Thank You Brian, Eddie, and Chris

Brian McBride, Eddie Lewis, and Chris Klein are all retiring from the beautiful game now that the MLS season has come to and end. All three have been instrumental in the devolpoment of US Soccer and MLS.

Most notably, McBride has left his heart and his blood on the pitch time after time. Three World Cups, an Olympics, and many caps in both European leagues and MLS. He ended his career this past weekend with a beauty of a back-heel goal for the Chicago Fire. I will always remember his diving header in the 2002 World Cup and his always classy attitude on and off the field.

Thank you gentlemen, for all that you have done for this country's growth at home and on the world stage.

Jozy's Video on VBS.tv

Check out this very well produced video for the EA Sports "We Are Eleven" series on VBS.tv about American striker Jozey Altidore and his experience as a soccer player in Spain and England. The Jersey Boy describes what its like to adapt to life playing in La Liga and the EPL, his American born teammate Giuseppe Rossi, and the future of MLS.

Last of the US MNT for 2010

Well their record after the World Cup is decidedly worse than their record during the World Cup. Having lost to Brazil, and tied both Poland and Columbia, the US Men's National team wrapped up play for 2010. Their next game lies far ahead in the spring of 2011 when they will return to South Africa and take on Bafana Bafana at Green Pointe Stadium in Cape Town.

What have we learned? We've learned our weaknesses and experimented with some new strategies. Pulling from more unused talent as of late, Bob Bradley has found another asset in the midfield with Jermaine Jones. His physical play is coupled with some good vision to support our less than strong attack. It seems that a 4-5-1 formation will suite our developing style much better with Donovan or Dempsey falling in behind Jozy Altidore (or perhaps Edson Buddle or Charlie Davies) as the lone striker.

Our defense remains our greatest weakness still, as only Stuart Holden has stepped up and showed that he has intentions of replacing a back line of veteran players. As solid as Bocanegra has been throughout his captaincy for the U.S., he has been the only reliable piece as of late. Onyewu clearly needs to find more professional minutes than he's not getting with AC Milan and Cherundolo may not see action in Brazil 2014.

We need some solid youth defenders, most notabley a defender on the outside that can push ahead and get involved in the attack, much like a Sergio Ramos or a Dani Alves. The US have never really had a defender that can distribute the ball out of our third with real patience. Our defenders need to be able to start long stretches of possession instead of quickly dumping balls over-top.

It will be interesting to watch MLS' postseason and see if some more homegrown stars develop, as well as the progression of our boys abroad. But until we start plugging these holes, the edge may go to Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.

Coach Bradley re-signed by US Soccer MNT

Coach, you've done a fine job since taking over as the manager of Sam's Army. A Gold Cup win in 2007, an exciting run with a second place finish at the Confederations Cup in 2009, and first place qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa...not a bad list of achievements for one's first gig as a national team coach.


You're dedication to picking from the farm crops of Major League Soccer, with talent such as Sacha Kljestan, Jonathan Bornstein, and Ricardo Clark, helped to give the young American pros some valuable international caps. While adding to the credibility of MLS, the very league you made a name for yourself in (Chicago Fire, Chivas USA), our young talent was able to bolster their stock abroad. Now, Sacha's boots are planted in the Belgium First Division, Clark is enjoying Oktoberfest with the rest of the German Bundesliga, and Bornstein...well, he's still a Goat.


However, praise must be accompanied by some constructive criticism for the sake of striving to form a more perfect soccer union. We came up short at the World Cup in beautiful South Africa, plain and simple. It should have been US in the quarterfinals. It should have been US with the strong chance to go through to the semifinals. It should have been US with proud smiles in busy Johannesburg, instead of disappointed frowns in cold Rustenburg. I was at that game. It still hurts...bad.


I have a serious question in regards to your tactics: Did you sew Edson Buddle into his warm ups? Why was MLS's hottest player left to do drills behind the goal during that game against Ghana? During the second half, I shouted with all I had in me, "YEAH EDSON! THIS IS YOUR GAME! LA GALAXY!" while he warmed up at your command. I had seats 4 rows up, right next to the corner flag where he turned to me and smiled, flashing the thumbs up. Edson and I waited...and waited...and waited. Then when you made your final substitution, it was clear.


Lionel Messi led La Liga with the most goals before the World Cup began. Didier Drogba led the English Premiere League in the 2009/2010 season. Antonio Di Natale wore the golden boot in Serie A last season. All three were called upon to work their magic on the pitch wearing their country's colors at critical times. Next time, perhaps we should follow the trend.

Yup, I'm getting a USA Dempsey jersey before I go to S. Africa

First of all, watch this video and take special notice at minute 14:30.

Stoke City v Fulham
by nineninenay

THIS is what an American can do. THIS is what the 50 states are going to get behind this summer. THIS is Clint Dempsey. 2010, big things...



