... but C. Ronaldo is 22 and Wayne Rooney is 21. Twenty-two and twenty-one. In years of age. Christ...
Ronaldo has 50 goals in 190 appearances, Rooney has 41 in 100. Appearances, I mean. Appearances for Manchester United. A hundred appearances for Manchester United.
Christ...
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Szetela -- Future Yank Abroad?
In the midst of the US' dismal performance vs. Korea, young U-20 national Danny Szetela is enjoying attention from quite a few international clubs -- Parma, Galatasaray, and Rangers among them, says Ives.
While I think Parma would help develop Szetela's raw talent into priceless techinical skill, I would love Rangers to sign the kid.
I'm really building a healthy respect for my favorite team in Glasgow, as they obviously have a healthy respect for American footballing talent. And you know what? With Beattie gone and Naka walking out the door over at Celtic, Rangers could be on the verge of a rennaisance in Scotland this year. If they don't, I'll chalk it up to those slave-trading bastards over at Bordeaux, who apparently gave Faubert an ultimatum of playing for West Ham or not playing at all. Faubert will be playing for West Ham in the fall. Score one for Eggert Magnusson's money.
Rangers' new transfer target? Alan Smith.
(Actually, I'm going back and thinking about it: Galatasaray? Goddamn, how would Szetela handle the rivalry pressure? I'm scared already.)
Update: Szetela has shaved his mohawk. This is unfortunate; Rangers were counting on his hairstyle for inspiration and entertainment, as was I. Way to drop the ball, Szetela.
While I think Parma would help develop Szetela's raw talent into priceless techinical skill, I would love Rangers to sign the kid.
I'm really building a healthy respect for my favorite team in Glasgow, as they obviously have a healthy respect for American footballing talent. And you know what? With Beattie gone and Naka walking out the door over at Celtic, Rangers could be on the verge of a rennaisance in Scotland this year. If they don't, I'll chalk it up to those slave-trading bastards over at Bordeaux, who apparently gave Faubert an ultimatum of playing for West Ham or not playing at all. Faubert will be playing for West Ham in the fall. Score one for Eggert Magnusson's money.
Rangers' new transfer target? Alan Smith.
(Actually, I'm going back and thinking about it: Galatasaray? Goddamn, how would Szetela handle the rivalry pressure? I'm scared already.)
Update: Szetela has shaved his mohawk. This is unfortunate; Rangers were counting on his hairstyle for inspiration and entertainment, as was I. Way to drop the ball, Szetela.
"If You Can't Finish, You Can't Win:" US 1 - 3 Paraguay
A quote for the ages.
I'll have a full match summary up tonight, once I get ahold of my notes.
I'll have a full match summary up tonight, once I get ahold of my notes.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Update: Soehn on the Vanney-Erpen Trade
Courtesy Goff:
"One of the attractive things about Greg is his experience and his ability to organize. We've lacked a little bit of that -- a veteran guy in the back that is going to make our shape better. If you look at the chances we've given away, a lot of it is our shape and I think he's going to help Bobby in a lot of respects and teach him and Bobby can emulate some of the things he does. We wanted to make sure we had a backline that was experienced, because we haven't had that in a while."
Told ya. Neener neener.
"One of the attractive things about Greg is his experience and his ability to organize. We've lacked a little bit of that -- a veteran guy in the back that is going to make our shape better. If you look at the chances we've given away, a lot of it is our shape and I think he's going to help Bobby in a lot of respects and teach him and Bobby can emulate some of the things he does. We wanted to make sure we had a backline that was experienced, because we haven't had that in a while."
Told ya. Neener neener.
Casal Released
It turns out the BigSoccer rumors were true: Kasali Yinka Casal has been released from DC United. (Kudos to Max J. @ The Offside: DC United for the tip.)
Goff has the rundown.
This is a bit of a setback for DC United: Casal was a very promising prospect for the future. However, the allure of European football (he's a Fulham prospect, mind) has always been strong in him and I'm not sure if we would have been able to keep him here past the age of 20 anyways. At least if he stayed, DCU would see a bit of a profit. As it is, if he finds greener pastures across the pond, DCU will get nothing.
I'm starting to wonder whether or not his rejection from the Nigerian U-20 side has anything to do with this. Casal might happen to feel (as most young international prospects do; see my piece a couple posts down about Juan Toja) that playing in the MLS for any amount of time will hurt his ambitions for playing on the national team.
Anyways, good luck, Casal. Hope you hit the big time, son.
Update: there's a small little thought at the end of this DCenters post that strikes me as tremenously true -- "...if United raises the Cup in DC these moves will be a crucial part of that story."
If we win it, these moves will have won the Cup. It's the truth.
Goff has the rundown.
This is a bit of a setback for DC United: Casal was a very promising prospect for the future. However, the allure of European football (he's a Fulham prospect, mind) has always been strong in him and I'm not sure if we would have been able to keep him here past the age of 20 anyways. At least if he stayed, DCU would see a bit of a profit. As it is, if he finds greener pastures across the pond, DCU will get nothing.
I'm starting to wonder whether or not his rejection from the Nigerian U-20 side has anything to do with this. Casal might happen to feel (as most young international prospects do; see my piece a couple posts down about Juan Toja) that playing in the MLS for any amount of time will hurt his ambitions for playing on the national team.
Anyways, good luck, Casal. Hope you hit the big time, son.
Update: there's a small little thought at the end of this DCenters post that strikes me as tremenously true -- "...if United raises the Cup in DC these moves will be a crucial part of that story."
If we win it, these moves will have won the Cup. It's the truth.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
US U-20 vs. Korea: What Went Wrong
As you can see, the Koreans were having a field day. Over the top every time, and they had the speed to back it up. Combine this with quick passes, through balls, and one-twos on the ground and our defense looked like crap.
Sorry guys, but I gotta call you out.
I'm a DCU fan, I swear...
... but this is an excellent article. Juan Toja is a young Colombian phenom playing with the Hoops, FC Dallas, in Texas. He's on loan from Colombian side Santa Fe and is contemplating his future after the championship this year.
Great insight into the young player's mind, about his hopes as a young boy and his maturity when those changed. Good read. (Shout out to du Nord for their 'Recommended Reading' list; I always browse that for a good read.)
Enjoy.
Great insight into the young player's mind, about his hopes as a young boy and his maturity when those changed. Good read. (Shout out to du Nord for their 'Recommended Reading' list; I always browse that for a good read.)
Enjoy.
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