Understanding Major League Soccer

It's no secret that there is a major disconnect between all the soccer leagues in the world and the domestic league in the United States. However, after exploring the many reasons why MLS differs so much from all other leagues around the planet, it is easy to see why there is no other way for MLS to operate. Here are four factors that affect the MLS and the overall growth of soccer in America:

1. The Culture: American culture does not allow soccer to be experienced the same way as in other countries. Children in America do not grow up watching soccer games and trying to imitate the moves of Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi. Also, American culture is infatuated with scoring. Both football and basketball are high scoring sports. Most people in the U.S. are not interested in watching beautiful passing, great dibbling or excellent tactical positioning... they want to see goals or points, and these sometimes don't come often in soccer matches.

2. Popularity: In the U.S., soccer is not a popular sport, and as such, it faces multiple challenges that are unheard of in England or Brazil. This is the main reason why the MLS season is shorter than others. Who is going to watch a soccer game in the middle of January? maybe some people, but not enough to justify all the costs involved such as paying players, opening the stadiums and all other administrative costs that make a game happen.

3. Country Size: The United States is huge. This is a factor when it comes to visiting fans. In Europe, all fans have to do is take a bus and get to the game. In the U.S., fans need plane tickets, consider time changes, and come up with a good enough excuse at work. Maybe the West and East conference set-up adopted by the MLS is not the best, but it is certainly understandable given the size and popularity of the sport.

4. Age of the MLS: The MLS is a very young league. Compared to the English Premier League or the Mexican Primera Division, the MLS is a baby. The MLS is about to start its 15th season, that's a little over Manchester United's total winning seasons. The MLS, or any other league for that matter, is going to be the same as the other leagues overnight.

Now, over time, if MLS keeps up its efforts, soccer in America will prosper. This prosperity will take place through new soccer-specific stadiums, better soccer academies and more exposure of MLS team to international opponents. It certainly is an exciting time for soccer.

The Problem With American Soccer...

I've played soccer my entire life. However, in this last two years I've had the opportunity to observe soccer from an entire different perspective: a coach's perspective. And, I must say that I'm rather disappointed with the way American soccer is being developed.

Just like the concept of capitalism itself, youth soccer in the States has been taking a very competitive approach, something that in my humble opinion is dead wrong. I don't want to be misunderstood as I love competition and I understand that soccer is a natural competition sport. However, competition should not be the focus when developing successful soccer players at a very early age.

Allow me to explain my point with an example. A fellow coach, Sean, and I were having a conversation at work the other day. Sean -- who is British and has far more coaching experience than I do -- was telling me about an interview he had with the parents and organizers of a girl's under-10 soccer team. During the interview, he was asked again and again about his winning record as a coach. His interviewers were very clear to point out that their goal was to win. Apparently that's all they wanted since they failed to mention the necessity to educate the players and to develop them technically. Sean tried to explain the importance of developing the players since, at that age, children are like sponges and they absorb everything that's taught to them. To learn to win is a very important step. However, it is tricky as a considerable amount of pressure comes with it. Such pressure is something a 10 year-old is not equipped to dealing with.

English people have it down and that's why they are so successful at developing players such as Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard. Sean was telling me that in England, youth soccer teams focus in player development, not winning. That comes later. Coaches pay close attention at the player's technique. They try to explode their skills to a maximum. And then, when they've learned all the basic stuff properly -- passing, dibbling, defending, and shooting -- they move on to more tactical stuff like spacing and different set plays.

That's the great difference between the success of European players and the failure of American ones. European kids are taught to play the sport correctly and they are taught to love the sport. Kids in America are taught that they have to win at all cost.

Think for a second, how is a 10 year-old going to enjoy soccer in an environment where winning is not only necessary but the goal itself? How are they going to feel if they lose? Where did the idea of "having fun" go? and, are they really going to love soccer?

Fortunately, coaches in America are starting to pick up on this mistake. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America, NSCAA, has actually created guidelines similar to those of UEFA and other organizations that teach the game the way is supposed to be taught. Also, many of the coaches that I work with encourage their young players to have fun and enjoy soccer without the pressure of having to win the game. At the same time, such coaches also work towards a formula where proper development of young players actually earns them the victories.

