It's the last Match Fit USA Soccer Show before The American Soccer Show debuts next week. Things are tense, and Jason and Zach argue about referees, discuss potential call-ups for the USMNT, talk some USL news, and close out with a heated debate about MLS and relocating clubs. Make sure you go to americansoccershow.com to subscribe to the new iTunes feed! Match Fit USA on the Champions Soccer Radio Network.
If you haven't heard, some soccer on TV ratings came out yesterday. FSC, America's preeminent all-soccer broadcaster, became Nielsen-rated just about a year ago. Since then, the network's ratings have been of supreme interest to cadre of soccer observers. Throw in the ratings from ESPN for both MLS and their newly acquired European properties (but mainly English Premier League games), and suddenly there's more than an few number to bat around and analyze.
The finalists for the MLS awards came out today, and while I didn't vote (really not sure why I didn't have a vote; I did vote for the All Stars) I do feel like make my choices known here at MFUSA. Feel free to jump in with your selections in the comments. I'm not picking for every award, just the biggies and ones I have an interest in.
The USMNT heads to Europe in a short ten days to take on two solid European sides as preparations for next year's World Cup begin in earnest. For many fans, the quest to fill crucial spots in both the back line and at striker will be top of mind, and rightly so; but Bob Bradley's hands are tied in many ways. Putting out a first choice team while inserting players at center back and striker will be near impossible, thanks mainly to Major League Soccer's playoffs overlapping the friendlies.
Major League Soccer announced today that Zach Thornton of Chivas USA has won the 2009 Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Thornton beat out Seattle's Kasey Keller and LA Galaxy's Donovan Ricketts.
One day (presumably), MLS will get to the point where which clubs progress to the MLS Cup final doesn't really matter. By then, it will be all about the competition, and no matter who is playing, the final will receive ample attention and strong casual interest.
The USL First Division owners are holding meetings in Beaverton, Oregon this week in the midst of the ongoing dispute with the Team Owners Association. On the docket was a revamping of the league in light of the likely departure of the TOA teams; what this means for the future of USL-1 will be revealed in the coming days, though word is that several changes are possible.
