Three Front Runners

UVA Rolls On

2009-11-30T05:44:00.000-08:00

The UVA men's soccer team has made it to the NCAA round of 8 as a result of their 2-0 win against Portland. That makes their 10th shutout in a row.

Next up is uber rival University of Maryland. The tilt is scheduled for this Friday night in the rarified climes of Charlottesville, Virginia.

I have no idea who is going to win this one. On the one hand, I never count out a side coached by Sasho Cirovsky. Add to that the fact that the Maryland supporters will be present in large and loud numbers.

On the other hand, the boys from Virginia are playing the kind of soccer that wins NCAA championships. It isn't that pretty, it's grind-it-out and get a goal or two and close the other team down.

Whoever wins this match could very well go on to win the whole thing.

Interesting Questions and Answers

2008-03-26T16:28:00.000-07:00

...especially one towards the end...

MLS 2008 Team Kits Review

2008-03-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

Chicago Fire

I hate this shirt. The ones they had last year looked much, much more refined and professional than this blocky, bumpersticker-fodder throwback to their first shirts.

Chivas USA

This is a nice evolution of the design they had last year. I think the shirts look better without the thumb-print that was so prevalent in MLS team shirts last year.

Colorado Rapids

Not much, if anything, has changed on Colorado's shirts since last year.

Columbus Crew

Major points up for Columbus for FINALLY getting "COLUMBUS CREW" off the front of their shirts! Also for admitting that their yellow shirts are their home jerseys. Like how there's more black this time around. They were also good to change the design of the away kit, though the single strip in the middle doesn't always work out. I think it looks nice, however.

DC United

I have to admit, I really like this shirt. It may look a little plain with nothing on the front, and I certainly miss "the Three," but it's a lot more sophisticated than it looks on the outset. The sheer black-ness of the home kit has also really grown on me. I think once DC United signs a shirt sponsor, their kits will look complete.

FC Dallas

Some things about this shirt I like, others I don't. On average, I really don't much care for horizontal stripes, and I thought their design last year actually looked pretty nice. This year, I just don't know. The blue stripes on the sleeves look less incongruous; something that really bothered me about their kits last year. And it's good that they abandoned the gray strips on their away kits. But I don't know, maybe it's just that I just don't like horizontal stripes.

Houston Dynamo

If there's something about this shirt that's changed from last year, I certainly can't tell what it is. This design has grown on me a lot since they first introduced it. I used to hate the blue stripe, but I think it does a nice job of offsetting the orange. Points for Houston on signing a sponsor.

Kansas City Wizards

Finally, Kansas City's kits have arrived! Last year had them looking professional, but rather plain. This year, they are flat-out nice. The use of different shades of blue and the yellow trim makes this KC's best uniform yet.

LA Galaxy

While this shirt is definitely nice, I feel it's a step down from what they had last year. The revised thumb-print design just doesn't give the same flair to the shirts as what they had going in 07.

New England Revolution

This team, in my opinion, has taken Best Shirts In MLS away from LA. Their home shirts and away shirts are simply stunning. This is a kit I would love to own.

New York Red Bulls

The only noticable difference on the home shirt is the slightly larger Red Bull logo. The away shirt, however, has added some white trim that greatly improves its attractivness.

Real Salt Lake

A good use of the new thumb-print design. This kit reminds me more than ever of the Spanish national team.

Toronto FC

Not really any changes have been made to this kit from the one I loved last year.

San Jose Earthquakes

This is a nice continuation of San Jose's previous variations on the white, black, and blue. I like how they're giving black a spin as the primary color.

MLS 2007 - Week 11 Goals

2008-03-08T12:05:00.000-08:00

Music: Girls Aloud - "Wake Me Up (Tony Lemezma mix)"

Week 11 Results:

Real Salt Lake 0:1 FC Dallas
New England Revolution 3:3 Columbus Crew
DC United 3:1 Chicago Fire
Red Bull New York 3:3 Kansas City Wizards
CD Chivas USA 2:0 Colorado Rapids
Toronto FC 4:0 FC Dallas
Los Angeles Galaxy 3:2 Real Salt Lake

Goals: (in order shown)

Maurice Edu
Maykel Galindo
Juan Pablo Angel
Chris Brown
Pat Noonan
Kerry Zavagnin
Danny Dichio
Guillermo Barros Schelotto
Dominic Oduro
own goal (Terry Cooke)
Clint Mathis
Adam Cristman
Jeff Cunningham
Yura Movsisyan
Edson Buddle
Juan Pablo Angel
Alejandro Moreno
Chris Brown
Robbie Rogers
Yura Movsisyan
Nate Jaqua
Carl Robinson
Adam Cristman
Cobi Jones

Missing: Rod Dyachenko, Luciano Emilio (x2), Jerson Monteiro

MLS 2007 - Week 10 Goals

2008-03-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

After a long absence, here we are again, going through the goals of MLS 2007.

