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Why Didn't MLS Teams Pursue Clint Dempsey?

Sat, 1 Sep 2012 03:23:08 GMT

After spending several seasons with Fulham of the English Premier League, America's best Soccer player was ready for a change.

Clint Dempsey was pursued by different clubs, mostly from EPL and some from other international leagues. He finally made his decision Friday and signed for reportedly 22 million plus for 3 years, according to Yahoo!, with Tottenham, of EPL.

MLS teams were never really in the picture to sign Dempsey. Apparently, the money he was asking was too much for any MLS team.

This is half the problem for MLS right now. The financial divide for what MLS can afford to pay important players who can help grow the game stateside compared to what is necessary to grow the game is telling.

At this point in the lifetime of MLS, it is the right time for a player like Clint Dempsey to be scoring goals regularly in the States for his MLS club. The investment is necessary to maintain interest for sports fans and keep the momentum among sports media of Soccer's upward trending.

It's either, be able to sign more high-profile players or bring on more teams-the other half of the problem. Nineteen teams is not going to suffice for television ratings purposes.

Television ratings success is the absolute key for getting over the hump and becoming more mainstream and more profitable. It will either take a group of more awesome players or bringing together many more teams to fill in areas of the U.S. without a rooting interest.

Dempsey couldn't afford to give MLS a discount now because he's in his prime. But, MLS teams should have jumped at the chance to sign him, anyways. Dempsey is a true goal-scorer with feistiness, who can rally the league.

He also has an interesting back story. Some of his grit and determination come from his humble upbringing and the death of his sister.

Instead of being the new face of MLS, Dempsey will add on to his American records in the EPL.

The status quo for MLS remains intact. No major changes appear on the horizon. The League has done well to get to this point, but what's next? Is it a major signing of a player or another team to add?

And, what about Jozy Altidore? The American goal-scorers must be a priority for MLS.

It can still work out for Dempsey in MLS, though. After his contract with Tottenham ends in 3 years, he may decide it's the right time to take a little less money for his talents and make it back to the fields of MLS (he played for New England very early in his career, before he was a star player).

What to Watch For: Big Ten Week 1 Storylines

Sat, 1 Sep 2012 02:47:29 GMT

By Michael Schneid

The Big Ten is already 2-0 in 2012. Minnesota defeated UNLV in triple overtime on Thursday night and Michigan State survived Boise State last night 17-13.

With the other 10 teams in action today, what should you look for?

Can Northwestern start the year off strong, knocking off a Big East opponent on road. The Wildcats play at Syracuse at noon
Penn State...the story has been well-document so we'll keep it short. First time since 1949 Joe Paterno is not on the sidelines. Nine players have transferred since the NCAA announced their punishments to the school. Penn State will NOT be playing in a bowl game due to those punishments. They host an Ohio team that won the MAC in 2011 and their first ever bowl game. Ohio should not be taken lightly, but the PSU fans and team will be fired up This game is on ESPN at noon.
Illinois kicks off the Tim Beckman era in Champaign as the Illini host Western Michigan. Their senior QB Alex Carder could be tough to handle. Look for a breakout game from Illinois freshman running back Josh Ferguson.
Urban Meyer takes over Ohio State, another team not playing in a bowl game in 2012 due to NCAA violations. That gives Meyer a chance to integrate some young guys early into the lineup and let sophomore QB Braxton Miller grow into his system. They play Miami (OH), a team that shouldn't be taken too lightly, but a team OSU will likely dominate from start to finish to make a strong, early statement.
Iowa takes on Northern Illinois. Kirk Ferentz needs a strong season to keep supporters in his corner. QB James Vanderberg will look to start the season strong.
Purdue head coach Danny Hope is on the hot seat entering the season. Playing against Eastern Kentucky, look for Purdue to start the season on the right foot.
Expectations are always high in Lincoln for Nebraska. They host the defending C-USA champions, Southern Miss.
Wisconsin running back Montee Ball has some work to do. Following Le'Veon Bell's performance for Michigan State last night, Ball must dominate today's game against Northern Iowa and keep an early pace. Ball was a finalist for the Heisman trophy in 2011 and is expected to, again, contend for the trophy. The Badgers replace QB Russell Wilson with former Maryland freshman of the year winner Danny O'Brien.
Indiana did not defeat an FBS opponent in Kevin Wilson's first year. They host Indiana State tonight so they must wait until week two but Wilson's team needs a strong, dominant showing to build some momentum.
Michigan is our favorite to get to the National Championship game. 2012 Denard = 2010 Cam Newton. The Wolverines play the defending champion Alabama. "To be the best, you have to beat the best." On a neutral field in Dallas, Michigan faces a team that lost a lot of starters on defense and their best offensive player in Trent Richardson. Michigan has a chance to really make an early statement and show the world that they seriously are championship contenders.

