Those kids can play Freddy Adu and the boys drop the hammer on Poland. Some sweet goals.



All the fire power on assignment in Canada. Maybe Bradley could use a couple of the kids in Venezuela.

Labels: Freddy Adu, US Soccer, YouTube

  ¶ 7:53 AM 0 Comments

  Joost what we needed If you follow new things on the internet you may have heard of this start up called Joost. Basically, it's a sign of the direction TV will be going. You download their software and you can watch one of about 50 (I haven't counted them...but the number keeps growing) channels. On of the current channels is US Soccer which has clips of relevant interviews. Well worth checking out for soccer fans.

Rumor has it that they are/have been/will be talking to MLS about adding content as well.

Now for the catch. It's still in beta and you hafta be invited. But, here's the good news, I can invite people. All I need is your email address and I can send you an invite to check it out. So, either email me or leave it in the comments below if you're interested.

Labels: Joost, US Soccer

  ¶ 11:21 PM 0 Comments

  Just a quick 'hi'

Labels: Chicago Fire, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, US Soccer

  ¶ 10:55 PM 0 Comments

  They're starting to get it.... I haven't had the chance to be online much the last few days so when I saw this report about ESPN's new media blitz for the upcoming MLS season...well, I had to make the time.

But before I was able to post anything, I found that my buddy, Mr. Fish, had already tracked down the ads online. Check them out...they're as good as I'd hoped based on the earlier report. The ads are focused on attracting non-soccer fans. Anything to dispel the myths that the sport is just 22 guys kicking a ball around is a positive step...well, that's my opinion.

Ok, so it took a couple days (had to work on Sunday) but I finally got to see Sunday's game. I've read a ton of blog posts on it. Basically, all I have to say is that it was a good performance. Landon was in top form which I found interesting this early in the season...and the Interim Tag should be removed for Bradley's title soon. Oh, and his son surprised me with his performance too.

Add Portland to the list of potential expansion locations. I almost moved there a couple years ago.

Oh, back to my school work...

Labels: Bob Bradley, ESPN, Media, MLS, Portland, US Soccer

  ¶ 9:25 AM 1 Comments

  Let's go shopping So, Nike and US Soccer have released a new 3rd Jersey which the team will wear for the first time on Sunday. I can't say I'm really excited...then again, it's not awful either. It's just... I dunno. Pinstripes? Aren't they supposed to make you look slimmer or something? Better check the roster to see which players on the squad need the slimming agent.

teams. If it were my decision, I'd make sure next seasons jerseys are ready to be ordered for Christmas (or whatever gift giving event you celebrate that time of year). Heck, with only a few weeks until the new What I really don't understand is the timing. Why bring out a 3rd jersey now? Aren't 3rd jersey's supposed to be a merchandising tool to part fans from more of their hard earned cash? MLS and US Soccer always seem to release these at strange times. It's March now. Why didn't they release something four months ago before Christmas when parents/friends/spouses of soccer fans are looking for things the soccer fan in their lives would enjoy unwrapping? It's the same for MLSMLS season, has anyone seen the new jerseys available anywhere? Maybe I've been looking in the wrong places...heck, does anyone know what colors LA will be wearing, or are they going to change mid-season?

What do I know? I'm only a customer.

Labels: Jerseys, MLS, US Soccer

  ¶ 12:36 PM 4 Comments

  And now...the end is near.... I wish I could remember more about the match like who it was against and the result. However, I'm pretty sure it was in July of 2002 and it was against KC or Columbus or someone like that. LA lost a match at the Rose Bowl and just looked awful doing it. I watch the match from my seat in Sec 5 Row 13 (right on the halfway line...great seats) thinking it was going to be another disappointing playoffs.

The next day I read in the paper (I'm pretty sure it was in the LA Times) that once in the locker room after the match, Cobi Jones had written the words "PRIDE" on a chalk board and gave an impassioned speech to his teammates about having pride in their team, their teammates and the city they represent--or something like that. Either way, LA's season got back on track and finished with Cobi grabbing the MLS Cup and running across the field with it to share with the LA fans who had made the trip to Boston for the final. What a great leader.

