No, Don't Tread On Me!

After the dissapointing and rather disgusting loss to the Czech Republic Monday morning, the United States men's soccer team was left to reasses their chances of success at this year's World Cup tournament. Within the first six minutes of the game, the match was over as Czech giant Jan Koeller headed home a ball that proved to be the game winner. A rather flat US team then went on to give up two more goals in what turned into a laugher when the final whistle was blown. Then, the finger pointing game stared.

Within the hour, US Coach Bruce Arena was seen on televisions proclaiming that with the exception of two or three players in the line up, everybody stunk. He was especially critical of DeMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan, two players that have been the essential pieces of the American soccer resurgence in recent years and stated that Beasley lacked the effort neccessary to compete at the international level. "His play was uninspired and lacked creativity, he [Beasley] played mostly with his back to the goal and was not willing to run at defenders and goal," said Arena in his post match lifting of blame and putting it squarely on the players session.

This then leads us to the present, with the US facing the huge task of earning a decent result against Italy, although let's face facts, they will have to win on Saturday to have any real shot of earning a place in the second round. Confidence runs high with the team and players such as Brian McBride are saying all the right things, "As a team we have to pull together. That comes from guys that are considered leaders or veterans, that's part of our job, to refocus on Italy and put this game behind us. We're a team. Nothing's going to happen to pull us apart." Yeah right!

Bruce Arena took over as US head coach after the disasterous 1998 World Cup in France where the team, guided by the "brilliant" Steve Sampson, managed to lose every match they played and end up dead last in the tournament. As the head coach of DC United, Arena managed to become the talk of US Soccer when he won the first two titles of the MLS history and won the CONCACAF Club Champions tournament with a 1-0 result over Mexican side Toluca. Prior to his MLS success, Arena had won numerous national titles at the University of Virginia and was instrumental in the development of Claudio Reyna and Jeff Agoos, to name a few. So, when the US team tanked in international play, highlighted with a humiliating loss to football powerhouse Iran, the US Soccer Federation decided to get rid of Sampson and install Arena as the next hope.

With success in 2002 and Gold Cup compititions, the United States has managed to get back some respect and enter these World Cup Finals with a number 5 world ranking, if you believe FIFA when they say that (More Coke Than Cola). However, yesterday's game showed why once again the US is pitted in the same cycle of failure that cost Sampson his job in '98. The US team played uninspired ball and showed their lack of skill and play making ability that was on display during the three game friendly schedule that the US played in late May. Sans the woodwork that Claudio Reyna hit in the first half, the United States looked more like the number 32 team in the world and they "punted and cheered" their way to a 3-0 smoking. On top of that, the lack of any real strategy was on display as the the US looked as lost on the field as Arena looked on the bench. Obviously, however, the team was to blame and not the coach who had worked so hard to get his team ready for the match.

The lineups for the first game were a "secret" to US players, an action that Arena explained away as being a tactic to keep players active in practice and on their toes. All this really managed to accomplish was piss off several players, with the above mentioned Beasley calling the situation an unadded stressor to the entire situation. I call it Arena being a dick, and trying to make himself out to be one of these coaching premadonnas that think they have the juice and clout to pull these psychological fast ones on players. Advice to Arena, please refrain from stealing your material from Phil Jackson. The more plausible explanation was that Arena and his staff were caught with their pants down and didn't want to admit that despite the 8 months heads up he and his staff got, they really had no game plan for taking on the european side. If they did, then Arena and his staff should give back their paychecks because they are flat out stealing from the Federation with game plans like that. No, Arena and his staff failed to utilize the full talents of the American player pool and fielded a team that had not shown much in the lead up to the world cup including players such as Cory Gibbs and Steve Cherundolo, two defenders that no doubt, in the mind of Arena, were great assets to the team because of their ability to shut down all those great European fowards who stand 5'4" and shorter. It seems that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

So what are we left with? Not much if you are a US soccer fan. Italy showed the type of European skill in their game against Ghana that shows why Serie A is one of the top 3 leagues in the world, and that was even without using Allessandro Del Piero. Saturday's game may just be a quick lesson in not taking yourself too seriously and a nice and proper dispatching of the American side. Ghana in their loss to Italy also showed one thing, that they are more athletic and attack oriented then the Americans could ever hope to be and that Michael Essian is one of the world's best midfielders, let alone the beast that roams the middle for EPL champion Chelsea.

