albert pujols just got awesomer

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols has joined the proposed St. Louis MLS ownership group headed by Jeff Cooper, the Post-Dispatch has learned.

http://www.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=587947

we are going down

Fulham once again showed why they hate America this weekend, with a thrilling late goal followed by the concession of a thrilling late goal - a 2-2 tie with Derby that doesn't them barely any good. Each week I hold on to a slim bit of hope that they'll not be relegated, but it's time to LET IT GO.

With that in mind I've paid close attention to this weeks opening MLS action.

RSL looked positive in their match against the Chicago Fire, with stretches of strong possession and quite a bit of spark from forwards who's names I've yet to learn. A late goal seemed to sure up the win but then Blanco got a little too much space and equalized even later. That's the kind of crap result I expect out of my teams. 1-1.

Afterwards over in Denver, my young teenage hero Ruud Gullit learned that his team is complete shit when the Rapids spanked a lackluster LA Galaxy. The most striking thing about this match is how easily LA's defenders quit on plays. Perhaps it's because I'm used to the premiership, but I always thought that when you got burnt on a play you'd work your ass off to get back into the play. Not so if your name is Chris Klein of Abel Xavier, I guess. I would have mentioned the other defenders but they probably don't belong in MLS. Late in the match Beckham ended playing what positionally looked like defensive mid, except Beckham doesn't really play defense. He does dive in pretty well, which is good for those ankles he likes to injure. Hits a pretty nice long ball, though.

I didn't watch too much of Houston/New England, because by the time I turned the channel there it was already 2-0. What struck me upon first viewing of this game is that the quality of both squads seemed to be pretty evident - I suppose those early season tournament matches are good for from. New England looked especially tough - Chicago is probably lucky they got the late point in Salt Lake because I think NE will probably beat them Thursday.

Caught the end of the Columbus/Toronto match, but I didn't really pay any attention. And I missed KC/DC completely. I'll need to pay more attention to scheduling.

Anyway, I'm going to stick with rooting for RSL this year... and probably until St. Louis gets a team. Seems to make the most sense to me.

More exciting St. Louis Soccer United News

Hello, Jim, you're probably the only one still reading.

I'd write about this myself, but the link is more interesting anyway. The top three soccer academies in the St. Louis area have combined under the St. Louis MLS team banner.

This is also good news for St. Louis University and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville's soccer teams, because under NCAA rules the players could train with both their college and club teams.

Unrelated Title

Last night in honor of Gina and my* 45th anniversary or whatever (and Jim's new daughter) I sat down and watched RSL play DC United.

I haven't followed RSL all that much lately - my DirectKick MLS TV package was actually turned off for a few weeks and I didn't realize - but I do know that they've continued making changes after the Beckerman/Ballouchy deal (the deal that pushed me over the ledge).

For example, I know they recently had a bunch of Argentinian guys come in on trial, and that they ended up signing all of them. So I turn on the game last night, and I don't recognize like half the team.

Half the team, really.

Anyway, it was a wide open attacking game, with RSL showing a spark that they never had before. Interesting. They lost anyway. But at least there was a spark.

If you catch the right MLS game, they really are every bit as entertaining as a lot of Premiership matches. Like say Pompy vs. Wigan or something.

*Whats the correct grammar here?

And

For those wondering (and that means none of you), Fulham played Tottenham Hopturds this past weekend, and somehow managed a 3-3 tie after being down 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1. I think. Our man Clint Dempsey was a major player in the match, scoring goal 1 and assisting on two others.

In other news, I didn't watch too many other games - I'm sort of turning my attention to MLS, actually. Weird.

You may have noticed that David Beckham is in America

ESPN is doing a fantastic job of overhyping Beckham's first game, which is supposed to be Saturday. The hype would be too much if he was planning on playing; From his MLS All-Star game halftime interview last evening, it sounded like he's not. He stated that the ankle injury is an 8-week injury, and that he's in week 7. He pointed out that he'll be playing in MLS for 5 years. And he said "[His career in MLS is] not a sprint".

