Supporters
The UEFA Champions League final will never be forgotten by Chelsea fans around the world, including in New York City.
And, courtesy of Kick TV, you'll see many of them in the video below as they react to Chelsea's PK shootout victory over Bayern Munich in Saturday's final outside of Legends, a Chelsea fan bar in New York.
We'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Branden Steineckert plays drums for Rancid. That, by definition, rocks. That he is an avid soccer fan and a passionate Real Salt Lake supporter rocks even harder.
But the fact that he's such a geniune, cool, down-to-earth guy who wants to encourage people to express themselves, that's punk.
I met Branden when I was in Salt Lake City a few months ago. He was sitting in the back of a town-hall meeting between the supporter groups and RSL brass. At some point, the supporters brought up their dislike of the song played at Rio Tinto Stadium whenever the home side scores. "It's lame," one person said.
Naturally, everyone in the room eventually turned to the guy in the back who tours the world as a musician.
Steineckert didn't hesitate to give his opinion. But he didn't opine on the music. He didn't say the current goal song was bad or that another song would be better. No, instead, he challenged his fellow RSL supporters.
"Let's come up with something of our own," he said.
La MLS nous gratifie régulièrement de superbes buts (pensez d’ailleurs à voter pour le but de la semaine). Ô joie, quand c’est votre équipe qui le marque ! Mais quand c’est l’adversaire, comment réagissez-vous ?
De mon côté, tout dépend de l’importance du match, et de l’influence du but sur le résultat. Concrètement, ça se manifeste soit par le silence complet qui ne prend pas en considération la beauté du but (voire quelques mots marquant un certain enragement), soit par un « magnifique » ou des applaudissements polis contrastant parfois avec un visage qui trahit ma déception.
Samedi à Montréal, David Beckham a été hué pendant tout le match. Mais quand il a égalisé d’un sublime coup franc, des supporters de l’Impact ont célébré comme si leurs favoris avaient marqué. Une réaction qui n’a pas plu à tout le monde.
Pretty upset to see people with impact jerseys and scarves cheering after Beckham scored.....
— Zarek Valentin (@DubbZV) Mai 13, 2012
Sur les réseaux sociaux, de nombreux fidèles du club ont trouvé ça « désolant »… comme certains joueurs apparemment, à l’image de Zarek Valentin qui s’est offusqué sur Twitter, se disant assez contrarié de voir des gens avec des maillots et des écharpes de l’Impact fêter de la sorte après le but de Beckham.
Qu’en pensez-vous ? Et comment saluez-vous les splendides buts inscrits par l’adversaire ?
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!
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.
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!
When a big-name sings the national anthem at a sporting event, there’s usually not much of a connection between the singer and the team they're singing for.
That will be far from the case with Brad Corrigan, the lead singer from famed indie-rock band Dispatch, who will be singing the national anthem Saturday when the Rapids battle the LA Galaxy at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (9 pm EST, MLS LIVE). Corrigan has developed a friendship with several Rapids players after being a regular at Rapids games for years. And now, the Denver native will get the chance to sing in front of his friends and fellow fans Saturday night.
“I’ve always wanted to do this,” Corrigan told MLSsoccer.com this week. “I’ve been nervously excited all week. It will really be one of the highlights of my life.”
Corrigan’s passion for the Rapids began in earnest last year, when a mutual friend first introduced Rapids winger Wells Thompson to the singer. Over a cup of coffee, the two discussed Thompson’s honeymoon (Thompson got married last December), and Corrigan helped set Thompson up with a one-week vacation working with a non-profit group in Nicaragua.
“We just hit it off,” said Corrigan, who plans to attend several Rapids games this summer. “It’s just been fun. I couldn’t be more passionate about the Rapids and the guys.”
Corrigan’s friendships quickly extended beyond Thompson. Captain Pablo Mastroeni, a big Dispatch fan himself, got in touch with Corrigan as well, and now the two have also become good friends. Right back Kosuke Kimura is also a new friend of Corrigan’s. And who knows, by the end of the season, the whole team could be doing dinner at Corrigan’s house.
“They’re an awesome bunch of guys,” said Corrigan, who regularly speaks with Thompson, Mastroeni and Kimura.
While Corrigan has become a big Rapids fan -- he plans on attended 10 to 12 Rapids home games this summer -- Saturday’s national anthem rendition will be a warm up of sorts. On May 30th, Corrigan will take his talents to Landover, Md., to sing before the US men’s national team battles Brazil at FedEx Field.
But in the meantime, Corrigan will have to settle for singing in front of David Beckham, Landon Donovan and his new-found friends clad in burgundy. And he couldn’t be more excited.
“It’s an indescribable honor,” Corrigan said.
Chris Bianchi covers the Colorado Rapids for MLSsoccer.com.
