Tag: real_football

sports

One of the Best World Cup US Goals Ever

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The ladies just love to show up the men, huh? Not to be outdone by Landon Donovan’s injury time goal against Algeria in the Men’s World Cup last year, below is one of the most exciting footie goals that the US, men or women, has ever scored in the World Cup. Period. The fact that they won today and are in the finals this Sunday is even better!
That being said, San Jose Mercury News wrote “Suddenly, we care a bunch about a soccer team that doesn’t involve our own children.” which shows how far footie still needs to go in this country.
I know where I’ll be on Sunday. At my aunt’s house, ignoring my family while the Japan / US championship match is on. I

USA! USA!

sports

The Goal of Goals

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If you have not heard yet, Wayne Rooney, football star & bad boy for England and Manchester United, scored a ridiculously sublime bicycle kick goal against Manchester City in this year’s Manchester Derby. Some are calling it the best goal ever.
The bicycle kick is notoriously an incredibly hard shot to convert – as Wayne said himself, “nine times out of ten the ball can go anywhere.” As the Wall Street Journal wrote, “When done properly, as in Mr. Rooney’s case, it’s a feat of precision, coordination, athleticism and power.”
It came at an incredible time – he scored with approximately 13 minutes to play in a tied and pressure packed very important league match.
It came amongst incredible players – the combined payrolls alone for City and United total $350 million. Both teams have bought and imported the best of the best from across the world and they were all playing in the match.
I’ll let Steven Rushin from Sports Illustrated explain it for you:

I watched Kirk Gibson’s limp-off home run to win Game 1 of that year’s World Series. Like Jack Buck, I literally could not believe what I had just seen. Lacking any other witnesses to confirm it, I lay in a torpor in front of the tube, wondering if the pictures were real.
I can’t recall a single other instance of being alone, not-quite believing what I’d just seen on TV, until this past Saturday morning, when my wife and four children unaccountably left me alone in the house for the first time in six years.

I really wished I watched the goal live because as an aside, I remember watching Kirk Gibson’s home run as it happened and it was as unbelievable as Mr. Rushin stated and that goal came about 25 years ago. I believe I was listening to the game in my bed on radio and then ran down stairs to catch the immediate reply, my mom yelling at me because she thought I was asleep.
After watching the video below, you’ll see why everyone is making such a fuss.
<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=d0c22342-6f41-4bd7-938c-d5f9a31eb7e8" target="_new" title="">Rooney&#8217;s Bicycle Kick from all angles</a>

sports

Looking Forward to a Forward

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The United States lost to Ghana over a week ago at this point and the loss had me so gutted that I haven’t been able to post about it until now. Long story short: we should have won the game.
If you watched the match, it was obvious that we were the better team and we should have won, but that also we did not deserve to win. We had about twelve good scoring chances and scored on one – Ghana had about three good scoring chances and scored on two. The fact is, the Americans have never had, aside from maybe Brian McBride and even then he’s no Ronaldo, a great forward who reliably can put the ball in the back of the net. It’s that simple. I’m hopeful, but not that hopeful, that somehow this will change over the next four years and that a real striker appears (this means you have to up your game Mr. Jozy Altidore). Only time will tell.
In other footie news, the story of the tournament is how Europe has rebounded from their initial dismal showing to put three teams in the final four. While South America was looking incredibly strong, Brazil and Argentina shockingly just fell apart against the Dutch and the Germans and now the semis are featuring three European teams with only one non-Euro team, Uruguay, appearing and arguably Uruguay shouldn’t even be there (cue the “soccer should have some sort of basketball’s goal tending rule” debate because of the way that an intentional hand ball saved a goal towards the end of overtime).
The three teams that I support are the Ameriks, the English and the Dutch so I’m hopeful that this is the year that the Dutch finally get their brand of “total football” to the top of the global footie heap. Considering that m y second child – another daughter – was nice enough to be born this past Saturday, I’ll be working from home over the next two weeks which means I get to watch both semi matches from home in HD glory. Lovely.

