NY/NJ MetroStars are European Champions......... [Archive]

TheCreeper

27-05-2001, 04:04:AM

http://www.mlsnet.com/content/01/met0526bayern.html

Metros win 2-0 in friendly match with Bayern.

Here are the rosters for both teams:

Bayern Munich Roster: GK: Bernd Dreher, DEF: 2 - Willy Sagnol, 3 - Bixente Lizarazu, MID: 6 - Michael Wiesinger, 7 - Mehmet Scholl, 10 - Ciriaco Sforza, 11 - Stefan Effenberg, Slawomir Wojciechowski, 17 - Thorsten Fink, 18 - Michael Tarnat, 20 - Hasan Salihamidzic, 23 - Owen Lee Hargreaves, FWD: 9 - Giovane Elber, 13 - Paulo Sergio, 21 - Alexander Zickler, 24 - Roque Santa Cruz, HEAD COACH: Ottmar Hitzfeld

MetroStars Roster: GK: Tim Howard, Paul Grafer, DEF: Orlando Perez, Mark Semioli, Steve Jolley, Steve Shak, Mike Petke, MID: Mark Chung, Billy Walsh**, Tab Ramos, Petter Villegas, Richie Williams, Pedro Alvarez, Daniel Hernandez**, FWD: Alex Comas, Clint Mathis, Adolfo Valencia**, Martin Klinger, Rodrigo Faria, HEAD COACH: Octavio Zambrano

Just thought you guys would find it interesting........ ;)

Neutral LFC

27-05-2001, 04:29:AM

From the link you posted;

"Bayern Munich fielded a starting lineup who averaged nearly 19 appearances in their victorious Bundesliga campaign."

I'm also sure Bayern were really pumped up for this match...not. After a hectic domestic and European schedule I'm sure they didn't really give a f@ck about the match.

Help?3

27-05-2001, 04:43:AM

Originally posted by Neutral LFC:
From the link you posted;

"Bayern Munich fielded a starting lineup who averaged nearly 19 appearances in their victorious Bundesliga campaign."

I'm also sure Bayern were really pumped up for this match...not. After a hectic domestic and European schedule I'm sure they didn't really give a f@ck about the match.
Yeh, i think so too. Even when i hate Bayern, but i think NY is playing like Herta BSC! (Sorry)

Amika

27-05-2001, 07:53:AM

i don't think this is a great guideline... i'm sure that bayern isn't interested in the game at all...

dcunik

27-05-2001, 12:07:PM

that's the sad thing, most european soccer/football clubs don't care and "has no respect" for U.S. soccer. look what fifa did with the fifa clubs championship....they cancelled. sooner or later the tide will shift. american soccer needs to prove itself in the international scene. how the united states fair in world cup 2002 will show how the rest of the world will give us, americans, the respect in the soccer world.

let's admit it, the level of play here in the u.s. is substandard compared to europe and latin america.

cheers.

Jari Litmanen

27-05-2001, 07:09:PM

I don't think Bayern were really interested in this game. It's really of no importance. I just hope the German players that play for Bayern play like this against Finland on Friday. LOL
I don't particulary like the american football league. I hate when the americans changed the name to soccer and I especially hate the name of the league, Major League Soccer. That's a terrible name if I ver saw one! As for the teams they have terrible names like Columbus Crew. It's stupid they trade players in America like in Ice-Hockey!?!? American teams are young and have no traditions and this may be a reason for little respect in Europe and they haven't really impressed with their playing. The American MLS is the graveyard of old European stars. As for the tradition part, for example HJK Helsinki of the Finnish League was formed in 1907 and all the American top teams were formed in the 90's (correct me if I'm wrong.)

[ 05-27-2001: Message edited by: Jari Litmanen ]

Amika

27-05-2001, 07:15:PM

"rome is not built in a day.." and i'm sure that it will take a while for europe team to give the U.S respect in international soccer stage...

to achieve this the MSL will have to attract more first class players to play in it, thus improving the skill for local americans players much more faster. but the only problem now is to find out how do you attract better players to play in MSL...

