NPSL News, RSL Earns Draw in Mexico, USSF Releases Coaching Curriculum, and Atlantic Cup On ESPN2

NPSL News

The NPSL PR arm is in full effect as the league prepares to kick into full gear.  League Commissioner Dan Trainor has described the league as a "democracy in action" with the team ownership making decisions about the best way to develop players and also financial structures of the clubs.

Speaking of developing players, the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves sees its team as "an avenue to move guys into the professional ranks."

Meanwhile, the new Knoxville Force have released a series of Facebook videos in which fans were allowed to ask the coaching staff questions like, "What formation will you be playing?"; "What will be the toughest challenge for the Knoxville Force this year?"; and "What style of play will Knoxville have?".


RSL Earns Road Draw in CONCACAF Champions League Final

Real Salt Lake earned an exciting 2:2 draw in Monterrey in Leg 1 of the CONCACAF Champions League Final Wednesday night.  It looked as if RSL would have to settle for a road goal as consolation for its efforts when Javier Morales scored a great goal in the 89th minute to pull even.  Now, RSL goes back home where they haven't lost in years (literally) with two road goals.  Check out the highlights.

US Soccer Releases Coaches Curriculum

The US Soccer Federation has released a 123 page US Soccer Coaching Curriculum to guide the nation's coaches in developing players.  USSF Youth Soccer Technical Director Claudio Reyna introduced the curriculum Tuesday at the US Soccer Player Development Summit.

"The curriculum is designed to improve development of players representing the largest organized player base in the United States. The curriculum concentrates on improving the youngest players by creating more organized, age-appropriate training sessions, developing coaching practices and creating an environment that is fun for the players."

If you are a youth soccer coach, you need to download, read and follows this doc.  (But beware the download is nearly 100MB!)  The PWT-blog will have a guest post on this in the near future.


MLS Game of the Week:  DC United v NYRB

I've rarely posted about my favorite MLS club, DC United, here on the PWT-blog.  Mainly because they have provided much worth writing about since I started the blog two years ago.  They've played some pretty horrible soccer in that time.  However, with the introduction of some exciting new young players like Charlie Davies, things are looking up for the Black and Red.  On Thursday night at 7PM on ESPN2, they'll take on the star studded NY Red Bulls in the latest match in the rivalry that has been dubbed the Atlantic Cup.  Here's a preview of the game.

RCU v Nashville Metros, American Signs With Barca, RSL In Champs League Final

RCU to face Nashville Metros

Rocket City United will take on the Nashville Metros in the final preseason tune-up next Monday (April 25th) night at 7PM up at the Martin Methodist College Soccer Complex.   The game against the USL PDL team should prove a good test for RCU who are still trying to identify the final 11 who will step on the field in the NPSL season opener against Knoxville on May 7th.

American Signs With Barcelona

I debated with myself about whether to post this.  We as a soccer culture tend to over hype our young soccer players who show even a modicum of talent.  So, please folks, can we agree not to go the Freddy Adu route here?  Thank you.

Yes, it is true that an American has signed with FC Barcelona, but no, it's not Jaun Agudelo.  It's a 10 year old from LA.  This kid has signed with the same FC Barcelona Academy that produced Messi, Xavi, and a host of the other stars that play for the super club.


Champions League Leg One is Tonight!

Champions League 360 Part 2

Real Salt Lake take on Monterrey tonight at 9PM on FSC in the first leg of the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League.  This is the biggest match for an MLS team in years.  YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS MATCH!!!

CONCACAF Champions League Final, Freedom of Press In Qatar?, Robots Sports Journalists, Quote of the Week

RSL Prepare for CONCACAF Champions League Final

Real Salt Lake plays Monterrey in the first leg of CONCACAF Champions League Final on Wednesday night (9PM FSC).  Here's a video as the team prepares for the big game in Mexico.

Champions League 360

Press Crew Arrested In Qatar

A team of Swiss sports journalists were arrested in Qatar recently.  Were the Qataris trying to hide the fact that they bought right to host the World Cup?  Nah, everyone already knew that.  Whatever the reason, that ain't good.


Robots to Write Sports Articles

NPR has an interesting story about a program that compiles data from sporting events and writes articles about the games.  Does this spell the end of sports reporters?  Don't worry, the Perfectly Weighted Through Blog will not be assimilated!  :)


Quote of the Week

One of the PWT-blog's favorite writers Raphael Honigstein brings us another great quote.  Speaking about the 5:1 thumping of Bayer Leverkusen by perrenial Bundesliga power Bayern Munich, Honigstein evokes a former Leverkusen General Manager who said,

Leverkusen... turned up "wearing Pampers."

Absolutely brutal! I love it.


NPSL Team Goes Public

I've heard of EPL and La Liga teams that have going public, but this is a first for me.  NPSL Western Region team San Diego Boca FC has gone public.  The American Soccer Corporation which owns the first year club is being listed on German Boerse Exchange.  It'll be interesting to see how the model works out for them.

Side Volleys

Holy smokes, did you see the Stankovic goal?!  If not, here it is.

That was a great goal, but there was another right footed side volley that was more important yesterday.  Real Salt Lake's Jamison Olave second half side volley form 8 yards put the MLS club into the CONCACAF Champions League Final.  Despite losing the match, RSL came out on top 3:2 in the aggregate score to qualify for the home and away style final with games on April 20th and 27th.

CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal Highlights

This is a big deal for US soccer, since no US club has made it to the final of the CONCACAF championships since the format went to a Champions League.

Champions League Tuesday

Today is a huge day for Champions League on two continents.  In addition to the more globally popular UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matches, the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal second leg match is tonight with Real Salt Lake heading down to the purple cauldron of Saprissa with a 2:0 aggregate advantage. 

