tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-225253612024-03-07T03:37:11.049-08:00MLS FangirlComments from a fangirl's eye-view on Major League Soccer, the American slice of the world's greatest sport.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-9728313666391068562007-12-18T07:51:00.000-08:002007-12-18T07:55:47.330-08:00Change of addressTo anyone who might still be reading:<br />Hi.<br />I know it's been awhile, but it's been a crazy year.<br />I know, I MISSED OUT on Becks. But then, it seems like a lot of people did, too.<br />And the Earthquakes are coming back!<br />Houston is Numero Uno again ...<br />Lots of stuff, I know. I've been watching from the wings, too busy to comment or blog. Not only that, but the Blogspot blog just isn't workin' for me anymore.<br />So here's the dealy-o: I'm moving over to WordPress: http://mlsfangirl.wordpress.com/. It's easier to deal with, and I might be able to gush enthusiastically about fútbol again on a semi-regular basis.<br />Chase me down. And thanks for reading.<br />Happy Holidays, Merry-Xmas, and I'll see you in the New Year!MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-74615279067691669892007-04-12T13:08:00.000-07:002007-04-12T13:56:48.480-07:00From the wiresI go away for a few days and news of international players start hitting the wires. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=chivasmerlin&prov=st&type=lgns">Chivas signs France's Laurent Merlin</a> (man, I do love that name!), the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=wizardsmarinelli&prov=st&type=lgns">Wizards signed Argentina's Carlos Marinelli</a>, RBNY is trying to get Brazilian striker Edmundo. Just like leagues worldwide and the United States itself, MLS is getting to be a very worldly place to be. How lovely. Does it seem like this is a season where a lot of this is going on? I should really do some research before I post questions like that, huh? But it feels very much to me that MLS is getting to be the international place to be. Like Disneyland, except with slightly better parking. It may not be true, but it feels true, hence, it's jam-packed with <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=truthiness">truthiness</a>.<br /><br />Oh wow, I know I'm late on this, but I just listened to the <a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070406&content_id=87523&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp">MLS anthem</a>, and I gotta say, whatever they're on, I want some of that. Does fútbol need a theme song? Why not call the people who did the song for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUmO-ELaR_o&amp;mode=related&search=">Enterprise </a>and have them do something for MLS while they're at it? Yeek.<br /><br />So I'm goin' out drinking with friends tonight at a bar that you know won't have MLS on for its premiere Thursday night game, but since it's an California game, I may be back in time to watch it from the comfort of my own cozy gamer's chair. I have grand notions to liveblog a game, but I don't think this one is going to be it. My immediate call was for Dallas to win, but then a little gremlin grabbed my ear and whispered that it's LA's day. So the Galaxy by 1.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-39689487040625865762007-04-09T08:55:00.000-07:002007-04-09T09:44:24.879-07:00Getting my goatsNow who would have guessed that the team to make my day this weekend would be Chivas USA? The LA Goats ended up being my only bright spot this weekend, at a cost to my favorite guy and his team. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news;_ylt=AjRtgaJksQoZoiK.w3U1fHekvrYF?slug=ap-mls-torontofc-chivas&prov=ap&type=lgns">Chivas whooped up on Alecko Eskandarian and FC Tornoto 2-0</a>, and a goal and an assist by Sacha Kljestan gave me the most points of the day for my fantasy team.<br /><br />Saturday was an amazingly full day for me, much fuller than a usual Saturday. Most Saturdays involve breakfast at IHOP, followed by five hours of study before 10 hours of work. Now, this past Saturday did begin with breakfast at IHOP (cheers to Amit, our waiter, who was the best and friendliest waiter-guy we've had at the IHOP since Melvin left the pancake world to sell shoes at the mall), but this week it was followed by a couple of hours at the homeless shelter helping make sure that everyone got at least one good meal and some creature comforts this week, followed by 10 hours of work that was punctuated by at least that many hours of futbol. Thankfully, <a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/products/">MLSLive.tv is back</a>, and for a small investment of $19.95, which beats the $50 or so for Direct Kick access (which I still can't get because I don't have digital cable) you can catch some games via computer.<br /><br />I did get to watch my darling <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/recap?gid=2007040702&prov=ap">DC crash out against the Colorado Arsenal ... I mean Rapids </a>(love the new red kits, guys!) ... on ABC, although it was at work with the sound off. (a note -- Dick's Sporting Goods Arena is still the most unfortunately named sports complext ever. The Dick? C'moooooooooon!) It looked cold, the players looked cold, the game looked cold. And Troy, Troy, Troy? Wha'happened? I didn't see any spark or dazzle out of DC, but I'm clinging to the belief that it was One Bad Game for them and I'll let it go at that. Erpen didn't do anything amazingly silly, but by that note he also didn't do anything amazingly good, either. I'm not sure about DC's new aquisition, Fred, who came on pitch when I actually had to start doing my job, although I did manage to look up to catch the "Famous Freds" montage that included Fred Flintstone. Ugh. Thanks ABC. Good goal from newguy Luciano Emilio with help from Yinka Casal, and I was waiting and waiting for another one of those that could get the draw, but it wasn't to be.<br /><br />Via MLSLive.tv I was able to catch most of the <a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/index.jsp">Fire's victory over the Revs</a>, and as far as I could tell it was a good game, although I tuned in too late to catch Logan Pause's goal. And I MatchTracked the rest of the games -- draws betweem RSL and Dallas and the Crew and RBNY, although it sounds like I missed good games. I have to say, I'm a little worried about RSL (did I say that? I guess I really have accepted Salt Lake into my futbol passions!) and <a href="http://www.soccerjones.com/?p=805">Nick Rimando</a>, and <a href="http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/">a little pleased with the Crew</a>. And I missed out on the Cup rematch of LA vs. Houston, but oh well.