Sometimes I write with my heart and not my head. I'll be my own ombudsman and state that questioning Claudio's "manhood" in my previous post was way out of line. He has been the class of the U.S. team for the last decade, and he deserves his due. ESPN said it much better, so I'll defer to them on this one.
If I ever get around to launching this website thingy, I've got to get my "gut reactions" under control (bad pun intended)!
On an unrelated note, my prayers and best wishes go out to baseball scribe Peter Gammons, who I think is the absolute very best in the business, and by all accounts, a great guy to boot.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Missed Opportunities
The U.S. squad missed opportunities to score throughout the game.
The U.S. squad missed the opportunity to get to the second round, despite it's lackluster play during its group matches.
The U.S. squad missed the opportunity for the world to take it seriously in the game of soccer.
The U.S. squad missed the opportunity to capture the attention of the nation, and help grow the sport's popularity by leaps and bounds; even if only in the short-term.
There weren't many positives today. I thought Reyna's giveaway was abysmal; there are no excuses for that. He was able to come back on the pitch for another 15 minutes, so his injury wasn't too severe to either clear the ball or take down the man. That was a "manhood" issue, not an injury issue, in my opinion.
I'll never blame the referees. As a competitor, you must play through the things you cannot change. You cannot change a poor call. The PK awarded to Ghana was an absolute farce. It was the worst call of the tournament. In the end, it really didn't matter. The U.S. didn't overcome, so they're going home.
I'm numb. I'll give the squad credit for playing with heart and passion in the final two games, but overall, it was a disappointing Cup. Frankly, Reyna wasn't missed after being removed from a World Cup match for the first time in his career. Aside from striking the post against the Czechs, he wasn't much of a factor. Neither was Donovan. Neither was McBride, although he's only truly effective when he gets quality service, which happened one time all tourney. Neither was Beasley; although he finally played a good match today. I could go on and list every player that made it onto the pitch, I suppose, if I thought about it long enough. The U.S. is simply not good enough to win unless all eleven play hard, and play well. Other soccer "super-powers" can get away with that; the U.S. can't.
I'll continue to watch the world's greatest sporting event, because there are several players whose abilities I admire. I guess I'm an honorary citizen of Portugal, England, and France for the remainder of the cup, because I would love to see Beckham, or C. Ronaldo, or Henry, or Zidane, or Figo, or even Rooney ascend to glory. When the players aren't flopping, and the referees aren't screwing everything up, this is the best game in the world to watch.
The U.S. squad missed the opportunity to get to the second round, despite it's lackluster play during its group matches.
The U.S. squad missed the opportunity for the world to take it seriously in the game of soccer.
The U.S. squad missed the opportunity to capture the attention of the nation, and help grow the sport's popularity by leaps and bounds; even if only in the short-term.
There weren't many positives today. I thought Reyna's giveaway was abysmal; there are no excuses for that. He was able to come back on the pitch for another 15 minutes, so his injury wasn't too severe to either clear the ball or take down the man. That was a "manhood" issue, not an injury issue, in my opinion.
I'll never blame the referees. As a competitor, you must play through the things you cannot change. You cannot change a poor call. The PK awarded to Ghana was an absolute farce. It was the worst call of the tournament. In the end, it really didn't matter. The U.S. didn't overcome, so they're going home.
I'm numb. I'll give the squad credit for playing with heart and passion in the final two games, but overall, it was a disappointing Cup. Frankly, Reyna wasn't missed after being removed from a World Cup match for the first time in his career. Aside from striking the post against the Czechs, he wasn't much of a factor. Neither was Donovan. Neither was McBride, although he's only truly effective when he gets quality service, which happened one time all tourney. Neither was Beasley; although he finally played a good match today. I could go on and list every player that made it onto the pitch, I suppose, if I thought about it long enough. The U.S. is simply not good enough to win unless all eleven play hard, and play well. Other soccer "super-powers" can get away with that; the U.S. can't.
I'll continue to watch the world's greatest sporting event, because there are several players whose abilities I admire. I guess I'm an honorary citizen of Portugal, England, and France for the remainder of the cup, because I would love to see Beckham, or C. Ronaldo, or Henry, or Zidane, or Figo, or even Rooney ascend to glory. When the players aren't flopping, and the referees aren't screwing everything up, this is the best game in the world to watch.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Stayin' Alive
Well, it wasn't pretty, but at least the American squad put in an old-fashioned, blue-collar, workman-like effort against the Italians today. I also appreciate the fact that the Americans had the fortitude to withstand horrible officiating and more dives by the Italian soccer team than Jacques Cousteau on a sunken treasure hunt! Frankly, the Italian flops were an embarrassment.
The referee should be embarrassed, too. I can almost understand the red card on Pope, since he's been sloppy all tournament, and had several late challenges in his 45 minutes of action. However, the red card on Maestroni was a joke. Yes, he came in from the side, and a little late, but he deserved no worse than a yellow. If the refs called that foul a red card in every game of this tournament, most squads couldn't field a large enough team to finish their respective games!
Aside from Pope's gaffes, the defense was more than adequate today. Onyewu got over his nerves and played consistently, while Bocanegra provided exactly what I thought he would; solidifying defense on the left side, plus better performance than Lewis on set pieces, save his near own-goal. Boca is bigger, faster, and better in the air. His position in the first eleven came one game too late, in my opinion. It was also nice to see Keller make a couple of world-class saves to preserve the draw.
Before the ref decided to take away 20 percent of our squad, the midfield was more than holding its own against the Azzuri (that means "diver" in Italian, by the way). Convey and Dempsey were creative in attack, Donovan made his presence felt at least occasionally, and until his untimely exit in the 47th minute, Maestroni was a rock at defensive midfielder. I wish the U.S. squad was this aggressive against the Czechs; we might have had a different result. Beasley made an early appearance, and was inconsistent at best. He should've used his speed and his fresh legs to threaten the Italians in the counter-attack; but instead, he loafed around as if he were as tired as the other players who hustled their tails off for the full ninety. Please, sit this guy down. He didn't do much when he did bother to get to the ball, anyway.
McBride was more active in the play, with several quality flick-ons, and better ball handling than in the first match. However, he didn't finish very well. I still think he's our best option up front, and I hope he'll find his stroke in time to give us at least a chance to advance. Plus, I just love his warrior mentality. That absolutely cheap shot from De Rossi was as low-class as I've seen in a tournament of this caliber. McBride calmly wiped off the blood, patched up the cut, changed jerseys, and was back into the mix. I'm going off on a tangent here, but De Rossi's cheap shot, the dives, and the betting scandal in Italian soccer really are shameful. No matter what happens to the U.S. and Italy from this point on, I'd rather be a fan of the U.S. squad, than to play like the Italians to get successful results. Back on point - I have to question why Arena didn't substitute Johnson for McBride around the 75th minute or so, where Johnson's speed could've definitely made a difference in the counter attack.
