Most hated man in the U.S.

Giuseppe Rossi scored twice in the second half and Daniele De Rossi had a goal as Italy rallied to overcome a Landon Donovan penalty kick and beat the United States 3-1 Monday night in its opener at the FIFA Confederations Cup. Let's hear it, what did you think of the game? Was Clarks red card deserved? Did we have our best 11 on the field? Did anyone else think Benny F. played a horrible game? I'm still confused as to where the fight is in the US team. No attitude, no chip on their shoulder, everythings seems as laid back as Dempsey's I don't feel like playing attitude. Help me out guys, cause I'm at a loss with our teams lack of bite, that Killer instinct.

Starting XI

The US Soccer blog posted the starting XI for today's game vs Italy. Based on reports from practice, I expect them to line-up as follows:

----------------Altidore----------------
Donovan-------Feilhaber-----Dempsey
------------Clark------Bradley---------
Bornstein--DeMerit--Onyewu--Spector
-----------------Howard---------------

It's not our strongest line-up, but not our worst either. The big questions are:

1. How will DeMerit fill in for Los? I have confidence that DeMerit will be solid in the back, but
I'm not sure how he will play along side Gooch and if he'll be able to bring the same kind of presence that Los does.

2. With only one forward, will we threaten Italy at all? With Feilhaber in the middle, we should be able to keep some possession, but he needs attackers to pass to. Donovan and Dempsey will be called upon to track back, but the key to our attacking success will be their ability to get forward and give Feilhaber passing options. If Donovan and Dempsey end up too deep defensively, this could turn into a long game.

3. How will Bornstein perform at left back? I don't really need to elaborate on our left back issues do I?

I'll leave you with one promising statistic; the U.S. has never lost to Italy outside of Italy.

Enjoy the game.

Major Lazer: Hold the line

One of those songs that really has no business in my playlist, but it's to dope to pass up... and yeah I said dope. What?

M83: We own the sky

Really chill song. I caught myself grooving and bobbing my head to it. Enjoy.

Ready or Not

The last time the US played Italy was in the 2006 World Cup. The hard fought game ended in a 1-1 draw, the only blemish for the Italians Championship run. I don't really know what to expect in this tournament, should be hoping for a good run, to not be embarrassed or should I expect the US to give it the old college try. My heart says Come on Yanks! My head says... well, I'm holding my breath as the nerves begin to kick in. Ready or not, here we go. COME ON YANKS!

Running Riot!

Fernando Torres scored three goals in the first 17 minutes, powering Spain to a 5-0 rout of New Zealand on Sunday on the opening day of the Confederations Cup.

The European champions stretched their unbeaten run to 33 games, two shy of Brazil’s record.

Torres beat New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss with a curling shot, a redirected ball and a header. Cesc Fabregas and David Villa also scored. Villa now has 29 career goals for Spain, second on the country’s scoring list.

Spain leads Group A with three points and will next play Iraq, which held host South Africa to a 0-0 draw

Watching the game today I felt really bad that New Zealand had to play the Spanish giants in their first game of the Confederations Cup. I don't think the the win was a big surprise to anyone, I'm just surprised how excited Spain was each time they scored. Sure it's great to score, but is it really that huge to score against a team ranked 82nd in the world? Is this a taste of things to come in the tourney as far as score-line with all the weaker teams? Will the US suffer similar defeats? Who is your favorite to win the Cup? What's with the US always getting the raw deal in grouping (as I laugh to myself with that question)?

2009-2010 CONCACAF Champions League

Red Bulls Reader posted this video of the CONCACAF Champions League draw. I have a couple of thoughts:
1) The NY Red Bulls suck right now and don't deserve to be in the tournament the way they're playing.
2) If CONCACAF want the tournament to be taken seriously outside of CONCACAF, then let's make the draw a big event. Bring in ex-players with World Cup experience, models, celebrities (Drew Carey's a shoe in), etc... I'm sure you could make it part of a charity event for Haiti or Nothing But Nets.
3) After re-reading point #2, maybe the Red Bulls deserve to be in the tournament after all.

Puma and Alexander McQueen

So SICK!

Footy on Bloomberg

I was shocked to see soccer get a whole two minutes of coverage on the business and finance channel Bloomberg. Here is an article that really breaks down some of the economic numbers involved with these high priced transfers. The video is nothing that you don't already know, but its interesting to see the mainstream media's take on soccer.

