Revising Upwards Again

After some hard fought but predictable loses to, let us face it, better teams, the Billikens have beaten another team I wasn't exactly expecting them to beat:

Kwamain Mitchell scored 22 points, including two 3-pointers during a key second-half run, to lead Saint Louis to a 71-61 victory over Southern Illinois on Saturday night.

Willie Reed added 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Christian Salecich scored 10 points for Saint Louis (5-3), which ended a three-game losing streak and improved to 5-0 at home.

Kevin Dillard had 23 points to lead Southern Illinois (3-2)

Great win for the Bills.

This means I'm revising my win prediction upwards, from 8 to 10 wins.

The improved consistency of this team is starting to impress me.

Thierry Henry, Thief

There really is no other word to assign to French striker Thierry Henry anymore. In a moment Henry destroyed a career's worth of goodwill bought in blood, sweat, tear and good humor, with a blatant hand ball. And it isn't just that the ball went off of his hand and resulted in a goal. Sometimes that happens with no intent being involved. No, this was a case of a deliberate batting a ball which was heading for a goal kick back into play. It was the sort of play that, had a defender done it, would have merited a straight red card. It was cynical, sad, and a mockery of the FIFA "Fair Play" signs displayed at every World Cup match these days.

Here is how Lee Dixon sees things:

I played with Thierry Henry for six years at Arsenal and I can assure you he was as honest as the day is long.

But people will look at his handball in the build-up to France's extra-time equaliser, which sent them to South Africa with a 2-1 aggregate victory, and say he's cheated.

That's because he did cheat. That's the way it works. I can live my whole life without murdering anyone, but once I kill my first person I'm a murderer.

He has been a truly great footballer - one of the best players we've ever seen in the Premier League - but now people will remember him for that goal against Ireland. It's really sad.

From listening to the radio this morning, I've already heard a lot of Arsenal fans saying Thierry's gone down in their estimations. It's unfortunate, but he's put himself in this position by a moment of madness.

Yeah, he is the new Maradona. No one ever disputed that Diego had mad skills. He was a true wizard. Now, he's mostly known as the "hand of God" cheater. OK, so he's known as the insane, drug crazed, tyrant loving "hand of God" cheater. Some improvement.

Dixon sees the same thing:

So I'm not surprised at all he stuck his arm out in the first place. That is not blatant cheating. But the second part, when he scooped the ball back, is the deliberate bit and that's what will taint his reputation.

If you look at Diego Maradona's handball against England in the 1986 World Cup, that was not an instinctive movement.

That's a cheating movement and you look at the second movement of Thierry's hand and say it's deliberate. Like Maradona, he knew exactly what he was doing and, for the Thierry I know, that is out of character.

I'm sorry, but that now is his new character. He cannot undo this...ever. This didn't happen in a friendly or in an interminable mid-season club fixture. Henry saw his chance to steal from the Irish players what could be their only chance to make a World Cup final (you never know,) and he took it, if not with both hands then with the only hand he needed. For older Irish players this is obviously their last chance to get to soccer's ultimate stage. Will Robbie Keane or Damien Duff be around four years from now playing international soccer? Probably not.

"Moment of madness" or not, that will be the legacy of Henry's career.

Living in Flyover Country Strikes Again

I really think any sportwriter who voted for Lincecum #1 AND who doesn't live in the Bay area should have their right to vote for the Cy Young taken away from them as they have the baseball IQ of a gerbil. I also think anyone who would defend this vote knows nothing, and I mean nothing about baseball.

On Thursday, Lincecum became the only pitcher to capture the Cy Young Award in each of his first two full Major League seasons. The San Francisco Giants right-hander was named the National League's repeat winner Thursday in balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

"It's a tremendous honor for me," said Lincecum, 25.

Fuck you Lincecum, you didn't earn it your little girly doped up asswipe.

The fact Wainwright got 12 (the most) first place votes, but only 5 second place votes, and 15(!)third place votes means that way too many writers are stupid ass motherfuckers, who are more interested in sucking the cocks of folks living on the East or West coasts then they are actually following the sport.

Fuck 'em.

Another Nice Win For Billikens

The Billikens did it again: Billikens ride hot shooting

St. Louis University has had trouble getting schools from big conferences to put it on their schedule, and games like Wednesday night's may show why.

For the second straight season, SLU took on a team from a BCS conference early in the season at home and came away with a win. Last year, it was Boston College of the ACC. This year, it was Nebraska, which SLU handled easily in a 69-55 win at Chaifetz Arena.

The Billikens (2-0) overwhelmed Nebraska on defense, holding it to 33.3 percent shooting in the second half, and draining a steady stream of 3-pointers that keyed an 11-0 run that gave SLU a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Kwamain Mitchell led SLU with 20 points, making seven of 10 field goal attempts. Willie Reed had nine rebounds and seven points. Kyle Cassity had a career-high seven rebounds and four assists.

I'll admit I had this game down as loss when I looked through the Bills' schedule. Taking care of business at home is always the first priority for any young team. If SLU learns how to do that consistently this year that will bode well for upcoming seasons.

I'm pleased, and I'm bumping up my season prediction on wins from 7 to 8.

I'll gladly do that a few more times this year.

IN OTHER BILLIKEN NEWS:

The SLU soccer team takes on Missouri State in the NCAA tournament today. If recent tourney history means anything for the Billikens I'd be expecting a loss. However, this team was such a long shot to even make the NCAA's in the first place (they needed to with the A-10 tournament for the first time ever to qualify), maybe they will surprise. They don't have anything to lose really.

Well Done

I figure if I was gonna bitch about the Billikens before the season even began I should praise them when they put forward a good effort.

Willie Reed scored 15 points and had 12 rebounds and Brian Conklin had 15 points to lead Saint Louis to a 59-41 victory over Southeast Missouri State on Saturday night.

Kwamain Mitchell added 13 points for the Billikens (1-0), who helped coach Rick Majerus improve to 22-1 in season openers.

It is particularly good to see Reed get off to such a good start. Not only did he go for 15 and 12, he also chipped in 3 blocks as well. The Bills will be a little undersized this year so it will be vital for Reed to contribute on a regular basis.

I'm not ready to shift from season prediction yet (it was only SEMO after all and they only won 3 games last year), but they took care of business easily.

It's a start.

When Won't The Billikens Suck?

You know, as a longtime fan of a mid-major college basketball program I don't think I have unreasonable expectations. There is no possibility of long term sustained success for a team like SLU and I accept that. Sure, UCLA or Duke or North Carolina can have such expectations with a clunker team only coming along once a decade or so. The Billikens will always be more of a roller coaster ride, or at least should be a roller coaster ride if things are progressing as they should.

The one thing this team has not had since Majerus arrived is "progress". They've gone 16-15 and 18-14 the last two years, and now there are no upperclassmen to speak of, and this collection of Freshmen and Sophomores are predicted to get absolutely spanked. Maybe I should be more patient, but I really thought there would be better recruits in the pipeline by now. (Dwayne Evans, who will come in next year is a decent signing, but I'm hoping for more of this type of recruit.)

I'm predicting the Bills win 7 games this year total.

I'm just hoping I'm not being too optimistic.

I Need An Assistant

Really, I've no time these days. It feels like I should have time, but every day I look up at the clock and, shit!, another day is in the books and I'm dragging my tired carcass off to bed. Oh, I wake up early enough in the morning but by the time I update my radio station, drink my morning tea and eat my morning bagel, I'm nearly late for work. Once I'm at work I've got my nose in a book prepping for class, or I'm studiously avoiding grading papers with office banter.

As a result sports have fallen off the radar to an unusual degree for me. I'm still watching it a bit, but I'm not really following it. For example, I've no idea if the Cards have made any moves since the season ended. Not only am I not looking at the baseball blogs but I'm not even reading the P-D.

I do miss it, most of the time, but I'm pretty sure there isn't much I can do about it right now. If only I was paid enough to be able to afford to hire a manservant...

I'm Tired Of Being Sodomized By Baldomero Toledo

The worst official in American professional sports strikes again...again! Baldomero Toledo single-handedly destroyed what was shaping up to be the most entertaining game in MLS this year. Missed call followed hard upon missed call. True the PK called on Hejduk was probably correct, but multiple hand balls were missed (both outside and inside the box) and all of the missed calls hurt Columbus resulting in officiating that was horribly one-sided. (It doesn't matter what Toledo's intent was, the one-sidedness was the result.)

Now, Salt Lake may have won this game anyway, but I hate the fact we will never know for sure. This isn't a case of a tight game with a lot of close calls where the refs are always dancing on a knife's edge to keep in under control. No! The problem here is Toledo is always nowhere near the play. Obviously the game moves way too fast for him to keep up, and the result is missed call after missed call. The average fan is let praying that the poor officiating will even out over the course of 90 minutes.

Last night it did not even out.

Another game ruined.