Music: Oasis - "Turn Up The Sun"

Week 10 Results:

Toronto FC 1:2 Red Bull New York
Houston Dynamo 2:1 Colorado Rapids
FC Dallas 3:1 Los Angeles Galaxy
Chicago Fire 0:1 CD Chivas USA
DC United 4:2 Red Bull New York
Columbus Crew 1:2 Houston Dynamo

Goals: (in order shown)

Ben Olsen
Juan Toja
Luciano Emilio
Juan Pablo Angel
Joseph Ngwenya
Ben Olsen
Robbie Findlay
Jeff Cunningham
Alejandro Moreno
Jose Cancela
Paulo Nagamura
Juan Pablo Angel
Abe Thompson
Stuart Holden
Ben Olsen
Juan Pablo Angel
Dema Kovalenko
Joseph Ngwenya
own goal (Chad Marshall)
Drew Moor

DC United 2008 season - early predictions

2008-02-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, I think DCU will get off to another slow start this year. What with having lost Gomez, Carroll, Boswell, Perkins, and Gros, Tom Soehn has basically rebuilt the team. Most of those guys were starters! How many football clubs in the world (which are not Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona, or Real Madrid) are simply going to rebound from that kind of roster change without a period of rough weather? I don't know many.

Secondly, United will probably crash out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup... again! They'll almost definitely sail past Harbour View FC - unless there are serious problems - but then most likely they will have to face off against Mexico's Pachuca; a team who I do not see DC United beating.

Well, that actually wraps up my predictions.

MLS 2007 - Week 9 Goals

2008-01-31T17:24:00.000-08:00

Music: Chemical Brothers f/Ali Love - "Do It Again"

Week 9 Results:

Toronto FC 2:1 Colorado Rapids
New England Revolution 0:0 Real Salt Lake
Kansas City Wizards 3:2 Red Bull New York
Los Angeles Galaxy 0:0 DC United
Houston Dynamo 2:1 FC Dallas
Chicago Fire 3:2 Columbus Crew

Goals: (in order shown)

Herculez Gomez
Eddie Johnson
Chad Marshall
Juan Pablo Angel
Ricardo Clark
Eddie Johnson
Jeff Curtin
Duncan Oughton
Danny Dichio
Eddie Johnson
Dema Kovalenko
Willian Oliveira
Abe Thompson
Chad Barrett
Andrew Boyens
Joseph Ngwenya

MLS 2007 - Week 8 Goals

2008-01-30T13:53:00.000-08:00

Music: Sean Paul - "We Be Burnin' (Legalize It)"

Week 8 Results:

Red Bull New York 3:0 Chicago Fire
New England Revolution 3:4 Kansas City Wizards
Columbus Crew 2:2 Toronto FC
DC United 2:1 Houston Dynamo
Colorado Rapids 1:0 Los Angeles Galaxy
CD Chivas USA 2:0 FC Dallas
Chicago Fire 0:0 Real Salt Lake

Goals: (in order shown)

(note: last week's COL-KC goals are included this week)

Maykel Galindo
Ben Olsen
Juan Pablo Angel
Eddie Johnson
Jim Brennan
Steve Ralston
Shalrie Joseph
Eddie Johnson
Andy Herron
Juan Pablo Angel
Davy Arnaud (week 7)
Herculez Gomez
Andy Herron
Christian Gomez
Davy Arnaud
Dwayne De Rosario
Eddie Johnson
Danny Dichio
Josmer Altidore
Ante Razov
Jovan Kirovski (week 7)
Taylor Twellman

I just can't help it...

2008-01-30T04:15:00.001-08:00

I love this soccer team.

Oh, and you are welcome, guys.

