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As American soccer players continue to improve, the best American professional soccer players often play overseas in Europe and are known as “Yanks Abroad”. Each year new players are trying out for different European teams and some players are signed from USA's Major League Soccer. Most of the best American players are playing in Europe. Here is a list of the American player and their club team for the 2009-2010 season.

The 2009-2010 soccer season is especially important for the US Men's National Soccer Team, as they will be playing in the World Cup in South Africa, June 2010. The performance of the US team at the World Cup is directly related to how in form the players are from their club teams and the level of play they have competed in.

1. Clint Dempsey, Fullham, English Premiership

Dempsey has been a regular starter and one of the best players for Fullham over the past couple of years. During the 2007-2008 season, Dempsey played in almost 40 games for Fullham and scored 8 goals with 2 assists as a midfielder and forward. Dempsey has been a regular starter and outstanding performer in the USA National team as well. His performance, including 3 goals, helped the US reach the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup where they lost to Brazil 3-2.

2. Oguchi Onyewu, A.C. Milan, Italian Serie A

Onyewu has played in the top league in Belgium over the past several years at Standard Liege. He helped them win a league title and compete in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup during the 2008-2009 season. His performance for Standard Liege and for the US National team earned him a contract at one of the biggest soccer clubs in the world, A.C. Milan. He will try to earn a starting spot with A.C. Milan during the 2009-2010 season and will again compete in the UEFA Champions League.

3. Tim Howard, Everton, English Premiership

Howard has been the first-choice goalkeeper for Everton since the summer of 2006. After arriving to Everton from Manchester United on transfer, Everton bought him outright to a 5-year deal after his outstanding performances. He led Everton to the final of the FA Cup in the spring of 2009 and competed in the UEFA Cup. Howard has been a world-class player for both Everton and the US National Team over the past several years and is looking forward to a great 2009-2010 season.

4. Michael Bradley, Borussia Monchengladbach, German Bundesliga

Bradley played for Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga last year and was a consistent starter for the team. Before coming to Germany, he had several successful seasons at the top pro league in Holland. A regular starter in the central midfield for the US team, Bradley will hope to help Monchengladbach to a Bundesliga top 5 finish.

5. Carlos Bocanegra, Rennes, France, Ligue 1

Bocanegra helped Rennes reach a top 5 finish in league play last year to earn a place in European play. The regular starter at left defense for Rennes, Bocanegra will hope to continue to improve his defensive skills as the likely captain for the US soccer team at the World Cup.

6. Jonathan Spector, West Ham United, English Premiership

Spector has been a consistent player for West Ham United since 2006. He has played in both league games and the UEFA Cup. A great performance for the US National Team at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 likely has earned Spector a starting spot on the team.

7. Josimer Altidore, Villareal, Spanish Primera Liga

Altidore had an up and down year with Villareal last year as he battled several injuries. While only turning 20 years old during the 2009-2010 season, Altidore hopes to earn a regular starting spot for the excellent Villareal side. He may well also start for the USA in the World Cup.

8. Charlie Davies, Sochaux, France, Ligue 1

After a high goal scoring year in Sweden and for the US National Team, Davies earned a contract with Sochaux during the summer 2009 transfer window. If he continues to play well and start with his club team, he is a likely starter at forward for the US during the World Cup.

9. Maurice Edu, Rangers, Scotland, Premier League

After only getting sporadic playing time, Edu began to start for Rangers in February 2009 and was a big reason that they won the Scottish Premier League title and League Cup. Edu hopes to return to form this year at Rangers and potentially earn a starting spot with the US team at midfield or defense.

10. Jay DeMerit, Watford, English Championship (Division 2)

DeMerit is a central defender and captain for Watford of the English Football League Championship. He will start for Watford and hopes to lead them to promotion to the English Premiership level and FA Cup advancement. DeMerit's outstanding play during the FIFA Confederations Cup may have earned him a starting spot with the US team at the World Cup.

Sources:

www.fifa.com

www.ussoccer.com

from: Mileys Weblog
Maggis Site

In a little more than three weeks, 32 teams will converge on South Africa with one goal in mind, winning the World Cup.  Now, seriously, only about a half dozen countries have a chance to grab the trophy, but the hope is out there for teams to pull the upset…surprise the World.

The USA squad has been hit by some serious injuries leading up to the World Cup, most devastating, the injuries Charlie Davies suffered in an automobile accident, where a young lady was killed. Davies, a Boston College product, worked tirelessly to get ready for the Men's National Team training camp, but he did not make Coach Bob Bradley's roster as practices begin shortly.

Landon Donovan, who had the chance to play at the highest level of the game, in England this year, is looking forward to making amends for a terrible World Cup in 2006. 

The US play their first game Saturday, June 12, versus England.  US soccer fans began making their plans for viewing parties for this one when the World Cup draw was held months ago.

The first two weeks of the event, there are games every day.  Two on opening day, including Mexico taking on the host country, South Africa in the opener.  Then three each day until the final games of the first round when there are four.

The start times will be early, (6, 8:30 and 1:00), but establishments will be filled with fans wanting to catch the greatest month long spectacle in sports.

Give it a look-see.  Stop in a pub, grab a Guinness, and catch a match with some of the die- hards.  You won't get beaten up.  Their are not many soccer hooligans in the Midwest. 

I bet you'll enjoy yourself!  You can thank me later!

The soccer Fever is coming world cup 2010. Huge Event with lots of celebrations and will give us a new world champion. It will take place in picturesque country of South Africa and the first game for the Soccer World Cup in South Africa will be played on 11 June 2010. The games will be played at Cape Town, Rustenburg, Johannesburg, Durban, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane and Nelspruit.

