Dynamo returns with two draws from its road trip to The Toolbox in Carson, a suburb of Los Angeles.
The scoreless draw versus the hapless Galaxians hurts the most, given that the Lost Angels are the archetypal villains of the league. (I've forged this opinion for various reasons, but the latest being Alexi Lalas, the Galaxy President, praising diving and divers as a part of the game and that he has a "perverted sense of respect for the players that can pull it off.") The good news was that we got a clean sheet for Onstad with the 0-0 draw. More good news was that Ching returned (a surprise to me) and had two great opportunities, one header causing Hartman to make a dramatic save on the line. Ching was a bit rusty in the passing combinations with his teammates in the middle of the field, but did well in the attacking third all in all. Things will only get better now.
Whereas the game with the Lost Angeles saw a strong first half for Dynamo and a stalemate in the second, I thought the Dynamo controlled all but brief patches of the Wednesday game versus Chivas USA. Barrett and Ching (who forced another save from the line) were unlucky to not net one, but De Rosario showed his ubiquitous skill, slipping around a sliding Jessee Marsch and driving a shot from just outside the box. Dynamo should have sealed this match with either another goal or dominating defense, but unfortunately at the 75 minute mark Onstad gave up a rebound after a great save, and Marsch was there to pick up the trash and knock in the equalizer.
Dynamo has proven to be a dominator in the midfield, but they seem inconsistent in front of the goal (although they do generate numerous opportunities) which means they need to be all the more solid on defense to protect their small leads. Unfortunately, few defenses are without occasional lapses, and Dynamo is no exception. These lapses (such as the one that led to the Chivas USA goal), as rare as they are, are costing us points and will continue to do so until we can get more results out of our attack...which should happen now that Ching is back.
Exciting sub-story from the Saturday game: there was a section of several hundred blue-wearing Quakes fans supporting the Dynamo at The Toolbox. Most MLS teams would kill to have that sort of traveling support, and the support came from a town -- San Jose -- other than the team's hometown. Tip o' the hat to those dedicated Quakes fans. I hope you get a home team of your own soon; but I'm glad you're rooting for the Dynamo in the meantime.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Two Quotes
Quote: "The worst part is the finality of it," Donovan said [about the end of USA's run in the World Cup]. "Even during the game, you don't get the sense, 'This is it.' Then the whistle blows and it's over."
That summarizes a very big problem with the US at World Cup 2006: the US players didn’t get a sense of urgency, even during their final game. Their lethargic play proved it. Lethargy, unfortunately, was only one of the problems; but it should be the easiest to cure.
Quote from Michelle Lissel of Fox Sports "He [Bruce Arena] said he did regret not playing Ching in the last game. Said they could have used a good strong presence in front of goal.
That may be of little consolation to Ching, but it's a good testament of the esteem that knowledgeable people hold for the Dynamo striker. I would have loved to see him on the world's grandest stage.
Ching is scheduled to rejoin Dynamo in Los Angeles this weekend for the team's upcoming games against the Galaxy and Chivas USA. Ching probably won't play versus the Lost Angels, but "will probably" (according to the Dynamo website) play against Chivas USA on the following Wednesday. That would be his first game in a Dynamo uniform since May 6. He has only played in two matches, both friendlies, since that time (the full 90 versus Venezuela where he scored, and in the closing minutes versus Latvia). Still, the training on the MNT was intense, so he should be in good shape and provide a needed boost to the Dynamo offense.
The game versus the Galaxy has the sub-plot of being the first matchup between Coach Kinnear and his mentor, Frank Yallop, who became the Galaxy coach just after they lost to the Dynamo earlier this month.
I doubt Donovan will play this weekend against us, but if he does I certainly hope he's not "comfortable." He says he plays best when "comfortable" which is why he returned to the MLS. I guess he was uncomfortable in Germany this past month.
That summarizes a very big problem with the US at World Cup 2006: the US players didn’t get a sense of urgency, even during their final game. Their lethargic play proved it. Lethargy, unfortunately, was only one of the problems; but it should be the easiest to cure.
Quote from Michelle Lissel of Fox Sports "He [Bruce Arena] said he did regret not playing Ching in the last game. Said they could have used a good strong presence in front of goal.
That may be of little consolation to Ching, but it's a good testament of the esteem that knowledgeable people hold for the Dynamo striker. I would have loved to see him on the world's grandest stage.
Ching is scheduled to rejoin Dynamo in Los Angeles this weekend for the team's upcoming games against the Galaxy and Chivas USA. Ching probably won't play versus the Lost Angels, but "will probably" (according to the Dynamo website) play against Chivas USA on the following Wednesday. That would be his first game in a Dynamo uniform since May 6. He has only played in two matches, both friendlies, since that time (the full 90 versus Venezuela where he scored, and in the closing minutes versus Latvia). Still, the training on the MNT was intense, so he should be in good shape and provide a needed boost to the Dynamo offense.
The game versus the Galaxy has the sub-plot of being the first matchup between Coach Kinnear and his mentor, Frank Yallop, who became the Galaxy coach just after they lost to the Dynamo earlier this month.
I doubt Donovan will play this weekend against us, but if he does I certainly hope he's not "comfortable." He says he plays best when "comfortable" which is why he returned to the MLS. I guess he was uncomfortable in Germany this past month.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Out of the Cup, so What's Next?
The overall message this Cup reveals is that the US needs better talent -- not just fit athletes, but players whose technique (touch) and vision have been honed by playing against top notch competition on a regular basis. We need talent that can overcome the obstacles soccer throws at you, hurdles such as the conceding of an early goal or having to endure unfavorable officiating.
And we need this talent with more depth. This Cup we had some very talented players, but sometimes a team needs talent applied in a different manner. For instance, Reyna is extremely talented, but his abilities allow him to reign in an out-of-control game. Sometimes we need our playmaker instead to ignite a ponderous game. Other teams have options: Italy can pull a Totti for Del Piero for a change of pace; the Czechs can do the same with Nedved and Rosicky. Who can replace Reyna (capably)? O'Brien would be the best choice today, but we know his injury-induced limitations.
The team did not perform horrendously this Cup, even in the rout to the Czechs. It was only a few mistakes that led to the opportunities our opponent's managed to seize. But that's exactly what separated us from them. Our skills (and the resulting confidence) are so tentative in our current state that we need everything to line up perfectly to succeed, while other teams can step up to the challenge and create their opportunities.
Our "stars" played with lethargy, and Arena had few subs that could challenge/push the starters or replace the under-performing starters to invigorate the team. And even in areas where he DID have options (as with left mid), Arena demonstrated irrational allegiance to those who once delivered. Beasley was one who had delivered in the past, but he had an atrocious tournament this time out (and even in the games preceding the tourney). Oddly, in his second lackluster game (versus Italy), Arena hailed his performance then, though Convey had shown himself the more consistent of the two, Beasley gets the nod versus Ghana, where he had an assist but did little else.
