Far From Perfect, But A Really Exciting Win

A 2-0 win over Guatemala for the USA on home soil in a World Cup Qualifyier is good enough, but I wanna know why it wasn't 10-0. I'm not kidding about this, and anyone who saw the game knows exactly what I'm talking about. At half time I'm sure the Chipanes coach, "El Peenapal", got down on his boney knees and praised every god whose name he could think of, that the USA did not know how to shoot a soccer ball directly at a goal.
Of course Eddie Johnson, the Grown Ass Man, scored. It's now some kind of Federal Mandate, passed by both the House and Senate (the bill was co-authored by Barney Frank and the frozen carcass of Strom Thurmond, in one of the weirdest political combos of all time) that EJ the GAM must score in every game he plays for the USA.
8 goals in his first 8 games as a USA International! The league turned down $6 million from Benefica for him a couple months ago, and I am now guessing that his price goes up a million every time he scores.
Corey Gibbs got the start, thankfully. He was virtually anonymous out there, which for a central back is a great thing.
So did Brian Ching, who was so horrible at finishing that I seriously hope he was savagely beaten to within an inch of his "Big Kahuna" life by his teammates out by the stinky dumpsters behind the team hotel in a post match blood frenzy of orgiastic delight.
And Steve Ralston was the third change to the lineup from Sunday. He was awesome on the right wing. It's really too bad he isn't 10 years younger, cuz Coach Arena has really given him the chance to become a serious threat out there. It's also too bad he isn't a gorgeous woman, cuz if he was I would propose via email right now. To top that all off, he scored the second goal beautifully.
His counterpart on the left wing, Eddie Lewis, was my Man Of The Match. The dude was unstoppable. How many crosses did he put into the box (right on the money too) that his squadron buddies botched! I am gonna say 10! Outrageous performance by Lewis!
And if Lewis and Ralston weren't making enough great passes in to scoring positions, then it was right back Steve Cherundolo doing the same thing. Those three are deadly accurate passers of the ball, and I love them all.
Kasey Keller only had to make one save and it was quality.
The only really disappointing part of the night was the damn Guatemalans. I thought they would bring more. El Pescadito Ruiz spent half the game laying on the ground after Gibbs and Onyewu toyed with him. Their best chance to score came from El Pando Ramirez on his fantastic free kick from about 25 yards out that narrowly missed the top right corner. And their team defense literally did not exsist.
(FYI: Ramirez will be suiting up for LA starting this Saturday, and I am convinced that he will be getting more than his fair share of Goal Of The Week nominations.)
All in all it was a really good win, that should have been a vicious thrashing!

And in maybe the best news of the whole night, Mexico could only manage a 1-1 draw with Panama, and Costa Rica did even worse with a 0-0 draw with Trinidad & Tobago!

The Europeanization Of American Soccer?

An article appeared last week on the website Goal.com. It was a diatribe on the perceived conscious policies by the "powers that be", to take American soccer (mainly MLS) in a distinctly European direction, rather than the authors preferred Latin direction. I disagreed with that notion completely, and took the time to spell it all out for you!
Read it here, at the incredible Blue Sky Soccer, home of the fans of the Minnesota Thunder.

It's All Coming Together For Landycakes

According to Yanks Abroad, Landon Donovans contract with Bayer Leverkusen has been canceled, freeing him up for a move to LA.

The Commish Knows His Punk Rock Lore

While discussing team names in MLS, and how they are slowing becoming more "soccer traditional" League Commissioner Don Garber said:
"These are soccer teams. And if they're trying to look like the type of club the soccer fan is used to seeing, then more than likely those teams aren't called 'the Clash.' That could be the name of a rock band -- and it was, a very good one too.''

News of Satans Influence, from the AP

Story from AP:
A split screen of game action and commercials will be part of Major League Soccer's television coverage this season by ABC Sports and ESPN2.
The split screens will be used during the telecasts twice during each half and in 30-second intervals.
I knew the bastards would find a way to get this crap on the screen.

Tonites The Night, Everythings Gonna Be Alright

It's Match 3 of 10
Make sure you catch the next World Cup Qualifier tonite
USA v Guatemala - from Birmingham, Alabama at 7pm central on ESPN2
I did such a bad job of predicting the starting line up in the Mexico match that I will not attempt it here today. But I will say that I fully expect the USA to line up in a more conventional 4-4-2 and very patiently attack like crazy (is that possible?)
Most importantly the US backline will have to find a way to stop El Funky Pescadito from tearing it up.