<br /><br />So. How's it look for the season? Uncertain, from my untrained-but-fangirl-adoring eye. I didn't pick out a sure thing that I'm willing to stake my playoff claim onto yet. But ahhhhhh, it's good to have futbol back, isn't it?MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-12907945145495325102007-04-07T14:58:00.000-07:002007-04-07T14:59:17.176-07:00DC vs. Rapids afterthoughtsCrap!<br /><br />More later ...MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-80284234088005050312007-04-04T11:33:00.000-07:002007-04-04T12:12:03.292-07:00What's your fantasy, baby?Yay! It's the Return of MLS Fantasy Fútbol! Oh, how I adore fantasy fútbol, if for no other reason than it gives me a chance to boss the players around on the computer screen. You know that scene in SpaceBalls where Dark Helmet is playing with his Princess Vespa action figure? Yes, if only I had my own MLS players' action figures, so I could put on little fantasy plays and saying things like, "And now Princess Landon, I have you in my clutches, to have my wicked way with you, the way I want to. [<i class="fine">In high voice</i>] No, no, go away, I hate you! And yet... I find you strangely attractive." Yeah, MLS Fantasy Fútbol is like that except not so silly.<br /><br />Last year I had a fairly satisfying fantasy season. I was consistenly third in my little grouping, and I had the great luck at the start of the season of acquiring Troy Perkins cheaply, Troy Perkins who at the beginning of last season was merely the back-up guy for DC United and ended up being MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Talk about your fantasy dollar coups. I gave Troy a pass this season, as he's now the top-priced guy. So here's the lineup of The Bouncing Soles (named for <a href="http://www.myspace.com/bouncingsouls">The Bouncing Souls</a>, whose song "Olé!!" is the BEST SOCCER SONG EVER!! WHOOOOOOO! Go find it on iTunes):<br /><br />Goalkeeper: RSL's Nick Rimando. He's always been a favorite keeper of mine, and last season I was torn when he sat out most of the season due to a foot injury, which let Troy rock the house. So even though I'm sad that DC sent him west, I think he's bona fide for RSL and will give them a huge hand to get them out of the rankings gutter. Dare I suspect that this will be a good year for Salt Lake? Yes, yes, I think I dare. I'm officially calling off my dislike for Salt Lake. After all, there are other teams for me to sneer at, and who will remain being sneered at no matter how many former USMNT guys they recruit. Hmph.<br /><br />Defenders: Frankie Hejduk, Facundo Erpen, Alex Yi and Orlando Pérez. I know, no suprise there with Frankie, who I just adore. I bought him at the beginning of last season and had to, sadly, sell him because of his torn ACL that took him out for the whole season, no to mention the World Cup. So he's back, he's signed on with the Crew for more years, and he's going to be The Guy for Columbus ... if he doesn't get hurt again. And yes, I got Erpen again, even though by the end of last season he was really pissing me off. But like Frankie, he's a defender who scores goals, and I can't argue with that. Yi and Pérez were wild cards for me. I know Yi played only a few times for Dallas last season, but Pérez played quite a bit for Chivas, so I'm hoping some good things will come from them this year. I've decided, also, as you can tell, to call off the fatwa on Dallas. As far as regional teams go, the Wizards are my guys, but Dallas ain't so bad. I'm letting 'em on my team.<br /><br />Midfielders: Christian Gómez, Sacha Kljestan, Adrian Serioux and Jack Jewsbury. I splashed out on Gómez, just because I think he rocks. In fact, I'm pretty happy with this entire Mid lineup. They're all good players, I'm under the impression that they're getting some time on the pitch this year.<br /><br />Strikers: Davy Arnaud and Alecko Eskandarian. Again, no suprise that I'd buy Alecko, right? Although I'm a little leery of where he's at. FC Toronto -- untested, unknown, so my favorite guy might end up killing my whole team. Hmmm, I think I'll rethink making him captain just yet. Davy Arnaud is a stalwart player, good to have on a team.<br /><br />I know, I know, no real superstars on the team yet. I was playing with the idea of trading a few, but contest be darned, most of these guys are the dolls that I want to play with. So this is how we start.<br /><br />In other news:<br />AP has actually gone to the trouble of writing some stories <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=ap-mlspreview&prov=ap&type=lgns">here</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=ap-mlschanges&prov=ap&type=lgns">here</a> about the start of the 2007 MLS season. Highlights: (other than Beckham) all games will be televised this year (yay!) and seven of the 13 teams have soccer-specific stadiums. I guess that means no MLStv this year, which was great for me since I still don't have the digital channels needed on my network to get Fox Sports or EPSN in Español. But oh well, I'll have my Thursday nights on EPSN2.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-4107150276717966932007-03-30T10:49:00.000-07:002007-03-30T11:11:14.287-07:00Does MLS need Beckham to up its hotness factor?<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7729/523/320/mlsmaxim.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7729/523/320/mlsmaxim.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20070330/2007_03_30t032751_264x450_us_fashion_beckham_sports.jpg?x=180&y=306&sig=m5Yz4_I1eDUuuBdK5HSCrA--"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20070330/2007_03_30t032751_264x450_us_fashion_beckham_sports.jpg?x=180&y=306&sig=m5Yz4_I1eDUuuBdK5HSCrA--" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070330/people_nm/fashion_beckham_sports_dc_4">Can Beckham fill fashion void in U.S. sports?</a> asks a Reuters story, which comes with this pic of Beckham in all his natty glory with a Scary ... oops, I mean Posh ... piece of arm candy at his side. Although I'm not an avid sports follower on anything outside of futbol, but stories about US athletes and their off-court/field attire do come up in the general media from time to time. But I have noticed that MLS players, in general tend to look pretty pretty when off field as on field. I've seen the guys in the business-casual attire, or the styled jeans look, what have you. They look good to me. I mean, check out the upper right and look at the fine guys in their Maxim spread from last year. Yes, I know it was a magazine shoot, but still. Sexy. </div><br /><div></div><div>But then again, what do I know, I'm an American, and no matter how much we try, we're just not very fashion platable as the Continent. I think Reuters is asking the wrong question here. It's not that the Beckhams can teach us a thing or two about fashion (and Victoria, please, Baby Spice called and she wants her dress back); it's that the US can teach the Beckhams how to get down and be US comfortable. Embrace the business dress, enjoy the jeans. <em>Relaja</em>, dude.