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It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Title a bit deceiving, you say? No, I’m not stuck in a time warp taking me back to the holiday season. No, I’m not scrambling to do some last minute Christmas shopping. And no, the following content will not be based on looking forward to Christmas 2010. I’m simply stating my opinion, and presenting the case that this is unequivocally the best time of the year to be a sports fan. Opinions seem to be split; many people eagerly look to the fall, anticipating the start of College and Pro Football, Baseball Playoffs and NBA Training Camp. But for me, March is what it’s all about, and when you look a bit closer, it’s just the tip of the iceberg of what promises to be a fun-filled sports spring and summer.

In chronological order, as a sports fan, it’s time to get excited for:

-March Madness.

The NCAA Tourney is simply the best annual sporting event the yearly calendar contains. There is just nothing like it. And this year, a tremendous amount of local interest is creating a ton of buzz, as BYU and Utah State appear to be headed to the big dance, while Weber State currently sits in first place in the Big Sky, and could also join the Aggies and Cougars in the Tourney should they emerge victorious from their Conference Tournament. Added bonus? The NCAA West Regionals will be played here in Salt Lake City, so fans will be able to see the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight up close and personal at the Energy Solutions Arena.

-Real Salt Lake season opener.

RSL opens it’s defense of the 2009 MLS Cup on March 27th in San Jose. Once known as Major League Soccer’s “Lovable Losers”, Jason Kreis and his squad are standing at the top of the MLS heap after last season’s unforgettable post-season run, culminating with RSL’s coronation as the kings of American Soccer. Yes, it seems like only yesterday we were celebrating in Seattle, but the start of the 2010 season is just over three weeks away. The target on RSL’s back will be sizable; an unwanted but unavoidable burden that comes along with winning the trophy. Questions abound for the Utah side, as departed striker Yura Movsisyan, leaves a gaping hole up top, likely to be filled by the talented but oft-injured Argentinean play-maker, Fabian Espindola. Also gone is Clint Mathis, a main-stay in the RSL midfield a year ago. Ned Grabavoy and RSL original Andy Williams will be likely be counted on to sure-up Kreis’s starting 11 and fill-in for the departed Mathis.

-The NBA Playoffs.

Anyone who listens to the show knows that I am an NBA geek, and the Association’s annual post-season battle should be ripe with competitive action and intriguing story lines this year. And after running off a record of 19-4 in their last 23 games, The Utah Jazz appear poised to treat their fans to one, if not two rounds of playoff basketball. Depending on the match-ups and outcomes of the other playoff series in the western conference, it’s really not much of a stretch to say the Jazz could duplicate their ’07 playoff run into the Western Conference Finals. I believe the Jazz can handle any team in the west not named the Lakers, with the Nuggets also posing a stiff challenge. The collision course that appears unavoidable is a Lakers vs. Cavaliers final, pitting the two best players in the world against each other, as Lebron and Kobe would go head to head in would would surely be a finals for the ages.

-Major League Baseball

-A sport that has it’s detractors with the steroid era still ripe in everyone’s mind and the prospect of the sometimes monotonous 162 game schedule ahead, but for baseball purists and even casual baseball fans, pitchers and catchers and sprig training bring one thing Fall baseball does not: hope. Every team has a chance, every fan base has a reason for optimism…well, unless you’re the Royals. Star players have changed teams (most notable Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Jason Bay and John Lackey) while several teams shored up their rosters with smaller trades and signings. The Yankees and Red Sox appear, per usual, to lead the way in AL, with a new-look Mariner team and the always dangerous Angles nipping on their heals. In the NL, it appears to be the Phillies and everyone else, with the Cardinals and the Dodgers (maybe) pacing close behind.

