Monday Morning Kickaround

Welcome back, Paul. Looking forward to your updates.

Paul,

Always good to hear from you. Thanks for the note about Steinberg. Time to turn on the game.

I think that might be the first use of an unordered list on the Soccer Insider. Nice work Paul.

Thanks for filling in Paul

Any recent dust ups from Blanco's post game comments regarding the fans in Chicago?

Thanks for the heads up Paul. Looking forward to more of your fine work.
I think the most interesting thing about the Red Bulls win is that they played a man down for nearly the entire second half and managed to score a second goal. I was surprised to see Dichio come out of the game from the shot he took. Big for nothing?
Nice finish to tie up the game by Hucles!!!!!!!!!!!

Calling dadryan, calling dadryan

Matchtracker says "OH MY GOD WHAT A GOAL" on Chalupny's goal -- what'd you see?

That does it I'm skipping out to catch the 2d half

From the Smog Blog:

Great comeback, and a real golazzo by Chalupny.

The Ref: 3 goals and no added time??? That doesn't bode well. I prefer someone who is a little more familiar with the rules and conventions of the game.

Hey Paul,

Any chance you could find some news on Matt Reis the goalie from New England? He was injured this past weekend and it would be nice to know if he is able tp play on Wednesday or not. Any info you can get would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Any recent dust ups from Blanco's post game comments regarding the fans in Chicago?

Posted by: DirtyHarry | August 18, 2008 9:38 AM
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For those of us who missed it - what did Mr. White say?

Mickey - Blanco was quoted as saying 'The fans are garbage', referring to his own Fire fans.

It's a long story regarding racism allegations by a sub-group of Section 8. It turns out Blanco's friend owns the security company that runs security there. Blanco called the fans garbage when asked about the allegations. Go to Bigsoccer or the Chicago tribune to get the whole story.

he also extended that to his fans in Mexico as well. this was after calling them drunk a few days earlier.

backstory - his personal bodyguard also happens to own the security company that roughs up supporters groups and uses racist epithets wile doing so. when asked for his opinion on the matter, instead of excusing himself from comment, blanco took a dump all over his own fans.

DirtyHarry: MLS is in trouble if it keeps disrespecting its hard-core fan base, the supporters. There have been problems of various degrees in LA, NE, Toronto, Columbus, NY, and Colorado this season.

It is almost as if a majority of owners would rather have us all sitting in our seat and keeping as quiet as a tennis match.

Thanks Paul

sorry OWNTF 15 month olds are not the finest companions for watching games, even less live blogging em...
Chalupny's goal was sick, shredding the Japanese defense and getting her shot off and right on target.

It's reminicent of the wars we had in the Barra Brava vs the CSC. Thankfully Kevin Payne mediated an accord and helped the Barra become what we are today. That's what Section 8 was. Now the stadium and their FO has done a 180. We tell our members to appreciate what we have at RFK. Who knows if it's ever going to last?

Reis was officially pulled from the game due to a strained right adductor.

Wow, USA vs Brazil...

Wow, USA vs Brazil...

Posted by: dadryan | August 18, 2008 10:42 AM
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Seriously! WOW! what an exciting game that will be! I'm taking off work just to watch it!

USA v. Brazil indeed. You think Pia will start Barnhart?

I hope they have good refs. 1st half of Germany Brazil was marked by late slides, high cleats, and even a good old-fashioned kidney punch to Prinz's back. I am sure we will see the same Thursday unless and until ref asserts control early.

When is that game?

Thursday at 9am ET

Could this season end up being the most exciting every for MLS?

The Eastern Conference has 3 teams in a tight fight for the Supporter's Shield:

34 - Crew
33 - Revolution
32 - Fire

And the remaining 4 teams all in position to claim a playoff spot, not to mention an outside shot at making a run for the Supporter's Shield:

28 - DC United
28 - Red Bulls
25 - Toronto FC
25 - Wizards

Then the Western Conference is just as intense. With the top three teams automatically qualifying for the playoffs and with 5 of the 7 teams sitting at 25 points or fewer, the battle for the last playoff spot is going to get very interesting:

29 - Dynamo
27 - Real Salt Lake
25 - FC Dallas
24 - Rapids
24 - Galaxy
23 - Chivas
21 - Earthquakes

10 more games to go (give or take a few). Any team that gets hot in the next few weeks has got a really strong chance at making the playoffs.

so much soccer...
Wednesday night alone we'll have a DCU match, a USA world cup qualifier, then the US women on Thursday!!!!!!!!!
I know I'm missing something like, EPL replays on Comcast...

United is two wins away from being in first place.(for now)

Thursday at 9am ET

Posted by: Anonymous | August 18, 2008 11:07 AM
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll won't be anywhere near a TV then. Damn you road trip!

9am? curses. 5 am is better. then I can still go to work. oh well, I guess it's the DVR and no internet for me all day...

(...)
23 - Chivas
21 - Earthquakes

10 more games to go (give or take a few). Any team that gets hot in the next few weeks has got a really strong chance at making the playoffs.

Posted by: TCompton | August 18, 2008 11:22 AM

And that's saying something, too, when even the Quakes are still in it.

By the transitive property, now that Edu's salary is off the books, maybe Toronto can sign Berbatov.

AM, that's stupid.

You mean Shevchenko.

And that's saying something, too, when even the Quakes are still in it.

Posted by: SportzNut21 | August 18, 2008 12:39 PM
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Hell, if the Earthquakes can play like the did against the Revolution, they're likelihood of making the playoffs increases dramatically.

ANYONE know anything on Matt Reis? I know he left the game the other night with a strained right abducter. Does anyone know if this will keep him out on Wednesday night?

Btw, I don't know what a strained right abducter is, thats why I am asking!

FYI: strained right adductor is a strained groin muscle, it adducts (moves the leg at the hip, toward the midline)

while an abductor moves the leg away from the midline at the hip

Jumping Jacks? Legs together then --Abduct--Adduct, Abduct, Adduct

Tough Choice for Goal of the Week . .

I have to go with the O'Brien's soft one touch out of the air over Clark's effort.

We have all the abductor muscles right here in Stockholm.

sounds like someone has reis on their fantasy team! I'd pull him.

This just in: Bruce Arena named head coach AND general manager of the Galaxy.

From the Galaxy's "Gold Standard" e-mail I just received:

"Timothy J. Leiweke, President & CEO of AEG, investor/operators of the Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer (MLS) club, announced today that Bruce Arena, the most successful head coach in U.S. National Team history and a two-time MLS Cup Champion Head Coach with D.C. United, has been named General Manager and Head Coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Arena, who becomes the seventh coach in club history, will oversee all of the club's soccer operations, including the first team, reserve and academy teams and youth development."