Sounder At Heart: FanPosts

Thoughts on the lineup at RSL (Neagle, Oba, EJ available)

2013-06-17T03:07:40Z

Well, let's start with the assumptions:

Saturday's game at RSL is very big. 2nd v 4th current positions in the Western Conference.
Yedlin is in Turkey crushing some French dudes in the U20 World Cup.
Evans is going to start at right back.
Sigi wants to start Neagle, Oba and EJ.
Neagle has played too well recently to not play somewhere.
(and the one no one wants to say out loud: EJ and Oba have been, well let's call it not good when played up front together. Small Sample Size alert.)

As noted on this blog, the Sounders have thrived since a lineup switch that involved playing one attacking wing (typically Rosales) with one wing that was more of a box to box winger with good tactical awareness (typically Evans). That included starting Alonso and most recently Carrasco in the middle behind two of Eddie Johnson, Obafemi Martins and Lamar Neagle.

Lamar Neagle became the de facto fill in forward after Zakuani deputized in the role early in the season. For one reason or another Zakuani was not good in a forward role. But Neagle has been better than anyone outside of the Neagle household (who are we kidding, even his mom is surprised) could ever hoped. He has quickly developed a very nice chemistry with Martins.

It would be silly to bench Neagle because EJ is back from National team duty. So how do we get them all on the field at the same time? Here is my solution:

EJ starts as an attacking wide left mid. The lineup would look something like this:

------- Neagle -- Martins -------

EJ -----------------------------Rosales

-------Carrasco -- Alonso ----------

Leo -- Traore -- JHK -- Evans

-------------- Gspurning --------------

Now clearly this upsets the recent trend of having one holding mid and one attacking mid on the wings. The inverted midfield that is working so well. But my theory is that Carrasco and Alonso are both very good defensive midfielders. EJ is a plus attacking winger. He will play for the Sounders as essentially the same position he played for the USA (except on the other wing) at the CLink against Panama. Yes, he is a winger and he has some defensive responsibilities. But he is mostly there to join the attack and create width. With a central midfield of Carrasco and Alonso, they have to be aware that EJ is going to leave Leo on an island at times and be ready to support. And in this setup that is fine. Neagle or Oba can drift back a bit leaving room for EJ. And when Rosales has the ball on the right wing then EJ needs to make it a priority to be a crossing target.

Thoughts on Saturday's lineup? After arguably the worst half of the year playing at RSL on March 30th, it will be nice to get a win on Saturday.

Well, let's start with the assumptions:

Saturday's game at RSL is very big. 2nd v 4th current positions in the Western Conference.
Yedlin is in Turkey crushing some French dudes in the U20 World Cup.
Evans is going to start at right back.
Sigi wants to start Neagle, Oba and EJ.
Neagle has played too well recently to not play somewhere.
(and the one no one wants to say out loud: EJ and Oba have been, well let's call it not good when played up front together. Small Sample Size alert.)

It would be silly to bench Neagle because EJ is back from National team duty. So how do we get them all on the field at the same time? Here is my solution:

EJ starts as an attacking wide left mid. The lineup would look something like this:

------- Neagle -- Martins -------

EJ -----------------------------Rosales

-------Carrasco -- Alonso ----------

Leo -- Traore -- JHK -- Evans

-------------- Gspurning --------------

Thoughts on Saturday's lineup? After arguably the worst half of the year playing at RSL on March 30th, it will be nice to get a win on Saturday.

Who is headed to Salt Lake City for the USMNT vs. Honduras?

2013-06-14T21:51:40Z

My girlfriend and I are driving down to SLC for the USMNT game on Tuesday. Is anyone else from Seattle or the area going? We are staying until the Sounders away game on the 22nd, then coming back. Hitting up Arches National Park, Moab, etc. Hit me up if you are going for the USMNT game though. If you aren't part of American Outlaws, here is the schedule: http://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/events/usmnt-vs-honduras-sandy-ut-61813

USMNT: Suds, soccer, and scarves

2013-06-13T19:08:05Z

In the days and weeks leading up to the WCQ with Panama, I was like a little kid eagerly awaiting the arrival of Christmas day. The anticipation and excitement began to crest shortly after we parked and made our way into Pioneer square. The "Red, White, and Blue" greeted us at every turn. As our favorite watering holes had already begun to fill, we slipped into The Central Saloon on 1st Ave. (vodka double for me please!). Supporters from all walks of life from all over the country had flocked to our little corner of the country. For a moment in time, we are the center of the soccer universe, I mused.