World cup the biggest event of soccer. World cup the only biggest event of soccer which gathers country teams. Beside world cup soccer is played all over the world in club form. Club players are selected from all over the world in the basis of their performance. Despite the region, age groups and gender, this game has its fans everywhere. People not only love to play soccer, but also watching the soccer match has become one of the major excitements among the soccer lovers. This craze of soccer can be seen everywhere, whether it’s in schools, colleges, in a local soccer club or national and international tournaments. Taking advantage of this growing soccer lovers’ community, different companies have started offering various soccer attractions to them. This includes a variety of soccer equipments like soccer balls, colorfully and sophisticatedly designed, soccer uniform consisting of soccer shirts, soccer shorts, soccer jerseys, socks, caps and different bed sheets and curtains with soccer related prints and the list goes on and on. These days club’s game is prepared like a war in the battle field. Some times there comes out a real fight in between fans of 2 clubs. Soccer uniform has become an inseparable part of this magnificent game. Initially soccer uniforms were worn only by soccer players. But with the passage of time as the admirers of soccer increased, the companies started designing uniforms for soccer fans as well. Now it has become a full time business. Many colorful, bright and trendy soccer shirts, soccer jerseys , shorts are designed for the fans who happily wear these uniforms to support their teams and proclaim their loyalty and admiration. Also the soccer players in the field get encouraged when they see their cheering supporters, shouting for them in their colorful uniforms. The soccer uniforms for fans are manufactured in different colors, with various designs, logos, and numbers or soccer players’ pictures imprinted on them. The companies also offer customization facilities to their customers by which the soccer lovers can get their uniforms personalized according to their choice.

Selectio of player on the club is very important part. It involves the sponsors of the team. So that they can offer more money to the player to attract him in the team. The first step in creating a soccer club is deciding the level of skill or competence you want your club to achieve. With this you will be able to determine the members you wish to get. Soccer club team formation is based on following:

· The ability of your players.

· Your players speed and endurance.

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The Washington Freedom finished in third place in the seven-team Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league in 2009. Along the way, they thrilled their fans by scoring more goals than any other team in WPS—with Abby Wambach trailing only Brazilian-sensation Marta for the league's scoring lead. However, the Washington Freedom faltered defensively by also giving up more goals than any other WPS team. As the Washington Freedom gear up for their second WPS season in 2010, they maintain a solid core of stars supplemented by several key additions. As a Washington Freedom season ticket holder who previously shared highlights of the 2009 season, I am excited for the Washington Freedom to kick off the second WPS season on April 10, 2010.

Key Washington Freedom Holdovers from 2009:

More than perhaps any other WPS team, the Washington Freedom will keep a consistent core in 2010 from their first season's stars. U.S. national team stars forward Abby Wambach and defender Cat Whitehill, French sensation midfielder Sonia Bompastor, Japanese veteran midfielder Homare Sawa, and Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod are all returning to the Washington Freedom in 2010. While this consistency can help bolster team chemistry, several of these stars finished the 2009 season stronger than they began it, raising hopes for a stronger 2010 performance. For example, Abby Wambach started the 2009 season recovering from a severely broken leg and did not show her goal-scoring capacity fully until the last two months of the season; Homare Sawa played in a defensive midfielder position rather than her more natural playmaking midfield role; and Erin McLeod joined the team after about one-third of the season was completed due to delays in obtaining a work visa as she also recovered from injury. It may be hard for Sonia Bompastor to match her MVP season in 2009, but her speed, aggressiveness, and creative play will again bolster the Washington Freedom's attack. Further, other key starters gained important international experience as defender Becky Sauerbrunn played in Norway with new Washington Freedom signee Lene Mykjåland; midfielders Rebecca Moros and JoAnne Lohman trained in Japan with Homare Sawa; and defender Alex Singer played in Australia with Freedom forward Lisa de Vanna.

Key Washington Freedom Losses from 2009:

While most of the Washington Freedom's core players return in 2010, there were several losses. Midfielder Lori Lindsey, who was a veteran not only of the 2009 WPS Washington Freedom but earlier Freedom teams in the W-League, was one of the top picks by the new Philadelphia Independence in the WPS expansion draft. The expansion draft also saw rookie defender Sarah Senty go to Philadelphia. Freedom fans were also disappointed to hear that midfielder Ali Krieger renewed her contract with Frankfurt in the German women's soccer league. While Krieger may still be an option to play late in the season on loan to the Washington Freedom, she is unlikely to become a full-time player for the Freedom with her new German contract. Finally, other favorite Washington Freedom players will be missed, including veteran Emily Janss, who retired, and goalkeeper K.J. Spisak, who was released and hopefully can rejoin the Washington Freedom or another WPS team as a free agent.

Key Washington Freedom Gains from 2009:

The Washington Freedom will bolster their 2010 lineup with several key additions. The Washington Freedom signed Norwegian Lene Mykjåland, a 23-year-old forward who will add depth to the Freedom attack alongside Abby Wambach and perhaps afford Lisa de Vanna the opportunity to be a super substitute. This super substitute role, bringing additional speed and intensity late in games, is her typical role for the Australian national team. The Washington Freedom's top pick in the 2010 college draft was Nikki Marshall from the University of Colorado, a versatile player with experience both as a forward and defender. Marshall will hopefully solidify the Washington Freedom's defensive line while providing speed to also contribute to attacking plays. Finally, with the unfortunate news that the Los Angeles Sol would not return for a second WPS season in 2010, the Washington Freedom picked defender Brittany Bock from the Sol dispersal draft.

