Merry Christmas!

I just had to share some information on my favorite player in the world....Ricardo Kaka'!!!

May 25, 2007
Kaka’s outpouring of faith brings joy to leaders within Christian community

Rick Broadbent

It has been a long time coming, but more than two decades since God had a hand in a World Cup triumph, football is returning the favour. With heart on sleeve and slogan on chest, Kaká’s postmatch celebration in Athens on Wednesday night thrust his faith into the spotlight. “I belong to Jesus,” the statement said. Liverpool fans shuddered, undone by an ineligible deity.
As arguably the best player on earth, Kaká’s high-profile commitment to his religion is good news for church leaders. In recent times, the Italian church’s efforts to infiltrate the mainstream and spread the gospel have been much derided. When Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict’s No 2, created The Clericus Cup this year, an international tournament for priests and seminarians, he spoke without irony of creating a Vatican City team to take on the likes of AC Milan in Serie A. However, even Bertone would not argue that the stated aim of “reinvigorating a sporting tradition within the Christian community” is better served by Kaká and his T-shirt than kickarounds in cassocks.
Kaká, who was born to a middle-class family in Brasilia, said that he became deeply religious when he was 12. “I learnt that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not,” he said.
Some might consider that the Liverpool fans who “kept the faith” in the face of the most testing circumstances during the Champions League final two years ago actually endured a quasi-religious experience. Other similarities shared by football and religion are obvious – tribalism, sacrifice, conflict. However, few people remember that a third of the clubs that have played in the Premiership owe their existence to a church. Barnsley and Swindon Town were founded by clergymen, while Louis Rocca, the ice-cream baron who came up with the name “Manchester United”, set up a network of Catholic priests to scout for players.

Kaká’s own faith was strengthened in October 2000 when he slipped on a swimming pool slide and broke a vertebrae. “The doctors said that I was lucky to be able to walk normally,” he said. “They were talking about luck and my family was talking about God. We knew that it was His hand that had saved me.”

In terms of religious commitment, Kaká has been there, done it and bought the T-shirt. He wore his “I belong to Jesus” vest when Milan won Serie A in 2004 and has “God is faithful” stitched on to the tongues of his boots. An evangelical Christian, his influence was reflected by the febrile reaction to Middle Eastern reports last year that he had converted to Islam.
But with church attendances falling and religion a contentious issue, could Kaká’s faith actually put bums on pews? Monsignor Keith Barltrop, director of the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation, said: “A lot of people think religion is quite fundamentalist, so if there is a major sporting figure whose lifestyle backs up his words, it is a positive thing.

“It is not a question of getting people into church, but it is good to have positive role models. It is easy to be excited by pop stars and sporting celebrities, but you have to ask if that leads to a life of hedonism.” A religious footballer is far from unique. Portsmouth’s success this season may or may not have had anything to do with the prayer meetings attended by the likes of Kanu and Lomana LuaLua. Meanwhile, the organisation Score continues a 16-year battle to make chaplaincy available to the world of sport and 70 per cent of league clubs have a chaplain; tonight, at Huish Park, the Reverend Jim Pearce will lead prayers in the Vice-President’s lounge before Yeo-vil Town’s Coca-Cola League One play-offs final on Sunday.

“It’s good to get out into the community,” Rev Simon Stevenette, the vicar of Christ Church, Swindon, and the football club chaplain, said. As for Kaká’s show of faith, he believes it can help the church’s cause. “I’ve got five football-mad boys and when they saw Brazil praying at the World Cup, they were all talking about it at breakfast,” he said. “It sparks debate.”
It can also spark a comeback if Marvin Andrews is to believed. Having injured his cruciate ligament in March 2005, the then Rangers defender was ruled out for the season. Andrews said that God would keep him fit and made a speedy recovery that baffled doctors. The flipside to such tales is the sectarian bigotry that blights football in Glasgow, where Andrews was plying his trade.

But if the Hand of God Church in Rosario, Argentina, with its commandment to name all first sons Diego, seems extreme, the deification of Kaká may be more useful to religious leaders seeking to attract football’s youth. “We can only win being on Jesus’s side,” Kaká said. This year, anyway.


Kaka declares God's love to fellow Brazilians
by Jenna Lyle
Posted: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 10:02 (GMT)

Brazilian football superstar and Fifa world player of the year, Kaka, will tell his home country of the love of God in a major televised outreach by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Kaka will share his testimony of hope and faith in Jesus Christ in a series of programmes to be broadcast during prime time hours from Thursday to Saturday in one of the largest evangelistic efforts ever to hit the country.
My Hope Brazil is inspired by Matthew 9, in which tax collectors and sinners gather at Matthew's house to have dinner with Jesus.
The "Matthews" are Christians who will invite friends and relatives to their homes to watch the special broadcasts before sharing their personal testimonies of God's love. They will also invite those present to accept or rededicate their lives to Jesus.
More than 48,000 churches and 850,000 homes across Brazil, the largest country in South America, have received resources and training to take part in the massive campaign.
"My Hope Brazil is one of the most exciting projects BGEA has had the privilege of facilitating," said Bill Conard, vice president of international ministries at BGEA.
"The churches in Brazil have put an enormous amount of time and energy into reaching their loved ones with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we expect God to do powerful things through their faithful efforts."In addition to Kaka's testimony, Thursday's broadcast will include a message from renowned evangelist Billy Graham dubbed into Portuguese, whilst Friday's broadcast will feature a message from his son and head of the BGEA, Franklin Graham. Christian singers Paulo Baruk and Aline Barros will perform during the broadcasts.
The BGEA evangelistic film, "A Vow to Cherish", will round up the broadcasts on Saturday.
The next BGEA My Hope campaign will take place in Singapore from December 12 to 14.


