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Throw-Ins MLS finds a win-win situation in San Jose
Updated: Thursday January 11, 2001 7:05 PM
When you really think about it, Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment taking over the operations of the San Jose Earthquakes is a win-win situation for both sides. It gives the Gund brothers -- George and Gordon (who also own the San Jose Sharks) -- an opportunity to see how viable the soccer market is in the Bay Area, as they have an option to buy. It gives Major League Soccer an opportunity to view how SVSE works before agreeing to a permanent commitment. The move also brings in a proven off-the-field team that already knows the sports terrain of the Bay Area. Failing to reach the playoffs in the last four seasons has hurt the marketability and potential growth of the Earthquakes in what is considered one of the best soccer markets in the country.
While many sports officials are known for hyperbole, MLS commissioner Don Garber's comments calling the Sharks "one of the elite organizations in the NHL" is not far off base, given the fact the team hasn't been sliding around the ice for a decade. This is a short, short list of what the Sharks have accomplished since they joined the NHL for the 1991-92 season:
Yeah, I'll take my chances with that track record. As for Earthquakes coach Lothar Osiander, he is fortunate that Sunil Gulati did not jettison him after a league-worst 7-17-8 year in 2000. However, with the MLS draft looming over the horizon on Feb. 5, it wouldn't seem wise to bring in a new coach at this late juncture -- unless he was already familiar with the league and the available talent. With three allocated players on the way and three first-round draft picks (Nos. 1, 8 and 10) to select players or to trade with, there will be plenty of pressure on Osiander and company to get out of the gate fast. If the Quakes don't do it and continue to pile up losses and ties, then the ax can come out. One last all-star team from 2000Presenting the MLS all-retirement team for players who called it quits during the offseason: Mark Dodd, Dallas Burn, goalkeeper -- The 1996 goalkeeper of the year, the 35-year-old Dodd played his entire MLS career with the Burn. He finished with 44 wins (seventh in the league), 495 saves (third) and 16 shutouts (tied for sixth). Dodd retired on Nov. 1. Thomas Dooley, MetroStars, defender -- The captain of the 1998 U.S. World Cup team concluded a 21-year career on Dec. 11. Dooley is 39. Clint Peay, D.C. United, defender -- Peay, 27, retired well before his time on Nov. 8. The straw that broke the camel's back was a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during preseason training. Ryan Tinsley, San Jose Earthquakes -- Like Peay, the 29-year-old Tinsley was forced to the sidelines before he wished. Tinsley retired on Oct. 11 due to the onset of arthritis in both hips. Anders Limpar, Colorado Rapids, midfielder -- Injuries hampered and frustrated the 35-year-old Swede during his two-year tenure in Denver. He never lived up to expectations. Limpar called it a career on Nov. 1, but then reportedly found work playing in his native Sweden. Paul Dougherty, Colorado Rapids, midfielder -- Despite his size, the 5-3 Englishman turned into a solid role player and playmaker during his three-year MLS tenure. Dougherty, 34, retired on Oct. 30. He also performed in the A-League, Continental Indoor Soccer League, National Professional Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. Sam George, Chicago Fire, midfielder -- Ironically, the 24-year-old George called it a career on Nov. 3, the same day the Fire claimed his brother Seth during the waiver draft. He played for New England, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles. Mo Johnston, Kansas City Wizards, forward -- Only minutes after the Wizards secured the MLS Cup on Oct. 15, three of their foreigners called it quits -- Johnston, Miklos Molnar and Alex Bunbury. Johnston, 37, the team captain, did not necessarily accumulated the most impressive scoring stats in the world. But the Scotsman was the heart and soul of the team since 1996. Miklos Molnar, Kansas City Wizards, forward -- Due to National Team commitments in Denmark and injuries, Molnar, 30, did not play a full season in 2000. But he led the club with 12 goals in only 17 matches. Alex Bunbury, Kansas City Wizards, forward -- Plagued by ankle injuries, this 33-year-old Canadian international played in only five matches in 2000 after 19 in 1999. Lothar's cornerLothar Matthäus' international caps record fell on Tuesday as Egyptian forward Hossam Hassan broke his record for international appearances. Hassan made his 151st appearance in a 3-1 win over Zambia in Cairo. Sack of the weekParma fired coach Alberto Malesani on Monday, a day after a stunning 2-0 loss to Reggina. Parma, which captured the UEFA Cup and Italian Cup under Malesani only two years ago, has won only five times in 13 games this season and is in 10th place in Italy's Serie A. Loser of the weekWith the demise of Lothar's corner more than imminent, we'd like to add a new item to this column. It's for anyone in soccer who makes a bonehead move on or off the field. This week's winners (or should we say losers?) are the seven Israeli under-21 players who were slapped with two-year international bans on Wednesday after their alleged involvement in a sex scandal last year. The players allegedly spent time with a woman at the team hotel the night prior to a match vs. Bosnia in October. For the record, the seven -- Pini Balili, Omri Afek, Salim Tuamah, Meni Levy, Baruch Dago, Roni Gafni and Liron Wilner. Chip shots
With my pride barely intact, I'll go patriotic and pick the L.A. Galaxy and D.C. United in their quarterfinal matches at the CONCACAF Champions Cup this week. I'll take the Galaxy over Real CD Espana (Honduras) 2-0, while United with get by LD Alajuelense (Costa Rica) via penalty kicks 4-3, after playing to a 1-1 draw. Of course, if they don't advance, you might see how quickly I will turn on them during the MLS season. Michael Lewis covers soccer for the New York Daily News. He is the author of three books on soccer.
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