British Invasion?

THE BRITISH ARE COMING!
(Well, English more like it)

There has been an influx of English Football connections lately. Last year, I found out Charlton Athletic has an academy in Tucson, Arizona; Crystal Palace FC USA is situated in Annapolis, Maryland; the Los Angeles Galaxy have a development agreement with Chelsea FC while the Colorado Rapids have something similar with Arsenal FC. And today, Liverpool FC announced its affiliation with the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

David Beckham should be kicking balls at the Home Depot Center by July or August. Paul Dalglish (King Kenny's son - can we call him Prince Paul, then?) is a crucial component of Houston Dynamo's title defense. Then there is Terry Cooke, etc., etc.

Its crazy, isn't it? Three out of the English Premier League's big four are represented and arguably the most recognizable name and face in world soccer is coming?

So while Americans are buying up clubs across the pond. Clubs and players are starting to look over the other way. I am quite sure that this will not harm US Soccer. The trade-off should be simple, it helps develop young American talent while they extend their brand to what they believe is an untapped market.

There must be something more to it. It can't be that simple. It surely can't hurt the US, but what does it really do? Is there anybody out there who can help enlighten me?

The Bad Week.

I've been itching to write about Arsenal for about a while now, but the last two weeks have been disappointing. After numerous drafts on the PSV, Carling Cup final, and the FA Cup tie with the Blackburn Rovers, I just couldn't finish my pieces.

EDIT: Make that two weeks. Arsenal just got knocked out of the Champions League by PSV.