Posts Tagged ‘MLS’

Charlie Sheen? Winning. Sagu? Also Winning.

Posted by Staci on Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Pat Healey

But...what about Pat Trick? (Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Blast)

Blast fans.

You let me down. I’m sorry, but you did. I mean, look. I don’t want to get up on some pedestal or anything and act like I know more than you because I’m well aware I don’t. Some of you have been Blast fans for a longer amount of time than I’ve been in existence.

BUT.

Last night I attended my first Blast Fan Club Awards Banquet and thus participated in my first Blast Fan Club Awards betting pool.

Yeah, so if you were there, and you heard someone obnoxious giggling in the back, that was me. I was busy rooting for myself and I was maybe a little bit tipsy. Whoever’s decision it was to make moscato the white wine of the night, Waka Flocka and I applaud you.

Anyway, we were talking about $35 here. Do you know how many clicks on this thing it takes for me to accumulate $35? I would tell you, but then that would involve finding a calculator and subsequently getting depressed. I felt good about this one, you know? Not the same way I feel about my March Madness bracket. Not going to a school with a rooting interest in basketball (or any sports for that matter…NYU football, undefeated since WWII, look it up), it takes gambling to get me to pay attention and therefore I usually don’t until March. So anyway, I had high hopes for my Blast Fan Club picks.

Unfortunately, I got four out of six…one shy of front office member Robin Eichelberger’s five. Defensive player of the year? Easy – Pat Morris. Unsung hero? Blast stalwart captain Robbie Aristodemo. I knew that. Favorite newcomer? Morris again. Duh. Piece of cake. MVP? Sagu. Obviously.

Admittedly, I was a bit stumped over who you would pick as fan favorite, what with Denison Cabral not being part of the roster this year. I knew it was a toss-up, and was tempted to put Denison’s name down, just for shi kicks and giggles. I went with Giuliano Celenza, and you guys went with Sagu again. Alright, fair enough, he’s a pretty swell guy.

However, I’m tempted to say where you guys whiffed, even though I shouldn’t say that because I don’t want you to hate me should there ever be a favorite blogger category (except I did just say it so you know, I’m not sayin’, just sayin’). Offensive player of the year? I picked Pat Healey. You know. The guy who has pretty much been atop the leader board in scoring ALL season (currently with 48 points). The one who allowed me to think up the punniest pun of all time. The one whose name is really big in the tag cloud on the right because he keeps making me write about him every game.

No. You picked Machel Millwood. Look, I have no problem with Mills. I like watching him play just as much as the next guy. But statistically speaking? He’s tied for third with 42 points. And I am $5 poorer.

But all joking aside, the fan club did a great job. So thanks for having me there.

***

So Denison’s coming back. No, no. Not to play (…yet), but the Blast will be honoring him at the championship game March 25. It was odd not seeing him on the field this season, and I think he’ll get a warm reception at 1st Mariner Arena. I don’t have a favorite player because I mean that would be somewhat unethical and as you know, I am the embodiment of professionalism, but if I had a favorite, it would probably be Denison. Maybe it’s because I secretly aspire to be able to do a back flip. Or maybe it’s just because he claims to be a fan of my writing, and I ALWAYS believe people when they’re blowing smoke.

***

In MLS news, if this were to happen, I’d be so freaking happy. No really. I love this man. If you keep clicking, maybe some day I’ll be able to own an MLS team and give Ochocinco a roster spot (But not Adrian Peterson). What do you think – striker?

***

So I’ve been waiting up for the results of the Milwaukee/Missouri semifinal game (no, I cannot get the webcast to work either), and it seems the Comets have pummeled the Wave, 11-5. Game 2 will take place Sunday in Milwaukee. Now hopefully, I’ll get this right…correct me if I don’t, I’m getting sleepy.

If the Comets win, the Blast will host them March 25. But if the Wave win, there will be a “mini game,” another 15-minute quarter. Should that end in a tie, we’ll be waiting on a golden goal, which I believe has been kind to the Blast in the past. Whoa, I’m a poet and didn’t know it.

Who do you want to see in the finals?

