Episode #11: WPS, Open Cup, the Nats and Mount Rushmore
Josh Hakala from usopencup.com and Rob Penner from WPS are our guests on Episode #11 of Four At The Back. We also talk about the US Men’s National Team’s qualifier against Honduras and their prospects in the upcoming Confederations Cup, and, just for fun, ask “Who’s on your Mount Rushmore of American soccer?”
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Tags: Dan Loney, Four At The Back, soccer, US Open Cup, US soccer, WPS
June 13th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Good show, guys. Nice to hear Dan has worked on unlearning everything he learned from the Jimmy Fallon School of Broadcasting. He is much improved, which makes the show more enjoyable.
A Mount Rushmore of Soccer? I agree on Lamar Hunt, who was pivotal in both NASL and MLS. Besides Hunt, I would add Rick Davis because he represents America’s home grown professional soccer player. Davis showed that America could produce a soccer that could play with the world’s (aging) soccer players.
Do you add Tatu, a prolific player from the indoor soccer? If not Tatu, what about Gordon Jago? Steve Zungul? Preki? You need to include someone who represents the era of America soccer between NASL and MLS.
I also agree on Alan Rothenberg. Good choice and good logic. I disagree on Billy Gonsalves because of the rationale. He was a very good player, but his presence did not necessarily lead to a foundational shift of American soccer.
Gonsalves is not the Babe Ruth of soccer because he did not transcend his sport like Babe Ruth did. Ty Cobb was every bit the player that Ruth was. However, Cobb did not transcend his sport. Michael Jordan transcended his sport.
People who do not follow the NBA or even know much about basketball knew who Michael Jordan was/is. Similarly, people who do not follow baseball knew who Ruth was/is. Those same people do not know who Cobb was/is. Gonsalves is the Ty Cobb, or perhaps the Honus Wagner, of American soccer.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
First off great Episode guy’s. And i liked your idea of this Mount Rushmore of American soccer. I am not old enough to remeber to far back into the past to far and i am also not American which can’t help much either. But from what i know here is mine:
1. David Beckham- I know Dan will hate me for this and trust me i don’t like it either. But Beckham has brought the best season’s ever to MLS. If for just the media that he is brought i think that Beckham should be at least up there even if he is inside someone’s nose. Although i do like to think that the league got better because of the addition of Toronto FC.
2. Landon Donavon- Yes, i agree with Donavon he may not be that great but you have to consider him as he is the best scorer for the USMNT.
3. Pele- Yes, like Beckham he brought a lot of attention to North America and the New York Cosmos who had a lot of great stars back in the day. I of course was not alive to see the impact that the had on American soccer but from the recount of my Grandfather it was pretty big.
4th and Final- Don Garber- He is the commisioner that has worked hard to bring the league to this point and at this point he is making good moves to make the league sustain what they have. I’m not sure why everyone doesn’t like him. He’s done a great job.
I’m sure i totally butchered that but that is my 4 of the modern era.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
1. Pele – no question.
2. Mia Hamm. Did more to put our sport on the US cultural map than any male in the 90s or 00′s.
3. Lamar Hunt (narrowly over Anschutz) – one of these two for all the $$, time and resources they put in.
4. Lalas – Rushmoreans need to transcend our short-sighted vision of our sport. Alexi is the only male who has done this in the post-NASL era.
In 5-10 years, we’ll have a better idea of MLS’ legacy. At which point, Jaime Moreno, Don Garber or Landon Donovan may merit consideration.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Can’t we just put Chinaglia on all four spots?
The Not-Rushmore-Four:
Ken Horowitz (Fusion owner), Chinaglia, Adu, Chastain