Yesterday was a wonderful day for me because I discovered a new reason why soccer is such a great game. Here is what happened.
During the day, my wife Lynn and I were watching AVP women's volleyball on TV. Lynn noticed Kerri Walsh's impressive stature at 6'3" and asked if the women play on the same size net as the men. Men play on a net that is 7.5 inches higher than a women's net. She was disappointed by the inequality, but it was just the beginning.
Later that evening we watched Gina Carano face Kaitlin Young in a televised mixed martial arts contest. About halfway through the first round Lynn noticed that the ladies' rounds were just three minutes compared to the men's five minute rounds. Neither of us could think of a good reason for the difference. It just seemed like some guy decided that women shouldn't be asked to work as hard as the men.
It led me to consider the gender equity of other sports.
Baseball. It seems to me like the same guy that shortened the rounds for women also decided that they should play on a smaller field, pitch underhand and play with a softer ball.
Basketball. Women play with a smaller ball. And did you know that there is no ten second back court violation in the women's game? The arbitrary rule maker strikes again.
Football. Forget it.
Hockey. No body checking for women. It gets worse though. Men are free to wear a protective visor or not. Women must wear a full visor, period. Now that is just blatantly sexist.
Golf. Women drive from the ladies' tee, which is even closer to the pin than the seniors' tee.
I realized that soccer is uniquely the same for men and women. Same ball, goal, field and rules regardless of gender. I can only think of a few other sports that are so blind to sex. Tennis, bowling and poker. I think women have a stricter dress code at Wimbledon though. Can you think of any others?
Hurray for soccer, the sport of blind equality!
Former Beavers get MLS and Team USA Action
Former OSU men's team players have been all over the television lately. Bryan Jordan of the LA Galaxy was called up to the U23 national team for the Toulon International Tournament in France. Jordan played 70 minutes on national TV this month in a 1-0 loss to the Ivory Coast.
Ryan Johnson (San Jose Earthquakes) and Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake) played against each other on TV tonight. Findley came on at half-time and scored an awesome goal burning his defender to cut in from the right wing and beating the keeper near post from about 30 yards out. He added a neat one touch assist a bit later to complete his heroics for the day. Johnson who you can recognize from a mile away by his lanky strides started the game as a forward for San Jose. Salt Lake won 3-1. Here are Findley's highlights.
Euro 2008 in Corvallis
Chris, the Corvallis Sports Park pub manager has confirmed that they will be open for every televised game of the Euro 2008 competition which begins Saturday, June 7. On most days the first match is at 9:00 AM Pacific and is followed by a second 11:45 AM Pacific game. Full food and drink service will be available for the second match only. The multiple TVs will be nice when more than one game is played at the same time. Chris is hoping to have some give-aways for the tournament.
Join the "Corvallis Loves Soccer!" group on ESPN Euro 2008 Pick'em and fill out your bracket for bragging rights in Corvallis. Go to http://games.espn.go.com/euro/group?groupID=1811.
A complete schedule including TV coverage is at http://soccernet.espn.go.com/euro2008/fixtures?league=uefa.euro&date=20080601&type=month&cc=5901.
New Assistant Coach for the Beavers
Head coach Linus Rhode has named Dane Christian as the newest addition to the Oregon State University women's coaching staff as a volunteer coach. He is married to Morgan Crabtree, who is also a new assistant coach with the women. The unique husband-wife coaching duo made me wonder at first. I can't point out any specific reasons against it. It just seems weird to me I guess. I was surprised to see that he does not have goal keeper coaching experience. That area is still a void at the moment.
What: UEFA Champions League Final
Who: Machester United, Chelsea FC and you
When: Wednesday May 21, 11:45 AM PST
Where: Corvallis Sports Park
Why: Because you want to watch soccer in the middle of your work day!
If you don't know what the UEFA Champions League is, here are the essentials. Thirty-two of the best club soccer teams from (almost) every league in Europe receive the honor of competing to decide who THE CHAMPION among champions really is. Its very international with nationalistic rivalries and contrasting regional styles at work. Kinda like the movie Bloodsport, but for soccer and without Jean-Claude Van Damme. It is safe to say that the Champions League trophy is the most prestigious and coveted title a professional soccer club in Europe can win.
Well this Wednesday, May 21 at 11:45 AM PST Manchester United and Chelsea FC will meet in Moscow for this years final. These two teams finished first and second in the English Premier League this year separated by just a single win. Both teams have a lot to prove in this match. Chelsea would like to avenge losing the EPL championship to Manchester United by just three points. Manchester United hopes to validate its popularity with a just a second Champions League title in the club's 130 year history.
Manchester United (or ManU) is led by Cristiano Ronaldo who basically just needs to win this game to prove himself as the planet's best soccer player. The "Red Devils" mastermind Sir Alex Furguson (yes, he has actually been knighted) has only won this trophy once in his 21 years with the team despite his team's huge success in the EPL. In fact the Reds have only reached the final twice ever, winning in '68 and '99. Did you know that ManU is owned by American billionaire Malcolm Glazer who also owns the Tampa Bay Bucaneers? I love that England's championship soccer team is owned by a colonial.
Chelsea is like the New York Yankees, on *ahem* steroids. The Blues owner is a Russian oil tycoon (did I mention the game is in Moscow?) that makes George Steinbrenner look silly. What do you do when you are worth over 18 billion dollars? You buy London based soccer team and spend nearly half a billion dollars buying many of the best players in the world. That's Chelsea. They are led on the field by John Terry and Didier Drogba. Terry dislocated his arm last week but would probably saw it off at the elbow to play in this final. Drogba is basically Terrel Owens as a striker without the attitude. He is big, strong, fast and skilled. Chelsea's success is newly uh...acquired, so they are playing for their first Champions League trophy.
By this time you better be asking "How do I watch this incredible event?!"
The Upper Deck, better known as the pub at the Corvallis Sports Park will be specially opened to show this game on the big screen TV. The pub manager Chris has said "Bring it on" so everyone is invited to take a long lunch break and watch the game at the Park. They will have full food and drink service during the game so you can use the game as an excuse to enjoy a frosty beer in the middle of the day.
What is your game prediction? Who will you be cheering for? I'll tell you right now, you can expect me to be vocalizing (loudly) my distaste for Manchester United during the entire match. Reds supporters bring your ear-muffs (that means you too Blake!).
The adult soccer tournament held this past weekend at Lincoln School in Corvallis was such a big hit that former president Bill Clinton will personally visit the school today to make his congratulations. OK some of that might be stretch, but the parts about the tournament being a success and the former president visiting Lincoln School are true.
The soccer tournament was part of the Lincoln School “Kermes” Community Carnival, which also included free planting stations for children, games, ethnic food, live stage entertainment and a raffle. My personal favorite were the home-made tamales, hmmm. Hundreds of people attended the event which was hosted completely by volunteer effort. The Lincoln School PTA, El Sol de Mexico and Qdoba Mexican Grill all deserve mention for their effort and donations. All proceeds from the event went to the Lincoln School.
The eight teams which participated in the soccer tournament raised $1000. They are Crown Royals, Atrevidos, Wild Lions, Jalisco, Stahlbush Farmers, Senoras Enojadas, Santa Teresa and the Pork Chops. The Wild Lions team was a crowd favorite especially with the students because they were made up of Lincoln School teachers and faculty. The Atrevidos team surprised a lot of people by advancing to the championship to face the Senoras Enojadas. A late goal by Atrevidos made the final score 2-1 in favor of the Senoras Enojadas.
Senoras Enojadas
Atrevidos
Too bad you couldn't come a little earlier Bill. You missed a great time and a fun day of soccer.
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