Video Interveiw: Sepp Blatter insults MLS, American Soccer

Sepp Blatter

Here are a couple of great  reactions to FIFA president Sepp Blatter recently insulting the progress of MLS in America.

The Four Stars: Sepp Blatter said WHAT?: (This article is not quite about D.C. United, but I figured since it was referring to the league DC plays in, I can write about this.) ...

Examiner.com: FIFA president Sepp Blatter takes swing at MLS

In a long Al Jazeera interview with FIFA president Sepp Blatter on December 28, the leader of world football took an undeniable swing at Major League Soccer (MLS), the first division of pro soccer in the United States.

ESPN Video: In Eddie We Trust

ESPN soccer analyst Tommy Smyth discusses the impact of Eddie Johnson in last nights U.S. vs. Antigua & Barbuda World Cup qualifying match.

Harkes out, Twellman in at ESPN

Monday ESPN announced former U.S. national team member and D.C. United player John Harkes has been replaced in the analyst booth by Taylor Twellman.

The network said Monday "we informed John Harkes that ESPN will not renew his contract." ESPN also said it "is leaving the door open to John working with the company in the future on other soccer properties."

You can follow Taylor Twellman on Twitter - @TaylorTwellman where he is very interactive with the soccer community on the social media site.

OFFICIAL ESPN STATEMENT

Indie Cowie on ESPN E:60, Amazing Freestyle Juggling Skills

Jeff Bradley of ESPN: Keeping Score

Check out this ESPN interveiw by Jeff Bradley with Mike Ammann, founder of local goalkeeper trianing company 247gk and Virginia Online Soccer News sponsor. (my daughter also trains with Mikes company)

Keeping score

by Jeff Bradley of ESPN

Hard to believe 10 years have passed since I witnessed perhaps the bravest goalkeeping performance in MLS history. Mike Ammann of the MetroStars, just 45 days after having his lungs punctured by the studs of a reckless Mamadou Diallo, came back to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals (back when it was best of three).

See the entire interview with Mike Ammann HERE

Demand Support for Women's Soccer

As many women's soccer fans have heard, two WPS franchises are in danger of having to cease opperations if new ownership or investors can not be found. Unless you are a wealthy business person you may feel you have few ways to help.

Your right, but there are currently two groups attempting to raise awareness of the need for major support for Women's Soccer.

Time is running out! Please join the FB group attempting to get Ellen DeGeneres to support Women's Soccer

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=121812224538638

and while your at it sign this petition as well - ESPN: Please Help Promote Women's Professional Soccer.

http://womensrights.change.org/petitions/view/espn_please_help_promote_womens_professional_soccer


Thanks,

Sundhage selects Two Washington Freedom Players for Prelim Roster

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Pia Sundhage selected two Washington Freedom players as part of her 30 player preliminary roster for two matches against China. Forward Abby Wambach and Midfielder Sarah Huffman were chosen along with 25 other WPS players as part of the peliminary roster. The matches against China are taking place on Oct. 2 at the Kennesaw State University Soccer Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga. (6 p.m. ET), and on Oct. 6 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. (7 p.m. ET on ESPN2).

Sundhage will open a training camp in Kennesaw, outside of Atlanta, on Sept. 20.  For each game versus China, 18 players will suit up. The US Women's National Team and coach Sundhage are preparing forthe  2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament, taking place from Oct. 28-Nov. 9 in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Concussion in Sports - What You Need to Know

(image property of: http://www.laurafreberg.com/)

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has released a FREE online course through there website, the course titled:Concussion in Sports - What You Need to Know, is given the following description on the NFHS site:

Sports-related concussion in high school sports can be serious or even lift-threatening situations if not managed correctly. National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have teamed up to provide information and resources to help educate coaches, officials, parents and students on the importance of proper concussion recognition and management in high school sports. Mick Koester M.D., ATC, Chair of the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and Director of the Slocum Sports Concussion in Eugene, Oregon takes you through this course. In this course you will understand the impact sports-related concussion can have on your players, how to recognize a suspected concussion, the proper protocols to manage a suspected concussion, and steps to help your player return to play safely after experiencing a concussion.