MLS 2007 - Week 7 Goals

2008-01-28T09:16:00.000-08:00

Music: Hilary Duff f/Slim Thug - "With Love (remix)"

Week 7 Results:

Toronto FC 1:0 Houston Dynamo
FC Dallas 2:1 Chicago Fire
Toronto FC 1:2 DC United
Red Bull New York 4:0 Columbus Crew
Houston Dynamo 0:1 New England Revolution
Colorado Rapids 1:1 Kansas City Wizards
CD Chivas USA 1:1 Los Angeles Galaxy
FC Dallas 2:1 Real Salt Lake

Goals: (in order shown)

Andy Welsh
Sal Caccavale
Chris Gbandi
Shalrie Joseph
Maykel Galindo
John Wolyniec
Juan Carlos Toja
Jaime Moreno
Clint Mathis
Calen Carr
Freddy Adu
own goal (Kevin Goldthwaite)
Arturo Alvarez
Alecko Eskandarian
Landon Donovan
Kenny Cooper
Juan Pablo Angel

Missing: Jovan Kirovski, Davy Arnaud

MLS 2007 - Week 6 Goals

2008-01-25T18:36:00.000-08:00

Music: Travis - "Selfish Jean"

Week 6 Results:

Colorado Rapids 1:1 Real Salt Lake
Toronto FC 3:1 Chicago Fire
Columbus Crew 1:1 CD Chivas USA
Kansas City Wizards 1:2 FC Dallas
Los Angeles Galaxy 2:3 New England Revolution
Red Bull New York 0:1 Colorado Rapids

Goals: (in order shown)

Adam Cristman
Juan Carlos Toja
Taylor Twellman
Ned Grabavoy
Ante Razov
Michael Harrington
Nicolas Hernandez
Kevin Goldthwaite
own goal (Pablo Mastroeni)
Kyle Martino
Kenny Cooper
Chris Rolfe
own goal (Jack Stewart)
Maurice Edu
Taylor Twellman
Tyrone Marshall
Danny Dichio

MLS 2007 - Week 5 Goals

2008-01-24T05:47:00.000-08:00

Music: Richard X vs Liberty X - "Being Nobody"

Week 5 Results:

DC United 1:1 New England Revolution
Kansas City Wizards 1:0 Columbus Crew
Real Salt Lake 3:3 Red Bull New York
Colorado Rapids 1:3 Houston Dynamo
DC United 2:1 CD Chivas USA
New England Revolution 3:1 Chicago Fire

Goals: (in order shown)

Chris Brown
Jose Burciaga
Wells Thompson
Jaime Moreno
Clint Mathis
Maykel Galindo
Jeff Larentowicz
Dwayne De Rosario
Chris Klein
Christian Gomez
Steve Ralston
Dwayne De Rosario
Andy Dorman
Jaime Moreno
Brian Ching
Dane Richards
Jeff Cunningham
Clint Mathis
Chris Rolfe
Roberto Brown

MLS 2007 - Week 4 Goals

2008-01-24T05:46:00.000-08:00

Music: Jay-Z f/Chris Martin - "Beach Chair"

Week 4 Results:

Kansas City Wizards 3:0 Toronto FC
FC Dallas 0:1 Red Bull New York
Toronto FC 0:1 Kansas City Wizards
Columbus Crew 1:0 DC United
Los Angeles Galaxy 3:1 CD Chivas USA
FC Dallas 0:1 New England Revolution
Houston Dynamo 0:1 Chicago Fire
Real Salt Lake 0:2 Colorado Rapids

Goals: (in order shown)

Eddie Johnson
Kyle Beckerman
Kevin Harmse
Kerry Zavagnin
Hunter Freeman
Taylor Twellman
Landon Donovan
Yura Movsisyan
Chris Rolfe
Roberto Brown
Ezra Hendrickson
Claudio Suarez
Eddie Johnson
Cobi Jones

MLS 2007 - Week 3 Goals

2008-01-23T09:50:00.000-08:00

Until I get to where DC United gets better, We'll go through two of these videos per day.

