Willoughby's Army

There is no doubt that Rocket City United's speedy winger, Paul Willoughby, has become a fan favorite this season. His lightning quick runs and inch perfect crosses have put him at the top of the team's assist column. However, it's the ease at which he cuts with the ball while at full speed, wrong-footing hapless defenders that has drawn special attention from the RCU home stands.

Willoughby makes defenders look silly

It doesn't hurt that Paul exhibits what could be described as "teen idol" good looks and is generally considered a very nice young man. This has made him especially interesting to a certain demographic that RCU may want to consider marketing to more heavily. :)

The unofficial Paul Willoughby Fan Club

New Nike Ball

I love the show "How It's Made" and shows like that. So, it's only natural that I think this vid is cool. It's a behind-the-scenes look at some of the features and technologies that go into the production of the newest Nike ball.

RCU Hosts Lynch's FC

On Saturday night at 7:30PM at John Hunt Soccer Stadium, Rocket City United will host the US Open Cup Region III Champion, Lynch's Irish Pub FC. Check out the cool radio ad for the game here.

This is not what one would term a typical Pub team. Lynchs FC was one of only two teams to qualify from the USASA Region III to the US Open Cup where they lead Miami FC before falling 2:1 to the professional USL squad.

LFC also have some top talent. Former LFC forward Nurdin Hrustic recently signed for Vfl Bochum of the German Bundesliga.

RCU tidbits

I took the long holiday weekend to unplug from the matrix. Here's what I missed.

RCU win return leg with Brilla

After giving up an early second half goal to Missisippi Brilla FC's Ruben Diaz, Rocket City United got two goals from Fernando Sanchez and Freddy Okello to remain undefeated at home. Full match report can be found here.

"Madison Night" at Next RCU Home Match

In conjunction with the Madison City Chamber of Commerce, RCU is hosting it's first Madison Night. All Madison City residents will recieve $3 off the next Rocket City United home match. So, it's time to represent 35757 y'all. (and 35758, I think).

RCU wants your blood

This Saturday from 10AM to 5PM, RCU will partner with LifeSouth to hold a blood drive in front of Moe's Southwest Grill on Airport Road.

RCU v Atlanta FC Highlight Videos

Here's the Rocket City United goals and saves from the 2:1 victory over Atlanta FC.



I spoke with Man of the Match Derek Pirtle at halftime about the goal he scored and the one he help set up.

John Moran speaks with RCU newcomer Kyle Timm

More ESPN World Cup Details

It's a year away and I'm already getting pumped up about watching the World Cup. I told you the other day about ESPN's expanded coverage of the 2010's biggest sporting event, but in an interview with Sports Illustrated, ESPN's Executive Vice President for Content John Skipper revealed some of the details behind what the type of coverage will be offered. Here are some of the highlights:

• Documentary style interviews with every living player who has scored in a World Cup Final;
• A long form feature on at least one player from each of the 32 teams participating in 2010 edition;
• A full time reporter assigned to the US team (provided they qualify);
• Three roving reporters assigned to all other teams;
• Two "on-site" sets for SportsCenter broadcasts;

And don't worry folks, all of the game announcers will be "a longtime soccer announcer". So, you won't have to suffer through a converted baseball announcer trying to fill up dead air with inane facts and useless stats.

Patriotic RCU Host Mississippi Brilla

Rocket City United play host to Mississippi Brilla (pronounced BREE-ya) Football Club tonight at 7:30PM at John Hunt Soccer stadium. This will be RCU's first non-league home match of the year. RCU will look to avenge last Tuesday's 7:2 drubbing at the hands of MBFC in the away leg of this home and home series.


MBFC compete in the Premier Development League of the United Soccer Leagues and are based in Clinton, MS. They currently sit in second in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference behind the Bradenton (FL) Academics.

To keep with the Independence Day theme, RCU is handing out free RCU-LifeSouth "United We Stand" t-shirts to the first 100 fans through the gate, and offering half-off admission to anyone bringing in an American Flag.

TV Updates And Other Tidbits

ESPN Announces Unprecedented Coverage of World Cup 2010
"The Network" has announced that it will provide over 65 hours of on-site coverage of the World Cup. Here are the highlights.

