Featuring the one and only David Beckham.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Zack Attack
Mark-Paul Gosselaar on the Jimmy Fallon show in character as Zack Morris. This is the greatest thing I have seen since, well, the last time Mark-Paul was in character as Zack Morris. I can't tell you how many hours G-Rant and I spent watching Saved By The Bell in our teenage years. I guess I will tell you, it was about 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 3 or 4 years. You can do the math from there.
Another Sale
With everybody trying to bring in revenue, the designers over at Emerald Pitch are having a sale on their SSFC Urban Collection. So for all of you Sounders fans out there that can't drop 70 bones on a jersey, you can pick up a nice shirt for a measly 10 bucks. Click here for the sale.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Soul Glo!!!!!!!!
This goes out to my wife... The first thing she said when she saw these guys was, "Soul Glo?"
Sterlinho and ODB kicking it.
Little Kick around this evening at our old stomping ground... Actually, it was our old stomping ground, but it wasn't. Northwest University used to lease the land to the Seahawks for their old practice facility, so Sterlinho and I jumped at a chance to start working out for our Mens outdoor league that starts in July. The facility is 10 acres of the eastern part of the University, it all looks great and can't wait for the Alumni game. Pretty chill night, can't wait to do it again.
On our way out, Ster noticed Mike Holmgren's old parking spot and you know I had to take a pic of that. Ah, the glory days of the Seahawks... Hope Mora can bring them back to dominance.
Note to MLS: Approve Flare Use!
Check out the awesome scene from Chicago's Section 8.
Thanks to The Original Winger for bringing this to our attention.
Thanks to The Original Winger for bringing this to our attention.
U.S. off to South Africa
That headline will be a lot more exciting to say next year. Even though it’s not the World Cup, I’m still pumped for the Confederations Cup. We get to see how our boys stack up against the world’s best a year ahead of the big cup. I truly believe that we have the talent to be one of the top five footballing nations, so the anticipation for this tournament is huge. Unfortunately, that anticipation is cooled off by the realization that as long as Bob Bradley is the coach of this team we will never realize that potential.
Bradley released the 23 man roster for the Confederations Cup and it’s about what I expected from him. I don’t think it’s the best roster we have, but still has enough talent to make a play for the cup. However, I suspect that the talent on the roster that could lead us to triumph will spend more time keeping the bench warm than scoring goals. So, I’ll get to it and let you see the roster.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Luis Robles (Kaiserslautern)
DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (Midtjylland ), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
The biggest surprise on the roster is Luis Robles, but since he’s the third choice keeper, it should be a good chance to get a young keeper some experience and let the coaching staff get a good look at him. Conor Casey was a surprise to start against Honduras, so that makes it less of surprise to see him on this roster. If we had a real coach it would still be a surprise to see him on this roster since he spent most of the game kicking the ball out of bounds, but since Bradley is running things, it’s what we have come to expect.
So how do we win with this squad? I think this lineup would produce a few upsets in South Africa:
------------------------Altidore-------------------
-----------------Adu-----------Donovan--------
Torres-------------Feilhaber---------Beasley
Pearce—Bocanegra—Onyewu--Spector
-----------------------Howard---------------------
This lineup would get Donovan, Adu and Feilhaber all on the field at once which I believe is the key to our success. These are players that can control the game and create opportunities for themselves and their teammates. Adu’s ability to hold the ball under pressure and beat one player causing the opponents defense to get off balance and then make a decisive pass is something that we lack, and desperately need if we want to compete with the big boys. Feilhaber is a great presence in the midfield. He is able to slow the game down and relieve pressure by making the simple passes and keeping possession. He can also make that killer pass to spring his teammates in on goal. Having Adu, Donovan and Feilhaber all on the field together will give the U.S. a dynamic we have not seen. It’s this dynamic that will transform us from a solid team to a great team.
I know most of you are probably wondering; where’s Dempsey? Where’s Bradley? And how do we defend without two hacks in the center of midfield. Well, don’t worry, White Kix has those answers. First, let’s tackle Dempsey. I’ve heard he just came off a great year with Fulham. To be honest, I haven’t seen him play much this year on the club level, but I have seen his performances for the Nats, and they just have not been good enough. Using just the recent Honduras game as an example gives plenty of ammunition to my claim. It was Dempsey’s patent flick the ball behind my heal and fall over move that lead to Honduras’ goal. Then he decided to try that same move for the next 45 minutes with the same outcome each time. Yes, he did a few good things. He played a few good balls wide to Spector and did keep the corner in play that lead to the game winning goal, but one header and a few good balls should be demanded out of our players. It should not be enough to keep a starting job. Also, his Honduras defensive play of the game he made on Feilhaber’s cross was appalling. It must have taking all his concentration and skill to make sure that the ball didn’t end up in the back of the Honduras net.
