Good morning everybody. The new year is here and the soccer is already under way with Fulham suffering yet another heartbreaking loss, this time to Chelsea. Not exactly the way to start the year for American soccer fans, but 2008 should still be a fun one.
What will you be looking forward to in 2008 in the soccer world? World Cup qualifying? The Olympics? Euro 2008? US-Mexico for the millionth time? San Jose Earthquakes opening day?
I'm looking forward to all of it, as well as some major changes you will be finding out about very shortly.
For now, share with us what you will be looking forward to the most in this new year. Post your thoughts below.
Happy New Year SBI Mafia. Looking foward to a historic US soccer year.
Posted by: Erik Abarca | January 01, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Happy New Year! Looking forward to another season of MLS and the US clinching a spot in the '09 Hex.
And if some of those Americans in Europe came home this year, even better.
Posted by: Roehl | January 01, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I'm looking foward to seeing Michael Bradley picked up by a bigger club hopefully in the prem so I can watch it on TV.
Posted by: Johnny | January 01, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Looking forward to more Americans challenging themselves abroad. Michael Parkhurst and Jose Altidore will hopefully receive opportunities in the near future.
Posted by: YankatOxford | January 01, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Happy New Year's SBI Mafia. I too, like Johnny, am also looking forward to Michael Bradley being picked up by a Prem team (NOT Fulham, please). I also can't wait for the new MLS season to begin...this is the year RBNY takes it all (I hope). Have a good one, all.
Posted by: Ceez | January 01, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Ceez.
You are absolutely right. We definitely don't want to see Michael Bradley picked up by Fulham. Fulham won't be a prem team for long. I would like to see him end up with Reading or Everton. Two decent prem teams with a chance to break the starting line up.
Posted by: Johnny | January 01, 2008 at 12:47 PM
My handle should give you the answer - I'm looking forward to the Quakes return.
Posted by: Tony in Quakeland | January 01, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Happy New Year "I" man. Enough with the freakin teases! What are the changes?!?! Hopefully you are going to break off with your own website and make some cash for the best soccer/football writer of our time!
Posted by: elfurdeball | January 01, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Happy New Year y'all! Looking forward to it all..........
Bring it.
Posted by: Dominghosa | January 01, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Maybe I'm the only one, but I want Americans to diversify. Dunno what this worship of the EPL is about. I could go for Bradley going to Spain. On most other occasions I'd say Italy too, but the state of the domestic game there doesn't really thrill me.
Posted by: Scott A | January 01, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Looking forward to Osorio in charge of Red Bulls (I'm optimistic about the team's chances to go further this year); USMT finding decent forward / striker options (Altidore ... are you ready?). .. Not looking forward to: Fulham getting relegated & sending some YAs to Championship teams.
Posted by: torosrojosfan | January 01, 2008 at 01:36 PM
happy new year everybody.im lookin forward to usa vs mexico and the italians conquering france once again and the euro 08 title!!!!
Posted by: george | January 01, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Happy New Year, all!
I'm looking forward to Arsenal holding on to win the EPL and prove the non-believers wrong.
I'm also looking forward to getting a bit more into MLS again. Still haven't decided whether I'll break my resolution and root for the Red Bulls of Some Nearby Area. I'm normally one to root for a local club when available, but the name still aggravates me.
Posted by: PhantomNJ | January 01, 2008 at 02:01 PM
I'm looking forward to the upcoming MLS season along with World Cup qualifying and the Olympic.
What I'm not looking forward to is US v. Mexico, again. Both teams need to start playing European National teams to improve.
Posted by: glen | January 01, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Euro 2008 highlights the year for me. US vs. Mexico is always a big game also.
Ives when are you posting the Q&A?
Posted by: Sean H. | January 01, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Happy New Year! Looking forward to ...
1. New York Red Bull new player acquisitions at center attacking mid, left mid, center back, another defender and goalkeeper
2. 2008 New York Red Bulls season
3. Euro 2008
4. USMNT World Cup qualifying matches
Posted by: Tim F. | January 01, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Ives can you look into and or address the current transfer rumors linking Americans to a move abroad.
Eddie Johnson to Everton or Reading
Landon Donovan to Everton
on loan
very reliable source?
http://www.toffeeweb.com/season/07-08/news/080101a.asp
Maurice Edu to Aston Villa
yet another very reliable source?
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/Keanes-20m-transfer-kitty.3577756.jp
Oguchi Onyewu to Fulham
A totally 110% reliable source!
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=93137
Posted by: Johnny | January 01, 2008 at 03:21 PM
happy new years to all US fans here.
I hope 2008 brings fruitfull progress to all of you and of course to our US Nats as well.
Posted by: 3 points of view | January 01, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Major changes?
Hope you're not going to start charging for the blog.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: LiveFree | January 01, 2008 at 06:51 PM
No offense but the minute this starts costing money I'm out.
I'll assume that the major changes are that there will be way more advertisements on this blog?
Posted by: Johnny | January 01, 2008 at 07:02 PM
Scott A.:
I'm with you, I hope Bradley goes somewhere other than an EPL. Actually, I don't think a little more seasoning in the Dutch league would be too bad, maybe one more season. If not, one of the better teams in La Liga would be great.
I'd like Bradley Sr. to continue to schedule the USMNT to play QUALITY opponents (top 20 European teams and the better S. American teams) instead of the Bruce Arena bottom feeding teams.
Posted by: hincha tim | January 01, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Looking forward to another year of DC United's continued dominance of the regular season!
Posted by: dc | January 01, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Mostly looking forward to seeing the Nats kick some *ss (we can hope) and the Quakes.
Posted by: Xiphosis | January 01, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Does anyone know anything about Alecko Eskandarian going to Belgium? I read he was offered a contract, but haven't heard anything since.
Posted by: Nic | January 01, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Johnny, Landycakes and EJ to Everton? Over my dead body!
Posted by: Head_Hunter | January 01, 2008 at 09:47 PM