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Friday, August 18, 2006
The lull is over
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some European leagues — Germany and France among them — have already begun their seasons. MLS is a summertime anomaly. But for those of us just too plain lazy to learn another language, the start of the English Premier League this weekend makes it seem complete.
All the World Cup hangers-on have now disappeared and won’t be seen or heard from for another four years. Footy is once again safe for the diehards.
There’s more EPL fare on Fox Soccer Channel this year, including the formerly PPV marquee match on Sunday. Setanta Sports is getting in on the act as well, but Off the Ball’s house is decidedly dish-less. (By the way, FSC no longer has the German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1. Both have absconded to Spanish-language Gol TV, which requires purchasing yet another tier of channels. Comcast has enough of my money. Then again, the Spanish Liga is there, too. Is it worth the extra cost? Please advise.)
Yes, OTB is glad to see some MLS back on FSC, but keeping up with which leagues are shown wear is a continuing odyssey. Don’t get too emotionally involved in anything other than EPL, I suppose.
But it’s a good complaint to have, all this footy on American telly. You can get virtually everything you want if you’re willing to plunk down 401(k) and college tuition money to watch.
Chelsea’s bid for a third consecutive crown is hard to bet against, but that place sounds like an incredibly intense place to be. This Liverpool fanatic wants to believe that the Reds can get back on top, but OTB has a hunch Arsenal might make the most serious run at Chelsea. Reaching the Champions League final was a pleasant surprise, Wenger’s done wonders with a bevy of young players and the new stadium looks fabulous.
On the home front, Bruce Arena’s first game back in MLS was a wash with Columbus. The Red Bulls head man not surprisingly is his usual blunt self in a good, and lengthy, Q and A with SI’s Grant Wahl.
He’s understandably not happy with the U.S. Soccer Federation, admits he wasn’t looking to get back into coaching anytime soon, and said U.S. success at the World Cup and vast improvement in MLS are long-term goals. Nothing new there, but still a good read.
Romario and Miami FC are in town for Saturday’s clash with the Silverbacks. Atlanta needs every point it can get to nail down a USL First Division playoff spot for the first time in four years.
