2009 World Football Challenge Won by Chelsea FC

John Terry, captain of the Chelsea Football Club.
Image courtesy of Michael Ehrlich of Hill & Knowlton-Los Angeles.



Chelsea FC won the inaugural World Football Challenge last night at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The tournament was a tremendous success, and raised the profile of international club soccer significantly in North America.

Negative Features: Too Much Travel, Limited Exposure for Big Stars, Stadium Problems

These teams are not used to playing games on two days of rest. Especially given the vast travel distances found in North America. Three teams had to travel cross-continent twice in less than a week. Despite unlimited substitutions, that may have contributed to some less than stellar displays over 90 minutes. Yesterday in Boston, Inter and Milan played mostly at a walking pace. Please note the comments by Leonardo below with the highlight video.

At Cowboys Stadium, Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and John Terry did not feature at all for Chelsea. Terry was in street clothes as he accepted the World Football Challenge Cup from Jerry Jones.

If you are going to advertise the best players for their respective teams, they need to make an appearance. Regardless of pre-season realities, fans expected to see them. Again, due to the travel, it gave Mr. Ancelotti a built-in excuse not to play them at Cowboys Stadium.

Look at the attitude of AC Milan. Alessandro Nesta and Ronaldinho played four games in 7 days. Leonardo also gave a lot of time to the American, Oguchi Onyewu, who had only joined the team last Tuesday. He played in all three games, and started yesterday. Milan gave the fans who they had paid to see.

With regards to Inter Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic flew home after the friendly in Pasadena due to his transfer to Barcelona. Again, a major global star who only played one half against Club America in Palo Alto, and about 30 minutes, with his thoughts elsewhere, against Chelsea. Julio Cesar, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment, only played yesterday in Boston. As did his Brazilian compatriot, Maicon.

Jose' Mourinho, the usually loquacious quote-machine manager of Inter, was nearly invisible and visibly upset most of the time in America. He gave no major interviews, refused to attend the post-game press conference at the Rose Bowl (fueled by a tunnel bust up with Frank Arneson of Chelsea,) and despite the fact he speaks perfect English, ESPN was not able to find him for any post-game comments. The Special One was the Silent One during this tour. ;-)

• AC Milan played 4 games in 7 days: Los Angeles (x Galaxy), Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston.

• Chelsea played 4 games in 8 days: Seattle (x Sounders), Los Angeles, Baltimore, Dallas.

• Club America played 3 games in 7 days: Palo Alto, Atlanta, Dallas.

• Internazionale played 3 games in 7 days: Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Boston.

During Chelsea x AC Milan in Baltimore, the public address system was used throughout the game to announce advertisements. This is not normally done during soccer matches, and is another reminder that the stadium environment in North America is still not where it needs to be. Fans, mostly new to soccer, running up and down aisles in Baltimore was another problem. Can't fans (and their parents) in America sit still for 45 minutes? ;-) Despite this, in my opinion, the match in Baltimore featured the best collective display of the tournament. Chelsea was very aggressive early on, and the 30 meter strike by Didier Drogba was pure quality. Milan, with Ronaldinho and Clarence Seedorf linking up for some great displays, gave the crowd what they came to see. Petr Cech was also nearly flawless in goal for the Blues.

At the Rose Bowl, Hollywood celebrities were sitting on the bench a few feet away from the teams. This is not the NBA. In fact, Carlo Ancelotti of Chelsea complained about it. "There were too many people in the technical area."

The Tournament Fixtures

Sunday, July 19: Internazionale 1 x America 1 (4 x 5 on penalties), Stanford Stadium, 7 p.m. ET (2300 GMT) on ESPN 2 (Attendance: 30,000)



Tuesday, July 21: Chelsea 2 x Internazionale 0, Rose Bowl, 11 p.m. ET (0300 GMT) on ESPN 2 (Attendance: 81,000)



Wednesday, July 22: AC Milan 1 x America 2, Georgia Dome, 7 p.m. ET (2300 GMT) on ESPN 2 (Attendance: 50,000)



Friday, July 24: AC Milan 1 x Chelsea 2, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, 8 p.m. ET (0000 GMT) on ESPN (Attendance: 71,000)

"Otto anni da allenatore del Milan non si dimenticano, ma io devo rimanere concentrato sul mio nuovo club. Mesi fa avevo detto: il 24 luglio sarò comunque a Baltimora, e ho mantenuto la promessa. Non sarà una partita come le altre, ma insomma niente di particolare". Come dire: nel calcio capita tutti i giorni di cambiare bandiera. Però Ancelotti insiste: "Il fatto è che i rapporti sono ancora tanto stretti, con la società e con i giocatori. Si è interrotto il mio legame professionale con il Milan, ma tutto il resto rimane." Carlo Ancelotti at the news conference in Baltimore.

