Major League Sucker Magazine

Soccer/football lovers know "Four Four Two." It gives the scores, transer news, and tournament stats from all over the world, as well as fun features and gossip, from funny player quotes to specials, like Arsene Wenger's tips for Five-a-side (England's answer to Fusol). The original magazine, a UK publication, focuses on Europe, but gives interesting news and scores from everywhere, from Australia to South Africa.

Australia got its own version, similar in spirit to its UK original, but with a focus on A-League (Australian league), the Socceroos (Aussie National team) and Australian players, especially those playing abroad. For example, West Ham's Lucas Niel is on the current cover, although Thierry Henry, a player with no Australian connections, has graced the cover as well. Though Australian in flavor, the two major priorities are interesting football news and entertaining content, Australian or not.

Perhaps this is the flaw of 442's newly launched Major League Soccer Magazine: it is oppressively MLS-centric. Well, that and it is one of the sloppiest, unprofessional efforts I have ever seen. I honestly believe that my college news magazine had better layout and was better proofread.

I skimmed through the mag with a red marker in my hand, and, within half an hour, it looked as if I had vomited blood onto the magazine in my lap. Even the cover had a glaring error, with a teaser that read FC Toronto, instead of Toronto FC. Not huge to some, but clearly a mistake anyone familiar with MLS would spot. Furthermore, the articles lacked something that the other 442s have. The magazine seemed to be stretched for content, and instead of looking to Europe or South America, it resolved to write a 3 page feature on a rookie's taste in tacky suits, rather than the two paragraph blurb it should have been.

There was nothing on the many Americans playing abroad either. Every other article was about Beckham, and it was clear that the magazine was lazily attempting to ride his coat tails and hope the hype might sell some magazines. The sloppy attempt at "the magazine for soccer lovers" delivers watered down articles about soccer for soccer lovers and truly uninteresting quotes and bad features for those who do not like soccer.... and, after reading this crap, never will. Thanks a lot, CHUMPS.