The solution really must start with the MLS. The league needs to become more competitive, even if it's just to refine its current role as a feeder pond for foreign leagues where our players can further refine their talent. It would be better if the MLS could grow to fill the needs of even the most talented of American players, and perhaps it can because for every Donovan who seems to be declining in the MLS, there is a Dempsey, who was one of the best (and most creative) players today. And foreign leagues aren't a panacea either; Beasley's tentative play has been honed the past 2 years in the Eredivisie, where I understand they play some pretty good ball.
So our search continues for the talismanic playmaker to take the US to the next level. In the meantime, we'll remain a giant nation, but a small soccer nation. (But we can console ourselves with the knowledge that we're better than many devout soccer nations.)
And we need this talent with more depth. This Cup we had some very talented players, but sometimes a team needs talent applied in a different manner. For instance, Reyna is extremely talented, but his abilities allow him to reign in an out-of-control game. Sometimes we need our playmaker instead to ignite a ponderous game. Other teams have options: Italy can pull a Totti for Del Piero for a change of pace; the Czechs can do the same with Nedved and Rosicky. Who can replace Reyna (capably)? O'Brien would be the best choice today, but we know his injury-induced limitations.
The team did not perform horrendously this Cup, even in the rout to the Czechs. It was only a few mistakes that led to the opportunities our opponent's managed to seize. But that's exactly what separated us from them. Our skills (and the resulting confidence) are so tentative in our current state that we need everything to line up perfectly to succeed, while other teams can step up to the challenge and create their opportunities.
Our "stars" played with lethargy, and Arena had few subs that could challenge/push the starters or replace the under-performing starters to invigorate the team. And even in areas where he DID have options (as with left mid), Arena demonstrated irrational allegiance to those who once delivered. Beasley was one who had delivered in the past, but he had an atrocious tournament this time out (and even in the games preceding the tourney). Oddly, in his second lackluster game (versus Italy), Arena hailed his performance then, though Convey had shown himself the more consistent of the two, Beasley gets the nod versus Ghana, where he had an assist but did little else.
The solution really must start with the MLS. The league needs to become more competitive, even if it's just to refine its current role as a feeder pond for foreign leagues where our players can further refine their talent. It would be better if the MLS could grow to fill the needs of even the most talented of American players, and perhaps it can because for every Donovan who seems to be declining in the MLS, there is a Dempsey, who was one of the best (and most creative) players today. And foreign leagues aren't a panacea either; Beasley's tentative play has been honed the past 2 years in the Eredivisie, where I understand they play some pretty good ball.
So our search continues for the talismanic playmaker to take the US to the next level. In the meantime, we'll remain a giant nation, but a small soccer nation. (But we can console ourselves with the knowledge that we're better than many devout soccer nations.)
Sunday, June 18, 2006
ReAL Uninspiring but Effective
The Dynamo got the 3 points to maintain their second place position in the Western Conference. They trail Dallas by 3 in the standings.
Dynamo dominated the first half. In the opening minutes, DeRo seemed to be fouled in the box, but the official decided it was too early to bestow a PK. He did bestow one late in the first, but the curse on our forwards seemed to endure as Cerritos was denied on the resultant kick. Thankfully Mullan was there to clean up the trash and give Dynamo the deserved lead.
I don't know if it was the mugginess or a particularly de-motivating halftime speech by Kinnear, but Dynamo was flat the second half. There were brief flashes of penetrating offense, but these were separated by long stretches of mediocrity where even our strength, the possession game, was off. The SLakers looked to be unjustly denied a legitimate equalizer approaching the hour mark, but that seemed to be a moot point after Moreno broke the curse and acrobatically knocked in a beautiful Mullan cross with about 7 minutes left in the game.
A sloppy tackle by Cochrane in the box gave the visitors a PK, and Kreis is always money on those. That goal in the 88th was as close as the SLakers would get, but it makes their earlier revoked goal seem all the more poignant. More offensive production by Dynamo could have erased any questions of the worth of this victory, but we were lacking life in every aspect of our game in the second half. I hope this is not due to the humidity, because then it will be a long stretch of uninspiring soccer as the season -- and the summer -- wears on.
Kudos to Mullan for his goal and his assist, and thank you Moreno for what seems to be breaking the curse.
An aside: watching so many World Cup matches pitting the best players and teams really made the MLS play appear pedestrian. Hopefully that's true of any league when compared to World Cup play (particularly when the World Cup players have been removed from the league). Still, Dynamo play some of the best soccer in the league ... second half of last night's game excepted.
Dynamo dominated the first half. In the opening minutes, DeRo seemed to be fouled in the box, but the official decided it was too early to bestow a PK. He did bestow one late in the first, but the curse on our forwards seemed to endure as Cerritos was denied on the resultant kick. Thankfully Mullan was there to clean up the trash and give Dynamo the deserved lead.
I don't know if it was the mugginess or a particularly de-motivating halftime speech by Kinnear, but Dynamo was flat the second half. There were brief flashes of penetrating offense, but these were separated by long stretches of mediocrity where even our strength, the possession game, was off. The SLakers looked to be unjustly denied a legitimate equalizer approaching the hour mark, but that seemed to be a moot point after Moreno broke the curse and acrobatically knocked in a beautiful Mullan cross with about 7 minutes left in the game.
A sloppy tackle by Cochrane in the box gave the visitors a PK, and Kreis is always money on those. That goal in the 88th was as close as the SLakers would get, but it makes their earlier revoked goal seem all the more poignant. More offensive production by Dynamo could have erased any questions of the worth of this victory, but we were lacking life in every aspect of our game in the second half. I hope this is not due to the humidity, because then it will be a long stretch of uninspiring soccer as the season -- and the summer -- wears on.
Kudos to Mullan for his goal and his assist, and thank you Moreno for what seems to be breaking the curse.
An aside: watching so many World Cup matches pitting the best players and teams really made the MLS play appear pedestrian. Hopefully that's true of any league when compared to World Cup play (particularly when the World Cup players have been removed from the league). Still, Dynamo play some of the best soccer in the league ... second half of last night's game excepted.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
US draw versus Italy and Uruguay
Well, that was an awful soccer match; but it was balanced by one of the gutsiest performances by the US MNT.
In the first half, the US looked to be heading to an eventual 3 points. They controlled possession, they contained the ball in Italy's half, and they looked confident. Like many teams that deprecate the beauty of soccer in an effort to get a good result, Italy bunkered in and relied on counterattacks, as if they were playing a team of a higher caliber than they. Maybe they were. Creativity was not with the Italians, so they relied on flopping and twitching, exaggerating every bit of contact and emoting shocked -- shocked! -- disbelief with every foul (real or imagined). Their histrionics paid off in the 22nd minute as they won a free kick about 18 yards out and on the right (from their perspective) side of the field. Pope lost his mark, freeing Alberto Gilardino to head in the go-ahead score against the run of play.
