What you missed while discovering that Antarctica had a nudist subculture…
- World Cup roundup (teams in bold advance to the octofinal): USA 1-0 Algeria, Slovenia 0-1 England, Ghana 0-1 Germany, Australia 2-1 Serbia.
- French international Franck Ribery underwent groin surgery in Munich immediately following France’s elimination from the World Cup.
- Ledley King is back in training with the English national team.
- Fabio Capello believes that his relaxing of the team’s alcohol ban helped England progress. Maurice Clarett is intrigued by Capello’s ideas and would like to subscribe to his newsletter.
- Franz Beckenbauer believes that England is “burnt-out” (gotta love the URL that “The Guardian” assigns there).
- Soccer writers everywhere think that the dramatic U.S. win yesterday could help the sport pick up new fans.
- Perhaps the biggest win yesterday was Bob Bradley’s victory over the permanent scowl on his face.
- “The Guardian” believes that credit for the American’s improvement at the World Cup should go straight to MLS.
- Former President Bill Clinton has apparently decided to be interested in soccer (at least until the World Cup is over).
- Algerian striker Rafik Saifi slapped reporter Asma Halimi after the match yesterday; apparently, he’s mad that an interview with him was actually picked up in his own country.
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy had a face-to-face meeting with Thierry Henry to discuss the state of French soccer.
- Plymouth Argyle have appointed Peter Reid as manager; former New England Revolution assistant Steve Marriner will assist Reid.
- Manchester City are in talks with Valencia over the availability of David Silva.
You chose Maurice “Clarett” for your England/alcohol joke?
You’re either a genius or a hack. I’ll go with genius- for now.
I was drawing a blank on that one, and Maurice Clarett jokes never get old in Ohio. We should have a reader contest to see who can include a more topical reference.
Donte Stallworth?
Wasn’t drinking at practice, though.
Well, there’s stories about Tommy Kramer getting drunk at halftime of a Vikings-Lions game. Does that count?
Doesn’t most of the US starting 11 play overseas now? Timmy, Deuce, DeMerit, Boca, Gooch, Jozy, Bradley, Edu, Dolo, right? So The Guardian believes the MLS is responsible? Landy and Findley? Did the article have a /sarcasm tag?
The article makes sense, actually. Howard, Deuce, Jozy, Donovan, Bradley, Donovan, and Findley all have MLS ties; without MLS, they’d have no real intermediary between college and professional soccer. MLS has given them that stepping off point, which they’d never have gotten otherwise…and makes them having a career in the sport a lot more viable.
Ah, now that I had time to read it. I get what he’s saying. MLS is sort of like a Major League scout system and minor leagues all wrapped up in one. Then the best players go where they can become full fledged talents. I’ll go with that.