8.16.2007

Thierry Henry and... King who???

Adrian Boothroyd, boss of the relegated Watford, told the host of Premier League clubs hoping to sign his star striker Marlon King to forget about it.... that is unless they are willing to shell out 60 million pounds (about $120 million) - the same price the club would receive if once again promoted to the premiership.

King, who missed much of Watford's disastrous 06/07 premiership season due to a knee injury, had been linked to several clubs, including Derby.

This is a bit of a shock, considering that Boothroyd sold Hameur Bouazza to Fulham and allowed Ashley Young to join Aston Villa in January. Boothroyd, however, insists that Derby does not have the money for King... who would though? L.A. Galaxy?

Not only is Boothroyd making outlandish and unreasonable demands, but he is preventing a talented player from reaching his full potential and playing in a more competitive league, a league King deserves to compete in.

A 60 million price tag is several times more than Arsenal skipper, star and talisman Thierry Henry went for this summer to Barca. The subject raises two questions: Now, I am not saying just because Watfor is no longer in the premiership, doesn't mean he shouldn't get what he deserves, but 60 million pounds is highway robbery; should the manager of a relegated club have the power to in a sense stifle his player's career? And, more importantly, what the hell what Arsene Wenger thinking?


8.13.2007

Karma's a BITCH

You can't get Vick's jersey anymore... even his Nike cleats have been yanked. In fact, just about the only thing you can still get with Michael Vick's name on it, other than a tabloid headline, is the Michael Vick Doggie Chew Toy.

It Bends. It Bounces. It Flies. It Floats. Made for Vick's favorite breed, the Pittbull, it's strong enough to last the whole season!

You can buy it online for just $10.99 +S&H.

8.11.2007

A different fantasy team: If looks won World Cups

Arsenal was my team long before I fancied boys. I would love them even if the whole lot looked like Ronaldinho; lucky for me though, they certainly don't. As a female, I enjoy two sides of soccer - watching the game and watching David Beckham take off his shirt. As I made some last minute changes to my Fantasy EPL team, I wondered, what would my (other) fantasy soccer team be? Needless to say, it didn't take me long to figure this one out.


KB's Arsenal of Hotties - the bestlooking XI
Real FANTASY Football

GK:
Robin Van Persie - What drummers are to bands, goalies are to football clubs: unattractive. As this is my fantasy squad, I don't need a goalie, just someone tall who looks good.
D:
Lucas Neil - Why I cheered for Australia during group stages of the World Cup... even if he is a Hammer (ick).
Devon McTavish - Someone had to be listed from DCU, a team which seams to recruit on looks just as much as talent... and they are a pretty good team. This DC United midfielder/defender seems to be a favorite with DCU friends and staff, and would surely give teammate Bobby Boswell a run for his money as Cosmo's Bachelor of the Year.
Cobi Jones - Bex isn't the only Galaxy hottie. When watching Beckham train, this was the only player who could draw my eyes away from Beckham. Short, but sweet.
M:
David Odonkor - (Captain) The best looking man on Earth - hot enough to make me watch Bundesliga.
Freddy Ljungberg - He may be a bit old and a total toolbag, but I will NEVER throw away my life-sized Freddie Calvin Klein poster- I risked my life stealing it from a London bust stop, and it was well worth it.
That English dude in MLS - I think his name is Beckham, or something like that.
Joe Cole - Even if he plays for Chelski - at least he isn't Cashley Cole.
Cesc Fabregas - I'd rob that cradle (too young to drink Sangria en Los Estados Unidos).
F:
Ruud van Nistelrooy - a whole lot hotter on Madrid... Men call him horsefaced, but women simply point out how tall he is... Dutchmen are so very tall.
Thierry Henry - Oui, oui, oui!

8.10.2007

Bend over Beckham

DC United was in firm control of the game in David Beckham's MLS debut, LA Galaxy's August 9th match at RFK stadium. DC won 1-0, although a 3 or 4 nil tally would more accurately reflect the ease with which the team seemed to direct the game, missed chances and poor finishes aside. However, I doubt the sold out (46,686) crowd would report a DC win. Although the best foreigner of the field was Brazilian, not English, no one seemed to notice DC even existed. Not the fans, not the media, not the cameras, and not even the home team's security guards!

I watched most of the game in the stands instead of the press box, not only because of the electric energy that filled the stadium, but because of how pissed off I was getting that the TV in front of me failed to show me anything but clips of Beckham on the Bench.

I don't care if he brings the league visibility; I am not of the opinion that any press is good press, and I do not think coverage of this spectacle accurately or favorably reflects the league. I just want to see some great games. The best parts of the game for me were Jaime's shots, the red card, Emilio's nasty goal, and the fans cheering when DC scored- not the fans exploding when he stood up to warm up or even picked his nose. Don't get me wrong, the man is magnetic; it took every ounce of will power and love of my job not to reach out and touch him as he passed me to enter the press conference, but no single star can, or should, carry the league on his back. With all those eggs in one basket, we face a grim future, because whether it be a sprained ankle, an affair, or national team duty, at some point everyone tumbles to the ground. In an interview with Dan Steinberg, Bobby Boswell shared this sentiment.

