Is It Any Wonder...

...that the US lost in Trinidad earlier this week? I mean, look how scared they look in their pre-game photo!
I love this soccer tradition of the pre-game match photo. Along with a traditional trading of banners, it can't be beat. However, teams should put more practice into how they want to look in these photos. Wouldn't a more intimidating shot be better?

Busy Sports Night!

Those Soca Warriors from Trinidad & Tobago beat the US in World Cup qualifying last night 2-1. The loss was not totally unexpected as the US started a much 'greener' squad looking to get them some international experience. Fortunately, the team has already advanced to the next stage even before their final match against Guatemala next month. Maybe we'll get to see Troy Perkins!

In other news....the Phillies made the World Series! Hooray!

6-1? Wow!

Yes, I happened to catch a bit of the US/Cuba game on Saturday and I definitely came away impressed. Even DaMarcus Beasley scored twice! The 6-1 bombing means that the US has advanced to the final round of World Cup Qualifying.

With each victory, coach Bob Bradley seems to be cementing his role as a permanent fixture on the sidelines. When originally appointed, his leadership seemed only temporary, but with the team playing well, it seems logical to keep him at the helm. Who knows, maybe we'll see some Freddy Adu/Jozy Altidore action in the final game against Trinidad & Tobago.

Gas It Up!

French Team Olympique Marseille had a rough trip back from Madrid after a Champions League loss this week. Evidently, their pilot's credit card was declined so the plane was unable to fuel up at the airport.

Thankfully, the team was able to collect 3,000 euros so they could get home. Coach Eric Gerets was unable to enjoy a cigar after donating 100 euros to the cause. "I felt as though I was in a film, a bad one," he said.

Blatter Doesn't Like Foreign Ownership

FIFA President Sepp Blatter spoke out recently against the influx of foreign ownership in English Premier League teams.

“We have to be alarmed .The economic power of football is immense," he said. His main concern is owners stepping away at will and leaving particular clubs under a mountain of debt.

Currently, 9 teams are under foreign ownership with potentially 3 more coming in the near future. To address the situation, Blatter asked UEFA to enforce tighter licensing rules to potentially block any misguided acquisitions.

Thankfully he did not make these statements in his soccer costume.

Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself...

Each Sunday in the Washington Post, columnist George Solomon comments on a wide range of topics...anything from local to national, baseball to hockey. Yesterday was no different.

His main focus was on a nationally televised High School game in the Washington, DC area this past Thursday night. Towards the end, he made a DC United related comment that really sums up many of the things I've been saying for a while.

"D.C. United seems to play every night, in an MLS game or some tournament I don't fully grasp. And D.C. United seems to lose every night. D.C. United's biggest mistake this century was trading Freddy Adu, who returns to town with the U.S. national team for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Cuba. I miss Freddy."

Yes, the season is really 10 months long!

I Missed It!

I will be the first to admit I missed "Youth Soccer Month" last month. US Youth Soccer uses "Youth Soccer Month" as a way to raise awareness during the start of the fall season. A 7,500 tour of a large, inflatable jersey made its way around the country and even to a DC United game, but I never got the memo!

I was extremely hopeful of getting a picture with the jersey or with "Stickley" (pictured above), but I missed the boat.

Maybe next year...