Still Moving

And this is an exact representation of my move.

A Small Break for Moving

Hey everyone. I'm in the middle of moving to Kansas City. I thought I would have enough time to get in an update today, but I guess not. I won't be posting Monday or Wednesday either, due to lack of internet and general crazieness. I should be back on Friday the 3rd.

Upcoming Features
I really feel bad about this, but the audio I did while interviewing Clyde Simms is ruined. I guess that's what I get for using a knock off brand. It's worked many times before, but not this time. Instead of the regular Soccer in America interview I usually do I'll open up again on Friday the 3rd with a player profile of Clyde in which I'll try and share some of the great knowledge he talked to me about.

And a Video to Hold You Over
This is good stuff.

Soccer Kidz from stoiQa on Vimeo.

The AP Global Trend Center with Bruce Arena: The Weekend That Was

Beep Beep Da Deep Da Bleep Bleep Bleep Bleep

There is no "I" in Bruce Arena

Good evening. This is Bruce Arena live from the Advantage Played headquarters in the Chilie con Caso center the moon. Last weekend’s action was totally exciting and in your face. There were some great goals scored. Oh you didn’t see them? Losers. I guess that’s why the fantastic talent at Advantage Played hired me, Former National Team Coach Bruce Arena, to guide you through, The Weekend That Was.

First I have to say what an incredible performance it was by the young guys on my team. Gee golly did they step up and fight. Two late goals by my Landycakes himself brought us above the previous season’s best home result. If Beckham would have been there I could only imagine what the score would have been. Probably at least 1-2 instead of 2-2. And the fans would eat it up. Suckers.

But that’s not the only surprising result. In fact, the Commissioner has informed me that more than one game was played last weekend. Using my giant head and numerous face scrunches I’ve managed to go through the numbers with the same comb I use on my luscious locks to bring you the analysis you just can’t get from those know-it-alls on Extra Time.

The Weekend That Was: Away Wins

The big story, besides the victory at our SS stadium that is also used for dirt bike racing, is that this season it is more advantageous (or as we hear at AP like to say, “More advantage playedous”) to be the away team this opening weekend. Let’s go to the Big Board and look at the results.

The Big Board

OK Big Board, show us the teams that won away from home
-Chicago v FC Dallas: 3-1
-Toronto v KC: 3-2

-New England v San Jose: 1-0

And the draws
-Columbus v Houston: 1-1


-DC v LA: 1-1


That means only Seattle and Chivas USA captured three full home points. I knew there was no way DC could beat us since we were missing Beckham, but I was almost reminded of my National Team days while we were losing.

What happened to the home team being the most dominate? I know that LA didn’t win because of all of those people who bought season tickets and then for some reason failed to show. What about the other cities?

After a vast amount of concentration with both a magic 8 ball and a snow globe I’ve decided to place the blame solely at the many whims of fate. And that fact that early in the season, home dominance must be started all over again. After a long preseason the rust is still covers the ignition despite the shiny chrome additions of new players.

Time to Step Up

The players must be confident in their home support and field. Us home teams get to eat pasta in bed before a game if we want. We can hop in our 02’ Ford Rangers with only 60 thousand miles and drive to the stadium instead of flying thousands of miles.

The damage is done to Dallas, KC, San Jose, Houston, and LA. The advantage has been played to the away winners. They are granted increased confidence and a sense of accomplishment while the losers feel the opposite. If they can’t win on their first day of play at home, how can they be expected to win away?

Now is the time for men to be men. The away winners must build on their success and make no assumptions next time they play at home. The losers, well, I know that our underwear model overlords will be back to make it right soon.

This has been Bruce Arena bringing you The Weekend That Was. See you soon.

User Stats by Country and State

I Love OutKast

Where Do You Live?
I'm moving. With a new job in KC comes multiple trips across Kansas to look for apartments. I finally found one but thinking about locations and concentrations of people made me think about the people who read Advantage Played

Here is a small peak into my Google Analytic.

A Month Worth of Page Visits

Here are the top 15-20 in two different categories.

