tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84295744747740020022024-03-05T01:00:25.607-05:00Nutmegs & StepoversAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-33115330141884412022014-07-07T16:47:00.000-04:002014-07-07T16:47:48.715-04:00World Cup 2014 Aftermath--Salute to the VeteransDeep breaths. Heart Rate Check. Anti-depressants unnecessary. Proud and patriotic, but somewhat sad nonetheless.<br />
<br />
Almost a week after watching the U.S. get eliminated from the 2014 World Cup at the hands of a 2-1 loss to Belgium, it is hard to be truly sorry. Remember back in December 2013 and the World Cup draw, no one expected the U.S. to do much. But these boys escaped the Group of Death and played Belgium for 120 minutes and could have equalized or won. Hardly anyone expected the U.S. to make the Round of 16. The U.S. was one half-volley or one set piece or one missed save by Courtois to advance to the quarterfinals.<br />
<br />
I think the USMNT is on a good footing going forward. There is much youth in the squad and that bodes well for the future. I will have more going forward on that score in future posts. However, I want to take the time to thank the veterans, the men on the back side of 30 who are unlikely to see 2018 in Russia. That is not say they won't have a role going forward transitioning to the World Cup 2018 USMNT, but let's face it Father Time is a cruel S.O.B. and there are always those young and hungry guys chomping at your heels.<br />
<br />
So taking a look at five of the World Cup 2014 starters and stars who played their way into our hearts.<br />
<br />
<b>Tim Howard</b>--yes, goalkeepers have a longer shelf-life than field players and Howard stands among the greatest goalkeepers the U.S. has ever produced. How you rank Tony Meoloa, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel and Howard depends largely upon your age and how you came up through the U.S. Soccer system, but you would be hard pressed to name a better four keepers for any country who have manned the net over 24 years and seven World Cups than those men. At age 36, Howard could be in the prime of his playing career and a 16 save performance against Belgium shows that the man can still stop the shots. But Howard will be 40 at the next World Cup...he will be old enough to be some of the squad member's father. Yes, I believe Howard could still play at the highest level in four years, but will Klinsmann let him? Will Howard let himself do so?<br />
<br />
<b>Clint Dempsey</b>--Deuce got screwed this World Cup. With Jozy Altidore going down, Deuce was called upon to play in a role that does not suit him. That is a bit sad to see because I would have loved to have seen him roaming the channels and the penalty area like pissed off Texas rattlesnake ready to strike. But Dempsey is 32 and not likely to make the next World Cup squad to redeem his memory. He plays with flair, he can score, he has the quintessential American attitude of someone who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, made good, but never lost that wrong side of the tracks swagger disappear. But the mileage on the legs will doom him.I will never forget how heartbroken Dempsey was following the 2009 Confederations Cup final, holding the Bronze Boot trophy, tears in his eyes at losing the heartbreaker to Brazil. Dempsey is a quality player and deserves all the accolades he received, but his time is measured--one only need look at how Jurgen Klinsmann handled Landon Donovan.<br />
<br />
<b>Jermaine Jones</b>--injury prevented him from playing in 2010 in South Africa. But for my money, he was the best player on the U.S. team in the group stage--far and away. Say what you want about German Americans on Klinmann's squad, Jones showed all the characteristics of an American player, playing till the final whistle or till he dropped. His goal against Portugal will be one of my favorite memories of this World Cup. His box to box play, his willingness to sacrifice his body to the game, and the infamous image of his hair during the Snow Game against Costa Rica all make certain that he will live in U.S. lore for a long time to come.<br />
<br />
<b>DeMarcus Beasley</b>--what can you say about Run DMB?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The only American to play in four World Cups. </li>
<li>A man who so completely reinvented himself as a player, to step into the left back position (even if he didn't like it to start) and play better than men 10 years younger than himself. </li>
<li>To see him defend on an island against Ghana, against Portugal, against Germany and against Belgium, taking on and outsmarting world class players. </li>
</ul>
<br />
It was a sight to behold. Beasley made so few mistakes that it hard to imagine that he played in his fourth World Cup. Then after 270 minutes of defending, to play 120 minutes against Belgium and to be bombing down the left flank like the DMB of 2002 it was hard to realize that this is a man who has spent more than 12 years off and on the USMNT but always peaking at the right time, fulfilling the roles every coached asked of him. Beasley's place in the pantheon of American soccer is assured...but he did it on terms that might not suggest that he is done (five World Cups anyone?). He also did it quiet, which I love.<br />
<br />
<b>Kyle Beckerman</b>--my favorite dreadlocked hobbit. Beckerman proved that you don't have to be the greatest athlete, the fastest man on the squad or even the best technical player to be indespensible. If not for Klinmann's fear of Marouene Fellani's height, we could have seen one of the classic hair battles in the World Cup: Beckerman's Dreads vs. Fellani's 'Fro. Beckerman could have made a difference for the USMNT in the Belgium match. But coulda, woulda, shoulda. To make his first World Cup squad at his age, Beckerman proved that if you fill a role as completely, and as completely effective, as he does there is a place in the squad for you. When many people thought Beckerman would be a back up to Jermaine Jones or Michael Bradley, he proved to be as important as Tim Howard. Beckerman may not have had the length of a USMNT career as Howard or Beasley, but he certainly had a big impact and set the standard for defensive midfielders for Klinsmann going foward. Did you see that Perry Kitchen and Will Trapp?<br />
<br />
These five men will possibly see action in the 2015 Gold Cup and maybe we will see one or two of them in the Copa America. These are great players, who played the game the American way--without apology and without quitting. But like I said before, Father Time is a cantankerous bastard and he marches ever on.<br />
<br />
Thanks guys--for every memory.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-89237850517055113672014-05-27T15:01:00.000-04:002014-05-27T15:01:16.425-04:00Welcome Back MattI have to admit, I have had some personal matters that have kept me from regularly or even semi-regularly posting to this blog. So with a just a couple of weeks until the quadrennial soccer geekfest known as the World Cup, I figured it was time to come back.<br />
<br />
The big news of course is that Landon Donovan will not be on the World Cup roster. Fine, it has happened. I can't really add my surprise to the pile and make any significant change to that pile of emotional scrapheap.<br />
<br />
But tonight is the first tune-up match vs. Azerbijian, coached by Bertie Voakes, Jurgen Klinsmann's new assistant coach. What the opponent will bring is of little concern, particularly since I don't know of anyone who has any kind of information on what or how Azerbijian plays.<br />
<br />
But this game is a test for the national soccer psyche and for whatever mental and emotional test that Jurgen Klinsmann is conducting.<br />
<br />
Remember back in March 2013, when <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2013-03-19/jurgen-klinsmann-us-mens-soccer-coach-national-team-usa-american-world-cup-2013">The Sporting News' Brian Strauss wrote an article</a> about dissension in the dressing room and how Klinsmann's methods were not creating a good environment in the dressing room? Remember how the USMNT reacted in the Snowpacalypse? Remember the win streak that followed?<br />
<br />
Klinsmann has made much of his desire to unbalance his squad members. The dropping of Donovan might be just the kind of unbalancing he wants to create, leaving aside Donovan's lack of form (this past weekend's performance against the porous Philadelphia defense). That kind of unbalancing, along with a very young team that may react well to a us vs. them attitude. For that to work, you have assume that old hands like Howard, Guzan, Rimando, Dempsey, Bradley, Beasley and Jones are in on the gag.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-67029044144763412772013-04-18T17:03:00.000-04:002013-04-18T17:03:06.442-04:00These Are My TeamsDrop what you are doing right now and go read <a href="http://theshinguardian.com/2013/04/18/op-ed-thunder-come-sunshine-soccer/">this post at the Shin Guardian</a> about the power of the beautiful game to one man. (and while you are at it, start following the Shin Guardian--some of the best writing about soccer and topics related to soccer on the interwebs).<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
My US National Teams is a special symbol. More than any other sport, in my opinion, they have the makeup, background, and ability to represent what’s best about us all. A son of a Mexican immigrants giving his all to provide support for the son of a Haitian immigrant. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
German born offspring of American soldiers battle alongside a hard nosed Jersey boy and a rapping tattooed East Texan…who’s white I might add. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Nowhere else will you find a man who overcomes an obstacle like Tourette syndrome every day to perform at the highest level. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Because of who they are and the sport they play, they have the opportunity and responsibility to wear my colors and personify what’s best about my people.</blockquote>
