Now that's justice

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-uswomenscoach&prov=ap&type=lgns

My take: Sunil obviously doesn't want to point the deciding factor of the release but since this is Ryan's only loss, I think we all can guess why the move was made. Hoefully if this keeps Solo on the team, the girls will finally tell her she had every right to be angry. If they don't then they don't deserve to be in soccer.

Back on the pitch, but too soon

I got clearance from my doctor last week, reluctantly. He told me to start slow. I figured an U12 boys class 3 match was slow enough for me not to put a lot of effort in keeping up, but fast enough so I would not die of boredom.

At the opening whistle there was a hard foul by Union City, which was met with a hard whistle from me followed by, "I don't want to see anymore of that!" For the most part I believe that and a couple other foul calls after the fact let the players know I was on top of this game. Didn't hear a c'mon ref once which is a silent complement by itself. Union city beat Dublin 7-1, but I had fun.

However a few things surrounded the game which was, in my opinion, unpleasant. So let's bring out the list:

The Dublin league and the counties surrounding it are extraordinarily protective of their fields after rain. It's been getting worse as the years go by. You have to call the rain out schedule 2 days out. I did out of instinct. The game before us got the message and played at the Dublin Sports Ground. My game, the teams did not get the message so I had to gather my crew get over to Emerald Glen. This caused the game to be late and the irony of it was the coaches of Dublin took my class last summer and heard my lecture of being on time. 30 minutes prior to the match.

1. I was about the start the game and the league president shows up and tells me to move the game to the other field. I told her the "problem" she stated is not a big deal and we're going to play. I also told her that to expect people to call the rainout number 2 days after it rains is unrealistic. So I'm sure she is seething, but the 8 by 10 mud hole wasn't an issue.
2. My physical fitness has deteriorated from being off 5-6 months and need to build it back up. Not ready for amateurs yet. Foot was sore, but it wasn't my Achilles so to speak, but the parts surrounding my ankle. Still for the Achilles sake, I'm playing it cautiously.

Another US player sells Solo out

You may want to read the article first:

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-uswomen-chalupny&prov=ap&type=lgns

My take: Chalupny's response to the goalkeeper fallout should have been, "No comment!" They get "mad" because Solo threw Ryan under the bus. What the hell is Solo's teammates doing to her? First Wombach and now Chalupny. I liked these two as players, but I have no respect for either one of them. What? You're not getting your good press because you didn't win the cup so now you need press time at the expense of others. "I hope she's learned a lesson." What a hypocrite.

edited to add: Yes, the method of Solo's expression of anger was wrong. However an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. She still has every right to be pissed for the decision and so do the rest of the US.

Another one for Solo

http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/czaban101007.html?12943

For the record, I am siding with Solo, even though she let her emotions get the best of her infront of the TV cam. She still has every right to be pissed. Wombach and her, "I am working towords forgiving her." Well I'm working towards forgiving the US team for a shitty performance up to the 3rd place match where I saw a different team out there. At least Scurry warmed up by then.

Did Abby Wambach sell Solo out? You decide

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071008/SPORTS/710080307

Happy Birthday Gabriel

Yesterday was Gabriel's birthday. We just had a small gathering and cake. Immediate family and grand parents. It was a nice get together. Gabriel always reminds me to enjoy every day as if it were our last. This was due to spending one month in NICU where 95% of the medical professional predicted he wouldn't make it out alive.

Hope Solo is really gone Solo in the 3rd place match

Well the US, even though we didn't win the cup, managed to keep the record of not placing below 3rd. Reminds me of my hme poker games, except that record was broken this spring. They played some good ball. I wished they played like that during the other games but as someone pointed out, it's a bit unfair to compare them to team 1999.

However the controversy seems to be surrounding Hope Solo being replaced by Brianna Scurry. Then it surrounded Solo's outbursts to the media. Then it surrounded Solo's suspension from the team for the 3rd place match.

Now I believe the outburst was directed at Greg Ryan and Greg Ryan only. Scurry unfortunately got caught in the crossfire or should I say friendly fire. I believe Solo has respect for Scurry, but just failed to show it when giving the outburst. I feel Scurry may be able to read between the lines and realize she wasn't the one being attacked. I believe those two will reconsile.
Coach Ryan however is another story. It amazing he can have an impressive record and then one game screws everything up. I agree with Solo that you cannot live in the past. I just don't fully agree with the method of speaking out.

Dispite Solo's outburst I have come to admire her this year as this is the first year I got to know of her. And I understand where it came from and if I were in her shoes (does she wear a size 10?) I might have reacted the same way. Yes she had a bad game against Korea, but it was wet out there and people screw up. She has more then atoned for that one. 3 shut outs and you reward her by benching her for the Semi Finals. Crap I must say. Maybe she figured she had nothing more to lose by speaking out. Anyone ever thought of that one. Wynalda did it in 1998 when Sampson put him in the midfield vs. forward and kicked Harks off the team.

World Cup Final Recap..Beauty doesn't score goals.

I have to say the better team won and I was pleased to say it was not Brazil. Why? Don't get me wrong, they play a beautiful game....when they want to. Meaning when they are not going down too easily and trying to draw a foul. And even worse yet, trying to draw out cards like they successfully did against the USA.
Germany's touches on the ball were not spectactular in comparison to Brazil, but Germany's touches counted with two goals. Beauty doesn't score goals.

The refereeing? I have to say I was surprised that Seitz was not in the middle, but then again, I'm not. There seems to be a stigmatism against the USA when it comes to World Cup finals. Esse Barharmist didn't get it in 1998. And that was after the incredible display of courage of calling a PK while most of the world booed him...until a swedish camera picked up the foul. Not 2002's Brian Hall where players who had his game stated they had very little problems with his refereeing. Not 2003 where Seitz or Hunt could have done the final. I won't go into 2006.

This austrailian referee was okay, but my only problem was she didn't use her cards enough because in the second half, things got agressive on both sides. Danilla should have gotten a red card (second caution) for that bad tackle. Verbally talking to the players only goes so far.

Still it was an entertaining game to watch and Germany did deserve it. Oh for those who ask, I wouldn't have called that PK a DOGSO because there was another German player who may have been able to contest for the ball. When it's not "Obvious" then it's not a red. I'll give the referee Kudos for that one.