Not a huge fan of the "Impact" name either. But...I guess they want to keep the name from the inaugural 1992-93 team. I wouldn't have been against a name change though.

They definitely have a good rivalry already with TFC. Another one that is pretty popular is with the Whitecaps. I guess it's nice to have a rivalry amongst those Canadian teams -- Canada needs all the soccer help they can get!

US vs Mexico friendly tonight 9pm. I'm wondering if it will be on TV? According to soccernet it says ESPN3 and thats it.

Automatik;857413 wrote:US vs Mexico friendly tonight 9pm. I'm wondering if it will be on TV? According to soccernet it says ESPN3 and thats it.

ESPN2 9pm ET, pregame on ESPNews.

Any word on Mexico's starting lineup? Are they bringing their big names?

I haven't heard a thing about the lineups except what someone posted before regarding Klinnsman's squad.

I hope Adu gets to go a full 90.

Chicharito is still hurt, no "Little Pea."

And it could be the best thing to happen to the MLS:

http://goo.gl/kpLct

45 MLS and 4 USMNT matches to appear on NBC and new NBC Sports Network

This is exactly what the MLS needs! Finally another avenue to reach soccer fans!

OSH;857438 wrote:Chicharito is still hurt, no "Little Pea."

And it could be the best thing to happen to the MLS:

http://goo.gl/kpLct



This is exactly what the MLS needs! Finally another avenue to reach soccer fans!

Good news, although "NBC Sports Network" is really just Versus so it's not like there's a huge audience there. Still, more HD coverage is a good thing.

That is really good news, but most of the games will be on NBC Sports Network... NBC will only show 2 regular season games, 2 playoff games, and 2 USMNT games per year. It's a bit disappointing that they won't show more on NBC, but it's good to have another outlet for soccer.

The MLS just needed a good deal. It is disappointing that VS/NBC Sports Network isn't more visible...but it is MORE visible than what FSC is for most people.

I guess, I am just hoping that the more exposure, the more possibilities of being on NBC is. Getting the MLS to a major network is important. This gives the MLS an avenue through ESPN (still) and now NBC...don't know if the FSC is still going to be televising or not (probably will be though).

Rumors have it that NBC will be trying to vie for World Cup broadcasting rights in the near future too.

Oh, a new look at Rooney [and his new hair] in FIFA 12...

I'm stoked for FIFA 12!

Rooney, Marquez and Donovan on the North American cover.

Sept 27th release for NA and the 30th for the EU.

I always thought it was the other way around and the EU got it first. Regardless...I'm ready to dominate.

I shouldn't be shocked that Donovan is on it...but bummer. I am a bit shocked that Rafa is on it though...but I do understand why EASports would do it.

OSH;857745 wrote:The MLS just needed a good deal. It is disappointing that VS/NBC Sports Network isn't more visible...but it is MORE visible than what FSC is for most people.

I guess, I am just hoping that the more exposure, the more possibilities of being on NBC is. Getting the MLS to a major network is important. This gives the MLS an avenue through ESPN (still) and now NBC...don't know if the FSC is still going to be televising or not (probably will be though).

Rumors have it that NBC will be trying to vie for World Cup broadcasting rights in the near future too.

I believe the NBC deal actually replaces the FSC deal, so MLS will only be broadcast on ESPN and NBC/NBC Sports Network.

One thing I really hope for is that with the takeover of Versus by NBC is that the network gets more exposure, and NBC pushes it more to the television providers, allowing more people to have access to it. That'd be very beneficial, as Versus already has 36 million more viewers than FSC. If they were to add more, it'd be a huge push for the league.

About the WC rights, I think I read something that NBC was not able to get favor with the rights in the past because they didn't have connection to the MLS that ESPN did, or what not. I don't know how I feel about NBC possibly getting the rights to the WC, I can't really complain about the job ESPN has done. I don't them want to spook ESPN off the sport, either, as they've made a decent commitment during the summer months with the WC, WWC, Euro, and Confederations Cup.

NilesPacMan;857821 wrote:I believe the NBC deal actually replaces the FSC deal, so MLS will only be broadcast on ESPN and NBC/NBC Sports Network.

I think you are right. I know they were looking at either renewing one with FSC or getting another one (one with Versus).

NilesPacMan;857821 wrote:One thing I really hope for is that with the takeover of Versus by NBC is that the network gets more exposure, and NBC pushes it more to the television providers, allowing more people to have access to it. That'd be very beneficial, as Versus already has 36 million more viewers than FSC. If they were to add more, it'd be a huge push for the league.

