MLS Insider
So MSNBC host Chuck Todd may not be the biggest fan of MLS, or soccer in general. But is that really a reason to make snide comments about the LA Galaxy’s trip to see President Obama at the White House to be congratulated for their 2011 MLS Cup triumph on Tuesday?
As Todd read out the President’s daily schedule during The Daily Rundown, he quipped in a slightly bemused tone:
“As you can see, he… welcomes the Major League Soccer champions? All you LA Galaxy fans out there– does this mean Beckham shows up? I’m not sure. Is he really a member of the Galaxy or not?”
Todd went on to say, “No more soccer references. I promise.”
Fiore tweeted the following as he became angry with Todd’s apparent lack of love for the beautiful game.
Fernando Fiore, host of the most popular sports show on Univisión (República Deportiva), took Todd’s comments to heart and reached out to Twitter to air his distain at the comments.
@chucktodd @dailyrundown If you do NOT know anything about SOCCER, @LAGalaxy and David Beckham, investigate and THEN make a comment.Gracias
— Fernando Fiore (@FernandoFiore) May 15, 2012
Fiore also tweeted in Spanish, “I am watching MSNBC and the commentary from a Mr. Chuck Todd over the LA Galaxy White House visit is deprecating. Why? Ignorance.”
You be the judge regarding Todd’s comments. For now it seems the beef is brewing between Mr. Todd and Señor Fiore.
Stay tuned, this could get meaty.
(Video courtesy of Mediaite.com)
This week, US internationals pose all over Europe for photos, a soccer journalist examines a bizzarre photo of Arshavin, and Charlie Davies takes FIFA 12 to a whole new level.
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US International Kljestan won his first trophy, as Anderlecht clinched the Belgian League title. This photo is very, well, euro. We like it. Congrats Sacha.
Finally… Champions… What a feeling. http://twitpic.com/9iujc4
— Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) May 8, 2012
Former D.C. United striker Davies is back in France with Sochaux. He is causing all kinds of damage with his brother, over a video game.
This is what happens when my brother @jbdavies16 and I wrestle because I was whooping him in FIFA lol http://instagr.am/p/KXzOLPBWvp/
— Charlie Davies (@CharlieDavies9) May 8, 2012
Soccer journalist and presenter of the Best Soccer show, Davis gave three alternatives for photo captions which should have been used in this photo of Arshavin celebrating. Hilarious!
1. He might enjoying this too much. 2. It's like if you touch Arshavin, you get a wish. 3. The guy on the left. http://ow.ly/aKELV
— Jason Davis (@davisjsn) May 7, 2012
Gooch is looking suave in this magazine shoot for the latest edition of Men's Health in Portugal. Usually that kind of glance strikes fear into the opposition, but don't worry he's not angry, the US center back is in the zone for his close-up.
Everyone in Portugal... Don't forget to get this months edition of Men's Health Magazine.... Bless! http://pic.twitter.com/AwGByYR6
— Oguchi Onyewu(@OguchiOnyewu5) May 7, 2012
Martino is a thoughtful husband and a wonderful color commentator on NBC Sports Network. (P.S. check out his Twitter avatar, was this the result of his shaving mishap?!)
Not trying to wake your wife up at 530 am by shaving in the dark leaves some unintentional facial hair statements.
— Kyle Martino(@kylemartino) May 8, 2012
If you see a soccer tweet that should be included in our top five, be sure to send it to the @MLS_Insider!
Ok, so I don't actually know where to start with this. Other than to say, this is amazingly awkward and I loved every single second of it.
Hermes, a former capo for the Portland Timbers, will have you in tears with his deadpan wit in this great new series “Off Pitch with Hermes.”
Above is Episode 3, but you can watch all the episodes on the Timbers website by clicking here.
I think Hermes says it best, when he states “do not be afraid of your own greatness!” Well, Hermes, we think your pretty great, so ummm....don’t be afraid.
On Saturday evening chanting and beating drums could be heard through the streets of midtown Manhattan. New York Red Bulls fans took over.
