LA Galaxy
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.
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 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)
Otra semana pasa y nos alistamos para otra jornada de la MLS.
FC Dallas y Real Salt Lake ya comenzaron la Fecha 8 con un partido que terminó en un frustrante empate para ambos clubes.
Ahora viene el plato fuerte, y como hemos tomado de costumbre, ofrecemos nuestros pronósticos para esta fecha.
Aquí en Tiro Libre no somos adivinos, pero si muy competitivos. Así que veremos quien de estos panelistas tiene razón en su manera de ver el juego y analizar los equipos.
Como siempre, ustedes nos pueden acompañar en esta causa y dar sus propias predicciones por Twitter.
Aquí vamos:
Semana 8
| Partido |
Kristel Valencia |
Edgar Acero |
Simon Borg |
Carlos Rodriguez |
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MTL v POR |
EMPATE |
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EMPATE |
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NY v NE |
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PHI v SJ |
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EMPATE |
EMPATE |
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DC v HOU |
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EMPATE |
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EMPATE |
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CLB v VAN |
EMPATE |
EMPATE |
EMPATE |
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CHI v SEA |
EMPATE |
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EMPATE |
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COL v CHV |
EMPATE |
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RSL v TOR |
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EMPATE |
EMPATE |
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LA v DAL |
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Correcto/Total |
4/9
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4/9
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3/9
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4/9
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Deux autobuts et de nombreux autres buts offerts directement par l’adversaire ou résultant d’erreurs des gardiens et joueurs de l’équipe qui encaisse, les cadeaux ont été nombreux lors de la dernière journée.
Au lieu de stigmatiser les bêtises, j’ai préféré me concentrer sur un autre aspect des réalisations du week-end : le kick and rush. De plus en plus rare (3% des buts en MLS en 2011, comme la moyenne des grands championnats européens), il existe encore. On n’avait marqué que deux fois de la sorte depuis le début de l’année, trois (jolis) buts avaient cette physionomie ce week-end. Le topo est simple : on balance un long ballon devant, tout le monde se précipite et là, place à la débrouillardise.
Le plus beau est celui de Pontius (DC United) contre New York : un dégagement mal négocié par la défense lui arrive dans les pieds et il déjoue l’arrière-garde adverse avant de marquer. Celui de Cummings (Colorado) contre Los Angeles est similaire : il récupère une longue balle de son arrière droit, elle aussi mal repoussée, et conclut de superbe manière.
Mais le but qui résume la journée est celui ci-dessous de Gaven (Columbus) contre Houston : kick and rush qui part d’un dégagement du gardien, passe décisive d’un défenseur et erreur combinée de la défense et du gardien. Tout y est…
Vaya semana para hacer pronósticos…
Nos enmudecimos la jornada anterior pero regresamos en esta fecha para desafiar al futuro y predecir lo que ocurrirá en los partidos de la Jornada 7 de la temporada regular.
El Gringo Simon Borg tuvo algo de suerte en la Jornada 5 y nos ganó a todos, mientras que Kristel y yo tenemos que desempatar esta semana. Carlos por su parte... pobre Carlos.
En fin, los verdaderos expertos son ustedes, los aficionados, así que como siempre esperamos que también nos den sus predicciones en los comentarios abajo o por Twitter en @Futbol_MLS.
Deséenme suerte, y los dejo con esto:
ESCUCHA: El Matador Luis Hernández opina sobre la suspensión a Rafa Márquez
Semana 7
| Partido |
Kristel Valencia |
Edgar Acero |
Simon Borg |
Carlos Rodriguez |
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TOR v CHI |
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EMPATE |
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CLB v HOU |
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EMPATE |
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COL v LA |
EMPATE |
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EMPATE |
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VAN v DAL |
EMPATE |
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CHV v PHI |
EMPATE |
EMPATE |
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SJ v RSL |
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EMPATE |
EMPATE |
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POR v SKC |
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EMPATE |
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DC v NY |
EMPATE |
EMPATE |
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Correcto/Total |
2/8
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2/8
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1/8
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5/8
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David Beckham is one of MLS's -- nay, the world's most high-profile athletes -- and as such, there isn't much that fans don't know about him.
But can you answer these five trivia questions about him? If you do, you could win an LA Galaxy jersey.
David Beckham has gone one step closer to making his dream of appearing for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics a reality.
On Wednesday head coach Stuart Pearce and the Football Association announced that an initial squad list of 191 players has been whittled down to 80, with Beckham making the cut. Wales’ Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy and Englishman Joe Cole also made the list, however any player playing for England at Euro 2012 will not be selected.
The LA Galaxy man reminded fans in the US and worldwide what he is still capable of, with a wonder goal against the Portland Timbers during his side’s 3-1 win on Saturday.
Beckham — who grew up in East London where the games will be held — is keen to be part of Great Britain’s Olympic soccer squad, after helping the team’s successful bidding process way back in 2005.
The draw for the tournament will take place next Tuesday, April 24, as Beckham and the United Kingdom hope for a kind draw on home soil.
Teams Qualified for Olympic Soccer Tournament: Great Britain, Brazil, Belarus, Spain, Switzerland, Mexico, Uruguay, New Zealand, Honduras, South Korea, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Gabon, Morocco, Egypt, Oman or Senegal (AFC-CAF Playoff taking place on 23rd April)
There’s a lot that goes into being a captain, and each of the 19 in Major League Soccer approach it in a different way. From Shalrie Joseph’s ever-present chatter to Davy Arnaud’s work ethic, our new series “Taking the Lead” provides an in-depth look at what leadership means to those wearing the armband, as told in their own voices. The series debuts Wednesday, April 18 with Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman.
When he wants to be, Bruce Arena is one of the best quotes in Major League Soccer. He’s seen it all and said it all by now, but he somehow continues to throw out one-liners with a snarl or a Cheshire Cat grin that are some of the best in the league, again and again.
But Arena might have missed some of his audience with his latest line, doled out on Friday ahead of the team’s matchup against the Portland Timbers at the Home Depot Center.
Of course the questions in Galaxy camp are in the “do-or-die” vein these days, with LA reeling a bit and stuck at the bottom of the Western Conference. So when reporters expectedly asked the requisite “panic button” question, Arena went the rarely taken “Bay of Pigs” route with his answer.
“It’s like the president who’s got the black bag close, if you’ve got to send off the missiles and stuff, we’ve got it ready in case we have to do it too,” Arena said. “It’s time for us to start winning, no question about it. Is it the panic button? No, but we’ve got to win games.”
Not a bad metaphor, right? Oh wait, you have no idea what the “black bag” is? You’re not alone.
Arena’s going a little bit old school on this one, calling out a somewhat dated reference to the “nuclear football” that’s been around since the Kennedy administration. That’s right: Arena just went all Cold War on you and you didn’t even know it.
The “black bag” is actually a 45-pound leather briefcase that follows the president around at all times, and it’s stocked with a classified nuclear war plan. It first appeared in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the government saw a need for the president to have nuclear decision-making tools at the ready, even when away from the White House.
The bag still follows the president around to this day (the instructions on how to use the football is still considered the ritual that symbolizes that change of power on a new president’s inauguration day), so Arena’s reference is a relevant one. But considering that the largest demographic of MLS fans is somewhere between 18 and 34 years old, there’s a huge chunk of folks who were born long after Kennedy stared down the Soviet Union, and most probably think the Cold War has something to do with Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.
So don’t blame Arena if you don’t know your history. Just be glad he didn’t compare Landon Donovan to the 1973 oil crisis.