Five minutes later, Italy scored the equalizer for us with an own goal off a Bobby Convey free kick from the right side (from our perspective).
A minute later, Daniele De Rossi (despite being on the team of shocked -- shocked! -- players every time they were nudged by a US player) felt it appropriate to honor the beautiful game by driving his elbow into McBride's face while contesting a header. He was justly red carded.
Oddly, the US played better when facing 11 men than when facing 10. Play became disjointed. Still the US looked strong and could surely make the adjustments at the half to put away this game in the second half.
But not so fast! Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda was struck by a pang of guilt for having exercised control of the game by justly sending off a violent player. He decided to compensate justness with unjustness, and gave a straight red card to Mastroeni just before the half for a slide tackle. Shame on Mastroeni for not being smarter; shame on Larrionda for ruining the match.
But wait! There's more!
Pope earns a second yellow just a minute into the second half. Was his sliding tackle deserving of a yellow? Perhaps, but that's debatable, particularly given the nature of the game to that point and the fact that the referee had not had any conversations up to that point with Pope.
Cool World Cup Factoid: In 2002, Larrionda was suspended and not allowed to officiate at the World Cup because of "irregularities." FIFA should be embarrassed.
So the US valiantly overcame a 9v10 man disadvantage, a talented (if melodramatic) Italian team, and unfavorable officiating to earn a point. It was perhaps the hardest point they ever had to earn. Today's tremendous effort could be a game from which legends are built as the US Soccer program continues its rise.
To truly capitalize on this effort, we have to beat Ghana on Thursday. This could propel us into the Round of 16 if Italy beats the Czech Republic. The US must beat Ghana to advance and to prove themselves to the world.
Versus Ghana, we'll be without Mastroeni and Pope. Ghana, meanwhile, will be without their two scoring forwards
Some quick shots:
Nice (almost) goal by Beasley late in the game; the first thing he (almost) did well at this tourney. It would have been nice if it had stood so that (1) we could have earned 3 points against astronomical odds, and (2) we could have been the first team in World Cup history to score a goal with 9 men. The call was correct though: McBride was shielding the GK from an offside position. Unfortunate.
I wonder if the Asst. Referee (or Linesman, if you prefer) realized the Uruguayan had lost control and felt he needed to intercede. It looked as if he was very generous to the US on some of his offside calls.
I really think Arena needed to make a substitute in the final 5 minutes or even earlier. Our guys were exhausted; Reyna was just walking, as were others. A sub would have given us fresh legs to generate something to relieve our beleaguered defense. Subbing would have eaten up some of the clock as well. It would have also given another player some time under the spotlights, so he wouldn't be shell-shocked in a later match. (And there will have to be changes in the lineup versus Ghana due to the red card situation.) Eddie Johnson would have been a great choice as he has the speed to attack on his own.
Surprising good news: somehow Oguchi Onyewu got through the match without another yellow. With this ref, I thought for sure that Onyewu would end up with one and have to sit out the Ghana match. I loved hearing the pro-US crowd too in "K-town." Every time Oguchi touched the ball the crowd would echo “Gooooooch!”
From the blog at ussoccer.com: Kasey Keller, Oguchi Onyewu, fitness coach Pierre Barrieu and Italy's Alessandro del Piero were waiting for the elevator down to the bus from the mixed zone. The following exchange took place:
Barrieu to del Pierro: "Beat Czech Republic"
del Piero to the U.S. players as he nodded and cracked a smile: "Beat Ghana"
Friendly conversation ensued in which the Onyewu and Keller told del Piero that the U.S. would gladly finish in second place so that Italy wouldn't have to face Brazil.
The Ghanaian Template
Ghana established the game template that the US needed to use in order to beat the Czech Republic:
1. Focus your defenders on defending rather than attacking.
2. Rely on the creativity and indefatigability of your forwards for offensive production.
With this simple two-step process, Ghana managed to beat the Czech Republic today, 2-0. This victory shows how tough our group is and opens the door for the US should we beat Italy today.
In honesty, it was an early goal that made this template viable. As Bruce Arena said after our loss to the Czechs, conceding an early goal can really stifle a team's game plan while allowing the opposition more options (and more confidence) in the execution of their game plan. Scoring 1:10 into the game allowed Ghana to put more people behind the ball on defense (Step One of the template) and forced the Czechs to open up in the back to mount attacks, thus providing more space for Ghana for Step Two.
Ghana also benefited from a late penalty that replays seemed to show to be bogus. The Ghanaian striker seemed to trip over the turf. Ghana missed the resulting kick, but faced only 10 men the remainder of the game.
The missed kick was appropriate, for as well as Ghana defended (which surprised me) and built up the attack, they often looked inept in front of the goal. Had it not been for woeful finishing, Ghana could have led 4-nil.
This quibble aside, hats off to Ghana. They played fearlessly and deserved the win. Now the US needs to learn how to be fearless.
As an aside: is Ghana's goalkeeper named Kingston or Kingson? The announcers and all of the graphics say the former, but his jersey (and FIFA) says the latter. ABC/ESPN: a little fact-checking, please?
1. Focus your defenders on defending rather than attacking.
2. Rely on the creativity and indefatigability of your forwards for offensive production.
With this simple two-step process, Ghana managed to beat the Czech Republic today, 2-0. This victory shows how tough our group is and opens the door for the US should we beat Italy today.
In honesty, it was an early goal that made this template viable. As Bruce Arena said after our loss to the Czechs, conceding an early goal can really stifle a team's game plan while allowing the opposition more options (and more confidence) in the execution of their game plan. Scoring 1:10 into the game allowed Ghana to put more people behind the ball on defense (Step One of the template) and forced the Czechs to open up in the back to mount attacks, thus providing more space for Ghana for Step Two.
Ghana also benefited from a late penalty that replays seemed to show to be bogus. The Ghanaian striker seemed to trip over the turf. Ghana missed the resulting kick, but faced only 10 men the remainder of the game.
The missed kick was appropriate, for as well as Ghana defended (which surprised me) and built up the attack, they often looked inept in front of the goal. Had it not been for woeful finishing, Ghana could have led 4-nil.
This quibble aside, hats off to Ghana. They played fearlessly and deserved the win. Now the US needs to learn how to be fearless.
As an aside: is Ghana's goalkeeper named Kingston or Kingson? The announcers and all of the graphics say the former, but his jersey (and FIFA) says the latter. ABC/ESPN: a little fact-checking, please?
Friday, June 16, 2006
ReAL, Part Deux
ReAL Salt Lake returns to Houston for the final time this season. At the last meeting, Jeff Cunningham put the visitors on top early in the second half, forcing Dynamo to come from behind to score 2 in the 2-1 victory.