Does that sound like someone who's planning on playing?

Apparently Victoria's reality show finished third in its time slot, and America hates her. Whatever. I think she's funny and looks like sex in robot form. And I'm perfectly ok with that. I don't know what that says about me.

Call me, Decepticons.

In other MLS All-Star game news, once again they forced some band no one's ever heard of on the television audience as "halftime entertainment". I have no idea what sort of thought process leads to this... If the band isn't popular enough to draw in viewers, who benefits from them playing? Instead you end up with your fan base going "well here's another half-assed MLS attempt at god knows what."

In other soccer news, I guess Chelsea's star defender John Terry broke a toe yesterday. I like John Terry, but I hate Chelsea. Hahaha, Chelsea.

MLS ACTION: IT'S.... Ok if you know what to watch for.

Gina and I just got back from a trip up to Chicago for a MLS game between your RSL Tiemasters versus The Chicago Smolder.

Despite the zero zero score, I had a good time. Toyota Park, Chicago's purpose built MLS stadium, is a fantastic facility - a facility that doesn't sell Fire merchandise, somehow, but a fantastic facility nonetheless.

It's true - I walked around the entire building looking to buy something to commemorate my trip up for the game, and found not one merch booth. I'm not sure why... maybe they're waiting until the team starts winning again. I don't know.

While we were up in Chicago we took the opportunity to drive around downtown with the top down on the mx-5. All you really need for a good time is a big city and a convertible.

Tomorrow the HBG's are meeting with a staffer from InTake (one of Indy's entertainment papers, kinda like St. Louis' Get Out in that it's put together by the big local paper, the Indy Star...) to discuss summer beers. I think. Should be fun.

I cut my hair. What else...

Mowed my lawn. Saw some frogs in the yard.

The Color Purple is on Oprah's channel right now. I feel like Danny Glover.

So it's Real SALT LAKE after all...

And so after months of debate and the very real threat of the team moving to St. Louis, RSL have a stadium deal. Congrats to Steve Pastorino and the rest of the fine folks at RSL - I'll be visiting in 2008.

While this would appear to be a bad thing for St. Louis, according to reports the process has actually advanced St. Louis' prospects for a team. They're talking about a team in 2008, which would be pretty amazing.

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If you read my previous post, then you know I've considered breaking the soccer out of my blog. Today I'm not so hot on that idea. It's still up in the air.

The other blog does look nice, though.

The other thought I had was to just quit blogging.

BY THE POWER OF LANDON

This seems like a pretty good idea. (link) You might be thinking "hey, didn't someone do that already?" - and the answer is yes. But they didn't have the free time I do. And I bet they don't think that playing with layouts for hours and hours is a good way to pass time. And I bet they wear pants.

This isn't the official announcement - but there's a good chance that one is coming. In addition to a nice resource for local soccer info (which is really hard to find, actually), I hope to have a guest column here and there - perhaps a preseason write up on the prospects for your favorite MLS team, or stories about how you came to love the game, favorite players, or stories about how you came to love the Adidas Tango soccer ball (it's the only ball I'll buy, and I have no idea why).

And I might move the Fulham and RSL stuff there too.

Stay tuned.

RSL is dead?

RSL's stadium project has been proclaimed dead by team owner Dave Checketts. He goes on to say he's selling the team.

My thoughts go out to Steve Pastorino right now - I hope things turn out for the best, and the team finds a city that truly appreciates the opportunity to have an MLS team. I hope that if the ownership changes that the new owner realizes the asset he has in Steve. It all makes me nervous.

So now what? Perhaps St. Louis?

bring out your dead

I can't handle it still being dark at 8:45 am.

