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Rapids-Earthquakes podcast, MLS previews
Nick Thomas of WeWantRapidman and yours truly were guests on a podcast by Robert Jonas of Center Line Soccer as the Bay Area Web site previewed the two upcoming games between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Colorado Rapids.
Nick focused very precisely about the Rapids’ current manpower situation, we both talked a bit about Coach Gary Smith’s influence on the team since taking over a year ago. Here’s Nick:
“I think that Gary Smith came in and put his own mark on the team and has been actually quite ruthless in forming a team that he wants, forming a roster that he wants. And it’s very much been down to him and some of his close coaching staff to form the team that they have right now. This is the kind of direction that he wants right now.”
I talked about how talented the Rapids’ defense is, a fact that most fans around the league might not be aware of. I also used the word aggressive like I was getting paid for it.
Here’s a link to the podcast. It’s just over an hour long.
And the podcast is interesting in this regard: It’s a taste of how much coverage of MLS is being driven by fans. I would clearly consider myself a Rapids fan. When I cover a Colorado college team playing a team from out of state, I hope the Colorado team wins. Nick announces he’s a Rapids fan. The Center Line Soccer folks don’t seem to make any bones about identifying themselves as Earthquakes fans.
It’s a complete no-no for members of the mainstream media to cover a topic our a source that they have some supporting interest in. But soccer falls so harshly outside the mainstream that it has been left to a few dedicated independent sources to fill in the large gaps in soccer coverage in this country.
But we’re all supporters of the game itself. And I’m not sure if Robert intended this for publication when he wrote it to me, but I want to include it anyway:
“Enjoy the games this week, and of course, the inevitable Rapids playoff run. I probably did not mention this during our phone call, but the Rapids uniforms are my favorite in the league — love the claret and blue. In fact, I have two Rapids jerseys in my collection. Let’s just say they will remain under wraps for the time being!”
And as long as we’re discussing the U.S. soccer media underground, our buddies at Prost Amerika Soccer have a full preview of the weekend’s action.
And here we give you, for the first time, the American Soccer Minute.
Week 27 American Soccer Minute
As Nick would say, cheers!
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George, great stuff as always. I didn’t know you were involved with this too and thanks for the exposure. I’ve never really thought about not indentifying myself as a fan other than when I work for mlsnet. Clearly, then, I have to be objective and I am. BTW, I don’t see any of the Bronco reporters on mainstream tv not clearly at least implying they are Bronco fans. Cheers big fella!
you’re absolutely right. there’s an element of covering “the hometown team,” whomever that might be, and being a homer. you’re writing or broadcasting for an audience that is clearly biased, and in the sports journalism business it’s easy to play into that. but my point is that on the internet, there’s even more room for a fan to be involved in the business of reporting actual news. and people have run with that idea and flourished in an area where there’s a need. and, in this country, one of those areas is clearly major league soccer.
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