Fighting Talker

I’ll have more in the morning, but the Tommy sack-watch is back on in the biggest of ways.

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Lemme remind all you DC fans who think the bandwagon is primed, fueled, and ready to roll - you are in for a big reality check tonight. The Revs have only lost once in the last six matches and DC hasn’t won on the road since September… that’s eight (league) matches. On top of all of this, and the fact that New England traditionally (at least until last year, when DC swept the season series) matches up really well with DC, having all those things that United never does such as speed, size, a bit of grit, Fieldturf, and a competent goalkeeper.

On top of all this, Abbey Okalaja is the referee tonight. This means that NE players we likely be able to dismember United players until late in the match when he panics at the thought of yet another match he’s lost control of, and begins flashing cards like a reading tutor with a Florida State football player.

The best possible result for United would be a 0-0 draw. Until I see DC score on the road, I refuse to really believe that they can (especially on Fieldturf). We shall see, but for now (thanks in no small part to Bob Bradley), I am pessimistic.

Prediction: 2-0 NE

Bob Bradley is starting to worry me. I have defended the decision to hire him* and his subsequent performance until I was hoarse, but yesterday’s dreadful friendly performance against England pissed me off. (more…)

This guy is one of the funniest writers alive right now.

Again from Radio 5

England

James, Brown, R Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Hargreaves, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Defoe

USA

Howard, Cherundolo, Onyewu, Califf, Bocanegra, Pierce, Dempsey, Clark, Bradley, Beasley, Wolff, Johnson

Thoughts:

• Well those two forwards won’t be worrying Rio and Terry anytime soon. Blech. Why not play Dempsey up there, and start Freddy?
• Why not start Freddy? We really need two holding midfielders for a friendly? I would really have rather seen Adu start here either as a withdrawn forward or as a no. 10.
• Heath Pierce? Ooh boy, do we need a better solution down that wing, or what?

I just heard it with my own ears. The host of Drive said McBride is leaving Fulham and heading back to US. They did not say where, though.

Fulham FC has confirmed it.

From Washington Business Journal:

D.C. United has a new, edible corporate partner.

Johnsonville Sausage, a privately owned, Wisconsin-based sausage brand, will be a sponsor of the soccer team and an RFK Stadium advertiser for the remainder of 2008.

Announced Tuesday by the Fulton, Md.-based sports marketing firm Aquarius Sports Group, benefits include in-stadium signage, radio, hospitality, and use of United’s logos and marks for use with a retail partner promotion.

Ovations, the concessionaire that operates RFK Stadium’s food and beverage service, will provide Johnsonville’s brats, Italian sausage, and hot dogs at United’s home games.

There are also plans in the works for a ticket offer for fans presenting Johnsonville product packaging at the box office and those tailgating with Johnsonville’s grill at upcoming home games.

Other clients of Aquarius Sports Group include AAA Mid-Atlantic and PaySourceUSA.

First DC gets sponsorship from a German car manufacturer, now a sausage company, and we’re already outfitted by a German company. Is Miroslav Klose next for United?

Back in Feb 2007, I drew up my plan for a US World Cup bid? Here’s what I came up with:

• Washington - FedEx Field
• NY - Giants Stadium
• Boston - Gillette Stadium
• Chicago - Soldier Field
• Houston - Reliant Stadium
• Miami - Orange Bowl (Would have to be renovated)
• Dallas - New Cowboys Stadium
• LA - Rose Bowl (or new stadium)
• Phoenix - U. of Phoenix Stadium
• SF/Oakland - Oakland Coliseum? New Niners stadium?
• Seattle - Qwest Field
• Denver - Invesco Field

A couple of places that I wish I could include:

• Cleveland - Cleveland Browns Stadium
• Detroit - Ford Field
• Philadelphia - Lincoln Financial Field
• Somewhere in the South like Atlanta, Birmingham or Nashville

What ideas do you have?

EPL Talk summarizes the reason’s today’s USA-England match is a bit more than a friendly to many US fans better than I did:

This hypocrisy is what infuriates many Americans. Brits consume American culture and respect it, but Brits don’t give football played by Americans the respect it deserves.

Thus sets the stage for the England against USA friendly scheduled for this evening. If you see the Americans playing with a style of zest and verve that is uncommon in friendly matches, now you know why. And if the U.S. can pull off a shock and beat England, expect to see a tirade of “I told you so” from Americans across the Internet in the days and weeks to come. This is something that American players and fans would love more than anything: To earn and receive the respect that they deserve.