Most Visits by Country: Feb 20th, 2009 - Mar 22nd, 2009
1. United States 1,104

2. United Kingdom 131

3. Canada 67

4. Italy 18

5. Germany 11

6. Brazil 4

7. Mexico 3

8. Macedonia 3

9. France 3

10. Hong Kong 3

11. Sweden 3

12. Indonesia 2

13. South Korea 2

14. Australia 2

15. Spain 2

16. Turkey 2

17. Japan 2

18. Colombia 2


Most Visits by State: Feb 20th, 2009 - Mar 22nd, 2009
1. Kansas 295

2. California 139

3. Missouri 126

4. New York 68

5. Washington 59

6. Texas 58

7. Iowa 49

8. Virginia 30

9. Utah 29

10. Ohio 22

11. Illinois 21

12. Minnesota 19

13. Pennsylvania 17

14. Massachusetts 15

BMX for a Sunday Night

Because everyone needs to spend a little time watching EXTREEEME sports.

David Beckham's Twig and Berries

Hey ya'll. I'm headed out of town tonight to make it to the Wizards home opener. If any of you are going to be there please say hi to me at the Calderon tailgate.

I'll be there with my girlfriend, and I have a big bushy beard and slightly long hair. I also like long walks on the beach and small kittens who play in boxes.


Today you just get a few small updates.

David Beckham's Balls
This speaks for itself.


Seattle Win's Home Opener
Highlights

Anyone notice that after the first goal the ball is stuck halfway up the net? Weird.

Some of the outside celebrations matched with horrible drunk singing


See you on Monday. Still be expecting my next interview with a Major League Soccer player (hint: he's not a Wizard).

Three Questions for Seattle and New York

The birds are singing and eating worms, disc golfers are back on the course, spring soccer practices are starting, and the first game of the 2009 Major League Soccer season opens tomorrow with Seattle vs New York at 8pm central standard time on ESPN2.

I’ll be tuned into the game, I’m ready to get back into all the MLS action. I started this blog just as the 2008 season ended so I am excited for the storylines that will unfold and I will get to cover as the season progresses.

Ahead of tomorrow’s game I’m doing that old blogger favorite, the three questions. Why three? I guess two seems lazy and four is way too much work.

Three Questions for Seattle

Will Sigi continue wearing scarves?
Rain, shine, sleet, rainbows, hail, or beer showers, Sigi wore his bring yellow Columbus scarf to every game last season. Like a lighthouse, he warned passing ships of eminent danger. What will he wear at Seattle? Will he continue with the scarf? I am for a change in look. How about a hat, or a nice beanie?

Will Fredy Montero produce in the regular season?
Fredy had been outstanding in preseason. Goals have been coming in torrents. His South American flair has been dazzling defenses where ever Seattle has traveled. The real question is will he continue to score when defenses get a solid look at him. Can he adapt when double teamed or he is pressured high every time he touches the ball. If he can he will make his mark on Major League Soccer.

What will Seattle fans throws when the first goal is scored?
Everyone remembers when Toronto FC scored their first goal. Now I am not a TFC fan. But when those seat cushions rained down after the clubs first goals I jumped out of my chair and cheered. It was a heartwarming display of enthusiasm.

Seattle needs an equally memorable moment. Maybe they will hand out CDs. Those would only slice up a couple of players in the ensuing celebration.

Three Questions for New York

Will Osorio’s tactical bookwork pay off again?
I love Osorio because he is a student of the game. Osorio doesn’t just carry around a clipboard and a few notes. He writes constantly during each game, and when he travels he takes a library with him. My favorite story is how he got a room above Manchester United practice pitch and studied them every day for over a year.

Osorio’s studies paid off in full last year with a surprise run to the final. Will he emulate his previous success this year? If so, score one for the ivory tower.

Will Angel continue to be class?
Angel is the anchor of New York. Game after game he works hard, passes well, reads the game with remarkable clarity, and scores great goals. If Angel stays healthy and continues with his always positive attitude he will lead New York far. Conversely, if Angel falls, how will New York respond? The young guns like Macoumba Kandji and Matthew Mbuta need to respond and put in strong performances they provided in the United Soccer Leagues.

Will John Wolyniec score more than one goal this season?
John, John, John, you art a mystery to me. All last season I saw your run the pitch. You provided good passes, you were a hardworking option up front. Osorio continued to put faith in you. Yet the goals would not come. Wolyniec needs to have a strong season, not only for New York’s cause, but for his own career.

Upcoming Soccer in America Interviews
More interviews with MLS players are on their way! Check back next week for my newest installment.