So I suppose you might be wondering how the Clint Dempsey Fulham era started. Although Directv didn't have the game listed, thanks to my good friends at SoccerTV.com, I knew that the game was going to be shown live on Setanta Extra at 10 AM. So I got up and took my usual spot on the couch, and prepared myself for an awesome display of "We Hungry" (he should fit in wonderfully in London).

But alas, the starting Midfielders were Captain Michael Brown (who, honestly, I'm not that fond of), Tomasz Radzinski (Canadian), Wayne Routledge (on loan from Tottenham. Shifty. Small.) and either Mortiz Volz (a past winner of My New Favorite German) or Carlos Bocanegra (American. Scores the occasional big goal. Sort of clueless.)

If you're wondering why I couldn't tell if Boca was playing defense or midfield, you haven't seen Boca play for Fulham.

In any case, Dempsey didn't play (or appear on the screen at all), McBride scored (as usual), Boca and the other central defender fell asleep at the wheel and gave a goal away (twice this year now), and Fulham came back to earn the tie (as usual). Good game, anyway.

* * * * *

Friday, John and I went down to the MLS draft. Prior to the draft Steve had told us that it was a 3 deep draft, and that unfortunately RSL had the fourth pick.

But as it turned out, RSL got the guy they were after, Columbus' traveling fanshow got punched in the crotch when Columbus' braintrust traded away their first round draft pick for future considerations, and I got freaky with Maurice Edu's posse of Nubian princesses. Two of those three statements are true.

The draft is sort of dull, to be honest; there's not much drama in watching a bunch of guys you've never heard having their names read off. But it was a very nice looking production, and I'd go again... Unfortunately John and I left before the call for Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville's Mike Banner... and it's a good thing because I may have yelped with joy - I am also a SIUE alum.

* * * * *

And the Colts won and get to play the Patriots for a chance at the Superbowl. Hold on Indy, you're about to get Belichicked again. The last football game I watched was the Colts' victory over the Patriots (which took place while I was out in Vegas) - I told my co-viewers that the Colts were getting the win out of the way so they could lose in the playoffs.

That said, I'd like for them to win. I just don't have any faith in Payton at all. He's got the constant look of "I just pooped my pants and I have to wear them for another 3 hours" on his face. At least when Elway was blowing games he had the decency to smile about it (which always drove me nuts). Elway did get over, eventually...

* * * * *

One last thing... I'm hearing rumors of Gooch to Chelsea? Please god, no.

* * * * *

Ok, another last thing:

Dave will then take a ceremonial free kick from 30 yards over a wall that is the Jackson 5 (Michael in the middle) and the ball will magically curl up and over the Jackson 5 and into the top corner. Then the goal will split in half like in the opening ceremony for USA 94. Then James Brown's "Living in America" will boom over the loudspeaker.

Interesting to hear what folks thing about the Beckham deal on the other side of the pond. Thanks, Football365.com mailbox.

*

sunil galati is a tiny man

I've just returned from the downtown Indianapolis Hyatt, where I saw a virtual smorgasbord of who's who in MLS and US Soccer. Gina, John and myself met with Steve just as things seemed to pick up at the hotel bar.

As we awaited Steve's arrival, the first person I noticed was Eric Wynalda. For those of you with no Eric Wynalda background - Eric is the all time leader in goals for your US National Team. He's also responsible for one of the few times I've actually jumped for joy while watching a sporting event (at 1:22 in thisyoutube clip... i think).

Then we saw Rob Stone, the ESPN analyst, and then John Harkes, and Preki, and met Peter Wilt, who was fantastically nice (as I now see reported) and who listened to my Yellowstone buffalo collision story with what seemed to be a level of genuine interest.

Then we saw Sunil Galati.

Then Bruce Arena walked behind us. Even Gina knows who Bruce Arena is.

And I'm forgetting a bunch of people. I met a bunch of RSL staff, all of whom were very nice.

And pretty much every MLS GM and coach, aside from Alexi Lalas, who was probably busy figuring out ways to make money off the Beckham deal.