As for the match, it was everything I'd hoped for and then some. From the spectacular TIFO, to the haunting call and return of United--States , the final result seemed to be a forgone conclusion (3 points and a trip to the top of the table). The sheer wall of sound that was created upon Seattle's own GAM finishing on that fine ball from Cameron had to have ranked pretty high on the Richter scale. The biggest "Johnson" in all the land indeed. At times, I think we witnessed some of the best soccer in the Jurgen era. I'm already looking forward to the next WCQ here in Seattle. When that time comes, I'll be there.

I had been meaning to pick up a USA scarf along with a kit leading up to the match, but my beer budget kind of ruled the day. I had a US soccer shirt and thought that would suffice, but it would be the free Roughneck scarves to the rescue. In the rush to get to the match, my brother-in-law had forgotten the tickets (DOH!!). With break-neck pace, he made the round trip to his office and back in time to reach our seats and B-RAD'S starting XI introduction. As we were still somewhat trying to catch our collective breaths, we noticed the sea of scarves draped around everyone (crap, where do we get ours?). My wife raced back to the front gate and explained how we were in such a hurry that we had neglected to collect our game day bounty. She returned a bit further out of breath than when she had left, but with a big smile. It wasn't until the final whistle, that I noticed this:

via i1274.photobucket.com

So it begs the question: "Did anyone else end up with one of these?"

You're on the clock Sandy, UT. All that I ask is that you enjoy your day in the sun. Soak in the pageantry with your family and friends. BRING THE NOISE !! Come next Tuesday, I'll proudly be wearing my "PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT" scarf. I panned about my favorite USMNT in an earlier post last week because it was so very personal to me. I think I have a new favorite now. They say to the victor goes the spoils, but what makes the spoils all the more sweeter is when you can share it with 40,000 supporters.

via i1274.photobucket.com

So it begs the question: "Did anyone else end up with one of these?"

Questions about Traveling to Vancouver: Sounders Style

2013-06-12T17:38:51Z

Quick introduction: I am from Phoenix, Arizona, first time poster but a long time reader of the blog. I have been a fan of our Sounders from the end of the 2009 season and this year it is finally culminating in my brother and I taking the train up through the Pacific Northwest, from Vancouver to Chicago, and back to Arizona. However, the entire trip was built around us attending our first and second Sounders match (July 3rd v DC and July 6th v Vancouver) midway through. Which brings me to some questions surrounding the events that I have only had the pleasure of experiencing vicariously through this blog.

Originally I was going to post about Seattle AND Vancouver, but due to the recent post on what to do / see in Seattle, Seattle has pretty much been covered.

So that leaves Vancouver. We have our own seats away from the visiting area and the Whitecaps supporters groups, but I mostly had questions about the pre-match stuff.

-Are there similar pre match gatherings / march to the match that take place for the away game?

-Any bars that Sounders supporters are going to be going to prior to the match?

-Anything going on post - match that would be a good time once the Sounders solidify their Cascadia standings?

- Any suggestions in general for what to when for a couple of desert dwellers visiting Vancouver and seeing their second soccer match in the span of 3 days.

Considering my only exposure to the Sounders have been the Desert Diamond Cup this past year and their spring training in Casa Grade, I really couldn't be more excited for this trip and really appreciate anyone willing to point us in the right direction.

Originally I was going to post about Seattle AND Vancouver, but due to the recent post on what to do / see in Seattle, Seattle has pretty much been covered.

So that leaves Vancouver. We have our own seats away from the visiting area and the Whitecaps supporters groups, but I mostly had questions about the pre-match stuff.

-Are there similar pre match gatherings / march to the match that take place for the away game?

-Any bars that Sounders supporters are going to be going to prior to the match?

-Anything going on post - match that would be a good time once the Sounders solidify their Cascadia standings?

- Any suggestions in general for what to when for a couple of desert dwellers visiting Vancouver and seeing their second soccer match in the span of 3 days.

The real Lamar and Obafemi goal celebration. (Animated)

2013-06-09T22:07:32Z

P.S. There are tacos involved.

Proshop debacle: Seagals on display.