What are you watching for in the Big Ten today?

Houston 2012 Outlook

Sat, 1 Sep 2012 12:50:49 GMT

The Houston Cougars are coming off one of their best seasons in school history and looking to make another run through the Conference USA before moving to the Big East. This year’s road will be a lot tougher than last year, mostly because they have lost an experienced quarterback and they will also have a [...]

K for Kratz, Kollision and Komeback: Kratz ties it, Mayberry wins it in extras

Sat, 1 Sep 2012 03:52:14 GMT

Baseball is a crazy game. For four innings, everything was going the Phillies’ way. Then, nothing would go the Phillies’ way. Sure, after the usually reliable arm of Roy Halladay surrendered a four-run inning, the Phillies did instantly make it a game again instead of hanging their heads. But even later, things just didn’t appear [...]

NC State makes the wrong kind of statement against Tennessee.

Sat, 1 Sep 2012 03:48:47 GMT

A few days I wrote that NC State could make statement Friday against Tennessee. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, they made the wrong kind statement in a 35-21 to Tennessee loss that wasn’t that close. Sure the defeat looks bad for the ACC. The Wolfpack were considered a darkhorse in the ACC Atlantic, but lets not get …

Official Bustasports Preseason NFL Predictions

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:20:33 GMT

What’s that smell in the air? You catch a whiff of it every so often in the summer, an injury, a trade. Small details. Now the smell has rounded the corner of September and hit you. The smell of fried food, beer, and fresh leather. The smell of the most popular sport in America, football. With less than one week ...

Dez Bryant’s New Rules Are a Reward, Not a Punishment

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:19:16 GMT

Why would Dez Bryant, or anybody for that matter, view their employers setting strict guidelines on their life as reward? Because it shows what their employers really think of them. To recap, via ESPN.com, Bryant’s new rules are as follows: • A midnight curfew. If he’s going to miss curfew, team officials must know in advance; • No drinking alcohol. ...

Santos vs Tigres – Apertura 2012 Week 7 Preview

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:55:43 GMT

Santos vs Tigres – Apertura 2012 Week 7 Preview

Santos and Tigres will both be looking for a win this Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM EDT at TSM Corona, as they are both on a four game win-less streak. Santos and Tigres are in a very similar situation: both advanced deep into last season’s playoffs but are now struggling, both have gone four games without a …

FutnSoccer - Liga MX, MLS, Mexico Soccer, and USMNT news

Redskins and Dolphins working on Slaton trade?

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:26:55 GMT

The Washington Redskins are pretty terrible at running back. They even cut Tim Hightower today, which isn’t a good sign for Hightower because as I just stated, the Redskins are pretty terrible at running back. You are pretty much staring down the barrel of Roy Helu and Evan Royster. The Miami Dolphins, however, are pretty [...]

Chivas vs Puebla – Apertura 2012 Week 7 Preview

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:38:02 GMT

Chivas vs Puebla – Apertura 2012 Week 7 Preview

Chivas of Guadalajara will host a slumping Puebla at the Estadio Omnilife on Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 6:00 PM EDT. Chivas comes into the game after two weeks of rollercoaster results which saw them win two and lose two. Puebla won its first game of the season last week against a weaker San Luis, …

FutnSoccer - Liga MX, MLS, Mexico Soccer, and USMNT news

Xolos vs Jaguares – Apertura 2012 Week 7 Preview

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:09:03 GMT

Xolos vs Jaguares – Apertura 2012 Week 7 Preview

Xolos of Tijuana will host a weakened Jaguares of Chiapas at the Estadio Caliente on Friday, August 31, 2012 at 8:30 PM EDT. Club Tijuana comes into the game with a two game winning streak against two of the Liga MX’s toughest teams, Tigres and America. They will attempt to obtain a third straight victory …

FutnSoccer - Liga MX, MLS, Mexico Soccer, and USMNT news

TCU Preview

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 01:41:15 GMT

The TCU Horned Frogs will join the Big XII conference this season and look to be a competitor in the first year. The Horned Frogs have had success at every level they competed in. From the WAC to Conference USA to the Mountain West and now to the Big XII. Gary Patterson has been with [...]

