Maradona Should Not Coach Argentina

 

It has come to the attention of the world that Diego Armando Maradona will be the coach of the Argentine National Football [Soccer] Team. While certain pundits have praised the selection, the BBC Sports Reporter Tim Vickery has criticized it. I an in agreement with Mr. Vickery after reading his article.

My disagreement is based on the experience of this one time supporter of Maradona. Here is the story which leads to the reason behind Maradona being a disaster for Argentine Football [Soccer]. It was 1978 in Caracas, Venezuela and people were watching the World Cup being broadcast live from Argentina on TV. There were people who even listened to it on their shortwave radio.

One of the people who listened was an adolescent Cuban/Spanish/American who was living in Venezuela. The adolescent celebrated the World Cup from Argentina and was happy. He was very happy that Argentina had won and that there was an emerging idol named Diego Maradona.

The adolescent added Diego Maradona to his list of idols [including Pele] and managed to receive souvenirs of this rising star. He saw commercials of Diego Maradona telling the youth not to consume drugs. Diego Maradona was everywhere in Venezuelan Television and even joked in the program from Venevision [Sabado Sensacional/Sensational Saturday] and RCTV [Radio Rochela]. Venevision and RCTV were Mixed Enterprises owned by the State and a Private Company which was also partly owned by the Government.

The deception quickly set in when Diego Maradona was arrested for posession of drug and drug paraphernalia. The happiness quickly turned into a deception and anger. The idol had deceived one of his biggest fans with his use of drugs and bragging about it. In a fit of anger, the adoloescent sold some of his Maradona Paraphernalia. The people were wandering what had happened but could only see the deception in the face of the adolescent.

Maradona again deceived the youth of Latin America and the American Continent including the adolescent. In 1980, during the Mariel Boatlift, the adolescent was worried about his relatives who were trying to flee Cuba. Maradona complicated things further by appearing on a Cuban Television programme which was broadcasted on Venezolana de Television [the Government Owned Station at the past and present time]. His performance which included an act of repudiation against artists who were leaving Cuba gave the adolescent a volcanic temper.

The adolescent [since he needed to pay for his university] sold what remained of his Maradona Souvenirs including the stamps, coins, bumper stickers, cassette recordings he made, EP [Extended Play Records which looked like 45 RPM Records but played at 33 RPM], and the 45 RPM Records. Many people wandered what had happened but others replied that Maradona must be very bad for a fan to sell the remaining paraphernalia.

In 1986, Argentina is in the World Cup in Mexico and Maradona struck the ball with his hand. He stated that it was “The Hand of God” and told his teammates to support him. He later on admitted that he did strike the ball with his hand which was a clear violation of FIFA and International Football [Soccer] Rules]. Regardless, Maradona was already far out of sight from the radar of the adolescent who was a young adult.

Maradona has done a diservice to football [soccer] with his antics, drug use, and mixing politics with sports. It is surreal that Maradona is allowed to even coach the National Team of Argentina. Regardless, Sindo Garay [Cuban Composer 1867-1968] once wrote in a touching verse in his song “La Bayamesa” “Esa Es Su Lema Su Religion”[This is their motto and their religion]“. Good Luck Argentina.

Before leaving, the adolescent who once supported Maradona and later sold off his paraphernalia was none other than the author of this article.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2008/10/is_is_maradonas_time.html

 

http://my.nowpublic.com/sports/why-maradona-bad-argentina

Amy Rodriguez: One of the Best in US Football [Soccer]

The best female soccer player for the year 2008 participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and her name is Amy Rodriguez. Amy Rodriguez is also known as A-Rod by her teammates and the people who support the United States Soccer Team. Amy Rodriguez is a continuation of the tradition that started with Mia Hamm. Amy Rodriguez is an institution in United States Soccer that also includes people such as Hope Solo, Laurie Chalupny, Natasha Kai, Leslie Osborne, Abby Wambach, and Kacey White.

