Posts Categorized as ‘10 Kit Essay’

10 Kit Essay, U.S. Soccer

When The Beautiful Game Doesn’t Love You

Chances are if you’re reading this you love soccer. You don’t need anybody to explain the offside rule, and you certainly don’t need anybody to explain why the sport is called the beautiful game.

But like any other love, sometimes the beautiful game just doesn’t love you like it once did. When you go in seeking a feeling of euphoria, it rebuffs your attempt with a cold, icy shoulder. It’s been a long time since most U.S. fans have felt this rejection from the game more powerfully than tonight, with the United States U-23 team drawing 3-3 with El Salvador in their final group match, a result that sends the U.S. tumbling out of qualifying for this year’s London Olympics.

It was the rare instance that had members of both teams moved to tears – the Salvadoreans weeping tears of joy as coach Caleb Porter and the U.S. cried, presumably, at the cruelty of the whole thing. After losing to Canada during the weekend, the Americans needed a victory to advance to the semifinals where they would play another must-win match to attain Olympic qualification. It all started so well with Terrence Boyd scoring an early goal, but things quickly got darker when El Salvador notched two goals in quick succession – one in the the 35th minute, the next in the 37th. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay, U.S. Soccer

Cameron on US Camp and Playing D Full-time

The versatile Geoff Cameron is currently in January camp with the USMNT preparing for games against Venezuela and Panama. After years of playing several positions, the Houston Dynamo player has finally found a home playing center back.

“It is good that I have a position now.” “It has given me an opportunity to train here with the national team and I am thankful for that,’ Cameron said on moving to play center back full-time. “It gives me an opportunity to get better and better at a position.” “Before I would go back from center back to center mid to outside mid to here and there.” “Where I never had the chance to maybe excel and understand a position as well as I could.” (more…)

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10 Kit Essay

Do Not Call Nocerino Just Hard-working

At the beginning of the year, the 2.7 million Euro transfer fee AC Milan paid to get Antonio Nocerino was laughed at by most Milanisti. The former Palermo man was merely a replacement for the injured Matheui Flamini, who has yet to play well for Milan, and would likely ride the bench for the majority of the season. On-loan midfielder Alberto Aquilani was suppose to be Milan’s Mr. X; however, Nocerino is the one controlling the Milan midfield and quickly become a fan favorite in Milan.

While most would call Nocerino a hard working midfielder like Massimo Ambrosini or Gennaro Gattuso, the 2008 Toulon Tournament Champion for the Azzurri is much more. Nocerino does work tirelessly like the previously said Milan greats, but he also has a knack for scoring goals and is a more polished skill player. It is Nocerino’s willingness to make countless runs into the box that makes him a threat as a goal scorer. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay, Gold Cup, South of the Border

Gold Cup match fixing must serve as wake up call

This summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup was played against a backdrop of scandal, finger-pointing and disgrace off the pitch, but that didn’t seem to carry over to the matches. Now, with Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl receiving confirmation Thursday that FIFA and Interpol investigations of match fixing show something was amiss with a handful of matches, we’re forced to believe even the pitch wasn’t spared from corruption.

Wahl’s report (which you should read in full if you haven’t yet) features a betting-industry insider who is suspicious of every match played by Cuba and Grenada and also El Salvador’s opening 5-0 loss to Mexico. The suspicions come from in-game betting in which bettors wager on future events, such as how many more goals will be scored during the remainder of a game. The majority of the action is in Asia, and a Singaporean newspaper received a tip before the tournament that a syndicate from the Asian nation would have a hand in Gold Cup match results.

The FIFA/Interpol investigation was announced in mid-June with German magazine Der Spiegel reporting there was suspicious betting action on three games, both 5-0 results and one 4-0 game (I’ve got to be honest, I’m not 100% sure this is the original article because I don’t know German, but it is about the Gold Cup and match fixing).

Obviously these allegations – revelations, perhaps – should be troubling to all fans of sport, but the Gold Cup matches mentioned are particularly disturbing to me because I was there. I covered the matches on the first day of the Gold Cup for USA10Kit as I would cover any other match, expecting both teams to put their best effort forward to win. They both finished 5-0, and at the time nothing really seemed out of place.

I thought Mexico’s midfield was very good. I thought El Salvador was badly in need of Arturo Alvarez and was unlucky to lose by such a wide margin. I dismissed Costa Rica’s drubbing of Cuba as simply a show of strength from the Central Americans.

And now? Now I’m not sure what to think. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay

Beyond Ridiculous: Fagundez Taking Hints from Najar

Seriously, when are people (fans and journalists) going to get this? If a player is not American, he cannot choose to play for the U.S. No amount of wishing by fans, or abuse of the USSF, will ever change that.

