The Sports Rumors

State of the USMNT Union Address:

By: Colin
Let me preface this by answering the question you are asking. WTF does USMNT stand for? If only it was as cool as Mexico’s nickname, “El Tri,” or Italy’s “Azzuri,” or even France’s “Les Bleus.” Hell, even the Ninja Turtles are known as “TMNT.” But on the international soccer scene, the US Men’s National Team (lame, right?) showed no creativity, no vision, and no flair in coming up with a nickname, and the problem is reflected in our play. After starting the year with a 10-0-1 record, including the recent Gold Cup Final victory over Mexico on our home soil, we proceeded to totally backtrack all the progress made since Bob Bradley was named the official successor of Bruce Arena. The Copa America tournament taking place in Venezuela right now has not even reached the second round and we have already been bounced. Embarrassed, and then kicked out. Sort of like the guy who gets a drink poured on him in the club and then bouncers escort him out in front of everyone. Awkwarrrd! For reasons I still don’t understand, Bradley decided to ok a roster that was largely young and inexperienced. Why? The MLS felt that if too many “star” players were called away for a few weeks then the quality of the league would significantly drop, Hence allowing several of the well known players for the team, including Landon Donovan, to remain with their respective clubs. In our first match against Argentina, the US got off to a dream start, converting a penalty kick in the 9th minute on a play that turned out to be the only thing worth remembering from our side. Not to be outdone, Argentina scored just two minutes later, and went on to pound 3 more in before full time was called, schooling us on the reason why you don’t bring boys to the men’s table. We followed up that classy performance with a 1-3 loss to Paraguay, who took advantage of their opportunities while we squandered several easy ones. Could it get any worse? Yes. Last night we rounded out our tournament with a 0-1 loss to Columbia, with very little organization and a follow-up on our inability to create or execute on chances. The US psyche is hurt, but not for good reason. Would we have had a chance at winning the tournament had we brought more older, more experienced players? No. But it would’ve given the younger guys a chance to fit into the system they are trying to compete for a spot in, instead of throwing them all to the wolves at once. When Bruce Arena was fired, the US Soccer Federation felt he had done well in bringing the team to the prominence it now enjoys, but that the time called for a change and an X-Factor was needed to give the National Team a push towards actually competing for a World Cup trophy. Bradley was elected as interim coach, but after a strong start he was named the official successor after talks with Germany’s 1st year coach Jurgen Klinsmann, a former German national team great, fell through. But when stupid decisions, like leaving quality players home so they can play for the MLS (you would never see Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Arsenal do such a thing) are not vetoed by Bradley, he not only puts his credibility on the line, but also that of the national team. How can we ever expect to win a World Cup if we cannot even make it past the first round of the biggest tournament in Latin America? Changes definitely need to be made, and it starts with the ridiculous nickname of USMNT. What a joke.

(Little Joey earned his first USMNT cap against Argentina last week)

Step It Up Sports Fans

What is it with us Americans? Why do we not pay attention to soccer? The first sport that EVERYBODY plays in little league isn’t football, it’s not baseball, it’s not basketball either. It’s soccer. Every child plays soccer at some point before the age of ten. Girls play it. Boys play it. It’s often the sport of choice at recess in elementary school. The majority of us enjoy it. So why is it that as we get older, it seems like less and less of us continue playing the sport, and even fewer watch the sport on television. The entire world plays soccer, some better than others. I’m not going to sit here and say that India is as competitive as Brazil or Italy but at least they play soccer and their citizens watch and cheer on as a unit. There is no question that the three major sports right now in the U.S. are football, baseball, and basketball. But why is soccer taking a backseat to professional hockey, NASCAR driving, and even the WNBA! The WNBA, seriously, are you kidding me? I mean, nothing against women or anything but lets be real.. how are we more interested in watching 6’7 women blow two foot layups than we are in watching some of the most well conditioned athletes in the world battling it out on a field longer than that of football.

The reason is simple. USA Soccer sucks. It’s terrible. It’s a joke. We are basically the Atlanta Hawks of the world. We have so much money, so much research, so many training facilities, but countries that can’t afford to buy a happy meal are whooping us like we stole something. That’s the main reason no one gives a crap about soccer in this country in this day and age. No one wants to follow a loser. Face it; kids want to grow up to be Lebron, Jeter, or Tom Brady. They don’t want to be Landan Donovan or someone else on a team that simply cannot win on the highest level. But this is where I have a gripe with two entities; Sports Networks (mainly ESPN, since they own everything) and the general public.

How often do you see soccer being shown or reported on ESPN. Other than the World Cup, ESPN does nothing to put soccer out there for the public. As human beings, we begin to acclimate ourselves and interest ourselves with things that we see the most; things we see the most often. ESPN shows tennis, we begin to learn the rules of tennis. ESPN shows golf; we begin to learn the rules and the players in golf. ESPN shows bowling; okay well not so much bowling, but you see where I’m going with this. They have this thing called “ESPN Deportes” which airs for like, 7.9 seconds before they cutback to more “relevant” sports news. It honestly feels like a commercial that you don’t pay attention to when that segment comes on. I am not lying; I think I pay more attention to the McDonalds commercials than I do to the ESPN Deportes joke. When that segment comes on, I usually hit the “guide” button on my remote to see what else is going to be on later that evening. I’m sure many other Americans do the exact same thing. A ten second blip is not enough to make anyone notice soccer. Yes, I know the U.S. sucks at it but we also aren’t the great at men’s tennis either. Andy Roddick has been hailed as the next big thing for what, seven years now? But yet we see his scruffy, unusual face getting his butt tossed out of another tournament in which he’s the favorite EVERY single week. So now, we know who he is, we know what he’s about, and that’s because ESPN tells us. So my point is this, the sports networks in this country have dropped the ball on soccer big time. The attitude seems to be “Eh, we’re no good at it anyway so who cares, lets show something else.” That’s garbage.