-The World Cup

-Little known fact: more people in the United States, per capita, watched the 2006 World Cup in Germany than any other nation around the Globe. Unfortunately, they witnessed a disaster for the Americans, as Bruce Arena and the boys failed to advance out of group play, posting an 0-2-1 record while scoring just two goals. Fans here in the states are hoping for a performance this time around that would conjure up memories of the boys from 2002, when the U.S. made an improbable run to the quarterfinals. The upstarts opened the tournament by shocking Portugal 3-2, finishing 1-1-1 in pool play and continued on with a 2-0 win over Mexico in the round of 16, before a loss to Germans ended the memorable run. Locally, there could be added interest as Robbie Findley is considered to be an option to replace the injured Charlie Davies, though Davies has resumed training after a remarkable recovery following a tragic car accident. But no matter who Bob Bradley picks to round-out his roster, best believe that come June 12th, much of our nation will be eagerly tuned in for a dangerous but sexy opening round match with perennial soccer powerhouse, England.

So there you have it. Yes, the fall sports season is enjoyable and exciting. Yes, I realize the one sport that can do no wrong for most of America is not on this list (I guess I could mention the Blaze?). But for me, the beginning of March has always meant the start to the most exciting sports period of the year. And with all of the local story-lines to follow in the coming weeks and months surrounding the events outlined above, this spring/summer is sure to entertain and captivate. Now sit back and enjoy.

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Posted in BYU, MLB, MLS, NBA, RSL, U of U Basketball, Utah Jazz | 10 Comments »

A Soccer Thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Real Salt Lake are the 2009 MLS Cup Champions.

Wait…read that again.

Yes, ”lil old Real Salt Lake are the kings of United States Professional Soccer.

Over the weekend, the often criticized, but highly capable head coach of RSL, Jason Kreis, led his club to the highest honor Major League Soccer has to offer. He did it his way. He did it with his players. He laughed in the face of his critics (you know who you are) as RSL defeated the supposed “favorite” LA Galaxy, a team that features the best player in US history (Landon Donavon) and the World’s most famous soccer player/metro-sexual (David Beckham).

RSL completed it’s quest for the Cup via penalty kicks, conquering the mighty Galaxy by a score of 5-4, with defender Robbie Russel delivering the game winning tally, after Cup MVP Nick Rimando (once again) came up huge when the game was on the line.

As I pondered the five-year journey this organization has trekked since its inception, and the transformation the team has undergone since Kreis and General Manager Garth Lagerway took hold of the reigns, I was overcome with gratitude for many things. And we would all be remiss if, during this time of Thanksgiving, we didn’t offer our heart-felt and sincere appreciation to the following Major League Soccer teams:

1. To the Chicago Fire.

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Thank you for undervaluing Andy Williams. When Andy was left unprotected in the 2004 expansion draft, Steve Patorino and John Ellinger wasted no time in snatching up the Jamaican international with Real Salt Lake’s first selection, making the dynamic midfielder an RSL original. Andy has been a staple for the RSL organization, and remains the lone original player still toiling on the pitch for the team today. His late season resurgence was a key component in Real Salt Lake’s run to the cup, while his off-field battle regarding his angel wife, Marcia, is certainly the 2009 local sports story of the year.

The Fire organization also thought little of a Canadian International named Will Johnson. After a low-ball offer that could be considered nothing less as insulting to the young midfielder full of fire (pun intended) and promise, Johnson took his sizable skill-set to the Netherlands. RSL acquired his MLS rights by sending a supplemental 4th round draft pick to Chicago, as Johnson returned state-side last season. Since then, Will has been a mainstay in Jason Kreis’s midfield, appearing in the 2009 MLS All-Star Game and proving to be a defensive menace and an offensive threat every time his number is called.

2. To the LA Galaxy

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Not only were you the proverbial “favorites” (media machine creation, F.Y.I) who were supposed to win MLS Cup 2009 running away, but you also thought Clint Mathis had nothing left in the tank. After the RSL orIginal returned home from an abbreviated stint in Greece, the Galaxy shipped Clint back to the 801 in exchange for a 4th round supplemental draft pick. Last season, Clint emerged as a steadying influence in the RSL locker room, as the team made the Western Conference Finals. In 2009, Clint finished in the top 5 in all of MLS in assists, and shouldered the load in central midfield for over 100 minutes when Javier Morales went down with a sprained LCL in the Cup Final. Clint was also Jason’s first choice to step to the spot and take a penalty kick in Chicago and LA, setting the tone for the rest of the team as RSL emerged victorious on both occasions en route to the championship.

