Save the Wales

To say this season's FA Cup has been topsy-turvey would be an understatement. In English football's version of March Madness, Barnsley has done their best George Mason impression and have reached the last four by knocking off traditional powers Liverpool and Chelsea. With only one Premier League side left in the tournament (Portsmouth), the possibility that a European spot will go to a lower-division team is very real.

The winners of the FA Cup are granted a spot in the UEFA Cup.

Except....maybe they won't.

Another one of the last four to compete in the world's oldest knockout competition is Cardiff City. Yes, Cardiff is not in England, but rather in Wales. Wales (like Scotland and Northern Ireland) has their own league, but Cardiff plays in the English football pyramid because the Welsh league was not formed untill 1992. With no league to serve the club upon its founding in 1899, Cardiff City simply hopped the border and began play and developed rivalries with English sides.

Therein lies the dilemma for Cardiff. Financially strapped, the side could use an influx of cash that European competition would bring. But the FA of England will not grant them a spot because they are not an English team, and the Welsh FA will not grant them a spot because they are forbidden from competing in the League of Wales or the Welsh Cup (a sort of "back door" to Europe in the past for Cardiff).

This is not right. If Cardiff win the FA Cup, they should be given the right to test their mettle in Europe. Cardiff is the 9th-largest UK city competing in the English league system (Glasgow and Edinburgh furnish teams in the Scottish Premier League). If the FA wants to reap the television revenue and gate revenue from a team in a city like Cardiff, then they should be open to letting them take a spot in Europe should they play their way in, which Cardiff has certainly done. If they want the FA Cup to be an English-only cup, then kick Cardiff out. What is so difficult about this?

The US Open Cup is a competition that is only open to US teams, and since Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, and Vancouver Whitecaps are all based in Canada, they don't get to play. So they hold their own tournament (their version of the Welsh Cup, I guess) and use that as a route for qualifying to continental competitions.

Even AS Monaco FC, which is based in Monaco, gets to participate in the French league and cup, and have qualified for Europe, despite being from another country.

Let Cardiff in!!!!

Suggested Philadelphia MLS names

With today's announcement of the worst-kept secret in MLS, Philadelphia finally has a team. They'll begin play in 2010 at a brand-new soccer stadium in nearby Chester, PA. The team remains unnamed (The early favorite is Philadelphia Independence FC), but I've got some ideas.
Philadelphia Rockies
-Sure, Colorado's nine already have it, but it would make it a little less trite and cliched when they take the field to "Gonna Fly Now."



Following a Rocky theme, a name that was briefly bandied about for the name of the Houston club when they started up (now the Dynamo). The Philadelphia Apollos.

Philadelphia battery-chuckers
Philadelphia Santa-haters
Chester Molesters

The Supporters Bus Expansion Guide

With Philadelphia looking to come into MLS in 2010 (announcement coming Thursday), it appears that one of the main selling points was a ready-made fan base who had already travelled to hate on DC and New York, each only a two-hour drive away.

With that in mind, I'm throwing the money out the window, and picking the cities that would make the best expansion candidates solely based on the ease of fostering rivalries with traveling supporters. The precondition being that each city had to have at least two other clubs within an 9 hour drive of each other. I also imposed a restriction of at least having heard a rumor about expansion, or suggesting that the city would make a good MLS city. I added team names for authenticity, capped myself at a 24 team league, and did not count expansion cities as rivals within driving distance, although if all accepted, many of them would join the ranks. It's a very exciting time to be an MLS fan.

Detroit Rovers

This one may not be too far off. I've heard rumblings of something being put together, possibly renting out the Silverdome before a new stadium is built. Detroit coudl tap into a large suburban population as well as an ethnic population from the Middle East and Canada.

Nearest Rivals
Chicago Fire: 4.5 hours
Toronto FC: 4 hours
Columbus: 3.5 hours

Las Vegas Aces (Or Hearts! I slay me.)
Again, far off rumblings of a casino/stadium, but nothing really concrete yet. Could be difficult considering most people don't come to Vegas for the soccer, and it's not really a major media market, but it's smack in the middle of the Western Conference rivalry train, and who could resist a weekend in Vegas with a soccer game to boot?


