Daily Archives: November 19, 2010

Roy of the Rovers stuff…literally

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“Roy of the Rovers was as bigger part of my childhood as football stickers and near constant rejection by women. I looked forward to Melchester Rovers weekly adventures more than ‘Arry Redknapp looks forward to a transfer window. I was an addict and mum was the dealer, scoring for me every Wednesday so I could consume the whole magazine as soon as I got home from school. I once had a letter printed asking what Roy thought his transfer value was in the light of Chris Waddle’s £4.5m transfer to Marseille, I’m not sure the birth of my first child will top the feeling.” (I Know Who Cyrille Makanaky Was)

Barcelona’s dalliance on wonderkid Thiago Alcántara could prove costly

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“The Brazilian World Cup winner Mazinho, a member of the 1994 squad that was victorious in the United States, called him ‘complete.’ According to the former Vasco de Gama, Fiorentina, Valencia and Celta de Vigo player, ‘he can use both feet, takes people on, has vision, can join the attack, and can finish off chances, scoring goals.’ Then again, Mazinho would say that. After all, Mazinho is his dad.” (SI)

USA-South Africa Final Thoughts and Player Ratings

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“As usual, though a bit late, here are three quick thoughts and player ratings from Wednesday’s 1-0 United States Men’s National Team victory over South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Cup. I promise to litter a bit of optimism in my piece without discounting Dr. Crowley’s egg-nog sized glass of pessimism. I found a few things in the Yanks Cape Town performance particularly worthy of optimism, and since we’re nearing the holidays and that’s the season of perpetual hope, I’ll begin there.” (Yanks are coming)

Embracing History

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Rockville Maryland Soccer Club, 1928-29
“History, specifically American soccer history, is top of mind these days. I’m taking a few days away from the bill-paying job, and while I’m mostly serving as a toddler’s jungle gym at erratic intervals that are threatening the viability of my…male paraphernalia, I’m also doing my best to keep up with the goings-on in the soccer world (frankly, I need a 12-step program to break my addiction to my newsreader and Twitter), provide as much content here as vacation-affected motivation will allow, and visit family that deserve a modicum of my attention.” (Match Fit USA)

Sporting KC is nothing new as far as Europhilia goes in US Soccer
“Couple of items of business today. First, a hearty thank you for your responses yesterday; I’m glad to know you haven’t all signed up to some sort of football news reading technology that made you USSF D-2 geniuses in a matter of seconds. I’d be a little ticked if I’d missed out on that.” (A More Splendid Life)

History Incorporated, The Quest to Preserve America’s Soccer Heritage
“Americans are among the world’s greatest hoarders and collectors. Drive down any road in this country and it will not be long until you pass by an antique store or a collectibles shop. Go to a flea market and it is possible to find a wide array of items ranging from 19th Century artifacts to last year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. It is a cultural phenomenon that is both fascinating and profound. It is a reality most Americans take for granted. For in America, as the logic goes, if you hold on to anything long enough, eventually it will be worth something.” (Box Score News)

Republic of Ireland 1-2 Norway

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“Norway continued their fine recent form by beating Ireland on a rainy Wednesday night in Dublin. From the off, Ireland were moving well against a compact Norway side set out in three very flat banks – 4-5-1. But although Ireland retained possession, and had passing options, the ball was stuck in harmless areas. Despite the Irish being set out in a 4-4-2, you could argue that they had four banks – the widemen pushing up higher than the very deep centre-midfielders.” (Defensive Midfielder)

Great Football League Teams 1: Leeds United 1989-90

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“The 1980s could not have been more miserable for Leeds United. Unfortunate to suffer an eight year sojourn outside Division 1 at a time when football reached its lowest ebb and beset by hooliganism and low gates, it was a decade of despair matched only by their recent, financially driven decline. Lowlights included Paul Petts’ hat-trick in a 5-1 defeat at Gay Meadow in 1983 and a 5-0 tonking by Chelsea that saw the whites’ hated rivals promoted on the last day of that same campaign.” (the two unfortunates)

David, Salut Et Merci!

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“On the 29th November it will be 5 years since FC Utrecht and Dutch football lost one of their most promising players. A central defender who could play in the midfield, Frenchman David Di Tommaso, or DiTo as he was affectionately known to team-mates and fans, won the ‘FC Utrecht Supporters Player of the Season Award’ for his performances in his first season at the club, and quickly became a firm fans’ favorite in the Domstad.” (In Bed With Maradona)