As for Arena, well, this World Cup is shaping up to be a disasterous one for the Americans, the type of performance that can get a guy fired, if you know what I mean.

Update
In a rather colorful interview with reporters on Tuesday, Arena did not back down from his criticism directed towards Lando and Beaz. Asking that Beasley accept the criticism levied by the head coach, Arena spouted "If he's any kind of a player and a man, he understands that. If he doesn't, then he's not going to be able to help us in Games 2 or 3, either." This brilliant piece of coaching will no doubt make the players that he is single handedly throwing under the bus rise to the occasion and want to fight on for their coach, especially now that Arena is showing so much class and devotion to them. Arena is shaping up to be a bonafide idiot, dividing the locker room in a world class pissing contest to illustrate that he is not the feeble, faux soccer player and coach that he tries to pass himself as. What a shame, to come so far only to be sunk by your own coach's ambitions and ego. I am sure that these players really appreciate being called into question by a guy that has only logged ONE career cap as a player. Even my guy Sasha Victorine has garnered more then that.

On his upcoming opponent Italy and the match fixing controversy that has enbroiled the Serie A and the Italian Football Federation, "It doesn't look like it's disturbing them a whole lot, from what I can tell," Arena said. "They're used to scandals. They're playing right through this scandal. They'll be fine. I think we need a scandal." Ahh, you are in the middle of one, dead coach walking!

Still to Come
The American Successor

Cruisin' For a Bruin

Yesterday came word that former UCLA Bruin standouts Ricky Manning Jr., of the Chicago Bear Mannings, Maurice Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Tyler Ebell (UTEP) were arrested after they were involved in the mauling of an unidentified man at a restaurant near the UCLA campus. Like the situations at crosstown rival USC, these latest arrests open a window to the football culture at UCLA and a true example of the main teachings of the athletic staff, that of sheer and unadulterated STUPIDITY.

Getting it cracking when you are in school is one thing. Sure, we like to make fun of people and demonize student-athletes when they have a few too many, get in a car and go try to assault a co-ed or something. Immature young men pumped full of testostrone, mixed with piss and vinegar, and a sprinkling of sub-conscience anxieties and minor homoerotic feelings will do stupid things. This one however takes the cake.

Now this isn't as bad as Ray Carruth whacking his pregnant girlfriend and hiding in the trunk of a car, far from it. From the reports it seems that the victim will make a full recovery, that is the good part. The bad part is that now we get to see the inner workings of a bunch a mediocre football players and get to hear about how they were all catered to at the college level despite them having any "real" talent. Sure, Mo' Drew can run the rock with the best of them in the Pac 10, however his slip in the draft to the second round was explained be many NFL scouts as a referendum on his bad attitude. Besides the fact that he is not an every down type of back, Mo' Drew was drafted by Jacksonville, who still have a pretty good Fred Taylor and who have said will use Drew as a Dave Meggett style back.

Ricky Manning had a good year when the Carolina Panthers went to the Super Bowl in 2004, however his penchant for getting torched in the secondary lead to Carolina cutting the ties. I guess it also doesn't help your cause when a guy like Joe Jurevicius can have a career day against you in the NFC Championship game. Ebell, well, there isn't much to say about a guy who couldn't hack it in a Karl Dorrell offense and decided that he could have a better career running it for UTEP. WAC football, it's FANtastic.