<br />
All over the world, the power of sport has the ability to heal people like nothing else. People of different religions, different socio-economic class, different heritage can coalesce around a game. I remember the emotion of the first baseball game in New York after 9/11 and I can't stand watching baseball on TV. I remember MLS matches following 9/11 and the first DC United home game after 9/11. I couldn't get to the match--but I felt the same power.<br />
<br />
The stories of fans singing the National Anthem at the Bruins game last night is a powerful reminder of the power of sport to heal. Next year, you won't be able to tell one Boston Marathon runner from another, they will all be the same person, in the same shirt and rightfully so. <br />
<br />
Yes, for me soccer is a defining experience in my life. I measure my years by the numbers of World Cups I have seen. My national teams show me what is possible in this nation of ours. Many people might wonder about the impact of a diversification of our population. But for me, it has always been its greatest strength. You can put 100 Americans in a room together and you might not find any two remotely alike. I have seen that on a soccer field and when it comes to sport in America--it is honestly the only time you see it.<br />
<br />
When the National Soccer Teams take the field--more than any time, other than maybe the Olympics--you have the true power of what it means to be America in one place. I can sit in a bar, a restaurant or even a public plaza with dozens, hundreds even thousands of people I don't know and I can experience, the joy, the wonder, the heartache, the pain, and the sheer oneness with them all--Americans.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-48408278641444516652013-03-27T10:14:00.002-04:002013-03-27T10:14:51.140-04:00In College Park, MD, Sasho Cirovski is SmilingLook, come about 12:15 last night, I was getting nervous, I didn't want a heart break as the U.S. MNT grabbed the first World Cup Qualifying point out of Azteca stadium in 16 years.<br />
<br />
But when the starting line-up was announced last night, the team included these three players:<br />
Maurice Edu<br />
Omar Gonzalez<br />
Graham Zusi<br />
<br />
Course, when the U.S. took to the snow in Denver for the SnowClassico, Zusi and Gonzalez were joined with Clarence Goodson, another former Terp.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-soccer/">All three are former Terps</a>. Yeah Sasho is smiling......I am too.<br />
<br />
FEAR THE TURTLE!!!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-32780336498710736832013-03-19T10:27:00.000-04:002013-03-19T10:27:09.191-04:00Four Times UnluckyThis just has to suck for the striker. As a goalkeeper though, I live for this kind of magic.<br />
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Honestly, in almost 35 years of playing, coaching, refereeing and watching, I can honestly say that soccer never fails to surprise me from time to time.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-13993374650048678022013-03-13T09:41:00.000-04:002013-03-13T09:42:01.574-04:00Can I get a Witness? Sounders Second Half Comeback on 3 Stunning GoalsWitness the goalkeeping of Michael Gspurning!<br />
<br />
Witness the skill of 19 year old rookie DeAndre Yedlin's volley for Seattle's First Goal!<br />
<br />
Witness the wonder strike from Djimi Traore in Seattles come from behind, 3-1 (3-2 Agg) win over Tigres in the CONCACAF champions League Quarterfinal last night. (Candidate for FIFA Goal of the Year?--methinks so.<br />
<br />
Witness the wonder of Eddie Johnson's near impossible angle goal to give the Sounders the win!<br />
<br />
How I wish I was a Century Link last night to Witness!!!!<br />
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<br />
I am a DC United fan through and through, but when it is CONCACAF Champions League--I am all about the MLS and last night was wonderful.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-82878824888347264392013-02-06T11:20:00.000-05:002013-02-06T11:20:23.093-05:00GAME DAY!!! USMNT at HondurasAlas, paying job obligations keep me from a preview of my own, but suffice to say that the opening match is important for the USMNT. Three points is not a total long shot, but my guess is that Jurgen Klinsmann will be happy with a point on the road.<br />
<br />
Lots of different previews of today's match: For ones that I like check out:<br />
<br />
Ives Galarcep, Soccer by Ives <a href="http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/02/usmnt-ready-for-start-of-hex-and-challenge-of-a-young-and-dynamic-honduras-squad.html">here</a> and podcast version <a href="http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/02/the-sbi-podcast-episode-6-previewing-the-usmnt-qualifier-vs-honduras.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Grant Wahl of course <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130205/united-states-honduras-soccer-preview-grant-wahl/?eref=si_soccer&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fsi_soccer+%28SI.com+-+Soccer%29">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2013/02/preview-honduras-usa.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Ussoccerplayers+%28USSoccerPlayers%29">Charles Boehm for USSoccerplayers.com</a>.<br />
<br />
The always slightly irreverent, but usually very accurate, <a href="http://theshinguardian.com/2013/02/05/tsgs-official-usa-vs-honduras-preview-pulling-the-landon-donovan-security-blanket/">The Shinguardian's Official Preview</a>.<br />
<br />
Me, Three points and "watching" the game via MatchTracker. Sucks but BeIN Sports is blocked at the office (I wonder why?) Also not that ESPN3 is blocked also, so.....Damn law firms.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-27690368920479167792013-02-05T17:28:00.003-05:002013-02-05T17:28:42.288-05:00Andy Najar to RSC Anderlecht--Who is the Next Homegrown PlayerIn a not completely unexpected move, DC United Midfielder/Right Back Andy Najar completed a transfer to Belgian side RSC Anderlecht for an undisclosed fee, but believed to be somewhere between $2 million and $3 million. After Najar's first year in the league, at age 17, you could see Najar was going places and that his time with DC United was limited--barring injury. Now at the no longer tender age of 19, Najar is (already) in Europe. If he keeps the current pace of progression up, expect that within 3 years, Najar is playing in one of the top four leagues in Europe.<br />
<br />
But the big news is Najar's transfer is the first MLS Homegrown player to be transferred abroad, and for a not insubstantial sum of money, most of which goes to DC United, rather than MLS. That begs the question, who is next among the current crop of homegrown players that could be on the sale block for transfer overseas?<br />
<br />
Certainly, with MLS in full pre-season, there is no certainty about rosters. But <a href="http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/http%3A//pressbox.mlssoccer.com/homegrownplayers">at this link is a list of homegrown players that have been signed by MLS clubs</a>, starting with Tristan Bowen (L.A. Galaxy) in 2008 to Michael Seaton (DC United) a little over two weeks ago. So far, a total of 66 players have been signed to homegrown contracts, but not many of them have seen significant minutes as players. Of the 66 signed so far, eight have been signed in the current off-season so clearly unable to have any contribution in 2012.<br />
<br />
Of the remaining 57, 38 were active in 2012. Of that 38, only 25 saw ANY minutes whatsoever. Only ten homegrown players saw more than 200 minutes:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Brent Richards (Portland)--201 min.</li>
<li>Tristan Bowen (Chivas USA)--248 min.</li>
<li>Diego Fagundez (New England)--770 min.</li>
<li>Eric Gehrig (Columbus)--812 min</li>
<li>Doneil Henry (Toronto)--1139 min.</li>
<li>Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA & New York)--1570 min.</li>
<li>Andy Najar (DC United)--2045 Min.</li>
<li>Bill Hamid (DC United)--2087 Min.</li>
<li>Connor Lade (New York)--2088 Min.</li>
<li>Ashtone Morgan (Toronto)--2528 Min.</li>
</ol>
<br />
To be realistic, it is probably only the list from Henry to Morgan who we can realistically think about potential transfers to Europe in the next two-three years.<br />
<br />
So of the players, Henry, Agudelo, Hamid, Lade and Morgan, who is most likely to go?<br />
<br />
Of course, lots of people expect that <b>Juan Agudelo</b> will be the next player to transfer to Europe. Agudelo scored only three goals last season, for an average of one goal every 523 minutes, or almost once in every SIX games. Agudelo is going to have to score more if he is going to impress as a striker. True, he spent most of the season with Chivas, a team that managed a paltry 24 goals all season, but if Agudelo is going to garner attention from clubs across the Atlantic Ocean, he had better start finding the back of the net with some regularity. It is true that Agudelo has a lot of talent as a striker, but you get paid to score as a striker.<br />
<br />
As a young goalkeeper, <b>Bill Hamid</b> has progressed miles in the past two seasons since winning the starting job for the Black & Red. There is no denying that Hamid is a fabulous shot stopper. He is also comfortable taking the cross and has gotten very good at directing his defenders. But the knock on Hamid, and rightfully so, is that he cannot control his emotions. I do see Hamid making a move overseas, but since goalkeepers typically have long careers, see Keller, Kasey and Freidel, Brad, he will benefit from a couple more seasons with DC United before making a move.<br />
<br />
