UAH Wins, Maryland-Under Amour Soccer Boots

UAH Shuts Out Christian Brothers

University of Alabama-Huntsville picked up its second win of the season on the back of a strong defensive effort and the creativity of sophomore forward Felix Hjalmarsson.  Coming off a soggy 1:2 overtime loss to at home to Lincoln Memorial University on Sunday, the Chargers (2-1) shutout victory give the team confidence through the 3rd of their season opening 6 straight home games. 

The Charger defense held strong through out the match, and the Icelandic forward Hjalmarsson would reward them with a goal in the 80th minute from a nice combination with midfielder and fellow Icelander Ragnar Gunnarson.  It was the frosty forward's second goal of the season.  Hjalmarsson wasn't finished as he and freshman forward Mitch Wilson combine to seal the win with Wilson's goal in the 83rd minute.

The Charger's will hope to keep the momentum going when they host Tennessee Wesleyan on Saturday at 2:30 PM at Charger Field.


University of Maryland Flag Soccer Boots Are Awesome!

Fear the Turtle!

The University of Maryland's throwball team has been getting an huge amount of press about their uniforms, but it's the Terps soccer boots that I'm interested in.  The Under Armour Blur boots (and the uniforms) are based on the flag of Maryland with feature the Black and Gold banner of the Calvert family, and the Red and White banner of the Crossland family.

The Terps soccer team also features the Calvert banner

Confession:  I'm was born and raised in Maryland's Calvert County.  So, my opinion in these matters may be a little biased.  I fully understand people who think they are bufugly, but I think they are awesome!

New US World Cup Jersey, Group C Projections, and Grissom Soccer Camp

World Cup Home Jersey Released
The new white home jersey to be worn by the US in this summer's World Cup has been released by Nike. The jersey is made from polyester made from recycled plastic bottles and features a sash design similar to the design of the jersey that the US wore in the upset of England in the 1950 World Cup. In keeping with that theme, I ordered mine with the name and number of the goal scorer from that day, Joe Gaetjens.


Statistician's Projections of Group C


In an ESPN article, statistician Nate Silver, famous for his Major League Baseball player and US political predictions, has released his predictions for the results from the World Cup's Group C. So? According to Silver's simulations, England and the USA should advance. He projects the US getting 4.27 points from the three matches with a 21.6% of winning the group and a 55.8% of advancing. Too bad the games aren't played on paper.

Personally, my gut is telling me that this will be a much harder group than these projections indicate. I will be very happy if we get 4 points from the group. With a little luck, that will be enough. In my ideal World Cup scenario, we finish second in Group C and face Germany in the second round, followed by Mexico in the quarter-finals. Another crack at Germany in a knock-out situation would be an ideal situation for an upset by the US, and we know what it takes to beat Mexico. But again, with a little luck, this could be a good World Cup for our boys.


Grissom Hosts Soccer Camp

This summer Grissom High will host thier 17th annual Soccer Camp for children ages 5-16. The players will be provided with instruction on individual technique, skills and tactics. For more information and camp registration, go to http://www.grissomsoccer.com/camp.htm.

World Cup Uniforms, EPL Refs, Jolazo, and Arena quotes "Dumb and Dumber"

World Cup Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder

How did this not make the worst uniform list?

ESPN Soccernet has posted two articles with their best and worst World Cup uniforms. I guess I have no fashion sense, because some of the uniforms on their best list would make my worst and vice versa. But what do I know? I let my wife pick out all my clothes...


EPL Refs Let Too Much Go?

Ouch! Did De Jong learn how to do that in the EPL?

In the wake of the two bad tackles over the past week, EPL referees have been taken to task for allowing too much rough stuff. In fact, Bert van Marwijk, the Dutch National Team coach, chewed out Dutch defender Nigel De Jong after his terrible tackle which broke USA midfielder Stuart Holden's leg in last week's friendly. Van Marwijk lays the blame on the referees who allow such challenges routinely on the EPL pitches. De Jong has apparently gotten used to getting away with the lunging challenge in the EPL where getting "stuck in" is just part of the game.


Jolazo!

US soccer geeks have coined a new term. The "jolazo", used to describe a goal by USMNT and Hull City foward, Josie Altidore. It's a mash-up of the term golazo and Josie's name, and is also teasingly used to describe a long anticipated goal scored after a long drought. In fact, it's already appeared in the Urban Dictionary as

"A brilliantly lashed ball that finds the back of the net to end a scoring drought in dramatic fashion.

and

Any goal struck by Hull City and UMSNT striker Josmer Altidore."