Now, Diego Fagundez is, unfortunately, not American. He’s been in the U.S. for a long time, he’s been invited to American U-15 camps (which sometimes include prospects yet to receive citizenship), but he’s not through the process of becoming a citizen. Though MLS doesn’t make it easy to tell, it’s not even clear he’s gotten a green card yet.

As far as anyone can tell, he’s years away from citizenship. And now he tells Goal.com “exclusively” that he’ll suit up for whichever national team calls him first. Please. What a lame job of reporting. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay

Everyone can now Hear City, Balotelli Loud and Clear

Boring boring city was the cheer by opposing fans last season. Now, boring boring city is a sarcastic cheer that will be echoed by the sky blue half of Manchester City. This was not a win, but a statement by the noisy neighbors. And let’s stop calling City the noisy neighbors, because they are presently screaming into the ears of the Premier league telling everyone to get out of their way. After yesterday’s win, anyone questioning City needs to stop and think before they start talking.

First, let’s stop questioning Mancini’s tactics. There is a reason why Mancini won three straight titles while with Inter Milan. The Italian manager’s tactics have always been sound. If he takes off Johnson before the second half and replaces him with Gareth Barry he knows something we do not know. Look what happened yestarday, Mancini took off both his goal scorers and his squad went on to score three more goals. He also outcoached Sir Alex Ferguson, which not many managers can say. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay, U.S. Soccer

USA vs. Ecuador: Four Things to Watch

Last Saturday, Jurgen finally got his first win.

It might not have been the lopsided scoreline many wish to have seen against a middling CONCACAF opponent on home soil, but there’s no question the margin would have been higher if the finishing had been a bit more crisp.

Getting the win is a positive step, despite the shaky moments and hiccups, all to be expected in the earlier stages of Klinsmann’s reign of change and tweaks.

What can be gleaned from the few months since the German has taken charge is that there’s a plan and place – a plan to revitalize the way the U.S. play soccer. Whether that is a good or bad thing won’t be learned until the results matter in 2012.

Tuesday night’s opponent, Ecuador, offers another step to take, another opportunity to move the Klinsmann project in another direction. Here are four things to watch tonight. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay

Remembering Rhine

Bobby Rhine, FC Dallas broadcaster and former player, died of an apparent heart attack Monday night while vacationing in Florida.

I didn’t know Bobby Rhine well, but I knew him better than I deserved to. Bobby didn’t know me from any other kid in school, yet he always treated me how I saw him treat everyone else – with complete respect.

I started going to FC Dallas matches as soon as I could drive, and I saw Rhine play all over the field for my hometown club. He was the kind of guy the supporters loved, and it was for good reason. Versatility was one of Rhine’s strengths on the pitch and it didn’t raise eyebrows when Rhine was called into action in an unfamiliar position. He was gutsy and what he did lack in skill he more than made up for in effort and passion. Not only that, but he was always one of the first to give the supporters a round of applause, and you never knew when Bobby might show up for an event or at a pub to watch a match. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay, United Kingdom

Welbeck injury provides reprieve for Sir Alex’s forward “problem”

Sir Alex Ferguson has a problem. He just has too many awesome forwards. He said as much last week, and that was before his team went and put up 8 on Arsenal, a tally high enough to beat most Big Ten football teams.

It almost sounds like some sort of clever prank, like a viral marketing campaign sure to reveal some sort of punch line sooner or later. Side after side in the EPL need forwards. Arsene Wenger would probably swear off puffy jackets for good to get someone in the squad to complement Robin van Persie. Stoke and Fulham don’t seem to even have any forwards on their roster. Swansea is yet to score in three matches. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay, United States

Onward and Dutchward

ISAAC HEATH- One of the most popular topics in US soccer circles is the destination of national team players. Transfer news is always exciting, but for a nation that is attempting to grow its fan base at home while gaining respect abroad, the US media and fans are always looking for their stars to land somewhere big and perform well.


Multiple players have moved across the pond over the years with a wide variety of results. Some of the more notable successful moves have been Stuart Holden to Bolton and Clint Dempsey to Fulham, while guys like Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu have made moves that ended in disappointment.

There are many keys to making a successful move abroad. For one, you have to go somewhere you can play, just ask Oguchi Onyewu. Second of all, and perhaps most importantly, you have to chose a league and team whose style both compliments your abilities and helps you grow as a player.

Jozy Altidore seems to have finally found that with AZ Alkmaar and the Dutch league (somewhere Noah Davis is smiling). Yes, it is early, and yes we eager American soccer journalists love to get prematurely giddy when one of our players starts to have success abroad, but the bottom line is that after his two goals in Europa League action today Altidore has 5 goals in as many games.

Holland seems to be just what the doctor ordered for Altidore, and today I could not help thinking that it would be a great place for many top American players.

(more…)

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