Kirsten
Amanda, Kirsten and Shana return to discuss the women's and men's College Cup finals and the end
of the NCAA season. Since Amanda is a Duke fan, you can probably guess how discussion of UNC
winning a trophy went. But at least before that, they get to discuss Duke and Stanford and a much
more satisfying women's College Cup.
Shana, Kirsten, and Amanda start this week's show with a preview of the MLS wild card and
playoff games, and some Houston v. Philly trash talk for good measure. Amanda has a funny feeling
about Seattle, and once again, you may not want to listen if you support DC or NY. Sorry! In the
second segment, they discuss World Cup rights moving to Fox from 2015 on, what that could mean for
the WNT and youth national teams, and shudder at the prospect of Eric Wynalda trying to plug The
X-Factor.
Amanda and Kirsten review a dramatic week in MLS (seriously, we still can't believe that
Philly/New England game) and take a look at the emerging playoff picture. Then they preview the
next round of CONCACAF Champions League group play, try to figure out how to pronounce some of the
other teams' names (Alajuelense?
In this week's show, Rachna, Amanda, and Kirsten review the USMNT's just-ended Costa Rica and
Belgium friendlies. They discuss the (hopeful) end of the YSA chant, the eternal defense problem,
and Hope Solo on Dancing With the Stars. Finally, they take a moment to remember FC Dallas star and
CSRN friend Bobby Rhine.
Kirsten, Amanda, and Megan reflect on a rather positive beginning to Juergen Klinsmann's USMNT
career, despite their skepticism that he would live up to expectations. They also discuss the
now-unemployed-but-probably-not-for-long Bob Bradley and his recent jaunt into Egypt, and speculate
about the former boss's future.
It's the Girls in the Cheap Seats World Cup final live post-game show! Co-hosted by Jared DuBois
from the American Soccer Show and with an all-star guest lineup, Amanda, Kirsten, and Megan review
the final of the Women's World Cup. We get reactions from Alexi Lalas and from Joan of Cross
Conference, analyze the match and the tournament from every possible angle (or as much as we could
in an hour), and try to figure out what it all means for WPS, US Soccer, and the sport as a
whole.
Amanda, Kirsten, and Shana discuss the USA's dramatic victory over Brazil in the Women's World
Cup quarterfinals, including the awesomeness of Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe. They review the
other quarterfinals and what went wrong for Germany and England in their upset losses (hint:
penalties and weird substitutions).
Kirsten and Megan highlight this episode with their discussion of the Women's World Cup, as they
give their thoughts on the referees, the surprises, the disappointments, and dive into the USWNT's
performances so far. They are sure that Abby Wambach's going to get a goal at some point. They
preview Wednesday's game against Sweden, a game in which the pressure, for the most part, is off,
but that doesn't mean they won't be tested.
On this episode, Amanda, Kirsten, and Megan finally have something positive to talk about with
regard to the USMNT. The cover several talking points from their Gold Cup quarterfinal win against
Jamaica, including weddings, dives, Jozy's hammy, and more. They interview Tanya who, along with
traveling US Soccer Prarie and and Kaela, is putting together a collaboration of stories from
female US Soccer fan all across the country.
This episode is led by Megan and Kirsten as they wonder about the Vancouver Whitecaps' and
Chicago Fire's decisions to fire their head coaches, and they question Koke's resolve after the
ex-Dynamo striker decided to call it quits in Houston after five weeks. Kirsten wonders why Andrew
Oliver was dismissed from the U-17 national team (made up completely of Bradenton players) ahead of
the U-17 World Cup.
Rachna, Amanda, and Kirsten star in this edition of the Girls in the Cheap Seats as the trio
discuss the US Women's World Cup roster as well the latest in WPS drama. The girls mourn Lindsey
Tarpley's injury, which will rule her out for the tournament, and celebrate the USWNT's victory
against Japan.
Rachna is joined by Shana and Kirsten as the girls discuss the Under-20 World Cup Qualifying
tournament to take place in Guatemala. In looking through an enormous player pool of prospects,
they dissect which players may have a shot at making the team for both the qualifying tournament as
well as the actual World Cup.
Amanda, Kirsten, and Megan come together to discuss Major League Soccer's preseason
developments. It includes a healthy amount of stadium talk, especially with regard to the Houston
Dynamo, as all three gush over the future of their side's team. Attention turns toward the US
Women's National Team and their upcoming schedule, which will take them to Portugal andÂ
England.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you: I'msitting here wearing a "Beat LA"
sweatshirt. Sure, it's meant to be ananti-Dodgers sentiment, but it applies to Sunday's match
between the LosAngeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
Whooohoo, we've reached the international break. Aren't weall excited? I know I am. And yes, I know
this is a blog primarily devoted toAmerican soccer, but let's face it, the USA are playing
friendlies on Fridayand Tuesday, and there's likely to be many more stories around here devoted
tothe games against France and Slovenia.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
Sorry guys, but I refuse to give up my standing whisky atthe dive bar date in order to wait until
Houston Dynamo – Philadelphia Unionand Los Angeles Galaxy – New York Red Bulls are finished and
I can give you adecent recommendation for the MLS semi-finals.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
Sometimes soccer just provides an excuse to drink – anddrink a lot. Like MLS this weekend. Is
there a point to the final matches? NewYork Red Bulls' win over Philadelphia Union on Thursday
night meant theyclinched the final playoff position, leaving no real purpose for watching thegames.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
It's October! And do you know what October means (besidesbundling up in scarves and boots)? It
means all things pumpkin,including...pumpkin beers!