We all knew this day was coming. Mr. Galaxy has announced his retirement.

I've followed Cobi's career pretty much since he first played for the US. We are the same age, about the same height, back then I had long hair as well and I played in and outside attacking roll. The differences, he was a good player...and I wished I was a good player.

I followed his unsuccessful season in Coventry as best I could. I knew he was in Rio with Vasco but could never find much information..probably cuz there wasn't any. When he signed with LA, I pretty much decided I'd be going to games at the Rose Bowl.

During his time with LA, my opinions of his performances fluctuated greatly. A lot of the time, I didn't think he was giving his full commitment , that he wasn't trying. I was certain he took his position in the starting XI for granted. Weather it was true or not, as a season ticket holder attending every home match and watching the road games on TV, that's the opinion I'd formed. However, when I'd really be down on him, he's suddenly come to life and turn in a great performance.

The last few years, LA fans have known he'd have to hang up his boots eventually. That day will come at the end of this season. As much as I at times have wanted him to do this sooner, I'm now sad realizing that #13 won't be playing in 2008.

I know retiring of numbers in MLS is something which probably won't happen...and probably shouldn't. However, I'm not sure it would be right for anyone else to wear Cobi's number.

Thanks for 12 great seasons Cobi. I'll be in Bridgeview (closest MLS team to me now) to see you play one last time.

Labels: Cobi Jones, LA Galaxy, MLS, US Soccer

  ¶ 7:48 AM 0 Comments

  A new Club vs Country twist I think Landon has actually earned some more respect from me.

"I don't want to be gone all summer," said Donovan, who was called up on Thursday for games against Ecuador and Guatemala later this month. "I want to be here when Beckham gets here. I want to be here for a lot of the games. This is a big year for us, for the Galaxy."

To focus on the Galaxy, would Donovan then consider declining a possible invitation to Copa America?

"Yeah, I would," Donovan said. "It's kind of like a slippery slope because you don't want to turn down an invitation to play for your national team. But I am trying to make it pretty clear the importance of being here this year and being a part of this team this year. It means a lot to me. That's as simple as I can put it."

I realize that a lot of people who read my blog and about 90% of the posters on BigSoccer (though I haven't polled anyone) would probably disagree with me. However, I believe that Bradley should send an "A" squad to the Gold Cup and an U-23 or team made up of "bubble" players to the Cupa America.

None of the coaches for any player Bradley names to both squads will be too happy about their players involved in two tournaments in one summer. In addition to coaches, GMs etc., MLS fans should not stand for any of their teams players being gone for 2 months in the middle of the season. That just won't work.

Like it or not, the Gold Cup is our regional tournament. We should go all out to win that. The US is an invited guest at the Copa America. As it's being played so close to the Gold Cup, we should take a second squad down there. Give some younger players exposure to big-time international competition. It really is the best solution.

Labels: Copa America, David Beckham, Gold Cup, Landon Donovan, US Soccer

  ¶ 6:20 AM 0 Comments

  It's lonely at the top My Chargers just hired Norv Turner to be head coach??!!!! What's Spanos thinking???!!! I mean, this has to be....errr...sorry, wrong football.

So, Zidane isn't greedy. After all, he doesn't want Backham money. Someone needs to explain to him that Beckham isn't being paid to play. Perhaps MLS should structure a deal just like the one Becks has. Half of shirt sales etc. Nah, he's French. It's not as if the French are arrogant or anything.

Speaking of Becks, does anyone feel sorry for their current house hunting plight? Finding the right home for the right price in LA isn't easy. Besides, why are they so opposed to remodeling? I'm sure they could have everything done by July.

Now that the US is playing in Copa America, people are still complaining. Ok, so it's only Jamie Trecker. Problem is, he's missing the point. First thing, the coaches of the players who are with teams in Europe probably aren't too excited about them playing in two tournaments this summer. It's much easier for him to justify playing them in our own competition than in a tournament where we are invited guests. Second, the World Cup is now 3 1/2 years off. Most of the Gold Cup players have played in big events and have that experience. The younger players he'll be taking South for the most part won't have that experience. Why not give them a chance to get their feet wet in games which don't mean anything to teams from our Confederation?