In the end, you have to sit down and question what these three braintrusts were doing slinging it in Westwood. I am sure that Manning could have found a dice game somewhere in Chicago to keep him out of trouble. Besides, don't you think that a guy in a new defense would want to take some time learn said defense? Drew was recently drafted in the second round after many thought he was first round talent. You would also think that he would be out with his new club training and getting in shape to illustrate to the rest of the league that he is worth first round money. Ebell, well again, I am sure that UTEP education isn't his top priority. All three were rolling together looking for trouble, in Westwood of all places? Westwood doesn't even have that many good places to eat unless you are looking to get your noodles on or want to sling it at Chili's. Why couldn't they be getting into brawls at say, Morton's or Lawry's, or hell, even Pacific Dining Car? They were so stupid, they got themselves in trouble at freaking South Street, talk about being BOOTLEG.

All kidding aside, these guys show why UCLA football is a mid-major club stuck in a premier conference. They have not produced one decent skill player since DaShaun Foster, and even his is questionable as an injury plagued back, and need I bring up Freddie Mitchell? To top things off, UCLA had their star lineback Spencer Havner go undrafted and forced to sign a free agent contract. This not only reflects badly on Karl Dorrell and Bob Toledo, but this also reflects badly on athletic director Dan Guerrero and the rest of the program. By hiring guys on the cheap and not getting the discipline driven coaches to lead this group of soft players, the Bruins show that their is a lack of committment to the alumni and fans. It also shows that some of the most basic of concepts, keep your nose out of f'n trouble, is not taught within the progam. USC can get away with it because they have two straight National Championships and Heisman Trophy winners. All UCLA has is the legend of my guy Ted Nwoke, the nigerian nightmare and personal aquintance of Madgaffer, and old ass Morrison who thinks he is the Pac 10 president. Get a life, brother.

The Lie is an Art with Matt

So in Tuesday's Arizona Republic, former USC quarterback Matt Lienart suggests that his "Hollywood" image was perpetuated by Pete Carroll, not Leinart and that this image has led to him having to work harder then any rookie taken in the 2006 Draft to win his teammates' respect. Leinart cites times during practice when Snoop Dog would show up and start talking to LenDale White and Reggie Bush. Leinart also states that guests like Will Ferrell would take away valuable practice time from the squad prior to the 2006 Rose Bowl game, and that Carroll and the coaching staff would lose focus talking about all the big names that surrounded the team.

Of course, I am sure that Pete Carroll was the one that told Matt to hook up with Paris Hilton during his red carpet draft party held in Las Vegas. I can imagine Coach Carroll running up on Paris and her posse at the bar and hitting her up with Matt's info. "Hey Paris, my friend over there wants to buy you a drink, hee hee." Matt would then be standing in the corner lifting his head in the ever popular male "What's up" way that guys do when they are trying to look cool in a bar somewhere, and carressing his faux goatie with his index finger and thumb. Matt probably then raised his glass of Crystal and motioned her over. He is so money, a bear with big claws.

Carroll was also, probably, the driving force that lead to the bonding friendship of Matt and Nick Lachey during the last season at USC. Carroll more then likely brought Lachey to the Medici apartment Leinart and Dwayne Jarrett shared to play some PS2 or XBox. Carroll probably showed up with a case of Budweiser and a bag of chili-cheese Fritos and Nick brought the jalapeno poppers. After a long night of partying and kicking each others asses on Madden, they probably made some crank calls to Jessica and Ashley Simpson with Carroll trying to keep a straight face and not laugh while he told the girls that he was some guy they had met at the club and gave their number too. There is nothing worse then that 3:00 AM drunk call to a girl.

Carroll also, more then likely according to Leinart, was the one who thought it would be a really "bitchin" idea to let Wilmer Valderamma say a few words at the USC pep rally prior to the UCLA game. "Hey man, he can like say some cool stuff to the team and the Alumni in that 'Fez voice, ha ha," muttered Carroll in that hazy scene played out in Matt's head. The alienation of several team members and alumni following the address was also, probably, the desired effect Carroll wanted.

Finally, I am sure that the person taking this picture above was also Carroll following the 2005 Hiesman Trophy Awards ceremony in New York. He probably thought that it would be really cool to take a picture of Matt geeking the breezies at a local night club while Carroll's wife slept at home. The pissed off chick behind them is probably also there with Carroll. She is more than likely upset at the fact that he left her standing on the dance floor by herself while Carroll rushed to take this picture with his Treo 650 phone.

