Podcasting for the sake of Podcasting...

In a small corner of the US Soccer site, I noticed a Podcast area. In April, there were 7 posts. Not too bad for a group just getting started in the Podcast realm. Five of the posts were interviews -- four of which were National Team players, and one a National Team coach. Great content.

The remaining two pieces were "Referee Reviews". They focused on the previous week in MLS play and had an assignor and referee discuss the in-game officiating.

My only question is....why? This might be beneficial for the actual referees, but why would this be published for personal consumption on USSoccer.com? The discussion in each Podcast centers around topics such as extra time at halves and the atmosphere at games.

Could you imagine if they were critical of specific officials? Would fans make signs saying "You got called out on the USSoccer.com Podcast!"?

In the end, I'm very much in favor of learning more about players and coaches, but referee assessments should stay private. They're rarely in good graces with fans and the Podcasting isn't changing that.

That person has Ronaldo's wallet!

I started getting into soccer in the early 90's. In USA '94, Ronaldo was so cool. His Brazilian team captured the World Cup Title that year. They also captured it in '02 when he lit up the tournament for 8 goals.

Since then, much has been said of Ronaldo's decline. He's still one of the most recognizable players on the global stage despite his eroding talent.

Today, he hits the news for a different reason. At home in Rio de Janeiro recovering from knee surgery, Ronaldo was questioned after a run-in with some (people of questionable character). Please note that engaging with (people of questionable character) is fully legal in Brazil.

I'm sure this isn't Ronaldo's first (people of questionable character) encounter. However, it's definitely his first encounter with (certain people of questionable character). As the story goes, he didn't realize they were (certain people of questionable character) until returning to his motel room with them. He was nice, offering to pay them anyway. The (people of questionable character), realizing it was Ronaldo, tried to extort him for $30,000 to keep the story quiet. That's when the disagreement started.

In the end, nobody's happy...Ronaldo, the (certain people of questionable character), or me, after reading this story. Yuck.

It's Finally Over!

From Long to Vobora, the NFL Draft is finally over! Spanning two days and approximately 15 hours, the 252 pick draft wrapped up yesterday evening. Strange as it may seem, many folks kept abreast of the proceedings until the bitter end. I saw online Draft Trackers all weekend long in various locations as fans snuck away from their daily tasks to get their first taste of the '08 NFL season.

Now the fun begins. Teams must hustle to get players signed and into mini camps before training camp begins in only a few short months. Once the NBA and NHL playoffs wrap up, everyone's focus will turn to the NFL season (and the Olympics, albeit briefly).

Here's hoping MLS can steal at least a small chunk of the spotlight as the season progresses...

The Best Draft Of Them All

This weekend marks undoubtedly the best draft of the year -- the NFL Draft. Slated to begin at 3p on Saturday, the 7 rounds of the draft will take place this season at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

There are a few reasons the NFL Draft is king -- football is the most popular sport in the US, fans are allowed to attend, it's 7 rounds long, and let's not forget the massive hype.

These factors combine to make NFL Draft weekend special. With diehard fans waiting months since the Super Bowl, the Draft truly marks the start of the season. Trades, signings, etc pick up after the draft and last until well into training camp in August.

Here's hoping the Eagles pick up some good players!

Have You Seen Us Lately?

This Spring, Demosphere began another advertising run on MLSNet.com. During the start of the season, All Star Game/midseason, and Playoff time, look for Demosphere as you browse both the main MLS site and your favorite team's site. Make sure to tell your friends where they can find Demosphere too!

My Favorite Team!

Rarely do I post non-soccer items, but today I wanted to post the highlights from the GW Women's Basketball team. I work on this video each year and the team advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second straight season. A must watch!

The Olympics Are Coming!

It's time to start thinking about the Olympics! Groupings were announced yesterday for both the Men's and Women's teams as they continue to prepare for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The Men face the decidedly tougher road -- Netherlands, Nigeria, and Japan in the first round. Yikes. The Women have a slightly easier path -- Norway, Japan, and New Zealand. A nice warmup for the elimination rounds. Who knew New Zealand had a Women's team? They do, and they're currently ranked 23rd in the FIFA rankings.

