RCU To Announce Coach, Schedule Next Week

Rocket City United has announced a press conference to introduce their new coach who will guide them through the 2011 season next Wednesday March 2nd at 9:30 AM at the Madison YMCA.  RCU will use the new Hogan Family YMCA located off Hughes Rd in Madison that opened last fall to announce a partnership with the YMCA.

RCU is also set to unveil the 2011 schedule which will feature matches against the two new NPSL Southeast Region clubs, the Knoxville Force and Georgia Revolution. 

Let me know if you have any questions that you want answered.

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.

SI Reporter For FIFA President

Grant Wahl, the Sports Illustrated soccer reporter and author of the Beckham Experiment, has decided enough's enough with the lunacy at FIFA.  He's decided to challenge Sepp Blatter in the run for the FIFA presidency.  No, really.  He's serious. 

Grant Wahl for FIFA President

He's running on a pretty great platform.  If elected, he will:

• Instant replay for all close calls on the goal line
• Referees for the World Cup will be chosen on merit alone with no limits per country
• Referees will also be required to address the media post-game to explain calls
• Yellow cards will not be automatically given to players taking off their shirts to celebrate goals
• FIFA transparency by releasing all FIFA documents to the public
• FIFA presidential term limits of two four-year terms
• Eliminate FIFA's sexism by appointing a woman to General Secretary position

Unfortunately, he needs a country's soccer federation to nominate him for the election.  That may be pretty hard to do, unless he can find a country that isn't afraid of the FIFA machine politic to stick their neck out and put his name forward.

Wahl running for FIFA President

Any ideas which country would be willing to help "cure the Blatter infection"? 

NPSL Gains Automatic Berths In US Open Cup

US Soccer has released its schedule for the 2011 US Open Cup, and for the first time, the NPSL has gained four automatic qualification slots.  The qualification process for the NPSL slots has not been finalized and will be released in a few weeks.
  
The US Open Cup is single elimination tournament similar to the FA Cup in which teams from all level of the game in America compete.  In the past, the NPSL teams would participate in the US Amateur Soccer Associations (USASA) regional qualification process.  Atlanta FC (now the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves) qualified through this process in 2008 and was knocked out of the tournament the fully professional Charleston Battery.

RCU has participated in the tournament each of the past three years, but has failed to qualify for the US Open Cup.  The addition of 4 automatic berths may benefit NPSL teams.  The late spring timing of the USASA's qualification often punished NPSL teams who were largely composed of college players who had not been released from their school commitments and could not participate.

RCU Signs Maxwell, Olde Towne Closes Doors

Rocket City United announced the signing of Jamaican Youth International Ryan Maxwell this morning.  Maxwell is a midfielder who starred at the University of Tampa before being drafted in the first round of the 2009 MLS Superdraft by the New England Revolution.

RCU's newest player, Ryan Maxwell

Maxwell also has some international experience with the Jamaican U-20 national team.  MLS scouting expert, Buzz Carrick of the blog 3rd Degree, said this after seeing Maxwell at the 2009 MLS Combine, "Crazy fast wide mid, arguably the fastest player at the combine.  With or without the ball he beat players to get results."

NSR:  Olde Towne Brewing Co. Says Goodbye

Former RCU sponsor Olde Towne Brewing Co. is ceasing operations.  Established in 2004, Olde Towne blazed the trail that many Huntsville Breweries have followed.  A farewell party will be held this Saturday afternoon at the Nook with many of Olde Towne's employees in attendance.  Time to go to the local beer joint and stockpile all the Olde Towne.

UPDATE:  According to the Huntsville Times, Olde Towne may not be closing, but may be sold to fellow Huntsville brewing company Straight to Ale.   One thing is for certain, they are shutting down the bottling line indefinitely.  So, stock up on the bottles.

Soccer Trick Shot Video

Last week, the interwebs were abuzz about a UConn's second-string quarterback's trick shot video in which he displays his throwing ability by hitting targets from various distances.  Well, not to be outdone, Lassi Hurskainen, a gifted goalkeeper from UNC-Ashville has posted his version of a trick shot vid.  There are some slick skills here.  Enjoy.

Lassi Hurskainen Goalkeeper Tricks

If I were the Bulldogs coach, I'd be pulling this kid out of goal to take any free kicks in the attacking third.

UPDATE:  This guy really likes Lassi's video.  :)

Sabio Appears for Phillipines

Huntsville native Jason Sabio came on as a substitute in the 70th minute and provided the pass that led to the second goal as the Filipino National Team recorded a 2:0 victory over Mongolia in the first leg of the AFC Challenge Cup tie.