Its the News you Cooze

-MLS kicks off this weekend for the 10th season. Can you believe that, TEN! Pretty cool. Catch some opening day action (April 2) on TV - DC United at Chivas USA, live from Home Deport Center in LA at 2:00pm central time on ABC. Yes, you are reading that correctly, the game is on a standard, over the airwaves, broadcast network.
-Later that same day you can see LA at Columbus on Fox Soccer Channel & HDNet at 6:30pm central time.
-Colorado has signed three foreign veterans to their squad: Englishman Terry Cooke, Jamaican Wolde Harris, and Cameroonian Alain Nkong.
-Egg-headed Fabien Barthez of Marseille spit at a referee during a match recently and it looks like he will be suspended for the rest of the year (natch). But his coach "The Equally Brilliant & Esteemed" Philippe Troussier says, "....his suspension will distort the French Ligue 1 title race." No shit Sherlock. Did you figure that one out on your own, or did you use an abacus. But guess what dude, he blew it for you. Don't blame the game, blame the loser who spit at a referee. And if this is what costs you the title, then maybe you should fine the guy heavily as well. But to point fingers at anyone else is childish.
-Chicago is not going to be starting the season on a full tank of very expensive gasoline. Besides the sale of their big bruising goal scorer Damani Ralph to the inventor of the Rubin sandwich, they have an ugly looking injury list with four potential starters on the table: Caballero, Samuel - R hamstring strain - Questionable, Guerrero, Mario Ivan - R hamstring strain - Questionable, Sanneh, Tony - R hip and hamstring strain - Out, Thorrington, John - L hamstring strain - Questionable.
-Myself and a few fellow addicts will be in Kansas City this Saturday for the season Opener against Colorado. Come say "HI!". This will be our 3rd annual trip.

Anthony Is Right, Dammit!

Since Monday I have not really wanted to write anything about soccer, cuz Sunday was just too painful. I got myself whipped into a state where I just thought the USA were really gonna do it down in Mexico this time. Then my mind went into defense mode, to keep me from reliving that ugly match over and over again, thus sending me into the abyss.
Today Anthony luckily sent me an email to snap me out of my trance.
It goes like this:
You need to get something else up there on Du Nord, man. I don't want to keep lookin' at that analysis of the Mexico game. You could put up our recent record against them. In the past five years (ten games) our record is:
6 wins
3 losses
1 draw
12 goals scored
4 goals conceded
OK, that looks better.
I will have some news in a little while.
Thanks Anthony, a good kick in the ass is what we all need sometimes.

By Half Time I Was Nauseous

Of course you already know this, but it was 2-1 Mexico. 2-0 at half time.
A piss poor effort from the USA boys!
Mexico showed supreme patience, and it paid off when the USA made two defensive mistakes.
That's all it took.
USA played some nice soccer in the 45-65 minute zone, but other then that they were only even or simply outplayed.
Disappointing match.
Pablo Mastroeni was the man of the match for the USA, and Jared Borgetti for Mexico.
How comical was it to see Cahtemoc Blanco running around the field enraged constantly with everyone for everything!
For USA Coach Bruce Arena I only have one question......
Where in the name of Sweet Holy Moses was Corey Gibbs?

A Fantasticly Unique Job

Paul Oberjuerge from the San Bernardino Sun did a fantasticly unique job of covering the USA-Mexico match. He drove down to the game, writing as he went. You can see all of his stories here. He obviously had a good time, and makes me jealous.

Mexico's XI?

According to the Mexican daily paper La Cronica the starting line up for El Tri will be:
G: Oswaldo Sanchez
D: Ricardo Osorio, Carlos Salcido, Rafael Marquez, Salvador Carmona
M: Pavel Pardo, Sinha, Jaime Lozano, Temoc Blanco
F: Francisco Fonseca, Jared Borgetti

Which is pretty much what I would have guessed - except I would have said Hugo Sanchez would start in the defense.

Eric Wynalda Is Always Up For A Great Quote

"I once saw Cobi Jones cough up something that looked like a brownie."
-Eric Wynalda, describing the air quality in Mexico City [Sports Illustrated, March 28]

A Couple Of Excellent Reads

-More good stuff from the San Bernardino Sun, as the author continues his drive from LA to Mexico City for the big game.
-An article about how the English Premier League has gone about eradicating racism. Its written by one of my all time favorite soccer journalists - Simon Kuper. The Dutchman was living in America for a few years recently but appears to be back in London. He is best known for an incredible book he wrote called Football Against The Enemy. This story is from the London Financial Times.

This Might Just Blow Your Mind!!!!

Here is the scenario that is blasting away the the stone river bed under the whitewaters of the rumor mill:
Los Angeles Galaxy trades El Pescadito to Dallas, in return for the 1st spot on the MLS list of acquiring Big Name Top Notch Superstars From Other Leagues.
And then who would LA acquire with such a pick?
Um, how about Landon Donovan!
He supposedly has had enough of Germany!
Already?!
Wow!
I would very much like to see this happen myself.
We shall see.
(thanks to Joe for tipping me off on this one)

So, Who Starts For USA On Sunday?

Here is what my Martian intuition tells me (I guess we humanoids don't really have that, but it was the first thing that came to my mind):

GK: Kasey Keller (no surprise here at all)
RB: Steve Cherundolo (he is the man at this spot, no one else even comes close - Frankie Hejduk.....puhleeeeeease)
CB1: Corey Gibbs (straight into the first team at Feyenord should tell you all you need to know about the quality of this dude)
CB2: ??? (this is the bald spot of the whole team, and its also one of the most important on the pitch. We won't see Eddie Pope cuz he is stunningly hurt AGAIN! So who steps up? Greg Berhalter? - oh please no! Do the move Carlos Bocanegra back to his natural spot? Or do they go wild, and insert the future - Chad Marshall? I say throw the young man to the wolves and see if he survives. Arena has done both over the years and rarely lets us down, so your guess is as good as any of my Martian brethren's.)
LB: Carlos Bocanegra (this is not really his spot, but what other options do we have without John O'Brien healthy? Convey? Hejduk? Or a wild card like Eddie Lewis? I hope not.)
DMid: Pablo Mastroeni (he has proven that he does not need the long nasty looking dreadlocks to be great - and he is great)
CMid: Claudio Reyna (he is healthy and knows how to kill Mexico!)
RMid: Landon Donovan (another Mexico killer - and they hate him cuz they say he pissed on their lawn - in reality its cuz they can't stop him)
DMid: DaMarcus Beasley (oh baby, I can't wait to see him blow past the opposing defenders and lay in those crosses he has been perfecting)
F1: Brian McBride (the big veteran is yet another Mexikiller - and the real secret to his game is the defense that he starts from the front line)
F2: Eddie Johnson (who else! the kid is on fire, and has so much speed and confidence that I could see him scoring in this one)

