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resolutions
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Time to quit eating junk food, quit lying, quit whatever-it-is-that-you-think-or-have-been-led-to-think-is-bad-for-you. That or make yourself exercise, make yourself spend time with your family, or make-yourself-do-whatever-it-is-you-aren’t-doing-that-you-should-be-doing. In short, pay attention to your health and that of those around you. New Year’s Resolutions are more often than not threats, and like most threats, they don’t work because, well, you feel threatened. New Year’s Resolutions is a misnomer. It should be changed to A Few Months in the Closet, as in - I need to do more or less of this thing, but instead, I’ll just hide it from people by spending A Few Months in the Closet. Instead of a public diatribe, you get to reap the benefits of a Special Olympian. Everybody wins. Then February or March rolls around and everybody’s pigging out, drinking, lying, hating, and basically back to being their miserable selves. Happy New Year!
first minute of a brand new day
So are we in agreement personal New Year’s Resolutions are worthless? Good. Now we can move on to bigger and better things, like telling other people what to do, which brings me to my point (and your assignment). While VH1 and MTV and E! and etc and etc are counting down their awesomely bad videos and bodacious break-ups of the past year, why not wash all that crap under the bridge and look to the future.
2006 is set to be a big year in soccer and maybe a bigger year for American Soccer. Or maybe not. So what is your New Year’s American Soccer Resolution? What do you want to see American soccer do - or not do - in the next calendar year? Bring the trophy home from Germany - of course, but that’s too easy. And it won’t get you a pair of t-shirts. That’s right. I’ve been doing some New Year’s cleaning and found some still-in-the-shrink-wrap swag. Whoever comes up with best resolution, be it funny, wise, pertinent, or absurd, gets the shirts. It’s no sanctioned contest, it’s a popularity contest with one judge, me. Like Stephen A. Smith says at the end of every show - or at least the one I watched, it’s my house, but your welcome anytime. Ok, I can’t believe I just said that, but you catch my drift. Whichever I think is the best resolution - I’ll contact and send a few t-shirts. Do your best, do your worst, do something, even if it’s a bunch of shit. Because that’s what resolutions are all about.
Still confused? Here’s my simple resolution (I expect yours to be better):
A Television Revolution
Sorry Fox Soccer Channel, but you’re getting coal this year in your stocking. Tape-delayed after tape-delayed game is not going to cut it in 2006. I know you’re the one horse in a one-horse town, but the stable is busting out come 2006 like a cloning experiment in the hands of atheists. The ink is yet to dry on the ABC-ESPN deal, and time will tell what that does for me, hopefully more than the ratings spike OLN sees during The Tour De France. After Germany, I’m afraid the media will forget. That’s why I’m taking a stand. As American soccer, I hereby direct newfound effort into finding new media outlets to broadcast my games and those of fellow countries to the television screens of fans nationwide. I agree with all those who have spoken in my defense. Bruce Arena, that lovable Santa of a coach, knows what TV can do. So let’s do it. Put my games on and watch the ratings soar. May the love will linger long past 2006 and into the future, where there will only be more and more people looking for something more than FSC and some game where they already know who wins.
Post your comment for the world to see by December 31st at midnight. One resolution per person. I’ve got two t-shirts, pictured below. The DTOM shirt is a large; the Border Clash shirt is a Medium. To reiterate, my favorite resolution gets both and can give the one that doesn’t fit to a friend.
something for essentially nothing. GET CREATIVE!!!
Daveed
on Dec 23rd, 2005 - 11:38pm
Well, I’ve always thought New Year’s Resoulutions were just stupid and supposed to be something that you couldn’t achieve just so you can feel bad about yourself. This year I feel, is going to be my big year in soccer like the rest of the soccer world in general. I have a feeling this year is going to be the turning point in my career in soccer. I don’t feel it, I know it. So, my resolution, is to make the 91 Washington ODP Team by practicing 30 min. everyday and going to all my practices. I fell a little short last year only making it to the pool. But this year, I know is my year. With a lot of practice and dedication till that tryout day as I walk onto the field I believe I can achieve that. So this year, I want my resolution to be something I can achieve but not something I only dream about.