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 24 July 2009.

"One doesn't forget 8 years as manager of Milan, but I need to remain concentrated on my new club. Months ago I had said: the 24th of July I will be in Baltimore, and I have maintained that promise. It will not be a game like the others, but overall nothing in particular...

The fact remains that the rapport (with Milan) are still very tight, with the club and its players. My professional ties to Milan have been interrupted, but the rest remains."

Sunday, July 26: AC Milan 0 x Internazionale 2, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, 5 p.m. ET (2100 GMT) on ESPN 2 (Attendance: 42,500)



«Il regolamento del torneo è un po' sbilanciato, abbiamo fatto tanti viaggi giocando dopo due giorni, mentre l'Inter ha preparato la partita stando già qui. Sul primo gol abbiamo fatto un grande errore, non si può prendere gol dopo tre minuti. Nella ripresa abbiamo provato a cambiare qualcosa, ma non c'è stato niente da fare. Sicuramente l'Inter ha giocato meglio, ma non posso chiedere di più ai miei. Oggi, comunque, la prestazione nostra è ingiudicabile perché non eravamo in condizione fisica per giocare».

Italian Source: Corriere dello Sport, 27 July 2009.

"The regulations of the tournament were a little unbalanced. We had to make many journeys playing after only 2 days, while Inter was already here preparing for the game. On the first goal, we made a great error. You can't concede a goal after 3 minutes.

In the 2nd half, we tried to change something, but were not successful. Surely, Inter played better, but I can't ask more from my players. Today, however, our display can't be judged because we were not in physical condition to play."

---Leonardo, manager of AC Milan

Sunday, July 26: Chelsea 2 x America 0, Dallas Cowboys Stadium, 7 p.m. ET (2100 GMT) on ESPN 2 (Attendance: 57,000 but seemed like much more.)

“We played this game at the right moment,” the Italian added. “We did 10 days in Cobham (Chelsea’s training ground), working hard, and now was the moment to play. We played well in America, we have improved the team, we grew and we are ready to start the season now. We worked well and now we are ready to start winning trophies.”

--- Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Chelsea FC.

Source: The Guardian, 27 July 2009.

• Unlimited substitutions will be allowed.
• Games that end in ties will go directly to penalty kicks without extra time.
• If teams win on penalties, they will be awarded 2 points.
• One extra point will be awarded for each goal scored. (Welcome to America...) ;-)
  

The Table

Chelsea: 15 points from 3 games.
Club America: 8 points from 3 games.
Internazionale: 8 points from 3 games.
AC Milan: 2 points from 3 games.

The Teams

• AC Milan and Internazionale (Inter) from Milan, Italy.

• Chelsea Football Club from London, England.

Didier Drogba of the Chelsea Football Club.
Image courtesy of Michael Ehrlich of Hill & Knowlton-Los Angeles.

• Club America from Mexico City, Mexico.
  

The Venues

• Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas
  

• Georgia Dome in Atlanta
  

• Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts
  

• M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland
  

• Rosebowl in Pasadena, California

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2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup: USA 0 x Mexico 5

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

The 10th edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup kicked-off on 03 July from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Twelve nations have competed in the regional tournament, and the defending champion is the USA. Favorites to win the tournament are Canada, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, and the USA. There is special pressure on the Mexicans who have not beat an American team on US soil since 1999. Most likely, they would only face each other in the Cup final.


Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa of Club America and Mexico.

The final will take place on 26 July from Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Video from 2007 Gold Cup Final



Here were the three groups:

Group A

Canada
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Jamaica

Group B

Grenada
Haiti
Honduras
USA

Group C

Guadaloupe
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama


Brad Guzan of Aston Villa and the USA.

Elimination Round Bracket

Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Quarterfinals: 18 -19 July from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA, and Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Semifinals: 23 July from Soldier Field in Chicago

Final: 26 July from Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Canada

Honduras

Honduras

USA

USA

Panama

USA

0

Mexico

5

Guadaloupe

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Mexico

Mexico

Haiti

Wilson Palacios and Carlos Costly of Honduras.

Television Coverage

In North America, Fox Soccer Channel will televise selected games (all of the USA) in English.
Galavision, Telefutura, and Univision will televise all of the games in Spanish.

Around the World

Setanta in Australia.
Multisports in Brasil.
Sky Latin America (Pay Per View) in Mexico and Central America.