Amy Rodriguez was born in California on the 17th of February 1987. She started early in the United States Women’s Soccer Team after a successful career in High School and University Soccer. She played Soccer for her alma mater Santa Margarita High School. During her period in Santa Margarita High School, she was the Female Athlete of the Year. She also received honours such as the High School Player of the Year by the LA Times and the Orange County Register. Amy Rodriguez also received honours from Gatorade and Parade Girls as the High School Player of the Year.

She played for the USC Trojans in University Soccer and was considered a surprise weapon that helped the Trojans in the offensive strikes. Amy Rodriguez was also a Model United Nations Delegate and used her position to promote US Women’s Soccer. Amy Rodriguez started in the year 2005 with her first appearance with the United States Women’s Soccer Team against Finland. She was able to score her first goal in the game between the United States of America and Canada on the 16th of January 2008.

The biggest opportunity for Amy Rodriguez was in the 2005 Algarve Cup in Portugal where she earned her first two caps while playing as a substitute in the games against Denmark and Finland. In the 2006 Algarve Cup, she was able to play in three matches off the bench. In the Algarve Cup of 2008, she scored her first four goals against Canada and Norway. She also surprised the opponents of the United States Women’ Soccer Team in the Peace Queen Cup by her superb performance against Brazil.

In the 2008 Summer Olympic Games held in Beijing, Capital of the People’s Republic of China, she represented the United States of America with dignity. Her active participation in the 2008 Summer Olympics helped the United States Women’s Soccer Team win the Gold Medal for her country. Amy Rodriguez deserves to be named the Female Soccer Player for the year 2008 and the 21st Century. I would like to extend my best wishes to Amy Rodriguez.

http://www.helium.com/items/1218143-amy-rodriguez-united-states-womens-soccer

Ginn Does It For The Fins

The Miami Dolphins were able to make a stunning comeback after two losses to Baltimore and Houston, and were able to defeat the Buffalo Bills 25-16.

It was not easy to attempt a comeback and there was the fear of another loss.

The first three quarters were depressing with the Bills dominating the game. At one point, the Dolphins were six points behind the Bills. Finally, the stadium erupted as the Fins were able to tie the game with a 16-16 at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Dolphins as Ted Ginn Jr., with the help of quarterback Chad Pennington, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The Dolphins received a reprieve with a 3-4 record while the Bills dropped to 5-2.

It appears that the team has learned from its mistakes in their last games against Baltimore and Houston. While people have underestimated Ginn, who grabbed a 46-yard reception on the Dolphins’ first play from scrimmage, he has proven himself beyond what is demanded of other wide receivers. It was the thinking and coordination of Ginn that saved the game for Miami.

It was also the attitude of teamwork and consistency that saved Miami. What is needed at the present time is to pause and reflect.

The reflection should be based on the three games won and four games lost. The question should be “Where do we go from here?” The answer lies in the Fins and their attitude in an attempt to win the rest of their games.

Only time will tell if there will ever be such a reflection.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/73862-ginn-helps-dolphins-win-against-buffalo

 

Pele and Contemporary Football

According to the Xinhua News Agency and CRI English, Pele has expressed his disgust at the majority of football [soccer] players of today.  He has criticized the majority for preferring to “play for the love of money instead of love of football [soccer] jersey”. He also commented about people who played for their club instead of their nation because of the low salary.

 

The author agrees with Pele since commercialism has invaded all sports including football [soccer]. There was a time when people played out of loyalty to the country first followed by loyalty to the club. What happened over the years have been a product of commercialism and an opening up of more communications between the nations of the world.

 

Pele was right about the players playing for clubs instead of their nations because of the low salaries. There are countries that have not paid attention to their athletes and as a result, the athletes go abroad. The phenomenon is not limited to Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Regardless, there are football [soccer] clubs such as Zimbabwe where the Chief Executive Officer was using half of the players for sexual favours which does not do justice to the team.

 

There are instances in which players in North America and Europe have played for other teams because of lack of infrastructure, lack of a national team, [although that is changing] or monetary opportunities.  It is hoped that one day, there could be a return to a balance in which loyalty to the National Team is first and loyalty to the clubs are second. The United States Soccer League and Major League Soccer have been instrumental in promoting pride in nation followed by pride in club.