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>And I see that <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/scorecard/03/30/truth.rumors.soccer/index.html?eref=si_soccer">Clint Mathis is going back to New York</a>. Which is OK by me, as I've never been much of a Mathis fan, and as I'm still not an RBNY fan, this move isn't crossing my eyes a whit.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>And I see I'm going to have to learn all about <a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070329&content_id=86777&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp">Fred</a>. More Brazilians for DC is what Martha calls a good thing. Even though my favorite of favorites Alecko Eskandarian was traded away to Canada (begin rousing chorus of "Blame Canada" from the South Park movie), I'm having some grand hopes for my Black-and-Red team which I love so very very much. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>And a bigO shoutout of thanks to <a href="http://usasoccer.blogspot.com/2007/03/2007-mls-probable-starting-lineups.html">Climbing the Ladder </a>for the awesome probably starting lineup post. Which is going to make it easy for me when Fantasy play finally begins again. </div></div>MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-28570821281075073542007-03-29T06:07:00.000-07:002007-03-29T06:32:07.147-07:00The things I'll do ...... to avoid writing a paper.<br /><br />First off -- blog roll!! Let's say hello to <a href="http://futbol-usa.blogspot.com/">Fútbol USA</a> and <a href="http://futbol-usa.blogspot.com/">Soccer Fan News </a>, and sadly I bid farewell to a couple of folks whose blogs have disappeared. I'm super happy to link to MLS blogs, most of which are exceedingly fine. I plan to do more blog trolling as time permits, so watch this space for more updates, and if you'd like to list me and for me to list you, <span style="font-style: italic;">manádame un mensaje</span>!<br /><br />So I DID get get watch the USMNT/Guatamala game last night, and while I'm pleased that the game at least ended in a draw, and despite some very ugly moments there were some nice moments of guy love abounding on the field -- well, ugh, messy messy messy game, with a lack of scoring opportunities despite some efforts on both sides. About 10 into the second half, I started employing my scoring superstitions -- If I get a glass of water/go to the bathroom/brush my teeth/start reading my book/play with the dog/pick my toenails/fall asleep, they'll get a gol. But apparently my efforts were no match for the game imps.<br /><br />Anyway, things I did like -- Michael Bradley was a standout for me, and I wish he were an MLSer so I could see more of him. More in Gold Cup and Copa América, maybe? And Landon Donovan!! Somehow, over the past year, he got cuter (OK, so that's not so important. Oh wait, yes it is. And curses to the man in my house who made me change the channel to The Daily Show while the trading-of-the-jerseys was going on) and matured in a way that made him shift in my mind from irritating arrogant showoff to team leader. I loved his effort there in the end.<br /><br />This I don't know, and if someone could enlighten a poor ignorant fangirl, I'd be grateful -- Bob Bradley is the <span style="font-style: italic;">interim</span> coach why? He's won the first three games, drew one, seems to be doing a bang-up job. So why still interim? Does he have a chance for the job? Does he want the job? I haven't been keeping up, but I'd really like to know where that's going to crumble, cookiewise.<br /><br />Anyway, the game was pretty much a yawner. The most exciting moment was when the cat caught her claws stuck in the back of the desk chair. She's the kind of cat that comes when you call her, so when we started calling her over, hoping that would help her get her claws unstuck, don't you know it just made it worse and she was dancing around the seat of the chair with one paw up on the back. Tragically funny.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-55615723756761106202007-03-28T13:49:00.000-07:002007-03-28T14:18:32.918-07:00Fangirl hits 100No, not in age! This makes 100 posts since I started up this way back in February 2006. Which is pretty sad, considering that I've only done 100 posts so far. Shouldn't I have done more? Don't I have more bitching and kvetching and sobbing and huzzahing to do over MLS and the USMNT and the various related events? Are there not enough moments in the day for me to drool over various futbol gods?<br /><br />(The answers, in case you're checking, are Yes, One Would Think So, and Apparantly Not!)<br /><br />In the achingly long six months since the MLS season shut down, a lot has gone on with me. I graduated from college, immediately began grad school that involves a 180-mile commute twice a week, learned yet another dead foreign language and became buried under the realities that encumber the mature student. To be honest, it's crossed my mind more than once to shut down this blog, as I haven't been paying as close attention to the Beautiful Game as I should. (Confessions of a bad fangirl -- I missed Sunday's game where the USMNT whooped up on Ecuador, I simply FORGOT! And I'm so swamped with papers to write that I may have to skip out on the Guatamala rumble tonight, though I'll try very hard not to. And I even missed the Saturn Cup, when Dallas and Chicago came to my city -- yet again -- because of food poisoning from a <a href="http://www.nothingbutnoodles.com/">Nothin' But Noodles </a>franchise. There's some sportswriter daemon trying to keep me away from my beloved futbol, I suspect.) But with just 10 days until the 2007 season begins -- complete with Becks' arrival, the debut of FC Toronto, Freddy Adu probably going bye-bye, the return to play of my darling Frankie Hejduk, and, of course, this being Cobi Jones' last season, I've got too much that I know I want to pay attention to this season, so I'm going to try to hang in there. Plus since ESPN is trying to brand Thursday nights as Soccer Night, and I'm off on Thursday nights and no longer a fan of either ER or Grey's Anatomy, I know I can dedicate a night to MLS.<br /><br />Not only that, but MLS Fantasy Futbol is about to reappear, and I had so much fun with it last season, I can't wait to get the Vorpal Bunnies team out there in fantasy competition.<br /><br />So, I'm holding on. Even if I drown doing it.<br /><br /><strong>So, stuff I've noticed:</strong><br />So ... <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/03/28/bc.soc.portland.prosocc.ap/index.html?eref=si_soccer">Portland </a>for the next expansion? Well, why not? Certainly, the West Coast needs another club, it's certainly been lacking since the Earthquakes picked up and moved to Houston. No, it's not a sure deal, but I wouldn't be surprised.