"I am here for Leonardo." Oguchi Onyewu of AC Milan

Last night at the Georgia Dome, a young American, Oguchi Onyewu, made his debut for AC Milan against Mexican power, Club America. "Gooch," as he is affectionately known, grew up in the Washington, D.C. area, and graduated from Sherwood High School in Olney, Maryland. He will make a homecoming of sorts tomorrow night at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore where Milan face Chelsea of London in the World Football Challenge.

According to tournament organizers, the game will be a sell-out of 70,000 fans. Which is an incredible figure for a Friday night match in a city not known for a soccer culture. But I expect that many Chelsea and Milan fans between NYC and Washington will be in attendance. Not to mention local interest due to Chelsea's association with Baltimore youth soccer programs.


Onweyu has been capped 47 times with 5 goals for the USA.

Here were a few of his thoughts about his new Milanese adventure.

"Sono qui per Leonardo. Sono stato molto felice nel momento in cui mi hanno comunicato che avrei giocato nel Milan. Devo dire che mi sono anche emozionato un po', anche perchè giocare per un club così prestigioso non è cosa da tutti i giorni e non per tutti. Il fatto di essere arrivato al Milan mi fa sentire felice perchè posso essere utile per questa società. Cercherò di aiutare i miei compagni con la mia fisicità, se necessario. Anche queste sono caratteristiche che in una squadra servono. Conosco la serie A molto bene, lo ritengo un campionato difficile e anche competitivo. Sono pienamente delle difficoltà che troverò, con la presenza di tanti giocatori bravi."

Italian Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 22 July 2009.

"I am here for Leonardo. I was very pleased when he told me that I would play for Milan. I have to say that it was a little emotional for me, also because to play for such a prestigious club is not done everyday and not done by everyone.

The fact to arrive at Milan makes me feel happy because I can be useful for this club. I will look to help my teammates with my physical presence, if necessary. Also these are characteristics that serve a team.

I know the Serie A very well, I view it as a difficult league and also competitive. I know fully well of the difficulties I will encounter, along with the presence of so many great players."

Learn Some Italian Phrases

If you are new to Italian calcio like Oguchi, here is an article that I wrote a few years ago that might be helpful:

Soccer Terminology In The Mother Tongue - Part 1 - From The Beginning - Italiansrus.com

Guest Commentaries by Oscar R. Amoia

Please click the image to visit our web page about
the Amoias of the Americas.

• 2010 WC Qualifier: Argentina 1 x Brasil 3: A Blow to Enthusiasm from Strength
• Chronicle of an Embarrassment
• Boca Juniors v. River Plate: A Childhood Memory from a Classic Football Derby
• Boca Juniors and the Amoias of the Americas (Soccerlens)
  
• It Takes Three to Tango in Argentina (Soccerlens)
• Memories of Enzo Francescoli (Soccerlens)
  
• The Copa Libertadores and the Santos of Pele'
• Commentaries During the 2006 World Cup (International Herald Tribune World Cup Fan Blog)
  

"Boca accompanied me all of my life since the time I was born, I shouted for Boca, I cried for Boca, I suffered for Boca, and was happy for Boca." --- Oscar R. Amoia

"Compared to Oscar, I was born in the desert of world football. He grew up in the oasis." --- Steve Amoia

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Dallas Cowboys Stadium: "Soccer Wasn't at the Back of Our Minds..."

I read an interesting article in the Dallas News by Barry Horn about the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. As you can see from the video, it is a beautiful facility with a huge video replay screen.

But it wasn't only designed for the Cowboys...

"One of the things we figured out real early is that we had to be all things to all people," said Stephen Jones, the Cowboys' executive vice president who has helped oversee the new stadium's development.

"Soccer wasn't at the back of our minds in building the stadium. It was front and center alongside football. It is one of the pieces of the puzzle we knew we had to have in making our stadium more than just the home of the Dallas Cowboys."

The first events at the new facility will be soccer-related. On Sunday, two quarterfinals of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup will take place there. A week later, Chelsea and Club America will meet in the World Football Challenge.

Learning Experience

"These games will be a learning experience for us," Jones said. "You don't take a Lamborghini home from the showroom and know everything it can do. You test drive it for a while and then put the pedal to the metal."

Charlie Stillitano Likes What he Sees

"Charlie Stillitano of CAA Sports, organizer of the World Football Challenge, said his company took one look at Cowboys Stadium and knew it would make an ideal place for soccer. The Cowboys didn't pitch CAA. Rather CAA, one of the nation's leading entertainment and sports promoters, asked if it might be possible to stage its event in Arlington.