The reason the Gold Cup (and Open Cup) is perceived as meaningless (as Trecker pointed out) is because hacks like him make it out to be that. Well done to Bradley for doing this right.

Could the World Cup be returning to these shores? I'd be willing to bet it will sooner rather than later.

Labels: Chicago Fire, Copa America, David Beckham, LA Galaxy, Red Bull New York, US Soccer, World Cup, Zinedine Zidane

  ¶ 2:39 PM 0 Comments

  2-0 Yep, it's that same scoreline again. I doubt I'll ever get tired of it either. Now, if only we could do that South of the border...but why am I being negative. It's the scoreboard that counts tonight. We'll dissect the actual performance later.

Labels: Mexico, US Soccer

  ¶ 12:21 AM 0 Comments

  Klinsmann Post-Mortem Yeah, it's still probably too early to do a full post-mortem but it's been a few hours and it's good to sometimes look at things from different angles.

I posted my initial reaction to the news about Klinsmann sometime last night (never check email while waiting for a bottle to warm up for your 18-month old) and was half asleep when I did. After posting, I thought it would be interesting to see what other bloggers made of the news (as it's got to be the biggest story we'll see this off season)

Obviously the always perfect Jamie Trecker had to explain where he went wrong with his premature announcement the other day.

Brian at DCSunDevil did a good job expressing the feelings of most US fans today and how we got to where we are.

On his excellent HexagonalBlog, Howard let's us know he called it back before Arena was departing the post.

I remember telling a friend of mine, after it became clear that Bruce Arena would step down as US national team coach, that the Federation would try to make a deal with a well-known foreign coach but in the end settle on an MLS-based coach.

du Nord follows how ESPN covered the breaking news. Which is actually better than I'd expect.

Golazo (once you get through all his/her Google Ads) compares last night's news to the English FA when they announced Scolari as their new manager.

I just recently discovered The Red Card blog. Louis does a great job and I just love his "Let's be friends" take on the news.

I couldn't find many more blogs to have posted reaction yet but if you are looking for more reaction, just check out the usual ranting on BigSoccer. Some of it is even worth the price of admission. If I missed any blog posts on this, please add them in the comments section.

Bottom line I think is that after 6 months of anticipation, we really didn't get the big shiny Christmas gift we expected. This may be another storm in a teacup and register as only a blip in the mainstream sports media...but it's big news just the same. Maybe later I'll check what the papers are saying. I wonder if Gulati will give us fans a gift receipt in this afternoon's call?

UPDATE: On The Pitch has a nice collection of relevant mainstream media quotes he put together. Worth checking out.

UPDATED UPDATE: Actually, Soccer Dad over at On The Pitch is all over this. First, there's the USSF bylaws which tells us Gulati doesn't have all the say in what happened. Then there's rumored specualtion that Klinsmann walked because USSF could guarantee him all the players he wanted. (MLS playing matches on FIFA International dates has been an issue for me for a long time). Check out his blog. He's posting some great stuff today.

Technorati Tags: Klinsmann, US Soccer, World Cup

Labels: Klinsmann, US Soccer, World Cup

  ¶ 9:25 AM 0 Comments

  I'm betting they came really close to a deal It looks like Trecker didn't get the scoop after all. Juergen Klinsmann pulled out of contention for the US coaching position this evening. To be honest, I had a feeling there were negoation problems. There should have been an announcement weeks ago. According to the LA Times, Bob Bradley will be named as the interim coach for the team. Obviously, he's the next best candate.

So, after months of expectation, US fans are basicly left with a retread of Area. Not a bad thing but it would have been exciting to try this new direction.

Let's see what Gulati has to say tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: Klinsmann, US Soccer, World Cup

Labels: Klinsmann, US Soccer, World Cup

  ¶ 1:48 AM 0 Comments