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Oh, and lest we forget, LA was also the original home for the all-time leading scorer in RSL history (and reigning golden boot winner) Robbie Findley. It was Findley’s goal in the 64th minute against the Galaxy that drew the “underdogs’” even, allowing RSL the chance to advance to extra time. Robbie’s classy penalty kick take was his 5th goal during the 2009 MLS playoff campaign, and his 17th on the season as a whole. Neatly gift-wrapped from LA, Findley is rapidly emerging as an elite MLS forward, and has to be considered a cornerstone which to build upon for the future.

3. To DC United

APTOPIX MLS Cup Real Salt Lake Galaxy Soccer

Remember when, in what now seems to be nothing more than a distant memory, RSL traded backup goalkeeper Jay Nolly for a prodigy, and the supposed future of United States soccer, Freddy Adu? The throw-in to that deal was an undersized goalkeeper thought to be past his prime named Nick Rimando. Need I elaborate? The 2009 MLS Cup MVP was traded by RSL, albeit momentarily, to New York following his acquisition from D.C. He was quickly re-aquired. The rest, as they say, is history. No single player was more important to the “cinderella” run of RSL to the Cup championship this season than the best ‘keeper in RSL history.

4. To the Colorado Rapids

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Okay, it’s one thing to be a doormat for RSL success, as Real Salt Lake has brought home the Rocky Mountain Cup at the expense of their MLS rivals for three straight seasons in dominating fashion. But a closer look reveals that the Rapids are basically Real Salt Lake’s developmental roster. RSL’s captain Kyle Beckerman, who is among the league’s most dominant holding midfielders, was acquired for Mhedi Ballouchy, while defender Chris Wingert was acquired by virtue of nothing more than a couple of draft picks. 2009 RSL MVP Nat Borchers, the only RSL player to start every single game this season, is also a Colorado cast-off. RSL supporters everywhere owe much to our little brothers from Denver.

5. And finally, to FC Dallas (or the Dallas Burn, at the time)

In 2004, the Dallas Burn boasted a striker who was the all-time leading goal scorer in MLS history. After nine seasons in Dallas, he had career totals of 91 goals and 65 assists. He was the first American-born player to be named MLS MVP, while leading his team in scoring five times; garnering five MLS-All-Star Selections.

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His name was Jason Kreis.

“They (Dallas) said I could stay if I took a 50% pay-cut. They told me they wanted to sign an international striker”, said Kries.

“I felt expendable”, he continued.

I guess one man’s mistake is another man’s good fortune, as Kreis was signed as Real Salt Lake’s first ever player in 2004. In 58 appearances, he scored 17 goals. But that isn’t the half of it.

In May of 2007, Kreis became the youngest head coach in MLS history, as he traded his cleats for a clipboard in mid-season. In two full years at the helm he has guided his club to a Western Conference Final, and, over the weekend, became the youngest coach in MLS history to win the coveted MLS Cup.

So let it be written that a rag tag bunch of cast-aways, a group of players and coaches nobody else wanted or believed in, are the make-up of the best team in Major League Soccer. And during the upcoming week, as we sit down amongst family and friends to give thanks for many things, let us not forget to thank the non-believers; the critics, the cynics and the holier-than-thous. Because without them (many of whom are listed above) RSL wouldn’t be where they are today: 2009 MLS Cup Champions.

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I Believe in Kreis

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Soccer fans are a rare breed. I have spent my entire life in and around professional sports. I can promise you, no sport contains fans that have the emotional attachment and personal investment towards their team that soccer fans seem to possess. Internationally, soccer is life. Stateside, it’s starting to move the needle, but still has a ways to go before it evens approaches the international game.

