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I just found out about the fantastic news of the NPSL implementing another league. That league is a fall league. However, I have a few problems with this.
First off, when announcing the new addition to the already firmly established league, they said ‘the league will consist of college players and unpaid professionals’ what is an unpaid professional? If you’re a professional, you’re getting paid to play the game you love, and unpaid professional is better off sorted as an amateur. It doesn't add up. Not to mention, how will college players play in this fall season if they have college ball and school all on top of it. It’s a good move by the NPSL to expand its season, and doesn’t keep fans having to wait forever to see their team play again. But it is little things like the ‘unpaid professional’ term that I don’t understand, and many other readers and followers of the NPSL do not understand. The NPSL is already losing a lot of its most profitable teams to the newly formed NISA, and to the NPSL’s respect, they’ve handled it with class. When I say profitable teams, I mean teams that are attracting thousands to games. Teams like Detroit, Chattonoga, and even the Oakland Roots (Although Detroit And Chattonoga haven’t left just yet). I will also say, I don’t believe that they (the NPSL) are by any means trying to compete with the NISA with the arrival of the Members Cup. I think they are just trying to expand and reach a wider audience, which is only for the benefit of american soccer. If you're wondering what seperates the NPSL from the NISA, it's a few things. The first being that the NISA is a sanctioned league, meaning the US Soccer Federation has declared the NISA tier three, along with the newly formed USL League One. Second fact is that the NISA is fully professional, every single player is a professional player, every single coach is a professional coach, and so on and so forth. The NPSL as a few professional teams who all compete in the Founders Cup, however a lot are leaving for the NISA. The NPSL plays its role as a fourth tier very well, and I think them trying to make a professional league shows the confidence they have in themselves. The more professional teams USA has means more opportunities for players like Jamie Vardy to work up the ranks and become an icon. I’m looking forward to the future of American soccer, and the possibilities are endless for the game we all love in a country that should love it back. Soccer represents the American Dream. It represents grit, getting back up when falling down, it represents miracles. It represents blood, sweat and tears. After all, if a team like Leicester City can win the prem, anybody can win anything no matter the odds, That’s it for this article of Chris’ Editorials, catch you all next time. Peace, Chris Dailey
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Saturday night, August 31st. It was a good night for the Colorado Rapids. The Rapids beat the New York Red Bulls away from home while missing three key players in the likes of Kei Kamara, Lalas Abubakar, and Kellyn Acosta. While these three were gone, Jonathan Lewis stepped up to the plate and scored the 2 goals for the Rapids as they slid past the New York Red Bulls in Tim Howard's last game in the place his career grew to fame, Red Bull Arena. Meanwhile, Robin Fraser picked up his first win in his first game as the head coach of the Rapids. Fraser recently agreed to become to head coach of Colorado after enjoying a successful tenure with Toronto FC, where he was an assistant coach and helped Toronto capture the 2017 MLS Cup. Jonathan Lewis, who was the third overall pick in the 3rd overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, and one of the most successful players to come out of that draft, put on a clinic against the Red Bulls. Lewis was drafted by New York City Football Club, where he made 31 appearances and totaled three goals. Earlier this year, Lewis was traded to Colorado, and he hasn't looked back. In only 12 games with the Rapids, he's totaled 5 goals. After the game, I caught a word with Lewis, "You scored two goals tonight, coming away, with your third head coach of the season, how are you feeling after today?" "I think we showed today that we are a good team and that we can be a force to reckon with. So I think we just have to continue our performances and finish the season out strong." Lewis replied. While Lewis was celebrating his two goals, and three points, head coach Robin Fraser was celebrating his first win as the Rapids man in charge in only his game. "Feeling great, feeling really great. I'm really proud of the team. I thought they worked really hard, the executed in moments they had to execute, and the effort was really a thing that kept us in the game early on. As the game went on we started to take control, and in the end, I was really happy with the way we played." Fraser told me post-game. Fraser is trying to turn a young Colorado team around. They currently sit at eleventh in the western table, but the future for the team is looking strong, especially after their recent win against the Red Bulls. Written by Chris Dailey Chris interviewing Robin Fraser.
Last night I had the honor to meet Tim Howard, a USMNT, Everton, Manchester United, New York Red Bulls/MetroStars, and Colorado Rapids legend. He holds the amazing record of most saves in a single game in the World Cup. Tim helped the Colorado Rapids beat the New York Red Bulls last night (August 31st) in a 2-0 game. This was a very important game for Howard, as it was his last in the arena it all started in, Red Bull Arena. Howard played for the MetroStars (before they rebranded to the Red Bulls in 2006) and instantly became a star, winning the 2001 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. However, before even all the fame, Tim went through his fare of issues. In 6th grade Tim was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder. This hasn't held him back though, in fact, it had made him stronger and more appreciative of the opportunities he's received. In 2001, Tim was named "the most notable individual with Tourette Syndrome around the world". Howard had made success everywhere he has been. This includes Manchester United and Everton, two of the Premier League's most prestigious clubs. In his first game at Manchester United he saved a penalty to help them win the Community Shield back in 2003. He also scored a goal for Everton, as his kick traveled across the pitch, around 101 yards, and it bounced over the Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper, Adam Bodgan. Tim didn't celebrate the goal as he instead respect Bogdan, whom he felt bad for. Now, back to the start. After the game Tim was doing his interviews, after a stellar performance, keeping the clean sheet. I had the chance of being the last interview of the night, I was blown away by the fact I was feet away from a man who has done so much for our country. In my word with Tim, who couldn't have been more respectful, I asked him about coming back to Red Bull Arena, and not just coming back to play in the game, but to win it, I was curious on how he was feeling! Tim responded, "I feel great after the win. This is my home, this is where it all started. It's a special moment for me, to play in front of my friends and family. And after 22 years it feels like a really great place to start winding down my career." On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone who made this night special such as Jordan Angeli, Hannah Jurich, Tim Howard, Robin Casey, Jonathan Lewis, and everybody who I met in my first time in the press box! Thanks again, Chris Dailey |
Chris DaileyA writer who loves to learn and share. Archives
February 2024
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