ReAL has improved overall in the interim. They are more confident and a clicking better as a team. The SLakers will not have defender Eddie Pope or midfielder Douglas Sequeira due to World Cup duty (USA for the former, Costa Rica for the latter), but they'll still have proven finishers Cunningham and Jason Kreis up front, Chris Klein as the midfielder/forward, and the salt-n-peppered Scott Garlick in goal. No word on if Scott will be sportin' his 70's-era 'stache. (That rookie in the midfield, Mehdi Ballouchy, is supposed to be in good form as well.)
Still, look for Dynamo to win this one. I'd like for Dynamo to not be so stingy in their goal scoring this time. Let's try for a 3-1 victory shall we? And it's time for our forwards (Moreno? Cerritos?) to get on the scoreboard.
My family had planned to go to this game, but the weather is supposed to be rainy, which is no fun when you're with the kids. It is Father's Day weekend, so it would be nice to go. We've not missed two home games in a row (having missed only the season/franchise opener versus the Rapids and the last home game versus the LA Galaxy). If Mother Nature gives us the rain we need, in the profuse quantities she tends to give us when it does rain, then we'll be watching the match on Fox Sports.
A coworker of mine said she's going to the game with her fiance. She knows nothing about soccer and this is her first time to watch the Dynamo. Here's hoping that Dynamo wins some new fans while also winning the match.
ReAL has improved overall in the interim. They are more confident and a clicking better as a team. The SLakers will not have defender Eddie Pope or midfielder Douglas Sequeira due to World Cup duty (USA for the former, Costa Rica for the latter), but they'll still have proven finishers Cunningham and Jason Kreis up front, Chris Klein as the midfielder/forward, and the salt-n-peppered Scott Garlick in goal. No word on if Scott will be sportin' his 70's-era 'stache. (That rookie in the midfield, Mehdi Ballouchy, is supposed to be in good form as well.)
Still, look for Dynamo to win this one. I'd like for Dynamo to not be so stingy in their goal scoring this time. Let's try for a 3-1 victory shall we? And it's time for our forwards (Moreno? Cerritos?) to get on the scoreboard.
My family had planned to go to this game, but the weather is supposed to be rainy, which is no fun when you're with the kids. It is Father's Day weekend, so it would be nice to go. We've not missed two home games in a row (having missed only the season/franchise opener versus the Rapids and the last home game versus the LA Galaxy). If Mother Nature gives us the rain we need, in the profuse quantities she tends to give us when it does rain, then we'll be watching the match on Fox Sports.
A coworker of mine said she's going to the game with her fiance. She knows nothing about soccer and this is her first time to watch the Dynamo. Here's hoping that Dynamo wins some new fans while also winning the match.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
"Always Look on the Bright Si-ide of Life"
Englishman Michael Davies had some advice for US fans.
First, as the citizen of THE soccer (okay, "football") nation, he consoles us by saying, "This is heartbreaking stuff, though, World Cup Football. I know. I'm English."
Second, he provides some suggested fodder for our fans to sing at international matches:
TOP NINE SONGS (with two sent off) THAT THE U.S. FANS SHOULD SING TO REALLY PEE OFF THE OPPOSITION (AND THE ENTIRE WORLD)
(1) "Stand up for THE Superpower" -- to the tune of the international football megahit "Stand Up for the Champions" -- an American Neocon wet dream of a song.
(2) "Wir Fahren Nach Berlin ... again!" The American version of the classic German football song "We're driving to Berlin" with "again" tacked on the end to remind the world that we've been here before.
(3) "(Clap,Clap) (Clap, Clap, Clap) (Clap,Clap,Clap,Clap) -- George Bush!" Even if you didn't vote for him, the French will detest it.
(4) "America, %&$* Yeah!" from "Team America."
(5) Any Christian rock!
(6) "We'll Never Leave Iraq" -- to the tune of "You'll Never Walk Alone."
(7) Any German rap -- I watched some on German TV last night, it was awful ... No wonder they like Hasselhoff.
(8) The theme from the "Great Escape," whistled. The England fans showed surprising sensitivity by not singing that in Frankfurt. Why should the "ugly Americans" be so considerate?
(9) "You only sing when you're enjoying the benefits of a U.S.-style political democracy and a market-driven economy" to the tune of the English classic, "You only sing when you're winning."
First, as the citizen of THE soccer (okay, "football") nation, he consoles us by saying, "This is heartbreaking stuff, though, World Cup Football. I know. I'm English."
Second, he provides some suggested fodder for our fans to sing at international matches:
TOP NINE SONGS (with two sent off) THAT THE U.S. FANS SHOULD SING TO REALLY PEE OFF THE OPPOSITION (AND THE ENTIRE WORLD)
(1) "Stand up for THE Superpower" -- to the tune of the international football megahit "Stand Up for the Champions" -- an American Neocon wet dream of a song.
(2) "Wir Fahren Nach Berlin ... again!" The American version of the classic German football song "We're driving to Berlin" with "again" tacked on the end to remind the world that we've been here before.
(3) "(Clap,Clap) (Clap, Clap, Clap) (Clap,Clap,Clap,Clap) -- George Bush!" Even if you didn't vote for him, the French will detest it.
(4) "America, %&$* Yeah!" from "Team America."
(5) Any Christian rock!
(6) "We'll Never Leave Iraq" -- to the tune of "You'll Never Walk Alone."
(7) Any German rap -- I watched some on German TV last night, it was awful ... No wonder they like Hasselhoff.
(8) The theme from the "Great Escape," whistled. The England fans showed surprising sensitivity by not singing that in Frankfurt. Why should the "ugly Americans" be so considerate?
(9) "You only sing when you're enjoying the benefits of a U.S.-style political democracy and a market-driven economy" to the tune of the English classic, "You only sing when you're winning."
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
The Sky Has Fallen!!
The US endured a demoralizing loss to the Czech Republic yesterday. Demoralizing? Is the team demoralized? I doubt it, although there are some exceptions (like the pouting DMB).
No, it's the fans and (most) pundits who are falling over themselves to pronounce the demise of soccer in the US. Time to start rooting for Club America, because that's as close as we're likely to get to US soccer now that we have been exposed as footballing frauds.
Or have we?
Yes, the US played without any urgency and little movement with -- and off -- the ball. Yes, we didn't close down the Czechs in our defensive third on four occasions -- three of which ended in goals. (And the defensive third is much bigger now that we have that lively Adidas ball.) Yes, our players seemed timid pushing forward, and didn't fare well winning the 50-50 balls.
Much of the problem we had on offense (where we couldn't sustain any attack) was due to the fact that the Czechs scored early and were able to sit back in a defensive posture that was hard to penetrate. They knew the early goal gave them the luxury of getting behind the ball and waiting for the counterattacking opportunities.