• SportsCenter at the FIFA World Cup;
• World Cup Live – the daily, 30-minute news, highlights and analysis program (30 episodes) aired each night of the tournament on ESPN or ESPN2;
• Live 30-minute pre-match, halftime (15 min.) and post-match shows on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2;
• World Cup segments on ESPNEWS, First Take on ESPN2, and Outside the Lines.

How We Follow Up That Performance
A decidedly different looking US Men's National Team will follow up the incredible Confederations Cup run with a run out in the Gold Cup tournament that they won in '07 to qualify for the Confed Cup. Coach Bob Bradley will use a squad made up of mostly untested players who did not participate in the Confed Cup. Jacob over at Southern soccer has all the info on how you can catch the games on TV.


Huntsville Times Caught Up In Soccer Fever
The Huntsville Times ran a recent story about where the interest the USA v Brazil final has garnered, and where in the Valley you could go to watch the game.


Beckham Book Provides Juicy Gossip
Grant Wahl is a terrific soccer scribe and his soon to be released tell-all book about the machinations of the Beckham move to the LA Galaxy is sure to raise some eyebrows. Check out an exerpt of the book here.


Jacob Chimes In
Our buddy Jacob drops some knowledge about the recent Confed Cup performance and some other tidbits on his blog.

Kickin For Kitty Soccer Tournament Announced

I've written before about Kitty Jordan and the Kitty Miracle Fund that has been created to help those with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Well, I just received this email from my buddy Victor who is the Tournament Director for the Kickin For Kitty Soccer Tournament that will be held on September 4-6th in Huntsville in support of the Kitty's Miracle Fund.

Kitty's parents, Tim and Martha Jordan, were out at Rocket City's United Youth Night last Saturday and were presented with a ball and jersey signed by the RCU players and staff. RCU in conjunction with 9 local businesses raised over $2,000 dollars for Kitty's Miracle Fund.

RCU Club President Andy Zorovich shows off the customized Kitty jersey

Here's Victor's email:

Dear Players/Coaches/Directors,

You are cordially invited to participate in the First Annual Kickin’ For
Kitty Soccer Tournament on September 4-6, 2009 hosted by Kitty’s Miracle
Fund in Huntsville, Alabama. Kitty’s Miracle Fund is a non-profit
organization helping Tennessee Valley families cope with the expenses
associated with the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The goal
of the Fund is to provide afflicted families with some financial reprieve
after they have surpassed their insurance cap and are forced to pay for
treatment out-of-pocket. The goal of the Tournament is to have fun and
raise money for these families.

The competition is a 6v6 non-sanctioned tournament. Age groups will
consist of 6 divisions: U8, U10, U12, U14, High School, and Adult.
Brackets will be determined based on the number of teams registered.
Registration is $400 per team, with a $150 deposit due at time of
enrollment. The remaining balance is due at check-in on September 4th.
Teams that register early (before August 7th) will receive a 10% discount
on their registration fee.

For more information, please visit our website
(http://www.kickinforkitty.org) or contact Victor Collazo Perez
(Tournament Director) at director@kittysmiraclefund.org.

Teams can register online by visiting:
www.kittysmiraclefund.org/kickin/registration.html

Remember, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month and what better
way to kick off the month of September than with the Inaugural Kickin' For
Kitty Charity Soccer Tournament. Thank you for supporting this noteworthy
cause. I look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Victor Collazo Perez
Tournament Director

What Have We Learned From the USA's Run?

What did we learn from the wonderful '09 Confed Cup from the US Men's National Team? Other then I have the fact that I should quit with the predictions? In my pre-Confed Cup posting, I said not to expect much from the USA's squad. I figured it would be a rerun of the World Cup 2006. I didn't expect the USMNT to get out of the group and it looked like I was correct, right up to the kickoff of the final group match.

USMNT who won the 2009 Confederations Cup silver medal

That was when we learned about the effort and heart that this group of players can show. Their belief in themselves was a joy to see. They played like they had nothing to lose, which is commendable. They made everyone who has been following this team for years and years proud. The audacity to believe that they had a chance to advance after 2 losses and a -5 goal differential was amazing. That never-say-die mentality is typical to the American culture and is something that continues to amaze the international soccer community.