Highlights

After a world class first goal by Emelio Caligdong in the 43rd minute, the Azkals pushed hard for a second goal.  Deep into second half stoppage time, Sabio ran onto a ball on the right flank and found Phil Younghusband in the penalty area.  Younghusband's first shot was knocked right back to him and his second bite of the cherry found the net for a much needed second goal.  The teams will meet each other again on March 15th for the return leg.

The Man in the Funny Looking Shirt: The Goalkeeper

When I was a kid, I was very athletic and had a decent ability to catch a ball.  So naturally, my soccer coaches often put me in goal... and... I... HATED... it.  In my opinion, goalkeeping is best described long stretches of boredom mixed with briefs stints of terror (hmm, sounds like combat) followed by either complete dejection when a goal is scored or exhalations of relief when a goal is prevented.  Those emotions are played on repeat hundreds of times a match. 

During those long stretches while the ball was at the other side of the field, my boredom led my thoughts to many of the same philosophical questions that are expressed in this brilliant story from NPR's Radiolab program.  Enjoy!

The Loneliness of the Goalkeeper

Looking back on it, perhaps I hated it, because I didn't have the concentration required to stay in the game.  I was a kid after all.  Anyway, it is lonely between the sticks. 

Worst of the Weekend

Whether we're talking about Bayern Munich's collapse in Cologne to lose 3:2 after a 2:0 halftime lead or even worse, Arsenal giving up 4 after leading by 4 to Newcastle, there were a lot of choke jobs this weekend.  But the worst of all was this incredible see-nothing effort put on by the refereeing crew in Costa Rica.

Are you kidding me?

If ever there's a case for goal line/replay technology...

NPSL Southeast Region: Atlanta FC Partner with NASL's Atlanta Silverbacks

As announced on both club's Facebook pages today, the NPSL's Atlanta FC have reached an agreement with the Atlanta Silverbacks of the second division North American Soccer League.  The team will compete in the NPSL's Southeast Region as the Atlanta Silverback Reserves.

The Silverbacks, who just announced the hiring of the former Mexican World Cup star Jose Manual Abundis, are back in professional soccer after a two year hiatus.  The Reserves will be continue to be coached by Ricardo Montoya, who led Atlanta FC to the 2008 NPSL Southeast Region championship.

This is a very exciting development as now players on the Silverbacks Reserves will have the opportunity to develop in front of the watchful eye of the professional training staff.

Soccer on TV News

Good news:  Huntsville soccer fans won't have to shell out pay-per-view prices to watch the next two European Championships tournaments. 

ESPN has won the rights for the 2012 tournament hosted by Poland and Ukraine and the 2016 tournament in France.   ESPN did a pretty good job with the 2008 tournament in Switzerland and reaped the rewards with good ratings.

Bad news:  Next week's planned US Men's National Team match against African Champions Egypt has been canceled due to the political unrest in the country.  I was really looking forward to see how the USMNT would handle a game in a hostile environment, but that was before the use of the term "hostile" went from hyperbole to merely apt. 

Here's an interesting read about the how the country's soccer clubs have played a big part in the protests against the current regime.  

NSR: More Alabama Breweries and New Brewing Law?

Today, I'd like to share with you something that is near and dear to me, but is NSR or not soccer related.  I've posted many times that I like my beer.  Sometimes my soccer and beer interests intermingle, but this post is all about the beer.  

I used to be the typical Amerian beer drinker, who went to the beer aisle and picked up a sixer from one of the major breweries, but then in college I took a trip to Bavaria and was hit over the head and awoken from my beer drinking slumber by how rich and flavorful beer could be.  Since then, I have sought out beer that offers more than the "flavored water" of the major brewery offerings.

In fact, when I got married, I went to the local small batch brewery in Northern Virginia and self-brewed a celebratory brew that I served at my wedding reception.  And when I moved to Alabama, one of the first things I did was join Free the Hops, a group of Alabamian beer aficionados who lobby the Alabama legislators to change the all to restrictive Alabama beer laws.  

Due to archaic laws left over from prohibition and propped up by the major breweries who were trying to prevent competition, Alabama had become a beer desert with local Huntsville brewery Olde Towne being one of the only oases.  In order to change this, FTH proposed the Gourmet Beer Law, that was passed in 2009 after three years of constant support.

