Bob Bradley fired as USMNT Coach!!!!!!!!

Bittersweet news today as USSF has relieved Bob Bradley from his duties as USMNT coach.  In a press conference, Sunil Gulati stated that further developments will be revealed this coming Friday.  During his tenure, Bob Bradley garnered a record of 43-25-12.  His accomplishments include 1 Gold Cup championship, 3 Gold Cup finals, 1 Confederations Cup final, and advancement to the World Cup Round of 16.

Top 3 Bradley Moments:
1. June 24, 2007 - USA 2, Mexico 1 - CONCACAF Gold Cup Final - Introducing Benny Feilhaber....enough said

The Real Salt Lake - Sporting KC scrimmage ends in a brawl in AZ

The Carolina Challenge Cup continues today: Here's who D.C. will feature

The UEFA Champions League continues today:  Tottenham preview

FIFA releases March rankings

FIFA's This Week in Numbers

Excellent SBI article on the outlook of MLS' Homegrown Players

Video of the Week: English hooliganism and a worse red card than Van Persie's?

Travis Barker collaborates with some big time Hip-Hoppers for his new album

CONCACAF releases 2011 Gold Cup schedule

Jack White's record store on wheels?

9 reasons why Phil Collins is awesome

Hump Day Links

I heard it on the Grapevine from Soccer 365.
Photo of the Day
Concacaf Champions League Preview
Don't Tread Challenge
New Music- Mac Miller
Charlie Davies fitting in at DC United?

The Midnight Beast - Lez Be Friends

The new anthem of the Rip City crew. Story of our lives.

Rip City Soccer Presents.....40s FEBRUARY!!!!!!!!!!!!

As winter trudges along, we here at Rip City definitely need some "spirits" to keep up our spirits.  Therefore, we cordially invite all to invest in the 2nd Annual 40s February, the shortest month of the year to kill the most brain cells.  The idea is simple: Drink 40s all month long, whether your preference be Old English, Schlitz, Colt .45.  Use the whole month to spice things up. Edward 40shands, Brass Monkey, straight up.  Enjoy the greatest month of the year.  Check out and join our facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=363939502941

Altidore earns rare start for Villarreal.

Things probably didn't go as Jozy planned in his match today where Villareal went down in flames against Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey 3-0.  However he did earn a rare start and the opportunity to try and impress.  Villarreal's inability to defend any corner kicks led to three header goals and Villarreal's elimination from the Copa Del Rey.  Altidore looked somewhat lost and without inspiration and he wasn't the only one.  He did manage to be fairly tidy with the ball and connected most of his passes but he was often found standing in a crowd of Villarreal players or making the same runs as fellow american Rossi.  He simply didn't see much of the ball at all.  This can certainly be chalked up to the fact that he simply hasn't been playing.  It is difficult to just jump in and be a star but his performance didn't look to inspire Juan Carlos Garrido as Jozy was substituted in the 62nd minute for Ruben.  While he didn't stand out as a poor player in any means he simply wasn't very effective for the Yellow Submarines.  Here's to hoping that he earns a few more starts and gets a chance to polish his skills.  Jozy's grade= B-

Fail Friday! 1/7/11

Here's another Fail Friday for all you fans of Rip City Soccer. I thought this one fits in due to all the snow we're getting for our winter break.




You know, watching this again, I'm not sure if this is a fail or more of a win for the guy actually signing off in the end. Post your opinion!

Fail Friday: 12/31/10

How's it going Rip City Soccer Fans!  Sorry I (or any of the Rip City Staff) haven't posted in awhile.  We're all on break and enjoying the holiday season with our families and friends.  We hope you are too!  Here's a nice soccer related Fail Friday for you all!  From all of us here at Rip City Soccer, Happy New Year!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

MLS releases opening game schedule

Today at 3:30 ET, MLS released the opening kick-off matches for Week 1 of the 2011 MLS season.  The list features some interesting match-ups with two new teams entering the competition fold.  Here's the list:

Tuesday, March 15
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - Qwest Field, Seattle, WA - 9:30 ET on ESPN
This is Seattle's third consecutive home First Kick, but this one might not be so lopsided.  Last year, the Galacticos embarrassed the home crowd with a 4-0 rout in front of the Sounders faithful.  The Galaxy may be without Becks, but they will still look to flex their new muscle in the form of Frankie Hejduk and JP Angel (and maybe Ronaldinho??)