Unfortunately, in the Final against Brazil, we also learned that the USA has depth issues. The USMNT player pool has 12-13 players who are of what I will call international pedigree. You saw it clearly in the second half of the Final, when the frantic pace and altitude finally started to wear on the starting eleven. There was no one on the bench who could come in and keep the level of play where it needs to be. In fact, there were seven players on the bench who didn't see a minute of play in the Confed Cup.

Now, injuries have certainly hurt the USA in the past few months. I definitely think the likes of Steve Cherundolo, Maurice Edu, and Brian Ching would have provided a Bob Bradley better options than he had on the Confed bench. It will be interesting to see if Bradley can identify more players during the upcoming Gold Cup and World Cup Qualifying campaign.

And it obviously will not hurt to add a player or two like Jermaine Jones and Edgar Castillo to the USMNT player pool now that FIFA rules have changed for switching National teams. Will these USA "defectors" be the answer? No, but they will add to the current depth of the player pool, which is vital to international success.

Of course, these are not the only thing we learned, but they were the most obvious. If the USA wants to maintain this level of international play, they will need to keep the never-say-die attitude and they will have to dig the player pool deeper.

Finally!! RCU beats Atlanta FC

In his first start for Rocket City United, Derek Pirtle was the difference as Rocket City United secured a crucial three points in the standings with a 2:1 victory over Atlanta FC. RCU head coach Greg Petersen dispatched Pirtle into the midfield to provide an "athletic presence" and the ever-ready midfielder did not dissapoint in his 65 minutes on the field.

After RCU gave up a nice goal to AFC's Jose Silva in the 21st minute on a powerful header from a corner kick service, it was Pirtle who evened the tally with a backpost header from a Paul Willoughby free kick from the flank. In the 29th minute, RCU newcomer Kyle Timm used excellent vision to play a terrific through ball to Willoughby. Willoughby used his quickness to draw a foul just outside the penalty area a few yards from the end line. On the ensuing free kick, Willoughby's ball found Pirtle who just needed redirect the ball toward net to score his first goal of the campaign.

Man of the Match Derek Pirtle discusses the big win

In the 38th minute, it was Pirtle's energy that led to the second goal. After Sutton Shults lost the ball, Pirtle doggedly tracked down the touchline after winning a desperate challenge. Pirtle then spotted Willoughby making a run into the area. Pirtle's service caused the AFC backs to misplay the ball which fortuitously fell to Rafa Barbosa who made no mistake and smashed the ball into the net for the go ahead goal.

The second half saw both teams squander multiple chances in front of goal with the highlight being Paul Willoughby mazy dribbling exhibition in the 61st minute. After receiving another excellent pass from Kyle Timm 40 yards from goal, Willoughby glided past five AFC defenders as if they were traffic cones on the training field. After getting past the last defender, Willoughby lashed a curling shot that crashed off the far post to end a truly Messi-like display of skill and body control.

With the time on the clock clicking down for AFC, coach Ricardo Montoya replaced defenders for attack minded players in an effort to equalize.

AFC coach Ricardo Montoya discusses the loss

While on the other end, RCU continually looked to apply the final protective coat to the game's shine. In the 86th minute, it looked as if Rafa Barbosa had his hand on the brush when he reached around the last AFC defender to pick the ball away. As he charged into the area and crisply beat the AFC keeper, a flag went up and the play was whistled dead as a foul had been judged to have occured.

As cries of derision rained down on the officiating crew, RCU took to the task of seeing out the match and the 3 minutes of injury time. A few tense moments occured as the back line of RCU yeilded but did not break and RCU had the three deserved points.

RCU Supports Kitty's Miracle Fund

Rocket City United is doing it's part to help another charity. This time it's Kitty's Miracle Fund. You may remember the post I wrote about this special girl a few weeks ago. In conjunction with their Youth Night special where every kid wearing their uniform gets in free, RCU and its business partners have pledged $50 for every RCU goal scored on the night.

For more information, go to http://www.KittysMiracleFund.org.

Vuvu-what??

