Larentowicz speaks out

There is a great interview with Jeff Larentowicz at the Dos a Cero blog in which he answers a number of questions about his career and aspirations.  But it was the answer to the following question that made me stand up and applaud.  Well said Jeff.  Let's hope Mr. Garber reads this...

Having been taken in the Supplemental Draft yourself and gaining experience in the MLS reserve league, what are your feelings on the MLS abandoning both? Do you think it will enable young college players to try and make the team of their choice, or will it discourage and make it more difficult for them to break into MLS?


With the league cutting roster size and eliminating the reserve league it's going to be extremely difficult for young players to be given a proper chance in the MLS. If I had been a rookie at the start of this season I wouldn't have even been given the oppotunity, my career wouldn't exist. I think it's a shame because ultimately the league put the reserve division in place to foster the young talent (most usually American college grads) but neglected to follow up on creating an atmosphere of professionalism within those games to make it worth while. Speaking from my own experience, I showed up to those games and introduced myself to half of the players I'd be playing with that day because we had never met. We were forced to call in local players to help us fill roster spots which is incredibly unprofessional. It's really just a microcosm of the catch-22 that is the MLS. The people in charge and the public are looking for a high-quality product that will give our country legitimacy world-wide and draw foreign talent. But those at the top do not expand rosters to handle the "squad" needed to make a reserve league feasible, nor do they pay the players enough to say, "yeah it's ok to be on the reserve team for two years and develop as a player because you're financially stable which allows you to sharpen your game in the hopes of making it to the highest level within your organization". It's a giant ball of wax that (unfortunately was influenced by current world-wide economic climate) continues to move in the opposite direction. For the young players coming in now it's going to be tough, and for the hopeful, undiscovered talent in the college ranks the possibilities in the US just got a lot smaller.

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Cheerleaders?

http://blog.revolutionsoccer.net/?p=1789


Not quite, but these lovely ladies going out into Bars and trying to recruit a slightly different demographic...

The team’s newest marketing initiative, the Rev Girls will run promotions at games and nighttime events and make public appearances on behalf of the team.

Women interested in interviewing for a roster spot with the Rev Girls must be at least 21 years old, and must bring positive identification with them. Prospective team members must also wear form-fitting clothing to the interview, and also bring both a headshot and a full-body image. Successful candidates will also be available for the entire duration of the Revolution season – March through November

I can't believe the Revs are going in this direction. The hard core soccer fans are not at night clubs, but rather at the footy pubs on Saturday morning. Why not bring the coaches out to the pubs with some of the players the morning of a big game and have them interact with some real fans.

Khano swaps coasts...again

It being circulated around various sources (including SBI http://tinyurl.com/czjc6h) that KHANO SMITH will be joining the Red Bulls.

This is a disaster waiting to happen.

Remember when Andy Williams scored against the Revs in his return with Salt Lake? Imagine what Khano will do... score a goal, start a fight with either Big Red or Shalrie, get himself and Nicol ejected at the same time.

One thing is for sure, the Midnight Riders will relish the opportunity to give this guy his due.