Flushing Meadows on Saturday

As I was walking to the Mets/Yankees game yesterday I quickly snapped these...not so good...photos with my phone. As you can see though, many of the locals are out playing soccer as I counted about 5 pickup games going on at once. Pictures are not the best but you can see the various jerseys and goal posts.They were playing in a parking lot by the science center, which is not the heart of Flushing Meadow Park but I often see lots of games being played here. Is this area ready to embrace an MLS side? There is plenty of potential.

MEET JOHN HARKES THIS SUNDAY

Pele Involved

According to this link, Pele is involved with Paul Kemsley and the revival of the New York Cosmos.


"Meanwhile, another former Spurs director, Paul Kemsley, has recruited Pele to help him relaunch the New York Cosmos brand"

I imagine this is just the first of the old Cosmos greats we will see involved with the rebirth. This name of course was the most important. Who will follow?

NYC by 2013???

According to this Link...JUST MAYBE


"Now Garber will turn his attention to New York. Across the Hudson River, the Red Bulls moved into a $200 million stadium this year in Harrison, NJ.


"Our attention is very focused on a 20th team as we speak. We'd like that team to be in New York City representing a second team in the tri-state area," Garber said. "The Red Bulls are very supportive of that and believe that rivalry will help grow the popularity of the sport in the New York metropolitan area. So we're going to work hard and try to get something done perhaps as early as 2013.""

COPA NYC 2010 IS COMING

Important Dispatch

-- Stadium Group bidding to build a Stadium at Willets Point, but may be pipped by the Wilpons -- 

When the expected bid did not come back in October 2007, the Borough Boys have had a tough job. Many people lost interest in NYC expansion as probably lost faith in our group. The reality was on that day no one knew what kept the bid from being placed. We had a choice. Should we hang it up or continue the job we set for ourselves on a cold January afternoon in Sunnyside.

Wilpon Still Interested in MLS Franchise?

Interesting story today, this time from the New York Mets organization. Is Wilpon really ready to get his feet wet with MLS? And how does this fit in with the possibility of the New York Cosmos rebirth? Tell us what you think.

MLS Expansion happening soon

According to the Associated Press Major League Soccer is all but set to announce Montreal to the league and this is very deserving. For those who don't know, the Impact supporters are some of the more loyal in US and Canada and the team drew over 50,000 fans to a Champions League quarterfinal match two seasons ago. A competition that a lot of fans don't seem to take very seriously. Congrats to Montreal! Here is a piece of the release:

AN OPINION PIECE: THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN SOCCER 1

I have often admired the Bundesliga.  I think it has its fair share of stylish football, and there’s always someone new to challenge Bayern’s hegemony.  Mostly though, I’ve admired the large and passionate crowds every time I flip over to a Bundesliga match.  The Dortmund games, regardless of their position in the table, always have a hugely impressive atmosphere. 

Today there was a great article in the Guardian about the Bundesliga’s success.  It’s here:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/apr/11/bundesliga-premier-league.  It got me thinking about (again) the future of American soccer. 

Garber mentions NY2

Watch this video - about the third minute Garber talks about rilvarly and says something to the effect of "just think if we can get a second team in NY"

Then later (about 4:40) he is asked if NY is ready for a second club and he says that he thinks it is ready and the Red Bull think its ready too.

With Montreal about to be announced, does this put NY back on the map for the 20th spot? We know this one thing about Garber from our meetings with people of MLS. If he says something in public, there is some weight behind it.