Kaka' on Faith Above Fame
By: Paul Rudatsikira

Kaká, the athlete whom Pelé described as "the outstanding talent of the moment" and who was named in Time Magazine 100 most influential people in the world, is less concerned with what people think of him and more on what God thinks. The title of best fútbol ("soccer") player on the planet is not as important as the title he has proclaimed to the world "I belong to Jesus".
The Brazilian soccer legend in the making believes in the importance of sharing the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Kaká has become the "Ambassador Against Hunger" for the World Food Program of the U.N. as he has actively worked to uplift those who are struggling in poverty all over the world. As a believer in Jesus Christ he understands that faith is not just manifested through words but also through action as Jesus said of the righteous "I was hungry, and you gave me food."
In a world that glorifies the rich and famous, it is refreshing to see Kaká has not become caught in the trap of self importance but instead has pointed the direction on the one who deserves all the glory, Jesus Christ. Kaká states in an interview with Atletas de Cristo;
"To those who already have Jesus: you have made the best choice and are in the best team. Go ahead. Do not give up. The fight is great, but we can only win being on Jesus’ side. To those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus: What are you doing being outside of this team?! Come to learn the Word of God, come to know who God really is. Stop eating cookies, while God offers us a banquet."
There is a great pressure that we all face to live our lives by the expectations of others and to be politically correct by blending in. But Jesus says in Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.Kaka, my dear brother in the faith of Jesus Christ, I too belong to Jesus Christ. He changed my life, put my feet on solid ground and gave me the peace that passess all understanding.
In my life, I have been face to face with what so many people spend their entire lives chasing after; I have seen those with wealth that is astronomical, fame and power that is consuming and I count all of these things as nothing compared to the awesome gift of knowing Jesus Christ, who is ”Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6For the reader who is reading this blog and does not know what I am speaking about, I want to tell you that it is not by accident that you are reading this. God has a purpose for your life that is beyond what you can imagine for yourself, family traditions or society pressures. God loved you so much that he sent Jesus (his only begotten son) to die on the cross that through faith in him you might be saved. ”Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).

2008 Quakes Season Recap Video

I finally found this online in a format that I could add to the "Zone". Enjoy watching it over and over!

Quakes '08 Season Recap

2008 UCL Knockout Phase Lineup

My favorite European team, AC Milan, again did not reach the knockout phase. So who am I rooting for? Chelsea FC. I don't know much about the Greek team (Panathinaikos FC), but they might be fun to support if for some reason Chelsea stumbles. I know that H must be behind his AS Roma club.

Lineup finalised for knockout draw (from: uefa.com)

The lineup for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League has been finalised after Manchester United FC, FC Bayern München, FC Porto and Juventus all clinched their places in the first knockout round as winners of their respective sections.

Fascinating ties: The four clubs join the four other group winners and the runners-up from each of the eight sections in the draw for the next stage, which is held on Friday 19 December from 12.00CET at UEFA headquarters in Nyon. Among the contenders are Liverpool FC, five-time winners of the European Champion Clubs' Cup, last season's runners-up Chelsea FC and Italian champions FC Internazionale Milano.

Draw conditions

* Teams from the same association cannot be drawn against each other.

* The winners and runners-up of the same group cannot be drawn against each other.

* Group winners cannot be drawn against each other.

* Group runners-up cannot be drawn against each other.

* All group runners-up will play their first-leg matches at home.

2008/09 UEFA Champions LeagueFirst knockout round – to be played 24/25 February and 10/11 March

Group winners; Group runners-up

Group A AS Roma (ITA); Chelsea FC (ENG)

Group B Panathinaikos FC (GRE); FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)

Group C FC Barcelona (ESP); Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR)

Group D Liverpool FC (ENG); Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP)

Group E Manchester United FC (ENG); Villarreal CF (ESP)

Group F FC Bayern München (GER); Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)

Group G FC Porto (POR); Arsenal FC (ENG)

Group H Juventus (ITA); Real Madrid CF (ESP)

Who do you think will win the UEFA Champions League? Have your say by clicking here.
©uefa.com 1998-2008. All rights reserved.

Sharks and Quakes

Posted: Tuesday December 2, 2008 10:13AM; Updated: Tuesday December 2, 2008 10:13AM
NHL's Sharks to invest in San Jose Earthquakes
By Zac Lee Rigg, Special to SI.com, Goal.com

The San Jose Sharks of the NHL are set to purchase a 10 to 15 percent stake in the Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.

Quakes owner Lewis Wolff confirmed the pending deal to Sports Business Journal. It is expected to be worth between $2 and $3 million. "It's a done deal," Wolff said. "It will help us as we continue to grow."

The two teams will share databases of fans and cross-promote each others' games, as well as coordinate marketing strategies. It's easy to see what the Quakes get out of the partnership. They receive cash and help from an experienced sports organization to break into the Bay Area market. The Sharks, on the other hand, are investing. They are banking on soccer and last year's expansion team to continue to grow in the region. In that regard, their actions can be taken as a bold affirmation of many of the strides MLS has taken in the past decade. This is another sports team reaching out and including MLS and soccer as its equal.