Keep in mind that the teams are not the same. The Men's team is actually the Under-23 team while the Women's team is the senior national team. It's unfortunate the opening group difficulty wasn't reversed.

While a good challenge for the Men, it will be very discouraging if they do not advance. The U-23 nucleus will be relied on heavily as we move towards World Cup 2010....

Penthouse to Outhouse

Four games into this young MLS season and DC United finds itself tied for last in the Eastern Conference with a 1-3 record after the most recent 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew last night at RFK.

After bouncing out of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, the team has descended mightily from the Supporters' Shield days of 2007. Many roster moves later, the team finds itself with a fragmented group with nowhere to go but up.

One potential cause for the disruption was the trade of defender Bobby Boswell. Now with Houston, Boswell finds himself in the starting XI after finishing 2007 on the bench for DC. The trade has taken its toll on Boswell too -- his blog, BobbyBoswell.com is nowhere near as entertaining as it was last season.

Potential Soccer Injury?

Running an errand yesterday, I found myself parked outside a dentist's office. Their sign in the window (above) was interesting to say the least.

Normally, stores advertise services in their windows with the hopes that people will stop in and give it a try, but after seeing the visual of a dental implant, I quickly removed myself from the shopping center in question.

I know the graphic isn't the best of quality, but it shows a regular tooth on the left and an implant on the right. The implant looks like a fake tooth with a huge screw drilled into the gums.

I realize missing teeth and hockey go hand in hand, but it has to happen in soccer eventually, and thus, it's Insider worthy!

The Women have Qualified!

I am happy to report that the Women's National Team has qualified for the 2008 Olympics after finishing first at CONCACAF Qualifying in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico over the weekend.

After advancing to the championship game against Canada, the team had already qualified...the overall win was for pride only.

The game went into overtime after a scoreless 90 minutes until Demosphere favorite Carli Lloyd scored on a free kick in the 108th minute. Canada equalized, sending the game into a penalty kick shootout. Carli scored again, and the US won 6-5 on kicks.

Good luck to the team as they prepare for this summer's festivities in Beijing!

Very Naked in Vienna

Finally, a creative way to promote a soccer match! This May, 2,008 naked people will pose for renowned photographer Spencer Tunick in Vienna as part of the run up to the Euro 2008 Tournament.

The photo shoot will happen at Ernst Happel Stadium, host of the Euro 2008 final in late June. While 2,000+ seems substantial, it will not even come close to Tunick's largest shoot of over 18,000 in Mexico City last year.

Exciting? Sure. Quotable? Not necessarily. "This very special ephemeral installation that we are inviting you to be part of is devised to capture and combine the spirit of sports, the grand sweeping waves of stadium architecture and the abstract relation of the human form to modern structures," organizers said in a statement. Riiiight.

Soccer Returns to San Jose!

After a multi-year hiatus, professional soccer returns to San Jose tomorrow afternoon when the Quakes take on the Chicago Fire. This will be the first home game since the Quakes moved following the 2005 season.

It's relatively uncommon for a team to return to a city that previously lost it -- see Cleveland's Browns or Washington's Nationals. In a league with only 14 teams, it's even more uncommon due to the other major US and Canadian cities without teams.

Nevertheless, a new Quakes chapter begins at home this weekend. The old Quakes actually turned out pretty well -- back-to-back MLS Cup Champions -- so time will tell how the new breed will fare.

La Bomba!

Another international competition, another loss. I can't say I'm surprised. DC United lost the semifinal leg of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup to Pachuca 3-2 after a 2-1 win last night in DC.

Charles Boehm of MLSNet.com sums it up perfectly: "For all their success and consistency in league play over the past four years, United have been repeatedly denied the glory they crave in regional competitions like this one and once again the capital club found themselves unable to string together the necessary results over the span of a two-leg series."

When will DC break through the international barrier? The semifinal losses to Mexican teams get old after a while.

