It's Q&A Time

Okay folks, it has been a few weeks since the last question & answer session so let's have another one. I know I didn't get to all of the questions last time but I will look to cut off the questions sooner so I can handle them all in a timely manner.

Let's hear your questions. Fire away.

Comments

[Landis]

A few weeks ago you did a piece on the Dempsey v Donovan positional dilemma. Right now Dempsey is our best option at striker, while I've always seen Donovan as a center forward tucked in behind the striker. I feel that our dilemma is a lack of options at right midfield. What viable options does Bradley have currently, and who our our prospects to fill the position for 2010?

[Francis]

What about Rossi's two goals this weekend?

[Ben]

How do you see the Red Bulls handeling NE or DC in the first round of the playoffs? Do you think if they keep up their form they have a good chance to make it to the eastern conference finals?

[Brian.MLS]

Ives

What is the deal with Mendes? I heard that he was injured but it appears that he has just completely fallen out of favor with Arena. He hasn't even made the bench. Is this due to injury?

[Greg]

What ever happend to Freddy Adu at Benifica?

[kilmier]

Ives,
1) Any further news on Red Bull Park or the Website?

2) What's with the Red Bulls jerseys on Saturday? Was it another one of those "special nights" where they had to wear the road jerseys for the cancer raffle?

[erik]

Ives -- when are you and the rest of the local soccer press going to start hardballing RBNY on the stadium issue? Yes, I know were getting it, but everything is very weird about it. The site has had nothing happening for a long time now. Additonally, did you buy what I thought to be a cover story, that of environmental and structural foundation delays? Why is this story just sitting there like the white elephant in the room and no one with a press credential is saying anything?

[Jasen]

Ives, what do you think the odds of Amado being an RBNY next year are?

[Dannyc58]

Two Questions for me.

1) You said Johnson looks smart for not signing with Derby. I get the gist since they are likely to go down. But what league or team in the world, thats in the top division and NOT a relegation threat could you ever see signing him?

2) Who's your favorite NFL team? (You said you played/loved American football!)

[Steve W]

Why are there no top class US players in top leagues around the world? Essien, Suazo, and earlier George Weah and...well you get it. These players are from countries with paltry resources and antiquated sports science methodologies. In other words, why hasn't the US produced more class players given the resource base, unsurpassed medical practices, and large financial investment? Is it cultural? Is it structural? Is it media related?

[Roehl]

Ives,

Please say a few good things about Chris Leitch so I won't be screaming for Arena's head every time the guy gets a start. Thanks!

[Juan]

What one skill do you believe (pace, technique, etc) is the most useful in helping a player adjust to the EPL? Furthermore, what league would resembles the EPL the most (French, German, etc)? I pose these questions because I find the fact that some players can adjust to the EPL and others struggle interesting.

[Juan]

What one skill do you believe (pace, technique, etc) is the most useful in helping a player adjust to the EPL? Furthermore, what league would resembles the EPL the most (French, German, etc)? I pose these questions because I find the fact that some players can adjust to the EPL and others struggle interesting.

[Juan]

What one skill do you believe (pace, technique, etc) is the most useful in helping a player adjust to the EPL? Furthermore, what league would resembles the EPL the most (French, German, etc)? I pose these questions because I find the fact that some players can adjust to the EPL and others struggle interesting.

[CPTKevin]

(1) how bad was the offisides call at the end of the first half vs. NE on Saturday? was it close or was it a blown call?!

(2) when will Carlos M be back in the starting line-up?

[Roman]

Che Ives..que pasa hermano? Yo creo que Ronaldinho se va a Canada para jugar el ano que viene. Chau

[Super Metro]

Ives,
Do you happen to know what Arena's plans were (if there were any) when he let go Graham and Regan? Was there an original major defender in the works and when that fell through we ended up with consolation prize Goldthwaite?

[jig]

Any idea how Johann Smith is coming along with his rehab? Once he does recover, you think he might feature in any Bolton fixtures outside the Carling Cup? They're pretty bad.

[centrejack]

Ives,

Could you give us a little insight on one of the biggest problems in the league - officiating.

Specifically I am wondering about post game tape reviews for training purposes or for disciplining the officials or players. A good example was the TFC at RBNY incident when Lombardo punched Freeman in the peaches and there were no suspensions or anything even though it was caught on tape. So my question what is the review procedure for bad calls and what is the review procedure for no calls? Part two - have any refs been censured for bad officiating?

[nutmegger]

Red Bull Park update please. Is it going to happen? NM

[alex]

Any indication what the MLS going to do with the salary cap in the offseason? There have been some articles suggesting it would increase 500k-1M, any truth to this?

[kpugs]

Sausage: hot or sweet? Mustard? Onions?

[Brad]

Which MLS players do you see as possibly going overseas in the January transfer window? Any chance MLS players start getting loaned from January to May/June to teams overseas to train?

[Lakai]

Ives,

Whats the deal with RBP, the construction is very slow. Is it the same construction company working on the training ground also? Are they putting more effort to finishing the training ground for the proposed date of 2008, and also how is the construction at the training ground site.

Whats you with the RBP website its been out dated for a while now. I wounldnt mind for the FO to finish up the training ground for 2008 and then make the construction crew work like RSL's construction crew and put the stadium up in a year.

Also you were right about Reyna i was so pleased about his play and i was sad that he didnt score that game, if he does keeps it up and plays like this throught out his time with the bulls then he is worth the money, or could it be his newly died hair i didnt see any gray spots on his head at the end of the game.

Thanks ives

[Matt L]

Take your pick of any, all, or none of the following:

1. Will BMO field have synthetic turf next year? They have had injury problems this year and several Canadian nationals (Thomas Radzinski) as well as Aston Villa players (Melberg, among others) commented how they would consider playing in MLS and at Toronto specifically, but hated the turf. When, if ever, will they go grass?

2. Who are the next best bets to go to Europe? A penny for your thoughts on Rico Clark, M. Edu, Altiore, Kljestan, Guzan, E. Johnson?

3. Is Dane Richards the Aaron Lennon of the MLS (great pace but limited end-product)?

4. Where does ESPN get its soccer producers and "camera-guys"? The producers often allow the broadcast to come off of live play for replays, interviews, and other non-sense and the mid-field camera is always too tight, they need to show the field sideline to sideline. Can you lead a petition to send them to "Soccer on TV school"? Are they looking to correct this? Surely they must get complaints.

5. If the MLS goes single table it could reduce the number of league games played by the teams. Could this safe the US Open Cup by giving these games better time/day slots? Is there any chatter about GolTV or FSN buying the US Open Cup TV rights and publicizing games?

6. I think the MLS and US Soccer in general would benefit from being more "technical" and less "physical". One way to do this is to change the way the games are called, rewarding technical play and punishing brutish play. Have you heard any talk about the quality / performance of MLS referees and their influence on the style of the league?