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 Morning After: US vs. Brazil Women's World Cup Showdown

The Morning After is a recurring piece that highlights matches the morning after they occur. Or whenever we get around to posting the damn thing. This edition focuses on the riveting match between The US and Brazil that resulted in the US moving to the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup currently going on in Germany. 

---

By Kayla & Jacen


If you missed yesterday's quarter final match between the US and Brazil in the Women's World Cup, you're definitely kicking yourself by now.
The US ladies treated us to one of the most heroic and surely historic matches in a World Cup. A match full of ups and downs for both teams and some controversial calls ended in a dramatic penalty shootout that propelled the US Women to the semi-finals and to the forefront of the minds of Americans.

Brazil's Aline taking on Abby Wambach

The match started great for the Lady Nats 74 seconds in when the Brazilian defender Daiane scored an own goal in a failed attempt to deflect a Shannon Boxx cross.  The 1-0 lead was held through the first half as the US dominated Brazil.  Brazil started showing signs of frustration at the end of the 1st half and both teams returned from the 2nd half just as they left in the 1st.  Trouble struck for the US in the 65th minute, when Rachel Buehler was sent off with a straight red card for a phantom foul on Brazilian standout Marta in the box.  Cristiane stepped forward to take the penalty, which was saved by Hope Solo.  The celebration of the wonderful deflection was cut short by the referee Jacqui Melksham calling what appeared to be encroachment on the US's part and resulting in a Hope Solo yellow card due to her arguing vehemently.  Marta stepped up to take the second penalty which she coolly slotted by Hope Solo to even the score 1-1.  The composure of the US started to slip as the Brazilian's began dominating in possession.  Playing with only 10 players started taking its toll as the US began showing signs of exhaustion as the clock wound down to end regulation time.  Extra time began and two minutes in Marta scored the goal that seemed to be the end of the US's World Cup campaign, a controversial incident since it appeared Maurine, who made the pass to Marta, was offside.  The goal was followed by desperate attempts to equalize from the US and time-wasting tactics from Brazil, including a feigned injury from Erika that resulted in a yellow card after she hopped off the stretcher and ran back on the pitch.

Time ticked away quickly as we saw more failed attempts by the US to score.  Then the latest goal to ever occur in a Women's World Cup match came from a moment of brillance from a Megan Rapinoe cross to a Abby Wambach header into the twine.  Abby Wambach's equalizer mirrored the same moment of genius from Landon Donovan's equalizing goal last summer in the final group stage match against Algeria that placed them at the top of their group and sent them to the knockout round of the Men's World Cup.  After the last minute of extra time, the score remained 2-2 and the game continued into penalty kicks.

Rachel Buehler's Red Card

Any penalty shootout is a nerve-wrecking experience, but it felt especially so for the US fans who sought justice after a match that was anything but fair.  The US ladies were confident as Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Kreiger each stepped forward and successfully converted each penalty kick.  The first two penalty kicks from the Brazilian ladies came low and left, and once Daiane stepped forward and kicked hers in a similar fashion, Hope Solo quickly dove to deflect it.  Alex Kreiger's converted kick sealed the victory for the US as cheers erupted in the stadium and all over the world.  Quite the way to celebrate the 12 year anniversary of the US women winning the 1999 World Cup in similar fashion when they defeated China in penalty kicks.

Abby Wambach and Hope Solo were the heroes of the match, but Hope Solo had more at stake than any of the other Yankettes.  Hope Solo was benched in the 2007 Women's World Cup semi-final against Brazil in favor of Brianna Scurry, despite the fact that Hope Solo had only allowed two goals in four games in the campaign up until that point and keeping a clean sheet in the previous three matches.  Brianna Scurry was selected for the match because of her experience even though she had not played a full match in three month's time.  The result was a 4-0 loss that eliminated the US from the competition.  Hope Solo gave an emotional interview after the match that she issued an apology for the following day as her response to the match came across as criticism directed at then coach Greg Ryan and Brianna Scurry.  A backlash occurred and Solo's international career appeared to be over.  Fate had other plans for Solo as a new coach brought a new chance.  In the four matches between the 2007 and 2011 World Cup meetings with Brazil, Hope Solo held clean sheets all four times and proved she is worthy of facing the Brazilians.  Yesterday's match cemented that fact as she showed confidence and poise in the penalty shootout and contributed to the hard-fought victory for the US. 

Hope Solo's saving Daiane's penalty kick

The victory not only keeps the US women's World Cup dreams alive, but also gives a much needed boost to US Soccer as a whole.  After a disappointing Gold Cup final from the men, when they lost 4-2 to Mexico after gaining a 2-0 lead, the Lady Nats have pumped up the spirits of US soccer fans everywhere.  The ladies will face France in the semi-final on Wednesday, and the winner will proceed to the final on Sunday.  After the match that was fit for a final, the US are more than ready to face France. 


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: Fabio Cannavaro

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.

---

By Kayla

This week's salute comes a day early in light of Fabio Cannavaro's announced retirement from football as of yesterday. It seems appropriate to cover such a decorated player's illustrious career. Plus it's time I cover someone that's not American.