2010 will see the Washington Freedom again fielding a team that should compete for the WPS playoffs by finishing in the top half of the eight teams that WPS will field in 2010. While 2009 league leaders Los Angeles Sol have folded and dispersed their players across the league, two new teams, the Philadelphia Independence and Atlanta Beat, will join the WPS. The Washington Freedom have a solid core of returning players from their successful first season in 2009, and the additional experience of many key players along with a few important additions will hopefully serve them well in 2010.

Sources:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2093295/highlights_of_washington_freedoms_first.html?cat=14

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/dc

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/

from: Rheannas Blog

The Super Eagles will be sent off to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in grand style tomorrow night in Abuja with President Goodluck Jonathan expected to deliver an address to the football Ambassadors.

Nigeria's political and corporate leaders as well as football administrators and fans will gather at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja to bid farewell to the team and to reassure the players and officials of the nation's unwavering support, as it departs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The Eagles, back in the FIFA World Cup after missing the finals in Germany four years ago, head to London the following morning for a 10 -day pre-World Cup camp and are expected to play two games in Europe against Saudi Arabia and Colombia.

The high profile dinner event tagged 'Super Eagles Celebration Night', which is expected to be graced by His Excellency President Goodluck Jonathan, is aimed at inspiring and motivating the two-time African champions, one of the world's most favourite national football teams, and will be attended by the full contingent of the teams' 2010 FIFA World Cup squad.

NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi said the big night is an occasion for the nation's leaders to appreciate the team and also gear the players and officials up for the 19th FIFA World Cup finals, which is for the first time ever being staged on African soil.

“As official sponsors of the Super Eagles, Coca-Cola is proud to host this event as a platform for the entire nation to appreciate these heroes and to pledge the confidence and support of over 140 million compatriots, as the team gears up for the great battle ahead”, said Austin Ufomba, Coca-Cola Nigeria's Marketing Director.

“We at Coca-Cola are optimistic that the Super Eagles, imbued with the 'Naija' spirit, will be the team to beat in South Africa”, he added.

Highpoints of the night will include address by President Goodluck Jonathan, live performance of the Super Eagles' 2010 World Cup song, video/audio documentary on the Eagles' march to the World Cup finals and live performance of the Nigerian remix of the Waving' Flag, Coca-Cola's 2010 FIFA World Cup theme song originally done by Somali-born K'NAAN. The remix rendered by the duo of Nigeria's leading hip-hop stars, Banky W and MI, is dedicated to the Super Eagles and is a celebration of the 'Naija Spirit' – that unfazed sense of optimism, confidence and perseverance that drives the average Nigerian to thrive in spite of adversity.

The Super Eagles' send forth dinner marks another milestone in the growing scope and strength of Coca-Cola's partnership with the NFF for the promotion and development of football in Nigeria. Other areas of recent collaboration between the two organizations include the launch in 2009 of the Copa Coca-Cola U-17 grassroots football programme and Coca-Cola's N550million five-year contract with the NFF for sponsorship of Nigeria's men's national football teams.

It would be recalled that Coca-Cola kicked off its 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in October 2009, with the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour which gave thousands of Nigerians in Lagos and Abuja the rare opportunity to see the world's most coveted football icon live. It also became a platform for the Late President Umar Musa Yar'Adua to make history as the first Nigerian ever to touch and lift the World Cup trophy.

Daily Trust

Related stories: Super Eagles squad list for the 2010 World Cup

Interview with Super Eagles new coach Lars Lagerback

The World Cup comes to Nigeria 

Video overview of Group B in the 2010 World Cup

We preview the 2010 FIFA World Cup, set for June 11-July 11 in South Africa.

ITALY
Appearance: 17th overall, 14th consecutive
Last time there: 2006 (champions)
Best performance: Four-time champion (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)

No introductions needed here. Italy is one of the elite sides in all of international soccer.

It should come as absolutely no surprise that they're a contender again this year.

The 2006 champions aren't back intact, but enough key players return, with help from oodles of depth available.

Look in the back. Goalie Gianluigi Buffon might be the best player in the world at his position. The Juventus star looks to be in fine form for this summer. He's helped by Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluca Zambrotta on defense, and Fabio Cannavaro, at nearly 37 years old, can still play at a high level.

The midfield in Italy's 4-3-3 formation features more of the world's top players. Daniele de Rossi and Andrea Pirlo are capable, experienced players who make up for maybe not being as lightning-fast as some of their counterparts with a wealth of experience and the ability to see things other players can't see.

Up front, there is more experience, as 30-somethings Antonio di Natale and Vincenzo Iaquinta lead the attack.

It's a very favorable draw for the defending champions, as New Zealand and Slovakia should provide little resistance, and Paraguay isn't as talented or deep.

Schedule
June 14 vs. Paraguay (Cape Town)
June 20 vs. New Zealand (Nelspruit)
June 24 vs. Slovakia (Johannesburg — Ellis Park)

WORLD CUP 2010 REPLICA JERSEYS
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Model Year : 2010
Made In : Imported
Country and League : 2010 FIFA World Cup
Material : Polyester
Replica Or Authentic : SUPER Grade Replica
Type of Brand Logo : Embroidered
Type of Sponsor Logo : None
Type of Team Badge : Embroidered
Size : M (Armpit to armpit : 21"/57cm, Top neck to bottom : 29"/74cm)
Size : XL (Armpit to armpit : 22.5"/79cm, Top neck to bottom : 31"/79cm)

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Rolling Thunder is the wheelchair power soccer team that I play for. The name itself describes the fun, wild adventure, and mayhem which will ensue. This game allows many people having an assortment of disabilities, to become competitive again for at least a couple of hours. The requirements are simple enough; fall under the age category of 5 – 105 years, drive a power chair, are disabled and yet still posses a spirit for competition. When you come to a game you will find out quickly why they call us: “the fastest things on four wheels since a grocery cart at a shopping spree!”

