Having a love of soccer was no more my choice than was having two hands and feet. Both of my older brothers grew up playing the world’s game and my entrance into the fraternity was a forgone conclusion. That isn’t to say that I neglected more “American” pastimes like baseball and basketball. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find a bigger Atlanta Braves fan. The fact of the matter remains that I am a HUGE soccer fan. Some of the best friends I have were my teammates on the inaugural Blue Crab United soccer club in Beaufort, SC. Since then I’ve gained a great amount of respect for a sport that, at times, captures the entire world’s attention.

While living in Argentina I discovered the deeper, more passionate aspect of soccer. For many around the world their favorite club or national team is more than a group of young men or women playing eleven a side soccer. These teams become part of their personal makeup. I lived in a neighborhood in Buenos Aires long associated with Club Atletico River Plate, one of the two major clubs in the city. To experience a Sunday match in our neighborhood was every bit as important to knowing Argentina as eating a meaty chorizo sandwich on the way to school. It was part of life in Buenos Aires.

I left Buenos Aires with a love of soccer that was somehow different than when I arrived. I experienced the passion of futbol argentino and it changed me. Explaining that to someone questioning my loyalties to a sport that is barely respected in my home isn’t easy, but I’ve done it before and, inevitably, I’ll do it again.

Not something to rejoice about, but two African players made the “Britain’s 25 richest young footballers” list:

= 9. Didier Drogba (Chelsea), £13 million - Ivory Coast forward who is convinced that he deserves more than £90,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge. Earns another £20,000-a-week from endorsements and commercial deals.
= 16. Michael Essien (Chelsea), £10 million - Ghana midfield player who has just signed a new five-year Stamford Bridge contract worth about £100,000 a week. Hit the jackpot when he joined Chelsea from Lyon for £24 million three years ago.

The top three earners are (1) 1. Michael Owen (Newcastle United), £41 million, (2) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), £35 million, and (3) Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), £28 million. But according to The Times of London the real rich make their money in steel manufacturing, mining, pharmaceuticals or packaging. That might be why FIFA President Sebb Blatter — with a straight face — referred to Ronaldo’s conditions at Manchester United as “slavery.”

The full list here.

Excelente!! As comemorações são ótimas.

The guardian.co.uk is reporting that Fulham have once again found a striker to have a medical problem. This time Fulham’s doctors have discovered that Andy Johnson has an old knee injury and it appears the club wish to restructure the payments according to how many games Johnson plays.

The infamous Fulham medical has forced the club to pull out of deals for John Carew and Marlon King in recent years and it appears the rigorous tests have shown up a problem once again.

Johnson who could become Fulham’s record signing, is awaiting further medical test results before knowing if he will complete his favoured move back to London.

I hope this one goes through. If Everton believe there is no problem with Johnson’s fitness there is no reason that they shouldn’t take an initial fee and the rest over the course of the season. He wants to join the club and we want him - the sticking point might be that Everton need the money upfront to pursue their own transfer targets.

Monterrey - Indios
Sunday, August 03rd, 2008 00:00
Pick: Monterrey   Result: Pending
Stake: 3/10   Odds: 1.80
Bookmaker: Bet365

I watched Indios game against Tecos UAG (lost 0-1) and they visibly lack of experience. They defend well, but they are very poor forward. Monterrey experienced coach La Volpe declared this is a must win game for his side and personally speaking I don’t think will be a hard task if they don’t concede counter attacks to Indios fast players. Obviously will be a tough match, but I’m quite confident.

For many cyclists Saturday is the day to get up early and ride long and hard with your favorite group of local hammerheads, but not in the summertime for me. Most summer Saturdays are for my daughters’ swim meets. I still get up early, but we must hurry off to our own pool or someone else’s for five hours of sizzling in the sun as heat after heat of kids swim for blue, red, white and countless other ribbons.

I’ve been lucky enough to be able to ride to three of the away meets so far, but the 17- to 20-mile spins make it more of a rest day to me.

Fortunately I love to watch Ellie and Millie compete. Ellie is one of the top swimmers in our local division in the 25 free and her 100-free girls relay team is superstrong, lowering our club record three times this year. Millie emerged as the fastest 5-year-old as well in both the freestyle and the back - amazing because she could barely swim a length of the pool when the summer began.

This Saturday is the summer’s last meet - the coveted All-Star meet where the swimmers with the top 12 times from the six local divisions come together. Ellie is seeded sixth in the 25 free thanks to the 16.93 she swam last week, so she’ll be in the final heat. And her relay team is seeded second. I can’t wait to see both events. (Millie’s not going since she swims against 6-year-olds, but if she continues to improve I wouldn’t be surprised to see her there next year.)

Soon my Saturday mornings will be for riding again, not just rest or spinning days.

At least until soccer begins.

I enjoyed the experiences and showing how far American soccer has come.

The team certainly put down a marker with its performances….

That was a great experience for us to play against England’s top class clubs on their turf. It was just great we were able to pull off some great wins but it was a shame we could not play at Anfield, but it was a tour that helped us as team, we grew in confidence and it helped us with our mentality as a team and coming together.

We played well considering we had not played together much, we learnt a lot from Portugal and took it to England and showed what we learned and brought it together in the two games. I was able to get some success, the two goals against Manchester United…I was really happy about!

What has been the impact on yourself with those performances?

My confidence levels have definitely grown since that game, you don’t expect to go to Manchester United and score two goals that can help the team.

Read More

I enjoyed the experiences and showing how far American soccer has come.

The team certainly put down a marker with its performances….

That was a great experience for us to play against England’s top class clubs on their turf. It was just great we were able to pull off some great wins but it was a shame we could not play at Anfield, but it was a tour that helped us as team, we grew in confidence and it helped us with our mentality as a team and coming together.

We played well considering we had not played together much, we learnt a lot from Portugal and took it to England and showed what we learned and brought it together in the two games. I was able to get some success, the two goals against Manchester United…I was really happy about!

What has been the impact on yourself with those performances?

My confidence levels have definitely grown since that game, you don’t expect to go to Manchester United and score two goals that can help the team.

Read More

I enjoyed the experiences and showing how far American soccer has come.

The team certainly put down a marker with its performances….

That was a great experience for us to play against England’s top class clubs on their turf. It was just great we were able to pull off some great wins but it was a shame we could not play at Anfield, but it was a tour that helped us as team, we grew in confidence and it helped us with our mentality as a team and coming together.

We played well considering we had not played together much, we learnt a lot from Portugal and took it to England and showed what we learned and brought it together in the two games. I was able to get some success, the two goals against Manchester United…I was really happy about!

What has been the impact on yourself with those performances?

My confidence levels have definitely grown since that game, you don’t expect to go to Manchester United and score two goals that can help the team.

Read More

I enjoyed the experiences and showing how far American soccer has come.

The team certainly put down a marker with its performances….

That was a great experience for us to play against England’s top class clubs on their turf. It was just great we were able to pull off some great wins but it was a shame we could not play at Anfield, but it was a tour that helped us as team, we grew in confidence and it helped us with our mentality as a team and coming together.

We played well considering we had not played together much, we learnt a lot from Portugal and took it to England and showed what we learned and brought it together in the two games. I was able to get some success, the two goals against Manchester United…I was really happy about!

What has been the impact on yourself with those performances?

My confidence levels have definitely grown since that game, you don’t expect to go to Manchester United and score two goals that can help the team.

Read More