Winning is important, but in order to win, one has to attain all the necessary tools for it. One does not get those tools at 10 years old. True success comes later, or do you think Steven Gerrard won all the games he played when he was 10?

Beckham & Donovan Struggle...

Given that all the soccer media is focused on the transfer window right now, I was a little surprised to see an article on David Beckham that will be featured on Sports Illustrated's next issue. Then again, it advertises a book written by a Sport Illustrated senior writer, so that might explain the timing. Or maybe is the fact that Beckham is close to coming back to the United States. Or maybe, it's because it's Sports Illustrated, a magazine that is completely out of sync with the world's greatest sport.

In any case, the article provides an excerpt from the book The Beckham Experiment, by Grant Wahl. The excerpt provides a little insight on the environment lived in the Galaxy locker room as the superstar came to conquer America. At first, I was a little curious about the article, since it was featured on CNN (I know, what do they care about soccer?). However, after reading a couple of lines, I found myself really interested in the subject. In a nutshell, Becks came to work for a not-so-great team playing in a not-so-great league in a country where soccer is as famous as my uncle. He had a hard time relating to his teammates, some of whom make 20K a year or less, and after a season and a half, decided to leave to Italy on a loan, where soccer is king.

My interest sprung up somewhere in between that story, specifically when Landon Donovan -- the star of the team before Beckham -- shared light on his relationship with the super famous star. I feel it for Donovan, he had to give up his captaincy and watch how his team was taken over by Beckham's people. The book tells how at first the U.S. leading scorer tried to have a good relationship with Beckham. However, it wasn't meant to be as Beckham's lack of enthusiasm and lack of drive turned Donovan off.

Now Donovan is not hiding his frustration at the British midfielder. "He's not [a good teammate]. He's not shown that. I can't think of another guy where I'd say he wasn't a good teammate, he didn't give everything through all this, he didn't still care. But with [Beckham] I'd say no, he wasn't committed."

With Beckham coming back on July 10, it will be interesting to see how long he will last or what role he'll be playing in a team that is now led by Donovan, who is committed to changing the way things operate at Galaxy. Aware that Becks has three years left on his contract, Donovan said, "Let's say he does stay here three more years. I'm not going to spend the next three years of my life doing it this way. This is f------ miserable. I don't want to have soccer be this way."

After half a year...

So, I've been away for a while living in the real world trying to make it...boring stuff...let's get to soccer...

Last time I wrote in this space, Benitez and Ferguson were taking shots at each other. Well, guess what? not much has changed.

The latest shot offered by Benitez came soon after Ferguson lifted the league cup for the third consecutive time. According to ESPN, Benitez didn't acknowledge the legendary coach in his congratulatory remarks and didn't admit the superiority of the Red Devils. Instead, he insisted that the deciding factors for United victory were the quality of its bench and the fact that they can pay more money for quality players.

"When you are prepared to pay £20m or £30m for players it is easier to win the title," he said.

Whatever Benitez says is unimportant at this particular moment as I'm sure that's not what Sir Alex is thinking about.

His response will have to wait as he is getting ready to face Barcelona and his in-form best attacker Leo Messi. The little argentine, who is the top scorer of the competition with eight goals, will be looking to prove once and for all that he is indeed better than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Whoever takes the Champions League will make history. If Barcelona wins, they will obtain a well-deserved treble after winning La Copa del Rey and La Liga titles. On the other hand, if United claim the title, they will become the only club to have done it back-to-back. Also, they will secure an unprecedented four titles in one season.

Who will win? I say Manchester, you say...

Ferguson vs. Benitez

That time of the season where mind games between teams start to arise is upon us. It was obvious that Manchester United was going to be involved as manager Sir Alex Ferguson is known for the art of mind-playing.

Still, without a Jose Mourihno in the Premier League, it is up to the other managers to play Ferguson's game. This time is Rafael Benitez, whose Liverpool squad stand at the top of the league. Benitez has hit out at the Man U. legendary coach after he was complaining about referees and fixtures.

