Make that DCPD 2 - Brazil 0

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Oh this is even better than the last one! I think the woman they were arresting at the end tried to bite the cop. She's damn lucky she didn't get tazed...WHY IS THERE NO TAZING!!!

DC Police 1 - Brazil fans 0...We win

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So I don't know if anyone else noticed but I coudn't figure out why it took so long to restart the game after one of the (to many) goals by Brazil. Now I know...and knowing is half the...well you get it. I love that the title of this video is POLICE BRUTALITY....really? If your stupid enough to run out onto a sports field in the middle of the game the police shoud be REQUIRED to taze you.  If for no other reason than to make it more entertaining for all of us!

Special FX make goals even more awesome

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I know this video has been making the rounds and it's finally made it's way here.  I think my favorite part is Arsene Wenger on a stick horse.

If the jack boot fits....

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Via AP- KIEV, Ukraine -- European Championship co-hosts Ukraine and Poland denounced a BBC report that portrayed their fans as racist, and European soccer's governing body reiterated that all foreign guests will be safe.

The BBC "Panaroma" documentary, titled "Euro 2012: Stadiums of Hate," showed fans in the two nations giving the Nazi salute and taunting black players with monkey noises. Asian students were also shown being attacked at Metalis Stadium in Kharkiv, one of the host venues.

Former England captain Sol Campbell said in the program broadcast Monday in Britain that fans should not travel to those countries because "you could end up coming back in a coffin."

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Voloshyn said the program was unjust and smacked of arrogance and xenophobia, portraying "Eastern Europe as mentally not equal to the rest of Europe."
"We believe this report is outrageous, done in the best traditions of Soviet journalism," Voloshyn said. "Ukraine is one the leaders in Europe in terms of religious and racial tolerance Nazi symbols can be seen at ... any match in England, but does it mean that fans should not come to London for the Olympics?"

Markian Lubkivsky, UEFA's Euro 2012 director in Ukraine, said foreign fans coming to Ukraine would be safe."From UEFA's point of view, I see no threats for citizens of various nationalities to stay in Ukraine," Lubkivsky was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. He added Campbell's statement was "vexing" for Ukraine.

In Poland, the government body that is organizing Euro 2012 called the accusations of racism "unjust," stressing that Poland has zero tolerance for racism and xenophobia.

"The problem of stadium pathologies, such as xenophobia or racism, is a problem specific to the whole of Europe and not only to Poland," said Mikolaj Piotrowski, a spokesman for the body. "As in every European country, it affects a small minority of those present at the stadiums -- unfortunately, a minority that is usually loud and visible in the media."

Referring to Campbell, he said, "Dear Sol, feel invited -- feel like at home; in Poland, at our common Euro 2012. Get to know us as we really are."

Poland's Interior Ministry said in a statement it would complain to the BBC because its report contained "unjust," biased and unverified opinions. Ministry spokeswoman Malgorzata Wozniak said Polish police were ready to ensure security during the tournament.

Commenting on the program, Campbell urged fans to not go to Poland and Ukraine for Euro 2012, which starts next week. "Stay at home, watch it on TV. Don't even risk it," said Campbell, who is black.
He added that UEFA was wrong to award the tournament to Poland and Ukraine.
"What they should say is, 'If you want this tournament, you sort your problems out. Until we see a massive improvement ... you do not deserve these prestigious tournaments in your country,' " he said.

Ukraine finds itself under increasing scrutiny and pressure as it prepares to host the championship. Besides the racism accusations, President Viktor Yanukovych is under harsh criticism for the politically tainted jailing of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Some critics say Euro 2012 has turned into a public relations disaster for Ukraine.

Czech team doesn't want to catch French disease in Poland.

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Via AP-PRAGUE -- The Czech Republic is still waiting to learn if its Polish hotel for the European Championship is safe.

A bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease was found in the five-star Monopol Hotel in Wroclaw in April.

Czech manager Vladimir Smicer said Tuesday an inspection team at the site was expected to make a decision Saturday, just a day before the Czechs are to travel to Poland.

Smicer said if the hotel was not cleared, the team will confer with European soccer's governing body. He says an option would be to stay in Prague and fly for the three matches in Wroclaw.

The Czechs open the tournament June 8 against Russia, then face Greece and Poland in Group A.

