The CAB's Spotlight on Bob Bradley

The CAB's Spotlight is a recurring piece on hot topics in the football world. This edition will focus on Bob Bradley and his tenure as the USMNT coach.

---

By Kayla



Today it was announced by ussoccer.com that Bob Bradley, coach of the US Men's national soccer team, has been relieved of his duties. US Soccer President Sunil Gulati made the announcement today after meeting with Bradley and US Soccer CEO Dan Flynn at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.  The announcement comes five years into Bradley's tenure as the coach, during which he led the team to some notable victories and disappointing losses.  A replacement has not yet been named but is likely to be announced by Gulati tomorrow.

Before heading USA's national team, Bradley began his coaching career in college soccer, landing his first coaching gig at the ripe age of 22 at Ohio University after participating in their sports management program.  He was eventually lured away by Bruce Arena and filled in as Arena's assistant while Arena headed up the University of Virginia.  Shortly after, Bradley served his longest tenure to date at his alma mater, Princeton University, where he brought the team two titles in the Ivy League and also brought them to the NCAA Final Four in 1993.

Bob Bradley paired up with Bruce Arena again for his first foray into the newly formed Major League Soccer league to serve as Arena's assistant at D.C. United.  He soon after became manager of the expansion team, Chicago Fire and led them to win a double in 1998 (MLS Cup and US Open Cup), which earned him a MLS Coach of the Year trophy.  He won another US Open Cup for the Fire before he went on to coach the MetroStars.  He took the MetroStars from their underachieving status to their first Open Cup final in the club's history before moving on to manage Chivas USA, where he took them to a third place finish after a loss to Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference.

Bradley first began his post as the US Men's coach in December 2006, taking over Bruce Arena's post after the men's disappointing showing at the World Cup.  Bradley was interim until May of 2007, when he officially earned the title of the manager, despite much speculation that Jurgen Klinsmann would be named the head coach.  During his time as coach for the USMNT, Bradley brought the team Gold Cup victory in 2007 after a 2-0 win over Mexico in the final, which led the team to a runner-up spot in the 2009 Confederations Cup after defeating #1 ranked Spain and ending their 35 match streak.  Bradley also brought the US to the 2010 World Cup, where the team won their group for the first time since 1930, a major moment for the US with Landon Donovan's last second goal against Algeria.

Unfortunately, the US has seemed to be on a decline since their World Cup appearance.  What can only be speculated as the final straw was the US's 4-2 loss to Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup final, where the US has a 2-0 lead in the first half of the match that brought about a Mexico rally with four unanswered goals.  Here we are a month after that defeat, with the manager's post vacated until an official announcement brings about a replacement.

Bob Bradley has received a great amount of criticism for his coaching during his few years as the manager of the US Men's team, but he has helped the team grow and has propelled them to new heights in the arena of world football.  In a transition period for US Men's soccer, let us not forget the acheivements Bob Bradley brought to the team and to the country.

At this point we can only hope his replacement will carry on the pattern of progress and propel the team to reach goals that were just a little out of reach under Bradley's command.



Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres.  Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

Kayla's Salute: The US & Japan Ladies in the World Cup Final

I love football as much as the next guy, but at the base level, I'm still a woman. I appreciate the after-game shirt exchange just as much as the game itself. Kayla's salute is a recurring piece spotlighting the best footballers that also happen to be the best looking.  This week's salute is different because it's not only a salute to two groups of people, but they're all ladies.  While the preference is the males, I can still appreciate some ass-kicking women who are also classy.  And the US and Japan's women's teams are just that. 


---


By Kayla

The US and Japan ladies treated us all to one of the most memorable Women's World Cup finals in history.  Two teams who had been commended for their talent, heart, and unwillingness to give up kept everyone on the edge of their seats on Sunday as the US consistently dominated the Japanese while the Japanese displayed a stubborn refusal to give up.  The game resulted in the first World Cup final victory for Japan, bringing much needed joy to a country devastated by a tsunami while the US ladies graciously accepted their runner-up medals and showed much respect for Japan as Japan hoisted the cup above their heads.

Getty Images

As a fan, I always prefer a clean, hard-fought game over one riddled with questionable calls and dirty tactics to gain the upper hand.  Many fans do.  In a high stress game where more pressure comes in an extremely important final such as this, it's easy for the emotions to run high as the players fight tooth and nail to do whatever it takes to ensure a victory for their side. 

There's no doubt the women's football does not receive as much attention or money as the men's football.  Men do have more at stake and experience more pressure to succeed, which begins to push the sport into a place where dirty tactics are more acceptable as the "whatever it takes to win" mentality is held in such high regard.

