World Cup 2010 Song

The official video of the " FIFA World Cup 2010" Anthem by Somalian artist K'naan



First impression is that it's so-so. Doesn't really catch World Cup fever yet.

Here's are some other from previous World Cups. My favorite is from 1998.

2006 - Toni Braxton & Il DIvo - The Time Of Our Lives



2002 - Voices of Japan/Korea - Let's Get Together Now



1998 - Youssou N'Dour & Axelle Red - La Cour des Grands



1994 - Sounds of Blackness - Gloryland



1990 - Gianna Nannini & Edoardo Bennato - Un Estate Italiana



1986 - Stephanie Lawrence - Hero

MLS Cup 2009

Before the start of the game, I wasn't sure who to support. The 3 big galaxians (Arena, Beckham, and Donvan) have all won loads already. Plus, Becks is a bit of a muppet with an awful haircut. RSL is the 8 seed, a plucky side with a white, neo-Rastafarian captain, an ex-Galaxian forward, and a young manager. However, as a USMNT fan looking forward to the World Cup, it has become clear that Landon Donovan is the best US player, and I wouldn't mind seeing him do something fantastic to win it.

As soon as I started to think that I didn't like the neutral site, the fans began a deafening "Sound-ers" chant. It made it feel slightly less sterile than a Super Bowl. While the Seattle fans are great, they don't have a true rooting interest. Home and home has to be a better option if MLS fans will not travel for the Cup final.

The other major problem with the game being held in Seattle is the field turf. It is an awful surface for soccer. Players were falling, the ball acted more like a ping pong ball, and both teams passing was off.

The game started pretty sloppy with neither team looking like they had trained on the artificial surface. Other than Clint Mathis coming on for the injured (and crying) Javier Morales, there wasn't much to report until the Galaxy's fantastic first goal. Beckham led Donovan well, and Landon played an inch perfect pass to Magee to tap in on the left side of the goal.

Salt Lake had to put Ned Gravaboy (best name in MLS) on for Will Johnson to begin the second half. Both sides got their sea legs in the second half, and the play on the field increased significantly. Robbie Findley got clear on the right and came in hard as Donovan Ricketts came out to challenge him. The two came together in a collision that initially appeared to hurt both players equally. However, it became apparent that Ricketts' right hand got the worst of it. Minutes after play restarted, Findley slotted home Real's equalizer.

Ricketts had to go to ground once before Findley's goal, and it appeared that he had a hard time using his right hand to help himself back up. He also didn't fully extend his arm in his attempt to save Findley's shot, and wisely pulled himself off after giving up the game tying goal.

For as much as the first half was relatively bad to watch, the second half offered a great deal of excitement for the American soccer fan. It wasn't a particularly well played half, but between the collision, injuries, and the game tying goal, there was enough drama for even a non-devotee.

Each team had a few chances at the end of regular time, but neither could convert. As the extra 30 minutes went on, it was clear that these players were not in shape to run as much as they had earlier. The field turf had to play a part in their fatigue.

When the match went to penalties, Real was the favorite. While L.A. had fantastic attacking players in Beckham, Donovan and Buddle, Salt Lake had Nick Rimando. One week ago, Rimando's work in penalties in Chicago got RSL to the MLS Cup final.

Each team began by converting their first two penalties. Then each side missed their next attempt before Landon Donovan Roberto Baggio'd his shot over the crossbar, to leave Salt Lake with the advantage. They would lose it shortly thereafter when Andrew Williams' meek attempt fell right to Josh Saunders. In the seventh round Edson Buddle's shot was saved by Rimando, and Robbie Russell converted to give Real their first MLS Cup.

Van Persie

The current international break may hit Arsenal the hardest. With Chelsea about to face the loss of all of their African players, ManU not in sync, and Liverpool playing laughable football, Arsenal looked to be the favorite for the premiership this league. Robin Van Persie going down early in the friendly versus Italy has to knock the Gunners back a bit. That's a shame, considering how entertaining they have been this season.

