Just like everyone who listens to MLS Talk’s podcast my good friend Kartik Krishnaiyer does an excellent job as host even as the host of CSRN’s American Soccer Show. He had Mr. Jamie Trecker on his last podcast and I admit that my opinion of Mr. Trecker has been negative. Whenever I read his articles on Fox Soccer’s website in my opinion I felt that he hasn’t been informing us what his thoughts are, it’s been more yelling at us like little children trying to hammer his ideas into our heads. An attitude of “It’s either my way or the highway”.
But this time around I felt Mr. Trecker has showed he does know what he talks about not so much as a soccer writer, but the current economic situation that has fallen here in the USA, the region and the world. With that being said I have found within myself agreeing with some of the things that he has said in the latest podcast of MLS Talk. But I do find some of the things he has said that are in a very nice way of putting it, disagreeable.
When your talk about who our US National Team head coach should be or as he put it “A legitimate International Coach” Please give me some names and please tell me who is going to come here and teach our players to play at a higher level. After all Jurgen Klinsmann who was suppose to be the successor of Bruce Arena after the 2006 World Cup decided at the final hour not to coach our National Team. Of course the usual suspects are Jose Mourinho, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Rafael Benitz, or hired gun Guus Hiddink. The last time I checked, US Soccer’s wallet won’t be getting lighter any time soon.
No matter how many times I have asked this question and asked for names of coaches that want to be here, no one has given me a good reason. It’s not so much that a big name has to come, but that particular coach must know the insides and out of the CONCACAF region. Just ask Sven-Goran Eriksson. He’s having a tough time right now trying to settle down the problems & getting out of the losing funk that Mexico is in right now. I can give you the names of two people who I think can help our national team in the future. Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker who is in Poland right now as he was the head coach of Trinidad & Tobago during their 2006 World Cup run or Alexander Guimeresh from Costa Rica. If the usual suspects that people say should come over and coach our national team, it’s not going to happen. No one would hire them to run a Nats side in Europe if they took the job as USA National Team coach.
Mr. Trecker also commented on the three MLS sides that participated in this past qualifying round and group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League. We all know that the Houston Dynamo are in the knockout round, but the reasons were not heart or tactics or not giving a damn. For DC United it has been injuries, but for Chivas-USA, Houston & New England it was simply a case of fixture congestion meaning the interference with the participation of Superliga. You saw those players honestly giving it their all, but were too exhausted, physically and mentally that they paid the price of losing. Not taking anything away from those clubs that beat up on those three, but still they weren’t at their top form. I honestly don’t think Preki or Steve Nicol who is a Liverpool legend would take this tournament lightly. So to say that our boys had the same amount of time off before the CONCACAF Champions League like the rest of the confederation or like Montreal & Puerto Rico, these two sides never got involved with Superliga.
I understand that Mr. Trecker believes that we should be better than what our clubs and National Team has shown, but while saying the things he has said, you have to look at it in a realistic point of view. When it comes to our National Team, sometimes Soccer house in Chicago doesn’t know what they are doing and at times MLS handcuff’s themselves when the bigger picture is actually alot better than the deals that they do to get better.
Also when it comes to the situation with Portland, Oregon. There is support for the game whether it’s in the USL or MLS. There are passionate supporters in the northwest outside of Seattle. I believe that Portland will work no matter which league they will be playing their matches in.
So once again, all Mr. Trecker has to do is dig a little bit deeper than what he normally does and I think we can all agree with him with some of the things he says. But till then, let’s wait for the next overly opinionated Jamie Trecker article.
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Lars
March 2, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Kartik made an excellent point. The CSA has failed Canada miserably. Canada has loads of talent, but an inability to put it together. Sack the CSA, support Canadian futbol.
Cali Comet
March 2, 2009 at 4:57 pm
What we have is a pissing match between two equally opinionated and unreasonable people.