The US met a good team in the Czechs, and it's hard to come from behind on good teams. I think the team's major sins were its disorganization defensively (some of it, ironically, coming from defenders like Lewis pushing up on the attack) and its inability to be creative offensively. Creativity has often been a bugaboo for American players. We're fit, organized, and talented, but not creative. But we're getting better.
The Cassandras that are heralding the end of US soccer need to realize that other countries have faced setbacks before (France, Spain, Portugal, England), and yet they still play the came. Of course, the US does have the problem in that it's still in its infancy and is viewed as more susceptible to calamitous injury that a mature soccer nation could endure. Plus our fans are new to the scene and are somewhat insecure on the world stage.
The fan's worries, luckily, aren't the team's worries. And Arena is still a savvy manager, despite the invectives cast at him by the soi-disant soccer intelligentsia of the media.
The team didn't play its best, but the players were working hard. They were beaten by a talented team that scored extremely high-quality goals. And besides, this is only one game. It's hardly a setback of the proportions we saw in 1998...yet. We now have set the other nations back in their rut of thinking we're pretenders. There has never been a better time for us to show our mettle. We are a soccer nation, and it's time we show the world that we're so good we can overcome adversity...
...and maybe then we'll quiet the insecure doubting Thomases within our own boundaries.
No, it's the fans and (most) pundits who are falling over themselves to pronounce the demise of soccer in the US. Time to start rooting for Club America, because that's as close as we're likely to get to US soccer now that we have been exposed as footballing frauds.
Or have we?
Yes, the US played without any urgency and little movement with -- and off -- the ball. Yes, we didn't close down the Czechs in our defensive third on four occasions -- three of which ended in goals. (And the defensive third is much bigger now that we have that lively Adidas ball.) Yes, our players seemed timid pushing forward, and didn't fare well winning the 50-50 balls.
Much of the problem we had on offense (where we couldn't sustain any attack) was due to the fact that the Czechs scored early and were able to sit back in a defensive posture that was hard to penetrate. They knew the early goal gave them the luxury of getting behind the ball and waiting for the counterattacking opportunities.
The US met a good team in the Czechs, and it's hard to come from behind on good teams. I think the team's major sins were its disorganization defensively (some of it, ironically, coming from defenders like Lewis pushing up on the attack) and its inability to be creative offensively. Creativity has often been a bugaboo for American players. We're fit, organized, and talented, but not creative. But we're getting better.
The Cassandras that are heralding the end of US soccer need to realize that other countries have faced setbacks before (France, Spain, Portugal, England), and yet they still play the came. Of course, the US does have the problem in that it's still in its infancy and is viewed as more susceptible to calamitous injury that a mature soccer nation could endure. Plus our fans are new to the scene and are somewhat insecure on the world stage.
The fan's worries, luckily, aren't the team's worries. And Arena is still a savvy manager, despite the invectives cast at him by the soi-disant soccer intelligentsia of the media.
The team didn't play its best, but the players were working hard. They were beaten by a talented team that scored extremely high-quality goals. And besides, this is only one game. It's hardly a setback of the proportions we saw in 1998...yet. We now have set the other nations back in their rut of thinking we're pretenders. There has never been a better time for us to show our mettle. We are a soccer nation, and it's time we show the world that we're so good we can overcome adversity...
...and maybe then we'll quiet the insecure doubting Thomases within our own boundaries.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Draw vs. Red Bull NY
Dynamo went to New York to square off versus the Energy Drinks. Things started badly when Onstad crashed into JP Peguero in the second minute and allowed the Haitian to score. Minutes later, the woodwork saved Dynamo from a 2-0 deficit.
Ricardo Clark leveled things in the 19th minute with a 35 yard rocket that appeared to benefit from a ricochet. Even better: the assist went to Ronald Cerritos who had slotted the square pass to Clark. The second half looked like it was all Dynamo. Moreno had a nice cross that DeRo should have finished, and DeRo should have finished two more. Missing three opportunities is definitely not the norm for DeRo.
With its second half play, Dynamo should have left with a win, but a point is never a bad thing in a new stadium on the road, particularly when DeRo's mojo is off.
And an assist and near-assist for our two forwards? It's nice to see them back in the game.
Next week: ReAL returns to H-town. Dynamo better pick up its three points; this is an opportunity to gain ground on the Hoops, who are off this week.
Ricardo Clark leveled things in the 19th minute with a 35 yard rocket that appeared to benefit from a ricochet. Even better: the assist went to Ronald Cerritos who had slotted the square pass to Clark. The second half looked like it was all Dynamo. Moreno had a nice cross that DeRo should have finished, and DeRo should have finished two more. Missing three opportunities is definitely not the norm for DeRo.
With its second half play, Dynamo should have left with a win, but a point is never a bad thing in a new stadium on the road, particularly when DeRo's mojo is off.
And an assist and near-assist for our two forwards? It's nice to see them back in the game.
Next week: ReAL returns to H-town. Dynamo better pick up its three points; this is an opportunity to gain ground on the Hoops, who are off this week.
Friday, June 09, 2006
A Manifesto for the first day of World Cup 2006
Here is a brief manifesto I posted in the halls of my workplace. Proselytizing rarely is successful, but sometimes I feel a need to clang my sword against my shield and shake my fist at Mt. Olympus.
Why Soccer? A Brief Manifesto
What is the appeal of soccer? Well, in some countries, soccer is a communal activity that has deep social implications and obligations. We won't dwell on these off-field connotations.
In a nutshell, soccer is a game where 11 players try to score more goals than the 11 players on the opposing team. They have two 45 minute halves to do so. Ten of the players on each team are allowed to use any part of their bodies except the parts where they have the most control and dexterity: their arms and hands. Using their feet to simultaneously run and control the ball, the players try to negotiate about 115 yards of park-like field, get the ball past the opposing 10 field players, then shoot the ball into an 8 yard by 8 foot net guarded by an opponent who is allowed to use his hands.
Oh yes, each team is allowed a maximum of three substitutes in the 90 minute game, so you've got to be able to maintain your edge despite the enervating effects of fatigue. Soccer is not easy, and it makes for good entertainment.
Most Americans don't like soccer for one simple reason: They don't understand it. People fear what they don't understand, and they don't understand soccer because:
1. I'm confused. In soccer players aren't confined to certain locations on the field and the team structure isn't reset for every play. The structure is very fluid as the players shift to form their passing angles when their team has the ball, or move to close down space when the opposition has the ball. In this aspect soccer is nothing like football or baseball. It is similar to basketball , but with more than twice the number of players on a field that is sixteen times bigger, the complexity is much greater. This mutability makes a match difficult to analyze as to why things are going right (or wrong) unless one has watched or played much soccer. Men get cranky when they appear ignorant, so American men avoid these situations by watching sports that have more structure. (These sports are simpler to comprehend, but to manufacture this simplicity complex rules have to be in place, sapping the spontaneity of the sport.)
