Lampard enjoying life in MLS

   

VANCOUVER, B.C - MLS supporters got a taste of football royalty at the University of British Columbia this week as New York City FC trained during a pair of open training sessions at UBC. The likes of David Villa, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard brought droves and droves of fans that has never before been witnessed at a Whitecaps training session or from any other visiting MLS team. The designated trio all have a massive football resume that would make an encyclopedia jealous.

Whitecaps Coach Carl Robinson knows first hand what these players bring to the pitch as he crossed paths with Lampard during early football days back in England. Lampard was still a young bloke with West Ham and then with Chelsea. Robinson spent parts of two seasons in the Premier League with Portsmouth and Sunderland. His longest spell was with the Wolverhampton Wolves. The Caps gaffer will no doubt be stressing the importance of shutting down Lampard.

"Yeah, I played against him a number of times. Obviously a top player, a top individual as well. It's a great boost for the league for him to come to New York City FC. We've got to be careful." 

Of all the thousands of players that have shared the same grass and perhaps turf with Frank Lampard does he at all remember Welshman Carl Robinson?

"Yes, I remember playing against him when I was a player. Good player, very good player. I think he had a career a good career in the Premier League and it was good to go up against him." 

In his almost two seasons as Whitecaps manager Carl Robinson has shown he is an up and coming top coaching prospect. His future days could land him back home in the U.K. with the world at his feet. It's certainly not any easier for a foreign manager to come over and employ his philosophy and tactical ideas on young players or proven veterans.

The all-time leading goal-scorer for Chelsea FC notes that accomplishments of Carl Robinson and is pleased to see the Whitecaps manager doing quite well for himself here on the west coast.

"Yeah sure, I think there's been a lot of people that have come from the Premier League and come to the MLS. I think the more people that do it, you realize the quality of the league that they're coming to. People are making a difference, people are coming here and doing well and I'm pleased for him to do that." 

One thing that attracts England and European players to MLS is the fan support and the idea that the league is still growing and still not on the same over-hyped and analyzed level that you see in top leagues overseas. The knowledge of MLS has not totally hit the mainstream sports world in North America. Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Sebastian Giovinco can go out and buy groceries, take their kids to the park without being hounded, heckled and swarmed by folks. A gift they don't get back home.

The 37 year-old hasn't made his grocery plans known, but he's glad to see that the growth of the league, support in New York and across North America has been fantastic and strong everywhere he has travelled. It's no picnic, but it's certainly an enjoyable adjustment for the likes of Lampard and other players making the transition over to MLS.

"Everything's great, the supporters have been great. Our home support in New York is fantastic, but everywhere we've traveled to, every club has fantastic support and the quality of the league is very good and improving every season. It's a tough league to play in, but I'm enjoying every minute of it." 

The Major League Soccer Players Union released the salary numbers for every player currently playing in the league. Lampard is earning $6million this season and will earn the same in 2016 with New York City FC. Lampard was injured when he came over to New York in July. Super Frankie Lampard and his numbers on field don't back up his big pay-cheque. It's difficult for players to come into the league mid-season and get going. 1 Goal and 1 Assist in 5 Games Started doesn't scream bang for you expensive buck. 391 minutes on the pitch for Lampard as he is still getting his feet wet in MLS.

Many pundits, skeptics, and fans continue to wonder if aging top flight footballers are coming over to MLS to get one large final cash out before packing it in and hanging up their boots. Frank Lampard quickly shot down that notion when asked about the all well-known MLS retirement league label.

"I think you're seeing the players that are coming here have a lot to offer. I think it can't be a retirement league because you have to come here at a good level because the leagues improving and the leagues difficult to play in. It's not a retirement league. The MLS is a growing league. Top players coming from all over the world and I think it will continue to grow." 

David Beckham was a great ambassador for MLS when he played for the LA Galaxy from 2007 - 2012. He got it, he knew full well that he was just as important to the league on and off the pitch for marketing, appearances, and contributing to the growth and longevity of the league. Lampard doesn't need to take on what David Beckham did to help the league. Beckham paved the way. Him playing over here in an unknown league helped bring others to MLS and open the league to new eyes, television deals, supporters and horizon nobody could foresee. Lampard is here to enjoy himself, but he knows there is still a part of him and other MLS players that needs to help grow the league. However it doesn't need to be on David Beckham scale.