The second gripe I have is with the general sports public. We ourselves should go out of our way to learn about the sport. We need to read up on it, refresh our memories with the rules, learn who some of the players are, and when it’s on T.V., be a man and watch a game of soccer instead of a rerun of Friends or Grey’s Anatomy. You know who you are. I’m not saying go all out and paint your face on a Wednesday afternoon, smash beer cans on your head and watch the Chicago Fire take on the New York Red Bulls (but if you want to do that, by all means go for it. More power to you.) What I am saying is that just because our country as a whole isn’t in the elite at something, doesn’t give us an excuse as sports fans to ignore it. We can’t complain about how damn terrible the MLS is and how ridiculous their salary cap rules are, unless we first educate ourselves about the game and about its players across the world. Once we have a base foundation of what this great game is all about, we can start putting public pressure on the leagues within the U.S. to get their asses in shape so we’re not seen as a joke across the world.

The only time we pay attention to soccer is during the World Cup. Everyone watches it because their friends are watching and their friends are watching and so fourth. It’s a domino effect. I remember the last world cup, I was watching it with college friends and it was the thing to do that week all across campus; watch the World Cup. I remember the game against Italy, a friend of mine basically was taught the entire game of soccer by another throughout the match. He had no previous interest in soccer until he sat down and watched it and was taught the rules and what each card means etc. Since then, he’s learned more and more and now he’s a real soccer fan who sometimes goes to D.C. United games. Who’s to say that effect can’t happen to thousands and thousands of others in this country?

The rest of the world has caught up to us in every sport except American Football. Why are we so arrogant and lazy to catch up in soccer? Look at the MLB and all the different countries represented. Ichiro, Pujols, Arod, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz. The top players aren’t even American anymore! Look at the NBA. Ginnobili, Yao, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitski and many others. All from foreign countries where basketball was taught in recent decades. Don’t be surprised if the NFL sees new foreign talent as well. We have to catch up with the rest of the world in soccer and as fans, we have to hype the sport up, get people excited about it again.

Look, I’m not saying go knocking door to door and trying to preach soccer to people. All I’m saying is that soccer is a great sport, and we have a lot of resources in this country to be a competitor in this field. But like any other sport, it starts with the fans. Do your part not as a soccer fan, but as a Sports fan, to learn the game and teach it to others. Generate interest in the sport so that eventually, we can stand up to the Brazils, the Italys, the Argentinas, instead of looking like some chumps who don’t belong.

(Make this scene happen again people)

TO MY PEOPLE

What is going on everyone. Wow, I have gotten some not so happy emails about the lack of updating on my site. Thats very humbling and I’m actually happy that I know for a fact that you all are checking in regularly. I have been rocked at my office with work and this week was pretty slow compared to the past few when it comes to sports. But no worries, I’m going to flood you all with plenty of reading material so you can accomplish nothing at your school, office, or wherever you may be next week.

Quick Preview of What’s to Come:

1) MLB All Star game review with my opinion on Barry Bonds and the record

2) NBA Free agency signings and who’s left out there

3) Federer vs. Nadal again. Need I say more.

4) My feelings on the state of USA Soccer as well as the rest of the world(YES.. I said soccer. I have some people who want to read about it and I’m a man of the people, so I have to accommodate. Austin from UK, I got you this week, no worries)

5) Preview of NFL Training Camps, Preseason, Etc.

P.S.
I have a new segment that I’m going to launch early to mid next week and I guarantee you’ll love it. Definitely look out for that.

And of course if there is any major breaking news regarding any sport, I’ll put my 2 cents on it here in addition to reporting it before others. Thanks for your feedback people and keep it coming.

(Damn. That sucks.)

Neifi Perez Suspended 25 Games

Detroit INF Neifi perez has been suspended 25 games for testing positive for a banned stimulant.

Upcoming Stuff

What’s up everyone. Sorry there hasn’t been a new post in a couple of days but I was out of town and there really wasn’t much going on anyway. No worries though, I am working on a column for later today on what I think about Vince Carter’s new deal with the Nets, the latest on current free agents including my ranking of each, the situation going on in Charlotte in regards to the trade for Jason Richardson, and a few other stories. Meanwhile, let me start your Monday off with a quick update of what went on over the weekend in sports:

Headlines:

-Vince Carter resigns with the Nets

-Mariners’ Manager Hargrove resigns

-Barry Bonds Makes All Star Team as Starter

-Lakes resign Luke Walton

-Jason Kapono inks deal with Raptors

(What a terrible weekend for sports. I mean come on, when Luke Walton and Jason Kapono make news with their deals, it’s not a good thing.)

Check back later today for the feature column!

(Never get tired of this picture or the cameraman’s face)