With J Hutcherson
All of a sudden, Wednesday's United States - Trinidad & Tobago qualifier in Bridgeview has even greater meaning. A 2-0 US team gets its first home qualifier amid very basic questions. Where are the forwards and how soon before these 1-0 wins turn into 1-1 draws or worse?
Recognizing the pressure of these games, it's a fair question. The US has yet to establish a regular forward tandem capable of scoring goals in CONCACAF. The squad is relying on midfielders to do the bulk of the offensive work and the stellar goalkeeping of Tim Howard.
To some extent, fair enough. Howard is an elite player and the US midfield - if not the strongest in the region - is certainly in the top two. There's something to be said for playing to strength and not trying to over-complicate National Team soccer.
However, that point gets weakened considerably when the same tendency towards playing people out of position, using the same tactics against the elite and the barely threatening, and not putting the team in a position to solve problems remain.
Wednesday should be a chance to prove some of that wrong. Release the true forwards, drop the defensive midfielder in favor of distribution from the center, and make three points about goal differential.
Moving on, Ron has a question. J, Odd question considering you're doing it, but what's your opinion on live blogging? I read that the NCAA is looking to ban it. Thoughts?
Thanks Ron. I have an answer. Live blogging from the press box is tacky and every outlet engaging in it knows that. Unlike print coverage, broadcast rights are sold. Act like a broadcaster by providing alternate game descriptions in real time from the venue, get treated like a broadcaster. Or, more to the point, like a pirate broadcaster.
Considering hardly any of the web enthusiasts who start gesticulating wildly in the direction of the First Amendment are Constitutional law scholars, that reasoning needs to go through the court system.
Blogging from television has been there already, and, to the chagrin of pro sports and their broadcast partners, is allowable. So doing follow-alongs from anywhere not the blasted stadium is fine. Are they appropriate? Well, what the courts decided in favor of weren't exactly attempts at alternative commentary. Instead, it was the old short update model.
Look, to me it's really simple. The internet applauds a "see how much you can get away with" mentality that really doesn't serve anybody. Most writers would rather be doing that job than follow-along commentary, but they have to compete with other outlets.
Since the internet gets judged daily, if not hourly, on results, ceding any space puts you at a disadvantage. So we get repeat coverage across sites where anything from the original to the mundane ends up copied, book-ended, or otherwise appropriated. Everybody does it, and I would like to assume most would prefer a different model.
Unfortunately for all involved, pro sports especially are pay to play and they're the ones more likely to change things. Press boxes aren't open access areas for whatever an outlet decides is appropriate. Most of us get that. Some of us can even see a future where access for print is treated the same as access for broadcast.
On TV
Nothing today as we wait for international matchday Wednesday. All Times Eastern
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Europe
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood would consider Middle East takeover -- from The Telegraph's Matt Lawless: "It depends on the price."
Bilic heads Newcastle wishlist as Ashley looks to placate supporters -- from The Independent's Sam Wallace and Michael Walker: Unlike West Ham, Newcastle have not placed themselves under any deadlines to appoint a successor to Keegan although the rebellious sentiment among the support means that they need an alternative sooner rather than later.
Iceland is must-win game, says Fletcher -- from The Herald's Darryl Broadfoot: "It is now a massive game in Iceland," said Darren Fletcher.
Joe Cole’s hunger the benchmark of a born winner -- from The Times' Matt Hughes: Coming on the back of Chelsea’s failure to sign Robinho, this has been a good week for Cole, who has surely done enough to regain his place from Stewart Downing for the match against Croatia on Wednesday.
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Americas
the game don't care -- from TIAS.com's Adam Spangler: Besides the Fulham jersey with “Dempsey” stenciled on the back draped over the dining table, the gaming chair is the only thing that obviously belongs to Clint.
Fans prefer future in MLS -- from The Province's Marc Weber: And the popular perception was clear on Sunday.
Titus's soccer odyssey runs through Toronto FC -- from The Toronto Globe and Mail's Larry Millson: Titus was one of three late additions to Toronto FC after nine players were called up to their national teams for World Cup qualifying matches over the weekend.
Amateur Gives TFC Day's Work For Free -- from The National Post's Eric Koreen: He played for free as to keep his amateur status.
It's a bull market for big time soccer -- from The Oregonian's Boaz Herzog: What's clear is that investors are lining up to bet on the league's potential.
Comments, questions, solutions to problems that have yet to present themselves. Please, tell me all about it.