33rd street from Greeley Square to Fifth avenue was shut down to accommodate a large gathering of fans from supporters groups —including the Empire Supporters Club, Garden State Ultras, and Viking Army— who showed their support for the Red Bulls, ahead of their nationally televised (ESPN, 8pm ET) clash with rivals LA Galaxy.
The scenes were colorful, lively and loud as fans marched down the street before entering Legends Bar, to watch New York's trip to the Home Depot Center.
Eric Rios, a board member of the Empire Supporters Club, was pleased with the turnout at the first event of its kind this season. "We got a lot of people, we made some noise. That's what's it's all about."
INTERVIEW WITH ERIC RIOS
This week, US internationals playing in Scotland pine for US shores, a New York Red Bull encounters strange things in Manhattan, and an American pundit defends the honor of the Wigan manager's nomenclature.
Don't forget to follow our two official Twitter handles to find out the latest from inside MLS Follow@MLS_Insider Follow@MLS
Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty has a slightly bizarre experience when hunting for an apartment in Manhattan.
Looked at an apartment n the city and what do I see a dude doin n the communal garden? Yea...knife throwing. #onlyinNYC http://twitpic.com/9g5yfr
— Dax McCarty (@DaxMcCarty11) May 1, 2012
Is this a hint that US national team midfielder Maurice Edu would like to return from Scotland to America? Better question: Can Mo do the Carlton Banks dance?
Fresh Prince of Bel Air is one of the greatest shows ever! Lol
— Maurice Edu (@MauricEdu) May 3, 2012
One of Edu's Glasgow Rangers Yankee teammates also gets nostalgic about the USA -- video-game style!
Anyone remember playing this when they were younger!?? #OldSchool http://instagr.am/p/KFaQbsmX7P/
— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) May 1, 2012
ESPN's Alexi Lalas begs English wordsmiths to give Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez some credit for his managerial prowess, oh, and to get his name right too.
Dear England: After what Roberto Martínez has given you I think he deserves to get his accented second syllable back. Gracias.
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) April 28, 2012
Fox Socer pundit Costigan takes a tour around Boston for the first time, on route to met Red Sox and Liverpool FC chairman Tom Werner. Safe to say he is impressed.
Entering Fenway to interview Tom Werner for @FOXSoccer What an incredible stadium http://yfrog.com/oe8gngxj
— Keith Costigan (@KeithCostigan) April 30, 2012
If you see a soccer tweet that should be included in our top five, be sure to send it to the @MLS_Insider!
Look who it is, that’s right, it’s the expected No. 1 pick at this year's NFL Draft, Andrew Luck.
With the Indianapolis Colts stating on Tuesday that they will pick Luck to plug the mammoth gap left by Peyton Manning at quarterback, you can excuse Luck for being a little overwhelmed.
If he is, he’s not showing it. He spoke with Jimmy Conrad from Kick TV about the upcoming draft, Clint Dempsey, the Houston Dynamo and his general love for soccer. What a gentleman.
And don’t forget Luck’s father, Oliver, was president of the Dynamo from 2005 until 2007.
MLS is in his blood and it's obviously there to stay.
Liverpool FC are going to open their doors to the public, Hard Knocks style, during their preseason tour of the US and Canada this summer.
Cameras will be following the players and coaching staff’s every move in the up close and personal documentary, which will be aired on FOX Soccer in a six-episode series entitled, "Our Liverpool: Never Walk Alone."
The Reds are taking on Toronto FC as part of the World Football Challenge on July 21 at the Rogers Centre.
Emmy award-winning producer Scott Boggin — mastermind behind the 24/7 HBO series, which has showcased the lead-up to the Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz boxing matches as well as the NHL's Winter Classis between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals — will follow Liverpool on their North American tour as they prepare for the 2012-13 Premier League season.
