Trial and success ... trial and error. So goes the ebb and flow of modern trading cards. However, even a fighter knows when their beaten - they throw in the towel. Upper Deck is staggering long the ropes on wobbly feet and ready for the canvass.
The uninspired product from 2010 - World of Sports - that combined college athletes (who are suposed to be amateurs) with a mix of oddities like lacrosse and lesser know activities with MLS soccer players. The design, if it can be viewed as such, lacks total imagination. The photography, amatuerish at best ...
leaves a lot to be desired by collectors. However, the biggest fiasco is the continued sham of marketing non-existant David Beckham autograph cards. This was an issue as far back as Beck's first appearence with Upper Deck when he refused to part take in the signatures on the MLS products.
Yet, here it is (above), the "fanthom" Beckham autograph card. The sticker autograph is a left over from previous MLS sets - the actual signature is that of Luciano Emilio (below) from 2007.
Even the chase cards are a poor selection of design and photos. Kasey Keller (below) looks to be saying "oh, no ! Its the Upper Deck photographers".
All in all, Upper Deck's MLS products have been sub-quality and hardly changed in a decade of licensed production. An Upper Deck spokesperson has already confirmed that once again the Women's Professional Soccer will be part of the set for 2011.
While I have great admiration for the talent and efforts for the ladies' game (like Marta - below), I feel sorry for the purist who have to wade through these to find their favorite MLS players.
Can you imagine sifting through your pack of NBA cards and only finding WNBA cards as you search for your LeBron or Kobe ? How about sorting your most wanted baseball stars but forced to discover lady softball players among the packs ?
I would much rather have a sub set of US players who star overseas - like Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Maurice Edu. (this can be done with portrait shots or national team shirts to get around the licensing issue.)
With time ticking down on Upper Deck's MLS license, it may be an opening for Panini (or even a non-licensed company like In-The-Game) to swoop in and deliver a mouth watering soccer set. I know I'll be sending in my suggestions. I would love to hear from you fans ....
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3 comments:
although I didn't spend any $$$ on World of Sports... I guess I'm grateful that a North American company is trying to produce soccer cards. I love the Topps and Panini sticker books for the World Cup and Premiere League.... but card sets a too few and far between.
Cap ... I would normally agree that is good, but upper Deck has had 15 years to sort it out.
Time for someone else to have a go.
Beside, with easy access of the internet, I can collect soccer cards made in Japan or England as easy as Calfornia.
There are also several trading forum for Topps and Futera where I can acquire my favorites.
There is no reason to settle for junk.
is that 2007 upper deck mls dual auto featuring emilio for sale? if so please e-mail doksta@gmail.com because I am interested in buying it.
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