What Does The Truth Cost? $5000 Apparently

D.C. United president fined for critical comments:

D.C. United president Kevin Payne was fined $5,000 by Major League Soccer, then apologized on Thursday for criticizing the league and three teams.

The MLS said Payne was punished for "public comments deemed detrimental to the public image of the league" and pointed to an item posted on The Washington Post's Web site this week. Payne was critical of the conservative playing style of Colorado, New England and Real Salt Lake in quotes posted on the site.

Payne said the tactics create "a lot of games in our league that I can't watch."

Payne is right. Colorado and Real Salt Lake almost always play the most negative game imaginable, and have for years. New England, once upon a time, could play attractive attacking soccer. This season they have been damn near unwatchable.

For example, look at last night's nil-nil draw between Houston and Seattle. Sure there were no goals, but there was plenty of action. Action is exactly what you are not going to see when Real and the Revs play their playoff games.

7th Inning ALCS Score: Angels 4 : 3 Umpires (& Yankees)

All I can say is the ALCS is unwatchable, if you like baseball.

If you like watching the umpires (continuing) to give games to the Yankees, well enjoy.... but don't kid yourself that you are watching baseball.

You are watching a corporate payday.

I Hate Not Updating Blogs

I really do...but life is kicking my ass in terms of free time (even if otherwise things are going well.) I simply haven't had the time to come on here and bitch about the inconsistent Blues, or the inconsistent DC United, or the shitty play of the Cards in the NLDS, or the shitty play of the Tigers in the second half of games...

Oh, I'm bitching about all of those things. I just haven't had time to write about my bitching.

Hopefully that will change on of these days.

Woe Be To Paladins

Mizzou plays Furman today.

It's 42-0 Missouri at the half.

How does this help anybody?

Another Civil War Over

Ho-Hum. Another GASL blogger against blogger showdown in St. Louis has ended with the inevitable drubbing:

Reloading or rebuilding? That seemed a reasonable question for a Mizzou football program with numerous apparent X-factors entering its 2009 opener against Illinois on Saturday at the Edward Jones Dome.

But by the time the Tigers had shredded Illinois 37-9, the tone of the questions already was changing radically:

Might MU be as good, or better, than it has been the last few years?

For all else that went so well as the Tigers beat Illinois for the fifth straight time, nothing was more promising and could have inspired more faith than the play of sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert from Parkway West.

Actually...truth be told, I wasn't nearly so confident going into the game. I told my wife, in fact, that I expected Mizzou to get their asses handed to them. Oh, I knew the Illini had some defensive difficulties, but I expected the Mizzou offense to be mistake prone.

Turns out most of the mistakes made on the day were committed by Illini safeties who forgot how to A) position themselves, B) support their corners, C) tackle, or D) cover receivers. Other then that they were fine.

Mostly, I figured the Illinois offense would dominate, but they were off their game (couple guys getting banged up didn't help) and the Tiger D were good. I thought the defense would improve this season...but not that much.

This makes five years in a row we have bested the team from Champaign.

Do I hear six next year?

Really, I *AM* Paying Attention...

...I know the Cards are playing great baseball these days. The pitching has been lights out. They are still hitting well since Holliday showed up. They are still catching the ball. I know we have caught the Dodgers for the best record in the NL.

I know it.

I know it.

It's damn fun.

(As I type this the Cards have the bases loaded with Albert up in the 7th, down 4-2. But, no! He grounds out! IS that allowed?)

Pity The Rest Of League II

Notts County keeps writing checks:

Notts County have confirmed the signing of 34-year-old former England defender Sol Campbell on a five-year contract.

Campbell was a free agent after leaving Portsmouth and has joined the League Two outfit, who were taken over this summer, in a purely playing capacity.

"This club have got great ambition and I want to be a part of it," said the former Tottenham and Arsenal star.

Campbell has 73 England caps and played for his country under Magpies director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Eriksson stunned the world of football when he arrived at Meadow Lane in July and in Campbell the club have now made their biggest on-field signing since being taken over by a Middle-East consortium.

"Sven played a big role," said Campbell, whose move to Notts County was revealed by BBC Radio Nottingham earlier in the week. "He's a great man. He's managed all over the world and he knows his football, he's a proper guy.

"He's seen the future. It's a challenge but I think everyone connected to the club are prepared for that challenge. It's refreshing."

Alright, I'll admit it, I'm a little giddy with all the good news coming from the Magpies these days. When I started following this club I thought the time might come when they were able to climb into the higher reaches of English football, but I thought I'd be in my 50's when that happened. With the recent in-flow of cash, it looks like I might see such success while I'm still in my 40's.

Campbell's former manager, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, said he was surprised by the player's decision to drop down three divisions and suggested he might find it difficult to cope.

"It was a surprise, because of the level Notts County play at," said the Frenchman. "That shows you as well how much financial potential Notts County has suddenly.

"In May, did you expect Sol to go to Notts County? Certainly not. Time will show if it is a good move for him. It depends what is in his mind, if it is purely a football move or if it is a long-term move that he wants to be involved afterwards as a coach....

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp revealed he would have attempted to sign Campbell had he been in charge of any other Premier League club.

Campbell became a hate figure among Spurs fans after leaving for bitter rivals Arsenal in 2001 and Redknapp, who signed the defender for Portsmouth, said: "If I was at any other Premier League club I would have taken Sol Campbell no problem at all. I think he is still a fantastic player.

"In my opinion he's still in the top six central defenders in the Premier League so for Notts County to get him in that division is incredible."

Incredible. Yeah, that's the word.

The Worst Official In Professional Sports Strikes Again

Even the ESPN broadcast crew has had enough of Baldomero Toledo. He single handedly destroyed the quality of last night's Sounders v. Revolution match, unless, of course, 32,000 Seattle fans actually paid good money to watch Toledo looking befuddled.

MLS needs to get rid of this fool. He is making a mockery of the league.

This leads me to my new (very old) joke:

Person 1: How do you save a drowning Baldomero Toledo?

Person 2: I don't know.

Person 1: Good.

I Hate The BBC

Does anybody have a good reason why video highlights from UK sporting events are only viewable by UK residents? God knows, highlights on ESPN or any other US based media are available to anyone in any country.

I thought the BBC was supposed to be a news organization. I guess I was wrong.

Holy Shit

End the season!

Notts County 5 - 0 Bradford

Lee Hughes scored a hat-trick as Sven-Goran Eriksson's era as director of football at Notts County began with a stunning win over sorry Bradford....

Notts County manager Ian McParland told BBC Radio Nottinghamshire:

"We played some good football - like we did last year but today we stuck our chances in the back of the net.

"It was a treat to watch. We've added more energy to the team this season.

"We've won more tackles today than we did all last season."

Yes, you read that right, ol' Sven has taken up residence with the Magpies. God only knows how this will impact the product on the field, but it should certainly be easier to convince potential signings that Notts is serious in moving up the ranks of English football.

If we keep winning games 5 to nil, well, that would help too.

Man, Am I Tired Of Primadonna Umpires

Everywhere I looked tonight I saw nothing but umpires convinced they are the reason people bought tickets.

The Cards/Dodger game featured two primadonna. Home Plate umpire Jeff Kellogg is the worst kind of "Hey everybody!! Look at me!!!!!" umpire. You know the type. The kind of umpire that wants to make call, nay MUST make calls, even if the play didn't actually, you know, happen. Thus he says a player is hit by a pitch when they weren't, and he love to have his flamboyant strike out calls more then he likes to call strikes strikes and balls balls.

But Kellogg was excellent compared to First Base umpire Rob Drake, who not only misses a tag that any non-blind first grader could call correctly 100% of the time as it wasn't even close, but who takes it upon himself to attempt to bait Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter. All Drake proved was he is a wuss of the highest order. Carpenter basically just told him to shut the hell up, and good for Chris.

But, even Drake was not the worst umpire of the night. That accolade was earned by Home Plate umpire Mike Everitt in the Astros/Cubs game who not only escalates a confrontation with a Houston pitcher by coming out in front of the plate to bait him, but who throws him out of the game after the pitcher indicates that he'd like the umpire to, you know, get back behind the plate and call balls and strikes. The horror!!!! Doesn't he know that the little primadonna has a tiny little ego that bruises easier than an overripe tomato?

Ugh. I'm sorry but none of this shit went on in the 70's and 80's.

So Frustrating

I'm sorry, but attempting to watch the Cards on TV when Wellemeyer is pitching is nothing short of a suicide attempt for me. I know its gonna end badly, but I watch anyway with the resulting blood pressure spike. The Cards are not on that often up here, and for some reason Wellemeyer seems to pitch every other game they show. (Literally. I've seen 10 Cards games on TV this season and I've seen Wellemeyer 5 times and Piniero, Wainwright, Lohse, Thompson and Carpenter once each.)

When will the Cards wake up and realize Wellemeyer is this season's Kip Wells?

He needs to go, and soon.

Where Does CONCACAF Find These Walking Abortions?