Last summer I found out about this zany soccer team when I needed some routine maintenance done on my power-chair. My loyal friend Patrick (from the local medical equipment branch) had come by to get it done for me and had brought with him an article from the next-county-over's newspaper. This paper had in it a celebrated and inspirational story which was highlighted by the rising sport of power-soccer. After talking with Patrick and reading this article, I was ready to explore these untested and dry waters.

1] This story shared a wealth of information with me and here are a few of them:

Ø Male and female players are often on the same team as well as opposing sides.

Ø The game is usually played in a gymnasium or on a regulation basketball court.

Ø Two teams of four power chair users attack, defend, and maneuver an oversized soccer ball in an attempt to score points on a goal.

Ø Power Soccer is a true dynamic development. It is the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for power wheelchair users.

Ø This action packed team sport combines the skill of the wheelchair user with the speed and power of the wheelchair itself.

Ø Participants include persons with: quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, head trauma, stroke and other disabilities.

Ø Whoever has found the will to win, and has the competitive spirit of an athlete is in no way limited or diminished because of confinement to a wheelchair.

Ø Practices are held twice a month all year, with an organized game happening once per month.

Ø Competitive games are from September through May and national tournaments are held 1-2 times per year.

So I got a schedule and rolled on down there. The moment that the pit crew had bolted on the guard to my leg-rests, I knew that I was in for a treat. The teams were divided into two groups and away we went— smash, bang, ram, and we hadn't even scored a goal yet! This rush of action gave me a feeling of excitement, importance, unbridled freedom, and of course, a power— which I hadn't felt since before my car accident. After shaking out some much needed apprehension, the two coaches huddled us all together and went over a few guidelines and rules.

In a memorable game for me a few weeks ago, I assisted on two goals to a fellow teammate and had my first 'hat-trick,' in which I scored three goals. The cheerleaders it appeared, had shown this jubilant side of themselves before, 'cause they were doing all sorts of screaming and dancing and bringing the crowd to their feet. Our team ended up winning that game but our celebratory attitudes were short-lived. The reason being: it truly doesn't matter who wins or loses; the fact that we are all out there getting involved in something is reward enough!

It is my feeling that disability is a state of mind; a person's spirit needs to be awakened, enriched, and exercised in order to feel separation from that which binds us. I would love to see some of my fellow wheelers just get out there and find something which puts them into a euphoric feeling again. After all, life is not a dress rehearsal waiting for the big show— rather, a gift not to be wasted on the sidelines watching others.

Ref:

1] www.powersoccer.net

from: Ericas Weblog
Techblog
Andr?S Site

Overview of the exact dates of every game, in every group and every city during the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa

The group stage match fixtures of the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup will take place from Friday 11 June to Friday 25 June in various host cities in Mzansi, as South Africa is called by us South Africans!

Here is the exact playing schedule for the 2010 World Cup games. Each stage of the World Cup shows the exact dates, and more information on each specific match fixture, host city and match date is provided.

For the FIFA 2010 match dates and locations of each group, see the specific groups for playing dates:

soccer_football: The man French soccer fans love to hate, Raymond Domenech, has a point to make at the World Cup after which he will bow out and lead a…

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When economists, activists, writers and fans turn up the heat in World Cup Fever, it feels like a Sweatshop. Though the debate sees the constant flipping of the two-sided coin of Globalization. As Franklin Foer said in a recent interview with Fareed Zakaria, “the World Cup is a paradox because it’s at once a great spectacle of globalization fueled by multi-national corporations giving the world this common language of soccer, but at the same time it’s a festival of nationalism, so people thought that globalization was going to smush nationalism and the World Cup proves that it can actually facilitate nationalism.”1

This comes reinforced by economic numbers, as Newsweek showed that, “Previous World Cup winner nations get up to a 4% GDP boost; the loser’s GDP drops about .3%.” We see the economic importance of the World Cup and Soccer through Foer, but what of Globalization’s other impact on human rights, trade and labor? The Clean Clothes Campaign, along with Oxfam, recently released reports on the plight of women workers in Thailand producing soccer balls. Particularly the adidas Teamgeist (team spirit) football, used during this year’s World Cup.

At this paradoxical interweaving of Soccer’s position in Globalization is what two scholars claim, “evokes a transcivilizational issue.” Reebok Chairman Paul Fireman made the decision to stop purchasing soccer balls from Pakistan if they continued to use child labor, revealing a progressive idealism in business. Fireman said, “We’d like to see everyone join with us, and although this will sound bizarre in the world of business, we’d rather see the world operate at a better level.”2

This executive idealism is in unison with some of Soccer Culture’s more altruistic moments. When child activist Iqbal Masih escaped slavery in Pakistan as a carpet weaver, he was murdered in the limelight of his crusade making him a martyr of the movement. This inspired another child activist, Craig Kielburger, of Canada to carry the torch of this crusade against child labor, eventually founding the Free The Children Foundation. Reebok had its role in this, granting Masih with the Reebok Human Rights Youth Action Award. Putting Fireman’s ideal in the public spotlight, which could easily lead World Cup and soccer fans to associate the Reebok brand as a responsible globally influential company. As much as this is possible, a multinational like Reebok can’t shake the corporate image so tainted by industry wide use of sweatshops.

