SoccerAmerica - Colorado-Dallas Report Card 11/22/2010

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Kerry Ogden

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 8:27 a.m.

I'm not a fan of either team but I'd have to say that Conor Casey played like an ass, this game reminded me of the World Cup Final, FC Dallas being Spain and Colorado being the Netherlands except with a different outcome.

C. Zee

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 8:33 a.m.

It speaks volumes that the MLS CUP MVP got a "5" rating ... The thuggery that prevailed in this title match reflects why so many North Americans are not fans of this league. This should be the beautiful game - not the NFL. The MLS is a long way from developing creative players that entertain and amaze. I was very unimpressed with this showcase of America's title soccer match.

Ian Plenderleith

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 8:34 a.m.

I wouldn't have given a single player except for Matt Pickens anything above a 5. That the thuggish Casey won MVP says it all, and that the corporate dude from Volkswagen thought he was called 'Casey Connor' says even more about this bush league non-event, with its wacky winter-night scheduling and empty stands. When Casey and George John cracked heads and fell over three minutes before the end of OT, we had the perfect symbol of this putrid sporting spectacle, and a fitting end to a game of high-ball banality and rec league control on a windy night when the only sensible tactic would have been to play the ball along the ground. Showpiece of shame, and again MLS gets the champion it deserves.

F. Kirk Malloy

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 9:29 a.m.

FUGLY. Hard to watch. No skill, no connecting, just thuggery throughout. The ref lost complete control of the game. If one team decides they're going to turn the championship game into a mugfeast, card them early and often. Frankly it would be a lot more entertaining to see an 8 v 8 game of skill than an 11 v 11 brawl. Awful for MLS. Imagine tuning in because you've heard how far "American football" has come (and there has been some skillful play in the MLS this year), only to witness that rubbish! Ugh. Back to the drawing board MLS.

Philippe Fontanelli

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 9:54 a.m.

@Kerry and Ian well said... Seeing Connor Casey reminded me of Kovalenko and Hulk Hogan combined. I used to root for him when played in Germany but never realized what a thug and "non soccer" player he is. He is a "Con and nor" a soccer player. While I am glad that Dallas beat "pompous a.." Arena's team but It is a shame that the final wasn't between LA and NY or RSL.

F. Kirk Malloy

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 10:23 a.m.

If the MLS had any respect for their sponsors they'd compel Conner Casey (or is it Casey Conner?) to fix his name so the sponsors don't get confused again. How rude!

Karl Schreiber

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 10:24 a.m.

To the critical comments of Ian and others I want to add: If the TV broadcast would be used as a yard stick for soccer's future marketing potential in North America, the game would be extinct from TV in a few years. Half-empty stands (Why not have the final in Seattle?? Or in a city of one of the finalissts, to fill the stands?). A constant flow of unneccessary "color" comments by Harkes (Can the guy EVER shut up and let us enjoy a match??!??). After the announcement of "exciting news from the MLS Commissioner during the halftime interval", we get an UNPREPARED stumbling statement of half-cooked B.S. "Pro" soccer players behaving like bar league players. Inconsistent and at times questionnable refereeing. The lack of a decent stadium atmosphere. - I've been excited about, and at times involved in, American soccer for over 40 years. This was depressing.

Ian Plenderleith

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 10:53 a.m.

Oh yes, The Don's exciting HT announcement. There was something in his ramblings about "simulating promotion/relegation", which sounds like an intriguing development; ten teams in the playoffs (so now the tenth-ranked team can be champion instead of the seventh or eighth); and a vague promise to look at the calendar, but with no set time or remit. And not a single question from the panel about the half-empty stands around them and the wisdom of playing MLS Cup at a neutral venue in late November at 9pm in the freezing north, even as their skin turned blue with the cold.

Ric Dahlstrom

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 10:58 a.m.

The game and most players were all below a 5 rating, although these ratings were relative to MLS soccer, not world soccer. The game was a disgrace to MLS and the ref could have prevented such a display of the worst of American soccer. The only reason I didn't turn the game off was because it was a final and I hoped it might get better. If MLS wants viewers, put out a better product!

Nancy Carr-swaim

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 12:04 p.m.

The same ref who did the final game also did a recent semi-final game with the same dismal lack of control over both games. Cards need to be given early on to get the message across to players. Waiting until late in the second half is useless. Also, WHO picked Conner Casey as MVP? Obviously, the judges don't recognize a thug when they see one. Did these judges ever play soccer? I doubt it. There is a big difference between playing a strong, physical game and a dirty one. Dirty players are being rewarded by not receiving the necessary cards and send-offs. As another fan stated, "What happened to the beautiful game?"

Andy Sinsigalli

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 12:59 p.m.

No it wasn't a "beautiful game", however how often does that happen with a cup title? The complaints are always the same, however at least the game was decided without spot kicks. Expectations should be low for a title game, regardless of whether it is the MLS Cup, FA Cup, World Cup Final or any other that you can think of. BTW, Casey is a thug.

Robert Schaefer

commented on: November 22, 2010 at 2:18 p.m.

I am gratified by the comments here, because it reflects my disgust at the game I watched. The referee allowed the game to be a rugby match, which all but ruined the event for those of us who like to watch the game being played as it was meant to be. Casey was a complete horse's ass and a thug, not an MVP.

Phil Love

commented on: November 23, 2010 at 11:05 a.m.

I traveled to Toronto from Texas to support FCD. The weather wasn't that bad. Toronto is a good soccer town - lots of knowledge about the game and MLS. Toronto's foreigners embrace their team and contribute to the game atmosphere instead of deriding the level of play and atmosphere as they do in North Texas. Empty seats were mostly due to late start time on Sunday night and two no-name teams in the final. The jackassedness of the referee was epitomized by refusing to let Colorado take their corner kick at the end of a half. I thought my opinion of Conor Casey might be because of my obvious bias. Guess not. Will a non-scorer ever be picked as a MOTM/MVP? For me, Larentowicz was the MVP - worked tremendously hard all over the field. I think Colorado's players agree with me judging by their post-game comments.

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