Drink Up:Smuttynose
SmuttynosePumpkin Ale: One of the standards of pumpkin ales, and particularly easy tofind if you're
east of the Mississippi.
What's up, y'all? Can anyone guess what we're focusing onthis week? That's right, it's the
Merseyside Derby – long considered one of themost friendly derbies in soccer, one in which
supporters in Everton jerseys sitside by side with fans wearing Liverpool kits. Still, I imagine it
can't bevery fun for those whose, say, romantic relationships bridge that divide.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
So fans of soccer in America, do you know what Fox Soccer would like to show you on Saturday?
Blackburn – Arsenal is the early match, followed by Aston Villa – Newcastle. I'm a Villa fan,
and I'm still not pleased by this offering.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
The Serie A season finally kicks off on Friday, and what better way to welcome it than the return
ofmy column? I know y'all missed me during the summer – how on earth did you find new beers to
try?Well, I'm back, my lovelies, ready to challenge your both your taste buds and your soccer
watchingpreferences, encouraging you to try some of both from around the globe.
Editor's Note: Our "Going Suds Up" columnist, Kirsten, is all over Europe this summer and
occasionally she'll be sending back correspondence about the culture of beer and football across
the pond.
If you've got your own stories of beer and soccer from around the globe we'd love to hear
them.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
It all comes down to this weekend: Survival Sunday in the Premier League. With the title already in
Manchester United's hands, there are only a few more questions to be answered:
Who Takes Third Place and the Automatic Champions League Qualification?
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
With the trophies practically passed out in three of the four big European leagues – let's just
pass the crowns Manchester United, Barcelona, and AC Milan right now, although Borussia Dortmund
might need another week – it's more about the battle for the last Champions League position in
each league.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
You know what? It's Thursday, I've got ten days until law school finals start, and I've been
drinking for the past three hours. I have little desire to explore the wide range of matches going
on this weekend, but I can tell you, there's a multitude.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
This week, it's time to move away from the thrilling and slightly scary realm of Turkish football
and back into the safety zone – not the zone keeping teams away from the relegation zone, but the
nice easy place in which we can watch matches in English without straining too much.
Editor's Note: Don't forget! This weekend is National Free Beer Movement Weekend. Here's
a beer recommendation along with a game that you should treat a soccer newbie too!
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
Well, it's been an interesting week of soccer, hasn't it?
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
If you're reading this, there's a very good chance that the highlight of your sporting weekend will
be the match between the USA and Argentina, which kicks off at 7PM New Jersey time. Now, if you're
actually lucky enough to be in Jersey for the game, there's likely little I can do to help you.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
(A note on Kirsten's thought process: "Beer. Champions League. Beer and Champions League. Beer
for Champions. Wheaties Beer?" And then the lovely Commie, who you've seen around these parts,
suggested wheat beers.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
Last week, the mood was all about friendlies. But now that the international break has passed, it's
time to get back to what soccer's really about: intense, bitter rivalries. The sort of match that
will leave a sour taste in your mouth.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm still hungover from transfer day madness. Fernando Torres,
Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll are all still making my head hurt desperately. But really, there's no
better cure for the hangover blues than a little hair of the dog, so let's jump right in.
The Rest
Back when I didn't think there was a blog that was what I wanted in the SounderSphere, and due
to the encouragement of Jason Churchill, I decided to start my own little place. The goal then was
simple. Write a blog that I wanted to read. Those goals kept expanding. I found that I was granted
access and could use that in unique ways, ways that continue to this day, where one could combine
original interviews with stats, chalkboards, metaphors and more.
The University of Northern Colorado finally found its way to the win column on Friday as the
Bears traveled to Colorado Springs and beat the Air Force Academy Falcons 1-0.
The lone score of the match came from Brittany Dunn in the 72nd minute. Dunn got to a ball near
the left corner of the box, spun around and sent one in to the right side of the net.
The weather expects to be clear and dry in Harrison, New Jersey with temps in the upper 40s as
East Coast DP (aka Red Bulls) open their season at home, and hopefully to a near sell-out crowd.
Seattle still needs to figure out their wave of injuries and defection of Nkufo. This likely means
they play a more technical than speed game with the fast players available being even more limited
than normal.