~Daveed
Sean
on Dec 24th, 2005 - 4:04am
As the physical being now representing all of American soccer it is a heavy task to think of one specific thing that I could change in the new year. Several snap opinions come to mind: a haircut for Cobi Jones, training refs to recognize murder when Mexican players go after Beasely, bringing back the old flag uniforms from the 94 World Cup. However what I would most like to change about myself is the MLS regular season. These games should probably count for something, so that the few times games are on tv the fans get to watch something meaningful. So here is my new years resolution for American soccer. I will get rid of MLS confrence system, and award first place in the league to whoever has the best regular season. The MLS cup now becomes a home and away tournament, played throughout the season, seeded by the previous year’s standings, top four teams getting a bye in the first round. To add some more incentive, a part of each players salary will be bonus money, determined by team success in league play. That is my new years resolution. Either that or stoning the next person who asks David Beckham if he would ever play soccer in America.
David S.
on Dec 24th, 2005 - 9:55am
In season 11 of the MLS, the number of teams WILL expand to twice the number of teams in season 10 making 24 teams. With more competition will come more variation in wins and losses. The Revolution will move to Boston, leaving room for a new team in New York. Teams will be added in Atlanta and Tampa, as well as Little Rock and Portland. Chivas USA will move to Albuquerque. Anaheim will host a team. Expansion teams will also be placed in Phoenix and Seattle. The US will form a partnership with Mexico and integrate four Mexican teams from cities which don’t have a spot in the Primera División de México, a division one Mexican League. This will be great for American Soccer because the fans will see a much different style of play even further diversifying the MLS. With teams in all four corners of the US, soccer fever will plague (and I mean that in a good way) through American streets. Many more people will be playing the game which will create a greater chance for a better national team in the future. Season 11 in the MLS will change US soccer forever.
Gabe
on Dec 24th, 2005 - 1:15pm
Hello, I am 15 years old and a sophmore in high school. I play for my Varsity team. We’ve had two tournaments and 5 pre season games since december started. we lost 4 and tied one pre-season game. In the tournament we got 19th out of 60 teams. Our team has 8 starting sophmores and a starting freshman. a starting junior and two seniors. We’re young. lately we’ve been losing to these insanely good all senior teams. but the games arent close. We’ve never been shut out. So my resoultion is to win.
Eddie
on Dec 24th, 2005 - 2:02pm
ok, this is what id like to see this year in U.S. soccer. First thing that needs to change is the perception of young soccer supporters like myself. I have quite a few friends that play footy, and quite a few who actually know what their talking about when it comes to teams overseas. The mindset is that foriegn soccer is the only kind worth suporting, and that these are the only teams with talent. Granted i dont know of any MLS teams that could compete in La Liga or the Bundesliga, but what these kids fail to understand is that with out the support of kids like themselves this league of ours will never take off and turn into something worth paying attention to. So this new years im focused on the kids that play. More kids play youth soccer in America than any other sport yet we cant support a League the way it really should be supported. The Fifa ( videogame ) generation needs to realise that without the MLS, the whole infasctructure of soccer in America will collapse around their ankles. The national teams success would severlely drop, Less kids will be playing the game because their is a smaller chance of a career afterwards, and then we will have to wait another ten or fifteen years for another substantial league just like we had to after the glamourous fall of the NASL. So for 2006 i want more support from people like me. People who love the game of soccer and want it to succede in this country more than anything else
Evan
on Dec 24th, 2005 - 4:39pm
I resolve to create an unprecidented amount of support for American soccer in my hometown. I will convince over 100 people to make the drive to San Francisco to see USA take on Japan (I have already convinced 20 people). I resolve to watch every world cup game next year, and get atleast 50% of the town to watch the USA games. I will bring as many people as I can to the graduate (our local sports bar) to watch every USA game and the final. In all, I resolve to raise support in all forms for American Soccer!
Noel
on Dec 24th, 2005 - 6:27pm
I want to play my games with imagination this year. And in the middle of the tackles, cards, words, hype, mismatches, and disrespect this summer, the MNT should resovle to show love to the ball and play a beautiful game of American soccer.
cale
on Dec 24th, 2005 - 8:07pm
ok first resolution win our a group in germany if we do that great job guys cuz i think its the “group of death” and then more mls games on tv and espn, abc, or someone challenge fsc a lil bit after the world cup by showing some games i’m going off to college next yr and i won’t have fsc anymore so espn and whoever else wants in better start showing some f***ing games or i’m going to be one pissed of lil boy also espn start showing epl bundesliga or la liga matches as well as mls and champions league that would be awesome if yall would do that for me oh yeah also adam you need to post a few more stories i like your writing and your views on american soccer so write some more stories for the site oh yeah since i’m going to play for belhaven i will work my butt off and get a starting spot as a freshman i’ll also study and make better grades than i’m making now and i’ll go to church some more well i guess i’m thru
world cup ‘06
go usa
matt
on Dec 24th, 2005 - 8:07pm
my new years resolution? that donovan will grow a pair.