Please stop singing...PLEASE!!!!

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So yeah...this happened. I don't know who Victoria Zarlenga is but she will forever be know for the WORST National Anthem since Rosanne blew out San Diego's (it was SD right?) ear drums. I would be remiss to point out how much she looks like a slightly more ethnic Rebecca Black...but then I think that would be such an insult to the talents of Rebecca Black. I would have rather heard the bagpipers that were there for the Scottish National Anthem. My god....

Greatest USMNT review EVER!!!!! *Cleavage Edition

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This is JessicaKardashian1 and she may be have the biggest....um...I mean...greatest YouTube channel ever. I don't know where she got the TMNT poster that's on her wall but I need one.  That thing looks straight out of 1991.  I'm pretty sure that poster was on the wall of my 4th grade classroom.

Donovan reunited with ball from WC winning goal against Algeria

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Damn classy of these two guys.

USA blows the skirts off of the Scots

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What a game this was for the US.  Scotland never looked comfortable (capable?) on the pitch and with silly laps in judgement gave the US their best game of the Klinsmann era. 

Here's what I think are the best things to take away from this:

1. Landon Donovan went out and made a statement not only to his team mates but to Jurgen Klinsmann.  That statement: I want to be here. With Donovan being quoted as saying his hearts not in the game like it use to, Klinsmann all but calling him out about his desire, and with a lack-luster season in LA, Donovan made his point that he wants to be apart of this team for awhile.  I have a feeling that he'll be playing for Everton full time next year and I think he'll be better off for it.

2.  Michael Bradley not only should have a regular spot on this squad but I believe may turn out to be a great replacement at Captain when Boca hangs his boots up.  His goal was one of the prettiest USMNT goal we've seen in a long time.  His skills have been able to shine since he moved to Chievo Verona and I can only hope that if moves to a larger club that he gets the opportunity that he deserves.  I really look forward to his performances from here on out.

3. It's nice to see the team succeed without Dempsey. Now first let me say this: I know that they played an "inferior" team, however the US showed  unity without (arguably) their best player and no matter who they play it's nice to see that they can have that without Dempsey on the field. That said, I don't ever want to see him not on the field if he's available.

The true test for this team will be Wednesday night against a superior opponent in Brazil. Good luck boys!!

23 Man World Cup Qualifying Roster Set

From ussoccer.com: CHICAGO (May 25, 2012) — U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has named a final 23-man travel roster that will compete in the upcoming five matches that include three friendlies and the start of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Initially calling 27 players into a camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., the team now heads to Jacksonville in advance of the match against Scotland on May 26 at 8 p.m. at EverBank Field (8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Galavision).
More than 36,000 tickets have been sold in Jacksonville, which sets a record for a U.S. Men’s National Team friendly in the state of Florida. Tickets starting at $22 are still on sale at ussoccer.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and at all Ticketmaster centers throughout the Jacksonville area. Following Scotland, the U.S. hosts five-time World Cup champions Brazil on Wednesday, May 30, in Landover, Md.
The U.S. MNT has announced public training sessions for May 25 at EverBank Field and May 28 at Ludwig Field in College Park, Md.
“We have said from the beginning that these games are all about results, and we have chosen the 23 players who are in the best form right now and ready to get the job done,” said Klinsmann. “These guys have put in a tremendous amount of hard work in the last 10 days, and they are hungry to get started with the matches. We want to thank the players who have gone back to their clubs for all of their effort here. They are knocking on the door and will be ready to go if needed.”
The nearly month-long series of training and games has been designed to mimic the circumstances the team will face in a tournament format , with meticulous planning dedicated to technical aspects, travel, nutrition, logistics and the rhythm of team movement to create a performance driven environment.

