Wednesday, October 22, 2008

A Fond Farewell

I'm sure a few readers out there have probably guessed what's coming.

It's time. Time to shut down Sideline Views. This blog started because I was trying to prove the viability of soccer content that wasn't just news or commentary, but little extra bits of info here and there. I wanted to link it to a soccer site that I was working for at the time. That job didn't work out, but I got attached to the freedom blogging provides - the instant outlet to what I wanted to say and share with the world.
Luis was not only a good sport to go along with my idea of a blog, but he also became a big reason why I kept it going. From the start, it made our blog unique, because we had different points of view (though a surprising number of readers never seemed to figure out that I posted in green, while his posts were blue).
Luis' insightful, provocative posts would inspire me to take the time out of busy days to try to add what I could to the blog. Many of our faithful readers also helped keep us motivated to maintain the blog. Your comments, criticisms and praise really meant a lot to us.
When we could, we experimented with what innovation we were able to wring out of our limited technological talent. We put up audio clips of our interviews, videos, features, and more than a few photos.
In some ways, working on the blog helped prepare me for what I'm moving on to do now. I'm the new writer/editor for Goal.com USA. This new job is also why I left my position as contributing writer for espn.com.
Some of the ideas I have in mind for the Goal.com site in the future are things that I tried out on Sideline Views first. I'm not giving up reporting about soccer - far from it. With Goal.com, I think I'll be able to do a better job of that than ever. It just won't be here anymore.
I offered the blog to Luis to run on his own if he liked, but he declined, saying the fun of the whole thing was working with a partner on the project. Maybe he'll write his own farewell message later.
I'm not going to take the blog offline just yet. I'll leave it up here for those who want to search the archives (or steal our pictures).
For new material, though, I'll be writing exclusively for Goal.com now. Check out my daily feature article!
Luis' latest writings can still be found at Sports Illustrated, MLSnet and the Press Enterprise.



This is LB. I'll just jump in here since this should be the final post. As AC mentioned above, the whole fun of this was having a partner to work with. It wouldn't be Sideline Views without AC. I never felt like it was my blog, but I never felt like it was her blog. It was truly ours and we inspired each other and the loyal readers did as well.

I thought it was great to put audio links on the blog, take time and money (10 bucks a month, not that much, but still...) to put up things that nobody else was putting up and we got some awesome stuff. That Frank Yallop post-game presser about how f-ing knackered they were last year was classic. Truly awesome stuff. And you readers got to hear all that, unedited, raw, and that made it great. And I felt honored to be able to take that to you all.

We weren't trying to scoop people, though we had the Brad Guzan move to England first. And we weren't necessarily trying to bring you breaking news. We just had thoughts and could formulate opinions and such. And we enjoyed working for the readers, even if it meant taking a little extra time to work on something that we knew we weren't going to get paid for.

But now, AC is moving on in her career and if anyone deserves anything grand, it's her. She has been an inspiration in so many ways and will continue to be one I'm sure. So this blog, her brainchild, one I was fortunate to be a part of, is no more.

As AC mentioned, you guys can follow us through our various outlets. It's not the same, but this blog wouldn't be the same without Andrea.

89 comments:

Anonymous said...

Boo!

I for one will miss this blog tremendously, and look forward to following both of your future endeavors.

A.C. said...

Thanks Tony. I appreciate both that you miss the blog and that you're willing to check out our stuff elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

You 2 made soccer coverage here on the internet professional yet personable. I am honored. Thank you and best with future projects.

starinyourfire said...

It's been awesome reading you're work, i too will miss this blog and checking it about 3 times a day or so. haha

I wish nothing but success to the both of you, you two do your job very well and i'll continue to follow your work.

Cheers!

A.Ruiz said...

*gasp*

good luck guys, I checked you almost daily for a year. *sniff* We'll always have...sideline views.

Frank Macomber said...

Good luck to both of you. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your stuff here, and will continue to read the stuff you guys write through other outlets.

Anonymous said...

I've written many a comment here under "Anonymous", so why not the last one?

Thanks for running a great site. It was great because it always offered a different perspective on the world of soccer and soccer journalism. It truly provided unique content on the game (like being a rare site that treated women's soccer on the same footing as men's) and provided a good look at what it takes to be a soccer writer in the US. Which makes my appreciation of writers like AC and LB that much greater.

