I will update this "column" each week. Here is the latest -- for 7-14-2004 #1 -- Remember Beckham's penalty kick? Rumor has it that the young Spaniard who caught Beckham's kick in Row Q during England's loss to Portugal in Euro 2004 has put the ball up for auction on eBay. I went to see if it was true and was unable to find it. But according to my source, as of a few days ago, it was going for about £6,000. And the bidding supposedly ends July 22. # 2 -- Arsenal started something. Everyone knows how the Gunners went unbeaten on their way to winning the EPL last season. Now some American teams are trying to do the same. Too bad this is not happening in MLS or the A-League. With only two or three more weeks left in the PDL and W-League seasons, eight teams could finish unbeaten. In the PDL, both the Chicago Fire Reserves and the South Jersey Barons remain unbeaten. Chicago stands at 15-0-1, while the Barons are 12-0-4. In the W League, the teams which remain unbeaten are the Fort Wayne Fever Women, Chicago Cobras, Ottawa Fury, New Jersey Wildcats, and Vancouver Whitecaps Women. It should be interesting to see the result of the July 23 match between Fort Wayne and Chicago. That match could end someone's unbeaten streak or be the only tie for both clubs. # 3 -- Well, Christian Miles got it right this week. Besides being a wise enough man to read my email on Fox Sports World Report last night, Mr. Miles talked about what a remarkable job KC and Bob Gansler are doing. Without their top two scorers from last year, this team is just two points out of first place with a game in hand and has the second best record in all the league. Miles went on to point out that of the players who deserve All-Star selections but did not get them, Davy Arnaud is more than deserving. #4 -- Burned, then Hot. Jeff Cassar got toasted by Texan Davy Arnaud one week, then was the toast of Texas the next in his sensational performances against San Jose and Columbus. What's in store for this week? He's probably going to get burned again as King Davy and the Wizards visit the Cotton Bowl. Pass the torch back, will ya? #5 -- From the Bench, a Substitute The biggest game of soccer in Georgia in 2004? I guess the Silverbacks do have some important games this year. With their record at 11-3-1, they are tied for first in the Eastern Conference of the A-League. And in case you didn't know, MLS MVP for 2001, Alex Pineda-Chacon, plays for Atlanta now and is having a nice season. The Silverbacks player to watch is Forward Mac Cozier, who in 15 appearances has 9 goals and 3 assists for 21 points. That's one more point than the little fish has for L.A. Wizards at Atlanta Silverbacks Tuesday night at 7:45. Can't wait to READ about it.
Well, Mark, since I'm up two threads to… Actually, that's a sub. I'm allowed three, right? Or maybe that's the keeper getting involved.
Flat Back Four -- for 7-21-2004 #1 -- The newest MLS team isn't even named yet and is already competing. The Utah Blitzz of the United Soccer League's PSL may move up to the A-League level next year. This franchise has operated for several years and plays in the same stadium the new Salt Lake City MLS team will play in next year. The Blitzz organization had thoughts of dropping down to the PDL level, but feel with the MLS coming to town, that a move upward is in order. Does this make sense to anyone outside the Blitzz administrative offices? #2 -- The MLS All-Star Game is only 10 days away. Now for an in-depth analysis of all the good things about the All-Star Game. [silence for several seconds] Oh yeah. It's on ABC at 1 PM. And there are four Wizards involved. What else? [silence for several more seconds] Okay, next! # 3 -- DMB on the QT to PSV…finally. The B2B for DMB is complete. So, there is a sense of R-O-L-A-I-D-S. Though Dave Sarachan will probably spell relief, M-A-P-P. Beasley's Nats form has been pretty good of late. I wonder if it has anything to do with wearing those practice jerseys with Philips printed on them? If so, this would bode well for his PSV performances, since the Eindhoven club's big sponsor is also Philips. Side note: Bobby Convey will be going to Reading of the English "Championship" division. This is the division right below the Premier League. I'm sorry, but that's just not good enough. Oh well, maybe Bobby can lead Reading to the Premier land. # 4 -- Ernie Banks said, "Let's Play Two." The Wizards just went out and won two on the same night. As most of you know, KC beat Atlanta 4-1 in the U.S. Open Cup fourth round last night. You probably also know that Wizards North, also known as the Minnesota Thunder, defeated the LA Galaxy 1-0 last night. The Thunder's lone goal was scored by former KC defender Chris Brunt on a header from a free kick in minute 21. Former Wizards Kevin Friedland and Jay Alberts also started for the Thunder while KC's loan-out Brian Roberts did not play. On to the Quarterfinals for Lamar's trophy. KC plays Dallas next on August 4 at 7:30 at the Blue Valley Athletic Complex. Are we Wizards fans getting a sneak peak at our new home? Wizards North hosts the Earthquakes, also on August 4, at 7 at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul. One Cali team down, one to go. If KC defeats the Burn AGAIN, they will play either Rochester or Charleston. If the Thunder win over San Jose, they will play either the Fire or the winner of the DC/Richmond match. So, the only way the Wizards and Wizards North can face each other is to reach the final. I, for one, would love to see that final.
Could someone please edit for me? I put in the wrong date for the above. Obviously it shoud be 7-21-2004. Thanks.
C'mon, everyone bitches about the All-Star game. I have yet to understand why. It's usually one of the more entertaining games all season. You know you're going to see goals, good saves, and action. You'll see interesting player combos not normally available at any other time. You know you will not see, midfield turnovers and dema-like horror tackles. Sure, there was the post-Brandi embarassment, the complete fiasco of Chivas and USA vs the sacrifices games, and you may have to endure an unsatisfying and pointless tie. Still, I'm glad it's E v W again. Beats watching whichever Euro teams' bench play at 70%. West 6-2 over the hapless East.