<br /><br />Fun SI column from <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/jonah_freedman/03/27/beckham0402/index.html?eref=si_soccer">Jonah Freedman </a>about Beckham taking the Galaxy spotlight off Landon Donavan, but the column isn't nearly as interesting as the big Box O Speculation that's inset in the column. Will Freddy Adu break out this seaon? Will DC's Brazilian exports get my favorite team (DC) on the sports highlight reels? Let's watch!MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-36099221947581096012007-03-16T21:22:00.000-07:002007-03-16T21:39:03.653-07:00What time is it?If you read Spanish, follow the links <a href="http://espanol.sports.yahoo.com/15032007/53/deportes-dejan-chivas-triunfo-dc.html">here </a>or <a href="http://espanol.sports.yahoo.com/15032007/4/deportes-expresa-t-cnico-chivas-insatisfacci-n-empate-dc-united.html">here </a>to read about DC United's 1-1 draw against Mexican powerhouse FC Guadalajara, and how las Chivas aren't really happy about it. If you read Spanish follow the link <a href="http://espanol.sports.yahoo.com/15032007/53/deportes-gana-dynamo-pachuca-concacaf.html">here</a> or if you read English follow this link <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/03/15/bc.soc.fcpachuca.dynamo.ap/index.html?eref=si_soccer">here</a> to read about how the Dynamo whooped FC Pachuca (but how is anyone a futbol fan if they can't at least read Spanish? That's half the reason I learned this beautiful language, so I could follow the Beautiful Game!). Anyway, is it time for Mexico to freakin' start taking futbol in los Estados Unidos seriously? Maybe? Kinda? Sorta? YES, I very much think so.<br /><br />Non-CONCACAF stuff -- <a href="http://www.saturncup.com/">Saturn Cup!</a> I'm spending $56 and three hours Saturday night to watch FC Dallas and the Chicago Fire duke it out at the University of Oklahoma soccer field in exhibition play, and I'm just thrilled to pieces. If I can get it together, there might be pictures posted here soon. Yes, it's not much, but how often does MLS come to Oklahoma? Not bloody often.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-51648403228463240402007-02-28T14:24:00.000-08:002007-02-28T14:30:38.414-08:00Oh hell<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070228/ap_en_tv/tv_posh_s_show_4">Beckham move to US to become reality show</a><br /><br />That's it, I'm officially stating my non-fandom of David Beckham. Yes, he's good for MLS and blah blah blah, but the Beckhams have official teamed up with the evil empire that is Reality TV. What's next, Landon on The Surreal Life? Clint Dempsey on Making the Band? Gah.<br /><br />Although I actually think the behind-the-scenes action of an MLS team for one season would be a fascinating watch, but it'd take something like Bravo to pull that off. "From the producers of Show-Dog Moms and Dads, On the Pitch with FC Toronto."<br /><br />Yeah, whatever. I'm done with anything on TV that's not sci-fi or fútbol related. Someone wake me when April gets here.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-66575688098421095382007-02-14T12:28:00.000-08:002007-02-14T13:16:39.529-08:00Drive-by thoughts on futbol<span style="font-family:arial;">How many more days until the new MLS season starts? Someone make me a countdown ticker. I need to know and I'm too damn lazy to actually look at the calendar and county for myself.Anyway, even though I haven't been blogging about futbol, rest assured I have been thinking about it. And since I've managed to carve out three seconds on which to post ... </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><a href="www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_281686.html">Last week's USMNT game against Mexico</a>: The game hit some record TV ratings, and why not? It was, all in all, a pretty good game (although I've now issues with Eric Wynalda, who I'm firmly placing under my dismissal category of "Sports Guys Who Can't Think Without Talking Out Loud." You'd be surprised how long that category is.). I was very pleased with the way the game was played, thought the guys looked very solid against what at first seemed a scary collection of Mexico's talent, and as far as I'm concerned, Bob Bradley's the man. And dig this comment from Chivas USA defender and Mexico national team player <a href="http://www.soccer365.com/US_NEWS/MLS/page_95_136971.shtml">Claudio Suarez</a>, that El Tri needs to stop being so damn snotty about playing an MLS-packed USMNT squad, because the boys from the US are on par with the world. Howzabout that?</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070210&content_id=83422&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp">Colorado Arsenal</a>: oh, wait, it's still the Rapids, apparently (but hat tip to <a href="http://www.zigazoga.com">ZigaZoga</a> for IMing me with that news!). Still though, I'm all a-twitter with the potentiality of this deal. I also appreciate the new kits. I know, it's just a marketing deal, but still, relationships always open the way for other relationships, and as there seems to be more attention being paid to the way we play futbol on this side of the Atlantic pond, I am really hopeful for the future for both the Rapids and MLS. Although I'm not a big Arsenal fan. My peeps tend to back Manny U, and I have a great fondness for Crystal Palace. But still. It's all good. Except I still hate the name of Colorado's stadium. Ugh. But that leads right into ...<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070208&content_id=83345&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp">RSL gets its own stadium</a>: And it's freakin' about time, too. I absolutely cannot stand watching matches at Rice-Eccles. I know it's for one more season, but at least I know there's a light in the stadium tunnel. This may go a long way to taking RSL out of my least-favorite category.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.soccer365.com/US_NEWS/MLS/page_95_136720.shtml">So long, Nicky</a>: And more buckets of tears were shed by me as I saw that yet another DC United favorite has left the team. OK, so Perkins headed my fantasy team all last season, but I've always loved Rimando and I'm going to miss him on the pitch for DC. </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3419416">But welcome back Frankie</a>: I didn't get much of a chance last year to ooze my adoration of Columbus Crew defender and all-around great Frankie Hejduk, as he got knocked out pretty early in the season from an ACL injury. So no one's happier than me that my futbol pinup just inked a new deal with the Crew!