Soccer Sharks

Its that time again folks, Shark Weeks a coming and in honor of this great week I am going to do something special. I am going to write a post that combines this JAWsome week with the beautiful game. It is sure to be FINtastic. Sharks come in all different shapes and sizes and shark has individual traits that allows them to survive. I am going to take some of the top sharks and compare the similarities between Shark and soccer player.

********Side note, I am using the MLS and US players**********

The Great White/Abby Wambach: The great white shark is the ultimate predator and the most prolific hunter in the sea. They are fast, and powerful with a bite force second to none.If a great white grabs a hold of you, the chances of you getting away in one piece are slim. Great White’s have an hora about them, with a reputation of being one of the most dangerous animals on Earth. Abby Wambach has some of the same traits, she is a prolific striker who instills fear in the hearts of defenders. Abby has great vision and sense, along with being physically dominate. The Great White and Abby also share one more quality that is very unique, they both are deadly in the air. Great Whites have been known to jump out of water to feed on seals, Abby is known for getting airborne and netting spectacular headed goals.

The Bull Shark/Chris Wondolowski: The Bull Shark is a ruthless killing machine just how Wondo is a ruthless goal scoring machine. Alot like Wondo, Bull Sharks  are coastal animals that are very versatile. Bull Sharks can both be in oceans and rivers. Bull Sharks are medium sized sharks but have a very imposing force, just like Wondo. Bull Sharks get their name from their tenacity along with their tendency to head but prey. A lot like Bull Sharks Wondo is known to stay shallow in the defense and strike with precision. Also a very unique characteristic they both share is they are both overlooked. Wondo has been hands down the best striker in MLS for the last few years but does not get the attention that Henry gets. Bull Shark’s could be the most dangerous shark but do not get the attention or stigma the Great White has.

The Tiger Shark/Thierry Henry:  Another two voracious predators are Tiger Shark’s and Mr. Theirry Henry. Both are lethal hunters who attack with precision. Tiger Sharks are found allover the world just as Mr. Henry’s reputation. Tiger Sharks have a very long life span and Henry’s career feels like it has been going on forever. Tiger Sharks have been known to swim in deep waters along with swim outside their habitats. Henry has been known to play out wide or drop down into the midfield. The similarities continue, a Tiger Shark is a massive shark very large could grow up to 13 feet. Henry stands at a towering 6’2.

Mako/ Dominic Oduro: The Mako shark is a medium sized shark that is not very bulky, they are slim and slender. Mako’s and Oduro are both known for their blazing speed. The Mako is the fastest shark and Oduro maybe the fastest player in MLS. Alot like Oduro, Makos are not that dangerous, their high speed offers up a form of shock but they are not prolific. It may take a Mako a few strikers before they kill their target. Oduro will score goals but by no chance is he an elite finisher in the league.

The Goblin Shark/ American’s in Germany: The Goblin Shark is the most mysterious animal. Every time I plan on educating myself on thees oddly shaped creatures I am met at a cross roads of what to believe. I am always hit with opposing and contradictory statements. It reminds me of some US players who are playing in Germany. When I first learned about these guys I was told that Fabian Johnson was a outside mid, Danny Williams is a holding midfielder and Timmy Chandler is left or right back. When in reality they can all play almost every position. I watched a Hoffenheim game once and witnessed Fabian Johnson playing right mid, left mid and left back while Danny Williams played on the wing and then in holding mid. I have seen Chandler play winger, striker, mid and defense. Like the Goblin Shark it is hard to get a read on thees guys. Does Chandler want to play for the US or for Germany? All I know is that like the Goblin Shark I want to see more of them.

Any comments? QUestions?

US Olympic Women’s Soccer Preview

Both the Men’s and Women’s Olympic soccer tournaments begin today, two days before the opening ceremonies. Unfortunately the US only qualified one team for this tournament, but the Women’s team will start their run at a medal today so here’s a bit of a preview of that tournament. The US Women’s team includes a few local names, including Heather O’Reilly of  East Brunswick, NJ, former Independence GK Nicole Barnhart, Christie Rampone, from Monmouth University and Point Pleasant, NJ, and Villanova’s Jill Loyden, from Vineland, NJ who will be the alternate GK.