There is my starting line up, complete with a big hole in the center of the defense. Will this hurt or will another new star emerge? Or will Coach Arena shock us with even more un-thought-of formations and players to stump the Mexicans. We shall see on Sunday at noon.

Thursday News Blurts

-USA U-20 Team lost to home team South Korea 1-0 as part of the World Youth Championship warm-up tournament taking place in Suwon.
-Young American Stuart Holden recently signed with Sunderland, and has been playing with the reserves. But 10 days ago he was badly injured in a fight outside a bar in Newcastle. The story goes that he was attacked for no reason. The damage? He suffered a nasty fractured left eye socket. He had surgery on Monday to repair his face. He could be out of action for a while which will not be good for his long term chances at Sunderland - his contract only runs until the end of this season. So if he can't get back on the field, will he be resigned? That is the big question now.
-One of Americas senior most soccer writers is Paul Gardner. He can be pretty abrasive, but I find him to also be pretty damn accurate. He has a great article in the New York Sun about the Mexican & American psyche going into Sundays big match
-In another paper called the Sun, this one from San Bernardino California, a writer has decided to drive down to Mexico City for the match, and write about the travels. Here is part one.
-FC Dallas is trying to lure Kenny Cooper back to Texas from Manchester United. He has only played with the United Reserves, but was named the Reserve player of the year last season, and is currently on loan with Oldham.
-Clint Mathis & Joe Cannon did not make the team for the Mexico match.
-Danny Califf has been sent from LA to San Jose for future considerations. Steve Sampson has completely cleaned house in LA, and Alexi Lalas continues to sign his old teammates from LA to come play for him in San Jose. Which one will prove to be the bigger sucker.
-Australia have weasled their way out of the Oceania Confederation and are now officially part of the Asian Football Confederation. New Zealand are left as top dogs now......Oh wait, I guess that would be Vanuatu with the crown in Oceania.
-Other USA players that had been in training camp that were released back to their club teams this week: Ritchie Kotschau, Nat Borchers, Brian Mullan, and Kyle Martino.
-The Sports Illustrated web site has become even a bigger joke this week. About 6 weeks ago, they dropped their soccer page and lumped it in with "Other Sports". But as of today if you want to read a story by their soccer columnist (and very cool guy) Grant Wahl, you have to become a "SI Extra member". To be entitled to this privilege you either have to be a subscriber to their substandard magazine, or pay $5. Fug it.

Sloppy News Gatherings

-Former Chicago dude Damani Ralph has already started & played a full game for his new Russian club Rubin Kazan (I had one of those for lunch in New York at the Carnagie Deli once. It was excellent). Sadly, the Grilled Rye Sandwiches lost to Spartak Moscow 3-0.
-Columbus Crew signed 23 year old Mario "El Loco" Rodriguez from Guatemalan club Municipal. He plays in the midfield somewhere, and is supposed to be decent. We shall wait to pass judgment for now. He is also said to be "Crazy".
-Amado Guevara has signed a new 4 year contract with Metrostars. He was NOT the leagues Most Valuable Player last year, Jamie Moreno was. Although, on his day, Guevara is a very good player.
-The LA Galaxy have signed three more interesting looking internationals to the squad : Pablo Chinchilla from Alajuelense in Costa Rica (Costa Rican defender), Naldo da Conceicao from FC Saint Gallen in Switzerland (Brazilian striker), and Paulo Nagamura from Arsenal in England (Japanese-Brazilian (huh?) d-mid).
-USA U-20 team beats Argentina 2-1 in South Korea today. Read it here. Not bad boys, not bad at all. Now do it again next summer at the World Championships when it counts.

Our Great Coach With The Great Name

Bruce Arena:
"I think our team has the confidence they can win every time they step on the field, and that includes on Sunday in Mexico City. And I think we will step on that field Sunday trying to win. I'm not certain that there have been many U.S. teams in the past that really believed that. I don't think I have to convince any of our players that we can win that game. And that's the swagger we do carry into the game."

FROM USA SOCCER FEDERATION:

USA Coach Bruce Arena Press Conference 03/22/05 6:59pm

ESPN TAKES USA V. MEXICO OUTSIDE THE LINES: The U.S. Men's National Team's rivalry with Mexico will be the featured topic this Sunday morning on ESPN's acclaimed series "Outside the Lines" at 9:30 a.m. ET. Hosted by Bob Ley, the show will examine the intense, sometimes intimidating and volcanic atmosphere that exists in games played in Mexico. "Outside the Lines" will also take a historical look at past games played between the two countries and will offer viewers a unique, behind the scenes look at the U.S. team as they prepare for their World Cup qualifying match against their biggest rival. Two former U.S. National Team standouts will preview the latest installment of the rivalry during the show: Marcelo Balboa (the current color analyst for U.S. MNT matches on ESPN) and Alexi Lalas (currently the general manager of Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes). A second version of the show, recapping Sunday's result, will also air on "Outside the Lines" daily episode at 11:58 p.m. ET on Monday evening (March 28).

