The relative lull since the European Championship and the start up of the big domestic leagues in Europe offered an opportunity to catch up on some reading.
“Bloody Confused! – A Clueless American Sportswriter Seeks Solace in English Soccer” – Chuck Culpepper
The books recounts Chuck Culpepper’s rapid journey from burnt out American sportswriter to avid fan of Portsmouth.
Love took Culpepper across the Atlantic Ocean in 2006 and little did he know that love would strike twice. He landed in a country dominated by the Premiership and all things related and what’s more he found himself “purged of free media credentials, free media shuttle busses, and free media buffet lines.”
In his new world he has to buy tickets (more difficult than you might expect if you don’t have a “history” of ticket buying - a Catch-22 indeed) and has to plan and arrange transportation to far off cities. All this, while undergoing a culture shock of gigantic proportions. “It was like starting over. It was like childhood, with beer”.
Culpepper was without a team to follow and after narrowing the field he fell for the very unfashionable Portsmouth. Remember his arrival took place before top-ten-two-straight seasons-and-FA Cup Winners Portsmouth. The author’s allegiance was cemented only a couple of months after the return of Harry Rednapp to Fratton Park and at that time Pompey was odds-on to be relegated.
Culpepper draws us into his growing love affair with Portsmouth as the team battles to escape relegation while he simultaneously struggles with his on-the-job soccer education. Because the events are still very recent the story resonates to an even greater degree because many of the key moments that led to Portsmouth’s escape are so fresh in the readers mind.
Matthew Taylor’s nerve-wracking penalties that beat Wigan and Sunderland and secured safety; Pedro Mendes’ double against Manchester City including the cracking last second winner that nearly took the net with it; the Lua-Lua equalizer that gained an unlikely point off Arsenal.
The book concludes with Portsmouth finishing in ninth place in 2007. As I read, I constantly thought of Portsmouth and their “new” fan experiencing last season and in particular the trip to Wembley and the lifting of the FA Cup. (If nothing else you have to admire the author’s sense of timing – success for the first time in over half a century for Portsmouth)
The only problem I had with the book was in the early chapters. I thought he tried a little too hard to make the idiosyncrasies of the game in England appear funny when in many cases they really are not – some are just different.
The best part is his descriptions of mental trauma as Portsmouth first battle to stay in the Premiership and then the following season as qualification for Europe becomes a possibility. As Portsmouth get off to a great start the following season counting to forty points is quickly made a thing of the past and a loftier goal seems possible.
The irony of it is that while Portsmouth finish eight places and sixteen points better than the previous season they fail in their new mission – a place in the UEFA Cup – while the season before when their top flight future hung by a thread they achieved what they set out to do.
Culpepper is a top class writer and his description of some of the more poignant moments of his journey - Fratton Park after the death of Alan Ball for example – are truly memorable. A book well worth picking up whether you are a long time Premiership fan or a relatively new convert.
The book is published by Broadway Books and is out August 5. However, if you buy books from the UK you might want to note that the book appears to have been published in the UK last year under the title “Up Pompey”.
“The Games of their Lives” – Geoffrey Douglas
This book was originally published in 1996 and went on to be made into a movie. The author tells the story of the USA team that travelled to the 1950 World Cup in Brazil and beat England 1-0. It was England’s first World Cup appearance and you can imagine the chance that the largely semi-professional American team was given – particularly by the English media.
Geoffrey Douglas is not a football fan but he is a fine writer. If you don’t get too upset at some inapt soccer descriptions you will enjoy a first-rate read. Douglas weaves together a social history of the communities that bred some of the players and the road they travelled that ultimately led to one of the great sporting upsets of all-time.
The recollections of the players as they describe the men who encouraged and influenced them along the way and memories of the local leagues and past battles are uplifting without being over sentimental. Perhaps most striking is how the players who beat England bore no acrimony in arriving back to a country that cared little or was largely unaware of the magnitude of the USA team’s achievement.
I am guessing that even today few American soccer fans would be able to name more than a couple of the starting eleven that stunned England in Belo Horizonte 58 years ago. If you are one of them (or not) do yourself a favour and pick up the book.