Feuerstein rants like a mad child “give MLS respect,” “Give Bob Bradley credit,” “Give USL a chance,” etc, etc.
Trecker lectures us like we are all children who don’t understand the sport and need someone with Scottish blood to educate us.
Frankly, I am tired of this and wish Kartik would get back to the types of shows he used to have with credible guests or simply with fans like Brian Zygo and that Michael guy who were reasonable and objective.
ZW
March 2, 2009 at 4:08 pm
DF:
USL teams had worse fixture congestion thanks to the FRI/SUN setup of the league, the rough travel and the fact that USL teams usually don’t spend a whole lot on hotels and transportation. MLS’ excuses are simply pathetic, whiny b/s.
I think attacking Jamie Trecker is out of bounds professionally. You can leave comments on the site in the comment thread but to attack him personally with a new post is beyond ridiculuos.
C Webb
March 2, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Yea Daniel,
Lay off those UnitedMania guys!
Daniel Feuerstein
March 2, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Maybe it looks like I’m attacking others opinions about the game here in the USA, but sometimes you have to ask and look into the story that’s being written. About Dave Denholm, I have alot of respect for him even though I don’t agree with some of his views.
Yes Mr. Trecker researches his stuff, but still I can pick one or two things I disagree with. And for those who think I have gone overboard on Cohen, that’s another time to discuss.
But I’m not an attacking guy when I write my stuff. I am like most of you passionate about the game and the game here in the USA. I have a different opinion and therefore I express it. But I promise that just like Kartik, Denholm & Mr. Trecker I to want the USA to be a better National Team, with improved players, improved youth programs, a top coach and a top league as well.
All I want for the American player, American Leagues & National Team is to get the respect that the deserve. But I think we all admit that’s still tough to do.
Kartik Krishnaiyer
March 2, 2009 at 2:05 pm
If we had been in Mexico’s group instead of Mexico we would have struggled to get out of the semi-final round. We’ve dropped points at home recently in qualifying to both Jamaica and Honduras in recent cycles. Canada also has the talent but not the technical setup or management to compete with us. I backed off my prediction (which wasn’t that we would not get out, but rather that we would struggle and may not get out) of the US being dumped out when we were thrown in a group with three rather pathetic opponents. My prediction was previously based on an assumption that we’d be grouped in with someone respectable.
Costa Rica had an even easier road. People who believe the Ticos are going to run right through to the World Cup may be surprised by what awaits them in this hexagonal. They have proven nothing since 2006. I still like Honduras despite the early loss to Costa Rica to be the second team and think Costa Rica, T&T and Mexico fight for #3.
But when the World Cup roles around, If Mexico qualifies they will be much more competitive than the US, as they almost always are. You can take that to the bank. Part of Mexico’s problems right now stem from the age of their players: very old or very young. Listen to the Scott French podcast for more analysis of that issue with El Tri.
eplnfl
March 2, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Daniel:
As to Bob Bradley as coach. Right now we can all be happy about the choice, since a trip to South Africa is all but assured. Some people thought that the US would not be able to get out of semi-final. (Please review Kartik’s own comments for example). I myself thought the defense was a nightmare starting back with the Gold Cup. We have seen how good the defense has been through qualification. The defense pairing up the middle has been simply outstanding on Bradley’s part. How well it will do out of the region is another story.
Back to my main thrust, Bob Bradley was only a temporary fix when the USSF could not land a major international coach. Trecker is right on point. Now I believe he could of mentioned what I have stated above that so far so good and Bradley is getting us through the region without any trouble but the real test comes next year. America has matured enough as a soccer nation to make qualification an almost sure thing. I will point out that Mexico probably thought the same for it’s chances. Let us hope that the glass is half full as to Bob Bradley that the US will get out of it’s group at least in 2010 and prove Jamie Trecker wrong. However, he is right in saying what he did and who among us can say two years ago we were excited about the prospects of Bradley as coach. I’ll see no hands on that one.
