Good evening folks. Apologies for the lengthy blackout but I drove to down to DC today and took in the festivities at the ESPN Zone.
As you know by now, Luciano Emilio won the MVP Award, beating out Juan Pablo Angel. As SBI readers know, I felt Angel should win the award. I still feel that way, and feel like I made a pretty strong and clear argument for Angel, but I won't argue about Emilio winning it. He also had a tremendous season and is a worthy recipient. Now, if Cuauhtemoc Blanco would have won it there would have been some issues.
If Red Bulls fans want to complain about Angel being robbed you could consider it the final repayment for Amado Guevara stealing the MVP award from Jaime Moreno in 2004. I'm still trying to figure out how a guy who disappeared for the final two months of the 2004 season still won MVP.
Did they give out newcomer of the year yet?
Posted by: Dan | November 15, 2007 at 08:27 PM
Nah thats Saturday... the culmination of the awards. Seems MVP would be a logical one to announce last, but whatever.
Posted by: Steve | November 15, 2007 at 08:36 PM
JPA should get Newcomer hands down then.
Posted by: jmr | November 15, 2007 at 08:36 PM
Guevara won in 2004. My how time flies.
Posted by: nutmegger | November 15, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Ives,
How likely is it that Mendieta is playing in MLS next season after falling out of favor at Boro? After reading the article, his situation seems very similar to JPA at Aston Villa. Here is the article:
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_2884088,00.html
Posted by: Dave | November 15, 2007 at 09:16 PM
Should we try to cap Emilio? Does he have to be a citizen to be capped by us? Or can we cap him just based on some other type of legal immigrant status?
Anyways, this might be something to consider.
Posted by: AJ | November 15, 2007 at 09:24 PM
Should have been Angel.
And I'm no a Red Bull fan.
Posted by: Tony in Quakeland (Tony M) | November 15, 2007 at 10:19 PM
Emilio I think has been capped by Honduras or they have approached him since he has not been capped for Brazil and he played for a long time in the Honduran league.
RESPECT EMILIO! VAMOS UNITED!
Posted by: Jade | November 15, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Goff is reporting that Jose Murinho is in town for MLS Cup and is speculating that he may be talking to NYRB!? What do you guys think?
Posted by: Keenan | November 15, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Not a chance in hell, Keenan, but a man can dream, can't he? God I miss the guy. Now us Blues fans are lumbered with Grant, who has all the charisma of an undertaker. It just ain't the same. The thrill is gone.
Posted by: Matt | November 15, 2007 at 11:05 PM
http://lucianoemilio.com/
RESPECT EMILIO!
Posted by: jade1mls | November 16, 2007 at 02:19 AM
Thanks your your opinion, trannie.
Posted by: Haig | November 16, 2007 at 02:43 AM
for, not your
Posted by: Haig | November 16, 2007 at 02:44 AM
Setanta:
"Real Madrid have reportedly approached New York Red Bulls star Jozy Altidore."
http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2007/11/16/Liga-Real-Madrid-keen-on-Altidore/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/
Posted by: Justin | November 16, 2007 at 06:57 AM
Voting is underway at ussoccer.com for the best soccer blog:
http://bestof2007-ussoccer.blogspot.com/search/label/Best%20Soccer%20Blog
He takes the time to answer our questions; it's the least we can do for him. Cast your vote for Ives now and often!
Posted by: Tim | November 16, 2007 at 08:13 AM
As much as I despised the Osorio to RBNJ rumor I would love to see The Special One in charge of FC Energy Drink.
Mourinho in MLS - now that's worth dreaming about.
Posted by: Fuego Fanatico | November 16, 2007 at 08:47 AM
I'm from Chicago so I'm votin' early, votin' often.
Good luck, Ives!
Posted by: Fuego Fanatico | November 16, 2007 at 08:50 AM
1. Luciano Emilio is uncapped by any country.
2. Honduras has approached him about playing for their NT in the next WCQ cycle and while he's said he would be honored, there is also no commitment.
3. At the MVP award, he also said he was happy in Washington and wanted to stay. Okay, standard PR stuff that everyone says.
4. I think it's highly unlikely he'd get his citizenship in time to play for the USMNT. Since 9-11, there has been a real crackdown on "instant citizenship" bills that used to flow through Congress lots of time. Contributor gives a big donation, next day they're a US citizen (well, a bill get's passed and then President signs it). But no more. Otherwise Christian Gomez would have gone to Germany with the USNT.
Posted by: John | November 16, 2007 at 09:11 AM
MLS is trying to set a precedent here. Supporters Shield winners get the advantage, period.
Posted by: Super Metro | November 16, 2007 at 09:12 AM
i just went to mlsnet.com and watched the "highlights" of emilio's goals. not that impressive, really, and nothing like what angel can do. and emilio was on a better team. there is no player more valuable than angel, it was clear he is the best player in the league.
Posted by: Murphy | November 16, 2007 at 09:33 AM
hey Ives, just out of curiosity, will you be seeing Carlos Bucero (Pedja Mijatovic's pawn) over in DC? He is supposedly there to inquire about Altidore going to Real Madrid. Just wanted to know if you would be looking into that rumor.
here is the link: (in spanish)
http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/futbol-madrid-sigue-altidore-goleador/dasftb/20071116dasdaiftb_42/Tes
Posted by: HE from NJ | November 16, 2007 at 09:49 AM
Murphy, you are absolutely correct. That video sucks. The golden boot video has the better goals of his.
Posted by: jmr | November 16, 2007 at 12:43 PM