Music: Kylie Minogue - "Disco Down"

Week 3 Results:

Columbus Crew 2:2 New England Revolution
Red Bull New York 1:0 Houston Dynamo
Chicago Fire 2:1 Kansas City Wizards
CD Chivas USA 4:0 Real Salt Lake
FC Dallas 3:1 Colorado Rapids

Goals: (in order shown)

Maykel Galindo
Ramon Nunez
Taylor Twellman
Josmer Altidore
Jovan Kirovski
Maykel Galindo
Chad Barrett
Ramon Nunez
Andy Dorman
Matt Taylor
Chris Rolfe
Kei Kamara
Dominic Oduro
Carlos Marinelli
Ned Grabavoy
Ante Razov (100th league goal!!)

MLS 2007 - Week 2 Goals

2008-01-23T04:46:00.000-08:00

Music: Long Beach Shortbus - "California Grace"

Week 2 Results:

Los Angeles Galaxy 1:2 FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake 0:0 Columbus Crew
DC United 2:4 Kansas City Wizards
New England Revolution 4:0 Toronto FC
Houston Dynamo 1:0 CD Chivas USA
Red Bull New York 3:0 FC Dallas
Colorado Rapids 1:1 Chicago Fire

Goals: (in order shown)

Clint Mathis
Brian Ching
Luciano Emilio
Michael Harrington
Taylor Twellman
Shalrie Joseph
Christian Gomez
Herculez Gomez
Dave van den Bergh
Kenny Cooper
Josmer Altidore
Sasha Victorine
Scott Sealy
Carlos Ruiz
Taylor Twellman
Chad Barrett
Andy Dorman
Robbie Findlay
Eddie Johnson

MLS 2007 - Week 1 Goals

2008-01-22T09:52:00.000-08:00

Music: Alex Gaudino f/Crystal Waters - "Destination Calabria"

Week 1 Results:

Colorado Rapids 2:1 DC United
Real Salt Lake 2:2 FC Dallas
Columbus Crew 0:0 Red Bull New York
Chicago Fire 1:0 New England Revolution
CD Chivas USA 2:0 Toronto FC
Houston Dynamo 0:0 Los Angeles Galaxy

Goals: (in order shown)
Sacha Kljestan
Luciano Emilio
Kenny Cooper
Roberto Brown
Jeff Cunningham
Logan Pause
Carlos Ruiz
Herculez Gomez
Jeff Cunningham
Ante Razov

As if it were possible...

2008-01-18T15:25:00.000-08:00

...for me to despise Chicago more.

I absolutely cannot STAND those new shirts! Talk about taking two or three steps back with the style of design.

...HORRIBLE!

Quick Somewhat Educated and Somewhat Biased Predictions for MLS Draft

2008-01-18T06:07:00.000-08:00

1. Patrick Nyarko goes as the #1 pick. He is hands down the best college soccer player in the country. I'll go so far as to say he is the best college soccer player in the last 10 years.

2. Yannick Reyering gets picked in the 2nd round by DC United. Yannick goes on to be an impact player as a target forward. Just what we need.

Would have been nice to see this guy...

2008-01-15T17:43:00.000-08:00

... perform at a World Cup...

A band I played in many decades ago had a trumpet player who had toured with Maynard. That guy could blow the shingles off the roof. In the interest of full disclosure, I had no business being in that band. Except maybe to shine shoes. Why they let me play I'll never know.

I remember one time we played "La Fiesta" by Chick Corea. Every one in the band was in their 30's or older, except for the bass player, who was a runny-nosed 14-year old kid, and except for me, a junior in high school. Anyway, if you have ever heard "La Fiesta" you know that it has one of the most demanding bass parts you will ever hear in a piece of jazz-fusion; or any other kind of music, for that matter. It is enormously difficult even for highly trained and experienced professional bass players. The runny-nosed 14 year old kid *effortlessly* and *flawlessly* sight-read the piece. The kid had no idea what he was doing, but he was doing it perfectly and virtousically. I was lost from the get-go and did not play a single note on my alto saxophone. I quit the band not too long afterward. I guess no one needed their shoes shined.

... Or maybe this guy...

though of course I'd take Doc or Snooky, too... But wow Buddy Rich was in a league by himself. I have heard many, many, many drummers from many different musical genres. Every one of them is or was a mere mortal compared to Buddy Rich. No one ever came close or will ever come close to that level of skill.

Hey I know this is a soccer blog. Just remember my jumping off point was the Three Tenors, who had concerts after the culmination of three World Cups -- 1990, 1994, and 1998. I have videos of all three concerts. All three are simply dazzling.

