This Is American Soccer, US Soccer, MNT, WNT, and MLS - Tackling the subject of Soccer in the US, and worldwide.

When the rumor first broke, it was like breaking wind. Colorado Arsenal FC? Who did that? In the name of all that is holy? (a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. not quite, not here, Shakespeare). And then a few days later we learned rumors be damned, that smell is not a new name, but Arsenal fertilizer being spread out across the heartland, hoping to grow a few seeds and plant a few roots.

Is it good for American soccer? Is it bad?

The agreement – no mention of anyone signing on a dotted line – states that the clubs will exchange business, commercial and marketing information, and coaching/training philosophies. Is that vague enough? This could mean nothing, or it could mean Arsene Wenger will share the secrets to his one-touch game of beauty. But just as the main man said (”We try to extend our brand”), it’s clearly more about brand management and the next great player than any nobler aims. In that vein, Wenger went on: “We try to extend our technical cooperation as well, because the Americans might produce some players at some stage and that’s why we do it.”

So what to make of it?

Mr. Hyde, the floor is yours…

Some players at some point. Wenger’s English isn’t great, I know, but it pretty much sums up the world’s opinion of American soccer: ‘Some players at some point. Give us a call if and when they’re ready.’ So America pimps a brand in return for some soccer knowledge? Until Henry is coming over on summer loan to keep fit in a Colorado jersey, this is a bunch of pr-speak for sell more jerseys and grow up wanting to play for Arsenal. I’m just waiting for the children’s book to drop. You know. Get ‘em while their young.

Ah, Dr Jekyll, welcome back, care to play that episode down a bit?

Sorry, he gets away from me at times. Let’s look at the facts. The partnership involves something called the Arsenal Center for Excellence, including a coach with of strong Arsenal lineage to relay the philosophies. I don’t know what that means exactly, but more attention will be paid to the youth involved in Colorado’s system. That is a good thing, whether it’s technical lessons at practice or motivational speeches given by otherwise nonexistent Englishmen. This actually seems like Colorado and MLS are going to get more out of this than Arsenal, unless they get first refusal rights for players coming up as Rapids. I haven’t heard anything that concrete yet, and doubt we will, because this is not a radical or new move in the soccer world. For instance, Arsenal already has a relationship with Belgian team Beveren. In that case at least, developing players are sent to the lesser club by Arsenal to hone their skills. This last point I love, and it is something I’ve long said could be a positive for MLS if their fans can stomach the idea of playing the second fiddle, something that a decent portion of the people involved have yet to embrace.

————————————————————————————–

I’m real curious about this ‘agreement’. It’s clearly a wait-and-see, but let’s say 1st team Arsenal prospects do come to MLS. Immediately, I see one great thing about that. If they are sending players over, it means they have confidence in MLS’ ability - or at least the ability of the CO youth coaches and/or whoever Arsene et al. send over - to develop talent. This also reflects their confidence in the game… i.e. MLS is better than a developmental league in England, which i’m sure a lot of Englishmen don’t want to admit. More than sending players, though, this means their sending their whole system, or duplicating it anyway. And if the system is good enough for Arsenal, who arguably plays the prettiest soccer in the EPL when they want to, it’s good enough for me.

Everything else is just collateral, and while sometimes I want to, I can’t judge someone or some company, team, league, etc, from wanting to raise awareness. In that regard, i would (maybe naively) think most US soccer fans already have their favorite EPL team picked out. though now, suddenly, I’m sad for the people who love the Rapids but are Chelsea fans.

Those canons are pointed at you.

What are your gut reactions?