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

[Paul M.]

i drove by the RB Park about 1 week ago and saw zero progress or activity -- clearly this will not be ready before 2009. what's the deal? what is the update on personnel in RB FO? what will the suffering be like in Giants stadium next year?

[Patrick]

Ives,
Which American has suprised you the most in Europe this year?
Thanks

[Edward]

Whatever happened to all the 'You Write the Caption' winners? I don't think you've posted the winners for the past several pictures.

MLS related, who do you see as some of the top prospects coming out of college and into the draft (the ones who presumably want to play here)?

[Andy]

Ives,

Random question, what ever happened to former #1 draft pick Nic Besgano? Why was he picked so highly and does he have the skill or potential (2-3 years later) to justify being picked first?

[joe k]

You may have addressed this earlier in the season, but I wasn't always a reader and watching the Red Bulls play keeps bringing the question back:

Why did the Red Bulls trade Wynne? Why trade Dunivant; did Bruce Arena really believe in Goldwaithe?

#2: Americans seem to excel in Europe as defenders more often than as strikers. Why does it seem like there's a dearth of good defenders in the MLS (I'm looking at the red bulls here)?

[Jon G]

If a goalkeeper, being the last man, takes down an oncoming attacker in his penalty area, and they are rewarded a PK, but the GK is sent off, for denying a goalscoring opportunity, is the defending team allowed to make a sub (2nd GK for a field player) before the PK is taken? Because I know that there is a rule where you can't perform a substitution during a penalty kick, but it sounds crazy to think that the PK shooter would be permitted to shoot on an empty net.

Sorry for the long Q!

[h4]

Where do you think Emilio would be on the U.S. depth chart? Are there other MLS internationals that have not played for another country that would be starters, or close to it, on the MNT (Mendoza, Dorman, Fred, Toja are possibile candidates)?

[Dominghosa]

Your predictions for the playoffs?
And postseason awards?
Thanks homey...

[tommymcb]

I have heard commentators refer to stats like time of possesion and number of passes before a team gives up the ball, but I have never seen them listed on any game reports. Is there a way of finding detailed stats on a game? and is it worth the average fans time to look at them?

[BoB]

Ives what can you tell us about league rule changes and owners meetings? It seems in the larger American sports drastic changes are rare and highly controversial but the MLS is willing to make numerous changes as a fledgling league.

Will this change quickly now that we've got a few more ownership groups or do you see the league consistently reworking its formula until the magic number of teams are in place?

[andrewdiceway]

did kasey keller go to fulham just to sit on the bench? the impression i got (from reading articles) was that we was content to retire unless he found a situation that was both good for his family and offered him the chance to compete for the first team. do you get the impression that niemi is better than keller and/or that keller's not fit?

thanks, Ives.

[Lawrence]

In the last 2 games, Bradley's called in a U-20 player (Zizzo, Sietz). Outside of those 2 and Michael B, who do you think is the next to get a call up. McCarty is leading Dallas in assists (7). Adu maybe?

What did you think of Adu's Q&A article in SI?

[Lawrence]

One more, do you think Rolfe can be real option at RM? I do.

[UNITED]

Ives,

Any news on the possible second New York franchise?

Awesome, awesome blog, by the way.

[Eric]

Any Jose Angulo updates?

[Broski]

Managments feelings towards Arena, which direction are they going?

[lar]

Red Bull can sign two youth players from the academy correct? Updated power rankings on who they might be?

[gro]

Do you get a sense that next year, the year leading up to RBP, and having to compete with the Galaxy for attention, Red Bull will begin to go all out like we know they can? They have clearly been holding back in marketing, buzz, huge named players yada yada...

[Amit]

3 questions Ives:
1) Do you think that it would help Jozy Altidore to have him debut for USMNT with John Wolyneic?
2) Do older internationals in MLS garner interest from foreign clubs (i.e. Emilio)?
3) Is Claudio Suarez still the best Mexican outside back at this time? Pinto and Magallon are not that great, in my opinion.

[chris]

Wile Red Bull played well Saturday against a good NE team, the backline continues to be a nightmare. It should have been an easy win if not for the awful marking mistakes and giveaway. Stammler seems to get beat every game but continues to start, Leitch the same thing. What back 4 should they go with going forward? I'd like to see Stammler and Leitch out. Any thoughts?

[Justin]

Two questions...
Who are your top five players in the world right now?

Where would you rank Zidane among the all-time greats?(or at least the ones you've seen play)

[Sean]

Do you see MLS going to a single table format JUST for the playoffs in the near future? Teams would still play in the Conferences during the regular season to meet travel needs, but come fall the top 8 teams get into the playoffs, and then 1 plays 8 and so on. If changing the playoff picture the way they did this year, would it be logical to creat even more competition?

And 2 (sorry for length) Can you give us a brief history of the blog ex. why you started/when. Thanks

[david]

rules question. If on a PK the shooter lays it off to the side and then a player runs in and shoots it is that legal, or does there have to be a shot? just wondering. and what's the progress on red bull park?

[Dave]

Sorry this isn't soccer related but how do you pronounce your first name?

Derby has very little chance of being in the EPL next year. Where do you think Feilhaber will end up?

[andy b.]

Hey Ives,
Two related questions.
1. I'm preparing to start following MLS "for real" next year when the Quakes come back to the Bay Area. Since I haven't been paying attention-- how long should it take for an expansion team to become competitive in MLS these days?
2. Any players who might realistically wind up on an expansion squad you'd be excited to have if you were becoming a Quakes fan? Or will they all be 'leftovers?'
Thanks for fielding two questions.