ten words or less #73

Sir Alex Ferguson

as we say goodbye to one of the legends of the game, i can’t help but hope the door hits him on the way out.

Ever since the rumors of his imminent retirement in the early portion of the week, I’ve toiled in vain to write the perfect opus for Sir Alex’s career. Yet with all that is being penned on the great Scotsman in the time since, it’s been hard to find not only a unique angle… but also an appropriate way to express my feelings towards Ol’ Red Nose. On one hand, I have mountains of respect for a man that’s won more titles than entire leagues of clubs combined, has managed to adapt his game several times over to match the prevailing playing styles of the time, and has corralled egos larger than your average Walmart Super Center. On the other hand, I hate Fergie for his influence over the FA, the fear he invokes in referees, and the times he’s pried away Tottenham’s best players.

So since I’ve been unable to tap out an appropriate homage to the greatest manager I’ll likely ever see, I’ll do the next best thing and link to the best piece I’ve read about him so far. And that’s how I’m starting off the latest edition of TWOL.

Fair well, Fergie. Here’s hoping you have a long and lovely retirement… and that Moyes drives United to hell in you absence.

Even receiving a hairdrying invokes respect for Fergie. – sportsjournalists.co.uk

Hey… this looks familiar! - theoriginalwinger.com

Kobe Bryant’s new kicks looked to on-pitch inspiration. – thebeautifulgear.com

The Vatican not only has a league, Americans boss it. – wsj.com

Despite erratic form, I still love me some Benny Assoun-Ekotto. – guardian.co.uk

American soccer re-imagined… a familiar design for Over-the-Rhine.
- pcgdstudios.com

Nike’s updated R9′s will hit you right in the 90′s. – nikeinc.com

Stellar MLS art: For Cub and Country. – behance.net

Cool… until they use it to buy Bale next year. – theoriginalwinger.com

One of the most important debates in American soccer. – mlssoccer.com

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ten words or less #63

With my wife sick, this past weekend presented itself as an opportunity for a whirlwind of football viewing here at WSOTP. I’ve not kept any statistics on this kind of thing, but I can say with confidence that I watched more soccer this past weekend than I ever have before. Saturday included a marathon of five straight live games which, between Twitter and A.D.D., my brain had a hard time handling.

ONU Men's Soccer in the Final Four

seeing my alumnus polar bears make their way to the national title game might just have been the highlight of my weekend.

The morning started well with Spurs bagging a win, Arsenal and Chelsea both losing, and an unexpected, entertaining shootout between Manchester United and Reading. And while the (oddly timed) midday MLS Cup Final might have seemed the marquee match, I was really looking forward to watching my former college team — the Ohio Northern University Polar Bears — play in our school’s very first NCAA Division III National Championship match. My former teammate Milky even stopped by to take in both the late matches, also allowing me a solid four hours of Liverpool jibes…

Much to our chagrin, ONU were quickly picked apart by an admittedly impressive Messiah College side. But the result doesn’t dim my pride in my old team for everything they accomplished this year. Considering the program only had 8 winning seasons prior to my class’s arrival on campus, and had never made the National Tournament prior to Milky’s, to see the program continue to build on our successes — even despite a heavy loss — had us both beaming. The sky’s the limit from here, boys.

Anyway, below are some of the better links from around the world of soccer from the last week.

The perfect gift for your soccer fan? Sexy Managers Calendar. – yahoo.com

A photographic essay of grassroots football in third world countries.
- jessicahilltout.com

Beckham’s kids old enough to be called full kit wankers. – angelcitybrigade.net

Carlos Tévez’s paystub will make you very jealous. – dirtytackle.net

Hot Chip makes a seriously WTF FIFA-esque music video. – kckrs.com

Shout out to local Casey Weddle for being named All-American.
- ohiodominicanpanthers.com

“We need to be more assertive,” mumbles Rosický to nobody.
- fistedaway.wordpress.com

Floridian city most likely to land an MLS side… Tampa? – theoffsiderules.com

Once again, Spooky captures how I’m feeling about Spurs. – dearmrlevy.com

 A top-25 list for boots from Sneaker Report… I’m in. – sneakerreport.com

ten words or less #59

It’s time for the young 2012-2013 season’s first international break, and contrary to my normal reactions, I’m actually pretty excited for this one. The last few international breaks have featured the USMNT squaring off in friendlies against opponents preparing for other tournaments, meaning they’ve all been devoid of any of the passion and desire that makes an international fixture entertaining. This time, however, the Yanks are actually playing two meaningful, relevant World Cup Qualifying matches.

