Zidane to Chicago?

[Flash Tizzle]

I was browsing Chicago Sports.com earlier and came upon this blub referencing a Washington Post blog. Apparently, if we are to believe his sources, a decision could come by Monday. This would be absolutely huge for American soccer; the Fire in particular. Hell, if this pipe dream were to occur, I may actually be interested in the games when I'm working at Toyota Park.

 

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsid...to_chicago.html

 

More recent update suggests Chicago Fire coach Dave Sarachan doesn't believe anything is close.

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....han_on_zid.html

 

Any thoughts from the more knowledgable soccer fans?

[dasox24]

Wow, that would be absolutely huge. I haven't heard anything about this, but my guess would be that it doesn't happen. But, if it does, it would be awesome!

[DBAHO]

He'd only be doing it for 1 reason. $$$$.

[EvilJester99]

He sees the money Beckham just got and is looking for the same. IMO

[shipps]

I would really start to watch MLS if the Fire were to land a big name,even though Zidane's best years are behind him.

[SoxFan1]

I don't see Zidane coming out of retirement to come to the MLS. That would out a big asterisk next to his legacy. Like shipps said, his best years are behind him.

 

If he does sign, I would truly feel sorry for him and for the sport in general. If it's going to come down to dishing out all sorts of millions just to get some names, then it takes a lot away from the tradition and history of the sport.

Edited February 17, 2007 by SoxFan1

[danman31]

I don't see Zidane coming out of retirement to come to the MLS. That would out a big asterisk next to his legacy. Like shipps said, his best years are behind him.

 

If he does sign, I would truly feel sorry for him and for the sport in general. If it's going to come down to dishing out all sorts of millions just to get some names, then it takes a lot away from the tradition and history of the sport.

Yeah? It wouldn't be the first time and it's not like the sport doesn't have black eyes in more important things (fan riots, Italy just recently). Stop being a soccer elitist. Seriously. I know we've had this argument before, but c'mon it's not going to mean s*** to the rest of the world if he goes to MLS. Guys end their careers in the Middle East and it's the same idea. They play in a lesser league to end their careers with more money.

 

That said I wouldn't want Zidane on the Fire after his run in at the World Cup.

[CWSGuy406]

As a casual fan, I'd love to see this. Yes, I understand that these guys are past their primes, but still, I'd rather watch "superstars" on the decline than 'mediocre' players on the rise. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way...

[Milkman delivers]

I don't see Zidane coming out of retirement to come to the MLS. That would out a big asterisk next to his legacy. Like shipps said, his best years are behind him.

 

If he does sign, I would truly feel sorry for him and for the sport in general. If it's going to come down to dishing out all sorts of millions just to get some names, then it takes a lot away from the tradition and history of the sport.

 

Tradition and history apparently aren't drawing fans. It's a business.

[SoxFan1]

Yeah? It wouldn't be the first time and it's not like the sport doesn't have black eyes in more important things (fan riots, Italy just recently). Stop being a soccer elitist. Seriously. I know we've had this argument before, but c'mon it's not going to mean s*** to the rest of the world if he goes to MLS. Guys end their careers in the Middle East and it's the same idea. They play in a lesser league to end their careers with more money.

 

That said I wouldn't want Zidane on the Fire after his run in at the World Cup.

You've got to be kidding me. Fan riots? Seriously, you're complaining about hooliganism? That IS a part of soccer in every country but the US. Riots and fights happen...soccer fans are passionate about their teams. In most cases, it's not always just about the sport. It's about pride, history, and what their teams stand for and represent. And as far as the "black eye" that is the match-fixing scandal in Italy, that is similar to the steroids issue in baseball. For the most part, it's been over with and forgotten.

 

You saying it doesnt mean s*** is the same as saying 1 person doesnt have a greater impact on a big issue. Beckham starts the trend, Zidane follows, then it just becomes a joke. And if it does continue, well, then leave it to the US to f*** something good up.

 

Tradition and history apparently aren't drawing fans. It's a business.

Drawing fans where? In the US? I've never seen a 20,000 fan crowd at Nou Camp or San Siro or at Old Trafford...

[danman31]

You saying it doesnt mean s*** is the same as saying 1 person doesnt have a greater impact on a big issue. Beckham starts the trend, Zidane follows, then it just becomes a joke. And if it does continue, well, then leave it to the US to f*** something good up.

