Brazil

5 words:

WE ARE GOING TO BRAZIL!!!!!!!!'

Text Talk for the USMNT/Costa Rica and Mexico/Honduras Games

Text Talk

As you may or may not know, my dad and I often talk during important soccer games. It’s almost exclusively through text. Tonight, during the USMNT game versus Costa Rica, we texted back and forth about what was happening on our flat screens. Because he doesn’t have BEIN Sport, he was forced to watch Mexico fall to Honduras. This is a transcript of our entire texting session during the two games:

Dad:    Men’s team play tonight? If so, what channel?

Me:     Yes, BEIN Sport.

Dad:    ?

Me:     BEIN Sport is the channel it is on. If you pay for the sports package through Comcast, you should have it.

Dad:    I pay for Fox Soccer, is that the same?

Me:     Probably. Goto your menu page, then search, then sports, then soccer. You should be able to find it.

Dad:    Is it on now?

Me:     No, 2100 your time.

Dad:    Ok, thanks.

Dad:    Not on any channel I get.

Me:     That fricken blows. ESPN sucks. They broadcast the Mexico game but not ours.

Dad:    Yep.

Dad:    That’s the game on Fox.

Me:     Mex/Honduras on ESPNNews down here.

Dad:    Same on Fox

Me:     Fox has nada

Dad:    Oops. Yes ESPNN

Me:     2’, Costa Rica 1, USA 0

Dad:    Watching the mex game. I wonder if the US game was purchased by another network.

Me:     Set piece, corner kick

Dad:    Are you watching the US game?

Me:     I read that ESPN has rights to the USMNT home games and they buy other network broadcasts for away games.

Me:     Yeah.

Dad:    Political correctness perhaps.

Me:     Maybe. It still sucks.

Me:     No Altidore, no Bradley

Dad:    Yep. Maybe you could bring the conversation to your blog.

Dad:    Friendly?

Me:     Jesus. 2-0 Costa Rica. 10 minutes.

Me:     No, qualifier.

Dad:    No worries then. This game is brutal.

Me:     Altidore and Bradley injured

Me:     Bradley injured today in warm ups.

Dad:    There’s no such thing in soccer as offsides.

Me:     I’ve heard that before.

Me:     Lol

Me:     All Mexican ref crew for USA game.

Dad:    The law is offside.

Me:     Niggling

Me:     Lol

Dad:    This ref looks silly with that whistle.

Me:     I’ll have to look.

Me:     The USA looks ridiculous being down 2-0

Dad:    This game has bodies all over the pitch

Me:     I just put the Mexico game on the iPad.

Dad:    Nice goal for Mex

Me:     Just saw the replay. Nice

Me:     USA just had their best effort on net. Still 2-0 CRC

Me:     Costa Rica on two yellows: one for diving

Me:     Penalty USA

Me:     Third yellow for CRC

Me:     2-1 CRC. Dempsey from the spot. Keeper got his hand on it, but it spun in.

Dad:    Do they look better

Me:     Much. They’ve woken up a bit. Halftime now.

Dad:    This ref is trying to regain control of the game

Me:     Keep it from the start, don’t need to regain it.

Dad:    Yep

During halftime, we switched to the Mexico/Honduras game. So we were watching the same game.

Dad:    That wasn’t a foul in the first half.

Me:     That’s funny. I was in the kitchen and I hear my friend Humby say, “that was soft.” Followed by your text saying it wasn’t a foul in the first half.

Me:     Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool! It’s messed up in Mexico! 1-1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dad:    These announcers are awful.

Dad:    Great goal

Me:     Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!

Dad:    2-1, Honduras

Me:     Awwwwwwww hell yes!

Dad:    Gonna get ugly

Me:     Yes it is

Me:     USA back on the pitch

Dad:    That was a bad throw in. Came over the shoulder.

Me:     I should see it in a second or two here. Back to watching the game on the iPad. About a 1 minute delay from live.