The paradox grows ever more when considering Nike’s dominate role with Brazil’s iconic footballer, Ronaldo. As United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, Ronaldo is lionized by his efforts in Brazil and Kosovo to lift children out of poverty and into education. Nike can only hope to gain a respectable bit of pride-by-association through their sponsor deals. For instance Nike is a major sponsor of the Homeless World Cup, which lifts football talent out of poverty and onto the field. Though when players and coaches react to accusations made against companies like Nike, it can affect major sponsorship deals of not just pro, but college level teams. United Students Against Sweatshops have organized pressure across the country to cut sponsorship deals. This even drove St. John's University's soccer coach, Jim Keady, out of the job for refusing a $3.5 million Nike sponsorship for the school. Drove him out the job, but into a life-changing journey to Indonesia to live with Nike factory workers, the inspiration for his documentary Sweat. At a grassroots level, as Andrew Ross has noted, Nike has had its troubles with soccer fans too. In his book Low Pay, High Profile, Ross points out England’s Manchester United football club, whose fan based Stockholders “expressed their outrage to management at making a deal with the leading paymaster of global sweatshops”, that being Nike.3 Also noted by Donnelly and Petherick in their essay Worker’s Playtime?, “Although children are involved in the manufacture of sports and equipment other than soccer balls, and in other parts of the world…the focus has remained largely on the manufacture of soccer balls in South Asia. The authors go on to reveal that companies like Adidas-Salomon, Nike, Puma and Reebok continually violated their signed agreements prior to the 2002 World Cup to not use Child Labor.4

So do Child Laborers get playtime breaks, such as the 7,000 Pakistani children who got 6 cents an hour to make Nike soccer balls? One might ask Nike CEO Phil Knight what he meant when he said, “access to play should be a kid’s inalienable right.” 5 As much as companies have attempted to appease critics and weed out child labor from the soccer supply chain, the recent reports of the Clean Clothes Campaign expose that the problem also extends into other labor violations. Now that Adidas-Salomon owns Reebok its necessary to ask which faction of their efforts will take precedence: continued wage oppression or taking a global position in social responsibility. Its obvious of course how the corporations would respond to this, but the reality on the ground floor of factories is where action is louder than publicity. Both companies have codes of conduct and Adidas has a Standards of Engagement initiative with contracted factories throughout Southeast Asia. Unlike the boosts or drops caused by the World Cup in nationalistic economies, for multinational sport brands the championship kicks profits in one direction, up.

from: Gislynes Weblog
Remis Blog
Paityns Blog

With the EPL title decided–Chelsea–and La Liga set to go down this weekend–either Real Madrid or Barca–many of the World Cup squads have players in flux on league rosters and not soon after their seasons end they will need to be in camp with their World Cup squads getting ready for the monthlong tournament in South Africa.

How do these league races effect the World Cup?  Well, every guy who’s playing the World Cup and is already “out of it” will have plenty of time to rest and recuperate–plus they will have time to mentally rest and recuperate.

It’s the mental aspect that helps the most as there are guys who are just bodies with no brains and they are simply tired of thinking.  Look at someone like Kobe Bryant.  He wins a Gold Medal in Beijing, then he wins the NBA title, but he had some down time between the two and he actually lost the NBA title before the Olympics in 2008.

I don’t know how he managed at the Olympics, but he is the exception to the rule because most people just wouldn’t be able to mentally handle the strain of losing, winning, doing the whole season, and winning a title.

The same is true here.  Even the best players need a break and teams like Portugal and Argentina–who count on guys like Messi and Ronaldo–will have some early hiccups with their stars playing so late into their own club seasons.

I don’t expect these hiccups to be big, but they will be there.  A few scares here and there before they pull themselves together, but if one of those hiccups lasts too long them someone is going to have a really bad summer.

I don’t wish it on anyone, I’m just saying.  Club play is hard and doing it right before the World Cup is harder still.

photo credit: CLF

Soccer WAGs pose in Umbro’s World Championship Collection

May 5, 2010 – 9:00 am by King Ing

Umbro has designed these shirts to celebrate the 7 countries that have taken home the World Cup. And in an even better idea they have chosen some of the hottest soccer wives and girlfriends to model them.

Thankfully they got Peter Crouch’s fiancee Abigail Clancy to represent England. The only thing that would have made it better would have been some body paint.

While Alice Bregol, girlfriend of Alberto Gilardino represent Italy and Uruguay has Diego Forlan’s wife Zaira Nara

Marcell Jansen’s wife Julia Godicke dons the German colors, and Susana Werner, the wife of Julio Cesar wears the bright yellow of Brazil.

Gael Clichy’s wife Charlene Suric shows off the France design, while Luli Fernandez, the girlfriend of Pablo Mouche wears the Argentina uni.

For a little behind the scenes action of the photo shoot Umbro gives us this video. The accents are just killer.

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Dividend based portfolios offer a secure base for one's investment strategy. A secure dividend helps cushion stock prices during market downturns and companies that regularly raise dividends have a growth base for boosting stock price in better environments. Here are some stocks you might consider for using as a cornerstone of your investment strategy. They are in multiple sectors so an entire stock investment structure could be constructed using only these or similar companies.

Factual information is from CNBC.com and obtained during market hours on 01/07/2010.