Wolff also said the Earthquakes plan on hiring an architecture firm by next year to design a soccer-specific stadium. It is expected to cost between $40 million to $60 million of private money and hold 15,000 fans. The Earthquakes currently rent Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., which holds 10,300.

Quakes Training Center - Morgan Hill?

There has been some talk about the Q's having approached Morgan Hill to locate a team training center. Sounds like the Quakes are continuing to invest resources locally to build a foundation for a strong team association with the community.

Earthquakes eye Morgan Hill
Nov 14, 2008 By Natalie Everett - Staff Writer

San Jose Earthquakes officials are looking to locate their team training center at the site of the Golden Oak Restaurant on Condit Road in Morgan Hill.Further, Earthquakes officials have proposed to operate the Outdoor Sports Center, located across the street, a move they say would increase activity and generate more spin-off effects with hotels and restaurants, according to City Manager Ed Tewes.Earthquakes Executive Vice President David Alioto said Morgan Hill is a "soccer hotbed.""Morgan Hill not only has some good soccer clubs, but it's home to the state cup tournaments," Alioto said.That's why the Earthquakes submitted an application to the city to locate the Major League Soccer team's training center at 16695 Condit Road, where the Golden Oak was open for more than 20 years. Parks and Recreation Committee members will discuss the application at their meeting tonight."The Earthquakes Training Center will include a professional practice field developed to MLS league standards," San Jose Earthquakes partner Keith Wolff wrote in a letter to Tewes Nov. 5. The campus would include a weight and cardio facility, treatment rooms, personnel offices and dining, video and meeting rooms.According to the letter, the center would be used year-round and provide tours to youth groups and other community organizations.Tewes said Monday that the center's use would "definitely include the 40-something weekends a year that the CYSA has its tournaments."Wolff requested a joint meeting with the city, the California Youth Soccer Association and the Earthquakes development team to discuss the "potential benefits to all parties involved."Recreation Department Director Steve Rymer said that for the last eight months, the city has had several conversations with private parties to find a different way to operate the Outdoor Sports Center."We're looking at other ways of running our facilities, to limit operations and maintenance costs and enhance community access," he said. Rymer said one of the issues with the center is that there's no community access to it. Leasing to the Earthquakes would allow more, he said.The city's desire to convert some soccer fields to baseball or softball fields across the street at the sports complex and the relocation of the soccer association to a 171-acre site in San Benito County would not impact Earthquakes officials' desire to locate the training center in Morgan Hill, Wolff wrote. The state cup tournaments would remain in Morgan Hill, according to Alioto and Rymer.The Golden Oak Restaurant closed recently after at least a year of financial troubles, according to several Morgan Hill Rotary Club members. The Rotary Club held a weekly luncheon at the Golden Oak for years until word of financial issues reached them and a new site for the luncheon was sought.The Rotary Club now meets at the Community & Cultural Center.Several calls to Golden Oak Restaurant owner Ken Harlan were not returned by press time.Alioto said Morgan Hill is not the only location the Earthquakes are considering, but declined to identify other locations or say how many there are."But we like the Morgan Hill location," he said.
Natalie EverettNatalie Everett covers education and city issues for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.

Afghanistan - 2008 Homeless World Cup Champions!

Congratulations to Afghanistan for winning the 2008 Homeless World Cup title!! Check out all of the results at http://www.homelessworldcup.org/

What an amazing event and I pray that this will be an event that helps those needing encouragement to make positive strides in their lives.

Ah...football

An article from a Ipswich Town publication:

Darren Huckerby and the Passion Problem
by Tim Sansom, Columnist
Thursday 04 Dec 2008 11:14:19

Tim Sansom ponders the effects of footballing passion ahead of Sunday's derby.


It was about four years ago when I was in Norwich’s St Stephens’ Street. Norwich City Football Club had just been promoted to the Premiership. My team, Ipswich, had crumbled to another play-off defeat. I was nursing my wounds and wondering why my footballing world had fallen into ruins.

I was debating whether it was worth booking a table at my favourite Chinese restaurant in Norwich, when I spotted Darren Huckerby coming out of a well-known department store. I froze. At that time, and still today, Huckerby was public enemy number one in the minds of Ipswich Town fans like me. We detested the spiky blond-haired winger with passion. It may have been something to do with his swagger around the pitch, a comment that he may have made in the local press, or a goal that he scored in the East Anglian derby? I can not remember why we hated him so much, but I know that I hated him. I know that I was being totally irrational. Hate is an unforgiving emotion. I had never personally met the man to make a sound judgement, but I still felt that Darren Huckerby was shorthand for everything that I hated about modern British football and Norwich City Football Club.

Back in St Stephens’ Street, I fixed a stare on Huckerby. He was just how I had angrily imagined him to be. He was dressed in holed jeans and a dreary American biker T-shirt looking like an X-Factor wannabe wailing that ‘This competition means everything to me.’Huckerby looked at me in readiness to do another ‘Good Luck, love Hucks’ autograph to another Norwich fan. However I am never that good in covering up my emotions and something in my glare told him that I was not interested in any Canary small talk. I like to think that a little bit of fear came into his eyes, although I now think it was derision. I flounced passed like a rush hour commuter, with the hope that I had taught Huckerby a lesson. Now I feel embarrassed. I would not usually behave like this to random people.

