How the Kit Could Be Better

I like the design of the jersey and its influence from the 1950s kit.  But I think it could be better and here is how I would change it.

Home Kit

Away Kit

Final Rankings for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

With the last FIFA World Rankings in today, we can calculate the final #1 seeds.
For info on the formula go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_seeding

2010 USA World Cup Kit Leaked?

What do you think?  Some definite inspiration from the 1950 USA Kit.

The 20th Anniversary of the Goal Heard Round the World

Watch here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymQ-fIwVnV8#watch-main-area

Quite possibly the most important moment in the history of American soccer, turns 20 today.   Bad haircuts and short shorts cannot take away from the greatness of this game.  Was Caliguri's shot really that good?  Was it the sun in the T&T keeper's eyes?  Was it...who gives a shit it was our first qualification for the World Cup in 40 years.    This game was so important for both countries, obviously because T&T have never qualified for a world cup and the 40-year drought for the States.  The sold -out National Stadium in Port-of-Spain provided that setting with 30,000 T&T fans all wearing red.  The day of the game, the T&T government decided to make the next day a national holiday no matter the outcome of the game.      So here to the US team on that day, to Paul Caliguri putting the Yanks threw with a spectacular goal (unlike the cheating French), and to T&T have a happy holiday tomorrow.

2010 FIFA World Cup #1 Seeds as of now

Here is a preview of the 2010 FIFA World Cup rankings; if they use the same system for determining the #1 seeds as in 2006. The last world rankings come out in 2 days (Nov. 20th) so I have used the October rankings to get a good picture for what the rankings will look like. I will update this on November 20th to get the final rankings. Your #1 seeds are in bold.

For info on the formula go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_seeding

Please click on the spreadsheet to enlarge, and a huge thank you to u75 of the Unprofessional Foul for helping to get the spreadsheet on the blog.  

Winning vs. Developing, The American Striker's Problem with MLS

MLS clubs are always looking for that special player that can come in, score/create goals and lead their club to win the MLS Cup.  The clubs are not to blame for trying to find a player that can win  games and hopefully in addition attract more fans to the club.

A problem that has arose from this formula for winning is that most of the players that are brought in are either foreign players or older Americans.  Of the fifteen clubs in MLS, only 7 regularly started an American striker under the age of 33(McBride is 37 and Twelleman is not included due to his long injury) this year.  Young American strikers are seeing this trend which is leading them to Europe or the a midfield role.

Can Ireland and Bosnia really help us?

Using the same formula that FIFA used for the 2006 World Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_seeding), I have the United States ranked 9th of the 23 teams that have qualified for the 2010 World Cup. 

1. Brazil        59.7
2. Germany   59.3
3. Italy          56.7
4. Spain        56.0
5. England    52.3
6. Argentina  49.7
7. Holland     43.7
8. Mexico     42.0
9. USA         38.0
*The October 2009 ranking is used until the November 2009 is released.
*South Africa will be ranked, and that will drop the US actually to #10.