PhiLLer

27-05-2001, 07:27:PM

I can't see the reason why Bayern decided to play across the 'pond' so quickly after completing a hard season, surely they could have waited another 2 weeks or so...
American football is still up and coming, the quality over there is not as good as in europe or latin america that's for sure.
I think it will only be a matter of time until american football will become popular.Although it isn't the fastes growing sport in the states; hockey is as far as I'm aware

todd metro

27-05-2001, 07:29:PM

I totally disagree, I love the MLS. And the name of the teams.
I personally love the fact the we beat Bayern. I called it on the first day of the season. And it has come to pass, you will not rain on my parade. you put 11 on the pitch and they play. If they don't, don't gimme excuses, say you got beat and take it like a man.
BTW The Metros are fantastic at home.
I am tired of this knocking the American Game and I predict within the next 10 years, the USA will be in the top 5 ranked national team. Jeez we are in the top 20 already.
Gimme a break, If you have watched any of the new american stars like Clint Mathis or Landon Donovan. You wouldn't be so harsh.
I have seen Mathis do things on the pitch that Beckham does (free kicks) plus the man can score from both feet. Donovan has skills and speed of the likes of Owen. not to mention Josh Wolf. These guys are young as well.
You guys are so wrong in your anti-American feelings. Try watchin some of the games. Gimme a break, Man U kills all the English teams and does nothing in the Euro tournaments and they are considered the best of the best.
I love soccer period, I love the EPL, I love the MLS and i watch as much as I can (seriela etc)...
I get no pleasure bashing anyone or there team or league.
I personally love to watch Man U...
but come on guys give me a break. You should be rooting for the MLS/American soccer not flaming it...
keep kicking, Todd Metro.

Jari Litmanen

27-05-2001, 09:05:PM

I strongly believe in the rise of the MLS. Right now I don't find the league to be interesting but if you get some more stars over there then I'd surely be interested. The U.S. has the most money and if soccer (as you like to call it) grows in America then maybe the owners of the MLS teams will put more money into the MLS. America has an "easy" time to reach the World Cup and therefore you get a lot of coverage. A team like Finland or Sweden for example has to play against much harder teams to reach the Wolrd Cup finals. This coverage may help to rise the games popularity in the States. I heard a rumour that Batistuta may be heading to the MLS. I know a few players in the MLS like Hernadez and Neathan Gibson. Gibson played last season in the Finnish league and was the second top scorer after Shefki Kuqi, who now plays in England's division one.

PhiLLer

27-05-2001, 10:20:PM

Right now I don't find the league to be interesting but if you get some more stars over there then I'd surely be interested.
The problem is there won't be any stars going there. Can you see the Figo's and Beckham's of this world going to America to play, I don't think that will ever happen(not in my time anyway...)
All the 'stars' that do go there are semi-retired if you can call it that way.Lothar Mattheus is hitting the 40 year mark very closely and all the older players, who are at the end of their career go there.George Best did the same after leaving Manutd.
These old guys are the only european or latin american 'stars' that you will see in the MLS, not the young guns who are in their prime!

Neutral LFC

27-05-2001, 10:23:PM

If guys like Mathis and Kreis were so good they would be playing in Europe. Stern John was brilliant in the MLS, then he went to the English first division and is living in obscurity. Junior Agogo was a Sheffield Wednesday reject. As for your prediction - dream on, it will take the US ages to even begin to seriously challege for the World Cup. Do you want to know why? Ask yourself this question, in the USA when kids go out to play what do they play? Basketball, baseball, and gridiron football. Soccer is only played recreationally by a handful of people. Then look at Europe, South America and Asia - the number one recreational sport is football and as such the talent pool is so much larger. Not to mention there is a PASSION for football present in the rest of the world that is absent in the United States.

As for being ranked in the top 20 - the Fifa rankings are garbage anyway, Mexico are ranked higher than England and England thumped them 4-0, and played their reserve team in the second half. Part of the problem is that CONCACAF is the most sh!t qualifying group in the world (save for Oceania). I don't know why the hell there are THREE spots for teams in CONCACAF while the whole of Asia has to fight for TWO measly places.

Anyway, sorry for raining on your parade, and I know I sound completely anti-US, but I'm not. I like the MLS (I have adopted the Chicago Fire as my team), and I agree it gets unfair stick, I just wanted to point out that you went the extreme opposite by giving it far too much praise. If Clint Mathis was half as good as Beckham don't you think he would be playing for an EPL team. As for the Landon Donovan/Owen comaprison - don't make me laugh. Even Cobi Jones couldn't hack it at Coventry!

Good luck to the US in 2002.

