Another international has shockingly been lost. Former MLS target Antonio De Nigris, who was
playing with Greek side Larissa, has died of a heart attack at the age of 31.This is hitting the El
Tri community hard, as you might imagine. NSC condolences go out to his family, friends, teammates
and fans.
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A few NSC programming notes: there will be no Who likes goals? today, there will be a U.S. v
Denmark LIVE post on Wednesday and I will name my own MLS Best XI at S365 later in the week. And
now, your Monday morning croissants, juice and papers...#1 - The World Cup finals field for South
Africa is now at 26, with Cameroon capping their glorious table comeback with a 2-0 closing day win
(as
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If like me, you were wondering and wondering what got Hannover 96 and Germany keeper Robert Enke so
depressed to end his life last week, his father has revealed a stunning cause: fear of failure on
the pitch.And here's the kicker... Dirk Enke is a sports psychologist.Somehow, this episode just
became much sadder and much more confusing.
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U.S. and Sochaux forward Charlie Davies has now left the National Rehabilitation Center about a
month after being badly injured in a fatal Washington D.C.-Area car accident.The #9 shirt released
a statement, and the chief of surgery at his original hospital gave an encouraging prognosis.- Greg
Seltzer
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How fun must it be to work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? This show is like Seinfeld with
the evil turned up to 11. Sometimes, the best comedy of manners is the one without any (also see
Curb Your Enthusiasm)...#1 - A few local all-stars hook us up with the view heading into respective
first round deciders:- Bernardo Fallas on HOU/SEA- Nick Green on LA/CHV- Shawn Mitchell on
CLB/RSL#2 -
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NSC reader Jeremy was putting the fright into trick-or-treating Goats fans last night, and sent us
the pic to prove it.- Greg Seltzer
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If you go tricking and/or treating, and end up at house of my good ol' Ajax-USA buddy Jim, this is
the lit pumpkin you will encounter. It is truly... klassiek.If anyone else out there has cut a
soccer Jack O'Lantern (wasn't he a dashing striker for Arsenal in the '30's?), take a pic send it
over and I'll add you to the post.
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Tonight on 30 Rock, Liz and jack visit Kenneth's hometown. Oh my, this should be good...#1 - Via
Columbus Dispatch all-star Shawn Mitchell, Crew defender Chad Marshall has been suddenly upgraded
all the way to probable. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake have picked up a few small knocks here and
there.An upset course diverted?
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I think I've found someone who can solve the country's fiscal woes. Just one primary question: are
you at all concerned about an uprising?#1 - Get this. Well, maybe sit down first. You aren't ready
for it, no matter how tough you think you are. Please table any glass ewers you may be holding.
Your knees will wobble.
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[Photo: AP]Zelaya is dancing it up at the Brazilian embassy, Micheletti wants a Bay Island summit
and talks are continuing as the nation rejoices.A qwiki general summary of the Honduras hubbub and
the national radio call of JB's 95th minute equalizer that sent them to the World Cup for the first
time since 1982.
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While I slept, US Soccer released a full account of the injuries suffered by Charlie Davies in
Tuesday's fatal car accident outside Washington D.C. and his recovery prognosis.For those of you
going to the U.S. v Costa Rica game at RFK tonight, the American Outlaws supporters group and Shin
Guardian blog are teaming up to construct a get well gesture to Charlie: a 9th minute salute to our
#9 shirt
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I'm afraid there is more bad news from the USMNT pool, and this time it's even scarier. I've
confirmed with the 'Nats that forward Charlie Davies was in a D.C.-area one-car accident at 3.15 AM
this morning. He is in surgery, but he is in stable condition.We don't have all the details yet,
but the car was literally ripped in half, leaving one person dead and two in serious condition.
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What happened in the ninth inning last night has harmed me. And I'm very angry at the world.So now
you too must suffer, as I am...Now, if you want me to act my age and be nice, you go tell Ryan
Franklin to pull his head out!(holds breath)- Greg Seltzer
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[Photo: Reuter] Our scheduled Cardinals boasting has been postponed until Game 2. They don't really
drop playoff openers, so it's very weird for me. I'm not sure what to do. Never mind, I'm confident
Adam will set things Wainwright...#1 - I had no idea someone did an MLS computer ranking! Why
didn't someone tell me?
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Let's begin with ESPN's Derek Rae and Janusz Michalik with their weekly Americans Abroad two
cents.Also from ESPN, Tommy Smyth busts out with his world Top 25. As you might imagine, I have a
laundry list of complaints with his list.The British Special Olympics have taken to an unusual
fundraising drive.
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Actually, I'm gonna do a midweek Who likes goals? after tonight's games finish because it would be
a crime to miss some of the beauties scored during European play and the U-20 World Cup. I'm also
busy cranking out my first Euro-Top 10 of the season for S365. On top of that, me and a few pals
are now working on a fun Premier League supporters post for you, should take a handful of days.
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What a difference a day makes, eh? In fact, that's gonna be tomorrow's Cut of the Day. I only wish
I'd thought of it sooner...#1 - My significantly sunnier U.S. Under-20 Player Ratings for last
night's sound defeat of Cameroon are up.#2 - Also from yesterday is a new edition of my MLS Club
Ladder.#3 - Another Tuesday night bit: the Columbus Crew hosted a 1-1 draw with Costa Rican giants
Saprissa
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I've noticed that when I feature music from an opposing nation the day of a game, the U.S. lose.