"I think David Beckham is a one off, I think what he did for this league in the early stages was make it grow from his own performance on the pitch and what he brought off the pitch as well. I think he helped the whole league grow, I won't try and make those statements going in, but what I would love to do, is be part of a winning team, play as well as I can here, and enjoy my time here. David Beckham was maybe quite on his own at the time, but now we have players all over the league. We have a responsibility to try and make the league grow." 

Frank Lampard will not being going out on loan to Milan or any other club during the MLS winter break. He insists he will be going home to spend time with his family. Vancouver fans can expect to see Lampard, Pirlo, and Villa all in the starting eleven for New York City FC on Saturday night at BC Place. Football royalty doesn't visit Vancouver often, the match is sold-out.

Notes: Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo dined with their former Manager Carlo Ancelotti in Vancouver at Cioppino's restaurant in Vancouver. Ancelotti has been linked to struggling Premier League club, Liverpool FC.

Match Report: Impact tops Chicago 2-1 on Wednesday night

Ties club record with five game unbeaten streak

MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact extended its unbeaten streak to five games Wednesday night, tying an MLS club record, by defeating the Chicago Fire 2-1 at Stade Saputo on goals by Didier Drogba and Andrés Romero.

“It wasn’t easy for us tonight as we played a team that changed coaches, which adds motivation,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We made a few mistakes, one that cost us on the goal, but we showed a lot of character to score that second goal.”

Despite some difficult moments, the Impact managed to pull out the victory on two beautifully prepared goals.

Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker played a perfect cross into the box, just past the short post, where Didier Drogba ran onto it and headed it behind Fire keeper Jon Busch in the 39^th minute for his fifth of the season in as many games.

“We dedicate this win to Ignacio (Piatti's) father, who is in a difficult moment right now. We played against a team that we beat only a few weeks ago, so they came here with something to prove,” explained Drogba. “We didn't have our best game and there was a little fatigue there tonight, but to find a win under these conditions shows what kind of team we are.”

The Fire tied things up in the second half on a bit of a broken play. Gilberto chased down a ball that was played over the defence and alone in front of Evan Bush, his chip was deflected by the Impact keeper. The rebound fell to the Brazilian, who saw his header go off the post, but David Accam slotted it into the open net in the 50th minute.

Second half substitute Andrés Romero made the home crowd jump to their feet in the 76th minute when he cooly finished a slick Patrice Bernier through ball for the game-winner.

“With the spirit this team has and the roll we are on, it was nice to contribute tonight,” said captain Patrice Bernier, who earned an assist on his birthday. “A win, an assist and a great reception by the fans made for a special night for me and the team.”

Defender Laurent Ciman was ejected from the game in stoppage time when the referee showed him his second yellow of the game. On the resulting free-kick, Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush made a huge save, diving to his left to parry a Jeff Larentowicz header going low short side and preserve the win. 

The team will play its third straight home game in eight days this Saturday, versus D.C. United, at 5pm ET at Stade Saputo.

LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Donny Toia, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Ambroise Oyongo; M-Nigel Reo-Coker, Kyle Bekker (Patrice Bernier 62’), Dilly Duka, Johan Venegas (Andrés Romero 72’), Dominic Oduro (Hassoun Camara 88’); F-Didier Drogba

Subs not used: GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Wandrille Lefèvre; M-Maxim Tissot, Eric Alexander

CHI – GK-Jon Busch; D-Lovel Palmer, Lovel Palmer, Jeff Larentowicz, Ty Harden, Patrick Doody; M-Matt Polster, Razvan Cocis, David Accam, Patrick Nyarko (Harry Shipp 83’); F-Kennedy Igboananike (Joevin Jones 66’), Gilberto (Mike Magee 78’)

Subs not used: GK-Alex Kann; D-Daneil Cyrus; M-Michael Stephens, Matt Watson

GOALS
MTL – Drogba (Reo-Coker) 39’
CHI – Accam 50’
MTL – Romero (Bernier) 76’ 

CAUTIONS
CHI – Cocis 45+1’
CHI – Polster 56’
MTL – Ciman 58’
MTL – Romero 76’
CHI – Doody 80’
MTL – Cabrera 86’
CHI – Harden 89’

EJECTION
MTL – Ciman (second yellow) 90+1’

Take another look at Didier Drogba's goal against Chicago

Drogba scored in the 39th minute