The Home Slices

Spending time on the internet blogging about soccer leads you down some strange alleyways. As you search for interesting stories you stumbling across soccer blogs focused on soccer that aren’t necessarily the most popular, but are unique and interesting. I’m compiling a list of my favorites as I go. You can find them all on The Home Slices bit on the right column.

Today I’m going to point out a few that you should be reading too. Please leave your favorite unique blogs in the comments.

Jenny From the Block
Nordecke Luchador

Who: The Luchador always wears and mask to hide his true identity. He is a mysterious man of legend and wrestling.
Why: Nordecke Luchador always has great, thoughtful insight into the Columbus Crew. He’ll go through the stats and dig out great reports. He also has music and a good layout which makes him dear to my heart.

From A Left Wing
Who: Jennifer Doyle is an Associate Professor who teaches American Literature, Visual Culture, Gender Studies, and Critical Theory at the Universtiy of California, Riverside.
Why: Doyle explores the world of soccer from a side we don’t usually don’t think about, or perhaps we don’t think about it enough. Doyle examines gender issues in soccer like no one else.

Kick the Balls
Who: Alan Black is the author of Kick the Balls a book about the rough game of soccer.
Why: Alan is funny and clever in his short posts. And he writes about jelly doughnuts being thrown at the pitch.

Crewture

Who: Crewture is the guy who thought up the name Nordecke. And some other people.
Why: Because they love the Crew? Crewture regularly updates all things Crew, bringing video, humor, pictures, and the humor.

Wait 'Til We Get to the Hills

Who: The 1906 Ultras, a San Jose supporters group.
Why: The 1906 Ultras is a unique and organized supporters group. They have a regularly updated blog, forums, pictures, and videos. You can really get a unique behind the scenes perspective from reading Wait ‘Til We Get to the Hills.

O Jogo Feio
Who: Steve Malbasa, a teacher in Ohio who loves soccer and his kids.
Why: Steve mostly write about Fulham. His honest posts put an American spin on the English game and occasionally he writes about American soccer.

You’re Favorites
What should we all be reading? Let me and all thepeople who read this blog know in the comments.

Around the League: March 13th

You probably figured it out by now, but this is going to be my regular Friday feature. It takes a whole lot less creativity on my part, I get to spread the love around to different sites, and you get some news updates. Everyone wins.

I'm putting every blog that doesn't link to me on notice. Shiver your timbers.

Chicago Fire

• Soumare got the call up to the Mali National Team. Congrats!
• Brian McBride answers questions on The Red Card
  

Chivas USA

• Chivas USA play Houston in a final preseason game tonight
• Chivas have a new forward in Mexican veteran Eduardo Lillingston

Lillingston in action (a freakin' half hour worth of highlights)

Colorado Rapids

• Scott Palguta has been scooped up by the Rapids. "I finally have (an MLS) club put some faith in me."
• A great article on Gregory Richadson, the Joe Public star who signed with Colorado
  

Columbus Crew

• The Crew trademarked Nordecke, and that's got some people pissed off
• Crew capitalists paying workers fairer wages
  

DC United

• ED Morgan at the DC United Examiner is giving a sweet A-Z rundown of United players. Just click the arrows to scroll through the articles
• Problems with a stadium in PG county. Sigh.
  

FC Dallas

• Some of the FC Dallas youngsters helped the U-20 team win
• Hyndman's is working on balancing the roster
  

Houston Dynamo

• Waibel isn't going anywhere
• Eddie Robinson is gone for most of the season
  

KC Wizards

• Ryan Pore signed with the Portland Timbers
• Adam Christman is injured, and Hirsig is still waiting for a work permit
  

LA Galaxy

• Arena signs four players to contracts
• A Horley beat bobby is going to coach at LA (what you ask? Come on, everyone knows what a Horley beat bobby is.)
  

NE Revolution

• A look at the rookie Barnes
• Soccer might struggle in a bad economy but you can buy Revs season tickets for 200 bucks. Wow that's cheap.
  