Jeezus H Christ. What should have been a red card against the Mexican asshole (I hestitate to call him a "player" as he's a fucking flopper and a cheater) for a flying elbow in the box is instead called as a penalty against the U.S.

Welcome to bullshit 101.

Justice

Were there any justice in the world, this man would be fired from his job as an MLS ref, anally raped, and then shot.

And I'm a DC United fan, not a Seattle fan.

At least MLS should fine and suspend his amateur candy ass.

Hope?????

Oh my God....this could lead to something: Notts County takeover completed

Munto Finance have completed their takeover of Notts County, reports BBC Radio Nottingham.

Peter Trembling has been named as the club's new chairman and chief executive with Peter Willett alongside him on the board of directors.

Former directors, including chairman John Armstrong-Holmes, have resigned.

Trembling told BBC Radio Nottingham: "Our plans are very straightforward. We want to bring success back to Notts County Football Club."

He added: "We have already voiced our plans for the next five years, and that's very clearly to get us into the Championship.

You'll have to excuse me...I think I just soiled myself.

Really, this is what I (and every other Magpie fanatic) have been waiting years for. If there is real financial backing put behind the team I'll just...

Oops. I did it again.

Fuck Telemundo

I don't believe this shit:

The USA and Mexico will play a World Cup qualifier on Wed., Aug. 12 at Azteca Stadium, a massive match that offers the Americans perhaps their best chance to end a lifetime of misery in Mexico City and an opportunity for El Tri to redeem itself after a wobbly start to the hexagonal.

But if you are planning to watch the 4 p.m. ET match on the family of ESPN networks as you usually do for a USA qualifier, forget it.

Telemundo has the U.S. rights to Mexican matches -- not just the Spanish rights, but the English rights as well. While the main network will carry the game in Spanish, Telemundo senior vice president for sports Jorge Hidalgo told the Insider today that his company will keep the English rights and show the match on mun2, an eight-year-old cable outlet geared toward a younger Latino audience that regularly shows programming with audio in English. The identity of the announcers, who will call the game in English, will be unveiled soon, Hidalgo said.

What pieces of shit. What percentage of the fucking country even gets that station? 5%??? What percentage of English speaking people even fucking know about the damn thing? 0.1%?

Fuck 'em. Fuck 'em all.

I thought they were supposed to be an "American" television station.

I guess that was a lie. (No, I'm not surprised.)

My Take On The DeRosa Deal

It may be trendy to fall in love with the young hard throwing relievers coming up through the Cards system, but I thought we were doing the whole "build from within" thing in part because it allows us to make a move for immediate help, which DeRosa clearly is. We have no one on the farm who can really replace the missing production in the outfield and third base this season. That being the case, it makes sense to grab a DeRosa to fill in here and there. He is a plus bat and we need one right now. LaRussa has a good handle on how to use guys like this, and from what I read the in PD he's keen to have someone like DeRosa aboard.

Yes, it would be great to keep Perez and see how he develops, but I never bought that whole "closer of the future" stuff. In my experience, if a kid is really ready to step in like that they do it right away (think of that ass Papelbon or Todd Worrell.) Now, some players do work their way into the position, but it usually takes a few years. Perez obviously isn't ready to be the full time guy, and maybe he will be in 2012...but we need a bat now.

I'm less sanguine about the possibility of a deal for Matt Holiday, but only because I fear he will never be the player he was for the Rockies. We shall see, maybe.

Choke Job

You know, if the US had just got outplayed by Brazil and lost 2-0 I wouldn't have minded. I could have said, "Hey boys, good job. You really proved yourself."

But this????? This is a choke job of the first order and as dis-spiriting a loss for US fans as can be imaginable.

Oh, I know the game isn't over yet. But, trust me, it most definitely is over.

USA v. Spain: Post Mortem

OK, I've had a couple of hours to decompress from that surprisingly tense semi-final. And I say "surprisingly tense" because I really wasn't sure we were gonna be in this match for long. I know Spain didn't look great against Iraq (or South Africa for that matter), but I chalked that up to them taking it easy waiting for the knockout stages. Yes, the US played a great game against Egypt, but, c'mon it was Egypt. Don't get me wrong, they are a good side, but they are no Spain.

Anyway, here are some of the highlights from the press roundups:

New York Times:

Unlike that loss to Brazil last week, though, the Americans were confident, not nervous, in the opening minutes Wednesday. They bothered Spain with early high pressure, and the defense remained alert and cohesive throughout. By kickoff, the temperature had dipped near freezing early in the Southern Hemisphere winter, and Spain’s attack immediately congealed.

Tackling by the United States was superb, deference was nonexistent, recovery was vigilant and dramatic:

A muscular shoulder halted a Spanish run. A head arrived just in time to clear a ball away. A desperate slide smothered a shot. A leg raised at the last second deflected a threatening pass.

After a 3-0 win over Egypt on Sunday and an unlikely advance to the semifinals after defeats to Italy and Brazil, the United States’ previous caution became assertiveness. Against a team so secure in possession of the ball, the United States dictated the action at times, while Spain seemed back on its heels, out of sorts, its players grumbling and frustrated, raising their arms and leaning their heads back in exasperation.

Goal.com:

So how did it happen? What magical tactics were used to help the U.S. pull of this shocker? Here are my initial reactions to what I just saw, even if my eyes don’t believe it happened.

Tim Howard: Without question, my man of the match. Save after save, Howard was subject to a furious red firing squad for most of the match, and well, look at the score. The usually lethal Spanish frontmen couldn’t beat Howard who looked as good as he ever has.

The Midfield: Against Italy and Brazil, the center four players in the U.S. XI were non-existent. Not only that, but when on the ball, it just seemed like they wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible and they certainly didn’t show any determination. The same can’t be said about their performance in the Spain match. Flowing and aggressive, the ball was pushed around the pitch at will they made their opposition look lackluster for stretches, particularly in the first half.

The Center Backs: How strong were Oguchi Onyewu and Jay Demerit? For the entire 90 minutes they played excellent defense, guarding Tim Howard’s net like two hawks guarding their nest (the way it should be played, mind you). Every time the ball came inside, it was immediately sent flying in the other direction thanks to Onyewu and Demerit’s play in the middle. Much of the credit has to go to them.

The BBC:

Time and time again in the first half, the USA managed to read Spain's trademark killer passes by sticking tight to potent forwards David Villa and Fernando Torres.

In fact, prior to USA's goal, Spain's best opportunity fell to Liverpool hot-shot Torres whose attempt at a volley from six yards was superbly scuppered by Watford's Jay DeMerit.

What was starkly apparent on the Free State Stadium pitch, was the superior athleticism of the Americans.

On occasions during the opening 45 minutes, they had as many people in their attacking third as they did in their own box.

They went close on a couple of occasions before taking the shock lead, with Charlie Davies sending his bicycle-kick two yards wide before Dempsey missed by the same margin with a low 20 yard drive.

The goal came as a result of a one-two between Carlos Bocanegra and club team-mate Dempsey who found well-built forward Altidore.

The Villarreal striker turned Capdevila far too easily before smacking his drive, which Iker Casillas only managed to get a weak hand to en route, into the back of the net.

The Kansas City Star:

The United States' 2-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup Wednesday was nothing short of miraculous.

As I said when they were losing earlier games, it wasn't just the results, it was the way they went about the game. But, clearly, the fact that they're now in their first Confederations Cup final is a bonus.

I'd joined a chorus of voices after the first couple games of this tournament calling for head coach Bob Bradley to be fired. The reasons, at the time, were obvious. The team was playing without passion, without commitment and without a clue.

But, as the book title tells us, that was then. On Wednesday, Bradley's U.S. team was brilliant. If it needs saying, here it is: Bradley has certainly now earned the right to coach this team through next summer's World Cup.

This is what the Americans look like when they're at their best. They were energetic and fast. They made the most of what the game gave them. They took space away from the Spanish side, closing them down on both ends throughout the first half.

They gave up more possession than they kept, but Spain fielded an entire team of players who are more skilled than the U.S. This was a Spanish team that had just set a record for consecutive victories, and was hoping to set a record for consecutive games without a loss on Wednesday.

But when the Americans got ahold of the ball, they pushed forward quickly and smartly. Special praise has to go to Landon Donovan, who baffled the Spanairds from the wings (both wings, as he switched back and forth with Clint Dempsey).

Donovan always works hard, but too often he's looked lost. Now, he's finally found a permanent home. Playing on the edge of the field he's able to control the flow of the American attack, and the U.S. is much the better team for that.

In addition to Donovan, the American defense was stunning, from Tim Howard in goal, to Jonathon Spector to Gooch. But no on the field played any better than Jay DeMerit. DeMerit is always all action, all effort, but light on experience and skill. Wednesday, he controlled arguably the world's best striker in Fernando Torres. It was a defensive masterclass, from a defender who had many wondering if he'd ever graduate.