sports

And in the 91st Minute…

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…Landon Donovan saves US Soccer by scoring against Algeria giving the Americans a 1-0 victory, their 7th overall in the World Cup all-time. In the process, the US wins Group C with 5 points, which is only the second time that they’ve won a group in World Cup history, the first being at the initial World Cup in 1930. What an amazing morning.
Out of these 7 wins, I distinctly remember all four that have happened in my lifetime:
In 1994, we defeated Columbia 2-1 our home soil helped in part by the Colombians scoring an own goal and made it through to the second round (where we lost to eventual champion Brazil).
In 2002, we gloriously upset Portugal 3-1 during group play and then surprised (though it was not a surprise to us) Mexico with a solid 2-0 victory in the second round to advance to the quarterfinals (where we gave a valiant effort and lost to Germany).
Today’s victory, which came in the most miraculous of circumstances, by a player I said in 2002 would be the future of US Soccer, is the best I’ve seen yet (though the thrilling super late night Portugal upset was ridiculously fun). My entire office was watching (and enjoying the free breakfast we won from the US/England 1-1 draw) by streaming the game through ESPN3 on a laptop and then hooking said laptop into a huge plasma TV. This is the second significant and emotional patriotic event that I’ve watched at work with colleagues – the other being Obama’s inauguration – and I’ve enjoyed both immensely. There was a large crowd today hanging on every near miss and while the first half was promising, the second half was desperate and as the near misses mounted, more and more dread crept into the room. I thought that the better chance of advancing laid at the feet of the Slovenians who in tying England would allow the US to go through but luckily that didn’t need to happen. In injury time, at the plus one of four mark, everyone just erupted when Donovan put a ricochet in the back of the net. I was unable at first to enjoy, too paranoid that this too would be improbably called back but no, there was no goal stealing by the refs this time, this was a real goal, and a real cathartic release as the US lived up to its potential and I ran around giving high fives to the true footie fanatics there, the ones who knew like me how much this meant.
It’s more than just going through to the second round. When I say that Donovan saved the sport in this country, I’m not kidding. The US had to win this match today or else soccer would have been looked down upon for not only another four years but possibly decades if not even longer. It would have lost its legitimacy.
A good friend of mine who loves all domestic sports (i.e. baseball, football and basketball), loves the Olympics (so he doesn’t dislike global competition) and most importantly loves hockey (soccer’s second cousin) couldn’t believe that the US didn’t beat Slovenia and couldn’t believe that the go-ahead goal was disallowed. Between that call and the endless flopping and diving that he saw during the US’s and other team’s matches, he was telling me how he just didn’t get soccer, that it was more theatre than sport and how while he would like to care more, the nonsense annoys him and thus he is a true once every four years fan. This Landon Donovan goal, and the never say die attitude of the US squad that allowed it to happen (cue Tim Howard’s amazing throw that started the 4 on 2 counterattack), is the greatest example of what our national style looks like and how soccer will win over people like my friend. We like winners in America and the US Team winning when it can and should is a welcome change to the previous 20 years worth of WC history.
As an aside, I’ve been reading tons of articles and watching the goal over and over again. I can’t wait to replicate Landon’s superman dive on a slip and slide soon. Out of all the things I’ve read so far, nothing was as much fun as this ESPN “Off the Ball” blog’s tremendously good post on how it’s time to start believing.
As another aside, a sign that we are becoming a real soccer nation is that we finally have an good yet slightly cheesy unofficial World Cup anthem of our own, like say England’s Vindaloo. Weezer’s “Represent” is a fantastic footie anthem and a welcome surprise – it turns out River Como is a huge footie fanatic and he made sure he caught the US / England match while at Bonnaroo. The song is immediately going on my running mix. It’s also below – crank up the speakers and get ready for Saturday when we play Ghana. They beat us 2-1 in 2006 but if we beat them this time around, which is entirely possible, then we play either Uruguay or South Korea in the quarterfinals. To dream of greatness, yet another sign of becoming a real footie nation. Enjoy the song.

sports

World Cup Fever: 2010 Edition

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The World Cup is back and I am just so so happy. This event is a special anchor for me in my life – I’ve been playing footie since I was six – so before we get into this year’s edition of the Coupe du Mondel, let me quickly go over some high level thoughts from the others before I get to 2010’s first weekend:
1990 – I start to officially care about the World Cup as this is the first one the US participates in since the 1950. I, like the rest of the part of America that actually cares about soccer (maybe 1% of the population), is happy to simply be there and only am sort of embarrassed when the Czechs beat the US 5-1. I am in Niagara Falls for the final and remember people marching around the streets with the West German flag after they win the championship
1994 – I am super enthused about how WC fevor hits the US and the nation stops to care, a little. “Los Gringos” advances to the second round and the Columbian responsible (Columbia loses to the US on an own goal) is murdered back home a week later. The US is able to parlay this success into the founding of Major League Soccer – which is (thankfully) still alive and kicking over 15 years later.
1998 – I am luckily in Europe for the most of the event and watch games in England and Ireland before catching the semis and final back in the States. I catch a ferry back from the Aran Islands to Galway in time to watch the US lose to Iran with other ex-pats and am dismayed. Three Lions taking on Vindaloo was better than the event itself.
2002 – I’m out of work recovering from a bad car accident and keep myself busy by making and updating a fan site and by watching as many matches in a bar as possible. You would be surprised how many people are awake at 3 AM and 5 AM to watch footie. The US’s amazing run to the quarter finals gives me hope for the future and a great distraction to enjoy while I’m convalescing.
2006 – I watch USA bomb out in the first round though enjoy an amazingly great day in NYC (see this post from 2006 for more details). I watch England lose on penalty kicks to Portugal in the San Diego airport and watch the final at a beach bungalow in the Diego with friends.