Bad. It's happened three times now. So that's over. Sorry, fine Cameroonian musicians who'd I'd
otherwise love to highlight. Too bad for you.Now, for those long hours until our team gets to try
and make things right (a ka the fourth longest wait in life).
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This was going to be longer, but I had so many clips, it seemed best to separate them all into a
Video Tuesday post. That will arrive shortly...#1 - I caught up with recovering Guimarães
midfielder Kamani Hill, who has fingers crossed to make his club debut in Wednesday's Portuguese
League Cup.Speaking of American attackers trying to make comebacks, Soccernet all-star Ravi Ubha
talks with
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I'm so excited!! The Office returns tomorrow!! Woooooo!!Ahem.Let's start with every goal from
Matchday One of the Champions League group phase.Speaking of champions, Barcelona stars Lio Messi
and Xavi talk with UEFA Magazine about retaining titles.ESPN with their weekly Americans Abroad
recap commentary.
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Just a few, though. I'm toiling away to finish this monstrosity of a Top 5 List, will be ready this
afternoon...#1 - The USMNT Blog (which I removed from the Reading Room on the right, along with the
USWNT variety, because the new set-up's code interferes with the most recent post ranking) reports
that Jay DeMerit is in doubt for tomorrow's contest with El Salvador.
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Letters From Vagabondia will be changing from a soccer-only format to a broader one including
social commentary plus perspectives on travel and living a healthier, happier life. We'll still
have a soccer blurb now and then but it will no longer be the focus of this blog.
Thanks for your readership and we hope you give us a look under the new format in the coming weeks.
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Were you wondering how David Beckham did in his 45 minutes for England at the Netherlands on
Wednesday night? And what he may have said to the press afterward about his MLS status? Or think
back to the Spice couple's R-rated appearance on Ali G and giggle?All day, all night, All Becks,
(James Earl Jones voice) this.
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I took a mini-break by not posting here yesterday, but that doesn't mean I abandoned you guys in my
head. The Distracter (who also greatly enjoys lists) insisted that I need to do more Top 5 Lists,
so I started working on two. But for now, watch some TV while enjoying some breakfast in
bed...Leading off we have a highlight reel of Sochaux's 1-0 opening day win at Auxerre, with
debutant Charlie
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You won't ever really know how much you hate the sound of a phone ring until you've heard it a
thousand times in two days. Let's pop a cool one and watch some TV...HAGL's Lee Nguyen smashed home
a free kick 4-3 winner on the weekend.Claudio Reyna joins the ESPN crew to preview the Bundesliga
season, which starts Friday.
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While preparing for Gold Cup quarterfinal foe Panama, the USMNT took a break to boot field goals
with Philadelphia Eagles kicker David Akers.With the USWNT set to face Canada twice in four days,
century seekers Abby Wambach and Christine Sinclair compare notes (warning: this audio seemed quite
loud, so maybe start with the sound low).
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I'm really busy AND the Soccer365 publisher has gone awry on us, but nothing major has happened yet
anyway. I'll try to come back later A few things... when everything settles down.For now, enjoy the
pilot episode of Arrested Development (provided you are in the States). If you've never seen the
show, viewing is mandatory.
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I know we are all ready to kick off Gold Cup, but after reading Sam Alipour's infuriating ESPN
Magazine story on the "case" against former UC-Santa Barbara ace Eric Frimpong, I was immediately
compelled to share it.I'd meant to read it yesterday, but forgot and now am ruing the lost exposure
for his story due to the routine occurrence of lower weekend traffic.
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This all started with a comment from groundbreaking NSC reader Phillip, who leads off our team
introductions...Your photo of FDB has led me to think...Isn't it about time we've named the
official roster for ADFC? Yes, I am talking about Arrested Development Football Club. We'll go with
a traditional 4-4-2 to make matters simple.
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I'd meant to do this yesterday, but had enough of a headache just getting my U.S. v Egypt Player
Ratings and other day job duties done...#1 - Is anyone out there good with PhotoShop? I so very
much wish I was capable of pinning a Globetrotters jersey, a basketball and huge 70's afro on this
photo of Timmy Howard (hint, hint).
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... tonight shall ye receive Tenacious D. I'll be back to lower your work productivity
tomorrow.Fair warning: one F-bomb.- Greg Seltzer
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The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cIrandecision 2009 - Iranian Soccer
Solidaritythedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorJason Jones in Iran- Greg Seltzer
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[Photo: HBO]Has anyone else seen Eastbound & Down? I've just discovered it and can't wait to see
what happens with Kenny Powers in season two. Danny McBride always makes for such an oddly
endearing jackass. Oh, it's quite vulgar, but it's also deceptively sweet-natured and wickedly
hilarious...#1 - A funny thing happened, it seems: the U.
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With most of the Euro-seasons wrapping up, I've decided AFT will now come a bit more frequently,
but with shorter reading lists. Let's face it, 12-14 items is not a "few" anymore...#1 - I'm sure
you already know Piotr Nowak is set to coach Philly Union, but Jack Bell lets on that his first
signing could be free agent Senegal keeper Bouna Couboul, formerly of the Rapids.
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