Good morning people. I know some of you are at work today wondering like heck why you didn't save up one more sick day to use on this exact day.
As we stare at the clock and think about tonight's New Year's Eve celebration, you might want to think about 2007 and what it meant for American soccer and the soccer world in general. It wasn't a boring year by any stretch. In fact, for it to not be a World Cup year, or even a year with World Cup qualifying or a European Championship, 2007 was pretty exciting on the soccer pitch.
For those of you who may have missed it, here is my take on the 10 best storylines in American soccer in 2007 for ESPN.com. Everyone is doing these types of year-end lists so I had to do mine and I think it's fair to say that you can ask 10 people their choices for 10 best storylines and you will get 10 different answers.
With 2007 almost over, it is time to think about 2008 and all the great stories to come. The New Year will also bring some major changes to SBI. You will hear about those changes very soon.
For now, enjoy the last day of the year. I will come back with a few posts throughout the day to get you through this workday (which I'm sure will feel longer than most) so stay tuned.
Ives,
Any truth to the latest rumor that Figo signed with AEG but has not yet been "allocated" to one of Uncle Phil's Three?
Posted by: Mickey | December 31, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Ives:
Thanks for making 2007 a lot of fun for American soccer fans - even those of us without a "New Jersey flavor".
Look forward to the changes in 2008.
Posted by: Tony in Quakeland | December 31, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Correction: ..."one of Uncle Phil's Two Clubs?"
Still getting used to the fact that AEG divested two clubs in 2007.
Posted by: Mickey | December 31, 2007 at 11:21 AM
thanks for your awesome writing and analysis (and frequent updates to get me through some long days at work) in 2007! i love your blog and i'm glad you've gained such a big following. all the best to you in 2008.
Posted by: andrew | December 31, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Happy New Year Ives
Posted by: Scott A | December 31, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Portugal's respected newspaper Correiro da manha is reporting that Luis Figo has signed a contract with AEG to play for one of its teams: http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=271794&idselect=12&idCanal=12&p=200.
I'm not saying this is true or false, just passing it on.
Posted by: Nic | December 31, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Thanks for all the great stuff you do on this blog. Looking forward to seeing what the changes are going to be.
Posted by: Adam Nicholls | December 31, 2007 at 12:17 PM
"One problem with stats is when they take precedence over common sense." David James on guess who?
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/12/30/i_love_my_stats_but_you_need_h.html
Posted by: KingSnake | December 31, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Silly argument by James.
Posted by: Joamiq | December 31, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Re your top 10 list - good call on #10. I was thinking that people were forgetting about Superliga. Started off great and hopefully will continue to get even better.
Happy new year, and thanks for the great blog, Ives.
Posted by: A.S. | December 31, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Thanks for the work on the blog, man, and Happy New Year to you and yours as well as those who comment on the blog. 2008 will be even better than this past year.
Posted by: Dominghosa | December 31, 2007 at 01:06 PM
I second Dominghosa word for word.
Go Fulham!
Posted by: Ilya | December 31, 2007 at 01:13 PM
Happy New Year, y'all -
Wanted to toss out some huge props to our local league U-16 team CASL 91 Elite, who took out the Chelsea U-16's 2-1 at the Disney Show Case. Woo Hoo!
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=494602&cc=5901
Be safe out there and have fun
Posted by: eric | December 31, 2007 at 01:23 PM
When writing about the Dynamo Dynasty, why not include the two MLS Cup trophies taken by the club while they were the Earthquakes? Four out of seven makes an even stronger argument, but then again no writers I read seem willing to cross TPTB by making this connection.
Posted by: BillSaysThis | December 31, 2007 at 01:35 PM
Happy New Year Ives!!!
Posted by: Tim F. | December 31, 2007 at 01:39 PM
happy new years ives,thanks for the very informative blogging throughout 2007. looking forward to a great 08.
Posted by: george | December 31, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Ives, do you know anything about Peru and their stance on anything nuclear-weapon related? I am Peru's delegate for the International Atomic Energy Agency for an upcoming Model UN conference.
Thanks, and
Happy New Year
Posted by: Jahs | December 31, 2007 at 01:52 PM
Sources in Portugal have confirmed this morning that Figo is going to be assigned to the Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, or Los Angeles Galaxy.
Posted by: JP | December 31, 2007 at 02:22 PM
great article ives.
Posted by: Murphy | December 31, 2007 at 02:29 PM
Great year in review from DC fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg16DwgN39U
And one from New York Red Bulls fans:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nbk7zmZqnfU
Posted by: Well done | December 31, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Yo ives you got those questions/ you hear about figo?
Posted by: gro | December 31, 2007 at 03:14 PM
Goal.com is running the Figo story calling it 2 yrs/$3M per...
Posted by: eric | December 31, 2007 at 03:18 PM
Don Ives,
On this very last day of this year of our Lord, allow me the honor to wish you, Don Ives, a Happy New Year to you and yours. And a Happy New Year to the SBI Maffia.
Here's hoping that 2008 brings us all bigger and better things. To the Don!
Posted by: Kosh71 | December 31, 2007 at 03:42 PM
fantastic article. loved your top-10 list
Posted by: brentmcd | December 31, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Happy New Year to everyone in the SBI community
Posted by: Joamiq | December 31, 2007 at 06:34 PM