You think the black hole at the Coliseum where the Raiders play is dangerous? Try watching a match in Columbia when the national team plays. The country has seen a player, an executive and a referee murdered because of the outcome of soccer matches. Yes, murdered. As in shot. As in six-feet under. As in, our team lost, and someone deserves to die as a result.

Head to a match at Upton Park where West Ham plays, or White Hart Lane where the Tottenham Spurs call home. Winning isn’t the primary objective. Getting back to your flat with your extremities in place is the main goal. The “Hooligans” in England are alive and well. Google “Millwall and West Ham fight“, then sit back and enjoy. Or be disturbed. Soccer is much more than a game to these people. There’s something about the sport; the culture, that breeds lunatic behavior.

To draw a parallel here, imagine what would happen stateside if fans of the Lakers and the Jazz rioted outside the ESA after a game. Imagine if a player from either side was shot and killed for missing the game-winning shot, or turning the ball over at an inopportune time. Imagine if a team executive from either side was murdered for a poor draft pick (we would be out of NBA General Managers if this was the case). Imagine if an NBA official was killed for blowing a last second call (generations of officials would be dead by now). These images are not uncommon among international soccer fans, but entirely foreign and completely terrifying for those of us raised on the meat and potatoes of American sport.

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Jason Kreis is the head coach of Real Salt Lake. Technically, he is in his third season as the team’s manager, but he is in the latter part of his second full season at the helm. After what can only be only described as an abysmal performance over the weekend in Dallas when former RSL striker Jeff Cunningham tallied twice to lead his team to a 3-0 drubbing of RSL, Kreis’s team sits four points out of a playoff spot with three games to play, boasting a record of 9-11-7. Realistically, it would take nothing short of a miracle for RSL to reach the post-season; a disappointment after last year’s magical run to the Western Conference finals when Real Salt Lake came within a whisker of reaching the MLS Cup Final.

Over the last week, my in-box has been inundated with e-mails calling for Jason’s job. We receive inquiries daily on KALL 700 Sports about Jason’s job security, or lack thereof. As I said, soccer fans are passionate. They live and die with the success or failure of their team.

So to all of you naysayers out there who believe that Jason should be fired, for all of you “fans” who believe you know better, for all of you supporters who believe the time for a change has come, I say this:

I believe in Kreis.

I’m not writing this article as an apology letter for the failings of the RSL front office. That, perhaps, is a different topic for a different day. I’m not writing to make excuses for poor decision making by certain members of the RSL staff who stubbornly believe they know better, for no discernible reason other than their own ego. But RSL supporters should know that the shortcomings of some are obvious to everyone. Do I believe the fans deserve better? Yes, I do. But long ago, I learned that you can’t worry about things that are out of your control. I’m simply writing this article to offer my personal opinion that Jason Kreis has all the makings of a talented and successful coach. And for what it’s worth, it’s my hope that he remains the head man at RSL for years to come.

Truly great head coaches in every sport have rather consistent personality traits. They are over-achievers. They are tireless workers. They are passionate. They are stubborn, even to the point of mild insanity. They have a timeless approach to the game, while maintaining the ability to communicate with the modern-day athlete (a dynamic that is unequivocally complicated).

Jason Kreis is an over-achiever. Kreis was a 5th-round draft pick out of Duke University. A mid-fielder by trade, he converted to striker. All he did after that was score more goals than any player in MLS history.

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Jason Kreis is a tireless worker. Since taking over as RSL Manager, he has transformed the culture at Real Salt Lake from “lovable losers” to a team that expects to win every time they step on the field. Only RSL fans and front-office staff who have been here since day one can truly attest to the mentality change that has occurred over the last two years. Kreis’s roster-overhaul includes the acquisitions  of Defenders Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Chris Wingert, Tony Beltran and Robbie Russell. Midfielders Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, Will Johnson are also Kreis acquisitions, as are strikers Fabian Espindola, Yura Movsisyan, and Robbie Findley. Say what you want about Clint Mathis, but RSL does not reach the post-season a year ago without Jason reacquiring Clint. Mathis also leads RSL with seven assists on the season in 2009.

