MLS Eastern Conference final liveblog

Impending live-blogginess

Just a heads-up, y'all. My crush on the Columbus Crew continues, and shows no signs of abating. (This crush seems especially focused on Robbie Rogers and Brad Evans, but that's really neither here nor there, is it?) Anyway, because Columbus picked this season to also be a good team, they are in the MLS Eastern Conference final, which I will be liveblogging at this very location tomorrow evening, assuming I can get home from work in time.

Anyway. Watch this space.

New MLS crush

Video courtesy of The Offside Rules.

Yes, Danny Cepero scored a record-setting goal against my team. Yes, he just eliminated Houston (and therefore Geoff Cameron and Stuart Holden) from the playoffs. But that boy is cute, and that's all there is to it. Well, that plus my well-documented weakness for keepers. Done and done.

David Beckham on Sesame Street

Via Ballhype:



I'm sorry, I would have commentary, but I'm too busy flailing at the cuteness of it all.

I do have to say, I like this version of Beckham a lot better than the one who bitches at refs and gets calls he doesn't deserve. Not that I'm bitter about the DC/Galaxy game last night.

I've been watching a lot of MLS lately, both because Liverpool have been so utterly uninspiring and because I actually enjoy it. It helps that the team I sort of fell into following, Columbus, are leading the league and have clinched the playoffs. Also, I like Robbie Rogers. Forcing the opposition to take several yellows and a red, and still scoring on them? Pretty badass.

Quick note

I am guest-blogging today at This Is Extra Time. I don't think I'm gonna cross-post, but if y'all want to know my thoughts on ... random hot players, head over there.

Pointless question of the day

Actually, two questions: 1) When did Rogers get that tattoo, and 2) what the hell is it a tattoo of? I mean, I think it's probably better than Feilhaber's crooked Latin or Daniel Agger's ... everything and the kitchen sink, but man. If I can't see it, I can't judge it. Bah.

Also, um, nice abs, kid. As Sarah said, he must work out.

Lessons from the Olympics

1. Robbie Rogers is not a defender.
2. Very few men can successfully wear a white beret. Specifically, only Benny Feilhaber and Maurice Edu.

Oh, look...

This post is still necessary.

Call me the cranky feminist of the soccer blogosphere, but things like the comments on this post are fucking vile, and disrespectful of all women, let alone soccer fans. If y'all wanna have a frat party, is the internets really the best place for it? Much harder to tap a good keg online, I have to say.

Quick hit -- that's a lot of money

Yeah, this time the radio silence has been for a good reason -- the bar exam is less than two weeks away, and I am pretty much constantly studying. But I had to post about this, because Kaka to Chelsea for 80m pounds? That's 100m euros, and I don't even want to calculate how much that is in dollars. Leaving aside the question of if they need him, good lord, that's a huge number. Think he'd give me, like, a thousandth of it so I can pay off these student loans? It's not like he'd miss it. Thank god this transfer window finally got interesting -- I couldn't handle reading any more about Barry and Ronaldo.

Also, tomorrow I am going to my first regular-season MLS game ever -- FC Dallas v. Colorado. I'm going with my dad, and he keeps trying to call Dallas "F.C." for short. He tries, but. This is like how he used to call Arsenal "Armory."

Shallow and frivolous

18-year-old footballer breaks news of transfer on Facebook. Honestly, I'm a little surprised this hasn't happened before. (Though I think Alecko Eskandarian may have announced his transfer to, like, Real Salt Lake on Facebook. But that was at least one trade ago, and it's MLS.)

Speaking of Real Salt Lake, I present the first in an occasional series, called Hot MLS Coaches.

Part One: Jason Kreis

So, he whines about the refs a little more than I'd like. And he's shorter than me. But this is his first full season, RSL are amazingly not sucking this season, and he went to Duke, so I think the balancing test comes out in his favor. Also, he can wear a suit pretty damn well.

Euro final liveblog

Once again, I will be joining forces with This is Extra Time to liveblog the final. Apparently Ballack's fit, but Villa's out, so I have to call this for Germany. I hear you can never count them out.