Columbus Crew Stadium

if you’re heading to c-bus for the 9/11 world cup qualifier against jamaica… be on the lookout for WSOTP!

My excitement is likely also buoyed by the fact that I’m actually heading to one of those relevant matches, the second qualifier against Jamaica in Columbus on 9/11. I’m planning on prowling the Crew Stadium parking lot prior to kickoff to take pictures of the tailgating fans. So if you see me walking around with my wife in the new striped US kit, feel free to stop me and say hello… you might just end up with your face on the blog!

Anyway, here are some links to keep you entertained in the mean time.

Grown men wearing full kits in public. - richardp1975.wordpress.com

Sir Alex personally handling United transition to Guardiola? – mundodeportivo.com

This is seriously big for Australian football. – espnfc.com

I can juggle all the way to… potato. – rasenreich.com

Only a rumor, but potentially bad news for Revs fans. – thedrugisfootball.com

Having conquered one natural disaster, Boca now on to tsunamis. – kckrs.com

The US finally has 24-hour, soccer-only radio! – nasn.tv

Nike’s clever: Iniesta as a puppet with the new CTR360′s. – youtube.com

No more jokes. This is actually getting pretty sad now. – whoateallthepies.tv

The official 2014 World Cup ball’s name… Brazil + Bazooka = BRAZUCA?
- footballshirtculture.com

ten words or less #57

As you might have been able to tell, things have been hectic around WSOTP Central of late. Between two trips to New York for real world work, a family vacation in Charleston, South Carolina, and out-of-town weddings, it’s at least felt like a struggle to find the time for the blog. Which is odd, because I’ve actually done a lot for it lately.

Tottenham's Gylfi Sigurdsson

i know it’s only preseason, but gylfi is already looking like one hell of a signing for spurs.

While in New York I was able to sit down with the guy who runs the country’s greatest soccer pub. In Charleston, I had a chance to meet the awesome travelling support from the Orlando Ruckus when the Battery hosted recently-crowned USL Champions Orlando City. And I’m also running a giveaway for some swag from Storelli, and all you have to do is Like my Facebook page to be entered!

And believe it or not, there’s still more exciting stuff on the way. So hang in there a little bit longer for some of that delectable original content that keeps you coming back for more… or something like that. These links should get you your fix in the mean time…

It seems like D.C. wants to lose United to Baltimore. - washingtonpost.com

Would a Boca return to MLS be worth the investment? – theshinguardian.com

“Please please please please don’t call me a racist”. Brilliant. – fitbathatba.com

Did Chevy’s Manchester United Deal get their CEO fired? – adage.com

Glen Johnson’s claim to be an American sports fan debunked. – youtube.com

Continuity under Tito seems almost assured for Barça, right? - reddit.com/user/Atald

Settled on the new Vapors… then Maestri III’s came out. – soccerbible.com

A foosball badass, too? Disco Benny is a legend. – hamhigh.co.uk

“World’s first bio-engineered soccer ball, grown from living cells.”
- pigsbladderfootball.com

And first to market with a GLT-compatible ball is… – select-sport.com

i want

Image

We human beings, regardless of which corner of the globe from which we originate, are inherently greedy little creatures. Our desire to accumulate wealth, valuables, personal effects, etc. — and the status derived from them — is the engine that drives the world. And I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m no different. I want stuff. Lots of it. And nearly as soon as I get something that I’ve wanted, there’s always new want to replace it almost immediately.

And it’s from this never ending desire to “want”, that I’m launching WSOTP’s newest recurring feature: I Want. Anytime something I really, really want — whether it be soccer apparel or gear, art, electronics, shoes or anything else football related — I’m going to tell you about it. I’ll quickly explain why I want it, and if you want it too, you can proceed to the end of the post for a retail link. It’s like uncrate.com, but just for footie obsessed individuals such as ourselves. So without further wait, my very first want pictured above is…

Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII FG in Sail/Soar/Challenge Red
Anyone who regularly reads the blog probably knows that I’m a huge fan of Nike boots. I haven’t worn any shoes other than Nikes as my primary boots since probably college, and almost all of those have been predominantly white themselves. So even though I really dig the “electric mango” version, my preference for the new white-flavored Vapor 8 was actually pretty predictable.