Jason Kreis is passionate. I’m sure his wife Kim could attest to the passion Jason has for the success of the RSL organization, and the tireless hours he has tallied with the progress of the team as his sole endeavor. Jason Kreis is RSL. Everything he does is with the best interest of his team in mind. Since the day Jason was signed by Steve Pastorino as the first player in team history, he has wanted nothing more than to see this soccer club excel. This I can personally attest to.

Jason Kreis is stubborn, and maybe just a little bit crazy. Just watch an RSL match in person or on television. I’m not sure how surprised I would be If Jason’s head literally exploded from frustration, or jubilation. His intensity and attention to detail is borderline obsessive. And for a head coach, this is not a bad thing.

Lastly, Jason believes in coaching soccer in a classic sense, while maintaining the ability to relate to his players. Jason has played for and with some of the finest soccer minds this country has ever seen. He communicates with coaches who have gone before him. He continues to study and learn the game, even at this stage of his soccer development. A man who’s soccer resume boasts countless accomplishments, Jason is never one to rest on his laurels. His players would fall on a sword for him, as Kreis seems to have found the balance between disciplinarian and trusted confidant. Too much of one or the other has historically proven to be the demise of many coaches.

He will continue to evolve, he will continue to improve, because that’s the kind of coach he is. More importantly, that’s the kind of person he is. And even if his team fails to make the post season, even if all of the pre-mature pre-season expectations do not come to fruition in 2009?

I still believe in Kreis.

MLS Red Bulls Real Salt Lake Soccer

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August Rush

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

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Well, it’s officially August, and sports fans out there all know what that means.

College football is here.

No, the game schedule doesn’t start for another month or so, but camp opens within the next few days. For several different reasons, that’s more than enough to get sports talking heads like me excited.

During the drab “dog days” of summer, baseball is just past the halfway point of it’s ridiculous and monotonous 162 game schedule, and marred in yet another steroid scandal (Pig Papi and Man Ram from the Boston Red Sox being the latest players implicated). The MLS AlL-Star hangover has subsided following last weeks incredible event at Rio Tinto stadium, where the real winner was the game of soccer (even though Everton FC was technically declared the winner via penalty kicks. Tim Howard was just too good). We will watch closely to see if Jason Kreis’s side is up for the challenge down the stretch, as a playoff birth is far from secured.

But, for today at least, soccer and baseball must be put to rest. The anticipation of another incredible local college football season is upon us, and those magical early fall Saturday mornings are rapidly approaching. The mornings when you wake up to that crisp, cool fall breeze with only football and the logistics/anticipation of tailgating on your mind. Life seems to stand still, if only for a brief moment.

Go ahead, let that thought sink in for a moment…every football fan knows exactly what I’m talking about, as few things in life are better than those mornings, also known as “Gameday.”

Kyle Whittingham’s Utes would have to pull off nothing short of a miracle to duplicate last season’s incredible 13-0 run, which included what is probably the biggest victory in the history of any team in the Mountain West Conference, a 31-17 drubbing of SEC powerhouse Alabama in the Sugarbowl, played in New Orleans, the heart of SEC country.

Lady luck was also on the Utes side last season, as TCU (clearly the second best team in MWC conference last year) clanked a couple of chip shot field goals (courtesy of the embattled Ross Evans) in the games waning moments on November 6th at Rice-Eccles Stadium, allowing Brian Johnson to lead his offense down the field with startling efficiency, culminating in the game-winning touchdown pass to Freddie Brown with under a minute to play. Thousands of Ute fans had already left the stadium, resigned to inevitable defeat. I was one of them.