Nimreitz

28-05-2001, 08:47:PM

Sorry my American friends, but the MLS is no where near the level or the EPL.

You say that the EPL is a no tackling league. I'm not too sure if that is true or, not, but my judgement is that it is 10 times more physical than the MLS.

I will say that the MLS is a no header league. Clint Mathis, I'm sure, is not great out of the air. That is what you need in the EPL. I can see Clint or McBride, Preston North End reject, go for a header against Hyypia, and come down with a broken arm or something. The passion makes the rest of the world's football 10 time better than ours.

Neutral LFC

28-05-2001, 11:52:PM

Originally posted by todd metro:
Forgetting about "how bad MLS" is...
1. Who died and made the EPL the top level of soccer?
I watch live at least 10 games a year and the FOX EPL show religously. I see so many games and I beleive some of the MLS teams could play with these teams (Metrostars, Galaxy, Chicago and San Jose).
2. Also there is no tackling in this league.
(that could sadly be the reason England does nothing in recent World Cups). I usually root England as my second team.
I believe Clint Mathis has what Beckham (right foot. free kicks) has plus true striker skills. He could goto the EPL. He would thrive in a no "tackling" league, as he gets pounded tons in MLS.
He has speed!
You don't think Sunderland wouldn't love this kid in the attacking midfield?
I have seen this man play for 2 seasons, he has made 50 year runs (ala Pele), Free kicks with Beckham like style (including the bad haircuts!) :).
Check the video y'all.


Todd you've f@cking lost it mate. You really think that the level of the MLS is on par with the EPL? So why then is Stern John living in obscurity? Why, if guys like Kreis, Mathis and Wolff are so damn good, don't they go to Europe where they will earn a truckload more money and have more respect? You do realize Beckham earns more than an entire MLS team. I guess Sunderland's scouts are just stupid then if Mathis is so good, and Joe Max Moore is doing wonders on Everton's bench.

As for the EPL being the 'no tackling league' - erm...you do realize the EPL and English football is one of the toughest leagues in the world. The tough tackling is precisely WHY England haven't done too well - too much emphasis on pace and physical play. Maybe you haven't noticed how many foreign players can't handle the English game, or at least take a season or two to get used to the pace and physical play - eg. Vladimir Smicer, Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel, Didier Deschamps to name a few. Even Jaap Stam needed half a season to get used to the physical play, while Sander Westerveld asked the Liverpool players to take runs at him and hit him in the air when he first came to Liverpool so he could get used to the rough treatment.

Why do you think the old-timers come? Because it's a retirement league - I hate that, and I would rather the MLS accept younger players than devalue their league by letting geezers have a free ride. If the MLS want to be taken seriously by the rest of the world they need to adress that problem.

I guess if United can't sign Pavel Nedved like they're trying they should just go after Josh Wolff or Imad Baba....

Amika - about the WC and Asia - yep, the lack of qualifying spots REALLY REALLY pisses me off. But Fifa won't be able to ignore Asia long, like Africa they'll soon become a footballing force to become reckoned with - Japan, S.Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the sleeping giant China are all on the way up.

simonius

29-05-2001, 12:04:AM

todd metro

29-05-2001, 06:22:AM

Forgetting about "how bad MLS" is...
1. Who died and made the EPL the top level of soccer?
I watch live at least 10 games a year and the FOX EPL show religously. I see so many games and I beleive some of the MLS teams could play with these teams (Metrostars, Galaxy, Chicago and San Jose).
2. Also there is no tackling in this league.
(that could sadly be the reason England does nothing in recent World Cups). I usually root England as my second team.
I believe Clint Mathis has what Beckham (right foot. free kicks) has plus true striker skills. He could goto the EPL. He would thrive in a no "tackling" league, as he gets pounded tons in MLS.
He has speed!
You don't think Sunderland wouldn't love this kid in the attacking midfield?
I have seen this man play for 2 seasons, he has made 50 year runs (ala Pele), Free kicks with Beckham like style (including the bad haircuts!) :).
Check the video y'all.
3. I agree that it sucks that all the old timers come here to die in the MLS. That shouldn't happen... Lothar was good, but for 1 season after all the crap he pulled, he wasn't worth it. but towards the end of the season/playoff I got to see his skills on the pitch, excellent passer.