Nearest Rivals:
Los Angeles: 4 hours
Chivas USA: 4 hours
San Jose: 8 hours
Salt Lake: 6 hours

New York City FC
Tossing around another expansion idea that has surfaced at least in the league's long-term plans, New York City does not have a team. If their stadium gets built in Queens it will be the first Major professional sports team in New York City in decades. It also sets up an obvious derby with Red Bull New York.


Nearest Rivals
Red Bull New York: 45 minutes
Philadelphia: 2.5 hours
New England: 3.5 hours
Toronto FC: 8.5 hours

Olympic Montreal CF (Olympique?)
Playing in a brand new stadium in the shadow of Olympic Stadium, Montreal seems a natural fit for a Canadian derby with Toronto FC, as well as other rivals throughout the Northeast. The political tension between Toronto (Canada's national team) and Montreal (Quebecois separatist team) could explode on the same level as Celtic-Rangers, Barcelona-Madrid, and other derbies where the game means much more than soccer.


Nearest Rivals
Toronto FC: 5.5 hours
New England: 6 hours
Red Bull New York:6 hours

St. Louis United (Stupid Archies)
Jeff Cooper's group appears to be next in line, but may have to ward of newcomers New York City, Montreal, and Miami to get it.


Nearest Rivals
Chicago Fire: 4.5 hours
Columbus: 6.5 hours
Kansas City: 4 hours

Tennessee Blues
With no major league sports in the summertime, Nashville would set the tone for MLS's Southern expansion without leaving a team geographically isolated, as a team in Atlanta or Miami would do. Blue and Orange as colors to appease the UT and Memphis fans.


Nearest Rivals
Columbus: 6 hours
Chicago: 7.5 hours

Oklahoma Wranglers
Yea, I ripped it off from the AFL team, but it's a solid name. Put the team in Oklahoma City, where there is no major sport in town outside of Oklahoma Football and the eventual Oklahoma SuperSonics.


Nearest Rivals
Kansas City: 5.5 hours
Dallas: 3 hours
Houston: 7 hours
Colorado: 9 hours if you speed

Milwaukee Barons
So Peter Wilt's stadium plan died. Milwaukee may still be able to support an MLS team if only to give them a reason to hate on Chicago. The Hiawatha would be a football special twice a year, and the Cheese curtain would be a formidable barrier for soccer fans.


Nearest Rivals
Chicago: 2 hours
Kansas City: 9 hours
Columbus: 7.5 hours
Toronto: 6 hours from Muskegon, MI, plus ferry across Lake Michigan.

By this point, MLS would be a 24 team league, enabling each team to play a home-away balanced schedule for a 46 game season. So a cut-off would probably be introduced at 22 teams, or some sort of promotion/relegation system set up for future expansion. If MLS decided to keep it at 24, and go with conferences anyway (conference foes twice, other conference once with alternating home advantage?)

WEST
Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles, Chivas USA, Las Vegas, Salt Lake, Colorado, Houston, Dallas, Oklahoma, Kansas City, St. Louis
EAST
Chicago, Milwaukee, Columbus, Detroit, Tennessee, Toronto, New York Red Bulls, New York City, Montreal, Philadelphia, DC United, New England

Last Four Out
Baltimore
Cleveland
Vancouver
San Diego

Wag of the Finger to our former Colonial Overlords

Yes, I know I haven't posted in months. Like soccer, law school has a way of consuming your life untill it reaches the point where you can't think about anything else. Unlike soccer, you do not get the dizzying highs, however, you also learn to recognize a blatant miscarriage of justice.

Manchester City had looked to sign Iraq international Nashat Akram during the winter transfer window in a move to help solidify a place in European competition next season. If the transfer went through, Akram would be the first Iraqi to play in the Premiership. However, Akram's work permit (issued by the British home office to non-European players) was rejected because Iraq is not in the top 70 countries in the world for soccer.

They are #72.

While this technicality may put Iraq south of an arbitrary line, keep in mind, that due to security fears and reprisals from terror groups and Saddam Hussein, Iraq has not played a "home" game in 20 years.