2. Will you hold my hand? Here in America, people don't have the extensive "buddy system" to support the social needs that accompany sports. They haven't been raised in a family that supports a team (like a Bostonian may have been raised to love the Red Sox), and they don't have the network of friends with whom to root for a collectively revered team -- or to rib when opinions diverge on team loyalties. These communal networks are good for more than synchronized cheering or competitive jocularity; they also provide a medium by which fans are instructed in the sport and learn its lore. We are wired to be gregarious beings, so this is completely understandable. If you want to learn soccer, you have to seek out a new social network, build a buddy system of your own, or be content living as a lone wolf. None of these paths is easy, and people prefer easy.
3. The box tells me what to think. Speaking of easy: it is easier to digest what is spoon fed to us. Media (particularly TV) serves the pablum of contemporary society, and the sports media does not really discuss soccer. Why? Several reasons. For one, sportscasters are worse than your average man when it comes to wanting to avoid looking ignorant, and they have not been immersed in soccer lore so they avoid the topic. They stick to sports that have the easy statistics to memorize and repeat, plus the existing sports have an existing base of fans, and that makes building an audience easier, frankly. Second, soccer is not very TV friendly because it provides 45 straight minutes without a timeout. TV must have its ads or it is reticent to broadcast the show ... unless it's really newsworthy like a white SUV racing down a highway (as long as it has a sport celebrity in it). Sportscasters will hide their ignorance in the usual manner: by going on the offensive with disparaging remarks and childish peeves:
Luckily, you aren't a moron, you don't fear learning new things, you aren't a slave to the media, and you aren't xenophobic, so you just might find soccer to your liking if you give it a chance. Watch some games this World Cup. Feel free to stop by and talk with me if you want to discuss the competition or find out when the US plays. Go USA!
Why Soccer? A Brief Manifesto
What is the appeal of soccer? Well, in some countries, soccer is a communal activity that has deep social implications and obligations. We won't dwell on these off-field connotations.
In a nutshell, soccer is a game where 11 players try to score more goals than the 11 players on the opposing team. They have two 45 minute halves to do so. Ten of the players on each team are allowed to use any part of their bodies except the parts where they have the most control and dexterity: their arms and hands. Using their feet to simultaneously run and control the ball, the players try to negotiate about 115 yards of park-like field, get the ball past the opposing 10 field players, then shoot the ball into an 8 yard by 8 foot net guarded by an opponent who is allowed to use his hands.
Oh yes, each team is allowed a maximum of three substitutes in the 90 minute game, so you've got to be able to maintain your edge despite the enervating effects of fatigue. Soccer is not easy, and it makes for good entertainment.
Most Americans don't like soccer for one simple reason: They don't understand it. People fear what they don't understand, and they don't understand soccer because:
1. I'm confused. In soccer players aren't confined to certain locations on the field and the team structure isn't reset for every play. The structure is very fluid as the players shift to form their passing angles when their team has the ball, or move to close down space when the opposition has the ball. In this aspect soccer is nothing like football or baseball. It is similar to basketball , but with more than twice the number of players on a field that is sixteen times bigger, the complexity is much greater. This mutability makes a match difficult to analyze as to why things are going right (or wrong) unless one has watched or played much soccer. Men get cranky when they appear ignorant, so American men avoid these situations by watching sports that have more structure. (These sports are simpler to comprehend, but to manufacture this simplicity complex rules have to be in place, sapping the spontaneity of the sport.)
2. Will you hold my hand? Here in America, people don't have the extensive "buddy system" to support the social needs that accompany sports. They haven't been raised in a family that supports a team (like a Bostonian may have been raised to love the Red Sox), and they don't have the network of friends with whom to root for a collectively revered team -- or to rib when opinions diverge on team loyalties. These communal networks are good for more than synchronized cheering or competitive jocularity; they also provide a medium by which fans are instructed in the sport and learn its lore. We are wired to be gregarious beings, so this is completely understandable. If you want to learn soccer, you have to seek out a new social network, build a buddy system of your own, or be content living as a lone wolf. None of these paths is easy, and people prefer easy.
3. The box tells me what to think. Speaking of easy: it is easier to digest what is spoon fed to us. Media (particularly TV) serves the pablum of contemporary society, and the sports media does not really discuss soccer. Why? Several reasons. For one, sportscasters are worse than your average man when it comes to wanting to avoid looking ignorant, and they have not been immersed in soccer lore so they avoid the topic. They stick to sports that have the easy statistics to memorize and repeat, plus the existing sports have an existing base of fans, and that makes building an audience easier, frankly. Second, soccer is not very TV friendly because it provides 45 straight minutes without a timeout. TV must have its ads or it is reticent to broadcast the show ... unless it's really newsworthy like a white SUV racing down a highway (as long as it has a sport celebrity in it). Sportscasters will hide their ignorance in the usual manner: by going on the offensive with disparaging remarks and childish peeves:
- "It's boring." But you'll watch golf? Or NASCAR? Or a baseball game? That suggests that "boring" is not an issue with you, but an individual inability to discern complexity is an issue. (See "I'm Confused" above.)
- "They run around in silly shorts." (This is a pathetic but true argument for some.) And what do basketball players wear? And are shorts more ridiculous that the knickers in baseball? Or in football?
- "The players all have mullets." Well, that's not entirely true, but I'll grant you that some players do sport ridiculous hairstyles. But you see that in basketball and, since the 80s or so, in football too. Plus there are more tattoos in basketball and football ... and even in baseball, which just seems wrong. (And mullets don't stop people from watching NASCAR, if that can be considered a sport.)
- "Real sports use the hands." How is a sport made lesser by requiring more demanding athleticism? Remove the feature that provides easy control, and require the clumsy parts of the body to provide the control while also providing the mobility and balance. What concept of "challenge" do you fail to understand?
Luckily, you aren't a moron, you don't fear learning new things, you aren't a slave to the media, and you aren't xenophobic, so you just might find soccer to your liking if you give it a chance. Watch some games this World Cup. Feel free to stop by and talk with me if you want to discuss the competition or find out when the US plays. Go USA!
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Another Blow Against Symmetry
Today, the Galaxy have continued their evil ways by straying from the storyline. They were to find a new master to replace Sampson. They were to crown a new arch-villain for the thugs of the MLS. Instead, they hired Frank Yallop.
Yallop coached the San Jose Earthquakes and mentored Dominic Kinnear. He is most recently the coach of the Canadian MNT. He's a good coach and a good guy. He should not be with the troglodytes of the Home Depot Center. He should be the coach of Toronto FC, building the future of Canadian soccer.
Can't the LAGgers do ANYthing right? Why, oh why did they have to hire a decent fella? Donovan and Yallop together again...
