God, Country, Soccer

Then it says, ‘I will return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it empty, swept clean, and put in order. - Mt 12:44 Hello again. I'm not quite sure what I'm doing here. Even moreso, I'm not sure what you're doing here. How did I get back here? Well I was cleaning up some programs on my computer, and I found an old bookmarks file from Firefox. So I clicked on it, and after 10 minutes of updates that needed to be processed, I found a time capsule from about 10 years ago of all the things I was into. This being one of them. I clicked the link, but my domain had expired and died. I couldn't even see any of the old posts I had written. Diving deeper, because, I wanted to see how awful these old posts were, I fixed the issues of the domain, and layout which had broken as well. So long story short, the blog is a functional being again. Will I ever use it? That's an interesting question. I have been helping a friend of mine with his short...

I have some big news...well...for me, and this blog it is, I guess...but if you're visiting this page, you might be interested. However, it's not ready to announce yet, and I'm not going to build it up like "big news" like MLS usually does. So, This post really doesn't say much, but just know, some new things are going to happen here.  Stay tuned...

You may have heard by now that the 3 (4 if you count the Colonials), are merging into one mega super duper awesome supporter group. #OneGroup There are many reasons that have been given for the merger and many that seem like this would be a great idea. However, I stand against this merger. You might be saying, wait, you're a contrarian to everything so why is this news? Well, here's why I think it's a bad idea. People are different. The people that represent the current Class VI and Pid Army and BSG are just different types of people. This is not to say that people can't put their differences aside and work together, but when it comes to identifying yourself and/or representing a group, there will be plenty of issues that arise from trying to blanket a diverse group of people within one. These conflicts will not bode well for the long term viability of this mega group. We don't have to all be the same. It's ok to be different. It's ok to have differe...

Welcome to 2013. The shirts are (mostly) the same, the team name is the same, but there are quite a few changes we're in for this season. Oscar Pareja begins his second season as manager and along with Paul Bravo has put a youthful crew together for this voyage. Where this boat sails, we'll have months to figure out together. We got our first glimpse of what that could look like as the Rapids faced Portland in Tuscon, AZ in the opening game of this season's Dessert Friendlies. In the first half we got to see a line up that most likely will be rather similar to what we'll see opening day. Brian Mullan made a first half appearance at right back and played pretty well in the limited minutes. I look forward to seeing Mullan on the field wherever he is. He is a true professional. The only slightly depressing thing to come out of the first half was that the key to this whole season, to the offense, the engine that makes this offense run, Martin Rivero left with an apparen...

Usually when I'm running I listen to a spoken version of the rosary. I say usually because I just started to pick up "running" about 3 weeks ago. (I'm doing the C25K program, if you care). This morning, however, I decided to listen to some old podcasts of Father Larry Richards homilies. Wow, was I in for a flooring. Father Larry was teaching on Corpus Christi and may have well been just talking straight to me. "The most important thing in this word, in this life is the Eucharist, are you living your life to do everything you can to receive Him?" Wow. I just hadn't thought of it that way. I'm going to listen that one again, just so it sets in more.

This video swarmed through the Catholic blogosphere yesterday but I thought I would share it and add another voice to the choir of how awesome this is. I have a few friends and acquaintances with same-sex attraction and that also identify themselves as Catholic. We've had those tough discussions where they've expressed that they don't feel like they're welcome in the Church. During those conversations I've struggled searching for the words to try to explain this very subject, that the Church is says no to same-sex marriage but not to you. Father Pontifex does so much more eloquently. I hope that those friends (and anyone else in that situation) find this video helpful, and that any sorrow that has come to them by the perception that the Church hates them would be lifted.

I have decided to re-dedicate myself to this blog. I think I have said that before, but this time I mean it. (insert snicker here). I also plan on making this blog more about me and focused on more about issues that I want to talk about. That includes things like Catholic issues, politics, family life, etc. In short, I plan on putting the God and Country into God, Country, Soccer. Thanks!

By: Kevberto ( @Kevberto ) Queridos portadores de la camiseta que amo (Rapids de Colorado)! Sabemos que hemos pasado tiempos difíciles, tiempos con demasiados cambios, incluyendo tiempos frustrantes. También sabemos que todo lo que nosotros como hinchas del equipo a veces podemos ser un poco demás demandantes incluso incomprensibles a lo que ustedes hacen. Pero si reconocemos y agradecemos lo que hacen en la cancha, sudan la camiseta, entregan y dejan todo en ella; Al escribir esto con la meta de hacerles una petición muy especial, porque especial se preguntaran? Si ya nos estan dando todo lo que pueden. Bueno, como ustedes saben, existe una rivalidad contra real salt lake que ha estado escalando en los últimos años. Claro aun no es un Boca-River, Barça- Real Madrid, Millonarios-America, ni Chivas-America para el mundo, pero para nosotros es un clásico/rivalidad con esa categoría. Nos duele cuando pierden, pero lagrimas y llanto de dolor nos sale cuando perdemos contra ellos. La Co...

