...and you started this weekend because?

March 29. First Kick 2008. With a season that's over 6 months long, why did MLS pick this past weekend to open things up? True, there's never a perfect weekend this time of year to generate the most attention, but with the NCAA Tournament (both Men's and Women's) in full swing AND the opening of Major League Baseball, MLS got exactly zero attention. No game articles appeared online...ESPN, SI, etc. How does MLS expect to attract attention to their season? With NBA, NHL, NASCAR, PGA all in full swing, are we too overloaded with sports to care about one more? Would it have made more sense to open the season mid-week to at least get a game on ESPN without significant competition? Hmm...

We Heart Poland

Another exhibition, another win against Poland. Last night, the US National Team defeated Poland, 3-0, in snowy Krakow. Two years ago, when the US last played Poland, they won 1-0, also in snowy conditions.

Aside from the World Cup and exhibitions in Sweden and Switzerland, the last time the US played in Europe was the Poland game from '06.

Yes, I understand the team is scheduled to play England and Spain this year, both in Europe, but why does it seem so difficult to get quality competition in Europe? Let's not forget about teams like Germany, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Holland, etc....

I guess it's always good to say we beat Poland!

Seattle AllianceRepublicFC?

Tomorrow marks the opening of the "Name The Team" vote for the MLS franchise awarded to Seattle last year. After extensive research and over 2,500 suggestions, the team settled on three options:

• Alliance
• FC
• Republic

To vote, fans are asked to head to the MLS in Seattle site. Fans should actually boycott this vote. These names are TERRIBLE! Could they be any more boring? It's difficult to imagine how ridiculous a Seattle Alliance jersey would look.

Let's not forget that this team is essentially morphing from the USL First Division Seattle Sounders. What's wrong with the Sounders?

The Photo Finish

One of the only downsides of soccer is the finale. Rarely, if ever, will you see a "buzzer beater". Due to the nature of the game, it's nearly impossible for someone to score a goal as time is expiring, save for a penalty kick. Sudden-death penalty kicks would be an option as well, but that would only come at the end of a lengthy overtime session.

While I rarely stray from the soccer realm, today warrants a little outside coverage. There are few teams I follow very closely. One of them is GW Women's Basketball. Last night, they clinched a birth to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament with a 55-53 thriller over Cal. After trailing most of the game, the team tied the score with 12 seconds to go and won it at the buzzer.

Few sports situations can change a team's fortunes instantly with no chance for comeback -- this is one of them. For this reason, it's tough not to love some form of basketball...and we'll see if the GW Women can come up with another miracle finish in their next game Sunday at Greensboro against #2 Rutgers.

Good Result For Both?

Saturday marked the home opener for perennial USL-2 powerhouse Richmond Kickers. The opponent was a familiar one from 100 miles up I-95, DC United. The teams meet annually in friendly competition with this year's version coming in the preseason for both teams.

In front of nearly 4,000 fans, Richmond took home a 3-0 win. To the very casual viewer, a shocking result. How could the Kickers beat one of the top teams in MLS?

Truth be told, it was more of a reserve squad for DC, who chose to rest just about every regular following a victory over Harbour View FC earlier in the week. United, captained by Rod Dyachenko (yikes), started no players who started against Harbour View. The only regular to see time was Clyde Simms...for the final 25 minutes.

Based upon that lineup, the result isn't surprising. It's still a good confidence booster for the Kickers who can now say they blanked DC United. DC, on the other hand, has some time to rest before opening the season at Kansas City next week.

A Decent Response!

After some mild heckling, our friends at Dick's Sporting Goods finally stepped up to the plate late yesterday afternoon.

On the heels of a restructured sponsorship agreement which calls for even larger involvement with MLS and new involvement with US Soccer, I decided to email the Investor Relations Department.

I figured this department would be able to give me a more accurate representation of what was going on, especially if I mentioned that I was a shareholder.