In the end, you cannot expect much out of Matt Leinart. He went on record in Sports Illustrated professing his love for USC basketball star Brynn Cameron and then was photographed with the above mentioned breezie. He said his housing was on the up-and-up and then more details of shady business dealings between Matt's father and "several unidentified partners" surfaced. From all the data, one can only come to the realization that a pissed off Leinart is trying to spin his reasoning for falling to 10 overall in the draft, effectively costing him $13 million in projected salary. This, coupled with the fact that his new teammates in Arizona and the fans are expecting Leinart to be the savior of the fanchise, is taking its toll in Matt.

The Futility Continues

From the L.A. Times Sports Section:

"Salesian 12, Murphy 0 (5 innings)Eddie Martinez (6-4) allowed one hit and struck out seven over five innings to get the win for visiting Salesian (10-11, 6-4)."

Madgaffer & Vital_Idol Coaching Record vs. Salesian: 2-0.

Other Varsity coaches since: 0-8.

Barry's ESPiN Zone

Not since the days of O.J. Simpson and his murderous tirade has there been so much television and radio time devoted to one obvious criminal. Traveling through the XM radio dial, I stumble on ESPN radio's Game Night hosted by Doug Gotlieb of all people and some other guy, insert newscaster wannabe with some kind of a shtick. I stopped on this station not knowing the nerve numbing drubble that I would soon endure.

OK, I admit that part of the reason I stopped on this station was to listen to the redneckian stylings of Dale Ernhardt Jr. after his win at the Crown Royal 400. There is something about the simple knowledge of NASCAR that gets me everytime, and hell, who doesn't want to hear about "wreckin'," "burnin' out dem tires," and everyone's favorite "rubbin's racing" references? My inner hillbilly was truly in heaven. Then it all started to turn.

What started as a way of feeding a guilty pleasure, became all Barry F'n Bonds radio. "Is Barry going to catch the Babe on this homestand?" "What will MLB do to acknowledge 714?" "Should we care about 714?" I should preface this with a brief background reset. During the Giants at Dodgers Sunday Night game of the week on ESPN, Giant shills John Miller and Joe Morgan spent the majority of the telecast on Barry watch. Even when Barry wasn't at bat, the camera and the conversation would shift to Barry Bonds and his troubles, nevermind that there was actually a game going on. If I wanted to hear so much about the inner workings of the Barry Bonds situation, I am sure ESPN could have sent Bob Ley to do the game with the "Outside the Lines" banner as the television graphic. I was even surprised I didn't see Jeremy Schaap interviewing Barry in left field or the dugout. Hell, I am sure the "The Sports Reporters" could have also set up shop in the pavillion seats to hold a roundtable discussion on the matter. Lord knows I want to know what Mike Lupica and Mitch Albom have to say at about the whole situation.

This past Sunday's Giants at Phillies game was no exception. ESPN even got it's "money shot" when Barry went yard to come within one homerun of the Babe. This added more drama to an otherwise lousy game, as Miller et al waited with giddy anticipation to show Barry rounding the bases with the ESPN logo proudly displayed in the upper right hand corner for intellectual property purposes. Thankfully, that moment did not come on Sunday, and little Joe Morgan would have to wait a while before anointing Barry Bonds "The Greatest Player to Ever Wear a Uniform."

Now we get to the heart of the matter, besides being the "Wide World Leader in Sports," ESPN has taken it upon itself to be the Wide World Leader in the Barry Bonds PR machine." Not only is this beast taking up airtime during the NBA and NHL playoffs, but now ESPN radio will be bring you every at bat, live, during "Barry's quest towards history!" What started as a simple career of a pissed off Arizona State outfielder that managed to upset Jim Leyland enough to have the ex-Pirate skipper come within inches of kicking Barry's ass, has mushroomed into the sorted details of a steriods infused ego on the ESPN weekly show, "Bonds on Blondes," errr "Bonds."

