LABOR DAY TRIBUTE

A Lesson in hardwork, humility and respect.

It's only appropriate on a holiday designed to give "the working citizen a day off", to recognize two of the hardest workers in MLS. So here's a tip of the hat to Brian McBride and Ben Olsen.

According to Fulham's manager,"Brian McBride has been a fine ambassador for Fulham Football Club. As my captain last season Brian was truly respected in the dressing room and led by example on the pitch. His attitude is second to none - Brian is a true pro in every sense of the word."

McBride is known for his work ethic and his willingness to do anything for the shirt, making him a fan favorite wherever he has played. In a sport being ruined by diving and play acting McBride has been called a true hard b***ard centre-forward. When viciously elbowed by De Rossi in the USA v Italy game during the World Cup, he didn’t flinch, even as they stitched him up so he could continue to play. We need more men in the game who can take a shot without whining about it. McBride looks like the sort of tough-assed Irishman that gave the NYPD such a fearsome reputation in the 30s. Thick-necked and made of granite, McBride is as hard they come prompting Chicago's supporter section to chant:

He’s big!
He’s red!
He’s got plates in his head!
Brian McBride!
Brian McBride!

Here's what Mick Delaney, a Fulham fan had to say about him:

"I have supported Fulham for 39 years now and Brian is close to if not is my all time favourite player. Why? He not the most skillful player we have had over those years. He not the longest serving player, and although he has a good goal scoring it's not great. What does it for me is that everytime he pulled on the shirt he gave the full 100% which is all a fan can ask for of a player. In addition, despite easily being able to, he never had an ego. An example of this was the post match interview for the Birmingham game when the interviewer, stating how important the first goal was and that "you" (Brian McBride) scored it his response was that "yes, WE (the team) scored it". Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay him is that I use him as a role model for my two teenage boys. Work hard, give what ever you are doing 100% effort, work for the team and let others praise you rather than doing it yourself and accept any praise gracefully but don't forget the people who help you achieve. We will miss Brian and replacing him is without doubt Hodgsons biggest job, both in terms of his captaincy and the role of a target man / goal scorer. When he first joined there were some who doubted his capacity to influence our club and team. Now he has left there isn't a single voice which isn't praising his worth and contribution. Brian, God bless you and your family."



Cut from the same mold is DC United's Ben Olsen. Not the most talented on the team but the most missed when he's out. The heart of DC United. So Barra Brava decided to do a little tribute to Benny (video below). Olsen's response in the video ("I just love to play soccer") wasn't surprising to those that know him. Ed Morgans response to that(Weekend Update) is so similar to that of the Fulham fan it's scary.

It all comes down to loving the ego-less player, the one that will play for the name on the front of the shirt rather than the back. It shouldn't be so rare to find players that realize it's a privelege to play the game they love for a living, and are willing to bust their ass to continue to do it. Hopefully they are not a dying breed.

So here's to McBride and Olsen! Happy Labor Day!

Robinho Highlights

Well if you looked at my blog entries, Robinho Lesson #1 and Robinho Lesson #2, and ask "sure but what does that do for me in a game situation?". Just take a look at Robinho abuse this defender:

DC United wins Supporter's Shield

Following Colorado's defeat of Chivas USA, DC United becomes MLS's first repeat winner of the Supporter's Shield. Colorado went a man down in the 46' but still managed two second half goals to beat Chivas and keep their hopes alive. The Supporter Shield also comes with an automatic spot in the CONCACAF Champion's Cup.

DCU will now turn their focus to bringing home the MLS Cup for their fans, in front of their fans.

DCU vs CD Guadalajara, Tues, 10/2, 9pm ESt

TV: 9 p.m. FSE-LIVE, FSC-11 pm
Radio Feed for Sudamericana Match

The team will be playing tonight in Estadio Jalisco, the third largest stadium in Mexico. The stadium holds 62,384 and is guaranteed to be a sellout because Chivas owner Jorge Vergara (also the owner of MLS club Chivas USA), has said all tickets for the game will be free. Seems the club hasn't been faring too well, attendance wise, the last few weeks in League play. Vergara doesn't want to own the first team to ever lose to Americans on Mexico soil so the free tickets will ensure a full house to push the 'Goats' to victory.


