What I am Thankful For . . . .

By: Dave Martinez | November 22nd, 2007

HAPPY TURKEY DAY EVERYONE!

After an awesome year for our league, here is what has made me a thankful fan:

WHAT I AM THANKFUL FOR:

o The 2007 MLS season: This has been a beautiful year, the best I have seen in my . . . um . . . fandom. Or something. BECKS may not have played, but his impact was felt. I mean, what can I complain about? I had the priveldge of watching a turning point season, with the likes of Blanco, Schelotto, Angel and more wreaking havoc on our league. We saw an excellent GALAXY v RED BULLS GAME, watched one of the most interesting seasons to date. Its been great.
o ESPN coverage. I always wanted it. Now its here. And no matter how small the coverage was, it exceeded the last few years by a landslide.
o Getting FSC, GOLTV and SETANTA. Best purchase of the year.
o RAY HUDSON. Needs no explanation.
o PARITY. The story of the year was David Beckham. The thing that made this year more exciting was the parity. Every game was a must win, and no one (except maybe RSL before they got the Argies) was an easy win. Columbus had Schelotto. The Fire took on Blanco. And TFC was the toughest place to play all year. Every game was a challenge. And in the end, there were no DPs in the final cup. It really tells you something.
o TORONTO FC. Yes, their fans may have been . . . um . . . pains. In the backend somewhere. But tell me you didnt feel pride watching 20,000 plus every game cheering on an MLS squad? It was a throwback to the first few months of 96. The excitement in Toronto was intense. And its addition has been . . . a homerun (did you think I would say GOL!!!!?!?!?).
o THE DESIGNATED PLAYER. Without the DP, we would have been a bottom dweller (unless someone out there thinks Youri would have scored us 20 goals). The DP changed the dimensions of the game. It made it more appealing world wide to talent that has always been interested in the US. The DP and attendance allowed people like Lando, and Shalrie Joseph to make some extra dough. It has been positive all around. And it will continue to improve our league for years to come.
o JOZY ALTIDORE. Many of us have had the priveldge of watching this kid grow, and improve. We have been even more blessed to have him playing right here for RBNY. I am thankful that I have been able to watch a future star of my favorite teams in the world - RBNY and the USMNT. And i got to interview em! Great year . . .
o FIFA 08. Greatest. Game. Ever.
o THE USMNT.
o LEO MESSI. He will make my BICELESTE the talk of the WC 2010. Write it down, seal it in an envelope, stick it under your pillow and remember I said it. Leo Messi will be considered the BEST player in the world. 2008.
o The ARGENTINA MNT!
o And of course . . . THE OFFSIDE. Hey, its been a great half year with you guys! From our writers to our readers, your insight and feedback have been the driving force of anything I write. For that, I am thankful.