 

Who cannot forget seeing the United States of America playing against Cuba at RFK Stadium in Washington DC? The team appears united with Landon Donovan and others promoting the spirit of country first and club second.

 

 

 

Reference:

“Pele Says There is A Lack of Love for the Jersey” CRI English

http://english.cri.cn/2886/2008/10/27/1042s418398.htm

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/73852-pele-believes-new-generation-of-soccer-players-are-not-loyal-to-their-jerseys

Anne Presley 1982-2008

My condolences to the family of Anne Presley and KATV for their loss.

Mi pesame para la familia de Anne Presley y la Cadena KATV 7

Halloween

Beckham in Italy/Beckham En Italia

BBC Sports announced that David Beckham who is to England what Landon Donovan is to America is going to join AC Milan on loan. David Beckham will play for AC Milan in the second half of the Italian Football Season after the MLS or Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy finishes their season. The question is whether David Beckham can weather the storm.

 

Beckham is proof of the universality of football [soccer] after playing for the English National Team, Manchester United, Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the USA, and finally AC Milan in Italy.

 

When Beckham signed with LA Galaxy, I thought that US Football [Soccer] would witness the second British Invasion with regards to this sport. The result was while Beckham did not play much during his debut season, he was able to garner enough attention for the MLS. Beckham and Donovan were able to give what the public wanted which was a game.

 

It appears that he wants to play with AC Milan. The only thing that could be said is the best of luck to him.

 

La Cadena Deportiva de la BBC anuncio que David Beckham firmara un acuerdo para jugar para AC Milan en la segunda mitad de la temporada del futbol italiana. Estoy contento pues Beckham mostro que el futbol es un deporte internacional. El jugo para Inglaterra, Manchester United, Real Madrid en Espa~na, Las Galaxias de Los Angeles en Estados Unidos, y ahora AC Milan en Italia. Mis mejores deseos para Beckham.

 

BBC Sports: “Beckham to join AC Milan on loan” http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7683877.stm

Celtic FC Says NO to Foreign Takeovers

 

In the Premiership League, we have witnessed the takeover of clubs in England such as Manchester United by the Glazer Family and Manchester City by Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra. We have been witness to the Glazer Family piling debt as well as making many people in Manchester United feel like second class citizens in a foreign style invasion of an institution. We have been witness to the former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra treating Manchester City like a personal fiefdom and firing Sven Goren Eriksson after mistreating him.

 

We have been witness to teams such as Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Vila, Portsmouth, and Fulham under the ownership of billionaires who know nothing about football but know the colour of money. While all appears lost, it is refreshing to see that not all clubs of the Premiership League and the SPL see foreign takeover of English and Scottish Clubs as a panacea for the problems facing it. Celtic Football Club is one of the clubs that are saying NO to Foreign Billionaires.

 

I am content with the position of John Reid [Chairman of Celtic Football Club] and Dermot Desmond [Shareholder of the Celtic Football Club]. They have stated that under no condition will they allow Celtic Football Club to be taken over by a foreign buyer whose interest is solely money. Reid and Desmond have reiterated their position during an interview with BBC Five Live. Reid and Desmond should be congratulated for their decision to help protect what is one of the patrimonies of Scotland.

 

It is hoped that the decision by Celtic would start a domino effect among the teams in the SPL and the Premiership League. MUST is one organization that is trying to free Manchester United from the Glazer Imperialist Dictatorship. It is not surprising if there are people in Manchester City who are also angry with the arbitrary decisions of Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. It is also not surprising that there are people in Chelsea who are angry with Abramovich over the way he treated Mourinho. The supporters of Liverpool, Aston Vila, Portsmouth, and Fulham must be thinking the same thing about freedom for their clubs from Billionaires.

 

I challenge MUST to continue its struggle against Glazer. I challenge the rest of the supporters of English Premiership Teams whose teams have billionaire owners to take matters into their own hands legally and attempt to organize groups such as the ones that exist with MUST. The purpose would be to buy back the teams so that the supporters can be owners of their team. Even the scenario of My Football is a good one since the owners are the football supporters. Scarborough Athletic FC has been another example.