12 teams are entered in to this summers tournament, 11 made it through qualifying including 2 from every confederation and one from Oceania along with Great Britain. Unlike the men’s games is a full senior competition so there is no age limit.

The twelve teams which will be competing are Great Britain, Japan, North Korea, South Africa, Cameroon, United States, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, New Zealand, France, and Sweden.

The favorites in the tournament have to be the US and Japan. Both are currently ranked in the top 3 (second ranked Germany missed qualifying), and were the finalists in the most recent World Cup.  Sweden, Brazil, France,Canada, and North Korea (along with England who is a large part of the Great Britain team) are ranked in the top 10, leaving Cameroon, South Africa, New Zealand and  Colombia as the most prominent underdogs.

While many expect a rematch of the World Cup Final, between Homare Sawa led Japan and the American squad, this is a deep tournament which will surely see strong competition.

 

Players to watch:

Alex Morgan, USA Age 23, Breakthrough Athlete of the Year 2012 ESPY Awards

Hope Solo, USA Age 30, US Soccer Athlete of the Year 2009, Golden Glove 2011 World Cup

Abby Wambach, USA Age 32, AP Female Athlete of the Year 2011, US Soccer Athlete of the Year 2010, 2011

Homare Sawa, Japan Age 33 2012 World Player Of The Year

Marta, Brazil Age 26 2005-2010 World Player Of The Year

Cristiane, Brazil Age 27 Leading Scorer Olympics, 2004, 2008

Christine Sinclair, Canada Age 29, Canadian Player of the Year 2005-2010

Marie-Laure Delie, France Age 24, 41 Appearances 36 Goals since 2009 with France

Ellen White, Great Britain Age 23, 19 Apparences 21 Goals from 2008-2010 with Leeds Carnegie Ladies

Lotta Schelin, Sweden Age 28, Diamond Ball Winner (Swedish Female Footballer of the Year) 2011

 

Friday Football Links

Most of the news this week is about the upcoming games, Union and USMNT. In case you somehow missed it the Union home-opener is this weekend against Vancouver and the USMNT is taking on Argentina on Saturday (and Paraguay next week.)

For starters here is a video put together by USSoccer of past games against Argentina, including goals from names like Wynalda, Lalas and Johnson, and big saves by Keller Of course there’s the same from Messi, Riquelme and Crespo.

And of course Tim Howard’s absolutely dominating performance against Argentina in the Meadowlands in 2008.

For starters a few links on US players you might not know too much about who got called up for this game

Eric Lichaj
http://www.footymatters.com/articles/world-leagues/mls/aston-villas-eric-lichaj-ready-to-become-established-usa-international/

Marcus Hahnemann
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/23/marcus-hahnemann-wolves-pilot

Timothy Chandler
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=7549

Chandler and fellow German-American David Yelldell
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/double_deutsche_duo_of_timmy_chandler_david_yelldell_fitting_in_on_us_national_soccer_team/2011/03/24/ABr5z2QB_story.html?wprss=rss_sports

A few articles on other players you may know a bit more about, or just other things related to the USMNT-Argentina game in any way.

Jay Demerit on the game and a few other things, along with an article on Lionel Messi
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/blog/_/name/young_mark/id/6254169/the-chance-stop-messi

Brad Guzan, who won’t be playing at all for the US this summer
http://www.dailysoccerfix.com/2011/3/24/2069728/brad-guzan-not-available-for-summers-gold-cup-not-in-u-s-camp

A look at how Bob Bradley makes these selections
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/sports/soccer/25vecsey.html?_r=2

Tim Howard talks about the 2008 game he played against Argentina in Jersey (highlights up top)
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/03/howard-turning-focus-to-gold-cup-while-preparing-for-familiar-friendly-foe.html

Maurice Edu: The Last Action Hero
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/i-was-set-to-be-last-action-hero-before-maurice-edu-snatched-glory-1.1087319

Jozy’s from Jersey in case you forgot
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=7551
http://www.nj.com/soccer-news/index.ssf/2011/03/tossed_around_europe_jozy_alti.html

The go-to Soccer By Ives piece (and comments) on who should start
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/03/who-will-the-usmnt-start-vs-argentina.html