By: Kevberto ( @Kevberto ) (Original Photo via Philadelphia Union Facebook Page) Quiero empezar por ofrecer una disculpa, no escusa, pedir comprension y no juicio por lo siguiente (lenguaje y analogias que necesito usar para que me puedas comprender) Este fin de semana vi un juego de futbol que describe y me hizo enamorar mas del juego. El futbol para mi es tactica, mentalidad, fisica, picardia, pensamientos fuera de lo comun, lucha, pasion, orgullo, sudor, dolor, lagrimas, risa, celebración, emocion, coraje, enojo, valentia todo por gloria, el amor a un equipo e hinchas del equipo. Esto solo es una forma simple de intentar describir el amor que siento por el deporte. Los Rapids de Colorado jugaron en contra de el Union de Filadelfia este fin de semana donde se vio cada una de estas palabras usadas como descripción. En este cotejo, los Rapids empezaron con desorganización, confundidos, flojos, la verdad sorprendidos (los fanaticos tambien) por la forma en que se esperaba el juego del U...

What does it mean to be an American soccer fan? Where are your loyalties? Who do you root for? I have all these questions in my head and most lay dormant while I watch and cheer for my Rapids, USA men’s national team, and many “Yanks Abroad.” But when CONCACAF Champions League happens, all those thoughts and questions come flooding back to the front of my mind. Most recently, while watching Seattle vs. Santos Laguna one question kept coming to my head; who are the #MLS4RSL folks rooting for in this game. (You know who those people are, the type that only gets their info from MLSsoccer.com, defender of all things Don Garber, the one who boastfully brags at the MLS All-Start team’s “success”, the one…etc.) It seems quite simple at first glance, “duh, Seattle is in MLS, and therefore, American.” But is it that simple? Seattle had only 3 starters that are American. Santos had 1 (Herculez Gomez). Is it worth putting your club allegiance on hold to root for another MLS club to do well when ...

By: Kevberto (@Kevberto) (While I'm working on my article, let Kevberto keep you company. - CdeA) image via Colorado Rapids El comienzo de la temporada ha sido muy de fantasia para los fanaticos de los Rapids de Colorado. El final de 2-0 en contra de el Crew de Columbus fue solo una de las tantas promesas que se han dicho cumplidas para los fanaticos departe de los directivos del equipo. Con la playera puesta, claro! Me siento emocionado, ilusionado y con gran expectativa. Ya con la camisa del equipo quitada, hablando de el primer juego, se noto la diferencia de los cambios hechos desde la ultima directiva. Empezando con el hecho que el estilo de juego esta mas en el suelo, se juega con idea, la mentalidad es ofensiva y hay muchos mas disparos al arco. El mediocampo comandado por Jaime Castrillon, Jeff Larentowicz y Pablo Mastroeni es totalmente lo opuesto que se vio el equipo bajo el mando de Gary Smith, no quitandole credito por lo logrado (Copa MLS 2010). Los jugadores en la me...

I have been off social media for a few weeks now (I gave it up for lent), but I haven't forgotten about this blog. I'm working on writing an article about MLS fans and the #RSL4MLS mentality. I know that it seems like that has died down a bit, but the Seattle vs. Santos CCL matchup has brought up a good debate about who American soccer fans should be; and are rooting for. Look for that to come.

I just found the website/blog " On Goals Scored ". It is loaded with infographics on soccer stuff. I've already spent way too much time on there. I really like the " What does a football look like " post. Enjoy!

By: Kevberto ( @Kevberto ) (Here's another guest article. I haven't found the time to do one myself, but here's hoping that Kevberto can keep you occupied while I am out - CdeA) Esta semana los jugadores que pertenecen a los Rapids de Colorado se han presentado para los examenes fisicos antes de la pre-temporada. Muchas preguntas salen a la luz ya que hay “nueva” direccion para el equipo, diferente enfoque de lo que fue en los años pasados, y un jugador nuevo. Referente a los jugadores son mis preguntas y como se dice “pues a ver que pasa.” El estilo que se espera departe de el entrenador (D.T. ) Oscar Pareja es el siguiente: ataque, audaz, pases cortos, rapido, usando las bandas, un jugador que creé jugadas. Existe una base de jugadores fuertes, talentosos, rapidos y audacez, de los que Pareja tiene conocimiento, pero que jugadores se quedaran? Que jugadores usara? Como los usara? Usara jugadores fuera de posicion? Esta es mi forma de pensar sobre lo que podriamos espera...