Vuvuzela! Or in the US, they are called "annoying plastic horns". While watching the glorious US victory over Spain the other day in a local establishment, the bar maid asked innocently, "Do all soccer games sound like a beehive?" Apparently, the sound had reminded her of her childhood farm when she would gather honey from the family's backyard beehive.

Don't know what I'm talking about? Check it out.



Now, I'll admit it. I owned one of these terrible inventions in my younger days, but after a few days at the stadium spent blowing it to the rythim of the "DC U-NI-TED" chants, my head would feel like silly putty. It took a lot to blow that thing, but even worse was when I had to listen to the countless others in the rows behind me blow it haphazardly throughout the game right in my ear. That and the punk rock music of my youth has certainly contributed to my poor hearing now. Even when I was able to successfully distance myself from the horns, I would leave the match with a headache.

Fortunately, many MLS teams have banned the horns from the stadium, as should FIFA. Except when Sepp "Blather" Blatter is speaking, blow away then... And let me offer a sincere apology to all those soccer enthusiasts who had to listen to me blow the Vuvuzela.

RCU To Host Atlanta FC In NPSL Southeast Showdown

Rocket City United plays host to a club they have never beaten in Atlanta FC this Saturday night at John Hunt Soccer Stadium. This is a must win for both clubs as RCU enjoys a 3 points lead over AFC in the NPSL Southeast division table with only a single league match remaining for the Huntsville outfit.

AFC, the reigning Southeastern Division champion, held home court earlier this season in Atlanta with a 2:0 victory in what had been described at the time as the roadtrip "from hell" by RCU's team manager Chris Shaffer.

RCU will look to break the streak despite missing central defending stalwart, Joseph Omondi, who will serve a one game suspension for his send off last week against Chattanooga FC. Jason Sabio will replace Omondi in the central role and will be looked upon to provide some vocal leadership through the center of the defense.

Jason Sabio dicsusses his Phillipine National Team call up and his first match against AFC

RCU Technical Director Greg Petersen's squad will look to continue to attack with the vigor that has them leading the division with 13 goals scored. However, they will have to do it against an AFC team that has relinquished the fewest in the division with only 5 goals allowed.

Petersen on the well earned draw at CFC and the upcoming battle against Atlanta FC

This weeks match is also Youth Club Night at John Hunt Soccer Stadium. All kids who show up for the 7:30 PM kick off wearing their youth team uniform will get in free of charge.

USA Through To The Finals

The US National Team beat the #1 ranked team in the world today on goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey. By beating Spain 2:0, the US ended a Spain's record of 15 straight wins, 32 games unbeaten and were the first team in the tournament to score on them.

There is a bittersweet taste left in the mouth of the US team, however. Michael Bradley was shown a straight red for what looked to be a fair challenge. Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda couldn't keep it in his pocket (Note that he was also the ref in the infamous draw against Italy in the 2006 World Cup). Bradley will be hard to replace in the final.

They'll now play the winner of the South Africa-Brazil semifinal shown on ESPN on Sunday at 1:30 Central time.

RCU and NPSL Tidbits

RCU falls hard to PDL's Mississippi Brilla, 2:7

Fielding a team made up of reserve squad players sprinkled in with some first team players who need minutes, RCU goals in the 15th and 89th minutest bookended seven Brilla goals in a non-league match against USL-PDL's Mississippi team. RCU coach Greg Petersen rested most of the starters for this weekend's big NPSL Southeast Region match against Atlanta FC.

RCU goes Tweety

RCU have launched a Twitter (is that the right way to say that?). You can now get the latest news and in-game updates by following RCU on Twitter. Check it out here.

NPSL Insider covers RCU Community Outreach

The NPSL Insider blog has a nice little article about the efforts RCU has made to provide the Valley with all sorts of community help. Check it out here.

Road Trip Rewind

My wife was kind enough to give me a night out to get my live soccer fix for Father's Day. So, my buddy John and I traveled up to Chattanooga to take in what would be an exciting and controversial match between Rocket City United and Chattanooga FC. Game reports here, here, and here.

Here are a few behind the scenes photos from our road trip:

We stopped by Big River Brewery for a few cold ones. I had a nice IPA and a terrific hummus and goat cheese salad.

View of the Aquarium and the Riverfront from the parking garage. Very cool little area. I'll have to take the family up here in the future.