I agree completely.

NilesPacMan;857821 wrote:...I can't really complain about the job ESPN has done. I don't them want to spook ESPN off the sport, either, as they've made a decent commitment during the summer months with the WC, WWC, Euro, and Confederations Cup.

I can't complain much either...outside of the fact that when ESPN doesn't have a game on they do NOTHING with/for soccer. Barely any replays on SportsCenter or ESPNews. Barely any news on SportsCenter or ESPNews. They cover sports well, if they actually want to cover them. The next thing the MLS needs to do, and they had it one time (I believe), is to get a show like NFL Primetime or MLB's Baseball Tonight. A spot where they can talk all soccer, all replays, all that good stuff. Basically, do a Fox Soccer Report only for the MLS, maybe some college stuff, and even include Mexican and Canadian coverage possibly as well.



No Clarence Goodson for tonight either. No replacement -- it's hard to replace him .

Maurice Edu has been injured and will be missing tonight as well. The Crew's (for now) Robbie Rogers has replaced Edu.



Here's the Mexico roster:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)
DEFENDERS (7): Paul Aguilar (Club America), Efrain Juarez (Celtic), Rafael Marquez (New York Red Bulls), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres UANL), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (Stuttgart), Carlos Salcido (Fulham)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Javier Aquino (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspur), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña), Antonio Naelson (Toluca), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Jesus Zavala (Monterrey)
FORWARDS (4): Omar Arellano (Chivas de Guadalajara), Pablo Barrera (West Ham United), Christian Bermudez (Atlante), Oribe Peralta (Santos)

gorocks99;857456 wrote:Good news, although "NBC Sports Network" is really just Versus so it's not like there's a huge audience there. Still, more HD coverage is a good thing.

I thought the same thing at first, and amazingly, Versus is doubled in amount of home as FSC. I dont know if that means Versus has expanded quite a bit, or if FSC is THAT insignificant lol.

Barcelona are close to signing Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal by the end of the week. Reports out of Spain and England agree. Cesc has agreed to a weekly wage cut in order for Barcelona to muster up the funds needed.

If this goes through, I pose the question to you all. Is this the greatest midfield of all time???
Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Busquets (obviously they dont play with 4 mids, but if they ever decided to put Xavi in the CDM like he played growing up when Ronaldhino and Deco were in the squad it might be).

Laley23;857889 wrote:I thought the same thing at first, and amazingly, Versus is doubled in amount of home as FSC. I dont know if that means Versus has expanded quite a bit, or if FSC is THAT insignificant lol.

Well, FSC is that insignificant. You have to get special (expanded) packages in order to get FSC on most cable/dish packages -- to my knowledge. I don't think that FSC comes on any basic cable/dish programming.

Whereas, Versus does come with basic packages -- to my knowledge.

In 2011, ESPN is averaging 560,000 viewers for MLS matches, whereas FSC is averaging 75,000 per match. Compare that to ESPN's 2010 average of 250,000 and FSC's average of 50,000! ESPN pays the MLS $8.5 million to televise games, which is nice since the MLS paid to have its games televised early on.

So...maybe we will see more money being thrown to the MLS for it's increase in viewership on all ends!!! This is great news!

Laley23;857889 wrote:I thought the same thing at first, and amazingly, Versus is doubled in amount of home as FSC. I dont know if that means Versus has expanded quite a bit, or if FSC is THAT insignificant lol.

well FSC's only advertising was worldsoccershop.com and proactiv lol

Awesome news. Klinsmann has Bradley in an attacking mid position. Ive been saying it should be done for years (especially since Jermaine Jones was inserted). Took Klinsy a whole week to implement it lol.

anyone know why Dempsey isn't on the roster? held up overseas?

robj55;858040 wrote:anyone know why Dempsey isn't on the roster? held up overseas?

I believe this is the case. Since its a friendly and he is their (Fulhams) best player, they didnt want to release him for a match 3 days before their season kicks off.

They need to turn the game on ESPN2 and put the LLWS on Espnnews.

The_Crosby_Show;858055 wrote:They need to turn the game on ESPN2 and put the LLWS on Espnnews.

Yes. Thankfully I have ESPNNews. But it is still ridiculous imo.

Laley23;858054 wrote:I believe this is the case. Since its a friendly and he is their (Fulhams) best player, they didnt want to release him for a match 3 days before their season kicks off.

understandable

Nice move between the legs.

Love the playmaking (though unsuccessful thus far) Adu brings to this front line.