Since then, Alabama has experienced a renaissance of beer culture.  In the past year alone, Huntsville has seen three new craft breweries open.  Joining Olde Towne is Straight to Ale, BluePants, and Yellowhammer.  Now, news is breaking that there will be two new Alabama breweries in Old Black Bear and Avondale joining Good People and Back Forty who have been Alabama breweries for a while. 

This is great news for Alabama beer, but still, there is work to be done in Alabama when it comes to beer and brewing.  Remember the archaic laws I mentioned above, there are a few laws in particular that precludes brewpubs and breweries from operating freely unless they meet restrictions that are anti-business and just silly.

The first is that brewpubs must be located in a historic building, in a wet county or city, in which beer was brewed prior to prohibition.  This reduces the location of brewpubs to old and decrepit buildings that are often not in ideal business locations and cuts out large swathes of the state from consideration.  Renovating these buildings and retrofitting them to include modern brewing equipment can be prohibitively costly.

The second is that brewpubs cannot package their beers for sale anywhere but inside the brewpub.  So, if you loved the beer the brewpub sells, you cannot fill up a growler or buy a six pack to take home.  Nor can you find that beer on tap at another bar.  In order to enjoy that brew, you must drink it in the brewpub.   

Brewpubs often offer tastings of their brews and beer to go.  Show above Nimbus Brewing from my recent trip to Arizona.  Unfortunately, Alabama breweries cannot offer these types of service.

In the same vein of ill logic, Alabama also restricts actual breweries from allowing brewery tours with samples of there beer or from opening tasting rooms. 

The result of these restrictions is that Alabama has exactly ZERO operating brewpubs.

In an effort to change this, FTH has proposed the Brewery Modernization Act for the 2011 legislative session.  If you'd like to join the effort to help bring brewpubs to your town, county and state, join Free The Hops and/or contact your local legislators and ask them to support the Brewery Modernization Act.  

 

Heck, maybe one of these future brewpubs will welcome soccer fans and become the desperately needed "Soccer Bar" that we've been looking for.  :)

NPSL Southeast Region Takes Shape With Two New Teams

It appears Rocket City United will have two new opponents on the 2011 schedule.  The Georgia Revolution will join the Knoxville Force as the region's new additions.  According to their Wikipedia page, the team will be run by the Rockdale Youth Soccer Association in the eastern Atlanta suburb of Conyers.  The page lists two head coaches and the team will play home matches at the RYSA Soccerplex with a listed capacity of 1,000. 

It appears all of the teams from the 2010 Southeast region will return.  If the region plays the standard home and away schedule against each team, RCU will play a 12 game regular season.  That makes for a busy summer of soccer in the Madison City Schools Stadium of 6 regular season home matches and the 2011 NPSL Championships.

MLS Friendly in Chattanooga on March 6th

MLS clubs New England Revolution and Columbus Crew will meet in a preseason friendly on March 6th at 4PM at Finely Stadium in Chattanooga.  Pre-ordered ticket will cost $10, while walk-up tickets will go for $15.   The Sunday afternoon match will feature the two original MLS clubs who will be training just down I-75 at the Kennesaw State Soccer Stadium in the northern Atlanta suburb.

New England is looking to rebound from an unusually weak season in 2010 finishing 13th in the league.  New England is coached by former Liverpool star Steve Nicol who says about the preseason, "I'm looking forward to seeing the guys we've brought in and I'm sure we'll do real well."  Nicol will rely on incredibly skilled and physically imposing midfielder Shalrie Joseph and veteran goalkeeper Matt Ries to lead the new players to a more successful season. 

New England's Shalrie Joseph and Columbus' Robbie Rogers will meet again in Chattanooga

Columbus (who likely have the worst logo in professional sports) had a very successful season last year finishing 5th in the league and reaching the finals of the US Open Cup where they lost to Seattle 2:1.  Columbus should come into the match in better form than New England as they will have just played in the two legged semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League against fellow MLS club Real Salt Lake.  The Crew will be lead by USMNT regulars Chad Marshall, Eddie Gaven, and Robbie Rogers.

Reminders: Weekend Warrior and Women's League

Weekend Warriors Registration Deadline

Registration for the Weekend Warrior tournament ends this Friday, January 28th.  Sign your team up for the traditional opening of the Huntsville adult soccer playing year.  The six a-side competition is being held at Dublin Park in Madison on February 5-6.  Check out the Southern Soccer blog for more info.


