I've decided to take a mini-VCF vacation. There are several reasons I'm taking a hiatus (summer time in New York impedes my blogging schedule), but the main reason is that I'm burned out by all this Dalport/Villa transfer/Soriano stuff.

I didn't fall madly in love with VCF because of these muppets and they won't take that love away from me.

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Seeing as it's offseason, and today just happens to be one of those days when there is really not much to report apart from boring transfer rumors, we're just going to post this even though it's old news, it having slipped us when still fresh... we hope you don't mind? Great then.
There was supposed to be quite an exciting friendly footie match taking place on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in LA on the fourth of July, featuring a team made up of South American stars - including Barca's Leo Messi - against a team of stars from the rest of the world, including such players as Materazzi, Camoranesi, Viera, etc. Click to continue reading...

U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Stuart Holden made Saturday a day to remember, earning his first cap and scoring the second goal in the USA's 4-0 win against Grenada. Holden was slated to make his debut in January, but an injury setback meant he had to wait, work hard and stay positive as he sought to take the field for the U. Click to continue reading...

It was marketed as the biggest fireworks show in the state of Colorado, but Saturday night's Fourth of July celebration at Dick's Sporting Goods Park turned into a double-shot of negative press for the Colorado Rapids.
A record crowd of 19,680 turned out to see the Rapids take on the Chicago Fire, but many were there for the post-game pyrotechnics show, dubbed '4thFest'. Click to continue reading...

This article appears it it's entirety by permission of Kartik Krisnayer at MajorLeagueSoccerTalk.com

The big story of the first weekend of Gold Cup action was probably the injury to Mexico's Carlos Vela (pictured above from CONCACAF.com). If Vela is out long term, El Tri's hopes to recapture the Gold Cup trophy could be seriously dented.

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The big story of the first weekend of Gold Cup action was probably the injury to Mexico's Carlos Vela (pictured above from CONCACAF.com). If Vela is out long term, El Tri's hopes to recapture the Gold Cup trophy could be seriously dented.

Nicaragua playing their first ever major tournament match gave a good account of themselves, against a Mexican team that continues to under whelm.

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On the 4th of July, the US MNT absolutely dominated Grenada to kick off the Gold Cup in thrilling style (4-0). Although the Yanks played their JV side (youngsters like Adu, Rogers, Holden, etc.), they still overwhelmed their opponents, who likely will have a very long flight home to their island nation after being absolutely outplayed and embarassed.

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By Clemente Lisi - NEW YORK, NY (Jul 5, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- Talk about putting on a fireworks show. A young US team cruised to an easy win on the Fourth of July in Seattle, overpowering Grenada 4-0 at the Gold Cup. Just six days after the heartbreaking loss to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final, coach Bob Bradley assembled a relatively inexperienced team for its Gold Cup defense. Click to continue reading...

                            Photo by ISIphotos.com

BY DYLAN BUTLER

SEATTLE -- The United States National Team did something on Saturday night that it failed to do a week ago in South Africa -- protect a two-goal halftime lead.

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                            Photo by ISIphotos.com

BY DYLAN BUTLER

SEATTLE -- The United States National Team did something on Saturday night that it failed to do a week ago in South Africa -- protect a two-goal halftime lead.

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Chicago's Wilman Conde, left, heads in the winning goal over the head of Rapids defender Kosuke Kimura and beyond the reach of goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
(photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

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The game was a dud, and so were the fireworks.

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Galaxy games on the Fourth of July are one of Southern California's newest Independence Day traditions (if that makes any sort of sense) and I have been to virtually all of them since the first game in 1996, a 1-0 loss to the New England Revolution before almost 63,000 at the Rose Bowl.

Games in Pasadena used to be something of an endurance test for fans.

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To all of our USA audience, a happy fourth of July to each and every one of you. For those inhabiting other countries, have a holiday in honor of the good ol' US of A. Even with the hustle and bustle of the holiday, there's time to talk some Arsenal.

There's something of a story brewing with the Viola namely a rumored move of Felipe Melo to Arsenal, brought up by some in the previous post.

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It's the Fourth of July, and what better way to celebrate the day than with a peek at the future of the USMNT. Our Yanks take on Grenada today in their opening group match of the Gold Cup; the...

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It is the Fourth of July, the day to celebrate our country's independence, as well as to enjoy a holiday.

There is plenty of soccer to watch today between your trips to the beach, the park and the grill, between MLS action and the U.S. national team's opening Gold Cup match against Grenada.

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BY DYLAN BUTLER

SEATTLE -- Brad Evans has seen his share of special moments at Qwest Field, but hearing the national anthem on the Fourth of July while wearing the U.S. National Team jersey will no doubt be a highlight of his young career.

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DC United is clinging to a one point lead in the East as they face a rapidly improving Columbus Crew in Crew stadium in yet another away game on the Fourth of July. Both teams are without key players due to injury and Gold Cup call-ups, so it will be a test of bench strength and road mentality that decides the top of the table in the East. Click to continue reading...

Looking outside my window tonight, I could see about six different fireworks shows off in the distance to the south and west. I grabbed my camera to try to shoot some video of it for the blog, but the effect was lost in the lens. Anyway, here are a couple of songs for the holiday. I played a clip from the original on Episode 59, but here's my version of X's Fourth Of July.

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Walking into my parent's house with a tummy full of Fourth of July fried hot dogs and fried dough to give my father some company for the all-time epic grudge match between the U.S. and Grenada in the opening match of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Saturday night, my first impressive probably summed up the ensuing 90 minutes. Click to continue reading...