'The stadium is remarkable," Stillitano said. 'We've been to some wonderful stadiums,
but everyone is looking at this.' "

Source: Dallas News, 13 July 2009.

Could this new facility become the Maracaña or Wembley of North America.

Time will tell. Should the World Cup return to North America, Dallas Cowboys Stadium no doubt will be one of the prime selling points for high-profile games.

Asian and South African Tours for EPL Clubs

This summer marks a very busy pre-season schedule of friendlies in Asia and South Africa for EPL sides.

Hull City (China)

July 29 v Beijing Guoan (a), July 31 v Tottenham or West Ham (Beijing)

Liverpool (Thailand and Singapore)

July 22 v Thailand (Bangkok), July 26 v Singapore

Manchester City (South Africa)

July 18 v Orlando Pirates (Johannesburg), July 21 v Kaizer Chiefs (Johannesburg)

Manchester United (Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea)

July 18 v Malaysian XI (Kuala Lumpur), July 20 Indonesia All Star (Jakarta) cancelled, July 24 v FC Seoul

Tottenham Hotspur (China)

July 29 v West Ham (Beijing), July 31 v Hull or Beijing Guoan (Beijing), Aug 2 v South China (Hong Kong)

West Ham United (China)

July 29 v Beijing Guoan (Beijing), July 31 v Tottenham or Hull (Beijing)

Fixtures courtesy of The Telegraph, 15 July 2009.

David Beckham: The Cure or the Ailment?

David Beckham with MLS Works "Footprint Fields," 11 July 2009.

A few days ago, I read excerpts of Grant Wahl's new book, "The Beckham Experiment." After I read it in its entirety, I will do a book review. The initial excerpts were not flattering to Mr. Beckham. Landon Donovan questioned his commitment to the Galaxy and US soccer.


Image courtesy of Amazon.com.
Did it succeed or fail? Read the book...

The title of the recent book reminded me of a commentary that I wrote in January 2007 for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio called "David Beckham: The Cure Or The Ailment."


David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane promoting Footprint Fields.

Here it is:

On Thursday, January 11, Major League Soccer, Anschutz Entertainment Group, and the Los Angeles Galaxy announced the deal of the new millennium. David Beckham, the most famous and celebrated global soccer star, was coming to America. Not just for a few summer friendlies. But to give five years of his labors, and to accept a personal challenge on the only continent that has yet to embrace his chosen sport.

Last August, I had the pleasure to interview Alexi Lalas, the President and General Manager of the Galaxy. I would like to re-post his response to the following questions. Now that you are in management, what are the qualities that you look for in a player to join the Galaxy? Does the Galaxy have a youth system in place?

"We have a youth system that will start next year and is an essential part for any team to cultivate talent. A player for the Galaxy has to have personality on and off the field. I want men who aren't afraid to have an opinion and express themselves. We have too many boys running around now, I'm dying for some character, not a clown, but someone who excites the fans, on and off the field."

I doubt that Mr. Lalas could have envisioned anyone more qualified to “excite the fans, on and off the field,” than Mr. Beckham, a recognized global brand.

Contractual Terms

Here are the key points of his contract from an article in the Wall Street Journal. According to Steven Goff of The Washington Post, MLS did not release these figures. Beckham's marketing team presented the deal to the media.

"Mr. Beckham's five-year pact includes an annual salary approaching $10 million a year, 40% to 50% of team-jersey sales and a share of club ticket revenue. His endorsements are expected to bring in $20 million to $25 million a year. Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which owns the operating rights to the Galaxy and two other MLS teams, said it estimates that, including endorsements, Mr. Beckham could earn in excess of $250 million over the five years -- a deal the company called "the biggest in sporting history." (1) Note: adidas, Gillette, Motorola, Pepsi, and Volkswagen are his primary sponsors.

Mr. Don Garber, Commissioner of MLS, had this to say about the historic moment:

"David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America. His decision to continue his storied career in Major League Soccer is testament to the fact that America is rapidly becoming a true 'Soccer Nation' with Major League Soccer at the core. In the last few years, MLS has added three new teams, six new owners, four new soccer specific stadiums and signed four long term television agreements. The addition of David Beckham represents another significant step forward for the MLS and the sport." (2)

Background

Noted financial wizard, Mr. J. P. Morgan, once said, "Put all of your eggs in one basket. And watch the basket." MLS and AEG obtained Beckham on a free transfer. Real Madrid, in 2003, paid 25 million pounds (~US $42m) to Manchester United for his services. MLS and AEG have invested, and staked their soccer credibility, on one golden egg. A man with a rich pedigree in world football, along with instant recognition. Whether it is in California, Cote d'Ivoire, or China. If you mention the name David Beckham, or show people his photograph, they know that he can bend a ball around a wall of defenders, is a fashion statement, and one of the most famous people on the planet.