Spain/Italy liveblog

Let's see if Spain can avoid their usual routine of playing well in the group and then choking at the earliest possible opportunity. My guess: probably not. Italy's defense is kinda weak, but Spain is Spain. Here's hoping.

Italy/France liveblog

Why I love Ladies...

Sexism in sports blogging: A Q&A. You should all read this. I think the soccer blogosphere (god, I hate that word) is actually a little better about all this than some other sections of the sports blogging world -- seriously, there are sites that I can't even read because they're so overtly misogynist. But I'd be lying if I said that the need some blogs feel to preface every Euro liveblog (or hell, every post at all) with a picture of random fans wearing as little as possible wasn't irritating. All that does is tell me that you don't care about half of your potential audience. It's a little bit alienating, and it gets old really fast.

That's my soapbox for today. There are a lot of different issues around all this, and I have to say, women not getting mentioned as potential editors isn't my hot button, mostly because I am far too lazy to handle even posting here a lot. But when your entire blog sends the message that I'm not even welcome as a reader? Yeah, I'm not surprised there aren't more women sports bloggers. And we won't even get into the constant disrespect of non-"hot" women athletes. Guess what, chief? Odds are you don't look like Cristiano Ronaldo either. So can we stop evaluating women on their looks for a second?

Also, while I'm asking, I'd like a pony.

In non-international news

*pours one out for Alonso and Riise*

Okay, it's probably Riise's time to go. But Alonso? I'm actually sad about that. Mascherano's awesome and all, but I think you want some cover at that position, especially since Mascherano tends to get cards pretty regularly. But I'd say starting at Juventus is probably better than bench-warming at Liverpool, especially if you're still young, so. It makes a lot of sense, but I don't have to like it.

In other news, you should all read this article about DC United's Santino Quaranta. Absolutely amazing.

Yet another liveblog!

This time, though, not a Euro game, but the other game today. The one that no one cares about -- United States v. Barbados, in the first leg of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. The United States is on a three-game scoreless streak, but to be fair, their last three opponents were England (FIFA ranking: 9), Spain (4), and Argentina (1). Barbados is currently 142nd in the world. I'm predicting a US win, but you know. Stranger things have happened. But they probably won't.

Anyway, I've given up and admitted that I like the US, so I will be liveblogging this game, along with Goalscoring Robot and anyone else who wants to join us. 5:00 ET.

I am a liveblogging machine.

This time, it's Spain v. Sweden. I think I've given up and I'm cheering for Spain, even though they'll inevitably let me down. But I'm a Liverpool girl, so I have to cheer for Torres and Xabi in the off-season, too, apparently.

Anyway. You can follow the blog here or at This I Extra Time, and like before, you can comment as well. Yay technology!

Short notice, live blog

Just a quick heads-up to everyone: I will be co-liveblogging France v. Netherlands over at This Is Extra Time. Head over there to read our play by play and post your own comments! If I can figure out how, I'll post the blog over here.

ETA: Oh, look. I am brilliant.

Euro preview, part two

Is here. This one features a little less discussion of naked footballers and a little more discussion of who we think is gonna win the whole thing. Like I said before, it was a lot of fun to do, and I actually learned some things (like, you know, what Samir Nasri looks like).

Euro preview, part one

Can be found here. As the link title may have suggested, this is actually a roundtable discussion with some awesome women who are also soccer bloggers. It was a blast to participate in, and I hope it's entertaining (and maybe even useful). Part Two to follow tomorrow.

And I think I've decided to cheer for Spain. Though I still think Germany will win it all. They're just so efficient.

Not-quite-live blog: US/Spain

So, This Is Extra Time and I co-hosted a liveblog of the US/Spain game. However, because I am a dingbat, I didn't think to post the link here so y'all could follow it live. We'll just call this a ... I don't know. Almost-live blog.

Letters to managers

Welcome back, Mr. Mourinho. I hate to say it, but it's been kind of boring this season without you. I look forward to seeing you stylishly sulk on the touchline in Italy next year. Now maybe take Lampard and Drogba with you? Thanks.

