I like the San Jose Sharks because they seem like such a nice group of fun guys. I feel like they are my friends almost. I enjoy the sport of hockey, especially when played by my buds, the Sharks! Now, soccer, that is a different concept all together. Soccer is MY sport. I played it when I was a kid, a teenager, an adult. I've watched many games live, on tv, and have even followed along on my computer. I've coached the game. I've enjoyed the game since I first noticed it. There is not a lot of professional soccer to follow, unless you are willing to pay for the FOX soccer channel! Melanee's soccer season is the MOST exciting, but it's in Virginia and doesn't start for a few more months. William's high school soccer was fun, but he didn't get tons of playing time and his team wasn't all that good. I can't wait for his college soccer season to begin. Bradley and Andrew's soccer games are entertainment (sort of). Major League Soccer is ok, but if you've watched ANY Champions League soccer or international soccer, MLS is weak in comparison. The closest team to Chico is the San Jose Earthquakes, and a lot of their games ARE televised, but not live, since there is usually an A's or a Giants game on at the same time. I have followed other MLS games on my computer, like the Galaxy and the Chivas, but what I am getting to is......there is SOMETHING BETTER than MLS, even though MLS is not bad.....It's the United States Mens National Soccer team.
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I love these guys! I really do. Most of them are not as "likable" as the players on the Sharks. The team that gets selected or called into camp is not always the same players, so the "team" changes which each tournament. The line up is often different. It's really weird that I like them so much, but they are MY team, whether number 22 is Bedoya, Holden, or Donovan. Whether Onyewu plays or sits. I even like the guys who mess up, yell at their teammates, or are covered in tattoos.
I love the red jerseys, even though SO MANY other countries have red for their team colors. They just look sharp...the miss America sash, doesn't even bother me.
I even love this team when my absolute favorite players are sitting on the bench or even up in the luxury box eating nachos and buffalo wings.
So, are you waiting for my game recap, my player rankings, my observant observations of today's game?
Do you care that we had to leave to go to church before halftime and my VCR was not working?
Do you want to know that I was so nervous/excited about the game that I started to feel ill? (That usually only happens for hockey games!!!!)
The US had a win or go home situation today. Those are THE BEST. The MOST intense.
Landon Donovan, one of the teams "best" players chose his sister's wedding over training. His travel plans didn't get him back to the team until 7:00 am. So, he did not get to start the game. I am GLAD. He needs to be more dedicated. His sister needs to plan her weddings better. He needs to hire a private jet or leave earlier to get himself back earlier than 7:00 AM. Bench his sorry self. He hasn't even had that good of a tournament so far anyway, he is on the down slope of his career. His "resting" and not playing in England, did NOT improve his game.
But I was sad to see that Chris Wondolowski was one of the players not in uniform. I sure wish he would have scored when he got all his chances. Don't know how many more chances he will actually get. Well, maybe a few, Jozy Altidore went out of the game with an injury today. Jonathan Spector was also out of the line up. It's not fair that these guys train with the team, while Donovan and Dempsey dont, and Donovan and Dempsey get to play in the games. Very high schoolish.
I don't like divers in soccer, also known as floppers!
The referee looked like Dracula!!!!
When we watch a video taped game, the picture is not as clear. In the line up today were 10 dark haired players and Michael Bradley (MB90). While watching the game, MB90 was the only one I could really pick out of a crowd. I can tell Donovan by how he runs. I could tell Lichaj because he was usually on the right side. I could not really tell Bedoya, Kljestan, Dempsey, Agudelo, or Jones apart many times because they scattered about randomly......I could usually tell Goodson from Bocanegra cuz Goodsen is so much taller. Cherundolo confused me sometimes because he would run up there into the mix of random scattered players. It's ok, though, as long as THEY knew what they were doing it doesn't matter if I think they seemed disorganized. They, themselves, seemed to figure out that the on the ground, straight up the middle, pass to the forwards is too hard to collect, turn, and do something with. They seemed to figure that getting to the corner and doing a cutback works better than a blind cross to the center with only one teammate there surrounded by 4 opponents. They controlled the outside. Their finishing was better. Their first touch was better....hey, maybe ALL these things were improved by the absence of one large, slow, doofy Jozy Altidore.
The US played a very good game. They tried to hold possession as much as possible. They were pretending to be Spain with all the passing, but they really didn't move like Spain, so it was a little silly to pass, pass, pass, but never really move forward. It's ok, they won, and that's all that matters---SCOREBOARD, right. The first goal was exciting because I really wanted them to score, but it was a lucky goal, because it was redirected by the Jamaican defender, so the goalie did not have a chance. The second goal was scored by Clint Dempsey on a great cross after Jamaica had gone down to 10 men after a red card. Dempsey dribbled right around the goalie and scored. 2-0 is a way better lead than 1-0. I was happy with the win, happy that I get to watch my favorite team more. Happy that they were happy. Woohoo USMNT!!!!
I have all my wedding snap shots in one of those albums they tell you NOT to put them in....and I have tried to remove them, but the taking to plastic off also rips the photos in half, so I'm leaving them in there. Also, we didn't hire a "wedding photographer" so these are some pictures from random family members/friends cameras. (Look at the date, I wonder if the camera's date is WRONG, or if we think of our anniversary on the WRONG day???)
Melanee has a friend from Virginia who is serving his mission in The California Roseville Mission. No, he's not serving in OUR ward right now (Chico "Worst" Ward), but he is my dad's across the street neighbor....so while I was at my dad's house yesterday I got to meet him. And when Scott came over to pick me up this morning, I asked him if he wanted to meet Elder Bouchelle, and he said yes. Scott called him up, said "I'm in your driveway" and he came out to meet Scott. What was the first thing Scott said??? "Diane, get a picture for your blog"!!! haha, so I did!
He's very nice! He MAY think we are a little "stalkerish" in making him come meet us, but he has a smile on his face the whole time. Very nice kid! 
