I appreciate you bearing with me while I delved into some niche sports in that last post. Back to mainstream American sports for this one, and big news (possibly) coming out of MLS with reports that Thierry Henry has agreed a deal with New York Red Bulls. Shouts to fellow blogsters Bones and "Thunder" Dan for calling my attention to this one. The NY club has not released any offical statement regarding the deal, but it is being widely circulated on many media outlets. The World Cup-winning, European Championship-winning, two-time EPL-winning, 2-time La Liga-winning, and Champions' League-winning (to name just a few) Frenchman has long spoken of his love for the United States, particularly New York City, and his desire to play in the MLS when his days in Europe had finished. Henry has regularly visited the States in the past and one of his best friends is everyone's fourth favorite French NBA player behind Boris Diaw, Mickael Pietrus, and Rodrigue Beaubois. The answer is Tony Parker. The two are known to hang together quite a bit and Titi enjoys attending his games while on vacation. This is a story to keep our eyes on, and I just put the number for Red Bulls season tickets into my phone for quick reference.
Over in Italia, Oguchi Onyewu has agreed a unique deal with AC Milan (the very same AC Milan that has never lost a game when Scotty K was in the stands). The towering U.S. center back, who missed all but one game of this past season with a knee injury, asked Milan to extend his contract by one year, to the end of the 2012-13 season, and told them that he wants to play that last year for no salary. "Onyewu, who has been out for virtually the whole season due to injury, but who at this time is getting ready to face the World Cup adventure in South Africa with his national team, has become a star today with a significant gesture from a personal and professional standpoint. Onyewu has requested and obtained a contract extension from June 30, 2012 until June 30, 2013. With respect to that year, as was his wish, which has been appreciated by the club, Onyewu has asked not to receive any type of wages. This is an exemplary gesture that deserves our sincere congratulations," said the club.
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
Hambani Kahle, amigos.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Game 1 of Stanley Cup Finals to be Played Between Periods of Pee Wee Hockey Game
The NHL players currently battling out the Conference Finals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs have received an extra bit of incentive to go for glory.
Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League, announced yesterday that Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs would be held between the first and second periods of the regular season clash between the Davisville Hawks and the North City stars in the Pee Wee Division. "These grown men have worked hard all season," remarked a visibly excited Bettman. "They certainly deserve to play in front of a crowd for such a big game, and I'm sure the parents in the stands will be very polite and enthusiastic in their support."
Upon hearing this big news, the coaches and players from all four teams still in the running to showcase their talents at the 650 capacity Alan B. Wood Rink expressed their determination to earn a berth in that game. "Its gonna be really fun. I think it will give us a chance to show the people of the North City area what Stanley Cup hockey is all about," said San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton. When asked his opinion of the upcoming game, hockey dad Steve Anderson said he plans to use the intermission to get a coffee at the concession stand. "Sure, I'd love to see what these NHL players have to offer, but I'll be lucky just to be awake. These 4 AM games on Sunday are ridiculous."
Unfortunately, due to time constraints with the actual game being played and the need for the zamboni to clean the ice after Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Bettman confirmed that the game would be shortened to five minutes. Nonetheless, he urged the players to "just go out there, give it their all, and most importantly have fun." The NHL is still looking for a rink for Game 2. Last but certainly not least, the mornings events will not only appeal to hockey fans as the Pelham Figure Skating Club have confirmed that they will be performing during the second intermission.
Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League, announced yesterday that Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs would be held between the first and second periods of the regular season clash between the Davisville Hawks and the North City stars in the Pee Wee Division. "These grown men have worked hard all season," remarked a visibly excited Bettman. "They certainly deserve to play in front of a crowd for such a big game, and I'm sure the parents in the stands will be very polite and enthusiastic in their support."
Upon hearing this big news, the coaches and players from all four teams still in the running to showcase their talents at the 650 capacity Alan B. Wood Rink expressed their determination to earn a berth in that game. "Its gonna be really fun. I think it will give us a chance to show the people of the North City area what Stanley Cup hockey is all about," said San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton. When asked his opinion of the upcoming game, hockey dad Steve Anderson said he plans to use the intermission to get a coffee at the concession stand. "Sure, I'd love to see what these NHL players have to offer, but I'll be lucky just to be awake. These 4 AM games on Sunday are ridiculous."
Unfortunately, due to time constraints with the actual game being played and the need for the zamboni to clean the ice after Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Bettman confirmed that the game would be shortened to five minutes. Nonetheless, he urged the players to "just go out there, give it their all, and most importantly have fun." The NHL is still looking for a rink for Game 2. Last but certainly not least, the mornings events will not only appeal to hockey fans as the Pelham Figure Skating Club have confirmed that they will be performing during the second intermission.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Preliminary U.S. Squad Announced, Davies Misses Out
On Tuesday U.S. Men's National Team Coach Bob Bradley announced a preliminary thirty-man roster for next month's (damn that sounds nice) World Cup. The squad, which will be trimmed down to twenty-three by FIFA's June 1 deadline, is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton)
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), José Torres (Pachuca)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)
The MLS has only six representatives in the squad, with the bulk of the players coming from such international powerhouses as Örebro, Aarhus, and Aris Thessaloniki. This is in sharp contrast to the 2002 team that shocked the world by reaching the quarterfinals, which featured 12 MLS players, the squad four years ago that featured 11 MLS players. The fact that Bradley has cut these numbers in half even before the final cuts are made indicates a lack of trust in MLS and the players it produces. Our league may not be a match for the top few leagues in Europe now or perhaps ever, but nor are the Swedish or Danish leagues a match for La Liga and the English Premier League. A show of faith in MLS and exposing its players to the sport's biggest stage is the best way for the league to grow, and Bradley's selections speak loudly of a bias towards foreign-based players. In my mind he can only justify ignoring the MLS with results- round of sixteen at least if not the quarterfinals and beyond. I am not Bradley's biggest fan, and am convinced that after a needlessly shaky qualifying process his job was only saved last summer by an improbable (and somewhat flukish) second-place finish in the Confederations' Cup. Let's hope he has figured out what he's doing.