HASL Women's Division Registration

The newly formed HASL Women's Division will hold player registration drives on Thursday, January 27th 5-7 PM and  Saturday, January 29 2-4 PM at Pete's Soccer Shop.  Players will register individually and will play 10 games on Monday nights at Dublin or Palmer Park in Madison.  The fees will be $65.50 per player and that covers fields, refs, state fee, player cards, insurance and uniforms.  Check out the HASL website for more info.

Huntsville Native Called Up To Philippines National Team

Former Rocket City United player and Huntsville Native, Jason Sabio has been called up by the Philippines National Team for its upcoming Asian Football Confederation's Challenge Cup qualifier against Mongolia.  Sabio also spent time training with the Azkals in the summer of 2009 before being called up for the February 9th match.

The Philippines National Team, nicknamed the Azkals (or Streetdogs), are currently ranked 153rd in the FIFA rankings and are under new coach Michael Weiss.  The Azkals are trying to build on their recent success in last month's AFF Suzuki Cup where they beat the defending champions Vietnam.  That shock result led to a semifinal finish and resulted in the Azkals'  highest ever FIFA ranking of 150.  Wiess is looking to continue the success by exploring all player options and calling in many foreign based players of Filipino decent, including Sabio. 

New Feature: Pick-up Soccer Listing

You may have noticed the new link just under the PWT-blog's title bar called Pick-up Soccer Listing.  There you'll find some of the many regular pick-up games that go on all over the Tennessee Valley.

Action from the Lunchtime Soccer Pick-up Game

Right now I have listed one game each from Decatur, Huntsville and Madison.  If you know of a game, drop me a comment or send me an email with the details (when, where, skill level, and other special info) and I'll add them to the list.

In Depth: HASL's Women Division

When Suzy Permar moved to Huntsville for work just over a year ago, one of the first things she did was look for a league to quench soccer thirst.  When she discovered that there were no leagues for the female player older than the age of 18 in Huntsville,  she decided that she would make it her goal to change the situation.  "I realized  that there was no women's soccer leagues or even a recognized co-ed league for women to play in.  That is why I decided to get the ball rolling on starting a women's league here." 

You'll find several women scattered across the rosters of the Huntsville Adult Soccer League, but HASL is certainly not considered a "co-ed" league.  That makes it hard for women who would like to continue to play the game they grew up loving.  "Although, I have an obvious personal interest in starting a league here in Huntsville, I am also doing it for the progression of women's sports in this area, " added Permar.

HASL has also recognized that there is a segment of the soccer playing population that isn't being served and has made it a priority to help Permar establish the league.  Permar gives HASL a lot of credit, "Jacob Noffke at HASL has really made this happen for us." 

Permar, who has quite a bit of experience as a player, coach and soccer administrator in Memphis, is looking to set up a top notch competition in Huntsville.  "HASL has agreed to include a women's program under their umbrella. So the women of Huntsville will play through that organization and register with USSF and the Alabama State Soccer Association."

Permar understands that it may take some time to build up the women's league to the heights that the existing men's league has reached.  "At this time the games will be played in Madison at Palmer Park on Monday nights.  We are going to start with a 6v6 League until we grow large enough to play 11v11."

Spring Registration dates will be next Thursday, January 27th from 5-7 and Saturday,  January 29th from 2-4 at Pete's Soccer Shop .  If you can't make it to the registration dates or you or a player you know would like more info, you can reach Suzy at spermar11@gmail.com.

In a stroke of bad luck, Suzy will have to wait to reap the fruits of her labor.  "Unfortunately, I will be on the sidelines during the first season as I am currently recovering from a torn ACL. I expect to be back playing this summer sometime."

Weekend Warriors, USA v Chile on TV?

Weekend Warriors Returns

Weekend Warrior is back!

There's still time to sign up for the 4th Annual Weekend Warriors 6-aside Soccer Tournament returns to Dublin Park in Madison on February 4th and 5th.  There will be an Open, Recreational and Womens division.

The Weekend Warriors Championship Trophy

This is tournament is always a lot of fun, and allows the weekend warriors in the area an opportunity to gently (or not so gently) ease into the spring season.



USA v Chile TV Options

Due to contractual conflicts, Saturday's 9 PM friendly between the USMNT and Chile will have no English language TV.  If you're looking to watch it you'll have to find Telefutura on your system or you can watch it online on ESPN3.  Fortunately, my Xbox has ESPN3.  So, I'll be able to see it on my TV, but you may want to make preparations.