On the other hand the Chicago Fire fan in me and the USA homer that I am will tell you Bradley’s a great coach!
Ian
March 2, 2009 at 11:45 am
This is simply not even funny anymore.
While I understand the need for hard edged opinion as a listener of both CSRN and MLS Talk I have run out of patience.
Daniel F. is bordering on lunacy. This is precisely why Americans don’t want to hear from soccer fans and why so-called euro-snobs want nothing to do with MLS fans.
Take CSRN for example. Feuerstein decided he didn’t like Dave Denholm’s well thought out and reasoned opinions on the US National Team and chose to attack him.
He did not like the United Mania guys view of DC United and attacked him on the air
He disagreed with Steven Cohen even though it is obvious he has not listened to WSD or watched FFF in years and attacked him. Cohen is much more supportive of US Soccer than you think. He doesn’t really like MLS, but he’s extremely supportive of the US National Team. Maybe it’s because they all play in Europe now. Nonetheless, you ought to listen to him and understand him before attacking him.
And now this.
I blame Kartik also to an extent for not reining Daniel in despite numerous opportunities to do so. Kartik, you indulge him way too much. When Denholm wasn’t on the US Soccer Show I didn’t listen because who wants to hear predictable angry blabber. You sometimes made token attempts to reign him in, but then would indulge him the next time. I noticed how uncomfortable you were in the MLS Talk show of last week- contrast the enthusiasm in your voice during the Trecker interview to the Daniel interview. You were much lower key, almost submissive in the Daniel F. interview. Very bad form for someone who is usually on his game.
Feuerstein’s slash and burn attitude towards anyone who dare criticize US Soccer or whatever pet MLS/USL rant he’s on makes this site and CSRN network look mickey mouse.
“Don Garber are you listening” sounds like than moron Sanetelli or whatever his name is from CNBC screaming “President Obama, are you listening.” The Chicago Tea Party might as well be the New Jersey decade of discontent.
Honestly I am personally sick of it. This blog post smacks of a lack of respect and professionalism. Yet everyone is scared to point that out. But I will. I am personally sick of this petty b/s. Get over it already!
eplnfl
March 2, 2009 at 11:10 am
Wow, another hot topic here on MLS Talk. It’s the place to be.
Kartik
March 2, 2009 at 9:15 am
Daniel, you are entitled to your view on the matter, but Trecker is always well researched and applies a strict historical perspective to everything.
Everyone gets angry when I say this but can we definitely say MLS circa 2009 is of a higher quality than MLS circa 1998, when the league had more full internationals playing for significant national sides, and had twice as many national TV viewers? I am far from the only media personality that says if we could have dumped the silly clock rules, americanized uniforms and shootouts, the actual football in 1998 was more pleasing on the eye. Guess what: the TV VIEWERSHIP BEARS THAT OUT! The stats as far as how many players played in the World Cup who were MLS based in 1998 versus 2006 bears that out.
Secondly, can we with certainty say the National Team in 2009 is much better than 1999 when the US beat Argentina and Germany (twice), one of which was in a truly competitive, neutral setting? I think the player pool is deeper now, but the goalkeepers are not better, and we don’t have as many skilled attacking players at the top of the food chain.
When people attack Trecker it’s largely because they are either viewing everything with rose colored glasses or in many cases haven’t followed this sport in this country for very long and want to constantly believe we are always improving and up and coming. Developing a football culture isn’t easy, and while Trecker doesn’t have all the answers and I don’t always agree with him, he knows more, and studies more than the vast majority of people who simply spout off their opinions.
Jamie Trecker
March 2, 2009 at 9:14 am
EPLNFL said: (Excuse me, but my HTML skills are crap) “Roger the strength of this site is that you can voice your opinion even if it is different from Kartik’s. This site is not the Bush White House where only the voice of the Vice-President counted.”
