Every other league in the U.S. is suspending players for using performance-enhancing drugs so why shouldn’t MLS? The league did just that on Thursday.
New York Red Bulls Jon Conway and Jeff Parke were each handed 10-game suspensions for using a banned substance. They were the first players to be suspended under the league’s policy. They tested positive for androstatriendione, which is a metabolite of the steroid boldenone. 
Ever heard of this?
Neither have I.
And apparently neither have they.
The substance was contained in an over-the-counter nutritional supplement they bought at a vitamin store that is part of national chain. It still isn’t known whether or not the label mentioned the substance (my guess is that it didn’t), but even if it did, they wouldn’t have known what it was. 
Honestly, most people in professional sports probably wouldn’t even know what it is. Most trainers for U.S. professional sports team probably don’t. That’s because most leagues don’t test for it.
MLS is apparently stepping up their game and have a stricter drug testing policy than even baseball and football.
Yeah, I don’t understand the reason for that one either.
I do understand the benefits of performance-enhancing drugs and also the issues that they pose, but I never would have expected soccer players to be suspended for them. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t even know that MLS had a drug testing policy, and a tough one at that.
I guess the only thing that can be learned from this situation for other athletes is to read labels and talk to your team trainers before putting anything in your bodies.
Unfortunately for the Red Bulls, they’ve just lost a starting defender and their starting goalkeeper.
The only solace they can take from this event is that Conway’s replacement, 23-year-old Danny Cepero became the first goalkeeper in MLS history to score a goal when he made his first career start on Saturday.
The goal was on a free kick from his own end which bounced over an outstretched-arm of the opposing keeper.
Maybe they should be testing him too.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
MLS taking a stand
Posted by uisjmc mitchell at 7:30 PM
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5 comments:
That is pretty strange that the MLS has such a strict policy. Soccer doesn't seem like a sport that would lend itself to steroid use. Blood doping maybe. But 'roids? I don't see how making yourself look like Shawn Merriman would make you a great soccer player. Maybe the league has taken such a harsh stand because they can, in that they may have felt the chances of a top player taking steroids was lower then in, say, baseball.
That's pretty great. Who really did know that MLS was testing for 'roids? I saw the goal keeper score the other night. That's impressive. What's crazy is how do they let that kick go in? That's a professional just not doing their job and a reason why nobody takes American Soccer seriously.
Taking steroids is dumb, but taking them to better your soccer game is even more stupid. What is the point to bulking up in soccer? It'll probably slow you down and make you a less agile player. Sure you'll dominate the physical play, but that's about it.
It's pretty cool that the MLS is has strict policies, but I don't think it's going to help the MLS league as a whole much. It's just that no one cares if some no name players from some no name sport get benched.
Maybe the positive outcome is that some other leagues will take note and start implementing the same policies.
Attention Sports Fans:
Hey guys, just wanted to extend everyone an invite to my house (923 e. Jefferson) this Saturday for an awesome day of tailgating, lawn games, and football watching. There’ll be games on multiple large-screen TVs starting at 11am and leading up to the big primetime match-up (No, not PSU/OSU, Notre Dame v. Washington!). I have a pretty big yard so all day we’ll have games going on (Bags, Australian Frisbee, Pong/Flip Cup, etc), and we’ll also grill plenty of meat. Feel free to bring friends/girlfriend/boyfriends/dogs (the yard is fenced in and my dog could use company). I’ll probably get a keg from John’s of something decent, let me know if anyone has any particular requests. Hope you guys can all make it!
P.S. Dave you don't have a blog I can post this on, but you're expected to make an appearance as well.
Steroids in soccer? Well i'm surprised, but not that surprised.
In every sport athletes all try to gain any advantage they can get, and I guess steroids leaked into the MLS.
The only time I can see a player taking steroids in the MLS is if they have their heart set on playing in one of the top leagues in Europe like the English Premier League. If not then it's stupid.
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