They're even selling shirts.

Arena: Dumb or Dumber


LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena used a quote from the famous Jim Carey movie last week when describing the chances that star player Landon Donovan would extend his loan with Everton. "It was kind of like in that movie 'Dumb and Dumber', where the man says that there is a chance, it's just one in a million." Jacob at Southern Soccer has a posted the clip from the classic movie.

USMNT Away Kit, USA World Cup Buttons and Beer Coozies, and MLS CBA Expires

US World Cup Away Jersey Revealed

Dempsey sports the USA Away Kit w/ the other Nike World Cup jerseys. From left to right, Slovenia, Australia, USA, Portugal, Brazil, Holland, South Korea, New Zealand, and Serbia.

Nike released the kits of the teams they sponsor at the World Cup. The USA away kit is navy blue with a white sash feature that is a nod toward the 1950 jersey which the USMNT hopes brings them some juju from the famous team who upset England in the World Cup. Personally, I think the jersey is great, although I do think that the Miss America sash jokes are funny.


BTW, after a little bit of Internet sleuthing, I found out that Joe Gaetjens, who scored the game winner against England in the 1950 World Cup, wore #18. That's the name and number I'm getting on my customized replica!!!


USA World Cup Flair!!!

You wanna be like Brian, don't ya? Well, then feel free to express yourself with USA World Cup flair!

As the World Cup approaches, it's time to gather your assortment of USA paraphernalia that shows just how much of a fan you are. Sure, anyone wave a flag but a super fan will think of the little things, including chotchkies!

Got USA World Cup campaign style flair? Check.

Well, here's a USA World Cup chotchkie I'd like to get my hands on. And it's for a good 'cause. Each beer coozie sold will help send a US fan to the World Cup in South Africa.

Keepin' 'em cold with USA World Cup Beer Coozies

CBA Expires: World Does Not Come To An EndI've stayed away from the MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement story for the most part, but the CBA that the league and the players were operating under for the past few years expired yesterday. I'll let Tom Dunmore from Pitch Invasion to describe the major issues and why the players haven't gone on strike and why the owners have not locked the players out.

Champion's League, FIFA Elections, and Soccer Shirts

Champs League Knockouts Today

For all sceptics and know-it-alls: How can you still doubt the AR's decision?

FC Bayern Munich scored a blatantly offside goal in last week's first leg of the Champions League knockout tie against Fiorentina, but the funny photo above from a German soccer blog, 90elf.de, shows Miroslav Klose was clearly onside! :)

BTW, I'd like to take a long lunch today and watch the rest of the Champions League games, but I don't have a soccer bar in which to watch it. Barcelona play at Stuttgart (1:30 PM FSE) and Bordeaux travel to Olympiacos (1:30 PM FSC).


FIFA Presidential Elections: What it means to the USA World Cup bid?

FIFA President Sepp Blatter will face stiff competition in the next election.

Bill Archer writes an interesting blog post on how the 2011 FIFA presidential elections could affect US Soccer and the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Uh-oh...


Wearing Soccer Shirts, Sending Messages

I was out on a family outing to the local shopping center yesterday, and we went into Marshalls to look for cheap toys for my daughter's birthday party. When lo and behold, in the Men's section, I stumbled upon two sweet DC United shirts for less than half the original price!

Now, the guys at EPLTalk try to explain just what I'll be communicating non-verbally when I wear those DC United shirts.

UAH Alumni, Haiti Rebuilds, Dives, and Ugly 1860 Unis

UAH Alumni Game Still OnDespite the departure of the former head coach, UAH will go on with its Alumni match on March 27th. Interested players should contact interim head coach, Joe Nemzer.


Haitian Football Federation President Vows To Rebuild

The Haitian Football Federation Headquarters were destroyed in the earthquake. Photo via Getty Images.

During the earthquake that devastated the country the Haitian Football Federation's offices were destroyed along with over 30 Federation employees. Dr. Yves Jean-Bart survived and now vows to reconstruct the offices and the remainder of the soccer infrastructure in the country. He said this about the Haitian love for soccer.

"There is not one Haitian that has not touched a soccer ball. Football is part of the everyday life of Haiti, even with the scary living conditions in Port-au-Prince, even with the fields being occupied, they still play soccer. It is the only entertainment reserved for everybody. At the federation we had the great idea of distributing in the temporary shelters the few soccer balls we were able to recover and it was an explosion of joy. I think it is necessary and mandatory, to help with the psychological recovery of a major part of the population, to free the fields and allow the people to release some stress."

