Last week, I picked up a copy of the book Long Range Goals: The success story of Major League Soccer and am now just a chapter or two into it. So far, the book has laid out the beginnings: the agreement with FIFA to form a top tier professional soccer league, the original investors and teams, allocated players and subsequent drafts (3 of them: players from the combine; supplemental; and collegiate), and the formation of the single-entity league structure.
It's been both an interesting and fun read so far, even just a few pages into it. Seeing nostalgic player names like Lalas, Valderrama, Lassiter, Etcheverry, Pope, Harkes, and Wynalda among many others. Remembering the original team names like the San Jose Clash, Dallas Burn, and Kansas City Wiz.
For where I am in the book so far, and for those following along at home, I just started chapter 2: The Launch, where the league is finally formed and is set to play its inaugural season. To open the season, DC United traveled to San Jose to play in front of a healthy 31,000+ fans.
To the dismay and fear of all involved, the match had just about reached conclusion with the dreaded 0-0 draw, when in the 89th, this happened:
Eric Wynalda, first goal in MLS History, a goal that many believe helped propel the league and keep it from quickly falling into obscurity. Well done!
I'll continue to post updates as I continue reading.
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