David, who will turn 32 on May 2, is married to Victoria Adams, and has three sons: Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz. He has represented his country on 94 occasions, and was the captain 58 times. Both are significant achievements. He scored 17 times for England, and remains the only Englishman to score in three different World Cup competitions. He represented his country with great pride and determination. Even if the Three Lions failed to win any international honors during his ten years in the England shirt. Twice, he was runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year. At Manchester United, he won four English Premiership championships, the FA Cup, and the European Champions League.

His tenure at Real Madrid has not been a smooth ride. Madrid has not won any domestic or European honors, and has had six coaches since Beckham arrived in 2003. Presently, he has only started in five league games under Coach Fabio Capello, and has been used mostly as substitute. Or not at all. These developments hastened his departure, even though Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan, among many others, were keen to employ his services when his contract expired at the end of June 2007. According to Football Italia, from an article that appeared in the Gazzetta dello Sport, Beckham was heading to AC Milan before his friend, actor Tom Cruise, intervened.

"If Beckham had stayed in Europe, it would've been with Milan. At the end of the day he opted for Los Angeles and informed us of his decision," stated Vice-President Adriano Galliani (of AC Milan). The 'Gazzetta dello Sport' insists that the Rossoneri (the nickname of the Milanese team) had a deal to bring him to Serie A worth 2.8m pounds (~US $5.5m) per season for three years and including his entire lucrative image rights. International agent Ernesto Bronzetti reportedly met with Becks and representative Terry Byrne in the Calle Serrano office to discuss the details. The proposal was ready to be accepted on Wednesday, but a conversation with actor Tom Cruise changed his mind and he plumped for 128m pounds (US $250m) switch to LA Galaxy.

'I was on the phone to him for about an hour Thursday night and an hour the night before,' revealed Beckham. 'Obviously I asked him for his advice because he is a very wise man and a very good friend of mine. It's going to be a big help for us to have friends when we arrive in LA.' " (3)

One of his teammates at Real Madrid, goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, paid Beckham a high tribute:

"(Casillas) described his team-mate as a 'magnificent person'. It's a pity, said Casillas. Those of us who have known him believe him to be a great player and a great professional. He has given everything to Real Madrid." (4)

Iker Casillas raising the European Cup in 2008.

Fabio Capello reacted in his usual blunt manner.

"The player, Capello said, has decided to go away. He has always been a great professional, but we can't count on a player who has signed such an important contract with another club. He will train, but he will not play. He decided himself to go away, it was not up to me. Therefore, if there are any questions, ask him." (5)

Even Don Fabio admitted his error to bench Beckham at Real Madrid.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Beckham is one of the best dead ball specialists in the world. He also is one of the most precise at crossing the ball. At Manchester United, sophisticated testing indicated that he was one of the fittest players in the modern game. David is an athlete who truly plays the game for 90 minutes.

I remember when Pele' arrived in 1975. Some have equated Beckham's arrival with that quantum leap. This is a historic signing, but when he arrived, it was similar, in my humble opinion, to a man landing on the moon. The best player of all time risked much more than Beckham ever will. The famed Brazilian landed in the barren desert of international football. I remember seeing him play on a bumpy high school field in front of about 10,000 fans in Northern Virginia. Many years ago, he, and other greats such as Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, and Giorgio Chinaglia, planted the seeds that allowed the MLS to sign one of the Real Madrid "galacticos." Beckham will play on the best pitches, and I hope that the MLS will use common sense to remove gridiron stripes that sometimes, especially during recent play-off games, appear due to scheduling conflicts. These are painful reminders of 1970s. When fields have an amateur appearance, the rest of the world will not take us seriously. Nor will domestic fans. The game needs to be respected. To their credit, MLS is constructing soccer specific stadia (SSS) to alleviate this problem.

Beckham's tremendous marketing appeal will greatly assist the sport in North America. Witness the mainstream media coverage since last week. He also speaks and understands Spanish, which was deemed a key criterion by US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati in his choice for the next US National Team Coach. The Hispanic television market, such as ESPN Deportes, GolTV, Telefutura, Telemundo, and Univision actively promote and televise the sport in this country to a knowledgeable and increasingly important consumer audience. Beckham is media savvy, comes across as humble, knowledgeable about our country "I'm sure Victoria will become a soccer mum," and most of all, genuine. Despite the king's ransom he will receive, I sense that was not his only reason to come here. He would earn over half to two/thirds of his annual compensation regardless of where he played due to lucrative endorsements and shirt sales.