U.S. TRAVEL ROSTER BY POSITION - DETAILED ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
ADDITIONAL ROSTER NOTES

• A total of 14 players bring World Cup qualifying experience to the roster.
• Steve Cherundolo and Landon Donovan are beginning their fourth qualifying cycle; Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Oguchi Onyewu commence their third.
• Bocanegra begins his second century of caps after collecting his 100th in the 3-2 win against Slovenia on Nov. 15, 2011, in Ljubljana. Bocanegra will receive recognition for that achievement prior to the match May 30 against Brazil.
• He is one of five players on the roster to captain their club teams. Also wearing the captain’s armband: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Cherundolo (Hannover), Donovan (LA Galaxy) and Clarence Goodson (Brondby).
• Howard sits in second place all-time for victories among U.S. goalkeepers, and tied for third in shutouts. He has eight clean sheets in 16 World Cup qualifying appearances.
• Brad Guzan brings an additional three shutouts in five matches played.
• Donovan returns to the National Team for the first time since September of 2011. The USA’s all-time leading scorer also has the most appearances for any U.S. player in World Cup qualifying (35) and goals (12).
• Jozy Altidore has six goals in 13 career qualifiers; Michael Bradley and Dempsey have five each.
• Five of the six forwards on the current U.S. roster enter having tallied double digits in goals for their clubs.
• Dempsey is coming off a record-setting season for a U.S. international in England, recording his 50th career English Premier League goal while setting a single-season mark for league goals scored (17) and goals in all competitions (23). He also tallied the USA's lone goal in the 1-0 win against Italy on Feb. 29 in Genoa.
• Altidore finished his first season at AZ Alkmaar with 19 goals in all competitions, including 15 in league play and four in the Europa League. Jermaine Jones helped Schalke 04 to a third-place finish in the Bundesliga and a spot in next year's UEFA Champions League.
• With 19 goals in all competitions in the last year, Herculez Gomez became the first U.S. player to win both an MLS Cup title and Mexican League title as Santos defeated Monterrey in the two-leg final.
• Chris Wondolowski is atop the MLS goalscoring chart, having tallied 11 goals in 12 matches for San Jose.
• Terrence Boyd finished with 20 goals for Borussia Dortmund’s second team, scoring a goal in the final that helped the team gain promotion to the Third Division. Michael Bradley played in a career-high 34 league games in his first season at Chievo Verona in Italy's Serie A, the Flying Donkeys finishing in 10th in the league table.
• Jose Torres returns to the U.S. fold for the first time since last September, missing all of the subsequent camps due to injury. He made his debut for the U.S. in a World Cup qualifier, the 6-1 victory against Cuba in the Semifinal Round on Oct. 11, 2008, in Washington, D.C.
• Joe Corona is the only player making his first appearance on the MNT roster. The midfielder and Development Academy product scored four goals for the U-23 MNT in the 2012 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying tournament.
• Michael Parkhurst comes to camp as a newly crowned champion, as FC Nordsjaelland captured the Danish Superligaen title after finishing two points ahead of FC Copenhagen.
• Geoff Cameron started the USA’s first two matches of 2012, consecutive 1-0 victories against Venezuela and Panama.
• Bocanegra and Maurice Edu play for Scottish Premier League side Rangers alongside Scotland defenders Lee Wallace and Steven Whittaker and goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

The U.S. has collected four consecutive victories, including three straight shutout wins highlighted by the 1-0 triumph against four-time World Cup champion Italy. A total of 42 players have earned at least one cap since Klinsmann took the helm last July, and he and the coaching staff have now refined the player pool in advance of this summer’s crucial activities.
The team has lined up a series of friendlies for this summer in preparation for the start of World Cup qualifying. Following the match against Scotland, the U.S. continues its competition against the world’s top teams when it hosts five-time World Cup champions Brazil on Wednesday, May 30, in Landover, Md. Kickoff for the USA’s first-ever match at FedExField is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and TeleFutura. Fans can also follow the match live online via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and Twitter @ussoccer.
For the last game before the start of World Cup qualifying, the United States will make a rare visit to Canada when it renews the rivalry June 3 at BMO Field in Toronto. Kickoff for the USA’s first match on Canadian soil since 1997 is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network and Univision Deportes Network.
The United States will kick off the effort to qualify for its seventh-consecutive FIFA World Cup when it hosts Antigua & Barbuda on June 8 at Raymond James Stadium. The semifinal round opener begins at 7 p.m. ET live on ESPN, ESPN3 and Galavision. Four days later, the U.S. plays its first road match in group play this cycle when it visits Guatemala.

Poland wants you to have an STD free Euro 2012

Going to Poland for the Euro 2012 Championships? Plan on having casual sex with a stranger? No problem! says Polish Health Officials.:

Via AP :  Polish health officials say they will distribute free condoms to hundreds of thousands of fans attending Euro 2012 as part of a safe sex campaign.