FIFA Club World Cup in Review

The annual FIFA Club World Cup wrapped up in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.  Pre-Tournament favorites Inter Milan won the final with ease (3-0 romp of TP Mazembe), however, I think the tournament was about much more than who won it.  Here are some stats, results, and interesting stories that developed throughout the tournament.

2010-11 Champions League Round of 16 Draw

UEFA completed the draw for the Round of 16 in the Knockout round of this years Champions League.  The draw pitted some heavyweights against each other.  This years knockout finalists features 4 teams from England, 3 from Spain, 3 from Italy, 2 from Germany, 2 from France, 1 from Denmark, and 1 from the Ukraine.  As you should know, a group winners are drawn against group runners-up, and no teams from the same group or country can be drawn against each other.  The first leg of the knockout phase starts on February 15.  Checkout out the draw:

Charlie Davies No Playing time Sunday....but Wednesday?

There was a lot of press about Charlie Davies making the squad for Sochaux in their game Sunday against Bordeaux.  It turned out to be a bit of a let down because Charlie didn't get into the game but that wasn't too much of a surprise seeing as this was a huge game for both teams and with it being tied for most of the match it may have been too big of a risk for Sochaux to bring in a player that is probably way out of form.  However,  this is obviously a positive step forward for Davies and Sochaux have a quick turnaround on Wednesday against a near bottom of the table Monaco team.  This looks like it could be the perfect opportunity for Davies to see some action.  Especially because this is the last game before the transfer window opens and they may be inclined to throw Charlie a bone before he goes out looking for loan options.  If he can get in a game and look capable his stock will be much improved.  So if your a Davies fan and praying for him to rebound to his former glory then  Wednesday could be a big day for you.  Hope that he makes the lineup again and that Sochaux takes an early lead. CD9!

Fail Friday: Snow Driving Fail

With the massive blizzard that hit the MSP area last weekend I thought this week's fail friday should have a snow theme. I had my own fail during our snow event and got my car towed and slammed with a huge fine:( FAIL. I am currently excepting donations.

Holiday Playlist

It's about that time of year again...Exams are over/almost over, the weather is freezing, and the warm feeling of relaxation and bonding sets in.  That's right, it's almost Christmas.  Christmas, as an aging kid, has become bittersweet.  No more extravagant presents, it goes by way too fast, and shopping is miserable.  Yet it's the little things like cookies, movie marathons, and looking at lights that makes this time of year special.  With all this soppy shit said, Here's a list of songs that make me feel Holiday-y from the good times to Christmas to the weird in between week, and finally to the New Year.  In all of it's glory, Merry Christmas and HAPPY HOLIDAYS...MA'AM.  Click the Link Below if to get to the Youtube playlist, but I encourage you to put it on your iTunes or a CD:

Landon Donovan Winter Destination: Fulham? Everton? Newcastle? SoCal?

Lando's so hot right now.

US soccer's poster boy Landon Donovan is once again a hot loan prospect for teams in Europe.  However, this year Lando's world looks a little different than it has in the past.  He is wrapping up an amazing year in which he finally succeeded in Europe, scored a last second winner in the World Cup, and helped the Galaxy win the Supporter's Shield in MLS.  After the MLS season ended speculation on Donovan's future quickly arose.  He responded only that he would be resting for a few months before he made a decision on whether or not he would like to go on loan.  Recent developments seem to have made his decision more difficult. Hit the jump for more...

Edson Buddle from Galaxy to Birmingham?