Here is an interesting question for you this weekend. With the clubs dismal results on Independence Day, and a house full of beer, food, and friends, I need to know; will the Bulls figure into your Fourth of July plans?

How will the Red Bulls figure into your Fourth of July plans?(poll)

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Soccer America's Ridge Mahoney previews the Gold Cup.
On the face of it, the task for the U.S. national team is simple: Start off defense of your Gold Cup title with a Fourth of July match in Seattle against one of the smallest nations in Concacaf. Except that things work differently in Concacaf, and though the days of guest competitors from other confederations and the wrong national anthems being played are things of the past, hopefully, just a few days before the tournament began came news of a curious development. Click to continue reading...

This Saturday 4th of July ***Free beer at the Ultras Tailgate 6 pm, free parking, Fireworks, naked women! (OK, no naked women) But it will be Miami FC vs Puerto Rico Islanders at FIU stadium 8 pm***
Miami FC returns home to play the now traditional Fourth of July game against the first place Puerto Rico Islanders. Click to continue reading...

You can't ask for better weather than we got during this morning's training session. A beautiful, clear day. And not too hot either. The guys were happy to get the travel out of their system and for those who flew in from South Africa, well, that's a lot of travel. Following the training session, Bob Bradley spoke to media, looking back on the Confederations Cup and forward as the U. Click to continue reading...

From the the LA Galaxy front office, the team bolstered their attacking core today by acquiring forward Alecko Eskandarian from Chivas USA in exchange for allocation money and a conditional pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. The 26-year-old forward has 28 goals and 12 assists in 122 games during his seven-year MLS career. Click to continue reading...

With the Chicago Fire heading to Commerce City for Saturday's big Fourth of July match, The Tuesday List does a little comparison between the Fire's and Rapids' results this season.

The Colorado Rapids have been shut out two times this season:
1) Houston 1, Rapids 0, April 19 at Houston
2) Seattle 3, Rapids 0, June 28 at Seattle

The Chicago Fire, the Rapids' opponent on Saturday, also has been shut out twice:
1) Dallas 3, Chicago 0, May 31
2) Houston 1, Chicago 0, June 5

The Rapids have allowed more than two goals only once so far in 2009:
1) Seattle 3, Rapids 0, June 28 at Seattle

The Fire has allowed more than two goals twice so far:
1) San Jose 3, Chicago 3, April 11
2) Dallas 3, Chicago 0, May 31

And here's a little something extra.

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The Miami Ultras appeared on Univision during the USA vs Brazil game and Republica Deportiva. It was a fun event that also saw Miami FC players Danny Vasquez and Richard Perdomo interviewed by Presidente Fernando Fiore.
Here are a few pictures and video (In Spanish)
For more pictures and video head over to the Miami Ultras site. Click to continue reading...

Today is the last Saturday before the Fourth of July. The great thing about Independence Day is that like many holidays, it's a day when you can do whatever you want.  A man can lounge around and watch soccer on TV, drink beers, and grill out with his friends by the pool. It's also one of the only days of the year where you can shoot off fireworks.

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We now know the finalists for the Confederations Cup taking place in South Africa. Our very own red, white and blue surprised the world and shocked #1 ranked Spain by 2-0 and will now meet Brazil who dispatched the hosts South Africa yesterday by 1-0.
South Florida Fans led by the Miami FC's official fan club the Miami Ultras will lead the festivities this Sunday June 28 at 2:30 pm at Fritz & Franz Bierhaus located at 60 Merrick Way, Coral Gables Fl. Click to continue reading...

United States Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has announced the 23-man roster that will represent the country in next month's Gold Cup. Fifteen players from Major League Soccer have been brought into the fold - representing 10 of the league's 15 teams - as the American squad attempts to retain the title of CONCACAF champions for another two years. Click to continue reading...

Thanks to the Miami Ultras site for putting us on to the Miami Kickers FC who play in the WPSL Sunshine Division which they currently lead undefeated after 4 games. The Kickers recently beat down the FC Thomasville Dragons by a whopping 5-1 this past weekend. All Miami Kickers FC home games are played at American Heritage School in Plantation. Click to continue reading...

There was a good reaction to the video I posted yesterday of me singing Wilco's I'm Always In Love, so I decided to upload a few more. I'll be posting them occasionally here, usually with a different theme. When I used to perform, I had a mini-set, usually early in the night, where I would sing songs with girls names in the title.

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It was a typical Fourth of July weekend - lots of fireworks. The same could be said about the five MLS games that took place on Friday and Saturday. Dallas left it late to snatch a point from KC, while the late show out West featured Razov doing the same to grab a win for [...] Click to continue reading...

Does anyone know who's in charge over at the Rapids' website? Check out this headline on the front page: Rapids completely destroy New York on Independence Day. You can't really say they're wrong, though.

Have you ever seen the And1 basketball competitions? They're games of basketball with virtually no rules so that everyone can just do all kinds of basketball tricks.

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How Ironic - the Bulls lose by 4 on the Fourth.

Wonderful.

Player of the Game is Joey Chestnut - great job defeating Kobayashi yet again.

Comments?

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Happy 4th of July, from your humble writer in Queens!

Break out the BBQ!

Make sure the steak is still mooing!

Grab the 32 pack of Bud!

Watch TV, eat and just be as gluttonous and disgusting as you want to be!

Enjoy the fireworks folks. And have a great weekend.

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