This did not stop the band of players from the war-torn country from winning the 2007 Asian Cup in Southeast Asia. A team of Shi'ites, Sunnis, and Kurds uniting as one team to take on all comers. Iraq defeated 2006 World Cup Finalists Australia, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia on their march to the title.

This did not stop the Iraqi team from winning the Gold Medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

An exception should be made in Akram's case. The Iraqi team has had to overcome more than any football team should be expected to do. What this decision smacks of is protectionism. England has the most popular league in the world, drawing in fans and players from all over the globe. What this has meant is an influx of foreign talent, and a dearth of opportunities for English players, a shortcoming that has seen itself reaped at the last two World Cups, where English teams were perceived as underachieving. Akram was a solid contributor and if allowed to play, could very well have led City to a European place, but he would have done so at the expense of an English player. (City has 8 on their roster, more than any other country).

City will try again during the summer transfer window, but Akram should be suiting up for the Sky Blues this season.

Last Minute Champions League Picks

And as such, not really thought out, more gut reactions.

Who and Why?
Group A: Liverpool and Porto
- Liverpool and Porto's European experience and good form to start the season coupled with the lack thereof from Besiktas and Marseilles.

Group B: Chelsea and Valencia
- Chelsea's star power overpowers Schalke's lackluster form starting domestic play (1-0-4) to take second place after Valencia takes the group. All teams should be over the moon to have drawn Norwegian champs Rosenborg.

Group C: Real Madrid and Olympiacos
Real Madrid are off to a lfying start domestically. Frankly, I don't feel that great about Werder Bremen or Lazio, it's a pretty lackluster group even with los Meringues, so I'm gonna pick Olimpiacos as my upset special.

Group D: AC Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk
Celtic may sneak in, but the holders are too powerful, and the group is too weak. Benfica has had an average start to the season (2-0-2) and will probably not make the knockout stages. Tuesday's Celtic-Shakhtar game in the Ukraine looms huge and will set the pace for second place behind the Rossoneri. Come on the Celts!

Group E: FC Barcelona and Rangers FC
As much as it pains me, Rangers have been near perfect domestically, and Ibrox is a fortress. I can see them running the table at home, and maybe pipping a few points off Stuttgart and Lyon away. Damarcus Beasley's game is more suited for the European competition than the knockdown-dragout SPL and he should blossom.

Group F: Manchester United and AS Roma
United has the star power, and Roma looks to make a serious run at the Italian title this season. Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kiev have all the makings of also-rans.

Group G: Internazionale and Fenerbahce
I got a good feeling about the Turks and Inter is always Inter. Not too high on CSKA Moscow (or Russian teams in general) and PSV.

Group H: Sevilla and Arsenal
Slavia Prague and Steaua Bucharest round out the group against the English powerhouse and the near-Spanish-Treble-winners (UEFA Cup, Spanish Cup, 3rd in Spanish League) winners from last season. Need I say more?

There Are No Words

Celtic are through to the Champions League!

AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!

It's become everyone's favorite time of year again. As summer turns to fall, the winds get colder and the race for the MLS Cup intensifies.

This year's MLS season has been perhaps the league's most exciting to watch since the inaugural season of 1996. However, heading into the final third (or less) of the 30-game slate, about 6 teams look certain to make the playoffs, with another on the cusp. That's 7 of 8 playoff spots accounted for. In the East, there is a clearly defined strata, and right now, that strata is 30 points. New England (42 pts) DC United (39 pts), Red Bull New York (33 pts), and Kansas City Wizards (32 points)* are just about sure to be in the playoffs when they roll around in six weeks or so. *= The Wizards are my "iffy" team, but they are still 5 points clear of their nearest rival (Columbus). In the West, the dichotomy is even stronger. Houston Dynamo (38 pts), FC Dallas (36 pts) and Chivas USA (33 pts) are top of the conference. Colorado Rapids are the closest lookers at 24 points.

