Where were you? What is the memory you’ll carry with you?

Landon just tagged this video on Facebook with the comments:

Not sure if you guys saw this but it brings tears to my eyes every time. Thank you all so much…we can’t do it without you guys. Believe

For Americans, soccer is just not a sport you play hooky for. What American boy hasn’t played sick to watch a World Series baseball game a few times in his life? I feigned many a flu to watch Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants pitch against Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. But I can confidently predict that classrooms will be full, and workplace absenteeism will be at normal levels, when the United States plays its first round matches in South Africa this June.

via I.H.T. Op-Ed Contributor – The World minus the U.S. Cup – NYTimes.com.

I really hope the US puts in a good showing and captures the US attention, extending some of the headway made with the Confederations cup. I also hope something awesome happens, like Landon Donovan head butting Rooney in the chest. Though Rooney would probably proceed to kick his arse.

Isn’t it an amazing time to be a fan of the USMNT? A thrilling win Saturday booked our tickets to South Africa for the World Cup. May I gently point out that all 3 goals were scored by perhaps the 2 best players in the MLS.

Now before the nasty MLS hating comments pore in, let me address some of the types of MLS Haters

THE EUROSNOB

“The MLS is inferior to EPL and La Liga.” No kidding. We aren’t up to the level of a Russian or Belgian league either. For that reason, I’m glad we have TV so I can cheer on the Toffees or catch Barcelona’s beautiful interpretation of the beautiful game.

But may I gently point out that we do in fact live in the US of A. There is competitive soccer happening on the pitch every Saturday right here.

THE PRO-USMNT BUT ANTI-MLS FAN

“I still support our American players, but when they are in real leagues over in Europe” (this fan is closely related to the Eurosnob).

I too support Tim Howard (my favorite player in the world), Onyewu, and Davies on their European sides. However, it is an undeniable fact that the success of the USMNT is directly tied to the success of the MLS. Two reasons:

1. First, if there is no league for American youngsters to aspire to, a league which is a viable possibility for great athletes to make a living at, we will be reliant on immigration to provide our soccer talent. While I am very thankful for that influx of talent, we need to develop our own system as well. We have tremendous athletes in this country, and as the MLS grows it will become an even better option for those elite athletes who would otherwise focus on other sports.
2. We cannot rely on European clubs to snatch up and develop all of our talent in their teens, that is not a viable option for all families. We need to be able to develop talent here, even if the very best talent continues to end up on the other side of the pond.
3. Additionally, while some of my favorite players are struggling to get playing time on a weekly basis (Onyewu, Altidore), players like Conor Casey and Landon Donovan are playing competitive footy every Saturday in a fight for the playoffs. They are at the height of their game and it showed on Saturday.

THE DON GARBER & MLS CRITIC

“_Insert your own rant against the leadership of MLS here._”

Does the MLS have issues? Yes. Of course. Are some of them frustrating? Again, of course. But two things

1. We are not the only league with problems. The EPL has teams in serious financial trouble, including Portsmouth who weren’t paying their players last week and became another team sold to owners with oil money. The English Premier league is becoming less and less…English. You think fans aren’t upset about that? We all have problems
2. The MLS is a young league. Frankly I’m thankful they’ve even survived, and not only are they surviving but are solvent and expanding.

THE PERPETUAL COMPLAINER

If you are angry at the world for soccer not being as big or as good here, I get that. However, there are two ways to make a change. Top/Down or Bottom/Up. Whether the change is social, religious, athletic, or otherwise, changes that are bottom up ALWAYS have greater effect and a longer life.

MY REQUEST TO YOU

On that note (with apologies to Ghandi), be the change you want to see in the MLS. I’m asking all MLS hating soccer fans in the US to go to 3 MLS games a year. That will cost you less than a quality soccer ball, you will see competitive soccer, you will be part of bringing educated soccer fans to the pitch, and you will invest in the future of Soccer in America.

STOP THE HATING AND GET TO THE PITCH

(One Caveat: I am not as familiar with the USL or other leagues in the US, if someone would like to address this topic from their perspective contact me).

Gary Smith, from the Denver Post

“Wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” gushed Smith. “No game away from home is easy, we all know that. We took the game to them, and then we implode a little bit. It was a difficult night, but I think we showed a lot of character.”

The Rapids did manage some shaky play in the first half. Preston Burpo appeared to have his feet in concrete as rookie Omar Gonzalez put a Landon Donovan cross into the back of the net (36′). The entire back four caught the slows in the 48th minute and they were unable to close down a nice passing attack resulting in goal number two.

However Casey was not to be denied. The former South High School answered less than 2 minutes later with a deja vu tap-in of a Cummings cross (watch for that Thunder & Lighting combo all year). Then in a complete collapse of the Galaxy defense, he found himself all alone in the 84th minute, calmly steered around the goalie, and pounded in the winner.

I wouldn’t presume we will find all defenses so accommodating in the future. The set piece goal was needless, we will certainly want to improve our marking (especially the really tall guys!). It will be interesting to see who is in net next week as well, I haven’t heard why Preston Burpo replaces Pickens in goal, who has been performing well.

Again, however, the Rapids ability to score and score often (I can’t believe I said that) led the way. The Casey/Cummings combo is a delight to watch.

Next up: the Galaxy again, Tuesday night, in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

For more coverage of the game

• The Denver Post
• Video Highlights