And so it begins...

After languishing in boredom on Xanga, I've decided to give this a go.

In the past few weeks, various MLS (Major League Soccer) clubs have faced off against huge European clubs in what amount to meaningless friendlies. Well, they weren't always friendly and definitely not meaningless for MLS. While not much should be taken from the results, MLS did fare very respectably:

LA Galaxy 0: 2 Real Madrid
Chicago Fire 1: 3 AC Milan
D.C. United 1: Chelsea 2

Grahame Jones discusses the lessons the Galaxy ought to take from opponent Real Madrid


"It was a great game. We were in front of a team that had a lot of rhythm, was very fast and played a great soccer match. We came from a little more experience and even with a little bit of luck."

A.C. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti had only praise for a Chicago Fire team that very nearly dismantled the Champions League finalist.

Chelsea, with a payroll over one hundred times greater, edges D.C. United

While the Galaxy-Madrid game was somewhat forgettable (apparently the party afterwards was not) , the Chicago-Milan game was some of the most entertaining football I have ever seen played in the United States, and Chelsea-United fit somewhere in between the two. I was damn proud of MLS as I watched Samuel Caballero slide a silky smooth pass to Chad Barrett who nearly scored another goal for the Fire. Nothing made me prouder though than Bobby Boswell's (who makes around $30,000/year) header goal against $200 million Chelsea. It was the first goal of the game, but it spoke volumes about the determination of MLS players and how far the game has come in this country. (Highlight of all the games can be found here).

However, my passion for U.S. soccer and my love of MLS has been somewhat tempered this year by rumors of the relocation of my beloved San Jose Earthquakes. Conspiracy theories about over on BigSoccer, and fans have been left agonizing over the big questions: Is Soccer Silicon Valley going to come through for us? Is Televisa (Mexican television giant) still trying to buy our club? Would AEG (the company that currently owns and operates the Earthquakes) move us even if there is no new owner or stadium? It's a torturous wait, and one I hope no fans in the league ever have to go through again (although similar threats of relocation have hung over the heads of Kansas City Wizards fans). While I'm a fan of American soccer, and particularly of MLS, this has really made me question my allegiance to the league. No doubt I'll continue to watch the product and players that I love even if my team is moved, but it'll be damn hard for me to support a league that stood by while so many fans had to see their team move out.