Time for MLS to protect its best
The 2011 MLS season will be known by some fans for the Los Angeles Galaxy and its star-studded roster winning the MLS Cup.
Specifically, it might be known as the year David Beckham finally made good on his record-setting contract.
It might be known for Dwayne DeRosario winning the league MVP award despite being traded twice during the season.
It might be known for Charlie Davies’ return from a tragic auto accident.
Or it might be known as the year avoidable injuries cost the league some of its most dynamic players.
FC Dallas’ David Ferreira, the 2010 league MVP, and Seattle’s Steve Zakuani had their seasons — and nearly their careers — ended early by vicious tackles. Real Salt Lake’s Javier Morales came back from a devastating ankle injury toward the end of the season but wasn’t the same. Seattle’s Mauro Rosales succumbed to tacklers’ indiscretion toward the end of the season.
(For a good read on Zakuani’s fate, see Grant Wahl’s piece at si.com).
As we scan the long list of imports coming into the league and notice the trend toward attacking, skilled soccer, the injuries to these players come to mind.
These are the players that will draw fans to MLS. These are the players who will improve the league’s reputation around the world. These are the players who will increase scoring in MLS and decrease the number of ties, which last year hit a record high.
MLS needs them on the field, not on an ambulance stretcher.
Don Garber has been MLS commissioner for more than a decade now, but in terms he can relate to from his NFL days, it’s time MLS protects its best, most technical players like the NFL protects its quarterbacks. Instead, Garber presides over one of the most physical leagues in the world.
Referees hired by U.S. Soccer to police MLS games must crack down on some of the cynical fouling that many players, coaches and broadcasters pass off as “good defense.”
It’s not good defense. It’s bad soccer, and for the good of the game and the league, as well as the livelihoods of players like Zakuani and Ferreira, it needs to stop.
Fire news:The Fire took a 3-1 exhibition victory from Honduran side Real Espana on Saturday night in New Orleans. Dominic Oduro scored twice, indicating he might have another strong year in him after scoring 12 in a breakout 2011 season. Orr Barouch also scored for the Fire, which made wholesale substitutions at halftime.The Fire put single-game tickets on sale beginning Monday. Tickets are available at chicago-fire.com or by calling (888) MLS-FIRE.Tickets also are on sale for the Fire#146;s season kickoff luncheon, March 12 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.Ÿ Follow Orrin#146;s soccer reports via Twitter @orrinsoccer.