I'll add a couple of observations:

1. This game was nothing like the US topping Brazil 1-0 back in the day. Howard had to be good today, real good, but he did not have to make a ton of miracle saves as Keller did against the Brazilians. Where the US excelled today was in getting defenders between the Spanish shots and the goal. I've never seen a US side block as many shots as this one did today. Gooch and DeMerit were great, and Spain seemed a little surprised by their ability to recover quickly.

2. We still look out of sorts in midfield. Clark played better, but he is still making bad decisions, not supporting the attack when he should and not playing the smart ball when needed. Donovan played a good game out wide, but Dempsey played too centrally at times.

3. I love playing Davies up front with Altidore. Until Davies legs fall off this should never change. I don't think I've seen Davies play a minute before this tournament (or if I did it didnt register) but I think I love him.

My ratings:

Howard: 8
Bocanegra: 7
Onyewu: 7
DeMerit: 8
Spector: 7
Clark: 6
Bradley: 6
Donovan: 7
Dempsey: 7
Davies: 7
Altidore: 8

Feilhaber: 6
Casey: NR
Bornstein: NR

Final note: If FIFA doesn't rescind the red card to Bradley they are pond scum.

I Know I'm Just An American...

...but I know more about soccer then the motherfucking idiots that FIFA allows to ref international tournaments. There have been three offsides calls on the US that were obviously onside (by a yard or two in each instance.) Now there is yet another straight red card (to Bradley) that was complete and utter bullshit. (Not even a foul as Bradley won the ball fair and square...but hey, he's just a greasy American I guess.) It's a fucking joke.

BTW, the US has played great, and they deserve the win against Spain.

Yeah, I mean that.

Fucking Kiwis

Now FIFA is using legally blind New Zealanders (I presume) to ref US games. The asshole calls fouls (and gives yellow cards) against US players who NEVER TOUCH THE OTHER PLAYERS. Now, the asshole doesn't see a obvious hand ball used to deny a US goal.

Goddammit.

How Bad Are The Refs In MLS?

Oh wow I wish that was a rhetorical question! Unfortunately, I can tell you exactly how bad the refs in MLS are. In today's Galaxy/Earthquakes match I've seen...

A) A ref give a card to a player for not setting the wall on a free kick the required 20 yards away. What's that? They are only supposed to set up 10 yards away? Someone better tell the ref as he's convinced its 20.

B) I just saw an offsides call on a throw in. What's that? There can be no offsides on a throw?? Once again, that would come as news to MLS officiating.

FIFA Should Be Embarrassed

If FIFA cannot find refs who can call the game on the field and not just the names on the jerseys they should just give it up.

The US has gotten two red cards now and both of them have been complete and utter bullshit.

Really these refs should have bodily harm done to them. I for one wouldn't shed a tear.

Double Speak From Bradley

Saw this today from the AP: U.S. phenom Adu told to start playing regularly

With the hype largely behind him, Freddy Adu is being told he needs to start playing regular club football to continue his development as a key member of the United States' squad.

A two-year spell in Europe with Benfica and Monaco, spent mostly on the bench, has helped dampen much of the spectacular fervor and unrealistic predictions of superstardom that greeted him as a 14-year-old professional athlete....

He played just 169 minutes over 10 matches on loan at Monaco this past season and is set to return to Portuguese side Benfica, which paid Major League Soccer $2 million for him in 2007.

Even so, his one goal in 13 international matches would be more than respectable for most young strikers who rarely play at club level.

But his immigrant background and precocious talent long since led sponsors and agents to see him as a perfect marketing figure and trumpet him as the United States' first true football superstar.

At 14, Adu's impending stardom was alluded to by his appearance alongside Brazil legend Pele in a soft drink commercial, and he soon became the youngest player and scorer in Major League Soccer.

But the anticipation generated among many fans was so great that Adu's failure to match the likes of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo was always going to be judged harshly.

A two-year spell in Europe has helped reset those expectations, and United States coach Bob Bradley is just happy for Adu to continue his sporting education at the Confederations Cup.

"I think that sometimes when so much is said and written from the beginning, it creates unrealistic expectations of a young player," Bradley said. "Obviously, the fact that we call him in is an indication that we still see talent and the hope is that he can continue to move himself along.

"Every now and then there might be an example where a player skips a hundred steps -- goes from one to 101 very quickly -- but that's not normal."

This, of course, would make sense were it not for the fact that Jozy Altidore is a regular starter only for the USMNT. As stated there certainly does seem to be a double standard at work here. One for Altidore (and to some extent Demarcus Beasley) and another for Adu. This is unfortunate since the US could use Adu even if Monaco and Benfica cannot.

The questions marks surrounding the US Men's National Team continue to grow in number as they prepare to finish up qualifying for next year's World Cup. That is not a good sign. At this point in the proceedings the U.S. should be nailing down much of their lineup. Instead, more positions are being thrown up in the air. Before it was just right and left backs and forwards giving us trouble. Now you have to add right and left wing AND central and defensive midfield to the list. That is totally unacceptable, but Bob Bradley seems fine with it.

I'm not. Here are some modest suggestions to sort out the mess we have in the USMNT program.

1. Landon Donovan: For God's sake pick a slot and fit him in already. He's playing in central midfield...No striker...No wait! On the wing. Oh just stop it. Landon has always played best as a withdrawn striker but Bradley doesn't want to do that because he wants to play Altidore and Ching at the forward spots. All I can say is Altidore, YES; Ching, NO! Ching is not Brian McBride. Ching is not going to magically turn into Brian McBride. I can see in some limited tactical situations, against some opponents, Ching might be an OK option. However, he is not the full time answer at forward. Never will be either.
2. Defensive Midfield: Why is this even an issue? Only an idiot would not see that Michael Bradley should play this role on this team. Clark and Mastroeni should be riding the bench praying that Bradley doesn't get injured so they won't be exposed by quality opposition.
3. Attacking Midfield: OK, here we are basically screwed. No one is in the position to slot in here without a care. But this isn't new. We haven't had a good playmaker in this role since Tab Ramos retired. The only player that possesses the needed skill-set is Freddy Adu, but no one wants to give him the role. I say, why the hell shouldn't we put Adu in there? It isn't like anyone else is giving anything other than inconsistent play there. Even if its a longshot, Adu at least has a chance to develop into the role. Others simply do not. (I mean Torres??? Give me a break.)
4. Backs (Left/Right): Once again I think we are probably screwed. Wynne and Spector maybe have some potential but they would need to explode developmentally to be super solid by 2010. And still, our lack of depth means we are one bad step away from a world of hurt. Frankie Hedjuk has played his heart out for the Nats and we should all be thankful for that, but should we really be in the position where we have to pray he recovers from injury??? That's scary.
5. Wings (Left/Right): OK, this I don't get either. If you are going to play a 4-4-2 you are gonna have to have Dempsey on a wing, for good and ill. Live with that. As for the other side, I'm not sure there is another options more logical than Beasley. I know, I know, its not ideal but who else have we got?

Look, as you can see, the USMNT would have issues no matter who was coaching it right now. However, Bradley is making his life unnecessarily complicated. In fact, he is reminding me more and more of Steve Sampson every day.

That is not a good thing.

Bullshit

There is no doubt that the US cannot get a fairly ref'd game in CONCACAF. I don't know if they are racist or its a political thing, but I'm tired of it. We should petition to get in UEFA. Sure we would never get to a World Cup final, but at least the games would be fair.

UPDATE:

Perfect example: Ball handled by the last defender as the ball would have fallen to a US player in the box. That is not only a no brainer penalty (which was NOT immediately called by the ref) but also a no brainer Red card (which was not given of course.)

Typical.

FURTHER UPDATE:

More typical. Donovan gets a yellow card for tapping a guys leg. Only problem? Guy rolling on the ground holding the wrong leg. Oops. But, hey, it had to be a card! Players from a Spanish speaking country were demanding one.

Stupid floppers.

Here We Go Again?

Sheesh. Now we are down to Honduras early.

I'm thinking Bradley needs to be fired, even if the US comes back in this game. This team is terrible and there is no reason ti should be. They certainly have seemed unprepared, and that falls on the coaching staff, like it or not.

Besides, I think the USMNT has outgrown our domestic coaches. We may need to have an outsiders eye. At least they would be able to see that Mastroeni is not good enough.

Vomit Inducing

Those are the only words one can use for the pro-Red Wing coverage on Versus.

Stupid motherfuckers.

Oh, Let Me Add

CONCACAF should outlaw World Cup qualifiers on astroturf. The surface in Costa Rica is a joke. Its clown soccer. And while, yes, Costa Rica is playing better clown soccer than the US...who gives a shit? Its clown soccer!

Sheesh. It's Only 16 Minutes In...

...and the US is down two to Costa Rica, and Pablo Mastroeni is quickly becoming my new least favorite USMNT player.

The game has passed Pablo by. Way passed him by.

My God this is ugly.