***

Finally, what do Justin Bieber, Danny Kelly, the Breakfast Club, Mike Lookingland and Malta have in common? Keep coming back to find out.

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Posted in Baltimore Blast, MISL, MLS | 2 Comments »

The Blast’s Haitian Sensation

Posted by Staci on Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Max Ferdinand and Robbie Aristodemo

Max Ferdinand (left) is pretty in pink. (Courtesy of the Baltimore Blast)

Alright so I kiiiind of cracked some jokes at the expense of Max Ferdinand last time I wrote about him (all in good fun of course!), but he’s made himself fairly difficult to ignore.

The 2010 Rookie of the Year is showing no signs of a sophomore slump, scoring in nearly each of the 14 games played this season and ranking third on the team with 25 points (eight goals and seven assists) behind the Killer Pats.

“He came in as a very young player and did very well,” said head coach Danny Kelly. “A lot of people didn’t know who he was, and I think they do now. Other teams have to be aware of him when he’s on the field because they know he’s a dangerous attacking player, and I think he’s got a ton of potential.

“We’ve only scratched the surface with Max and his ability to impact games.”

The Haitian-born forward joined the Blast last season after playing for the National Premiere Soccer League’s FC Reading Revolution. Following his breakout season, he joined the outdoor Rochester Rhinos of the United Soccer Leagues. He was also invited to play for the Haitian national team.

Though the soft-spoken 24-year-old describes himself as quiet off the field, teammates say he’s someone they want to be around.

“He’s a fun guy,” said buddy Adrian Bumbut. “Always in a good mood, always laughing, always smiling.”

And his speed and dribbling ability combine to create a playing style that certainly speaks volumes on the field. While Kelly said he is working with the Ferdinand to improve his defensive skills, the coach said the improvement from last year has been huge.

“He’s grown tremendously,” Kelly said. “He’s maturing as a player, a person, he’s still a young guy, and his game, he’s constantly getting better. He’s picking things up, he’s asking questions, he’s hungry to learn, he wants the information, and slowly but surely, he’s getting better in areas that he needs to get better at.”

But despite his seemingly overnight success, Ferdinand is reluctant to name an accomplishment he is proud of.

“Nothing yet,” he said. “I want to win a championship. Yeah, [Rookie of the Year] is a good thing, but our goal is to win a championship. I want to be part of that.”

I don’t want to jinx it…but I’m thinking his chance to help accomplish that goal may come as quickly as his rise to the top.

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Posted in Baltimore Blast, MISL, USL | 1 Comment »

Can I Borrow Charlie Davies Too?

Posted by Staci on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Is anyone else amused that sports teams can “loan” a person out for a year?

U.S. striker Charlie Davies will have a one-week evaluation with D.C. United with the intention of joining the team for a year. He will be on loan from French club Sochaux, whom he has not played for since suffering extensive injuries in a car accident in October 2009.

To be honest, I don’t really understand how such a loan works. Does Sochaux get him back once the year is up? Is the year with D.C. United kind of like a minor league rehabilitation assignment for a major league pitcher after Tommy John surgery?

How many people did I just insult with that question?

I’m genuinely curious, so someone please fill me in. In the meantime, send your good vibes Davies’s way. Poor dude missed the 2010 FIFA World Cup, so depending on how he does with United, maybe the “loan” will become less of a loan and more of a present. And maybe we’ll see him alongside Jozy Altidore in 2014.

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Posted in D.C. United, International Soccer, MLS, World Cup | 5 Comments »

Notebook: Reason No. 817 Why I Need Crazy Pills

Posted by Staci on Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Beau Reed

He may look sweet and cuddly, but Ed Reed is a beast in the backfield.

OK, so you know how athletes have rituals and quirks that they feel obligated to satisfy before competing? Kind of like how Nuke LaLoosh donned Annie Savoy’s underwear before pitching? Well, I think we all know that fans have the same types of tendencies.

For instance, my brother wore his 11-year-old Ray Lewis jersey every game since he got it. After all, the Ravens won the Super Bowl that year. He wore it every game until the “52″ started to crack and peel off. He recently replaced that lucky jersey with a Haloti Ngata one — that of another dominant defensive player whose number ends in “2.”