By Kevberto ( @kevberto ) Muchos sabemos que sin un lider o direccion, nada funciona con exito. Es este el caso de los Rapids de Colorado? Que no este fue el Campeon de la Copa MLS 2010? Porque questionar un equipo que ya logro exito en esta liga? Kroenke Sports Enterprises cuyo dueño es Stanley Kronke, es el propietario de este equipo ya campeon. Pero como que no tiene un lider o direccion el Rapids de Colorado, si tiene un dueño multi-millonario? tiene que tener una buena directiva al frente de este equipo no? Como testigo de lo sucedido en este equipo y en la misma pagina (se puede decir) con los aficionados se dice que es el equipo peor dirigido, menos importante, con rumbo a nada, y desesperante para los fanaticos. A finales de el año 2011 se despidio a el Entrenador Gary Smith quien habia llevado a el equipo a su primer campeonato en los 15 años de existencia por problemas con el Director Tecnico (en este caso, no el entrenador) Paul Bravo. Unas semanas despues se despidio a el p...

Life Happens. Life has made this blog dormant over the past year, but I have plans for it to come back. When I started this blog, it was based on the premise that it would be a place for me to just rant and rave about anything and everything that came across my mind in the soccer sphere. I will continue that mission and try to get some other people who I appreciate their opinions to contribute now and then too. But for the most part, it's just going to be me, giving you my opinions that can't be given in less than 140 characters. Thanks for reading, thanks for coming back, and I look forward to this journey.

Best 11 – (442) G – Hartman D – Olave, Gonzalez, Wynne, Pierce M – Donovan, LeToux, Morales, Ferreira F – Cummings, Wondolowski Awards MVP: Omar Cummings Defender: Jamison Olave Coach: Schellas Hyndman Playoffs RBNY vs. SJ – RBNY wins 4-2 agg. Colorado vs. Columbus –Rapids win 5-3 agg. FSL vs. FCD – FSL wins 6-1 agg. LA Gals vs. Seattle – Seattle wins 5-5 agg. (Advances on Penalties)

I was asking myself in the shower, "If I were to make a team, picking one, and only one, player from each MLS club..who would I take and how would my team look?" I know, I know, I really gotta start daydreaming about other, more normal, stuff...like winning the lottery. So, here's my picks from each team and how my team would shape up. Chicago Fire - Patrick Nyarko (F/W) C.D. Chivas USA - Jonathan Bornstein (D) Colorado Rapids - Conor Casey (F) Columbus Crew - Andy Iro (D) D.C. United - Andy Najar (W) FC Dallas - David Ferreira (MF) Houston Dynamo - Geoff Cameron (D/M) Kansas City Wizards - Ryan Smith (W/MF) Los Angeles Galaxy - Landon Donovan (M/F) New England Revolution - Marko Perović (MF) New York Red Bulls – Thierry Henry (F) Philadelphia Union - Jordan Harvey (D) Real Salt Lake - Kyle Beckerman (MF) San Jose Earthquakes - Ike Opara (D) Seattle Sounders FC - Kasey Keller (G) Toronto FC - Stefan Frei (G) -----------Casey------Henry--------- ---------------Donovan-----...

There's been an interesting discussion going on over on The Shin Guardian regarding the USA's soccer logo. The one now is bad, real bad. I've been talking about that for a while now with friends. The colors are wrong. The use of "US" instead of "USA" is wrong. The clipart looking soccer ball is wrong. It's just bad. So, I decided to come up with some alternative ideas and using my limited graphics knowledge, put some of them together. So here it goes. Version 1: I made minor changes to this, using the correct colors and the correct nomenclature and eliminating the soccer ball. I like it, kinda plain though. Version 2: This version is based on Nike's Don't Tread campaign badge. It has a snake on it which I don't like so I took it off. I also corrected the colors and added "USA Soccer" to it. Version 3: For this I was looking at other USA symbols and came across this and loved it. I added the badge to it and gave it more of the h...

This Rapids season feels just like the past few Rapids seasons. Off to a great start and then crawl to the finish. If you break it down into 3 ten game segments, the Rapids started off great with a 6-3-1 (W-L-T) record and 19 points. If you look at the second 10 game segment, it hasn't been very good. The Rapids were 1-3-6 (W-L-T) with 9 points in the last ten games they've played, including the 3-1 loss in Columbus over the weekend. Let's take a look at who's been on the field and how I grade them. (In order of minutes played) G - Matt Pickens (1800 mins) B+ He's been pretty good in goal, he's started every game thus far. He and the defense have had good communication. I would say has been one of the top keepers in MLS this year. D - Drew Moor (1800 mins) B+ I don't think that Rapids fans, myself included, knew just how good this guy was when the Rapids traded for him. He's been a rock in the back line, whether it be in central defense or on the wing,...