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TO PREVIEW U.S. V. MEXICO CLASH: This week's edition of Sports Illustrated takes an in-depth look at the most heated rivarly in the region in advance of the USA's World Cup qualifier in Mexico this Sunday. Soccer reporter Grant Wahl has interviews with former players, fans, and experts to examine why the intensity of the rivalry extends well beyond the lines on the field, and why getting a win in Azteca may be one of the hardest task in sports. The four-page article appears in the March 28 edition that hits news stands this Thursday.

Sunday, that's my Bun-Day

I have sent this email around to about 2 dozen people I know who are not soccer fans per se. And I think you should copy it, and send it around to all of your non-soccer loving friends as well (and if possible, send it in blood red typeface)

i know you do not dig the beautiful game
that's cool
you are retarded
but that's cool
not really, but.....
ok
however
i must implore you to see a sporting spectacle on sunday the likes of which you have never seen
usa vs mexico in world cup qualifying
live from the azteca stadium in mexico city
azteca holds 120,000
its at 7,200 feet altitude
and mexico city is the most smog riddled city in the world
its nearly impossible to win there
mexico has only lost 1 game there - EVER
but the usa has never been better then they are right now
and they have mexicos number
they are in their head
all month long the mexican coach has been saying that this is the match of matches
while the usa coach has been saying that this is just one more game in the long road to world cup qualifying
mexico is scared
if they lose, the coach will be fired - immediately!
and add to that, that this is the most heated rivalry in international soccer in the winter of 2005
no its not england-germany
or china-japan
or argentina-brazil
or iraq-iran (well, ok)
but usa-mexico
this makes red sox-yankees baseball, cowboys-redskins football, and fighting sioux-golden gophers college hockey look like your sister and your neighbors sister playing barbies in the back yard on a nice july afternoon
i am serious
12 noon central time
sunday march 27
espn2
it will be muy muy grande explosivo
thank you for reading along

Kick 'em When They're Down

Ajax of Amsterdam are really struggling. And the hoodoo is all on them. First they cut Johnny O'Brien loose, then the coach quits, and now they are thrashed by their big rivals PSV 4-0.
Enjoy some photos from the match via the PSV website.

Get On Your Feet!

USA goes for the throat this weekend and next week with two World Cup Qualifiers.
Tune in dude, or be destroyed:

USA vs Mexico
Sunday March 27
12 Noon Central
Estadio Azteca
Mexico City
ESPN2

and

USA vs Guatemala
Wednesday March 30
7PM Central
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL
ESPN2

(twin cities usa fans will be gathering at the liffey in st paul for the mexico match and the local in minneapolis for the guatemala match)

well well well....

Looks like the fine fans of Malaga in Spain are at it again. This time their racist taunts were shouted at Real Madrid's Ronaldo and his mother. What a lovely bunch of "fans" they have. Good luck with that.

USA 1 - Hondu 0

Not really much of a match. It was all fairly slow paced, until we saw some action late in the first half that was reasonably good. Pat Noonan, Brian Ching, Eddie Johnson, Clint Mathis, and Steve Ralston all had chances to score and didn't. Then in the 45th minute, Cleetus unloaded one of his very special (sadly, seldom seen lately) bombs from 35 yards out that beat the keeper but struck the crossbar, only to have Eddie Johnson screaming in on net to scoop up the rebound and jam it home for the winner. Kevin Hartman played goal in the second half and stopped Honduras' only two chances with good saves. Also good games from Pablo Mastroeni, Clint Dempsey, Chad Marshall, and Nat Borchers. Johnson now has 7 goals in his 6 games for the USA! Lets hear a big cheer for the Grown-Ass-Man!

Inter Inter Yeah Yeah Yeah

Inter beat Fiorentina 3-2, on goals from Cordoba, Cambiaso and Veron, with an own goal from Cordoba and one for Pazzini for Fiora.
When is the last time that Cordoba scored a goal in a game, much less two - hahahahahahahaha.
The bad news is that wondermanboy Adriano got a slight right knee sprain. Ouch! This is not a good time for the club with Martins, Vieri, & Stankovic all battling injuries (or just being crappy in Vieri's case).
Bring On Milan!
Forza Inter!

Win Yerself A Nice Little Trophy

UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals
Tuesday April 5
Liverpool v Juve
Lyon v PSV
Wednesday April 6
Chelsea v Bayern
Milan v Inter
Return fixtures on Tuesday April 12 & Wednesday April 13

UEFA CUP Quarterfinals
First leg played on April 7 & the return on April 14
Austria Wien v Parma
Steaua Bucuresti-Villarreal winner v AZ Alkmaar
CSKA Moskva v AJ Auxerre
Newcastle v Sporting Clube

CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinals
First leg is April 6 or 7
Second leg is April 13 or 14
DC United v UNAM Pumas
Saprissa v Monterery

This reminds me of scenes in Apocalypse Now!