Tagzania

After United's 2-1 win in Washington, Chivas coach Jose Manuel de la Torre was fired. Efrain Flores was named the new coach.This weekend under Flores, Chivas came back from an early deficit to beat Veracruz 3-1. Alberto Medina, Ramon Morales and Sergio Santana scored for Chivas.

Marc Burch will not be available to play for DC, due to the red card he recieved in the first leg game. Who would have thought in April that we'd be saying today that Burch is a critical piece to the team's success and will be greatly missed tonight?
Bryan Namoff and midfielder Fred, both traveled with the team nursing injuries.Namoff is probable but I wouldn't expect to see Fred who pulled a groin in the TFC game Saturday.

International Prestige On the Line for DC

D.C. pays return visit to Guadalajara
Game Preview: Chivas v DC United (Game 2)

DC United, CD Guadalarja video highlights

DC Gut Out 2-1 Victory over CD Guadalarja

Olsen And Simms score to lead a ten man United to victory. I didn't watch or listen to the game and while I love BigSoccer, we all know an in match thread really is no place to form impressions of a game. So here are some better sources:

The DCenters: First Impressions - D.C. United Dos : Uno CD Guadalajara

Oh, and for Olsen and Simms to get goals is pretty much perfect for this season. That makes me happy. Benny & Clyde. There's a song there somewhere.

MLSnet-United control match in win

After four minutes of injury time, Baldaffi finally whistled for the match to come to a close, and United were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief with the victory. They will now take their precious one-goal advantage to Guadalajara for the return match on Tue., Oct. 2, with the winner to face the winner of the tie between Arsenal of Argentina and Goias of Brazil.

Note: The winner was Arsenal who Christian Gomez used to play for.


Soccer Insider-Chivas Aftermath Quotes

Gros on Chivas: "Obviously they're a very good team and they know how to keep the ball and work the ball all over the field....That wasn't fun at all. Those guys, they're some of the fastest players I've played against in my whole life. It definitely wasn't easy. Hopefully I did all right."

THANK GOODNESS HE PLAYS WITH BEN OLSEN

Olsen: "If it was a one game series we'd be pretty ecstatic, but it's a huge challenge next month historically. I've said it before, this team and this league hasn't done a good job historically finishing the Mexicans, and it's about time some team did it. It might as well be us."

"We owe them big time"

Troy Perkins on the chance to play Chivas Guadalarja again this year. Earlier this year, United fell to Chivas 3-2 on aggregate in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinal. The first leg saw United earn 1-1 draw at RFK Stadium on Marh 15. After Guadalajara went up 1-0 midway through the second half, a dramatic stoppage time goal from Luciano Emilio tied the game for United. The second leg was played in Guadalajara on April 3 and saw Chivas snatch a 2-1 victory over United, thus eliminating the Black-and-Red from the Champions' Cup.
Hear some other's take on the game on Access United:

Should D.C. advance past Guadalajara to the quarterfinals of the 2007 Copa Nissan Sudamericana, they would face the either Arsenal of Argentina - which also happens to the former club of Christian Gomez - or Goias EC of Brazil.

DCU in Copa Sudamericana, Wed 9/26

DC United will face Chivas Guadalajara in the first match of a home and home aggregate series in the round of sixteen in this South American Competition. Both teams qualified for the tournament based on their performance in the CONCACAF Champion's Cup. Thirty-four teams were invited but both Chivas and DC advanced automatically to the round of sixteen. See list of the teams left here.

Goff has a good primer to the event at Soccer Insider.

TV:
Fox Sports en Español, 8:45pm

NET:
WMET 1160 Radio




Here is a link to the official CONMEBOL site.

Creative Soccer

With Jose Mourinho gone maybe this won't be the only flick you'll see out of the Chelsea team.

See: Attractive Soccer or England is an Island

Danny Karbassiyoon - The First Boy Scout

Adam Spangler at This is American Soccer has a must read interview with Danny Karbassiyoon. For my guys that are reading this, Danny was a kid playing club ball in Roanoke, Virginia. He was always used as an example of what is wrong with the American Youth System when it comes to identifying talent. Danny never played Regional ODP and was on the waiting list to play at the Adidas Elite Soccer Program. The ESP is one of the premier player showcases for High School aged players. Well Danny got called to play at ESP and an Arsenal scout sees him and he goes to London for a trial. Here is an excerpt from a December 2002 article from Arsenal America regarding his trial:

"He noted a highlight was training with the vaunted Arsenal first team.