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid

Time for some head shaking: Defending champ United top FC Dallas in Open Cup

Fred and Brandon Barklage scored Wednesday night as defending champion D.C. United beat FC Dallas 2-0 in a play-in game in the U.S. Open Cup.

Fred scored in the 21st minute, and 2009 third-round draft pick Barklage got his first career goal in the 66th as United coach Tom Soehn went with a younger lineup to keep his veterans fresh for this weekend's MLS game against New York.

Another rookie, second-round draft choice Milos Kocic, made four saves to get the shutout in his United debut.

Although United won the Cup a year ago, they were forced to play preliminary matches in this year's tournament because of their poor MLS record in 2008.

Why should MLS teams take this tournament seriously if winning it doesn't even guarantee you are participating in it the next year?

And if it isn't something they should take seriously, then why are they playing in the damn thing at all?

My Wife's Not Perfect

...but she's pretty damn good.

So, this morning I'm really impatient with just about everything. I'm bugged by the amount of time it takes me to make sandwiches, the amount of time my wife takes to drink her coffee, the fact there isn't a parking spot right in front of the building, the wait for the elevator...I mean every freakin' thing. Well, I work in the same building and on the same floor as my wife so she is witness to all of this, and it dawns on me that she is looking pained and expectant because she can't figure out what the hell is wrong with me.

"Oh, by the way," I say as she begins to head for her office, "I'm being such a dick because I'm nervous about the Blues game tonight."

"You're kidding?" she says.

"No. That's really it."

She rolls her eyes, but doesn't say another word.

I'll take it.

Yes, I Realize It

I know I've not posted anything about it, but I am well aware that the Blues clinched a play-off spot last night (with an assist from the Minnesota Wild, who finally discovered the point of the game is to put the puck in their opponents net.)

I'll admit it, I'm a happy man. This team has been a lot of fun to watch, and this run from 15th and dead last to 7th or 8th in the conference has been one for the ages. What is especially rewarding about following this Blues team is you are not only seeing a team "come together" in the sense of developing chemistry, but you are also seeing home grown talent grow into impact players. I know that is normal for followers of other franchises, but it is a novelty if you have been following the Blues your entire life. When I hear seasoned fans saying things like "This is my favorite Blues team!" I know where they are coming from, although my favorite team will always be the Monday Night Miracle squad of 1986. It is gratifying to follow a player from the time they are drafted, and have them amount to something.

So, what will the future bring? Well, in the immediate future I've no clear idea, but I'm glad these young players will be getting a taste of the playoffs. It will only help them in the slightly more distant future.

However, I think I know what we will see in the next 5 years or so: A Stanley Cup.

Can't you feel it building?

First Impression Of Rio Tinto Stadium

I'm watching DC play Real Salt Lake in their new stadium. It looks nice, but I think they need to let the grass grow a little. It is playing like "field turf" (aka shitty astroturf.) Right now the pitch in Salt Lake is perfect if your favorite part of soccer is a bad first touch.

So far, 25 minutes in, DC is holding their own but not looking very dangerous.

Who Needs To Sign A Closer?

What's the worst thing that could happen?



Oh, yeah.

That's More Like It

I guess the US likes home cooking. Here is Steve Goff on the win over T&T:

Three goals for Jozy Altidore. Three assists for Landon Donovan. And for the U.S. men's national soccer team, three more points in its continuing pursuit of a 2010 World Cup berth.

Altidore, 19, became the youngest player in U.S. history to record a hat trick as the Americans responded from a sub-par performance over the weekend and defeated Trinidad and Tobago, 3-0, Wednesday night before 27,959 at LP Field.

He staked the United States to a 13th-minute lead with a one-timer from six yards, blended power, precision and a clever touch in the 71st, and capped just his ninth international appearance with a shot from distance that slipped under a beleaguered goalkeeper in the 89th.

Four days after scoring during a second-half comeback that resulted in a 2-2 tie at El Salvador, Altidore kept the Americans (2-0-1) atop the six-nation standings and on pace to earn one of three automatic berths in next summer's 32-team tournament.

"Jozy is a player who obviously can hold the ball, but he also moves well," U.S. Coach Bob Bradley said. "He drifts from the side, he comes from different spots, and most of all, he is someone when he gets chances around the goal has an ability to finish."

Finishing? What a nice concept. Actually, Jozy's hat-trick, while nice, wasn't entirely deserved. The third goal resulted from a pretty weak effort by the T&T goalie. On the other hand, there was nothing weak about the second goal.



In general the US played well. Even Ching had a good moment or two. There still seems to be too much mis-communication out there, but Bradley was playing people in slightly unfamiliar spots (Beasley at left back, Donovan in left midfield, Bradley as attacking midfielder) and that might have had something to do with it.

It is still early days yet with this team, but we seem to be on the way for an easier World Cup qualification process. Still, I'd like to see this team become much stronger. I'm just not sure I'm seeing the right players on the field to become that stronger team.

We shall see.

Players Kicked Off Scotland Side For "Being Too Scottish"

Sad times indeed:

Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor have been dropped for Scotland's World Cup qualifier tonight for being "too Scottish", the Scottish Football Association have confirmed.

It is understood the Rangers duo were displaying their "blatant Scottishness" in a drinking session at Scotland's Loch Lomond base after they returned from Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Holland in Amsterdam.

"It was shocking!" shrieked SFA spokesman I. Fellate Youngboys to the media on Wednesday. "We had no idea this sort of thing could happen. First these two borrowed 90 pounds from the head coach, and then they bought a bottle of that horrid 'Scotch'. And then, to make matters worse, they drank it!" Mr. Youngboys then preceded to squeal and stamp his feet. "It gives me the silly willies just thinking about it."

It is alleged that Ferguson, 31, and McGregor, 27, carried on drinking and reciting Robert Burns' poetry in front of guests at the Cameron House Hotel hours after their team-mates had drifted off to their rooms, much to manager George Burley's anger.

"I had no idea when I took this job," said a visibly shaken Burley, "that the term 'Scotland' would mean I could have players who would be or act Scottish. I thought the term was meant to be ironic like 'Greenland' or something."

Ferguson and McGregor could not be reached for comment as they were busy stuffing a sheep stomach for a late night "snack." Authorities have been warned of the possibility of further acts of Scottishness being perpetrated by these two scoundrels.

Tonight the United Kingdom rests uneasy.

I Miss The Baseball Cliché Translation Project

Don't you?

My favorite:

Manager: "He's 'sneaky-quick'."

Translation: There is no objective measure by which this guy can be said to have a fastball, yet sadly he still isn't the rag arm of our staff.

I'm Expecting Better Things

World Cup qualifying continues for the USMNT tonight when they take on T&T in that well known soccer hotbed Nashville, Tennessee. All I can say is I hope we look better then we did over the weekend against El Salvador ("The Fighting Floppers").

Nothing is more frustrating then watching the national team struggle because they do not have the right players out there. For example, how many sub-par performances do we need to sit through before Bradley realizes that Brian Ching is not up to the standard of the international game? I know, in general, you can get away with starting Ching in games against CONCACAF competition, but shouldn't we be building towards a higher level of play? I'm sorry, but Ching is not "the poor man's Brian McBride." Ching is Ching, and that simply isn't good enough.

Also, Bradley's decision to start Guzan last time out was a poor one. This is nothing against Guzan really, but he hasn't been playing for his club side and the lack of match play was glaringly obvious. The team would have been better served by playing a goalie starting in MLS even if they are just getting started back up. Needless to say, I'm happy that Howard is back from suspension tonight.

If there is one thing I don't need in my life, it is uncertainty about this World Cup Qualifying campaign. Let's get the three points so we can work to ending this competition quickly.

Optimism

You might have thought, being a Blues fan for the largest part of my life, I would be used to the whole playoff chase thing. After all they made the playoffs every year from 1979 until they finally missed one in 2006. They were rarely threats to win it all, but making the playoffs was expected. Oh, once or twice they were close to missing the cut but it never really seemed all that likely. No, it took a season finishing dead last in the league to make missing the playoffs a reality.

However, since that dead last finish the Blues have looked just as unlikely of ever earning their way into the playoff again. The NHL was no longer the league where nearly everyone made the playoffs every year. It was possible to be lost in the wilderness for considerable periods of time. (Witness the fruitless seasons in Columbus since 2000.) Given the state of the roster, the ownership situation, and the lack of any sure-fire talent in college/juniors, a lengthy basement dwelling period was inevitable.

Don't get me wrong, that is exactly what happened. However, what I think I wasn't counting on was how much more enjoyable watching the Blues contend again would be after this period in the doldrums. It really isn't comparable to the other sports I follow. The Cards will also go through periods where they are not competing at the highest levels, but so few teams make the playoffs anyway, it is hard to think of October baseball as some sort of birth-right. (I know its different if you are a Yankees fan...but that doesn't make it right.) There has also been those season DC United misses the playoffs, but soccer teams are just mercurial in ways other teams in other sports are not. One year a team will absolutely suck, and the next, with almost the exact same roster, they will play great. You just chalk up missed play-offs as "one of those things" and move on.

