...And the 2006 U and S of A Futboller of the year is...
Well...all the votes are in and it appears that Marci Balboa won't be walking away with the $20 Applebee's Gift Certificate this year...but congratulations to Clint Dempsey M -NE Revolution for being the only player to score for the US in three matches (270+ minutes) at the World Cup...here's some interesting facts from Wikipedia for those of you too lazy to read the link:
*One of Dempsey's passions outside of soccer is hip hop music. Using the alias "Deuce", he, along with the late Houston rapper Big Hawk, is featured rapping the song "Don't Tread" in a Nike soccer advertising campaign intended to showcase both the sport's working-class roots and the United States team ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. (Houston=Ghetto Boy Territory=Dempsey's new nickname=Bushwick)
*Was denied transfer to Charlton Athletic for transfer fee of $1.5, has vowed to leave MLS following end of contract in 2007
Jimbo's take: Dempsey is a Lodge favorite and one of the few players that didn't seem to have the deer in headlights look that came from the majority of players in the Red, White and Blue, including the coach. His eagerness to compete in European Futbol is exciting for US fans, especially since we now have Freddie Adu, DaMarcus Beasley, Marcus Hahnemann, Carlos Bocanegra, and Bobby Convey all developing their game over on British pitches.
I'm skeptical because of his age that too many US born players are waiting too long to experience the speed and skill of professional football, but you definitely have to be encouraged by the willingness of our young lads to integrate with the rest of world and become a World Cup fixture for years to come. Now if we could only get a Head Coach and start playing real competition prior to the World Cup year.
*One of Dempsey's passions outside of soccer is hip hop music. Using the alias "Deuce", he, along with the late Houston rapper Big Hawk, is featured rapping the song "Don't Tread" in a Nike soccer advertising campaign intended to showcase both the sport's working-class roots and the United States team ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. (Houston=Ghetto Boy Territory=Dempsey's new nickname=Bushwick)*Was denied transfer to Charlton Athletic for transfer fee of $1.5, has vowed to leave MLS following end of contract in 2007
Jimbo's take: Dempsey is a Lodge favorite and one of the few players that didn't seem to have the deer in headlights look that came from the majority of players in the Red, White and Blue, including the coach. His eagerness to compete in European Futbol is exciting for US fans, especially since we now have Freddie Adu, DaMarcus Beasley, Marcus Hahnemann, Carlos Bocanegra, and Bobby Convey all developing their game over on British pitches.
I'm skeptical because of his age that too many US born players are waiting too long to experience the speed and skill of professional football, but you definitely have to be encouraged by the willingness of our young lads to integrate with the rest of world and become a World Cup fixture for years to come. Now if we could only get a Head Coach and start playing real competition prior to the World Cup year.
posted by Jimbo at 4:24 PM
28 Comments:
First off nice write up jim glad the futbol isn't placed on the back page...
It's about time that most up and coming American talent realized that the only way they are going to gain enough experiance on the pitch is to go to foreign soil.
The MLS will never be more then what it is. It just wont have the support to make it viabile enough to bring talent over here and not up from Latin America. Though I did see that Beckham is linked to the NY Red Bulls but that just screams of Pele and the Cosmo. European talent has to want to come here in it's prime bit just to be a dog and pony show.
Last nights Fulham v. Watford came was a classic example of what going over seas can do for american talent. Brian Mcbride who is arguable one of the best ever to put on a US jersey was the differance maker in the game off the bench. He got that way by busting his ass in the cold London winter rain not by playing during the summer in front of 3,000 people on Kansas city. No he took his talent to Germay and cut his teeth. Then he was the 1st overall pick in the MLS and was dominant and who can fault a guy for coming back to try it in the states. Though it proved that you cannot progress your talent here you gotta go back... And I was treated to a great game because of it.
Hats of to Dempsey and his quest to make it in Europe and heres to hoping more follow in his footsteps which will ultimatly lead to the Lodges goal of seeing all US goalies in the EPL. Cause really that's how it's gonna end up.
PS: Lets all not forget the man who made this all happen - Claudio "Captain America" Reyna.
Train. I am always impressed by your Soccer commentary and your complete lack of volume for Anything else :)
I still luv ya though
Thanks for the comments Train...and I really didn't want to paint the MLS in a negative light, because I like what they're doing, which on a relative scale is comparable to lower Championship upper Division II ball being played in England...
That being said, you don't see the Three Lions selecting their squad from members of Norwich, Barnsley and Sunderland...which is why we have to get our best to compete with the world's best, and that just isn't going to happen on the North or South American Continent during Club play...
I think Dempsey demonstrates the next generation of American Players that isn't merely satisfied with qualifying for the WC from CONCACAF(uhhhemmm...Trinadad and Tobego) but ready to play a role in the quarter and semi-finals every four years...