Associated Press

Maybe that's why the women's sport feels much more pure.  The stakes are not so high.  The focus is on going out and putting the best effort forward.  Clearly the women's game is not completely pure as some teams do feign injuries, take dives, and waste time just like it's prominent in the men's game.  Regardless, the Women's World Cup final was an extremely enjoyable match that was played with pride and class between two humble teams with a tremendous amount of respect for each other.  And that's why this week's salute goes to the ladies of the US and Japan's World Cup squads.

For the sake of these wonderful athletes, let's hope those who have had their eye caught by the Women's World Cup stick around and learn to love the ladies' side of the sport, while the ladies who play the sport maintain their dignity and determination to shine with their talent and their talent alone.


Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres.  Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The CAB's Video of the Day: Cristiano Ronaldo's Strangest Advert Yet

The Video of the Day...yeah. You know.  Today's video is a Cristiano Ronaldo advert that is almost as strange as it is funny.

---

By Kayla

Oh, Cristiano. Props to a guy who can poke some fun at himself.  Assuming that is the case and he wasn't taking it seriously.  Then again, how can you take getting a blow job in the park seriously?

Video: TalkSport via YouTube


Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres.  Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

Megan Rapinoe vs. Stuart Holden

By Kayla

Since the beginning of this Women's World Cup, the comparisons between the US Women's National Team midfielder and the US Men's National Team midfielder has become evident.  We here at The Captain's Armblog have to agree.  Here's the list of startling similarities below:

• Both Midfielders
• Both born in 1985 (almost a month apart no less)
• Great with set pieces 
• and crosses
• Hair has Twitter (Rapinoe's & Holden's)
• Has played for three domestic teams (if you don't count her recent transfer to magicJack)
• Or Holden being plagued with injuries during his short time at Sunderland
• Baby faces
• Blondes
• Americans (duh)
• Pale whiteys
• Crowd favorites
•  Silly personalities

It's only a matter of time before they find out they have super powers and are adopted by a millionaire who wants them to blast open Witch Mountain.


Images: Rapinoe - ussoccer.com; Holden - fifa.com


Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The Morning After: US vs. Japan Women's World Cup Final

The Morning After is a recurring piece highlighting matches the morning after or whenever we get around to posting it. This edition of Morning After focuses on the Women's World Cup final between the US and Japan.

---

By Kayla


No matter which side you were cheering for, everyone was treated to a wonderfully entertaining World Cup final today.


Another dramatic game from the US brought about a different result for the #1 ranked team in the world.  Gaining and losing the lead twice and losing to Japan in the penalty shootout placed the Lady Nats in second in the Women's World Cup.  The game stayed 0-0 through the first half and into the second, with several close goals on the US's part.  Alex Morgan, who substituted in for an injured Lauren Cheney after the half, was responsible for the first goal for the US in the 68th minute.  Aya Miyama of Japan then scored in the 80th minute to equalize and keep hope alive for Japan.  After the game rolled into extra time, Abby Wambach put another goal into the net with another deadly header to pull the US back into the lead at 2-1 in the 104th minute.  Homare Sawa then responded in the 117th minute with a wonderful goal that put the game into penalty kicks.

Unfortunately for the US, this was not the same team that took penalty kicks against Brazil in the quarter finals.  The ladies that were calm, cool, and confident just a week ago today, seemed tired, rushed, and unsure.  Shannon Boxx took the first penalty kick that was easily blocked by Japan's keeper Ayumi Kaihori.  Carli Lloyd followed Boxx and launched her kick above the cross bar.  Tobin Heath failed to convert her kick in a similar fashion as Boxx, leaving Abby Wambach to show the only ounce of composure as she slotted her kick into the goal.  Hope Solo managed to save one kick by Yuki Nagasato, but it was not enough to save the US.  Japan claimed the title for the first time for their country, and no one can deny that it was well-earned after eliminating the hosts Germany, Sweden, and finally the US.

Despite the disappointing penalty effort from the US, the US ladies played an excellent campaign and managed to rally a country behind their efforts, including the Commander in Chief himself.  The Lady Nats have nothing to hang their heads about, and after the outpouring of appreciation and support, I'm sure they will return to the US with their heads held high.

Any monumental tournament like World Cup captures the attention of people who normally would not pay attention to the sport.  Soon after, it fades away from the forefront of the minds of society and things return to normal.  Let's hope in the case of the US ladies, they have gained new loyal fans that will not only continue to cheer them on, but also help bolster the financially suffering domestic league here in the US.


Images: Getty

Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The CAB's Video of the Day: Pia Sundhage Singing Simon & Garfunkel

It's self-explanatory. The video of the day is a footy video for your enjoyment.  Enjoy!