_

Dempsey puts a fork in Liverpool!

Fulham down Liverpool, 3-1, as the American Clint Dempsey nets the dagger to finish Rafa Benitiz's team off. Despite Fernando Torres' say in the matter, Liverpool find themselves in poor position this week, yet again.

Jozy saw some significant playing time off the bench for Hull in a losing effort, 2-0, to Burnley. Altidore hasn't been getting many, so he must capitalize on all chances he gets.

The teams from London looked formidable once more. Arsenal and Chelsea cruise. Cristiano Ronaldo talks of re-kindling his partnership with deadly finisher and ex-mate, Wayne Rooney, in the Galactico's white jersey.

Landon Donovan has his chance of etching his name into the history books of American soccer as the Galaxy face their Super Classico rivals, Chivas USA, in the first leg of the MLS playoffs.

U.S. Players Abroad To Watch This Weekend:

Altidore, Dempsey, & Howard

Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore both have giant windows of opportunity in their young careers that will open come this weekend's EPL action. Dempsey's Fulham team is scheduled to play a fired-up Arsenal team (no thanks to Emanuel Adebayjor) and Hull City will need a strong effort from Jozy and his teammates to knock off Liverpool. The two strikers each scored for the U.S. in the important victory against El Salvador on September 5th. These two boys are the cream of the crop when it comes to the American offense, and they need to stay that way come next Summer.

If Jozy Altidore gets the start against Liverpool this weekend, he must capitalize. Altidore needs to play 90 minutes of focused, fast-paced, aggressive soccer. Torres, Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Co. have been on point since their opening weeks' grievances so this is a great opportunity for Jozy to establish his reputation on the world stage. A goal or a few goals against one of the Big Four teams would definitely impact his mental play in preparation for the World Cup in a big way!

Dempsey has already turned heads under the gaze of the international soccer community with his performance in the Confederations Cup this past Spring. Not only must he keep finding the back of the net, but his speed and passing need to be sharp tools in his own arsenal against the Gunners. Perhaps their consistent attention in the media as of late (with Robin Van Persie now chipping his two cents into the diving discussion) will yield inconsistencies in their match play. There's no hiding their concerns about their play against both Manchester powerhouses earlier this season.

Back to back clean sheets by Tim Howard for an Everton team that seems to still be finding their stride is a possibility this weekend as well. Howard did not look as sharp as usual in the most recent World Cup Qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago, having been bailed out by the woodwork on one occasion and suffering some miscues in the back at times. Tim is a confident, experienced keeper who takes pride in America's reputation for good play at this position that has developed over the last few years. I think he'll respond with a strong showing.

Barca! Barca!

I thought I'd seen the real golden stuff, the real beautiful futbol last year when Samuel Eto'o was the point man in the attacking greatness that propelled Barcelona to hoist the cup of Champs. But this stuff I'm seeing, so EARLY on to boot, has been special. La Liga has kicked off and it proves to be a record smashing affair this year.

No slight to Eto'o, but with the addition of Ibrahimovich, Barcelona look like they are on another planet. And so far, their opponents haven't even shown that they possess the advanced mechanics needed to fly to said planet and show up at game time!

Messi looks like he never wants to go back to Argentina again. I believe he has officially just signed a record-breaking 4o0 year deal to live and die in the Catalan Giants colors. Xavi looked pretty comfortable in the captain's armband last match, a new role for him.

I don't even think what Dani Alves keeps doing to the ball every time he steps up to take a free kick should be legal. FIFA needs to get that boy's striking foot checked for surgical implants and cyborg technology. The Brazilian is giving the kids in the streets of Juazeiro yet another reason to Samba (like they even needed one).

Titi Henry- what more can possibly be said about this footballer? He's a class act, through and through. Henry seems to be settling quite nicely into the veteran role, teaching the young guns a degree of humility and focus that can only come from years of success. However, don't let him catch us discussing his role as one of an old wise man. He will surely be the first to point out that he seems to be reversing the aging process quite beautifully.

Can anyone step onto the pitch and give Barca the spectacular shooting match that it so desperately craves? Only former teammates C. Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney might have the chosen 10 men to back each of them up in an epic showdown to strip Barcelona of their crown.

In the meantime, joga bonito:




They look like little kids, having fun just playing football in their backyard.

Things that have already inspired future inspirations and inspiriators.

Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc. from Chris Cairns on Vimeo.

& go look at this one: http://sorry-im-late.com/








"If you are pure spirit, you are not matter."

Making Something of Yourself requires a lot of the "Making" and a lot of the "Self"

I have a couple of videographer gigs coming up. I guess I can say that a small portion of a larger dream is being accomplished at this juncture, in so much as I mean to say that I will actually be receiving monetary compensation in exchange for duties concerning my passion in film making.

Daas Kool!



More concerts, a possible northern California trip, and a new Kamikaze Film to follow.

Good day.