Street cred for MLS in Europe?
It'll be interesting to see how English Premier League champion Chelsea's 2-1 victory over D.C. United tonight will go over back home. It was a preseason exhibition on Chelsea's US tour, a "friendly," as it were. So maybe not the truest test of the MLS champion's legitimacy as an international-level soccer club.
As a test of American interest in the sport, how do you think it did? The match drew 31,000 to the Redskins' FedEx Field. Not sure of the TV audience at this point. Probably niche interest, at most. It is what it is.
The acrobatics of United teenager Freddy Adu was a sight to behold, for those who were watching. Chelsea, owned by a Russian with deep pockets and alleged mob ties, likes what it has seen of him, apparently. The ESPN announcers said Adu's mom was a guest in their owner's suite at one point during the game.
It was also good to see former Southwest Guilford HS and ECU star Clyde Simms flying around the midfield for United late in the game.
Comments (3)
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It'd be better to see Simms STARTING instead of coming off the bench. That's one of Nowak's most puzzling lineup decisions.
Great atmosphere last night.
Posted on July 29, 2005 4:04 PM
I know Bruce Arena was high on Simms' ability, but is he ready to start in MLS? He's quite a soccer success story regardless.
Posted on July 29, 2005 4:37 PM
If I'm choosing United's starters, I put Simms on the field ahead of Brian Carroll or possibly Dema Kovalenko. He offers more offensively and is less prone to dangerous giveaways.
Posted on August 3, 2005 4:12 PM