As you know, I am collecting soccer equipment to help bring their beloved game back to them. Please make your way down to Pete's Soccer Shop to donate your new or used shoes, balls, or any other equipment. Thanks, again.


Is It Always A Dive?
Studs Up is a comic strip about soccer. Today's strip is a funny look at diving.


1860, Was Denken Sie?

Yuck!

Let me be clear. Bayern Munich is my team, but ever since I visited Bavaria in college, I've had a soft spot for 1860 Munich. I love the classy look of their light blue kits with the lion crest. But they may have taken the prize for ugliest uniform ever with their shirt to celebrate their 150th year shown above. Yes, you are seeing that right. It's a collage of blue tinted historic photos on a soccer jersey with gold trim.

Oh, that's not so bad.

Well, maybe the powers that be anticipated this reaction because they made the shirt reversible and reveals a shirt that's not quite as revolting. Ahh, that's better.

Rumored USA World Cup Jerseys

I guess I should have waited a week or so to do my USA jersey post, because a few photos of the rumored US Home World Cup jerseys were leaked recently. Here they are:

Dempsey modeling the rumored World Cup uniform

Close-up of the shirt

My first impression is that it's a little bland, and I'm not big on the ringed collar. It's not bad, but I've always liked an actual polo style collar on my soccer jerseys. Maybe because if it has a collar, I can get away with wearing it to work on casual Fridays. :)

I'll let you know once the Away jerseys are released.

30 Years in US Soccer Jersey History

Soccer jersey design is a touchy subject to many fans. A real fan of a team is willing to overlook a hideous design to proudly sport something that if it didn't have the badge of their team sewn on it would certainly only be worn by a clown. Want some examples? Here are the jerseys from the original 12 MLS teams. Just put a red nose and wigs on those guys...

Where is the miniature car these guys jumped out of?

Fortunately for us, the US Men's National Team has a pretty good track record of jersey designs and the guys over at Project 2010 reviewed every jersey worn by the USMNT since 1984.

1994 USA Home Jersey: Bozo would be proud to wear this.

Overall, I'd say that the US jersey designs have been pretty good. There are a few that I'm not particularly fond of but they tend to be third jerseys that were not worn too often. The 1995 powder blue third jersey and the 2007 electric blue pinstripe just don't do it for me. Really, only the terrible 1994 World Cup shirts are can be considered clown worthy.

1998 USA Away Jersey: The only one I own.

Of the 29 USA jerseys reviewed by Project 2010, I only own one. Unfortunately, I bought it in the build up to the 1998 World Cup and wearing it brings back the horrible memories of the USA's last place finish in France. So, I only wear it rarely, even though I think it's a nice looking shirt.

2006 USA Home Jersey: One that I wish I had picked up.

There are a few that I didn't really like when they came out, but now I wish I had gotten. I guess my only option is to hope someone cleans out their closet and put them up on eBay or Craigslist.

RCU Announce New, New Uniform Supplier

Rocket City United has announced that it has ended its relationship with uniform supplier Baliston and replaced them with Bullfrog Sportwear. They've also replaced the black/white striped look with a broad red vertical stripe trimed with black with white down the sides and on the sleeves.

RCUs new shirt mockup

I like the new look. It's reminicent of the old Ajax Amsterdam look. Classic.

Customized shirts can be purchased here, but supplies are limited.

New RCU Jerseys and more

Rocket City United will be wearing new kits for the '09 season. Baliston will be the official uniform supplier of RCU replacing Under Armour. Going for the slimming effect, black will be the "In" color for this season.

This year RCU home strip will sport stripes of black and white, with black shorts and socks.

RCU's new home shirt

The away kit will take a page from AC/DC's "Back in Black" going with black shirt, black shorts and black socks.


Negotiations are still under way for a shirt sponsor. However, custom jerseys with name and number will be available for purchase in the RCU shop on their website.

In a related note, according to footballshirtculture.com, men prefer their wife or girlfriend wear their favorite team's jersey rather than the latest boudoir fashions from Victoria Secret.

"34% of men asked said they would prefer their wife or girlfriend to wear their favorite team’s [soccer] top in bed, 23% said that they would be more interested in “sexy lingerie”, 21% replied with simply “nothing”, 16% said they would love to see a “fantasy role play outfit” and 6% said “ordinary nightwear”."

So guys, get your gals to go here for the new RCU replica shirt.