A couple thoughts on the manner of Clint's arrival in Seattle ahead of the Seattle-Portland Matchup
Thoughts and opinions on Major League Soccer, the USMNT, and the future of Soccer in America.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Holy Shit Jozy
One man's (over)reactions to the American goals during Wednesday's friendly between USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Three guys with a lot riding on the USA-Bosnia Friendly
Friendlies don't matter, but the Bosnia-USA Match-up sure as hell matters to these three guys.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
The European Bracket: TDLF Team of the Season Update!
After writings last night's blog post I realized that the number of teams in the Premier League that were furthering the cause of American's abroad was more than a little bit thin, and rest of the Americans playing in top flight European leagues deserve at least some recognition.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Introducing The DLF Premier League Team of the Season
I'm done trying to choose a Premier League team.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Russia 2018: It isn't too early to start talking boycott.
The upcoming 2014 Olympics in Sochi have brought international attention to Russia's despicable treatment of homosexuals, and have raised the question: Should the United States consider boycotting international competitions in Russia? The question is much more pressing in terms of the upcoming Olympics, but for my own purposes I will be focusing on the FIFA World Cup currently scheduled to be held in Russia in the summer of 2018. If Russia does not make significant changes to ensure the rights of their LBGT community, there is no doubt in my mind that the US Soccer Federation should stage a boycott of the 2018 World Cup.
Let me just say: I LIVE for the World Cup. It is by far my favorite sporting event, and the thought of missing out on the chance to see the Yanks compete is an absolutely terrifying one. The fact that it only happens once every four years, that it unites the sporting community in a truly beautiful way, that the United States is perpetually trying to prove their mettle to the rest of the world; everything. It is truly the most excited that I can be for a sporting event, and a World Cup trophy for the United States is the farthest flung sports-fan's fantasy that my mind can muster.
But competing in an event in a country where this is allowed to continue is unacceptable. Sports are a reflection of the condition of the people that are competing, and are one of the most powerful platforms for social change currently available. The United States needs to spearhead a campaign denouncing Russian policies toward LGBT activists, and pledging to simultaneously boycott the tournament and sponsor an alternate event that supportive countries can compete in. An aggressive campaign aimed at pressuring other countries to pledge their support by boycotting the games would put the impetus on Russia to bow to public pressure, and to enact meaningful legislative changes.
Unless things change, The United States should boycott the 2018 World Cup. We cannot participate in a modern recreation of the 1936 Olympics, when there is an opportunity to use the event as an agent for social good. I hope very much that by the time 2018 comes around there will be no need for any boycott, but if things don't change then we should have the courage to stand for human rights.
Let me just say: I LIVE for the World Cup. It is by far my favorite sporting event, and the thought of missing out on the chance to see the Yanks compete is an absolutely terrifying one. The fact that it only happens once every four years, that it unites the sporting community in a truly beautiful way, that the United States is perpetually trying to prove their mettle to the rest of the world; everything. It is truly the most excited that I can be for a sporting event, and a World Cup trophy for the United States is the farthest flung sports-fan's fantasy that my mind can muster.
But competing in an event in a country where this is allowed to continue is unacceptable. Sports are a reflection of the condition of the people that are competing, and are one of the most powerful platforms for social change currently available. The United States needs to spearhead a campaign denouncing Russian policies toward LGBT activists, and pledging to simultaneously boycott the tournament and sponsor an alternate event that supportive countries can compete in. An aggressive campaign aimed at pressuring other countries to pledge their support by boycotting the games would put the impetus on Russia to bow to public pressure, and to enact meaningful legislative changes.
Unless things change, The United States should boycott the 2018 World Cup. We cannot participate in a modern recreation of the 1936 Olympics, when there is an opportunity to use the event as an agent for social good. I hope very much that by the time 2018 comes around there will be no need for any boycott, but if things don't change then we should have the courage to stand for human rights.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
MLS on Fallon, and the "Brazilian Beckham"
Fallon ribs MLS players on Late Night
It's not exactly front page of the New York Times, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Jimmy's playful joking at the expense several MLS All-Stars. Light Night talk shows aren't exactly the barometer for public interest that they were in the past, but even a passing reference to MLS wouldn't have made it past the editing room floor ten years ago. And what's more, the segment actually has a couple of legitimately funny moments. I'm not expecting anybody outside of MLS nerds to have any idea who Marco di Vaio or Brad Davis are, but the fact that you can at least tell people "hey trust me, these guys play in MLS" and they won't then say "what the fuck is MLS?" actually represents progress.