I've been watching some of that CONCACAF Champions Cup action. 3 of the 4 teams are set for the semi-finals.
Kansas City is in Costa Rica tonite to take on Saprissa after a 0-0 game last week.
DC United beat Harbor View 2-1 in both matches for a 4-2 aggregate win.
UNAM Pumas beat Olimpia 2-1 last night for a 3-2 series win.
and
Monterey beat Municipal 2-1 on aggregate after a wild and pretty damn fun to watch 0-0 draw last night.
This was the only one of the three that I actually got to see, and I must say that as nuts as the end to end action was, the constant diving & rolling around in near-death-like-pain (by both teams) was pathetic.
Some injuries were real though. A Municipal player got a nice head wound, and the wrap job they did on his head made it look like he was wearing a turban.
From about the 70th minute onward, there was a constant barrage of fireworks in the stands. Smokebombs, firecrackers, and bottlerockets non-stop.
Max Bretos was calling the game for Fox Soccer Channel and made two excellent comments on the fireworks:
1. "The guy outside the stadium who is selling these fireworks must be making a killing!"
and
2. "This reminds me of scenes in Apocalypse Now!"
Excellent stuff as always from Max.
The other real highlight of the match was seeing Monterey have not one but two men sent off for hard tackles at the same time in the 84th minute. I have never seen anything like it. And neither player really argued much with the referee either.
Some great stuff all in all.
The next round will feature another home and away series with:
DC - the current MLS champs v Pumas - the defending two time Mexican champs
This should be an excellent matchup
and
Monterey v KC/Saprissa winner.

A lil Splotch of News

-Bobby Convey is in Colorado from Reading training with the USA prior to the friendly on March 19 vs Honduras. Convey is not getting hardly any action with Reading, which begs the question of why? Reading have not won a game in the 2005 calendar year.
-Former player Greg Lalas has been writing about soccer in America for a couple years now. He was quite annoying when he started out. Usually he just rambled on and on about his extremely bad taste in music (which he thought was glorious taste; see 1980's Pussy-Assed Hair Metal). But Greg has gotten better with each passing month. His latest is a new story on Freddy Adu that brings us up to date on the 15 year old star. Good job Greg!
-I saw a story at the Sports Illustrated web site today about the rise of Chelsea from a consistently mediocre squad to an international powerhouse. The headline read "Blues No Longer Blue". Well of course they aren't blue anymore. Its cuz THEY ARE GREEN NOW! As in cash money! With out the $$ they would not be where they are. Its as simple as that.
-Hey! Guess What! Ramon Ramirez is officially back with Chivas USA. What a shocker! He came back, licking boots, and kissing ass, to save his job. Ok slugger, now get out there and earn it. ($50 bucks says he quits again before the season ends.)
-Fat Sigi Schmid has named his USA U-20 team for a tournament in Suwon, South Korea March 22-26. They will play Argentina, Egypt, & South Korea. You could say that these games are a precursor to this summers World Youth Championship in Holland June 10-July 2, which the USA has already qualified for.
Here's the full USA roster, and who the kid plays for:
Alvarez, Arturo FC Dallas
Barrett, Chad Chicago Fire
Dalby, Greg Notre Dame
Davies, Charlie Boston College
Feilhaber, Benny UCLA
Franklin, Sean Cal State Northridge
Freeman, Hunter Colorado Rapids
Gaven, Eddie MetroStars
Ianni, Patrick UCLA
John, Will Chicago Fire
Kartunen, Andrew Stanford
Kljestan, Sacha Seton Hall
Ochoa, Sammy Tecos
Peterson, Jacob Indiana
Phelan, Patrick Wake Forest
Rogers, Robby Renton SC
Sturgis, Nathan Clemson/Ajax Orlando
Szetela, Danny Columbus Crew
Ward, Tim MetroStars
Westberg, Quentin ESTAC Troyes
That is not a bad team. But there are a few noticable people missing - Jonathan Spector from Manchester United, Eddie "Grown-Ass-Man" Johnson from FC Dallas, and Freddy Adu from DC United being the two most obvious.

Paulo Wanchope Does Not Deserve This Crap

Paulo Wanchope is the tall Costa Rican striker who has been a serious menace to the USA over the last 5 or 6 years. This year he is playing for the Spanish club Malaga. You know Spain, right, Nice place from what I hear. But it's also home to thousands of goonish racist football fans, and a racist national team Coach too. A bunch of dumb fucks. They have the gall to get outraged when others call them racist. Kinda like the punk ass bitch on my bus yesterday who called some dude a fag, and then got all uppity when I called bullshit on him. And then his sister got in my face too, calling me an ignorant white boy, to which I just laughed. And so did his Mom, telling me to mind my own business. And everyone else on the bus just sat on their collective ass, staring at their shoes pretending nothing was going on. So I had to deal with the Three Dumb Fucks all by myself, cuz the sheep didn't want to get involved. A bunch of pricks, like some fans we know in Spain. So after Malaga's match last Saturday, Wanchope is on the field stretching and cooling down, when a fan in the stands starts taunting him. Paulo ignores it, but the fans continues with the garbage, and then others join in. Paulo is mad now, and he does the wrong thing. He goes over to talk to the fools and ask 'em what their problem is. Of course they get into. Wanchope goes into the stands after them. Which leads to another dude joining in with a bullhorn, calling Wanchope every racist name in the book. Paulo flips out. The cops and security stop it. And now, surprise surprise, Wanchope is in trouble. The team and the cops say they will get the perps etc etc etc. Blah Blah Blah. Heard it all before. I'm sure the Spanish media will say they have no problem with racism at the matches. Like usual. Are we as a whole society going to stand up to this crap, or just sit on our hands and stare at our feet. And I don't mean by just wearing some bracelet that says you care. Paulo Wanchope is not going to put up with it. And neither am I. How about you?

