Greetings from our new home.
As you must have noticed – since you’re here – this blog now has a new Web address. I know those can be trouble, but I’m hoping this won’t be unnecessary trouble. If it’s any consolation, the trouble is somewhat shared, because I’m working with new software, and it will probably take a while to settle in comfortably. However, I really think it will be worth the grief over the longer term, because while the blog looks pretty much the same outwardly, this software should make it much easier for me to add pictures and sound and video. (Some, perhaps, even more useful than that succer ball up there … which is just me experimenting.)
I’m also in the process of putting together some good soccer links, that I hope you will find those useful.
In any case, please be patient. And hopefully by the time the Sounders return to training next week, we’ll are be comfortably settled in again.
You’ll like WordPress. It’s much more intuitive and functional than the other platforms. Probably also why it’s also becoming the blog standard.
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The News Tribune’s timing couldn’t be worse- why not have respected the past 24 hours and waited until Monday morning, so that we could continue the discussions that have been going on regarding the great victory last night and its aftermath- including the Wicks controversy? (I see you’ve repeated the post from the prior blog about DCU, but please get the update that s suspension is not in the works- maybe bring the comments over, too.)
At least provide a link to the old blog for a week or so.
Not blaming you, Don- but the News Tribune is not being respectful.
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Nope, JK, you can blame me. I knew we were going to the new software this week, and tech services asked me when would be a good time. I asked to stick with the old software/address through Open Cup and for most of the next day so that we could indeed blog the game and then have plenty of time to comment. Then, I figured, with the Sounders off for a few days, that would provide a really nice break for me and everyone to settle into the new blog without missing much.
But I didn’t count on the day after the Cup being as interesting or eventful as it’s been, so yeah, I did kinda break up a nice party a little early. Sorry. I promise we won’t do it again for MLS Cup.
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Hmmm, okay – new look to the soccer insider. Change is good.
To pick up where some things got left off about the Sounders in 2010, given their ope cup win, the CCL matches they will be playing in as a result of the open cup victory, etc, etc. Wanted to add a couple of comments (about posts that are no longer visible from the old blog):
1) CCL (for 2009-2010) started in late June with matches staggered into our fall and winter with the championship match in approx April 2010.
Sounders would be playing in the 2010-11 version which would start in late June 2010 or July. With 2010 being a world cup year (in June/july), those dates may be pushed back a little.
2) In terms of MLS rosters and expanding them to help MLS teams better handle such extra games (CCL would be happening while 2010 Open Cup and MLS going on). Well, guess what? We now get to experience what other MLS teams (such as Houston, DC, Columbus, and others) already have the challenges of multiple competitions – makes one of the unique things about soccer. Also makes it more exciting. Team doing bad in league play ? Well it can still try and make a cup run!
3) On the issue of MLS roster sizes, these are set by the current MLS/player union collective bargaining agreement. That expires Jan 2010. So a new one is being worked on. Any changes would be as a result of that process.
4) If there are any changes to roster size, it would more importantly require an increase in the salary cap. Even if rosters were not expanded, raising the cap would allow teams to higher more expensive (and presumably better) players. Typically the league has raised the cap by approx $100K-200K per year. Believe that it is currently in the $2.4 Mil range (plus the Designated Player rules). Even if the Sounders are doing great, remember this a league wide rule, so bottom feeder teams have to agree to increases as well.
5) Finally, wanted to add something, before the inevitable whinning from someone about how this is all so unfair by MLS that teams have to play in multiple competitions at the same time and that this is just outrageous.
England, the birthplace of soccer and home of the EPL. What occurs all at the same time there? 1) league schedule, 2) the FA Cup (granddaddy of all open competitions and a HUGE deal there), and 3) a little thing called the Champions League. All three of those things are starting now and will be running until next May or so. Multiple competitions at the same time. Exact same thing occurs in Spain, Italy, Germany, etc..
Joe Roth laid out 4 goals for the team at the season opener:
1) make the MLS playoffs;
2) win the MLS cup;
3) play in competitive international matches, and
4) promote a home-grown WA youth academy player to the team.
We just achieved goal #3 with our Cup win!
Welcome to the new blog . . . and the first day of the new soccer world confronting the Sounders – the world of international club football!
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Okay, Don- thanks for fessing up- I won’t hassle my other friends at 1950 S. State…
And thanks for getting that update on the Wicks situation. I’m really interested in seeing how much integrity DCU, and soccer generally, shows in this case. It is probably the most interesting news remaining from last night, too.
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Sweet new blog
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