ESPN then has become the official distrubutors of the Bonds talking point, displaying a side of the steroids injecting persona that is controlled by Bonds, edited by Bonds, and dictated by Bonds. Fox News has nothing on these tactics. The Bonds show leads in to SportsCenter, where the "news" that is transmitted by "brilliant sportscaster" Dan Patrick and the like use clips of the Bonds show in vignettes and "news" pieces. I guess this only follows the same logical line of reasoning that makes it acceptable to lead off the Fox 11 news here in Los Angeles with the latest on American Idol and why Terri Hatcher was dumped by Ryan Seacrest, (ah...He's gay, that's why!). And, in another philosophical dilemna, how can you be JOHN BEARD, and not have a beard? But I digress.

When legitimate news outlets start using self created "reality" content and start representing that content as news, then it is no longer news, rather propoganda. Republican talking points, Bonds trying to tell people he is a good guy. It's all the same. Therefore, ESPN has taken that leap along with Bonds, and has decided to sell itself to the same deceit in order to cover a news story and get that exclusive interview if Barry ever manages to break Hank Aaron's record, which by the way was achieved without using steroids. In ESPN's attempt to present Barry's chase towards 714 and beyond, they have decided to become the offical Fox News Channel, and Dan Patrick the official Tony Snow, of the Barry Bonds Administration and shape public perception of a cheater and an all around bad guy.

This then leads us to all Barry radio and television, much like all-DNA radio of 1994-1995 when the public heard all the great occurances of the O.J. trial. With the non-stop barage of Barry coverage a person can, much like the O.J. case, start to think of the accused as the victim, and this tactic may work to soften the image of a jerk and a criminal. Of course, that's why you read this blog, to get the "straight story" with no spin.

Chasing the Devil

With the conclusion of yet another hardwareless campaign in the Prem, it appears that the Manchester United brain trust have much work to do over the off-season. While much of the current buzz revolves around the probable departure of Van the Man, below the surface lies an even more intriguing question. What is the United Board of Directors to do about their head Red Devil? Will Fergie be allowed to keep the keys to Malcom Glazer's new Cadillac, or will Mally and the B.O.D. finally put their proverbial foot down?

There is no doubt that few match chops with the Prem's most successful gaffer, but the fact remains that Fergie's time has come. If the Devils are to regain their place as the Prem's Cadillac, it is necessary to move forward. In his time at the helm, Fergie's resume is unmatched. Eight EPL crowns since the Prem's inception in 1992, not to mention the numerous Charity Shields and FA Cups. Historically, he is the most successfully gaffer in United's illustrious history. Many will argue that without Ferguson, United never would have become the world-wide super club that it has.

While his guidance over nearly the last 20 years has been insrtumental, in reality United's greatest achievements have come by way of its greatest generation of players since the days of Sir Matt Busby. David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and the Neville brothers all were developed by United's youth academy not by Ferguson. In the early days of his reign Fergie certainly earned his due is steering United up through the standings and away from the threat of relegation. During this time he dumped pikers and added greatness in the likes of Cantona, Schmeichel, and Keano. In doing so he also chased away greatness in the likes of Captain Marvel Bryan Robson, the Gov'na Paul Ince; a tragic trend which he would later repeat.


Over the years, the United faithful have praised the firmness with which he has ruled Old Trafford. Those that applaud it call it conviction. Those that detest it call it stubbornness. It is largely due to the latter that his time has come. For all of his successes there have been many failures. He has yet to find a long term solution for United's goal keeping problem. In the years since the Great Dane departed the Theatre of Dreams, Fergie's revolving door in goal has included the likes of Mark Bosnich, and Fabian Barthez. He successfully replaced Gary Pallister with Yaap Stam, only to mistakenly chase him away a year later. His solution was a bigger mistake, Rio Ferdinand. His failures have not been limited to the signings of such players and Jasper Blomqvist, David Bellion and the Brazilian Klebberson. No, his conviction also led to the departure of England's manager elect, Steve McClaren to 'Boro.