It will take a minor miracle, but the U.S. can still advance with a win against Ghana and an Italian victory over the Czechs. The irony of it all is that I actually have to root for the Italians now. Soccer is a funny game.
The referee should be embarrassed, too. I can almost understand the red card on Pope, since he's been sloppy all tournament, and had several late challenges in his 45 minutes of action. However, the red card on Maestroni was a joke. Yes, he came in from the side, and a little late, but he deserved no worse than a yellow. If the refs called that foul a red card in every game of this tournament, most squads couldn't field a large enough team to finish their respective games!
Aside from Pope's gaffes, the defense was more than adequate today. Onyewu got over his nerves and played consistently, while Bocanegra provided exactly what I thought he would; solidifying defense on the left side, plus better performance than Lewis on set pieces, save his near own-goal. Boca is bigger, faster, and better in the air. His position in the first eleven came one game too late, in my opinion. It was also nice to see Keller make a couple of world-class saves to preserve the draw.
Before the ref decided to take away 20 percent of our squad, the midfield was more than holding its own against the Azzuri (that means "diver" in Italian, by the way). Convey and Dempsey were creative in attack, Donovan made his presence felt at least occasionally, and until his untimely exit in the 47th minute, Maestroni was a rock at defensive midfielder. I wish the U.S. squad was this aggressive against the Czechs; we might have had a different result. Beasley made an early appearance, and was inconsistent at best. He should've used his speed and his fresh legs to threaten the Italians in the counter-attack; but instead, he loafed around as if he were as tired as the other players who hustled their tails off for the full ninety. Please, sit this guy down. He didn't do much when he did bother to get to the ball, anyway.
McBride was more active in the play, with several quality flick-ons, and better ball handling than in the first match. However, he didn't finish very well. I still think he's our best option up front, and I hope he'll find his stroke in time to give us at least a chance to advance. Plus, I just love his warrior mentality. That absolutely cheap shot from De Rossi was as low-class as I've seen in a tournament of this caliber. McBride calmly wiped off the blood, patched up the cut, changed jerseys, and was back into the mix. I'm going off on a tangent here, but De Rossi's cheap shot, the dives, and the betting scandal in Italian soccer really are shameful. No matter what happens to the U.S. and Italy from this point on, I'd rather be a fan of the U.S. squad, than to play like the Italians to get successful results. Back on point - I have to question why Arena didn't substitute Johnson for McBride around the 75th minute or so, where Johnson's speed could've definitely made a difference in the counter attack.
It will take a minor miracle, but the U.S. can still advance with a win against Ghana and an Italian victory over the Czechs. The irony of it all is that I actually have to root for the Italians now. Soccer is a funny game.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Ugh
I waited four years for this? I hope I haven't been kidding myself in regard to the state of U.S. soccer. Since their surprising World Cup performance in 2002, I hoped that U.S. soccer had turned the corner, and had become a legitimate world soccer power. Maybe that's just wishful thinking. We looked more like Trinidad and Tobago (minus the great goalkeeping) or Costa Rica than Italy or Germany. Our skill level and effort was pathetic. No doubt the Czechs are good, but honestly, we looked like the worst team in the entire competition thus far.
Can we please turn off the Landon Donovan hype machine? He hasn't scored in 16 international matches, and he was virtually non-existent in today's match. Yes, he has talent and potential, but his poor stay for his German club, and his hit-and-miss performances in both the MLS and recent international play, indicate he's not an elite player. And, don't even mention Demarcus Beasley. He's fast. That's about it. The Czech's best defense today was letting the ball go to Beasley, so he could either duff it or turn it over. If these two are the future of American soccer, we're hurting. Nedved showed these two how world class midfield is played in the match today.
Speaking of defense, where was ours? On the first goal, Lewis is no where to be found, and Onyewu was out of position, giving Koller an easy header from about 5 yards away in the fifth minute of the match. On the second goal, Onyewu headed it out in a clearance to the MIDDLE of the field, where Rosicky smacked a wicked shot from 35 yards out. Granted, it was a wicked smash, but I think Keller should've got to it. Lastly, Onyewu failed to tackle Rosicky on his run to score the last Czech tally. At least Pope was decent. Keller really had no chance today, but Hislop (T&T's goalie) didn't either on Saturday, and he stopped several world-class shots. Please, please, somebody tell me why Bocanegra isn't in there?
As mentioned previously, the midfield play was horrific. I've already covered Donovan and Beasley. (To be fair, Donovan did play forward in the first half, but he really didn't contribute at either position.) Reyna was decent, and at least Convey made the effort to attack creatively. Maestroni was a non-factor. No one could get any service to the forwards. We were absolutely abused in the middle third of the field by the Czechs. O'brien was decent in the second half. Hopefully, he'll start in Beasley's place against Italy. Without marked improvement, the Italy match will be very similar to this one.
McBride - my guy - really had no chance to be a factor today, since very few quality balls were sent into him. However, even when he did get a chance to touch the ball, he was uncharacteristically sloppy and inconsistent. Eddie Johnson, who came on in the second half, was the most dangerous U.S. player, getting off the U.S.'s only quality shots, save Reyna's blast off the woodwork in the 28th minute. I really think Johnson will start against Italy, as he was one of the few that came to play.
I know that no one important in U.S. soccer cares what I think, but here's who I'd start Saturday:
GK - Keller
Def - Bocanegra, Pope, Conrad, Albright
Mid - O'Brien, Convey, Reyna, Donovan
F - McBride, Johnson
I'd also have Dempsey ready to come in if the midfield falters again. Wolff is also a player who can help create opportunities, so I'd have him available as well.
Maybe I just don't have the stomach for the World Cup, and I'm overreacting a bit. The U.S. is not out of it. They're into the second round if they win the next two matches, which is a tall order for sure. Italy will be every bit the challenge that the Czech Republic was, and Ghana is certainly capable of beating the U.S., especially if they play like they did today.
Since the World Cup comes only every four years, I'll still remain optimistic. The U.S. can't possibly play any worse than they did today. Maybe there's a chance they'll regroup, and at least make it interesting. Otherwise, I'll root for some of my other favorite teams - England, France, Portugal, and Trinidad and Tobago. (Wasn't Hislop amazing? Any fan of the sport had to appreciate their plucky effort against Sweden. If only the U.S. played with that much heart...)
Can we please turn off the Landon Donovan hype machine? He hasn't scored in 16 international matches, and he was virtually non-existent in today's match. Yes, he has talent and potential, but his poor stay for his German club, and his hit-and-miss performances in both the MLS and recent international play, indicate he's not an elite player. And, don't even mention Demarcus Beasley. He's fast. That's about it. The Czech's best defense today was letting the ball go to Beasley, so he could either duff it or turn it over. If these two are the future of American soccer, we're hurting. Nedved showed these two how world class midfield is played in the match today.