<b>Connor Lade</b> looks like he is 15 and is a long way from a move overseas. Yes, he is a fine right back, but he needs to improve in just about all areas of his game to get beyond the MLS level. He has a tendency to get burned on defense and he is not a sharp with his attacking play as he needs to be. Lade is a good MLS right back, but that is not going to earn him a transfer. If New York can get their head out of the collective backsides, and the drama in the dressing room is minimized, Lade may have a solid future. The question is whether Mike Petke and Robin Fraser can develop the talent.<br />
<br />
Looking like a classic centerback is nothing for <b>Doneil Henry</b>. Tall, but not too lanky; strong, but not slow; Henry has the physical tools to be a good centerback. However, he needs some time to strengthen both his technical game, to play out of the back and improve his decision making. but Henry is getting time with the Canadian U20 squad and spent time with the senior Canandian Squad, seeing impressive minutes against the United States. What is good for Henry (besides youth and talent)? His coach is Ryan Nelsen, a coach who has played at the highest levels as a centerback. It is possible to see Henry make big strides this year.<br />
<br />
<b>Ashtone Morgan</b> is complete defender, gifted with speed, good defensive skills and an attacking verve that should improve with a few more games. Morgan, although just approaching age 22, has been a solid two year contributor. Morgan is perhaps in the best position of all of these five players to make a quick move overseas. He has been consistent in his play, has made contributions to the attack with five assists last year and two assists in 2011 when he first earned starts for Toronto. Despite the general shambles of the Toronto front office in recent years, the fact that they identified both Morgan and Henry and have brought them along well is a positive sign for the Canadian side.<br />
<br />
If I had to place odds on which of these players moves abroad in the next two years, I would put my money on Morgan. <br />
<br />
What do you think? Can Hamid mature sooner? Will the Canucks claim the next homegrown player transfer? Can Agudelo live up to the promise?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-71819439189822881422013-02-05T12:18:00.000-05:002013-02-05T12:18:22.543-05:00Alex Morgan as Katy Perryfor ESPN The Magazine's Music issue.<br />
<br />
Yeah--she is smoking hot. Kudos to the Hair and Make-up team cause Alex Morgan does not much look like Katy Perry.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-50534311807754281602013-02-04T17:02:00.001-05:002013-02-04T17:02:22.282-05:00Five Talking Points: USMNT Roster for Honduras WCQFor reasons best known to him, US coach Jurgen Klinsmann waited until today to announce his squad for the first Hexagonal World Cup Qualifying Match against Honduras in San Pedro Sula on Wednesday. (to be fair, Klinsmann said he wanted to make sure people didn't get hurt in the weekend's matches, but it is not like he couldn't name others on short notice if necessary--whatever.)<br />
<br />
Here is the Roster:<br />
<br />
<br />
GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)<br />
DEFENDERS (9) : Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Augsburg)<br />
MIDFIELDERS (8) : Michael Bradley (Roma), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht ), Jose Torres (Tigres), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)<br />
FORWARDS (4 ): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders)<br />
<br />
1. If there are any surprises on this roster, it would be the Brad Evans and Brad Davis. Brad Davis did not supremely impress in the match against Canada, although he was better that Brad Evans. Though to be honest, Evans played much better at right back than in central midfileder. That said, I don't see either starting this match.<br />
<br />
2. Sean Johnson now needs to shave his head--he has wayyyy too much hair for a USMNT goalkeeper. Still I think he has earned this call up. <br />
<br />
3. Centerback pairing is kind of an interesting question. The inclusion of Mo Edu on this list suggests that Klinsmann is keeping his options open, with the former Terp having played as a centerback for Klinsmann in the past. However, I suspect that we will see Omar Gonzalez line up next to Carlos Bocanegra. <br />
<br />
4. The striker corps presents an interesting conundrum for Klinsmann. Jozy Altidore has been hot, red hot in the Eredivisie, but in the past has not been able to translate that in to success for the Red, White and Blue. Add to the equation that Eddie Johnson has proven himself to be far better holding the ball as a target striker than Altidore. Dempsey is too good a player to leave on the bench, so will we see a 4-3-3 that Klinsmann likes but that most U.S. players are not used to playing? <br />
<br />
5. If there was ever a chance for Timmy chandler to redeem himself in the eyes of U.S. fans this game will be it. Almost assured of starting--short of being caught in bed with a teammates wife--Chandler is going to need to provide width if Klinsmann goes 4-3-3 and that will put a big burden on him.<br />
<br />
Bonus Talking Point: Too many Brads on this squad and too many Johnsons, I don't like it.<br />
<br />
<br />
My predicted line up<br />
<br />
-------Altidore ------------ E. Johnson-------<br />
------------------Dempsey--------------------<br />
<br />
--Jones------------------Bradley-------------<br />
----------------D. Williams---------------------<br />
<br />
Castillo--Bocanegra--Gonzales----Chandler----<br />
<br />
-----------------Howard-------------------<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-37642488457872238702013-01-30T10:33:00.000-05:002013-01-30T10:33:50.149-05:00Five Talking Points--USMNT 0:0 Canada--Two Words UGGG---LLYYYWe have all had that morning after bad date experience right? The morning after the beer goggle moment where it looks like you have found a sexy young thing to spend the night with but you wake up feeling not only violated, but lied to? Where morning hideousness makes you wonder what the frak was I thinking? Yeah--that was last night.<br />
<br />
Like most US Soccer fans, I am prepared to suffer late nights to be coupled with early mornings, odd line-ups and tactical situations, crappy refereeing from Central American officiating crews, terrible television commentating (although I liked the half-time bit between Taylor Twellman and Alexi Lalas. Those guys should be calling games together. No offense to Adrian Healy or Arlo White). I was prepared for a lesser standard of play from the USMNT last night simply because it was the January camp and most of the players are, frankly, B level players. I was prepared for Canada to bunker 9, 10, or even 11 men behind the ball. But I woke this morning with a serious case of beer goggle hangover. And I am feeling violated.<br />
<br />
Last's nights match was simply ugly with a capital U. <br />
<br />
I know that not every match is going to be pretty, but aside from about 1.1 seconds of Sean Johnson save brilliance and a three pass sequence in the first half, I can't remember anything truly pretty about that game.<br />
<br />
The match left me wondering why I stayed up to watch the whole thing and wondering if I should ask Comcast for a refund of my cable bill for last night.<br />
<br />
I think my ability to do extra reps in my workout this morning can be attributed to anger at the performance last night. <br />
<br />
It was Post-<i>50 First Dates</i> Adam Sandler movie bad. <br />
<br />
It was wondering if I could get a ruffie to forget it bad.<br />
<br />
It was 11:00 am dorm hall walk of shame with the not hot one night stand calling after you that you forgot your underwear bad.<br />
<br />
So, now that little rant is over, on to the talking points, as there was a few things that can be gleaned from last night's soccer famine.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Eddie Johnson--Grown Ass Man has grown up a lot. </b> Maybe it is the tutelage of Sigi Schmidt, maybe it is the humility that comes with age and experience, but Grown Ass Man looked like a pretty decent target striker last night. He held the ball well and played well with his back to the goal. But when GAM went wide, he really made trouble for the Canadian back line. The problem, although not of Johnson's making, was that there was few opportunities for him and the USMNT to exploit the space he created. I can see an Eddie Johnson/Jozy Altidore pairing up top in Honduras.</li>
<li><b>Omar Gonzalez is the real deal.</b> A while back, I argued that A.J. De La Garza was actually the better defender from the long time tandem, and he may be the better defender. But Gonzalez is the better soccer player. Gonzalez was frequently up in the attack, not just on set plays, but starting attacks from the back with sharp passing. If Gonzalez can keep that kind of play going, it would not surprise me in the least to see a Gonzalez/Geoff Cameron pairing in Brazil 2014.</li>
<li><b>Oh, Michael, Michael, Wherefore art though Michael Bradley?</b> It was clear that the U.S. was missing a player like Bradley, a general who can dictate the pace of the match, spray the ball around and unlock a packed midfield. To say that Brad Evans was better playing right back rather than the top of a midfield diamond is a minor understatement. Benny Feilhaber was better than I have seen him during his limited appearance, but right now, I don't see any kind of competition for Michael Bradley for that midfield general role.</li>
<li><b>Josh Gatt--Lightning Contained. </b>I love his speed, I love his willingness to take on players, I love the fact that he is true winger. But Josh Gatt cannot play against a five man midfield. Wingers like to dribble, wingers like to run and if it is too stuffed in the midfield, there is nowhere to run. You can make the argument that Gatt needs to find his own space to run, but ....</li>
