we've done enough of that already the past several months with the help of Mr. Lewis -- let's take a good look back at late November 2004.
Landon Donovan had just announced that he was going back to Germany to play for Bayer Leverkusen. On that conference call, I remember Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl congratulated Donovan before asking his question. A few of us that know Donovan followed suit during the hour. But by the end of the announcement, you got the feeling that it wasn't really a congratulatory moment. It felt more like congratulating a soldier going off to war -- one who deep down didn't want to do it, but felt he had a duty to fulfill and was filled with pride for getting the chance to represent his country.
To think what has happened with Donovan, the Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes over the past 12 months is startling. If you predicted any of this, please take a bow. That includes Landon himself.
At this time last year, Alexi Lalas was in the middle of selling San Jose Earthquakes soccer to businesses, youth clubs and anyone who would listen out in the Bay Area. If San Jose was going to stay in town, you got the feeling that it'd be because of Alexi's all-out efforts and the "face" he brought to the Earthquakes. Without Donovan, his role would be even more vital.
Fast-forward 12 months and you'll find Mr. Lalas in charge of the league's "SuperClub," wearing a suit more than not, and making the type of bold decisions that -- right or wrong -- have insiders whispering that he'll be the next MLS commissioner someday down the line when Don Garber moves to conquer the world as FIFA's new commander-in-chief.
During last Thanksgiving, the only person that had ever heard of "Chris Rolfe" was Chris Rolfe. And even he was a little shady on where he'd heard that name before as it related to soccer.
One fantastic rookie season later, and the Chicago Fire playmaker finds himself as a candidate for the U.S. national team and the name every scout keeps using when they watch NCAA soccer matches in a "he reminds me a little of Chris Rolfe" type of way.
When Clint Mathis was starting to fashion his Christmas list during this time last year, he was probably dreaming of a return to MLS, where he'd score goals and make highlight-reel free kicks just like he used to. And all under the watchful eye of Bruce Arena, too. Just in time for World Cup qualifying.
In November of 2004, Mathis was in Arena's top 20. If you were to pin Arena down tomorrow, I bet he could come up with 75 names before he'd get to Mathis when discussing his depth chart for Germany next summer.
At this time last year, Alecko Eskandarian was the toast of MLS.
Currently, everyone just hopes to see him play the game he loves again.
Esky's teammate Freddy Adu was also basking in the glow of the Rothenberg Trophy in late November 2004, feeling relieved that his first season was behind him. He would no longer have to bide his time as a bench player, would he?
One year later, you have to wonder if the relationship between Adu and Peter Nowak, not to mention Team Freddy versus D.C. United, can be salvaged.
Two days before Turkey Day in 2004, I ran into Bob Bradley at a second-round NCAA match between the University of Connecticut and Boston College. He was checking out several players for the upcoming MLS SuperDraft to improve his young MetroStars side.
One year later, Bradley is once again scouting players for the SuperDraft ... but for his Chivas USA side.
Starting to get the point yet?
Just when you think you have the league pegged, a Pando Ramirez goes and scores the MLS Cup game-winner. Just when you count out the Landon-less Earthquakes and send Dom Kinnear a sympathy card, they go and record the league's best record. And just when you gift wrap a berth in MLS Cup to the same group of players, they find themselves on the golf course before Halloween is even upon us.
If Year 10 is going to be remembered for anything, it should be for those type of unlikely storylines. Let's hope that Year 11 brings much of the same.
Two expansion teams surely do.
Marc Connolly writes for several publications. This column runs each Tuesday on MLSnet.com and Marc can be reached at marc@oakwoodsoccer.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