Speaking of defense, where was ours? On the first goal, Lewis is no where to be found, and Onyewu was out of position, giving Koller an easy header from about 5 yards away in the fifth minute of the match. On the second goal, Onyewu headed it out in a clearance to the MIDDLE of the field, where Rosicky smacked a wicked shot from 35 yards out. Granted, it was a wicked smash, but I think Keller should've got to it. Lastly, Onyewu failed to tackle Rosicky on his run to score the last Czech tally. At least Pope was decent. Keller really had no chance today, but Hislop (T&T's goalie) didn't either on Saturday, and he stopped several world-class shots. Please, please, somebody tell me why Bocanegra isn't in there?
As mentioned previously, the midfield play was horrific. I've already covered Donovan and Beasley. (To be fair, Donovan did play forward in the first half, but he really didn't contribute at either position.) Reyna was decent, and at least Convey made the effort to attack creatively. Maestroni was a non-factor. No one could get any service to the forwards. We were absolutely abused in the middle third of the field by the Czechs. O'brien was decent in the second half. Hopefully, he'll start in Beasley's place against Italy. Without marked improvement, the Italy match will be very similar to this one.
McBride - my guy - really had no chance to be a factor today, since very few quality balls were sent into him. However, even when he did get a chance to touch the ball, he was uncharacteristically sloppy and inconsistent. Eddie Johnson, who came on in the second half, was the most dangerous U.S. player, getting off the U.S.'s only quality shots, save Reyna's blast off the woodwork in the 28th minute. I really think Johnson will start against Italy, as he was one of the few that came to play.
I know that no one important in U.S. soccer cares what I think, but here's who I'd start Saturday:
GK - Keller
Def - Bocanegra, Pope, Conrad, Albright
Mid - O'Brien, Convey, Reyna, Donovan
F - McBride, Johnson
I'd also have Dempsey ready to come in if the midfield falters again. Wolff is also a player who can help create opportunities, so I'd have him available as well.
Maybe I just don't have the stomach for the World Cup, and I'm overreacting a bit. The U.S. is not out of it. They're into the second round if they win the next two matches, which is a tall order for sure. Italy will be every bit the challenge that the Czech Republic was, and Ghana is certainly capable of beating the U.S., especially if they play like they did today.
Since the World Cup comes only every four years, I'll still remain optimistic. The U.S. can't possibly play any worse than they did today. Maybe there's a chance they'll regroup, and at least make it interesting. Otherwise, I'll root for some of my other favorite teams - England, France, Portugal, and Trinidad and Tobago. (Wasn't Hislop amazing? Any fan of the sport had to appreciate their plucky effort against Sweden. If only the U.S. played with that much heart...)
Friday, June 02, 2006
Going on Holiday
Just a quick note... I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow. I'll be back at it in a couple of weeks. As a matter of fact, I'm just about ready to register my domain name and launch the website! I'm also working on adding a secret "European Correspondent" to the mix. :-)
I'll be watching the World Cup intently while on vacation. Hopefully, my correspondent friend and I will have some good coverage to kick off the new site!
Kevin
I'll be watching the World Cup intently while on vacation. Hopefully, my correspondent friend and I will have some good coverage to kick off the new site!
Kevin
Monday, May 29, 2006
Did you see THAT?!
Welcome to the first rendition of my hopefully weekly commentary on the current round of MLS action. This edition is a little light, since my holiday weekend was very busy, and so was the U.S. Men's National team!
I caught the Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake from Saturday's round of matches. I picked this one to watch, because Clint Mathis and Jeff Cunningham always intrigue me. Both are lightening rods for controversy, but extremely talented. Mathis has been virtually invisible since his return to the MLS, but he was in the first eleven for this match. Once again, Cunningham played the role of "super sub," and once again, he got results. I don't quite understand it; Cunningham has 4 goals and 1 assist in just over one actual match in time accrued on the field in his last three matches, yet he doesn't start. Like him or hate him, the guy gets results, frequently.
The match was a spirited 2-2 draw, with Cunningham assisting on the tieing tally, short-handed, no less. Cunningham actually tied the match at 1-1, in the 73rd minute, with a penalty kick. Petke supposedly handed the ball in the box, even though the replay clearly showed he was two yards outside the penalty area. As Wynalda correctly predicted, Cunningham went high and to the right to score the equalizer. Don't the MLS squads have scouting reports?
Wasson substituted in and gave Colorado another lead off of a set piece in the 84th minute, just after Atiba Harris, who starts in front of Cunningham, was sent off with a second nasty tackle.
I'd bet Cunningham starts in the next match, but I digress.
Even though Real was short-handed, they were able to keep the pressure on by sending long balls to Cunningham. They struck gold again when Cunningham actually flicked one on to all-time MLS goals leader Jason Kreis, who finished despite the two-footed dive into his midsection by the goalie. Where was the card on that play, Mr. Referee? Oh, and for the exception of a couple of nice balls in the first half (and a couple of embarrassing free kicks), Mathis was once again pretty much invisible. He kept his composure, though, which is worth noting, since he is a notorious hot-head.
I caught the Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake from Saturday's round of matches. I picked this one to watch, because Clint Mathis and Jeff Cunningham always intrigue me. Both are lightening rods for controversy, but extremely talented. Mathis has been virtually invisible since his return to the MLS, but he was in the first eleven for this match. Once again, Cunningham played the role of "super sub," and once again, he got results. I don't quite understand it; Cunningham has 4 goals and 1 assist in just over one actual match in time accrued on the field in his last three matches, yet he doesn't start. Like him or hate him, the guy gets results, frequently.
The match was a spirited 2-2 draw, with Cunningham assisting on the tieing tally, short-handed, no less. Cunningham actually tied the match at 1-1, in the 73rd minute, with a penalty kick. Petke supposedly handed the ball in the box, even though the replay clearly showed he was two yards outside the penalty area. As Wynalda correctly predicted, Cunningham went high and to the right to score the equalizer. Don't the MLS squads have scouting reports?
Wasson substituted in and gave Colorado another lead off of a set piece in the 84th minute, just after Atiba Harris, who starts in front of Cunningham, was sent off with a second nasty tackle.
I'd bet Cunningham starts in the next match, but I digress.
Even though Real was short-handed, they were able to keep the pressure on by sending long balls to Cunningham. They struck gold again when Cunningham actually flicked one on to all-time MLS goals leader Jason Kreis, who finished despite the two-footed dive into his midsection by the goalie. Where was the card on that play, Mr. Referee? Oh, and for the exception of a couple of nice balls in the first half (and a couple of embarrassing free kicks), Mathis was once again pretty much invisible. He kept his composure, though, which is worth noting, since he is a notorious hot-head.
Ready to Go
I know the last two opponents for the U.S. Men's National Team were ranked in the bottom third of the FIFA top 100, but I'm pleased to get two relatively easy results to gain some momentum prior to heading overseas.