"I didn’t know I was going to. (Reserve team manager) Eddie (Niedzwiecki) just said ‘Danny, you are training with the first team today.’ It was typical English weather, kind of chilly and I thought ‘This is going to be awesome,’” he recalled. “They started warming up and I see Thierry Henry (the team’s leading scorer and a striker for the French national team), Ashley Cole (English international fullback), and Patrick Viera (midfielder and also on the French national team). I kind of just joined in. Then Arsene Wenger (Arsenal manager) told everyone to partner up, and Sol Campbell (England international and recognized as one of the best central defenders in the world) asked ‘Can I partner with you?’ The whole time he was talking to me about what America was like, how I liked it here, just making me feel welcome.”

Karbassiyoon said the squad went through some agility drills, and then did some striker-specific training in groups.

“We were doing a four-goal drill and Henry played a through ball to me and I hit a one-time strike past the goalkeeper,” he said. “I would have been just as happy if I was on the sideline watching these guys. After training everyone goes and eats lunch together. I was sitting there and Dennis Bergkamp (famous Arsenal striker and Dutch international) grabbed his food and sat down by me. I was having a blast.”

Obviously the trial went well and Arsenal sign him. Karbassiyoon becomes the youngest American player to score in English Competition when he scores in his first appearance in the Carling Cup.Unfortunately Danny is line behind two of the best left backs in the World waiting for playing time eventually he is released. He tries to make a go at a couple of other English clubs but becomes sidelined with a knee injury and is forced to retire at age 22, which he announces as a note on his Facebook page.

Well the story ends well with Arsenal offering Danny a job as the North American scout for Arsenal. Make sure you read the interview, it is very enlightening, especially what age he hopes to find talent.

Attractive Soccer - What is it? or England is an island

You see these words thrown around alot today, but what is it? Different things to different people, most would agree though that attractive soccer revolves around possession and creative play. To me personally it can be summed up simply by "playing to win", not, "playing not to lose." My personal version involves building from the back, possession, and a simple philosophy of everyone attacking when we have the ball, and everyone defending when we don't.

The question often asked is why can't the USMNT play this way. There is no short answer other than, slowly we are. Here is my attempt at the long answer:

You'll often see the argument that the American youth system stifles creativity, that the Americans rely on athleticism too much, they over coach and don't let kids play. Well the reality is that the crux of the problem, stems from a lack of coaching at the younger ages. You see to be creative requires great technical ability,you can't be one with the ball when all you are taught is to chase it and kick it with your toe by a well meaning parent/coach. This is slowly being addressed as clubs get bigger and better funded. It is after all a business and economics drive the youth system. Initially after the parent/coaches got the kids to the age where the clubs could charge for coaching, the coach had alot of players who were technically deficient hence the need to rely on size and speed. This was compounded by the influx of UK coaches. Parents unfamiliar with the game felt an English accent meant a high soccer IQ. This wouldn't have been particularly catastrophic until you look at the style of play in England. Last Spring, in an ESPN article, former World Cup winner Jorge Valdano blasted Jose Mourinho(Chelsea) and Rafael Benitez(Liverpool) for the style of soccer they perpetuate.

'Chelsea and Liverpool are the clearest, most exaggerated example of the way football is going: very intense, very collective, very tactical, very physical, and very direct.

'But, a short pass? No. A feint? No. A change of pace? No. A one-two? A nutmeg? A backheel? Don't be ridiculous. None of that. The extreme control and seriousness with which both teams played the semi-final neutralised any creative licence, any moments of exquisite skill.'

So let's recap. You've got parents unfamiliar with the game who could (at the time) really only watch the EPL on TV, hiring English coaches to coach technically deficient players. Garbage in garbage out.

Okay today that picture is changing drastically. From an economic standpoint Clubs became bigger and more lucrative and as the fight for the biggest and the fastest kids waged, someone came to the realization that if I can't win that battle I can produce the most technically gifted team. This is starting an entirely new look at the youth system level. (Just look at England's World Cup history to see who wins the physical, direct style versus the technical, possession style.) Combine this with the ability of satellite and internet to watch any league in the World and the influx of Latinos to America and literally, it's a whole new ball game.