<li><b>Juan Agudelo--Super Sub?</b> The young Chivas USA striker did what substitutes are supposed to do, make an impact. Agudelo was all over the place, picking up the ball, taking risks, taking shots, drawing fouls in dangerous spots. He was energetic with the U.S. needed him to be. Find the holes in the defense a little better and Agudelo will be a terror as a super sub.</li>
</ol>
<div>
We all know that Jurgen Klinsmann was looking for lessons in the friendly rather than a result. The big lesson is that a young, MLS centric team does not have enough tactical skill to unlock a packed midfield. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We have all had that experience, but last nights beer goggles were pretty bad and I for one want to put them back in the closet.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-55709768613186304512013-01-08T10:15:00.000-05:002013-01-08T10:15:08.099-05:00Five Talking Points--USMNT January CampFive talking points about the USMNT Roster for the January Camp.<div>
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<div>
Just as a quick reminder, here is the roster:</div>
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<div>
<b>GOALKEEPERS</b>- Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>DEFENDERS</b>-Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), A.J. DeLaGarza (LA Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Connor Lade (New York Red Bulls), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes), Jeff Parke (Philadelphia Union)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>MIDFIELDERS</b>- Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (out of contract), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>FORWARDS</b>- Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Edson Buddle (Colorado Rapids), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
To the Points: </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
1. I can't remember the last time a USMNT roster featured two outside midfielders who could serve the ball with as much aplomb as Brad Davis and Graham Zusi. Two set piece service maestros. Seems to me like a match made in heaven--so that means we won't see them together. Shame, that could be a lot of fun to watch them on the pitch together.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
2. Besler or Gonzalez? If you accept the (semi-conventional) wisdom that Geoff Cameron has solidified a place in Klinsmann's back line corps, who between Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler has the chops to make the step up to partner with Cameron with the surely imminent departure of Carlos Bocanegra from the regular national team fold. (on that point- is Bocanegra really on the outs?)</div>
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<br /></div>
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3. Speaking of Gonzalez, can he and his L.A. Galaxy and Maryland Terrapin teammate A.J. De La Garza make an impact on the national team as they have in college and MLS? The versatility of De La Garza to play either right or left back has to be give him the edge to start in this corps. Truly has there ever been as consistent a pairing of players through all levels as these two? I think not.</div>
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<br /></div>
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4. Klinsmann has said that between 5 and 8 of these players will likely be held in camp for the Honduras World Cup Qualifier. That list, I suspect will include, Hamid, Beckerman, Gonzalez, Zusi, Johnson and Wondolowski. On the bubble will be Gatt and Besler. </div>
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<br /></div>
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5. It would be easy to look at this as Benny Feilhaber's final chance to impress Klinsmann for inclusion in World Cup Qualifying rosters, but I suspect that his inclusion is no throw-away. Can Feilhaber capture that Gold Cup magic in a bottle (or in a volley) and catapault himself back into contention--particularly in light of the doubts surrounding Landon Donovan's future? A strong camp will do that for him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Projected Line-Up vs. Canada (4-1-3-2)</div>
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---------------------Hamid-----------------------</div>
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De La Garza---Gonzalez---Besler---Beitashour</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
------------------Beckerman----------------------</div>
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Gatt --------------Zusi---------------Feilhaber----</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
----------Wondolowski----Johnson--------------</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-19021556282409766892013-01-06T09:59:00.001-05:002013-01-06T09:59:44.101-05:00Maryland's London Woodbury to Sign with FC Dallaa<div><p>According to SBI. <a href="http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/01/fc-dallas-signs-woodberry-to-homegrown-player-deal.html">FC Dallas agree to Homegrown Player deal with Woodberry</a><br>
</p>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-34487410539191207992012-12-28T15:04:00.000-05:002013-01-02T09:49:59.381-05:00My Favorite 2012 Soccer Memory--Soccer was My SuccorOn a personal level, this year was a particularly rough one for me. As a result, I often took refuge in the beautiful game. When things were rough in my personal and professional life, I could retreat to the confines of the pitch, where an unpredictable game was played with predictable and known rules, so much unlike regular life. Whether playing, watching or refereeing a game, being on the soccer field game me immense comfort. I have refereed some excellent matches, seen kids play at all levels, enjoyed the camaraderie of my Monday night indoor matches, watched my alma mater University of Maryland win the ACC championship with a powerful performance against North Carolina with my youngest daughter and dear friends, and fought with my oldest daughter about watching games on TV. I felt the fear and elation of the USMNT in World Cup Qualifying. I watched DC United play well and play poorly, and felt the joy and anguish of each high and low, matching the course of my own life in many ways. <br />
<br />
Yes, this year is filled with many memories, soccer and otherwise, that are both good and bad. But soccer was this year more than any other, a comfort. It was a place and a game that helped me get through all the crap in my personal life. <br />
<br />
In a year when my personal life was a shambles, soccer was my succor.<br />
<br />
There were lots of good memories this year to choose from: <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://theoriginalwinger.com/2012-12-27-video-all-91-goals-lionel-messi-scored-2012-barcelona-argentina-adidas">absolute wicked brilliance of Lionel Messi and 91 goals </a></li>
<li>The USMNT winning at Azteca for the first time ever. </li>
<li>Listening to the coach of a high school soccer team tell me I had a rough night refereeing having awarded not one but two stone cold penalties against his team. After his team got spanked 8-0 by the eventual state champions, I was able to thank him for his opinion with only a touch of sarcasm (best I could muster).</li>
<li>My beloved DC United making the playoffs for the first time in five years despite the absence of Dwayne DeRosario. </li>
<li>Posting my first clean sheet as a goal keeper for my team (a difficult task in the indoor game) and having a seven penalty kick save streak (not to toot my own horn too much).</li>
<li>The spectacular improvisation of <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/11/29/seattles-ianni-wins-att-goal-year-stunning-volley">Patrick Ianni's only goal of the season</a>. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
But my favorite memory is this one: <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x3QEctcDtW4" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
The USWNT team versus Canada in the Olympics semi-final was a classic match to watch no matter who you root for, and one worthy of watching over and over. Rarely do I feel heartache for any team that any U.S. squad beats (yeah, I am a homer and a patriot that way), but I truly felt bad for the Canadians, they played well enough to win. The Canucks have nothing to be ashamed of, it was that good a game. <br />
<br />
The game featured seven goals over 120 minutes of exciting soccer. Topping it all off was Alex "Baby Horse" Morgan's 123rd minute header that looped over the Canadian goalkeeper. The goal was just phenomenal, not because it was a difficult finish (although it is not easy), or particularly spectacular, but coming as it did, when it did, how it did. I also loved the way Morgan celebrated, with arms out wide, in part she looked disbelieving, but in part she also looked like "yeah, I did that, I knew I could." Just amazing stuff.<br />
<br />
In a breakout year, this was, in my opinion, Alex Morgan's best goal of the year. A simple, classy finish of a looping cross, touch of luck but coming literally at the death of a game to prevent the match from going to penalty kicks. <br />
<br />
In so many ways, my own life mirrored that game. I have battled back from being down, fought against tough odds and in the end, it is something simple that puts me over the edge of winning at the final moments. <br />
<br />
