GatewayRedbirds.com

it's a cultural thing? sorry, bro, that sucks.

(sorry for sidetrack) Most European countries factor service into the price of a meal. Any tip would be a little extra to compliment good service. It makes a lot more sense than our system, to be honest. But it causes an issue especially in this city, the biggest European tourist destination in the world, when so many of them don't understand (or do understand, and don't tip regardless) why I am brusque after they give me the bill back.

Re: Soccer. Anyone see Beckham's hilarious 3rd grade diss, kicking a ball at the other team's downed player? It cracked me up.

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Let's Go Cards! Let's Go Hawks! Let's Go Bulls!

Barn burner between LA & Portland tonight. Beckham was genius.

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

We conceded four goals in 9 minutes. But I actually thought we showed a little promise in some areas. The season's lost, so I'm just happy to see some young guys like Richards get some run and more attacking than we've seen. Alhassan's pass to Boyd was brilliant. And it's always nice to see King Dollar restore order.

Donovan's receding hair belies the fact that he's very fast. Nice little diver/embellisher, too. And Kobe-esque in his legendary ability to get to the hole--the ref's ear-hole to whine. Not his biggest fan.

Stupid soccer question. Why not put someone on the post for Beckham's FK just outside the box? Would he be in the keepers way, especially for something to the top corner? NM, figured it out. Don't want the goal line to be on-side.

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"Isn't it just like BirdBot 6000 [the deity of the Beltran's bizarre cult] to send us to a team called the 'Cardinals?'" -Jessica Beltran
VolatileLyle

Donovan has always treated MLS like a jerk treats his girlfriend with low self esteem. He does whatever he wants then screams until he gets his way after he screws up.

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

I thought it was lame that Beckham didn't get a chance to step to the spot and take a PK for a six-minute hat trick. Perhaps Beckham deferred and I'm sure I'm reading too much into it, but I wouldn't put it past LD for taking the PK because it was his turn and he wanted it.

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"Isn't it just like BirdBot 6000 [the deity of the Beltran's bizarre cult] to send us to a team called the 'Cardinals?'" -Jessica Beltran
VolatileLyle

LD took the pk because a) he's been taking every pk for club and country since age 19. It's his turn every time and he is really good at them, b) he's wearing the armband so Bex can suck it and c) Bex is English. Not a rich tradition of burying pk's.

Don't let his entitled attitude twist you. Landon Donovan is the best player in MLS history by a lot a lot a lot.

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

US Soccer summer round up:

Great column about Clint Dempsey and how tough/good/valuable he would be for Liverpool who are circling Fulham for his services: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog ... -liverpool

Michael Bradley plays for Roma now. Forza Roma.



Check out this sick overhead volley from Terrence Boyd vs Roma yesterday:

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

I don't think your manager was the problem, Sai. But the guy who put this team together is more powerful than ever...

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

I think the biggest problem was rookie leadership all the way down: owner, GM, coach. Spencer may prove to not have been the biggest problem, but he wasn't very good (not yet at least). Hopefully all the problems expose themselves to be addressed.
But this run will end the playoff talk, which was heard as recently as the Spencer presser, and was ridiculous well before then. This team hasn't scored a goal on the road since mid-April. We're even with Toronto, and they lost their first nine games.

It's pretty painful, but at least change is absolutely necessary. Hopefully a new GM and coach. In some ways being at a point with no lower ground is better than floundering. Plus my season tickets will probably improve quite a bit.

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"Isn't it just like BirdBot 6000 [the deity of the Beltran's bizarre cult] to send us to a team called the 'Cardinals?'" -Jessica Beltran
VolatileLyle