2012 - Thierry Henry

April 14, 2012 - NY Red Bull, in honor of Thierry Henry's 3-goal, 1-assist performance against the Montreal Impact, combined with his 2-goal, 1-assist game against the Colorado Rapid gave away a special Henry poster to the first 10,000 fans prior to the April 14 game against the San Jose Earthquakes.

10 of the posters handed out were personally signed by Henry...

2012 - Philadelphia Union v Columbus Crew

2012.04.14 Philadelphia Union v Columbus Crew - PPL Park, Chester, Pa

It only took 3 seasons, but we made it to PPL Park, Chester, Pa...a 2 hour drive, one way... It is rare to have a weekend without a game for Mike so we took advantage of the afternoon game. Fortunately we ordered the tickets on Thursday, because by game time the match was sold out with 18,526 fans in attendance as the Union collected their first win of the season...

The Union would score the only goal of the game on a penalty kick by Gabriel Gomez, beating Columbus keeper Andy Gruenebaum. Feddy Adu, starting for the Union, sent a cross into the box, which hit the arm of Columbus defender Eric Gehrig, setting up the penalty kick...

Union keeper Zac MacMath saw little action in the first half, but in the second he made a spectacular flying kick save on a close range shot, which had the crowd on their feet cheering on the play...

The stadium was beautiful. The field conditions looked great. I was surprised that we were not supplied with a game program. I found out you had to go to customer services to obtain one. When I got there with 20 minutes left to the start of the game, that there were no more left! 

The Union through a Turkey Hill promotion have the Turkey Hill Field Pass. At 15 minutes into the game a message is posted on the board with a code to text. The code was PHILLY. If selected you had a chance to meet the Union players on the field after the game. Unfortunately we did not get selected. Even though few get to go I like the idea. Since we are from the Red Bull area and go to their games often, there is little to no chance of meeting players unless you are a season ticket holder ($). At least the Union offer all their fans a chance...

Toyota

Verizon magnet

DOOP!

While we were looking over the t-shirts and scarfs (lots of scarfs) everything had Doop! written on it. Found out that Doop is the team gaol song. Created by the Union  to be played after a goal is scored, it has caught on with the fans big time. After Gomez scored we experienced Doop!  After a goal is scored the loudspeakers and the Sons of Ben start in, it was awesome. A great experience, lots of fun...

2012 - Canadian MLS Automobiles

Kia Canada has developed partnerships with all three Canadian Major League Soccer teams. This allows Kia to whole-heartedly support the MLS in Canada as the exclusive automotive sponsor of all three Canadian teams.

The 2012 Kia Optima SX Toronto Special Edition, a one-of-a kind vehicle which the Toronto FC will have at select home games at BMO Field and will be used in special events and promotions around the greater Toronto area. The Toronto Optima was unvieled at the 2012 Canadian International Auto Show, Montreal...

2012 Kia Sorento Vancouver Whitecaps FC Special Edition, which will be present at select 2012 Whitecaps matches and at a variety of promotional events and venues throughout the Lower Mainland. The Whitecaps special edition was unveiled at the 2012 Vancouver International Auto Show...

Kia debuted a special edition 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door embellished with Montreal Impact design. Unveiled at the Montreal International Auto Show...

2012 - DC United - T-shirt promo

DC United promotion - T-shirt courtesy of LivingSocial is being distributed to the first 7,500 fans when DC United face the Seattle Sounders on April 7, 2012. Excellent design...

Giorgio Chinaglia

Giorgio Chinaglia (Jan 24, 1947 - April 1, 2012)

Chinaglia was born in Carrara, Tuscany, Italy. His family moved to Cardiff, Wales in 1955. By 1962 his football skills earned him an apprenticeship with Swansea Town in the Football League Third Division, making his senior debut in 1964. Chinaglia would stay with Swansea until moving to Massese, in 1966, in the Italian Serie C. From 1967-1969 Chinaglia would play for Internapoli, Serie C.
Chinaglia would move to Lazio, Serie B, in 1969 staying with them until 1976. He would score 98 goals in 209 appearances for Lazio.

Chingalia's play with Lazio earned him a spot on the Italian National Team, 1972-1974. In 1973 Chinaglia helped Italy to its first win over England at Wembley Stadium, in a friendly. Chingalia would play for Italy in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, West Germany. When he was substituted for in a match against Haiti, his actions caused his teammates to ostracize him, effectively ending his National Team career at 14 caps, 4 goals.

1976 Chinaglia would move to the United States and the NASL Cosmos, until 1983, playing in 254 games, scoring 242 goals (including regular  season and playoff games).

Chinaglia would also play two stints with the Cosmos indoor team, 1981-82 and 1984-85, playing in 21 games, scoring 38 goals.

Chinaglia was inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame, 2000.

Phil Mushnick, NY Post April 2, 2012

In his article Mushnick talks about how Chinaglia "told the truth...as far as he was concerned, his version. He knew what he was, how he did it and never ran from the tough questions, only straight into them."

In a comment about the Sirius Radio Show "The Football Show" Chinaglia hosted with Charlie Stillitano, Mushnick remarked how Chinaglia scolded Stillitano "Charlie, don't compare Lionel Messi with Diego Maradonna, please."