Me:     Didn’t see the throw in you were talking about

Me:     First yellow to USA, still 2-1 CRC, 64^th minute

Me:     Mexican referee has called a really good game.

Dad:    Not so in this game.

Me:     There’s that bad throw in again

Dad:    Mex out of automatic spot for the World Cup.

Me:     It’s not a team of Mexicans. It’s a team of Mexicants.

Dad:    Hope we get to see the rest of the US game

Me:     73^rd minute. 2-1 CRC.

Dad:    Lol. I think the [Mexican] coach is gone.

Me:     CRC 3, USA 1. Goal 100% on Howard for not coming out and challenging.

Me:     Stupid. Stupid play.

Dad:    oh well.

Me:     Second yellow to USA. Besler. Will miss next game.

Me:     announcer just said that USA/Mexico won’t be two superpowers, but 2 teams licking their wounds.

Me:     80^th minute

Dad:    Yep

Me:     86^th minute, still down

Me:     88^th minute, set piece for USA

Me:     CRC keeper down after a disastrous crash. [he’s the] only reason this game isn’t a draw or a USA win right now.

Me:     Really happy with this Mexican ref crew.

Me:     Into the 91^st

Me:     92^nd, yellow to Altidore. Out for Mexican game.

Dad:    Sounds like the US coach has lost control of his players.

Me:     That’s it from San Jose. 3-1 CRC.

Me:     Frustration foul and card by Altidore.

I’m sure most, if not all of you were not impressed by our conversations; however, you must understand that A: we’re over 1,000 miles apart, B: this is a family sport for us, C: it’s one of my absolute favorite things about the beautiful game. 

20 Questions

It's the Fourth of July, the United States of America's birthday, and there's no better way to celebrate it than by blogging about the best sport in the world. USA: best country in the world; soccer: the best sport on the globe. Today's edition of "20 Questions" is an interview with a good friend of mine who is new to the game of soccer. He is the son of a Cuban immigrant who fought to free Cuba so many moons ago. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, Humberto Perez:

1.     You’re fairly new to the beautiful game; what started you on the path to soccer?

My brother and his friends would play pickup games at an indoor soccer pitch in the middle of a warehouse district at like 1 am.  My brother invited me to go with them one night and being bored out of my mind I said why not.   No one wanted to play keeper that night (what a surprise right?) so I volunteered.  1 hour and 1 10 -1 victory later, I was hooked.

 

 

2.     What do you do for a living?

I work in the IT department for a bank here in Miami. 

 

3.     How many different leagues do you currently play in?

As of right now I play in 3 different leagues.  My first league was a Sunday afternoon 8v8 coed league.  After a season playing there I felt confident enough to try my hand at 11v11 so I joined an 11v11 mens league organized by the same people who organize the 8v8.  I was then recruited to play in a 6v6 coed rooftop league.  Right now my week is 6v6 Wednesday nights, 11v11 Saturdays, and 8v8 Sundays 

 

4.     You’ve played both indoor and outdoor, which is your favorite and why?

It's a tough call.  Indoor is faster paced and as a keeper you can see upwards of 20 - 30 shots a game so your overall athleticism plays a bigger part.  Outdoors the game slows down a bit  and becomes more cerebral.  You also have the additional challenge of dealing with set pieces and crosses that you don't really see in indoor soccer.  If I had to pick a favorite though, I would have to go with indoor because of the pace of the game.  You are much more involved in the game and you have many more opportunities to show off your athletic ability than you do in outdoor soccer.

 

5.     What’s for dinner?

Tonight it's Cuban food.  Probably going to have some lechon asado con moros y tostones.  That's roasted pork with rice cooked with black beans and fried plantains for all your non Spanish speaking readers.

 

6.     What’s on your current music playlist?

I've got a pretty eclectic mix of rock and country music going right now.  I've got Halestorm, Nightwish, Metallica, Offspring, Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town,Toby Keith, Unsun, Blackmoore's Night, etc all fighting for playing time on my playlist.  