2013-06-09T21:41:48Z

Like most of you, I'm assuming, I was at the game against the Whitecaps last night, and I made a point of checking out the proshop, now that it has finished being renovated. I was angling for an Evans shale, turns out they had nothing but smalls. However, I'm really here to talk about easily the most disappointing thing I've ever seen from the Sounders organization: the decision to have some members of the Seagals standing in 2nd floor display windows in a display disturbingly reminiscent of prostitutes in a number of foreign countries. I don't want to argue the value of cheerleaders, or even the merits of prostitution, but I do want to express my feelings that I was let down by the organization. It made me extremely uncomfortable and I was not alone. The Sounders should be more concerned with how their actions are viewed by everyone who attends the game and I'm talking men and women. It was simply not cool, not at all. I've been looking forward to the first time I could take my daughter to a Sounders game and this gave me pause, pause I don't want to have. I love the Sounders but there is no need for this kind of thing at the games. I'm calling my rep on Monday to express my displeasure and I urge all of you to do the same if you feel the same. If anyone here is on the Alliance council, I'd appreciate them forwarding that opinion to the team at the next meeting as well. We can be a classier organization than that. Have the cheerleaders there, but don't put them up on display like that, it's offensive and not just to women, it's offensive to all of us.

Best US Soccer moment - suck it West London!

2013-06-09T19:47:06Z

2010 - World Cup - my wife decides to plan a trip to Europe. The first time we will be in Europe in 20 years...which was, by the way, the 1990 World Cup where we were in Germany when the Germans won. That was the biggest beer fest I've ever seen...but I digress. Three weeks in Europe in 2010 and I tells my girl, I only want one thing....to be in a London pub when the US plays England.

So the scene is set. Friends of ours, who conveniently happen to live in West London, invited us to watch the game at their local bar. The guy was Irish (still pissed about Thierry Henry"s "hand of God" moment) and the gal from Australia (just happy to see the Down Unders in the World Cup Finals).

The game did not start well and it was quite a ruckus when the Brits took an early lead. I was of course crestfallen. But our Yanks would not fold and as the equilizer slowly dribbled past the goal line , I let out a good old fashioned American Rebel Yell to the consternation of everyone at my table. Of course my girl kicked me and my friends gave me the "shut the hell up" look, but nuts to them! We bitch slapped the Brits! Kind of reminds me of 1950.

Cougardave

Sounder til I die

Cougardave

Sounder til I die

Martino: "They have silenced Century Link"

2013-06-09T17:10:39Z

This is an interesting comment by Kyle Martino. After Camilo's goal, Arlo White made some exciting comments about the goal, Camilo making a gesture on trying to silence the crowd, then Martino stated his own analysis then he mentioned "They have silenced Century Link", when you can clearly hear in the background SoundersFC fans chanting the "Take em all" song.

Comment on, Kyle ...

GOAL: Camilo equalizes with a powerful header | Seattle Sounders vs Vancouver Whitecaps (via mls)

Comment on, Kyle ...

GOAL: Camilo equalizes with a powerful header | Seattle Sounders vs Vancouver Whitecaps (via mls)

Favorite USMNT moment, "The shot heard around the world"

2013-06-07T05:28:50Z

I'm new to the SB Nation, and have never posted before. I only discovered Sounder At Heart last summer (the week before the U.S. Open Cup final in K.C.) and I have truly enjoyed the writer contributions and comments from readers around Sounder Nation. I don't consider myself much of a writer. In fact, I apologize in advance for any abuses of the comma, the period, any defamation of the English language, or completely drawn out ramblings. Everyone has a story, and before I share mine, I'll get to the "meat" of the subject: Who, What, Where, When and Why.

Who: USMNT

What: WC qualifier (1990 Italy)

Where: National Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

When: November 19, 1989

Why: Paul Caligiuri and one of the most important goals in U.S. soccer history

Just as history was made in National Stadium that day, a chance to see our boys in the "Red, White, and Blue" take another step towards Brazil next year here in Seattle is a rare opportunity.

In school, I was never one to go the "extra mile" if you will. I wouldn't call myself a slacker like "McFly" from Back to the Future, but extra credit in the classroom just wasn't my thing. However, if I can land some tickets, I'll give it a shot!

My story begins in 1974 in Diamond Bar, CA. In the second grade, I was like any other kid who was just beginning to discover the game; I was kicking around any and all things round. I was attending Evergreen elementary and talked my parents into letting me sign up for the school team. I can only remember a few of the schools in our league - Castlerock (where I scored my first goal in AYSO), Vejar (a guy by the name of Jeff Hooker, who played for Sigi at UCLA, was my inspiration for wearing shin guards--ouch!!) and Collegewood. In the words of the eastside crooner Geoff Tate, "I guess Warhol wasn't wrong, fame fifteen minutes long", this is where my love of the game (and my fifteen minutes of soccer fame) really began to take root.