Seriously... What is this about?

Something that's been on my mind for while is all the hate coming from this group know as, "ACES," Any Club Except Seattle. I mean I get it, anti Corporation... But let's look at it from another point of view. Is it really that bad for MLS to have a team like Seattle? The hate is just ridiculous! Yes, SSFC has spent a lot of money in building a quality team, Marketing campaigns and aquiring the right sponsors, but... is this something to be angry against. Their excuse is that they have paid their dues, and having a team buy success is wrong. what the hell does that mean?! So, in order to have success one cannot invest to make it a success? I am a firm believer in learning from others mistakes and if I am going to do something I will do it the right way to make it a success. I see this in the FO of SSFC; they learned from the poor attendance from other teams, as well as the lack of marketing around the league, so by investing as much money as they did they have become successful in their short existence, why is this wrong?! I'm sure any team around the league would love to have what Seattle has. I see teams like Dallas, DC and even NY are having a doozy of a time filling seats. Is this what ACES means about paying dues, not having much support? I wish my Miami Fusion could of had this success, they would have still been in the league. Corporation is not a bad word, sure there are "evil," people in many Corporations but to have a great organized business involved in a soccer team is a good thing. The hate doesn't make sense and it seems their reasons are petty.

Here is a list of the things ACES is against:

-Family Oriented Entertainment: Really?! Something is wrong with this?! Someone's dad obviously didn't hug them enough, if this is wrong!

-Marching Bands in Soccer: Although I am not a fan of this, the march to the match is pretty fun, I just don't like it during the game.

-Neon Green Kits: Teams around MLS have Red, blue, black and white. Yeah, seems really stupid to go green. Sounders should have been like the rest of the league.

-Weak Local Support (read ECS): Weak Support? have they seen a game at qwest?

-Plastic Grass: Not my favorite either, but is this something to hate a team for? Keep digging.

-Male Models as Players: Uh oh... someone's girlfriend isn't paying much attention to them.

-Clubs Owned by Comedians: I feel like they are really searching.

-Clubs Owned by Microsoft®: Yeah, you're right, what a horrible sponsor! How dare Seattle get support from such a huge name. What are they thinking over there?! Maybe they should've been sponsored by VW.

-Seattle Sounders FC: Ridiculous.

Maybe ACES should use all their energy toward something positive with their own team(s). It does look as if they went through great length to become what they are, just think of what they could have done if they decided to help market the clubs they support. It's a bit troubling and discouraging to see this in our league. Rivalry and routing against the opposite team is great, but ACES has taken it to another level, a level that is almost as disgusting as many hate groups that are out there and that my friends is something we can all do without. Seattle, keep doing what you're doing. ACES, change your tune and be positive! What you stand for is only making you less about Footy and more of just wanting to hate.

Freestyle Fridays

This week's Freestyle Friday comes from Portland emcee Braille. Braille is one third of the group Lightheaded and has rocked stages all over the world. Music legend, James Brown had this to say about him:

"Braille is an overlooked genius with refreshing lyrics and catchy beats. Hopefully more young rap fans will listen to his music creating a new generation of hip-hop artists, ones more like Braille." -James Brown.

Okay USA!

Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones has told the governing body of German soccer that he wants to play for the U.S. national team.

Jones has dual German and U.S. citizenship and has played three exhibitions for Germany. According to new FIFA regulations, Jones can switch national teams since he never played in a tournament game for Germany, the Deutscher Fussball Bund said Friday.

The 27-year-old midfielder did not make Germany’s European Championship team last year.

“We’ve accepted Jermaine Jones’ decision and we wish him all the best in his future career,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said.

Jones is the son of an American soldier and grew up in Frankfurt, where he played for Eintracht before moving to Schalke in 2007.

“I understand from Jermaine Jones’ representatives—and now from public statements by the DFB—of his intention to apply for a change of status under FIFA’s recently revised regulations,” U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said in a statement. “Once that process is completed, he’ll be eligible for selection to the U.S. national team.
What do you think of the news? Do you think he can add some quality to the US line up?