Please DC, no Bomba tonight!

DC United fans wait with nervous anticipation of tonight's second leg of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup Semifinal against Pachuca.

In the first leg, Pachuca came away with the home victory, 2-0. Tonight's return leg in DC could spell the end of DC's run in the Champion's Cup, however, they do have the chance to advance to the final for the first time in many years.

Each year, DC participates in numerous international competitions but always seems to exit in the quarter or semifinals. Here's hoping to a different end to this year's story (7:30p on FSC).

Santino Pride!

Who is your favorite Santino? The only two Santino's I know, Quaranta of DC United and Marella of the WWE have had good starts to 2008.

Santino Quaranta (left), returned to DC United this season after bouncing around MLS following a trade from DC a few years ago. He appears to be in top form, already scoring a goal in a start against Toronto FC just last week. In less than 3 months, he has worked his way from training camp invitee to rostered player to starter to goal scorer.

Santino Marella (right) is a former favorite son of WWE fans. He captured the Intercontinental Title in 2007 in his debut in native Italy and is fighting to recapture his rightful title. He has expanded his role on WWE's Monday Night RAW, occasionally hosting a talk segment entitled "Santino's Casa."

As you can see, there are many reasons to be proud of our Santino's! Do you know a fellow successful Santino? Let us know!

A Little Help Please...

Please help! I saw this billboard at the mall yesterday and I really have no idea what it means. Clearly Verizon is trying to show off their new FiOS Internet system, but I'm not sure how it relates to either Soccer Moms or Italian shoes.

Do Soccer Moms shop for Italian shoes? Regular Italian shoes or Italian soccer shoes? Would Soccer Moms know the difference between Italian soccer shoes and English shoes? I thought shoe buying generally took a while?

I am very confused!

Beckham for MVP!

One goal and one assist. David Beckham's off to a flying start with LA Galaxy this year. In his long-delayed coming out party in MLS, Beckham led the Galaxy to a 2-0 win over the expansion San Jose Earthquakes last night. His tag team partner, Landon Donovan, also had a goal and an assist.

It's about time we saw this kind of production from the world's greatest footballer. After the game, he finally admitted what we all knew -- that he wasn't at full speed last season.

"Last year, I was probably 50 percent fit when I started. I was playing in games I shouldn't have been and it just sort of went downhill from there. I feel great after two games and my England game, so I ready to get on with it. Last year, I wasn't even training and I was playing. It wasn't good. That's not right to do and I won't do it again."

You better not!

Drink Some Tiger Juice!

Have you had your Tiger Juice today? Last month, Tiger Woods launched his own label of Gatorade called "Gatorage Tiger". Announced late last year, this is Tiger's first licensing deal and could be valued around $100 million.

I've tried some Tiger Juice and I'm happy to report it's not bad. Not bad at all. How it compares to regular Gatorade, Gatorade Ice, Gatorade Rain, G2, AM, Endurance, etc is unknown. There's too much to choose from.

I also wonder if I'm allowed to drink Tiger Juice when I'm not on the golf course. I drank it on a baseball field and felt strange. Tiger doesn't belong on the baseball field.

I have a game this afternoon...should I bring my Tiger Juice?

Carli Rocks!

Earlier this week, US Soccer announced the roster for Olympic Qualifying and our favorite Women's National Teamer, Carli Lloyd, was named to the squad.

In her young career, Carli already has 51 caps and 11 goals. She has been named to all top tournament teams in the last few years and her career is just starting to take flight.

We also host the official Carli Lloyd site at www.carlilloyd.com. She'll be holding her first ever camp this year for youth players in New Jersey, so be sure to check it out.

Good luck Carli!

April Fools!

April Fools Day is very interesting. It's a holiday no one wants to admit to. Few big companies ever play along, but Google has been very creative both this year and last.

This year, when logging onto GMail, users are told of the new "Custom Time" feature, allowing you to send an email in the past using a drop down. However, they only promise to allow you to rewind back to the start of GMail a few years ago...no further!

Hilarious!