Looks like it's going to happen for sure, July 31:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=300469&cc=5901

hopefully Real will be in the top two in their league so they don't have to qualify for Champions League.

Real now has to win and Barcelona has to lose for Real to be in the top two.

RATS!

It should be quite funny watching Real tear apart the MLS. I think most of the MLS teams would have trouble competing in 2nd Division FA.

you would think wrong

this may have been true as little as 5 years ago, but it is not true now, and our overall quality of play is only going to go up.

I still think it is. The problem with MLS is they try to Americanize it. The draft is just stupid. Once a player gets to a top level he will leave for Europe, if he is smart. Just look at all 3 US goalkeepers. Granted they all play for crappy English teams but still. If the draft was dropped and they developed a youth and reserve system, along with relegation with the semi-pro teams, the MLS could become a much better league.

Last I checked Tim Howard starts for Manchester United. Crappy English team? Also, while I don't expect Real to have any trouble against the MLS All-Stars, did you happen to catch the two L's Sporting pulled against the Quakes and Revs? MLS is not top flight, but it's not cannon fodder either.

[This message has been edited by RABidAg91 (edited 5/21/2004 10:44a).]

Yes. Man U is a crappy English team. You heard it right here. They can't even hit from the spot with the game on the line. Fergie thinks entirely too much of himself. Them and Chelsea are out to ruin football, much the way the Yankees and Lakers ruin their sports.

*so Real finishes 4th and their coach is fired....

i don't see them coming over.

*Kasey Keller might be out at Tottenham.

*Calling Man U "crappy" is just silly.

quote:

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Granted they all play for crappy English teams but still.

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That's a gem.

With all due respect to Real, any team that goes on a 4-game skid in the clutch doesn't deserve an automatic CL bid. It would still be great to see them on national tv against the MLS All-Stars... I think they could hold their own, especially given the disarray in which Real is finding itself right now.

Just to clarify, I am a Gunner, and no, not a bandwagon fan. I have been following them for about 5 years now, which is not that easy when you live in Texas. So yes, the other English teams are crappy simply because I like Arsenal. Real buys up all the best players but they just don't play well enough as a team, which is the most important part of the game. And they don't deserve the automatic bid after that skid, not to mention the way they exited the CL this year.

^
'
As a fellow Gunner, I agree on all counts. But you can't deny that Howard is an excellent keeper on an above average team that had a below average season.

Cheers!

Howard is an excellent keeper, no Seaman, but nobody is perfect.

It seems Real need to go spend some $$$ on defense for a change. Anyway, congrats to your Gunners. A most impressive season. While I despise Henry, he is one talented SOB and a pleasure to watch. Wenger also did a masterful job of keeping that team focused. It'll be interesting to see if the Gunners can add Morientes to their stable... talk about firepower.

espn.com says Real has not decided whether they will cancel. their CH. League qualifying would start Aug.11.

what better way to warm up than play against a tough opponent.

c'mon Real, come to the States.

I really have to question if the MLS All-Stars would be a tough opponent. They would be taking a bunch of guys who don't play together and getting them to play together, with virtually no practice. Soccer is quite possibly more of a team sport than any other sport, and I just don't see All-Star teams as ever really being that good. Real itself is an all-star team, but they practice considerably more.

i'm also an Arsenal fan but i also enjoy watching Man U. this past season, i saw Man U play some of their worst football in a long time. they began the season very strong...but that's about it.

but i don't think you can call them a "crappy EPL team" just because you might not like their manager and how they've struggled in a couple areas this season. they are still one of the better teams in the world....just not as good as they were a few years ago. just my opinion.

Looks like this one is off now. Real is going to tour Japan, plus as previously mentioned they now have an early Champions League schedule hanging over their heads. I hope MLS comes up with a worthy replacement. Maybe a match against Champions League winners Porto (if scheduling allows)? Who would you like to see them play?

As long as they play someone who could possibly spark more interest in MLS -- and in the game in general -- I don't care who they play. Any CL-caliber squad would be fun to watch (Porto, Inter, Barca, Monaco...)

Anyone heard more on a replacement?