In a statement, Benitez blasted Ferguson saying, "We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and the Football Association about the respect campaign and I was very clear, forget the campaign because Mr. Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Mr (Martin) Atkinson, killing Mr (Keith) Hackett."

He went on to ask, "How can you talk about the respect campaign and criticise the referee every single week?''

The very unsual statement features an enraged Benitez complaining about Ferguson's ability to get away with situations other managers can't. He says that Ferguson is ''the only manager who will not be punished'' when attacking refs.

Before Benitez's outburst, Ferguson had stated that Liverpool would not be able to deal with the pressure and would consequently hand the title to United. Benitez obviously didn't like that. "I think they (United) are nervous because we are at the top of the table," the manager said, according to soccernet.com.

Ferguson has yet to start his mind-playing game as he's probably busy getting ready for the upcoming match with Chelsea and also preparing for an Eurpoean classic against Mourihno's Inter.

So, what are the thoughts? Does United take the title or does Liverpool stay strong? Will the Red Devils' boss scare Benitez and break his concentration or will the Spaniard prevail? Let me know what you think and remember, Chelsea is still a strong contender for the title.

Lucky # 13...

It would be sinful on my part to ignore what happened over the weekend in my native Colombia. America de Cali, the team that ignited my burning passion for soccer as a child, won its 13th domestic title this weekend. With the win, America becomes the team with the most championships attained together with Millonarios of Bogotá.

So, why is this so important to me? I don’t even follow Colombian soccer as closely as I used to. Still, every fan from any team in any sport can understand the happiness that comes with celebrating the victory of their treasured team.

I still remember myself being a trembling 10-year-old passionately watching every time Anthony de Avila or Freddy Rincon touched the ball. I remember the shock I felt when I found out that Wilmer Cabrera, America’s #13 in the 90s, was going to be my coach at Suffolk Community College. Sunday’s win was one that brought me lots of happiness and it was very well-deserved. Plus, to be honest, it was about time someone caught up with Millonarios, a team that has more fans because of their history than because of their recent achievements…since there’s none.

I, by all means, don’t mean to take away what a team like Millonarios has done over the years. They earned 13 championships as well (back when cavemen played the game) and they have managed to show glimpses of good soccer over the years. However, they have not won a domestic title in my lifetime and that makes me wonder: How much longer will it take the faithful “Millos” fans to demand some real results.

But this is no longer about them and their self-proclaimed “best team in Colombia” title.

In reality, there is no absolute best team in Colombia. For now, America has that title, but like all other Colombian teams, their football is not constant and the title will probably fluctuate in the long run. Until a Colombian team shows the dominance that teams like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Boca Juniors, or Inter show in their respective countries, I won’t buy Millonarios’, Nacional’s, and even America’s bull that they are the best.

Will the richest team in the world be the best team too?

This past summer, after a surprising takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, Manchester City became the richest soccer team in the world. It must have been a nice feeling after many years of being in the shadows of the other, more successful, Manchester team.

Still, money does not mean victory and City is discovering this fact the hard way as they sit in the 17th spot in the Barclay's Premier League while United is out of reach in third place.

City is optimistic however. With the January window opening, they have expressed interest in putting their new-found fortune to work. They have done it in the past when they broke the British transfer record by bringing super star Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5 million. Now, they are linked with big names like A.C Milan's star midfielder Kaka, Real Madrid's legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, and Blackburn Rovers' forward Roque Santa Cruz.

Given the former history of the club and their current position in the table, it might prove to be very difficult to bring in players of such caliber. On the other hand, they can provide unmatchable pay rates that could lure players to make the trip to Manchester, and, with a Kaka interested in playing Premier football, it's a definite possibility some of these guys will wear the City jersey.

So, What do you think? Do you see any high profile players joining Manchester City during this January transfer window? Do you think Mark Hughes will have to wait until the summer to see world class playmakers in his squad? and, do you believe that City can break the reign of the top four?