MLS All Star Game 2009

A great game by the boys in blue last night. Hats off to Keller, Donovan, and Montero for strong performances. My question: Where were Kenny Cooper, Johnny Bornstein, and Robbie Rogers? Had those three been on the field we may very well have seen a different outcome.

Blanco, it's sad to say, is officially past his prime. I figure he's got 1 - 2 years left in him tops. His cheeky little lobs were no match for Tim Howard - and it showed. His deft footwork was still good but not quite as good as it once was.

Dominic Kinnear did a good job with the lineup although he subbed Montero out way too early. Had the young Colombian stayed on and played with Donovan, we may very well have seen the two connect for a goal or two. They are both speedy and accurate strikers. Conor Casey on the other hand added some good muscle up front but his physical play was simply not what was needed to score on Howard.

Beckerman was subbed off too early as well. He's got an excellent shot from outside the 18. Arnaud could be considered a good replacement - his shot is just as deadly - but he failed to find the space he needed to take that shot.

Everton, for their part, played a quality game. Three youngsters, 22 year old Jo "the Brazilian", 17 year old Baxter, and 18 year old ________, demonstrated good pace and skill. Saha was a force to be reckoned with and made sure to capitalize on a poor pass from Stuart Holden to Keller in the 8th minute.

Moyes is a great tactician and runs a tight ship. His players played their positions well, rarely leaving holes on the field and only once leaving an open man.

It's sad that our record had to be broken (the MLS All Stars now fall to 6 - 1?), but we'll move past it. Next year, if MLS schedules the game a little better, we might see both De Ro and Gerba on the squad. Watch out _______ ! (hopefully a La Liga or Ligue 1 team next year as we've had plenty of EPL competition).

The Fugees

GREAT BOOK:

Outcasts United. Spiegel & Grau. New York: 2009.

The story of the Fugee soccer team, founded by Luma Mufleh (American-educated, Jordanian born and raised) circa 2004. The setting is Clarkston, Georgia, home to tens of thousands of newly arrived refugees from all over Africa and the Middle East. Mufleh's and her players' perserverance in creating an "international", multi-ethnic soccer team as a project for personal growth and responsibility of all those involved, is heartwarming. Against great odds, from war to disgruntled mayors steeped in prejudice, Warren St. John's documentary tells the tale of the little team that could.

There is a movie in the works as well:

http://www.strangecultureblog.com/2007/06/luma-muflehs-life-story-creates.html