My thoughts on Guy-Roland Kpene

2008-01-15T08:57:00.000-08:00

Why do people have so much faith in Guy-Roland Kpene? Particularly, the DC United coaches who seem to think that he's experienced enough to fill the shoes of a sixteen year veteran (Jaime Moreno) who was winning championships when Kpene was only 13 years old? Is it because he's skilled on the ball? Is it because he helped his college team (Dowling College Golden Lions) to a 22-0-2 season and Dowling's first national title? I'm thinking that might have something to do with it. The only problem is that he can NOT step up to the same level of play and charisma that Jaime Moreno can and does. He tries to be Diego Maradona because he's too sure of himself, and because the coaches seem to be way too sure of him. Another thing is that Kpene is a forward, but he tries to be a playmaker/dribbler instead. He needs to stop having delusions of grandeur and stay on the other end of the play. The level that he tries to play at is something that all players have to work their way up to. It's almost like a highschool freshmen trying to do college level work; unless you're an absolute prodigy - which Kpene is not - you simply can't do it straight away. You have to get there first. This is something that Kpene, as well as the DC United coaches have to understand before they let him try to be Pele. Have him fill someone else's shoes before he starts covering for Moreno.

Final thoughts:
Is Guy-Roland Kpene a good player? Yes, he is. Is he a great player? Well, we'll just see.

One thing I liked about the '90, '94, and '98 World Cups...

2008-01-14T17:12:00.001-08:00

... in addition to the soccer was the singing...

From Left to Right: Awesome. Fabulous. Magnificent.

The MLS and 'exciting players' - Europe the Talent Black Hole

2008-01-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

When the MLS was first initiated, pretty much all the teams had one or two really good players. There was a Cienfuegos, Marco Etcheverry, or Carlos Valderrama on just about every team. Coincidentally, these were DC United's glory days. From '96 to roughly around I don't really know when because it was sometime in the early 00's (when I paid little to no attention to MLS because United stunk) was the Era Of Exciting Players (creative name, huh?).

Then, mysteriously, all of these players left, either retired or "TOO GOOD FOR THE MLS" and we entered the dark Era Of Steve Ralston-Class Players, where every team had exciting players like the afore-mentioned New England Revolution signature-player. No insult to Steve Ralston, whom I do believe is a fine player, but I don't think he's quite on par with Carlos Valderrama or Marco Etcheverry. The point being: this is the best we've got?

During this time, we saw occasional flashes of brilliance from the likes of players like Bobby Convey, DaMarcus Beasley, Damani Ralph, and others. But (surprise surprise!) they soon left for Europe, deemed 'TOO GOOD FOR THE MLS" and the Era continued to sink its icy grip into the entire league.

However, hope for the MLS and 'exciting players' soon reappeared, in the form of young American soccer prodigy Landon Donovan. The young striker, on loan from a German club, proceeded to lead San Jose to an MLS Cup victory. Though afterwards the inexorable grip of Europe would proceed to drag Donovan back to Germany--where he did nothing but warm benches if he was lucky--he soon returned to San Jose.

Now, with the advent of the Designated Player Rule, 'exciting players' have returned to the MLS. There is now a Cuahtehmoc Blanco, Juan Pablo Angel, Luciano Emilio, Dwayne DeRosario, or Taylor Twellman on most teams in the league.

Will this new age of exciting players last? It's really hard to say. What with players like Troy Perkins moving, and players like Joseph Ngwenya contemplating movement, is this a sign that Europe may soon play its age old game of sucking talent from lower-level leagues?

I'm hoping some of these players will stay in the league for a few years. I really believe that having talented players helps stimulate growth in the MLS, and I can't see the same kind of effect coming from them all leaving for Europe.

Thoughts on Nico Colaluca

2008-01-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

Isaao,

Bear in mind that Nico Colaluca is a very young player. He left college a year early (a good move), and is a Generation Adidas player. Most Gen A guys play at least a year with the reserves. I am happy Nico got into some games for Colorado at all, especially since Col had some good experienced players ahead of him on thew depth chart.

Nico will be fine...

