FC Dallas signs Denilson

FC Dallas just signed former Brasil World Cup winner Denilson. He's only 29 -- two years younger than that Beckham fellow. No matter how you spin it, this is an excellent move by the club and the MLS in general. For the Giorgio Chinaglias of the world who say the league needs, "100 Beckhams" -- here is one.

This move will receive a milli-fraction of the attention of the Beckham arrival. On the field, this is just as important as it instantly nudges the level of the league up a little. Considering Denilson moved from Real Betis to Bordeux to Saudi club Al-Nasr now to Dallas in the span of four years, perhaps he might be a little bit of a headache.

The track record of Brasilian players in MLS hasn't been anything to write home about. The first thing that popped into my head was the famous flop Branco with the Metrostars about a decade ago. Yes, Fred and Luciano Emilio have been very solid this season for DC United and Thiago has been useful with Chicago for the last couple years. But overall, the flair that Brasil and his exports are famed for has escaped the league.

Who knows how much Denilson has left in the tank and how much effort he'll bring to Steve Morrow's team. He won't be the headline, gate attraction like Becks, but if Denilson can pull off a few moments of dribbling flair, he'll convert some more non-believers. A definite score for the league, although I doubt it leads the next edition of 'Sportscenter.'



GO FC DALLAS!!!!!!!

Give some love to That's on Point

EPL: GAMEWEEK 1

The English Premier League started this weekend and I think I watched about 14 hours of great football, not including the MLS FC Dallas game I went to last night, which was one of the best games I had ever seen. Thank God football is back! There were so many incredible games and several magnificent individual performances. There are also many great new faces of talent that should make huge impacts this year.

Even though there were numerous stunners in week one that included the newly promoted three teams doing quite well and the defending champs Man United drawing with a Reading team that finished the game down a man, in my opinion the biggest news of the week is just coming out right now, which is that Wayne Rooney has fractured his foot, again, and will be out most likely for about two months.

According to BBC, Skysports, ESPN and others: In attempting to make a tackle, Michael Duberry accidentally trod on Rooney's foot. It was clear instantly Rooney had a problem, as he went down and removed his boot. Although he was able to continue briefly, he did not reappear for the second half, with Ferguson sending the 21-year-old for a scan. Although the United boss expressed the hope the damage would not be too bad, his worst fears now appear to have been confirmed, although the precise extent of the injury is not known.

In all probability England coach Steve McClaren will also be without his first choice striker for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia at the beginning of next month. With Rooney out and both Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only returning to training after long-term injuries last week, Ferguson seems certain to hand Carlos Tevez his debut at Fratton Park on Wednesday.

I can't wait for that, but this is seriously a huge disappointment for the England national team because of the lack of top strikers they have and the fact that they are still struggling with EURO 2008 qualifying.

Finally, if you haven't seen Steven Gerrard's game winner, check it out... it is amazing. Other great goals and/or game winners by Obafemi Martins, Hleb, Essien, Malouda, Benjani (Pompey), Andy Todd (Derby), Stuart Downing (M'brough). Even though Arsenal ended up winning a stunner, Jens Lehmann had an incredibly embarrassing moment. Also, it looks like Essien was injured as well on Sunday with a leg ligament problem.

Sidenote: the FC Dallas game on Saturday night was one of the best I have ever seen and certainly the best that I have attended. They should be replaying it on FSC this week.

What to watch for tonight: Will David Beckham play when the LA Galaxy take on the New England Revolution? Answer is NO!

As always, neuter your Tottenham Hotspur fans as well as those Red Devil vampires.

GO BLUES!!!

Clay Aiken at MLS game FC Dallas vs. Chivas USA MLS July 4th 2007

Tomorrow evening FC Dallas is going to be taking on Chivas USA in MLS action on July 4th 2007 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX. Now, stay with me a second because this is amazing...

My friends and I finally have a day where we can all go out to the park and watch some good ol' MLS action because obviously we all have July 4th off and some of my friends usually work night jobs so we can't go on weekends and what have you. So, we all plan on going to see Chivas USA take on FC Dallas, probably about a week ago in advance. Sounds great, everyone is ready to go, and we think we can obviously buy tickets at the door because it never sells out, even though it's July 4th and they will most likely have a fireworks display at the conclusion of the evening. Not so fast!

One of my friends, thank god, is curious and ends up looking and ticket prices online to see how much we will have to pay because he had never been before. So, here is the terrifically horrible part, it ends up that after the MLS game there is a post game concert and (obligatory) fireworks display and that one can not attend the game unless you pay for the entire event, which ranges from $50 down to about $25. Now, although $25 is not a lot more than the usually, say $10-15, but there is the catch... you know who is performing... Clay "WTF" Aiken.

Thank you so much MLS, I love you, there is no one I would rather spend July 4th with than the ambiguously gay solo who looks like a twelve year old girl... are you serious? Are you trying to get people to come watch MLS games and become fans of the game or make them run away in horror because they would be paying to hear Aiken's singing, which sounds like someone is raping a Muppet.

It truly enrages me that the MLS is ignoring the true fans in situations such as these. The David Beckham situation is quite similar in that when L.A. Galaxy comes to town you can't go unless you buy 50 tickets and $20 a piece or something ridiculous like that. MLS... just let the fans go to the games and don't make the tickets always have some crazy catch... Clay Aiken... WOW.