Metro Run-Ins

Most of the time I love Metro. Except when they make me wait on the platform for forever, like they did this morning to get to work. Oh well, since nobody is here, and since I never do anything all day anyways, it wasn't a big deal.

But yesterday was a big day for me on the Metro. On my way into work, I rode opposite Roy Hibbert of Georgetown. Let's just say that he was a big, big man. His calves were big old things, as big as my thighs. And anyone boarding the train had to walk on the opposite side of the pole from him. Because his knees stuck out all the way to it. I guess I had forgotten just how tall 7' was even though my boy Matt Slanika from the old Silver Spring Blue Devils Days.

Then on my way home, walking up the steps at Union Station, who walks by me, but the author of one of my favorite websites -- bobbyboswell.com. Of course I tell him, "Keep up the good work Bobby" which caught him off guard. He shook the hand, complimented me on the Bobby Boswell.com wrist bracelet from my night of heavy drinking and sleeping on the couch.

Of course, then he asks where I'm going, and I BLEW IT!!! I was going home. Totally should have tagged along with him on his Metro ride. Next time, I'll take the ride.

And Bobby, if you read this, give a shout out to section 131 tomorrow vs the Pink Cows and the drinks are on me next time. VAMOS UNITED!!!

Becks Beats Us

Well, he did it. David Beckham got it done last night, and was by far the Man of the Match as DC United crashes out of the Superliga 2-0.

If you want to see one of his patented, Bend it like Beckham freekicks, watch the highlights here.

The freekick that Beckham took was just fantastic. An amazing take, and one that completely fooled poor Troy Perkins.

It all started when he picked up a Caution for being late to the ball in the 18th minute. Up to that point, United was by far the better team, and only good goalkeeping had kept them off the board. But when Beckham went in hard, studs up, and took out two DC United players, I was watching the reaction. And man, but while he rubbed the ankle, then got up and kept going, you could see his confidence level rise real fast. Real fast. From then on, it was just a matter of time until he got one or set up a goal.

All of Beckham's balls were played right to where they needed to be, he was all over the pitch, sideline to sideline, going after the ball and winning it. And when Wolverine (Benny Olsen) went in and got Beckham hard in retaliation for his yellow, the Golden Boy popped back up and was smiling. And I knew we were in trouble.

He is by far the best player in MLS right now. It was clear, very clear last night. His technical ability and his tactical awareness are head and shoulders above the rest of the league. Case in point, the perfectly weight through ball he put Donovan in alone on (although without the McTavish deflection that ball is saved by Perkins). If he keeps going out, jumping up to try when he was excited that Kyle Martino should have had a goal in the 66th minute.

That said, United looked awful. My player ratings (since I watched this game sober and alone on my bed) with 10 being the highest:

Troy Perkins - 4; Bobby Boswell - 4; Devon McTavish - 3; Bryan Namoff - 5; Greg Vanney - 3; Fred - 4; Brian Carrol - 4; Ben Olsen - 4; Josh Gros - 4; Jaime Moreno - 6; Luciano Emilio - 6. SUBS Christian Gomez - 5; Guy-Roland Kpene - 3.

As you see, pretty much everyone was below average last night. Only Emilio and Moreno did anything really good, and Gros would be a 3 except he almost snuck in that great drive about 10 minutes in.

Let me just quickly say that I think that Kpene has a lot of work to do. Feet like bricks, checks back too much and doesn't know how to lay off the ball quickly or turn himself. Does he have a goal yet?

Now we just have to focus on Copa Sudamericana and getting either the Supporter's Shield or the MLS Cup. Vamos United!!!

Vamos United!!!

If you haven't read it yet, it's an enjoyable Washington Post Style section feature on the lunatics who sit around me at DC United games. They're well worth the price of admission and they don't care about the weather. It does, however explain how the chant leaders are able to watch the game.

Big game tonight though, in the SuperLiga semis. We take on Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy again, this time at their place, instead of ours. I'll be up all night watching it of course.

IF United wins (knock on wood) then we'll host the Pumas of Pachuca, who beat Houston last night in a penalty shootout. I of course, did watch the game, even though it kept me up late. My thoughts:

The game was brutal in terms of heat and humidity, and you could see everyone was walking pretty much the whole second half.

I couldn't believe that Pachuca's 10 shirt, who came on to start the second half, couldn't even finish the half before picking up two yellow cards. Including one for diving. When was the last time that we've seen a dive by a forward get a yellow card from a Central American referee? Great call, although a little harsh to get sent off for to technical yellows, and no hard tackles.