A little eye into Cary Camp
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/03/25/1079783/us-mens-team-ends-cary-stay-gets.html

A look at German-American soccer players, in light of Yelldell and Chandler
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/41714/usas-german-american-pipeline.html

And a look at the Union Vancouver Game,

Nowak says the lineup is still changing
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soccer/118560839.html

A “keys to the game” style preview of the game. I think these things are almost worthless but I know someone will want to read it.
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2011/03/24/2409700/head-to-head-preview-philadelphia-union-vs-vancouver

Valdes is eager to please
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/118635839.html

A little bit of DOOP-troversy the Union have trademarked the word DOOP and its causing quite a scare around the supporter base. They’re very anxious to see how it turns out and what it means in practice.

http://www.brotherlygame.com/2011/3/24/2069616/philadelphia-union-trademark-doop-sons-of-ben
http://unioncityblue.com/?p=747

Video of Chad Ochocinco’s practice with Sporting Kansas Cityhttp://www.nfl.com/videos/cincinnati-bengals/09000d5d81eea388/Kickin-it-with-Ochocinco

 

Friday Football Links

Hey sorry this is a little late, my power’s been out most of the day so I couldn’t get online, but here’s a list of articles I recommend reading to hold you over to Monday. Of course tomorrow’s the first Doop of the season so I’m sure you’ll find something to keep you busy till my next post. I decided that I’m going to try to do a Monday write up for all the weekend games. I know I’d said before that I’d try to get one during the weekend, if we can get a playoff game I’ll promise you a live post or something along those lines but until then this is the best you’ll get. Anyway here’s your links..

Reading United Head Coach Brendan Burke will coach the Union reserve team. He’ll continue to coach Reading
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=295553

How Jay DeMerit got to Vancouver
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/faces-first-kick-jay-demerit

US Soccer is taking input on a new motto. You’ve got till 12pm on the 23rd to submit your ideas.
http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikesoccer/2011/03/18/create-the-new-usmnt-motto

Bin Hammam is running, for real
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/18/mohamed-bin-hammam-fifa-president

USWNT “How I Make Myself”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u84kXsK5WY&feature=player_embedded

A different kind of look at Juan Agudelo’s call-up and the state of the US youth programs.
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-enroutejuanagudeloscallupto

Spain to play USMNT at Gillete in June?
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/3/18/2058462/spain-usmnt-usa-friendly-gillette-stadium

The driver in Charlie Davies infamous car accident is headed to jail
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6232286/driver-charlie-davies-crash-gets-2-years-prison

His court statement
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/post/charlie-davies-court-statement/2011/03/18/ABQLAdq_blog.html

A bit of information on recent USMNT call-up David Yelldell
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/usmnt-call-catches-yelldell-surprise

Keon Daniel, Gabriel Farfan and Levi Houapeu are no longer just trialists. All three signed.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/18/2122362/union-sign-trio-on-eve-of-season.html

USWNT To Face Japan Twice

The USWNT has scheduled matches against Japan on May 14 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, and on May 18 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.  The first match will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET and be broadcast on Fox Soccer and Fox Deportes. The second, in Cary, kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN2. After the two matches against Japan the US plans to schedule one more game before this summers World Cup. The US played Japan most recently in the 2011 Algarve Cup, defeating the perennial Asian power on March 2nd in the opening game of the tournament. The USWNT is also in the midst of a 49 game undefeated streak, having gone 44-0-5 in those games.

Friday Football Links

Putting this up again because it’s a good  cause, Stache-Bash on March 26th. The Union gave it their full support from players to front office, and you should do so to.
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/03/stache-bash-continues-charitable-history-sons-ben

All matches in Japan were cancelled due to the Tsunami and Earthquake. Obviously there are bigger things going on there.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/03/11/j.league/index.html

What if the Gold Cup winners advanced to the Copa America? Obviously this would give the US better competition, but it would also require admitting how bad CONCAF is.
http://totalsoccershow.com/blog/gold-cup-copa-america/

On Zach Pfeffers upside
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/3/8/2037066/mls-2011-preview-zach-pfeffer-is-definitely-young-but-dont-let-that