"Everyone else has, Giorgio"

Everyone else is an idiot" replied Chinaglia

Offside Coin - London 2012

The Royal Mint has issued a 50p coin as part of a series of coins commemorating the 2012 London Olympics, that explains the offsides rule. The obverse of the coin features the Queen's profile, while the reverse  shows half the soccer pitch and offense players (triangles) in the on-side and off-side position as compared to the defender (square). Actually a great idea, this coin should be in the pocket of every parent whose child plays soccer!

1999 - Alexi Lalas - Kansas City Wizards

Alexi Lalas - The Red Menace - Kansas City Wizards

Promotional min-poster, 4 x 6", sent to dealers directly from the manufacturer, for the purpose of display...

Alexi Lalas played one season in Kansas City, 1999, playing in 30 games. I purchased this item not so much for Lalas, but for the uniform.  Jeff Foxworthy has said "Have you ever seen people so ugly, you have to get someone to verify it." This uniform fits that sentiment. You will also ask someone else "did you believe what they were wearing?" Although not the worst uniform the Wizards have worm, but the matching shorts and socks do not help.

You can check out other Wizards uniforms at mlsarchives.

US Olympic Soccer

2012.03.26 - The US Men's Olympic team failed to earn a spot in the 2012 London Olympics after El-Salvador scored on a Jaime Alas shot in the 5th minute of stoppage time to earn a 3-3 tie with the US team. This is the second time since the 1976 Olympics that the Men's team did not qualify.

2012 - Brek Shea - Abstract Art

Brek Shea's First Kick 2012 painting

FC Dallas and US Mens National Brek Shea is giving away an original painting and his game shoes to one lucky fan in celebration of First Kick 2012, following the March 11, 2012 game v. NY Red Bull.

The contest is being run through Shea's Left Foot Studio, which has raised thousands of dollars for children's charities through art. Shea creates acrylic abstract art on canvas and wood. Shea started painting in 2010, and paints in the moment creating whatever appeals to him.

Firework Flower

"borrowed" from Left Foot Studio

2012 - Red Bulls - Empire State Building

2012.03.23 Rafa Marquez flipped the switch to light the Empire State Building white-red-white to celebrate the opening home game of the New York Red Bulls in Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ.
The building lights will remain white-red-white from March 23-March 25...

When not commemorating an event the Tower lights are all white. The Empire State Building recognize key milestones, events, charitable organizations, countries and holidays around the world...

Red Bulls kick of their home season against the Colorado Rapid at 4PM...

Rafa Marquez and Red Bull's President of Business Operations Chris Heck.

Thierry Henry - KISS

Recently came across this photo of Thierry henry in Kiss male-up, which was used in the summer of 2010, as FC Dallas promoted Rock N the Park with Kiss, and FC Dallas v the New York Red Bull, and of course Thierry Henry....

KISS holding up their commemorative FC Dallas jerseys... Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer...

2012 - Alex Morgan - US National

Alex Morgan - US Women's National Team 2010-

West Coast FC 2008-09

California Storm 2010

Pali Blues 2010

Western New York Flash 2011

Seattle Sounders Women 2012

Alex Morgan was featured in the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Lionel Messi - Time magazine

 Lionel Messi makes headlines in Time Magazine, Feb 13, 2012.

"The world's No.1 football player is Lionel Messi. Really!"

I found it interesting that Lionel Messi made the headlines of Time Magazine. The article written by Bobby Ghosh titled "Lionel Messi's Final Goal - The planet's best soccer player is hailed wherever he goes - except in his native Argentina. What must he do to win over his countrymen?"

Excellent article on why the Argentine fans do not think of Messi as an Argentine star, but more as a Spanish star, considering his achievements with Barca as compared to his non-acheivements with the Argentine national team. Plus the fact that Messi has never played in the Argentine Primera Division, signing with Barca in 1991 at age 14, therefore never building up a hometown fan base...

It is nice to see a US magazine featuring an article on a football star not from the US.

May 2, 2011

Selected as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people

Soccer's Little sorcerer makes Magic with his feet

"The thing we forget about Barcelona's Lionel Messi is that for all he's accomplished - he's a 2-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, soccer's top individual prize - he's still a kid, just 23. He's a little guy and looks as if he could never hurt you. but give him the ball and you're in trouble.

It's not normal, what he does. I know the expectation that builds up around top players, but it doesn't bother Messi. He's a competitor: he doesn't want to lose, not even in training. He reminds me of Diego Maradonna, the way he dribbles past people, the way you can kick him and he'll just bounce up and carry on running with the ball, then score a goal - it's ridiculous. I played with him for three years, and it was just a joy."

-Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls, formerly with Arsenal and FC Barcelona.

David Beckham - Youth game red card

Feb 2012...David Beckham was ejected from a youth game in Los Angeles.. Before his son Romeo's game Beckham was watching a U-8 game. During the game the referee awarded a penalty kick to one of the teams. Beckham called out to the ref "Come on, he's 7 years old, you can't send him off". The referee turn to Beckham and said "Yes I can" and proceeded to give Beckham a red card sending him off the field.
Beckham left the field for the remainder of the game and returned to watch his son play...

Having been to many youth games of various skill levels, as a parent and fan I agree with Beckham. At 7 years old the player should be taught the game. Explain what the infraction was and warn the player not to do it again. Too often the referee's take the fun out of a kids game taking the focus of the game onto themselves. In the US parents and fans can barely look at a ref let alone say something out loud!

Alexi Lalas - All Sport 1999

 

All-Sport 1999 magazine advertisement