Officials say the ''Fair Play'' campaign advocating the use of condoms will be held in all four Euro 2012 cities in the country.

Deputy Health Minister Aleksander Soplinski said Tuesday that some 150,000 free kits of condoms and leaflets will be distributed in fan zones to alert them to the health hazards of casual sex, such as AIDS and other diseases.

The leaflets - in Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, English, German and Spanish - will advise on the use of condoms.

The football tournament kicks off June 8 in Warsaw and runs through to July 1 in Poland and in Ukraine.

As funny as this sounds it's actually a smart move. No one wants to go back to their home country with itchy nuts, or as we call it in the States "The Lindsay Lohan Experience".

Falcao is a show off

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Fresh off of winning the Europa League Final Athletico Madrid was in Cali, Columbia to play a friendly against America de Cali. In the process he showed everyone why he'll be at a top flight European team in the next year for a ridiculous transfer fee. Sweet Jesus this man has ups.

27 player US Roster set aka The Resurrection of Donovans Ghost

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US Soccer and Jurgen Klinsmann announced the full 27 man training roster ahead of Sunday's World Cup qualifier warm up against Scotland in Jacksonville, Florida. The final list is:

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers/Scotland), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana/Mexico), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland/Denmark), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon/Portugal), Steve Cherudolo (Hannover 96/Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brondby/Denmark)

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Everton/England), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/England), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake

Midfielders:  Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City), Danny Williams (1899 Hoffenheim/Germany), Maurice Edu (Rangers/Scotland), Fabian Johnson (1899 Hoffenheim/Germany), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona/Italy), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/Mexico), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04/Germany), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca/Mexico)

Forwards: Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Clint Dempsey (Fulham/England), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund/Germnany) Herculez Gomez (Santos Luguna/Mexico), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands)


I'm most excited to FINALLY see Donovan and Dempsey on the field together for the first time under Klinsmann. (ed. note: Giggity) I'm ready to see what a Klinsmann tournament team is going to be like. I feel like he's been tinkering and toying and seeing his options over the past year. Now it's time to see what he can do with a team trying to qualify for a (THE) major tournament.

Interesting Picks: Michael Parkhurst (who?); Alfredo Morales; Terrence Boyd; Joe Corona (Don't know much about ANY of these guys and I'm not sure any will make the final qualifier rosters.)

Exciting Picks: Oguchi Onyewu: Excited to see the Gooch back from knee surgery. Always a big strong presence on the pitch., Herculez Gomez: All he does when he plays is score goals. I'm very excited to see him get looks with the USMNT. Hope that he can be a major player for the next few years. I also really want to see what Graham Zusi can do.

Surprise Omissions: Some would say Brek Shea but, and this is coming from an FCD homer, his form of late has been off and a three game MLS suspension for kicking the ball at an assistant referee didn't help his chances. For me it's Freddie Adu being left off that was a little bit of a surprise. I would also really love to see Kenny Cooper get in on USMNT training camps. I'm not sure he would make a final roster but his form (resurgence?) this season for the New York Red Bulls has been amazing.



Just another Turkish soccer riot

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As is typical after Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray games, the losing teams fans destroy what ever stadium/neighborhood/cars they can find.  After the two Turkish powerhouses played to a 0-0 draw in the last game of the season Galatasaray came out on top of the table with the League Championship.  Fenerbahce fans then promptly commenced to destroying the stadium. The only problem with this? It was their own stadium.

AP reports:

" Fenerbahce fans broke plastic chairs, throwing them and flares at police. Police used their shields to protect the players at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. Police used pepper spray to disperse the fans and evacuated the stadium as players fled to locker rooms.
Elsewhere in the country, a 29-year-old man wearing a Galatasaray jersey was stabbed in the abdomen in an attack by Fenerbahce fans, the state-run Anadolu Agency said. The man was reported in stable condition. Fans also turned over two police vehicles and set them on fire in Istanbul's Kadikoy district, the news agency added. Police and citizens quickly put out the fire, it added. The fans also turned over garbage bins and shattered shop windows, leaving streets littered with fist-sized stones, state television showed."