The biggest surprise on the roster is Luis Robles, but since he’s the third choice keeper, it should be a good chance to get a young keeper some experience and let the coaching staff get a good look at him. Conor Casey was a surprise to start against Honduras, so that makes it less of surprise to see him on this roster. If we had a real coach it would still be a surprise to see him on this roster since he spent most of the game kicking the ball out of bounds, but since Bradley is running things, it’s what we have come to expect.
So how do we win with this squad? I think this lineup would produce a few upsets in South Africa:
------------------------Altidore-------------------
-----------------Adu-----------Donovan--------
Torres-------------Feilhaber---------Beasley
Pearce—Bocanegra—Onyewu--Spector
-----------------------Howard---------------------
This lineup would get Donovan, Adu and Feilhaber all on the field at once which I believe is the key to our success. These are players that can control the game and create opportunities for themselves and their teammates. Adu’s ability to hold the ball under pressure and beat one player causing the opponents defense to get off balance and then make a decisive pass is something that we lack, and desperately need if we want to compete with the big boys. Feilhaber is a great presence in the midfield. He is able to slow the game down and relieve pressure by making the simple passes and keeping possession. He can also make that killer pass to spring his teammates in on goal. Having Adu, Donovan and Feilhaber all on the field together will give the U.S. a dynamic we have not seen. It’s this dynamic that will transform us from a solid team to a great team.
I know most of you are probably wondering; where’s Dempsey? Where’s Bradley? And how do we defend without two hacks in the center of midfield. Well, don’t worry, White Kix has those answers. First, let’s tackle Dempsey. I’ve heard he just came off a great year with Fulham. To be honest, I haven’t seen him play much this year on the club level, but I have seen his performances for the Nats, and they just have not been good enough. Using just the recent Honduras game as an example gives plenty of ammunition to my claim. It was Dempsey’s patent flick the ball behind my heal and fall over move that lead to Honduras’ goal. Then he decided to try that same move for the next 45 minutes with the same outcome each time. Yes, he did a few good things. He played a few good balls wide to Spector and did keep the corner in play that lead to the game winning goal, but one header and a few good balls should be demanded out of our players. It should not be enough to keep a starting job. Also, his Honduras defensive play of the game he made on Feilhaber’s cross was appalling. It must have taking all his concentration and skill to make sure that the ball didn’t end up in the back of the Honduras net.
Now onto Michael Bradley, why is he not in the lineup? Well, because he is not a good passer, is not much of a defender and he accumulates cards like an American Express Advisors bowl at Subway. He is not the integral part of our team that his father has lead many to believe. Again, just take a look at the Honduras game. It was one of the few times we have seen the team without him this year, and it was one of our best games.
Finally, on to the last burning question; how do we defend without two hacks in the center of midfield? Well, Feilhaber, Adu and Donovan can all keep possession of the ball. Torres and Beasley will help keep the ball as well. What does that have to do with defending? Nothing, but as long as we have the ball, the other team can’t score. If you don’t believe in this line of logic, just go ask the Spaniards or the Brazilians about it.
I know we won’t see this lineup in South Africa, and that’s exactly why Bradley needs to go. Yes, we will get to the World Cup, but simply because we have too much talent not to. But when it comes to performing on the big stage, Bradley is not the guy to lead us. Our players can compete with the best on the field, now we need a coach who can compete with the best on the sideline.
Confederations Cup Schedule:
Date Opponent Time TV
Monday June 15 Italy 2:30 P.M. ET ESPN
Thursday June 18 Brazil 10:00 A.M. ET ESPN2
Sunday June 21 Egypt 2:30 P.M. ET ESPN2
I know we won’t see this lineup in South Africa, and that’s exactly why Bradley needs to go. Yes, we will get to the World Cup, but simply because we have too much talent not to. But when it comes to performing on the big stage, Bradley is not the guy to lead us. Our players can compete with the best on the field, now we need a coach who can compete with the best on the sideline.
Confederations Cup Schedule:
Date Opponent Time TV
Monday June 15 Italy 2:30 P.M. ET ESPN
Thursday June 18 Brazil 10:00 A.M. ET ESPN2
Sunday June 21 Egypt 2:30 P.M. ET ESPN2
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sale, Sale, Sale...
Just in case anyone was looking for good deals on footy equipment, Eurosport is having their June Clearance Sale. Might find a nugget or 2. Especially since, I am on a tight freaking budget.http://www.soccer.com/Navigation.process?Ne=330&N=331&cm_mmc=soccerSpotlight-_-060809junesale-_-spotlight-_-sale
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Shocker in San Salvador, El Salvador 2 Mexico 1
Eliseo Quintanilla scored on a penalty kick in the 85th minute to lift El Salvador to a critical 2-1 victory over Mexico on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier.