After reading “The Games of their Lives” I went hunting for more and found that David Wangerin’s history of the game in the USA has just been released in North America. The book, “Soccer in a Football World: The Story of America’s Forgotten Game” was published two years ago in the UK. I’m only a third of the way through the book but it is a great read and it will be an eye opener to anyone who thinks that the game is a relatively recent import to the USA.
In a similar vein I have the website “Pitch Invasion” to thank for bringing a series of articles by Richard Whittall to my attention. Richard Whittall has put together a condensed history of soccer in Toronto and North America with an emphasis on Canada. It is wonderful stuff.
You can find the draw information by federation tucked away near the bottom right hand corner of the page . As I mentioned at the end of the show last night it is seems curious that UEFA seeding is based on the FIFA rankings from November 2007.
Concacaf however, has opted to use May 2007 which is prior to this past summer’s Gold Cup. Anyone smell a rat? (Africa is using July 2007).
Country (May-Nov) Mexico 1-1 USA 2-2 Costa Rica 3-7 Honduras 4-3 Panama 5-5* Trinidad & Tobago 6-10 Jamaica 7-12 Cuba 8-8 Haiti 9-5* Guatemala 10-13 Canada 11-4 Guyana 12-11 St Vincent & Gren. 13-9
* tied for 5th. (Should the tie breaker not have been the respective penalty kick shoot out records?)
I’ve never put any credence into the FIFA World rankings but if there are to be used for seeding purposes surely then the most current version should be used.
First of all, a big thanks to the staff and management of the Galway Hooker Bar in Manhattan. Last Thursday they hosted the Fox Soccer Channel 10th anniversary east coast reception and did a fine job of it.
Celtic issues a warning to players who might be thinking of invoking FIFA’s article 17.
A small piece on Freddie Adu at Benfica and the impact that Coach Jose Antonio Camacho may have on the youngster’s development. Although Camacho was not in charge when Adu signed the signs are that he is willing to work with him.
Gabriele Marcotti assesses the threat posed by Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Glenn Gibbons puts some perspective to the issue of a “British” team in the 2012 Olympic soccer tournament. The one thing he does not mention is the timing of the event which is only a few weeks after Euro 2012.
The article quotes Berlusconi from 20 years ago. However, Sports Illustrated ran a series on the future of sport in the late seventies. SI suggested that the future of sport was TV money and that spectators would be allowed in free to create atmosphere. No matter this article lays out what is in store for spors fans over the next few years as far as televised sport and the prices that will have to be paid.
It sounds as if the Premiership has taken the exaggerated claims of the Super Bowl, the IOC and FIFA to heart and see no harm in announcing potential viewership numbers that have no link to reality.
It is generally accepted amongst sober folks that the Champions League Final draws around 70 – 100m people worldwide. An opening ceremony for an Olympics of one sort of another would attract 125-150M around the globe. The World Cup Final around 200M+ and the Super Bowl would be around 115M worldwide. These numbers cover people who actually watch as opposed to those popping in for thirty seconds.
If Saturday’s game attracted an audience of 5M in the UK (it was only available on Sky) it would be an unheard level for a league game. So, even if we say 5M watched in the UK that is only one in 12 people - based on a population of 60M.
The world’s population is around 6B and you can knock off 10% or so for babies and the infirmed. You would have to further reduce the number of potential viewers due to the number of people that live without electricity and such. That has to be another one billion + you would think.
What you are left with is a little over 4B people. And so we are supposed to believe that although a maximum of 1 in 12 people watched in the UK (and that is extremely generous) that around the world 1 in 4 tuned in. Take North America where the game was only available on Setanta. In Canada, with a population of around 30M, there are not 100,000 Setanta subscribers. In the USA with 300M how many people had access to the Setanta signal let alone watched?
The claim is ridiculous. If the game was “watched” by 40M around the world I would be surprised.
Rwonfootball - While all of the spotlight is on South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, I am as nervous about the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Should the host bid process be changed and what would you do if anything?
Bobby – Well I don’t think it is clear as to whether or not there is a process at the moment or not. FIFA has to decide is there a rotation policy or not and. Just because Brazil is the only CONMEBOL nomination the award of the 2014 World Cup is not a slam-dunk by any means. The evaluation committee could find that Brazil is unable to comply with all the requirements. Rio is hosting the Pan American Games next month and they are hoping to use the Games as a launching pad for a 2016 Olympic Bid. If next month’s Games go badly then it will be a major black eye and call into question both the 2014 and 2016 bids. I would not be surprised if the USA hosts in 2014.