My earliest memories of Paul Caligiuri (who also played for Sigi at UCLA) were only that he was much bigger and faster (as most fifth graders were compared to second graders). Paul played for Collegewood, but it would be four years later before our paths would cross again. My dad at the time worked for Southern California Edison, and accepted a job offer in Spokane with the Washington Water Power Co. (now Avista). Like any other kid, moving to a new city and leaving friends behind was tough on me. Unknown to me at the time, my dad had signed me up for a soccer camp in Ojai (maybe Santa Barbara, I can't quite recall). That summer I made the trip back to California, and I remember most vividly the foggy mornings with the sunny afternoons. Teams were put together at camp with a variety of ages. At the time (1978) I'm 11. Also on my team was Paul. As a skinny pre-pubescent, buck-toothed kid I was picked on a little bit, but Paul was someone that stood up for me. He clearly was one of the more skilled kids in camp and I looked up to him. I was still another 2 years away from beginning my time with a select team in Spokane, but this was where I truly began to learn about the game.

Years later, beyond my playing days, Paul would again come across my radar in the most dramatic fashion. I can only say on that cold November day in Spokane, I was working and the qualifier had been an afterthought. It was only when I picked up the paper the next day (a small note in the Spokesman-Review the size of a matchbook), that I discovered what I had missed. For the first time in 40 years, WE WERE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP!!

On Tuesday, the USMNT will take on Panama and another chapter in our history will be told. Who will our boys inspire? To this day, I still dream about the game. The faces have faded. Now it's just me and the ball.

Who: USMNT

What: WC qualifier (1990 Italy)

Where: National Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

When: November 19, 1989

Why: Paul Caligiuri and one of the most important goals in U.S. soccer history

Just as history was made in National Stadium that day, a chance to see our boys in the "Red, White, and Blue" take another step towards Brazil next year here in Seattle is a rare opportunity.

Petition against Salazar

2013-06-07T00:20:23Z

For those who haven't seen here is a petition against Ricardo Salazar as a ref of Sounders games and for retraining all of the details are on the petition. Hopefully it brings attention to the league and ref association about the problem. I think that Salazar cannot ref another sounders game because of his bias against the organization and the fan base itself. He needs to have something done about it and we can help by signing the petition. Please sign!

http://www.change.org/petitions/mls-referee-ricardo-salazar-he-severely-needs-evaluation

My intro to the USMNT

2013-06-06T22:49:24Z

My fondest USMNT memory comes from the only time (so far) I've been able to see our boys in person: June of 1991 vs Italian giants AC Milan at Soldier Field in Chicago. i had just graduated high school. i recall how excited i was when i first heard that the national team would be playing the Rossoneri. i've played soccer since 3rd grade at both rec and club levels and have breathed soccer since i can remember. i've always been proud of my family's Italian history, which, thanks to my father, extended to football, so this fixture was boldly written on our calendar for weeks. However, my anticipation for this match built for another reason. after their tremendous showing at the 1988 Euro, i found myself quite enamored with the Dutch masters and at the the time, AC MIlan featured 3 of the highest flying Dutchman of their day: Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit, and Marco Van Basten. i was giddy as we made the 90 mile drive to the stadium, a place i'd been time and time again for Bears games (i'd experience a different kind of giddy when i would make the drive a week later for the Grateful Dead at Soldier Field). it was a gorgeous Midwestern day, perfect for footy. though i was fresh out of highschool, i managed to put aside that jaded teenager thing for a while and really soak up this time with my dad. he coached me during my early years playing soccer, which is where he really learned the game. Thanks Dad. though born and raised in the USA, i knew he was quietly pulling for Milan. he'd never let this on to me, though. he knew i wanted to see my countrymen top my heroes. it was a great match. as this was really the first professional outdoor game i had been to since i had learned a bit more about the game (i was a little to young to fully digest tactics when he took me to see the NY COsmos and Pele), i was really impressed with the way these professions positioned themselves tactically and with the speed of the game. it was certainly different than how my team played. i wasnt used to defenders crossing the half line! the game speaks for itself. a 1-1 draw in a friendly is what it is. the action was great and at least one of the goals had some real action behind it. its probably better remembered for the sweet hairstyles of just about everyone in white that day. the following season, AC Milan started on their legendary 58 match loss-less streak, becoming the first-ever team to win the Serie A while going undefeated. it was great to follow their play (as best as one could do at the time with no tv coverage of games, no internet, no TWITTER!) knowing that i witnessed the Red, White, and Blue match up evenly with them on that gorgeous Chicago day. even better was spending this time with my dad. i've been fortunate to have my parents join me for a few Sounders games. i even got my Dad to fly out on 4 days notice for the US Open Cup semi at Starfire last year. and as special as that was, nothing will ever top that June afternoon where my fire for the USMNT was ignited. maybe i can convince him to come out for one more game!