Now, let's work on getting a real chant together...
Why comment on something everyone knows about? I'll take that as a compliment my friend. I'm just trying to spread the round ball love and bring some knowlege. you break down the west coast offense I break down the offside trap... This can only work to make the Lodge a sports utopia.
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Goose...you will come to embrace the roundball...listen to your heart...you know it to be true
Jimbo.
You've known me for what? 7 or 8 years now?
Do you really see me "Embracing the round ball"?
Thats true Train. But you rarely "wax poetic" unless its soccer.
Im just missing the "Mexican Independence Day" post from the days of yor....When Train brought his culture to the forefront.
Jimbo
I like the idea of a top5 Posts of the 1st year of the Lodge.
There are definately some good ones, and we should have a nomination period over the next week and then a top 5 vote next wendesday. Then we can have a Post of the Year (Which can be reposted) and that person gets sa free ride at a lodge bowling night or other event.
That's a great idea...I'll try to get my picks up by today...
My comments weren’t meant to be an indictment on the state of MLS just more to your point of being a lower level division. I’m a fan of the league and would support a Seattle team whole heartedly. You make a great point about selecting the top talent for the WC of a country. It’s all a no brainier… The best nations have players who compete in the Top 6 leagues of the world. Hell even T & T had some players who spent some time in the Premiership. Until the MLS starts to get young euro talent not young Mexican, Honduran and Panama talent it will always be what it is. Flooding the league with aging talent will not do anything to better US Soccer.
Goose, I will try and regain my focus and remember that I must feel the force flow through me... Feel it between the land, the rock and the ship...
The last time I felt the force flow through me I had just had the 520 special at dixies BBQ...
Why are we not gathering for the season Premier of Lost?
I appreciate your updates on the soccer world. Mayhaps someday when I travel and come across Euro-girls we can exchange inane soccer commentary during flirtation. Still, I believe that Star Trek and comic book posts are much more mainstream to the lodge than MLS. I still give you future thanks for Nadya, Natasha, and Inga.
If I can get one geek laid with soccer knowlege then my work here will be done...
Goose. I hope we can get together for a LOST viewing party.
I could make it into its own post or we can just mention it here...I'm completely down...and willing to do the hosting if need be, but welcome anyone elses nomination...
I'm unable to offer up Casa Lovato but I'm happy to bring the cold brew.
If you guys dont mind a little disarray (we just finished the upstairs floors and have some contractors out working on the Deck Room) then I might be able to offer up the Nest. If everyone is up for a 253 road trip
I am bias towards promoting West Seattle.
That...is why you fail
not to get off the LOST thread but did anyone catch "Friday Night Lights" last night on NBC?
I was suprised that it was entertaining. It might have a shot. I notice that Peter Berg is also the director of the Pilot. The show plays just like the movie the same camera work, score, storylines. Which all in all might be it's down fall because will people want to watch a series when they can just pop the theatrical version in the DVD player??
Oh, and I am digging "Heroes" - it's got some serious potential to be NBC "lost"
The coach almost has the same wife.
Heroes HURTS to watch. Thats just me we're entitled to our own opinions. I just can't handle it. Maybe I'm just jaded with sci fi entertainment as of late. The characters are really flat for me. The conflict seems a bit too typical - The End of the World. I know they're trying hard to have a varied cast, but the spread is too wide to feel like they have a focused story. Their powers are retarded. I'd rather see a live-action Street Fighter film with "Yoga Fire" and "Hadoken" than see a 12-year old girl hurt herself or a japanese nerd scream in glee.
I just looked on IMDB and it is the same wife...Connie Britton. Aparently she gets around with Texas High School Football coaches
Side note...
Adrianne Palicki who plays Tyra Collette is smoking hot!!!
Duke - yes you are jaded and a Sci-Fi Snob - who picks and chooses his sci-fi rather strangly but you are intitled to your opinion..
Connie Britton - wasn't she on Spin City??
"Tiger Uppercut!"
Yes Jorday Connie Britton was on Spin City - I love answering my own questions!!
"Finish Him" - that's all I got for you Duke - my Knowlege is weak when it comes to fighting games.
Big ups to the "Deuce". I second the thought that the MLS isn't all bad. They are moving towards respectibility. You have to start somewhere, and they are building their fan base and are starting to get bigger names from South America who want to stay closer to home.
The MLS isn't going to be uber-competitive or even compare to Europeans Series A leagues until at least 2010, but with continued big name friendlies... the league will continue to grow. Stay positive, Train. Of course, the MLS does feel like NFL Europe, doesn't it!?!
the Kansas City Wizards are the Barcalona Dragons of there Time!!!
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