Because soccer isn't gay, but once in awhile it kinda is.
News & Analysis
A Mickey Mouse Cup / Disney Soccer Classic Preview
02/14/12
What could make Disney World even better than Gay Days?
No, not more princesses…you got it, pro soccer. More specifically, MLS teams playing in a pre-season tournament. Instead of heading for the Carolina Challenge Cup like we have for the past four seasons, the Reds are heading to Florida for a third straight year for the 2012 Disney World Pro Soccer Classic.
TFC: Much Ado About Nothing!
02/10/12
Okay, I admit it — I’m bored.
I don’t know if this is a good thing, but when the news of the day is a former Rongen prodigy is getting a trial with the team, it seems bound to be a slow news week, TFC-wise.
For the first time in our short six-year existence, we didn’t really have to start afresh again. After Johnston, Carver, Dasovic and Preki, it seems we’ve got a nice zen-like state going. We’ve got a full assortment of players, and with the additions of Miguel Aceval and Geovanny Caicedo along with the resigning of Richard Eckersley, we are heading into First Kick 2012 with the least drama since…ever.
If it was a reality show, it’d probably be cancelled by now. For a blogger like me — it gives me little to tell you about. Even before a ball has been kicked in anger (which will be soon, the Disney Cup — or as some of my colleagues in the TFC blogosphere like to call it, the Mickey Mouse Cup), this calm, it’s so…unusual.
Maybe this is what it’s like to have stability for once? I guess it’s sort of like a long-term relationship…let’s hope we can get a ring on that!
BREAKING: 2018 FIFA World Cup Host City Passes Bill Fining “Promotion of Homosexuality”
02/08/12
We already knew the selection of Russia and Qatar for the 2018 and 2012 FIFA World Cups, respectively, raised numerous civil rights questions.
But now the city of Saint Petersburg, one of the sites for Russia’s turn at hosting, has enacted a bill imposing fines of $16,700 for ”public activities promoting homosexuality (sodomy and lesbianism), bisexualism and transgender identity.”
Advocacy groups are calling the legislation a “gay gag order” and it would ban any gay pride events in the city. The fine under the current legislation is ten times what it was when it was under consideration last year.
Bravo, FIFA. Bravo, Sepp.
(H/T @sixpackage on Twitter)
Romney Campaign to Stop Using 2010 World Cup Anthem
02/02/12
by gay4soccer
in News & Analysis
My day job is somewhat political, so I always find it amusing when the soccer world and political world intersect.
Our ally Grant Wahl alerted the Twitter world to CNN reporting that Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign agreeing to stop using K’Naan’s “Wavin’ Flag” at his request. The song was featured at the campaign’s victory party following Tuesday’s Florida primary, and is best known as Coca-Cola’s promotional anthem during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
From the CNN report:
“I have not been asked for permission by Mitt Romney’s campaign for the use of my song. If I had been asked, I would certainly not have granted it,” K’Naan said in a statement. “I would happily grant the Obama campaign use of my song without prejudice.”
Our friends at KCKRS also reported on this story this morning.
And since it’s only fair that you all get the song that was such a big part of our lives in the summer of 2010 stuck in your head today too…
Still chokes me up a little.
WPS Suspending Operations for the 2012 Season
01/30/12
Rumors have been circulating all morning, but we’ll take Grant Wahl’s tweet as gospel truth that Women’s Professional Soccer will not have a 2012 season.
Wahl says an email players received cites the ongoing legal battles with Dan Borislow has been diverting too many resources from growing the league.
Toronto FC Strengthen Backline with Eckersley, Caicedo
01/27/12
No way! Does TFC actually have an actual solid and firm backline for the first time in…ever?
During TFC’s media day on Thursday, they announced the resigning of (now) ex-Burnley defender Richard Eckersley. The finalization of this deal has been eagerly awaited by fans, who had been waiting on tenterhooks for the paperwork to be completed. When news broke that the English Championship side released him, most of the fears that the deal would never be done just vanished.
And to make things even better, they announced on the same day that Joao Plata’s teammate from LDU Quito, centreback(!!!) Geovanny Caicedo has been added to the lineup. For a team that’s been looking for defensive solutions and a supporter base that’s been waiting for one, the 30-year old should hopefully provide some breathing room.
There is word that the rumoured signing of Chilean team Colo-Colo’s leftback Miguel Aceval is a done deal — but nothing was announced.
There is more from TFC’s media day here, and more coverage can be found here from Waking the Red.
USA Friendlies Analysis: B-Side All Mixed Up
01/26/12
US Soccer’s January camp is a chance for coach Jurgen Klinsmann to get a look at the second tier US players for an extended period of time and test their implementation of his system in a couple of friendlies against similarly skilled competition. Without Dempsey, Donovan, Howard, Bocanegra, Bradley, and the other regulars, it’s a time for younger players to show what they can bring and a time for us to hopefully get excited about some young talent stepping up.
The US won both matches, as expected, but not with the panache we would have hoped for. While there’s no doubt that this was a learning experience for both coach and player alike, the soccer on display was pretty ragged for a team that had plenty of time to gel in training camp. At home with a decent crowd in Phoenix, a last minute win against Venezuela was justification for a controlling, if not attractive, performance. In Panama, the team was out-muscled, out-hustled, and out-coached against a physical side that deserved better than a 0-1 loss for their efforts.
Match reports are available here, so I’ll focus on my takeaways.
David Testo is the First Out Man Elected to the U.S. Soccer Athlete Council
01/25/12
(via Outsports)
Testo joins Stu Holden, Cobi Jones, Kristine Lilly, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, Claudio Reyna, Jonathan Spector, and ten others to two-year terms on the Council.
Congratulations!
The MLS All Star Game Will Be Held July 25th In…
01/24/12
See you all in the Gayborhood!
Opponent to be announced at a later date.
British Tabloid: MLS to Miami Part of Becks Deal
01/22/12
We’ve heard the “MLS to Miami” story before, and we’ve heard the “Beckham gets a team” story before. But with the new deal between David Beckham and the LA Galaxy inked last week, Britain’s Daily Star “exclusively” reports that his getting to helm an MLS team was the sweetener in the two-year deal and that Beckham’s choice is Miami, citing a senior AEG source.