The U.S. absolutely dominated the first half against an over-matched Latvia squad, especially in the midfield. Only some great goalkeeping held the U.S. to only one tally in the first stanza. I was very impressed with how left back Eddie Lewis and right back Steve Cherundolo were able to get forward, gain possession, and send multiple good balls into the box on the attack. Cherundolo lacks Hejduk's stamina, pace, and endurance, but he makes up for it with better possession and service. Quite honestly, I was so excited to see a healthy Bocanegra against Venezuela, I'd temporarily forgotten about Lewis. I still think Boca is the better option, because he plays better defense, and he's more of a threat on set pieces. Lewis is no slouch, though, and offers a little more with his offensive abilities.
I absolutely love McBride. I don't understand why he doesn't wear the captain's arm band. Is there any harder worker, or tougher player, on the U.S. squad? He shows up every match, and always gives maximum effort. How about heading in the only goal, with that golf-ball sized welt on his forehead? Yeah, I know lots of guys play hurt, but that shot had to sting! He's always a threat, mostly in the air, but he can also play a clever ball to a teammate to set up a shot as well. There was some good chemistry between him and Eddie Johnson, who also looked consistent and effective for the majority of the match, and kept his composure despite several poor offsides calls and non-calls in the box. He can be dangerous, and he could be the "breakthrough" player for the U.S. in Germany, if they are to make a run.
The U.S. was a bit lackluster in the second half, as it was apparent that fatigue was catching up with them. As I predicted, Convey substituted O'Brien for the last 30 minutes of the match or so, and brought some life to the squad with his pace and excellent footwork. As usual, Keller stepped up when he needed to, and earned another clean sheet.
Although I don't think the U.S. is quite hitting on all cylinders, they've shown improvement with each match. It will take maximum effort, peak form, and a little luck, but I really think they can get out of their Group. The Czechs are hurting as well, and I've always felt that Italy is a bit overrated. A result against Ghana is an absolute must, but I believe the U.S. will either split against the Czechs and Italy, or win one and tie the other. Yes, I'm optimistic, but hey, it would stink to be pessimistic, since the World's most prestigious competition only comes once every four years!
The U.S. absolutely dominated the first half against an over-matched Latvia squad, especially in the midfield. Only some great goalkeeping held the U.S. to only one tally in the first stanza. I was very impressed with how left back Eddie Lewis and right back Steve Cherundolo were able to get forward, gain possession, and send multiple good balls into the box on the attack. Cherundolo lacks Hejduk's stamina, pace, and endurance, but he makes up for it with better possession and service. Quite honestly, I was so excited to see a healthy Bocanegra against Venezuela, I'd temporarily forgotten about Lewis. I still think Boca is the better option, because he plays better defense, and he's more of a threat on set pieces. Lewis is no slouch, though, and offers a little more with his offensive abilities.
I absolutely love McBride. I don't understand why he doesn't wear the captain's arm band. Is there any harder worker, or tougher player, on the U.S. squad? He shows up every match, and always gives maximum effort. How about heading in the only goal, with that golf-ball sized welt on his forehead? Yeah, I know lots of guys play hurt, but that shot had to sting! He's always a threat, mostly in the air, but he can also play a clever ball to a teammate to set up a shot as well. There was some good chemistry between him and Eddie Johnson, who also looked consistent and effective for the majority of the match, and kept his composure despite several poor offsides calls and non-calls in the box. He can be dangerous, and he could be the "breakthrough" player for the U.S. in Germany, if they are to make a run.
The U.S. was a bit lackluster in the second half, as it was apparent that fatigue was catching up with them. As I predicted, Convey substituted O'Brien for the last 30 minutes of the match or so, and brought some life to the squad with his pace and excellent footwork. As usual, Keller stepped up when he needed to, and earned another clean sheet.
Although I don't think the U.S. is quite hitting on all cylinders, they've shown improvement with each match. It will take maximum effort, peak form, and a little luck, but I really think they can get out of their Group. The Czechs are hurting as well, and I've always felt that Italy is a bit overrated. A result against Ghana is an absolute must, but I believe the U.S. will either split against the Czechs and Italy, or win one and tie the other. Yes, I'm optimistic, but hey, it would stink to be pessimistic, since the World's most prestigious competition only comes once every four years!
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Breathing a Little Easier
I know that since the U.S. qualified, the main purpose of most matches was to tinker with lineups and formations in order to find the most competitive mix for the World Cup. Aside from an inspired match in Poland, since the end of qualifying, the U.S. has been lackluster at best. Part of it is due to the fact that many of the European players were not available, but now that the roster is intact, it's heartening to finally see a result.
Convey was flat-out dominating. I'm thinking about 60 minutes of O'Brien and 30 minutes of Convey, per match, would be a great combination. As a matter of fact, if Reyna can't go, I'd like to see Convey and O'Brien on the pitch together.
It was nice to see a healthy Bocanegra again. In my opinion, Gibbs should've been behind him on the depth chart anyway, so the injury is less troublesome to the U.S. than it might appear. That second yellow-card against Bocanegra was a joke, and the first one was earned out of complete necessity due to the unsportsmanlike play of Venezuela, who was executing an attack after an injury to Josh Wolff (where was the card on that, by the way?). In addition, after the headbutt that Johnson took, and the elbow to Convey's face - both without cards - how can the ref justify giving Boca a card on that 50/50 ball? Horrendous...
Ching was hot-and-cold, but it was nice to see him finish one. He needs to be more commanding in the box, because he had some chances that he just didn't get to. I'd like to see him stay hot, though, as a little firepower with fresh legs off the bench will be a necessity in the tournament.
Overall, I feel much better about the U.S. after that effort-filled performance last night. Hopefully, we didn't peak in Poland, and we'll see similar efforts in the very near future.
Convey was flat-out dominating. I'm thinking about 60 minutes of O'Brien and 30 minutes of Convey, per match, would be a great combination. As a matter of fact, if Reyna can't go, I'd like to see Convey and O'Brien on the pitch together.
It was nice to see a healthy Bocanegra again. In my opinion, Gibbs should've been behind him on the depth chart anyway, so the injury is less troublesome to the U.S. than it might appear. That second yellow-card against Bocanegra was a joke, and the first one was earned out of complete necessity due to the unsportsmanlike play of Venezuela, who was executing an attack after an injury to Josh Wolff (where was the card on that, by the way?). In addition, after the headbutt that Johnson took, and the elbow to Convey's face - both without cards - how can the ref justify giving Boca a card on that 50/50 ball? Horrendous...
Ching was hot-and-cold, but it was nice to see him finish one. He needs to be more commanding in the box, because he had some chances that he just didn't get to. I'd like to see him stay hot, though, as a little firepower with fresh legs off the bench will be a necessity in the tournament.