Warrior by Dominic Balli

Californian reggae artist, Dominic Balli just dropped this video for his track Warrior. In fact, you can pick up 4 free tracks off his album by just signing up for his mailing list. The album even features Speech of Arrested Development. I love the whole album and its perfect summertime music.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

With news surfacing out of Europe that Cristiano Ronaldo will be sold to Real Madrid for a world record $131 million, I feel a little like I just got dumped. I've got nothing against Real Madrid, they just aren't my ManU. Although it was eventually inevitable, I've got this pit in my stomach that feels eerily similar to when they sold off the Treble winning team from 1999. Goodbye, Becks, Cole, Yorke...and now Ronaldo.
I find it amazing the bond that you can have with your club and your players. There was a while in the early 2000's that I felt disgusted with ManU for selling of my favorite players. I didn't like their players, their style of play, etc...and then along came CR7. It took some time for him to get settled in, but it's been an amazing ride. Kind of like getting the opportunity to date a model, even if it's only for a short while and you may be the rebound guy.
So now I've got that hollow feeling in my stomach, wondering what Sir Alex will pull out of his magic hat next. He's done it before with The Kids and he did it again after The Treble. So it looks like I have to sit tight and wait and watch and pray, that we'll be able to replace Ronaldo with another young talented prospect or two...or three. But until then, it looks like I'll have to get a subscription to GolTV since FSC doesn't show the Spanish La Liga. I guess I should have been better prepared for this, even Santiago Munez left England for Real Madrid. How could I expect Ronaldo to do any different?

For DJ Salvo... Grunge will never die!!!!!!!!

Thumbs up for England as they hit 6 against Andorra

With David Beckham back in the starting lineup, England moved within a victory of reaching South Africa 2010 by crushing Andorra 6-0 on Wednesday night.

Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe scored two goals each, and Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch each had one. Rooney finished the international season with 10 goals, the most for England since Gary Lineker in 1990-91.

Beckham made his 112th international appearance, starting in central midfield in place of Gareth Barry, who was suspended, and Michael Carrick, who is injured. Beckham was in the first 11 for the first time since the European Championship qualifier against Estonia in June 2007.

England (7-0) leads Europe Group Six with 21 points and can clinch its fourth straight World Cup appearance with a victory over Croatia (3-1-2) at Wembley on Sept. 9.

Mind Reader

Diego Maradona is thinking?....

Baldness in Seattle

This just landed in my inbox from the Sounders organization.
Note to self, don't move to Seattle unless I want to lose my hair.

The Wrong Galacticos?

My boy Dunny posted a story on Cristiano Ronaldo being in L.A. to meet with Real Madrid doctors. You can check it out here. But the following video might lead one to believe that he might be in town to play for another Galaxy (or just party with Cali girls). Any soccer person knows that a move to L.A. would be crazy...but I'm surprised that MLS Rumors hasn't ran with it. Yeah, I said it! But they are reporting that Trinidad & Tobago international, Chris Birchall has signed with The Great White Disappointment™.

Landycakes, Primadonovan, G.O.A.T.

If you're like me, you probably received your copy of Eurosport in the mail today. Landon Donovan is this issue's cover boy and it got me thinking about how hard we (as in the soccer media & fans) ride the guy. Despite the love/hate relationship, he is the Greatest Of All Time for U.S. soccer players. He won the Golden Ball for being the best player at the 1999 U-17 World Championships. He was the youngest american to sign with a foreign club. He is the only 5 time winner for Honda Player of the year. He is the U.S.'s all time goalscoring and assists leader...and to top it all off he is the first U.S. soccer player with a WAG. Not too shabby for a guy who's still only 27.
Here is Landon with his WAG, actress Bianca Kajlich.


Here is the highlight video for his MLS 2008 Golden Boot Award.

Oh yeah, that U.S. jersey at the top of the post has got to be one of my favorites. It's classic.

The Hamptons Life - It's On Sale Too

Like everywhere else, the Hamptons Life is on sale too.Check out this video from Bloomberg:

I know that I've bagged on the Guidos a few times in the past, but those guys don't really live there...they just show up on the weekends and annoy the crap out of the locals. Like this guy...who thinks he knows Capoeira.


Now on to the real Hamptons...I give you a glimpse of the inside of one of those Hamptons homes. The Forbes Video Network has a tour of a house worth $13,000,000. You can check it out here.

MLS Top 4 - June 9th

Featuring the one and only David Beckham.

GOAL 3

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.