Caught in Possession

It's a new day in America, right?

Your faithful correspondent was certainly given that impression by the spontaneous party that unfolded before his very eyes in the District of Columbia on Monday night, specifically on U St. NW.

As any soccer tactician will tell you, change, innovation and imagination are key ingredients in beautiful, winning footie. But sometimes it's nice to have some experienced hands around when you're staring at a long to-do list. I'd contend that the Prez Elect's first staff appointment offers proof of this, as does the decision just taken by Messrs. MacFarlane and Chang over yonder at RFK.

I'd also venture to say USL has benefited from the seasoned steering of president Francisco Marcos, who was kind enough to share a chunk of his knowledge and analysis with me earlier this week. Do check back next week, when I'll be talking more in-depth about the intriguing...chess match, you could call it...being awkwardly played out by USL and MLS. A dominant majority of Major League Soccer's expansion shortlist hails from USL markets and Marcos talked to me at length about the consequences of this trend.

A brief snippet:

"They have named five out of seven markets for possible expansion that are our markets, three of which are our clubs themselves…are we flattered by that? Yes. But we can’t eat flattery. Are we happy about it? Absolutely not. Can we do a whole lot about it? Not a lot. Bottom line is, they are what we are, we are what we are..."

And closer to home, it is with great sadness that I prepare to bid farewell to David Lifton, the longtime DC area soccer guru who is soon to move west to the broad shoulders, meaty cuisine and bitter lake winds of Chicago. Dave is a class act in every way and we are much the worse for his departure. In the comings days I will be talking more about David and his inimitable contributions to soccer in DC and the nation as a whole.



Enjoy the weekend.