4. BTW The US National team Beat Mexico recently...

Keep Kicking, Todd

Amika

29-05-2001, 06:39:AM

neutral you hit the nail for your assesment on the topic... especially about the asia spot for the wc... there are so many nation in asia and yet they will have to fight for only 2 spots in the final... :confused:

Can't stop the rush...

29-05-2001, 10:47:AM

Amika

29-05-2001, 01:59:PM

yape neutral, it is sooner or later that they will notice that some asian team are really improving a lot.. like you said China is one of them.. thumb up for your comments!!!

Gunner

29-05-2001, 02:59:PM

I'd just like to say that I agree with Neutral LFC and the boys, and disagree with Todd on this one.
To gain national, and international respect, your team must perform on the World stage.
In the last World Cup, in France '98, U.S.A. were statistically, technically, and definitively the WORST side in the competition. Now admittedly it was a fairly aging team, (Jones,Keller,Dooley,Lalas), and some of the players you mention, (such as Landon Donovan), weren't around, but it still was an absolutely CR*P performance.
I agree with one of the first posts on this topic, (I think it was by Amika, not sure), which said that American Soccer (Footy :)) will be judged by the U.S.A.'s performance in the World Cup in 2002.
That is all I wanted to say. :cool:

P.S. What the hell was the US doing calling their teams "Miami Fusion" and "Dallas Burn"?!? I mean, way to get us to respect U.S. soccer more!!!!! (heavy sarcasm) :rolleyes:

TheCreeper

30-05-2001, 12:48:AM

Funny to see that on the same topic people can be praising the rise in Asia while dismissing the rise in the CONCACAF. (no offense to Asia)

The reason Asia gets just 2 spots is because they have the 2 hosts already qualified- Japan and Korea.
From what I recall, when the USA hosted in '94 the CONCACAF got just 1 (!) other spot.

Needless to say, the CONCACAF hexagonal final stage is at the highest level it has ever been. Players like Yorke, Reyna, Wanchope, Burton, and Hayles are all playing ball in the UK. Bermuda's Goater is playing for Manchester City, Canada has Peschisolido on Fulham, and Panama's Dely Valdes just recently scored a hat trick in Spain.

And, for the record, just because a player is not in Europe does not mean he is not good. With the exception of Marquez, the entire Mexican national team plays locally.

As for MLS, I have to say that Mathis is playing better than any USA striker has ever done before, and after the 2002 world cup I have no doubt in my mind that several clubs will be scrambling to sign him.
Sadly though, it is impossible to really compare MLS to the other leagues because of the lack of competitive matches between the two continents.

I would highly suggest for those who have not seen an MLS game in a long time to sit down and view one sometime. The skill level since its creation in 1996 is almost incomparable to its current state.

And, for the record, I could see NY, Chicago, or Miami being around the top of the English 1st division.

Seems to me that it is simply a matter of anti-American sentiment. :rolleyes:

[ 05-29-2001: Message edited by: TheCreeper ]

Ronaldinho Gaucho

30-05-2001, 12:49:AM

CAN WE SAY FIXED!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Gunner

30-05-2001, 12:22:PM

Seems to me the only practical, logical way to solve this argument would be to sit to wait til World Cup 2002 in Japan/South Korea and then see how the national teams do, because that is how your country is rated PROPERLY, not by those frankly B*llsh*t FIFA Rankings.
USA were THE WORST team in France 98, sorry but it is true. we'll see how they fare in 2002. Good Luck boys (You're gonna need it)

Also, for the record, Mexico's "Local" players are... ahem... CR*P. They lost 4-0 to an England side virtually crippled with injuries!!!

One word.... losers.... ;) :rolleyes: :p :cool:

Can't stop the rush...

30-05-2001, 12:45:PM

Originally posted by TheCreeper:
Seems to me that it is simply a matter of anti-American sentiment. :rolleyes:

[ 05-29-2001: Message edited by: TheCreeper ]

Not really, At least not for me. Right now i live in the US, So i would like to see the US team do well(Behind Spain ;)).

dcunik

31-05-2001, 10:36:AM

for the record:

i can admit it, USA soccer is not in the same level as in EUROPE or SOUTH AMERICA no questions ask about that, period. Judging from the recent performance of the U.S. in the WC 2002 qualifying round, its obvious, the team has improve alot from the past years. Question is, can the United States continue to play or improve the level of their game when WC 2002 comes around? We will see...

off the record:

MLS is still young, there are alot of room for improvements. Recent one is that, more and more teams are building their own soccer/football stadiums. Heard of the U.S. womens soccer team? Now, why they play so well in the international scene? Answer: grass root level. Basically, young gals, play soccer here. That's why, the United States is doing pretty good in the Womens' Soccer World. They just started a new league for women's soccer here. Did Europe do that? NO, and my question is why not? If EUROPE has compassion for soccer then, its only for men i guess. And for a bad note, U.S. started it because of $$$$!!!