While that game may have been the most dramatic and the most memorable of the Utes near death experiences, Ute fans will also undoubtably recall the hard fought victories that could have gone either way against Michigan (25-23) Air Force (30-23) Oregon State (31-28) and New Mexico (13-10). Yes, the Utes were very good last season, yes they won when the chips were down and defeat seemed inevitable, but this was not the Utah team of 2004 who ran over, around and through opponents while never seriously being challenged (closest margin of victory: 14 points). The 2008 Utah football team was more of a blue collar, fight and claw for every yard, hit the other guy in mouth first type team that relied on a durable and dominant defense to carry what can only be considered a potent-at times, but unpredictable and inconsistent offense.

The Utes also had the advantage of playing host to BYU and the aforementioned TCU Horned Frogs in 2008; clearly the other two teams who (along with Utah) make up the MWC “Big 3″.

This year? The Utes hit the road for both contests.

Gary Patterson and his All-Universe Defensive End, Jerry Hughes boast the country’s best defense from a year ago, while Andy Dalton, TCU’s solid but unspectacular Quarterback lead an efficient offensive that make TCU the pre-season favorite to win the MWC. The Horned Frogs will undoubtably have November 6th, 2008 on their mind this season when the Ute train rolls into town on November 14th for a huge in-conference contest.

Bronco Mendehall, Max Hall, Dennis Pitta and Harvey Unga await with revenge on the mind as the Cougars and their dangerous offensive attack welcome the Utes into “Happy Valley” (or “Cougartown”) on November 28th for the season finale. No word on what sort of “Quest” the Cougs will be on this season, but you can bet they’ll be “Fully Invested” for this season’s chapter of the storied “Holy War.” And if Max Hall doesn’t throw six interceptions, I have to say I like their chances.

Yes the 2008 Utah football team was good, but they had a few breaks along the way. However, typically when a team does something as special as what the Utes were able to accomplish last year, the ball has to bounce your way a few times, it just does. Skill, talent and hard work only get you so far, because the margin for error is so thin. For a perfect season to be completed, the stars often time must be aligned. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good…but guess what? In sports, you also have to be good to get lucky. And the Utes were both last season. The coaches were meticulous with their game planning and preparation, the players bought into the system and the philosophy, the offensive execution was mostly there (especially when it had to be), the kicker was a king, and the defense was dominant…and the football Gods did their part as well.

An unforgettable season to say the least, but one that will be very difficult to duplicate in 2009. But the beauty of August? Every team is undefeated; every team is full of hope. And as sports drag amidst the “dog days” of summer, it sure is exciting for me to talk about.

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MLS All-Star Game: Beckham Omission a Big-Time Blunder

Monday, July 27th, 2009

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He’s not the best player in the world. That honor goes to either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi (and there isn’t a wrong answer).

He’s not the best player on his national team. Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard rank ahead of him in England.

Heck, he’s not even the best player on his MLS team. Most soccer experts would tell you Landon Donavan is superior. In fact, this morning I sent text messages to four people who have taught me the nuances of this game over the last few years, and who’s soccer opinions I value more than any other. These men are Jason Kreis (RSL head coach) Garth Lagerway (RSL GM) Brian Dunseth (10-year MLS veteran, FSC and RSL color commentator) and Trey Fitz-Gerald (RSL Sr. Director of Broadcasting, has been a part of MLS for over a decade). I asked them all the same question: “Off the top of your head, who is the best player in Major League Soccer?” Surprisingly, their answers were unanimous:

Kreis: “Taking my guys off the table, it’s Landon Donavon.”

Garth: “Landon Donavon, no question”

Dunny: “Landon”

Trey: “Landon Donavan”

But David Beckham is, far and away, the most recognizable name and face that Major League Soccer has to offer. His rank in the hierarchy of MLS players is entirely irrelevant for our purposes here. When David Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007 for a reported 5 years, $250 million (a number highly inflated that was based on projected, not actual earnings…his player salary with the Galaxy is closer to $6 million per year) he boldly proclaimed that he was committed to growing the game of soccer in the United States and he would do whatever he had to do to add to the credibility of a league constantly fighting for respect. He said he was here to stay. He said he wanted to win, and win with the Galaxy. He sad he wanted to show the rest of the world that America was a growing soccer nation, and he wanted to lead the charge into the new generation; a generation where soccer would, at long last, become a mainstream sport in this country.