Here is the full response from Anne-Marie Megela, the Director of Investor Relations:

"You should expect to see new and additional DC United, as well as other MLS merchandise in the DC stores in the next few weeks. We are expecting to deliver an entire new assortment of MLS team-specific merchandise into each of our MLS markets at the beginning of the season, including DC United in Washington, DC."

Hooray!

Best Sports Weekend?

This coming weekend lines up as the best weekend of the year. Why? It's NCAA Tournament Time! Beginning at noon and running through Sunday, 48 games will be played, narrowing the field from 64 to 16. Insane!!!!

Add to that the Women's Tournament running Saturday through Tuesday, and you've got wall to wall basketball action.

In addition, my fantasy baseball auction is all day on Saturday.

A long weekend ahead....

P.S. Demosphere bragging rights are on the line in Greg's annual pool!

Everywhere You Want To Be

Oh how Harbour View FC loves visa! Well, not the credit card.

In last night's Champions' Cup Quarterfinal at RFK in Washington DC, Jamaican side Harbour View FC was without two starters, an equipment manager, and a chef. All were refused visas following interviews at the US Embassy in February.

As a result, the team had a terrible pre-game meal, played with some reserves, and got smoked by DC 5-0 in the return leg, sending DC through to the semifinals.

In Jamaica last week, the game ended 1-1. It was tight the entire way and United was at full strength (despite the Moreno injury). Since DC United is an American team, they were not subject to the same interview process in order to travel to/from Jamaica...although over half the team is not American.

It seems silly in 2008 that a club team from Jamaica can't travel to the US to play a game at full strength. They're not going to defect like the U-23's from Cuba. Let's just say it would've been a little more competitive than 5-0 last night.

"It Just Doesn't Sell"

I had a nice chat with a manager at the Dick's Sporting Goods at Bailey's Crossroads yesterday afternoon. I asked him about the lack of DC United merchandise in the store given the major Dick's-MLS sponsorship.

He said it was pretty simple -- "It just doesn't sell." Simple as that. Last year, Dick's stocked a few DC United T-shirts and Beckham jerseys outsold them.

This year, the plan is to carry 2 or 3 T-shirts but nothing major. Evidently the major sports sell many times more merchandise than MLS. Outside of their sponsorship agreement, it just doesn't make sense for them to stock items that don't sell.

So, looking to get your 2008 DC United? Guess your only option is the official team store at RFK Stadium!

Champions' Cup / Dick's

Went to Dick's last week and totally forgot to ask about the merchandise. Will try and find more info out this week.

Caught some of the DC United / Harbour View FC match last week in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions' Cup. 1-1 draw.

There will probably come a time in the near future when I refuse to keep watching these matches. The story is ALWAYS the same for DC United. Show promise early, most of the time with a lead, then fade late and eventually lose to an equal or lesser opponent. A goal in the last 5 minutes sealed their fate for the opening leg with a 1-1 draw.

The return leg is tomorrow evening at RFK, and we'll see if DC can advance to the semi's. Will a hurt Moreno play again this preseason?

The Adventure Continues...

Good news! The fine folks at Dick's Sporting Goods returned my email within 24 hours. In fact, I actually received 3 emails.

The first was a standard "Thank You for Emailing Us" confirmation. At least the message went somewhere.

Next, I received an email informing me that my question had to be answered by someone in corporate headquarters. I prepared to wait a days or weeks for another response.

Then, a contradictory response appeared. "To best answer your question we suggest that you contact your local store directlyor please visit our website at www.dickssportinggoods.com."

Strange. Why was my request forwarded to the corporate office and then passed back on to the individual store? Time permitting, I will go to the store in person to inquire. I'm sure you can imagine what the answer will be.

Dick's & MLS Part II

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Opening Day!

There's nothing quite like opening day. Opening Day for Baseball. No sport quite matches the excitement surrounding that first pitch of the season.

In the youth world, my high school team opened its season with a scrimmage this afternoon. While the score doesn't matter (we won!!!!!), it was great to be out on a diamond again in relatively mild March weather.

