soccer lost a good one

In my short time as a manager (oh and we can't forget front desk worker) at the George Mason Field House I had the opportunity to carry on random soccer conversations with one of the most important figures in the sport that this country has ever seen. Not a bad bonus for somebody just trying to make a few extra bucks during college summer breaks.

I am of course talking about Gordon Bradley. Gordon passed away yesterday after having battled against Alzheimer's for years. I hope him and his family will soon find peace.

Now you can read all about his accomplishments in any of the normal papers so I would like to just share a few of my favorite memories about the legendary coach:

4) After getting kind of worried about the US team's ability to qualify for the 2002 World Cup because of their poor start with qualifying, Gordon was overly optimistic about their chances and spent some time explaining to me how incredibly insane it is down in places like Guatemala and Costa Rica during these matches. Pretty cool when you can get a living legend to spend some time going over world cup soccer playing conditions with you while you are getting paid.

3) Working out at Mason only to look across the weight room in pure amazement at how freaking strong a 65 year old man could be. Gordon would play racquetball for hours and then just lift weights like it was no big deal. Pretty normal for somebody in their mid to upper 60's.

2) After having watched a DC United away game vs San Jose the night before, I was working the early shift at the Front Desk (btw easily the worst job at the Field House but that is for another blog). Who shows up a lot earlier than you would expect? The soccer color commentator from Home Team Sports - Gordon. I mean did that crazy old man take the red eye or something? Wow.

1) A few indoor soccer balls had become stuck in the batting cage nets after they had been raised for basketball camp. Jesse and I were trying to knock them down with other soccer balls when Gordon came out of one of the racquetball courts. He came over to help us in our efforts in knocking them down. We got down to this one ball that was really in there pretty good when I finally got it out. Gordon started to laugh and called me quite a "hotshot" in his thick British accent. He called me that a few more times during the week and the joke kinda stuck. And by kinda stuck I mean that Jesse and I still use it every once in awhile.

I am glad I had the chance to get to know him, even if it was very, very minimal...

you spin me right round baby right round

ESPN360 really can bring on midday insanity at the drop of a hat. Look don't get me wrong, having the ability to have a Champions League Semi-Final on in the background of my office is incredible but the halftime loop is just too much.

For those of you that aren't able to indulge in such work activities, I will now attempt to explain the madness with the help of "key" catch phrases from the halftime commercial loop:

"hook horns, hook horns...an insane deer?"

"sausage makers don't sell themselves...it takes moxie"

"THE CHAMPIONS" - the annoying ass theme song by our friends at UEFA

"type those stories, type those stories...check those sources, check those sources"

"i guess you could say you started off as a volunteer...i guess you could say i got these coaching thing down pat"

"THE CHAMPIONS"

weird noise from the heineken soccer commercial

Look seriously my head is about to explode. To make matters worse, ManU is winning at the half. An all English final just isn't very sexy. Plus I actually have a Barcelona jersey...thanks Christy.

is it really may already?

You can't have it both ways. Over the last few days I have been telling anybody that will listen that time is flying by in 2008. I mean it's basically May in about 5 minutes. Really? May?

So yeah after running the memories through my head this morning I decided that May is actually a fair deal. There are some things that happened in January that seem like they happened years ago. Hibberts game-winning three, watching the 'Skins playoff game on a bus, and taking the train to MSG didn't exactly happen yesterday. So forget the whole "I can't believe its May already" tall tale I have been telling recently.

So there was a United home game this past Saturday night and even though most of my friends don't think the season actually starts until June, those of us that did show up had a great time.

I spent the entire first half right behind Rimando's goal line at the 18 yard box. What impressed me the most was how big Moreno's onions must be after taking that pk the way he did. Oh and the grass is really, really nice. Just a little bit better than my backyard, but it's close.

The post game tailgate got tough. After deciding that crushing a few beers was a good idea the rain that has been avoiding us all day finally showed up. Funny thing happened when Lantier went to start his truck - it was dead. I guess that's the price a real hardcore NFL fan pays for listening to the draft all afternoon with his doors wide open. Luckily we didn't have any jumper cables between us. You know who else doesn't have jumper cables? The special police that asked us to leave. How do police not have jumper cables??? Luckily some crazy ass drunk guys about 50 feet away had cables. I'm still stunned Sam didn't electrocute himself. Sometimes its better to be lucky than good...

a serious problem...

