So... it's time for me to start getting into MLS, to prepare myself for the coming of the Philadelphia Union (as my parochial tastes in sports so sadly dictate). When and how often does ESPN air MLS games? Who are the star players of the league? Who should we be hoping to land in the next amateur draft? Who might be available who is also useful in the expansion draft?

I played soccer for 6 or 7 years as a kid, so I'm familiar with the rules and like the sport. I just never had a rooting interest before. I must say, though, I'm loving the Philadelphia Union name/logo.

It's tough, to be honest. There's an "MLS Game of the Week" Thursday nights on ESPN/2 but it's more like every other week. There's always stuff on Saturdays on FSC but I'm usually not around to watch.

Fun players to watch would be Blanco on the Fire (dude pulled off the bunny hop a few weeks ago, it was ridiculous), Landon on the Galaxy obviously, Juan Pablo Angel (NY), Shalrie Joseph(NE, dude is awesome), Laurent Robert on Toronto, Schelotto for Columbus, the whole Chivas team is fun to watch imo even with Kljestan playing like crap lately, Gallardo for DC. Oh, and Montero for Seattle is just ridiculous.

As for the amateur draft, I have no clue. Philly should have a good blueprint for how to proceed with Seattle doing so well in their first year.

Houshphandzadeh wrote:It's tough, to be honest. There's an "MLS Game of the Week" Thursday nights on ESPN/2 but it's more like every other week. There's always stuff on Saturdays on FSC but I'm usually not around to watch.

Fun players to watch would be Blanco on the Fire (dude pulled off the bunny hop a few weeks ago, it was ridiculous), Landon on the Galaxy obviously, Juan Pablo Angel (NY), Shalrie Joseph(NE, dude is awesome), Laurent Robert on Toronto, Schelotto for Columbus, the whole Chivas team is fun to watch imo even with Kljestan playing like crap lately, Gallardo for DC. Oh, and Montero for Seattle is just ridiculous.

As for the amateur draft, I have no clue. Philly should have a good blueprint for how to proceed with Seattle doing so well in their first year.

Thanks for the primer. I will be going to the MLS website to check out everything, and I'll make an effort to take in some games this season.

mozartpc27 wrote:So... it's time for me to start getting into MLS, to prepare myself for the coming of the Philadelphia Union (as my parochial tastes in sports so sadly dictate). When and how often does ESPN air MLS games?

To add on what has been said, prior to 2009, ESPN2 carried a "game of the week" on Thur nights the past few years. This year, they decided to change it up and so games are on various days -- sometimes Thur night, sometimes Wed or Fri or Sat. The list of games is here. The next game is Thur May 28, but there's a bunch in June.

There's also national games every Sat night on Fox Soccer Channel. On Sunday afternoons, typically at 3pm, the Spanish language channel Telefutura carries MLS games (in Spanish, naturally). The above link also lists those games.

If you don't mind watching in Spanish, I'd also suggest catching the "SuperLiga" games starting in late June which feature MLS teams versus Mexican ones. It's a fairly new and kinda made up competition, but the games are typically intense and entertaining. The games are only carried on Telefutura, however.

I forgot that Gallardo isn't on DC anymore.

And I'll second that SuperLiga is awesome. Listening in Spanish can actually be kind of hilarious, especially the way they say Brian CHING$$$. I root for the MLS teams but I really, really like Pachuca, who happen to have US midfielder Torres.

SideshowBob wrote:

mozartpc27 wrote:So... it's time for me to start getting into MLS, to prepare myself for the coming of the Philadelphia Union (as my parochial tastes in sports so sadly dictate). When and how often does ESPN air MLS games?

To add on what has been said, prior to 2009, ESPN2 carried a "game of the week" on Thur nights the past few years. This year, they decided to change it up and so games are on various days -- sometimes Thur night, sometimes Wed or Fri or Sat. The list of games is here. The next game is Thur May 28, but there's a bunch in June.

There's also national games every Sat night on Fox Soccer Channel. On Sunday afternoons, typically at 3pm, the Spanish language channel Telefutura carries MLS games (in Spanish, naturally). The above link also lists those games.

If you don't mind watching in Spanish, I'd also suggest catching the "SuperLiga" games starting in late June which feature MLS teams versus Mexican ones. It's a fairly new and kinda made up competition, but the games are typically intense and entertaining. The games are only carried on Telefutura, however.

Thing is, I don't get the FOX Soccer Channel. I don't believe I get Telefutura either. But I will look for the ESPN games, and start reading the online news about the MLS. Gotta get myself ready somehow.

mozartpc27 wrote:Thing is, I don't get the FOX Soccer Channel. I don't believe I get Telefutura either. But I will look for the ESPN games, and start reading the online news about the MLS. Gotta get myself ready somehow.

Sure, that's an issue. Of course, Union games will be carried somewhere locally There is a Telefutura affiliate in Philly FWIW channel -- WFPA 28. I'm not sure whether cable providers and such are required to carry it, but you might have it and not know it. Here in DC (for example), we get the local Telefutura affiliate on basic Comcast.

I don't know if you have Comcast Mozart but the sports tier is totally worth the five bucks a month. FSC, GolTV (La Liga ftwwwwwwwwwwww), Fox Classic Sports (Charlie Ward ftwwwwwwwwwwwww), NFLN, etc.

Also, mozart, I highly recommend you start reading http://www.soccerbyives.net. Dude is a great reporter and it's an easy way to keep up with MLS and the US team.

sick free kick

1-0 kc

cue crickets

day of reckoning

5 minutes in and Colocinni has already been raped 3 times. No goals on him yet.

UNITED

Houshphandzadeh wrote:I don't know if you have Comcast Mozart but the sports tier is totally worth the five bucks a month. FSC, GolTV (La Liga ftwwwwwwwwwwww), Fox Classic Sports (Charlie Ward ftwwwwwwwwwwwww), NFLN, etc.

Does the sports tier come with the MLB Network? And do you have to have the "Digital Classic" package as a prerequisite? (i.e., channels above 100 but below 145 or so)

oh no

hull losing, newcastle losing, sunderland/chelsea no score

we got beat on a deflection from a distance

getting some good time in their territory, but no one is putting a good shot on goal (minus an oba header). looks like everyone is waiting for the perfect shot.

I am studiously avoiding radio and online scores today, opting for old school deferred gratification/misery when I watch MoTD tonight. Preferably just in time to see pieboy come on with 20 Minutes to go and score the winner for them that make'em.

a little urgency, please

newcastle relegated

didnt think id see the day that happened