2010 – So far, so good. My office trash talks up a storm with the London office and wins free breakfast when the US “wins” 1-1.
usa_ties_england
I watched the USA / England game at home on Sat with wife and child and was delighted by the effort shown by the Ameriks. Even though they fell behind, they were composed, they showed poise and fought hard. Hells bells – they even almost won when Jozy hit the post towards the end of the match.
On Sunday I was able to watch the first half of Germany / Australia match at Carlow East – nothing beats WC matches in a bar talking to total strangers about all things footie. My friend for five minutes (aka the dude sitting next to me at the bar) told me to watch out for Kuyt on the Netherlands and sure enough he scored their second goal today. I cannot wait for Friday – I just hope the Ameriks get 3 points (or 1 at the least considering that Slovenia beat Algeria and has 3 points already) out of the deal.

humor

World Cup at the White House

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Our government’s reaction to English keeper Robert Green’s error during this past Saturday’s Group C opening match, which allowed the American squad to tie the England in their match this past Saturday, is below:
WorldCup_WhiteHouse_Viewing
‘ Nuff said.
Via Anthony

sports

The Fleet Triumphant

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One of the most remarkable events in World Sports happened one week ago tomorrow: Ebbsfleet United FC, the footie team of which I am an owner, beat Torquay United 1-0 in the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium.
This is the first time the ‘Fleet has won the FA Trophy, or has been in the semis or the finals for that matter. The fact that former Torquay striker Chris McPhee was the one who netted the goal makes it even sweeter. The official estimate is that some 25,000 of the 40,186 fans inside Wembley Stadium – the Trophy Final’s second biggest gate ever – were “of the red persuasion” (as the ‘Fleet’s site puts it). I wish I was there, even though those in red on “Star Trek” at least often do not make it home…the victory parade looks like it was a smashing good time.

sports

Setting Sail With "The Fleet"

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I am not going on any nautical excursions in the near future. Instead, I am proudly announcing that MyFootballClub has entered a deal in principle to take over Ebbsfleet United Football Club, affectionately known as “The Fleet.”
What this means is that I, along with the approximately 20,000 current MyFootballClub members, will own an equal share in the club. While I cannot earn a profit or receive a dividend, I will have a vote on transfers as well as player selection and all major decisions.
In case you are a huge English Footie fanatic and do not recognize the name, Ebbsfleet United was known as Gravesend & Northfleet F.C. until May, 2007. In 1946, Gravesend United F.C. (originally formed in 1893) and Northfleet United F.C. (originally formed in 1890) merged with the new club retaining the red & white home colours (and the Stonebridge Road stadium) of Northfleet United F.C.

EUFClogo.png
The world is so excited that the EUFC site has crashed. All one sees on the homepage is the following message:

“As you can appreciate, this website has been inundated with traffic and we will need to upgrade our servers to cope with the demand generated by the EUFC/MyFootballClub announcement.”