People who do not follow soccer may be curious about this phenomenon from England. But despite the many positive aspects of this deal, the following questions remain. Will he help or hurt the domestic program in the long-run? Will the North American professional league become more competitive, more tactical, raise its standard of play, and be able to attract and afford other foreign stars in the prime of their careers?

A Cure or Temporary Solution?

Will Beckham be a cure, or a temporary solution, to the mantra "Soccer is the sport of the future" that we have heard for 30 years? Will more Americans become passionate fans of soccer? Will Beckham, by his own desire, be able to lure back many of the children who stop playing soccer in their early teens? Or as he said, "To bring the game to another level." He already has a soccer academy in Los Angeles. His commitment to youth soccer is without argument. The key will be to make young people life-long fans with a passion for the sport. Not merely a passion for an expensive shirt that has 23 and "Beckham" on its back and shoulders. These are valid concerns that fans, the media, critics, coaches, players, and management need to evaluate.

For all of the millions who participate in soccer in this country, only a small percentage actually follow the professional game. Either here or abroad, and that is a disturbing reality. Beckham is sincere in his hope to become a goodwill ambassador for the sport. But one man can not be the panacea. We all need to recognize this, and to realize that potential Hollywood glitz and glamour may not translate onto the soccer pitch. Or to make casual fans into serious ones who follow the world game. In all sincerity, as a fan of soccer, and one who has witnessed tremendous strides in the sport in our country, I hope that Beckham proves to be a positive catalyst for future growth and quality.

Voices of Dissent

Landon Donovan and David Beckham in better times.

Since Beckham's deal was announced as one the largest in the history of team sports, it is important to look at some other important figures. The salary cap for MLS teams is $2.2 million. If we assume a roster size of 22, the average annual salary is $100,000. The league minimum is $11,700. That was not a typo, and several players in this league are earning that salary. MLS recently instituted a Designated Player Rule for cases such as Beckham. MLS will pay $400,000 of his salary, and AEG will assume the rest. Each team is allowed one of these players that can exceed the salary cap, and in some cases, perhaps two. Last year, the two highest paid players in the MLS were Juan Francisco Palencia of Chivas USA, $1.36m, along with Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy, $900,000, respectively.

If we look at average salaries in baseball, basketball, and gridiron football, it is obvious that American soccer players lag far behind. Goff, the expert soccer writer for the Washington Post, interviewed Alecko Eskandarian, a former D.C. United player. He had the following opinion about Beckham's lucrative contract:

"The first thing that jumped out at me was the figure he was making. I mean, that's unbelievable," said former D.C. United player Alecko Eskandarian (now a Galaxy teammate), who was traded to expansion club Toronto FC last month. "As much as I'm all for the exposure, I feel like if [MLS clubs] have all this money they could divvy up some of it, especially for some of the younger players with developmental contracts. It's really not fair what they make. To think that one guy could make more in one day of practice than some guys make for a whole year of effort is pretty shocking." (6)

Roberto Donadoni, the present national team coach of Italy, and a former MLS player for the Metrostars during 1996 and 1997, had the following intriguing comment:

"This transfer is shocking, but I hope that the Americans truly want to invest in soccer starting from the basics, not just big names." The former winger had words of advice for the owners of the Major League Soccer sides. "In the States this sport has another dimension," he added to the ANSA news agency. "They need famous names to get people into the stadiums. If they want to invest in football, then they have to work on the foundations." (7)

As well all know, the strength of a house starts with its foundation. Passion is the key. It can not be simulated. It comes from the heart, and not from a bank account, fame, or polished marketing campaigns. I wish David Beckham, the LA Galaxy, and the MLS all the best to promote a passion for the game. Welcome to America, Mr. Beckham.

References

(1) "Will ‘Brand Beckham’ Sell in the US?"

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116852830342773904-search.html?KEYWORDS=beckham

(2) Galaxy To Get Beckham In The Summer.

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070111&content_id=81586&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

(3) Rossoneri 'Had Won Becks Race.'

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan13f.html

(4) Galaxy Owners Defend Beckham Move.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6256125.stm

(5) Capello Archivia Beckham e non solo.

http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/Primo_Piano/2007/01_Gennaio/13/capello.shtml

(6) MLS's Posh Pickup.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/11/AR2007011100516.html

(7) Donadoni Has His Doubts.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan12q.html

New Lotto "Twist'n'Go" Shoe Technology Available at SoccerPro.com

Lotto Zhero Evolution Due.

