MLS is Awesome, So Watch on Thursday

For those of you that missed the latest American Soccer Show, you missed the 10 seconds phaser-fueled internet sensation that is "MLS is awesome (pew pew boom)".  Jason Davis' robotronic voice and weapons arsenal really could not have said it better; our domestic league is nothing short of awesome.  Sure, it has it's flaws, but there is no other league in the world that gets me this excited.  It's pro soccer in America, folks.  And as if that wasn't good enough, it's a fun league with quality of play that is improving year in and year out.  Factor in the passionate fan bases and new stadiums that add an American twist to the whole "supporter" concept, and you have a league that is the perfect supplement to USMNT games for a footy-crazy Yank like myself.  The CBA has been signed, the strike has been averted, the games have been exciting, and I've got Union tickets coming in the mail; everything's coming up Milhouse.

I don't usually discuss MLS too much around these parts I prefer to keep a focus on the USMNT and international game in an effort to have quality, focused content, and there are already plenty of quality writers musing on all things MLS-related (some of which are linked in the sidebar, if you're curious).  But with the season underway and the eye of the World Cup storm currently surrounding us with silence, I figured I'd spend some time looking ahead to what should be an awesome night for American soccer fans everywhere.

This Thursday, you can get back from work, grab some food, kick up your feet, and watch four straight hours of MLS goodness brought to you by the folks at ESPN2.  Defending champs RSL will travel to Houston for the Dynamo's home opener (9 PM ET), while the Galaxy and Chivas USA will square off in the first SuperClasico of the season immediately afterward (11 PM ET).  To all of you who may be worrying that I'm getting away from the style and focus that you've come to know and (hopefully) love, let me calm your nerves: that underlying USMNT theme is still here.  That's because both of these games will feature national team players from the past, present, and future that will make it worth watching for even the neutral observer.

If you didn't get a chance to watch Real Salt Lake last weekend, you missed out on a very comprehensive victory (and a possible Goal of the Year candidate from Javier Morales) from a team that seems to be set up nicely to make a run at a repeat.  Houston, meanwhile, pulled off a road draw in front of a raucous crowd of 43 at Pizza Hut Park (low blow, I know*), but they still have a lot of questions to answer.  As far as guys in the USMNT picture, both teams will field players worth keeping an eye on for American fans.  Jason Kreis' side features Robbie Findley and Kyle Beckerman, while Geoff Cameron and Brian Ching will likely get the start for the boys in orange.  

(*Kudos to the hardcore FC Dallas fans that do show up week in and week out.  If only we could find thousands more of you to fill the rest of the stadium.)

While I don't have any of the first three in my final 23 at the moment, they should still be in the picture in the next cycle (talking mostly about Findley and Cameron, here) and have a decent shot of being in the preliminary 30 man World Cup roster come May.  We saw this winter that Findley needs a good deal of polishing before he can really be an effective at the international level (and, let's be honest, to think otherwise was mostly just the product of wishful thinking and hand-wringing over the Charlie Davies predicament).  He's made some very nice strides over the past couple of seasons in MLS, and he could find himself in the 2011 Gold Cup picture with another strong step forward this year.  Cameron, meanwhile, continues to be a key cog in the Houston lineup thanks to his incredible versatility.  He had a nice moment in his handful of USMNT minutes this winter, but he was always more of a 2014 prospect rather than a potential 2010 latecomer.  He continues to develop nicely and has a bright future, though some question whether his versatility is preventing him from refining his abilities at a specific position.

Beckerman, meanwhile, may not be the most exciting player on the field, but he adds a steadying presence to the RSL midfield and would be an emergency defensive midfield option for Bob Bradley should the injury bug strike at an inopportune time.  All in all, three solid MLS players that will likely be key pieces for their respective teams and emergency options for the USMNT in the coming months.  As far as Ching goes (and I'd be remiss if I didn't say more about the big Hawaiian), I think he has a nice upper hand in the race for the target forward position in the US World Cup roster.  His game is not the prettiest, but it's effective and will likely play a part in Bob Bradley's group stage game plan, as well as Houston's 2010 league campaign. 

As if the talented teams, the large, orange-clad crowd at Robertson Stadium that I assume will turn out for the home opener, and the aforementioned quartet weren't enough, there's also the possibility (however small it may be) that U-17 star Luis Gil makes his MLS debut.  I'm not saying I expect the midfielder to get the call at any point, but I sure didn't expect Jack McInerney to get any minutes against Seattle last Thursday either.  McInerney looked good and far from out of place in his first game (with Seattle holding a comfortable 2-0 lead, mind you), surprising me with his intelligent movement and energy in an intimidating atmosphere.  So maybe, just maybe, Gil can get that same chance and duplicate his former teammate's solid start to his professional career.

Once you take in that game, you can just sit pat and wait for the Galaxy and Chivas to take the field in what should be another good game.  Of course, all eyes will be on Landon Donovan, and for good reason, as more than a few people are worried that the change of scenery might be a speed bump in the LD super-run of form that has captivated us all for about eight months now.  His free kick assist last weekend was a good start, and we saw the same piercing, attacking runs that have terrorized defenses across the globe in that previously mentioned period (albeit with a lack of the end product in the final third).  Each game that Landon plays in is worth watching, as we continue to monitor his form and health ahead of South Africa; as he goes, so does the USMNT.  But don't forget: Landon is just damn fun to watch with a ball at his feet.

Opposing him will be Jonathan "Pariah" Bornstein, who still looks like a good bet to be in South Africa despite the rough day at the office in Amsterdam.  I have to say that I kind of feel bad for Bornstein sometimes; it seems like he gets more than a few bad breaks.  Not saying he doesn't make bad mistakes, because he does, but there's some other stuff that happens to him that is just bad luck but is held against him nonetheless (the deflected second goal against the Dutch being one such case).  Anyways, while I no longer expect Bornstein to be starting in South Africa, I do believe he will be on the plane. Tune in to see if he can shut down Landon and co., or, if you're firmly in the anti-Bornstein camp, to see if he commits another comical error.

To wrap up some other guys of interest briefly, Omar Gonzalez is a promising prospect for future cycles, while Eddie Lewis, Clint Mathis, Gregg Berhalter, and Bruce Arena will send you on a trip down USMNT memory lane.  All in all, Galaxy-Chivas games are usually pretty entertaining regardless of the teams' respective form, so it should be the perfect second half to a Thursday night soccer spectacular.  

All USMNT what not aside, just watch because MLS is awesome (pew pew boom).  There's no other way to say it, and it's nothing but the truth.  MLS is freakin' awesome, and that alone should get you to flip on the Deuce come Thursday night.