We'll slowly move into our regular season schedule and the Nationals will begin shortly after that, but there's still nothing quite like that first pitch. '08 is off and running...

Every Season Starts at Dick's?

At the end of every ad for Dick's Sporting Goods, they remind us that "Every Season Starts at Dicks."

Since I needed some equipment for myself, I made the trip. I wasn't directly looking for soccer items, but since Dick's is a major sponsor of Major League Soccer and owns the naming rights to Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado, I figured I might find a little merchandise to give me a head start on some folks in the office. Please note that our office is in suburban Washington, DC, clear DC United territory.

As I made my way to the soccer section (right next to the hunting area), I was surprised to find NO DC United merchandise. None. Redskins jerseys? Check. Nationals jerseys? Check. Even Capitals jerseys.....check. But no DC United.

Needless to say, I was surprised. Yes, I could get a pair of shin guards or even my choice of balls and footwear, but nothing to say I'm a DC United supporter. Not even a Beckham shirt!

Next time I go, I will need to ask a manager where I can get my Emilio jersey...

Where's my MONEY!

Since today is pay day, I thought it might be interesting to look at the salaries of some of our MLS soccer heroes.

Based on a report published in 2006 in the Washington Post, your favorite players are making less than you think.

Let's take former DC heartthrob Bobby Boswell, for example. Back in 2006, he made only $29,400, and that wasn't even lowest salary on the team.

Obviously this is not the case today, especially for Boswell. He's created a name for himself and is making more money. However, for some of the developmental players at the bottom of the ladder, the salaries just aren't enough to live on.

The lowest paid players made $11,700. Many part time workers make more than this. For the amount of time spent over the course of the year, it's not a stretch to say these guys are making less than minimum wage.

After seeing these statistics, it really makes me respect the younger guys quite a bit more for their dedication. Struggling through a minimum wage job just to play soccer is very impressive in my book.

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

Yesterday was a momentous day in the Demosphere world. We are pleased to announce our first Australian client -- Kanga Cup!

2008 marks the first year that the McDonald's Kanga Cup will accept applications and manage games/results online! The largest tournament in Australia, the McDonald's Kanga Cup draws teams from Chinese Taipei, Denmark, England, East Timor, Fiji, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Italy, New Zealand, People's Republic of China, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, the United States and others.

Held in July in Canberra, the capital of Australia, the McDonald's Kanga Cup actually takes place in the middle of winter since they are in the southern hemisphere. Winters are relatively mild, however, with temperatures reaching the high 50's -- ideal soccer weather.

We look forward to working with the McDonald's Kanga Cup in 2008!

Mmmm....Double Whoppers!

For kicks, I felt obliged to circle back to a topic discussed before this blog began.

Back in mid-2006, US Youth Soccer named Burger King as its official "quick-serve restaurant partner". In addition to some national restaurant promotions, they also promise a series of Burger King - US Youth Soccer programs.

It's early 2008, and I haven't seen any of the things they promised. Clearly US Youth Soccer couldn't say no to some Burger King sponsorship dollars and who can blame them?

When I first saw this deal, I thought of all the tournaments around the country each year. Before, between, and after games....when you need a meal...what beats a US Youth Soccer approved Double Whopper and Fries? Not much.

For organizations such as US Youth Soccer that cater specifically to the needs of youth, sponsorships are a dangerous animal. They need to be careful not to send the wrong message, either directly or indirectly, through the groups they associate with.

At least Wendy's has the Frosty....

Across the pond @ Grass Roots!

It's official -- we're going back to the UK! Last year, Demosphere made its way to Coventry, England for the Grass Roots Football Expo, the largest youth football gathering in the UK. This year, we're heading back to learn more about the European market.

This year's exhibition will be held at the larger NEC Arena in Birmingham, lending more area for exhibitors and coaching sessions.

In 2007, we met many representatives from youth clubs including the Cranfield Colts. We're looking forward to another great year 'across the pond' and we would love to meet your organization. If you will be in attendance, feel free to email extratime@demosphere.com!