Sigh. I hate it when the baddies stray from the narrative template. But maybe the unexpected subplot adds to the ultimate cathartic drama in the end.
Yallop coached the San Jose Earthquakes and mentored Dominic Kinnear. He is most recently the coach of the Canadian MNT. He's a good coach and a good guy. He should not be with the troglodytes of the Home Depot Center. He should be the coach of Toronto FC, building the future of Canadian soccer.
Can't the LAGgers do ANYthing right? Why, oh why did they have to hire a decent fella? Donovan and Yallop together again...
Sigh. I hate it when the baddies stray from the narrative template. But maybe the unexpected subplot adds to the ultimate cathartic drama in the end.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
The Fall of the Naked Emperor
Today the LA Galaxy again did something vile and unthinkable. They fired Steve Sampson.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of Sampson -- not in the least. He is arrogant, and his arrogance seems to be unwarranted. In 1998 he nearly destroyed the USMNT, leaving it enervated, dispirited, and a laughingstock -- just when it was poised to make inroads into the international soccer community. He did little with Costa Rica, then joined the LA Galaxy midway through 2004 when they were at the top of the league, then quickly brought them down to mediocrity -- where they belong, I would argue.
I can't blame him for being hired by the LAGgers -- that's the faulty reasoning of the management at that time. At first I was very dissappointed with this hiring. I don't want him anywhere near US soccer players ... but then I realized the beauty of his arrival. You see, the baddies in any narrative are at their best when headed by the darkest of villains. The MLS needs the Galaxy as the contrast to all that is good, and the Galaxy need to be led by someone that accentuates that distinction. Sampson was the perfect arch-villain.
I'll go into why I despise the Galaxy sometime, but for now I'll just summarize. They are the team of faking divers like Carlos Ruiz (who is now with the Frisco Cheatin' Divers). They are the darlings of the soccer media, such as it is. And why are they the darlings? Well, because the soccer media is concentrated in L.A., not because of the worth of the team itself. They are a team of machinating managers, player poachers, and undeserved beneficiaries of organized favortism. And their uniforms are ugly.
But back to Sampson.
In his first full season with the Galaxy, Sampson did what he does best and led them to a mediocre -- some would say pathetic -- regular season record. LAG was a perfect .500: 13 wins, 13 losses, and 6 ties. They only won 3 games on the road and were in fourth place in their six team division (ahead of only the two expansion teams, ReAL S.L. and Chivas USA). Yet Sampson did what any good villain would do: he accomplished enough to keep alive in the fight against goodness. He succeeded where few coaches do: he won "the double" (the US Open Cup and the MLS Cup). He failed in every other aspect of the season, but won the two pieces of high-visibility hardware ... thanks to Landon Donovan. Landon's skill made Sampson seem like a decent coach. But that's okay, every arch-villain needs a skillful heavy to do the dirty work. (I do like Donovan, BTW ... when he's in any uniform but that garish Galaxy one.)
This year the assassin has been called away to Germany to compete in the World Cup, and everyone can see that the Emperor has No Clothes. It took only a six game losing streak (and a scoreless stretch of 525 minutes) for the new Galaxy GM to sack Sampson. The new GM, BTW, is Alexi Lalas, who sat the bench on Sampson's 98 World Cup team that came in 32nd of 32 teams.
As with any gang of ruffians, they turn on each other with little provocation. Vengeance sates an evil soul.
Now, sadly, the arch-villain is no longer with his troops. We have lost a counterpoint. Here's hoping the LAGgers retain the services of someone equally deserving of the dark mantle.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of Sampson -- not in the least. He is arrogant, and his arrogance seems to be unwarranted. In 1998 he nearly destroyed the USMNT, leaving it enervated, dispirited, and a laughingstock -- just when it was poised to make inroads into the international soccer community. He did little with Costa Rica, then joined the LA Galaxy midway through 2004 when they were at the top of the league, then quickly brought them down to mediocrity -- where they belong, I would argue.
I can't blame him for being hired by the LAGgers -- that's the faulty reasoning of the management at that time. At first I was very dissappointed with this hiring. I don't want him anywhere near US soccer players ... but then I realized the beauty of his arrival. You see, the baddies in any narrative are at their best when headed by the darkest of villains. The MLS needs the Galaxy as the contrast to all that is good, and the Galaxy need to be led by someone that accentuates that distinction. Sampson was the perfect arch-villain.
I'll go into why I despise the Galaxy sometime, but for now I'll just summarize. They are the team of faking divers like Carlos Ruiz (who is now with the Frisco Cheatin' Divers). They are the darlings of the soccer media, such as it is. And why are they the darlings? Well, because the soccer media is concentrated in L.A., not because of the worth of the team itself. They are a team of machinating managers, player poachers, and undeserved beneficiaries of organized favortism. And their uniforms are ugly.
But back to Sampson.
In his first full season with the Galaxy, Sampson did what he does best and led them to a mediocre -- some would say pathetic -- regular season record. LAG was a perfect .500: 13 wins, 13 losses, and 6 ties. They only won 3 games on the road and were in fourth place in their six team division (ahead of only the two expansion teams, ReAL S.L. and Chivas USA). Yet Sampson did what any good villain would do: he accomplished enough to keep alive in the fight against goodness. He succeeded where few coaches do: he won "the double" (the US Open Cup and the MLS Cup). He failed in every other aspect of the season, but won the two pieces of high-visibility hardware ... thanks to Landon Donovan. Landon's skill made Sampson seem like a decent coach. But that's okay, every arch-villain needs a skillful heavy to do the dirty work. (I do like Donovan, BTW ... when he's in any uniform but that garish Galaxy one.)
This year the assassin has been called away to Germany to compete in the World Cup, and everyone can see that the Emperor has No Clothes. It took only a six game losing streak (and a scoreless stretch of 525 minutes) for the new Galaxy GM to sack Sampson. The new GM, BTW, is Alexi Lalas, who sat the bench on Sampson's 98 World Cup team that came in 32nd of 32 teams.
As with any gang of ruffians, they turn on each other with little provocation. Vengeance sates an evil soul.
Now, sadly, the arch-villain is no longer with his troops. We have lost a counterpoint. Here's hoping the LAGgers retain the services of someone equally deserving of the dark mantle.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
LAGging Behind
The LA Galaxy come to town today having not scored since April 29. If Dynamo can keep LAG scoreless for the first 78 minutes of today's game, LAG will pass up last year's expansion team, ReAL Salt Lake, for the longest scoreless drought. Let's go for broke and aim for a complete clean sheet today.
The Galaxy have plenty of weapons, notably John Wolyniec, who is with his 3rd team in two years (having just been traded by the Crew). But the LAG is a different team without Landon Donovan, and Cobi Jones is out injured as may be their captain, Peter Vagenas. Kevin Hartman is solid in goal, but with an otherwise porous defense, the Galaxy afford an excellent opportunity for Dynamo to get back on track.