When soccer mirrors life so much, it is hard not to like the simple moments of victory. Yeah, that is my favorite 2012 Soccer Memory.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-61832997323450938482012-12-28T09:39:00.002-05:002012-12-28T09:40:55.841-05:00The Business of SoccerBen Berger of <a href="http://footiebusiness.com/2012/12/28/business-story-of-the-year-your-vote/">Footiebusiness has a poll up asking people to vote on the business item of the year</a>. Berger himeself selected four business stories for the year that he thought were the biggest of the year in terms of the business of soccer in 2012. They include NBC's new contract as a broadcast partner, the demise of the WPS, the addition of the Montreal Impact to MLS and the groundbreaking for a new soccer specific stadium for San Jose. You can vote for "other" as well.<br />
<br />
The business of soccer in America is growing, and it is on solid ground. True the women's side of things needs some work and there is some going on with the creation of the NWSL. But it is hard to point to anywhere else in the world of American soccer where things are not on a solid footing and moving in a positive direction. <br />
<br />
I recommend Berger's blog as well. Good stuff all the time and smart stuff all the time.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-5934042327976129262012-11-27T15:36:00.001-05:002012-11-27T15:36:36.622-05:00Quick Free KicksShaktar Donetsk striker <a href="http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/disciplinary/news/newsid=1899812.html">Adriano has been suspended one match by UEFA</a> for blatant violation of sporting behavior. "<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The suspension applies to next week's UEFA Champions League group stage game between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus in Ukraine. The Shakhtar player has also been required to perform one full day of community football service." <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/11/26/luiz-adriano-shakhtar-goal.ap/index.html?eref=si_soccer&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fsi_soccer+%28SI.com+-+Soccer%29">Even Adriano's boss is n</a></span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/11/26/luiz-adriano-shakhtar-goal.ap/index.html?eref=si_soccer&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fsi_soccer+%28SI.com+-+Soccer%29">ot happy</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">MSL Head Honcho <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1241878/don-garber:-mls-to-cope-without-david-beckham?campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5901">Don Garber thinks MLS will do fine without Beckham</a>. Well, I couldn't agree more. Was Beckham helpful, no doubt. But the league does not need Beckham but it will be interesting to see if Beckham needs the MLS in the future?</span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.soccernewsday.com/canada/a/304/toronto-fc-christmas-wishlist">A wish list for Toronto FC</a>. Well, as I said, they got a great president in Kevin Payne.</span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-89149290572089809332012-11-27T14:55:00.001-05:002012-11-27T14:55:45.290-05:00Payne Leaving DC UnitedEverything happens for a reason right? Today <a href="http://www.dcunited.com/news/2012/11/kevin-payne-steps-down">DC United announced that President and CEO Kevin Payne is stepping down</a> to take a similar position with Toronto FC. <div>
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<div>
So what is the reason for Payne leaving is the question that has to be asked. I think the reason can be found in Payne's own quote for the release:</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.93em; line-height: 1.467em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
“For me, D.C. United has been like my child. We brought the team into the D.C. and national sports world 17 years ago and every day since – good and bad – has been a labor of love. This team has provided many great memories of championships and historic accomplishments, but I will best remember the people I've had the chance to meet, to work with, strive with, celebrate with, and sometimes to share disappointment with.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.93em; line-height: 1.467em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
“To the players, coaches, co-workers and fans, I can only say thank you so much for the great privilege of having been part of the D.C. United family. It’s very difficult for me to express how I have felt, and still feel, about all of you."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.93em; line-height: 1.467em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
When a child reaches a certain age, you have to let him or her go. Payne can't exactly break DC United's dinner plate or throw its belongings into Lot 8 at RFK Stadium. But I think he can step down, and let his child grow on its own. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.93em; line-height: 1.467em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
Looking back on Payne's tenure, perhaps there are only two things I would consider failures. The first and most obvious is the lack of a stadium. To be sure, navigating the shifting political grounds of the District of Columbia government is no easy feat, compounded by government personnel who may not be the "cleanest" shall we say. But during a time when DC United was the most successful team in the DC sports landscape, it is hard to overlook the fact that DC is still playing in a 40 year old relic of a stadium and paying way too much money to do so.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.816667556762695px;">Second failing of DC United is a little less noticeable. Under Payne's watch, DC United has struggled with finding quality DP's and top tier veterans. With the exception of Dwayne DeRosario, a very know quality player in the MLS, DC United has not been able to adequately find Designated Players worth the money being spent for their services. The past five years have been largely a failure in that regard. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 0.93em; line-height: 1.467em;">But there have been some very good facets of DC United under Payne. First, I think that the relationship between the front office and the fans is solid. While the front office does not defer to fans in terms of decisions, the supporters groups have generally found at least an opportunity to be heard. In the end, there is not much more that can be asked for. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 0.93em; line-height: 1.467em;">I know that all MLS clubs are active in their communities, but I just feel like DC United has gone above and beyond in such regard. While players and clubs are contractually required to make public appearances and perform charitable work, the efforts made by the club and players appears genuine. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 0.93em; line-height: 1.467em;">Finally, I believe that DC United under Payne has done a wonderful job promoting the game of soccer in the area. True, DC United has benefited with quality home grown players like Bill Hamid and Andy Najar. But the club is expanding its Academy programs and I believe that the next logical step for the club will be a residency academy for players at the U16 and U 18 levels. But Payne lead the effort to integrate the academy and the First Team in a farsighted effort that means that the club is starting to benefit from its academy system directly. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.816667556762695px;">So as Payne moves on to the troubled child of Toronto, I think he can fairly say that he leaves DC United poised for more success. It may be hard to leave a child on its own, but Payne can take pride that he has done all he could do to prepare the club to succeed on its own.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.816667556762695px;">So, as a former sailor, Fair Winds and Following Seas, Kevin. Thanks for the memories.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-18341724145769056602012-11-16T13:57:00.000-05:002012-11-16T13:57:42.383-05:00Fair Play Awards--or the XBOX Award for Year of Undetected Crime<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Back when I was in the Navy, enlisted personnel could received a Good Conduct Medal every four years for, well as the name implies, good conduct. It was a good reward and allowed for points toward promotions. The award was jokingly referred to as the award for Four Years of Undetected Crime. The unofficial moniker was clearly tongue-in-cheek, but sometimes not far from the truth. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The XBox Fair Play Awards could be thought of as the MLS version of the Good Conduct Medal, the "Stealthy Fouler Awards" or something similar. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Xbox Fair Play awards focus on some fairly objective criteria, which is very different than many other awards. MLS selects the finalists for these two awards based upon the objective criteria of games and minutes played, fouls committed, and cards received. But there is also a subjective criteria of general sportsmanship. </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In all seriousness, this is an award that should have more play in both the media and among MLS types. I would like to see big fat bonuses from MLS on this one, on the order of $100 for every average minute of foul-free play for individual players and a big fat team bonus for the team award winner. But that maybe the referee in me talking.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On the the finalists:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<h3 style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Xbox Individual Fair Play Finalists</span></h3>
<ul style="background-color: white;">