Thanks in part to my extremely narrow and tiny little girl feet, the Vapor line has been a mainstay in my shoe repertoire for quite some time. And with the raving reviews of the latest model of the boot pouring in from around the globe saying that Nike significantly improved their marquee boot, I think it’s time I end my two year run with the CTR 360′s.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT  |  http://www.soccer.com

ten words or less #51

The New 2012 USA Nike Kits... now with hoops.

in all the hullabaloo yesterday', i somehow missed the USMNT/USWNT kit announcement... we were long overdue for making the same kit for both teams, though i'm still not sold on the hoops.

With the dust having settled after yesterday’s epic announcement, I wanted to extend welcome to all of the new readers who were lucky kind enough to stumble across WSOTP over the last 48 hours. The Cult of Rolfe extends far and wide, and I’ve been mightily impressed at the speed and distance by which they’re able to spread information… you lot had Soccer by Ives tweeting and Taylor Twellman re-tweeting my link within an hour of posting. Stellar work.

Hopefully some of you will stick around to see what else the blog has in store… and maybe disseminate my writing a bit further. But just as I warned on Twitter yesterday, if you’re expecting this space to be inundated solely with Rolfe/Fire news… you might end up a bit disappointed.

Anyway, thanks again for stopping by the blog — whatever your reason — and as a reward just for you, enjoy some of my ten favorite links from the last week.

Solid Euro 2012 infographic to help build the excitement. – betting-guru.com

The official song of Sir Alex Ferguson’s mindgames. – fitbathatba.com

Facepalm Level: Infinity. Worst idea ever to fix US soccer. – businessinsider.com

I need the brown ones, but I want the rest. – nikeinc.com

The only way you could get me to play golf. – golfoot.ch (warning: French)

Spurs vs. Norwich… through the lens of a crack pipe. – dearmrlevy.com

The new Houston Dynamo stadium looks drool worthy.
- youtube.com/houstondynamovideos

Puyol gets his face stapled mid match, like a man. – dirtytackle.net

The Predator line just made a major left turn. – soccerbible.com

An honest look at the urgency for goal line technology. – theseventytwo.com

ten words or less #49

Today’s the first official day of Spring, even though the season actually arrived weeks ago in Ohio (and the world in general… global warming, anyone?). But despite the onset of warmer temperatures and all the benefits that come with them, I’m still having mixed feelings.

soccer fields in the springtime

spring's warmer temperatures mean soccer in the states will finally ends its long winter hibernation.

On one hand, I’m thoroughly looking forward to my Sunday outdoor league starting in the next few weeks. On the other hand, I’m not in nearly good enough shape to make the move to the larger pitch and the additional running it requires. Just the same, while I’m really looking forward to writing about the increased amounts of footie we get to see with the arrival of warmer temperatures in the US and congested fixture lists in Europe, the warmer weather also means that a sizable chunk of my normal writing time will now be consumed by lawn and garden maintenance. The joys of being a full-fledged grown up, right?

So to keep you distracted from your own Spring time obligations, I figured I could pump out a quick TWOL with ten of my favorite links from the last week or so.

Okay, maybe Orlando isn’t so bad a pick for MLS. – inbedwithmaradona.com

Turkey’s Eskisehirspor: the spiritual home of 4chan/Reddit trolls. – dirtytackle.net

Worried that you’re a football fan hipster? Diagnose yourself here. – thefcf.co.uk

Barcelona’s purported ulterior motive: aiding Syrian rebels with arms smuggling.
- theoffside.com

Ganso’s got the vision. – ojogobonito.net

Tottenham and Arsenal have a lot in common this summer. – soccernet.com

My Spurs match-day routine, as seen on The Fighting Cock. – thefightingcock.co.uk

Where oh where will Rolfey end up? – mlssoccer.com

England’s National Training Ground… bloody brilliant. – youtube.com

Digging the “mango” colorway on the new Vapor 8′s. – soccerbible.com

ten words or less #45

tim lieweke, david beckham and bruce arena

you have to wonder if beckham knew about the galaxy's new kits before he agreed to come back to MLS.

