American Samoa snaps 30-match skid They're in a mini-tournament to see who joins Group 1 for the 2012 OFC Nations Cup (I think). The semifinalist of that tourney play WCQ final round games in June. Thx, Jay!
I wish there was video of this somewhere on the internet. I'd love to see the level of play. It is fun having Rongen out there coaching this team.
Here's some highlights: http://sportshl.com/soccer/American_Samoa_v_Tonga_WC_Qualifying_Oceania/1114168 Thx, Jay!
Congrats to Coach Rongen for making a bit of soccer history. Tom is one of the good ones--in addition to being DCU family--so this is nice to see.
We need to get an "It's the coach, stupid" banner at an American Samoa game. Wouldn't mean the same thing as last time Rongen saw that banner. But it'd be cool.
RONGEN'S BRILLIANCE ROLLS ON!!! http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/7278245/american-samoa-follows-first-victory-draw
Toronto FC hires former US Under-20 coach Thomas Rongen as academy director So, Dave Johnson and Tino Quaranta on the couple of games Comcast will likely broadcast next season? Thx, Jay!
update on Next Goal Wins... http://www.soccerwire.com/news/nt/s...ns-american-samoa-return-tfc-academy/?loc=psw
Rongen continues to find work. http://tbo.com/pinellas-county/renovations-begin-on-revamped-al-lang-stadium-20141203/
super nice guy. I've met him a few times. Always self-effacing and appreciative of those who say Hello
I used to run into him a lot coming back from games at the Soccerplex, he or his wife and I would race different routes to the ferry - then Thomas and gittnbizzee would pop out of the cars to chain-smoke before the ferry loaded and we'd talk shop sometimes. Never casually invite him to eat your tailgate food thinking he'll pass or go light - make sure you have plenty, that dude can eat a ton really fast He seems to always be ready to talk soccer, especially about developing players. I remember him wandering by a DCU/CLB reserve game we were at one Sunday morning after a real game before heading back home, and just stopping to talk to all of us, telling us who to watch in the game and who he thought some of the best young prospects were in general.
Saw a tweet earlier today that (sarcastically, one would think) said this is an obvious signal that he'll be the new Mexico coach