He lied.

In Beckham’s defense, when he came to America, Steve McClaren, the English National Team manager at the time, had all but told him that his playing days with the national team were over. But when McClaren was fired, Fabio Capello (Beckham’s former Manager at Real Madrid) was hired as a replacement.  Capello felt that having a player with Beckham’s pedigree, experience and skill (yes, he can still play) would benefit England as they prepared for the world cup. So he gave David a second chance; new life with the national team, which understandably is Beckham’s first priority. David enjoyed much success with Manchester United and Real Madrid, but his failure to lead his native nation to a World Cup title (or even a final or a semi-final for that matter) haunts Beckham to this very day. England is a soccer obsessed, world cup starved nation. If Beckham was part of a team that brought the trophy home, his place in England soccer lore would be secure, and he knows it.  It’s the one glaring omission from his otherwise sparkling soccer resume.

“Although David is not the player he once was, he still changes the dynamic of a game the moment he steps on the field with his passing ability, and his set-piece prowess”, Dunny said. “Some of his speed is gone, but his knowledge and feel for the game is still very, very special.”

Capello more or less gave Beckham an ultimatum that he needed to play at the highest level of soccer on a consistent basis in order to be considered for a roster spot on the England National Team for the 2010 World Cup, and David felt that playing in MLS wouldn’t do the job, if for no other reason than MLS’s off-season is littered with world cup qualifiers for England. So he arranged for a loan to the Italian super club, AC Milan, and insisted that the loan be extended to the end of the Seria A season, more or less ignoring the demands of MLS Commissioner Don Garber that he return to the states in time for the start of the MLS season in March. Beckham finished the season with Milan and flourished. And as a result, Capello called him in for multiple WC qualifiers with England, where he also played very well, and is now a serious option for Capello moving towards South Africa in 2010. Good for David.

But he still lied when he came out with what now can be considered nothing more than useless rhetoric about loving America, his desire to be a part of this league, building the game in the states, blah blah blah. And you know what? He’s most likely going to leave when he exercises the opt out clause in his contract at the end of the season. Another mistake by MLS. If this guy really wanted to come to America, if he really wanted to do his part in adding attention and credibility to MLS, then the league should have taken him at his word and made him follow through. Don’t allow him to leave for Milan, don’t allow him an opt-out in his contract, make him put his money where his mouth is.

But they didn’t, so Beckham is calling the shots. My guess is, after the end of the season, he’s as good as gone. But he’s here for now, and upon his return from Italy a couple of weeks ago, his face was everywhere once again. He hit the talk show circuit, had dozens of pictures in every gossip/celebrity magazine available, and made a not-so-glorious return to the pitch in front of a near capacity crowd at Giants stadium. Every time he touched the ball, flashbulbs lit up the night sky like a fireworks display. The guy moves the needle, bottom line. Quite frankly, he is the only player in MLS that a novice or non-sports fan would pay to see. If he is really leaving, then MLS has one more season (now more than half-way completed) to use him as exposure for the league. The All-Star game was the perfect chance. And for some unexplainable reason, MLS chose to leave Beckham out. There is no excuse or rationale that MLS is selling that justifies leaving Beckham off the roster. I know he has only been on the field twice in league play for the Galaxy, I know other players deserve to be on the team from a on-field standpoint, but for a league that, at this point, needs attention, exposure and fiscal stability more so than on-field credibility, Beckhams omission is a big-time blunder.

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The Javi and Kyle Show

Monday, July 20th, 2009

One is the spice, the other, the sizzle. One is a highly skilled Argentinean who can change the game in an instant with a pinpoint pass, well struck set piece, or a world class goal. The other is a tireless midfielder with the ability to track back on defense and execute a perfectly timed tackle to break up the opposing teams attack, or push forward and blast a tally from long distance.