If soccer fans are going to take to MLS, they will do so because it is a league that has grown competitive and remains exciting as it continues to grow each season before our eyes. That is worth watching, with or without Beckham, so he needs to stand out of the way so audiences can see that.

My beef with the media aside, I had one of the most fun games of my life yesterday (which is why I wish people could have seen the game, not just Beckham's sexxxxy chest)... more to come on that later.

8.06.2007

Marketing 101: Learn from Adidas

Unless it's the Superbowl, TV commercials pretty much universally suck. Except for those great Mobile Phone ads (think dropped calls and IDK my Bff Jill), I can't think of any good commercials that aren't sports related. In fact, there are so few good ones out there that I can remember a good commercial years later.

Euro and World Cup tournies mean two things, great soccer and great commercials. Euro 2000 in Amsterdam blessed us with this fantastic advert, featuring Beckham, Zidane, Del Piero, Kluivert, and Music by the Toots.

A close second is the Jose+10 ad, the Adidas ad for World Cup Germany, which shows two little kids picking their fantasy footie teams, only the actually get their favorite players, present and past... I was half expecting G Best to dash onto the dirt pitch.

All of the Adidas Impossible is Nothing commercials rope me in. They feature everyone from Becks to Kiwi rugby players. The Arenas Number 0 ad makes me cry every time. Every time!

Another great one, this time by Powerade though, also combines rugby and soccer- this one shows Josh Lucey and the goofy Peter Crouch, made even more geeky here, it's funny even if you're not sure why.

8.03.2007

Major League Sucker Magazine


Soccer/football lovers know "Four Four Two." It gives the scores, transer news, and tournament stats from all over the world, as well as fun features and gossip, from funny player quotes to specials, like Arsene Wenger's tips for Five-a-side (England's answer to Fusol). The original magazine, a UK publication, focuses on Europe, but gives interesting news and scores from everywhere, from Australia to South Africa.

Australia got its own version, similar in spirit to its UK original, but with a focus on A-League (Australian league), the Socceroos (Aussie National team) and Australian players, especially those playing abroad. For example, West Ham's Lucas Niel is on the current cover, although Thierry Henry, a player with no Australian connections, has graced the cover as well. Though Australian in flavor, the two major priorities are interesting football news and entertaining content, Australian or not.

Perhaps this is the flaw of 442's newly launched Major League Soccer Magazine: it is oppressively MLS-centric. Well, that and it is one of the sloppiest, unprofessional efforts I have ever seen. I honestly believe that my college news magazine had better layout and was better proofread.

I skimmed through the mag with a red marker in my hand, and, within half an hour, it looked as if I had vomited blood onto the magazine in my lap. Even the cover had a glaring error, with a teaser that read FC Toronto, instead of Toronto FC. Not huge to some, but clearly a mistake anyone familiar with MLS would spot. Furthermore, the articles lacked something that the other 442s have. The magazine seemed to be stretched for content, and instead of looking to Europe or South America, it resolved to write a 3 page feature on a rookie's taste in tacky suits, rather than the two paragraph blurb it should have been.

There was nothing on the many Americans playing abroad either. Every other article was about Beckham, and it was clear that the magazine was lazily attempting to ride his coat tails and hope the hype might sell some magazines. The sloppy attempt at "the magazine for soccer lovers" delivers watered down articles about soccer for soccer lovers and truly uninteresting quotes and bad features for those who do not like soccer.... and, after reading this crap, never will. Thanks a lot, CHUMPS.

8.01.2007

DC United Vs Club America 07/29/2007

See Telefutura commentators in action with a taste-y SuperLiga goal from DC United's Ruski.

GOL! GOOOOLLLLLL! GOOOOLLLLL!

I used to watch the majority of my footie live, cheering for DC United at RFK stadium, or at bars, with my crew of fellow Gooners. Lately though, with the onslaught of international futbol tournaments -think Copa de Oro, Copa America, and the current SuperLiga- I've been turning more and more to Telefutura. While I don't really know what commentators are saying, there is one phrase I do know, and, after LA Galaxy's 6-5 win over FC Dallas, it's something I hear alot... GOL! GOOOLLLLLLLL (hold for 45 seconds)! GOOOOLLLL!

In fact, I love it so much that I have found myself screaming it at the slightest success, football related or not. Clean laundy? Gol! Go home early from work? Gol! In fact, as I finally throw out my Zack Morris Brick phone and move on to newer models with polyphonic ringtones, I have decided to adopt a new ring tone and could think of nothing better than the most natural celebration I know, a universal shout of joy: GOL!

There are a range of Gol celebrations on this site, but my personal favorite is "Mexico Vs. USA." Now imagine that going off in a crowded movie theater.