There is something about football that makes normal people lose any sense of rational thinking and behave like extras on Eastenders. We take an instant dislike to players who we have never met, and will never likely meet, because of the colour of their football shirt. Some fans feel that they should throw coins at players as a way of expressing their hatred and bile. Certain fans have attempted to recreate pitch battles in the pubs and streets around their ground as part of their football experience. Some of us now read the books of those days with rose-tinted spectacles. Some of us revel in that ‘passion’ and ‘devotion’ to their club. It can be embarrassing. We do not want to see the return of the Saturday afternoon incidents of hooliganism. Mostly gone are those days when the vast majority of Saturday afternoon matches ended in re-creations of the Battle of Waterloo. Most matchday programmes ask fans to inform their nearest stewards about unacceptable abuse being directed to the pitch, and penalties are being handed out for the worst offenders. The worst excesses of racial bile are just about eradicated and we have to accept that ‘anything does not go’ from beside the pitch. I also accept that players have their own responsibilities on the pitch. The players that provoke the fans with gestures and comments are not helping the situation. I also know that I will struggle to like anything about Norwich City Football Club.

I am pretty sure that I will never warm to Darren Huckerby too, and there will be another City player who will join my ever growing list of hated players including Darren Eadie, Ian Crook, Keith O’Neill, Bryan Gunn, Craig Bellamy, Ade Akinbiyi and Robert Fleck. I also know that those feelings will be reciprocated by the Norwich faithful.I also know that I will always be able to keep my emotions in check. We can love our football. We can have passion for football, but we can keep our dignity and self-respect, whilst we support our teams.

http://www.clubfanzine.com/ipswich_town/v2.showNews.php?id=16364

A Quote from "Bloody Confused"

I just couldn't let the day go by without sharing this quote from the book I'm reading, "Bloody Confused" (a journey through the 06/07 EPL season with an Amercian sportswriter).

"Even a lost novice could see that (Cristiano) Ronaldo had spent the year bolstering Portugal's hopes in the Olympic diving competition for both Bejing 2008 and London 2012, in both platform and springboard."

:)

Homeless World Cup - USA UPDATE

The US squad has played 2 matches so far. A loss to Ireland 11-2 and a loss to Romania 7-2. Our next match is against Hong Kong. I am sure the losses have been disappointing to the lads, but let's stay behind the team. Each of them is facing even greater battles in their lives and hopefully that representing the USA and playing football will help kick start the change they desire for themselves.

U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A.

2008 Homeless World Cup

The 2008 Homeless World Cup starts tomorrow. This amazing street football tourney is being held in Melbourne this year. Follow all of the action!

http://www.homelessworldcup.org/

http://www.homelessworldcup.tv/

http://uk.youtube.com/user/HomelessWorldCup

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008 MLS Expansion Draft Completed

The Seattle Sounders FC completed their 10-person expansion draft from existing MLS teams. Let's get straight to it:

Nate Jaqua (Houston Dynamo)
Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake)
Jeff Parke (New York Red Bulls)
Jarrod Smith (Toronto FC)
Khano Smith (New England Revolution)
Peter Vagenas (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Tyson Wahl (Kansas City Wizards)
James Riley (San Jose Earthquakes)
Stephen King (Chicago Fire)
Brad Evans (Columbus Crew)

The Quakes lost James Riley in this MLS expansion. Does this hurt the Quakes? James is a good player and complements other members on the team, but a replacement can be found. I was worried over Ronnie O'Brien being on the "available" list, but the strategy of the Quakes management was proven correct. Whew. Good luck James. Seattle is a great town and they love their football (the Sounders have a great tradition in the area prior to this leap to the MLS).

2008 MLS Expansion Draft - Sounders FC

The Sounders FC will initiate their entrance to the MLS with the 2008 expansion draft this week. The Quakes had to make some decisions on who to "protect". The only name on the list of available players for selection that I am worried about is Ronnie O'Brien. Ronnie has been such a key player on the Quakes roster. My understanding is that the strategy is not to focus protection on the players you value the most, but to protect the ones that might be of most interest to the Sounders. I believe that the hope is that the Sounders will not be looking for another high dollar player as they already have Freddie Ljungberg and Kasey Keller. Let's hope that Ronnie remains in blue & black.

11/24/2008 6:06PM
MLS Expansion Draft on Nov. 26
Seattle Sounders FC to select 10 players; Available players below
Major League Soccer Communications

NEW YORK -- Major League Soccer will hold the 2008 MLS Expansion Draft on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 1 p.m. ET. The League's 15th team, Seattle Sounders FC, will begin to take shape following the 10-round draft.

Listed below are the details regarding the League's expansion draft, and also included is the list of players left unprotected, who are available for Seattle Sounders FC to select on Wednesday. Seattle may not claim more than one player from any given team in MLS, and four teams will not have a player taken in the expansion draft.

At the conclusion of the Expansion Draft teams may resume trading. The expansion draft details are listed below:

MLS Expansion Draft Rules

Senior Roster
Teams may protect 11 players between their Senior and their Developmental Roster. If the Player's contract expires at the end of 2008, he will still be considered part of the team's Senior Roster. If a team protects a player, it is not obligated to exercise the player's option. The team may renegotiate a new budget number for the player as in previous years. If a player retires, he will not be a part of the Senior Roster, but his team will lose its right of first refusal to him should he ultimately decide to play.