Cruz Azul vs Pachuca – Apertura 2012 Week 7 Preview

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:46:50 GMT

Cruz Azul vs Pachuca – Apertura 2012 Week 7 Preview

Cruz Azul will host a win-hungry Pachuca at the Estadio Azul on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 6:00 PM EDT. Cruz Azul is coming into the match undefeated and having just beaten their crosstown rivals, Pumas. Pachuca, on the other hand, has won just one match so far, and is located near the bottom of the standings with …

FutnSoccer - Liga MX, MLS, Mexico Soccer, and USMNT news

National Hockey League Not Headed Down the Dead-End Road Again, Is It?

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:30:05 GMT

The National Hockey League Players’ Association may respond to the second collective bargaining agreement offer extended by the NHL on Friday. Or it may not. After all, the NHLPA said Wednesday it would likely respond to the offer on Thursday. Then on Thursday, the day union executive director Donald Fehr—yes, the same Donald Fehr who helped drive Major League Baseball ...

Breaking Down the Chicago Bulls’ Off-Season

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 02:56:18 GMT

Added: Kirk Hinrich (FA), Nate Robinson (FA), Marco Belinelli (FA), Nazr Mohammed (FA) and Vladimir Radmanovic (FA) Lost: Omer Asik, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, CJ Watson Draft: Marquis Teague (1st Round 29th Overall) Free Agency Analysis: The Bulls had a complete bench makeover. Many believe the Bulls made a huge mistake losing the majority of [...]

Bronx Showdown: Yankees-O’s Preview and Predictions

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 02:22:10 GMT

A meaningful Yankees-Orioles series in late August? What is it, 1997? 2012 has been the year of the pleasant surprise, with Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Oakland—all of whom had losing records last year—making playoff runs. The Orioles will come into New York after taking three out of four games from the White Sox, who swept the [...]

Kendrick wins again as Phillies salvage finale

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:59:23 GMT

After two miserable games against the Mets to open the series and on the tail-end of a 10-game homestand, the Phillies didn’t have one of their aces on the mound in a battle for third place outright. But the guy on the mound has pitched like an ace of late. Kyle Kendrick entered today’s game [...]

Nationals blowing it with Strasburg

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:58:06 GMT

In the last couple of years, everyone couldn’t wait to see flamethrower Stephen Strasburg take the mound for the Washington Nationals. We wanted to see just how good his stuff was and if he’d be good enough to dominate at the MLB level. We know now that he can. But, we also know that he [...]

Is Andy Roddick a Hall Of Famer?

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:55:41 GMT

Tennis won't have too many contemporary nominations to enter the men's side of the Hall Of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island over the next several years because of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic's domination.

Since Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, only four other players besides the 'big 3' have won a Grand Slam event , Andy Roddick being one of them. He took the very next one, the U.S. Open in that same year of 2003.

For a short time, Roddick was number one in the world. At age 21, he was the youngest American to be ranked number one. He didn't hold the position long because the greatest player of all time was closing in on realizing his full potential.

Roddick took the direct hit from Federer on 3 separate occasions at a Wimbledon Final.

All and all, not a bad career. There were plenty of tour titles as well along the way.

Roddick makes the Hall Of Fame for his high level of play, the dearth of great players able to breakthrough during an era of brilliance and dominance by three players and one other thing, his personality.

Roddick is quintessential American. His personality is raw, but likable.

He's funny, yet crude sometimes. For the most part, he tells it like it is. He got upset and disgusted with himself and the press, often. He had many quips and was able to parlay his banter with the media into a radio sports talk show that he does for Fox Sports Radio.

On the court, Roddick was and is a showman. He knew the moment and played to the crowd. He was gracious in losing and never lost his sense of humor.

He learned from the greats. Roddick was mentored some by Andre Agassi and coached by Jimmy Connors. He knew the game is meant for entertainment purposes, as another Andy struggles to demonstrate.

Andy Murray is a bore and does virtually nothing to get the sports fan excited. He looks like he plays for himself and not the crowd, though he finally showed some signs of life at the Olympics.

The game has lost a great one in Roddick. They don't make them like him as often anymore.

He retires as he played, keeping it real. He says he can't keep playing just to win here or there because he got used to playing near the top of the rankings for more than 10 years.

Roddick will enter the Hall proudly in the company of greats, like Michael Chang, another American to win only one Major tournament and make multiple Finals of other Majors.

Does Roddick have one surprise left in him? Can he make a run to the quarters or semis to top off the career?

It's unlikely, Kim Clijsters couldn't do it and so few athletes can do much after announcing retirement. But, it makes the rest of the tournament more sentimental and fun to watch.

Will NHL Teams Regret Long-Term Deals, in Wake of CBA Uncertainty?