Red Bull New York

• Da Bulls ended the preseason with a win against Crystal Palace USA
• The Bulls completed a sexy photo shoot (video)
  

An animated tour of Red Bull Arena

Real Salt Lake

• RSL beat the Battery 2-1
• Orrin thinks RSL will win the West
  

San Jose Earthquakes

• Beckham is going to miss both of LA's games at San Jose. So sad.
• Five questions for San Jose
  

Seattle Sounders

• Good news, Ljungberg's recovery is ahead of schedule
• Wowa, Freddy Montero might not even be with the Sounders, that would be a blow
  

Toronto FC

• WV Hooligan has a TFC season preview
• Mr Reed has some problems with the pay Pablo Vitti is getting
  

Random Stuff

• Throw pastries at the pitch
• Puma didn't get the skort memo (a must read)
  

The Secret Rules of Major League Soccer

We all know that the rules of Major League Soccer are convoluted and hard to figure out. Thankfully you have me! Months ago I went on a secret spy mission toMLS headquarters. I have just now returned from my mission. Pretending to be a developmental player petitioning to receive seven dollars and hour instead of six, I snuck into Don Graber’s office and read the secret tome of knowledge. Here are the secrets contained within.

The Mutiny Desk

As I made my way through the labyrinth that is MLS headquarters I watched interns and men without shirts scurry through marble halls. MLS headquarters is both expansive and intimate. Large TV’s continually broadcasting FSC’s Fox Football Fone-In cover every wall. As I walked passed vast cubical farms chatter floated through the air.

“40 million per expansion team”
“Pucker up”
“David Beckham and Blanco on the same team”
"More rainbows on shirts"
“Grandfathers”
“Poplar Point”
“More national team players on TFC”

I scooted down the hall and came to large mahogany double doors. I pressed my ear to the door I couldn’t hear a thing inside. I turned the knob and stepped inside the door. Inside was an exact replica of the oval office. There in the center of the room was a large desk made out of Tampa Bay Mutiny equipment. The legs were sold goalposts. The top was a solidified mass of Mutiny Jerseys rolled together like a dung beetle rolls shit.

I knew my mission. I walked over to the desk and began pulling out desk drawers.

• 5
• 1
• 9
• 7
• 4

Click! A secret compartment rose from the desk.

Franky Hejduk’s birthdate. The key to any room or safe in MLS headquarters.

The Book of Secrets

As I opened the book wind filled the air, shaking the room. I opened the book to expose the deeply guarded secrets:

• Any underwear model has the option to buy a MLS team
  
• Developmental players are cheap slaves
• The purpose of MLS is to build stadiums which will later be used for a new Major League Rugby League
  
• The DB rule is actually named after Deutsche Bank AG the secret rulers of MLS
• Loaning players out is done through the Office of Witchcraft and Wizardry
• There is a shortage of chicken livers to examine
• Every team must have a sister club but only FC Dallas can use their connections
• TFC is financed by a Ponzi scheme
• Don Garber likes his coffee cold
• Silly string are the new streamers
• Throwing things at Craig Waibel is encouraged
• A developmental player reality series is in the works
• Maykel Galindo is the narrator

The Escape
Just then I heard bells ringing and a loud shuffling sound. It had to be the Don and Blanco. I shut the desk and bailed out the window and took the book with me. As I ran backwards through the cornfield I heard the screams coming from MLS headquarters.

They were lost without the book. Now color and emotion would slowly seep back into their world. They would learn what love, pain, war, and joy really is. Sigi Schmitd would have to guide them. As I ducked through the bushes with the book strapped to my bike I stopped for a second but kept going. Days past. Months. Slowly the planes came less and less.

One day as I came out of the mountain the book yelled "Plane, plane!" I threw myself into the bushes but couldn't hear the buzzing. I looked to where the book was looking. It was a bird. We were back to civilization.

FC Dallas Juniors and an Excuse

Hey everyone. Spent all day buying a sweet 08 Ford Ranger from a private party and I am too exhausted to give you a good post.

Check back tomorrow to get a rundown of hidden Major League Soccer player salary and transfer rules. In the meantime enjoy a new FC Dallas video.

FC Dallas Juniors visit Atletico Paranaense in Brazil from FC Dallas on Vimeo.

Soccer in America: Kevin Souter

Music Kevin Likes


On Friday of last week I talked with Kevin Souter and tried to understand a little about him and where he is going on this crazy ball of dust. It was a great talk; Souter is a friendly guy. It is imperative that you read his words in a Scottish accent.

Kevin Souter in the Beginning

What is your first soccer memory?
My actual first soccer memory was when I was really really small. As soon as you started walking [in the UK] you were going to be kicking a ball. I remember being over at my grandparents. I’d be in a hallway in his house just kicking the ball back and forth with my grandpa. We’d do it for a long, long time. Just him kicking the ball and kicking it back to him. It’s something I always remember.

