1.25.2011

You're welcome, NFL. Regards, U.S. Soccer

As I have sat through the NFL playoffs, I have enjoyed one thing just a little bit more than most other fans.  That one thing has been the Super Bowl commericals showing fan reactions to pivotal plays from the last two Super Bowls.  Why do I enjoy it so much?  It's because the first time I saw one of the commercials I was instantly reminded of Landon Donovan.  Why do you ask?  Oh...because of this little diddy:

The World's Reaction to Landon Donovan's Goal

The Donovan World Cup compliation was put together shortly after that unforgettable Algeria match and now has over 3 million views.  The fact that the NFL may or may not have copied that format is really of no consequence.  However, it urges me to go back and view the Donovan clip and enjoy it all over again.  And if the NFL really did plagarize a bit, it's quite flattering isn't it? 

Go...go...USA. :-)

1.24.2011

Reasons to smile (if you're a USMNT supporter)

This past Saturday evening saw a very inexperienced (in terms of international experience) USMNT side draw even with a B-side Chilean national team, 1-1.  The match was choppy, mostly unorganized and not exactly easy on the eyes.  However, I think Coach Sweatpants got a great chance to evaluate lots of young and fringe national team talent- and that was point right? 

The result didn't matter and if you think it should have or did, you're missing the point.  Yes, there were glaring holes in the 2nd half backline and the boys played long ball almost all night (frustrating).  However, there were many positive to take away. 

Bradley set the table for Gold Cup support roles with this January camp.  Teal Bunbury (Boon-Boo-Ree!) and Juan Agudelo impressed (I'll get to these two in a minute) as well as Zach Lloyd and Dax McCarty (wonder if Portland is second guessing the decision to trade him).  It was also pointed out by The Shin Guardian on Twitter during the match that Tim Ream was taking charge of the backline in the first half.  Hearing about that type of leadership from a young centerback is phenomenal.  Additionally, I know that Mix Diskerud got some mixed reviews, but I really have been impressed with the young attacking mid in his two appearances with the national team.  His touch and creativity seem destined to be a USMNT mainstay for years to come.

Now about those two strikers, Agudelo and Bunbury.  They absolutely changed the match when they came on in the second half.  Both were active and showed great chemistry in the final third.  There is a reason that Red Bull New York was ok with letting Juan Pablo Angel go this winter.  Something tells me that Agudelo is going to make that front office look like geniuses this season.  As for Bunbury, it just seems like he has something different in terms of swagger when he's on the pitch.  After the World Cup and all the talk about how the USMNT lacks options up top outside of Jozy, Bunbury and Agudelo brought a smile to face on Saturday.  Things continue to look up for the Yanks.

1.21.2011

Random Friday Notes

Here are a few thoughts as we head into the weekend:


- It was finally made official today, the Cascadia MLS clubs (Seattle, Vancouver and Portland) will play each other in a preseason round robin format during a supporters "summit" March 4-6.  Some are disappointed that the first time these sides meet as MLS combatants will not essentially count for anything.  Some are disappointed about the relatively low amount of tickets available to fans not apart of supporters' groups.  However, overall most are just READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL.  I'm very excited just to see the Sounders back on the pitch.  It's been a solid offseason for the club and I look forward to seeing the likes of Erik Freiburg and Michael Tetteh join the rest of the boys as soon as possible.

- Why are people getting impatient with the Luis Suarez/Liverpool dance going on right now?  Obviously it would be a great addition to Anfield, but I have but one word to my fellow Reds' supporters on the new management's transfer tactics- PATIENCE.  John Henry will get this right...soooner than you think.  YNWA

- I really like the fact that the Browns hired Dick Jauron today as their new defensive coordinator.  He's got legit pedigree as a defensive stud of a coach.  Holmgren continues to restore pride amongst the Cleveland football faithful.

- Just as I was typing a blurb about how I feel like the Gareth Bale hype may have gotten ahead of itself this past fall- the Welsh international fires a cross into the box to Rafael Van Der Vaart on the Spurs-United replay on FSC that is sublime.  Utterly sublime.  Nevermind that thought. 

- If you have a sense of humor, are a soccer fan and aren't listening to Winning Ugly- you are WRONG.  I have no connection to this wonderment of soccer-based humor podcast whatsoever, but it's awesome.  Check it out if you haven't already.

And with that- have a great weekend.

1.14.2011

What did I miss? and LFC accountability

It's been a while and a LOT has happened since I last wrote in this space.  Here's a quick rundown of what I haven't wrote about:

- I got ENGAGED.
- Sounders bowed out of the MLS playoffs to the silly Galaxy.
- Winning Ugly broadcast its epic 100th episode (and it was....EPIC)
- Mid-term elections
- The ENTIRE NFL season

Now that we're all caught up on the pertinent details, I have a few things on my mind.  However, I'm only going to touch on one at the moment...

YNWA
To say that my beloved Liverpool Football Club have struggled during the current Premiership campaign is to put it lightly.  The new owners sacked Roy Hodgson and hired a Reds legend, Kenny Dalglish, to be a "temporary" manager and lead the team to its former glory.  However, since King Kenny has taken the reigns (albeit it's only been two matches), LFC has yet to get a victory.  Sunday marks yet another edition of the wonderful Merseyside derby between LFC and Everton at Anfield. 

As all Liverpool supporters, I can't wait for this match and hope to the Spirit of Shankly that the Reds get all three points this weekend.  However, if they don't, we all need to take a hard look at something as supporters of this club.  Last season, Rafa was blamed for a spotty transfer record and not getting the most out of the players last season.  The former owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, were also the subject of us supporters for putting the club in tremendous financial hole during their tenure.  So the club finished sixth last season and we looked for a fresh start under Roy Hodgson.  The 2009-10 season started with a sputter and we all blamed the ownership crisis.  New England Sports Ventures thankfully took over and the ship was back on course, right?  Unfortunately, Roy's tenure was mired with horrid road form and calls for his head a few months after the ownership change.  The new owners succumbed to these calls and replaced Hodgson swiftly last week.

It has been a tumultuous 18 months for Liverpool Football Club.  However, with all the change, there has only been two consistent pieces of the club during this timeframe- poor/inconsistent results and the PLAYERS.  If the club can't get up its crosstown rival missing two of its best players (Cahill and Jagielka) and a third with more than one foot out the door (Pienaar) on Sunday- who do we point fingers at?  King Kenny?  I don't think so...all I want- all any of us want is a full 90 minute effort of organized football from our beloved Reds.  At what point do professional soccer players take it upon themselves and have pride in what they do out on the pitch?  I have seen it during the last 18 months, but only glimpses and at best, in spurts.  At what point does a world class striker like Fernando Torres just take it upon himself to put the club on his back and will a much needed victory? 

I dare say that if Nando and any LFC player not named Reina don't turn in a spirited effort on Sunday, we have run the well dry on whom to hold accountable at Anfield.  YNWA