Inter Are Through To The Last Eight!

My boyz at Internazionale finally had another match that didn't end in a draw. They beat Porto easily last night in the Champions League. You can read all about Adriano's hat trick at the Inter web site!!!!!! YES!

St Phil & Becks Team Up

Phillip Anschutz's company AEG and David Beckham announced that they are jointly starting two soccer academies, one at the Home Depot Center in LA, and the other at the Millennium Dome in London. Both facilities are owned and operated by AEG.

Boo Frickin' Hoo

Poor little Robbie Savage. Looks like he'll be joining up with Ramon Ramirez, seeing as he has taken his ball and gone home too! Robbie is crying in his spilled haircare products cuz he is not being included in the Wales team that has a World Cup Qualifier coming up in Austria. Robbie says the coach just doesn't like him!
Besides being one of the great fools of the modern game, Robbie is also blessed with the skills of a brilliant flopper, a world class hothead, a top flight cheapshot, and now a little itsy bitsy teeny weeny baby! Waaaaaa, Waaaaaa, Waaaaaaa lil Robbie, now go back home and put on that black & silver sparkley sweater (the one you stole from your sister) for us.
PS. I guarantee he will come crawling back.

Are You Speaking Russian?

Wanna become a Liverpool supporter? Then you better learn to talk the talk.

The English FA Cup Semi Finals Are Set

Sat Apr 16
Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers
Sun Apr 17
Newcastle United v Manchester United

Both matches will likely be shown in the US on Fox Soccer Channel

News & Updates & Stuff for Today

-Ramon wants back in! Ramon Ramirez walked out on Chivas USA last week. He went back to Mexico, and probably found out that no one down there wants him. So now he is back in LA begging for his paycheck again. Will Chivas USA give him a second chance? I would think so, anyone deserves a second chance. But if he screws this up, I say "Can his ass"! And it looks like the the young punk who walked out with Ramon, Luis Sandoval, is begging for his job back too! Hahahahahahahahahaha. This shit is just too funny.
-Another American wins a British soccer award: "The second annual Carling Cup New Talent Award will go to Jay DeMerit of Watford." - Ok then.
-See the trailer for the British Movie "Hooligans" - I guess its about footbal hooligans, and it stars one of those little short guys from Lord of the Rings (Elijah Woods) and wow(!) does this look horrible! - A Side Note: Were those little short guys in LOTR called trolls? If not they should have been.
-Also see the trailer for "The Game Of Their Lives" - This is the story of the infamous & improbable USA 1-0 win over England at the 1950 World Cup, and I must say its looks pretty damn cornball. Probably cuz its made by the folks who did Hoosiers and Rudy - also very very cornball.
-Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl makes the big scoop again, reporting over the weekend that MLS turned down $4 million from Benfica for Eddie Johnson.
-Watch DaMarcus serve up another winner - his corner kick is dead on the money, and Alex slams it home in PSV's 4-0 win over ADO.
- I hate Toronto! Just wanted to make that clear.

Not Much Frickin News Today, But Here Ya Go...

-Kevin Keegan is out at Man City - just a little to late for my taste, but good none the less
-Clint Nagadoches Dempsey cut all his stringy black hair off - he doesn't look like he fronts a goth band anymore.
-It was verified that Greg Vanney is leaving Bastia to play for Dallas. Don't know when the deal will be finished or when he will join his new team.

More USA v England

Our boy Grant Wahl has some more info on the rumored USA vs England match in late May or early June, and who may or may not be available to play.
His info does slightly contradict what we heard the other day.
But its better news for us midwestern dudes as his informant says USA vs Eng will be May 28 in Chicago at Soldier Field as opposed to the previously reported match up of Eng vs Mexico on that date and at that locale.
The English Football Association has mention of the blessed event on their website.
It will be good to see Mr Potato Head in person.

Damarcus scored again in the Champions League!

See Beasley secure the match, and advance PSV to the Quarterfinals
And the full game Highlights
I must say that PSV are an incredibly fun team to watch.

Mostly American Soccer News for March 9

-USA vs Honduras March 19 live on Fox Soccer Channel at 3pm central time from University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico
-That long rumored and seldom heard about film about the USA beating England in the 1950 world cup is finally arriving. "The Game Of Their Lives" opens on April 22. Check your local cineplex. Its being distributed by Independent Film Channel who seem to do a pretty good job. FYI - there is another movie with the same name about the 1966 world cup run by North Korea.
-Under coach Bruce Arena, the USA is 36-0-0 when leading at half time of home matches - WOW!

Lots of action to recap from yesterday

USA 3 - Colombia 0 - good old fashioned ass kicking. I saw one headline that read: Next time bring your A team. Which was not in refernce to B.A. Baracus and company. But rather it was telling teams that even if the USA has the B team out on the pitch you are going to have to bring some decent players to beat them. USA has not lost in 13 months now.
Mexico 1- Argentina 1 - its getting ugly south of the border. Mexico brought their A team. Argentina brought the B- team. Uh oh. Here goes Hugo Sanchez again.
These two teams meet on Mar 27 in Mexico City. I predict USA win, and Mex fires their coach.