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:38:17 GMT

In the past month, CBA uncertainty has drove contract negotiations through the roof. Since NHL general managers are unsure what the eventual new collective bargaining agreement will state in terms of the length of contracts that players are allowed to sign, they are trying harder than ever to lock up their star players for the future. But is it really ...

Building on the Brazos; Baylor 2012 Preview

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:14:15 GMT

The Baylor Bears are coming off one of their most successful seasons ever under the their first Heisman winner Robert Griffin III and head coach Art Briles. The Bears have also gone to back to back bowl games for the first time in a very long time, winning for the first time since 1994. Even [...]

Live in Chicago? Like Coolio and Mud?

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 08:13:34 GMT

With heroic nicknames on their racing bibs and capes on their backs, thousands of fun-loving Chicagoans will race, climb and crawl through five kilometers of “hellish” obstacles with hopes of crossing the finish line with all of their mud-covered friends close by. Though “Hell Run” has been building a nationwide cult-following for over three years, [...]

San Luis vs Leon – Week 7 Preview

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 06:45:06 GMT

San Luis vs Leon – Week 7 Preview

San Luis will host a battered Leon at the Estadio Alfonso Lastras on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 10:00 PM EDT. San Luis replaced Trejo as their head coach after last week’s defeat at the hands of Puebla; Alex Aguinaga has taken over as interim head coach. Last week, Leon had its first defeat at home, when it …

FutnSoccer - Liga MX, MLS, Mexico Soccer, and USMNT news

Liga MX Week 7 TV Schedule : August 31 – September 2

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 05:15:42 GMT

Liga MX Week 7 TV Schedule : August 31 – September 2

Week 7 of the Liga MX Apertura 2012 has several interesting matches. My pick for Friday is Morelia vs Pumas, pitting an undefeated Morelia against a Pumas with an interim coach. Saturday’s pick is Santos vs Tigres, two Northern teams that have faced each other in key matches in the previous seasons. Sunday’s pick has …

FutnSoccer - Liga MX, MLS, Mexico Soccer, and USMNT news

Giants Win Preseason Finale, 6-3 Over New England

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 04:53:49 GMT

East Rutherford, N.J. – The New York Football Giants defeated the New England Patriots last night at Metlife Stadium by a score of 6-3, finsishing the preseason with a record of 2-2. Last night’s game was mostly for the backup players as they fight for a spot on the Giants 53-man roster, the Giants will make [...]

Morelia vs Pumas – Week 7 Preview

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 04:53:05 GMT

Morelia vs Pumas – Week 7 Preview

Morelia, a team that it is still undefeated, will host Pumas at Estadio Morelos on Friday, August 31st at 7:30pm PST. Pumas at an uncertain path Pumas’ administration released Joaquin Del Olmo two days after being defeated by Cruz Azul. They stated that Del Olmo’s style did not suit the team, and that they expected …

FutnSoccer - Liga MX, MLS, Mexico Soccer, and USMNT news

2012 Aggie Football Season Preview – 5 Questions: Parts 4 & 5

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 02:44:10 GMT

The season opener is finally upon the Aggies as they face in-state FCS opponent, Southern Utah. After analyzing three critical questions in parts 1 and 2 of our season preview, we’ve reached the final two questions that will begin to be answered tonight. 4. Will the Aggies be able to force more turnovers under new... Continue Reading »

Strong Rutgers Secondary to Get Early Test Against Tulane?

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 01:03:26 GMT

The secondary is one of the areas of the 2012 Rutgers football team that many believe is a strength, and rightfully so. Logan Ryan and company are a veteran group with tremendous ability. Ryan is thought to be the best cornerback in the Big East conference and the entire secondary has been ranked in [...]

Eddy Curry to Work Out with Brooklyn Nets

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:58:19 GMT

The Brooklyn Nets made plans to work out free-agent center Eddy Curry on Wednesday, according to sources involved with the situation. Curry, a 7 feet tall bigman, was the fourth overall pick for the Chicago Bulls in 2001. For his career, he averaged 13.0 points (shooting 54.5% from the field) and 5.2 rebounds per game. [...]

Breaking down the Charlotte Bobcats’ Off-Season/Summer

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 03:12:32 GMT

Added: Ben Gordon (Trade), Ramon Sessions (FA), Brendan Haywood (FA) Lost: DJ Augustin, Corey Maggette, Jamario Moon, DJ White Draft: Michael Kidd Gilchrist (1st Round 2nd Overall), Jeff Taylor (2nd Round 31st Overall) Free Agency Analysis: Coming off the worst season in NBA history the Bobcats had to improve, but they seem to be building [...]