Developmental Roster
Players on a team's Developmental Roster, other than Generation adidas players who have not been graduated at the end of the 2008 season, may be left unprotected and are eligible may be selected by Seattle in the expansion draft. Generation adidas players who have not been graduated at the end of the 2008 season are automatically protected (teams do not have to protect them). If Seattle Sounders FC select a Developmental Player they must offer him a Senior Roster position and he must be on Seattle's Senior Roster as of Roster Compliance Date.

International Players
Teams are restricted in the number of international player(s) that they may make available per the table set forth below. For purposes of this expansion process, for U.S.-based teams, any non-domestic U.S. player would count as an International and for Toronto FC, any non-domestic U.S. player or non-domestic Canadian player would count as an International.

Designated Players
Designated Players do not have to be protected unless the player has a no trade clause in which case he must be protected.

Maximum Player Loss
Once a player has been claimed from a team's non-protected roster, that team is eliminated from the expansion draft and may not lose any further players.

Right to Renegotiate
Seattle will have the right to renegotiate a drafted player's salary (either up or down) without having to place such player on waivers or giving his previous Team a right of first refusal.

Priority
On the first day of the Discovery/Allocation Period, Seattle will have priority over players who played professionally in the USL First or Second Division in 2008, subject to another MLS team's right of first refusal.

Rounds
The expansion draft will be 10 rounds.

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER PROTECTION REQUIREMENT
Teams may make available a number of international players equal to their total number of international players minus 3, provided that if a team has 3 or less international players it may make available not more than 1.

COMPLETE LIST OF AVAILABLE PLAYERS FOR WEDNESDAY'S DRAFT

CHIVAS USA: Chiles, Kraig; Curtin, Jim; Ebert, Eric; Ferreira, Dejair; Flores, Jorge; Hamilton, Anthony; Kennedy, Dan; Mayen, Gerson; Nurse, Roberto; Paladini, Daniel; Parker, Lance; Razov, Ante; Savage, Keith; Suarez, Claudio; Talley, Carey; Thornton, Zach; Vaughn, Lawson; Victorine, Sasha; Wicky, Raphael; Zotinca, Alex

CHICAGO FIRE: Banner, Michael; Brown, C.J.; Carr, Calen; Frankowski, Tomasz; Herron, Andy; Kasiguran, Kai; Kettering, Tyler; King, Stephen; Lowry, Peter; Marmol, Lider; Noble, Nick; Pappa, Marco; Pablo Prideaux, Brandon; Washington, Austin; Woolard, Daniel

COLORADO RAPIDS: Burciaga, Jose; Burpo, Preston; Cooke, Terry; Dalby, Greg; DiRaimondo, John; Erpen, Facundo; Grazier, Brian; Harvey, Jordan; Hughes, Justin; Keel, Stephen; Kimura, Kosuke; McManus, Tom; Petke, Mike; Sarkodie, Kwame; Ward, Tim; Zambrano, Cesar

COLUMBUS CREW: Burns, Kevin; Elenio, Cory; Evans, Brad; Garey, Jason; Gaven, Eddie; Gruenebaum, Andy; Josten, George; Junge, Ryan; Lenhart, Steven; Miglioranzi, Stefani; Moffat, Adam; Noonan, Pat; Nyazamba, Stanley; Oughton, Duncan; Peterson, Andrew; Pierre-Louis, Ricardo; Plotkin, Brian; Schoeni, Kenny

FC DALLAS: Burse, Ray; Daniels, Andrew; Davino, Duilio; Dello-Russo, Michael; Pitchkolan, Aaron; Rowland, Jeff; Sikora, Victor; Wadsworth, Spencer; Wagenfuhr, David; Watson, Jamie; Wileman, Chase

D.C. UNITED: Carroll, Jeff; Carroll, Pat; Cordeiro, Ryan; Crayton, Louis; Doe, Francis; Dyachenko, Rod; Gallardo, Marcelo; Kirk, Quavas; Koroma, Ibrahim; Martinez, Gonzalo; Mediate, Domenic; Miller, Ryan; Olsen, Ben; Peralta, Gonzalo; Thompson, Craig; Thorpe, James; Vide, Joseph; Wells, Zach; Zaher, Michael

HOUSTON DYNAMO: Alcaraz, Johnny; Ashe, Corey; Barrett, Wade; Brown, Kyle; Caig, Tony; Chabala, Michael; Hatzke, Nick; Hayden, John; MichaelIanni, Patrick; Jaqua, Nate; Mulrooney, Richard; Onstad, Pat; Ustruck, Erik; Waibel, Craig; Waller, Corbin; Wondolowski, Chris; Wondolowski, Stephen

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS: Hartman, Kevin; Hohlbein, Aaron; Kraus, Michael; Kronberg, Eric; Marquess, Matt; McKenzie, Rauwshan; Morsink, Kurt; Pardo, Boris; Pizarro, Nelson; Pore, Ryan; Thompson, Abe; Trujillo, Ivan; Wahl, Tyson; Watson, Lance

LOS ANGELES GALAXY: Adzemian, Vardan; Alamo, Charles; Allen, Ely; Barlow, Jeremy; Cronin, Steve; Dominguez, Eduardo; Franchino, Joe; Gavin, Michael; Kirovski, Jovan; Klein, Chris; Munoz, Mike; Randolph, Michael; Saunders, Josh; Tudela, Josh; Vagenas, Peter; Valentin, Julian; Wicks, Josh

