Demosphere Insider

Is It Any Wonder...

2008-10-17T05:55:00.001-07:00

...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!

2008-10-16T03:58:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-10-14T04:08:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-10-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-10-06T05:59:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-10-03T04:14:00.000-07:00

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...

Eliminated

2008-10-02T04:15:00.000-07:00

DC United was officially eliminated from Champions League competition after a 1-0 loss last night at RFK Stadium. The loss drops them to 0-3 in their group, leaving them no chance of advancing. In a matchup of reserves vs. reserves, it was the Mexican foes who prevailed.

Just a quick note to DC United...if you're going to make advertisements like the one above, please make an attempt to advance out of the group stage.

End of the Road?

2008-10-01T03:57:00.001-07:00

Could tonight be the end of the road for DC United in the Champions League? Tonight, they host Cruz Azul at home in a definite must-win situation. To advance past the group stage, home wins are needed.....and United desperately need one after dropping their first home and away matches.

Cross your fingers for a better result tonight!

Game Over

2008-09-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

...for Brazilian Thiago da Silva, murdered by 3 hitmen hired by his ex-girlfriend. The second division player for Estacio de Sa Soccer Club was killed this week after a run-in with the murderers at the stadium. No word on motivation for the crime.

Sometimes soccer makes the headlines for the strangest reasons...

Surprise, Surprise...

2008-09-25T04:01:00.000-07:00

Another game, another loss for DC United. The team was defeated by CD Marathon 2-0 last night in Honduras and falls to 0-2 in Champions League action. The standard fatigue/injury/travel excuses popped up again, and the team must win its next home game to have a realistic shot at advancing past the group stage. Que decepcionante!

Honduras!

2008-09-24T03:49:00.000-07:00

DC United has hit Honduras for tonight's Champions League game against CD Marathon. The official pregame article on DCUnited.com claims the team "remains undermanned and short on confidence." Not exactly the reinforcing message you hope to hear the day before the game.

The game will air at 10pm on FSC this evening. Time will tell how they fare, but I see a 4-1 or 3-0 scoreline tonight, meaning a rough trip back to DC for league play on Saturday.

Brrrrrr

2008-09-22T04:19:00.000-07:00

Brrrrr....fall starts today! Summer is officially over and fall is here...as of 11:33am. Time to put the shorts away! This also marks the 3rd season of the year for MLS...as they began in spring, played through summer, and will nearly touch winter before it's all over. Besides golf and potentially NASCAR, it's the longest "season" in sports!

DC's next CONCACAF Match...

2008-09-18T05:49:00.000-07:00

...is against CD Marathon from Honduras next Wednesday evening...in Honduras. Their website, cdmarathon.com, has a raptor on it. Yikes. If DC loses by less than 3, I'll be impressed.

New Tournament, Same Result

2008-09-17T05:41:00.000-07:00

DC United dropped its opening contest in the CONCACAF Champions League 2-0 to Saprissa last night at RFK Stadium. New tournament, same result for DC United. As I've blogged about frequently, DC consistently loses these matches and cannot advance its standing internationally in CONCACAF. Adding insult to injury, the team was shorthanded and the loss came at home.

The excuses (injuries, fatigue) will always be present...but WHY lose at home? Why not put out the best possible team you can? It away matches scheduled in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Mexico, if United finishes 0-2-1 and not 0-3, I will be surprised.

Until the team starts really caring about these tournaments, please take down the splash page from DCUnited.com. Last night's attendance is all you need to know: 6,105.

The Witch Goalie

2008-09-16T04:24:00.000-07:00

I'm sure many of you have seen the story that hit the 'net yesterday from the Congo -- a riot at a soccer game in the Congo resulting in 13 dead.

Allegedly, a player began using witchcraft at a game sparked the riot. Soldiers fired into the air to control the outburst but were unsuccessful. Most of the dead appeared to be children.