And on a side note, as an RBNY fan, I'd like to once again thank you guys for the running blog for the RBNY-LA US Open Cup qualifier last year. Not many people sit in their silent living room constantly refreshing a blog for updates, but it was fun (it was also through this site, I believe, that people could first see JPA score in a RBNY shirt...)

Anonymous said...

This is like a death in my soccer family. But it had become obvious that this day was coming sooner and sooner. No one in the past or present has brought content to the fans the way SV has done. the photos, the audio files, the videos of AC, SV TV, and SV Podcasts. Not to mention the insights into Mexican soccer, which no I mean no other American soccer blog does.

One thing I will miss is LB posting about during interviews while juggling babysitting his two girls...CLASSIC stuff man!

Hopefully others will be inspired to do similar projects.

I also hope one day you to can do a radio show togetheron Champions Soccer Radio Network or someone in the internet world.

I wish you two nothing but the very best in life!!

East River

Anonymous said...

Ah, man, I just got through reading your article, Andrea, about Donovan probably playing his last game for the Galaxy on Sunday and then I come over here and read your and Luis' last post. What a sad way to start the day.

I'm going to miss you guys. This blog was great. I loved all the background stuff you guys let us in on and your extra effort in posting the interviews, etc., was greatly appreciated. I will definitely keep up with your writing wherever I can find it.

I suppose change is good. Best of luck to both of you!

Anonymous said...

Good luck AC and I know I would be a regular reader of the new and improved Goal.com

You and Luis are two of the best in the business in the US and I know you will continue to enlighten us football heads across America.

JkR said...

Thanks and good luck! I'll try and keep up with both of you!

Anonymous said...

Longtime reader, first time poster.

Good luck to you both. Loved the blog and will miss the commentary!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for all the fish.

Dan Haug said...

Hey Guys... Thank you both for all the time and effort you put into this blog. It has been one of my daily reads for sometime now, and I am really going to miss it. You are both classy people, and I wish you the best in all your future endeavors (sounds like I'm signing a yearbook) ;p

Anonymous said...

Thank you to both of you for all you've put into the site. Sharing your passion and knowledge (about soccer and much more) has made my days even better...and a lot of fun. I look forward to reading your stuff on the websites who are fortunate enough to employ you. Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

Thank you. Best wishes for continued success in the future.

Anonymous said...

Well, there goes one of my favorite blogs and my #5 in the daily rotation of websites I check after I wake up. I wish you the best.

-- The Hammer

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your work. It has been appreciated by this soccer fan. And best of luck in your future endeavors -- I'll be reading you both.

Anonymous said...

I'm going to miss it. I've followed this blog on a daily basis for nearly... i don't know, 2 years!
But I'll keep reading your columns! best wishes

Jonathan G.

Anonymous said...

¡Buena Suerte!

Thanks for sharing the passion.

-Raul

Hops said...

All things must pass

Phillip said...

I figured this would be coming eventually just due to the slow down in posting lately and the repeated mentions how busy you two were getting with your actual jobs lol.

I really enjoyed the blog and will miss it. I guess I'll have to search the web for my Bueno and Canales fix.

=D

Anonymous said...

So sad. As someone above posted, there goes part of the procrastination rotation. On the other hand, Goal.com just gained a few dozen hits a week. (ESPN Soccernet already had mine.)

--Rick

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah -- good luck to both of you. :D

Anonymous said...

Joseph D'Hippolito, says...

First Lalas and Gullit. Then (maybe) Donovan. Then (maybe) Beckham. Now this. What's soccer in L.A. coming to? Pretty soon, AEG will have stadium issues and want to move the Galaxy. ;D

a.c. and l.b., thanks so much for putting up with my rantings and providing this forum for me to vent. Best of luck to you both. Goal.com is very fortunate, indeed.

BTW, can you keep this page up or archive it to preserve the videos?

Anonymous said...

Thanks guys. There are tons of soccer blogs out there these days. Yours was one of the few actually worth reading. Best of luck in the future.

Anonymous said...

I'm bummed. You both did such a great job with the blog; I truly enjoyed reading it. I guess I'll have to search you out elsewhere on the web. I with you both all the best.

Unknown said...

