ON MLS STYLE
Soccer Insider posted some quotes by DC United President, Kevin Payne. Mr. Payne was commenting on the lack of attractive soccer in MLS. It kind of sounds like he is whining a little bit and making excuses as to why his team didn’t make the playoffs. But if you can read between the catty-ness of his comments Payne makes “some” good points.
Here are some excerpts of particular interest:
“We don’t want to play like Colorado or New England, which most of the season sat with eight or nine guys behind the ball. How many people go to watch Colorado or New England play?”
“We can’t play like we’re a team desperately trying to remain in 14th place in the Premiership.”
“There are a lot of games in our league that I can’t watch. The problem in our league isn’t who is or isn’t in the playoffs; it’s that not enough people want to watch our league yet, and we have to convince them that our league is worth watching. I don’t think [playing conservatively] is the way to do it.”
I can tell Payne is a little frustrated that RSL, New England, and Colorado all finished better than DC United in the standings this year. Are his criticisms warranted? I think so.
First, I think it is important for everyone to recognize that the soccer in MLS is ugly. Teams like DC United and Seattle might play “more attractive” style of soccer but it still isn’t pretty to watch. So Mr. Payne you can get off that high horse about how stylish your team is. I also want to mention that playing attractive soccer and losing all the time isn’t that great either . . . I should know I’m Colombian.
Second, I wish the only problem the Rapids have is the fact that they play ugly soccer. Personally, I’m behind Smith and what he is doing with the club. Smith said from the beginning that he wanted to solidify the defensive structure of the team. Losing dynamic players like Colin Clark and Jaime Smith really hurts the offense. Would things be different if the Rapids played more attractive? Maybe a little, but the challenges for the Rapids are also geographic, economic, and cultural.
Third, New England struggled tremendously this season due to injuries, but Steve Nicol figured out a game plan to get his team into the playoffs. It was ugly but were they really capable of anything more? I don’t think so. In the face of such adversity Nicol was still able to get the best out of his team and that is something that the fans will appreciate.
Finally, I can appreciate the desire to play attractive soccer. The question is how are we going to get to that level? What needs to be done so every team can play an attractive brand of soccer? It isn’t as easy as just dedicating yourself to an attractive style. Style without substance (results) will only please the fans for so long. What it takes to transform soccer in this country is huge and will likely require another series of posts. So I just want to make a quick observation that might hint at the real problem with the style of soccer in the US.
Our U17 national team is currently playing in the U17 World Cup. They lost 2-1 to Spain and squeaked out a 1-0 victory against Malawi. This highly regarded bunch of young Americans isn’t exactly living up to expectations. So what is the problem . . . the expectations. The US isn’t winning or winning convincingly. They are doing something fantastic though, they thoroughly out possessed, out shot, and out hustled Spain. They made some mistakes and ended up losing . . . big deal . . . THEY OUT POSSESSED SPAIN!!!!! Then the team goes on to neutralize the speed and talent of Malawi with . . . wait for it . . . good passing!!! Our expectations are all backwards.
Anyways, long story short, the problem with playing attractive soccer in the US is you fuckers. The fans. Not all of you but if you aren’t sure who I’m talking about it’s probably you. The American fan doesn’t understand enough about soccer to know if it is attractive or not, what they do understand is results.
So Mr. Payne, I’m with you on the need for attractive soccer but I can’t blame these clubs for going after results first.
Share your thoughts.
October 30th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I also want to mention that playing attractive soccer and losing all the time isn’t that great either . . . I should know I’m Colombian.
Fuckin Classic!
November 4th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
As it seems is the case so often in our society these days, getting results first reflects a short-term mindset. Just an opinion from someone who doesn’t know it all, if even very much.
I’m with Mr. Payne. I just got back from Japan on Sunday (I’ll use jet-lag as my excuse
and I was able to catch one J-League match in person and one and a half on TV. Now granted I haven’t watched a ton of MLS and its almost entirely been the Rapids, but was left with the impression that the J-League played at a higher level. Who knows maybe we’d have more athletism, we’d certainly have a height advantage 
But for the most part the soccer was attractive and fun to watch. The passing at least was on a whole nutha level. It was crisp, accurate and they possessed the ball. And given this isn’t the US with the other major sports to contend with, but I thiink they had 42k in attendance, and it wasn’t even like the home team was any where near the top of the standings. Maybe someone can enlighten me but has Japan been in the soccer biz longer than us..?
Anyway, my belief is that it takes more skill to play the beautiful game beautifully. It doesn’t come overnight. It takes time and commitment. And do you win them all, all the time if you’re more skilled? No, but ask anyone if they prefer to watch a Brazil even if they lose. Hell if Italy hadnt gotten under Zizou’s skin the whole world would’ve be talking about how France dominated that final!!! The only reason they lost was because FIFA hasn’t figured out that PK’s don’t determine the better team.
Rambling arent I
My point is skill is more attractive and wins more games. If you want people to start watching, show ‘em how it should be played. Invest in it and we’ll compete even more with the rest of the world which will give people even more reason to take notice. Play more attractive soccer domestically and people will watch. Hell I love this game and I have a hard time watching some of our games.
I swear, you Can play attractive soccer and win some with the added bonus of picking up some fans along the way! I should know I’m half French
… Just have to show up and play it dammit! Ireland might be a good time.
Allez les Bleus!!!
April 18th, 2010 at 4:22 am
hottttttt