There are a couple of BIG games going on tomorrow and without going into all the possible permutations, let's just say both teams HAVE to win. It's no good relying on others to do the job for you so good luck to both teams - I'll be crossing everything. The office and Soccerettes will again be at Cuatros so hope to see you there!
Sorry to see the hosts South Africa bow out but not sorry to see the back of France - just my personal opinion by the way! Phil has Uruguay in the office sweep so he's pretty happy right now.
Good to see Jamie Watson make News 8 Athlete of the week and also to see a great article in the Daily Texan today - http://tinyurl.com/3axhpo5 We had a reporter in the office today from the same newspaper to interview Max Griffin, he of the 'perfect' hat trick (one with his head and one with each foot) The players all signed the match ball for him and Coach Heath presented it to him. It's an impressive feat for someone in his rookie year - I'm sure there's more to come!
Good luck to the guys tonight as they take on Arizona Sahuaros in the second round of the US Open Cup.
Kay
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Soccer Fest!
So, the big match up finally arrived and ended in the result that keeps the Rawlins house happy! It was great to see so many people at Cuatros, must have been 800/900 crammed in. What a contrast from even four years ago plus so much TV coverage. Times magazine had a World Cup special with some really interesting, in-depth articles including one entitled "Yes, Soccer Is America's Game" It begins:
"Please stop lecturing us. We know that it's called football everywhere else and that it's the global game, the beautiful game. Americans call it soccer because there's a perfectly great sport here already called football, one that is not inclined to surrender its moniker anytime soon. So don't get your football knickers in a twist about it." Read more here - http://tinyurl.com/3xeg2ky
After the craziness of Cuatros, it was on to House Park - a disappointing result which I guess shows how far we have come as I felt they were probably the best team we have played so far. We have the Cup game this Tuesday which will see Adrian return to the bench. It seems to be a particularly harsh rule that the coach is not even allowed in the stadium. We have all seen Sir Alex sitting up in the stands now and again due to a 'misdemeanor' but he at least is allowed to be that close.
I have drawn Denmark in the Aztex World Cup draw - the first game is the Netherlands who have always been one of my favorites. There have been tales of Dutch dressing room bust-ups so John Nelms (ticket sales), prepare to be taken down! I hope a familiar face, Stoke City's very own Tommy Sorensen gets his opportunity to shine.
See you on Tuesday for the Open Cup game, 7.30 pm as usual.
Kay
"Please stop lecturing us. We know that it's called football everywhere else and that it's the global game, the beautiful game. Americans call it soccer because there's a perfectly great sport here already called football, one that is not inclined to surrender its moniker anytime soon. So don't get your football knickers in a twist about it." Read more here - http://tinyurl.com/3xeg2ky
After the craziness of Cuatros, it was on to House Park - a disappointing result which I guess shows how far we have come as I felt they were probably the best team we have played so far. We have the Cup game this Tuesday which will see Adrian return to the bench. It seems to be a particularly harsh rule that the coach is not even allowed in the stadium. We have all seen Sir Alex sitting up in the stands now and again due to a 'misdemeanor' but he at least is allowed to be that close.
I have drawn Denmark in the Aztex World Cup draw - the first game is the Netherlands who have always been one of my favorites. There have been tales of Dutch dressing room bust-ups so John Nelms (ticket sales), prepare to be taken down! I hope a familiar face, Stoke City's very own Tommy Sorensen gets his opportunity to shine.
See you on Tuesday for the Open Cup game, 7.30 pm as usual.
Kay
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Top of the League, who will be Top of the World?
Writing this the morning after our game against the Timbers, the Aztex sit top of the League and six points clear! I have been asked in several interviews over the past week what accounts for such a dramatic turnaround in fortunes from last year? I’ll do my best to answer the question.
Well, truth is we weren’t as bad last year as our record suggested. We were the dominant team on many games only to lose in the last few minutes or concede a late goal to give up a tie. We played good football and paid a high price for inexperience. This year, Adrian has rectified that, bringing in experienced players like Kevin Sakuda, Leonard Griffin, Jay Needham, Lawrence Olum and Lance Watson to add to our young talent. The combination, so far, has proved to be a winning one!
Winning also helps and right now the boys are playing with confidence and flying in training, long may that continue.
This week will test us. We have three of the best teams in the League at House Park, Puerto Rico, Portland and Vancouver coming to town. Last night’s game against Portland wasn’t pretty but sometimes during a 30 games season you have to dig-in and win a point when you aren’t playing at your best. We will have to be better to beat Vancouver but the boys will be ready.
Friday sees the beginning of the World Cup in South Africa and the fight for the World’s biggest prize. Who will be champions come July 11th? My personal bet is Spain; I think they have the talent and mental toughness to win it. Of course I would love to see England win it and I do believe that under Capello’s leadership they have really begun to believe in themselves, something I never thought they did under either McClaren or Eriksson. They should at least make the semi-finals.
More important though for me than who wins the Jules Rimet Trophy is how well the US team can do in South Africa? It is important for the further development of the game in this country that the US boys do well. If they can progress to the knockout stages and even to the final 8 then interest and excitement about the game here will mount. That can only be good for the game that we all love. So for that reason I am going to have dual loyalties over the next few weeks, shouting hard for both England and the USA.
Come out and watch the tournament with me, Kay, Coach Heath and the boys at one of our many watch parties. http://tinyurl.com/36v4ahy
Well, truth is we weren’t as bad last year as our record suggested. We were the dominant team on many games only to lose in the last few minutes or concede a late goal to give up a tie. We played good football and paid a high price for inexperience. This year, Adrian has rectified that, bringing in experienced players like Kevin Sakuda, Leonard Griffin, Jay Needham, Lawrence Olum and Lance Watson to add to our young talent. The combination, so far, has proved to be a winning one!
Winning also helps and right now the boys are playing with confidence and flying in training, long may that continue.
This week will test us. We have three of the best teams in the League at House Park, Puerto Rico, Portland and Vancouver coming to town. Last night’s game against Portland wasn’t pretty but sometimes during a 30 games season you have to dig-in and win a point when you aren’t playing at your best. We will have to be better to beat Vancouver but the boys will be ready.
Friday sees the beginning of the World Cup in South Africa and the fight for the World’s biggest prize. Who will be champions come July 11th? My personal bet is Spain; I think they have the talent and mental toughness to win it. Of course I would love to see England win it and I do believe that under Capello’s leadership they have really begun to believe in themselves, something I never thought they did under either McClaren or Eriksson. They should at least make the semi-finals.
More important though for me than who wins the Jules Rimet Trophy is how well the US team can do in South Africa? It is important for the further development of the game in this country that the US boys do well. If they can progress to the knockout stages and even to the final 8 then interest and excitement about the game here will mount. That can only be good for the game that we all love. So for that reason I am going to have dual loyalties over the next few weeks, shouting hard for both England and the USA.
Come out and watch the tournament with me, Kay, Coach Heath and the boys at one of our many watch parties. http://tinyurl.com/36v4ahy
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