Overall, I feel much better about the U.S. after that effort-filled performance last night. Hopefully, we didn't peak in Poland, and we'll see similar efforts in the very near future.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Americanization of the World's Sport
Here's another "practice" article for my soon-to-be website... As always, comments are welcome!
Soccer, er “football” to the rest of the citizens on the planet, is the most popular sport in the world. It has a grand history, and a proven formula that has withstood the test of time and culture. Everywhere except the United States, that is.
We Americans can be pretty selective about what we embrace. We prefer something that’s primarily our own, like (American) football, basketball, or baseball. For some reason, if it comes from another land, we don’t fully embrace it as part of our culture. That’s ironic, considering how our great country was founded.
In order to see soccer succeed in the states, the MLS’s founding fathers found it necessary to adjust the “beautiful game” to make it more appealing to this market. Things like team nicknames, separate conferences, and a playoff system to provide a champion are all bastardizations of the rest of the world’s football. To some degree, I do think it’s worked, as the MLS has slowly caught on over the past decade, and to be fair, the MLS has made some adjustments to become more in line with what the rest of the world offers (for example, getting rid of the “golden goal” in league play).
However, I’d like to see more changes. First of all, I want one table for the league, where the regular season champion means something. This system worked for Major League Baseball in its inception, and I think the American public can relate to it. Quite frankly, a fourth place finisher really doesn’t deserve a shot at the championship, does it?
On an even more radical level, I love the concept of relegation. For those of you that aren’t familiar, the lowest teams in the table (probably the bottom two would suffice, in the current MLS), are relegated to the next league below the MLS, while the top finishers in the lower league in promotion to the MLS. What a great concept! To continue the baseball analogy, could you imagine the Kansas City Royals getting demoted to AAA, while the Columbus Clippers get promoted to the Major Leagues?! How exciting would that be?! Plus, it gives teams in the middle and at the bottom of the table something to play for as the season winds down. My fear is that the lower leagues don’t have the appeal nor the financial stability to make this work, at least right now.
Lastly, can we please get rid of the nicknames – at least the “official” ones? Only one team gets this right – FC Dallas. The Dynamo? The Crew? The Galaxy? Embarrassing, when compared to the rest of the world. Salt Lake tried, but really, “Real” Salt Lake? How about just “FC” Salt Lake (or any other city)? It’s simple, tried, and true. Let the fans come up with their own unique nicknames, as they build rapport with their club and its developing history.
I truly believe the world’s most popular sport can become America’s most popular sport, at least at some point in the future. The youth in mass are playing soccer instead of most other “American” sports, and over time, the fan base is going to continue its grassroots growth. A strong American performance on the stage known as the World Cup could accelerate this growth considerably, especially if the rest of the major sports continue tripping over themselves with labor strife, spoiled, petulant, overpaid athletes, and elitist ticket prices. Maybe this is a “pipe dream,” but 25 years from now, I wonder what the American sports landscape will look like…
Soccer, er “football” to the rest of the citizens on the planet, is the most popular sport in the world. It has a grand history, and a proven formula that has withstood the test of time and culture. Everywhere except the United States, that is.
We Americans can be pretty selective about what we embrace. We prefer something that’s primarily our own, like (American) football, basketball, or baseball. For some reason, if it comes from another land, we don’t fully embrace it as part of our culture. That’s ironic, considering how our great country was founded.
In order to see soccer succeed in the states, the MLS’s founding fathers found it necessary to adjust the “beautiful game” to make it more appealing to this market. Things like team nicknames, separate conferences, and a playoff system to provide a champion are all bastardizations of the rest of the world’s football. To some degree, I do think it’s worked, as the MLS has slowly caught on over the past decade, and to be fair, the MLS has made some adjustments to become more in line with what the rest of the world offers (for example, getting rid of the “golden goal” in league play).
However, I’d like to see more changes. First of all, I want one table for the league, where the regular season champion means something. This system worked for Major League Baseball in its inception, and I think the American public can relate to it. Quite frankly, a fourth place finisher really doesn’t deserve a shot at the championship, does it?
On an even more radical level, I love the concept of relegation. For those of you that aren’t familiar, the lowest teams in the table (probably the bottom two would suffice, in the current MLS), are relegated to the next league below the MLS, while the top finishers in the lower league in promotion to the MLS. What a great concept! To continue the baseball analogy, could you imagine the Kansas City Royals getting demoted to AAA, while the Columbus Clippers get promoted to the Major Leagues?! How exciting would that be?! Plus, it gives teams in the middle and at the bottom of the table something to play for as the season winds down. My fear is that the lower leagues don’t have the appeal nor the financial stability to make this work, at least right now.
Lastly, can we please get rid of the nicknames – at least the “official” ones? Only one team gets this right – FC Dallas. The Dynamo? The Crew? The Galaxy? Embarrassing, when compared to the rest of the world. Salt Lake tried, but really, “Real” Salt Lake? How about just “FC” Salt Lake (or any other city)? It’s simple, tried, and true. Let the fans come up with their own unique nicknames, as they build rapport with their club and its developing history.
I truly believe the world’s most popular sport can become America’s most popular sport, at least at some point in the future. The youth in mass are playing soccer instead of most other “American” sports, and over time, the fan base is going to continue its grassroots growth. A strong American performance on the stage known as the World Cup could accelerate this growth considerably, especially if the rest of the major sports continue tripping over themselves with labor strife, spoiled, petulant, overpaid athletes, and elitist ticket prices. Maybe this is a “pipe dream,” but 25 years from now, I wonder what the American sports landscape will look like…
Friday, May 19, 2006
Progress
Well, in my spare time this week, I've been using FrontPage 2000 to work up a prototype for my website. It's going pretty well. The website won't be a work of art, or cutting edge internet technology, but it should suffice as space for my content. And, we all know, content is king! Over time, I fully expect my site to grow commensurate with my improvement in skills.
I haven't heard back from the MLS in regard to using their name and trademarks/copyrights on my site. I might have to give them a call to get an answer. In the interim, I fully plan on progressing by keeping the site name and team/player references generic, meaning no use of official logos, pictures, etc. This shouldn't hold back my project.
I've been trying to come up with a solid name for the website, both with and without MLS support. Right now, I've settled on "soccerscribe.com," and the domain is available. I'm no marketer, though, so I'm up for any suggestions. Let me know if you have any! I'm also interested in any recommendations for a host that you may have...
Hopefully, I'll get some content up this weekend, after the next round of MLS matches. I'm thinking I'll post 2-3 articles a week at minimum during the season, with one regular entry entitled "Did you see that?", that comments on the major goings-on in the current week's games. I have a few other items up my sleeve as well!
I haven't heard back from the MLS in regard to using their name and trademarks/copyrights on my site. I might have to give them a call to get an answer. In the interim, I fully plan on progressing by keeping the site name and team/player references generic, meaning no use of official logos, pictures, etc. This shouldn't hold back my project.