Dear Sven: I think you might have actually deserved better than this. The McClaren years (year?) made you look good in retrospect, and really, City were never going to make the Champions League. So I don't think you sucked, but I guess this is the risk of having a crazy owner. Sorry.

Love (or something),
Amanda

CRY MOAR.

Yeah, okay, England won. But Michael Bradley upset Frank Lampard, and really, that's all I ask these days. Bonus points to Baby Bradley for wearing black shoes with the black socks and shirt. I respect a boy that knows basic principles of color coordination.

Hi.

Um, finals and graduation and moving back home meant something had to give, and apparently it was everything related to soccer in general and this blog in particular. I would promise to do better, but I just started my bar review course this week, so I'm pretty sure that'd be a lie. I'll do my best, though, and hey, at least it's the off-season?

...Oh right, Euro. With England out, I'm not sure who I'm supporting. I know it's not Portugal (ew Ronaldo), and I have a hard time getting fully behind Spain. While they are awfully pretty and talented, it's Spain. They're gonna choke, and I'm not sure I can handle that. So, here it is. Make your case for what team I should support. Right now, I'm at a loss.

True confession time: I'm actually okay with United winning the double this season. And I won't be able to watch the US/England friendly, what with no ESPN Classic on my cable and the previously-mentioned bar study, I will be interested in the outcome. Because a year ago, I would have been all "pfft, whatever, America," and I still don't think they're gonna win or anything, but. I'll be cheering for them.

Confession time

Hi, my name is Amanda, and I am a Columbus Crew fan. Because I'm a glory-hunter. No, I am not from Columbus. Nor have I ever visited there. Mostly I think I love teams who will inevitably let me down, and with Columbus currently leading the Eastern Conference, there's no way they're not gonna disappoint me by the end of the season. So, I admit it. I am an MLS fan. Specifically of a team that has never won a title and hasn't even made the playoffs the last two seasons. In a league where over half the teams get to the postseason, that takes some doing. Judge away; I know I'm judging myself.

Other things I am ashamed to like: books written by the Beckhams, The Hills, and any sort of drink with "sour" in the name and a cherry on top. Like I said, feel free to judge.

Oh my god.

Dear Mssrs. Hicks, Gillett, Parry, and Benitez:

Shut up. All of you. This has been going on for far too long, and really. You couldn't stop attacking each other in public for a day? Not even this week? Gross. I don't care who's right anymore, I just want you all to stop talking and go away. Maybe go on vacation together. I bet y'all could work something out then. And if not, at least the pictures would be amusing.

No love,
Amanda

Quick hits

• This is the greatest post ever. Kickette and Go Fug Yourself combine for commentary on WAGs. Brilliant and hilarious.


• An interview with Galaxy defender Julian Valentin. I liked him at the u20 World Cup this summer, and even though he went to the wrong ACC school, I've got to respect anyone who takes a boot to the face, gets stitches, and then gets upset that he can't return to finish out the game. And he seems like a good guy, too.


• And the reason I don't do game previews? Oh You Beauty does them so much better.

Oh, MLS

I guess this is the only way West Ham is going to win the league, though. They've fixed it now, but for a while, West Ham was leading the MLS Western Conference.

(Thanks to Goalscoring Robot.)

Dashed expectations news

So, a combination of Wednesday afternoon classes and being too poor to afford FSC means that the only game I've managed to watch live this week? Chicago Fire - New England Revolution. And I don't even like either of those teams, and the ESPN2 broadcasts aren't the same without Eric Wynalda doing his drunk-uncle routine, but you know, sometimes you go with what's there. It did make me realize that since I don't like Chad Barrett, Justin Mapp, or Can't-Spell-It Blanco, I should probably go all the way and just admit that I don't like the Fire. (This is also how I came to discover I didn't like Inter -- I tried, but I realized I couldn't stand most of the players, so I had to call it.)