Back to MLS, right now, no owner can virutally spend millioins of US dollars because, the players are controlled by MLS. Players sign thru MLS not directly to the club. If they change how they sign players, watch out, more and more international stars will be tempted to go here because of big bucks. Remember, MONEY TALKS. Its the American Way. Its a fact that, right now, MLS is still thriving to create its own name. Give MLS a chance, few years from now, it will be a top notch league.

Gunner

31-05-2001, 03:00:PM

Actually, There ARE Women's Football Leagues in Europe! :p
My fave team, Arsenal Ladies, has the best team in England, and this year they did the Domestic TREBLE!!!!!
I can name the team as well, there are a lot of Irishwomen in the side, :D :cool: ;)
So don't be so confident in your owwn knowledge: Quote-
"...Did Europe do that? NO..."

1-0 to the Arsenal Ladies.....

TheCreeper

31-05-2001, 09:26:PM

I liked most of what dcunik said.

For those who don't know, MLS is run by what is called a "Single Entity." In it, the league itself signs players and appoints salaries. This was designed to avoid bankrupcy in the first years (a team with good attendance could support a lower attendanced team).

This, sadly, has frightened off many of the richer possible investors. When they realized how little control they would have over the team they bought, many decided it would not be in their interest.

Needless to say, a lot of people dislike it. From what I understand, in a few years it will be done away with- once the teams get a heavy enough following as to support a larger budget. When this happens, expect the larger and richer American companies (and there are a lot) to start buying teams. With more money comes more quality players.

And give the league credit, it is only 6 years old.
It's only a matter of time..........

Can't stop the rush...

31-05-2001, 11:37:PM

Good point there... :) :cool:

ChivasFAN

02-06-2001, 10:15:AM

Asia?? haha, "sleeping giant China" damn, you guys are dillusional, the day an Asian team wins an international cup will be the day Guam makes it to the World Cup. I accept that my national team sucks, AT THE MOMENT, but hopefully we can perform when it counts, although the past has proven otherwise, and not in friendly matches that don't really count, and you EPL fans walking around like your **** don't stink while your club teams are mostly comprised of foreigners how ENGLISH is that...Dont get me wrong I'm an avid gunners fan as well but it's just some people really put themselves on a pedistal.

[ 06-02-2001: Message edited by: ChivasFAN ]

Can't stop the rush...

02-06-2001, 12:13:PM

Uhhhhh....Ummmmmmm....Ok...... :rolleyes: :confused:

Can't stop the rush...

03-06-2001, 12:27:AM

Originally posted by Neutral LFC:
Maybe I should be like you and suggest that they'll never win anything just BECAUSE they're Mexican, no because then I'd be like you. A dumbass.

LOL
You tell em. :D

TheCreeper

03-06-2001, 12:30:AM

Neutral, obviously you're a little upset at , so I'll assume some of that was just venting anger.

Anyway, to say Nakata is better than any CONCACAF player is not entirely true. I would think Dwight Yorke is just as talented as Nakata, as well as several other players in that general area.

At this time, I would tend to consider the Concacaf and AFC to be relatively on par with one another, with CAF slightly ahead of both of us. However, I do tend to think that Asia has a great deal of potential with Japan, China, and Korea making strides. I tend to have respect for football from all countries (with the exception of a few OFC teams), and I do agree that there will be much more balance in the future. Heck, in a decade or so I can see China and the USA fighting it out in the quarter or semifinals.....

As for the Mexicans, there current team is in complete dissarray, but mostly because of the coach. I think it is a temporary slump, and they should regain form in a little while.