I knew it was too good to be true. Best of luck to both of you, I'll be watching...

Sidenetting said...

aw s**t. this was the perfect west coast blog - a little laid back and ripe with a lot of information on things I don't get to hear about much in Chicago. I'll still follow Andrea and Luis but what made this blog very special - beyond their dedication and talent - was that they did it on their own time. Sure the blog helped their profiles a bit but you can't argue it wasn't a labor of love for them. And it showed.

Gabe said...

Hey guys, good luck. I didn't always agree with what you wrote (often actually) but I always enjoyed coming to the blog. It will be wierd trying to get used to not coming here in my daily blog rounds... Thanks for the great work the past few years.

Administrator said...

This blog is great, and will be missed. Congratulations to Andrea on the new gig, and I'm sorry to see your great partnership take a hiatus.

nothingtoseehere said...

Wow, sorta late on this, but thanks for the past two years. I wasn't a particularly regular commenter but I'd always check this site first for Galaxy news.

Good luck in the future you two.

Anonymous said...

Well this sucks. You guys were our westcoast Goff/Ives. :(...

Ahh well. Farewell. Good Luck guys.

Anonymous said...

I agree, this sucks! I always enjoyed checking your site 3 to 4 times a day. Good luck at the new site and thanks for all the great posts.

Anonymous said...

This blows!!! Going to be a lot more difficult to track down your stuff seperately, can you do the loyal readers a favor and just post links to your articles here, please!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Well, damn. But congrats on the new gig, AC, and thanks to both of you for the blog while it lasted.

Anonymous said...

One less crappy soccer blog , good riddence

Anonymous said...

I for one will miss you....I've followed you're blog closely (albeit not posting very much) but, have thoroughly enjoyed it....good luck and I am looking forward to continue to follow your career...cheers ;D

Anonymous said...

Man...this makes me sad! Sideline Views is probably my favorite soccer blog out there. Andrea and Luis, you guys are awesome. I wish you good luck with your endeavors and if you ever have time...please start the blog again.

Anonymous said...

Sideline Views has had the best soccer commentary around--PERIOD. Best of luck ahead to both of you.

rep21 said...

Sideline views was great. Thanks for all the great work you two did. You gave a real good insight into american futbol that we couldnt get anywhere else. Its sad that with the emergence of some new mexican-american talent like Torres making it to the full team, and now stories of kids like Bryan Leyva who isnt an american citizen yet but looks to want to play for the US, that you two wont be around to give us the scoop on them in the same way you used to. Good luck at Goal.com, a site I can't stand to read at all. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the blog and good luck to both of you with your future endeavors. I enjoyed checking in here everyday and will continue to look for your articles and insights into the beautiful game.

Unknown said...

Is there a way to get your daily article from Goal as its own RSS feed? I need something to replace Sideline Views with on my Google home page. I tried the link you posted and that just gives me the news feed for the whole site.

Anonymous said...

:(

thanks to the both of you for providing such a unique source of SoCal football information.

i wish you both nothing but the very best in all your endeavors.

big ups and thanks again Andrea and Luis.

EdTheRed said...

Many thanks for all your tremendous work! Best of luck in all your future endeavors!

Arelcao Akleos said...

So, the end of Sideline Views.... I will miss this little place. The Best of Success to you, Andrea, at the new venture with Goal.com. Continued happiness to you, Luis, at all those many places you hang your hat at. US Soccer has maybe not actually lost two thoughtful and interesting voices, for each will continue in some fashion, but it will seem so for a while.
Cheers, and may Life show more kindness-- to you both-- than it usually cares to.

Anonymous said...

This was a wonderful blog. Best of luck to you both in the future, I'll be reading.

Ben7 said...

Thanks to both of you for all you've done with this blog.

I'll keep on reading your work(s) elsewhere.

It was a pleasure for me.

All the Best & Good Luck
Ben

rosyf said...

Best wishes Andrea and Luis, Thanks for everything.

Anonymous said...

Have you guys thought about doing something similar in your current positions. I mean really the kind of information you guys gave to this blog is unmatched. I hate to see this type of forum disapear in general even more because I want to know about Soccer in America.

Anonymous said...