I tell myself that the Redskins aren't a big deal anymore. I know that their management structure/personnel prohibits extended periods of sustained success. I try not to pay attention until I absolutely, positively must show them some love. And by that I mean opening kickoff. Years and years of disappointments have let me numb.

So why do I do it?

Why do I find myself going to eBay and searching for "Redskins Season Tickets"? Old habits aren't dying easy over here in Kings Park. I am apparently just hoping to stumble upon the greatest deal of the century on one of these super early, midweek searches.

Sure going to games are fun, but not all of the games. I don't need to spend 8 days at FedEx Field. It's an entire day if you do it right.

Luckily for me that prices are so outrageous right now that I'm not even given the chance to click on the "Buy It Now". I mean you would think they have a Head Coach that knows the team colors. They of course do not.

This Saturday is the start to the season. Quite possibly the worst televised "sporting event" of the year. I mean the first round takes 5 hours. Only a complete waste of space can sit down and watch that without getting paid.

One thing is nice. Right now they can still win it all. It won't stay like that for long, but for right now, everybody is in it baby.

with two whole days to spare...

It's April 13th and my taxes are complete. Wow. I think that is a new world record for RHB3.

Why the rush?

Well I am kinda in between living situations and, after remembering that taxes were due in the mail by Tuesday, it just sorta felt like a Sunday afternoon type task. Throw in the Masters in the background and it was all wham, bam, thank you ma'am...here's your refund boy.

Looking ahead to the next 7 days shows an awfully crowded dinner dance card:

Monday - I have my weekly appointment at Gold's for Andre to kick my ass in the AM. The PM shows a Happy Hour/Lisa's got a new job Celebration at Kilroy's.

Tuesday - Eh, not so much. I guess I could have crammed in my taxes on the very last day. Oh well. There is always next time my man. EDIT: How could I possibly forget everybody's new favorite Open Gym at West Springfield Elementary?

Wednesday - AM :It was suggested that I try out the new 6am Body Pump class at my gym. I'm sure this is a huge mistake. PM: Hoya Hoop Club Banquet. The last time I went to one of these I was in 11th grade. Allen Iverson had yet to score a point in the NBA and DC United had played less than a handful of games. I'd like to see how short Mary looks standing next to Roy Hibbert.

Thursday - Nothing like a Lot 8 Tailgate to make the week go by faster. United will be ready to pick up 3 points at home after having Real Salt Lake open up a tall boy of whoop ass on them last night in Utah.

Friday - I know what I'm not doing. I'm not going to respond to Adam inviting me up to Baileys. What a brick that was last weekend. In the history of the world you can probably count on one hand the times that friends have invited other friends out to a bar and not drink. I had no idea this was going on. Well now I know.

Saturday - AM: Weather permitting we have our first game in the Montgomery County League. PM: Jesse's sister Katie is getting married down the street at St. Stephen's. Reception to follow at the same place we had our 10 year reunion. Looks like I can't keep dodging the Fair Lakes Hyatt - no United game this time.

Sunday - Update stamp collection.

So there you have it...my upcoming week....

weekend starts after this blog...

The Office: I mean...that was probably one of the best episodes ever. Sure it was a long layoff...but it was totally worth it.

Line of the Night: Jim when he said, "Michael and Jan seem to playing their own separate game. And it's called let's see how uncomfortable we can make our guests...and they are both winning."

One word line of the Night: Pam with her "Awesome" after seeing Dwight crash the party with some older woman.

Movie of the Weekend: Well there is no telling if I will see a movie this weekend, but if I do, I'm definitely trying to see Smart People. Too bad Forgetting Sarah Marshall isn't out yet. That looks pretty good.

United: Well its back to work in the MLS. The boys find themselves in Utah this weekend. At least you don't have to worry about them staying out too late tonight getting nuts. Prediction: United 3 Real Salt Lake 1.

