show something: stupidity and public intoxication never leads to good decisions.

Being in New York, I do not have any firsthand knowledge, but I bet the intoxication level of the rioters were pretty high. How many examples do we need that excessive alcohol and sports events do not mix? How many fights at games are a product of a little liquid courage?  While I would not mind seeing the elimination of alcohol at sports events altogether, I know that will never happen because that is a multi-billion dollar revenue stream for the industry. Something needs to be done to help fight this problem because it’s only going to get worse over time.

But alcohol is only one reason behind the pointless riots in Vancouver. A big part of it is stupidity mixed with emotional attachment to the team.

As fans, having an emotional attachment to your team is the whole point of being a fan. But as human beings - as healthy human beings - fans need to know when to draw the line before your elation or disappointment in your team wining or losing leads to lighting fires, flipping cars onto their roofs and throwing bricks through glass windows.

What are fans trying to prove by rioting like this? Nothing. They just look stupid.

I feel bad for the over 99% of Canucks fans that did not riot last night and that are trying to help law enforcement catch the idiots who did. But the truth of the matter, sports will now relate Vancouver Canucks fans to punk rioters.

Correction: It’s just not a black eye for Vancouver Canucks fans, the City of Vancouver, but sports fans in general.

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