In Denver, John Meyer writes in the "aftermath of Team USA's exciting run" at the FIFA World Cup, MLS should "keep doing what it has been doing -- growing slowly, spending prudently and waiting patiently as it attracts new converts." It should "not start throwing money at international stars, because they're way too expensive and MLS doesn't need them." It also "shouldn't go out shopping for international has-beens at cut-rate prices." Meyer: "MLS offers an ever-improving, enjoyable brand of soccer. American players who left for better competition in Europe have begun to return. ... Exciting, young Americans are emerging." MLS is "guided by prudence and patience, and those qualities will serve American soccer well in the years to come" (DENVER POST, 7/8).
SLOW & STEADY: SportsCorp President Marc Ganis said that MLS "should be happy with steady if not spectacular growth." He said, "Major League Soccer is still not a top American sport but it has elevated itself dramatically over the last four, five years. But it is still a select market, relative niche sport and likely will be for the foreseeable future, and that has to do with the predisposition of the American market more than anything else. There is really nothing MLS can do to change that. They can enhance their position as they have, but it will not likely be viewed as one of the great American sports in our lifetimes or the next for a variety of reasons that cannot be changed simply by better management" (AP, 7/5).
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY: Sporting KC F Dom Dwyer has generated plenty of media attention for the selfie he took following his goal in Sunday's game against the Fire, but ESPN's Bomani Jones said the fact Dwyer received a yellow card for his celebration is "why you can't get nobody to watch your little game." Jones said, "Somebody just trying to have a little fun and get in the celebratory spirit that we've seen overseas ... and now you want to get all puritanical about it and shut down a photographic opportunity" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 7/7). ESPN's Dan Le Batard said, "I love the soccer celebrations -- all of them -- and we seem to tolerate them all over the world, but not so much in America." Le Batard said he thought the selfie "was funny and clever" ("Highly Questionable," ESPN2, 7/7).