Image courtesy of SoccerPro.com.

Professor Mauro Testa has introduced a new innovation in soccer boots by Lotto.

"I think it is important that the sole of the shoe can describe the function of the athlete. Twist'n'Go is a very simple concept with revolving studs...

In the area of the first metatarsus. This area is very important when you change directions. When you change directions. you put all of your weight here. Normally, it is a third part of your force. So this will reduce negative friction from the foot to the ground when you change direction...

Having this stud, you are able to overcome the negative resistance of the ground. In this way, you are protected from injury."

Addressing the Injury Concern of Lighter Shoes

This is a very interesting development. New shoe technologies have been both positive and negative. The newer boots are much lighter than in years past, but at the expense of increased foot and other related injuries. This new shoe by Professor Testa may provide players with comfort, lightness, increased mobility, along with the added bonus of injury protection.

Please let me know what you think about this new technology.

Detailed View of the Metatarsus


Image courtesy of Wikipedia and Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, 1918, and therefore lapsed into the public domain.

FIG. 291– Skeleton of foot. Lateral aspect.

The metatarsus comprises five bones in the foot. Professor Testa designed his shoe with the first bone in mind.

Christian "Bobo" Vieri on Trial with Blackburn Rovers

Note

On 23 October 2009, Christian announced his retirement from professional football.

According to Football Italia, former Azzurri star, Christian Vieri, will go on trial this week with Blackburn Rovers of the EPL.

Big Sam Believes in Vieri

"There is no questioning his ability, it is just about whether he can get himself at the level that is needed to compete in the Premier League,” (Sam) Allardyce told the official Blackburn website.

"He's got a goal that perhaps if he can play somewhere this year he might even get in the World Cup squad next year, so that is a great incentive for anybody."

Source: Football Italia, 8 July 2009.

Born in Italy, Raised in Australia, Soccer in the Blood

Christian is the son of Roberto Vieri, a former Juventus player in the 1970s who moved his family to Sydney, Australia at the end of his career. Christian grew up playing cricket, and didn't play organized soccer until he was about 12 or 13. He was exposed to soccer via his father, who played for Sydney Marconi.

During a summer trip to visit his grandfather in Italy, Azzurri legend, Paolo Rossi, took a look at the young boy as a favor to Vieri Sr.

His brother, Max, has been in the Australian National Team pool, and presently plays for AC Prato of the Italian Third Division.



A Much-Traveled Player of Few Words

Vieri has worn many shirts during his career, and played for famous clubs. He began with Prato, a Tuscan club, as a teenager, and made his Serie A debut with Torino. He also played for Atalanta of Bergamo, Fiorentina, Juventus, Lazio, Inter Milan, and AC Milan, respectively, in the Serie A, and AS Monaco in France. In Spain, he was the leading scorer (Pichichi) in La Liga for Atletico Madrid during his only season.

For the Azzurri, he made 49 appearances with 23 goals (10 scored during two World Cups which is the Italian record.) He competed at World Cup 1998 and 2002, along with Euro 2004.

He is not known for verbosity; however, famously walked out on a Euro 2004 press conference by saying, "I am more a man than any of you." During his time with Fiorentina, he lived with his mother on a farm, and took public transportation to daily training sessions.



Clothing Line with Paolo Maldini: "Sweet Years"

He also owns a restaurant in Sydney called "Vieri's."

2009 AC Milan Summer Schedule of Friendlies

Alexandre Pato: Can the young Brazilian lead Milan to glory in 2009/2010?

AC Milan has a very ambitious summer schedule of friendlies under their first-time manager, Leonardo.

Their travels will take them to North America, Germany, Portugal, and Spain.

Translation Key

Agosto = August
Amichevole = Friendly game
Bayern Monaco = Bayern Munich
Luglio = July
Monaco di Baviera = Munich
Trofeo = Trophy

19 Luglio 2009, Los Angeles, Amichevole: LOS ANGELES GALAXY-MILAN

22 Luglio 2009, Atlanta, World Football Challenge 2009: CLUB AMERICA-MILAN
24 Luglio 2009, Baltimore, World Football Challenge 2009: MILAN-CHELSEA
26 Luglio 2009, Boston, World Football Challenge 2009: MILAN-INTER

29 Luglio 2009, Monaco di Baviera (Munich), Audi Cup: BAYERN MONACO-MILAN
30 Luglio 2009, Monaco di Baviera, Audi Cup: 2nd game: MANCHESTER UNITED/BOCA JUNIORS

8 Agosto 2009, Lisbona (Lisbon), Eusebio Cup: BENFICA-MILAN

14 Agosto 2009, Pescara, Trofeo Tim: MILAN-INTER-JUVENTUS (This is a three-way mini-tournament. They will play 45 minute games.)