The jersey (not the Ravens) is 3-0 since he started wearing it, he proudly tells me. And it “smells like a Super Bowl.” (I didn’t know that Super Bowls smelled like farts, but that’s besides the point.)

I was thinking about how this weekend, he can’t wear his jersey and I can’t wear my vintage Ravens T-shirt (OK, vintage-looking, because how vintage can a Ravens T really be?) because we’ll be in attendance at a family wedding during the fourth quarter of the Ravens’ matchup against Shi Pittsburgh (so someone text me game updates, please).

I won’t lie to you. This launches me into an irrational panic. If we’re not wearing our gear and no one else at the wedding is either, what does this mean for our Ravens? As it is, I already get anxious when it comes to nationally televised games on the road against the Squee Steelers.

It’s ridiculous, right? Superstitious nonsense that also happens to be supremely narcissistic, if you think about it. I mean, how could I, a nerdy white girl the size of Ngata’s thigh, really influence an NFL playoff game, merely by wearing a certain shirt? That’s kind of a ballsy assumption.

Not to mention a major guilt-laden burden should they happen to fall short.

So this got me wondering what others’ gameday traditions are. Do you have a special pair of boxers that you must wear to Blast games to ensure the win? A favorite pre-game meal? An imperative post-game beer?

Please, someone tell me I’m not the only crazy one.

***

In legitimate soccer news, our boy Levi Houapeu was drafted 41st overall by the Philadelphia Union in today’s MLS SupeerDraft, held downtown at the Convention Center. Though Houapeu didn’t have the same mad skills at the Combine that he did for the UMBC Retrievers throughout his college career, I have a sneaking suspicion he’ll still be setting the MLS world on fire. And lucky for us, that’ll be happening right up the road in Philly.

Other local highlights: With their third and 31st picks, D.C. United selected University of Akron’s Perry Kitchen and Chris Korb, respectively.

The University of Maryland will be sending three former Terrapins to the MLS as well. Goalkeeper Zac MacMath went fifth overall to the Philadelphia Union, midfielder Billy Cortes went 38th to the New York Red Bulls, and forward Jason Herrick was drafted 45th by the Chicago Fire.

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Posted in Baltimore Blast, College Soccer, D.C. United, MLS, Unsoccer | 4 Comments »

MLS Combine Is Houapeu’s Next Hurdle

Posted by Staci on Thursday, January 6th, 2011

Levi Houapeu

Levi Houapeu is the first UMBC Retriever to earn an invitation to the MLS Combine. (Photo courtesy UMBC Athletic Communications)

Alright everyone. It’s time to send your good vibes down south. And by south, I mean Florida. In particular, Ft. Lauderdale.

Yeah, you read right.

I know, it’s sunny and warm in Florida and cold, windy and potentially snowy here in Baltimore, but we’re getting behind Levi Houapeu, the first UMBC Retriever to be invited to the adidas MLS Player Combine, which begins tomorrow. So cross those fingers and toes.

“You get invited to play with the best in the country,” Houapeu said. “That’s something I’m really proud of.”

With a whopping 15 goals and four assists in only 20 games this season, the senior forward and team captain made himself difficult for the Division I college coaches (who did the nominating and voting for the Combine) to ignore.

Behind Houapeu, the Retrievers finished the season with their first America East Championship. They made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before tying William & Mary 0-0. William & Mary advanced to the next round with the edge in penalty kicks.

But along the way, Houapeu racked up numerous accolades, from being named College Soccer News‘ Third-Team All-American to America East Striker of the Year honors.

But the soft-spoken and humble Houapeu is quick to point out that much of his success is due to his coaches, led by 20-year veteran head coach Pete Caringi, and his teammates, many of whom he calls “unsung heroes.”

“I never thought this would ever happen,” he said. “I’m really serious. I never thought this would happen.”

Growing up in the Ivory Coast in West Africa, Houapeu learned the game playing pickup with his brothers and friends on the streets. His family moved to Germantown, Md., when he was 12 years old, and his initiation into the Watkins Mill High School program was his first formal introduction to the game.