 Playing for Italy's national team and serving most of his domestic career in Italy, Cannavaro has had quite the career.  Starting as a ball boy at Napoli, Cannavaro quickly ascended to a spot on the first team, alongside some of the idols he watched with admiration on the sidelines.  He made his debut in Serie A on March 7, 1993 in a match against Juventus. After the loss of Maradona, cash-strapped Napoli were forced to sell Cannavaro to Parma in 1995.  Instantly earning a spot in the starting 11, he earned the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia with the squad.  During his time at Parma, he received call-ups to the national team and also earned Serie A Defender of the Year. He soon earned a €23 million transfer to Internazionale, where he played for a couple of seasons, missing a huge portion of his second season there due to injury. During his stint there Internazionale finished second in Serie A and also reached the semi-finals of the 2002-2003 Champions League. He was then sold to Juventus, where he won two Scudetti with the squad in 2005 and 2006 and also won a Football Oscar for his debut season at Juventus.  Shortly after the 2006 World Cup, Juventus were relegated to Serie B, and Cannavaro soon followed then manager Fabio Capello to Real Madrid.  Cannavaro earned FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006 for his time at Juventus and Real Madrid, and was also a part of Real Madrid's squad that won La Liga in '06-'07 & '07-'08. Cannavaro returned to Juventus in the summer of 2009 and then went to Al-Ahli Dubai in the summer of 2010 on a free transfer after the World Cup. He only made 16 appearances for the club before his retirement.

Cannavaro's international career has also been impressive.  Participating in 4 World Cups, 2 Euro Cups, and serving as Italy's skipper from 2002 to 2010, Cannavaro has earned 127 caps.  He took over as captain after the 2002 World Cup and lead Italy to win the 2006 World Cup after defeating France in the final.  Lifting the trophy was special on that particular occasion because it was his 100th cap for his country.  He was one of two players to play every minute of every match for his country and did not earn a single card during the 690 minutes of the tournament.  Sustaining a ligament injury in training, he did not participate in the 2008 Euro Cup.  Plans for his retirement were put on hold after Euro 2008, due to his determination to captain his country for one more World Cup.  He announced his retirement from international competition after Italy failed to progress past the group stage in the 2010 World Cup.  


The announcement of Cannavaro's retirement from the game came yesterday, after doctors said he would no longer be able to play due to a serious knee problem.  Cannavaro's wonderful career has earned him a spot in football history and this week's salute.  You will be missed, Fabio.


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

Kissing the Badge: Megan Rapinoe of USWNT

Kissing The Badge is a recurring post where we take a look at some of the best goal celebrations from the previous week's matches. Today, we look at the post penalty kick celebration from USWNT's Megan Rapinoe.

---

By Jacen

The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup has not been 100% smooth sailing for the United States. A 2 - 1 loss to Sweden in the final group stage match meant the Yanks would be facing Brazil in the Quarter Finals. USA Brazil history aside, the match was a back and forth affair with several good plays, and several bad calls. The dramatic, late, late goal from Abby Wombach (which Rapinoe assisted) sent the game into penalty kicks, which the USA won 5 - 3.

Rapinoe was the 4th of the US ladies to take her spot kick, and she delivered it in fast and to the left, beating Brazilian keeper Andréia. She then celebrated by doing 3 celebrations in 1.  First she cupped her hands over her mouth and called out, before sucking her thumb (the well known celebration signifying the goal scored was for the players children) and racing back to her team mates, head bobbing and tongue hanging out of her mouth.

A quality goal and a quality celebration!

Kayla's Salute: Brian Perk of LA Galaxy

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.

---

By Kayla 

I could say that it's a coincidence that this is the second Salute and the second feature of a Galaxy player. But face it, that's my team. Suck it up  and accept the fact that despite the draws, some of these boys have been doing fantastic jobs.

This week's salute goes to Brian Perk, the third string goalkeeper for the LA Galaxy who through other's bad luck had some great fortune.

Due to injury leave for Donovan Ricketts and the red card suspension for Josh Saunders, Brian Perk had the chance to make his MLS debut yesterday in the LA Galaxy's match against Seattle Sounders FC which resulted in a 0-0 draw.

Despite a lackluster match which was supposed to be the main course for the 4th of July, Perk was the star of the night. Perk's first clean sheet was kicked off not only with his first save in the MLS but also with his first penalty save.

That makes Perk the second MLS player to record his first save as his first penalty save. Not bad for a 21 year who is still wet behind the ears.

Something tells me we will definitely see more of Perk, even if it is not as immediate as Josh Saunders returning from his red card suspension and Donovan Ricketts returning from his injury. Regardless, Brian Perk has his youth and his determination on his side. Keep an eye out for this one.

Postgame reaction from Brian Perk, Landon Donovan, and Kasey Keller right this way.

A History Lesson: Pak Doo-Ik

 A History Lesson features a particular part of Footy History that we feel is relevant and timeless. It can feature players, club victories, title wins, goals, heroic moments, etc.