Then I remember playing outside. There was a little parking lot we used to play in. I must have been three years old during that time.

You were in Scotland, how did pick Graceland out of all the American colleges?

Well something I’ve always had an eye on is soccer in the states. My high school PE teacher always said there is opportunity to go and play soccer in the states and get a scholarship and do some schooling over there. So from high school I’d always had it in the back of my mind.

When I was in high school I was picked up by a Scottish Premier League team Aberdeen and I was on their books as an academy player. I was with their youth team growing up. I never really thought about education. I’d always hoped I’d make it with Aberdeen.

That was my dream and boyhood team. As I progressed through there, [some of the] coach’s thought I was doing well with the younger team and the reserves but the head coach didn’t think I was progressing as much as I should have been and decided to part ways.

I took a little knock there and was pretty disheartened and went and played for some part time soccer team and did a college course back home. After a while I thought “I really do love soccer and I want to get back into it and continue with my education as well.”

A guy I was playing with had been over and was at Harvard University, a NCAA school. I talked to him and his coach contacted me and we talked a little bit. By that time he couldn’t get me over so the plan was to go to another school for a year and then transfer as long as my grades were good.

Graceland University contacted me. The coach that called me was the assistant woman’s coach, a goalkeeping coach. His son (Josh Wagenaar) was the goalkeeper at Harvard University. By this point I was ready to go anywhere. So I took the chance right away.

I had never seen the place, never heard of it, and it was an eye opener for sure. The people there were great, the coaching staff was great, and we had a lot of success. I grew a lot as a player and as a person and I have a lot of respect for the organization and the coaching staff there.

Playing in NAIA
How competitive do you think NAIA is?

I was pleasantly surprised by the standard of competition. Our strength was we were a hard team to beat, a hard working team. We played several teams that were better technical with guys from Brazil or South Africa, but our team was very hard to break down. We got goals off of set pieces - breakaways. Wherever it was we worked for it.

In terms of the league we played William Jewel, Benedictine, and Mid America. There was a lot of good team we would consistently play. Then going to the National Tournament as well, there were a lot of good players.

To be honest I think the NAIA is underrated. All the hype is about Division I and NCAA and during the draft all the players come from there, but there are a lot of good players in NAIA who are seemingly overlooked which is a shame but that’s the nature of it.

Current players in NAIA still talk about how good you were. Do you think you were better than the pack?
When I first came I probably lacked self belief. The coach was getting his doctorate in sports psychology and besides the team side of stuff he was probably working on sports psychology stuff. That really helped my game as a player and my confidence. I had experience in the past, professional experience, coming through a youth setup and seeing how it was done so I knew I had ability.

He gave me a license to take charge and the confidence to be a leader on the team and to take games by the scruff of the neck and be in charge. I felt I was a strong competitive player in the league. It’s a testament to the team, we’d go to some teams who’d been scouting us and they’d put two guys on me. That’s says something about me right?

We were a team so if two guys were on me we’ve got one guy spare. I loved my three years at Graceland and I’d never change them. I love the league and I had some great times there and it was defiantly great competition.

I put my head down and worked every spring and summer time. The coach would give me things to work on and I’d work on them and improve on them by the following season. It’s all about progression.

MLS Season One

How do you feel about your first Major League Soccer Season?
It was unexpected to be honest. Going into open tryouts I had that self belief in myself. I got picked up after the tryouts and went to Argentine with the team. As soon as I got myself adjusted to the team and the speed of play I started to understand a bit more what I could do and the potential I had. The coaches liked it and signed me up for the year. My targets for the year was to continually work hard and progress and that meant putting in all the extra time in the gym or after practice.


It was a long road getting to where I was. I wasn’t going to give it up that easy. I was going to do all that extra work. Stick around after practice working on certain things and implement them in the games. I was trying to get to the reserve team for starters. As I got more and more minutes there I would start to show a bit more and hopefully at the end of year to come away having earned a senior roster spot. That’s what I did. On top of that I got to make the A team and play a few games and I made my debut against my long time hero David Beckham.

You stole the ball from him with your first touch didn’t you?
Yeah. That was special. I went in on right side. I figured he’d be on the opposite side. Beckham was on my side for whatever reason and I think it was a corner. He took a bad touch and the ball got away from him and I got in there.