Ozzie Alonso, USMNT, and the Legacy of Joe McCarthy

2013-06-06T19:38:46Z

Not long ago, US Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann made a trip to Seattle, ostensibly to watch some potential US national team players play. Obviously, the first thought is "oh, he wants to check on Eddie Johnson"; recent evidence would suggest that he might have been taking a look at Brad Evans as well. He spoke briefly about DeAndre Yedlin, suggesting that the Sounders player has a future in the USMNT.

The person I was most interested in, though, surrounding Klinsmann and the USMNT is Osvaldo Alonso. As you may know, Alonso recently received his United State’s citizenship. When asked about Alonso, however, Klinsmann replied that while he would definitely have called up Alonso based on his play, the Cuban government has not cleared Alonso for the transfer. Since Alonso has played in a Cuban national team game sanctioned by FIFA, the US must wait for Cuba to clear Alonso to be able to play. Since his defection in 2008, the Cuban government has shown no interest whatsoever in allowing this to happen.

Thus my continuing nightmare of having to watch Kyle Beckerman in a USMNT jersey will continue into the indefinite future.

It’s easy to just point at the Cuban government as the main culprit in this debacle. But this is a complicate, highly convoluted issue that, really, dates back to the late 1940s. Come along as we go back to a quieter, more fearful time in American history…

The year is 1948. The Democratic Party has been in power for 15 years, and the Republican Party is itching to get back into the White House. A split has formed, however, between the Establishment Republicans of the East Coast and the Robert Taft-led, more conservative Midwestern Republican Party (represented, predominately, by the Chicago Tribune). The Establishment Republicans backed their own candidate, Thomas Dewey. The Republicans massively underestimated both the political acumen of the incumbent, and the ideological split between the two branches of their party. Famously, despite what the Chicago Tribune wanted to believe, Truman defeated Dewey. The Republican Party was reeling.

Enter an alcoholic, excitable senator from Wisconsin, bent on, if not necessarily revitalizing the Republican Party, at least denouncing the Democratic Party enough to be able to regain power. With a midterm election on the horizon, this sheep-in-wolf clothing fixated on an idea that could very well bring about the temporary destruction of the Democratic Party, at the expense of free speech, national solidarity, and democracy.

This man’s name was Joseph McCarthy, and, as far as I’m concerned, he’s just as much responsible—if not more responsible—for Ozzie Alonso’s current plight than the Cuban government.

In 1949, the United States had just witnessed the collapse of the American-backed Chiang Kai-Shek government in China; following his exile to Formosa (modern-day Taiwan), and the coming to power of Mao’s People’s Revolution, the right-wing players in the American government immediately condemned the State Department for its "loss" of China. Never mind that the United States had never "owned" China, never mind that this type of nationalism was to become the defining movement of the 20th century, never mind the insipid uselessness of Chiang Kai-Shek, never mind the fact that the State Department—and, in particular, it’s Department of Far Eastern Affairs—had done everything in its power to stop the collapse, and had been warning the government of this impending collapse for some time: the Republicans immediately began brow-beating the incumbent government, using it as a way to prove that the Democrats were "soft" on communism. The resultant purge of the State Department, and in particular Far Eastern Affairs, would cripple the department for decades to come, and the loss of this expertise would be one of the hundreds of small events that would propel the United States into Vietnam.

Joe McCarthy realized, perhaps do to a conversation with the then vice-president of Georgetown, Father Edmund Walsh, that he had found an issue on which he could base his upcoming campaign.

What happened next would become one of the darkest moments in recent American history: McCarthy started a barnstorming trip across America, and at every stop, he would indict a number of Democratic politicians and civil servants. Journalists at the time, accustomed to simply listening to Senators and Congressmen and then relaying their words, ate up everything that he said, and showed their own spinelessness in their reluctance or flat our refusal to do any fact-checking on McCarthy’s allegations. At first, McCarthy moved too fast, accused too many people of being Communists, for any of his claims to catch up with him. It didn’t matter whether or not any of the people he accused were guilty (none of them were): the very act of accusing them discredited them in the eyes of the American people. The Democrats were quickly blamed for the loss of China, the State Department was purged, and the Democratic Party was put on the defensive.