It will be a fierce battle for the 8th and final spot, and I see it coming down to three teams. Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids, and Chicago Fire. Under MLS's new playoff format rules, the top two teams in each conference make the playoffs, followed by the next 6 teams pointwise regardless of conference. If the MLS Cup Playoffs started today, the pairings would be...

#1 New England vs. #8 (Columbus/Chicago/Colorado)
#2 Houston vs. #7 Kansas City
#3 DC United vs. #6 Red Bull New York
#4 FC Dallas vs. #5 Chivas USA

Chivas takes the 5 spot over RBNY because right now, they have matches in hand.

So how does the chase come down to the final three teams? What will determine how they will come out on top? Let's take a look.

Columbus Crew
(Through August 25, 6-7-9, 27 points, 4th place in the East)

Remaining Schedule
COLORADO, CHICAGO, @Kansas City, @Toronto, LOS ANGELES, FC DALLAS, @New England, @DC United.

Record vs. "The other two" Lost at Chicago 3-2 in June, Drew 0-0 at Chicago in August. Drew 0-0 at Colorado

Columbus is a young team that hasn't really been tested in playoff situations just yet. While their speed certainly makes them dangerous on the flanks, especially with the seemingly ageless Frankie Hejduk and bargain of the year Guillermo Barros Schelotto providing service, the Crew are not the patsy they have been the past few campaigns, but are not the league shakers they were in the early days of the league with Brian McBride and Brad Friedel. Columbus definitely controls their own destiny and at least 4 points against Fire and Colorado will go a long way to securing their postseason.

Chicago Fire
(7-9-5, 26 points, 5th place in the East)

Remaining Schedule: @New York, @ Columbus, NEW YORK, @FC Dallas, DC UNITED, @Chivas USA, NEW ENGLAND, @DC United, LOS ANGELES

Record vs. "The Other Two": Chicago drew at Colorado 1-1 in April, then 0-0 at Toyota Park in July. Fire beat Columbus 3-2 in June, and drew 0-0 in July, both matches at home.

Chicago technically doesn't control their destiny. They're behind on points, and it would really help should Columbus screw up down the stretch. However, the Fire have a match in hand on the Crew. That being said, it's a rough road. Only two of their remaining contests are against teams at the bottom of the pile. One of those games is against another team fighting for its playoff life, and the other is against David Beckham's traveling roadshow.

Mexican international Cuahtemoc Blanco has worked out in every way possible, scoring his second MLS goal in his 4th MLS game against KC on Saturday. With Justin Mapp and Chris Rolfe returning from injury, and new additions Paolo Wanchope and Wilman Conde should bolster the ranks. They're also hot, going undefeated in four of their last five. The backline however is VERY shaky, and Chris Armas and CJ Brown are showing their age. If the defense can keep the Fire in games long enough for Blanco, Wanchope, Rolfe, Mapp, and Carr to do their jobs, I like the Fire's chances. Of the three teams, they probably have the most talent. That September Fire-Crew game is HUGE in every sense of the word. The winner may not be in, but the loser will probably be out.

Colorado Rapids
(6-9-6, 24 pts, 4th place in the West)


Remaining Schedule: LOS ANGELES, @Columbus, @Los Angeles, CHIVAS USA, @Real Salt Lake, @New England, TORONTO FC, @Chivas USA, REAL SALT LAKE

Record against "The Other Two": Drew Chicago 1-1 in March at home, and 0-0 in Chicago in July. Drew Columbus 0-0 at home.

Colorado is in some deep shit, frankly. Of these three, I like their chances least. The team is in total chaos right now. Head Coach Fernando Clavijo may be on the chopping block. His job likely depends on the Rapids making the playoffs. Keeper Bouna Coundoul has a GAA of 1.19, but the Rapids as a team have only scored 20 goals in 21 matches, third-lowest in the league. They have little star power, little offensive firepower, and only have one game remaining against their playoff rivals Fire and Crew.

If there's one thing to save them, it's their schedule. While the Fire's schedule is packed with league-beaters, the Claret-and-blue is packed with patsies. Los Angeles twice, Real Salt Lake twice and Toronto FC. With that kind of schedule, if they can't make it work, they don't deserve to go to the playoffs.

I'm not making picks. Too bad.