Before too much longer The United Kingdom will be an island (pun intended) of 'direct football' This year I would much rather watch a Bundesliga game than an EPL game, much more 'attractive soccer'. If you saw any of the 2006 World Cup you know that this translated to the German National Team, so much so that the Argentinian press welcomed Germany to the 'game of soccer'. In the United States the MLS is playing 'attractive soccer', with the exception of New England, oh that's right an English coach. Jorge Valdano had his own theory on coaching styles. He said:

'...neither Mourinho nor Benitez made it as a player. That has made them channel all their vanity into coaching.

'Those who did not have the talent to make it as players do not believe in the talent of players, they do not believe in the ability to improvise in order to win football matches. In short, Benitez and Mourinho are exactly the kind of coaches that Benitez and Mourinho would have needed to have made it as players.'

That must be the difference in Steve Nichol and Steve Morrow.

DING! DONG! The Witch is dead!!

Who knew we could play attacking soccer?


Well alot of talk this morning about poor reffing, an unflattering scoreline and petitions to put an end to the "Josh Wolff Experiment" but no one seems to be talking about the real storyline. The Bruce Arena Era is dead! No more bunker and counter. We played a loaded Brasil team straight up engaging them all over the field and we outshot the World's number one team 11-9!

I don't think anyone would have been shocked if you said Saturday that Brasil was going to score four goals but you could be having a drink with Bill Gates if you would have bet everything that those goals would be:

- an own goal
- a corner kick
- a free kick
- a PK

Clint Dempsey said it well (I guess the EPL is helping his game off the field as well):

“What I take way from the game is that we were able to compete with one of the best teams in the world and we were in it for almost the whole game. That’s always a positive, and we stayed really organized as a team. Everyone was on the same page, and not a lot of teams have that. We were able to show that we are united as a team, and we can do something special in the future.”

Jozy HELP! Brasil announces roster

Brasil has announced their roster for the Sept. 9th match in Chicago. Guess there's no worries about getting your money's worth.

Unless they are playing Daaa Bears, this could be ugly.

GOALKEEPERS: Doni (Roma), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan).

DEFENDERS: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Sevilla), Alex Silva (São Paulo), Lúcio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Roma), Alex (Chelsea), Kleber (Santos), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin).

MIDFIELDERS: Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin), Josué (VfL Wolfsburg), Fernando (Bordeaux), Elano (Manchester City), Kaká (AC Milan), Julio Baptista (Real Madrid), Diego (Werder Bremen).

FORWARDS: Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Robinho (Real Madrid), Vagner Love (CSKA Moscow), Afonso (SC Heerenveen).

USMNT vs Sweden, 8/22, 2:30pmEST, FSC&Galavision

As much as I hate to, I have to give Donovan his due. All the hype about Beckham flying to England for the Germany game and flying back to face Chivas hasn't mentioned Donovan will be doing the same. I find that interesting given the fact that Donovan will go a full 90 and Beckham won't. According to ussoccer.com Donovan looks to take over the record books:

"The stat book is running out of room for the records set by the 25-year-old two-time U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year as he continues to cement his place in the history books. Already the USA’s all-time leader in assists (26), his game-tying goal in the Gold Cup final against Mexico put him tied for first place for three separate records. In addition to tying Eric Wynalda for most goals ever (34) for the national team, he has equaled the mark for most goals in a single year (9) set by Wynalda in 1996, and most points in a year along (21), sharing the record with Cobi Jones. The USA’s all-time capwinner with 164 appearances, Jones recorded six goals and nine assists in 2000."


U.S. MNT Roster-By-Position
GOALKEEPERS (2): Marcus Hahnemann (Reading FC), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
DEFENDERS (6): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
FORWARDS (5): Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Kamani Hill (VfL Wolfsburg), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)

Sweden Roster vs. USA
GOALKEEPERS (2): Rami Shaaban (Fredrikstad FK)*, Johan Wiland (IF Elfsborg)
DEFENDERS (6): Matias Concha (VfL Bochum), Erik Edman (Stade Rennais FC)*, Petter Hansson (Stade Rennais FC)*, Daniel Majstorovic (FC Basel), Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa)*, Mikael Nilsson (Panathanaikos)*
MIDFIELDERS (9): Niclas Alexandersson (IFK Göteborg)*, Daniel Andersson (Malmö FF)*, Kennedy Bakircioglü (Ajax Amsterdam), Dusan Djuric (Halmstads BK), Samuel Holmén (IF Elfsborg), Kim Källström (Lyon)*, Tobias Linderoth (Galatasary)*, Fredrik Ljungberg (West Ham United)*, Christian Wilhelmsson (Bolton FC)*
FORWARDS (5): Marcus Allbäck (FC Copenhagen)*, Johan Elmander (Tolouse)*, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan)*, Rade Prica (Aalborg BK), Markus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen)*

Roy Keane: Tail WAGS the dog

Roy Keane blasts players as weak.