I have a picture sitting up in my room of me shaking hands with him after the game. That’s something I’m going to cherish for a long, long time.

After that things just took off. I got starts. I got a goal the following week when we played Toronto. It was a lucky hit but the records show it was mine so I’m taking it.

I started in Chicago and managed to keep myself in the lineup right through the playoffs. My task is to build off that this season.

2009 Preseason
You just got back from Guadalajara, what is it like?
Well the hotel was nice. We trained at Atlas’ facilities which were nice. They were very hospitable and we went and watched one of their games which they won 2-0. In terms of the city itself there are some nice areas and some rundown areas.

A few of us got a couple of taxis and went to a market. It was very nice and cool to see, a big market, a lot of stuff in there. We did a little sightseeing.

Guadalajara is kinda the same altitude as Colorado. In terms of training we were breathing heavy. Coming back the last couple days everyone is doing great.

No one was cut from the Wizard’s roster. How did that affect the preseason?
For the most part we had meetings before we left and got an idea of where we stood. The coach has enough confidence in all the players here. Certain spots have more depth but we got the majority of the guys back from last year. We didn’t add too much, just a little more depth. The guys like myself, John Leathers, Chance Myers, Marquess, the second year guys gained a lot of experience. Roger Espinoza with the Honduras National Team.

Guys are gaining more experience and on top of that we got a couple good acquisitions, the first year guys, Graham Zusi, and Beasler. We’ve got a pretty solid team. We have 24 but we still have Chance and Kronberg who are injured reserve right now. They are probably going to be added to the team too.

We went down to Florida and saw several teams down there with a lot of players, 40, 50, and it must be hard trying to get them all minutes and assessing all those players. We had maybe 25-30 guys and it was a lot more manageable. We could get straight to business and make more of the preseason this year than we did last year.

Thoughts on the 2009 Season
How will the Wizards do in the upcoming season?
I thought we finished really strong last year and I don’t think it will be any different this year. Our goal is to keep a really good home record which puts us in good stead and pick away at away games and try to get some wins away from home.

The squad is more than capable of getting results. Other teams have been adding to their squads and getting strong as well but I think we’ve got good balance and are gaining more experience. The coach has trust in the guys from last year.

There are no wholesale changes. In practice we’ve been working more on defensive movement and more offensive movements as well. As we play more as a team, we fight as a team, we win as a team. I think it’s going to show this year.

Our goal again is to make the playoffs and we want to win the conference and take it from there.

Do you think you will continue starting? I know you made a strong run at the end of last season.
It’s hard to say. This preseason has been kinda up and down for me. I feel like I started slower in the preseason but it has come around; I feel like I’m really getting sharp again. Again we’ve got so much competition in these spots. The acquisition of Hirsig, he’s been playing on the right in some preseason games, Zusi has been playing well along with Herculez who’s just come back from injury.

I feel I am starting to show more of the potential I have, getting sharper again and back to normal. There are plenty of options and it really depends who the coach decides to go with at the time. I’m always striving for a starting spot and whether it happens the first game or not I’m going to continue working.

When I’m called upon I’m going to do my job.

Some BMX for your Saturday

Just because I like BMX.

Mike & Casey at 4 Seasons from GrantC on Vimeo.

Around the League: March 6th

Chicago Fire

• Diego Gutierrez is involved in the community with Nothing but Nets
• 09 Season preview
  

Chivas USA

• Chivas raised 10k for cancer research!
  

Colorado Rapids

• 09 Season preview
• Who's going to get the remaining spots on Colorado's roster?
• The Rapids reveal a new jersey. Booooring.
  

Columbus Crew

• The Crew didn't get to play Guiseley FC but they did eat their food
• The Crew beat the Liverpool reserves 2-0!
• 
  Rain Out vs. Guiseley FC on 3.3.09 from CrewCommunications on Vimeo.
  

DC United

• DC is hosting a big 5k adult soccer tournament!
• DC's roster... probably
  

FC Dallas

• Ferreira's got it going on
• A great recap of recent FCD news
• 
  Meeting David Ferreira from FC Dallas on Vimeo.
  

Houston Dynamo

• A great story on Houston's academy signing Tyler Deric
• And one blasting the loss. You should really read my story on it (the one below this update).
  