 

 

http://my.nowpublic.com/sports/celtic-fc-says-no-foreign-billionaire-takeovers

Una Noche Con El Futbol de la Liga Mexicana

Quiero felicitar al Reba~no por su victoria contra Atlante. Chivas de Guadalajara mostro su poderio mediante la consistencia, tenacidad, y diciplina en el juego. Atlante parece que perdio la calma y el desespero lo hundio.

El juego entre America y los Indios brillaban por la falta de goles, consistencia, diciplina, organizacion, y tenacidad. Por eso, queria felicitar a Chivas de Guadalajara. Quiero extender mis felicitaciones al equipo de Atlas por su victoria contra Necaxa.

Primer Tiempo

Necaxa y Atlas comenzaron su juego en el Estadio Victoria en Aguasclaiente, Mexico con la amonestacion contra Rodallega de Necaxa a los 6 minutos. Atlas no quedo atras con la amonestacion de Botinelli a los 11 minutos. Despues de la amonestacion, Puchero anoto el primer gol del juego para Atlas a los 20 minutos mediante una patada directa hacia la cancha.

Necaxa fallo en su intento para empatar el juego mediante una penalidad. Atlas recibio su segunda amonestacion a los 33 minutos. Lo que sobro del primer tiempo fue una lucha entre Atlas y Necaxa para la posesion del juego.

Segundo Tiempo

Atlas siguio brillando con su manera de jugar con la diciplina, tenacidad, organizacion, y el orgullo de los Zorros. Mientras tanto, Necaxa recibio dos amonestaciones. El primer amonestado del Segundo Tiempo fue Sosa a los 53 minutos y el segundo fue Quattrochi a los 77 minutos. Sosa y Quattrochi recibieron sus castigos por conducta anti-profesional. Quiero desear lo mejor para Atlas y por supuesto Chivas

Ravens Defeat Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens faced each other in Dolphin Stadium on Oct. 19. While the Miami Dolphins attempted to play a decent game of American football, the Baltimore Ravens were able to get over their previous defeats and beat the Dolphins on their home turf. I am beginning to think that the Miami Dolphins are not playing American football.

The Miami Dolphins started with the 21-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter. The Baltimore Ravens got their revenge with a 47-yard field goal by Matt Stover to tie the game.

Throughout the afternoon, Pennington had to deal with players who were not focused on the game which lead to an interception, sacks, and incomplete passes.

The Miami Dolphins received further bad news when Pennington attempted a short left pass for Cobb. The result was an interception by Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens that was returned for a 44-yard touchdown. Carpenter tried to save face for the Miami Dolphins with a 26-yard field goal which cut the Ravens lead to 10-6.

The Baltimore Ravens refused to give up with Joe Flacco passing the ball to Derek Mason for an 11-yard touchdown. The touchdown was followed by an extra-point by Stover, which widened the lead 17-6 in favor of the Ravens at the end of the first half.

The Second Half of the Game started with the Miami Dolphins attempting to recover lost territory. The Baltimore Ravens refused to rest on their laurels as Stover connected on a 28-yard field goal, making the Baltimore lead 20-6.

The Miami Dolphins continued to attempt to recover the momentum with Pennington finding Davone Bess from seven yards away for the first touchdown of the game for the Miami Dolphins. Carpenter scored an extra point to help keep the Miami Dolphins in the game, and cut the Ravens lead to 20-13.

The Baltimore Ravens were able to seal the game with a five-yard touchdown by Willis McGahee and the extra point from Stover. The Baltimore Ravens had 27 points and were able to continue to play a consistent game. The Miami Dolphins were unable to stop the onslaught and seemed to forget what they did in their games against New England and San Diego.

 The Baltimore Ravens recorded the week eight 27-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins

My suggestion to the Miami Dolphins is to get back to the basics. The basics are a hard practice in ALL weather conditions. If necessary, the Dolphins should take a trip to Alaska where they can practice a real gritty and hard football. If drastic measures are not taken, the 2008-09 season may well be a slight repeat of the 2007-08 season.

 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/70565-miami-dolphins-defeated-by-the-baltimore-ravens