Thank you both for sharing your thoughtful perspectives on everything relevant in the soccer world. I have been more excited about the MLS and US teams because of your site. I'm bummed I only found it 6 months ago, but I have enjoyed visiting every wk. Great luck to you both! I look forward to continuing to read your opinions and stories, even if it's not here.

Greg Seltzer said...

Congrats on the new gig, AC. I told ya! :p

I will miss this blog, you and Luis have been top shelf. L.A. (and the rest of America) has been very lucky to have you both at its humble service.

Take a deserved bow.

rtt281 said...

AC:

Best wishes in your new endeavors! I will miss your insights into the WNT - really good ones are rare online.

Anonymous said...

ha, i've been visiting this blog for months, it never occured to me that a.c. was a woman, ha


anyway good luck with your new job

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I've been reading all this time. You and Luis have done an exceptional job with this blog and continue to change the landscape of socal/US soccer with evey new piece. As one teacher to another, AC, I know you know what this means: You have made a difference!Best of luck and mucho success in your careers! Go Obama!

Peace,
--PGF

Anonymous said...

Good Luck to the both of you...hopefully your future articles are easy to find.

Anonymous said...

I haven't been commenting much, but your blog was a breath of fresh air & much appreciated by this fan of the Galaxy, MLS, the US national teams, men & women. Andrea, your talent will take you far. Keep it up. Luis, see you in the papers...

Andrea, what exactly will you do at goal.com? Will you still be based in LA? Is it a full-time gig, or will you still have to do the teaching, etc, to make soccer journalist ends meet?

Really, all the best to you both.. Laura

Anonymous said...

Two of the best soccer writers in the US. Keep writing and I'll keep reading. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I been reading this blog for about a year. It was one of the first sites I would visit every morning, everyday. Good luck to both of you.

Anonymous said...

Well that sucks. Good luck. Peace out my niggas. :)

Rene said...

I guess all I can say its thank you for everything you two did. I've enjoyed reading this site for...i don't know how long, but it's been quite some time. Best of luck both of you. Continue working as hard in your other endeavors as you did here.

-Rene

The Beautiful Game said...

take care both of you, you were the standard in the industry

you were an everyday stop, i'll miss your work

A.C. said...

Hi again, folks.
I'm checking back to answer a few questions.
The goal.com gig will allow me to stop teaching (though right now, I'm pulling double duty trying to finish the term). It's full time, and that's very exciting.
I'll be the editor for the U.S. page. You won't see my influence right away perhaps, but we're working on a redesign.
Here's an RSS link to my Goal column.
feed://www.goal.com/en-us/RssNewsXml.aspx?lang=en-us&qt=15&sz=1696

And here is the URL for all the opinion pieces on the U.S. site:

feed://www.goal.com/en-us/RssNewsXml.aspx?lang=en-us&qt=15&sz=145

Don't forget to comment on articles on Goal.com - you know I love your opinions!
Also, please feel free to email if you have questions or suggestions. andrea.canales@goal.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the great work over the years. I really have appreciated the local So. Cal insight.

Best wishes!!

CACuzcatlan said...

Thanks for writing this blog. It has been one of my three daily soccer reads since I discovered it about a year and a half ago. This blog provided a lot of insight specific to Southern California and Mexican teams that you just can't find anywhere else. It was great to actually watch parts of the post game press conferences, instead of just reading about them in an article. Good luck to both of you with your future projects.

Anonymous said...

I first discovered Andrea Canales' writings on ESPN, and was impressed by the variety of subjects/angles she had touched upon (the "younger brother effect" for Landon Donovan, the weight issue for college soccer players, etc.), so it was natural that I followed the blog when I discovered it.

I continued to be impressed by the variety of unique perspectives I saw on this blog by both AC and LB - the SoCal perspective, LB's coverage of the Mexican leagues, periodic visits to the "Is-American-Soccer-Ignoring-Latinos" question, live blogging of US/LAG/CHV games, the occasional personal stories (LB's weight loss and babysitting stories come to mind), a few experiments (polls, vlog, audio clips - the latter two I didn't care for, but I am sure many people enjoyed)... hopefully AC will carry some of this energy into Goal.com.

Speaking of Goal.com, it's a great site, excellent coverage of many many things, but there are still many things it can improve upon: it doesn't match ESPN Soccernet's scores and match report feature, which includes coverage of pretty much *every* match of any significance in every reasonable league; most importantly, Goal.com's download times are quite poor, and has turned me away more than once.

