CONCACAF or The Reson We Don't Have Nice Things

pardon my language, but HOLY SHIT.

That's what I uttered throughout last night's live game/ tonight's re-air of the Dynamo CONCACAF Champions League game. 11 yellows and 5 reds? Is that even remotely necessary? Cards to Houston for dissent when the Panamanian team is doing the exact same thing? Letting the crowd and the persuasion of the home team severely influence your decision-making and throwing a player out due to the law of Gravity? A quick 1-2 yellow to a player who makes a comment to you? You had an entire team do that to you.

What I'm trying to say here is that its good the the Dynamo came out with a point. It's bad that we lost our playmaker, a key defender and a key midfielder due to this debaucle of a game in Panama. Oh, and guess who's next on the schedule? Pachuca.

In Dom We Trust.

Remember the Alamo!..... and Giants Stadium!

Oh boy... Sunday was the worst game I've seen the US Men's National Team play since World Cup 2006. It wasn't the whole game that was bad, just the second half. I would even go as far to say that at the end of the first half, they had a chance to win. I'll go ahead and give my synopsis.

First half. Good counter attacking and defense. A few good chances on goal too. They looked like an international cup quality team. A few communication problems (3 players going for the ball at the same time?) but that's to be expected of such a young team, most of whom play against each other in the MLS. USA has been a second half team in the Gold Cup, so I'm getting excited. They're already attacking so well....

Second Half. Holy shit. officiating hit some rough points; a few missed calls here and there, but nothing like the bullshit penalty call, which also put Mexico up 1-0. It's nothing the US can't work out of though. They've done it before. a few minutes later 2-0. Defense obviously is dropping, and it seems as if everyone is pulling back. 3-0. USA is obviously not going to win, but they're still playing for pride and a goal would help. Captain Brian Ching, Houston Dynamo striker, gives the team a little pep talk in hopes to stop the bleeding. 4-0. Usually I stay and watch a game all the way through. I actually turned my TV off and went to another room. Check Twitter, 5-0 final score.

USA had all the advantages to fully dominate this tournament. Sadly, star players that were on the roster went back to Europe for training with their club teams. I understand its pre-season training, but come on. You dont play national team matches all that often. Your spot on the World Cup roster is still a possibility. Step up and play for your country and make an impression.

It was a good showing by the US until the final. However, its the second final they've been in this year and have no hardware to show for it. The US National Team has a World Cup 2010 Qualifier in Mexico City at Azteca Stadium on August 12th.

For $500, you too can take a crack at an MLS ref!

Twitter. We use it to complain about our life, recent events, and just random things. Apparently, if you're a player in the MLS, you can't voice your opinion on how a game was officiated; a game you were on the opposite side of the continent for.

Brian Ching, Houston Dynamo striker, was on duty with the US Men's National team in Boston last Saturday during the Dynamo match against Seattle Sounders FC when he made this statement:

"Ref in seattle just cheated the dynamo. What a joke. Not even close. Ref is a cheat"

Some would say "oh, thats a little harsh," but if you watch the replay of the disputed goal in the 1st half, you too would agree with Ching.

For the uninitiated, in soccer, a goal only counts if the entirety of the ball completely crosses the goal line. Mike Chabala, one of the interim defenders in Saturday's match, made what I think was, one of the best saves in Dynamo history, only to have it pulled away by a horrible call by 2 out-of-position officials.

I personally believe that Instant Replay takes away from the spirit of any game. I also don't like NFL's ruling challenge's either, but thats neither here nor there. Replay has been thrown around as a possible future for soccer. I have mixed feelings about it. in the 2006 World Cup Final, instant replay got Zinidine Zidane sent off for his now-famous headbutt. Odds are, by the next time the world's biggest sporting event comes back to the US, replay will be in effect to prevent any goal that shouldnt be, but I see it being used to upgrade fouls and suspensions.

Lets just hope the "beautiful game" will keep its natural beauty.

well well well...

well, my other blog idea didnt pan out as well as i imagined it would. this one, is a little more eclectic and suited to my every day life. Soccer, food, games, music, and sometimes some prolific conversations ive had with my parents. you'll see recipes, some thoughts on the US Men's National Soccer team, the Houston Dynamo, my favorite bands, and my favorite games. check it out, comment, email, send a pigeon if theres any questions or any requests.