Houapeu proved to be a quick learner, making the varsity team his sophomore year as well as playing on club teams. That year he played on defense, junior year he became a midfielder, and senior year he found his groove as a forward.

“I’m a competitor,” he said. “I like to win and I do what I need to win [with] my speed, my quickness, my ability to take on take on defenders one-on-one. … I work hard in the game and I try to be a good team player, a good teammate on and off the field.”

Now the Combine, which concludes January 11, is next on his list to conquer. The MLS Super Draft follows January 13, here in Baltimore.

Houapeu’s plan is as follows:

“That’s my next goal for right now, have a good combine and then hopefully have a good draft and a team will pick me,” he said. “Then try to win that MLS Cup. That’s another goal I have to achieve. So we’ll see what happens.”

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Posted in College Soccer, MLS | 3 Comments »

Notebook: Pat Healey and the Controversies

Posted by Staci on Monday, January 3rd, 2011

Pat Healey

Midfielder Pat Healey was named MISL player of the week this week after scoring a whopping five goals in last week's two road games. (Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Blast)

Sounds like an awesome ’50s band, doesn’t it?

However, there’s nothing controversial about Pat Healey nor is there anything controversial about the way he’s been playing lately. The 2009 Rookie of the Year scored four goals against the Missouri Comets in Wednesday night’s 22-6 win, and he also scored a goal against the Omaha Vipers Friday afternoon.

In fact, Healey’s 17 points so far this season have placed him second behind only Machel Millwood for points scored on the team. And in the MISL, he’s tied for sixth on the leader board.

File that in the booyah category.

Blast fans are hoping Healey stays hot for this weekend’s first matchup against the Milwaukee Wave this season. The Blast will host the Wave Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and take them on again the next day in Milwaukee.

Baltimore and Milwaukee are currently tied for first place in the MISL.

***

Now for the controversy portion of today’s entry.

Blast fan Lewis Melcher e-mailed me to give me a heads up about a petition he is starting to eliminate multi-point scoring in indoor soccer. According to Melcher’s petition, the two- and three-point goals has cost the MISL fans, expansion teams, and sponsors.

To be honest, I hadn’t given much thought to whether or not multi-point scoring is a good idea. But I have heard criticisms of it from outdoor fans. By nature, the indoor game results in significantly more scoring. Sure, a 22-6 final score sounds insane…but does an 11-3 score sound much different?

Let me know your thoughts. And e-mail me at staci.wolfson@gmail.com like Lewis Melcher did if you think there’s any other issues I should be writing about.

***

Also controversial – this article published recently in the Baltimore Sun discusses recent research done to tell us about all of the wonderful things a new soccer stadium would do for Maryland. New jobs, new tax revenues, etc. Sure, it all sounds great, and what is Baltimore if not The Land of Awesome Stadiums? I’m all for getting an MLS team here.

But what I’m not for is stealing another city’s team, even if that city happens to be D.C. According to this article, if the Maryland Stadium Authority commits to building this new stadium in Westport (which is where, by the way?), Major League Soccer will consider moving D.C. United to Baltimore.

Understandably, RFK Stadium isn’t the best place to watch a soccer match…or really anything, for that matter. But Baltimore United doesn’t sound quite right to me.

I know this happens all the time in sports. And it’s even happened between Baltimore and D.C., when the aptly named Baltimore Bullets became the Washington Wizards. But as a homegrown Baltimorean, I don’t feel right about the idea of D.C. United fans (based mostly in D.C., southern Maryland, and Virginia) losing their team.

I mean, I was negative-2 years old when the much-maligned Robert Irsay moved Baltimore’s beloved Colts to Indianapolis, so I can’t speak directly from the experience of someone who has lost her team. Still, I heard about Irsay probably close to every day while growing up, and I know well how the hatred and bitterness toward the Indianapolis Colts is ingrained in this city.

Would we want to inflict that on another city?

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Posted in Baltimore Blast, D.C. United, MISL, MLS | 8 Comments »