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Indeed.

Monday, 20 October 08, 06:34 PM

So, the past two months have been a bit...well, I've certainly had better periods in my life. As such, this site fell precipitously down my list of priorities. The last time I checked, it was nestled somewhere between 'Ignored' and 'Forgotten'. However, things have settled down recently. As a result of what's gone down I now have quite a bit of free time on my hands. What better to fill it with than the resuscitation of this site. My ambitions, though temporarily distracted, remain the same.

So, what's been going on in the soccer world while I've been away. Oh, look! Tottenham Hotspur sits at the foot of the Premier League table with two points to their name, while the New York Red Bulls teeter precariously on the edge of making or missing the playoffs. Wonderful. I couldn't even bring myself to watch Tottenham's match against Stoke City. My judgement proved sound, as it turned out. Spurs fell 2-1 to Stoke. Yeah. I couldn't find Stoke City on a map. I'm fairly adept at geography, for those wondering. At this point, I'm just looking for Spurs to avoid the drop and the Red Bulls to achieve their annual first-round defeat in the playoffs. Low expectations are more easily met, I find.

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US Robbed

Sunday, 10 August 08, 09:00 AM

I'd like to start by saying that the Netherlands didn't deserve it. The US played them off the pitch. The US created better chances. The US possessed the ball better. Holland was reduced to playing counter-attacking soccer. That's Holland. Birthplace of Total Football and Johan Cruyff, the should-have-been champions of the 1976 World Cup, the actual champions of Euro 1988. Outplayed by the United States. Outplayed, but not outscored. I knew it was going in from the second the camera pulled back for the wide shot.

The US goes from being about fifteen seconds away from automatic qualification to a much less assured position. Instead of looking at an essentially meaningless game against Nigeria, it's now certainly a must-tie, if not a must-win. Oh, and they'll have to do it without Freddy Adu and Michael Bradley. So, instead of guaranteed qualification the US now faces a must-win game against a solid Nigerian side. This with two of America's best players suspended due to yellow card accumulation. In case you were wondering, Adu's second yellow card was indeed dubious.

When's Team Handball on?

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FC Barcelona in Central Park

Monday, 04 August 08, 11:05 PM

I made up for my failure to make it to Steve Nash's Charity game a few weeks back by heading into Central Park today to watch the likes of Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez, Samuel Eto'o, and Carles Puyol...stretch. There were no soccer balls involved and I made it there after they ran, I assume. Still, being so close to the players of that caliber, people I watch do spectacular things week in and week out, was pretty cool. I took a few pictures.

-The Barca Squad doing some abdominal work.

- I was very excited.

-Carles Puyol speaking to some trainers. Samuel Eto'o behind him.

-Rafa Marquez.

-I'm not sure who this guy was, he seemed pretty popular, though.

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Freddy Adu Loaned to AS Monaco

Monday, 21 July 08, 08:13 PM

Soccer by Ives is reporting that Freddy Adu has been loaned to AS Monaco of the French Ligue 1. Rumors of the move, which also linked Michael Bradley to the French outfit, had surfaced in early July. Adu's loan comes with an option for Monaco to buy the young American if he impresses. The move is a good one for Adu, who would have been hard-pressed for playing time after Benfica's capture of Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar. Despite a strong start at Benfica, Adu's playing time withered as both the manager who signed him and the replacement manager left the club. Benfica's new coaches proved hesitant to grant Adu time with the first-team. At Monaco, Adu will see much more significant time on the pitch as the French side looks to rebuild following a disappointing 2007-2008 campaign. Adu's would-be main rival for minutes at AS Monaco, Jeremy Menez, looks set to leave the club this summer, clearing the way for Adu.

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US Olympic Roster Released

Thursday, 17 July 08, 12:40 PM

United States Olympic Coach Peter Nowak today released the eighteen man roster he'll be taking to China. According to FIFA rules, participating teams are permitted to bring three players over the age of 23. Peter Nowak took advantage of this rule and invited new Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, New England defender Michael Parkhurst, and the between-teams forward Brian McBride. US supporters, myself included, will be thrilled to see McBride step on the field once again for the red, white, and blue. The US as yet have been unable to replace the loss of McBride to international retirements. The majority of his potential successors, including Eddie Johnson, Brian Ching, and Taylor Twellman, have disappointed against tough opposition. The Olympics, however, will likely see McBride partnered with the player many hope will be the one to finally fill McBride's shoes: Josmer Altidore.

2008 U.S. MEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (5): Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (out of contract), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

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