there was a small rumbling about them being just an offshoot, but most people were pretty wait and see. Then they extended the Lampard loan into July, after extensive promises he'd be there opening day, and after that all gloves were off. They've tried to manufacture supporter's groups, have done some weird anthem marketing, get clowned the whole way. But they have Mix and Kreis and Okugo and Villa and they're all respected, so it's really just a lukewarm feeling.

And I dunno about free previews. Last year they were doing a "stream of the week" every weekend, where one game was free every week, but now they have two games on cable (ESPN2 and FS1) every Sunday, so I dunno of the free stream will continue.