Of course I shouldn't forget to mention that Steve served as a wonderful host for us when he wasn't busy working. Great guy, that Steve. But you knew that already.

All in all, a pretty sort of surreal experience. Just me and John and Gina, hanging out at a bar with half my high school idols. Not bad.

This turned into an MLS blog all of a sudden

It didn't take Fox Soccer Shop long to get the jerseys up for sale... though that number isn't right, is it?

This Beckham thing is crazy. Sure, they've been talking about it forever, and sure, the rule is pretty much known as "The Beckham Rule", but who really thought he was coming over? I didn't.

$250 million dollars is a whole lotta money. I just hope it turns out. He's certainly saying all the right things (video link).

He's not over until August, even though the league starts in April... so that's a bit odd. I wonder when LA is in Chicago and/or Columbus? I'd like to see him play.

You're not getting this news in the Indy Star...

For anyone reading who thinks they might want to check out the MLS Superdraft (because it's truly super) at the Indianapolis convention center downtown, I have the following info from a good source.

draft is open to public... You can be first rsl fan to meet our draft pick...

And you can see Alexi Lalas IN THE FLESH. Highlight of your life, probably. I only wish I still had my 1994 US National Team Jersey (the blue one with the white stars). I'd have him autograph it and then I'd frame it above my bed.

* * * * *

In additional news, apparently the draft isn't the only MLS related thing going on in town this weekend. MLS pairs up with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's convention to bring you a few tasty treats.

According to this article, MLS will have a booth at the convention with giveaways, player visits, and a raffle that gives you a chance to win the pants off of Landon Donovan's new wife, sexy* tv and film star* Bianca Kajlich.

In addition, the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire have organized fan buses coming to town, so you could possibly meet Section 8, a group of fans who do a fantastic job. Or perhaps you'll meet V Army from Columbus, who I'm sure are quite lovely people.

And don't forget the NSCAA convention, either. Apparently it's worth checking out.

From here:

The NSCAA Convention also played host to one of the largest soccer trade shows in the world, and one need look no further than the A through Z of over 300 vendors who paid up to several thousand dollars for the privilege of holding booth space in the impressive Exhibit Hall to become aware that soccer in the U.S. is indeed undertaking somewhat of a revolution and now represents very big business.

Here's a schedule. Is this open to the public? I guess?

Sounds good to me. Again... you're not getting this info in the Star.

So come on out. Take in a session on "The Mastering of Soccer Through Consciousness", Johnny Guzman, Professional Coach, NYSA, Inc."

I guess it's free? Or maybe not... On this page it says something about a $99 weekend special. Whatever. You weren't coming out anyway.

Or you can sneak in the back door. Just tell them you're working for food service.

* * * * *

*things that aren't sexy: her clothing in that picture... You wore that to a party for Stuff Magazine? Did Landon dress you?

*according to her website she hasn't worked since 2002.

I'm an idiot.

So I've been planning a meet up with a friend for about 6 months now, coinciding with the MLS Superdraft, taking place in Indianapolis.... this Friday. Not next friday, like I thought. Even though we've had a conversation via email over and over again...

Anyway, I just figured out that it's this Friday, thanks to Scot, and du Nord. Which would explain why the email said "I'll call you Thursday".

I'm probably going to take Friday off for the draft. Why not? Does anyone actually know where it is? Is the public allowed in? Can I get this info in the next 24 hours? Can someone help me find my pants?

busy day

So if St. Louis gets an MLS team, they'll play in Collinsville?

Collinsville, seriously? Calling Collinsville a suburb of St. Louis is kind of like calling Whiteland* a suburb of Indianapolis.

I find it hard to believe that anyone from Missouri is going to cross the river to go see an MLS game. But if they do, at least they can take in the world's largest catsup bottle.

Your St. Louis CATSUPSTARS.

I'm making a push for the name immediately.

Update: An article in your Belleville News Democrat - the only paper my mother reads

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*town slogan: Because no one wanted to live in Blackland