The team huddles before the match. On field temperatures where over 100 degrees and they were wearing all black!!!

View from the stands in the downtown Finley Stadium which holds over 20,000. A little big for the 2,140 in attendance, but the downtown location is nice. If only it were a natural surface...

I loved the fact that the beer vendor was in the stands. So, you don't miss any action.

The crowd sits in the box seats in front of the press box. We saw tons of Chattanooga FC replica jerseys (the blue ones with the VW logo).

The RCU bench reacts to the action on the field.

I highly recommend that you go up to Chattanooga to take in a game next time RCU plays up there. It's a very professional setup. Despite the heat, we had a great time.

HOLY MOLY!!! USA Pulls it out!!!

An nearly unbelievable course of events sees the USA through to the Confederations Cup semifinals where they'll take on Spain on Wednesday. A 3:0 victory over African Champions, Egypt, combined with a 3:0 Brazil victory over Italy sees the USA on to the next phase of the competition due to goals scored. Wow!

RCU Battle To A Draw In Chattanooga

Certainly if one were to ask anyone in the Rocket City United organization at the end of 89 minutes of yesterday's match against Chattanooga FC if they would be happy with a 1:1 draw, they would have replied affirmatively. However, after being awarded a highly questionable penalty kick in the 3rd minute of second half stoppage time, RCU had the chance to steal all three points. RCU were left thinking of what could have been when ChatFC goalkeeper Richard Masters guessed correctly and denied Freddy Okello's penalty attempt on the last kick of the match.

Okello on his run up to take the PK in the game's final moments

RCU (3-2-1) continues to sit atop the NPSL Southeast Region alone with 10 points from 6 matches. Perhaps more importantly, RCU controls its own destiny in its quest to win the Southeast Region title. Two wins in its remaining league matches will see them on their way to the NPSL playoffs and a chance to play in the NPSL Final Four in Madison, Wisconsin.

The record crowd of 2,140 saw a battle on the field where the gametime temperatures were as hot as the tempers of the players who saw inconsistent refereeing mar the contest. In the 22nd minute, Jason Sabio, who recently returned from international duty in the Phillipines, sent a searching ball that found Okello in stride. Okello niftily backheeled a square ball that fed Rafa Barbosa into the area. Barbosa's well placed shot found home and RCU led 1:0. The goal was a mirror image of the Barbosa to Okello backheel pass that saw Okello on his way to his first goal of his hat trick against Pumas FC a week earlier.

ChatFC (2-2-1) responded with fervor sending two shots off the woodwork before Irvin Espinal one-timed a Mark Beattie cross off Tyler Early's outstretched mitt and into the RCU goal in the 41st minute. ChatFC dominated the second half only to have the looming target man Omar Cooke squander multiple opportunities.

Despite the obvious physical play of both sides, it was RCU center back Joseph Omondi who was sent of in the 67th minute for a second bookable offense. Shortly thereafter, RCU Technical Director Greg Petersen was sent off for dissent.

With the man advantage, ChatFC pressed for the go ahead goal, but good goalkeeping by Tyler Early combined with poor finishing conspired to keep the game even at a goal a piece. In an attempt to sure up the defense, Derek Pirtle entered for Rafa Barbosa in the game's waning moments. Deep into stoppage time, Norbert Webley delivered a free kick into the ChatFC penalty area. The referee, who had let all manner of physical shennanigans continue throughout the match, whistled what both sides concede was a trifling call. With Barbosa, their normal PK taker having just been removed, Okello stepped up to take the kick from the mark. Perhaps the soccer gods recognized that there was something rotten in the call, as Masters dove left to stone the attempt and the match ended in a 1:1 draw.

Note: After the match concluded, an unidentified Chattanooga FC official physically confronted RCU midfielder Paul Willoughby. It is not known if there will be disciplinary repercussions from the league.

Is There a Wii Version Of This???

This little vid was created by El Conductor, a fervent supporter of Chattanooga FC. It shows a Fifa '07 version of Chat FC playing Rocket City United. Excellent work, although I think his some of his player settings may have been a bit skewed. :)



Pretty good likenesses of the players and the the kits. Let's hope the game doesn't look too much like this, though.