</p></span><br />And apart from all this, go check out the <a href="http://www.zigazoga.com">ZigaZoga</a> community page, to get all that you ever need for news and views and support and all sorts of futbol goodness!</span><br /><br /></span></span>MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1168631696186557832007-01-12T11:27:00.000-08:002007-01-12T11:54:57.076-08:00What Beckham means to meWell, I got snowed out of school today, so I had a few minutes to sit down and get a firmer foothold on the latest things to hit US fútbol, namely the pending arrival of superfutbolista David Beckham (and Posh, of course) to our Western shores.<br /><br />Firstly, there's no surprise here, although the timing intrigues me slightly. Having watched the news out of Madrid for the past several months, noting that the contracting hasn't been going well over there for him, we all knew it was just a matter of time that he'd end up in MLS, and LA was a natch. Swimmin' pools, movie stars (enter banjo solo here). Seriously, with his soccer academy and the glitzy glam that LA offers, was it really a question of which US team he'd land at? I know people were kicking around New York, since it got ramped up in attention last year with both the acquiring of the Red Bull ownership and new coach Bruce Arena. I would have thought that he'd make it another year, which, coming to US in the late summer, he'd more or less make it next season, but at least we'll see him play a bit. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7729/523/1600/384448/davidbeckhamshirtinhand9cs.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7729/523/320/477600/davidbeckhamshirtinhand9cs.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The good -- people who don't know shite about fútbol in the US, which is almost everyone, suddenly sat up and paid a second of attention that the one fútbol player they know in the world is coming to play for US in our league. Never mind that he's not the best in the world -- I say this sitting here wearing my Ronaldinho shirt that I got in Barcelona a few years ago, we know who's really good, don't we fútbol fanaticas? -- even when he was at his best, but he is (so they tell me, I haven't personally seen it anytime I've seen him play) a solid player ... oh wait, I do remember that famous bend in the World Cup last year, which was a pretty ehh game but for that ... but anyway, good player, and he's got those looks still. Yeeeeah, give me some more of those milk ads ... And he's got the glammy wife who used to be someone, I think, Spice something ... man I hated them. Anyway, what Beckham brings to MLS isn't necessarily is stunning talent but his head-turning fame. That's good for MLS, because you know that the Home Depot center's gonna get packed when he shows up, and maybe the people who take advantage of MLS's relatively decent ticket prices will actually enjoy the game enough to keep partaking. Good for us. <br /><br />Now the bad -- ehhh, even though Becks has shown up will he's still got enough steam -- and is still steamy mcDreamy -- I still can't shake the niggling feeling that he's just a higher profile old stud that's getting put out to the MLS pasture. You know how it goes, nice fat paycheck, easy games for him, blah blah blah, that's what people say when an ex-superstar ends up with us. I know, MLS is still the obnoxious much-younger stepbrother to Europe as far as leagues go, but I sure would like this to be the start of a new trend where players start coming here before they start thinking retirement. That Beckam showed up now instead of closer to real retirement seems like a good thing. If he still has it. And, it would be nice if, now that other stars worldwide see what he's getting here, if they'll start showing up while they're still playahs, too. I keep thinking that DC must have someone in mind to blow their Beckham rule wad on, since they keep trading off players (no, I'm still not over losing Alecko, I still weep buckets at night at the thought of not getting to cheer for Alecko and DC all in the same breath. Yes, I'm a big baby). <br /><br />Well, that's a pretty wimpy bad point, so I'm going to go with the idea that landing Beckham is a good thing and that his arrival heralds the beginning of a new era in US fútbol. I'm looking forward to him playing in Houston in August. What will the humidity do to that precious do of his? And to Posh, come to think of it! And it'll be rather orgasmic to see Landon and Beckham team up, because when Landon's on, he's on. Maybe I will come around to loving LA after all. Doubtful. But still.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1168561507517710502007-01-11T16:20:00.000-08:002007-01-11T16:25:07.533-08:00I (still don't) love LAhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifMaaaaan, it FINALLY happens, and I am not in a position to comment intelligently about it, if it is that I ever managed to comment intelligently about MLS. It's finally come. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=mlsbeckham&prov=st&type=lgns">Beckham is coming to LA</a>. And to the Galaxy, as everyone knew he would. Well that should give US fútbol a good kick in the pants. So how much of a scramble will all the other teams go through to try and match that? If that's even possible, he IS the freakin' king and all. So they say. <br /><br />So. Who's ready for August? Hell, just get me to April ...MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1166912383776312262006-12-23T14:16:00.000-08:002006-12-23T14:19:43.786-08:00You know, it occurs to me ...With all the trading away of name talent that DC is doing, it makes me wonder who they're saving their pennies for. Now that the Beckham rule is going into effect, who is it that DC is going to try to lure over to play for the Black-and-Red? <br /><br />I'm so behind on futbol gossip. If anyone's already mused on this, let me know. It gives me something futbolish to obsess over unti February.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1166843720681430662006-12-22T19:12:00.000-08:002006-12-22T19:15:20.693-08:00Nooooooooooooooooooo!WHAT!! <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=ap-mls--united-eskandariantrade&prov=ap&type=lgns">They traded Esky</a>!!! *insert much sobbing here* Maaaaaaaaaaaan, that SUCKS. They get rid of Freddy, now this? Augh. What's DC trying to do, make me hate them? Eskanderian's my favorite favorite favorite MLS player, and I loved him on DC. <br /><br />*sigh* OK. Breathe. Breathe. There's still Christian. Still Jaime. OK.<br /><br />That sucks.