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: Angulo, Jose; Badilla, Gabriel; Brill, Samuel; Flood, Gary; Germanese, Joe; Knighton, Brad; Manzonelli, Brandon; Matamoros, Mauricio; Phelan, Pat; Smith, Khano; Thompson, Wells; Tierney, Chris; Tyler, Brandon; Warren, Doug; Zapata, Argenis Fernandez

NEW YORK RED BULLS: Borman, Danleigh; Echeverry, Oscar; Gilkerson, John; Jimenez, Diego; Kljestan, Gordon; Leitch, Chris; Magee, Mike; Mbuta, Andongcho; Mendes, Carlos; Palacio, Michael; Parke, Jeff; Patterson, Caleb; Pietravallo, Juan; Roth, David; Touray, Sainey; Wolyniec, John

REAL SALT LAKE: Besagno, Nik; Cutler, Kenny; Deuchar, Kenneth; Horst, David; Joy, Ian; Kirby, Dustin; Kovalenko, Dema; Mathis, Clint; Nunez, Tino; Reiman, Kevin; Reynish, Kyle; Sturgis, Nathan; Tennelle, Brennan; Williams, Andy

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Arce, Miguel; Ayres, Jay; Michael Cunliffe, John; Denton, Eric; Ghebru, Michael; Glinton, Gavin; Grabavoy, Ned; Gray, Kelly; Gustavson, Michael; Hatzke, Matt; O'Brien, Ronnie; Riley, James; Roberts, Jamil; Smarte, Adam; Somma, Davide

TORONTO FC: Attakora-Gyan, Nana; Elkinson, Kilian; Freeman, Hunter; Gala, Gabe; Gaudet, Derek; Melo, Joey; Ricketts, Rohan; Rosenlund, Tyler; Ruiz, Carlos; Smith, Jarrod; Smith, Johann; Sutton, Greg; Velez, Marco

2010 World Cup Qualifying - CONCACAF

The schedule for the US MNT was annoucned today as they take the final steps to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The final qualifying round will consist of 2-game aggregate series with the 5 other CONCACAF teams: Mexico, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, and Honduras. Top 3 automatically qualify for 2010 World Cup.

Hopefully at least one of the "home" games will be somewhere on the West Coast (better yet - in the Bay Area!) 2009 football season will be full and exciting (Quakes regular season and US MNT qualifiers). Woo Hoo!


CONCACAF Final Round of 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Schedule
Date Opponent Home / Away (Venue TBD)
Feb. 11 Mexico (Home)
March 28 El Salvador (Away)
April 1 Trinidad & Tobago (Home)
June 3 Costa Rica Away
June 6 Honduras (Home)
Aug. 12 Mexico Away
Sep. 5 El Salvador (Home)
Sep. 9 Trinidad & Tobago Away
Oct. 10 Honduras Away
Oct. 14 Costa Rica (Home)

2008 MLS Cup

Well...today was the 2008 MLS Cup finals. I don't think much of the rest of the U.S. knew about or cared about this match - especially since today is a Sunday with its full array of American gridiron offerings.

The Columbus Crew battled with the NY Red Bulls at The Home Depot Center in So Cal. I caught the game at Raliegh's in Berkeley. All of their tvs were tuned in on gridiron (both the niners and raiders were on tv). A very nice bartender switched one of the monitors for me to the football game - thanks so much! The game wasn't bad - Columbus just wore NY down and took the MLS Cup 3-1.

...I'd sure like to be at the finals one day - supporting my Quakes! Watch out for the Quakes in 2009!!

Welcome FC Gold Pride

Throughout the Q's season, their had been some discussion amongst us in Sec 108 about the new women's pro football team coming to the Bay Area. Well - they are officially here: FC Gold Pride. I know little to none about women's professionsal football - other than the names like Mia Hamm, Brandy Chastain, etc. from the 1999 World Cup team.

The Gold Pride will be playing at our very own South Bay San Siro. Having a second team playing on the hallowed grounds of the SBSS during the same time of the year? I just hope the beautiful turf at the SBSS can be kept in top condition.

Will H and I delve into the world of women's professional football? To be honest - probably unlikely. For me, this would mean doubling my commute to the SBSS each year + it might take some time for me to understand the women's game. It is a different game, just as women's basketball is different than the men's version. I have grown to like women's basketball better than the men's game because you really see the "team" part of this team sport shine. The men's game these days is too much about playing "above the rim" and "look at me - I'm the star". As for football - I hope that the men's game doesn't not go the way of pro men's basketball. I doubt this would happen because of the tradition in football and the gamme it self does not lend itself to "ball hogging" or "going one-on-one" all of the time. There is certainly no "dunking" in the beautiful game!

Best of luck FC Gold Pride!

Droopy drawers

H called me today and said he was having "The Fault Zone" withdrawls since I haven't posted anything since 11/11. Here is something for you H!