Altria Symbol: MO Price: $20.04 Dividend Yield: $6.80
The original sin stock selling tobacco and tobacco products. A true cash cow the dividend yield has been well above the stock market average since the invention of dirt. If one has no moral objection to selling tobacco MO is a good core dividend holding

Automatic Data Processing Symbol: ADP Price: $43.21 Dividend Yield: $3.21
A nice dividend is one reward for holding this stock that provides payroll services to a variety of businesses. A good economy will also set things up for increasing the dividend. More jobs, more hirers, more money for ADP. Also an improving economy will mean higher interest rates. ADP makes money on the “float.” They collect money from business to meet payroll taxes, hold it until it's due, them pay the government. During the hold period they collect interest on other people's money. All kinds of ways to win with this nice yielding stock.

Coca Cola Symbol KO Price: $56.06 Dividend Yield: 2.93%
Coca Cola has been raising it's dividend annually for year. There's still growth opportunities ahead overseas. It's stodgy, but a secure payer likely to continue increasing it's payout in the years ahead.

AT&T Symbol: T Price: $27.37 Dividend Yield: 6.14%
Another cash cow. All the front line telecom stocks such as AT&T and Verizon should do well as the 4G phones come to market.

Waste Management: Symbol: WM Price: 33.97 Dividend Yield: $3.42
The largest waste removal operation in the country. The yield is healthy and an economy that's ramping up should have more need of their services. There'll always be trash making this look like a stock one can hold over a long period.

General Mills: Symbol: $71.23 Price: $71.23 Dividend Yield: 2.76%
The dividend yield is a bit lower than most, but like Coca Cola it has consistently raised it's dividend annually. A staple stock one can plan to hold for an extended period.

Pfizer Symbol: PFE Price: $18.64 Dividend Yield: 3.88%
With recent partnerships and acquisitions to keep it's drug pipeline healthy Pfizer's dividend should be secure for years to come. Drug companies have traditionally been used as safer income plays, especially in bad times, and Pfizer should be a decent holding for the foreseeable future.

British Petroleum Symbol: BP Price: $59.82 Dividend Yield: 5.62%
The nice yield here suggests the stock price may be a little low. Oil companies are known cash cows and. all green talk aside, they aren't going to disappear anytime soon. Consider BP if you want an energy based dividend play.

Emerson Electric: Symbol: EMR Dividend Yield: $43.78 Yield: 3.07%
A premier electrical parts supplier, a rising economy should keep earning rolling and the dividend secure.
Another of those companies to hold for an extended period.

Proctor & Gamble Symbol: P&G Price: $60.40 Dividend Yield: 2.92%
A leading maker of consumer goods, PG has been raising it's dividend annual for years. Increasing demand for American goods in foreign markets combined with a weak dollar suggest continued improvement and further dividend gains ahead.

Full Disclosure: I am not employed in any fashion by any firm in the securities industry nor do I have a business relationship of any type with the companies mentioned. As of this writing I have no holdings in any of the companies discussed.. This is not an offer to buy or sell any security, nor is it a recommendation. These are simply my thoughts on these securities. Please consult your own investment advisor and research any security thoroughly before making any investment.

from: Memphiss Weblog
Aines Blog

I am blogging at you from Southern California.  My wife and I just arrived today after an early wake up call (4:45am) to catch a 7:30am flight out of New Orleans.  It’s been a long day of traveling but we are super excited for this year’s Beach Soccer Championships in Oceanside, California.  Last year’s tournament was great and this one I am sure will be even better.

The Beach Soccer tournament is May 15th and 16th and we are a sponsor/special guest of the tournament so will be marketing the Online Soccer Academy and College Recruiting Websites we build.  Check out BeachSoccerUSA.org for more information.  We came up early because we have a few other things going out in Cali this week.  I will be interviewing Edson Buddle and Sacha Kljestan at the Home Depot Center, filming an Online Soccer Academy “Beach Soccer” training video with one of the US Men’s National Team Beach Soccer players and we will also be hanging out with a lot of the Oceanside Breakers players and coaches, which is the local soccer club here in Oceanside we sponsor.

The video above is a goofy video of me introducing myself as a Cajun Beach soccer player to the Californians.  I made one last year too you can watch by clicking here.  What do you think my accent?  Think I have a shot at making the US Men’s National Team Beach Soccer team (LOL!)?

Great to be in Cali!  Al da Gator and I look forward to seeing everyone at the beach soon!

JM

Tags: Beach Soccer, Cajun, California, Oceanside, US Men's National Beach Soccer Team

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Beauty and soccer go hand in hand in Brazil. Last month we gave you a taste of the soccer babes who were the Gata do Paulistão 2010 finalists followed by a look at the contest finals. Now it’s time for the ladies of the soccer clubs of Rio de Janeiro to partake in the Musas Torcedoras do Carioca 2010 competition.

The contest is now its final phase with four contestants battling it out for the  title of Musa Torcedora do Carioca 2010. Here’s a look at the finalists.

Check out our Babes section for more soccer-related eye candy.

Renata Silveira – Fluminense

Mylene Silva – Botafogo

Ana Thaís – Flamengo

Amanda Oliveira – Vasco da Gama

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The Washington Freedom finished in third place in the seven-team Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league in 2009. Along the way, they thrilled their fans by scoring more goals than any other team in WPS—with Abby Wambach trailing only Brazilian-sensation Marta for the league's scoring lead. However, the Washington Freedom faltered defensively by also giving up more goals than any other WPS team. As the Washington Freedom gear up for their second WPS season in 2010, they maintain a solid core of stars supplemented by several key additions. As a Washington Freedom season ticket holder who previously shared highlights of the 2009 season, I am excited for the Washington Freedom to kick off the second WPS season on April 10, 2010.

