What we’re thinking, what we’re watching, what’s coming on the blog today and the RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day). Setting up your day in soccer …
Birthdays of Note: Birthdays should be happy occasions, right? Well, L.A. Galaxy striker Edson Buddle turns 31 today. On Sunday, the U.S. national team roster came out, and his name wasn’t on it. On Saturday, Buddle’s Galaxy fell to rival Chivas USA inside the Home Depot Center. And generally, Buddle is having a, uh, “muted” season. Well, happy birthday, dude. Seriously, shake it off. Let’s hope the beginning of your 32nd year hits an uptick.
Big Important Story of the Day: Expect more U.S. roster fallout as the serious dissection and discussion on the current 27-man selection marches forward. (I’ll see about doing my part.)
Ahead on the blog today*: Some thoughts on when soccer in the States “makes it.” (Hint: that’s a silly thing that silly people ask when they don’t know what else to say about soccer.) And some thoughts on Jurgen Klinsmann’s selection process, and what a lot of supporters may not understand about it.
What we should all watch on TV: If you were consumed with events from Munich on Saturday, you could do a lot worse than checking out a replay of Saturday’s “other” biggie, West Ham and Blackpool for a spot in next year’s Premier League. (8 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel).
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day): Chris Henderson
Twitter daps: U.S. women’s national team midfielder Heather O’Reilly (@HeatherOReilly): @garrytoshtastic just informed me that I am exactly 10,000 days old today. Gotta love twitter for interesting yet #randofacts
U.S. center back Carlos Bocanegra (@BocaBoca3): Nice to be able to have lunch yesterday with our future. Good bunch of guys and lots of energy. #USMNT /U-17 . Back to work…
We’ll leave you with this? As I’m writing this Sunday night, I just saw Mike Chabala throw his arms up and obstruct a Chicago Fire attacker, making absolutely zero effort to turn towards the ball. Then he gave referee Silviu Petrescu an indignant earful, as if Petrescu somehow erred by calling a blatantly obvious foul. That stuff drives me cross-eyed! I mean, professional players do know the rules, right? Apparently they should be periodically tested.
*Always subject to change; you know how it is
