It’s Not Easy Being Green

I just had a psychological breakthrough.  If you stop laughing, I’ll explain what I’m talking about.  I realised, as I was looking for a way to begin this article, that every time I write about Major League Soccer, I’m defending the league in some way.  Whether it’s the low salaries, the lack of major international talent, whatever, I’m always trying to rationalise what the league is doing, searching for ways to show that they measure up or fit in with the rest of the soccer world.

It’s not just me, either.  Plenty of North American soccer journalists do the same thing.  I can’t speak for their mental state, however, so we’ll stick to me.

Unlike in Hollywood, MLS has had to go it alone against the big boys

As a kid, my family moved around quite a bit.  I went to four grade schools and another three high schools.  The result was that I spent a good deal of time trying to fit in.  I was always the outsider, being picked on by the bigger and more popular kids.

That’s MLS’ problem, too.  Even though they’ve been around for fifteen years now, they’re still the new kid on the block.  The NFL and the NBA have both played well over fifty seasons and Major League Baseball and the NHL can trace their roots all the way back to the late nineteenth century.  Those leagues have been entertaining the American public for a very long time.  Traditions have been formed and precedents set.

Then one day, along comes this new league, saying it plays the world’s game.  As a marketing tactic, that’s not a very good one, given that most Americans could give a damn what the rest of the world thinks.  Ask any proud Yank and he’ll tell you, “We do things our own way here and anyone who doesn’t like it can make sure the door doesn’t hit them on the way out!”  (Can you say Tea Party?)

“Besides, what are these soccer guys doing out there on the field anyway?  Mostly, it seems like a bunch of standing around, knocking a ball back and forth, waiting for something to happen.  There’s already baseball for that and they, at least, have the good sense to stop playing every few minutes for a commercial. Not only does that make the advertisers happy but it gives a fella two minutes to get another beer or to empty his bladder real quick.  That may not be a problem over in Ingerlund but it’s pretty important around here, let me tell ya!”

As for those Americans who already were fans?  Well, MLS has to compete with the bigger leagues in Europe, Brazil and Argentina, all readily available on cable, for their attention.  Even in their own family, the league is the runt of the litter and has to endure the taunts of its older and more accomplished siblings, while fighting for every scrap at the table.

I can relate to that and, as I’ve  just  realised–cue the dulcet harps and bright shaft of sunlight piercing the clouds to bath me in its glow,– it’s probably why I’ve come to enjoy soccer more than other sports.  Similar to my own childhood experiences, the beautiful game has had to endure a long ‘ugly duckling’ stage, waiting to gain acceptance in the North American market.

MLS has had the intelligence and maturity to accept its place in the sporting landscape.  By no means do they look at it as permanent.  They just understand, that as latecomers to the party, who have brought tofu surprise instead of potato salad, it’s going to take some time before they’re thought of as one of the crowd.  So, unlike the NASL, who tried to buy their way into the hearts of the American sports fan, MLS has put its head down, determined to gradually and grudgingly earn the respect of the populace.

Keller is the man in Seattle...

The latest and most encouraging step has been the expansion of the Designated Player Rule, which has seen many teams, most notably the LA Galaxy and NY Red Bull sign some high profile talent, raising the level of competition within the league.  Last year, when the Seattle Sounders stepped up from Division II into MLS, they quickly made use of the DPR to couple their former US number one, Kasey Keller, with an established star and, surprisingly to everyone not within driving distance of Starbucks’ corporate headquarters, challenge the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake for supremacy in the Western Conference.

As American markets go, the Pacific Northwest is something of a newcomer to national prominence.  It’s always gone its own way.  Before coffee houses and grunge rock caught on, the city was mostly known for the seemingly endless rain.  The sporting culture there is not as pervasive as in many other regions.  Top flight baseball and football were very late in arriving, the NBA has left and the NHL seems content with its club in Vancouver.

In that relative vacuum, soccer has gained more of a foothold in the sporting conscience than in other parts of the country.  The Sounders were a power in the old NASL, twice making it to the Soccer Bowl, only to lose both times to the legendary New York Cosmos.  In the interim, before their reappearance in the top flight last season, the Sounders and other teams had thrived locally in lesser leagues. Thus, there was already a strong, hungry fanbase awaiting the club’s return to the big time.

...But the youngbloods have plenty of heart, too.

Led by former Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg, Keller and two young stars, the blazingly fast Steve Zakuani and the talented midfield wizard Fredy Montero, the club came charging out of the gates in their inaugral MLS season.  Guns blazing, they caught the rest of the nation by surprise and, especially early on, were the talk of the league.  As with the old Sounders, regular season success didn’t translate into the playoffs; they lost an eminently winnable tie in the conference semi-final, to Houston Dynamo 1-0, on aggregate.

The season was a success in other respects, however.  While plans for a soccer specific stadium  were underway, the club sold out every game, filling the lower bowl of the NFL Seahawk’s Qwest Field with 30,000+ for every match.  The triumph of that is even more notable when you consider that the present day version of the Cosmos, the Red Bulls, playing in the same stadium where their predecessors regularly enthralled 65,ooo rabid New Yorkers, were playing out the string, hopelessly locked in the league’s cellar, before less than 10,000 fans per match.