RSL talks about second leg

RSL is the standard bearer for the MLS who as a league has an attrocious record away from home in international tournaments.  Should RSL come away with victory in the tie, they would face the winner of the Monterrey v Cruz Azul tie. 

Another RSL preview of the match

You can watch the match live on FSC at 9PM from San Juan, Costa Rica. 

MLS First Kick, RSL in Champs League

MLS First Kick

The Major League Soccer season starts Tuesday night when the Seattle Sounders host the LA Galaxy.  Rather than write up a preview of the season, I invite you to find one of the several hundred that pop up on the various sites and blogs this time of year.  And there are some exciting developments in the league this year with two new expansion teams and several new players.  I'm usually not good at predictions, but I'll take a stab in the dark by saying that my beloved DC United will not finished in last place again this year. 

Tomorrow's game should be a pretty good one, and there will be a viewing party to take in the action at Knucklehead's Sports Pub on Rt. 72 in Madison at 8:30PM.  It's been a while since we did a Soccer Bar review.  So, if you go let us know how you like it.
 

If you can't make it out to Knuckleheads, you can watch the game on ESPN.  Last week, the World Wide Leader announced that Adrian Healey would replace JP Dellacamara who is now joining Fox Soccer Channel's lineup as MLS play by play caller.

Speaking of TV, MLS will also offer a free preview of their Direct Kick TV package on Saturday, March 19.  I highly recommend this package where you can watch 221 regular season matches for $79.


Ross is the Place to Shop for Soccer Jerseys

On a somewhat related note, I was in Ross on Rt. 72 yesterday and saw several MLS jerseys in their racks.  I even picked up the light blue Colorado Rapids jersey for about 75% off the list price.  I also picked up a national team jersey Spain and Argentina each for the same ridiculous discount.  And these aren't cheap knock-offs.  These are the real deal Adidas brand jerseys.  So, get on over to "Dress for Less".


RSL Hosts Saprissa in Champs League

LA and Seattle aren't the only MLS teams in action Tuesday night.  Real Salt Lake will host Saprissa of Costa Rica in the semifinals of the first leg of the CONCACAF Chamions League.  This game may actually be more important to US soccer fans than the opening match of the MLS season, since there has been such limited success in international tournaments recently.  Catch all the action on FSC at 9PM.

Alabama State Cup, USA v Paraguay in Nashville, Chattanooga MLS Friendly, CONCACAF Champions League

Alabama State Cup

A website for the Alabama State Cup has been created.  The tournament is April 1-3 in Birmingham and is open to all teams from affiliated leagues in the state.  So, if your team plays in HASL, you can enter.  The tournament qualifies teams to the regional tournament to be held in Tuscolusa in May.   For teams who may not be that serious, you can enter the recreation division and just have a fun weekend at a nice facility.  HASL has promised to reschedule league matches, if your team is registered for that weekend.


Nashville USA Friendly

US crowd at LP Field

The Washington Post is reporting ticket sales for the upcoming friendly at LP field has reached over 12,000 and it will be broadcast by Fox Soccer Channel.   But you guys are already going, right?


Chattanoga MLS Match on Sunday

Don't forget that Chattanooga FC is hosting a preseason match between the New England Revolution and the Columbus Crew on Sunday at 4PM Eastern.  This should be a fun match right in our own back yard (well, it's closer than the 8 hour drive to Columbus) and they've already sold over a thousand tickets.


CONCACAF Champions League Return Leg Tonight

The second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal between Real Salt Lake and the above mentioned Columbus Crew is tonight at 9PM on FSC.  There won't be a second "Concacaf Ice Bowl" in this match however, as the temperature at game time is expected to be a balmy 35 degrees.

CONCACAF Champs League, Chattanooga MLS Friendly

CONCACAF Champions League Freezes Goalmouth Shut

I called it.  The first match of the 2011 US soccer calendar landed with a cold thud.  Real Salt Lack-of-feeling-in-my-toes held the Co-numbness-is-spreading-to-my-extremities Crew to a 0:0 draw.  Check out the frigid action.

CONCACAF Icebowl 2011

Chattanooga MLS Friendly Update

 Finley Stadium to host MLS friendly

Chattanooga FC is hosting an MLS friendly on Sunday, March 6th at 4PM between the previously mentioned Columbus Crew and the New England Revolution.  You've already seen the Crew in action above.  Now, word out of the Boston Herald is that the Revolution have suspended their best players, Shalrie Joseph and Kevin Alston.  The players were sent home from a preseason training camp in Florida, and may rejoin the team in Atlanta in time to take part in the game in Chattanooga.  Let's hope so.

And So It Begins

 With tonight's CONCACAF Champions League match between the Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake, the 2011 US domestic soccer year will begin.  It'll be a 10 month voyage to the MLS Cup, and I'm looking forward to it with relish.  My couch, which will likely suffer a dent in one or more of the cushions from my time in front of the TV, is probably not looking forward to this season. 

Tonight's match feature's the 2009 MLS Supporter's Shield winner in Columbus vs. the 2009 MLS Cup Champion and 2010 Runner-up, Real Salt Lake.  So, in theory this should be a good game.  The reality is that this match will be held in arctic temperatures with two teams in preseason form.  The game-time forecast calls for 27 degrees and light snow.  So, it's likely that this first match of the calendar year will be a frozen dud, but I don't care.  After a few months without it, I can suffer through an ugly match.

More Sabio

Filipino International and Huntsville Native, Jason Sabio

The Huntsville Times has a nice little article about Huntsville native Jason Sabio's action for the Filipino National Team.