 

7.     You currently playing goalkeeper for several teams; have you ventured out of the goal box to play any other position?

In a game situation, no.  I'm absolutely terrible with the ball at my feet and I enjoy playing keeper so much that I have little to no desire to play any other position.  In scrimages I've played defense to practice my footwork and enjoyed it a bit but there's nothing like the feeling of laying out and making a diving save

 

8.     What is your favorite soccer league to watch and favorite teams, why?

For a long time, I was a World Cup only soccer fan and rooted for USMNT of course.  Now I've started to follow the Premier League and a bit of MLS.  On the MLS side, I follow the San Jose Earthquakes.  I grew up following all the bay area teams so the Quakes were a natural fit for me.  My Premier League team is Manchester City  courtesy of my friend Dave McMahan.  He's a big time Man United supporter, even owning a share in the club, and he was the one that got me into following the league.  Since it is psychically impossible for us to root for the same side in just about any situation (excepting the national teams of course, USA!) I went with their biggest rival as my supporting club.

 

9.     Any particular players you look up to?

My favorite player in the world is Hope Solo.  She's fearless in net and commands her 18 really well.  I've learned a lot about playing goal by watching her and tried to model my game after hers.  Tim Howard and Iker Casillas are two other goalies I watch a lot and try to learn from.  

 

10.  There’s only one flavor of ice cream, and it is?

Easiest question of the day.  The answer of course is chocolate. 

 

11.  Pepsi or Coke?

2nd easiest.  The answer of course is Pepsi.   

 

12.  Other than soccer, what sports do you follow, and what are your favorite teams?

I'm a big fan of hockey and baseball and played both in high school. My favorite hockey team is the San Jose Sharks and in baseball its the San Francisco Giants.  I'm also a fan of American football and follow the 49ers and the Florida State Seminoles.  

 

13.  FIFA ’13, what’s your record?

Better than yours! [laughs] (this is true; he's beaten me in our last two derby series).

14.  Who’s your favorite player on the USMNT and why?

Tough call but I think I'm going to go with Clint Dempsey.  He plays with such creativity and ferocity that it's always fun to watch him with the ball on his feet.  You never know what he's going to do with it.  He's also tough as nails and I don't see him flop around the pitch like many other players do *cough* ITALIANS *cough* 

 

15.  Who’s your favorite player on the USWNT and why?

Hope Solo without a doubt.  She's one of the best keepers in the world and one of the reasons I started playing keeper in the first place.  She also puts the beautiful into the beautiful game 

 

16.  Other than FIFA ’13, what video games do you play?

I'm hopelessly addicted to World of Warcraft.  GLORY TO THE ALLIANCE!  I've been playing the new Tomb Raider game which is freaking amazing.  Worth checking out. 

17.  Given the choice between free tickets for Taylor Swift, Natalie Imbruglia, or Beyonce, you’d choose?

Pffft Taylor Swift hands down.  Taylor, if you're reading this I will happily be the muse for your next hit single 

 

18.  How many siblings do you have?

I have 8 brothers and sister.  The oldest is in her 50s and the youngest is 21.  Lots of good times growing up. 

 

19.  What’s your favorite restaurant?

I'd have to say Amici's.  Its a small Italian restaurant that I've going to for almost 20 years now.  They make best pizza and chicken francese in the city.  I have many fond memories of walking there after school with my friends to enjoy a slice of pizza and a coke for a dollar.

 

20.  Nike or Adidas?

Reusch. Love your sport.  Shameless plug, Humby needs a new pair of gloves =)

See you next week with another edition of 20 Questions! Coming soon, interviews with Boston Breakers midfielder Lianne Sanderson and US Women's National Team star Yael Averbuch.

20 Questions with Briana Bagley

Following football is proud to introduce a new segment: 20 Questions. Each week following football will introduce you to someone that is involved with soccer in some way. Some of the people that will be interviewed you’ll know, some you don’t know yet but will be a future star, and some of the people that are just fans, casual players, or referees.