It might not seem like much, but hey one step at a time right? Small steps. Baby steps even. Steps so small that it might not actually feel like you're moving whatsoever. More of a sideways shuffle really.
The Brazilian Beckham?
Brazilianaire Flavio Agusto da Silva, owner of the USL Pro team Orlando City, made some waves today by re-hinting that if Orlando is granted entry into MLS, a certain 'Brazilian Beckham' will be sure to join them. Now, it is no secret that Silva is good friends with Brazilian Midfielder Kaka, so the natural assumption is that he is the one that Silva is referring to. That would be great, but let's just get one thing straight:
There is no such thing as a Brazilian Beckham. There is no Spanish, no French, Ghanian, Russian,
Turkish, Argentinean, or Chinese David Beckham. Beckham came along at a time in MLS history that was wholly unique, and he was just the right person at the right time. He was already a global brand before he ever came to the States, and could sell clothing or perfume just as easily as sell out stadiums. His wife and young family brought along the whole reality TV / Kardashian vibe that is always such an intriguing story line, and he made the bold (and previously unheard of) decision to cross the Atlantic and make a go of it in MLS.
The first year with Beckham was like lighting had struck. Teams across the country set attendance records driven by fans who wanted to catch a glimpse of Beckham, and local and national media outlets featured regular stories about Beckham and his exploits in MLS. For those that already followed the league it felt tedious to constantly be bombarded with updates about the seemingly mundane details of Beckham's season, but fans were being exposed and introduced to the league for the first time without even realizing it. Even if they couldn't care less about Beckham, or even actively disliked him for his fame and the personal image that he has cultivated, they were thinking about the MLS ten times as often they would have had Beckham not come to the league.
Kaka is a great player, and I would love to have him in the league, but there is no chance that his arrival could have a galvanizing effect similar to Beckham's. Even if Kaka was a similarly famous cultural icon (which he is not), the league is different now than it was seven years ago. Here's hoping that he and everybody else involved in the endeavor realize that fact, and don't expect his arrival to be anything like Sir David's.
It's not exactly front page of the New York Times, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Jimmy's playful joking at the expense several MLS All-Stars. Light Night talk shows aren't exactly the barometer for public interest that they were in the past, but even a passing reference to MLS wouldn't have made it past the editing room floor ten years ago. And what's more, the segment actually has a couple of legitimately funny moments. I'm not expecting anybody outside of MLS nerds to have any idea who Marco di Vaio or Brad Davis are, but the fact that you can at least tell people "hey trust me, these guys play in MLS" and they won't then say "what the fuck is MLS?" actually represents progress.
It might not seem like much, but hey one step at a time right? Small steps. Baby steps even. Steps so small that it might not actually feel like you're moving whatsoever. More of a sideways shuffle really.
The Brazilian Beckham?
Brazilianaire Flavio Agusto da Silva, owner of the USL Pro team Orlando City, made some waves today by re-hinting that if Orlando is granted entry into MLS, a certain 'Brazilian Beckham' will be sure to join them. Now, it is no secret that Silva is good friends with Brazilian Midfielder Kaka, so the natural assumption is that he is the one that Silva is referring to. That would be great, but let's just get one thing straight:
There is no such thing as a Brazilian Beckham. There is no Spanish, no French, Ghanian, Russian,
Turkish, Argentinean, or Chinese David Beckham. Beckham came along at a time in MLS history that was wholly unique, and he was just the right person at the right time. He was already a global brand before he ever came to the States, and could sell clothing or perfume just as easily as sell out stadiums. His wife and young family brought along the whole reality TV / Kardashian vibe that is always such an intriguing story line, and he made the bold (and previously unheard of) decision to cross the Atlantic and make a go of it in MLS.
The first year with Beckham was like lighting had struck. Teams across the country set attendance records driven by fans who wanted to catch a glimpse of Beckham, and local and national media outlets featured regular stories about Beckham and his exploits in MLS. For those that already followed the league it felt tedious to constantly be bombarded with updates about the seemingly mundane details of Beckham's season, but fans were being exposed and introduced to the league for the first time without even realizing it. Even if they couldn't care less about Beckham, or even actively disliked him for his fame and the personal image that he has cultivated, they were thinking about the MLS ten times as often they would have had Beckham not come to the league.
Kaka is a great player, and I would love to have him in the league, but there is no chance that his arrival could have a galvanizing effect similar to Beckham's. Even if Kaka was a similarly famous cultural icon (which he is not), the league is different now than it was seven years ago. Here's hoping that he and everybody else involved in the endeavor realize that fact, and don't expect his arrival to be anything like Sir David's.
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