Frank
on Dec 25th, 2005 - 2:34pm
Being the personification of US soccer, there are a few New Year’s Resolutions I would like to make, all pertaining to the MLS. For one, get rid of the cheerleaders and music over the PA during the games. I mean, cheerleaders are cute and all, but they don’t belong on a soccer field. Ever. It would actually be kinda funny if one got hit in the head with an errant clearance (believe me, it’s a lot funnier than it sounds). And the music bit is horrible; it’s just another way for the European “elite” to knock American soccer. Let the fans make the noise, even if it’s the high-pitched squealing of pre-teen girls holding “We Love [insert name of player here]” signs. Second, get DC United it’s own stadium ASAP. Watching them play on a field with a baseball diamond isn’t befitting of the most successful MLS team in history (and the thought of playing games on a baseball/soccer field brings back bad memories of high school soccer). Thirdly, the MLS needs to get rid of the conference format, along with the playoffs. And possibly in the future, have the two worst teams get relegated to the USL and the two best teams in the USL get promoted to the MLS. Relegation battles are always fun to watch, whether it’s West Brom in the EPL or Parma in Serie A, and it should also bring a little more attention to the USL. And as for me, I want to play soccer as much as possible for my club team and college intramural futsal team and get my NJYS “E” license.
Chris
on Dec 25th, 2005 - 11:24pm
US MNT wins the World Cup to put US Soccer on the map in America, and the world.
Nathan
on Dec 27th, 2005 - 1:49pm
Mine would be that I would make my college’s soccer team.
johnny
on Dec 27th, 2005 - 3:19pm
funny, i read adam’s contest to mean your resolution was for US Soccer - not you making your college team or whatever. but i guess that is up to him. For US Soccer, I think they need a star, my resolution is to go out and buy me up a star. Hey Nike and MLS, Dump enough money on Ronaldihno so that he can’t say no… an offer he can’t refuse. bring him to the USA!!
ps - and put those internet ads on TV!
Elias
on Dec 28th, 2005 - 3:15am
Never been into New Year’s resolutions, I’ll take a crack. US soccer finally admitting that their ‘golden boy’ Landon Donovan is second to Beasley. Maybe that Jim Rome truly is burning? Malcom Glazer investing in an MLS franchise rather than an English one. MLS attendance increases across the board, mild but noticeable. Bill Gates buying a Seattle or Portland franchise (attendence would be best in the league guaranteed), pocket change for him. Last but not least, shaming Mexico yet again at some stage in Germany.
Kevin
on Dec 28th, 2005 - 1:24pm
In 2006, my resolution would be to hire a translator for the Revs. Stevie Nicol may have to tried to get the Revs fired up for MLS Cup, (twice), but it was useless because no one on that team speaks Scottish. For D.C. United, my resolution is to teach Bobby Boswell to shoot on the other goal. I resolve to help Chivas USA create a better, safer, stronger helmet for Brad Guzan. For the rest of MLS, hopefully we’ll find a way to reverse baldness so that Commish Don Garber can finally have a full head of hair, not just the little half moon he’s sporting right now. As for US Soccer, I really, really hope that Brazil loses their “Ginga” before the Round of 16 gets underway. As far as the media goes, I resolve to allow ‘Celo to be the color commentator for the World Cup instead of Eric Wynalda if, and only if, he dons the mullet he so proudly rocked in 1990 World Cup. Lastly, on a more serious note, let Jack Edwards do the play-by-play for every US match this year. Sure, Waldo and JP Dellacamera are good, but Jack is the best.
Brice
on Dec 28th, 2005 - 9:01pm
in 2006, I would love to see more passion in the USA for soccer. I want everyone who says “oh, i love soccer” to actually mean it! Easy ways to display your love for the game:
1. Wear jerseys in public! How else will the American people know that soccer exists in the States when one has to hunt for games on tv.
2. Talk about the game in class/work. Went to YOUR MLS team’s home game and watched a superb match but you are bummed because no one else follows? Who cares! Talk to whoever listens (trust me, many people will listen) and let them know that the MLS and the US Mens National Team are real! It doesn’t matter if you make their ears bleed, the message will get to them.
3.I’ve grown up with MLS, and I want it to be as
great as the leagues across the pond, but I know it’s going to take time. But you know what, this is OUR league, and the easiest way to strike passion into the hearts of the soccer moms and casual sports fans is to be those fans who lead cheers during games, who raise their fists in the air when a goal is scored, and to just be PASSIONATE.