KC Wizards

• Down the Byline has a good update on former Wizards
• Foreclosures are killing KC, but the new stadium will be a boost
  

LA Galaxy

• Donovan is coming home
• Goal.com want's to know who wins and losses in the Beckham debacle
  

New England Revolution

• The Revs have some new training video
• Season preview
  

NY Red Bulls

• Cepero thinks he can start. I'm not so sure.
• What do you get for 30k? Alfredo Pacheco.
• Red Bulls discuss the best/worst celebration of the year
  

Portland

• Supporters marched in the streets
  

Real Salt Lake

• Chris Wingert signs an extension
• Real Salt Lake's off season moves
  

San Jose Earthquakes

• A San Jose fan recommends throwing a soccer ball at random strangers
• San Jose beat Chivas 1-0
• Why isn't Riihilahti coming to San Jose? Failed physical.
  

Seattle Sounders

• Sebastien Le Toux is right at home with the Sounders
• The Sounders want you to scarf things
• You are allowed to scarf owls
  

Toronto FC

• TFC is about to face the Railhawks
• How to: Road trip to Columbus
  

14 Days Till We Feel the Fire

White Winter Hymnal from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

This update is not about Aki Riihilahti. He’s not going to San Jose. I’m just a worthless rumor monger, but I blame the 1906 Ultras for making me so.

Graham (that’s me): Down and Out and Bored

This lady is also bored and will talk to you for 5.99 a minute

It’s been a while since I felt the fire of soccer burning within me (no I don’t have herpes). So far this off season I’ve been:

• Following the David Beckham situation and pretending not to
• Cheering on the Wizard’s Graham Zusi because he has my first name
• Setting up Google News alters to compensate for no DuNord
• Learning just how many MLS blogs there are (at least 20)
• Knowing hardly anything about RSL’s team
• Watching Match of the Day
• Watching Match of the Day 2 while falling asleep on my couch
• Twittering download links to Mininova and wondering if it breaks the TOS

You get the picture. It hasn’t exactly been drunken clowns at a birthday party fun. More like watching a Harry Potter movie on mute while reading Pride and Prejudice as Kei Kamara tries to engage you in a rap battle fun.

So after watching the first leg of the Houston vs Atlante Champions League quarterfinal (1-1); I was excited to see if Houston could make MLS history and pull out a win away from home.

Houston: Down and Out in Mexico


I had reason to hope it might happen. The first leg, although disappointing, featured good play by several Houston players. Kei Kamara fought hard for the ball and had several good shots on goal. They outplayed Atlante at times. They got a great goal off a corner and had a total of a bazillion corners. Could they still win without Ol’ Dwayne?

So last night I turned on Veetle (best streaming service ever) and tuned into FSC at 9pm sharp. There they were, the drums beating, the crowd half filling the stadium, the Dynamo proud in their cute little kits with baby blue sleeves.

“If they come out halfway decent and dominate the first 15 minutes maybe they can win” I told myself.

“I know it’s preseason but the first performance was encouraging.”

And then it began. The Dynamo proceeded to:

• Lose EVERY SINGLE BALL in the air
• Forget how to pass
• Forget that the first touch is important
• Forget that it is possible to shoot from outside the box
• Get drawn into Atlante’s dirty mind games (involves a donkey named Kinky Kelly)

The Fire Burns Deep Within

Then the slow motion lighter hit the gas station. Kei Kamara ran down the left side of the field with the ball. He danced past one defender. Houston crashed the box. And Kamara hit the cross. Up. Up. Up. And all the way back across the fucking track into the stands.

I stood up and yelled “FUUUUCK YOUUUUU.” I was furious. Every horrible touch made me burn inside. Every missed header made me flinch.

I was involved in the game. I wanted Houston to win. All of a sudden I was angry at the shit Houston was trying to pass of as the beautiful game. I was angry at the ref for not giving Atlante red cards. I was really angry when Ching missed from point blank range.

The days of watching Match of the Day half-asleep on the couch are almost over.

It’s almost time to care about soccer again.

Simoa... SaBroooosa

Well I was going to try and squeeze in an extra update this week since I updated on Saturday but my work and school schedule just will not allow it.

Check back tomorrow for a full player profile of San Jose's new player, Aki Riihilahti. Together with Huckerby they will be a wrecking ball.

SaBrooosa (Thanks Sean)