For the next two or three years, McCarthy’s red-baiting continued unabated. He traveled throughout the country, stoking hatred and playing off of people’s fears. A House Committee on Un-American Activity was formed, and a young politician from California—who had just won his state’s political race by playing the McCarthy card—named Richard Nixon was picked to head the committee. At first, McCarthy had targeted individuals who had dealt specifically with China; soon, no one was safe. General George Marshall—he of the titular "Marshall Plan"—was accused of being a communist; Adlai Stevenson, one of our greatest foreign policy representatives of the 20th century, followed close behind. Soon, Alger Hiss would be on trial, and with it, the entire Democratic Establishment. The Republican Party ran with the issue and used the movement to its advantage, and even respectable members, such as Robert Taft, would sully their names by joining with McCarthy.

Eventually, McCarthy would burn himself out. By 1954, his lies had caught up with him; he was denounced by his own party, denounced by the media which had helped him achieve his fame, denounced by Congress, and denounced by the American people. Alone, ignored, and suffering from liver failure due to his alcoholism, McCarthy would die in 1957 at the age of 48. The harm was done, however, and the wounds he created would fester for generations.

Every Democratic president for the next thirty years would have to answer to McCarthy. John F. Kennedy, afraid that he would be labeled "soft on communism", could feel the cold shadow of McCarthy following him as he navigated the Bay of Pigs crisis, and, soon after, the Cuban Missile Crisis. The president would have to appease not only the Republicans on the hill, who would quickly and viciously rally behind any cries of weakness towards communism, but also the American people, who had been stoked by the fears of the Cold War, who had heard many of McCarthy’s allegations, but few of the rebuttals from the other side. When faced with a communist dictator in what we essentially considered our backyard swimming pool, a Democratic president had no choice but to intervene.

In 1959, Fidel Castro, after an extended revolutionary war, was sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba. He quickly moved to consolidate his dictatorial powers. The United States quickly moved to deny him this power. In 1960, Castro struck a deal with the Soviet Union in which he would sell goods to them in exchange for political support. The United States instituted its first trade embargo with Cuba, cancelling the importation of Cuban sugar. Our country, propelled by the fears of McCarthyism and the Cold War, pushed along by the red-baiting Republican Party, and led by a newly-elected Democratic president who wanted to prove that he was not going to be soft on communism, had taken the first stumbling step down a long, slippery slope.

In April 1961, using a plan endorsed by his predecessor and embraced by himself, John F. Kennedy launched the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion. The United States armed a fear thousand counter-revolutionaries, began bombing Cuban airfields, and put a plan into place to land US Marines on the island. Castro saw through this plan immediately: the counter-revolutionaries were defeated and detained; the bombing was pinned clearly on the Americans, and the Marines failed to land in Cuba. Our relations with Cuba would be ruined indefinitely.

In 1962, the Soviet Union, in an attempt to counter the power of the recently instituted North Atlantic Trade Organization (NATO), began to sail nuclear missiles to Cuba. Mid-range ballistic missiles would be placed on the island in a position where they could strike major cities in the United States. On October 22nd, 1962, having spotted the new missile bases being built on Cuba using a U-2 reconnaissance plane, the United States declared an island-wide quarantine, and began blocking all shipments to Cuba. After an intense stand-off, President Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Krushchev agreed to end the crisis; the Soviet Union would remove the missiles if the United States agreed to never invade Cuba, and also remove their mid-range ballistic missiles from Turkey. The crisis was ended, but our relations with Cuba were at a nadir above which we still have not risen.

Because of the effects of McCarthyism, it would have been political anathema for the United States to recognize the Cuban government. Fifty years after the Cuban missile crisis, our relationship is virtually unchanged, an old foreign policy from the Cold War set in immovable granite. Had the United States not been forced to become stridently anti-communist, if Joe McCarthy had not purged the State Department of its "best and brightest", had John Kennedy not had to live with the fear of being branded as "soft", our relations with Cuba right now would probably be normalized. Instead, our embargo continues, Cuba continues to be an undeveloped and undeveloping country, and the Cuban government still refuses to do anything at all for America, even something as simple as allowing Ozzie Alonso to play for the USMNT.