How bad a penalty kick was that one taken by Ngwenya? I mean, mon Dieu!! Hit the ball, and at least make the keeper move.

Houston was lucky to be in that game.

The two second half goals were complete and utter garbage. Really. An American goalkeeper would have saved Robinson's header, or at least dived, and why was Onstad diving backwards? Both saveable, and it should have been a 1-1 tie.

Great job by the Houston fans. Very impressive guys and gals. Keep it up.

Did Uncle Sam's Army Make the Trek?

The U.S. Men's U-17 team is in South Korea for the World Cup. Believe it or not, they have a blog set up for it, though it's not signed by anyone, so I wonder who's writing it.

If you want to read along with me, here is the link.

Looks like they like the software too. Someone on this roster is the one writing the thing.

But there have been some interesting posts. Like, since the U.S. team's first round opponent is Tajikstan, they got a homework assignment from a Coach Hackworth. (Are these kids in High School or something? And what's wrong with summer vacation?). Here's the post:

Last night, the coaches asked the players to do some homework... they were to research Tajikistan and each present after dinner tonight something they found out about the homeland of their first World Cup opponent. The players impressed (we knew they would), presenting information about religion, politics, geography and population.

Fun fact: In Tajikistan, bread is considered to have a life of it's own. Never drop breadcrumbs or throw bread away with the other trash (thanks, Kirk!).

I am definitely going to have to remember not to drop breadcrumbs.

The other highlight? Busan is definitely not Club Med:

It was a 14-hour flight, but it wasn't as bad as it sounds... each seat had individual monitors to play movies, games, music or shop whenever you wanted. Most of the team tried to sleep as much as possible to pass the time, but movie selections included Shrek 3, Blades of Glory and Fracture.

We then got excellent treatment at the Seoul airport while waiting for our connection. We had ample security and several liasons to take us to the VIP lounge for a short time before hopping on the flight to Busan. The flight to Busan was a bit bumpy, but short nonetheless... about 45 minutes from take off to touch down. Lots of police with automatic weapons guarded our path to the charter bus, and a police escort led us on our way.

I mean, automatic weapons pulled out to escort 16 year old kids from the plane to the bus? Uhhh, did I miss something? South Koreans now want to kill our soccer players? Are they still mad about this incident in Salt Lake City? Hey, I don't like Anton Ohno that much either, but I thought this was all taken care of (what you're looking for is 1:38 in).

All I know is, another post has been about "repelling" [sic] out of the building in a hazmat suit. Fun stuff. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, ever book me a holiday stay in Busan, South Korea.

F**k off Duberry

And this is terrible news:

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will be out of action for two months after suffering a hairline fracture of his left foot in Manchester United's game with Reading on Sunday.

I love Wayne Rooney, and not just because he's a former goaltender like yours truly. He just likes to play, and that "Joga Bonito" Nike commercial he filmed last year, with Tim Howard scoring the great goal was just perfect.

If anyone can find video evidence of Wayne in Match of the Week last year, miked up, telling the ref to "F**k off" over thirty times, please share in the comments section. A video I miss seeing.

Beckham Will Play!

According to Steve Goff, it's looking like the Golden Ankleboy (aka David Beckham) will play at RFK tonight.

That means you have no excuse for not buying it and I feel better about the financial transactions that I made earlier this month. I kinda wish I was there myself.

But I will be in spirit as I drink cheaper beer and watch the game on ESPN2 along with you, dear reader. No excuse for you not to. Starts at 7 p.m. EDT. I'll give my take on it on here tomorrow.

And if you don't read Soccer Insider, you totally need to start. Look for the new handle on there.

Beckham at RFK

Of course the biggest issue of note today, and what's got me kicking off my thoughts on a blog, is the visit of the old Manchester United No. 7 to my neighborhood in Capitol Hill. No, not Eric Cantona, as amazing as that would be. (I only pop the collar for one reason, and one reason only. To say Au Revoir to large demons with bag wings).

I must give a huge shout out of appreciation to my fellow Barra Brava mates for pulling a fire alarm and bringing the Golden Ankle and Landycakes out into the heat early in the day. Well done boys, Vamos United!!!!

Here's hoping for a big, big win by the DC United Boys, and a lot of fun partying with Bozilla and The Wolverine at Lima tonight afterwards.