Rookie Review: Nico Colaluca of Colorado

2008-01-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly, the miracle worker from UVA was virtually nonexistent during the 2007 season with the Colorado Rapids. According to MLSNet's statistics, Colaluca played in all of four games in 2007. The kid's struggling for his life just to make to the bench.

Who is in charge up there?

Unfortunately, not much to review. Let's hope he sees more action in 2008.

This Looks ...

2008-01-07T04:54:00.000-08:00

Good. Very good.

I want one.

I Hear Ya

2008-01-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

Isaao,

I am totally with you on the rookie reviews.

I got so frustrated watching Kpene dribble through four guys, only to get tired and give the ball away the guy # 5.

He shows flashes of sheer brilliance on the ball, but he is so raw I wonder if he will ever overcome the rawness.

A rookie I would love to end up in a DC United kit would be [drum roll, please]:

Patrick Nyarko

It will never happen, but I can dream, can't I?

Oh, my, what a sublime, silky, sweet touch on the ball that kid has. It is touches like his that make soccer the beautiful game that it is.

Rookie Review: Adam Cristman of New England Revolution

2008-01-04T12:35:00.000-08:00

I think Adam Cristman is going to make it with New England. After watching the kid play for the University Of Virginia, I was thrilled to hear of his first career goal in the MLS with the Revs.

Admittedly, I do not follow New England anywhere near as closely as I do DC United. But my gut feeling is telling me that Cristman might just become a mainstay of that New England team.

As much as I would love to see him in a black shirt with white and red trim, the name "Cristman" on the back of the Revs' blue home shirt just seems to feel right.

Bravo, Adam! Loved watching you at UVA; best wishes for 2008 with the Revs!

Rookie Review: Guy-Roland Kpene of DC United

2008-01-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

In the past DC United has netted certain rookie prodigies (*cough cough* Ben Olsen, Bobby Convey, Alecko Eskendarian), however, in all fairness to the kid, I personally do not think Kpene falls into that category.

Aside from sporadic moments of obvious talent (he assisted a goal by serving an excellent through-ball to Emilio) the only thing I've seen the kid do is lose the ball.

This may have something to do with the coaches who've been putting him in for Moreno, which is a move that I never saw reap any benefits. Perhaps, in trying to fill Moreno's spacious shoes, Kpene simply gets overconfident. But whatever the reason, he seems to feel he has to take on the entire opposing team, and after faking out two defenders the nine other players boat him off the ball.

That, in my mind, is overconfidence.

Someone needs to tell Kpene "Hey, look. You're not Moreno. You can't go trying to dribble through the whole other team, you're just going to lose the ball."

Until that someone comes along, Kpene is a liability for United.

Season in Review: Stanford Women

2008-01-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

2007 was the second season in a row in which Stanford made an early (Round of 16) exit from the NCAAs.

Given a team loaded with talent (and not riddled with injuries going into the tournament), led by Striker Kelley O'Hara, Attacking Mid Shari Summers, and Defender Rachel Buehler, this side should have gotten to the Final Four this year, and frankly could well have won it. Alas, against Connecticut, Stanford got away from playing their tactical game, fell behind, and then had to chase the game.

That, to me, is coaching. Especially when it happens two years running in the very same round. Of course, it should not be forgotten that Stanford had a very successful conference (5-1-3, Pac-10) regular season campaign. But unfortunately this is college soccer, and the measure of success is how deep you get in the NCAAs. The Sweet 16 ain't that deep.

Players are not the problem. Stanford has All-Americans, National Teamers, and recruiting classes as good as any in the country. They had the talent on the field to get it done, at least in terms of being in the Final Four.

The Card is better than this, and it will take improved coaching to show it.

This is a REAL halftime show!

2007-12-31T14:11:00.001-08:00

If you've ever wondered what goes on during halftime at DC United games...

What can I say?

DC United...

2007-12-29T17:18:00.000-08:00

... awesome.

Season in Review: Virginia Tech

2007-12-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

It was an interesting match in Charlottesville between Virginia Tech and UVA during the regular season. Kind of hard to know whom to cheer for, since I like both teams. But, as Tech alumnus, I had to pull for the Hokies.

That said, I felt that UVAclearly had the more deeply talented side. Patrick Nyarko, though, the Tech forward, was clearly and by far the best player on the pitch. He is the best college soccer player I have ever seen, period.