Had our country responded rationally to the fall of China and recognized that it was more about nationalism than communism, had certain members of the Republican Party not condoned and supported McCarthy’s crusade, had the journalists in our country done their jobs in 1950 the way that they would later do them in the 1960s, had the American people not been goaded into following the demagogical ravings of an alcoholic, Ozzie Alonso might be suiting up in red, white, and blue this summer. Had our foreign policy not been based on fear, had our politicians used rational decision making processes not based on pandering to a fear-mongering Republican Party, and had our leaders at some point decided to try to rectify the mistakes of the past, Cuba would not be a stigmatized island off the coast of Florida with a repressed and isolated people, but might actually be a culturally-vibrant, politically friendly trading partner with the United States. It’s my opinion that we are still paying for the degeneracy of Joseph McCarthy, we are still living under the shadow of politics based on fear, we’re still beholden to an archaic and illiberal foreign policy when it comes to Cuba, and Ozzie Alonso would be playing for the USMNT if someone had stood up to McCarthy in 1950 and told him that he was a vicious, lying, anti-American son of a bitch with no right whatsoever to make the accusations that he was then making. It’s time that the United States government exorcised the ghost of McCarthy, buried the hatchet with Cuba, and revised our half-century old foreign policy in regards to Cuba. Ozzie Alonso is but a small casualty in what has been an extended tragedy.

Thus my continuing nightmare of having to watch Kyle Beckerman in a USMNT jersey will continue into the indefinite future.

This man’s name was Joseph McCarthy, and, as far as I’m concerned, he’s just as much responsible—if not more responsible—for Ozzie Alonso’s current plight than the Cuban government.

Joe McCarthy realized, perhaps do to a conversation with the then vice-president of Georgetown, Father Edmund Walsh, that he had found an issue on which he could base his upcoming campaign.

Best USA Soccer Memory USA vs Algeria 2010 WC

2013-06-06T16:44:09Z

We were finishing our shift at the Fire Station. There were 8 of us going off and 8 of us coming on piled around 1 TV and 5 chairs.

Our Assistant Chief came in mid way through the second half. He was dumb struck. Eyes wide open and jaw dropped that 16 guys watching a soccer game. He's from the south and doesn't get it.BUt the look on his face said volumes.

The intensity of that last US attack and the noise that followed Landon's goal was so loud. After the celebrations the tones hit and the on duty guys went on a run.

The off duty guys? We went out and found the closest place to celebrate with a cold beverage and watch the game replay start to finish.

Before that game I was a casual fan. After USA vs Algeria I never miss a game.

We were finishing our shift at the Fire Station. There were 8 of us going off and 8 of us coming on piled around 1 TV and 5 chairs.

The intensity of that last US attack and the noise that followed Landon's goal was so loud. After the celebrations the tones hit and the on duty guys went on a run.

The off duty guys? We went out and found the closest place to celebrate with a cold beverage and watch the game replay start to finish.

Before that game I was a casual fan. After USA vs Algeria I never miss a game.

Learning to love the game while down south: My US soccer memory

2013-06-06T15:21:55Z

Unlike others around here, I didn't grow up with the game of soccer. I never understood it as a child or teen with my only experience playing it being in elementary school gym class. I vaguely remember my family watching the women's team win the world cup in 99 but soccer wasn't watched in my house generally. I casually began to follow the Sounders in 2010 and wouldn't call myself a true fan of the team until 2011.

Enough on that though, this post is about the national team. My love for soccer began while living in Mexico. I lived in the area surrounding Monterrey from June 08 to March 2010 as a missionary for the LDS/mormon church. I grew up in Federal Way which has youth soccer programs everywhere but I knew nothing about the sport and now I was surrounded by soccer fans asking me who my favorite team was. This is also how I became a fan of the Rayados before the Sounders (don't worry though, Sounders come first for me in CONCACAF competitions). Anyway, it was the summer of 2009 with the Gold Cup going on. The US and Mexico were playing in the final and since no one wants to listen to anything about religion when El Tri play, my missionary companion and I decided to watch the game. He was from Puebla so we jokingly bet that whoever's nation lost the game would have their head shaved. This was also the first soccer game in my memory that I sat and watched the whole game. And it was a painful game to watch. For those who don't remember, the US received a 5-0 beating from El Tri. There I was trying to support my nation for the first time and we got embarrassed. Obviously my companion mocks me but then for the next couple weeks everyone I met on the streets would bring it up. It's not easy being the only guerro in northern Mexico. Back to the bet though, by mission rules you are not to have your head shaved since you should look nice and presentable. However the next week, a lady we knew said she knew how to cut hair... never have I been so deceived. The hair cut was so bad the only way to salvage it was to buzz it all off. To top it off, the minimal hair left on my head gave no protection from the sun so I got a sun burn on my head.