LB - I respect your decision to not continue *this* blog, but hopefully you'll find good outlets for your extras (news, information, stories, etc).

Good luck to you both - it was a great experience for us readers!

Anonymous said...

Luis Bueno is a new Member of the Galaqxy thats why he cant continue with the blog

Anonymous said...

Luis Bueno is a new Member of the Galaqxy thats why he cant continue with the blog

Anonymous said...

Andrea, best of luck in your future endeavors. I looked forward to reading this blog during the week and before/after the games. It was a pleasure meeting you on the bus at the rest stop on the way to the San Jose Road Trip!

Luis, I look forward to reading what have to say about Chivas USA and the Galaxy. I'll keep an eye out for your work!

Thank you Andrea & Luis!

-Tommy

truth said...

As a reader, sad news for me, but best wishes to both of you. I've enjoyed reading your stuff.

Anonymous said...

ANdrea:

This breaks my heart as a frequent anonymous reader and poster...on the bright side-does this mean you are now a full-time journalist (in other words, do you still have your day teaching job?

Bravo said...

Thanks for all your work on this blog! I posted comments occasionally, but I read it every day. It is in my short list of blogs I read daily.

I will try to track your work on goal.com AC. This blog has caused me to always read a story when I see that the author is Andrea or Luis.

TPB said...

This blog will be missed. Good luck AC.

Aljarov a.k.a Al Clark said...

First Korner Pocket, now Sideline Views.

Someone is goign to have to step up big time because there's nothing worth reading in the LA market now.

Your musings and insight will be missed.

All the best guys....

NOW - whose going to step up and fill the void?!

Anonymous said...

Goodluck and thanks.

Anonymous said...

What a bummer. You guys did a great job. My best to your future endeavors.

Anonymous said...

Well, this is sad indeed. Another "Favorite" I've got to delete. Sigh. I always stopped by because being stuck in the southeast, I am far away from any steady MLS and National Team news. SV was my main source. Heck, I was even able to keep up with MFL news without the least knowledge of spanish!If y'all commented on something I knew nothing about, then there was the link. What will I ever do now? Being a modern American, I am addicted to One-Stop shopping. Thank you both for so much great reading! Farewell and Good Luck!

Anonymous said...

Say it ain't so! First the financial market meltdown, now this?! :(

Hope you will reconsider & keep it going on a limited basis with links to your other endeavours as you will both be missed - and you know you`ll miss us too! lol

Thank you to both of you for your efforts & all the best for the future!

Anonymous said...

A piece of my daily life, and I'm sure of many others, is now gone.
But thank you for all your work on this wonderful blog.
I will miss it so.
Good luck with everything.

ghostwriter said...

Well, as usual I'm horribly late, behind even Coach :)

Feels like a friend moving away...

I'll bookmark Goal and keep track from time to time, so perhaps not exactly "adieu", more like "a bien tot"...

Thanks for everything you put into this blog. Goal's gain is our loss. Best wishes. Be well.

ghost

Pat. said...

I read several soccer blogs and I read them each day in ascending order of coolness, ending with the best and most informative.

That was Sideline Views.

Now I have to slog through a bunch of sub-par blogs for my Galaxy info (including the official one) before ending with... nothing.

I am bummed!

Thanks for what you provided while it lasted!

cj howareya said...

Goal.com's readership just increased by one.

Keep up the good work AC and thanks.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for making the site one of my must-reads. It's been a great education for this East Coaster. Look forward to following the next step in both your careers.

Cheers!

Unknown said...

As said earlier a piece of my daily life is now gone. I would like to thank AC and LB for inspiring this young journalist with their insight. Sideline Views will be missed.

~Adam

Anonymous said...

This blog was pimp, this blog was ill, and most of all, you guys kept it real. I'm on the east coast, and I still hit up this blog everyday. It's depressing that this can't continue. You guys did what you wanted with this blog and that was refreshing. You didn't have to answer to anyone but yourself and your readers. That's real journalism. G'luck with your new gig A.C. and keep doing your thing L.B.!!

Anonymous said...

I'll miss SV. Thank you both for making it the best, most real soccer blog in the blogsphere!!!

--Matt

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