I've been trying to come up with a solid name for the website, both with and without MLS support. Right now, I've settled on "soccerscribe.com," and the domain is available. I'm no marketer, though, so I'm up for any suggestions. Let me know if you have any! I'm also interested in any recommendations for a host that you may have...
Hopefully, I'll get some content up this weekend, after the next round of MLS matches. I'm thinking I'll post 2-3 articles a week at minimum during the season, with one regular entry entitled "Did you see that?", that comments on the major goings-on in the current week's games. I have a few other items up my sleeve as well!
Monday, May 15, 2006
Polarizing MLS Players
As promised, my first MLS "article." Bear with me as I work out the kinks!
Every sport has them; those players we just love to hate. Unless, of course, that player happens to be on the home team! In basketball, players like Kobe Bryant and Rasheed Wallace irk the masses, while appeal to the fans in their own respective gymnasiums. Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson come to mind in the NFL, and Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens certainly divide MLB fans. Well, in my experience, the MLS has those same types of players. Here is my list, and their stories:
1. Carlos Ruiz – FC Dallas – Ruiz is the league’s most celebrated “flopper,” as well as one the players most willing to circumvent the rules of fair play. Most recently, in his long list of offenses, he elbowed a Dynamo defender in the face in their 05/13/06 match, and then rolled on the ground as if they smacked heads. At least the referee called him on it, this time.
2. Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution – Dempsey has made quite a splash on the national scene in the last year with his creative play on the pitch. However, it appears that he may hold a higher opinion of himself than his status would indicate. He already has his own rap song. He recently was suspended by the Revolution for tussling with team captain Joe Franchino. Lastly, although he does play with passion and flair, he often loses his composure in the heat of the battle.
3. Kyle Martino – L.A. Galaxy – I take this one personally. “Mr. Rookie of the Year” just didn’t have it in his heart to give his best effort in Columbus. I don’t recall getting a discount on my tickets, because the team wasn’t delivering the best product! He expressed as much to Sigi, and fortunately, Sigi agreed. Now he’s in L.A., and will undoubtedly make an impression as a player who occasionally flashes skill when not knocked over by a strong gust of wind. Had he worked harder at making a creative play than trying to draw a foul, he might have had a few more assists and goals in Columbus.
4. Freddy Adu – D.C. United – Freddy’s just a kid. I don’t necessarily hold him accountable for everything that he’s endured in his brief career. It’s not his fault that he’s been hyped as the American version of Pele, and there’s no doubt that this level of hype has an impact on the fans’ perception of a player. It does seem that the hype may have gone to his head, though, as I find it pretty audacious that he’d complain about playing time at age 16 on a Major League club. Be happy that you’ve earned an opportunity that no one else in the history of the league has. He also voiced similar thoughts about actually playing on the U.S. World Cup team. Not yet, Mr. Adu. Prove it to me first.
5. Clint Mathis – Colorado Rapids – What happened to you, Clint? I can only conjecture that you let your temper keep you from becoming the international star you were destined to become. There is no bigger whiner in the league than Mathis. There is no doubt this has made him a bench player on the Rapids, and it got him removed from both his German club and the U.S. National team. It’s all about the proper attitude, and an attitude like his makes him hard to admire.
6. Jeff Cunningham – Real Salt Lake – Jeff is one of the best 1 v 1 players in the league. He can be down right electric at times. He can also be downright selfish, putting his interest ahead of the team’s, and pouting when things don’t go his way. Again, being a Crew fan, I’ve observed this in the first person. It’s a roller coaster ride rooting for Jeff, and many don’t have the stomach for it.
7. Ante Razov – Chivas USA – Did I just describe Jeff Cunningham? I could copy-and-paste virtually the same text for Ante. He is a clinical finisher, and a colossal jerk. This guy can destroy a team, if he’s not happy. Why is it that a lot of my list consists of former Crew players (albeit briefly, in Ante’s case)?
8. Chris Armas – Chicago Fire – I really have nothing negative to say about Chris. He’s just a very aggressive player, and sometimes that aggression leads to tough fouls on players on your team. I respect a man of his stature that plays so hard, but I don’t like it when his boots meet up with the ankles of my guys. Chris is the epitome of a guy that I’d love to have on the Crew, but that I can’t stand when he plays against the Crew.
9. Frankie Hejduk – Columbus Crew – Fortunately, we have our own “enforcer” in Frankie Hejduk. I’m sure many opposing fans feel about Frankie exactly how I described my feelings for Armas. Frankie is a moderately skillful player, with a tireless work ethic, and a “tough guy” disposition. He’s just over-aggressive at times, which can lead to mistakes and bad fouls. He also has a temper, and acts a bit like a prima donna at times, but I wouldn’t trade him for anyone on this list.
10. Nick Garcia – Kansas City Wizards – This one is 100% personal. The cheap shot he laid on Knox Cameron at Crew Stadium was total bush league. This kind of play can’t be tolerated. At least the league gave him a 2-game suspension last season, even though the referee somehow didn’t see fit to show him a card.
11. Armando Guevara – New York Red Bulls – Armando reminds me a lot of Ruiz, but he’s even a bigger jerk and a greater problem for his club in the locker room and off the pitch. Case in point: after being substituted in the 55th minute in their 05/13/06 match against Chicago, he went to the locker room, showered, and watched the rest of the game from the stands with his wife. He also had heated arguments with his manager and with former GM Alexi Lalas prior to the season beginning. Armando puts the “ass” in “class.”
12. Adrian Serioux – Houston Dynamo – Adrian is a Canadian international, and he’s just begun his career in the MLS. So far, he’s off to an illustrious start with 3 yellow cards in his first 6 matches. Evidently, Nick Garcia is his mentor.
Every sport has them; those players we just love to hate. Unless, of course, that player happens to be on the home team! In basketball, players like Kobe Bryant and Rasheed Wallace irk the masses, while appeal to the fans in their own respective gymnasiums. Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson come to mind in the NFL, and Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens certainly divide MLB fans. Well, in my experience, the MLS has those same types of players. Here is my list, and their stories:
1. Carlos Ruiz – FC Dallas – Ruiz is the league’s most celebrated “flopper,” as well as one the players most willing to circumvent the rules of fair play. Most recently, in his long list of offenses, he elbowed a Dynamo defender in the face in their 05/13/06 match, and then rolled on the ground as if they smacked heads. At least the referee called him on it, this time.
2. Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution – Dempsey has made quite a splash on the national scene in the last year with his creative play on the pitch. However, it appears that he may hold a higher opinion of himself than his status would indicate. He already has his own rap song. He recently was suspended by the Revolution for tussling with team captain Joe Franchino. Lastly, although he does play with passion and flair, he often loses his composure in the heat of the battle.
