Ask Marc

There may not be a more difficult question to answer than the one I've received in my mailbox nearly 100 times in the past month:

Which team is going to win MLS Cup?

It's right up there with "Why did Deion Sanders leave his cushy CBS job to be an average nickel back for the Ravens?, "What possessed Chris Riley to turn down another chance to pair with Tiger Woods on the second day of the Ryder Cup?, or "Why is Larry David holding us hostage by not even starting to film another season of Curb Your Enthusiasm until after Christmas?"

I could send e-mail back to every single person wanting to hear my opinion on such a matter. It would probably change each time, too. I'd send the Metros' fans responses back that talked about how good Columbus is, and give a few reasons why the Crew will win their first MLS Cup. That'd get under their skins. And, as we all know, there's not much that beats getting under a New Yorker's skin.

I could also e-mail those who wrote me from Colorado or Texas and explain why I thought their respective teams would hoist the Alan Rothenberg trophy at the end of the year. That might erase the bevy of "Why do you ignore my team?" e-mail I've been inundated with over the years.

Instead, I'm simply covering my dartboard with the names of each of the 10 clubs in the league -- all of which, by the way, have a chance to make the playoffs -- and throwing one dart. Since my guess, or anyone's guess, is practically meaningless at this point due to the parity in MLS, I'll let fate decide it.

(Standing to throw it now ...)

(Hoping it doesn't land on Kansas City because the Wizards already have a Cup this season.)

(Hoping it doesn't land on San Jose because not enough fans have packed Spartan Stadium each week.)

(Hoping it doesn't land on D.C. because it'll somehow be about Freddy when it's all said and done.)

(Hoping it doesn't land on Dallas because I'd rather see this franchise win the Big One while playing as F.C. Dallas and not as the Burn.)

(Hoping it doesn't land on Columbus because WE'LL NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT.)

(Hoping it doesn't land on Colorado because I enjoy the fact that the Rapids are always one of those teams that are impossible to figure out. A championship would ruin that.)

(Hoping it doesn't land on L.A. because it wouldn't be fair that the Galaxy get to play for The Cup in their home stadium.)

(Hoping it doesn't land on the MetroStars because everyone else around the league will claim that "MLS does everything possible to help the New York team win a title." It's a tired angle, yet one you hear at least once a week in soccer circles.)

(Hoping it doesn't land on Chicago since the Fire had their golden chance last year.)

(Hoping it doesn't land on New England since the Pats have brought enough joy to those who frequent Gillette Stadium.)

A low, poorly thrown dart lands on ... D.C. United. So I guess I'm going with Peter Nowak and the boys from now on.

On to the e-mail questions ...

I recently read your column about players from other countries wanting to play in the MLS. You stated that they don't want these million-dollar contracts. What about the athletes that play D-2 soccer? And have that same dream. I chose to play D-2 soccer because it was probably the best choice for me. Now, to make it to the MLS I have to transfer to a D-1 school. I have played with some of the best kids in the state of FL. and most of them could make the MLS with no problem, but no one pays attention to us. Explain to me why everyone thinks the best players in the U.S. go to schools in Boca ... and play for D-1 schools? Some kids don't have the luxury of their parents winning the lottery or being wealthy. I've had to earn my way by hard work, and now I feel discouraged because it's beginning to feel like it has been for nothing. I play at UNF, in Jacksonville, FL., which is a D-2 school and I just want someone to help me out here and tell me what I need to do to reach my ultimate goals. Thank you.

-- Victor Duncan, Florida.

MC: Victor, If you haven't noticed, there are several Division II players in MLS. Bo Oshoniyi, who played at Southern Connecticut State, recently won three games for the Kansas City Wizards while Tony Meola was injured. Felix Brillant, who played at Division II Franklin Pierce last year, has been a factor for the Revolution this year after being drafted in the sixth round this past January. The best example is probably Khari Stephenson, who was drafted in the third round of the 2004 SuperDraft by Chicago and now plays in Kansas City after spending his college career in Division III for perennial powerhouse Williams.