Drawing fans where? In the US? I've never seen a 20,000 fan crowd at Nou Camp or San Siro or at Old Trafford...

Thanks for the ignoring the point that it already happens. Gabriel Batistuta went to I believe Qatar or UAE to finish his career. He was on his way out and got more money there instead of gradually moving back down the ranks of European leagues.

 

I don't get why you are so against the US trying to put something together. They are trying to put a 2nd tier European league together down the road and you are comparing them to first tier leagues now. Stop hating so much.

[SoxFan1]

Thanks for the ignoring the point that it already happens. Gabriel Batistuta went to I believe Qatar or UAE to finish his career. He was on his way out and got more money there instead of gradually moving back down the ranks of European leagues.

 

I don't get why you are so against the US trying to put something together. They are trying to put a 2nd tier European league together down the road and you are comparing them to first tier leagues now. Stop hating so much.

Your talking about Batistuta or Okocha or Borgetti going to the Middle-East, but they still aren't getting the money (not even close) to what the MLS is dishing out. Most of the players go there because other top-tier teams don't want to take a chance on them or because they want to be the main guy for 1 year and retire. Borgetti and Okocha left Bolton because they didn't want them anymore. Borgetti didn't get big money...thats why he plays for Cruz Azul now. The only player I can thnk of that went mainly for the money is Figo. Al-Aittihad offered him the biggest contract in Arab history.

 

Even if they do go for the money, they aren't getting the attention they would get in the US. If their goal is to take the Cubs approach (f*** winning, lets spend and get people to watch) then good for them. But if their trying to improve the league and actually make it worth watching, then they are failing horribly.

 

And as far as compring it to a top tier league, fine then...I'll compare it to the 2nd league in England. Sunderland still gets 40,000+ per match, Southhampton gets 30,000+, Leeds gets 30,000+, Derby gets 30,000+, Sheffield gets up to 40,000. Like I said, everywhere else in the world, it's about passion, tradition, history, pride, etc. In the US, no one gives a s*** about football. Look at who goes to the games...Mexican immigrants, Polish immigrants...

Edited February 18, 2007 by SoxFan1

[danman31]

And as far as compring it to a top tier league, fine then...I'll compare it to the 2nd league in England. Sunderland still gets 40,000+ per match, Southhampton gets 30,000+, Leeds gets 30,000+, Derby gets 30,000+, Sheffield gets up to 40,000. Like I said, everywhere else in the world, it's about passion, tradition, history, pride, etc. In the US, no one gives a s*** about football. Look at who goes to the games...Mexican immigrants, Polish immigrants...

First of all I said MLS is trying to become a 2nd tier league, they obviously aren't there yet. Again, way to read buddy. Second of all your numbers aren't very accurate. I took a look at ESPN Soccernet's attendances and the numbers are roughly in this area, significantly lower than you advertised. Sunderland is averaging 30k. Southhampton is averaging low-mid 20s. Leeds is averaging under 20k. Derby is averaging low-mid 20s. Sheff Wed is averaging mid-high 20s. Those numbers seem attainable down the road.

[Milkman delivers]

Your talking about Batistuta or Okocha or Borgetti going to the Middle-East, but they still aren't getting the money (not even close) to what the MLS is dishing out. Most of the players go there because other top-tier teams don't want to take a chance on them or because they want to be the main guy for 1 year and retire. Borgetti and Okocha left Bolton because they didn't want them anymore. Borgetti didn't get big money...thats why he plays for Cruz Azul now. The only player I can thnk of that went mainly for the money is Figo. Al-Aittihad offered him the biggest contract in Arab history.

 

Even if they do go for the money, they aren't getting the attention they would get in the US. If their goal is to take the Cubs approach (f*** winning, lets spend and get people to watch) then good for them. But if their trying to improve the league and actually make it worth watching, then they are failing horribly.

 

And as far as compring it to a top tier league, fine then...I'll compare it to the 2nd league in England. Sunderland still gets 40,000+ per match, Southhampton gets 30,000+, Leeds gets 30,000+, Derby gets 30,000+, Sheffield gets up to 40,000. Like I said, everywhere else in the world, it's about passion, tradition, history, pride, etc. In the US, no one gives a s*** about football. Look at who goes to the games...Mexican immigrants, Polish immigrants...