I have been waiting my entire life to own (a piece of) a professional sports team. So what if they play in England’s Conference National league, which is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system? As Wikipedia notes, “It is the most profitable and competitive fifth-tier football league in the world.” I’m only a plane flight from NY to London and a 55 min train ride from London to Kent away from seeing my boys play. I wonder who sits in the owners box – while there are 20,000 owners, there is only room in Ebbsfleet Stadium for 5,000 people. I like how it is affectionately called ‘The Graveyard’ or ‘Cemetery.’
For more information, read the info I gleamed from the Members Area of MyFootballClub’s site.
MyFootballClub has agreed a deal in principle to purchase a controlling stake in Ebbsfleet United FC. Placed 9th in the Conference, Ebbsfleet United FC is one promotion from reaching the Football League for the first time in its history.
MyFootballClub members will also have the option to buy 100% of the football club in the future for a fixed price.
Funds will be made available to Liam Daish during the January transfer window to help the club push towards the play-off places.
As part of the deal, the current Board will continue their roles at the club as non-executives after the date of takeover, and club staff (including the manager) will also stay on.
The football club selection process
Some of the top 15 clubs chosen by members were ruled out because they didn’t fulfil our criteria, for example high levels of debt. In all, MyFootballClub was approached by nine football club owners, and we approached several others. Getting to know one club and meeting the personalities involved is a process that can take several weeks. In three months, we took a close look at seven clubs. Confidentiality means we cannot disclose details of any of these discussions.
Of the seven football clubs considered, the MyFootballClub team believes that Ebbsfleet United FC presents a unique opportunity. Here is some background to the deal and the football club:
Price
We have been able to structure a deal so that the up front payment is relatively small (to allow investment in the squad), with a further staged payment due 12 months after takeover. The club will also have a small amount of debt, which will need to be repaid or refinanced 3 years after takeover.
Only when due diligence is complete can further details be released.
Current Directors and club staff
For continuity, all club staff will remain. Directors will become non-executive Directors and will continue their roles at the club.
The manager
Liam Daish’s title will change from Manager to Head Coach, in recognition of the unique role he will perform. Liam’s backroom staff, including assistant Alan Kimble, will remain.
Division
Playing in the Conference National, MyFootballClub members across the UK will have the opportunity of going to watch Ebbsfleet United matches close to home. This would not have been the case with a club in a regional division.
Promotion to the Football League is one of the great prizes in English football, and the Conference also has a Wembley play-off final. The division enjoys a similar amount of TV and press coverage as Division Two.
History
Ebbsfleet United FC is a new name, but its roots can be traced back Gravesend United FC (formed in 1893) and Northfleet United FC (formed in 1890). These two clubs merged in 1946 to become Gravesend & Northfleet FC. In May 2007, the football club changed its name to Ebbsfleet United FC.
Ground
Stonebridge Road was built in 1946 and has a capacity of 5,248 of which approximately 4,000 is standing. The club has a 17-year lease to play there the with a peppercorn rent. Plans are ongoing to build and move to a new stadium in the vicinity.
So as well as offering something for the traditionalist, there is also the prospect of a new stadium in future.
Club sponsor
Eurostar is the club’s main sponsor. The club is in the first season of a three-year deal. The club will receive monies in year two and three.
Location and transport
Ebbsfleet United FC is in northwest Kent and enjoys good transport links. By car it is junction 2 on the M25. And Northfleet station (a 5 minute walk to the ground) is 55 minutes from Charing Cross, London. Gravesend Station is also near by. And it is a 40 minute drive from Gatwick Airport.
Ebbsfleet International Station, on the Eurostar line, opens on 19 November. It’s approximately 500m from the Stonebridge Road. In December 2009, a high speed 15-minute domestic service from St Pancras will be added.
Local area
The new £100m Ebbsfleet International Station with its 15-minute journey time to St Pancras will make the area extremely desirable for commuters and businesses. To provide for Ebbsfleet’s growing population, plans are in place for 3000 residential units, 2,190 acres of new parks and open spaces and 4.5 million sq ft of commercial property, which will create around 20,000 new jobs.
Commenting on the deal in principle between EUFC and MyFootballClub:
Liam Daish, Ebbsfleet United manager: “Everyone has worked wonders to get this club to in the top half of the Conference. We all agree the club needs something extra to take it to the next step. As a football fan, I think the MyFootballClub idea is fantastic. And as the coach, I look forward to the challenge of working with thousands of members to produce a winning team. Alan Kimble and myself are 100% committed to making this work.”
Jessica McQueen, Ebbsfleet United supporters’ representative: “Also being a Trust, our members understand the MyFootballClub concept immediately. We very much look forward to working with the MyFootbcallClub members for the benefit Ebbsfleet United.”
Jason Botley, Ebbsfleet United Chairman: “The Board, Liam Daish and his coaching staff, club employees and myself are united in believing this is a great opportunity for Ebbsfleet United. This extra finance and support will enable our club to progress.”
Brian Kilcullen, Ebbsfleet United Director: “This partnership will also allow us to concentrate on driving the club forward in other areas, such as working on the new stadium development.”
Will Brooks, MyFootballClub: “Nine football clubs approached MyFootballClub and we believe that Ebbsfleet United is the perfect choice. We hope that MyFootballClub members and Ebbsfleet United supporters will join forces and make the football club more sustainable and successful.”

Dan Jones, Partner at Deloitte and Editor of the Annual Review of Football Finance: “The MyFootballClub ownership model is an innovative way of funding a lower league club. Reports of having raised over £700,000 in 11 weeks suggests it is viable too. The Sports Business Group at Deloitte has been following its progress with interest, and we’re now looking forward to offering our experience in football finance to assist with advice and guidance during the due diligence process.”
Further Quotes from Liam Daish: “Picking elevens and formations isn’t a precise science, and luck often plays its part. I believe a strong dressing room and 11 who want to perform are just as important. And I’ll continue to make sure that happens.
“During and after matches, Ebbsfleet supporters often give me their opinion on which players should or shouldn’t start games. Now they can have their say.”
“My job won’t change that much. As a club, we’ll select an eleven and formation together. But just as before, what goes on at the training ground, in the dressing room on matchday is down to me.”
“It’s the supporters money that will finances this club. Pays my and the players’ wages. So there’s a good argument for them having a say in what players they want to see.