So let’s roll out the first set of 20 questions:

The first interviewee is a promising young soccer player from Maryland. She comes from a long line of soccer players including a relative that just retired as a referee in the Barclay’s Premier League. This young lady was selected to be a part of Maryland’s Olympic Development Program two years ago. I could go on about her, but let’s let her introduce herself to you in her words: ladies and gentlemen, Miss Brianna Bagley:

1.) Brianna, what was your inspiration to start playing soccer and how old were you when you started?

A. I was born with soccer in my blood. My great grandfather is from England and played semi-professional soccer. My dad grew up playing and started coaching my brother. I started dribbling a soccer ball as soon as I could walk. I started playing on my first team when I was 3.

2.) You've been playing goalkeeper for most of your soccer career, how did you end up guarding the goal? I heard a rumor about hitching up a skirt?

A. My dad couldn't find anyone brave enough to play goalkeeper. I begged and begged to play, but my Dad wanted me to be a goal scorer. My Mom talked him into letting me try it, and I was awesome.  Recently, my Dad and I were talking about the season when I scored 27 goals. My Dad said, "That's my fault for making you a goalkeeper", I said "It's not my fault everybody else was too scared to play, I had to hike up my skirt and do it"

3.) You do a lot of traveling in the Mid-Atlantic area, what do you do on the

long road trips to pass the time?

A. I usually read, sleep, or listen to music.

4.) If you're not playing goalkeeper and are on the pitch, what position do you

like to play, and why?

A. I usually play offense, so that I can get a chance to score goals.

5.) Do you have more than one favorite professional club? Who are they and why?

A. I cheer for DC United and Washington Spirit. They are my favorite because they are close by and my hometown teams.

6.) A question that always annoys parent's of girls, is there a special

fella in your life?

A. There's only one special guy in my life and that's my Daddy.

7.) Given the choice of free tickets to 1 Direction, Justin Bieber, Taylor

Swift, or Hunter Hayes, who would you choose?

A. Hunter Hayes

8.) Who do you consider your heroes and why?

A. My parents. They are always there for me when I need something. They also help others and save lives.

9.) Your brother is a tremendous soccer player as well, who do you think is

better, you or him?

A. Since its [sic] my interview I'm going to say me! But, Bryce has taught me a lot about soccer and lots of moves.

10.) Other than soccer, what sports do you enjoy watching?

A. Olympics swimming and gymnastics, and hockey, but only when the Capitals are playing.

11.) Other than soccer, what sports do you enjoy playing?

A. None really. I do like to swim for fun.

12.) What do you like to do for fun?

A. Swim, play with my cousin, camping, watch movies, play with my new kittens.

13.) What's your favorite movie?

A. Pitch Perfect

14.) Who is your favorite soccer player and why?

A. Hope Solo, she is my role model because the way she plays and she inspires me to play better. She has been through a lot of challenges in her life and career and I can relate to her.

15.) If you were to get drafted by the NWSL, which team would you want to play

for?

A. The Washington Spirit. It’s close to home and all my friends and family could watch me play.

16.) Any pets?

A. I have two new kittens, Zoe and Joey. A hamster named Cookie. A ball python snake name Dude. A German Shepherd named Olaf.

17.) What do your parents do for a living?

A. My Mom is a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician and is about to become a Paramedic. My Dad is police officer. They both are volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

18.) When it comes to ice cream, there's only one flavor and it is?

A. Fudge Brownie

19.) What's your favorite book and TV show?

A. Favorite book would have to be Red Kayak. My favorite TV show is anything on the Disney Channel (Good Luck Charlie, Dog with the Blog, Austin and Ally, Shake it Up)

20.) If the US Women's National Team played the US Men's National Team in a match, who do you think would win?

A. The women! The men get knocked down and cry like little babies.

I hope you enjoyed reading the story of Brianna Bagley, Goalkeeper, Maryland Olympic Development Program. Stay tuned for future interviews including NWSL Boston Breakers star midfielder, Lianne Sanderson.