3. Kyle Martino – L.A. Galaxy – I take this one personally. “Mr. Rookie of the Year” just didn’t have it in his heart to give his best effort in Columbus. I don’t recall getting a discount on my tickets, because the team wasn’t delivering the best product! He expressed as much to Sigi, and fortunately, Sigi agreed. Now he’s in L.A., and will undoubtedly make an impression as a player who occasionally flashes skill when not knocked over by a strong gust of wind. Had he worked harder at making a creative play than trying to draw a foul, he might have had a few more assists and goals in Columbus.
4. Freddy Adu – D.C. United – Freddy’s just a kid. I don’t necessarily hold him accountable for everything that he’s endured in his brief career. It’s not his fault that he’s been hyped as the American version of Pele, and there’s no doubt that this level of hype has an impact on the fans’ perception of a player. It does seem that the hype may have gone to his head, though, as I find it pretty audacious that he’d complain about playing time at age 16 on a Major League club. Be happy that you’ve earned an opportunity that no one else in the history of the league has. He also voiced similar thoughts about actually playing on the U.S. World Cup team. Not yet, Mr. Adu. Prove it to me first.
5. Clint Mathis – Colorado Rapids – What happened to you, Clint? I can only conjecture that you let your temper keep you from becoming the international star you were destined to become. There is no bigger whiner in the league than Mathis. There is no doubt this has made him a bench player on the Rapids, and it got him removed from both his German club and the U.S. National team. It’s all about the proper attitude, and an attitude like his makes him hard to admire.
6. Jeff Cunningham – Real Salt Lake – Jeff is one of the best 1 v 1 players in the league. He can be down right electric at times. He can also be downright selfish, putting his interest ahead of the team’s, and pouting when things don’t go his way. Again, being a Crew fan, I’ve observed this in the first person. It’s a roller coaster ride rooting for Jeff, and many don’t have the stomach for it.
7. Ante Razov – Chivas USA – Did I just describe Jeff Cunningham? I could copy-and-paste virtually the same text for Ante. He is a clinical finisher, and a colossal jerk. This guy can destroy a team, if he’s not happy. Why is it that a lot of my list consists of former Crew players (albeit briefly, in Ante’s case)?
8. Chris Armas – Chicago Fire – I really have nothing negative to say about Chris. He’s just a very aggressive player, and sometimes that aggression leads to tough fouls on players on your team. I respect a man of his stature that plays so hard, but I don’t like it when his boots meet up with the ankles of my guys. Chris is the epitome of a guy that I’d love to have on the Crew, but that I can’t stand when he plays against the Crew.
9. Frankie Hejduk – Columbus Crew – Fortunately, we have our own “enforcer” in Frankie Hejduk. I’m sure many opposing fans feel about Frankie exactly how I described my feelings for Armas. Frankie is a moderately skillful player, with a tireless work ethic, and a “tough guy” disposition. He’s just over-aggressive at times, which can lead to mistakes and bad fouls. He also has a temper, and acts a bit like a prima donna at times, but I wouldn’t trade him for anyone on this list.
10. Nick Garcia – Kansas City Wizards – This one is 100% personal. The cheap shot he laid on Knox Cameron at Crew Stadium was total bush league. This kind of play can’t be tolerated. At least the league gave him a 2-game suspension last season, even though the referee somehow didn’t see fit to show him a card.
11. Armando Guevara – New York Red Bulls – Armando reminds me a lot of Ruiz, but he’s even a bigger jerk and a greater problem for his club in the locker room and off the pitch. Case in point: after being substituted in the 55th minute in their 05/13/06 match against Chicago, he went to the locker room, showered, and watched the rest of the game from the stands with his wife. He also had heated arguments with his manager and with former GM Alexi Lalas prior to the season beginning. Armando puts the “ass” in “class.”
12. Adrian Serioux – Houston Dynamo – Adrian is a Canadian international, and he’s just begun his career in the MLS. So far, he’s off to an illustrious start with 3 yellow cards in his first 6 matches. Evidently, Nick Garcia is his mentor.
My Niche
I've long felt that in some way I want to express myself in writing - my passions, interests, and opinions. My first venture into this hobby came in the form of writing about video games, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, with my slightly obsessive-compulsive behavior, I tended to turn each review from an entertaining endeavor into a term paper, which wore thin after a couple of years. Next came this blog; but the lack of structure has limited my desire to post items regularly. After much deliberation, I think I may have found my niche (for the moment, anyway).
I'm a big soccer fan. Soccer in the states has grown steadily over the last 10 years, but it just doesn't capture the American public like the other "big three" sports. This is evident based on the lack of "fan" coverage for our domestic league, the MLS. There are few - if any - credible "fansites" associated with MLS coverage. My hope is to add one to this small group. I'm not sure in which forum my soccer voice will appear, but I'm currently investigating my options. For ease of use, I may stay with the blog format. However, I've been interested in the challenge of creating and running my own site for years, so I'm leaning towards that option. I've actually contacted the MLS about permission to use their name and logos on my fan site, and I'm awaiting reply. Regardless, this next chapter in my life as a hobbyist writer will cover soccer in the United States.
I've already got some content ready. For the time being, I'll post it here, and use this as a "trial period" to polish my skills. When I figure out all of the particulars of running my own site, then I'll launch "officially." Hopefully, I'll connect with other like-minded fans, and start a grassroots effort to cover "the beautiful game" in the context of the United States, which most Americans and the rest of the world tend to ignore.
Wish me luck!
I'm a big soccer fan. Soccer in the states has grown steadily over the last 10 years, but it just doesn't capture the American public like the other "big three" sports. This is evident based on the lack of "fan" coverage for our domestic league, the MLS. There are few - if any - credible "fansites" associated with MLS coverage. My hope is to add one to this small group. I'm not sure in which forum my soccer voice will appear, but I'm currently investigating my options. For ease of use, I may stay with the blog format. However, I've been interested in the challenge of creating and running my own site for years, so I'm leaning towards that option. I've actually contacted the MLS about permission to use their name and logos on my fan site, and I'm awaiting reply. Regardless, this next chapter in my life as a hobbyist writer will cover soccer in the United States.
I've already got some content ready. For the time being, I'll post it here, and use this as a "trial period" to polish my skills. When I figure out all of the particulars of running my own site, then I'll launch "officially." Hopefully, I'll connect with other like-minded fans, and start a grassroots effort to cover "the beautiful game" in the context of the United States, which most Americans and the rest of the world tend to ignore.
Wish me luck!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Olympics
I just can't get into the Olympics anymore... I thought, at first, that maybe it's because the games are dominated by pro athletes now, instead of amateurs chasing their dreams. However, I've come to realize that it's really the events that I don't like. The Olympics are full of events, not sports.
Let me get this out of the way... I do respect everyone's abilities to compete at their respective events. I may not enjoy or understand these events, but hey, to each his own.
