Author Archive for Neil W. Blackmon
Gold Cup 2011: At Gut-Check Time Again, Bradley’s US Answers the Bell, and other final Jamaica Thoughts
By Neil W. Blackmon Three thoughts on a great win for the USMNT today at RFK Stadium and more broadly on a weekend that changed (for now) the complexion of this Gold Cup tournament. Mexico looked vulnerable Saturday night, despite a comeback victory. They were disorganized in the back against a Guatemalan team that only [...]
Gold Cup 2011: US Falls To Panama 2-1, and this was a player’s loss
What follows is the match recap I wrote last night for The Shin Guardian. The only changes are a few links I thought I would add, and one more disclaimer. Below where it reads “This loss isn’t on Bob Bradley”, after a spirited comment discussion at TSG, I’ll amend slightly. Yes, Bob Bradley’s tactics weren’t [...]
Spain 4, USA 0: Three Final Thoughts, and Player Ratings
By Neil W. Blackmon The bad news: the United States lost 4-0 on home soil today to the European and World Champions and for very little of the ninety minute match did the Yanks look even remotely like they belonged on the field with what was essentially a B-PLUS version of La Furia Roja. The [...]
Bob Bradley: The Riverboat Gambler?? Thoughts on the Gold Cup Roster
By Neil W. Blackmon First thought on the US Gold Cup team? Bob Bradley…riverboat gambler? What happened to the guy who started Ricardo Clark in the biggest match he ever managed? Yesterday’s media conference call was easily the most fascinating of the long-tenured USMNT manager’s career, as he fielded all manner of questions in the [...]
The Yanks Are Coming’s USWNT Summer-Send Off Series: A Call To Arms
By Neil W. Blackmon One of the most rewarding things about being a soccer fan is the season lasts the entire year. Even when club football is over- there is always something happening in the summer. The year after a Men’s World Cup– you get multiple regional championships, including the brilliant Copa America. You’re also [...]
Barcelona’s Handling of Busquets Situation Proves It’s No Longer “Mas Que Un Club”
By Neil W. Blackmon “Mas Que Un Club” – Club Motto of FC Barcelona This article was originally going to run Sunday or Saturday evening, before the announcement by FIFA that Barcelona midfielder and Spanish international Sergio Busquets was cleared of wrongdoing for alleged racist statements made to Real Madrid’s Marcelo in the second leg [...]
Bradley Faces Tough Gold Cup Choices in Next Two Weeks
By Neil W. Blackmon Obviously, this was a slow news week. Fortunately, there was at least one big story: Bob Bradley expects to announce his final roster for the 2011 Gold Cup in the next two weeks, with a target release date set in a five day period, May 16-20. As most our readers know, [...]
Charlie Davies Comeback Hits a Bump in the Road, Agudelo’s Future, and other Mid-Week MLS Musings
By Neil W. Blackmon Last week was one of the more eventful seven day periods in the history of MLS thanks o Real Salt Lake’s 2-2 draw at Monterrey, and with the return leg Wednesday night providing the Claret and Cobalt an opportunity to be the first MLS side to win the competition in its [...]
Real Salt Lake Run To Immortality Giving League, Country Reason to Believe In MLS
By Neil W. Blackmon Nearly one year after a British announcer’s call on a Californian’s defining moment in a game played on a far away continent catapulted American soccer into coffee break and living room fodder and inspired a country, fate intervened. Fate intervened in the 89th minute and delivered the American soccer diehards, the [...]
Relegation: An Appreciation, For All The American Fans Who’ve Felt It’s Ugly Relative, Resignation
By Neil W. Blackmon This piece is dedicated to my co-writers, Puck, who has sat through meaningless Bills games in the blistering cold, and Jon Levy, who faces a month and a half long fight of his own with his beloved West Ham; and to any American sports fan who has been on the wrong [...]
