Barack Obama Breaches Years of Protocol to Watch Soccer Game
U.S. President Barack Obama breached years of protocol when he left the White House without the press corps charged with documenting his every move. So what was so important that the President’s people failed to inform the press in time to follow him? The leader of the free world left the White House to attend one of his daughter’s soccer games. Surely the press will cut the Nation’s #1 soccer dad some slack.
(Via AP)
FIFA World Cup Helps Usher In the 3D Visual Revolution
Twenty-five of the World Cup’s 64 matches will be broadcast live in 3D to viewers in 26 countries worldwide. Soccer fans with new 3-D televisions will enjoy the Avatar-like special effects from the comfort of their homes. Those without the new televisions may be able to catch the matches at selected cinemas and dedicated viewing areas, which will be modeled after fan zones from the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Sony, partnering with FIFA to broadcast the matches in 3D, is hoping that the shift from 2D to 3D is as ground breaking as the shift from black-and-white to color.
For a complete listing of 3D games, click here.
(Via LA Times)
Pending Strike in Spanish Football
The Spanish football federation and the players’ union are locking horns over the issue of late payment of player wages. It’s been reported that an estimated 85% of football players in Spain’s top three football divisions are owed back wages or are paid late. Should the federation and union not be able to come to a resolution, the players’ union will go on strike this weekend. And I thought the English FA had its hands full.
(Via WSJ)
Captain America to the Rescue of U.S. Youth Soccer
Former U.S. National Team star Claudio Reyna has been named the technical director of youth soccer for the U.S. Soccer Federation. According to Claudio, there is a lot of work to be done before the U.S. can become more competitive at youth level tournaments. In his new capacity as technical director, Claudio will create a plan of action for the development of 6 to 12 year old soccer players. Specifically, Claudio believes that American youth can benefit from better coaching and plans on implementing measures that will help improve their develop and understand the game better.
(Via US Soccer)
Mexican Soccer Exports On The Rise
Manchester United’s recent acquisition of Javier Hernandez reinforces the belief that the future remains bright for Mexico’s golden generation of footballers. Young players such as Carlos Vela, Giovani Dos Santos and Hernandez are or will be plying their trade in Europe. In addition to these youngsters, 31 year old Mexican captain Rafa Marquez has been a fixture at Barcelona for several years. Although not often mentioned, Mexico is one of a few dark horses that are capable of going far in this year’s World Cup. 2010 may just be the year Mexican soccer prospects blow up at club and international level.
(Via The Houston Chronicle)
China – Zimbabwe Stadium Pact
Zimbabwe keeps showing other African countries how not to do it, allowing Chinese contractors to reconstruct their national sports stadium instead of using local help. To be fair, this is hardly a Zimbabwean problem. Many African countries fail to help themselves in contract negotiations with foreigners. Instead of outsourcing the labor, the government could have insisted on the use of local contractors.
In other Zimbabwean – Chinese news, the Chinese press described the outcome of the friendly between the Chinese U-19 team and Zimbabwe’s Dynamos FC as a 1-0 thrashing at the hands of the Dynamos. I’ve seen numerous soccer games in my time and I have yet to see a 1-0 thrashing. But then again, what do I know?