Italian soccer strategy gets a racy look

ROME (AP)—In the latest fashion statement out of Italy, soccer players are dropping their shorts to score goals. Catania, a team in the country’s top division, unveiled the new look while taking a free kick. The players lined up in a wall and dropped their shorts in an effort to block the goalkeeper’s vision. The Sicilian team carried out the maneuver to perfection Sunday. Three players dropped their shorts practically to their knees so Torino goalie Matteo Sereni couldn’t see the kick by Giuseppe Mascara, who scored during Catania’s 3-2 victory. Catania is coached by Walter Zenga, a former goalkeper on Italy’s national team. “This is a strategy that Zenga tries continually in training,” Pietro Lo Monaco, the club’s chief executive, told RAI state radio Monday. Former referees coordinator Paolo Casarin called the move “unsportsmanlike and in bad taste.” “It’s a trick that should not be tolerated anymore by the referees,” he said.
Lo Monaco replied: “A trick? I wouldn’t say so. It’s up to the referee to decide if it should be penalized, otherwise I don’t see where the problem is. … Good taste is relative.”

Photo:

Catania's forward Gianvito Plasmati, right, is seen with his shorts down as his teammate Giuseppe Mascara, not pictured, scored a goal during the Italian Serie A first division soccer match between Catania and Torino, in Catania, southern Italy, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. Three Catania players dropped their shorts down near their knees so Torino goalkeeper Matteo Sereni couldn't see Mascara's kick. Catania carried out the maneuver to perfection when Giuseppe Mascara scored in Sunday's 3-2 win over Torino

Hucks, MLS Conference Championships

Congratulations Hucks!! 2008 MLS Newcomer of the Year!





MLS Conference Championship matchups are set. Go Real Salt Lake!

Fire dominate Revs

I've been out of town this week on business, but was able to catch the 2nd leg of the Chicago/NE playoff battle. I saw highlights of the first game and it was a physically brutal nil-nil tie. The 2nd leg game was in Chi-town and the Fire dominated the game and took a 3-nil victory. Blanco is amazing - despite being slower - he touches are precise and deceptive. He loves to do the "no-look" pass and back heel to entertain the home fans. It appeared that there were alot of empty seats - on the sideline (not the endzones). Not sure what all that was about. It was supposed to be wet, but it didn't look that cold. ?????



Oh well, what am I complaining about. My team isn't even in the post season.

"Bloody Confused"

I just began to stick my big toe into this book. The forward was funny and interesting (gave an overview of the different divisions in English football and also the different competitions that occur at the same time during every season Carling Cup, FA Cup, UCL, .....) Looking forward to reading the rest of it.

Here is an editorial review I got from Amazon:

From Publishers Weekly

In the throes of becoming jaded and cynical about the American sportswriting scene, Culpepper, a London-based Los Angeles Times journalist covering European sporting events, writes about the internationally known Premiership soccer league and its overzealous fans. The rough-and tumble British soccer sport quickly captivates Culpepper, who wrote on American sports for 15 years, as he learns the rivalries between the fans and teams such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Portsmouth. A humorist of sorts, he can't help making snide comparisons between the rowdy, cheering British fans and their more somber American brethren, while touting the emotional high of regional pride over big team profits. He falls under the spell of the struggling Portsmouth squad, realizing that the die-hard fans live and die with the fortunes of their players and teams, describing vivid action scenes as thrilling as any in American hockey or football. (Aug.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

http://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Confused-Clueless-American-Sportswriter/dp/0767928083

The Extent of Politics in the "Zone"

Get out there and vote - it is your right and privilege as an American!

That's it.

Flake Recall

Well - I am going to need to take words back. The Craigslist musician did leave me msgs - but on my work voice mail (I don't check that over the weekends). Turns out he said that their band ended up not rehearsing last night at all. I am still trying to figure out why he didn't answer my cell phone msgs last night though.

Anyways - I guess the hunt is still on. We'll see if anything really happens. I'm not holding my breath on this one.

MLS playoffs are moving along (2-game aggregate):

Game 1: CHI @ NE (nil-nil)
Game 2: NE @ CHI 11/6/08

Game 1: CLB @ KC (1-1)

Game 2: KC @ CLB 11/8/08

Game 1: CHV @ RSL (RSL 1-0)

Game 2: RSL @ CHV 11/8/08

Game 1: HOU @ NY 1-1

Game 2: NY @ HOU 11/9/08

Flake

Well, my attempts to capture my percussion prey has failed. I can't believe it. I was trying to buy these 2 drums from a musician in Union City/Fremont. First he asked me to meet him at the Union Landing center this past Wednesday - and he was a no show. Then he asked me to meet him at the Soundwave studios in Oakland tonight (where his group is rehearsing). I am not sure if we he was a no show or just didn't answer his cell phone. Either way - I spent several hours and burned precious petro to make this Craigslist purchase and have nothing to show for it. Are young musicians flakes? It seems as if this guy just doesn't want to sell these drums that bad or he just doesn't care about anyone else's time. I've written this one off - I can't waste time and resources anymore. My little "First Act" drum will remain #1.

Positive note: The guy working at the Soundwave - Kent - was cool. He let me hang out in the office while I was waiting for "Flake" and we watched Sunday Night Football (Pats vs Colts). It was a good game (Colts 18-15)

Skill Skool - Norwich City-Style!

Thanks to our buddy Graham for sending us the link to this great video. G's description of this clip: "I wanted to send you a link to a good video for the Faultzone. It is from Skysports TV channel back home, the program soccer am is on every saturday morning and is the bible for all footie fans back home. This clip is of Norwich City youngsters in the skill skool section."




