Lalas of Lala Land

I dislike Alexi Lalas, but I've found him entertaining. He has outdone himself this time by claiming that the English Premier League is an inferior product. Yes, the MLS is more competitive that the EPL but obviously it would not be able to compete against the EPL on the pitch and off it.

I appreciate the fact that he is standing up for the MLS, but he has just made a fool of himself. I'm assuming that he got fed up with English media constantly bad-mouthing Major League Soccer but claiming that MLS players are on par with the EPL's is a bit much. He must have overlooked that Juan Pablo Angel, an average striker for Aston Villa in the Prem, is the most deadly in the MLS. Or that he claimed "Abel Xavier brings immense experience to the Galaxy" after he did not figure much for Middlesborough and was eventually released on a free. Or that MLS superstars such as Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard end up with mid-table clubs
in England. Or that Freddy Adu, whose shoulders used to burden the hype of being the saviour of the MLS, was deemed not good enough when he was on trial with Manchester United.

He also claimed that the US is not that far off compared to England. That is almost like saying Landon Donovan is not that far off from Steven Gerrard. Landon who couldn't get a regular spot in Bayer Leverkusen and gave up to come back to the US. Last I checked, Americans playing in the Championship are ahead on the pecking order when it comes to US Mens National Team players selection.

Ever since the signing of David Beckham, Lalas has been in the spotlight. The anticipation for Golden Balls' arrival has increased his media exposure. I am not sure if his antics are a marketing ploy or is he just loving the attention of being the Don King of the MLS? Somebody rein him in, please! Tim Leiweke? Don Garber?

He has just re-affirmed the assumption of most people that football and Americans do not mix well. He should apologize ... not to the British media, but to us. He has defamed not only the MLS and US Soccer, but all soccer loving Americans.

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?