German-American Right Back Timothy Chandler playing well for FC Nurnberg wants to play for the US so should Bradley call him up for a game to lock him in?
http://totalsoccershow.com/blog/gold-cup-copa-america/

Michael Platini and Jack Warner’s importance for Sepp Blatter and Mohamed  Bin Hammam
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/11/michel-platini-jack-warner-fifa-presidency

Gooch speaks (Also he’s playing Left Back for Twente, obviously not a long term solution, but putting him out there might be better than whatever else we’ve got.)
http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/03/QA-with-Onyewu.aspx

One of the many reasons that if the Cosmos want in no one else will keep them out
http://www.dailysoccerfix.com/2011/3/10/2042155/mls-expansion-san-antonio-phoenix-new-york-miami-atlanta

A piece projecting the USMNT squad that’ll play in the Gold Cup
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/03/projecting-lineups-for-the-upcoming-usmnt-friendlies.html

I’ve said before how much I hate putting these types of soccer-hating-hating posts up, but this one was good and Union specific so I put it up. Also for its suggestion of following The Free Beer Movement (links on the sidebar I believe, if not it should be) the only real answer to any of these arguments.
http://phillyuniontalk.com/03-09-2011/the-passion-of-the-union-fan/

A piece on Diego Chavarri a Queens-born winger playing in Peru’s first league, he’s turning up his play and wants to play for the US if given a look.
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=7481

USWNT Wins Algarve Cup

The USWNT defeated Iceland yesterday to bring home their eighth Algarve Cup trophy. Carli Lloyd opened the scoring for the U.S. which was followed by goals from Katrin Omarsdottir and Hallbera Gisladottir. 26 minutes in Iceland had a 2-1 lead. Lauren Cheney scored the tying goal just before halftime, and Heather O’Reilly scored the game winner (below) with resilient pressure on the keeper and a bit of ball-watching from the Icelandic defense. Alex Morgan added a fourth American goal with three minutes left to put the game out of reach.

 

 

Saturday Soccer Links

This isn’t gonna be a regular feature like Friday Football Links, but seeing as I have more allegiance to alliteration than to the term football or soccer and I had a pile of articles i read last night, I figured I could find a way to get some of them off my hands. I don’t plan on doing this every week, but when theres enough new information coming out on a Friday and I have enough time to throw the links up for you I will do so.

Taylor Twellman, often noted as the best US soccer player on Twitter, has joined the Union booth. He’ll be doing color-commentary. He’ll be alongside Dellacamera and will have former NASL GK Bob Rigby on the sidelines.
http://www.brotherlygame.com/2011/3/4/2030873/taylor-twellman-is-the-unions-new-color-commentator

19 games will be broadcast by Comcast. Another 7 will be broadcast by ABC. Also Bob Rigby will be a main guest on a new half hour Union-centric show on Comcast.
http://www.brotherlygame.com/2011/3/4/2030954/2011-philadelphia-union-comcast-sports-net-tv

The full Union broadcast schedule
http://www.brotherlygame.com/2011/3/4/2030941/2011-union-local-broadcast-schedule-6abc-csn

Carlos Ruiz is not Alejandro Moreno
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/03/ambitious-ruiz-already-fitting-union

Can Cann be the Man?
http://phillysportsdaily.com/union/2011/03/04/could-adrian-cann-be-the-man-for-union/

Le Toux in Red,White and Blue. Apparently it’s a more legitimate thing than the last time I discussed it.
http://phillysportsdaily.com/union/2011/03/03/could-le-toux-represent-the-red-white-and-blue/

The importance of FC Delco
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/03/fc-delco-key-part-union-player-development-structure

Union Summer Camp!
http://www.phillysoccernews.com/teams/union2.php?article_id=6370

The mess that Nowak and the Union make by not letting any information out and getting mad at us for it
http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2011/03/04/can-we-just-get-to-the-soccer-already/

Jermaine Jones fitting in at Blackburn as easy as we expected Michael Bradley to fit in at Aston Villa
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=7452

Giusseppi Rossi says Italian football has some catching up to do. If you really wanted to do some impressive forward moving you could’ve stayed right here and been a God in the US

http://thesoccerroom.com/?p=23669

USMNT Alum are getting into coaching
http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/ussoccerplayers/2011/03/national-team-alums-in-mls.html