Let me be the first to say: Good for Daniel. MLSTalk interviews me and gave me a forum to blather on, so why not him? I don’t see anything in this post but reasoned disagreement, which is the whole foundation of rational discourse.
I will say that some of his points I have answered in previous posts and interviews: My disdain for the current USSF admin is well known as well as the reasons why; and I agree with him that it is unlikely anyone will coach here, but not for the reasons he alludes to.
One last thing: I don’t look at things as “half-full” or “half-empty,” as I think I made clear. I’m a reporter, not a fan, and most of my views are informed by historical performance. That’s not always a popular way to look at things, I admit. You guys are, and you help make the game great…but my role is necessarily separate.
Personally, that’s both good and bad, and if anyone ever wants to ask me why, I’m happy to blather on about that.
eplnfl
March 2, 2009 at 9:00 am
Roger the strength of this site is that you can voice your opinion even if it is different from Kartik’s. This site is not the Bush White House where only the voice of the Vice-President counted.
Agreed that the MLS tries a lot of crazy ideas trying to find the right combination to make the sport grow. The early history of sport leagues in the US are like that. Read up on the start up of the NFL and NBA and see what trey did to become popular and both where around a long time before they became the mega leagues we are viewing today. It was not that long ago when there was no full live coverage of the NBA finals! My Chicago Bears had to barnstorm across the country to become known. MLS in time will find it’s right combination but we should be safe in the fact that it is only a question of when now and not if.
Roger
March 2, 2009 at 8:26 am
This site is becoming dysfunctional if a writer can get on the site and criticize the interview done by the podcast host.
Daniel, obviously you love MLS but Mexican teams have intense travel also and Santos, and Atlante also had to participate in the sham known as Superliga.
Additionally, the USL teams had to often travel further in shorter time flying in coach class on low cost airlines unlike the MLS teams that all now try and fly first class. Yet Montreal and Puerto Rico never came out totally flat.
I personally believe Major League Soccer is hindering the growth of the American game with stupid rules, stupid tournaments, stupid promotions, no player development and some horrible foreign player signings.
Does that make me a eurosnob, MLS Talk geniuses? It better not because I hardly watch Euro leagues unless Americans are playing. I want our national team to be the best it can be and do not feel MLS is doing the job it should be.
eplnfl
March 2, 2009 at 8:04 am
Very good response Dan. Trecker does tell the fan what they want to hear but what they “should” hear. That does not mean he is right nor does it mean he is wrong. The truth lies in the middle in most cases. Trecker decides to take the half empty look at things on the American soccer scene, while most fans look at it as half full. No one should attack his opinions as not well based and to your credit you did not not. Trecker’s is a voice that must be heard and accepted for it’s vaIuable, if not always correct insight.
Daniel Feuerstein
March 2, 2009 at 4:02 am
Outside of the US Open Cup for USL sides in the USA, please tell me about fixture congestion with the two Canadian sides. Puerto Rico probably has to fight with a baseball team to use their stadium or stadiums, but if your talking about the nutrilite Canadian championship. That’s the qualifying tournament for Canada’s spot in the CONCACAF Champions league.
It’s not excuses, it’s fact. If another club was involved within the group stage on fixture congestion and or injuries I would’ve said so to be fair. No one is immune to injuries of course, but were there reports coming from the CONCACAF website to inform us if there was? No. I can only tell you what the situation was on our side.
WendellGee
March 2, 2009 at 2:59 am
What about injuries and fixture congestion for the other clubs in the CONCACAF Champions League? Are they somehow immune to these challenges? Like so many others, you trumpet out these excuses, seemingly unaware that they are issues only as they relate to the injuries and fixture congestion of the opponents. And while I honestly don’t know about the other leagues involved, I do know that fixture congestion is a bigger issue in the USL than MLS.
Maybe you are addressing that in the last couple of sentences of that paragraph. I’m not sure, however, as to be honest the end of that paragraph is completely incoherent and badly needs a rewrite.