"Football must be your priority. You don't need to live in London or Manchester to be happy; you don't need to be surrounded by expensive shops or fancy cafes. What's your priority - your wife and her shopping or your football? Or money?"

"I could name three or four big players now and clearly their wives are running their lives."

"Priorities have changed in footballers and they're being dictated to by their wives and girlfriends - there's no getting away from that," blasted Keane.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The latest 'news' is the cancellation of the USMNT upcoming match versus Mexico to be held at Azteca Stadium. The word is that this will be replaced by the USMNT playing Brasil in Chicago at Soldiers Field on September 9.
Hopefully this news will allow some National Team fans to cut back on their medication that was prescribed when Bradley's Copa America roster was published.
Amazing how things work out some time. Now we'll be able to see the U.S. play the Copa America Champions with a rested 'A' team.

Also let me go on record early that I want to see Altidore called up for this one!


THE BAD

Arguably the best team in the League, Houston Dynamo, drop two games this week. First losing to Real Salt Lake then to the Colorado Rapids.

"It's embarrassing losing to the two worst teams in the league," said striker Brian Ching."

THE UGLY

Damarcus beasley faced racist taunts during his first Champions League game with the Rangers. Fans of FK Zeta were were making monkey sounds targeted at Beasley and team-mate Jean-Claude Darcheville. Beasley said:
"That's not normal, not just for us, black players, that's not normal for all other normal people."
The American speedster responded in the best way possible by putting the game winner in the back of the net.
FIFA will investigate the incident.
ESPN article

Goff says Mexico out, Brasil in Sept. 9th

According to Steve Goff at Soccer Insider the September ninth match between the USA and Mexico at Azteca has been cancelled and the USA will be playing Brasil on that date at Soldiers Field.

McBride Gets Armband

Brian McBride, always lauded as the consummate professional has been named captain of Fulham Football Club. The fact that McBride is 35 years old, playing for a new coach and hit a slump towards the end of last season, serves to underscore the respect his new coach and obviously his teammates have for him. His courage on the field has always been painfully (and I do mean painfully) obvious. But his work ethic and values off the field have always impressed me more.

"Put your head down and work as hard as you can because there is always someone better out there."

"Basically I say a few prayers before a game and let that direct me, not superstitions."

"It's not any one person. It's not any one coach. It's the team."

ENJOY SOME McBRIDE HIGHLIGHTS:

Wednesday SuperLiga Highlights

I didn't watch the Club America, Morelia game so you'll have to get your game report here. I do have one comment though. When the FMF starts spouting their line about how this is a meaningless preseason tournament, just review the highlights of the game at Toyota Park last night.

Now on to the ugliness that took place in Houston. Both teams have had full schedules and their legs showed it last night. MLSnet captured it best combining quotes from both coaches:

"I think you saw two teams that were a little bit ... talking to Tommy (Soehn), their coach before the game, I mean it was like their fifth game in 13 days too, so there were some heavy legs out there," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear.

The problem is that this is not going to get any better, look at what Bobby Boswell has to say about it.

Speaking of Boswell, he missed a sitter last night, completely whiffed on a rolling cross, five yards out, with an open net. The thing is, he's a central defender and if you want to start holding people accountable for our scoring woes you need to start with forwards.

Emilio still hasn't snapped out of his slump. The good news was Jaime Moreno put in some minutes. For those that think his days are done need to look no further than last night's game to see that United is a much, much better team with him on the field.

Bench Fred! If the guy's not going to play his position let him sit! The experiment isn't working.

With this schedule Soehn is going to have to find a way to get more out of the bench.

HOUSTON vs DC UNITED:


AMERICA vs MORELIA:

DC UNITED & HOUSTON DYNAMO ADVANCE

Houston defeated DC 1-0 and Club America holds back Morelia 3-2 in last night's Superliga action. The results mean Houston and United will join Pachuca and LA in the semifinals. The semis are scheduled for Tuesday, August 14, which will see Houston host Pachuca at 10:00pm,and Wednesday, August 15, with DC traveling to face the Galaxy at 10:00pm.