Key Washington Freedom Holdovers from 2009:

More than perhaps any other WPS team, the Washington Freedom will keep a consistent core in 2010 from their first season's stars. U.S. national team stars forward Abby Wambach and defender Cat Whitehill, French sensation midfielder Sonia Bompastor, Japanese veteran midfielder Homare Sawa, and Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod are all returning to the Washington Freedom in 2010. While this consistency can help bolster team chemistry, several of these stars finished the 2009 season stronger than they began it, raising hopes for a stronger 2010 performance. For example, Abby Wambach started the 2009 season recovering from a severely broken leg and did not show her goal-scoring capacity fully until the last two months of the season; Homare Sawa played in a defensive midfielder position rather than her more natural playmaking midfield role; and Erin McLeod joined the team after about one-third of the season was completed due to delays in obtaining a work visa as she also recovered from injury. It may be hard for Sonia Bompastor to match her MVP season in 2009, but her speed, aggressiveness, and creative play will again bolster the Washington Freedom's attack. Further, other key starters gained important international experience as defender Becky Sauerbrunn played in Norway with new Washington Freedom signee Lene Mykjåland; midfielders Rebecca Moros and JoAnne Lohman trained in Japan with Homare Sawa; and defender Alex Singer played in Australia with Freedom forward Lisa de Vanna.

Key Washington Freedom Losses from 2009:

While most of the Washington Freedom's core players return in 2010, there were several losses. Midfielder Lori Lindsey, who was a veteran not only of the 2009 WPS Washington Freedom but earlier Freedom teams in the W-League, was one of the top picks by the new Philadelphia Independence in the WPS expansion draft. The expansion draft also saw rookie defender Sarah Senty go to Philadelphia. Freedom fans were also disappointed to hear that midfielder Ali Krieger renewed her contract with Frankfurt in the German women's soccer league. While Krieger may still be an option to play late in the season on loan to the Washington Freedom, she is unlikely to become a full-time player for the Freedom with her new German contract. Finally, other favorite Washington Freedom players will be missed, including veteran Emily Janss, who retired, and goalkeeper K.J. Spisak, who was released and hopefully can rejoin the Washington Freedom or another WPS team as a free agent.

Key Washington Freedom Gains from 2009:

The Washington Freedom will bolster their 2010 lineup with several key additions. The Washington Freedom signed Norwegian Lene Mykjåland, a 23-year-old forward who will add depth to the Freedom attack alongside Abby Wambach and perhaps afford Lisa de Vanna the opportunity to be a super substitute. This super substitute role, bringing additional speed and intensity late in games, is her typical role for the Australian national team. The Washington Freedom's top pick in the 2010 college draft was Nikki Marshall from the University of Colorado, a versatile player with experience both as a forward and defender. Marshall will hopefully solidify the Washington Freedom's defensive line while providing speed to also contribute to attacking plays. Finally, with the unfortunate news that the Los Angeles Sol would not return for a second WPS season in 2010, the Washington Freedom picked defender Brittany Bock from the Sol dispersal draft.

2010 will see the Washington Freedom again fielding a team that should compete for the WPS playoffs by finishing in the top half of the eight teams that WPS will field in 2010. While 2009 league leaders Los Angeles Sol have folded and dispersed their players across the league, two new teams, the Philadelphia Independence and Atlanta Beat, will join the WPS. The Washington Freedom have a solid core of returning players from their successful first season in 2009, and the additional experience of many key players along with a few important additions will hopefully serve them well in 2010.

Sources:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2093295/highlights_of_washington_freedoms_first.html?cat=14

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/dc

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/

from: Abbies Site
Jadayas Weblog
Stevies Blog

c/o toxic2007 art The EPL, the Liga, and European soccer generally are guilty of fraud.

The World's Sport–Shame on Spain; or, Why the European Soccer System is Broken

At the end of this season of the Liga BBVA, one thing will be clear: Spanish soccer is guilty of fraud. We fans were promised a “league of stars,” called “the best league in the world” by most Spanish news sites–especially now, during Florentino Perez’s neo-galáctico era. We were promised a competitive, interesting display of wonderful soccer; we were promised a variety of interesting sub-plots, from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Madrid debut, to Valencia’s economic situation, to Messi’s comparisons to Maradona. Who promised us these things? The teams themselves, the system that creates matches; it is the LFP, the Liga BBVA’s purpose to create drama and entertainment, competition and beauty. It has failed.

What we have instead is a boring, broken system: on one hand we have a team that set the league record for points, and on the other a team that set the league record for wins (Barça and Madrid, respectively). We have a league devoid of competition, of drama–my great soccer idol, my hero, and my favorite player of all time, Zinedine Zidane said, “in my book, both teams are champions.” Yeah, they are. And we all lost because of it. We have suffered through a yearlong competition that has epitomized why the Spanish league is not the best in the world: to semi-quote Jeff Foxworthy (who has absolutely NO place near soccer), “If your entire yearlong league boils down to two matches, you MUST be boring.” It has become an inevitability that Real Madrid and Barcelona will win their matches; the only “drama” this terrible year has brought are the games between the two.

[ADDENDUM: This column was written before the last match of the year, but frankly at this point, even though I’m an extremely avid Real Madrid fan, I don’t care who wins. This year has been terribly boring on every front, including ours.]

