April 4, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
Remembering a great man and a great writer
You always fondly remember the people that open the doors for you in your career. When it is a hero of yours that swings the door open, it is even more gratifying. On Thursday morning I learned that former Newsday sports columnist and sports editor Stan Isaacs had passed away on Tuesday.
March 27, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
El Tri is very, very trying these days
So what happened? What happened to Mexico?It seems that just about every CONCACAF observer — including this writer — made El Tri the kings of the confederation for the next five or even 10 years. But a funny thing on the road to domination can happen — not being able to win.
March 26, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
WCQ predictions: Home sides will prevail: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama
In World Cup qualifying, it's all about taking care of business at home. You don't win or accrue points at home, you are not going to the dance -- ie. the World Cup. Saying that, the home teams will prevail in the three CONCACAF hexagonal encounters on Tuesday night.
March 23, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
The heat is really on for El Tri, de la Torre
So, you thought the United States was under plenty of pressure to produce a win against Costa Rica on Friday night? Now, that’s nothing compared to what Mexico faces when it returns home to face its fanatical public nd the United States in what has to be a must, must, must win World Cup qualifying game for El Tri on Tuesday.
March 19, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
Remembering one fabulous Owen goal and one incredible World Cup encounter
In case you haven't heard, Michael Owen announced he would retire after this English Premier League season. Didn't it seem just like yesterday he scored that incredible goal off a 50-yard jaunt against Argentina in the World Cup? Actually, it was 15 years ago -- as a fuzzy-cheeked, 18-year-old striker for England in 1998.
March 18, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
The weakest U.S. WCQ roster I can remember
I took a good look at the United States National Team roster and I am not impressed at all. I have never been confused with Chicken Little, but I fear for the U.S. in its next two World Cup qualifiers -- against Costa Rica on Friday and at Mexico on Tuesday, March 26. In fact, it is one of the weakest rosters I can remember in years for a qualifier, outside of times when the U.S. used a weakened lineup after they had clinched a berth.
March 11, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
Miller already is on thin ice
Out of all of the post-season moves that the Red Bulls did, the most disappointing one was one they did not pull the trigger on. Left back Roy Miller survived the post-season purge, but there is little doubt that he has to go.
March 4, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
Dissecting the Red Bulls' 3-3 draw
Some thoughts about the Red Bulls' 3-3 draw with Portland, which includes the lack of leadership in the second half, Luis Robles shaky reboun that led to the Timber's second goal, Olave's Jekyll-Hyde performance and MLS's policy of restricting teams charter flights.
February 15, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
Mr. Rogers takes men's soccer into a new neighborhood
The twitterverse was abuzz on Friday afternoon that Robbie Rogers, the former Columbus Crew, Leeds United and Stevenage midfielder, had come out, saying he was gay and that he was stepping away from the sport.
February 6, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
For openers, it was an utterly forgettable performance
Time to panic? No -- at least not yet. Time to be worry? Perhaps. Time to be concerned. Well, yes. The U.S. did not exactly have its best performance in its 2-1 CONCACAF hexagonal loss to Honduras on Wednesday. And that's being kind.
February 5, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
Mexico, Panama should win; USA, Honduras should draw
Match Day One of the CONCACAF hexagonal is here. In my many years of covering CONCACAF and international soccer, I cannot recall seeing much a competitive six-team final group. Yes, Mexico is — and should be — head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. But being and saying a team is the best means nothing. It has to prove it on the field.
February 5, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
Some thoughts about Cooper, Espindola
Here's one writer's thoughts about the Red Bulls dealing away Kenny Cooper to FC Dallas and trading for Fabian Espindola from Real Salt Lake.
January 30, 2013 OFFSIDE REMARKS
Two sides of the scoreless tie
After watching Tuesday night's disappointing scoreless draw between the United States and Canada, I have two streams of thought about the National Team: long range and short term.
