Hyphy FC 5-2 Inter (or: I skinned my knee playing video games)

It was a crazy match this morning before work. I had to sign a new physio doctor because the contract of my previous one ran out, and I couldn't get a new contract card. The match opened up with a Park Ji-Sung header, that gave us a 1-0 lead. Gilardino scored quickly after. By halftime Park scored another. 3-0 into the second half, I was pretty psyched.

Morale got low with two successive Inter goals. Another goal to Gilardino. Then in the last 5 minutes Park scored his hat-trick and I jumped from the couch in excitement skinning my knee on the wicker coffee table.

7 points away from the Golden Ticket. And I got an achievement unlocked - 4 goals in a Professional match. Go Dork! Go Dork! Go Dork! *running man*

RBNY v. DCU update
La won the first leg of our MLS bet with a 4-2 DCU victory. Those 2 away goals can help pull the Red Bulls out of the hole. I did the dishes that day. *sigh* Next match 22 July. Oh shit! There's another one after that?!? I'll have to talk to La about that. We might have to renegotiate the bet.

FCD 0-1 RBNY Boo Yah!

Not to rub it in anymore than I need to, but the Red Bulls are still unbeaten and still haven't conceded a single goal yet (an MLS record). 10 points and #1, thank you.

DCU had a bye week, but will be playing Columbus on Saturday. They better win, because this RBNY/DCU rivalry is getting a bit boring *yawn* I sort of want them to win, so that La doesn't get so downtrodden and hopeless. But, I really do want that jersey.

Second place, Fire, will be playing Dynamo. Dynamo is pretty pissed that Red Bulls beat them, so I'm sure that they'll be coming out with guns blazing. It's going to be a fun weekend.

In other football news...
I just received the season tickets to Victory. It's so sweet to hold a whole season's worth in one fist. I'm so psyched!

Place your bets!

There is quite a rivalry brewing within my household. Red Bull New York versus D.C. United. La is from the DC area and I from NY. The teams hate each other. Historically speaking, DC has dominated the MLS and the Red Bulls.

This year is different.

Already in week 2, Red Bulls are #2 in the east (only because the Revs played one more game than RBs) and DC, a very sad and pathetic #6...out of 7. RBs 1 win and 1 draw. DC *whispers* 2 losses. But then again, it's only the first two matches.

It can't be denied that DC is a scoring machine. 99% of all the bloggers and MLS gurus have predicted them to finish #1 in the eastern division. Red bulls, 4th or 5th. But that's okay.

For all of you to witness, and to officially declare the conditions of the bet, I present the following:

Bet #1 (2 parts)
1) Red Bulls will finish the season either 1 spot under DC, or beat them.
2) Red Bulls will finish with more goals (including a handicap of 6 goals [1/2 the difference of the goals DC had over RBs last year])

If part 1 is won then........

UPDATE:
I didn't get to finish this post before the RBs match started. La is just finishing the last of the dishes from the bet she just lost, as the RB won YET AGAIN. They are back to number one! Still undefeated for 3 weeks!!!

As I was saying, if only Part 1 is won, then the loser has to buy the winner a piece of gear of the winning club. If both Part 1 and 2 are won, then the loser has to either buy the winner a jersey of the winning team (if I win) or buy club gear and a night out on the town (if La wins).

Bet #2
Whoever wins an aggregate score of the two matches that RBs and DCU have this season...
Ya know, we didn't decide the prize yet. That derby will be a lot more exciting! I have to admit, I'm a little scared of the match-up. We'll cross that bridge...

In other football news, both La and I bought season tickets for California Victory! I'm so excited. Got such a deal on them. I can't wait.

Rushed update

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in awhile (how many people are actually reading this. hands? hands?). I've been feeling ill and called in yesterday, as well as today. Since I haven't written in awhile, I feel as if I need to report what's been going on. Let me purge, bulleted:

• 31st Birthday was great. Hike in Big Basin, followed by unexpectedly large after party.
• CONCACAF Champions Cup sucked ass. Both U.S. Teams lost. Dynamo game was awesome!
• MLS Kickoff was cool. Good to see DC lose (sorry La)
• Arsenal doing horrible. Last draw should have been a win. La got me a Fabregas jersey. Very nice.
• Bought UEFA video game. Awesome new trading card feature. I've created my first club, Hyphy FC. Still below average but getting better with age.

Although I'm ill and should be resting, there are two UEFA quarterfinal matches on today, at the same time: ManU v. Roma and Valencia v. Chelsea. I'll be flipping back and forth. Oh happy day off!

My latest status update:
* Twitter status: Alvin... is trying to fix adium message history. (undefined)
* On repeat: The Luckiest by Ben Folds
* Reading: Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
* Current Obsession: LibraryThing.com and UEFA Champions League (watching the real thing and also the video game)
* Last unnecessary purchase: UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 video game.

MLS Kickoff

I'll be the first to admit that I am a baby footie fan. Ever since I caught the fever, though, during the last World Cup I've been devouring football like a crazed madman. The EPL, UEFA Champions League, and CONCACAF Champions League has had me enthralled in front of the TV. In two days, the MLS 2007 season begins. I'm glad that I got on board the soccer train during this time period, because it is looking like the MLS is getting things right this season. My fingers are crossed that the U.S. will finally join the rest of the world's love with the sport.

There has been a lot of positive hype other than Beckham coming. SuperLiga will start in the Summer. DCU made it to the semis of the CONCACAF Champions cup (lost this week. Damn) Houston still has a chance to win a finals spot, tonight against Pachuca. Reyna & Mathis to the Redbulls. Blanco to Fire and Fred & Emilio to DCU (Fred just goes by "Fred," which cracks me up. Those crazy Brazilians). The EPL leagues are making professional associations with a few MLS teams, which hopefully will create a Big Brother/Little Brother relationship.

And that's what it is really. At least for now. We're the little, tag-a-long brother in the football world. I'm excited that there is even recognition of the potential of greatness. There was a NY Times article about what the MLS is doing right. It sounds hopeful:

But we don’t believe any one thing will make soccer or M.L.S. one of the dominant sports in this country in the short term. A lot of individual things are happening at a slow, steady pace. Over the next 5, 10, 20 years, we have no doubt that this will be a dominant league in this country. It is not a matter of if, but when.

This weekend will be filled with football love. MLS Fantasy Football also just started. My team will be full of random and arbitrary picks. But who cares? Anyone care to join me?