 

First of all, Americans absolutely love football more than any other sport. They just don't care for soccer too much.

 

Second, nobody goes to soccer games here. You're right. Now they're signing guys who just might attract some fans and popularize the sport at least a little, and you're pissing on it?

 

I don't understand why someone wouldn't embrace a move like this.

[SoxFan1]

First of all, Americans absolutely love football more than any other sport. They just don't care for soccer too much.

 

Second, nobody goes to soccer games here. You're right. Now they're signing guys who just might attract some fans and popularize the sport at least a little, and you're pissing on it?

 

I don't understand why someone wouldn't embrace a move like this.

No, I was right. Americans don't care about football. And I think I am clear as to why I don't like the move. People who will embrace this are the casual fans, thats a given. But for those who love the sport, watch it, and follow it, it's a scar on the sport.

 

First of all I said MLS is trying to become a 2nd tier league, they obviously aren't there yet. Again, way to read buddy. Second of all your numbers aren't very accurate. I took a look at ESPN Soccernet's attendances and the numbers are roughly in this area, significantly lower than you advertised. Sunderland is averaging 30k. Southhampton is averaging low-mid 20s. Leeds is averaging under 20k. Derby is averaging low-mid 20s. Sheff Wed is averaging mid-high 20s. Those numbers seem attainable down the road.

Thats right, I can't read, so I must not know anything about soccer. Just for s***s and giggles...

 

Since the MLS started in 1996, the highest average attendance is the LA Galaxy which averages 21,677 per game. And for 7 years, they played in a 92,000 seat stadium.

 

This just reaffirms my position. "If their goal is to take the Cubs approach (f*** winning, lets spend and get people to watch) then good for them. But if their trying to improve the league and actually make it worth watching, then they are failing horribly." And if their main goal is just to get more fans, good luck to them...

Edited February 18, 2007 by SoxFan1

[Milkman delivers]

No, I was right. Americans don't care about football. And I think I am clear as to why I don't like the move. People who will embrace this are the casual fans, thats a given. But for those who love the sport, watch it, and follow it, it's a scar on the sport.

Thats right, I can't read, so I must not know anything about soccer. Just for s***s and giggles...

 

Since the MLS started in 1996, the highest average attendance is the LA Galaxy which averages 21,677 per game. And for 7 years, they played in a 92,000 seat stadium.

 

This just reaffirms my position. "If their goal is to take the Cubs approach (f*** winning, lets spend and get people to watch) then good for them. But if their trying to improve the league and actually make it worth watching, then they are failing horribly." And if their main goal is just to get more fans, good luck to them...

 

People aren't just going to suddenly be hardcore fans. You gotta start somewhere, and that's by getting casual fans to watch. And maybe eventually they'll become true fans...or their children will.

[SuperSteve]

Zomeone woke up one the wrong zide of the bed..

[southsideirish71]

The only thing I will say about MLS and why its a success is not the level of footbal on the pitch, but the fact that it allows for guys like Bocanegra, McBride, Dempsey, and others to get a start to show some skills and get picked up for Europe. Playing on a reserve team in Europe is more dead end, than getting some MLS time. Before the MLS there wasnt a place for a lot of our guys to go and hone their craft.

 

Here is what the MLS needs to do, and it has been outlined a bunch of times by other people.

 

1.) Develop a youth clubs, leagues for the elite players in the US. Hire foreign striker and footwork coaches to develop our youth for more attacking soccer.

2.) Hit the inner city huge, I dont care if they have to fund a league and guarantee something like a private high school scholarship . There are people that are not good enough to play the other sports that would be still the best athlete on the pitch. Lure them with promise of a nice education and then show them what the guys in Europe make.

3.) Align the MLS rules with the FIFA rules 100%. Have a single table, and at the end the top so many teams get to play in the playoffs.

4.) Take a percentage of the top stars, and sell them off to Europe. Take the bank you get from that, and put it into development of the youth system.

 

This is the way the Dutch and Scottish leagues which are 2nd tier due to the depth of the leagues are run. PSV is one of the feeder teams for Chelsea. Oh and they beat Arsenal 1-0 in a Champions League game yesterday. So you can get better with Youth leagues, and keeping the club in the black by selling off some of your stars.