Gooners: Still bummed out about that bogus PK from Tuesday but whatever. All will be right in the world if they can somehow get a win over the Red Devils. I hope Senderos doesn't make the trip. Prediction: Arsenal 2 Man U 1.

NBA Playoffs: Huge win for the Nuggets last night. It now looks like they might make the playoffs after all. I was sure they would lose last night. Recently they have been the enver Nuggets. The reason being that they play ZERO defense.

Hoyas: OMG can't we just sit back and relax until Kenner League? Nope. Tons of preseason polls are coming out and Georgetown is ranked between 5 and 18 so far. I'll take a little bit more interest in these types of things when we know for certain who is actually leaving early. Until then...why bother?

Ok I'm out...later Babe.

when winning just isn't enough...

Well United got the 2-1 comeback win last night, but it wasn't enough as Pachuca advanced to the final by virtue of their 3-2 aggregate advantage in the two game series.

Major bummer my man. The 2-1 comeback wasn't even all that exciting because after Pachuca went up 1-0, it was really 3-0. At 3-0 you know it was lights out baby.

Trash can invasions: I guess if you make a huge mess enough times, somebody will eventually notice. Let me put it this way: for the first half hour or so there were probably more trash cans than people. I think the Barra Brava should take it as a tailgate challenge. Can we produce enough junk in 5 hours to fill all of the cans? I think so.

Never a good idea to wear shoes that you like to a tailgate....

I know this. I even provide this information to all of my friends free of charge. Well guess what this guy did last weekend? Yep, that's right. I wore some shoes down to Lot 8 that I actually still like to wear in public.

Bad idea.

Not only did they get dirty but I also, in a freak table clearing accident, managed to tag my right shoe with a gratuitous amount of salsa. Yummy. Nothing says "I'm a winner" better than decorating your Nikes with a side from On The Border. Nice work Bob, you idiot.

sagna was the deal breaker...

You simply can't play Senderos.

You can't. Well, not if you want to win anyway.

I'd rather just roll the dice and put a midfielder in the backline. He played a huge role in Liverpool's first two goals. The crazy thing is that even with his presence it looked as if a 2-2 draw was going to be enough to advance after Walcott's incredible run in the 84th minute.

Nope.

A suspect penalty call came less than a minute later. Another goal came in the last minute of injury time as most of the players had pressed ahead for that late equalizer that never showed up.

Oh well. At least I didn't run up a huge bar tab this afternoon. I can still go to the gym and then play some basketball later this evening without any of that extra beer weight. I think I have enough of that anyway.

I can get my drinking in tomorrow at RFK and not have to feel bad about boozing it up on back to back days.

Damn I hate Liverpool.

Last Nite: I guess I missed a pretty good National Championship game. I watched most of the first half but I just couldn't get into so I went to bed. I really wanted Calipari's guys to win it so I would know what it felt like to see a National Title vacated. I'm just glad the tournament is over. Once Georgetown lost I couldn't watch. Watching other teams play in games that could have been them would have been like watching your old girlfriend hook up with other guys. So basically it would just flat out suck.

Ever wonder what Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk meant?

Yeah me too.

Here you go!

halftime update...

I usually don't like ESPN but today they are coming through pretty big for me. You see I couldn't leave in time to see the match but I'm not having a problem watching it on ESPN360 live right from my office.

Things started out great with Arsenal creating tons of chances from Adebayor. Diaby was able to score in the first half of the the first half and all was well.

Then Senderos started to make his presence felt. First he got a Yellow Card and then he decided not to mark his man on a corner kick. The result? A goal and now we are all tied at the half. Sanga being hurt is killing this team.

Ok the game is about to come back on. Remember: 1-1 is the only result that will require extra time. Any other tie gives Arsenal the win.

Go Gooners...

c'mon you gooners...

It has come down to this.

They are out of the Carling Cup.

The FA Cup is finished.

Winning the league isn't looking so great. It's gonna take a win at Old Trafford this weekend to even have a chance. Of course they got it a 1-0 result there last year.

But today is the day for glory. This is the last chance for silverware this season.

