FC Dallas put the hurtin on the LA Galaxy. With all the talk of interest for big Kenny Cooper coming out of Europe, his hoops whooped up on the Galaxy while he collected another two goals taking is tally to 11 for the season. A great result for the boys from Frisco, and  I have to believe it’s only a matter of time until Kenny returns back to the UK.  If Kenny heads back abroad will he finally get a look from Bob Bradley? What do you think?

Dan Frosch from the New York Times has a great read about New Mexico’s Edgar Castillo and his decision to play for Mexico instead of the United States.

What I liked seeing was the acknowledgment of US Soccer President Sunil Gulati and US Head Coach Bob Bradley that while they missed out on Castillo, they held on to San Luis’ Michael Orozco.

With former World Cup player /Colombian Wilmer Cabrera now filling the void of Hispanic Coaches in the younger US Soccer system as Head Coach of the US Under-17 National Team, along with former MLS Veterans Raul Diaz Arce and Marco Etcheverry involved with various US Youth Teams, hopefully we’ll see less and less players lost or passed over because of the lack of opportunities that Castillo had.

On a separate note, what does the success of Castillo and Orozco in Mexico say about the type of players that “America” is producing before they get to the college of MLS age groups.
image via NYTimes

As I’m sitting here watching the SuperLiga match between DC United vs Atlante, I was reminded of a conversation that I had last Thursday with a friend.

Hypothetical questions -

1. If you had a guy that scored 30 times in 44 matches at the highest level in the states, would you call him up to the US National Team?  I’d say so.

2. What if his team won the 2007 Supporter’s Shield, he won the Golden Boot and was named to the Best XI?  Again, yes.

3. 10 goals and 2 assists in 15 matches in 2008?  Yes one more time.

4. What if his name was Luciano Emilio and he hasn’t been capped by Brazil?  Hmmmmmm, now it’s become interesting hasn’t it. 

At 29 years of age, Emilio would be more of a David Regis type of player (think 1998 World Cup) rather than a Thomas Dooley type of player (meaning time line, not positioning) when it comes possible citizenship status.

The guy’s proven that he can score goals throughout stops in Germany, Spain, Honduras and now the United States.

Imagine Bob Bradley having a guy like Emilio at his disposal during World Cup Qualifying.  Add in Donovan, Altidore, Dempsey, Johnson and Ching….

Just a random thought.

image via Cache

It’s summertime and soccer news is a bit slow right now (aside from the killer SuperClassico last night) before the Olympics, EPL, and the second half of the MLS season crank up….

But, how can you not like the heck out of Frankie Hey Dude? The guy’s attitude is outstanding, he plays several years younger than his age, and there is no one nicer to fans. Becks misses his English pubs, but loves his cars, and picks up new lingo in LA. Is this a new kind of Reebok backpack, a male sports-bra, or Bolton’s new home kit? And if you are solidly in the Bob Bradley/USSF corner these days, you might not want to read this review of the “Bradley Era”. If Ronaldo is a slave, what are the rest of us? And is there really any doubt where Russian assassin Arshavin is going? It could only be one place imo…Chelski, despite what this article says. ManCity looking at Bay Village, OH legend, Brad Friedel.

Speaking of pick-ups, while we wait for Season Two of The Pick-Up Artist, Mystery-inspired “PUA’s” cruise a Skokie, IL shopping mall looking for digits with limited results. Who didn’t cruise the malls back in the day and go home frustrated and play videogames…? Remember that Elliot Spitzer controversy several months ago? Here’s an update on Ashley Dupre. Have you ever seen a girl with such obvious WAG dna? Come on, there’s got to be an MLSer ready to create some drama and start mixing with this one.

Last but not least, I like Pete Doherty but imagine if he started hanging around your work and was sniffing around your attractive and innocent 17 year old daughter….that would be mildly upsetting. I wouldn’t mess the King of Pain though.

FC Uptown

Image via Flickr

Kenny Cooper Jr is the real deal, and now the Euro scouts are circling in to swoop him up out of Big D. Rosenborg FC is rumored to have offered $1.5 million, but supposedly there are other teams ready to start the bidding on Tuesday.

FC Uptown

Image via Flickr

The Development Academy Summer Showcase in Greensboro, N.C. from June 27-30, 2008.

Keep an ear out for the Dad that asks the ref “why are there two #12’s?” after his kids team got one dropped on them by Metro United’s #13 Jared Tejada.

Some pretty damn good finishes if you ask me.

According  to SI, after winning Euro 2008 Spain jumps to the top spot on FIFA’s rankings.  Winning Euro 2008bumped them up three places to the top spot on the list. As for the United states, we are currently number 30 on the list. I know rankings and polls don’t necessarily mean a whole lot, but we need to strive for better. What do you guys think? Even though they are just rankings, how do you feel seeing the US ranked number 30?

Tell em Timmy..

Via MNT-USSoccer.Blogspot 

UPDATE -  Real Salt Lake and Under-23 starting keeper Chris Seitz and Danny Szetela have both made their way to Florida, joining up with the rest of Bob Bradley’s men.

After the absolute drubbing of Barbados at the Home Depot Center last Sunday, US Men’s Head Coach Bob Bradley allowed a few players to head back to their clubs as well as one or two to get their early vacation on.

The departed players: Brian Ching, Clint Dempsey, Steve Cherundolo, Landon Donovan, Brad Guzan, Frankie Hejduk, Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan, Pablo Mastroeni, and Matt Reis have already taken off and did not join the team in Miami for their preparations for the return leg at Barbados this weekend.

Are we finally starting to gain just a little respect in the supporters department?

Is American Soccer Cross - Pollination starting to take place in the United States?

FC Uptown

image via Soccer