As often happens, though, the Sounders have suffered through a sophomore slump in 2010, currently languishing in sixth place in the west, out of the playoff picture.  The trouble started in the off-season, when the dark cloud of a lockout loomed over the league.  Seeking more control over their own destiny, players were taking a hard line in negotiating for both higher salaries and more freedom of movement.  Training camps opened with the negotiations still ongoing and the possibility of a delay to the season only too real.

When Ljungberg was panned by the Sounders...

In Seattle, one player was conspicuously absent from the workouts.  Freddie Ljungberg stayed away, actively seeking another club in Europe, in the event that the union and the league could not come to agreement.  When it became apparent that the parties would reach an eleventh hour agreement, Ljungberg announced he would “honour” his two year contract and, a few days later, reported to camp.  His prolonged absence drew the ire of manager Sigi Schmid and the veteran Keller, and the ruffled feathers never seemed to get smoothed over as the season unfolded.

When Ljungberg was in the lineup, he was productive but injuries limited his time and he was open about wanting a new challenge.  On either side of the World Cup break, the disharmony became more intense, Ljungberg’s form suffered and, even when apparently fully recovered and healthy, he was no longer an automatic first team choice.

...He moved on to the Fire.

Last week, after no major European sides expressed interest in a slowing, thirty-three year old winger, he was traded to the Chicago Fire, where he will be employed in central midfield.  It’s a good move for the Fire, as the Swede will hopefully complement new signing Nery Castillo and revitalise a potent Fire attack featuring the likes of Marco Pappa, Collins John and former Fulham and USA aerial specialist, Brian McBride.  At Qwest Field, that same role was already in the capable hands of a more youthful and inexpensive Fredy, the youngster Montero.

The Colombian was not left without support when Ljungberg moved on.  To complement Zakuani, the Sounders signed the muscular Swiss forward, Blaise n’Kufo, who joined the club after the World Cup.  As well, Uruguayan international Alvaro Fernandez is on the way, to partner with Montero.  Fernandez and Montero are both still in their early twenties and, if a chemistry develops between them, may power the Sounders for years to come.  N’Kufo, though, is north of thirty-five and a short term solution, at best.

In building around their latin midfielders, Seattle has two options.

They can go with youth and hope to bring along a young, inexperienced  partner for Zakuani.  Potential, however, is not a proven thing and often withers in the harsh light of top flight competition.  Not to mention that over the next two seasons, three new clubs, including regional rivals in Portland and Vancouver will be joining the league.  With the added competition for players and the obligatory expansion drafts, it will become harder to unearth and hold onto any diamonds in the rough.

The other route is to find another established star from abroad and sign him as a Designated Player.  Of course, given the issues that developed with Ljungberg, the Sounders will be wary if they choose to tread this path again.  They would want a player as well known for his work ethic and loyalty to club as for his skills on the pitch.  An especially pleasant bonus would be a strong cultural tie to a major portion of the local community.

Ichiro has, quietly and non-pharmaceutically, been the best player in baseball over the last decade.

Take a look at the Seattle Mariners, of baseball, to see what I’m talking about.  When they first entered the Major Leagues, they struggled, playing baseball in an aging indoor facility meant for grid-iron football.  Even when they built the baseball specific SafeCo Field and signed such stars as future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey, Jr and Alex Rodriguez, as well as perennial .300 hitter Edgar Martinez, they lacked a local identity.

Then came Ichiro Suzuki.  The best player in Japan, before coming to the majors, Ichiro took Seattle by storm and did so without any command of the English language.  The strong Asian community in the area embraced him and his dedication and success on the field took care of the rest.

MLS has or has had Landon Donovan, Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey, Alexei Lalas, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Rafa Marquez, Cuatehmoc Blanco, Carlos Valderrama and, of course, Ljungberg.  If you go back to the NASL, you can add the likes of Pele, Carlos Alberto, Franz Beckenbauer and George Best to that list.  That’s plenty of homegrown talent and international icons from Europe and South America but not one star from Asia.

At the moment, there are two players of note from the Orient that might enjoy great success in Seattle.

Honda could drive Seattle to the top but his destination may be a Champions League side.

The first is the Japanese central midfielder and master of the Jabulani, Keisuke Honda.  Currently plying his trade at CSKA Moscow, Honda is already used to playing a summer schedule.  At just 24, he has a long career ahead of him, as well.   His talent is still on the rise and that, unfortunately, may be a bad thing for the Sounders.  He’d likely be too pricey and not interested in coming to America before testing himself in at least one of the big four European Leagues.

The Korean may be a more realistic target and likely favourite of the fans, with his endless energy.

On the other hand, there’s Manchester United’s speedy winger, Park Ji-Sung.  He is largely recognised as being the greatest player to come out of Korea and his work rate is incredible, earning him the nickname “Park Third Lung.”  The South Korea number seven has just signed a three year extension at Old Trafford but his first team appearances have always been limited, a situation that isn’t likely to change.  Sir Alex Ferguson is also unhappy with the long international flights required for duties with the South Korean squad, which tend to inflame his star’s tender knees and leave him unavailable for selection for a time after his return to England.  A move to America might be accomplished next summer for a relatively cheap fee.

As Major League Soccer looks to grow and someday challenge the bigger kids, both of American sports and European and South American football, its western clubs should look across the Pacific, as well as the Atlantic when recruiting foreign talent.  Doing so can only help the league truly grow into its name and, in this regard at least, the Sounders are primed to lead the way.