The Bottom Line: Considering the rarity of soccer highlights on this side of the Atlantic and the going price, it's an inexpensive pickup if you can find it.
KidFlash25's Full Review: MLS 1999: Year in Review
I am a rare breed of American: the soccer fan. Thanks to the double-whammy of the 1994 World Cup tournament and the establishment of a professional team in my hometown two years later, the game has become one of my favorites. I try to follow the sport as much as possible. It usually requires checking up on results online since American TV networks seem to ignore it, with the exception of an important U.S. national team match or two. Still, there's no doubting the game's popularity Stateside has grown since 1994. Just how much is debatable, however. It doesn't say much if the sport has a lower profile than, say, truck pulls.
Still, you can't blame the investors of Major League Soccer for trying. Plowing $100 million of their own capital alongside a portion of the United States Soccer Federation's World Cup profits into the new league, MLS began in 1996 with great fanfare. While the media coverage was better than expected, by 1999 the interest had dwindled a bit, though the league was still garnering attention. And it was growing. ESPN's ratings were surprisingly solid for their weekly coverage, and the network gave the go-ahead to a highlights show. None of the original sponsors had jumped ship, and more were coming aboard. With the league firmly entrenched, their media department decided to widely release a year-end highlight video for the first time.
In the five years since, things have changed. Two franchises would be folded in 2001, the league and its players union would wage a messy court battle over MLS' financial structure and ESPN has pulled back their formerly-extensive coverage. Those clouds seem to have dissipated lately - two new franchises will start play in a few weeks, and the court battle ended two years ago. Most importantly, all but one franchise has either their own stadium or one being built currently, so there's a strong possibility the league will be around for years to come.
But back to 1999. MLS 1999 Year in Review is your typical league highlight package. Hosted by ESPN MLS analyst Rob Stone, it takes a page out of the NFL highlight stylebook, leaving no team unmentioned. Champions D.C. United get as much time as both last-place teams (the MetroStars and Kansas City Wizards) do. Along the way, you get a look at the All-Star events in San Diego and individual award-winners such as league MVP Jason Kreis and Goalie of the Year Kevin Hartman. There are goals aplenty to keep the interest of the non-soccer fan, and the occasional save too (in Hartman's case). The program ends where it should, with a look at D.C.'s 2-0 victory over Los Angeles in MLS Cup 1999.
Simitar's DVD treatment is fine, as the image is a bit sharper than TV quality. There are 18 chapter stops, divided by conference, team, awards and playoffs. Since the program is only 60 minutes long, it feels a bit like overkill. There's also the language option, where you have your choice of the original English or a Spanish dub. Since I'm describing the languages available, you might guess that there's no extras to be found here. You'd be right, unless you consider the inclusion of the league's 1999 statistical booklet an extra. (The packaging does, calling it a 'Bonus Feature!!') Considering the amount of space available on a disc, Simitar could have added a bit more to the program (perhaps on MLS Cup?) to make it a more appealing purchase. It's my only complaint with the disc, though.
Soccer highlight videos seem to be rare on this side of the Atlantic. Outside of the 1994 World Cup preview and review videos, the only other American-made one I'm aware of is the MLS Greatest Goals DVD released last year. Considering the cost of importing a European DVD (the Euro 2004 tournament DVD will run you $30) this is an easy recommend for any soccer fan. Other sports fans might find it worth one watch, but at $4.99 for either the VHS tape or the DVD, this won't hurt your wallet at all.
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