CONCACAF Champions Cup - first leg matches
DC United 2 - Harbor View 1
Kansas City 0 - Saprissa 0
UNAM 1 - Olimpia 1
Monterrey 2 - Municipal 1
second legs to be played on Mar 16 & 17

UEFA Champions League - who's in & who's out
In:
Milan
Chelsea
PSV
Lyon
Bayern
Liverpool
Juve
Inter-Porto - match will be played 3-15
Out:
Barca
Man U
Werder
Monaco
Arse
Leverkusen
Real
and one more to add next week
The draw for the Quarter & Semi Finals will be held Mar 18

And Now, The News

Mostly American Soccer News for March 9
-Rumor has it that England will be playing some games in the USA in late May and early June. Looks like a game against Mexico in Chicago at Soldier Field on May 28, and a game against the USA in Foxboro (Boston) at Gillette some time right around then.
-Diego "El Bloato" Maradona has had his stomach stapled. Good for him.
-The Chicago Fire sold Damani Ralph to Rubin Kazan of Russia. Damn, they have sold a lot of quality players in the last year and a half. Bocanegra, Beasley and now Ralph. I hope this one doesn't hurt them as much as the last two did. Getting back to Ralph, why would you want to play in Russia anyway?
-To try and fill the loss of Ralph, Chicago called Fulham to see if they are sick of Brian McBride and want to sell him. Fulham said no. I don't know who this is good for.
-Chicago also has a webcam now pointed at the spot where their new stadium is being built - so you can keep track of all activity
-Former DC United defender Ryan Nelson who went to Blackburn in January came on to the pitch the other night for the FA Cup match wearing the captains armband. Very cool for him. He has only played 6 games for them and he is already captain!
-Well it looks like the 2005 MLS All-Star Game will feature our stars against Fulham. The game is on July 30 at Crew Stadium in Columbus. Am I supposed to get excited about this?
-Los Angeles Galaxy now have 4 idiots with dread-locks. Don't they know this went out of style in the late 80's. The guilty dudes are: Cobi Jones leads the charge, with last years addition Joseph Ngwenya, and new boys El Pando Ramirez, and Ugo Ihemelu joining in on the fun.
-Chivas USA's big Mexican superstar Ramon Ramirez didn't even last a month with the team. He quit yesterday, saying it was some family thing concerning visa's etc etc etc. We have heard this a thousand times already from foreigners coming to American thinking the game will be a little waltz for them. But in their first two preseason matches, Chivas was throttled by the MLS players getting ready for World Cup Qualifiers 7-0, and San Jose 3-0. Apparently Ramon was not too happy about it, so he took his ball and went home. Hey Ramon, take a seat down there at the end of the bench with your buddies Luis Hernandez, Gilles Grimandi, Darrel Powell, Lothar Mattheus, and Steve Howe. MLS has become a tough league. The teams are tough, the players are tough, the travel is tough. It's tough being a pro! Chivas co-owner Antonio Cue didn't have anything good to say to Ramon either: "If Ramon thinks (he) is above the team, he's not going to be with the team."
-Jamil Walker was released from his contract by Chivas USA last week, and signed with DC United this week.
-Costa Rica was fined, and fans banned from attending upcoming qualifiers after crowd violence
-Who knew that the Mormons of Utah could get so pissed off - I like them more every day.
-Alexi Lalas relives the gigantic USA win over Colombia in the 94 World Cup
-As do Earnie Stewart, Claudio Reyna, Kasey Keller, Eddie Pope and others
-Sean Wheelock of Fox Soccer Channel has written two articles recently raving about the city of Toronto and why they should have a team in MLS. His main source of info on both stories has been the President of the company that wants to start up a team. Fair enough. But shouldn't we hear the other side. I have felt for a while now that the company Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is a crappy organization that is only in it for the money - NOT quality! The other sports teams they own stink. The Toronto NBA team is a joke! Why will the soccer team be any different? A story from a Montreal newspaper says the same things I do, but with a lot more skill, detail, and first hand knowledge. And one more thing, I really don't much care for Canada, cuz it's pretty dull.

Don't Miss It

Make sure you don't miss the USA match tonite against Colombia from Fullerton. You can see all the action starting at 5:30 central time live on..................?
Oh yeah!
Right!
Now I remember!
ITS NOT ON FUCKING TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is this garbage. Not on TV??? Who are the stupid clowns in charge of this circus?

The New Kit From FC Dallas

The top quality Dallas fan site - 3rd Degree - has uncovered an early look at the new uniforms for the all new FC Dallas (or as Dema Kovalenko calls them F*C* Dallas)
I think they look pretty sharp indeed

A Great Goal From The Beeeeeazzzz

Last week in a Holland Cup match, our man DaMarcus Beasley played brilliantly.
He set up two goals for teamates and scored this one.
It's very cool to see his offensive skills improve so dramatically in only 8 months abroad.