Edited February 21, 2007 by southsideirish71

[BigSqwert]

So any word on Zidane?

[longshot7]

3.) Align the MLS rules with the FIFA rules 100%. Have a single table, and at the end the top so many teams get to play in the playoffs.

 

 

Yes, but a lot of the FIFA rules suck. A single table - why? Also, the clock. It counts up, instead of down, which is more dramatic. No clock stoppage - so therefore there is no clock drama a la basketball, football, & hockey. and arbitrary stoppage time - dumb. National teams getting to pull their players from club games. Selling players instead of trades.... in fact, their whole economic structure, which destroys competitive balance. Talk about need for a salary cap.

 

FIFA needs to watch more American sports and get their heads out of their asses.

[SoxFan1]

Yes, but a lot of the FIFA rules suck. A single table - why? Also, the clock. It counts up, instead of down, which is more dramatic. No clock stoppage - so therefore there is no clock drama a la basketball, football, & hockey. and arbitrary stoppage time - dumb. National teams getting to pull their players from club games. Selling players instead of trades.... in fact, their whole economic structure, which destroys competitive balance. Talk about need for a salary cap.

 

FIFA needs to watch more American sports and get their heads out of their asses.

You sound so arrogant and ignorant it's unbelievable. Since when does America run the f***ing sports world? Give me a break. The clock has nothing to do with dramatics. Why? Because that's how it's always been. FIFA rules do not suck. There is a reason people laugh at American soccer, because they are trying to turn it into an American sport, something it isn't, and something it will never be. There is plenty of drama with a clock counting up. If you actually watched European soccer, the game gets frantic after the 80th minute especially when it's close. Sitting on the edge of your site for 15 minutes in soccer is far more dramatic than any 10 seconds in American basketball, football, or hockey.

 

Stoppage time is stupid? It's there to make up for the foul time, injury time, and substitution time where there is a pause in play during the half. There is nothing more dramatic in stoppage time. A team down 2-1 and they have 3 minutes left to score. Nope, no drama at all.

 

I don't mean to sound anti-American, but god damn, this is the s*** that pisses people off.

 

So any word on Zidane?

Fire head coach Dave Sarachan said there is nothing going on and that they did pursue him, but nothing could get done. And nothing has been said or heard from Zidane's side yet.

Edited February 21, 2007 by SoxFan1

[Milkman delivers]

You sound so arrogant and ignorant it's unbelievable. Since when does America run the f***ing sports world? Give me a break. The clock has nothing to do with dramatics. Why? Because that's how it's always been. FIFA rules do not suck. There is a reason people laugh at American soccer, because they are trying to turn it into an American sport, something it isn't, and something it will never be. There is plenty of drama with a clock counting up. If you actually watched European soccer, the game gets frantic after the 80th minute especially when it's close. Sitting on the edge of your site for 15 minutes in soccer is far more dramatic than any 10 seconds in American basketball, football, or hockey.

 

Stoppage time is stupid? It's there to make up for the foul time, injury time, and substitution time where there is a pause in play during the half. There is nothing more dramatic in stoppage time. A team down 2-1 and they have 3 minutes left to score. Nope, no drama at all.

 

I don't mean to sound anti-American, but god damn, this is the s*** that pisses people off.

Fire head coach Dave Sarachan said there is nothing going on and that they did pursue him, but nothing could get done. And nothing has been said or heard from Zidane's side yet.

 

Well, you sort of do, too.

 

Sitting on the edge of your site for 15 minutes in soccer is far more dramatic than any 10 seconds in American basketball, football, or hockey.

 

In your opinion.

 

I don't mean to sound anti-American, but god damn, this is the s*** that pisses people off

 

If you don't like America, then you can geeeeeeeeeettttt out.

[SoxFan1]

Well, you sort of do, too.

Did I say that America should get it's head out of it's ass and watch more FIFA? No.

[Milkman delivers]

Did I say that America should get it's head out of it's ass and watch more FIFA? No.

 

You're kind of coming off as elitist.

[SoxFan1]

You're kind of coming off as elitist.

How so? I'm trying to back up an argument.