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1166730114505866402006-12-21T11:36:00.000-08:002006-12-21T11:41:54.516-08:00Goodbye PeterSo there it is, <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/12/20/bc.soc.mls.united.coach.ap/index.html?eref=si_soccer">Peter Nowak is out</a> as DC's head coach, and Tom Soehn is in. I guess it's not a surprise. I came into the world of fútbol fandom and MSL fanlove in 2004, the last season in which DC swept to the top. I know the past two seasons were't stellar, and I know that coaches take the hit for that. So. Goodbye Coach Nowak, I hope you land somewhere.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1165892343993147322006-12-11T18:49:00.000-08:002006-12-11T18:59:04.016-08:00Second thoughtsSo my first thought upon seeing the headline "<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=ap-mls-adutrade&prov=ap&type=lgns">DC bids adieu to Adu</a>" -- OK, my first real thought was ugh, puny -- was "What the hell!!" But then I got to thinkin' about it. He may not be going to Manny U, but he's going. He'd might as well leave from Salt Lake, which seems to be going all out, like all the way to BFE, in order to avoid the bottom of the standings cellar in the 2007 season. So they'll have SuperFreddy for a couple of months before he joins the show on the continent. Weeelll, the Islands. Or whatever. Nothere.<br /><br />What saddens me most -- DC also traded off Nick Rimando. I love Nick Rimando, and I've been a big fan of his since day one. I admit, last year I totally enjoyed seeing Troy Perkins in the net, and since I had gotten him for my fantasy team and quite the deal, since he'd been a sub the year before and no one really knew he would be a star, but I do love Nick. And even though it means seeing him play, maybe, I still hate to see him go to Salt Lake. I'm just not a fan of that team. They're changing things up so much, they might change my mind. We'll see.<br /><br />I haven't been around, I know. I couldn't get excited about the MLS Cup, and I haven't been able to get all whoopdedoo excited that there might be a smidgen larger of a possibility that Beckham is crossing over to play for us scrubs. It's winter and it's off season. But, the good news is, I'm done with undergrad school this week, hooray me. I do start grad school in January, but I'll be working a little less once that starts. That brings in all sorts of possibilities for more fútbol watching, especially with Soccer Thursday coming up next season.<br /><br />We'll keep an eye on more shuffling news, shall we?MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1162873192221802972006-11-06T20:13:00.000-08:002006-11-06T20:19:52.246-08:00Is there enough room in LA ...... for the egos of both <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=galaxybeckham&prov=st&type=lgns">Beckham and Alexi Lalas</a>? <br /><br />Will David Beckham come to the US? Most likely he will. But will he play for LA? Of course, the idea has been that yes, since he's got his sports academy there. But then again, in this age of transcontinental and trans-global commuting, it wouldn't be a thing for Becks to live in Cali and jet over to, say, New York, if he wanted. Which team, I wonder, will have the funds in place to nab him? Is it automatically the Galaxy? We'll see.<br /><br />I'm still recovering from DC's loss on Sunday, a loss, I'm sad to say, didn't really surprise me. Still, I'm fangirl enough to say thank you, DC United, for giving me a solid six months of thrills with a few weeks of chills thrown in at the end there, and you guys are my guys forever. I love you all. I'm looking forward to next season to see you try it again, and this time go all the way. Oh, how we love to go all the way.<br /><br />I'm rather annoyed with the way the MLS Cup has shaken out because now I've got to root for a Texas team, darn it. Oh well, at least it's Houston and not Dallas. ...MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1162597836903325992006-11-03T15:43:00.000-08:002006-11-03T15:50:36.956-08:00Sunday, SUNday, SUNDAYTwo conference championships hit the fan ... I mean the tube on Sunday, with the DC/Revs matchup on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. CST and the Dynamo/Rapids game on FSC, HDNet and MLSLIVe.tv at 6 p.m. CST. Of course, I'm going to be glued to the TV on Sunday, since my favorite of favorites, DC United, is playing, and I'd like nothing more than to see my darling Alecko Eskandarian get a gol off Matt Reis. Although I have my jitters on DC getting goles, but hey, I have faith.<br /><br />The sideshow, of course, will be in the booth when Eric "I think I know everything" Wynalda <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=cnnsi-rumbleintheboot&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns">calls the game </a>with ex-USMNT head coach and current RBNY head coach Bruce "I can get snarky when I want to" Arena at his side. Gee, I wonder if they'll actually stick to talking about the game on hand, if nothing more than to avoid having to have a smack down on basic cable. Which I'd dearly like to see, by the way.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1162227676490400782006-10-30T08:47:00.000-08:002006-10-30T09:01:16.633-08:00I've got two words for you.Erpen. D'oh!!<br /><br />I have to admit, I was a big big fan of Facundo Erpen when he first showed up with DC and I've remained a big fan all throughout. Hell, I'm even sending 10 votes a day to MLS for the Gol of the Year for his stunner of a gol in April that got me all hot. But damn, here lately he's done nothing except make me tired. There's something to be said for a guy who can come out of nowhere and create a miracle, but there's more to be said for a guy who'll play a solid 90 with his head in the game, who does all the little things right that make all the difference. Unless you're truly talented, a miracle-maker just as often as not spends most of his time screwing up royally because he's trying to set up the big play.<br /><br />So Erpen's slipping off my fangirl list. I'll have to see how he does this weekend when DC plays the Revs, but hells bells, I was left utterly unimpressed with the RBNY game at RFK, so he'll have to work awfully damn hard. I was at work and had to watch the game with the sound off (and it seems like I missed some rather killer comments from Wynalda ... hmmm, considering how much he tends to irritate me maybe that's not a bad thing) but every time I looked up, there was Facundo. Maybe both ESPN2 and Erpen need to keep their eyes on the whole game and not just on him.