February 2, 2012
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Remembering an American soccer riot
Unless you have been living under a rock, you probably know about the post-game riot in an Egyptian club match killed at least 74 people on Wednesday. Fortunately, there has not been a soccer riot anywhere of or near that magnitude in the United States. But I happened to be at a game that many soccer observers claimed was the worst modern fan disturbance in modern American soccer history.
January 30, 2012
OFFSIDE REMARKS
WPS uses the dreaded S-word and you have to wonder if that will be the end
The WPS used the dreaded S-Word -- suspension -- as it put off operations for a year. They are optimistic they will return in 2013, but why do I fear that might not be?
January 22, 2012
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Trying to strike a better competitive balance in women's games to avoid farces
There's just got to be a better way. There's just to be. The farce that was played out in the second game of the CONCACAF women's Olympic qualifying doubleheader at BC Place on Friday night was downright embarrassing for soccer, CONCACAF, Dominican Republic and to an extend, the U.S. Women's National Team.
January 19, 2012
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Many questions for the Red Bulls, but how many will be answered?
With the Red Bulls officially opening training camp at Montclair State University this week, there are loads of questions to be asked and hopefully answered.Here are some of them.
January 8, 2012
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Scholes' 'unretirement' should not be surprising, players do it all the time
Old soccer players don't fade away or retire. They just come back for more. Translated: Don't be so shocked by Paul Scholes "un-retirement." Soccer players have come back from non-playing status for years, if not decades, and they will continue to do so.
January 6, 2012
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Gonzalez injury illustrates the perils of MLS loaning players
For all you fans who wanted to know why I did not want the Red Bulls to loan captain and striker Thierry Henry to Arsenal, I give you Exhibit A: On his first day of training with FC Nuremberg in Germany, LA Galaxy central defender Omar Gonzalez tore the ACL of his left knee after he collided with fellow American Timmy Chandler in training. He is expected to be sidelined as long as nine months.
January 5, 2012
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Unbalanced schedule won't work, unfair
I have two words for Major League Soccer. No, it's not what you think. No profanity in this column. The words? Single table. That's what the league needs and that's what the 19 teams and several hundred players who toil for 90-plus minutes a game deserve.
December 30, 2011
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Henry loan is a lose-lose situation
So, Thierry Henry is going to play for Arsenal on loan, huh? Well, all I can say is that the Red Bulls and their captain are asking for trouble, big trouble during the 2012 Major League Soccer season. Can Henry cut it, even for six weeks or two months, in the English Premier League?
December 24, 2011
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Henry should not play for Arsenal
You've undoubtedly read the reports of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger considering the possibility of signing Gunners legend Thierry Henry on a two-month loan to help alleve the English Premier League team's forward problems during the upcoming African Cup of Nations. I have one word for the Red Bulls about this possibility: No.
December 21, 2011
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Dempsey's elbows become lethal weapons as he knocks another out of a game
Like it or not, Clint Dempsey has a history — a bad history — of getting his elbow in the way of opponents’ jaws. Whether it was accidental or on purpose, the jaw of Manchester United’s Phil Jones met Dempsey’s elbow early in the Red Devils’ 5-0 demolition of Fulham at Craven Cottage in London on Wednesday night.
December 16, 2011
OFFSIDE REMARKS
An Everton loan isn't good enough for Donovan, but a permanent move is
When I heard that Landon Donovan was going to return to Everton, I got excited. Finally, he was going to meet a greater challenge than Major League Soccer. When I heard that the U.S. National Team standout and LA Galaxy midfielder was on a two-month loan with the English Premier League side, I was quite disappointed. Well, I guess a couple of slices from a loaf of bread is better than crumbs or nothing at all.
November 28, 2011
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Good riddance, Cyber Monday
Yes, good riddance for another year. My wife Joy and I had a simple, tactical plan this past Thanksgiving weekend: Stay away from malls on Friday and Saturday.
November 28, 2011
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Manny Schellscheidt: An appreciation
Of all what is written on his star-studded resume -- and Manny Schellscheidt has one of the most impressive of any coach who has directed teams in American soccer -- the one thing that will stand out to your truly is as a teacher of the beautiful game.
November 28, 2011
OFFSIDE REMARKS
The loss of innocence -- again
This writer looks back at those great days at Syracuse University, claiming it was tarnished by the Bernie Fine scandal.
November 27, 2011
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Letting Arena go was one of the seminal moments in Red Bulls sorry history
A week ago today -- Sunday, Nov. 20 -- coach Bruce Arena directed the LA Galaxy to the MLS Cup crown. Four years ago this month, the Red Bulls, in their infinite wisdom, let Arena go his merry way in what is one of the biggest blunders in the franchise's 16-year history. And that's staying a lot, considering the Red Bulls/MetroStars are the Major League Soccer poster child for screw-ups and blunders, on and off the field.