The best way for a D-II or a D-III player to get noticed is to play in the InfoSport Combine. It's not as prestigious as the one MLS puts on in Los Angeles, but there are plenty of MLS and A-League coaches in attendance. You have to pay your own way to get there, but so what? This year, it's being held just outside Orlando at the Seminole County Sports Training Center from January 6-8. Click here for an application: http://www.infosportinc.com/soccerapplication2005.html.

Good luck with the rest of your season.

Chivas "USA" and Club "America": I believe the Mexicanization of MLS is a terrible mistake for U.S. soccer interests. It will polarize our soccer nation and also function as a feeder system for the Mexican Soccer Federation. Talented Mexican-American players will end up wearing the tri-colors - and I don't mean red, white and blue. Going for the fast money will damage U.S. soccer! For that, I am less a fan of MLS than I was a year ago.

-- William McClain, Loyalsock Twp., PA

MC: William, I disagree with you. I think that MLS needs to get money into the league as well as talent. They need the league to be high-quality on the field more than anything. For the rest of the world to really respect the league and for it, ultimately, to grow and make money, MLS can't be just a league for Americans to develop. Because of that, I have no problem with Chivas or the Club America potential entry. As long as they play by the right rules, I think it'll give the league a bolt of excitement and up the level of play that we currently see.

While I agree that it is a step in the right direction for more American soccer players to move abroad to refine their skills, I feel that the hype surrounding Jonathon Spector has been blown out of proportion by the U.S. soccer media. When he played in the ChampionsWorld Series, he played in a team that was overwhelmingly subs and reserves, and didn't have much to do. He played early true, but not because of his unparalleled talent, but because of injury, suspensions and resting players. Two days ago I read about DaMarcus Beasley and PSV and how he was their main man, a serious threat to Arsenal, and all that. And the English Press barely noticed he was on the pitch.

So when the caption under Spector's picture reads "quickly working his way up the ranks at Man U" I laugh, because he's not the amazing sure-fire prospect that U.S. soccer media make him out to be. Look at Cesc Fabregas as a legitimate source of real talent having an impact on his team. After all, Cesc was better than Adu two summers ago, and I wonder how much he would be loved if he were an American? ESPN soccer is too quick to rush the applause on young American soccer players when it isn't warranted, and take advantage of their positions by touting players as something special to an American audience that is too likely to believe the hype.

-- Sean

MC: First of all, Sean, it's hard for anything to be "blown out of proportion by the U.S. soccer media." There's hardly a handful of us who cover the sport regularly. And as far as Spector, how much has even been written?

Even so, there's no country in the world that wouldn't make a big deal out of one of their 18-year-olds starting one match -- never mind three -- for Manchester United. Whether or not he played because of injuries or circumstance or anything else, it remains a HUGE STORY. How you cannot realize that or understand why I would devote a feature story about it on ESPN.com is beyond me.

Your story ("Internationals Want Shot At MLS" on MLSnet.com) brought tears to my eyes in the literal sense. Folks that passed by my office asked, "what's wrong?" and I would smile. Even if I were to have explained my sentiments to my co-workers, I'm afraid that they wouldn't understand. Our beloved MLS has come a long way since its infancy and it's only going to get better w/ the addition of Chivas, SLC, and America to Houston (sorry SJ). I am proud to say that we have professional soccer in the U.S. and that skilled foreign players want to play in our league. For lack of a better term. Good story!

-- Gordon H. Rives Jr.

MC: Gordon, Glad you enjoyed the piece. I'm guessing you were touched by the part where the Panamanian players were begging me to tell MLS about them right after they tied the U.S. 1-1. Not sure if it's tear-worthy, but I'll take it.

You know what is tear-inducing in the literal sense? The fact that one can by a can of beer in Panama for 65 cents. Whether it's Atlas, Balboa or Cerveza de Panama -- the pick of the litter -- the cost is the same.