FOX Soccer had this to say about the award winning producer:
"Scott's body of work is remarkable, giving fans a true peek behind the curtain into the lives of sport's biggest teams, athletes and coaches. Scott has proven his ability to capture these inner workings in a truly organic manner, and now he has the opportunity to tell Liverpool FC's rich story to a global audience."
The big question is, will the crew be able to understand conversations between Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher in their heavy Scouse accents? Let alone pick up manager Kenny Daglish’s Scottish brogue when he’s off-duty?
Only time will tell, but the show is sure to raise the Reds profile in North America and beyond.
As Real Madrid and Brazil star Kaka ticks over the 10 million followers mark on Twitter — a quite remarkable feat — which other athletes generate the most interest from fans, journalists and other professionals worldwide?
Four out of the top five followed athletes are soccer players, once again proving soccer's global appeal. This is what Kaka had to say:
We are already 10 million !!! Thank youuuuu. To celebrate I'll make a twitcam. Soon I´ll send an update about the schedule. Tks !!
— Kaka (@KAKA) April 25, 2012
Here are the top five followed athletes on Twitter on the planet:
1. Kaka – 10,014,735 million
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - 9,015,170 million
3. LeBron James - 4,340,534 million
4. Neymar - 4,102,275 million
5. Wayne Rooney - 3,942,544 million
Washington Wizards star point guard John Wall showed MLS some love the other day, but not the kind D.C. sports fans want to see. Wall wasn't sporting a D.C. United jersey, but the shirt of fierce rivals, the New York Red Bulls. Ouch.
The first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft was recently spotted showing off his Red Bulls jersey at Club Play in Miami Beach.
After a stellar career at the University of Kentucky, Wall has carved out a name for himself in the NBA, finishing runner-up for Rookie of the Year honors in 2011.
Wall grew up in North Carolina, so why the Red Bulls jersey, United fans might be asking?
Beats me.
Also, one last lingering thought. Did he bust out the cult “John Wall dance” which gave him so much popularity during his college days, while in the club? Did he do so with New York colors on his back?
Answers on a postcard, please.
(Photo via Urban Party Life)
This week, commentators take over as NBC's main man revels in the lighter side of soccer commentary. Rimando and Shea head for a match up off the field and DeLaGarza's on the red carpet.
Don't forget to follow our two official Twitter handles to find out the latest from inside MLS Follow@MLS_Insider Follow@MLS
NBC Sports chief MLS commentator Arlo White has some fun with the guys from ETR after watching this video of English actor Steve Coogan impersonating a soccer commentator, the proof is in the pudding!
Maicon Santos has a foot like a piston engine. Eat his goal. #DCU 1-1 #MTL @ExtraTimeRadio
— Arlo White (@arlowhite) April 18, 2012
RSL's 'keeper and FC Dallas' star striker may soon have a showdown on the wooden deck of a shuffleboard table, instead of on the pitch. Intense.
Bring it brotha. “@BrekShea: Prob the best shuffle board player this side the Mississippi” http://pic.twitter.com/5M32VYQA
— Nick Rimando (@NickRimando) April 18, 2012
LA's young defender is on the red carpet with Snoop and company. Classy.
At the Bob Marley movie premiere. Passed Snoop Dogg on the red carpet, was looking for the Tupac Hologram.. http://pic.twitter.com/OY8qFZdu
— AJ DeLaGarza (@AJD_20) April 17, 2012
This well-known college basketball commentator looks to be heading for a career in soccer commentating. What's BG you may ask? Only Gus knows, the "Beautiful Game" perhaps?
I'm about to try something new, something that could change the direction of my career, life. Heres to a splash of color to the BG. Cheers!
— Gus Johnson (@gusjohnson) April 13, 2012
Vancouver's captain gets an Easter gift and gives a shout out to his Mom.
My mom is awesome for many reasons, but mainly for sending me these in the mail :) http://instagr.am/p/JgWRipSYRH/
— Jay DeMerit (@D6MERIT) April 16, 2012
If you see a soccer tweet that should be included in our top five, be sure to send it to the @MLS_Insider!