I don’t know about any other bloggers, but sometimes I go through spells where I feel like I have absolutely nothing to write about, which are then followed by very brief periods where I feel like I have a million things I need to share. Right now, I’m in the middle of one of the busy bits. I’ve got at least four separate pieces I’m working on at the moment, so if nothing else, you’ve got some original content coming shortly…. Hooray, right?!

Additionally, I feel like I’m going to wet myself in anticipation of Tottenham’s clash with Manchester City this Sunday. The thrashing the Citizens gave Spurs back in August seems like eons ago. And even though the city-loaned Adebayor won’t be allowed to play, the Citizens are lacking key players (thanks to the Africa Cup of Nations) and aren’t in the best form. If Spurs win, they cement themselves as title contenders. If they lose, well, they’re just being Tottenham. Lot’s riding on this game, hence my bladder-exploding excitement.

In the meantime, enjoy these recent works by other people:

Maybe Spurs shouldn’t be buying a new centerback this window. – eplindex.com

I need a game like this to come to Android. – kckrs.com

No matter what your team nickname is, these aren’t acceptable. – football-shirts.co.uk

Appreciating the defensive midfielder. Best article of this young year. – inbedwithmaradona.com

Finally: the Open Cup will be a proper cup competition. – theoriginalwinger.com

Wherever Tévez goes, drama is sure to follow. – thespoiler.co.uk

The quaint nature of Non-League football is sometimes overwhelming. – pitchinvasion

If Adidas make these in white, I might ditch Nike. – soccerbible.com

A “How to look like Leon Best” instructional video… sorta. – youtube.com

You’ve never heard of the world’s most prolific, active goalscorer. – thescore.com

ten words or less #40

a.c. milan's antonio cassano

i left a get well card for cassano at the italian embassy. i sure hope he gets it.

I spent a majority of last week in the Nation’s Capital for my real world job’s annual company meeting, and to be honest, I’m completely worn out from it still. While capping off the event by partying into the wee hours of the night at the gorgeous Italian Embassy was a blast, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that there wasn’t a small practice pitch on the facility grounds. Though considering the trouble that Serie A clubs have just trying to find the funds to build the desperately needed new grounds back home, perhaps it was a bit foolish of me to expect anything different in their small enclave in D.C.

Luckily, I found these links below to be of sufficient quality to fill my footy void.

Your owner cares only when you vote with your wallet. – twistedblood.co.uk

MLS latest attendance figures = Progress! – examiner.com

Bromley’s QR code haircuts: as stupid as they sound. – kickette.com

There’s no reading in football. – dirtytackle.net

My thoughts on Manchester United’s leaked 2012-2013 kits: Gag. – footballshirtculture.com
(the equally gagging away kit is here)

Qatar 2022: now featuring 100% less promised air conditioning. – soccernet.com

Retro-ish 20th anniversary Umbro Speciali’s? Yes please. – kckrs.com

This is why there are no African David Silva’s. – inbedwithmaradona.com

ten words or less #39

andrei arshavin giraffe shirt

if arshavin's fashion sense catches on, we all have reason to be pessimistic.

It may just be me, but I feel like my recent posts have taken a rather pessimistic view of the beautiful game. A quick look at my front page shows a total of seven non-round-up posts, and four of them are nothing but me bitching about some current aspect of the game. I must think soccer is going to hell then, right?

Well, sort of… but I could also just be moody and hypersensitive to issues that I think are currently plaguing the game. If it makes you feel better, you can call me a pessimist. I won’t take it the wrong way.

However, if you’re not yet concerned about the state of affairs in professional football, just take a gander at a few of the links below. We’ll make you into pessimist in no time.

Is Serie A’s decline due more to TV than stadiums? – theelastico.com

The Home Nations collectively shudders at the site of this. – footballshirtculture.com

You can actually feel the sorrow in the author’s voice. – twofootedtackle.com

While a valid point, is there a workable solution? – soccerissue.com

Is Balotelli a Dynamo Dresden fan, or just their inspiration? – dirtytackle

Pelé makes boots now, undoubtedly thinks they’re the best ever. – theoriginalwinger.com

Neymar has nothing on these guys. – youtube.com

A good effort that needs revising: too much white space. – kckrs.com