17 Agosto 2009, San Siro, Trofeo Luigi Berlusconi: MILAN-JUVENTUS (Usually, the team that wins this trophy, in honor of Mr. Berlusconi's father, loses the Scudetto.)

25 Agosto 2009, Madrid, Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu: REAL MADRID-MILAN (Kaka's first game against his old team.)

Italian Source: AC Milan, 7 July 2009.


Max Ambrosini will take over the Captaincy from the Milan legend, Paolo Maldini.

Oguchi "Gooch" Onyewu Signed by AC Milan

Oguchi "Gooch" Onyewu will become the fourth American to sign for a Serie A club, and the first for one of the big three of Italian calcio. Before him, Alexi Lalas played for Padova, Giuseppe Rossi for Parma, and Gabriel Ferrari for Sampdoria (although Ferrari never featured in a Serie A game.)

This is a very positive development for American soccer. Even if many pundits don't rate the Serie A as highly as the EPL or La Liga, Americans need to be exposed to Italian calcio. Onyewu will be a good fit for Milan: He is physical, good in the air, and extremely smart.



Onyewu hails from the suburbs of Washington, D.C. He played high school soccer at Sherwood in Olney, Maryland, and then spent a few years at Clemson University. He has played for Standard Liege of Belgium for many years.

"Dopo il raduno e la contestazione di ieri, il Milan piazza il pirmo colpo di mercato. È Oguchi Onyewu, il difensore centrale americano, 27 anni, di origini nigeriane, arriva a titolo definitivo dallo Standard Liegi, a fine contratto. Onyewu è in possesso anche di passaporto belga e ha sottoscritto un contratto con scadenza 30 giugno 2012. Onyewu si è messo in luce nell'ultima Confederations Cup, disputando una grande semifinale contro la Spagna e ripetendosi nella finalissima contro il Brasile. Difensore dal gran fisico, Onyewu ha vinto due campionati in Belgio con lo Standard Liegi e in carriera ha vestito anche le maglie di Metz e Newcastle. Il neo rossonero è nato a Washington il 13 Maggio 1982. Cresciuto nel college della Clemson University, Onyewu ha alle spalle 117 gare (6 gol) in campionato con lo Standard Liegi. Con la nazionale Usa ha vinto la Gold Cup nel 2005 e nel 2007, e ha collezionato 38 partite e 5 gol."

Italian Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 07 July 2009.

"After the first day of training camp and the fan revolt of yesterday, Milan took its first strike in the transfer market. It is Oguchi Onyewu, the American central defender, 27 years of age, of Nigerian origin, who arrived from Standard Liege out of contract. Onyewu has a Belgian passport and signed a three year contract until 30 June 2012. Onyewu put himself into contention during the Confederations Cup, where he had a great semi-final against Spain and repeated his efforts against Brasil in the final.

A defender with a great physique, Onweyu has won two Belgian Championships with Standard Liege and has also played for Metz and Newcastle United. The new "Rossonero" was born in Washington on 13 May 1982. He attended college at Clemson University, and featured 117 times with 6 goals for Standard. With the US National team, he won a Gold Gup in 2005 and 2007, and has been capped 38 times with 5 goals."

Adriano Galliani, VP of AC Milan

"L'americano mi sembra un buon giocatore che rafforza il pacchetto difensivo. Lo seguivamo e ce ne ha parlato molto Luciano D'onofrio che è l'anima dello Standard Liegi, è un buon giocatore che ha sempre fatto bene e la Confederations Cup ha alzato le sue quotazioni".

"The American is a very good player that reinforces our defensive scheme. We have followed him for some time. We spoke to one of the directors, Luciano D'Onofrio in Belgium, who said he was the soul of Standard Leige. He is a good player that has always done well and his profile rose at the Confederations Cup."

Translated from Gazzetta TV.

World Football Challenge


Onyewu in action against Luis Fabiano in the Confederations Cup Final.

North American fans won't have to wait long to see Oguchi in an AC Milan kit. In less than two weeks, AC Milan will begin a North American tour. They will play the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, and then three games in the nascent World Football Challenge against Club America, Chelsea, and their eternal cross-town rivals, Internazionale.