Another MLS season

By Jonathan Feldman

I’ve been wrong before. I admit it. When readers sent some nasty emails about Eddie Johnson’s poor play in 2006, I defended the former U17 World Cup golden boot winner. I interviewed Eddie for GP in May 2007 and he was predicting a return to form and a stellar year. For a while I thought he just might make it.

But as most of us are aware by now, Johnson is still suffering from a lack of confidence. The signs are there - the dropped head, taking one touch too many. In spite of his failings though, Johnson provided the USA with something against Poland the team hasn’t had much since the loss of Brian McBride, physical strength up top. With Fulham Johnson has quickly learned how to back in and shield defenders as a target man.

Liverpool’s Bill Shankly once said “any pass that maintains possession is a good pass.” Although the finishing was poor, Johnson provided enough strength and speed to draw defenders out and open up space for more capable scorers like Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan.

The hype around Josmer Altidore is eerily similar to that surrounding EJ back in 2003. Both are strong, fast, and have scored plenty of goals at the youth level. I would say that Altidore is actually less polished than Johnson was in '03. Manchester United, Arsenal, and Real Madrid were interested in Johnson at some point. But we all know what rumors mean. Johnson’s play peaked the following year with a goal scoring streak in World Cup Qualifying. Major League Soccer prevented him from signing overseas the following two years. In response to mounting criticism, the league transferred the Florida native to Fulham last year.

So here we are again, this time with Jozy - a young star dying to play in Europe and a young league struggling to keep him. Unless Red Bull makes waves with attendance this year, Altidore will remain at the club this season and possibly next.

	How about Philadelphia Athletic?

The problem with Major League Soccer is that league officials do just enough to stop the bleeding. They don’t address the burning issues. Why should Altidore remain when he can make so much more in Europe and gain experience abroad? No answer. Why should fans become season ticket holders when they would rather buy tickets to see David Beckham once or twice a season? No answer.

Owners construct new soccer specific stadiums not for the fans but in order to tap into concert revenue. Last month Columbus Crew Stadium removed several thousand seats at one end of the field in order to erect an enormous concert stage. Sorry Janet Jackson still means more to Columbus natives than Eddie Gaven.

Surely it’s better than, watch your local Major League Soccer club at a minor league ballpark near you.

Kansas City fans deserve their current situation. How many years can a club struggle with attendance before owners finally decide to pull the plug? Overland Park development is a bad idea. Hopefully local lawmakers will see it that way as well. Prediction: The owners of the Wizards will eventually move the team to New York in and will play in Shea Stadium before building a stadium in Long Island in 2011. You heard it here first.

As for the expansion club that seems to be getting it right in Philly, how about Philadelphia Athletic? Not only is Athletic a common soccer club moniker, the name represents the city’s storied sporting past, when the Philadelphia Athletics won championships at Shibe Park, Major League Baseball’s first steel and concrete stadium. Philadelphia has a chance to get it right. It all starts with the name.

The opinions of Jonathan Feldman do not necessarily represent those of GreenPitch Magazine.

4/2/2008