---



By Kayla

Ahead of the Women's World Cup final, the US ladies have been making the rounds with the media.  In a press conference in Frankfurt Pia Sundhage talked about her laid back approach to coaching.  To demonstrate this, Sundhage began singing Simon & Garfunkel's "Feeling Groovy".

Now if we could only get Bob Bradley to sing at press conferences.


Video: YouTube 


Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The Morning After: US vs. France Women's World Cup Semi-Final

The Morning After is a recurring piece highlighting matches the morning after or whenever we get around to posting it. This edition of Morning After focuses on the US's World Cup semi-final over France to send them through to the final for the first time since 1999.

---

By Kayla 

After the dramatic match against Brazil, the US were ready to take on France.  Although probably not as challenging as the Brazil match, France still put up a great fight and had the US play hard for the entire duration of the match.

The scoring started early for the US as Lauren Cheney found the back of the twine, but France were not ready to give up.  France gained the upper hand as the first half waned, forcing Hope Solo to make some crucial saves to keep the US ahead.  Particularly in the 30th minute, France had several close chances to equalize early on, while Abby Wambach had a headed attempt that was just off the frame late in the first half.  Persistence paid off for the French ladies as they equalized in the 55th minute with a Sonia Bompastor goal.

Just as the US ladies looked to be in trouble, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe were subbed in and brought fresh legs to the squad, helping the US gain control of the game once again.  Shortly after Abby Wambach came through for the US and put them in the lead with a headed goal in the 79th minute.  Alex Morgan set the US victory in stone with a third goal only three minutes later.  They held on for 10 more minutes to win the match 3-1.

Japan also won 3-1 in their semi-final match against Sweden.  Japan and the US will face each other in the final on Sunday, the first ever for Japan and the first for the US since 1999.

Many people will have their eyes focused on the final on Sunday to see if the US ladies pull out another win to take home the Cup, but it seems they want a particular person to be present for their potential win.  In the midst of the US ladies partaking in many telephone and video interviews, the ladies revealed they have invited President Barrack Obama to be present for the festivities on Sunday. 

I'm sure if Obama does attend, he will not be disappointed with this talented group of ladies.  Oh, and at the request of Megan Rapinoe, make sure you have plenty of room for the sqaud on Air Force One for the ride back home.

Images: Getty

Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The CAB's Video of the Day: Megan Rapinoe's Song & Real Madrid at UCLA

CAB's Video of the Day highlights a particular footy video that we find entertaining. Since we were slacking off yesterday, here's two videos for double your viewing pleasure!

---


By Kayla

First up, we have a lovely folk song about Megan Rapinoe. Performed by a fella named Alex Kreller posted on YouTube, it's sure to get some hits while the Women's World Cup is winding to a close. Whether or not it grabs Rapinoes' attention is yet to be seen.

Next up, we have what we on the internet call an EPIC FAIL. Real Madrid will face the LA Galaxy on Saturday in Los Angeles.  In the meantime they've been training at UCLA, and while being toted around the campus by convoy of golf carts, a young woman plows right into one of the vehicles.  The CIQ (cart in question) stops for a few moments and then continues on. Hard to tell if she was late for class or if she was dazzled by Cristiano Ronaldo's smile. Or distracted by a squirrel.

 

Videos: Youtube

Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The CAB's Video of the Day: John Spencer's Alaska Airlines Commerical

The CAB's Video of the Day will be a daily piece on a footy-related video from, what else, Youtube! Today's video comes from the always entertaining John Spencer, a former Scottish footballer and the current coach of the Portland Timbers.

---

By Kayla

After watching this, you'll wish every flight you get on has John Spencer as a flight attendant.  Here's a commerical he did for Alaska Airlines.  So shut your haggis traps and listen up!

 

Video: Youtube

Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

MLS All-Star Game 2011: First XI Announced

By Kayla

No surprises here, ladies and gentlemen.  The votes are in on the First XI for the MLS game and the fans went with some big names of the league.  Luckily they are also talented so the All-Stars shouldn't have too much trouble when they play Manchester United in the All-Star Game.  This won't necessarily be the starting line up, but here's the list of top fan picks:

Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders)- Keeper
Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy) - Defender
Sean Franklin (LA Galaxy) - Defender
Rafa Marquez (NY Red Bulls) - Defender
Tim Ream (NY Red Bulls) - Defender
David Beckham (LA Galaxy) - Midfielder
Jack Jewsbury (Portland Timbers) - Midfielder
Brek Shea (FC Dallas) - Midfielder
Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) - Forward
Thierry Henry (NY Red Bulls) - Forward
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) - Forward

Based on the voting, a 4-3-3 formation was selected because the third ranked forward received more than twice as many votes as the fourth ranked midfielder.  This first XI received the most votes for their respective positions based on three different ways of voting - MLSSoccer.com, Twitter, and text messaging.  The ballot for voting was based on the six players from each club that received the most votes from members of the media.

