Soccer

The sidekick is often considered one of the most important characters in a film even though he is on screen for less time then the major stars.  Often the sidekick is the way our audience becomes closer to the main character by what the two talk about when they are around.  The sidekick is the guy that has our star’s back when he needs it and he is there to help him him out along the path to greatness.  Usually things don’t work out as well for the sidekick (Top Gun) as they do for the star of the movie though.  And in the case of the old Adam West Batman series (or the George Clooney Batman and Robin) sometimes the sidekick might even lust after the hero of the film.  And that’s a little weird.  Read more... (702 words, 5 images, estimated 2:48 mins reading time)

{ 0 comments }

I am writing this on 03/14, and you are likely reading it on 03/25, when MLS (hopefully) kicks off. In case they don’t actually play games this season, I have a plethora of STO Soccer Film Reviews ready to go, like, for example, this one on ”The Miracle on Grass.” No, that is not a Cheech & Chong movie. Actually, that isn’t even the actual title. They really called it “The Miracle Match” to avoid any ambiguity. And, no, that picture above is not a symbol of the film either. But, it is actually going to be a fair representation of my TV if they cancel MLS 2010.  Read more... (508 words, 5 images, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)

{ 0 comments }

Tonight marks the beginning of another Major League Soccer season when the Seattle Sounders take on the expansion Philadelphia Union.

Seattle’s Quest Field is the toughest stadium to play in and it will be packed and rocking tonight. A real baptism of fire for Peter Nowak and his Union team.

Nowak has taken a page out of Seattle coach Sigi Schmid’s playbook from last season in that he has built has team from the back. He has two good goalkeepers in goal, whether it is Chris Seitz and Brad Knighton, and with defenders Danny Califf, Shavar Thomas, Michael Orozco, Jordan Harvey and Dave Myrie, the Union should be solid defensively.  Read more... (351 words, 5 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

{ 0 comments }

It was a surprise when Celtic announced that they had hired Tony Mowbray as their manager in the summer. Mowbray was fresh of leading West Brom to relegation from the Premier League.

Mowbray is not a good manager and it was not a surprise when Celtic fired him after nine months in charge. Celtic are ten points behind Rangers and were thrashed 4-0 by St. Mirren last night.

Celtic Chairman John Reid made the announcement saying:  Read more... (350 words, 5 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

{ 0 comments }

The Month: March is the third month on the Gregorian calendar, and it is named after the Roman god of War, Mars. If you have ever read any mythology, you know Mars was one bad mother. He was basically the Romans’ biggest god because they sure loved to throw their military might around. But, he was also associated with brutal warfare. That’s why I find it weird we have named the closest planet to us Mars. Isn’t that sort of asking for it?  Read more... (348 words, 5 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

{ 0 comments }

Yoann Gourcuff, I’ve not overly familiar with your career and I’m overly familiar with any public comments you’ve made in the past, but I’d like to give you some free advice if I may.

You kind of need to stop talking.  You know, I thought I just went through this with Franz Beckenbauer the other day.  You DON’T under ANY circumstances go around telling people about teams you fear or teams you don’t want to play–it’s bad for business.

Think about it this way.  This is my ultimate “hardcore athlete” story.  Read more... (314 words, 3 images, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)

{ 0 comments }

Well it looks like Toronto FC fans will finally get to see a MLS play-off game.

The Toronto Globe & Mail is reporting that the 2010 MLS Cup will be held in Toronto on Nov. 21. This will be the first time that the MLS Cup will be played outside the United States.

The Toronto stadium is one of the best in MLS and Toronto’s owners spent over $5.5-million this off-season on various renovations, including the installation of a natural grass pitch, improved dugouts and extra seats behind the north goal.  Read more... (166 words, 4 images, estimated 40 secs reading time)

{ 0 comments }

New boys Philadephia Union were last night given a 2-0 drubbing by the Seattle Sounders in the inaugural MLS game at Seattle’s Qwest Field. Philly’s coach Peter Nowak was somehow to blame for the loss. Leaving seasoned midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi on the bench, Nowak opted to put Daniel Mwanga in Central defense a position that did not bring out his effectiveness entirely and which led to his substitution at the start of the second half.  Read more... (352 words, 4 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

{ 0 comments }

Spanish club Valencia have announced that they will be conducting part of their pre-season training in the U.S. this summer. The club will embark on an ambitious world tour, visiting Japan, Jamaica, the United Kingdom and the United States in an attempt to expand their international presence. US dates listed below:

• July 31st: Philadelphia Union in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• August 3rd: New England Revolution in Foxboro, Massachusetts
• August 7th or 8th(will be announced soon): D.C. United in Washington, DC

Valencia are currently sit 3rd in the La Liga standings and are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Their line-up includes superstars like David Villa, David Silva and Juan Manuel Mata.  Read more... (123 words, 4 images, estimated 30 secs reading time)

{ 0 comments }