That said, I'd actually like to see some sort of game at the Olympic games. The half-pipe? Figure skating? Ballroom dancing? Synchronized swimming? I think you get my point. Everything is a dance competition, not a competition. I appreciate everyone's artistic talent, I just don't see the place for these things in the Olympic games. Some may balk at the Luge and other similar events, but at least those are timed races, where artistic impression does not impact the outcome. I just don't like "subjective" games, I guess.
To top it off, they're officially removing Baseball and Softball - two legitimate games - from the Summer Olympics! Honestly, I couldn't care less... Bring on the World Cup, which is now by far my most-anticipated world competition. Things definitely have changed since the "miracle on ice."
Let me get this out of the way... I do respect everyone's abilities to compete at their respective events. I may not enjoy or understand these events, but hey, to each his own.
That said, I'd actually like to see some sort of game at the Olympic games. The half-pipe? Figure skating? Ballroom dancing? Synchronized swimming? I think you get my point. Everything is a dance competition, not a competition. I appreciate everyone's artistic talent, I just don't see the place for these things in the Olympic games. Some may balk at the Luge and other similar events, but at least those are timed races, where artistic impression does not impact the outcome. I just don't like "subjective" games, I guess.
To top it off, they're officially removing Baseball and Softball - two legitimate games - from the Summer Olympics! Honestly, I couldn't care less... Bring on the World Cup, which is now by far my most-anticipated world competition. Things definitely have changed since the "miracle on ice."
Friday, January 13, 2006
Making a Difference
Many times, celebrities are the first to respond in the wake of a tragedy. It warms my heart when I see the many actors, professional athletes, writers, etc. make significant contributions to aid those that have suffered. For example, many from this group were the first to donate after the tsunami, or even more recently, after Katrina struck New Orleans.
Well, I'm happy to report that another celebrity has taken up a worthy cause. Pamela Anderson is now allocating all of her resources to remove the bust of Colonel Sanders from a Kentucky government building. In her esteemed opinion, KFC is cruel in the treatment of chickens.
I have to say, I agree with her. I wouldn't want to be slaughtered, plucked, and deep-fried, either. But, those chickens sure do taste good!
Well, I'm happy to report that another celebrity has taken up a worthy cause. Pamela Anderson is now allocating all of her resources to remove the bust of Colonel Sanders from a Kentucky government building. In her esteemed opinion, KFC is cruel in the treatment of chickens.
I have to say, I agree with her. I wouldn't want to be slaughtered, plucked, and deep-fried, either. But, those chickens sure do taste good!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Ghost in the Stall
Long time readers of this blog - that would be me, and maybe one other person - may recall some of the harrowing restroom experiences I've endured since changing jobs and relocating to the "new" building. I had one such experience today.
My "normal" restroom was out of commission, due to janitorial personnel allegedly cleaning my satellite office. I went to the alternative establishment, next to the call center, and subsequently subject to much more traffic, unfortunately of the regenerate male youth archetype. Anyway, it was early in the morning, so it wasn't very crowded. And, I was alone in the restroom; or so I thought.
As I undertook my daily business, the toilet in the stall next to mine flushed. And flushed again. And flushed again. And again. It probably flushed fifteen times in the five minutes I occupied the adjacent facility. I pondered what situation could require fifteen flushes. Was there someone in there with major bowel problems? Was someone trying to discard evidence of some sort? Was the deposit stuck to the container? It would be improper to inquire as to the situation next door, so I waited a bit. After exiting my new field office, I observed that the door was ajar! The toilet - one with one of those infrared sensors - was flushing all by itself, with no one or no thing in there, at least visible to the naked eye. I can only conclude that the ghost of "Turd Ferguson" (bonus points to those that can recall my source for that name) was having a difficult time managing the toilet. At least it happens to those in the netherworlds, too...
My "normal" restroom was out of commission, due to janitorial personnel allegedly cleaning my satellite office. I went to the alternative establishment, next to the call center, and subsequently subject to much more traffic, unfortunately of the regenerate male youth archetype. Anyway, it was early in the morning, so it wasn't very crowded. And, I was alone in the restroom; or so I thought.
As I undertook my daily business, the toilet in the stall next to mine flushed. And flushed again. And flushed again. And again. It probably flushed fifteen times in the five minutes I occupied the adjacent facility. I pondered what situation could require fifteen flushes. Was there someone in there with major bowel problems? Was someone trying to discard evidence of some sort? Was the deposit stuck to the container? It would be improper to inquire as to the situation next door, so I waited a bit. After exiting my new field office, I observed that the door was ajar! The toilet - one with one of those infrared sensors - was flushing all by itself, with no one or no thing in there, at least visible to the naked eye. I can only conclude that the ghost of "Turd Ferguson" (bonus points to those that can recall my source for that name) was having a difficult time managing the toilet. At least it happens to those in the netherworlds, too...
Monday, January 02, 2006
Must See TV
ESPN... The total sports network...
Guess what ESPN 2 was showing all day? Reruns of previous National Spelling Bees! Maybe I missed something, but when did spelling become a sport? Or Poker, for that matter?
How bad is it for hockey when ESPN refuses to renew your contract, yet they show this crap?! Yeah, when flipping between bowl games, I want to see Sandy "Spellcheck" Simpson square off against Danny "the Dictionary" Dorfman in a blood and guts, single-elimination, knockout stage, battle royale to the finish to see who the best memorizer, er speller, was in 1997.
Boo-Yeah!
Guess what ESPN 2 was showing all day? Reruns of previous National Spelling Bees! Maybe I missed something, but when did spelling become a sport? Or Poker, for that matter?
How bad is it for hockey when ESPN refuses to renew your contract, yet they show this crap?! Yeah, when flipping between bowl games, I want to see Sandy "Spellcheck" Simpson square off against Danny "the Dictionary" Dorfman in a blood and guts, single-elimination, knockout stage, battle royale to the finish to see who the best memorizer, er speller, was in 1997.
Boo-Yeah!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Somebody Wants Maurice Clarett
No, it's not the NFL, nor the CFL, nor NFL Europe. He's wanted right here in Columbus... by the Columbus Police Department, that is! Evidently, he must've made some New Year's Resolution! I heard on the radio this morning that he is wanted in connection with an armed robbery that took place around 2:00 AM in an alley behind the Opium Lounge. (Hmm, I wonder what goes on there?!) The report is that he allegedly flashed a handgun and forced two others to give up some of their personal property to him, and then fled in a white SUV.
It's a good thing he had a get-away vehicle, because after his trip to the NFL combine, I don't think he would've made it on foot!
By the way, I hope the rest of you have a better 2006 than the one that's shaping up for Mr. Clarret...
It's a good thing he had a get-away vehicle, because after his trip to the NFL combine, I don't think he would've made it on foot!
By the way, I hope the rest of you have a better 2006 than the one that's shaping up for Mr. Clarret...
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