MLS Insider
LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham was in Athens this week for the handover of the Olympic flame and helped fly it back to the UK as the build-up to the London Olympics cranks up a notch.
But he still doesn't know if he will be at the Olympics as a spectator or competitor, trying to bring home a gold medal for the host nation.
After much speculation and debate over his presence at the London 2012 Olympics, Beckham reiterated his strong hope that he will be wearing the Union Jack in his hometown this summer.
Beckham spoke openly in an exclusive interview with the BBC about his chances of making the final 18-man roster for Team GB’s Olympic soccer team. The man in charge of the Olympics in London, Lord Sebastian Coe, recently stated there is no pressure from his staff for Beckham to be selected for the games.
Beckham also agrees there should be no room for sentiment, stating he has never relied on sentiment in the past to make a squad or team:
"You don't play for a Manchester United team managed by Sir Alex Ferguson or an England or Real Madrid team managed by Fabio Capello and get picked on sentiment."
"I've been picked to play in many games over my career because of what I've achieved on the field and that doesn't change. I'm in good form, I've scored a couple of goals lately and I'm feeling fit and working hard. So yes, if I'm called upon of course I'm ready. I've always said I wanted to represent my country in any way, shape or form."
"I've done that for many years with England, and I hope to do that with the Great Britain team."
Team GB manager Stuart Pearce will be announcing his squad at the end of May, so Beckham has a few anxious days ahead of him.
This week, Red Bulls defender on the turntables, Fox Soccer anchors working far too hard, and LA's trip to the White House see's some familiar faces pop up.
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Red Bulls defender Solli has kept his love for music no secret in the past. Listen to his new mix, it's very, very good. Can we get #SolliFistPump trending?!
Some smooth and powerful tracks in my latest promo. Good Energy!! ;) May Promo Mix By Solli http://soundcloud.com/jan-gunnar-solli/may-promo-mix-by-solli on #SoundCloud
— Jan Gunnar Solli (@JanGunnarSolli) May 10, 2012
After helping D.C. to a shutout win over Colorado, Hamid was pumped to see some NHL stars waiting for him in the locker room. Scratch that, Bill was super pumped!
Too sick!! The Washington capitals players in our lockerroom after the game.. #MadRespect
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) May 16, 2012
So Heath Pearce obviously knew a trade to the New York Red Bulls was on the cards. But he suffered from something we can only describe as premature tweeting, as he announced his official move from Chivas USA.... more than 3 hours before it actually became official.
Heath Pearce has officially been traded to the new York red bulls. Thanks Chivas fans for your love during my time here...
— Heath Pearce (@HeathGPearce) May 17, 2012
The guys at Fox Soccer have been working hard lately, what with the climax to the EPL season and the Champions League Final just around the corner. Anchor Rob Stone claims they've been in overdrive....the pic suggests otherwise!
Nobody, and I mean nobody works harder on the road then @Wynalda11 and myself. Nobody. http://pic.twitter.com/WQzlO9PG
— Rob Stone(@RobStoneONFOX) May 17, 2012
Galaxy striker Chad Barrett enjoyed his trip to the White House to meet President Obama. He also enjoyed meeting this guy, well, sort of.
The Legend and I http://pic.twitter.com/qNAdeGJy
— Chad Barrett(@CBarrett19) May 15, 2012
If you see a soccer tweet that should be included in our top five, be sure to send it to the @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.”
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
