Come on Twellman, where do you come from? USA!!

So let me get this straight, to announce one of the most important games in the history of US soccer, ESPN decides to use an Englishman who feels most comfortable talking about the color change in the teams uniforms, the most bitter retired American soccer player, and a Mexican National Team analyst?

Are they serious!  This is not the NY Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew, this is the US national team.  The game was shown by a company based out of Connecticut, owned by the AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANY!  You are 100% allowed to be biased during these games!  If anyone was interested in cheering for Mexico, they can watch GOL TV!

Taylor Twellman should be thrilled that Chicharito shoots off target, and that their other forward could not be found on the field, and instead he is saying that it was a shame! Are you kidding me!  Where is your loyalty.  It is too bad that he has a face for TV without the personality to match.  Why so much anger Taylor?  I get it, your career was cut short from too many concussions, take some time to heal, and return, if and when you decide you even like soccer anymore. 

As a former player on the panel, you have a wonderful opportunity to educate the listeners about the game.  Explain to the layman watching how hard it is to play one touch while running at full speed.  How sometimes when a player rolls on the ground they are doing it to protect their body during the landing, not just to be dramatic.  Chris Collinsworth is voted as best American Football commentator for one reason, he explains the game to the people watching, that is your job, try to do it with some enthusiasm god dammit! 

I for one, was going insane last night.  I was screaming at the TV, trying to will Bradley and Edu to run harder. Begging Dempsey and Altidore to actually take on a defender, but I also realized that the low pressure, defensive style of play was probably requested of them by Klinsmann.  We went to one of the most difficult stadiums in the world, with serious ramifications if we lost,  and we came out with a point!  Last night, USA soccer did its job, no matter how ugly it was.. 

Now, soccer.com should start to print some #3 Gonzalez jerseys because he has a boat load of new fans!

GO USA!

Never stop learning

One of the reasons soccer is so beautiful, is that 10 people can watch one game and come up with 10 different thoughts on how they thought it was played.  There can be a love hate relationship with different players, there can be a heated discussion on a 3-4-3 system vs. a 3-5-2.  It doesn't matter how long you have played, coached or just been a fan...you can never stop learning about this game.  Every day I enjoy discovering how differently people can interpret a game of soccer, even if they are wrong HAHAHA

I cannot wait for the Women's Soccer portion of the Olympic Games to start this afternoon, and hear what everyone has to say! GO RED WHITE AND BLUE!

USA Women's National Team

Today the USA Women's National Team takes on France in the first round of the Olympics!  Although the USA are favorites in the tournament, there is no game that can be taken lightly, no team overlooked...France will be a force to reckon with. 

More to come on the RED WHITE AND BLUE game at noon ET

Christie Rampone holds the record for international appearances among active players with 260. The USA captain is also preparing to set two national records tomorrow evening when she takes the field in an Olympic Women’s Football Tournament match for the 17th time and becomes the first American to appear in four separate editions.   She has the chance to be the first footballer of any nationality, and of either sex, to win three gold medals. (FIFA.com)

LOVE FOR THE RED WHITE AND BLUE

USA vs. France July 25th @ 12:00pm
USA vs. Columbia July 28th @ 12:00pm
USA vs. DPR Korea July 31st @ 12:15pm

FULL OLYMPIC SOCCER SCHEDULE

Game for All

The fact that many soccer leagues, such as zog sports, metro league and NYWMSL in NYC, offer multiple divisions for different experience levels, just reiterates to me how great this game truly is.  I am constantly amazed at how many adults lace up for their boots for their first soccer game at the age of 35!  A game that has accessibility to the masses does not make it “easy” it makes it wonderful.

In general, I have a love hate relationship with opinion editorials.  I try to use them as a way to educate myself, to see things through they eyes of others, but I often find myself annoyed and offended rather than validated or educated.

Too often these days, I feel like I just read about people complaining, and often complaining about things that they don't understand or even seem to really care about.  For example, I will never  understand why the WSJ printed the thoughts of a religion professor at an all male college on the topic of girls soccer in America today...a column that has almost single handedly influenced my decision to start this blog.  Well, that terrible column AND my sister Kelly, love you!

My particular topic of interest is soccer, so I will get right down to it.  I have been a soccer player for 25 years, a coach for 7+ years, and a lover of the game since I was 6 years old when I shot the ball into a kid so hard it made him fall over (Sorry, Brian hehe).  

How can I not love a game where you can compete 1 v 1 while also being a part of a team of 11?  How can I not love a game that can literally be played anywhere in the world, on any surface, at any time?  The answer is simple, I can't; I love it.  It truly is the "beautiful game", and this is how I see it...