Hockey doesn't work that way. Most of the time when a hockey team is deficient in an area it is glaringly obvious, and most of the times there is nothing a team can do about it on the fly. If, for example, the Cards need lefty help in the bullpen you can imagine them finding some way of plugging that hole, however imperfectly. But if you have suspect goal tending or a lack of first-line scoring in hockey you are screwed. In baseball you die by a thousand cuts and you hope not to run out of band-aids. In the NHL you die by severed arteries and all you have are band-aids.

That is what has been fun about this group of Blues and this management group. Slowly but surely you can see them working to remove the deficiencies littered in the organization. Draft-pick were accumulated, players scouted and selected, and the depth chart was filled out in a way alien to the history of the Blues. There was no quick fix, and in this day of the NHL salary cap maybe the quick fix is no longer a real option for any team. Now, the fruit of this hard work is starting to shine on the ice, and all of us Blues fans have had the chance to say "I was there from the beginning."

It looks like its the beginning of something good. Real, real good.

My Cup Runneth Over

Evidently, Billikens are just like potato chips; you just can't have one. United acquire M DiRaimondo in waiver draft

D.C. United on Friday acquired midfielder John DiRaimondo via the waiver draft.

DiRaimondo spent the last two seasons with the Colorado Rapids before being released on Wednesday. He made his MLS debut with Colorado in March 2008 after being drafted the previous year and appeared in a total of 11 games with the Rapids, scoring one goal.

A native of St. Louis, DiRaimondo spent his collegiate career at the University of St. Louis, where he was named to the NSCAA All-American third team and was a Hermann Trophy finalist as both a junior and senior.

I wonder what this "University of St. Louis" is, and if it is related to St. Louis University.

Actually, I think this is a decent pick-up by DC. I can certainly view him as an improvement over Dyachenko.

Inspirational Stuff

I did the following for a comment thread at St. Louis Game Time (where I go by the name Rich of GASL), and I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd share.



Rich of GASL: Oh, would that we had one of those superstars in St. Louis that will do no skating today!



Andy Murray: What’s he that wishes so?
My cousin Rich of GASL? No, my fair cousin:
If we are mark’d to die, we are enow
To do the Blues loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one injured superstar more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
(Unless it be those bastards of the Winged Wheel)
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet a playoff spot,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from the IR list:
God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one Kariya or Johnson more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Rich of GASL, through the scoring and checking lines,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
(Yeah, I said purse! The pussies!)
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the feast of St. Catherine of Genoa:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Catherine.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Which seems unlikely given hockey demographics,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Catherine’s:’
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
Where that jackass of a Angeleno slashed him!
And say ‘These wounds I had on Catherine’s day,
As well as a five minute major for fighting.’
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Oshie the King, Jackman and Juan,
Perron and Fragile Jay, RFJCC and Winchester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Saint Catherine’s shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
Or the beginning of training camp,
But we in it shall be remember’d;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
(I’m looking at you Janssen!)
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in St. Louis now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Catherine’s day!!!!!!!

Oh No, Don't Give MLS Refs Ideas!

Referee Sends Off An Entire Team In Argentina

Violence in Argentinian football is not exactly an uncommon occurrence at the moment but last Saturday a situation erupted that was far from normal.

Days after clashes in the game between Godoy Cruz and San Martin, an encounter in Primera C ended with one team having all their players sent off, including substitutes.

Barracas Bolivar and General Lamadrid were the two teams involved, and when the incident occurred the home side were leading 3-0.

However, with 60 minutes gone the game had to be abandoned after what can only be described as an extraordinary series of events.

It started when three players and four staff from Lamadrid became involved in a dispute between the local fans of Bolivar.

The incident soon escalated and within moments all the players from the away side came over to defend their team-mates and staff, clashing with the supporters.

Plenty of punches were thrown and the violence had to be broken up by some of those present at the stadium.

In seeing what had happened, the referee decided to issue 18 red cards to the away team, sending off not just the eleven players on the pitch, but also the seven substitutes.

Not only did the decision destroy that encounter, but it means Lamadrid will have to play with a team full of reserve players in the next match.

That is pretty bad when a ref allows home fans to goad a team into such a fate.

Of course, now the precedent has been set....what should we do to the Fire??

Hmmm....

MLS Descent To Garbage League Continues

Good fucking God almighty. I worried going into this season that referees might "magically" give a boat load of breaks to the Galaxy so that when Beckham returns he would be "playing for something."

Look at this "penalty" and tell me what you think.

DC was robbed pure and simple. So, was this a case of mind-blowing incompetence or a mandate from the league office?

Time will tell.

(Really that is the worst penalty call I've ever seen.)

Gutting It Out (Blogging Style)

Yours truly is not in tip-top condition these days. I woke up yesterday, went to take a leak and it felt like I was pissing glass shards. Because of my keen powers of observation I was able to helpfully point out "this hurts like hell!"

A quick trip to the doctor later, with the accompanying examination of my prostate ("Moon RIVER!), it was deemed I had an infection and not a stone. The upshot is I've got meds and I still feel mostly like shit...though I'm not pissing blood anymore so I'll take that as improvement. (Those keen powers at work again.)

I'm glad I'm feeling a little better because this is opening day for DC United. Things have been so screwy around the home front that I've had little time to keep up on MLS matters, though it may not have mattered much where DC is concerned. But here are some random thoughts as we go into the 2009 season:

1) My, but DC seems a little long in the tooth. Everything I read seems to be counting upon positive contributions from Moreno, Gomez and Olsen. Good Lord, I hope they all have good seasons, but how much can we really expect from them realistically?

2) After watching the Thursday ESPN match all I can say is , Good on the Sounders. Hey look, I was a season ticket holder in DC and I appreciate what Barra Brava and the Screaming Eagles do, but the crowd in RFK never looked Seattle good. A new facility might change that for the better in DC. I'll begin holding my breath now...

3) I'm happy that United finally has a SLU player on the roster in Brandon Barklage. Let's see if he can stick.

4) Speaking of St. Louis, I was sorry to see MLS pass them by (again) for expansion. This makes 5 of the last 7 expansion teams put into the West. (And one of the other teams was fucking Canadian so it hardly counts.) Its good to know MLS believes in ignoring Flyover Country.

GO UNITED!

Pictorial Depiction Of Blues Effort Last Night

We shall speak no more of it.

Really Guys, I'm Flattered

Man, the Minnesota Thunder is going all out to get me as a fan. First there was this:

The Minnesota Thunder announced today the signing of former D.C. United forward Quavas Kirk and former Seattle Sounders midfielder, Youssouf Kante pending USSF approval. Kirk has signed a two-year contract with one option year, and Kante has signed a three year contract.

Then there was this:

The Minnesota Thunder announced today the signing of former DC United midfielder Rodion Dyachenko and Maryland Terrapins defender Rich Costanzo. Dyachenko has signed a two year contract with one option year and Costanzo has signed a three year contract. Both players will join the Thunder when they start preseason training on March 13.

Dyachenko, born in Russia, finished his third season with DC United in 2008, playing in 42 games and logging 1,452 minutes with one goal and three assists. He was selected 31st overall in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft out of UNLV.

Shit, they are signing so many DC United cast-offs I half expect the signing of Mario Gori at any moment. (I'm contractually obligated to make a Mario Gori reference every 36 months.)

I will say this... if this is a plot to get me to more Thunder games this year, it is a good plot. I'm pathetic enough they had me at Quavas Kirk.

Good

Nice to see my evil thoughts about AC Milan and David Beckham are bearing fruit.

AC Milan was knocked out of the UEFA Cup on away goals Thursday after surrendering a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Werder Bremen.

Andrea Pirlo put a Milan team including David Beckham ahead with a 27th-minute penalty and Alexandre Pato made it 2-0 six minutes later, but Peru striker Claudio Pizarro scored twice to eliminate the seven-time European champions and set up a meeting with Saint-Etienne in the round of 16.

Ha. Go Inter.

Last Night

Last nights Blues-Stars game was for all intents and purposes a playoff game. The hitting, especially on the Stars part, was what you'd expect from a team with everything to play for.

However, the Blues played a near perfect road game and got out with the vital regulation win.

Oh yeah.

Dammit. There is no reason why this Blues team, the one on the ice this year, cannot make the playoffs. I want it, and I want to get San Jose in the first round. We owe those bastards from 1999-2000. Never would a table-turning scenario be sweeter.

But, first things first...we got to keep winning. We are sitting three points out and there is still a lot of hockey to play. Here's to hoping the Coyotes phone in the game on Saturday.

I've Got A New Gig

Don't worry fans, this is a supplemental gig, and not a replacement for GASL. But, I've been invited to write a weekly column for St. Louis Game Time, the best St. Louis Blues blog... ever. There was no way I could say no. Not when the prospect of having this much fun was in the offing.