Current L.A. Galaxy star striker Edson Buddle is trying out with English Premier League Club Birmingham FC. Right now Birmingham sits 2 points above the relegation zone and Birmingham Manager Alex McLeish admits that he is the market for a new striker. However, it is unclear whether Buddle is even available. Last year the Galaxy allowed Landon Donovan and David Beckham to go on loan over the MLS offseason, but Beckham's injury suffered on loan that kept him out for much of the 2010 season for the Galaxy may make Galaxy Manager Bruce Arena un-wiling to let Buddle go this year. Yet, after nabbing aging star Juan Pablo Angel this week the Galaxy may be willing to part with Buddle for the right price.

Talks have not yet begun between the clubs or with the player so all of this may come to nothing. Nonetheless, it is exciting that a promising american player is getting attention abroad. While Birmingham may not be the cream of the crop they still compete in one of the best leagues in the world and if the U.S. national team is to elevate their game they need more players playing in the top leagues of the world so that they will improve as individuals. I believe Buddle has out grown the MLS and that it is time for him to try to make it at the european level. Good luck to you son!

Rip City Crystal Ball: MLS in 2020. Part 2

Promotion/relegation is a topic that many hardcore soccer fans are passionate about.  Many eurosnobs won't even consider MLS a legitimate league until they implement a P/R system.  So, in 2020 will MLS have a promotion relegation system?

Christmas Gift Idea: Microsoft Zune vs. iPod

The wait is over: Apple finally has a rival to their iPod monopoly.  If your looking for somehow to listen to your music on the go and you have a PC, you should look into Microsoft's Zune.  They can do everything a iPod can do: Windows 7 phone is like and iPhone and a Zune HD is just like iPod touch.  The only thing is that Microsoft has not outsourced app-making priveleges so the app selection is a little meek.  But give it time.  I got a Zune HD this past February and it has been the best purchase I have made.  It makes sense, why not match up Microsoft with Microsoft.  Zune has so many advantages for PC users.

Rip City Hump Day Links

FC Dallas win MLS's Fashion Statement of the Year. Click Here to see why.
Juan Agudelo on the move to Spain? Think again says RBNY
St. Paul kid earns D3 All-American honors for Macalester
USL-PRO's LA Blues official introduced
New PDL team in Winnipeg: WSA Winnipeg
Diver breaks depth record
D.C. United sign 4th Homegrown Player
Big moves in the Second Phase of the Re-Entry Draft
Iconic Images of 2010
Blender's Songs of the Week, with videos!
Video of the Week: MPLS Metrodome caves in during historic blizzard

Holden: Is He The One?

Stuart Holden is the future of U.S. Soccer and what a bright future it is!

Check out minutes 8:30 and 10:07: Holden Steals the Show this weekend against Blackburn.

More often then not when I watch the U.S. Men's National Team I have the urge to go and bang my head against the wall. I bang my head against the wall because the U.S. never holds possession for more than a couple passes, frequently resorts to aimless kickball and attacks with the precision and efficiency of a Dodo bird. I am convinced the reason for these occurances is that the U.S. does not have a creative, exciting, unpredictable, forward minded, attacking center midfielder who actually wants the ball at his feet.

Enter Stuart Holden:

This year Holden has played the attacking center midfield (like a QB in soccer) role for Bolton Wanderers in the Barclays English Premier League. Bolton are currently the fourth highest scoring team in the league behind the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea and sit in six place over all. Moreover, the Premier league is arguably one of the most competitive in the world. Each premier league team fights tooth and nail every week to keep their opponents out of the goal. Indeed, the league is known for its hard nose tackling and impenetrable organized defenses. Holden has only 2 goals in 1 assist in 17 appearances. Not terribly impressive. Yet, Holden is young and there is still plenty of time for him to grow into a the center mid star that U.S. soccer desperately needs. Most people know Donovan, Dempsey and the goalie Howard, but if the U.S. is ever going to be a serious contender for the World Cup they need a center midfielder who wants the ball at his feet. Holden has shown hat he can be the answer to our midfield nightmare if only Coach Bob Bradley would give him a chance.