<br /><br />Other than that, the game left me anxious all the way through, and good job to Troy Perkins for keeping it together so well in the first half when all the play was directly squarely at him. I really didn't expect the game to be that hard for DC. Is it that New York has steadily improved since Il Bruce took over, that DC has slowly settled into a post-season slump, or both at the same time? I was really impressed with RBNY for the first time all season, and I may shed my dislike of the team by next year. Who knows, stranger things, right? Anyway, by the end of the game I was just happy for the draw so that I didn't have to break out the Xanax for the extra 30. Oy. Must make sure to get a prescription before next weekend ... <br /><br />In other game stuff, I'm surprised but ever-so-pleased with the Rapids. I certainly didn't expect Dallas to get eliminated and fully thought they would be playing at home for the Cup. And I'm disappointed yet not surprised that the Dynamo knocked out Chivas. Still, not bad for an expansion that ended dead last last year. <br /><br />I'm going for DC over the Revs, of course, and the Rapids over Houston. I really hope it shakes out that way, but I have a dread that I'll be wrong on all counts ...MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1161730036058262062006-10-24T15:28:00.000-07:002006-10-24T15:47:16.080-07:00Return of the Fangirl part deuxGooooats! Gooooats!! Goooooooats!!<br /><br />Yes, I'm fresh off Sunday's Chivas-Dynamo game, which, as a Goats fan (sorry, Houston, normally I'd be on your side because I love Brian Ching and DDR, but I loves my Guadalajara expansion, yes I do) I'm really happy about. They ended last season with, what, 13 points or something like that, and now they're in the middle of the first round of playoffs. How can I not love that? Thank you, Ante Razov and Paco Palencia (and Brad Guzan for that awesome PK save!) for putting the icing on my Sunday, which took the cake for me when Chicago beat New England in Chicago. Lovely, it was, to go from one game where the fans were bundled up in blankets because it was so frigid to the next where Marcelo and Co. were concerned about the heat on the pitch.<br /><br />Sorry for the prolonged absence, I've been in the middle of a very busy semester combined with having to work on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, so I haven't had much of a futbol fix lately. Here's one fangirl who's looking forward to Thursday night MLS on ESPN2 next season. Ach, I can't believe the season's almost over!! Sunday's playoff games on ABC/ESPN2 were the first matches I've seen in ages and ages, and what great games they were.<br /><br />Of course, I really would have loved to see that wonderful Gomez gol from the DC-Red Bulls game on Saturday. Wow!<br /><br />Anyway, I'm well past the ability to do any picking at this point. I'm putting all my faithful fan energy behind DC all the way and will cheer along the others as they come. Although I've got high high hopes for the Goats!<br /><br />And hey, congrats to my favorite US-based keeper Troy Perkins for his MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award -- quite aptly deserved in his case -- and to Bobby Boswell getting Defender of the Year. Ah, what a turnaround from last year, huh? <br /><br />I'm getting less and less interested in Beckham watch as time goes on, but here's yet another new story about <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/10/24/bc.eu.spt.soc.beckham.future.ap/index.html?eref=si_soccer">Becks considering his options</a>, which include coming to the US. Of course, my question these days is, do we really want him?MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1158640530510956472006-09-18T21:24:00.000-07:002006-09-18T21:35:30.523-07:00Bad calls, or just the way it crumbles, matchwise?University of Oklahoma football fans in my state are in a tizzy over the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060919/ap_on_sp_co_ne/fbc_oklahoma_replay_8">Sooners' 1-point loss to the Oregon Ducks</a> on Saturday. Yes, I know, I'd be pretty pissed off if I lost a game to waterfowl as well, but it beats losing to a drink mixer, I suppose. Anyway, practically the whole state is screaming Robbed Robbed Robbed over bad officiating that led to the controversial win. Now some of the officials who made the bad calls are getting one-game suspensions and OU is calling for the game to be stricken from the books for both teams.<br /><br />As a soccer fan, I'm basically sitting back thinking, "Good luck with that." In my experience, it seems that it's never the team vs. team in any given game, but it's usually the teams and fans vs. the officials. We're always kvetching away at them. Are you blind? we cry, that was/wasn't a red/yellow card offense, that was/wasn't a foul, that was/wasn't worth a PK, and heaven's above, they were/weren't offsides! And yet, if the ref didn't see it, or conversely, if that's the way he thought he saw it, then that's the way it goes down, no matter what the instant replay says. Complain all you want, and that'll get ya booked. I wonder, though, how many suspensions of officials of this type, if any, have been served up in MLS or USMNT history? I recall that there were many complaints after the US/Italy game in July for the sheer number of bookings the US took, with some comment that the official who handed them out might not officiate again. So what's the score with that? And, do you have an opinion on the OU/Ducks results?<br /><br />And thanks to the anonymous comment on my last post, I'm inspired to begin a Beckham Watch. Just when do we think Becks will grace MLS with his presence? The clock seems to be ticking. I still don't see him here anytime soon, not next season at least. <br /><br />And I DID get to see the Chicago-DC game on Sunday on ESPN, and don't you love how this game isn't called on account of rain? Manly men, that's what they are. I was surely disappointed with the results on both sides -- didn't seem like anything could get started -- but it was nice to see it on my TV, which I haven't been able to do since June.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1157495701899850932006-09-05T15:29:00.000-07:002006-09-05T15:35:01.923-07:00I *knew* it!!OK, so it's silly to get all cheerful about this two months after it happened, but I have to say I just KNEW that <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060905/ts_afp/fbleur2008fraita_060905101943">Materazzi was just talkin' some juvenile trash</a> before he got bonked by the Head-Butt Heard Round the World. My favorite line: "I didn't even know he had a sister." It's all stupid on the pitch crap. Yes, a head-butt is a little bit of an over-reaction to a remark so stupidly normal. No, FIFA didn't under-react by handing down the penalties that it did. When you're on the world stage, for pete's sake, act like the role model you're supposed to be, even if you're not. <br /><br />So to all the people who over-reacted with the "Ooooh, bad Italian man obviously said something racist to the French Algerian" people -- :P. Stop making trouble and save it for when REAL incidents of racism pop up. And they will.