Footiefan – Thanks for fixing that link, Bobby.
Henry14 - What do you make of Poll's media antics of talking about his football experience, and can he be blamed and what difference is what Poll is doing from a Rooney / Gerrard/Vieira autobiography and lastly do you feel the press 's criticism of coming out in public to speak about these things is fair?
l personally thing Owen is not the same player he was and may never be the same again, how would you rate Owen among the world's best strikers.
Who is the better player between these examples Maldini vs. Kaiser Zidane vs. Cruyff Buffon vs. Schmeichel
Do you get the feeling that the United team is being build for Carlos Queiroz to take over? He is a 4-5-1 merchant and all the players they have suit the system perfectly. and Ribery is going to Bayern, the guy is a joke, he said he wanted Madrid or England last week and all of a sudden changes his mind. Personally l hope Wenger gets one player out of the hat, who is incredibly good who is not known a lot
Bobby – Poll is trying to sell books just like the players. The problem is he has to work harder because the market for a referee’s autobiography is pretty limited. Regarding Owen – I will reserve my comments until he gets himself match fit and with a decent number of games under his belt.
As for who are the better players - the smart arse answers are Maldini, Zidane and Buffon because Beckenbauer is 62, Cruyff 60 and Schmeichel 44. Somehow I don't think that is what you meant though.
Maldini vs. Kaiser – very different players. Maldini much more a defender while Franz Beckenbauer invented a position. Zidane vs. Cruyff – Cruyff by a mile. Buffon vs. Schmeichel – nothing between them.
I don’t think for one moment that SAF is building a team to satisfy someone who might take over in the future – why would he do that? He’s building a team that he believes will win trophies next year, not one that is tied to one formation.
CIAO - SAF has been with United for a long time. Considering the years of service and the handful of players that have had issues with him... I'd say you have to cut the man some slack. And for the record I am not an SAF fan. Regardless, Marcotti makes an interesting point by indicating that the current transfers are Carlos Q's vision of the future. Maybe he is in transition to take over from SAF in a couple years time. What do you think? Regardless, I would also have to say that in current years the most balanced team in the dressing room and on field has to be VVV's beloved Milan. Ancelotti is one of the top 5 managers. Along with Lippi, SAF, Mourinho and Hiddink. (Runner ups: Capello, Wenger, Del Bosque, Dino Zoff and Benitez) (Future tops: Klinsmann, Mancini and Big Sam) What do you think of Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu? Would you say he is one of the most underrated coaches? I think it would be great to see him given the opportunity to manage a competitive team.
Bobby – Regarding SAF I don’t think he is looking to retire soon. Carlos Queiroz could finish up waiting longer than Prince Charles. Just look at Guy Roux who is returning to coach Lens at 68 after being retired for two years. I would have to disagree with your choice of Hiddink over Capello. Lucescu has a good record and would make an interesting choice for a club in one of the big 5.
Neophyte - My U-10 player just tried out on a U-12 team on fluke...the coach needed another player to scrimmage a complete team and he was there so they put him in. Three goals, two earned corners and an earned penalty kick got the attention of the coach. Should he play up at U-12 or play on his U-10 team?
Bobby – I don’t think there is a hard a fast rule on something like this. As an 8-year old I played for the under-12 school team without any trouble or problem. Seven years later I was very small for my age and got regularly pummeled. It wasn’t until I hit 17 that I caught up physically and was able to compete again. If your boy can handle it physically then I think the next question would be whether or not he wants to move up or does he want to play with his friends? Does he have an option move back and forward between levels?
Ringo - With Ryan Giggs retirement from international football, does he now become the second greatest ever player, not to appear in a World Cup?
Bobby – I would not have him as high as second.
CIAO - Does anyone know where Nakata is playing now? How about Ilhan Mansiz (Turkish player that shined during the 2002 World Cup)? Do you think Italy and England will qualify for the EURO 2008? Did anyone watch the Italy game over the weekend? How did they play?