Can someone please encourage the MetroStars to move the arena to downtown Newark. I don't know how familiar you are with New Jersey, but Newark is the ideal spot for a big market soccer team like the Metros. When will MLS realize that soccer is a blue-collar sport and many of its fans are immigrants? They take the bus, the trains, they walk up at the last minute, because they just got off from work, but they are fanatical and loyal. The Metros can fill a 24,000-seat stadium to the rafters every game if they put it in Newark.

The fan base is Brazilian, Portuguese, Columbian and Caribbean, and most fanatical. The Train station will allow the "regular guy" to get there from Trenton to NYC in under and hour for under $10 bucks for a ride. The City atmosphere with the bars and eateries abounding in Newark, it allows for the passionate closeness that other countries fans feel. A quick commute, (most of Newark can walk to the games), the neighborhood fans, the bars, sharing a few drinks with your fellow fanatics can all lend to that unique soccer flavor that is missing in U.S. Soccer.

-- Vernon Smith

MC: Vernon, I'm very familiar with Newark. In the future, who is to say that both Newark and NEW YORK -- not this NY/NJ stuff of the past -- will both have teams in MLS. Remember, the plan here is to eventually have 18-20 teams playing in the league. For now, though, it's important for the MetroStars to move anywhere in Jersey, Manhattan or Long Island where a stadium will be built for them. For a franchise that is so important to the league, it desperately needs to be playing in a soccer-specific stadium.

If Newark ever becomes the destination for the MetroStars, I'd be all for it.

Marc, I really enjoy reading your posts. The international prospects one was very interesting. I also like the fact that you're helping small countries promote their football.

I've been watching CONCACAF soccer for a while. I know you were talking about the U.S. opponents but I watched the Haitian national team and I realize they got some very talented players who also are not looking for big money and have the talents to play in MLS too. I can name a few from the Haitian national team:

Midfielder- Watson Coriolan, he played against the U.S. in March.

Defender- David Sancius, also played against the U.S. in March.

Haiti national team captain -- Bruny Pierre Richard, very good and strong defender.

I will be very thankful to you if you can help me out to make the MLS aware of these guys, as I can make the contact for them with these players.

-- Ismael

MC: Ismael, Thanks for the knowledge. One of the best things for Haiti is that former U.S. National Team defender Fernando Clavijo has spent time there as the country's National Team coach and will continue to pass on information to MLS about his former players. After recommending 22-year-old striker Jean Philippe Peguero to the Colorado Rapids, his credibility is pretty good, eh? All Peguero has done has scored six goals and four assists to lead the Rapids in scoring.

Ultimately, it's often a case where if one player from a country does well in the league, then teams will be more likely to go after one of his National Team teammates. Amado Guevara has helped raise the interest in players from Honduras. The same goes with Carlos Ruiz and Guatemala. On the other side of the coin, if a player or players from the same country come to a league and do not produce (think: Costa Rica), then the league won't exactly be jumping to get the latest prospect. It works both ways.

Hopefully, Peguero's play will encourage other MLS teams to look closer at the Haitian players.

Marc, How about those Colorado Rapids? Joe Cannon for MVP. And to think the geniuses left him off the All-Star game roster. Of course, Eric Wynalda wrote them off on a recent ESPN telecast.

-- Dan Cooper, Littleton, Colorado

MC: Dan, while I think that Cannon should have been on the All-Star team, I'm not sure if he's the MVP this season. Right now, I'm not sure if there is a more valuable player than either Guevara or Jamie Moreno. If you were to line up all the MLS coaching staffs and ask them to pick out which player they'd want to have to start the playoffs with, I don't know if Cannon would even be the first goalkeeper chosen. I do, however, believe that Guevara and Moreno would get plenty of votes, as would Ruiz. Even with just 11 goals (a low total for what he is used to), the Little Fish remains the most dangerous player in MLS.

