Kenny Cooper was invited to the USMNT camp to prepare for Trinidad and Tobago, but instead will be staying with FC Dallas to get healthy and prepare for the big game at RSL. KC speaks…

“…I feel so fortunate and honored to have been invited to join up with the U.S. Men’s National team in Trinidad and Tobago. I made the difficult decision to pass on this opportunity because I had picked up a virus and have been playing with a sprained ankle. Considering the importance of my club’s game versus Real Salt Lake this week, and that the National Team has already clinched a berth in the next round of qualifying, I felt it was the right thing to do to stay in Dallas and make sure I get well, and hopefully there will be other opportunities down the line.”

Via FCDBlog, Image via flickr

Any fans in Chicago or travelling in for the US v Trinidad Tobago game this Wednesday should swing by The Globe Pub in the afternoon. There will be an afternoon pre-game party plus a bus (w/keg) that will take us out to Bridgeview and back after the game. Yours truly will be coming in for this. Hope to see you there!

The very Toulouse-Lautrec style image taken at The Globe Pub and provided by Flickr

Jack Bell (over at Extra Time (The New York Times) has a couple of great articles on the situation down in Trinidad & Tobago.

Not only have the T & T players won a court ruling entitling them to 50% (28 million) of their World Cup Qualification and Tournament kitty the Federation received, but also England heading down to Port-of-Spain for a friendly when England bidding to host the World Cup in 2018.

First Warner was against England getting the bid, now he’s seemingly for it.

Do people really think that Politics have nothing to do with the game?

And big respect to Shaka Hislop for stepping up to the plate and using his name to fight for the younger, less established players for their right to the money THEY earned by qualifying their country for the 2006 World Cup.

image via Telegraph

David Beckham got his 102nd cap but Jermaine Defoe stole the show with 2 goals as England won 3-Nil in Port-of-Spain.

Aston Villa (for now) midfielder Gareth Barry once again had another strong match in the midfield, going the full 90 and getting on the score sheet in the 12th minute at the sold out (23,000)  Hasley Crawford Stadium.

Dwight Yorke got his feel good substitution appearance, coming on for Khaleem Hyland in the 76th minute.  The Smiling Assassin earned his 60th cap in what most think will be his last appearance for The Soca Warriors.

image via DailyMail