Wanted: Contributing Writers

Quite frankly (Jim Calhoun shout-out), I don't pretend to know it all about soccer.  I know enough to write freely about what I see and hear, but the more eyes and ears getting their say, the better this blog can be.  With this in mind I am looking for those writers that wish to contribute their writing.  Posts can be op-ed and informational to outlandish just as long as it is loosely based on the beautiful game.  Perhaps you caught a local game on the weekend and it sparked a thought.  Maybe you heard something from a family member in Germany.  If you have a thought about soccer and wish to share it with a few others, or at least me, please send an email by going to my profile on the main page.

Soccer Brings the World Together (and North Korea needs money)

I thought this latest news story from South Africa was interesting if nothing else.
From the AP, (Not me):
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)—North Korean laborers are working on football stadiums across South Africa, including the venue where their national team will play Ivory Coast in June in its first World Cup appearance since 1966.
Some 1,000 construction workers from reclusive North Korea, which maintains strict control on its citizens’ travels, have been sent to help renovate stadiums across South Africa, the Seoul-based JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported Monday, citing unidentified sources.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry confirmed that North Koreans were working in South Africa. Spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo said she had no information about how many were helping with World Cup construction.
North Korea has been exporting workers to Russia, the Middle East and Mongolia as part of efforts to earn much-needed foreign currency, she said. The impoverished nation has faced tightened international sanctions in the wake of nuclear and missile activities over the past year.
Among the World Cup venues utilizing North Korean labor are Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, site of the opening and closing ceremonies and final match, and Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, the JoongAng Ilbo reported.
North Korea takes on Ivory Coast at Mbombela Stadium on June 25, after matches against Brazil and Portugal.
North Korea has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since its surprising run to the quarterfinals in 1966.

Bad Blow for Beckham and Boss Capello

England's marquee man, in name, will be out of this summer's World Cup.  Beckham blew out his achilles tendon in Milan's league match before going down in a heap without a single touch from another player.  All the frenzy surrounding the match-up between the former colonial counterparts and the pitting of Donovan vs. Beckham is out the door.  The injury takes about half a year to recover and this could even be a career finisher for the 34 year old Becks.  Although the former England captain had been used as a reserve in recent international friendlies for England manager Fabio Capello, Beckham brought with him experience that saw him on the verge of being the only England international to make 4 World Cup appearances.
Say what you want about Beckham, a lot do.  But, the World Cup is THE place for stars and Beckham is a star.  He has played for the biggest clubs in the world's three biggest leagues (Manchester United in England, Real Madrid in Spain, and now A.C. Milan in Italy).  He has won wherever he's been and you hate to see anyone go down with an injury, especially one as painful as a torn achilles.  

News From HQ

UConn Honors students in Cape Town continue their semester abroad with a week long journey to Johannesburg and a safari until the end of March.  In the weeks preceding this some of the college students have firmly entrenched themselves in the area schools where they are interning.  An after-school book club at Thanokhulu High School, outside the city, has taken off with hundreds of students showing enthusiasm for reading.  It is great to hear that the South African students know where  priorities lie and that some home grown Nutmeggers are helping in their education.

Welcome back Deuce!

Clint Dempsey, the rapping, fleet footed Texan, nicknamed Deuce has returned from injury.  Dempsey returned from nearly 2 months on the sidelines in the first leg of Europa League action Thursday against the famed Italian outfit Juventus.  Unfortunately, Dempsey was not able to help erase a two goal deficit when he entered the game as a second half substitute as his Fulham Cottagers lost 3-1. 
Despite the scoreline, this is great news for U.S. fans, because Dempsey has plenty of time to return to full fitness through European and domestic action with his club side.  Fulham is in the upper half of the Premiership table and Dempsey will look to re-insert himself into Roy Hodgson's starting lineup sooner than later.  Likely World Cup roster players Oguchi Onyewu, Stuart Holden, and Charlie Davies are still working back to health with Onyewu almost a certainty, Holden a doubt, and Davies in need of another miracle to reach fitness in time for Cup selection.  Here's rooting hard for Holden and Davies! 

Thoughts on U.S. men, the Premiership, continental League races and Champions League action

Boy, today's post title is a mouthful, but not nearly as much as this-->
I wanted to gloss over some of the weekend action from the leagues in Europe, touch base on some domestic league issues here in the States and wrap up with my thoughts on the midweek Champions League action which culminated in Man U's advancement and Madrid's departure from the competition.  A lot to get to, but I suppose we can do it.  Sorry again for the absence the past few days.  The weather here in Connecticut has been spring-like and coming out of the winter my legs felt a bit sprightly.  So, I took some days to enjoy the balmy temps for this time of year.  I was even able to dust off my cleats and get 'em stuck in the mud.  Which reminds me, just cause the grass is clear of snow doesn't mean a few slips and slides aren't waiting to happen (with injuries to follow).
For full training make sure you wait for the ground to harden up a bit before a full on 5-a-side game with your friends...That bit of advice was on the house, because my hamstrings have paid in the past for lack of patience with New England ground.

"Friendly" Reminder (get it? sorry.)

Remember, tickets for the Czech Republic Send-Off Series game on May 25th 8pm at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT go on sale tomorrow 10am. Easier breakdown to read:

What: Send-Off Series Friendly against Czech Republic
When: May 25th, 8pm
Where: Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT
How: Tickets, on sale tomorrow March 11, starting at 10am.
Tickets and pricing can be found by going here... or, you can visit the main page of U.S. Soccer by clicking the link to the right.