If you're going to watch a big game, you might as well go where the fans are. With that in mind, I wandered down to Italian Pizzeria III in Chapel Hill, NC, yesterday to take in the EURO 2008 quarterfinal between Italy and Spain. The Azzurri supporters, including the ones who owned the place, were in full voice, and they were even joined by a couple of UNC basketball players near the end. Alas, the ending was not to their liking.
Plenty of Spain fans came to watch the game as well. The best part about it, though, was the complete lack of aggro between the two groups. They all watched the game peacefully together. What a shame we can't say that about Croats in Austria.
After a real-life sabbatical that was much too long, we've come back to previewing the upcoming MLS season team by cap-filled team. This week's (month's?) installment takes us to our new expansion friends, Toronto FC. Technically, San Jose, Seattle and Philadelphia are all now expansions and TFC is just another team, but that doesn't change the fact that they are still coming for you. You have been warned.
We couldn't resist the chance to put a little more salt in the wounds of New England. Sure, nothing compares to your team coming minutes away from total, sublime perfection, but watching them do it 4 times has to take its toll. Ladies and mostly gentlemen, your New England Revolution.
Reminder, as always, to please reference Godwin's Law before viewing. Thanks in advance.
Its really hard to defend a Major League Soccer when there's a team in Columbus, Ohio. That's not necessarily a knock on the fine indigenous townspeople, but you have to admit that it sounds a little shady that the MLS team is the oldest franchise in town. That nonsense aside, we know that there's plenty of good old fashioned American fun to interest the dozens of Columbus fans looking for fun during the season. We've made the following clip to bring everyone else up to speed on the Crew's wheelings and dealings.
The joys of the public domain and Windows Movie Maker know no bounds here at Das FanHaus. In the first of what we hope will be a number entertaining and informative looks at this year's MLS season, we began our series of previews with the easiest target we could find. Fish meet barrel, here's YOUR LA Galaxy.
Just a heads up to some overly sensitive types that may be viewing the following clip. First of all, the Alexi Lalas impersonator 20 seconds in is telling us who's number 1. Secondly, and most importantly, if you are unfamiliar with the internet's Godwin's Law, you would be best served by clicking that link beforehand. Disclaimers aside, enjoy.
In our final installment of MLS SuperDraft '08: a Fanhouse opus, Ives Galarcep of Soccer by Ives gives us his thoughts on the big winners and losers of this year's college picks. Over at ESPN, he grades each team's performance, although he's a bit harsh on teams that didn't have much to work with:
Chivas USA (Keith Savage)
The Goats came into the draft with just one fourth-round pick and left with a big forward in Savage, who really didn't impress at the combine.
Grade: F
Houston (Geoff Cameron, Jeremy Barlow)
The defending champions couldn't do much with two low picks, but failing to trade up for a goalkeeper could prove costly in a draft in which there were some quality ones. Cameron is a strong defensive midfielder who will struggle to make the team, as will speedy midfielder Barlow.
Grade: F
In the Houston Dynamo's defense, two of their 2008 picks helped bring in striker Nate Jaqua and defensive mid Richard Mulrooney, players that started the MLS Cup final.
Here's his take on why KC and Toronto "made out like bandits," and, at the :50 mark, the two clubs that made the most questionable decisions.
For anyone who says soccer won't work in America, we would do well to set forth the example of The Sons of Ben. Philadelphia, a blue-collar sports town with its fair share of historic tradition, is also the home of one committed group of MLS fans. Only problem for them is that they don't have a team ... yet. The SoBs were in Baltimore this weekend, raising their banners and voices higher than most of their future colleagues in support of a Philadelphia expansion. Commissioner Don Garber expects the 16th MLS expansion team to be named within the next 45 days, and that the race is down to St. Louis and Philly. While we have no ill will towards St. Louis, we haven't heard one word from their fans on the matter.
Continuing this weekend's theme of flooding FanHouse with soccer videos, Bryan James and David Flagler, co-founders of the Sons of Ben, make their case for Philadelphia.
Christmas came a little late for Red Bull New York's Juan Carlos Osorio at this year's MLS Draft. Although he resigned as head coach of the Chicago Fire for "family reasons," he certainly left his mark on the supporters. With a name that will live in infamy among Fire fans, Osorio entered Friday's draft with that chapter of his career firmly in his past ... or so he thought. Able to grab a few moments of his time, we were able to get his thoughts on the matter.
If you happen to be a RBNY fan interested in Claudio Reyna's job security, just push play. For those wishing to cut to the chase, skip to around :40.
As for the content of this year's Section 8 Xmas card ... (or thereabouts)
It's the most wonderful time of the year
Let's all be thankful this holiday That at least we aren't the Revs. Unless, of course, you are.
subcampeon eterno
Pleasant holiday wishes from Section 8 Chicago and all Chicago Fire fans.
Rumor has it that LA Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas also received a copy this weekend and howled with delight.
After poring over the reels of video tape streaming into Das FanHaus' editing room, we feel that we may be able to deliver our first short film on a subject near and dear to our hearts, soccer supporters. Specifically, American soccer supporters, and we'd like to thank all of them for being good sports with the camera. We will be the first to admit we took some editorial liberties, but we know how much AOL Fanhouse loves brevity. Enjoy the highlight reel.
It may be a while until the true winners and losers of this year's MLS SuperDraft are sorted out, but the consensus in Baltimore tonight was that the Chicago Fire had an excellent showing. With top-rated striker Patrick Nyarko falling to the club at the number 7 pick and U-23 keeper Dominic Cervi taken with the 12th, the Fire had taken care of much of their shopping in the first round. With highly-ranked midfielder Peter Lowry still available in the 2nd round (26th overall), new manager Denis Hamlett is quite pleased with today's events, and we were able to have a few words with him on his way out.
For those interested in the contract status of current keeper, Matt "Slim" Pickens, jump to the 4:05 for Hamlett's comments on the situation. We tried to press for more detail but were deftly avoided.