A quick word on the goalies. Brad Friedel, for my money the best American goalie around even at 38, is not in the pool, having retired from international soccer in 2005. Friedel has been a mainstay in the EPL for over a decade, and impressively holds the record for consecutive EPL games played- 226 (and counting). Even at his age he continues to excel consistently, and I find it frustrating that one of the three goalies in the squad is his backup at Aston Villa (and subsequently never plays in actual games.) The U.S'. strongest position by far is between the sticks, and even on paper we have a clear advantage there over most teams in the world, including England. Tim Howard, luckily, also happens to be one of the best GKs in England and barring injury will be the only goalie seeing action. Come on Timmy, get your shaved head ready for standing on!
Finally, the big news accompanying the squad announcement is that Charlie Davies has been left out. I think the whole country was rooting for him to recover in time from the car accident last year that killed a fellow passenger and left him with both bones in his right leg broken, an elbow fractured, facial injuries, and a lacerated bladder. He made a near-miraculous recovery to return to training with his club Sochaux in March, but failed to appear for the team again this season. Bradley has stated that it was a very hard decision to leave him out but that USMNT staff and Sochaux staff alike felt he wasn't ready for the tournament. I can imagine how hard that is for Charlie to take. I, along with millions of kids all over the world, have always dreamed of the chance to represent your nation in the World Cup and Davies was so close to realizing that dream. Here's hoping Charlie can continue to grow as a player and show the world what he can do in Brazil in 2014.
Fulham lost the Europa League Final in overtime 2-1 to Atletico Madrid. Despite the loss, Clint Dempsey came on in the 55th min, so Scotty K will be running around the streets of Methuen shirtless. Lock up your daughters and wives and sisters and mistresses and female cousins and female second cousins, people near New Hampshire.
Hambani Kahle, amigos.
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton)
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), José Torres (Pachuca)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)
The MLS has only six representatives in the squad, with the bulk of the players coming from such international powerhouses as Örebro, Aarhus, and Aris Thessaloniki. This is in sharp contrast to the 2002 team that shocked the world by reaching the quarterfinals, which featured 12 MLS players, the squad four years ago that featured 11 MLS players. The fact that Bradley has cut these numbers in half even before the final cuts are made indicates a lack of trust in MLS and the players it produces. Our league may not be a match for the top few leagues in Europe now or perhaps ever, but nor are the Swedish or Danish leagues a match for La Liga and the English Premier League. A show of faith in MLS and exposing its players to the sport's biggest stage is the best way for the league to grow, and Bradley's selections speak loudly of a bias towards foreign-based players. In my mind he can only justify ignoring the MLS with results- round of sixteen at least if not the quarterfinals and beyond. I am not Bradley's biggest fan, and am convinced that after a needlessly shaky qualifying process his job was only saved last summer by an improbable (and somewhat flukish) second-place finish in the Confederations' Cup. Let's hope he has figured out what he's doing.
A quick word on the goalies. Brad Friedel, for my money the best American goalie around even at 38, is not in the pool, having retired from international soccer in 2005. Friedel has been a mainstay in the EPL for over a decade, and impressively holds the record for consecutive EPL games played- 226 (and counting). Even at his age he continues to excel consistently, and I find it frustrating that one of the three goalies in the squad is his backup at Aston Villa (and subsequently never plays in actual games.) The U.S'. strongest position by far is between the sticks, and even on paper we have a clear advantage there over most teams in the world, including England. Tim Howard, luckily, also happens to be one of the best GKs in England and barring injury will be the only goalie seeing action. Come on Timmy, get your shaved head ready for standing on!
Finally, the big news accompanying the squad announcement is that Charlie Davies has been left out. I think the whole country was rooting for him to recover in time from the car accident last year that killed a fellow passenger and left him with both bones in his right leg broken, an elbow fractured, facial injuries, and a lacerated bladder. He made a near-miraculous recovery to return to training with his club Sochaux in March, but failed to appear for the team again this season. Bradley has stated that it was a very hard decision to leave him out but that USMNT staff and Sochaux staff alike felt he wasn't ready for the tournament. I can imagine how hard that is for Charlie to take. I, along with millions of kids all over the world, have always dreamed of the chance to represent your nation in the World Cup and Davies was so close to realizing that dream. Here's hoping Charlie can continue to grow as a player and show the world what he can do in Brazil in 2014.
Fulham lost the Europa League Final in overtime 2-1 to Atletico Madrid. Despite the loss, Clint Dempsey came on in the 55th min, so Scotty K will be running around the streets of Methuen shirtless. Lock up your daughters and wives and sisters and mistresses and female cousins and female second cousins, people near New Hampshire.
Hambani Kahle, amigos.
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