.jpg)
Rumors By Club
C.D. Chivas USA
Chicago Fire
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
Kansas City Wizards
Los Angeles Galaxy
New England Revolution
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers FC
Real Salt Lake
Red Bull New York
San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC
Toronto FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Schedules
CITY GUIDES
PAPERS
PARTNERS
CONCACAF
PUBS
Matchcenter Scores
MLSNet.com
We are introducing a new feature we are calling "10 v 11" where MLSR writers will have ten random questions for eleven MLS players.
The first of those who fielded questions from us is New England's midfield general Shalrie Joseph.
Here are his candid answers courtesy of MLSR and ShalrieJoseph.com
Ten Questions for Shalrie Joseph:
1. You are such a positive player. Even when things seem dark in terms of getting results you've always said, "You have to keep positive." Where does that come from?
SJ-It comes from my never die attitude and never giving up. I always have had good people around me and that probably rubbed off a bit on me. The easiest thing is to be negative all the time but if you are positive I think there is always a better outcome.
2. Many have said that you are one of the best players in MLS and could realistically drop into any league in the world and not be out of place. Where do you see your future? Is it in MLS, Europe, elsewhere?
SJ-Thanks so much for your kind views...my future is in the MLS but I would definitely love a chance to play overseas and test my skills and compete against the world's best and see how I do.
3. How disappointed were you in being eliminated from the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League.
SJ-It is very disappointing losing any game period...but in terms of the team realistically our main goal is always to win the MLS Cup and to play all these extra games would definitely hurt our chances...people are only going to remember winning the MLS Cup after the previous years and that is were our main focus is.
4. What is your favorite stadium to play in, in MLS?
SJ-New York, because my family comes...but home of course because I love when The Fort and fans show me and my team love
5. What city has the most intimidating fans/atmosphere?
SJ-Hands down DC but I am really impressed with Crew fans this year except for the one incident earlier.
6. If you could meet any player, current or historical, who would it be?
SJ-Zidane...I met him for a second when the select MLS team got shellacked by Real Madrid but I never really got to sit down and talk to him....my second would be Maradona.
7. What other sports, if any do you follow?
SJ-All...
8. Back home, do a lot of people follow MLS and the New England Revolution specifically because of you?
SJ-In Grenada we get a lot more European games but they definitely stay tuned to our team and me.
9. You've been to MLS Cup several times now. To what do you attribute New England's lack of a positive result in the big game?
SJ-Honestly, I just think we haven't made the right decisions as players and coaches, but a little luck would have been great too.
10. What is a typical, pre-game meal like for you? What do you like to eat on game day?SJ-Fried food, I am black...on the road we eat the same pre-game meals which needs to change.
There you have it.
What other ten players would you want us to interview? What questions would YOU ask?
I think it's a shame that MLS players and coaches (and even fans) don't take the CONCACAF Champions League seriously! To me, the CCL is more important that the MLS Cup.
kenny cooper! do it
And there you have it! In case anybody was unsure that New England wanted nothing to do with playing in the Champions League we now have it in writing.
CCL is more important than the MLS Cup? That's what's wrong with soccer! The de-emphasis of local competition is killing the game. And is it really a champion's league if not everyone in it is truly a champion? And by saying that DC and Columbus have great fans can only be interpreted as a swipe at the mooseheads.
I'm not saying that MLS Cup is not important, just merely that an international competition is more important. Clubs should be at least putting an effort forward in this competition. Lack of caring on the part of MLS clubs in this competition brings further criticism from the international soccer/football/futebol community.
I agree with pony - while the national title is important, holding it in a higher position than any international title is not having your priorities straight. In every applicable competition I can think of, in or out of soccer, even participating internationally is at or above the level of winning locally.
MLS Cup is the only championship that should matter.
Shalrie seems like a cool guy. Great feature.
I LOVE SHALRIE!! I hate the Revs, but live in New England, and occasionally go to revs games. I was in the parking lot with my companions, and Shalrie came out and started talking to us. He is seriously the NICEST person I have ever met in my life, and he didn't seem to force it, like David Beckham does (although, I do feel bad for him... he gets MOBBED by fans and reporters). We talked for about 20 minutes, and he agreed to help out my cousin's high school soccer team (he showed up last week, according to my cousin!). This guy is one of the class acts of MLS. He's very humble and appreciative, and if my team (United) ever picked him up, I would be ecstatic.
try and get some TFC players. Brennan, Ricketts etc. Maybe brennan can scold the idiot beer throwers again!
Shalrie is right. The Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles are far more intimidating in that old stadium than a bunch of "hey let's be Euro" fans givin' it.
Maybe in 11 or 12 years Toronto will be like DC but there is no history to their stadium or fans.
Ask any player in Europe to make a choice...
Would he rather win a UEFA Champions League/UEFA Cup or demestic championship/cup?
What do you think he would choose?
I rest my case.
As a long standing suffering Revs season ticket holder who helps to pay the Revs bills, the CCL was of course important as was the US Open Cup. The Revs management decided to make us buy a ticket for the Joe Public embarrassment. As long as MLS is run like a minor league it will remain a minor league
MLS CUP? More important than CONCACAF Champions League? Get your head out from under the sand guys!