Bobby – Nakata and Mansiz are both retired I believe. As for qualifying – Italy without a doubt, England yes but with a greater level of doubt. I didn’t see the Italy game just the highlights. Italy got three points – enough said and be thankful. Scotland has to play there tomorrow - it will be a bad night's sleep.
Mistafantastic - I heard Alan Green (a man I had a lot of respect for) babbling on 606 Friday that Beckham was going to hinder his career by going "to that joke of a league MLS". Only Andy Grey & Martin Tyler have at least given MLS the benefit of the doubt for the time being. I know all these so-called "experts" wouldn't be hammering Becks if he went to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Japan, or even Australia, but have no problem ripping a league that's given England a helluva lot of players the past few years. Why exactly is this the case? I'm the last guy to ever defend MLS but this is irking me something awful! Any comments? Cheers!
Bobby – My only comment is the vast majority of comments coming from England regarding MLS is based on total and absolute ignorance.
The realrico - At first I thought there was no way Henry leaving Arsenal, but with him now being linked to AC Milan, it seems like it is more likely now then ever he might go. My question is if he leaves, whom does Arsenal get with the money from the Henry sale?
Bobby – I don’t think Henry is leaving. My question is what is Milan actually up to – the Henry transfer hint is a smoke screen for something else.
Neophyte - Since the Beckham rule, we have seen an increase of foreign players come into the MLS. Now Claude Makelele and Shevchenko have stated playing in the MLS might be something they would consider. If Beckham actually plays in the league, do you see more players from Europe coming to the MLS?
Bobby – Will more players come from Europe – the answer is yes but it will not be a flood. I wouldn’t read too much into the comments by Makelele or Shevchenko. They are professional players and in Shevchenko’s case his wife is American so there is no reason not to consider a moved to MLS. MLS just has to make sure that a balance is maintained and that the players that come from Europe don’t come with a #### attitude.
LosAngelesChelseaFan - Why do think that West Ham or Newcastle would risk putting Joey Barton in their dressing room? I just don’t get it. Is this an $11m charity donation?
Bobby – When you have a player with ability – and Barton does – there will always be managers who think that they can control players with bad reputations and turn them around. Out of all the players who were trouble but with genuine talent that you can think of over the years, how many were dumped and never picked up?
Gongatore - What do you think of the US squads' performance vs. China and since it starts this week how they may do in the Gold Cup? I was impressed by Bradley's kid, he really has some bite to his game, what do you think?
Bobby – I didn’t see the game so I can’t really comment on the specifics. The team that played against China is very different than the one that will play in the Gold Cup. If the USA don’t make it the Gold Cup Final Bob Bradley may find that the honeymoon period is over. As for young Bradley I haven’t seen enough of him to form a decent opinion.
It is almost one year since my first blog entry just before the start of last summer’s World Cup. Here is your opportunity to share your thoughts. Is their anything you would change, add, dump, change the frequency of? For those of you who read but don’t post you can forward your suggestions to fsr@mts.net .
Thank you all again for taking the time to visit the blog.
On a weekend when Lyon, Celtic and Inter sew up their respective league championships, PSV and Barcelona decide to make what looked to be straight forward tasks much more difficult.
A late equalizer by Utrecht against PSV means that a win for AZ Alkmaar next week against Excelsior will give AZ their first title since 1981. It could be the first time in 26 seasons that the big three of Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord have failed to lift the title. Quite the triumph for Louis Van Gaal.
Robert Pires gains a measure of revenge for being substituted in last season’s Champions League Final against Barcelona after Jens (short for Jennifer I understand) Lehmann was sent off. Pires scores the first goal and Barcelona’s miserable away form continues. They still lead Seville by a point and Real Madrid by two (and Sevilla and Real Madrid have still to play each other) but you have to think that Barca’s inability to kill off the chasing pack only gives the likes of Sevilla and Real Madrid more hope and confidence.
Cristaino Ronaldo and Shunsuke Nakamura pick up player of the year awards in England and Scotland.
And finally the last word goes to Nigel Winterburn the former Arsenal full back and colour commentator for Saturday's Manchester United vs. Boro match. "Rio touches his groin and shakes his head."
Tucked away in the news from the FIFA Executive meeting is the play off set-up for 2010. The fourth place finisher in CONCACAF will have to beat the fifth place team from South America. Oceania will face the country finishing the equivalent of fifth in Asia.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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