I am definitely going to be checking out more "Skill Skool" clips online and seeing if I can catch some "Soccer AM" somewhere on the web! Thanks again Graham - for providing the "Zone" with more insights into English footie.

http://www.skysports.com/socceram/story/0,21644,13873_2661145,00.html

Boo!

Happy Halloween!

Re-Designed MLS Cup

The MLS just unveiled the newly designed MLS Cup. It looks nice. I wonder if they decided to re-design the thing because I got my sticky fingers on the old trophy this year! The Quakes have two of the old ones and we'll be gunning for a new one in 2009.

...My current "prey"

The 2008 season is still warm and I am already trying to prepare for next season. I am on the hunt for this pair:

Today was close, but they just eluded me. I will re-group and try to initiate another capture attempt at daybreak......

My New Football Boots

H surprised me the other day with....a pair of football boots! He was doing his routine search through the local Ross store and found a pair of Reebok boots in my size for $9.99. Was it a deal?After quick research surf, I found out a little more information about these babies.

"The Reebok Pro Rage football boots launch Reebok straight into the premier league of top level football boots. With the recent hype attached to Reebok’s football boot sponsorship agreements with Thierry Henry and Andriy Shevchenko, the Pro Rage has been one of this years most eagerly awaited football boots.

Performance: Weighing in at 9.35 oz, this is a light football boot. This lightweight football boot has a micro synthetic upper, with a hidden lace system aiding control and maximising the strike area. The external TPU heel count increases stability, support and protection. The inside of the heel has a Griptonite anti slip coating that grips the foot and prevents boot slippage.
Available in 3 different soleplates, 12 stud moulded, 6 screw in studs or the variable blades.

Comfort: The one piece foot liner and elasticated Neoprene inner cradles the foot snugly for the ultimate comfort and touch of the football. The sockliner includes an anti friction fabric which reduces heat and moisture, reducing blistering.
Colours Available: Black/Copper
Price: from £72

Verdict: Fantastic price for a professional football boot. The Reebok Pro Rage football boot is set to be a mainstream winner."

(article is circa 2006)

Now what?

H says I need to get out there on the pitch! Well, my mind might say,"go for it", but my heart and lungs are singing a different tune ("I've fallen and I can't get up.")

Graham - A great finale!

Ending the season on a high-note!

The Quakes ended the season last night with a 2-nil victory over Toronto FC (goals from Cochrane and Salinas). It was so great for the boys to end the season with the taste of the victory. It was an awesome night - the Quakes were attacking and much more aggressive tonight on offense and defense. We were able to pick up 3 more points to end the season 33 points and tied with the hated Galaxy (who tied FC Dallas in their last game). Team awards were given out prior to kickoff. Defensive MVP: Jason Hernandez Team MVP: Darren Huckerby. Humanitarian: Joe Cannon. (My votes would have been: Defensive MVP: Nick Garcia. Team MVP: Joe Cannon). We are already looking forward to the start of the 2009 season. Jim and his family have been great neighbors in Sec 108. They tolerated our drumming all season and it was alot of fun to cheer the Q's alongside them all year. A shout out to Kalia, Travis, Tanner, Kelsey + her friends, Proud Smurf and his family, and the rest of the gang in Sec 108.

Finally - our Victory celebration - mojarras fritas plate @ Chalateco!

We refrained from returning to Chalateco for some tilapia until the Quakes won again at home. We had to wait until the last game of the season, but it was worth it! We also ran into Proud Smurf and his family at the Chalateco after the game.

H on the "attack"!

www.chalateco.com

Our chef!

More Football Funnies

From our friends at Pepsi

The Season Finale

The Q's take on Toronto FC tomorrow night - the final game of the season. It will be nice to complete this campaign at the SB San Siro. Even though this game does not have any playoff implications, it will certainly determine whether the Q's have a chance to overtake the Galaxy in the standings. LA currently has 32 pts and the Q's have 30. LA plays FC Dallas @ the Home Depot Center (noon time kickoff). If FCD can win, it will all be up to the Q's to win and move up in the table.

Gridiron and Football "Double" Again

Cal Gridiron is taking on UCLA (Univ. of California for Lower Achievers) at 12:30pm in Berkeley. Shouldn't be too bad a rush to get to the Q's game at the SB Siro @ 7pm.

Beckham on loan to ACM

I don't have many thoughts on this subject. He can do what he wants. What does bother me is the issue of his mission to break the record for England Nat'l Team caps. So many people are saying he is getting "cheap" caps for basically token appearances. That is BOGUS. His impact in the MLS this year was mediocre at best. He should use his off-season resting his tired body.

If you are going to foul someone, go for it!

This video is from Euro '08. I was in pain when I saw this happen live. Is this the alternative to the slide tackle? How do you practice such a move? This obviously the result of years of training - to be able to hit your target while it is running at full speed. I don't recall a yellow card being drawn on this one. All I remember is Miroslav Klose dropping like a stone.

Thanks Adidas! (NOT)

I think I found the season's curse. Look who Adidas has representing the Q's on their official MLS gear webpages - YIKES! The Curse of the Kamara strikes again. I never thought I would say this, but - Nike? Puma? What do you have in blue and black?

"Moment of Silence"

The Fault Zone has entered a moment of silence - following the Q's defeat at the hands of the KC Wizards tonight 3-2. No playoffs this year. :(