The result gives El Salvador some hope of reaching next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, while plunging Mexico into a deeper hole.
Julio Martinez gave El Salvador the lead in the 11th minute, but Mexico’s veteran striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco equalized with a penalty in the 71st.
With the top three teams to qualify for the World Cup and four of their ten games played, El Salvador moved up to third place with five points, one point ahead of Honduras and two ahead of Mexico, which is still struggling for form despite new coach Javier Aguirre being hired in April to replace fired Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Costa Rica leads the qualifying group with 12 points followed by the Untied States at 10.
Galaxy vs Toronto FC
Begs the question, will we ever see Edson Buddle on the National Team ever again?
Friday, June 5, 2009
Where in the World is White Kix?
White Kix hasn't blessed us with a post yet so we here at Sterlinho were getting a little worried about him. Yeah, he comments and all, but there's real footballing genius in that brain of his. Well, after heading over to The Original Winger, I finally figured out where in the world White Kix was. Well, Mr. I Party With Donald Trump in the Bahamas, not all of us can afford $36 t-shirts and extravagant vacations in the middle of a recession. So please drop some footy knowledge soon before certain photos end up on the Internet. Have a great weekend everyone(even though you're not in the Bahamas)!
Freestyle Fridays
It's that day of the week again. Last week, Eli was robbed by the judges in a close emcee battle. So this week we are going to the arhcives to give you an oldie but a goodie.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
CALLING ALL YANKS!
Soooooo, Do you think we should bring in some new blood to shake things up? Do you sense a little bit of complacency within the squad? Do you think people like LD should be made to fight for their spot? Something tells me they aren't being challenged enough. Do you have any ideas on who should be considered and given a call up?
Should he stay or should he go?
Yeah yeah... I know it's one game the Americans lost, but.... I'm not ticked that the US lost, it's the manner in which they lost. After losing to Costa Rica 3-1, many questions are being asked. Were the selection made the right ones? Why sub off your best player on the night in Torres? Why did the US team look so unorganized or uninterested in the game? Is BB still the right man for the job? I'm still scratching my head at everything I saw last night. Sure Costa Rica is a good team and very difficult to play at home, but if the US is to be tagged the best team in CONCACAF they have to play with heart, emotion and a killer instinct. Nothing made me believe this was true or even capable by the Nats. In fact everything I saw last night gave me little confidence in the team. I am Confident of qualifying, but a little terrified of what could happen in South Africa... The tragedy of 1998 comes to mind. What do you think?
NY Red Bulls vs. DC United
This goes out to the left coast with everyone hard at work in their cubicles at 4:30 Pacific Time.
This live game has ended.
Santino Quaranta and Jaime Moreno were your goalscorers as DC United cruised to a 2-0 home victory over the Red Bulls.
This live game has ended.
Santino Quaranta and Jaime Moreno were your goalscorers as DC United cruised to a 2-0 home victory over the Red Bulls.
Liverpool FC owners lose £42.6m
The parent company of Liverpool FC, owned by Tom Hicks and George Gillett, lost £42.6m in the year to August 2008.The loss was mainly due to the £36m of interest payments that Kop Football Holdings had to make to service the debt taken on to buy the club.
Its auditors warned that the need to refinance loans by 24 July cast "significant doubt" on the future of the group as a going concern.
But they added the club's owners were confident they would secure the funds.
The US owners bought Liverpool in February 2007, promising to build a new stadium.
In their accounts, they say they are "committed to building a new stadium and actively seeking funding to complete the project".
But they admit that "the opening of the new stadium will be delayed until 2012".
The parent company's loss came despite the £10.2m pre-tax profit reported by the football club in the same period.
The profit was helped by increased television revenues and the sale of players such as Peter Crouch, John Arne Riise and Scott Carson.
The results for the parent company showed net debt on 31 July 2008 of £300m.
Finally! A game for a DJ.
Sterlinho's been going off with all the video game posts and I got sucked into the virtual world by clicking link, after link, after link, after...until I found something for me. I never really got into the whole Guitar Hero/Rock Band thing. Although I could rock a mean set of drums, the music (except for the Beastie Boys songs) never caught my attention. But it looks like the game developers are finally coming around to market to the urban masses. Scratch: The Ultimate DJ is currently in development along with Activision's DJ Hero. So we'll see which one I pick up and try...and which one will be this year's HD-DVD and Betamax.
My first impression is that I will like Scratch's controller better along with their graphics (graffiti like). But DJ Hero has the Activision muscle and will be able to play along with other DJs, guitars and mics. If there is anything that I've learned from the format wars - its that the best product or technology doesn't always win.
Assassin's Creed 2 Gameplay Trailer
I know that I'm a little video game happy today, but I just had to share this trailer of actual gameplay from Assassin's Creed 2. It looks sweet with a few new moves thrown in. It's worth the watch.
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