But for everyone, let's not go insulting teams and players that we have never actually seen play. ;)

Neutral LFC

03-06-2001, 06:34:AM

Originally posted by ChivasFAN:
Asia?? haha, "sleeping giant China" damn, you guys are dillusional, the day an Asian team wins an international cup will be the day Guam makes it to the World Cup. I accept that my national team sucks, AT THE MOMENT, but hopefully we can perform when it counts, although the past has proven otherwise, and not in friendly matches that don't really count, and you EPL fans walking around like your **** don't stink while your club teams are mostly comprised of foreigners how ENGLISH is that...[ 06-02-2001: Message edited by: ChivasFAN ]

All offense intended, you're a f@cking moron.

"haha, "sleeping giant China" damn, you guys are dillusional, the day an Asian team wins an international cup will be the day Guam makes it to the World Cup."

WHAT THE F UCK IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN? Yeah, everyone said that Africa would never have good teams either... What do you think Europeans and South Americans have some special genes that pre-dispose them to being good football players? So why then is Nakata better than any f ucking player in Concacaf? He's Japanese. You're a f ucking dunce you know that. There are 1.2 BILLION (yes BILLION) people in China - and football is the most popular sport there. Now that they're developing the infrastructure for football development they have a MASSIVE talent pool. If you want to be in denial sure, but the Asia teams will rise, and many of them are already up there, Africa are catching up, Australia are making waves - the days were Europe and S.America dominate are numbered. 10-20 years from now the international football scene will be more balanced out. You remind me of the old guard in football, those who never thought Africa would produce good footballing nations and then cried when Oman Biyk stunned Argentina in 1990.

S. Korea 2 Mexico 1 - yeah, you know those crappy Asians.

As for FOREIGNERS doing the business in England, yeah, I agree.

Liverpool - Gerrard, Owen, Fowler, Heskey, Murphy, Barmby - yep all foreigners those guys.

Man U - Obviously Beckham, Scholes, Cole and Sheringham are foreigners.

Leeds - yep, Lee Bowyer (one of the top scorers in the Champions League) is an imported player, along with Alan Smith and Rio Ferdinand.

I see a lot of Mexicans making waves in Europe...not. Maybe I should be like you and suggest that they'll never win anything just BECAUSE they're Mexican, no because then I'd be like you. A dumbass.

Neutral LFC

03-06-2001, 07:14:AM

I live in Canada and I've seen a lot of CONCACAF matches, along with MLS games, in addition to all the EPL and Euro qualifying, so it's not like my opinions are based on pure heresay.

Dwight Yorke is no longer the player he was when United won the treble (he was very, very poor last season). Nakata on the other hand holds his own in the best side in Italy alongside guys like Totti, Montella, and Batistuta. On that basis I say Nakata is better than any player in CONCACAF, since the USA's best players aren't as good as him, nor Canada's, nor Mexico's.

the -Russian Rocket-

03-06-2001, 07:41:AM

I think that USA has the easiest qualification of all... The only team that is on their level is Mexico, and results with them are not important, really, because there is no other team that can perform on a certain level. Even Australia has harder qualification, because even though they beat everybody 20:0, their 2 games with some Asian or S.American teams MATTER. Last time it was Iran, and the games against them were vital to the Aussies. Whereas US has only ONE tough nation to play against, BUT even if they lose both their games to the Mexicans, they still easily can qualify. Mexico and US are on about the same level for a moment, just like Aussies and Iranis were, so the outcomes of the games are pretty random...

Also, after the USA's draw in Guatemala, Bruce Arena or whoever said: "as long as we draw away and win at home, we should be fine". THERE YOU HAVE IT. While in Europe you CANNOT play by this logic, you obviously can in North America.

BUT, REMEMBER, that USA's soccer is relatively young... Americans are weird sportswise. There are A LOT of people come and visit MLS matches, play soccer, etc., BUT, if to ask them what's their favorite sport, they'll answer: "basketball, or baseball", or whatever. Soccer in USA is very popular, but still, it gets nowhere as young people in US STILL prefer am. football, baseball, basketball, than soccer.... But soccer is loved by most of them.

MLS is a league that doesn't offer enough money to superstars, YET they offer enough to guys like Stoichkov, Mattheus, Ravelli whose main roles are to guide the relatively young squads of players.... But there are just 12 teams in the MLS and the other leagues, like the A-league are in deep crap..... That is MLS's downhill.. If to have an NHL-type league, then have about 22 teams there and a full active "farm league"... Although it is different from traditional european leagues, rememmber that soccer is officially 5th most popular sport in the US.....................