I have managed to see highlights of the Champions League games, though, and I think Liverpool are going to be the ones advancing to the semis. If we've learned anything since 2005, it's that Rafa has turned Liverpool into a team that's excellent at getting a 1-0 at home and clinging on for dear life. Since they could advance with a 0-0 at Anfield, I don't expect that game next week to be one for the ages, but honestly, after the rest of the season, I don't care so much about aesthetics as results. (This is why I'm not an Arsenal fan.) It's pretty sad, but if they can finish fourth and get to at least the semis in the Champions League, I think I'll be satisfied with that. And no, I'm not looking forward to another freaking Chelsea-Liverpool semi, but maybe Fenerbahce will take care of that for me.

In other news, I scored three at my rec team's practice the other day. I guess you could say, like John Terry or Ashley Cole, I score a lot for a defender. Except that I don't do it with underage girls. Or throw up after.

Test

Okay, does anyone know why this video will play the ad before, but not the actual content? I've been able to watch ESPN videos before, but not this one, it seems.

In other news, water is wet

Derby relegated.

Honestly, I'm a little surprised that it took this long. I guess they still have something to fight for -- beating Sunderland's points total from 2003 in order to not be actually the worst team ever to play in the Premier League. They'd need 20 points to do that. They currently have 11. Good luck, boys. It's pretty clear you'll need it.

In which I say something nice about USsoccer.com

New away kit? Thumbs up. When I first saw this, I thought it was navy blue, but it looks like it's actually black, which is just fine with me. I'm not the hugest fan of the random red collar thing, but I can live with it. And really, anything is better than the new home kit. It's kind of nice to see them getting away from red, white, and blue; while I understand it's patriotic and I'm sure everyone there loves America, limiting yourself to three colors isn't generally a good idea. Though I just realized -- what will this mean the keeper kit looks like? Since those tend to be really different from the regular jerseys, I fear poor Tim Howard and Brad Guzan will have to wear neon yellow or something. But overall, I approve. Which I'm sure is just what Nike was going for.

LOL

The YNT blog hates me. Dudes, not my fault you got scooped on the final Olympic qualifying roster.

Question of the day

So, say you were one of the U23 players who decided to get pedicures today. Yes, that's the U23 men. Put yourself in those guys' shoes. (The blog doesn't name names, but my guess? Sacha Kljestan.)

Here's my question: you're most likely an MLS player, which means you're probably about to start the preseason. Why, then, would you decide to get your feet all smooth and pretty when you'll be playing soccer five days a week and they're just going to get all callused and blistered and gross again?

Seriously, I speak from experience. It's a bad idea.

(If you're here from the Fanhouse, hi! This is pretty much what it's like all the time around here.)

Too sexy for this shirt

But that's not hard, because this shirt is FUG.

I've defended the fashion choices of the USMNT in the past, but this thing? No. No no no. Every girl knows that horizontal stripes are almost uniformly an awful idea. While I'm all for pinstripes, these are not pinstripes. This is a collar-less version of the rugby shirts my brother used to wear. When he was five. Put a collar on it, and this is the shirt every guy in every bar in town wears when he can't commit to an actual button-down. In other words, this isn't a jersey. It's a shirt. It's not iconic, it's not distinctive, and it's not even particularly good-looking. I realize they have to change jerseys every few years on order of their Nike overlords, but is there any reason they have to go from a decent jersey to this thing?

Also, the stripes don't even go all the way around the back. If you're going to be ugly, at least be consistently ugly. Apparently that's so you can put a name and number on the back. Uh-huh. Because that's such a problem. This thing is ugly ugly ugly, and I feel sorry for the players that have to wear it.

More discussion at:
Sideline Views
Soccer by Ives
Goalscoring Robot

True confessions

I know I should care about the African Cup of Nations, but I don't.

Still alive.

What she said.

I'm sorry for the silence over here, but with how Liverpool's playing and all the behind-the-scenes drama has been too depressing to write about. I fully expect whatever bizarre and fully-rotated squad Rafa puts out to lose to Havant & Waterlooville. Because that'd really be this season in a nutshell, wouldn't it?

So on a lighter note, pictures of the Liverpool costume Christmas party. My favorite is Fernando Torres as ... Fernando Torres.