So, every Friday I will be posting over there. Come along for a read.

Big Game Tonight

Blues in Dallas.

What the Blues do tonight will say a lot about what the rest of this season looks like. If fighting for that last playoff spot in really in the offing then a win tonight (and Saturday in Phoenix) is a necessity. Ideally, this would be a regulation win as the stupid three point games are just killing the Blues. Anything less, I fear, my result in the Blues looking to next season.

In one sense that wouldn't be so bad, as I think the Blues will be pretty good next year, but I would love to get Oshie, Backes, Perron and Berglund a taste of the playoffs this year.

Plus, I just miss it.

GO BLUES!

Damn, Patrik Berglund Must Have A Big Extended Family

Really big: Red Wings GM says season-opener tix gone in Sweden

The Swedes are excited to watch some of their countrymen open the NHL season in Stockholm,

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said Wednesday that tickets for their season-opening games against the St. Louis Blues sold out in less than an hour.

Then again, maybe it wasn't Berglund that was the cause. What could inspire taciturn Swedes more than the chance of seeing Brad Winchester on the ice?

Signs Of Spring

and...



Florida 5, St. Louis 5
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Line Score

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
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FLORIDA 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 5 10
ST LOUIS 1 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 5 12 (END BOTTOM 9)

AC Milan And Beckham Can Go Fuck Themselves

AC Milan...what a bunch of idiots.

The vice president of AC Milan says the club's offer of $3 million for David Beckham was the market rate and it won't be increased.

The Los Angeles Galaxy recently turned down the offer, calling it 'ridiculous.' Adriano Galliani said in Saturday editions of La Gazzetta dello Sport there won't be another offer.

Good. I certainly hope they crash out of all competitions without winning a thing this season. If they don't realize that LA and MLS couldn't possibly sell Beckham for anything less than the per year amount they brought him into the league for, then there is no hope for them. And why Beckham would want to tie himself to such a team is beyond me. (Oh yeah, on AC Milan Beckham can be the 11th best player on his side and no one would notice.... sorry I forgot. When he weekly is only the 4th or 5th best player on the pitch for the Galaxy it's pretty fucking obvious.)

I Like Garber

That makes a grand total of one sports commishes I can say that about. Here is why:

MLS Commissioner Don Garber is getting fed up with the David Beckham issue and whether the English superstar will remain with the Galaxy or move permanently to AC Milan. In an exclusive interview with the Insider, he set a Friday deadline to finalize a deal. Beckham, who has played two seasons with Los Angeles, is currently on loan to the Italian power.

"By Friday, he is either coming back or he is transferred," Garber said. "If it is not resolved by Friday, I will not approve the transfer. This has been going on too long. I understand Milan needs to come to some conclusion on their own and I understand from David's comments that he would like to find a way to stay. The only way that happens is if Milan makes an offer to buy him out of his contract that makes sense for MLS and makes sense for the Galaxy. We've got tickets to sell, games to schedule, sponsors have programs, we have promotions being planned with ESPN and many of our commercial partners, and this just can't continue to drag on. There is no reason for it to drag on. It's either going to happen or it's not going to happen."

Garber has this 100% correct. If AC Milan cannot pay the going market rate for Beckham then they should just shut-up now. The idea that MLS should just eat the Beckham contract is utterly moronic, and Garber is right to say, in effect, "The hell with this shit."

Beckham might just have to live with the idea that he will back in MLS, at least until the summer transfer window opens. But, if he is back in MLS, he can only blame himself and AC Milan.

Blues Goalies: Freaking Disaster Area

First it was Manny Legace shitting all over the Blues season... now it is Chris Mason throwing games away with crappy play.

For everything the Blues organization has done right with their skaters, they have done nothing to supply the Blues with NHL quality goal keeping. Not a fucking thing.

Oh, there are lots of shitty back-ups and "prospects" that all turn out to be failed "projects," but there is never anyone the team can count on game in and game out. Given the importance of the position this failure is inexcusable.

And it is getting old really fast.

Contracted (In A Good Way)

Four more years! Four more years!

In sports, it can take a while to close a book on a trade, whether it was good or bad for a team.

In the case of the Blues' move in December 2007, which brought in Andy McDonald and sent Doug Weight to Anaheim, the book was reopened again on Monday.

McDonald, 31, signed a four-year, $18.8 million contract extension with the Blues, a signature that without the trade might have been unlikely this summer in free agency.

But after playing 49 games with the Blues last season, and 16 more this year before fracturing his ankle, McDonald said he became comfortable with the idea of being in St. Louis.

"There's a number of things you have to consider when you are negotiating a contract and certainly (the young talent in St. Louis) was one of the biggest," McDonald said. "You look at the team, and the potential for success down the road, even this year, and that was a big reason.

"I'm really happy here. I've been treated well, it's a good spot for my family, so there were a lot of real important reasons to stay and so I was really happy to re-sign."

The contract for McDonald, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, will average $4.7 million a season. The actual money being paid is $5.2 million each of the first two years and $4.2 million in the final two years.

You gotta like this. McDonald was going to get plenty of attention in free agency, so even if you might have been able to get him more cheaply it might not have been worth the risk that someone else might throw even more money at him.

Additionally, in terms of this team at this time in its development it makes sense to keep McDonald around. When healthy he would still be the number one center for the Blues, and at $4.2 million he's a perfect number two center when Berglund is ready to move into that number one role.

It also says a lot that McDonald believes so strongly in the young talent the Blues have in the organization.

The Blues are not amkign many missteps as an organization these days. It makes me afraid I won't have enough to bitch about.

I'll take it anyway.

Legace Waived

I have to say it....Legace deserved to get benched in favor of Mason. Manny played so poorly of late it is hard to argue that a demotion wasn't warranted too. To that end:

The Blues placed goaltender Manny Legace on waivers this morning, and they will know this weekend whether Legace has been claimed by another National Hockey League team.

If he is not, Legace -- who turned 36 on Wednesday -- will be sent to Peoria.

Well, maybe Manny can turn this into a good thing. Get down to Peoria, get a lot of ice time, and get back into the groove. The important thing is to have the right attitude about the situation.

Or not.

"It's extremely tough," Legace said. "You play your heart out for a team, and the minute you hit a little bit of a rough patch, they dump on you....

WTF? Whose game tapes has been watching? Manny's play this year has been so poor I've been longing for the return of Roman Turek, and that's just sad. Really Manny, take it from all of us Blues fans. Your entire season has been crap. The performance against Detroit (3 goals on 8 shots against a Red Wings team that was barely efforting) was the most embarrassing performance by a Blues goalie in a very long time. Had Andy Murray been paying closer attention Legace would have been pulled after the blooper reel of a second goal where Manny was completely befuddled.

Look, I know Manny has been a warrior for a team that hasn't been very good. But he is now costing an improving team a chance to win. There is a reason this team has lost so many one goal games, and it is Manny's inability to come up with that one save you need your goalie to make. At their best goalies make the rest of the players feel "Hey, I can do my job because the goalie has my back."

Manny hasn't had anyone's back this season, and everybody knows it.

I Can't Decide

Alright, you tell me. Is the following by Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle the sign of thoughtful analysis or morning drinking? Cards’ kids could trump Cubs’ vets for division title

I still like the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. Who cares if the Cubs have spent like drunken sailors?

The Cubs have thrown money around the last three winters, and all it has gotten them is more disappointment. Does anyone think Milton Bradley is going to decide a division race?

Besides, the Cardinals have something the Cubs don’t: depth in the minor league system.

Hmmm... minor league system depth as trump card. I'm not sure I buy it completely. for example, the Minnesota Twins have traditionally had a pretty good farm system which has largely kept them respectable (or more than respectable), but I'm not sure any of the teams in their division have the deep pockets the Cubs are showing off. The main division rivals of the Twins (the White Sox, Indians and Tigers) basically have to construct teams the same way the Twins do.

The Cubs, on the other hand, seem to be positioning themselves to take the Yankees/Red Sox model for the foreseeable future. Just ask the rest of the American League East; farm system depth can only do so much.

The Cardinals might win 90 games or lose 90. They don’t have as much money as the Cubs, so they have to count on more kids. Counting on kids is risky business. But if the kids don’t get overwhelmed, they bring an energy to the clubhouse that a Milton Bradley simply can’t.

The Cardinals have done things right in player development, so even with little payroll flexibility, they’ve got a chance to contend.

Check out the National League Central. The Brewers and Astros have gotten worse, and the Reds and Pirates are still building.

The Cubs could still make the playoffs without adding another piece. At worst, they seem to be competing with the Phillies, Mets and Braves for the NL wild-card berth.

Sure, St. Louis fans may want the team to add Manny Ramirez or Adam Dunn or Ben Sheets. They’re all still unsigned, and as the market continues to spiral south, the Cardinals may decide they need one of them.

Then again, if the Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright both stay healthy, the Cardinals could again end up atop the National League.