There are some great/hated rivalry's in soccer: Rangers/Celtic, AC/Inter, Ajax/PSV, but I don't know of any that are this contentious year after year.  I just don't understand the logic of destroying your own clubs stadium.  But then again I live in America where most people could tell you who Landon Donovan was but not the team he plays for.

Jay N

Wilman Conde beat up a cop.

Wilman Conde of the New York Red Bulls was arrested on the morning of May 12th in Fort Lee, New Jersey on charges of aggravated assault on a police officer. The Associated Press reports:


"According to the Fort Lee police report, the police were called to Conde's apartment at 5:30 a.m. Saturday on a noise complaint. When police arrived, they heard loud music coming from the apartment.

As the police officers encountered Conde and the co-owner of the apartment, Fhanor Dominguez-Sanchez, they found the pair to be "very intoxicated and belligerent to the responding officers," the report read.

When one of the officers asked the identity of a female guest, Conde "became loud and got in the way of the officer." Conde then allegedly pushed the officer repeatedly, causing his arrest."

Conde, who is a native of Cali, Columbia, has only played in 2 games this year for the Red Bulls due to a groin injury.  One has to wonder whether this will affect his visa status and ultimately his MLS career.

Jay N

Photo AP/Getty Images

Messi a racist??

Oh yeah you read that right!

"Barcelona have leapt to the defense of Lionel Messi after he was accused of racially abusing Royston Drenthe while the midfielder was on loan with Everton several seasons ago.  Drenthe, who is spending the season at Goodison Park on a temporary deal from Real Madrid, claimed in Holland's Helden magazine that he was taunted by the Argentina superstar when they met in the Primera Division.
But Barca have insisted the accusations were "well wide of the mark".
When quizzed on the issue by Press Association Sport, a Barca spokesman said: "The player has always shown a maximum respect and sportsmanship towards his rivals, something which has been recognized by his fellow professionals many times, and we are sure that any accusations to the contrary are well wide of the mark. "His behavior throughout his career has always been exemplary." "  (via foxsoccer.com)

Now I can't sit here and say "Of course he's not a racist!"  However Messi is not a guy who is known for starting problems. (I'm looking at you John Terry....)  Hell he's not even known for being a rough player on the field so I have a little trouble buying into Drenthe's claim.  If someone goes so far as to racially abusing you (especially someone as high profile as Messi) why would you wait a few years to bring this up? Again I'm not saying that Messi didn't do this but Drenthe's accusations don't really add up to me.

Jay N

Romanian Soccer Freak Out of The Day!

Universitatea goalkeeper Mircea Bornescu flipped out after a PK and then decides it's a good idea to play the Incredible Hulk on CFR Cruj goal scorer Cadu.  Then while Bornescu is walking away down the tunnel he is assaulted by Cluj's team masseure.  Gotta love eastern European football.

My 2 cents on Vince Sumbry's awesome article "Growth of US Soccer (Inner City)"

Vince Sumbry over at Back of the NET wrote a really interesting article that I just had to add my two cents to. Here's the link to Vince's original article: The Back Of The NET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: "Growth of US Soccer (Inner City)":    Now as a kid from the suburbs I can't speak to Vince's experience but it did make me think about something that is desperately needed in the United States if we are ever to be a power house of soccer: infrastructure. US Soccer has done a nice job with their academy system but it pails in comparison to many European countries.  And to Vince's point I agree that the inner city is a fertile and untapped resource.  Most club teams are accessible to middle/upper-middle class children.  While inner city kids have some access the majority of clubs stay out in the burbs.  We here stories about Clint Dempsey learning to play soccer on the streets of Nacadoches with local Hispanic kids in his neighborhood.  I ask where those kids are? Did they have the same chances? We see more and more young Hispanic American talent playing for Mexican clubs. I want to see those kids developed in the US Soccer system and playing in MLS and Europe.  I want to see them playing more for the USMNT and in top college programs. 

MLS's home grown player program is a nice start but I would like to see more support and attention paid to building up the infrastructure of youth soccer and making it accessible for all.  Vince's point of paying more attention to the inner city and it's development as a potential amazing talent pool for the future is spot on and something that US Soccer should be paying more attention to.

Follow Vince on Twitter at @vsumbry and as always find me at @SoccerNutBlog

Jay N