Klaatu Barada Nikto

I think that is the hand from the Evil Dead movies.

Apparently, the hand helped DC United beat Colorado 3-0.

Foiled Yet Again

Well, the US go 3 and out in yet another international tournament, this time the Olympics. At least Mexico didn't even qualify.

Ben-ny Ol-sen! Ben-ny Ol-sen! Ben-ny Ol-sen!

What a great game that was. United destroyed the Galaxy, Beckham was non-existant, Landycakes got a bloody nose and the heart and soul of DC United was back on the field. I must admit I got a little choked up when Moreno handed the captain's armband to Olsen. BTW, I am totally taking credit for starting the Ben-ny Ol-sen chant.

Nice WaPo article here.

Pic courtesy Michael Connor/Washington Times

Oh yeah, and it turns out Becks can't sell a win at DC. HA!

Is there anything he can't sell?

The answer is no, there is nothing he can't sell... as long as he doesn't speak.

For a second there I thought the woman was Cynthia Nixon. Too bad, that would have been awesome.

This makes me sad.

Whenever I think of my DC United heroes: Marco Etcheverry,Jaime Moreno, John Harkes, Eddie Pope, Carlos Llamosa I always leave out Ben Olsen. Because, for me, he is a given, the bedrock upon which the tradition of United has been built. So when I hear that he, like Josh Gros, may have to retire prematurely, it makes me sad.

Gonna have me a Corona tonight

Mexico failed to qualify for the Olympics. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Speaking of soccer

How about the Iraqi national team getting to the final of the Asian Cup? Now if there was anyone competent in the government we would be using this kind of goodwill for some soccer diplomacy. The message is easy, "See, Shia and Sunni can come together and accomplish a shared goal." Duh. Also, paging MLS, why aren't you guys saying, "Hey, why don't we help you guys set up a league." Granted, MLS is barely surviving on their own but I'm sure any help they could give would be appreciated. I know, I know all of that is more complicated than I make it seem, but fuck, is anyone even trying?

Anyway, congrats to the Iraqis and good luck, I hope you kick some Saudi ass (that's an interesting matchup).

Also, check out Drew Carey saying all the things I want to say to the unenlightened on Letterman:

Well, well

Looks like Freddy is on his way to Portuguese club, Benfica. As recently as Wednesday it looked like the deal had fallen through mostly because it seemed that MLS was asking WAY too much for a transfer fee, $7.5 million (at least that was the number Steven Goff threw out, sorry can't find the post where he said that). Now it looks like the transfer fee is a much more realistic $2 million. Freddy flies to Portugal tomorrow, seems like a done deal. Good for Freddy. He needs to be on a team where he is not the star. Let's just hope he doesn't get Donovan Syndrome. Surprisingly, becasue of the complicated deal that sent Freddy to RSL from DCU means that DC gets $150k and RSL's third round pick next year (which really is nothing). That $150k would be very useful towards the Juan Sebastian Veron to DCU rumors.

Uh, guys?

Houston (and the rest of MLS), I think we have a problem.

With the addition on Juan Pablo Angel it's looking like NY Red Bulls may finally be living up to the hopes and expectations of the MLS executives.  They are 5-1-2 with 6 shutouts.  Take a look at these highlights. I'm kind of ok with this development, the DC-NY rivalry, in my mind, was always the one with the potential to be the most intense in MLS... except that NY has always sucked.  Maybe now DC can welcome them to the elite of MLS which currently has a membership of one (suck it LA).

Champions League Final Today

Kickoff at 2:45

AC Milan-Liverpool: A replay of the 2005 'Miracle In Istanbul'

This could be a snoozefest as both teams try not to make a mistake. But I think it is more likely to be a barnburner, 3-2 Milan.

UEFA
ESPN
BBC
La Gazzetta

UPDATE: OMFG! I just put it together, my parents are in Italy RIGHT NOW!! They better be watching it somewhere!!! ARRRGGGHHH!!! so jealous!

To thine ownself be true and it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not then lose a game

The All Shakespeare Starting XI

 

This is awesome, combining 4 of my favorite things: soccer, Shakespeare, literary analysis and in the combination of those three, extreme geekitude.

Johann Cruyff turned 60 yesterday.

I didn't notice if any of the clips in this tribute are from when he played for the Washington Diplomats (1980-81). Wonder where my old Diplomats shirt is?