<br /><br />And hey, congrats to the Crew for wonking the Revs 3-0 on Saturday! Now do that seven more times. :)MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1157151484508103482006-09-01T15:21:00.000-07:002006-09-01T16:00:09.643-07:00The wonderful Wizards of AhhhsI like the Wizards. Well, I like the team, but the team color and the logo need some work. OK, so I admit, I kind of picked them as a regional default since, smack in the middle of the country, I've got my choice of loving either FC Dallas or the KC Wizards. And I hate Dallas. Not the team, just the city/sprawl/metroplex thing with I-635 that I've gotten stuck on too many times. So even though there's a ton of talent in the Dallas club, I just can't see my way clear to be a fan. I suppose that Houston, seeing as it's about the same driving distance as Kansas City, can be inserted in the mix, but it's still too new to enter my fangirl consciousness. So it's Kansas by default. Not only that, but I'm adore a lot of the guys on the team. I love Nick Garcia and Jose Burciaga, Sasha Victorine, Kerry Zavagnin, Bo Oshoniyi, Jack Jewsbury and Davy Arnaud. Oh yeah, and that Josh Wolff guy, too. Not to mention Eddie Johnson and that Jimmy Conrad guy.<br /><br />So I was really pleased to hear that the Wizards are settled in Kansas City for a little while longer, thanks to the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news;_ylt=At6AOmMADM9UlgGVLwMmj1ikvrYF?slug=wizardssale&prov=st&type=lgns">sale of the team </a>by owner Lamar Hunt to OnGoal LLC. A sale, which apparantly led to <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/grant_wahl/09/01/kc.wizards/index.html">Eddie Johnson staying in-country </a>for a little while longer. Josh Wolff, too, although that doesn't seem to have anything to do with the sale. That's just the kind of thing that demonstrates some futbol love and support, which is exactly what the league needs as it sets out on its road to Expansion. Rumours have flown around Oklahoma for years that KC would be coming to Tulsa -- of all places!! -- when it left Kansas City, as part of some grand MLS strategy to build up support in smaller markets. As you can tell, these were rumours spread around by people who don't know jack about soccer and MLS (*cough* sportswriters! *cough*). <br /><br />Now I'm waiting with antici ... pation for news about when the soccer-specific stadium will rise in Johnson County. Not only do I hate watching futbol played on a football field, I hate going to a futbol game at a football stadium. Watching the Wizards in their powder-neon-blue play at Arrowhead with its orange-red color scheme was just a little too much to take. And a descent soccer turnout of about 14,000 looks pretty puny in a stadium created to seat almost 80,000. So I'm looking forward to 2009 -- I hope! -- when the Wizards get their own house. I'll make the 6-hour drive up for them.<br /><strong><br />Quick picks</strong><br /><strong>Crew vs. Revolution</strong> -- wow, three months ago this would have been a no-brainer. Now, the Revs need a revolution of their own to build off last week's win. Still, ever hopeful Crew fan that I am, I'm going to bet on Columbus.<br /><br /><strong>Dallas vs. Houson</strong> -- man, another intrastate Texas battle. Every time I turn around it looks like they're having one of these. With Houston biting at Dallas' heels for the No. 1 spot in the West, I can see how the Dynamo might bring some energy to the game. My gut tells me Dallas is going to win, but I'm throwing my hopes behind Houston.<br /><br /><strong>RSL vs Colorado</strong> -- again, last year there'd be no guesswork here. This year Salt Lake is proving consistently that they don't suck. This is a playoff playoff here between these two. Again, odds are in RSL's favor, but I'll go with underdog Rapids.<br /><br /><strong>Galaxy vs. Wizards</strong> -- I'd really really like the Wizards to cap their newsy week by beating Landon and the boys at Home Depot. Go KC!<br /><br /><strong>Chicago vs. New York</strong> -- so, I've been looking at graduate schools and have settled on Chicago because -- you know why? yes, it's because the Fire are there. The Chicago school is the only one that has an MLS franchise in house. Ergo, Chicago is now my first choice for grad school. This is the way we pick our academic futures, gang, I fangirl therefore I am. So now I'm trying to stop worrying and learn to love the Fire. Even though New York and Coach Arena have been doing nicely. But go Fire!<br /><br /><strong>Chivas vs. DC</strong> -- I feel bad for Chivas, I really do. They're getting to be a good team and they have some hard-fightin' talent. But damn if they're not up against a DC United that has something to prove over last week's thrashing at the hands of the Galaxy. LA's getting some payback, just on the cross-town team. All I ask is that Juan Pablo Garcia get one gol for the fantasy team, and then all my beloved DC boys hammer home the rest.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525361.post-1156805476554060842006-08-28T15:35:00.000-07:002006-08-28T15:51:16.660-07:00From the wiresBut before I get started, I just want to say that I've never been as happy to have missed a DC game as I was on Saturday night. 5-2!!! And with an own-gol on each side? Heavens to mergatroid, that's not a glich, that's a brownout.<br /><br />Anyway.<br /><br />Man, poor <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=ap-mls-united-mediate&prov=ap&type=lgns">Dominic Mediate, who got injured </a>in said wretched game with a broken right shank and won't be playing for the rest of the season. Which kind of sucks for him because he only played a handful of games so far. Let's light a candle for his return next season, shall we? <br /><br />And so is Beckham coming to MLS or not? C'mon, folks, make up your minds. Did he sign the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AowrmGNMw2ImJ8n8GByevG0mw7YF?slug=afp-fblespengrealmadridbeckham&prov=afp&type=lgns">contract extention with Real Madrid </a>or is he going to be shopping around? He is still off the English National Team, ain't he? So I wonder, exactly, at what point does he get out to pasture enough to head on over to the US.<br /><br />Who else is doing fantasy futbol, and how is your team doing? I swear to all things holy, if you had told me at the beginning of the season that some of my most valuable players would be from Chivas, I would have laughed Sierra Mist through my nose. Juan Pablo Garcia is just eating up the points for me, as is Jonathan Bornstein. My most valuable player -- DC keeper Troy Perkins, who, again, I wasn't sure would be the main keeper this season when I bought him. But of course, the top scoring leader is DC's Christian Gomez, as it should be.MLS Fangirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578412459986390101noreply@blogger.com2