It's great that ESPN posted Mix's goal, but they make themselves look foolish by calling him an "American native." http://espnfc.com/video/espnfc/video?id=1627175&cc=5901
I feel like one of mix's first thoughts after that goal was, " my friends on the internet are gonna think im soooo cool" Dont worry, we did before but this adds to the legend.
ESPN's soccer coverage and website are pretty shocking though. Yesterday I went to check the tables and it took me a little while to realize they were using EPL tables from the 2010/11 season.
As far as football games and matchups, leauge play, NT play and cups - my 2013 has come to an end. 2014 is still just a promising number. Still months away - still just someting between a probability and a possibility. Therefore, let us all make the most out of the very best part of 2013 - the days to come - which includes a lot of "right here and now's" - and times to be spent with the people dearest to us. I try to make the most out of things. At least, that is what I think I try to do every day regarding my job/sport/hobby being football/soccer. When I look back, I always realize that I didn't make the most of it. There is so much to improve. And therefore, I am not good enough yet, to celebrate what we (it is a team sport) do achieve, as we do achieve them, of things/stuff that comes close to top notch - as it happens in small strides, you know. All the small pieces that one day, could have a decisive impact on a result that means more for more than just me and my teammates. So, I am going to spend the next weeks trying to go through all of that - and systemize, become more confident, and be more humble as to how much more I can pick up by picking up advice and pointers from friends, critics, coaches, opponents and legends. And of course, also evaluate my own performances by myself. What I need to say today - is that the sourroundings in which I have been allowed to "work" and "perform" this year has been fantastic. I have felt that there has been so many people and fans that have wished us well. Both in Rosenborg and with the USMNT - especially. Supporters have been just that - supportive supporters, and confidence builders. And you/they make me so proud when our opponents are treated with respect. The "outlaws" have in an odd way been the very best when it comes to that. And of course, you guys too - that have made me laugh and smile so many times. I'll maby have more time to connect - in my "silly season" coming up. But before I start a tough evaluating process when it comes to myself - I have already evaluated you. You pass. With honors. Make your own holidays happy. You have helped mine along. We all know there will be one in particular that need to monitor the consequences of every workout and rehab task gently and patiently. To do that is probably the hardest and toughest part of an ambitious athlete's life. Not too much, not to little. The balance you can never know wether is perfect, good or mediocre until afterwards - and probably not even then. I have never been in those situations. I have been lucky and fortunate. But I have seen friends and teammates go through it - what they pretty much need to go through alone (the mental thing - alone). Now, it is another of your guys. I am talking about Stuart Holden. A good guy. On and off the field. This year - I got to - make many of my personal "results", because I was called upon to play in "his game". It was Stu's day, Stu's scene - and all of a sudden he was unlucky (to say the least) - and what he had worked so hard for, and was earned and rightfully qualified for - was snatched from him. On that day I got to play his role instead. But I should remember, as you too - that it was his role, that day. Let some of your Christmas wishes, Thanksgiving prayers, and other sincere holiday thoughts go in Stu's direction. I wish him recovered and back soon. Then - off topic football - Chess. When my friend and classmate Magnus Carlsen seized the title - I was over the moon. My 2013 wish list became a 90% paradiso unreal reality-check list. I think it is only 15 men - in total - that has ever held that title - during the last 150 years. Now, back - on topic: Carlsen plays football. He sees and understand football, and probably better than me. Even though I have played and seen more games - I can't remember them the same way (of course not) - and not utilize the experiences of these games any way close to what he would have liked to see. He is the NTG man of the year - no doubt about it. But he still has a confidence, humbleness, straightforwardness about him, and displays a love and passion for football - in such a way - that it would be outright silly not to bring him along as my mentor (or someones else's mentor) if I ever get to see the shores and lands detected by my fellow Euro snobs Ferdinand Magellan and Pedro Cabral.
Here is a level of self-awareness and perspective that one does not typically associate with big-time professional sports.
You, sir, are an old soul. If you are not familiar with that term, it is not a slight, not meaning that you are out of touch with youth. It is a term that implies that you are a person who understands life and appreciates the time available, and that it is not guaranteed to anyone. I appreciate your sentiments, and appreciate the time you share with us. Happy Thanksgiving Mix and to all of my BigSoccer colleagues.
Friends © Michael Janosz/©2013 Michael Janosz/isiphotos.com - See more at: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-n...oundup-mix-vs-aaron.aspx#sthash.VBVZYHag.dpuf
At this point in your career, what percentage of what you work to improve is technical (I need to work on scoring from direct free kicks; I need to work on crossing with my left foot, stuff like that) what percentage is physical (strength, speed, stamina, time on the rack to improve your height ) what percentage is mental/decisionmaking (looking at game tape, too often this season I passed up chances to take on a defender 1v1, I should look for more long passes or short passes, etc.) and what percentage is mental/approach to the game (I need to learn more from scouting reports about the opponents who might come off the bench, I need to work on concentrating on defense on set pieces, etc.)? I always wonder at what point your typical player all but stops trying to ADD to his technical tool kit and just tries to maintain what he already has. My idea is that at a certain point, it's not a great use of time to try to develop a cleaner first touch, because the player has already spent thousands and thousands of hours on it and what you see is what you get. But I'm not a professional athlete.
With that hair you can forgive them for thinking he may be native american. cut it man, before you get Holden'd or Ramsey'd or Wilshere'd. Dont tempt the hair gods.
Magnus Carlsen for USMNT mentor? Maybe he can devise some brilliant tactical innovations, such as the Najdorf-Sicilian-Bornstein defense, in which white deploys 11 Liga MX-based left backs in order to create favorable endgame scenarios against black's formidable Brazilian-Spanish-Tiki-Taka opening.
Going to New York and New Jersey right after TG. TV stations in Scandinavia want me to comment live for their networks - as the groups are drawn Dec 6. I can only accept one invite - but I probably will. Should I keep my wishes for group allotments a secret? Pssst ....are my hopes for this one shielded and safely guarded with you - Seeding 1:Brasil, Seeding 2:Russia or Bosnia-Herzegovina, Seeding 3:Chile, and Seeding 4: USA - ..., or not? Should I make you argue for something else, allow you to change my mind, and maybe change my current wish? Movember facial hair soon gone - but I got to greet the Chess World Champ while looking like %!§##"*^¨?? : http://www.tv2.no/play/sport/ovrig/mix-det-er-helt-vanvittig-771003.html
Chile and Brazil can't be in the same group. Am I the only person who thinks Mix looks like a young Val Kilmer here? OK, this didn't work from my chromebook. Just look at Mix' link.
Mix, It's a very simple thing, but one "must-do" in NYC is to go to a bagel place and eat a bagel. It is possible to find bagels in other parts of the world that are almost as good as most NYC bagels, but it certainly isn't easy.
Mix, So it is done. I have formally put in my request (for x-mas) to have a #42 white centennial jersey. Unfortunately the limited edition versions are out of stock, however, the replicas look nice too. I have also requested that the name on the back be "MIX" ... USSF will cave in eventually