chavs muscling in on becks celebrity

[Ron_Mexico]

The match coverage itself was atrocious, agreed. The cut-aways to Beckham tying his shoe, then untying his shoe, his wife with Katie Holmes and Eva Longoria, to Arnold Schwarzeneger for a 2 minute interview while the ball was in play, etc; Just atrocious. I couldn't agree more about that mate; Americans have no idea how to televise football. Poor announcers, no idea how to tell a story, no discussion of the nuance or business of the game. They even had a "Shot Speed" graphic on a Shaun Wright-Phillips attempt on goal (53 miles per hour- DEADLY! *sigh*)... like it's his fastball or something.

To be honest, I don't see that aspect getting any better. What I hope does get better is the quality of play and the intensity of rivalries and player personalities outside of Beckham to keep people interested.

The game today; I have been to many Red Bulls games, and the DC United games are sort of a derby for MLS; A pretty intense rivalry and regionally close enough that away fans travel, are separated in the stadium (which will be 80% empty because the Red Bulls play in an 81,000 seat NFL stadium), etc. They don't like each other, which makes the game interesting. Juan Pablo Angel is slated to play (he's been brilliant, scoring against Celtic midweek in the 'All-Star Game') as is Jozie Altidore, who played very well in U-20 World Cup. DC United is older, has a lot of titles, cagey.

well said mate, thats a good summary of the coverage, its hard to watch and i know if i was a neutral, new to the game fan, i wouldn't appreciate the celebrity and beckham arse licking. wynalda ripping donovan for missing that sitter was the highlight for me, wynalda cracks me up, you can tell he cares about the quality and when someone ****s up he isn't shy about it. he doesn't try to dress MLS up as world class like all the other talking heads on ESPN. julie foudy is good too, shes probably hte best tv analyst american soccer has ever had, the fact she's a woman says it all about the state of the game. (no offence to the women of est )


how'd the game go? juan pablo angel will rip MLS apart and altidore is one to watch

[BrooklynRed]

how'd the game go? juan pablo angel will rip MLS apart and altidore is one to watch

Red Bulls 1-0 over DC United on a lovely set piece goal by John Wolyneck. Reyna crossed the ball and Altidore got up and nodded it across the box and Wolyneck headed it in. Angel was out on a red card, and DC was also missing some big names (Olsen, Moreno)... scrappy game, but entertaining for the 15,000 that showed up. In an 81,000 seat stadium, it looked bad, but people were into the match and I enjoyed the quality of play.


The Red Bulls warm up.


My mate Rob and Jozie Altidore (camera phone, sorry for quality) in the player's lounge after the game.

[Ron_Mexico]

Red Bulls 1-0 over DC United on a lovely set piece goal by John Wolyneck. Reyna crossed the ball and Altidore got up and nodded it across the box and Wolyneck headed it in. Angel was out on a red card, and DC was also missing some big names (Olsen, Moreno)... scrappy game, but entertaining for the 15,000 that showed up. In an 81,000 seat stadium, it looked bad, but people were into the match and I enjoyed the quality of play.


The Red Bulls warm up.


My mate Rob and Jozie Altidore (camera phone, sorry for quality) in the player's lounge after the game.

nice write up and hte photos are quality mate

you're a VIP i see, locker room access and all

the giants themselves dont ever fill up the stadium so there's no shame in that, i bet it is a bit surreal though sitting in such a huge stadium. do they close sections off or can you pick your seat?