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ante Jazic (Chivas USA)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Logan Pause (Chicago Fire)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Heath Pearce (New York Red Bulls)</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's take a look at the numbers: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.cdchivasusa.com/players/ante-jazic"><b>Jazic</b></a> started and played 27 games this season for a combined 2,379 minutes. During those minutes, Jazic received no yellow or red cards and committed 8 fouls according to MLS stats. That is one foul every 297.3 minutes. So putting that in different numbers, Jazic was committing about every FOURTH game. He never got a booking--ever--during the season.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.chicago-fire.com/players/logan-pause"><b>Pause</b></a> started in 31 games and played in 32. He logged 2,242 minutes in 2012. During that time, he too was never booked by the referees. Pause committed 11 fouls, for an average of one foul every 220.4 minutes. Very good numbers for a man who was playing defensive midfield for most of the season.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, <b><a href="http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/players/heath-pearce">Pearce</a> </b>started and played 18 games for the Red Bulls this season and a further 10 games for Chivas before being traded. His total minutes for the year were 2,504, during which time he committed 9 total fouls and received one yellow card. On average he was committing one foul for every 278.2 minutes. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, now it is time to start thinking about what matters. I could easily toss Pearce for having gotten a yellow card since the other two finalists did not get booked, but Pearce played with two different teams in two very different playoff outlooks. You could also toss Jazic because he did not have as many games or minutes as the other two and he was playing on a team that was more or less eliminated from the playoffs by the end of June. You could toss out Pause because he committed more fouls than the other two players but he did it playing in Defensive midfield. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But I think I need to be objective on this one and go with Jazic. Objectively, he was playing more fairly (or not getting caught as often depending on how you look at it) and minutes player per foul average is very impressive. The discrepancy between the minutes played is, frankly, not all that significant (the span of just over a game and a half. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Ante Jazic</b>, hats off to you, if I had my druthers, you would be getting at $29,730 bonus. But I don't make that choice.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Xbox Team Fair Play Finalists</span></h3>
<ul style="background-color: white;">
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Chicago Fire</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Houston Dynamo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">New England Revolution </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is another very stats driven calculation, working <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/team?sort=asc&order=FC">from MLS's stats</a>, where games played and minutes played are equal, after all the teams played the same number of games and accounting for discrepancies as a result of having players sent off, the minutes played are going to be essentially equal, or at least within near enough tolerances as to be largely insignificant. Here is what we have in terms of numbers:</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Chicago Fire</b>: the Fire actually committed the fewest fouls of any team in the MLS, 349. That comes to an average of just over 10.2 fouls per game. Not bad. It should be noted that Chicago were ith in the league among fouls suffered (421). But of these three teams nominated, Chicago collected 45 yellow cards and five red cards, a total of 50 bookings (1.47 cards per game), and that comes to one card for every 6.8 fouls. So you could say that Chicago got the most bang for their buck in terms of fouls or looked at from another viewpoint, the fouls they committed tended to be harsher or more prone to sanction. (Note however, the MLS stats do not differentiate between a yellow card for dissent, for example, and a yellow card for a reckless or studs up challenge). </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Houston Dynamo</b>: Houston were third on the list in terms of fewest fouls committed, 372, which means they committed 10.9 fouls a game. Games with Houston involved look to be pretty even as the men in orange suffered 377 fouls(3rd fewest in the league). However, Houston collected 34 yellow cards and only one red card this season, (1.03 cards per game). The fouls to cards ration is one card for every 10.6 fouls. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>New England Revolution</b>: The Revs come in second in terms of fouls committed, 360 for the year, or 10.6 fouls per game). Revs players also suffered a goodly number of fouls as well, 483 for the season (3rd on the list in the league behind Vancouver and FC Dallas). The Revs collected 40 cards, 37 yellow and three red cards). That puts there cards per game ration at 1.18 cards per game. The Revs received one card for every 9.0 fouls (a nice even number by happenstance).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Because this is, I would like to think, a largely stats based comparison, then <b>Houston</b> should walk with this prize. The Dynamo picked up fewer cards for the year and that to me is important. New England picked up 14 percent more cards that Houston and Chicago picked up 28 percent more cards than Houston. Houston's games, at least statistically in terms of fouls were largely equal. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In keeping in with my notion that Fair Play, as a team, should be handsomely rewarded, I think the winning team should receive a team bonus of $200,000 to be divvied as they see fit. Congrats Houston</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Frankly, the one thing about these awards is that I am not sure how the subjective "overall sportsmanship" criteria is developed. I would be fine with the latter being tossed out and let this be simply an objective criteria award. Alternatively, I would suggest that only referees and assistant referees be permitted to judge the subjective criteria side of things, because referees take a lot of stick of players and often listen to a lot of whining, whinging and haranguing before issuing a dissent yellow card. </span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-53284832316334179782012-11-16T09:25:00.000-05:002012-11-16T09:25:47.615-05:00MLS Season Awards FinalistsMLS Announced their end of season award Finalists. I will have my thoughts on some of these categories in other posts.<br />
<br />
And the Nominees are:<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Rookie of the Year Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Austin Berry (Chicago Fire)</li>
<li>Nick DeLeon (D.C. United)</li>
<li>Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced Monday, November 19. </em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Xbox Individual Fair Play Finalists*</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Ante Jazic (Chivas USA)</li>
<li>Logan Pause (Chicago Fire)</li>
<li>Heath Pearce (New York Red Bulls)</li>
<li>*Selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fouls committed, cards received, games & minutes played, as well as subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced Monday, November 19.</em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Xbox Team Fair Play Finalists*</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Chicago Fire</li>
<li>Houston Dynamo</li>
<li>New England Revolution*Selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fewest fouls committed, cards received, and on subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced Monday, November 19.</em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Defender of the Year Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes)</li>
<li>Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)</li>
<li>Aurelien Collin (Sporting Kansas City)</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced </em><em>Tuesday</em><em>, November 20. </em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Kei Kamara (Sporting Kansas City)</li>
<li>Michael Lahoud (Philadelphia Union)</li>
<li>Chris Seitz (FC Dallas)</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced </em><em>Tuesday</em><em>, November 20.</em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Referee of the Year Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Silviu Petrescu</li>
<li>Baldomero Toledo</li>
<li>Armando Villarreal</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced </em><em>Tuesday</em><em>, November 20.</em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Assistant Referee of the Year Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Ian Anderson</li>
<li>Gregory Barkey</li>
<li>Corey Parker</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced Tuesday, November 20.</em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Coach of the Year Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Ben Olsen (D.C. United)</li>
<li>Peter Vermes (Sporting Kansas City)</li>
<li>Frank Yallop (San Jose Earthquakes)</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced Tuesday, November 27. </em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Comeback Player of the Year Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes)</li>
<li>Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)</li>
<li>Chris Pontius (D.C. United)</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced Tuesday, November 27.</em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Michael Gspurning (Seattle Sounders FC)</li>
<li>Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA)</li>
<li>Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City)</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced Wednesday, November 28. </em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Newcomer of the Year Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes)</li>
