For those "I like soccer, but can't get into MLS" people...
 

An incredible game between San Jose and Chivas just concluded on ESPN2, and you should shoot yourself in the head for missing it. The atmosphere (Quakes fans always do well, despite the sometimes low attendance, and the Chivas supporters that were there in force helped amp it up a bit) and the play were nothing short of top-notch, and the goals were just plain sick.

Would have been nice if the ref hadn't been a Chivas fan, though.

anybody know what he's talking about?

I caught a little bit of it...it was a great game.

I like MLS as well as the international level, but I think MLS is played in a whole different way that makes it more exciting. It's not as standoffish of a game, seems like a lot more attacking soccer than you see in the UK matches you can catch on Fox Sports World or something like that.

Did you see the Dayak goal? At first, I thought it had to be an own goal, but on the replay it looked like it might have actually bent back into the net on its own from the damn near impossible end line angle.

Brad Davis has a wicked left foot. The free kick was nice, but then that cross to Chingy... wow. Excellent finish by the Flyin' Hawaiian. Cochrane was horrifyingly shaky, but O'Rourke is looking brilliant at times for a rookie.

If I weren't a Quakes fan, I'd comment on the nice Chivas goals and say they were pretty solid in the back, all things considered, but I won't, because I'm pissed off to see the Quakes again be involved in another edition of the "MLS's Greatest Draws" video series. Two games at home to start the season, two late leads... two points. Argh.

You sure you've seen many EPL games? They're pretty much the fastest league in the world. They run at the defense, bomb the ball deep, and run at the D some more.

MLS isn't up to that standard of attacking play, but there are some high quality players and games in the league, especially in the non-summer months (play tends to bog down a bit in the midseason due to the oppressive heat, which is one reason the EPL has such consistently fast soccer -- perfect conditions for fast-paced soccer, all season long). It's a shame it's cast aside by so many soccer fans due to the sins of its early years, but it's really fun stuff a lot of the time.

I hate EPL's deep hopeful crosses and lobs, that's why I don't really watch it. I love the Serie A and the technical play (nothing beats the Champions League, though). I saw the end of this game (last 2 goals) and even though it was pretty exciting, I'm still hatin' on the MLS. I don't know why but I just can't start liking it for some reason.

Yes.

Champions League soccer is short only to the World Cup in terms of quality and excitement, without a doubt, but I enjoy England more than the Italian league. That's probably due to my familiarity with the EPL, though, since I didn't have much easy access to Serie A games until DirecTV got GolTV in February. It's definitely a fun league to watch, though, and I think the great variety of playing styles in all of the various leagues (and teams within those leagues) is really one of the neatest things about soccer. I'd actually rate Spain as the best league at the moment, if I had to rank them.

What is soccer?

The best sport ever invented.

I'm sorry but the fact that you are from Memphis automatically excludes you from pronouncing something as the "best ever."

And you actually claim to consider yourself a blues fan?

This is how I'd rate the 5 major (European) leagues:

1. Serie A
2. LFP
3. EPL
4. DBL
5. French Ligue 1

And when I said nothing beats Champions League, I mean't club play. World Cup is the greatest sporting event in the world.

ROFL I have two dogs, what is your name?