----


By Jacen 

By the 19th of July, 1966, the '66 World Cup was in full swing. On this particular day, North Korea, the first Asian nation to reach the finals, faced Italy in the penultimate match of the group stages for Group 4. Italy were Two-Time Champions and tournament favorites, while North Korea was an enigmatic team considered to be the darkest of dark horses. Very little was known about this team or it's home nation, The Democratic 

Pak Doo-Ik taking on Lev Yashin and the USSR

People's Republic of Korea. However, from the very start, one thing was for sure: no one gave them a chance in hell. 1966 was arguably the height of the Cold War, and for England, the idea of playing host to a communist nation did not bode well for the seclusive Asian nation's chances. In fact, the British government very nearly refused the North Koreans visas, in order to send out a message to the rest of the world. Thankfully, for North Korea and for football history as a whole, that idea was eventually struck down. Yet once the tournament began, the Koreans, described by one English spectator as "a team of jockeys" due to their small statures, were lauded due to their determination, good nature and skill. But facts cannot be disputed. They lost their opening match to Lev Yashin and the Soviet Bully-Boys, and barely managed a last minute draw with Chile. While Italy's record was not that much better than Korea's (a win and a loss), it appeared that the diminutive crowd favorites were destined to be heading home in the group stage after a valiant, but ultimately insufficient campaign. Enter Pak Doo-Ik.

The 24 year old midfielder had only played in 1 qualifying match (against Australia) for North Korea before making his appearance at the World Cup Finals. Doo-Ik also played all 4 of Korea's matches during the finals, yet it was the victory against Italy that will always be best remembered. Italy started the match in



Pak Doo-Ik scoring the goal



strong fashion, but they were denied each of their 3 shots on goal by the stellar keeping of Korean goalkeeper Ri Chan Myong. One of Myong's 3 saves was even voted by FIFA as one of the 10 Best Saves in FIFA World Cup History. Doo-Ik's goal came late in the first half, in the 41st minute. After receiving a through header from a teammate, Doo-Ik slid his shot home past Italian goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi to give the North Koreans a 1 - 0 lead. Almost as great as Doo-Ik's goal, was his teammate Pak Seung-Zin's goal celebration, which involved Zin running at top speed into the Italian goal and kicking the ball, all before getting tangled in the twine. The unthinkable had happened. Italy were losing. The second half came and went and at the end, it was North Korea who held their lead, which propelled them into the knockout round where they would eventually lose to Portugal. But despite that loss, they were declared as national heroes, and every member of the sqaud recieved the award "Athelete of the People", which is the highest award given to atheles in North Korea.



Sadly, the warm reception would eventually turn cold. The squad were psychologically evaluated and "re-educated" in an attempt to determine how they lost to Portugal after being up by 3 goals. There were theories that the loss was due to ideological imperfections and culture shock, none of which seemed to prove conclusive to the Korean Authorities. Several squad members were expelled to the provinces and even sent to prison camps or to work in the mines. Even Pak Doo-Ik himself, who after his heroics in the World Cup was promoted from Corporal to Sargeant in the North Korean Army, was evaluated and eventually expelled to Daepyong-Workers District in Bocheon of Yangkang Province to work as a forest laborer for ten years. Before the time of the next World Cup 4 years later (which North Korea failed to qualify for), the heroic Chollima Soccer Team had all but faded from memory, it seemed, even in their native North Korea.


Yet history had more in store for the legendary squad. Kim Jong-il, who had first come to power in North Korea in the early 1990's, was fascinated with the "World Cup Heroes" and he personally called the surviving squad members back to the capital. There he made Pak Doo-Ik the head of the Yangkang athletic commission, and eventually Doo-Ik even became the coach for North Korea's national team. However, the position did not last long as Ik failed to produce sufficient results. There has been record of Pak Doo-Ik also being an gymnastics instructor in North Korea after leaving the military, though solid evidence has yet to be obtained. Outside of Kim Jong-il's North Korea, the rest of the world had also not forgotten the 1966 squad. British documentarian Daniel Gordon made a film based on the team's exploits called The Game Of Their 

Pak Doo-Ik 40 years later

Lives. The documentary was made in the early 2000's, by which time, only 7 members of the squad were still alive, including Pak Doo-Ik. The film would go on to win the 2003 Royal Television Society award for best sports documentary and take first prize at the Seville Film Festival, as well as recieving a nomination for Best Documentary at the British Independent Film Awards. Another, more personal honor was also bestowed upon Pak Doo-Ik. He was chosen as one of 56 North Koreans to carry the olympic torch for the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing as a testament to his monumental contribution to the sport of football in Korea. Ko Chul Ho, the Executive Secretary of the North Korean Olympic Committee, had this to say of Doo-Ik's inclusion:  “We selected as torchbearers those who contributed to the prosperity of the country among public officials, workers, farmers, or athletics or coaches who achieved fine records in major sports competitions home and abroad." Ik, who was 70 years old at the time, was the oldest of the carriers that took the Olympic Flame across Pyongyang on April 28, 2008.




Tuesday, the 19th of July, 2011, will mark the 45th anniversary of the legendary game, goal, and entrance of Pak Doo-Ik to football's world stage. And it could be safe to say, that 45 years from then, people will still be talking about all three!

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.