<li>Michael Gspurning (Seattle Sounders FC)</li>
<li>Federico Higuain (Columbus Crew)</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced Wednesday, November 28.</em></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Volkswagen Most Valuable Player Finalists</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)</li>
<li>Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)</li>
<li>Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)</li>
<li><em>Winner to be announced Thursday, November 29.</em></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-83981453098904503492012-11-14T13:56:00.002-05:002012-11-14T13:58:06.242-05:00Five Talking Points: RUS 2:2 USMNT<ol>
<li>The scouting report on the USMNT is pretty clear for opponents. High pressure, high intensity for the first 15-20 minutes will likely yield a goal. Jurgen Klinsmann has got to find a tactical or a psychological solution to this problem for the USMNT. One tactical solution for the U.S. is to just be frenetic for the first 20 minutes, run at defenses, long balls out of the back, open the field and let the superior physical fitness carry them through the half and into the second half. If the solution is psychological--Klinsmann needs to hire a new sports psychologist and pronto.</li>
<li>Klinsmann needs to find a true left-sided midfield player. The trio of Bradley, Jones, and Williams/Edu does not provide enough linkage in the midfield to do all the things that need to distribute the ball out of the back and connect to the strikers. Maybe a healthy Donovan (who has played on the left for both club and country) could do it. Some might say Dempsey, but the defensive responsibilities take Dempsey away from where he is best. I think the answer is probably someone new, which is a worry heading into the World Cup Qualifiers.</li>
<li>Gatt--it is pronounced "Gatt" as in rhymes with "cat" I am sure his family was cringing and groaning every time Ian Darke mispronounced his name--showed some promise. He was not significantly worse in the first 15-20 minutes of the game than anyone else. The boy is fast and he has an eye for attack. I think given that he trained for all of about two hours--maybe three--with the MNT before this game, I can't say he doesn't deserve more call ups.</li>
<li>Can we finally put an end to the Geoff Cameron doubts? He has been consistent all year long at centerback. </li>
<li>Overall team performance is a C+. Were it not for the late game heroics of Bradley and Diskerud, as well as the never say die effort (another U.S. trademark is seems), then this would a lot lower grade.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Player Grades:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Howard--8 What can you say, he kept the U.S. in the game--as usual.</div>
<div>
Chandler--6 Impressed with his movement and defensive skills. </div>
<div>
Cameron--7 Provided lots and lots of lateral cover, but has to be expected with F. Johnson and Chandler moving foward.</div>
<div>
Bocanegra--5 Left early for an injury, played okay during limited time.</div>
<div>
F. Johnson--5.5 looked suspect at times, but played well out of the back.</div>
<div>
Gatt--5.5 See above.</div>
<div>
Bradley--8.5 Man of the match performance. Brilliant, and technically difficult, strike for a goal. </div>
<div>
Jones--5.5 He is not the attacking link we need out of a midfielder, but didn't totally suck either.</div>
<div>
Williams--4.5 Although he found the game in the second half, I was wondering if Klinsmann was going to pull him out in the first half.</div>
<div>
Gomez--6 Made a nuisance of himself, buzzed around, but not his best performance.</div>
<div>
Altiodre--6.5 Was getting back and helping defend, working hard, had a few chances that didn't break his way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Subs</div>
<div>
Goodson--6 Had one golden chance on goal, some fine defensive work, and bad decision on fouling for the late penalty. Still not going to supplant Bocanegra or Cameron in the central defense.</div>
<div>
Edu--6 Compared to Williams, Edu was miles better. Sharp and mistake free.</div>
<div>
Kljestan--5 Didn't have as much an impact as I think he could or should have. But workmanlike effort.</div>
<div>
Agudelo--5.5 Smart header to set up Bradley, fair impact on the match which is what subs should do.</div>
<div>
Boyd--5 Not really enough time</div>
<div>
Diskerud--6 and yeah, that is all goal. Not really enough time otherwise to make an impact.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-1118550531904427392012-11-13T10:24:00.003-05:002012-11-13T10:24:57.428-05:00Jozy Altidore Getting Sick on De Haag Defensethe boys at <a href="http://theoriginalwinger.com/2012-11-12-video-jozy-altidore-goal-vs-ado-den-haag-skillcheck">The Original Winger/Bumpy Pitch have video of Jozy Altidore's goal </a>over the weekend against ADO Den Haag. Check the skill!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-45854348265183391222012-11-12T14:29:00.001-05:002012-11-12T14:29:59.349-05:00Five Talking Points About USMNT Russia FriendlySo, with the final FIFA Friendly of the year on Wednesday, USMNT Coach Jurgen Klinsmann finally announced a squad, here it is:<br />
<br />
<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">GOALKEEPERS</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">- Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">DEFENDERS</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">- Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">MIDFIELDERS </strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">- Michael Bradley (Roma), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">FORWARDS</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">- Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So my Five Talking Points:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1. Klinsmann went young. The average age of this squad is 25.7 with six players aged 30 or more (Bocanegra, Gomez, Goodson, Howard, Jones & Rimando). By contrast, the squad in the Antigua and Guatamala World Cup Qualifiers had an average age of 28.4 and nine players age 30 or more (the previously named six, plus Beckerman, Cherundolo and Gordon). Youth is a good thing and of course a friendly is designed to see what young players can do on an international stage. But will Klinsmann play some of those youngsters? I hope so. I would like to see Sean Johnson play, along with Gatt, Gyau, Boyd and Agudelo. That is five of the permissible six subs---seems good to me.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">2. <a href="http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2012/11/Timmy-Chandler-Ready-to-Make-the-Commitment.aspx">Rumor has it that Timmy Chandler is committed to the U.S.</a> Well, until he is cap tied to the U.S. in a qualifier or Gold Cup, I have been burned too many times before. Seeing is believing Timmy, seeing is believing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">3. Speed aplenty in this squad. Chandler, F. Johnson, Gatt, Gyau, Boyd and to a lesser extent Agudelo represent some speedy guys. Will Klinsmann's tactics use that speed? I hope so. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">4. Sacha Kljestan has a chance here to show what he can do. Will he start? I hope so. I would like to see him on the right in 4-4-2, but if Klinsmann goes 4-3-3, Kljestan will suffer as the midfielder dropped. Kljestan is an attacking midfielder. Unless he has improved his box to box play, he will not supplant Bradley, Jones or Williams without an injury.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">5. Is Altidore out of the doghouse? Sure seems like it, but as his form for AZ Alkmaar suggests, for him to be effective, he needs to be running at defenses and getting good service in the box--will Klinsmann use him that way? Let's just say that I am not betting the farm on it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Line-up I would like to see:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">-----------------Gomez---------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">-------------------------------------------Altidore-----------------------------</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Kljeston----------------Bradley---------------------------Gatt----------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">---------------------------Williams-----------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">F. Johnson--Bocanegra---Cameron--------Chandler---------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">--------------------S. Johnson----------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Line-up we are more likely to see</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">----Agudelo-------------Altidore-------------Gomez------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">----------------------------Bradley------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">--------------Jones---------------------Williams-------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">--F.Johnson---Bocanegra---Cameron------Chandler-----</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-------------------------Howard---------------------------------</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-88405884757428240832012-11-11T12:00:00.000-05:002012-11-11T12:00:01.141-05:00American Soccer Community--Bigger and Stronger Than EverJust as the Baby Boom changed the face of American demographics. The Millenial generation will change the face of soccer fandom in America.<br />
<br />