At any rate, the match ended a 1-1 draw. I really felt that UVA had the better chances, and almost won the match. But the thing about Tech, as I have said for two years now, is that they are extremely well coached. Oliver Weiss and his staff get "more than all"out of each one of their players. Tech is extremely disciplined, patient, and organized, and play superb positional soccer. They exceeded all expectations, certainly mine, by making it to the final four of the NCAA College Cup.

In the Elite Eight, Tech beat an absolutely awesome UConn team in Storrs, CT. Unbelievable. I felt certain Tech would lose. My heart said they would go on and win it all. My head said, though, that Wake Forest, Tech's semifinal opponent, was too strong, too talented, and with too high a soccer IQ for Tech to beat.

My head was right. The 2-0 scoreline could have been much worse. Tech degenerated into bootball almost from then get-go. The reason they did was because Wake Forest was putting very heavy pressure on the ball, and that rattled Tech for pretty much the whole match. Those few times Tech did settle down and play to feet, Tech was dangerous. But such interludes were all too few and all too fleeting. Wake Forest dominated this match, and once it was over I knew WFU would win it all, which they did.

But this season Virginia Tech put itself on the college soccer map. I remember what Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer said after Tech won the 1995 Sugar Bowl. He said, "It's a new day for Virginia Tech", meaning, Tech football was now a major player on the national scene. Beamer proved quite prescient that day.

With Tech's rise to the NCAA Final Four this season, I say it is a "new day" for Virginia Tech soccer.

~ Ron

Seasons in Review

2007-12-29T05:05:00.000-08:00

With the seasons over, I'd have to say it has been mixed results for the soccer clubs I follow.

First and foremost, DC United. On the one hand, we were bounced again from the playoffs by Chicago. On the other hand, we played extremely well over the 9-month regular season after a rough start; winning the Supporters Shield yet again. We played some wonderful football, and let me tell you that Luciano Emilio was a revelation. The real deal, and a dangerous striker in every sense of the word. Also let me tell you there is nothing quite like taking in a soccer match at RFK, standing (yes, STANDING! that is the only way to watch the beautiful game!) on the "loud side".

Second, UVA. Though I am actually an old Hokie (Va Tech graduate), Charlottesville being only 80 minutes from my house (as opposed to Blacksburg which is a good 4.5 hours) I go to a few matches in Thomas Jefferson's old stomping grounds. Two main things relegated UVA to an early (for them) exit from the ACCs as well as the NCAAs. One is the failure of Jonathan Villanueva to live up to the hype that preceded him to Charlottesville. His pattern seemed to be to make some flashes on the ball early, then disappear for stretches of the match, then get unceremoniously subbed out around the hour mark. Also contributing to UVA's woes was the late season-ending injury to Yannick Reyering. He was their go-to guy in the box, their goal-getter, and other than Chris Tierney, no one stepped up to fill the void of the goal production.

Later, thoughts on the campaigns of Virginia Tech, as well as the Stanford Womens soccer team.

~ Ron

You Simply Must Try This...

2007-12-27T03:19:00.000-08:00

I got this from the Soccer Blog par excellence, Steve Goff's Soccer Insider.

If the results are not sufficiently cool the first time around, then switch the order, substitute your middle name, etc. Also, the algorithm seems to have a linguistically masculine bias. For female names, you will need to do a bit of research into Portuguese and make the appropriate adjustments to arrive at proper feminine derivatives.

A Freddy Update

2007-12-26T04:26:00.000-08:00

can be found here...

A very nice writeup by Jason La Canfora, who has had the "Freddy beat" at the Post ever since Freddy joined DC United as a 14-year old.

~ Ron

And There's the Kickoff...

2007-12-25T15:44:00.000-08:00

Welcome to ThreeFrontRunners, a soccer blog by Ron, Reuben, and Isaac Tiemens. I, Ron, am the old man. Reuben and Isaac are my two oldest sons.

We are soccer fans. We do not claim to be soccer experts, though we do know what we like and what we don't like when it comes to soccer.

Well, enough with the preliminaries. Let me dive right in. One thing I like in the realm of soccer is Freddy Adu. People's opinions of Freddy are all over the map. Put me down as a fan, and one who has high hopes for Freddy at Benfica and (hopefully) the US National Team.

Here is a nice Freddy-highlight compilation. Oooh what a schweet touch...