Ted's Polish-Mexican Page
30 czerwca 2006
Do Widzenia, Ukraina
Well, Ukraine got demolished 3-0 by Italy, thus leaving me with no Slavic teams to root for.Gawd. I guess I'm going for Portugal.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
28 czerwca 2006
I'm Going to be Totally Depressed.
Some More Recriminations About Our National Team
After we got bounced from the World Cup, ESPN soccer analyst Allen Hopkins criticized MLS for not properly preparing the players. Of course, Hopkins only a few weeks before confidently predicted that the US would top the group. I'm assuming that at the time, Hopkins knew that MLS players formed the bulk of the team.
Eric Wynalda retorted that some of the better performing players (Eddie Johnson, Clint Dempsey) haven't spent five minutes on a European roster. Hopkins argument was that MLS players don't "train enough." Well, given how many of them seem to sit on the bench, I don't know how much good that "training" is doing if they aren't getting playing time.
So, what happens to former MLS players when they go to Europe? DaMarcus Beasley, for example, was impressive at the last World Cup, but slept through this one. He has the assist on our only actual goal, but other than that, I didn't see the DaMarcus that used to play for Chicago. What exactly does European soccer do to our players?
The players in the English league seem to do better, since they get playing time. But, I can also think of players, like Tim Howard and Joe-Max Moore, that impress early but are given permanent places on the bench for mistakes that no domestic player would get punished for.
Anyway, I'm putting this out as an argument for all three soccer fans that read this.
Prairie Clayton, one of the people who wanted me to post this, has her complete World Cup trip report published on a bulletin board I've never heard of.
Read it, it's fun!
By the way, tonight New England plays Dallas. It's the Deuce's Return!
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Eric Wynalda retorted that some of the better performing players (Eddie Johnson, Clint Dempsey) haven't spent five minutes on a European roster. Hopkins argument was that MLS players don't "train enough." Well, given how many of them seem to sit on the bench, I don't know how much good that "training" is doing if they aren't getting playing time.
So, what happens to former MLS players when they go to Europe? DaMarcus Beasley, for example, was impressive at the last World Cup, but slept through this one. He has the assist on our only actual goal, but other than that, I didn't see the DaMarcus that used to play for Chicago. What exactly does European soccer do to our players?
The players in the English league seem to do better, since they get playing time. But, I can also think of players, like Tim Howard and Joe-Max Moore, that impress early but are given permanent places on the bench for mistakes that no domestic player would get punished for.
Anyway, I'm putting this out as an argument for all three soccer fans that read this.
Prairie Clayton, one of the people who wanted me to post this, has her complete World Cup trip report published on a bulletin board I've never heard of.Read it, it's fun!
By the way, tonight New England plays Dallas. It's the Deuce's Return!Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
26 czerwca 2006
And...I want to buy medicine from you because...?
Spam in today's e-mail box:
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Hi,Use our site to economize on your meds up to 50 %[link deleted],If I was a hobbit, halfling, gelfling or even a trobbit...I suppose I'd be interested.
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the Lord of the Eagles, to whom Gandalf had now spoken. Back swept thegreat birds that were with him, and down they came like huge blackshadows. The wolves yammered and gnashed their teeth; the goblins yelledand stamped with rage, and flung their heavy spears in the air in vain.Over them swooped the eagles; the dark rush of their beating wings smotethem to the floor or drove them far away; their talons tore at goblin
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
25 czerwca 2006
ENG - PAR Pregame
So, England is going with a single forward and benching Peter Crouch. Who is coaching these nitwits, Bruce Arena?My prediction: Eucador wins 1 - 0. the spirit of Joe Gaetjens lives, and these limeys seem a bit too smug and satisfied.
24 czerwca 2006
SWE 0 - GER 2
Best reaction was from Eric Wynalda:
Speaking of which, all the Revs, former Revs and former Amigos are gone from the tournament:
USA: Clint Dempsey (Revs), Pablo Mastroeni (Ex-Amigos)
TRI: Avery John (Revs), Evans Wise (Ex-Revs)
But, hey, there are still ex-Revs Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, John Harkes and Janusz Michallik...who are still present as, uh...commentators.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
This is what happens when you have two forwards. I'm talking to you, Bruce Arena.
Speaking of which, all the Revs, former Revs and former Amigos are gone from the tournament:
USA: Clint Dempsey (Revs), Pablo Mastroeni (Ex-Amigos)
TRI: Avery John (Revs), Evans Wise (Ex-Revs)
But, hey, there are still ex-Revs Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, John Harkes and Janusz Michallik...who are still present as, uh...commentators.Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
22 czerwca 2006
GHA 2 - USA 1
One thought: remember Steve Sampson and the 3-6-1? Yeah, none of us want to. I always thought that 4-5-1 sounded about as bad. I guess I was right.