Reyna's Return

Claudio Reyna finally made his way back onto the field for Man City last night in a 1-0 loss to Bolton.
Reyna has not played since September because of a thigh muscle injury, except for a partial game in November in which he came back too early and reinjured himself.
He didn't have a brilliant game, but he rarely does. What he did (and almost always does) do best is have a steady, solid, nearly flawless match in the midfield for a team that is sorely lacking all of those qualities.
Reyna had 4 or 5 really good tackles, several good passes & almost no errant passes, plus a handful of quick charges toward goal that created or added to Man City's only real offensive threats all night.
So hats off to Claudio on his return. I really hope he gets to suit up for the USA very soon.
As for the rest of Man City, since I watched the whole match, I felt like I should comment on their pathetic existence.
Team is OK straight down the middle of the park.
David James, their keeper, used to be Calamity James, but somehow has straightened that crap out and become quite good. He was amazing against Chelsea a few weeks ago. I think his problems started and ended with that awful dyed blonde hair he sported. It looked like a sheeps butt. Its gone now and so is his crappy play.
Dunne and Distin are decent in the center back.
Paul Bosvelt and Reyna are a good pair in the middle.
Fowler is good up front, and better then he has been for a few years.
Shaun Wright Phillips, playing on the right wing, is their only star, but he is hurt.
That leaves a group of terrible outside players that kill this team. Wingers and defenders alike.
The worst culprit is right back Danny Mills. He actually thinks he is a tough guy. He is a cheap shot specialist who seems constantly pissed off, and he has to be one of the worst passers I have ever seen at this level. I would guess he touched the ball 30 times last night, and give it away 25. Brutal!
Lastly, their coach Kevin Keegan has to go. He should not have been hired in the first place, but the stay is long overdone. And he dresses like he is 20. (Which I guess is better than me, cuz I dress like I am 15)
Man City's opponent last night was decent.
Bolton Manager Big Sam sits up there in the stands mauling his gum and talking constantly on his two way radio to his field coach. He was even spotted signing autographs while the game was in action. What a talent.
They have a pretty good defense lead by former Real Madridian Hierro.
They are no flash - but quality anyway.
Jay Jay Okacha is a blast to watch, but he got hurt right before half time. I think JJ is getting old and little worn.
Then you add in El Hadji Diouf, and you get some fine TV viewing. He is a trouble maker, and a hell of a competitor. Sure he dives and cheapshots, then acts indignant. Its funny. He scored the game winner though, so give him a thumbs up.
Their greatest asset though was acquiring the long lost Marx brother, Campo Marx. Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo delighted us for years, but Campo left Vaudeville for football. Good Move Campo.

American Soccer News for March 7

Here's the News from the past week:
-Chelsea won the first of what could be 3 trophies this year. A 3-2 victory over Liverpool gave them the Carling Cup. The difference betweent the FA Cup and the Carling Cup is difficult to explain, and frankly I have no idea why they have both.
-Olde Molde Wolde Harris is training with Colorado
-Henry Ring has really fallen down the well now. The 2004 All-Star was traded by Chicago to Dallas a few months ago, now he has been released by Dallas, and is in Ecuador training with Metrostars (who already have two good keepers)
-Phil Ball is a great English soccer writer who lives in Spain. He writes a weekly column for ESPN, and this week he went off on many people including prima donna referee Anders Frisk. Frisk in known more these days as the guy who got hit in the head with a Zippo lighter in Rome after making unpopulars rules against the home team Roma. Frisk bled, the game was called off and Roma played their next few home games to an empty stadium as punishment. Ball really takes a good jab at Frisk's looks:
Anders Frisk himself is a prime example. In general he refereed the game rather well, but does he really have to pout and preen like a peacock in rut?
Those flowing blond locks, that Viking-pillager strut, that dodgy 1980s suntan.
With such rich resources available to him, it's perfectly understandable that he prefers to finish every game he officiates as the main protagonist of the show.
here is a picture of the guilty party
and another picture taken moments after he got hit with the lighter
and yet another showing the damage done
-USA is playing two exhibition matches as a warm up for the two World Cup Qualifiers that are coming up in late March against Mexico (27th) and Guatemala (30th). The games: March 9 vs Colombia in Fullerton CA at 930pm central on Fox Soccer Channel, and March 19 vs Honduras in Albuquerque with game time and TV details still to be announced.
-First round action from the CONCACAF Champions Cup - this pits the 8 best club teams from North & Central America and the Caribbean against each other.
Catch some of the matches on tv:
Wed Mar 09 06:30PM Central
FOX Soccer Channel
DC United vs Harbor View (Jamaica)
and
Wed Mar 09 08:30PM Central
FOX Soccer Channel
Kansas City vs Saprissa (Costa Rica)
and
Thu Mar 10 02:00PM Central
FOX Soccer Channel
Monterrey (Mexico) vs Municipal (Guatemala)
-Charlton have set up a United States Soccer Academy in an attempt to capture emerging players in America. Players at the centre in Tuscon, Arizona, will follow the same football and educational syllabus as members of the Addicks' academy set-up in England.
-Los Angeles Galaxy have lost standout defensive midfielder Marcelo Saragosa after Sao Paulo, the club that owns his contract, called the Brazilian back after they and MLS could not come to an agreement on a further loan or transfer.
-The USA is in Carson CA for the upcoming friendlies with Columbia and Honduras, followed by the World Cup Qualifiers against Mexico and Guatemala. In a surprise, John O'Brien stopped by the training the other day - he is in California rehabbing.
-It looks like Greg Vanney is heading back to MLS & Dallas
-And its looks like Dwayne DeRosario won't be leaving San Jose after all. Following many European trials he has not been offered any deals, so he remains an Earthquake player.

On Board

i decided to get the soccer talk off my regular blog
so here we go with my very own soccerblogbog
i love you
-bruce