Marc, It frequently looked like the U.S. was playing a diamond defense against Panama, with Eddie Pope out front and Carlos Bocanegra in back; usually they're paired in the middle. Was it just the circumstances or an actual strategy? I haven't heard any comment on this.

Brian Ching and Conor Casey up front have potential, especially Ching, but aren't getting it done consistently. Casey especially has been lacking coming back from injury after looking promising earlier this year. Is Bruce Arena just experimenting with his front line, or does he not expect that Brian McBride will be too old by the time the World Cup comes around? Thanks for your insights.

-- Craig Powers, Bethesda, Md.

MC: The U.S. wasn't playing in a diamond defense with a sweeper and a stopper against Panama. It just appeared that way at times since Panama was keeping one striker (Roberto Brown) pushed forward as far as possible, and allowing his running mate, Julio Cesar Dely Valdes, to pick and choose his spots much closer to the midfield. Since this was the case, either Pope or Bocanegra often moved up to cover Dely Valdes. While the U.S. duo didn't win as many balls in the air as they normally do, they found success utilizing an offside trap in the first half. Unfortunately for the U.S., once Panama inserted Ricardo Phillips and went to a three-forward system, the American defense struggled.

I'm not sure how you can say that Ching hasn't been consistent with the National Team. He scored goals in two straight World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica and El Salvador. As for Casey, he's added to the American lineup due to his strength and passing abilities. He's been a little snakebit in qualifying. Against Grenada, he was knocked out of the match when he strained a muscle behind his knee, which kept him out of action for over a month. Against Panama, it was not a great night for strikers, as the footing was horrible on a field that had visible standing water.

Ching and Casey have 11 caps combined. Give them time.

As far as Brian McBride, it's impossible to include him in the same "He'll help the team qualify, but won't be around for the World Cup" discussion that one might bring up an Earnie Stewart or a Cobi Jones. For one, McBride just turned 32 in June. It's not as though he's a flank midfielder where his speed and fitness become an issue as he gets older. As a target striker, a player like McBride has a long career ahead of him, as long as he stays healthy. He's in great shape, and he's being exposed right now to the top level of soccer in the world. And it's only a matter of time before he puts his stamp on World Cup qualifying.

When and if the U.S. qualifies for the World Cup, it would be a complete shock to not see a player like McBride still viewed as an easy selection.

Marc, I liked your article about the U.S.-Panama match. I agree, the "Osama Is Here So Lose" sign was completely out of order. But I have to tell you that I didn't like the way you described our stadium, Rommel Fernadez.

You wrote: "In a facility that was, at best, a glorified high school football stadium that featured poor lighting, cement bleachers, and an omnipresent scent of, well, bad cheese, there was Home-Field Advantage written all over it."

Bad Cheese? Did you eat a Cheeseburger prior to the game? Let me tell you something, I went to Turner Field in Atlanta, and there was this nasty HOT DOG (or maybe I should say Bad Hot Dog?) scent all over the place and I didn't complain because I was paying more than enough attention to what really mattered to me - the sporting event! I really think that comment was kind of offensive.

I really liked what you wrote about the game. It was pretty unfair to lose in that way, but that is football. Thanks for your time!

-- Roberto De Leon, Panama

MC: Roberto, wait, your team didn't lose. It was a TIE. How come most every e-mail I have received from a fan in Panama talks about the match that way? Your National Team might have deserved a win, but it's not as though a tie was a bad result against a side that's considered the favorite to win Group 1, and ultimately qualify for the World Cup.

I wasn't trying to insult the people of Panama with the comment about your stadium. I was really just doing my best to describe Rommel Fernandez Stadium to my readers the same way I'd describe it to one of my friends in an e-mail.

By the way, I love that you bashed Turner Field. No offense taken.

Marc Connolly covers American soccer for ESPN Soccernet.com. He can be reached at: marc@oakwoodsoccer.com