Mo Edu speaks
http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/03/QA-with-Edu.aspx

Friday Football Links

An article on Grant Wahl

http://theoriginalwinger.com/2011-03-01-portait-of-a-sport-grant-wahl

An Article on Bradenton

http://www.socceramerica.com/article/41463/time-to-say-good-bye-to-bradenton.html

A bunch of Union notes, especially the Orozco Fiscal part at the bottom
http://unioncityblue.com/?p=657

Alfonso Mondelo on The Technical State of MLS

http://theshinguardian.com/2011/03/02/alfonso-mondelo-on-the-technical-state-of-mls/

A player by player analysis of the Union, by the Union (so maybe a bit overly positive)
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/03/philadelphia-union-roster-analysis

Ronaldo retired and Brazil will hold a match to allow him one last game. Brian McBride was offered the same thing, but turned it down. Should we be doing this?

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/03/are-national-team-retirement-matches-a-good-idea.html

Why we need a technical director for the mens team (Marcelo Bielsa)
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1679/us-national-team/2011/03/03/2378480/canales-corner-lack-of-director-not-a-technicality

Another Union pre-season analysis
http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/mls-11-preview-the-state-of-the-union/11873

Explaining why CONCACAF getting only 3.5 spots might mean the return of the US-Mexico matches we were all afraid of losing

http://www.ussoccerdaily.com/2011/03/concacrazy-brazil-14-distributions.html

Whether or not its good for the US Chuck Blazer is angry
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/888900/chuck-blazer-blasts-south-america’s-six-world-cup-slots?cc=5901

Apparently FIFA hasn’t settled on a goal-line technology, but they are still looking
http://www.espnstar.com/football/news/detail/item590739/FIFA-continue-goal-line-technology-hunt/

Portugal could be suspended for failing to conform to FIFA rules, which would mean a few less times we have to hear about the wonderful Cristiano Ronaldo
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04032011/58/euro-2012-qual-fifa-threatens-suspend-portugal.html

Friday Football Links

A few interesting things going on this past week that I hadn’t really heard all that much about anywhere else. Of course as usual theres a billion pounds of Cosmos news that I tried to cut down. I also tried very hard to stay away from posting 8 more Charlie Davies stories seeing as little to no new information has come out of DC. Anyway here are some of the most interesting articles I read over the past week.

The primary reason New York doesn’t deserve a second team: Cruyffbots and the Syndicate
http://www.runofplay.com/2011/02/22/the-future-history-of-the-cosmos/

And of course, for equal time purposes, an interview with Eric Cantona playing trumpet
http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/q-a-with-eric-cantona/

PPL Park has received the William H. Bates award. “The award, named in honor of the late Chairman of Commission, is given annually to publically acknowledge outstanding land development projects in Delaware County.”
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/sports/pro/soccer&id=7980641

A map of the recent highs and lows of Jonathan Spector
http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/the-rise-and-fall-and-rise-of-jonathan-spector/

MLS and FSC  don’t get along all that well, but hopefully they can sort things out
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2011/02/25/2368964/media-microscope-major-league-soccer-and-fox-soccer-channel

The MLS Don (Garber) has a convo with Fanhouse
http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2011/02/25/mls-commissioner-don-garber-american-soccers-steward-sits-down/

Apparently Zach Pfeffer is expected to actually get some significant playing time this year
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/02/union-expect-pfeffer-compete-time

Justin Mapp, along with the rest of the world, thinks that the Union will be better this year
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/02/mapp-confident-roster-changes-will-benefit-union

Apparently Sepp Blatter is working on concocting a new way to resolve ties, not involving PK’s.
http://news.myjoyonline.com/sports/201102/61812.asp

Pre-Algarve Cup reading for the USWNT
http://www.soccernation.com/u-s-wnt-soccer-cms-977

Also FIFA says no to the current goal-line technology
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/feb/23/fifa-goalline-technology

FIFA will announce how many spots each Federation gets in the 2014 WC next week sometime.
http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCATRE71L54320110222

Why the DP Salary concept leads to bad team chemistry and psychology
http://soccerbythenumbers.blogspot.com/2011/02/princes-and-paupers-how-pay-inequality.html