Recap, my love for soccer began in the summer of 2009 in Mexico with a beat down of the nats which resulted in my head being sun burnt.

The Memory. The Spark.

2013-06-06T06:58:11Z

I am not a blogger, I am not an author, and I am definitely not a journalist. I’m a fan, plain and simple. This is my story of THE U.S. Goal that has and will always be more than just a memory.

As a new fan to the sport, only really getting into it back in 2007 and consistently watching in 2009 when the Sounders arrived, there were few memories for me. Of course, there was my first professional match ever witnessed in person at the 2009 US Open Cup Semi-Final. That was needless to say, memorable. I haven’t looked away from the team since. However, that is for another post.

Today, we are talking about our favorite US Soccer Memory and there is truly only one over my short fan-hood. The Miracle against Algeria, The Unforgettable Winner, The Stoppage Time Stunner, The Undeniable Donovan…Whatever you called it, you know exactly what I am talking about.

Back in the summer of 2010, I was enrolled in Summer Courses at Washington State University. As you can imagine, most of the student body were not on campus at the time. However, despite the low attending number of students, it did not feel that way at all when the US was playing.

The Cougar Cottage, more popular known as simply "The Coug," was showing every single World Cup Match, serving Breakfast along with Mimosa’s and of course Beer(Duh, this is Wazzu we’re talking about). When you came out for a US Match at 7:00am, it felt more like a Friday night during football season rather than a Wednesday Morning during summer.

Every morning that the US took the field, dozens gathered at The Coug to watch the Red, White, and Blue fight to advance in the tournament. All matches were standing room only. Everyone broke out their 4th of July gear early with a little cougar crimson sprinkled in amongst the crowd. A proud site to see for any American.

For this particular match, I parked myself on the wall mounted tables next to the bar as there were no seats available when I arrived. The atmosphere of The Coug and what that match had to offer was like a rollercoaster that you think you are at the top of the big drop off (The best part of the ride) but then realize it goes even higher. The anticipation was killer.

One of the things that drew me away from the sport growing up was that soccer cannot only end in a tie but a scoreless tie at that. Who would want to watch a sport where nothing happens for 90 minutes? That killer anticipation is exactly why you watch the sport. You never know when a team might score or even if that will happen, but when they do we sure as hell are gonna go crazy!

And when Donovan put that loose ball in the back of the net, there are no words that could do it justice. Screaming, hollering, jumping, hugging, tears of joy, and of course…"U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!" It is a feeling one does not get too often in sports, especially being a Coug from Seattle. A feeling that I wanted to replicate. There lies the spark.

It was not until that day, that I saw it possible for soccer supporters to truly come out in numbers in Pullman and show some love for the sport. It was that day that I began working towards bringing an ECS like viewing party tradition to The Coug. It was that day that I began bringing Cougs and Sounders alike together, under one roof. It was that day that I started The Coug City Sounders.

via i41.tinypic.com

For those of you that have not heard of Coug City Sounders, which is probably most of you, we are the supporters group that unifies Coug Sounders fans. Whenever you are in Pullman during a Sounders Match, The Coug will always have the match on. That is a big deal when matches, unless broadcasted on National TV, are hard to come by in Eastern Washington.

I wear my Coug City Sounders shirt for every single Sounders match, no matter what. Cougs and Sounders alike approach me all the time asking about the shirt. I always give them the short version of the supporters group but in the back my mind, I am always thinking about that Donovan goal. Without that goal, who knows if Coug City Sounders even exists?

Come Tuesday night, there is no doubt I will be wearing that shirt under my U.S. Jersey. It will be an honor to finally support the team in person that has led me to so many great friends and memories with the Coug City Sounders. Screaming for 90 minutes is just my way of saying thank you. See you Tuesday, America!

via i40.tinypic.com

Go Cougs! Go Sounders! Go USA!

I am not a blogger, I am not an author, and I am definitely not a journalist. I’m a fan, plain and simple. This is my story of THE U.S. Goal that has and will always be more than just a memory.

via i41.tinypic.com

via i40.tinypic.com

Go Cougs! Go Sounders! Go USA!