A chance to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League. The only hiccup is that they are playing one of the most annoying teams in all of football - Liverpool. They love to slow the game down and make it ugly - a real rock fight if you will. This is a club that is undoubtedly still stuck in 80's. Hey it works in these knockout competitions but fails them over an entire season.

I'm not really sure if I can get out of work to watch it live which is of course dagger city. I have an open gym date later tonight in Springfield which could force me to put off this game until well after 10pm. Damn these midweek European club competitions. Actually I will take the blame for not being independently wealthy.

Bricktown by rhb3.

I like Arsenal to go through 2-1 with goals from Adebayor and Fabregas while conceding an own goal from Senderos. That guy is a walking own goal/red card waiting to happen.

no doogie for you...

I normally keep a pretty neat room but last night when I got home from my half game (more on that to come later) I just wasn't feeling it. As a result my room looks like somebody set off a laundry bomb.

So this morning as I was rummaging through piles upon piles of clean clothes and throwing them in my gym bag, I had a thought. I somehow remembered that it was Monday and I needed to DVR two of the five TV shows that I actually watch. I skipped ahead on the guide to 9pm on CBS only to find out that How I Met Your Mother isn't on tonight.

The reason? The last game of the tournament is taking that valuable air time.

And then it hit me. I am turning soft. And by soft I mean gay.

We live in a really scary world when I am disappointed because I can't get my weekly half-hour dose of Neil Patrick Harris. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Instead I have the opportunity to watch Calipari and his merry band of cheaters go after the National Championship that, should they win, will most likely be vacated. Think I'm exaggerating? Well check out what happened the last time he took a team to the Final Four.

Lights, Camera, Action: Well, not exactly. In what was turning out to be a really good game last night between FC Dynamite and Daily Grind, something funny happened. The lights went off at halftime and refused to come back on. What a total bummer. Even worse is that Red Robin was closed so I got shutout in my effort to crush a late night Banana Shake.

people say things...

In the last two days I have come across a couple of quotes or, if you will, lines that I probably won't be forgetting anytime soon. So it would be my honor to let all of you know what has caught my eye.


**Judge Bernie Bouchard refereed to former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry as a "one-man crime wave". This after he was arrested for the 5th time in less than 3 years. Nice work Henry. I guess getting into fights with 18 year olds was more important than playing in the National Football League. The closest I can relate to this is the time I went on a one-man lard rampage in 7th grade. That's all I got.

**Bill Self after learning he lost senior reserve guard Rodrick Stewart to a busted kneecap in a Final Four practice - "Obviously he is out," said Self. "He'll have surgery when he gets back to Lawrence. So, not a great start to our day." - I think that is putting it pretty lightly Bill.

**Oscar's attachment in the latest Barra Brava email has some incredible language. He is renting something from a company called Corporate Concessions (their website isn't exactly very helpful). Apparently they are specializing in the niche market of Mobile Party Machines. I am a big fan of the saying 30ft state of the art Tailgate Party Machine. I wish we could just park it outside of my house for the rest of my life.

one last time in uniform...

Ewing, Jr and Wallace will be making it down to San Antonio after all. Too bad they won't be bringing the rest of their buddies with them.

Patrick will be in the slam dunk contest while Jon will be in the three point contest as well as the all-star game. I think Patrick can definitely win his event, but I'm not as optimistic for Jon. I think Jon's shot, while pure, takes too long for him to hoist up 25 shots in 60 seconds. We shall see.

The action starts tonight at 9pm on ESPN.

As for this all star game, I am very interested to see Jon play in a game where they aren't running the Princeton offense. He can be a stone cold killer from the outside as long as it is a catch and shoot situation. He is not nearly as effective when he is charged with too many of the ball handling duties.

That game is tomorrow at 6pm on CSTV.

Speaking of former Hoyas, Jeff Green has his summer plans all worked out. Jeff is gonna come home for the summer and work on that degree. That is great news for two reasons: it means he will knock out those 24 hours in order to get that piece of paper from Georgetown, and it most likely means he will be playing in the Kenner League this summer.

YES!

I'm working on a Hoya vent post but I have been kind of busy. It should be coming soon.