The official report of the incident made no mention of the witchcraft, but the sole reason the story made news in the US yesterday had to be for this reason.

No word on which team the witchdoctor played for and which team won...or if the game was completed.

My First Game!

2008-09-12T04:26:00.000-07:00

I have waited long enough for sure. Tomorrow I'll be going to my first DC United game of the year! Woohoo! Yes, it's true the season is 6 months old, but better now than never. Thankfully they are playing some MLS competition in FC Dallas and not someone from CONCACAF...at least not yet.

Go team!

Hey Hey USA!

2008-09-11T04:02:00.000-07:00

The US defeated Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 in World Cup qualifying last night, moving them one step closer to the 2010 World Cup. The team is now 3-0 in qualifying. The game was entertaining through the first half as the US applied most of the pressure.

The real entertainment, though, was former T&T goalie Shaka Hislop in the broadcast booth. After a forgettable into when he couldn't remember the name of co-analyst Jon Harkes, Hislop sounded nervous, uncomfortable, and proceeded to blow a few offside calls as well. Not a good debut for Hislop in the booth...either put him on the sideline or end the experiment!

Brrrrr

2008-09-10T04:24:00.000-07:00

Brrr...it was cold this morning in Washington, DC! This morning's temperature...65 degrees. While not technically cold, it was the coldest morning in the last few months. Come Spring, this will actually be quite warm....

Football Underway!

2008-09-08T05:16:00.001-07:00

Football has begun! Yesterday marked the first Sunday in the NFL season. American football is the most popular sport in the US today and the season is officially off and running. With English Premier League football underway as well....we'll see how the MLS rating do for the duration of the year. Will you be watching?

DC Wins Open Cup!

2008-09-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

It's been quite some time but DC United has captured another "major" trophy. They defeated the Charleston Battery 2-1 last night to win the US Open Cup. The win doesn't have the same flair of an international trophy, but at least it's something! Hooray!

Yes, I will...

2008-09-03T04:49:00.001-07:00

...be cheering on DC United from my couch tonight in the US Open Cup Final. The DC website continually asks if you will "bring your friends and cheer the team on to victory" tonight. Unfortunately, many of my friends don't know much about soccer...and they know less about the Open Cup.

Be that as it may, there's also lots of good TV on tonight! Sarah Palin's making her debut!

Open Cup Final!

2008-09-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow's US Open Cup Final sees DC United against the Charleston Battery. United is making its return to the final after more than 10 years -- 1997 was the last time they advanced this far. This can be attributed mostly to playing regulars in their semifinal match against the New England Revolution. While the Revolution played mostly substitutes, DC played at near full strength and earned the win.

For Charleston, they've defeated both FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo from MLS on their way to the Final. Most recently, they beat the Seattle Sounders, a USL first division team like themselves. However, the Sounders will be making the jump to MLS next season and many of those players may be called upon on the pro squad.

The stage is set for a DC return to glory or the culmination of an impressive run by Charleston. At the end of the night tomorrow, we'll know which storyline has played out.

...And We're Back!

2008-08-29T04:02:00.000-07:00

After a break for vacation, the Demosphere Insider is back. Things have slowed down considerably following the Olympics from last week. I believe many, including myself, are still stunned that the US Women took home gold after beating Brazil last week, 1-0. Our favorite national teamer, Carli Lloyd, scored the game winner! More to come next week.

Finally, some good tv!

2008-08-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

There have have been dozens of feel-good stories at the Olympics in Beijing this summer. Rarely do we see negative stories...the Olympics is usually about everything that is good with sports and humanity.

That's why this video caught my eye. Jenn Stuczynski, an American pole vaulter, won Silver after barely losing to Russian Yelena Isinbayeva. She is the current world record holder and also defeated Stuczynski at the World Championships earlier this year.

Despite losing to the best women's pole vaulter in the world, her coach decided to let her have it after the competition. He was clearly disappointed in the loss. Very entertaining.