Not sure if this has been posted (I have a very limited attention span), but it is very true. And easy to sell out Count me in. I played football there quite a few times, it's alright but nothing spectacular
from http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/schools/high/bvnwhs/ 4-5K, but I seem to recall it being about half of that? Can't seem to find a match report of the last match we played there, only the boxscore. I know we sold it out, but I was thinking there was 2500-3500 people there
Dave you don't get it do you? You're on a soccer message board. Most, not all, soccer fans (I'm assuming here, someone other than Dave correct me if I'm wrong please) don't find exciting in a soccer game what you find "exciting". The ASG sucks for the very reason you think its exciting. I know its simply a difference of opinion, but don't you see that what most soccer fans find they enjoy about the game is not a goalfest? Yes, there is a certain excitement in a hard fought, high scoring and close game (5-5 NY vs. SJ comes to mind). But the key is hard fought, and that is something that will never be said in the same sentence as an ASG.
I've played games there before and I don't think there's any way that stadium could safely hold 4-5K. Somewhere around 3K or less sounds about right to me. Maybe the 4-5K number comes from the football stadium that is next door? I haven't really seen that stadium up close but I'd imagine it has a larger capacity than the soccer stadium.
We've never played on the football field before, I don't think they'd change it up, but they may change it up, who knows.
It wouldn't suprise me this time because attendance is up quite a bit since we last played the Fire there (2001?) and with the streak the Wizards are on, that place is gonna be rockin! US Open games are some of my best memories as a fan so this one shouldn't dissapoint, I'm jacked.
Yep, see Sams other thread. Special "A" will get you two USOC tickets. Tells me they aren't expecting many for the game.
Sorry Kent, et al. I think my phone went out on me. It was wierd, but I could still hear the guys talking, but they couldn't hear me. Strange. So, here's the whole rant. Feedback, please. Flat Back Four -- for 7-28-2004 #1 -- Vote for the Camel?! Shall we as fans of the beautiful game vote for the soccer-playing presidential candidate? [Don't answer that.] According to the New York Times, Democratic candidate John Kerry could try to win votes from a different fan base by publicizing his soccer pedigree. Kerry -- nicknamed the Camel by his teammates because of his size, the shape of his face and his loping running stride -- started playing soccer while in boarding school in Switzerland. He continued to play in prep school in New Hampshire and in college at Yale. It is rumored that his position was, what else, right wing. #2 -- Who needs an SSS? Why not use Radio City Music Hall? Hey Metrostars, forget Harrison, New Jersey. Why don't you follow the lead of the WNBA's New York Liberty and play matches at Radio City? If you haven't heard, the WNBA's New York Liberty have been forced out of Madison Square Garden for six games due to the upcoming Republican National Convention. The ladies will be playing those six games on a court laid upon the Music Hall stage. During play, the ball could actually bounce into the orchestra pit. Oh and by the way, the Liberty won their first game in the Hall against the Detroit Shock, 78-69, before a capacity crowd of 5,945. Look at it this way, the "field" at Radio City probably wouldn't be much harder than the one at Giants Stadium. And if the homeboys played LA, the Gals could really kick up their heels in a full chorus of dissent and show the Big Apple their Rockettes form. # 3 -- One for the future -- the next Davy Arnaud. I should send this information to Bob. I know he's always on the look out for good, hard-working, no-nonsense players. Seems a young man out of Oswego State in New York is making his way up the soccer ladder. Remember this name, Derek Popovich. He's 6' 0" tall and weighs 175, which puts him about the same size as Davy with a little more weight. Scouting reports say he has good strength, endurance, and agility. He has a great work rate and gets up and down the field well. He plays both outside midfielder and striker. Needs to improve his quickness in decision making and play within tight spaces. In the past few seasons he has gone from second all-time scorer in Oswego State history to leading scorer for the PDL's Albany Blackwatch Highlanders. And now he has been signed up by the A-League's Atlanta Silverbacks. Let's keep an on on this 23-year-old and see how far his hard work gets him with the Silverbacks. This might be the kind of developmental player we need to pick up after the expansion draft. I feel a Troy Perkins coming on. # 4 -- Heat Index? What Heat Index? This time of year we're all usually talking about how hot it is and how to stay cool. Well, this summer has been more than nice when talking about temperatures. But there's still one very hot spot in the midwest. How about a Heat Index of 49.9? Doesn't sound hot to you? Well on the weather map known as MLS, KC is too hot baby. For your consideration: -- KC is unbeaten in their last nine games. The longest unbeaten streak by any team in the league this season. -- KC has the current and longest road unbeaten streak at six games. -- KC has the best overall winning percentage at .639. -- KC has the best home winning percentage at .722. -- KC has the best road winning percentage at .556. -- KC has the best record and winning percentage when scoring first at 8-0-4 and .864. -- The Wizards have only lost four times out of 18 games this season -- once each to Dallas, DC, New England and the Metrostars. The only team in that list not to receive a return defeat is the Metrostars. Unfortunately that didn't change.
That's quite a lot like ordering steak at a chinese place and being disappointed about it being a lesser cut and cooked well done. ...try the soy. The ASG isn't about the same things that a season game or playoff game is about. IMO, a fan should go into the ASG with knowledge that there are good things on the menu, order them, and enjoy it on that level. If you want beef, go somewhere else. Never mind that this year's ASG was arguably the least notable of the 9; before, during, and after.