May 4, 2012

Kevin Alston loses lunch on field

Written by Jahmal Corner

DISCLAIMER: The video below is graphic in nature. Viewer discretion is advised.

New England Revolution defender Kevin Alston is a great kid who has apparently inspired at least one young player behind him. But if I’ve told him once, I’ve told him a million times:

“Kevin, stop eating surf ‘n’ turf right before games.”

He learned the hard way last night. On the bright side, it’s not like Kevin is the first player to lose his lunch on the field. Remember Willie Beamen from Any Given Sunday? Yup, happened to him … but he turned out alright after the jump.

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April 20, 2012

Rafa Marquez suspended 3 games for kicking even though he belongs to Cobra Kai

Written by Jahmal Corner

From the outside, Rafa Marquez’s drop kick on Shea Salinas (above) appears dirty. The MLS thought so, and they gave the New York Red Bulls defender a three-game suspension as a result.

But the MLS doesn’t follow the way of the Cobra Kai – Marquez does. It’s obvious. Look at the way he attacks Shea from behind, lands the kick and trots downfield like he’s picking dandelions.

His postgame comments on the incident kind of summed it up:

“Pain does not exist in this dojo …”

But before you go feeling sorry for Shea, just know that the conflict didn’t end with the above video. Oh, no. Shea recovered and delivered this knockout blow after the jump.

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April 13, 2012

Adidas, Major League Soccer to use miCoach for world’s first ‘smart match’

Written by Jahmal Corner

Adidas is using its miCoach technology to put on the world’s first “smart soccer match” at the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 25.

Coaches will use the new soccer team tracking system to receive real-time metrics for their players – measuring speed, intensity of play, etc …

Adidas has also launched the world’s first smart soccer cleat, the adiZero F50 miCoach.

Next up: the world’s first “smart soccer team.” This renown engineer is currently designing it.

 

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April 6, 2012

Kei Kamara documentary shows incredible journey

Written by Jahmal Corner

KEI: Trailer from Copper Pot Pictures on Vimeo.

Here’s a nice documentary on Sporting KC ‘s Kei Kamara, a Sierra Leonean who has endured a remarkable journey from refugee to star.

 

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April 5, 2012

Klinsmann sounds off to media

Written by Jahmal Corner

In the wake of the U.S. U23 Men’s National Team’s failure to qualify for the Olympics, it hasn’t been the best of time for U.S. Soccer. World Cup qualifying for the full national team starts this summer, and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is no doubt a busy man as he prepares for the summer.

Regardless of that, Klinsmann took some time to speak to reporters on a conference call on Wednesday. In addition to voicing his support to Caleb Porter he had plenty to say regarding soccer in this country. Here are a few of the highlights:

On young Americans not getting enough playing time in MLS:

“That is definitely a concern, and it’s definitely a topic we want to bring up with Don Garber and MLS because we want to make sure that especially younger groups of players get as much exposure as possible coming through their developmental stage. I know that an 18-, 19-, 20-year-old is not at the same level as an experienced player and a proven player, but we’ve got to make sure that they get the chance to break through and get their minutes in. So it’s definitely a concern. Off the top of my head, I can’t give you all of the solutions for it, but it’s definitely worth a discussion going forward.”

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March 13, 2012

VIDEO: MLS Goal of the Week nominees

Written by Jahmal Corner

The first week of play from the 17th MLS season wrapped up on Monday – it’s crazy to think MLS is now 17 and has gone from shy kid to moody teenager … whatever that means.  Anyway, with the end of the week comes the five nominees for best goal of the week.

Former UC Davis star forward Quincy Amarikwa absolutely shattered the competition with a spectacular golazo against Columbus Crew. But was Amarikwa’s goal from the weekend better than his bicycle kick against UCSB a few years ago?

Judge for yourself after the break:

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March 12, 2012

Forbes Richest Owners List dominated by soccer

Written by Jahmal Corner

When it comes to cash flow, soccer makes it rain. Want proof?

Forbes just released its Top 10 Richest Owners in Sports List and guess which sport dominated?

Yup, water polo. Just kidding. Soccer posted five owners on the list, led by owner of Ukranian club FC Shakhtar Donesk – Rinat Akhmetov.

Hey Justin Timberlake: you know what’s even cooler than a billion dollars? $16 billion. That’s what Akhmetov’s worth. His club is so rich his players hire people to play in their place.

Akhmetov (say his name three times fast … it’s fun) is joined on the list by Chelsea’s Roman Abramovich, MLS co-founder Philip Anschutz, AC Milan’s Silvio Berlusconi and Tottenham Hotspur’s Joe Lewis.

Absent from the ranking is NFL player Randy Moss, who until recently didn’t even “own” a job but does speak the same language as the above high rollers.

 

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March 12, 2012

C.J. Sapong goal continues Cinderella story

Written by Jahmal Corner

While a small group of colleges have produced the top pros in the recent history of Major League Soccer, C.J. Sapong followed a more unusual path, overlooked for U.S. youth national teams, and opting to play at James Madison University in the less renown CAA.

But last year, after getting drafted by Sporting KC, the forward flourished, picking up the Rookie of the Year award after a solid debut season. His strong play earned him a call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team and his first two caps with the full team.

On Saturday night, as MLS began its 17th season, Sapong was at it again on the road against D.C. United. With the score locked at 0-0 and headed for a scoreless draw, Sapong created enough room to glance a header home and pick up all three points for the road side. D.C. might have deserved a point on the night thanks mostly to the saves of U.S. U23 goalkeeper Bill Hamid, including a ridiculous foot save on Kei Kamara after the jump.

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March 9, 2012

Portlandia visits Portland Timbers

Written by Jahmal Corner

The 17th season of MLS starts this weekend, and wrapping up the weekend’s schedule is a Monday matchup between the Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers.

The Timbers are entering their second season in the league, and aside from missing the playoffs, everything else was a resounding success as the Timbers Army quickly became one of the best supporters’ group in the league. Watching a game in Portland on TV was a fascinating experience, as the atmosphere was surreal, reminiscent of a big European club.

Enter ‘Portlandia’ – a sketch show by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein poking fun at Portland’s hipster culture on IFC. The Timbers Army starred in a recent episode, as the Brownstein’s and Armisen’s characters start a chant that we can only hope to hear on Monday as Portland takes the field.

‘Please, please win. Meow, Meow, Meow.’

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March 8, 2012

Chicago Fire building luxury stadium club that you can’t afford

Written by Jahmal Corner

The Chicago Fire is swinging for the fences … the ones near the expensive seats.

The MLS franchise is currently constructing luxury stadium club suites that will blow a hole in your bank account. Modeled after premium (meaning pricey) seating available at European soccer stadiums and complete with unnecessary amenities (the only kind) a spot in this VIP section will run from $6,500-$7,500.

I hear they’re planning to call it, “The One Percenters Club.”

Not really, but for the sake of the Fire I do hope Oprah is a soccer fan. Or, Obama.

The luxury club is expected to be complete by the third home game of the season, April 28 – at which time it’ll be: #OccupyChicagoFire

 

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