Dynamo aren't exactly floundering, but they have not been able to translate their strong possession game into goals. Dynamo are generating numerous threatening opportunities, but our forwards (Cerritos and Moreno) aren't sealing the deal. Barrett should have had two last week versus the Revolution (which was a game of two different halves), but our forwards are the real culprits. With Davis potentially out due to injury, and DeRo still struggling after his injury in the game at The Deep Dish, the challenge is that much greater; but the Galaxy offer a great opportunity for Cerritos/Moreno to get out of their slump today.
Since Ching has departed, we've played only three games and have made only two goals, one was an own goal by FC Dallas (instigated by a skying defender Eddie Robinson) and the other was a shot by defender Ryan Cochrane that deflected off Shalrie Joseph of the Revolution. Both goals have been by defenders and both with assistance from the opposition. Still, it's only been three games, which is hardly enough time to define a trend. Today let's ensure we don't establish a trend. Let's score several, starting with Cerritos and Moreno.
And defense, stay sharp and let's help LAG set a new record.
The Galaxy have plenty of weapons, notably John Wolyniec, who is with his 3rd team in two years (having just been traded by the Crew). But the LAG is a different team without Landon Donovan, and Cobi Jones is out injured as may be their captain, Peter Vagenas. Kevin Hartman is solid in goal, but with an otherwise porous defense, the Galaxy afford an excellent opportunity for Dynamo to get back on track.
Dynamo aren't exactly floundering, but they have not been able to translate their strong possession game into goals. Dynamo are generating numerous threatening opportunities, but our forwards (Cerritos and Moreno) aren't sealing the deal. Barrett should have had two last week versus the Revolution (which was a game of two different halves), but our forwards are the real culprits. With Davis potentially out due to injury, and DeRo still struggling after his injury in the game at The Deep Dish, the challenge is that much greater; but the Galaxy offer a great opportunity for Cerritos/Moreno to get out of their slump today.
Since Ching has departed, we've played only three games and have made only two goals, one was an own goal by FC Dallas (instigated by a skying defender Eddie Robinson) and the other was a shot by defender Ryan Cochrane that deflected off Shalrie Joseph of the Revolution. Both goals have been by defenders and both with assistance from the opposition. Still, it's only been three games, which is hardly enough time to define a trend. Today let's ensure we don't establish a trend. Let's score several, starting with Cerritos and Moreno.
And defense, stay sharp and let's help LAG set a new record.
Venting 'bout Pundits
You know me. I'm a positive guy. I have played soccer and continue in some parody of it even today. I coach kids encouragingly. I realize this sport is difficult, and I know its challenges. Because of this, I can recognize talent and the lack thereof.
Talent lies on the field. The lack of it often lies in the hand of pundits.
What am I talking about?
Well, for one, I am sick and tired of the Ching-bashing in the media. I have absolutely no problem with individuals (be they writers or just opinionated fans) who think Twellman would be a good choice for the USMNT. They may be correct, although my opinion is that the current team structure isn't conducive to bringing out the best in Twellman.
My problem is with the paid pundits who feel a need to incessantly condemn Ching. The worst culprit is Jamie Trecker of Fox Sports. He seems to wallow in negatively, reveling under the false belief that his cynicism translates into a cutting-edge, contrarian view. His negativity is further evinced in his treatment of Brian Ching. Trecker, like many soccer hacks, seems to have some sort of vendetta against Ching, and it is getting really old.
When Ching was first selected, Trecker wrote "A shock call-up that takes a gamble on Ching's MLS performance and fitness. He's not the choice I would have made... Sadly, Taylor Twellman, who has unquestionably been more effective in MLS, failed the same test that Ching passed; were I Twellman, I'd be wondering just what this test was."
[In fairness, Trecker also did write of Ching "but he's in form and perhaps worth the gamble," but that's the most positive comment we'll see from him.]
What really set me off is the recent blog where Trecker says he and his buddy were drinking and talking and "neither of us could figure out just what Brian Ching is doing on the roster"
And this was posted on May 31, after the Venezuela game. Hello? Are your preconceived notions that blinding?
I'm truly fed up with these vituperations; and I don't understand how anyone can question Ching's inclusion after his performance vs. Venezuela. I thought his performance was exemplary even beyond his fantastic goal. He had several dangerous chances and had some awesome passing combinations and flick-ons from the halfway line forward...but little has been said about this.
I am not a Ching apologist, but I despise inequity wherever it is found, particularly when it is promulgated by sanctimonious pundits (and Trecker is not the only culprit).
That venting was good therapy. I feel better.
If you want some (irreverent) insight from a writer with on field and off field talent, check out Jimmy Conrad's bizarre viewpoints. He ain't right in the head.
Talent lies on the field. The lack of it often lies in the hand of pundits.
What am I talking about?
Well, for one, I am sick and tired of the Ching-bashing in the media. I have absolutely no problem with individuals (be they writers or just opinionated fans) who think Twellman would be a good choice for the USMNT. They may be correct, although my opinion is that the current team structure isn't conducive to bringing out the best in Twellman.
My problem is with the paid pundits who feel a need to incessantly condemn Ching. The worst culprit is Jamie Trecker of Fox Sports. He seems to wallow in negatively, reveling under the false belief that his cynicism translates into a cutting-edge, contrarian view. His negativity is further evinced in his treatment of Brian Ching. Trecker, like many soccer hacks, seems to have some sort of vendetta against Ching, and it is getting really old.
When Ching was first selected, Trecker wrote "A shock call-up that takes a gamble on Ching's MLS performance and fitness. He's not the choice I would have made... Sadly, Taylor Twellman, who has unquestionably been more effective in MLS, failed the same test that Ching passed; were I Twellman, I'd be wondering just what this test was."
[In fairness, Trecker also did write of Ching "but he's in form and perhaps worth the gamble," but that's the most positive comment we'll see from him.]
What really set me off is the recent blog where Trecker says he and his buddy were drinking and talking and "neither of us could figure out just what Brian Ching is doing on the roster"
And this was posted on May 31, after the Venezuela game. Hello? Are your preconceived notions that blinding?
I'm truly fed up with these vituperations; and I don't understand how anyone can question Ching's inclusion after his performance vs. Venezuela. I thought his performance was exemplary even beyond his fantastic goal. He had several dangerous chances and had some awesome passing combinations and flick-ons from the halfway line forward...but little has been said about this.
I am not a Ching apologist, but I despise inequity wherever it is found, particularly when it is promulgated by sanctimonious pundits (and Trecker is not the only culprit).
That venting was good therapy. I feel better.
If you want some (irreverent) insight from a writer with on field and off field talent, check out Jimmy Conrad's bizarre viewpoints. He ain't right in the head.
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