Neither player is certain to avoid the disabled list. Carpenter has made just four starts the last two seasons, and even though medical reports about his recovery from elbow surgery are positive, it’s impossible to know what he has until he takes the mound.

Wainwright started and ended last season as the Cardinals’ ace. In between, he was sidelined almost three months with a finger injury. He, too, will be healthy on the first day of spring training.

No National League team is better than the Cardinals if those two are healthy.

Sheesh, this seems optimistic, but I'm willing to drink the kool-aid as long as it is the color red.

Fuck Pittsburgh

And the officials.

And fuck senile prick John Madden.

They can't even call a forward pass correctly.

All NFL officials should be executed by gang rape.

Oh Get A Life

Oh those poor, poor picked upon Detroit Red Wings fan....they have it so fucking tough. In the aftermath of losing a game in OT while two players were forced it sit because they violated NHL rules for lying about "injuries" that would magically keep them from skating in the ice dancing exhibition that is the NHL All Star game but would allow them to play for real the moment the season started back up, we are all treated with this whine:

Even if the Red Wings won 8-0 instead of losing 3-2 in OT, the dislike and possibly out-and-out hatred pointed in Gary Bettman's direction would have reached firestorm status.

Given that the Wings lost the services of Henrik Zetterberg and were able to eke out a point without their top two forwards, top defenceman, their rock-steady second-pair defenceman (Brad Stuart), but lost thanks to a series of bizarre bounces and some penalty calls that will spout new conspiracy theories, given all the "hugging" that was going on...This is gonna go down as one of the ugliest moments in Red Wings Nation's collective memory, and the venom pointed at Chairman Mao's well deserved.

OMG almost one whole game without your top two forwards and defensemen! What a tragedy! And you know there has to be a conspiracy at high levels in the NHL because, screw the Stanley Cup, it is a late January match-up with Columbus that everyone wants to win.

I'm mean, how will Detroit fans cope with only being 31-9-7?

Jeezus...you know what the Blues call playing without your top four players?

Normality.

Yes. I'm Still Bitter

Saw this over at Game Time.

And I'm not even a Hullie hater.

Its funny 'cause its true.

My Giving Nature

Word is tennis pro Nicole Vaidasova is having some emotional difficulties that are affecting her game.

I just wanted to let her know, if she needs me, I'm here for her.

Idiot Alert

Jeezus H. Christ. What exactly does it take to write for Slate? Charles Pierce (who is NOT, I repeat NOT to be confused with Charles Peirce) single handed proves it doesn't take a whole hell of a lot. The Cardinals' presence in the Super Bowl is fluky and disgraceful.

[W]e are going to be inundated with mendacious swill over the next two weeks on the subject of what a great story the Arizona Cardinals are....

We're going to hear about how they magically transformed themselves at the end of the season. We're going to hear about the remarkable comeback of Kurt Warner. We're going to hear about how marvelous it is for the National Football League that a Super Bowl championship is within the grasp of a team so thickly dripping with obvious mediocrity that it's a wonder Charlie Sheen isn't playing left guard. We are going to hear all of this because the NFL and its broadcast partners operate on the very simple premise that everybody who reports—or follows—their sport on television is a paste-eating moron.

This simple fact is that the very presence of the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl is at best a fluke and, at worst, a disgrace.

Tough words from a writer based in a city that produced, by far, the worst team to ever make a Super Bowl. The 1985 edition of the New England Patriots was a joke of a team that got utterly embarrassed in Super Bowl XX, which they lost 46-10. The Patriots managed a robust -19 yards of offense in the first half. Only the Bears showing some mercy when the game was out of hand in the second half allowed New England to finish with more than 100 yards of offense for the game. That vaunted New England rushing attack amassed 7 yards in 11 attempts for the entire game.

Granted, this was in the middle of an era of NFC dominance where the AFC lost 15 of 16 Super Bowls between 1981 and 1996. (Only the Raider's win in Super Bowl XVIII kept the AFC from complete futility.) But even in this age of relative AFC ineptitude the feebleness of the Patriots stands out. (Yes, the Broncos were creamed worse in Super Bowl XXIV, but Denver had the best record in the entire AFC that season, so just imagine how much worse the loss could have been had Cleveland or Buffalo made it that season.)

So could the Cards stink up the joint on Sunday? Sure they could, but they have high standards of sucking to meet before we starting making noises about "all-time worst" whatevers.

Hey, but maybe Pierce can back his contentions up with facts and stats. Let us read on:

They played in a landfill of a division. They won their two playoff games because Jake Delhomme of Carolina turned the ball over six times and because the Philadelphia Eagles all looked at the newspapers last Sunday and discovered they were in the NFC championship game again.

Actually, the Cards have won three playoff games this year, not two. But beyond that mistake lets check the logic here. "The Cards suck because the rest of the NFC West sucks." I guess the 2006 Colts, the 1999 Rams and the 1998 Broncos sucked as well since they also won divisions that featured no other plus .500 teams. Oh, wait a sec....all of those teams won the Super Bowl those years? Hmm...that must mean the quality of the division doesn't necessarily reflect on all the teams. Who knew?

Oh, and Carolina and Philadelphia, who collectively turned the ball over 9 times against the Cards, did so completely without defensive pressure from Arizona. Funny, I watched those games and I don't seem to remember it that way, but my eyes must be lying.

Cardinals are a glorified Arena Football League team with a soft defense and a running game unworthy of the name.

Yes, they don't have the high powered running offense of the Steelers, right? Well, let us see...the Cards racked up 3.5 yards a carry this season which ranked them 31st in the league. Pittsburgh is much better than that, right? Well, the Steelers averaged 3.7 yards a carry ranking them 29th in the league. Oh yeah, that's impressive. So according to Pierce averaging 3.5 yards a carry makes you a "glorified Arena Football League team" while 3.7 yards makes you an NFL juggernaut. Gee, thanks for the tip Chuck.

They are in the position that they're in because the NFL rigs its season worse than any carny rigs his wheel. For all the macho posturing of its principal propagandists, between the jiggering of the schedule and the conniving of the draft and the socialistic revenue schemes, and the desperate grab for any mechanism that will flatten out the differences between really good teams and really bad ones, the NFL is the league that comes closest to the biddy soccer league philosophy of making sure that everyone gets a trophy.

Yeah, I mean the Cards must have won only 2 or 3 games last year. The fact they went 9-7 this year must be some sort of conspiracy!! What is that? The Cards went 8-8 last year? Oh....never mind.

But wait...didn't the Cards face a much easier schedule when compared to the worthy Steelers? Well, let us compare Pittsburgh's non-division schedule to Arizona's. The Steelers non-divisional foes went a combined 95-64-1 this season with five of those teams making the playoffs. Take that you Arizona bastards!!

What is that? The Cards non-divisional opponents went 98-61-1 (three games better than the Steelers schedule can boast) AND five of those teams made the playoffs as well? But, that's not the same! Arizona only went 1-4 against those playoff bound teams! See they are undeserving!!!! What?? Pittsburgh also went 1-4 against their non-divisional playoff bound opponents? Well....crap!

The only proof anyone should need came in the 15th game of the season, when Arizona visited New England. It already was clear this year that the Cardinals were even money to finish in the middle of the pack of any league that played in the upper latitudes, with the possible exception of the Ivies. Send them north out of the pleasure dome that the Bidwills blackjacked out of the state of Arizona, and the team did things like give up 56 points to the New York Jets, playing such shoddy defense that Brett Favre threw for six touchdowns. This, of course, ignited another outbreak of hot and steamy Favre love from the easily smitten television press corps, so we have the Cardinals to blame even for that. In Foxborough, however, in December, they simply quit.

The Patriots scored on nine of their first 10 possessions. The score was 31-0 at halftime.

My God!! That is the sort of thing that only happens when one team has nothing to play for and the other is fighting for its playoff life. You know what I mean, when one side has already won their division and are no longer in the running for home field advantage...you know, like the situation Arizona was in this year. Oh wait a sec....

Maybe that isn't the point. Maybe the point is Pittsburgh didn't go on the road for the second to last game of the season and stink up the joint! What is that? They went on the road to Tennessee and lost 31-14? Well, that's is totally different because, um...well...because Arizona sucks!!!!

Bear in mind over the next week that this game will be cited as the "pivotal" moment in the Cardinals' miracle run to the Super Bowl. Ken Whisenhunt—who sat most of his offensive weapons in that game—and his staff will be the subject of gooey encomiums for cracking the whip after the loss to New England. There will be loose talk about professionalism, and about how pride was appealed to at a critical moment. And since snow is a long shot in Tampa, they might even win the game, and then there will be more of it. And it will all be nonsense.

Yeah, Whisenhunt rested his key players for a play-off run. See how that worked for him? They are only in the Super Bowl. What an idiot Whisenhunt is! Oh yeah, and even if this team wins the Super Bowl that only proves they are no good.

Who can argue with "logic" like that?