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.

ConFed Cup Final: Holland and Brasil 3, Spain 0

The Confederations Cup is over. Brasil are crowned champions after a 3-0 victory over the reigning World Cup Champions, Spain. It was a victory that Brasil earned with grit, tenacity, and relentless tackles. While the end result may not have changed, the Dutch referee was complicit in Brasil’s win.

Brasil intimidated Spain, plain and simple, and the referee allowed it to happen. Bjorn Kuipers issued three cards: all of which going to Spain. Each card was rightfully issued to the Spanish players- including a straight red to Gerard Pique (insert sad Shakira photo here). Whether a professional foul or just a rough tackle, Spain was penalized for hacking down the yellow clad Brasilians; however, Brasil was never issued a card despite cutting down Spain’s players like they were trees in the rain forest.

The Dutch referee allowed this intimidation to continue by not issuing cards for the same offenses that Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa were shown yellow for. Yes, penalties were called; free kicks were given. Spain was even awarded a PK that was shanked wide of the post.

But the timber kept falling dressed in red; the axe dressed in yellow without additional penance. Spain was back on their heels from the goal scored in the second minute goal scored by Fred (the fastest goal in Confed Cup history). Spain’s timing and confidence had been destroyed by rough tackles that should have seen yellow cards, and in at least one case, what should have been a straight red, yet Kuipers only gave the Brasilian squad a “stern talking to.”  The hometown squad was free to slide tackle in any form or fashion they desired. Spain was timid and scared to bring the ball forward with any confidence and swagger worthy of the World Cup champs all because of Brasil’s twelfth man: Bjorn Kuipers.

Referees are not supposed to influence the game in such a manner. “CALL IT BOTH WAYS!” is a mantra you can hear chanted in every sports league: NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, BPL…you get the picture. If Kuipers pulled out his yellow card against the yellow clad club, Spain may have played differently. The end result may have been the same: Brasil winning the ConFed Cup for the third year in a row, but the game would most certainly have been different. Brasil would’ve been forced to back off a little giving Spain a little wiggle room to move the ball.

I don’t mean to take anything away from Brasil; they played brilliantly. The showed Spain ZERO respect and pressed the ball carrier for the whole 90 minutes of the match. It was a brilliant strategy that paid out in spades. Brasil outplayed the Spaniards, hands down (or feet down). Spain didn’t look like a team made up of World Cup champions; they looked like a team that should be relegated from most top tier leagues. Yet I feel the referee help keep Spain pushed back by not carding a single Brasilian player.  

With quiet cards, Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers allowed Brasil to run amok without fear of retribution; call it evenly, ref.

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.