There was a time, not too long ago when United struck fear in their opponents. The whole Prem trembled when faced with squaring-off against the Devils not to mention the Champions League. Since chasing away Becks, it has been three seasons since the Devils last raised the Barclay's Cup and seven since the magical Treble. United were once the crown jewel of the Prem. Gone are the days when the Three Lions boasted a nucleus of United's finest. At its peak earlier in the decade United was represented by no less than seven players on the National Team, five of which were academy products; Becks, Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Nevilles. Earlier in the week Sven announced his 23 man World Cup roster, only three were Devils. Of these three, only Gary Neville is a true Red Devil.


United is not a second tier club, yet second place finishes and early departures from Europe will argue differently. I guess this is what it was like to be an Arsenal fan. Several years ago Schmeichel returned to the Prem after a stint in Portugal, he did so with ManCity not his beloved ManUnited whom he captained to Champions League glory. City over United? Perhaps there was more behind Cantona's abrupt retirement and his refusal for any further involvement with his former club. Having unimaginably chased away Keano a few months ago, who knows how long it will be before the Devils once again climb to the top of the mountain. Of the six academy products who carried United to domestic, European and international greatness only two remain, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs. The time has come for the Devils to chase away Fergie before he chases all the Devils away.

Wake Me When July Ends

When this year's July trading deadline approaches, the question will be whether the Dodgers will be buyers or sellers. However an inside sources with the Dodgers claims that the McCourts' are absolute with their belief that they will be in contention come the deadline and will be looking to bolster the club. That may or may not be the same mentality of Ned Colletti, who more and more looks like he is still on the Giants payroll. In any case, the Dodgers are an interesting mix that on paper still has a chance to win a very mediocre division.

Sleepy Odalis Perez has probably pitched his final game in the rotation. Sunday is his spot in the rotation but that has been given to Aaron Sele who was called up from AAA last night after Perez was placed on bereavment leave. When he returns, the question then becomes what role he will have in the bullpen. With the lack of a solid reliever in the pen, Odalis may become a viable option as the long man or set up man in the 7th and 8th innings. Whether Sele stays in the rotation is up to him, and the Dodgers do have the option to bring up Chad Billingsley from AAA as well.

With all that being said, the Dodgers also have the option to look outside the club for an arm. Cesar Izturis will be coming back in mid-June and has already clashed with management over his role with the club. Rafa Furcal is already at short, Kent is a fixture at second due to Nomar Garciaparra's improved play at first base plus his penchant for getting walk-off hits. Bill Mueller is a permanent fixture at third, so unless Cesar comes around to the idea of manning the outfield, he is going to have to be moved. A name that has been surfacing lately is Dontrell Willis who is off to a 1-3 start in Florida and is only signed through the end of the year. His contract at 4.5 million is also pretty affordable, and a Marlin club struggling with rookies and mediocre players will benefit from a player like Izturis. It may also be a Mike Piazza deal, an inbetween stop before Izturis' final destination.

Another name that is interesting is Tony Armas Jr. from Washington, who is also signed for one year and is on a club that is going nowhere fast. With the Nats also looking to dump Alfonso Soriano during the trade deadline, look for the Nats and the Dodgers to have some pretty productive talks in late June and early July.

As far as what the Dodgers can give up, they have options to package in deal. Andre Either is an attactive player that many have inquired about. Dioner Navarro is a promissing catcher but the emergence of Russ Martin may make him expendable. Jason Repko as well may be a target by many looking to wheel and deal. In any case, the Dodgers have options beyond Izturus and will be looking to package a player that has been given a chance and may not have been all that Paul DePodesta expected.

Then there is the ever agonizing situation with Jason Werth, who is on the extended DL and may or may not be able to recover from his wrist injury. As some in the Dodger's organization have speculated, Werth may be able to return this season, and when he does he can be an added force to the line-up. Imagine a line up featuring Lofton-Furcal-Garciaparra-Drew-Kent-Mueller-Werth-Martin. That's a pretty solid bunch if Werth can return to the 2004 form that saw him hit .379 down the stretch.

More to come.