Will we ever have two decent World Cups in a row?
1930: Semi-Finalist
1934: Eliminated by Italy in first game, 7-1 (The only World Cup with no group play)
1950: Knocked out in first round, but defeated smug favorites England, eliminating them from tournament
1990: Failed to qualify for fourty years, then bounced out in the first round
1994: Qualified for second round, defeated by eventual champions Brazil
1998: Humilated with no first round victories
2002: Made it to the quarter finals
2006: Well, you know
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Will we ever have two decent World Cups in a row?
1930: Semi-Finalist
1934: Eliminated by Italy in first game, 7-1 (The only World Cup with no group play)
1950: Knocked out in first round, but defeated smug favorites England, eliminating them from tournament
1990: Failed to qualify for fourty years, then bounced out in the first round
1994: Qualified for second round, defeated by eventual champions Brazil
1998: Humilated with no first round victories
2002: Made it to the quarter finals
2006: Well, you know
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
21 czerwca 2006
My Team USA
I think that Elizabeth asked a while back what my line-up would be for the US. Well, she didn't say that I only could use currently active, or even currently living players.
This would be a 4-4-2 formation. Of course, some of these players were active before this formation was used. Some of these players are women that wouldn't be on a men's team. But who cares, my blog, my rules:
Coach: Bruce Arena
Substitutes: Juergen Sommer, Jimmy Douglas, Harry Keough, Robin Fraser, Walter Bahr, Predrag Radislajevich, Julie Foudy, Michelle Akers, Pablo Mastroeni, Joe Gaetjens, Eric Wynalda
My friend Prairie Clayton told me that she has updated her blog, Tifosi, with her activities in Germany.
It's brilliant!
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
This would be a 4-4-2 formation. Of course, some of these players were active before this formation was used. Some of these players are women that wouldn't be on a men's team. But who cares, my blog, my rules:
 |  | ||
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 | |||
Coach: Bruce Arena
Substitutes: Juergen Sommer, Jimmy Douglas, Harry Keough, Robin Fraser, Walter Bahr, Predrag Radislajevich, Julie Foudy, Michelle Akers, Pablo Mastroeni, Joe Gaetjens, Eric Wynalda
My friend Prairie Clayton told me that she has updated her blog, Tifosi, with her activities in Germany.
It's brilliant!
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
20 czerwca 2006
Neko Case at the Rialto Tonight!
Neko plays at the Rialto tonight. Mere coincidence that Andriy Shevchenko finally scored for Ukraine yesterday.
Everyone that goes has to request this song:
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Everyone that goes has to request this song:
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
18 czerwca 2006
Paul McCartney
Today is Paul McCartney's birthday. He turns, well, 64 today.Memo to baby boomers: yes, this means you all can stop pretending you are still young and hip. Thank you.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
17 czerwca 2006
Furious Truckstop Waitresses v Iron Curtain: Tonight!
Slingin' hash and kickin' ass, tonight at 7:00 at Bladeworld, $10. Bring the kids, it's good clean fun.FTW by 30. Unless it's more.
The pic is Fisti Cuffs. Brian McBride has nothing on her.Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
ITA 1 - USA 1
ITA - USA In Game
Screw the sister kisser...we are going to win this one. I swear to God, Brian McBride's head is made of corundum.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
16 czerwca 2006
Where Do I Stand for a Corner Kick, Coach?
Is it just me, or is there a similarity between the warm-ups that the US Nats are wearing and the allied team's jerseys in Victory?Maybe we can get Pelé, Ossie Ardiles and Bobby Moore to play for us? I think we can leave Sylvester Stallone off of the team though, but we can keep Michael Caine.
And one more thing...Peter Crouch, he of the infamous "Robot Dance," is there any country he could be from besides England?
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
¿Dónde?
TV Azteca is supposed to be showing a re-run of this morning's Angola - Mexico game, but they are showing a telenovela instead.What is up with that?
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
15 czerwca 2006
We Need to Keep Shep Away From the Word Años Too
While watching Ecuador's thrashing of Costa Rica this morning, the Ticos put in a substitute, Kurt Bernard. Shep Messing noted that Bernard plays his club ball for Costa Rican club "Puta Reinas."Um, Shep, the name of the team is Puntarenas. The "n" is, well, let's just say it is linguistically necessary.
Another thing: what is with all these Anglo names for Costa Rican players? The Revs had a tico who played with them for a while named William Sunsing. And his old club, Club Sport Herediano, boasts of a forward named Johnathan McDonald. Eh?
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