In 1996 Major League Soccer kicked off it's inaugural season. Coming on the heels of the very successful (in terms of attendance and revenue) 1994 World Cup, Major League Soccer faced a big uphill battle. fighting for market share in a saturated (oversaturated?) sports market, and coming not long after the failure of the old North American Soccer League, there were a lot of people who predicted and maybe even hoped that professional soccer in the United States would fail.<br />
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To be sure, MLS went through its growing pains, but soccer is on the verge of a significant shift in support. ESPN's Roger Bennet <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/relegationzone/id/262?cc=5901">profiled Rich Luker, a sports social scientist</a> who runs the ESPN Sports Poll, who had this to say about soccer in America:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; font-family: Georgia, 'New Century Schoolbook', 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">The U.S. soccer audience is also unique in Luker's eyes. "It is a true community. The only group that comes close are college sports fans or followers of the Grateful Dead. They embrace soccer as a communal lifestyle as opposed to a personal experience or a community that only exists on gameday." </span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; font-family: Georgia, 'New Century Schoolbook', 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">However, Luker also believes soccer is underperforming. "It's a sport that should have been doing well a long time ago." The social scientist is well positioned to make that claim. He partnered with MLS back when it was planning the launch of the league in 1994. "We discovered 30 percent of American households contained someone playing soccer. The only game that comes close to that massive number is baseball." </span></blockquote>
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Luker's analysis points to soccer being on the cusp of an explosion in this country, and there are many reasons. The first is that the growth and speed of online services and expansion of cable sports channels (which needed content) means that there are more soccer games, of differing levels available for fans. A soccer fan in the States now can find dozens of games on TV or online in a given weekend (often numbering over 100 games during some weeks), 52 weeks a year. So the easy ability to see the games is making inroads to fandom, allowing fans to build a connection to a favorite team, even on another continent. The easy availability of soccer viewing (not to mention its consistent timing) makes it easy for fans to enjoy their soccer and they can do it either by themselves or in the company of like-minded folk, the communal nature of soccer that Luker refers to.<br />
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But here is a more fundamental basis which I alluded to above--the Millennial Generation. There is a whole generation of boys and girls who not only play soccer, but also are fans who have had the opportunity to see live professional soccer in their own country. They have their own heroes now. Sure Messi, Ronaldo, and other famous players can be seen regularly on TV and occaisionally here in the United States, but they can also see Beckham, Dononvan, and others right here in the states. That is where MLS has made significant inroads. MLS' slow steady progression, coupled with an very public effort by NBC/Universal family of networks to boost the game has built a community the only way it can be done, slowly. <br />
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But the game is also building an even broader fan base outside of MLS. A good idea of the growth of the game from a fan and supporter viewpoint is found at lower levels of the game. Even at the college level, some schools are drawing significant crowds to games. Just this year, the University of California Santa Barbara drew over 13,000 fan for a single game. UCSB averages well over 3000 fans a game, as do other title contenders such as Maryland and Akron. For college games.<br />
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Even at the high school level, while nothing beats the social draw of the Friday night football game, soccer games are drawing more fans than just the parents and family of the players. Sure, crowds are measured in the low 100 fans, it is the fact that students are coming to support their team that makes a difference. It is the student fans that matter.<br />
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These students, aged 14-17, are the generation that will alter the soccer community in America. These teenagers have grown up in a country with its own developing league, with access to world soccer unmatched in previous years. Whether it is the fact that they are fans of DC United or Manchester United or Inter Milan, the access to the favorite teams means they learn more about the game. They have role models to emulate on the field. They learn the rules, the tactics, the style of play of <u>their</u> game and the come to follow <u>their</u> team. Just like the baby boomer generation followed the Yankees, the Dodgers or the Red Sox, modern teenagers no longer abandon the sport of soccer when they enter high school. Indeed many are embracing it because their non-playing schoolmates embrace it. The fact that these young men and women no longer feel the stigma of playing soccer as opposed to football or baseball, they are seen as true athletes and supported as such. <br />
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The Millennial Generation is the first in the United Statess that cannot remember a sports landscape without MLS. they will pass on their love of the game to the next generation, so that in 20-30 years, 40,000 fans at an MLS game will not be restricted to Seattle. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-31463933776894764362012-11-09T21:32:00.001-05:002012-11-09T21:32:13.268-05:00The Veteran and The RookieDC United is the highest seeded team left in the MLS Playoffs. After downing the New York Red Bulls (AGAIN!!!), and ensuring the the trophy case in Harrison, NJ remains empty for another year, DC United are two games away from not only their first appearance in the MLS Cup match, but hosting the game as well. The Houston Dynamo certainly have a say in that.<br />
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But last night, in what can only be described as a roller coaster of a match, DC United's veteran and rookie made magic in the dying minutes of the game. Robbie Russell and Nick DeLeon, two players who probably could not be more different, combined for a lovely goal that put the Black and Red into the Eastern Conference Finals. </div>
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Russell played a far different role last night than I think usual for him. On multiple occasions Russell would foray forward, in a similar but distinctly different manner than Andy Najar. I think Ben Olsen, tactically, may have thought that his counterpart, Hans Backe would expect the less speedy Russell to stay at home more than Najar would have, and thus Olsen slipped the reins on Russell. </div>
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Russell though was clearly thoughtful about the effort's going forward. He selected his runs well, particularly taking the acres of space in the right channel leading to the only goal of the game. But Russell was also smart enough to get back quickly, even thought center backs, Brandon McDonald and Dejan Jakovic had him covered deep and Perry Kitchen as well. </div>
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Where Russell relies on experience and practice to make his mark felt, DeLeon was almost all instinct last night. Not just on the goal, but also in his midfield play. Ben Olsen ordered DeLeon (who usually starts on the right flank) to switch with Chris Pontius in order to get Pontius more involved in the play. Initially the move worked well as Pontius was able to get a couple good chances in. But on the goal, DeLeon was flashing across the penalty area, looking for that cutting pass.</div>
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But admidst all the hubbub of the goal and with win, there has been little about how hard that shot was to not only get on target but get past Luis Robles. Robles was in the right position, but DeLeon had to take a pass that was moving away from him, away from goal and then turn his hips AND get enough power on the shot to edge it past Robles. <br />
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Rumor has it that Andy Najar might be sitting out the next series against Houston. If that is the case, Russell will have his hands full with Brad Davis, so he might not have the authority to go forward, but that might be just as well, at least at BBVA Compass. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429574474774002002.post-77098300556352600792012-11-09T21:30:00.001-05:002012-11-09T21:30:31.421-05:00And So It BeginsThe MLS coach carousel that is.<div>
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On the heap already: </div>
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Jesse Marsch (not to be too much of a rhymer, but that one was harsh although it was supposed to be mutual.</div>
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Robin Fraser (when Chris Wondolowski scores more goals on his own than your entire team--well see ya' is all you can expect)</div>
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Hans Backe---NYRB still without a trophy.</div>
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Who is next? </div>
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My money is on Oscar Pareja. </div>
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Some others who might want to be checking their cell phone before answering would include Paul Mariner--if for no other reason than it is Toronto. Jay Heaps could be worried, but I think that New England will give him one more year.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.com0