One is Javi Morales.

Javi Morales

The other is Kyle Beckerman.

Kyle Beckerman

Together, they have become known as “The Javi and Kyle Show”, and they are the main catalysts for the success (or lack thereof) for Real Salt Lake. When they are on the field working together, playing off one another at the highest level, RSL is among the MLS elite. If they’re not…well, RSL is not.

When Jason Kreis took over as RSL head coach in May of 2007, it was obvious to him that even if the team maximized their efforts, one minor problem would remain: they just weren’t good enough. So the tireless Kreis, who finished his playing career as MLS’s all-time leading goal scorer, went to work on a massive roster overhaul. Arguably his best acquisition to date has been the dynamic Morales, who Kreis saw on several highlight and full match DVD’s, before flying down to Argentina to meet the midfielder face to face.

“I saw it in his eyes”, said Kreis. “He was born to play soccer, and he is a natural competitor. His skill alone made him an attractive player for us, but the look in his eyes when I sat down with him made me believe he could be something special; someone who could make a lasting difference for us for a very long time.”

So far, so good.

Injuries limited Javi to only seven appearances in 2007, but his 2008 breakout campaign included six goals, and 15 assists, while leading RSL to the team’s first ever post season appearance and a trip to the western conference finals. His 15 helpers were second in all of MLS to only Guillermo Barros Schelotto, last season’s MLS MVP. Javi became the attacking player on RSL’s roster who opposing coaches were forced to formulate their game plan around in an effort to at least contain him. More often than not, the game plan just didn’t work. Javi was able to slice up opposing defenses unlike any player ever to don the RSL kit. It was a joy to watch.

“Simply put, Javi possess one of the best soccer brains I have ever been around”, concluded Kreis.

Kyle Beckerman is only 26 years old, but is currently in the midst of his 10th MLS campaign. At first glance, it appears that Jason plucked him off a beach in Costa Rica. His flowing dreadlocks and full-time half-beard give him the vibe of a laid back, Jah loving Rastafari. but from the day he was acquired in exchange for Mehdi Ballochy (via RSL’s Rocky Mountain Cup Rival, the Colorado Rapids) it has been Kyle’s bite, grit, work and determination that has endeared him to fans, and, in my opinion, made him RSL’s most valuable player. I have personal favorites (Clint Mathis) and sentimental favorites (Andy Williams), but for me, Kyle is the player that dictates the flow and physicality of the game for RSL. When he is gone, there is a tangible on-field difference.

“He’s a leader”, said Kreis. “I believe that best case scenario is having a midfielder as your captain; Kyle is the perfect choice. The first game we gave him the armband, our team improved on several different levels. Kyle’s game improved from a personal standpoint; he took the responsibility very seriously. But of equal importance to me was the way the rest of the guys responded to Kyle as the captain, and they all responded very well.”

“I don’t know that there is another player in the league that has the combination of intangibles that Kyle possesses”, Kreis continued. “He is always on the move; I can count on him to track back and defend, and then I’ll turn around and he’ll be in the mix to score a goal or create an opportunity for his teammates. His bite, his ball-winning ability and his passion for the game of soccer took our midfield to a whole new level, from the first day he stepped on the field.”

The MLS All-Stars take on Everton FC of the English Premiere League July 29th at Rio Tinto Stadium. Tickets are still available HERE. The Javi and Kyle Show, typically an exclusive performance for the eyes of RSL fans only, will be on display for an international audience that day, as both of these two players were recently selected to the All-Star Team. Salt Lake is a soccer savvy market; always has been. For those of you who want to see the game played at an level that supersedes say, RSL v Toronto FC, I highly recommend coming to the game. You will be a part of history, as Rio Tinto hosts it’s first ever All-Star Game, and it’s first ever EPL team.

Oh, and you will still have the pleasure of viewing the “Javi and Kyle Show”, up close and personal.

Questions? Comment? I welcome any and all feedback at spencer@kall700sports.com

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