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Chat Reel: Grant Wahl

Grant Wahl: 'I think Chicago will win'

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's MLS Cup chat with Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl. Welcome, Grant.
Grant Wahl: Hello, glad to be here. I'm just getting out of a meeting with a few select media members with the MLS commissioner in his hotel room and in fact, I am just outside it right now!

From Ripmstr in Altamonte Springs, Fla.: With Don Garber at the helm, the MLS seems poised to overcome their growing pains. What one item do you think he needs to address to accomplish this task?
Grant Wahl: The most important thing right now is to sell the two remaining league-owned teams, Tampa Bay and Dallas, and to help find a new owner for DC united. He just told me that he plans on having one of those teams sold by 2001 and the other by 2002. And the second thing is encouraging the construction of new soccer-specific stadiums in every city. Garber just told me that the new Los Angeles Stadium funded by Phil Anshutz is "moments away from having a shovel in the ground."

From mia9966: What players will be the greatest assets off the bench for Chicago coach Bob Bradley?
Grant Wahl: For sure, Josh Wolff, who I feel should now be starting at forward for the national team. And it looks as if DaMarcus Beasley will be coming off the bench on the left wing, and Diego Gutierrez will be starting for the Fire. Both players should be able to come off the bench and make a big impact on the game.

From Aaron in Kansas City Mo.: Who do you think will win the MLS Cup and why?
Grant Wahl: I'll refer them to a link to my latest column. I think Chicago will win 3-2 is my latest prediction in an extremely close and entertaining game. People think Kansas City is a purely defensive team, but I disagree. They have a lot of firepower in Miklos Molnar, upfront and in their attacks on the wings with Chris Henderson and Chris Klein. But I think Chicago has an even better attack in that coach Bob Bradley has done a masterful job navigating his team's way through injuries and getting players like Hristo Stoitchkov ready and healthy for the finals.

From Brian Choquette in Grand Rapids, Mich.: Mr. Wahl, how would you recommend the MLS solve the attendance problems in the league, especially in Kansas City and Miami? Is relocation an option? Why does MLS seem so leery to do this?
Grant Wahl: Miami's going to get one more year to prove that it can draw fans, but my guess is that the Fusion will move to Rochester for the 2002 season. Kansas City, meanwhile, has some very dedicated fans, but the atmosphere in Arrowhead stadium is pretty horrible for games. It would be nice to see Kansas City get a 12,000 or 15,000 seat stadium. That would make the atmosphere much better, and make the Wizards a hotter ticket because KC is playing some great soccer this year and deserves better.

From Tuan Mai in San Francisco: Will the MLS acquire any popular world soccer stars in the 2001 season?
Grant Wahl: Yes, it's entirely possible. One name that has already come up as a possibility is Gheorghe Hagi of Romania.

From Clyde Lort in Denver: Who would be your starting 11 for the U.S. National team?
Grant Wahl: If everyone is healthy, Kasey Keller for goal keeper; a three-man back line of Steve Cherundolo, Eddie Pope and Jeff Agoos; a five-man midfield, of Earnie Stewart, Chris Armas, John O'Brien, Claudio Reyna and Joe'Max Moore; and a two-man front line, of Brian McBride and Josh Wolff.

From MetroFan: Grant, any thoughts on Nick Sakiewicz winning Executive of the Year?
Grant Wahl: The MetroStars had a great season, and it's good for the league that they did. I don't know enough about the financial situation of the MetroStars and whether it has improved or not under Sakiewicz. But I am concerned about Sakiewicz covering his players' fines for rough play earlier in the season as I reported two months ago. The league investigation of the affair was a whitewash, since one of Sakiewicz's own players, Petter Villegas confirmed the payments on the record. That's a very troubling thing that should have raised concerns about the MetroStars and Sakiewicz.

From mia9966: What MLS team will surprise some people next year?
Grant Wahl: I would say New England. Simply because I think the US veterans John Harkes and Eric Wynalda have one good year left in them, and because Wolde Harris will continue to show that he deserves to be called one of the league's best strikers.

From MetroFan: Grant, can you beat Jeff Bradley in a fight and why?
Grant Wahl: (Laughs) I learned the art of full contact journalism while elbowing out Bulgarians at World Cup 98 in France. And I will have no problem employing that technique on the undersized Mr. Bradley at the drop of a hat.

CNNSI Host: That is all the time we have today with Grant Wahl. Thank you for joining us today Grant.
Grant Wahl: Thank you for have me. There is one more saying that Commissioner Garber said today that was intriguing. He said that when the league acquired Luis Hernandez for Los Angeles, they were hoping he would spike attendance. When that didn't happen. Garber said, he learned that it's more important to find ways to get fans caring about their own team than caring about just one player of a certain ethnicity. And that what they learned will have an effect on the league's promotion efforts in the future. Bye, bye.

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