Another addition to the lineup is Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler, who received 30% of the text votes.  This will be the 24 year old's first MLS game.

The MLS All-Stars will face Manchester United on July 27th at Red Bull Stadium.


Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The CAB's Spotlight On The Adventures of Jay Demerit

The CAB's Spotlight is a recurring piece on hot topics in the football world. This edition is on Jay Demerit's courageous journey to the EPL, along with the adventure of the filmmakers who are out to tell his tale.

---

By Kayla

Too often in life, people are discouraged from following their dreams.  Whether out of concern or spite, we're talked down from the ledge just as we're about to spread our wings and take flight.  Most people comply, stepping down back into their safe comfort zone.  And then there are people like Jay Demerit, who refused to let any limitations stop him from chasing his dream, whether it be limited amount of funds, rejections from clubs, or lack of a steady place to sleep.

Jay's story starts around the year of 2001. Contrary to the fact that he played for Chicago Fire Premier, Chicago Fire's development team, Jay was not drafted for any Major League Soccer teams after his college graduation.  He spent the time after working at a bar.  Then he did what any sane individual would do: take the advice of a former teammate (Kieren Keane), take advantage of European Union work status, and move to England.  All with only $1,800 to his name.  All for the quest of finding a team to play for because Jay Demerit was not ready to give up.

He crashed in the basement of Kieren Keane's mother's home and embarked on tryout after tryout.  Eventually, Demerit found a spot on Southall's squad in 2003, where he made £40 a week playing for the ninth tier team in England.  The following year Demerit moved up to seventh-tier Northwood.  In the second pre-season match they met up with FC Watford.  Demerit managed to impress Watford's manager Ray Lewington and thus earned a two week trial with the Football League Championship squad.  The result of the trial was a one year contract for the 2004-2005 season.

In Demerit's first season with Watford, the team fought relegation from Championship to League One.  The same was expected for the 2005-2006 season, but the new manager Aidy Boothroyd led the squad to finish third in the league.  This earned them a spot in a playoff where the winner would be awarded the third and final spot for promotion to the Premier League.  In the play-off final on May 21, 2006, Jay Demerit scored the first goal of the 3-0 Watford victory over Leeds United, earning them promotion to the Premier League.  As a result of Demerit's header, he was named Man of the Match and earned a contract extension to the 2008-2009 season.  
 
Demerit was released from Watford in June 2010 after his expired contract was not renewed.  November later that year he was the first player signed for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for their first foray into the MLS for the 2011 season.

Jay Demerit's incredible journey to Europe in pursuit of a chance to play in top flight football is the focus of a documentary entitled Rise and Shine: The Jay Demerit Story. Strangely enough, a story within a story has emerged from the pursuit to have Jay's story told to the masses by means of film. Nick Lewis and Ranko Tutulugdzija are the co-directors and co-producers of the documentary.  A lawyer and an acupuncturist by day, both men set aside their jobs to take on the task of having Jay's story told after they recruited their one-man crew/director of photography Zach Salsman (a 24-year-old fresh out of college that Lewis and Tutulugdzija found online). 


The project took approximately a year and found the crew exploring three different continents as they chased down the people close to Demerit and those who encountered him along his journey to the Premier League.  They also managed to capture Demerit's last match with Watford and Salsman traveled to South Africa on his own to film the 2010 World Cup action, where Demerit started each match, even playing the US's final match against Ghana with a split tongue that later required five stitches.  


The filmmakers have now encountered another hurdle to jump before they can put the film into mass distribution.  They must raise $215,000 to pay for the rights of the World Cup and Premier League footage used in the film.  In their haste to put the project together and their lack of film experience, Lewis and Tutulgdzija did not realize what a hefty price they would have to pay for Donovan's game-winning goal in the US's final group stage match against Algeria ($50,000) and footage from Premier League games runs upwards of $30,000.


This Spotlight is not only to highlight the wonderful drive and motivation of Jay Demerit and the film makers who are desperate to spread the word of Demerit's feat, but to also bring attention to everyone that the film makers are only a few days away from their deadline and are still about $80,000 short.


You can visit the Kickstarter page to pledge any amount of $1 or more.  If you pledge $25 you'll receive the DVD of the film, and the more you pledge the more prizes you'll receive.  You can also check out the official site for the project for more information.


Jay Demerit's story is a rare and wonderful tale of what hard work, motiviation, and endless drive will get you if you never give in. Now it is up to us to ensure the film makers not only have a chance to share Demerit's story but also have a chance to chase their dream just like him.