Luckily, some woman's placenta will not be eaten, or buried in the yard, or needlessly thrown away, but rather used to massage the Royal Dutch ankle. I hope Kate Gosselin and octomom aren't paying attention to this new therapeutic technique.

UPDATE - Apparently, the placenta treatment didn't take, and Robin will have to undergo surgery.

Barnsley fans Vs. Manchester United

Another example of security asleep.



This isn't funny. Security were still standing around, didn't even chase them! What if instead of them kicking the ball, they attacked Foster?

Copa del Rey

Real Madrid fell 4-0 today in the Copa del Rey to Alcorcon. The hot seat under Pelligrini has got to be blazing after today's drubbing at the hands of the third division side.

ETA by JoeyClams: Sid Lowe in the Guardian gives the lowdown on what the Spanish press are saying about the Real humiliation in the Copa del Rey. Basically, new Madrid president Florentino Perez, who went through 6 managers in 3 years during his last stint as president, is ready to throw his current manager under the bus. Seems this is a pattern for Perez. What isn't a pattern is buying defenders for his Galacticos 2.o experiment. Perez spent over £254m this summer and only £3.5m was spent on a defender. I guess he figured his team could just win games 10-9 or something. Whatever he thought, it's clear that Pelligrini is going to take the fall when all Perez has to do is look in the mirror to figure out what has gone wrong.

Do Kevin and Tom Realize this is an important game too?

Tonight DC United travels into Mexico to face Toluca in the CONCACAF Champions League. They are leaving Ben Olsen and Clyde Simms at home to rest from last Saturday's big league game and prepare for this weekends big league game, which have playoff implications.

DC wins and they are in. Any other results puts DC's fate in the hand of Marathon playing at San Juan Jabloteh (DC and Marathon are tied with 9 points but DC has the first tie breaker). San Juan is the bottom dweller in the group and home field advantage is not going to make up the skill difference.

DC on Saturday needs several things to fall there way to move into the MLS Playoffs but not win and in guarantee. MLS teams have not won a competitive game in Mexico since the league was founded. Why would you not try to own the thing you can control. A win and you are in versus saving players for a shot at a place in the MLS Playoffs.

Clearly DC has prioritized making the playoffs over this tournament. I don't know the economics of that decision but bet that is the reason.

Same Old Spain

Tell me if this sounds familiar? Spain go undefeated in the group stage, not even conceding a goal, and then lose in the knockout stage.

Hitherto-unbeaten Spain suffered their first and now only defeat in the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Egypt as Italy booked their quarter-final place with a hard-fought 3-1 win over their ten-man antagonists, who missed a penalty late on.

Chokers as usual.

Mess with the Bulls you get the Horns

While the defending champions University of Maryland are off to a solid start this year (including a late goal on Friday for a 1-0 win over UNC), their little brother is starting to put together a solid season. University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) raised their record to a perfect 9-0-0 last night with a 3-0 win at La Salle. Two more goals were scored by sophomore Andrew Bulls. Bulls is the nation's leading scorer with 12 goals this season.

Bulls, who manged to confuse Soccer By Ives (thought the team nickname was Bulls not Retrievers), is helping Pete Caringi's team gather some attention. As a Freshman, Bulls was the Team's MVP (started all 17 games, 8 goals, 2 assists) and has not let up in 2009.

So how does a kid like this end up at UMBC? He was a member of the 2006 and 2008 national club championship with the Casa Mia Bays (a top club team in the US that has a relationship with Chelsea). and a 2007 Adidas High School All American at McDonogh. He was recruited by ACC, Big 10, and Big East schools but I guess it help

s to get a kid to come your school when your brother was a 4 year member of the program.

Here is hoping the success continues for the past president of the McDonogh's cricket, scrabble and table tennis clubs, Andrew Bulls.