I wrote a column back in November about why the Spanish league was better, more interesting, than the EPL–I argued that because of the large amount of variation in the top four teams in Spain, it necessarily means that the Spanish league is more competitive. This is wrong on several accounts: firstly, it semi-arbitrarily defines the league’s “competition” as the number of separate teams that have placed in the top four. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it focuses on the EPL’s “Top 4,” as opposed to Spain’s “Top 2,” asserting confidently that the EPL needs teams to come in and break the cycle of the Top 4 teams. When was the last time a team not named Barça or Madrid won the Spanish League? 2004.

But this isn’t a comparison piece on England and Spain–actually, the point of this article is that they both suck, just Spain slightly more so. What do you have when it’s only the same two teams competing year after year? No, the answer isn’t “good television”; the answer is Scotland. And that’s what Spanish soccer looks like right now. Spanish soccer–and I’m really just talking about the League, because the Copa is really a step down–is a microcosm for, and get this, the American political system. In modern Spanish soccer we have a physical representation of Duverger’s law of political parties, that all of us Poli-Sci people know so well–“the simple majority [winner take all], single-ballot system favors the two-party system and both the simple-majority system with second ballot and proportional representation favor multi-partism” (Maurice Duverger, Political Parties, ed.1954). Spanish soccer allows for neither a “second ballot,” nor “proportional representation”; thus, we repeat the same two teams over and over. I know this is a weak analogy, but I think it’s funny and especially pertinent, considering the absurd distance between Madrid/Barça and the rest of the league.

Honoring moms in other parts of the world can look strikingly different than Mother's Day celebrations in the US.

We celebrate Mother's Day honor and respect one of the most influential people in our lives. Most of us spend our formative years with our mothers, sharing the joys and sorrows that any childhood can bring. Such is the heroic nature of mothers, always trying to make us feel happy even in the worst of circumstances. The occasion of Mother's Day could be even more enjoyable if we added a mix of flavor and humor to it. We all have legendary mom stories. My most recent one actually involves a whole bunch of moms.

Last year, at 7:39 a.m. on the morning of April 30th, I was diagnosed with cancer. At around 7:40 a.m. on that same morning, my mother’s knitting group was called into action and ready to heal. Rochelle Zohn, like Paul Revere, was seen drinking her coffee, speeding in her white Volvo and rallying her troops as if she was a revolutionary war hero galloping through the streets of Lexington to alert the sleeping Minutemen that the British were coming. As you can imagine, a frenzy of activity ensued, and the “knit heard around the world” was enough to excite my mom's talented needle twirlers to whip up 12 beautiful hats for my newly bald head. It was instantly clear that this particular group of moms had never really knit for anyone other than their cute little grandchildren. Who would have thought that a 36-year-old man living in New York City would look so good in pink and blue striped hats the size of grapefruits? It was the thought that counted and my cancer is in remission. Perhaps knit one, pearl one is really the key to the cure.

No one can deny that Mother’s Day is a beautiful tradition ripe with flowers, hugs and the occasional family debate over the perfect brunch spot. And, it’s comforting to know that our biggest decisions for the day are usually scrambled or sunny side-up; Mimosa or Bellini. The qualities that make a great mother are universal: care, support, strength and selflessness are all values that are appreciated anywhere in the world. However, in many countries, the typical mother’s day looks strikingly different, if there is any celebration at all.

In Sierra Leone women are often forgotten about and considered lower class citizens. During the civil war they bore the brunt of atrocities, their lives disrupted by sexual violence, slave labor and other horrific acts. Women still suffer from these traumatic experiences and fight to regain their position in society. A celebration honoring mothers does not exist. The concept of an entire day devoted to them may never be considered. That’s why Play31 has launched the Soccer Mom’s Day Campaign. Play31 utilizes the unifying power of soccer to bring together people who have been torn apart by armed conflict. By facilitating community gatherings and donating balls they contribute to the creation of peaceful societies where boys and girls can exercise their right to play.

The campaign is simple: you donate $20 for a soccer ball or $40 to sponsor a Sierra Leone player and receive a gift certificate, which you can give to your mother, or to someone you know who is a mother. Play31 also created the first all-female soccer teams in Sierra Leone, giving hundreds of women a chance to represent their communities on the fields. When I spoke to Play31 founder and CEO, Jakob Lund, he shared one of his most cherished memories, “from working with Play31 the sight of Tambateko’s female team running into the field for their first match all glowing with pride was amazing. To see these women represent their communities on the football (soccer) field with the backing of everyone around them, thousands of fans cheering, gives me great joy and it is obvious that while football is certainly fun, it can also be serious business.”

So serious, in fact, that one woman from Kailahun who was raped during the war and hadn't seen the perpetrator since, spotted the man at one of the soccer games. Naturally, very upset she told her confidants from her community and they contacted the man to resolve this conflict. The very next day, they all sat down under the village's Peace Tree and here the man explained to the woman and her entire community how he had been abducted. He was brainwashed and forced into the rebel movement (RUF). Lund mentions, “he told them how he still had nightmares about things he did in the war and every day he regrets the crimes he committed. He ended up begging the woman for forgiveness, which she granted him.”

Play31 can bring people together through something that is very fun — the Beautiful Game — and that can lead to meaningful, life changing events like reconciliation and healing. If you would like to celebrate a mother you know on Mother’s Day, while also supporting mothers and daughters in Sierra Leone, please pick up your Soccer Mom’s Day gift certificate today.

 

 

Photos courtesy of Jakob Lund