A" thank you" to my local, The Atlanta Silverbacks.

      Atlanta is lucky, very lucky. Our local, The Silverbacks cares about it's supporters. This became crystal clear this evening. Our club President ( pictured above far left ) ask the two supporters groups ( 309 & 109 ) to an open discussion on some recent goings on at the football ground. We were ask our opinion on things, spoke, and were listened to. I cannot express in words here how happy and motivated this makes supporters to do what they can for this club. Atlanta has had a rocky history with football, but I believe this time around the staff has it right. Atlanta Silverbacks staff, my hat is off to ALL of you for your hard work. I truly believe with the spirit of cooperation that is being fostered between the club and supporters that our club can become a true model, not only within the league but for the entire country.

IS BOB BRADLEY THE ONLY ONE AT FAULT HERE ?

    Again we have come to a point where the U.S. Women  far outshine the U.S. Men. What's the problem ? Myself as well as most others immediately point the finger at Bob Bradley and rightfully so, but is he alone to blame ? I say no. The United States Soccer Federation is backwards at best and completely corrupt or inept at worst. Bob Bradley who has no business being the U.S. manager in the first place is probably doing the best he can which is sad. The United States has no shortage of talent we just don't seem to have the will to develop it. Our league structure punctuates this point. We have MLS, NASL, and USL. These 3 leagues operate separately from one another with all the teams in the 2 lower leagues vying for somebody to come in and transform them into a MLS team. That is a problem, look around the world, football doesn't work like that. A unified league structure and a relegation system does work. MLS draft is a joke. Players develop by playing competitively, not for scholarships. When there are 3 very visible tiers of play eyes open up a little more to the available pool of talent for our National Team. For our country to come up to world standards we must unify the 3 existing leagues or at very least institute a cup tournament between the 3 to showcase the existing talent. Back to ol' Bob for a moment though, does he scout the opposition ? ever ? does he scout fresh talent ? ever ? and what about tactics ? Bob should coach high school, leave the National Team duties to more capable people such as Klinsman. I fear the future of  U.S. soccer to be rather bleak if some serious changes are not made or at very least lets have the courage to admit our mens squad is without real direction or purpose at the moment. The change will only come if more of we supporters step up and let our voices be heard.

The Arsenal problem.

   Arsenal has a problem. Wenger's youth policy while producing some spectacular players has for the larger part failed the club. The silverware drought is unacceptable considering the level of footballers the club employs. I for one as a supporter of The Arsenal and as a armchair critic think the only thing we are missing is the one thing Wenger refuses, a little age and experience. The club has entered the transfer market and purchased yet one more attacking player when they already  have an abundance of attacking skill available to them. Arsenal are in desperate need of a solid and experienced back line, 1 - nil to The Arsenal is just fine with most of us as long as it brings silverware. If the club does not acquire some real defensive skill in the transfer window I will be left with the thought I have had for some time now : "has Wenger completely lost the plot ?" Wenger is not a dumb man and is very frugal with the clubs funds, but there is a time to spend a little more in order to get the desired results. To keep Fabergas and sell Nasri I think would be a mistake, Fabergas's heart is at Camp Nou, let him go home. Nasri on the other hand I think can slide into central midfield quite well, losing him to Man shitty may be financially wise but strategically a disaster. Fabergas will fetch 35 million pound, more than enough to give Nasri a raise, buy 2 defenders, and have a lot left over. I have to wonder how heavy a hand the board has in the decision making about this right now and what our new owner will bring to the table, Wenger now has somebody to answer to. I feel positive about this season hoping the club will see clear to make the needed adjustments to make our trophy cabinet look like more than just a cabinet. I keep the faith. I love The Arsenal. 

Womens World Cup

  Today and over the past few weeks we have witnessed something extraordinary. A Women's World Cup that has really, in my view, made the Mens World Cup look like a rather foolish half hearted game at best. I have watched almost all the games from the opening of group play forward. The play I have watched has never been boring nor has it been extremely flashy either. What I have seen is a passion that seems to lack somewhat in the mens game in general.The 2 teams that have advanced to the final have some things that will provide for an exciting final. 1) Both have the will to win and the guts to try. 2) HEART. Both the U.S.A. and Japan have heart. To me this means not only do they play for themselves and bragging rights, they play for we supporters. In this day and age of the endorsement deals, huge pay days for lackluster play, and taking liberties at the expense of your club or countries reputation I find it very refreshing to watch this Women's World Cup. I believe it has renewed my faith in the beautiful game and that some footballers still play for the sake of game and not purely for money or ego. Thank you ladies. GO U.S.A. !!!!!!!