This is our game, let it be known!
Matt
on Dec 29th, 2005 - 12:09am
this year is going to be big no doubt, so that means the resolution has to be impressive and do-able but not lame and easily achievable. I could go with the easy resolution of making varsity for my school(I hate my coach) or making peace with my coach(again, I hate him) or to work on finishing and speed and fitness. My soccer resolution is to actually make the game of soccer a respectable game in america. To make jocks that play american football, baseball, and basketball see that the game isn’t boring and easy, make them walk out onto the pitch and embarass them to no end, then teach them to compete and play on a team, and make them realize that in soccer, you have more elements of thrill and sport that you do in football, baseball(boringist sport of all!) and basketball combined. Make soccer games be broadcasted on primetime espn like football and basketball are, bring the millions of kids who play soccer to games that are interesting, such as Galaxy vs. Revolution, not RSL vs. Chivas. If the kids see actuall good soccer games, they will follow it until they die, but if they see a horrible game, or any RSL game, (I live in Salt Lake, so I can say they sucked this year, cause they did, but I support them all the time) they will not support the league at all, and the MLS will fade away.
I will put soccer news in the sports section of the newspapers, national sports magazines, and put the World Cup US Team on the cover of every single one of those publications, and make the whole magazine about them, not just a 1/2 page article that says they can’t wait and hope to have fun. show that american soccer players are competitve and want to win it all in Germany come June, not have fun and leave in a week.
Make soccer a game of competition in the united states, not just a hobby of mini-driving moms and their kids.
Peace, and Happy Holidays.
Bassil
on Dec 29th, 2005 - 12:20am
My 2006 Resolution is toe see our boys lightthe world on fire in Germany. Other than that I want to see the MLS adopt a more global format for all its competitions. Meaning not only replacing the conference system with the more globally accepted table system but entering ourselves in a regional club competition. That’s right I want to see the winners of the MLS along with the winners of the US Open Cup play alongside the big boys of Mexico and South America. Testing ourselves against them will improve our quality and might attract some talent from south of our border (and beyond) to join up with the MLS.
Jake Poterbin
on Dec 29th, 2005 - 10:24pm
Hey, what’s up Adam, after reading your New Year’s resolution article, and hearing about your challenge, it didn’t take me long to create a goal for this year, but before I say it let me explain our last couple years of soccer. When I joined the team (Tonganoxie, a small town in Kansas) in 2003 as a freshman our last winning season was back in 1998 when we won state, after that season we have continually gotten worse. The reason behind that is not because of lack of talent but because of lack of leadership from both players and coaches. You see since I started playing for our high school (who doesn’t care about soccer at all, especially since it’s in Kansas) we’ve had two new coaches in three years, our newest being this past season. With the lack of leadership that has plagued our team for quite some time now, it’s hard to win the majority of your games. So with that said you could probably guess what my New Year’s resolution is going to be. My 2006 resolution will be to step up and be the leader I can be. I will not limit myself to anything. I will improve not only my game but the team’s game. One way I am going to do this is I am going to get several indoor soccer teams together during this winter and spring. I am also going to get work out programs started during the off season too, we’ve never really had a workout program during the off season, which has also hurt us tremendously. I am also going to try and recruit people to join our program that either used to play soccer or that are going to be freshmen next year before they decide to play football. With such a important task in my hands I feel that if I accomplish this it will leave a tradition of leadership in my small town in Kansas and will also create the respect that we deserve.
Kevin O'Shields
on Dec 30th, 2005 - 12:44am
Well, the TV idea was good, but you failed to mention the awesome goodness that is the “Sierra Mist Side by Side so you don’t miss a moment of action on the miniscule part of the screen that is still showing action, and oops there went the go-ahead goal.”
Yeah, so my New Year’s closet hiding is for the expiration of the side-by side adverts. They’re horrible.
I guess you could really say that I have a media resolution since it would be nice to have a soccer article in the paper more than 3 times a week, and I live in a MLS town.
If I have to choose though, I’ll 86 the side-by-side and be happy. Thanks
Karl
on Dec 31st, 2005 - 11:55pm
Like Adam told us, New Year’s resolutions are pointless. Why should Americans have a New Year’s resolution if we will only go back to our bad habits? Therefore my New Year’s resolution for American soccer is to do nothing differently. We have nothing to hide and as long as we keep up what we’re doing we’ll do just fine. Keep our heads up and just look forward to Germany 2006!
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