Spanish Defender Tweets Match Time Decision to Fans

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew had hoped that an injury sidelining defender Jose Enrique wouldn't be disclosed until right before Tuesday's Premier League game against Tottenham.

But more than four hours before kickoff, the Spanish defender wrote in broken English on Twitter: "Sorry lads i have a test this morning and we decide is better dont play. ... Im so hungry because this game is nice to play. ... My hamstring is so stiff today."

Pardew, whose team lost 2-0, now wants his his players to withhold such revelations from social networking accounts. He acknowledges, however, that "it's difficult to police" and he won't impose an outright ban.

"I got a text message that the press knew," Pardew said. "Did he tweet it, did he? It's something as a club we need to look at. Players can't be giving that sort of information out. ... We need to make it as a club policy that it has to stop."

Asked if Enrique would be ready for Sunday's match against West Ham, Pardew cracked: "I'll check his tweet."

He may have been a bit late. Enrique already provided an update for his more than 5,000 followers.

"Im sure is ok for sunday because is just stiff nothing worse," he tweeted. "Thanks everyone for your support."

Pardew's annoyance must have reached Enrique. The messages were subsequently deleted from his feed.

"Sorry i want to delete twetter just get me problems," he explained on his feed.

TOP 10 Reasons People Don’t Watch the WPS

Who can count the number of articles that have been written about the big black cloud that is looming over the Women’s Professional Soccer league in the United States?

With the Chicago Red Stars failing to secure reserve funding in order to participate in the 2011 season, sportswriters are pointing fingers and predicting future doom for the remaining clubs.

Initially, this article was going to have a similar bend. However, what good would that do? At this point, there needs to be some creative conversation on the matter because women’s sports, whether soccer, basketball, lacrosse and softball, would benefit from it.

For the longest time, I have had several, highly engaging conversations with people who could care less about women’s soccer, but (fortunately) enough about me to lend me their opinions. The conversation always begins with the following question: Why do you think people do not watch women’s soccer?

It was a question that I again posed a few weeks ago to many of my counterparts inside and outside of the global soccer community. Their responses have been compiled into our….

TOP 10 Reasons People Don’t Watch the WPS
(In no particular order)

1. Lack of media coverage
2. Not aware of women’s soccer
3. Pace of game is too slow
4. Less women’s matches on television
5. Not heavily promoted until international competitions
6. Huge disparity in the abilities of the players
7. No commercials showcasing women’s technical abilities
8. Women’s soccer is still considered a recreational sport
9. Women do not promote themselves or their games
10. Most of WPS coverage is negative.

Over the next few entries, I am going to tackle each of these challenges with the help of some “experts.” At this point, it’s not enough to talk about the problem. Let’s see if we can provide the remaining clubs with some creative solutions for their upcoming season.

Qatar Makes It Rain On FC Barcelona

Two weeks ago, the tiny nation of Qatar took the soccer world by storm with its host selection for the 2022 World Cup. The country’s proposal included financial investments in infrastructure that put its bidding committee in quite a class of its own.

Now the oil rich nation seems to be still hungry and on another soccer spending binge. This week a Qatar “foundation” was able to buy what many thought was the untouchable-the front of Barca’s shirt. The club was a lone outlier in not selling its most coveted piece of real estate. When other clubs took the cash, Barca went in the opposite direction and gave away cash to UNICEF for use of the organization’s name.

Barca had embodied it’s tag line of “more than just a club.” Now, the storied club may just become another impulse by for national investors that would to blow off steam, spend some cash and turn the global soccer community on its ear.

A Winter 2022 World Cup In Qatar? Beckenbaur Proposes Alternatives

According to Goal.com,"Franz Beckenbauer has confessed that he would like to see World Cup 2022, which has been awarded to Qatar, staged in January and February.

Concerns have been raised from several quarters about the intense summer heat of the Arab state, and the former Bayern Munich and Germany star has echoed those suggesting that one way around the problem would be to play the competition in the winter.

“We should think about a solution in January and February. There will be pleasant temperatures around 25°C,” the member of Fifa’s executive committee explained to Bild on Saturday morning. “Why would it not be? The calendars of the major European leagues should be changed in 2022. It would not have too great an impact and would represent an alternative to the enormous expense of providing cool spaces and stadiums for fans.”

Beckenbauer also expressed his surprise that Australia was eliminated in the first round of bidding for the competition, a sentiment he echoed with regard to England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup, which was ultimately handed to Russia."

In other Beckenbaur news, the German legend has announced that he will be stepping down from his FIFA Executive committee post in March. He cites personal reasons fo his departured. German football federation chief, Theo Zwanziger is going to run for the post.

US Virgin Islands' Bold Soccer Move

Investing in a midlevel Italian soccer club would not be up for discussion by many towns on the opposite side of the globe. However, the recent legislative showdown in the US Virgin Islands could prove to serve as a case study for many tourist towns. On September 20th, Senator Wayne A.G. James garned enough support to override the governor’s veto on legislation that would provide a $50,000 sponsorship to the Montescudaio football club.
This legislative landmark had its humble beginnings with the suggestion of Italian architect Alessandro Sonetti. He had mutual friends in government in the Italian village of Montescudaio and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Consequently, he proposed the formation of twin city alliance. A formal ceremony was held in the town of Montescudaio and while attending the ceremony, Senator Wayne A.G. James conceived a brilliant idea to put forth a sponsorship deal for the local soccer club.
With the statistics to support his idea, Senator James realized that this move would be an amazing marketing effort to capture a larger share one of his nation’s most coveted imports-Italian tourists. Traditionally, Italian tourists arrived during the low season, visited the island nation longer and patronized its top end establishments.
When word of the pending sponsorship first hit the media waves in early August, the US Virgin Islands receive millions of dollars of free publicity. It was reported in Times Square, the Vatican’s FM station and Yahoo! Finance. Now that the legislation has passed, Senator James can claim a victory for his idea and his country’s bottom line.

Equatorial Guinea Soccer Makes History: 2010 Youth Olympics

How often do we hear about Equatorial Guinea's soccer program?

The Spanish speaking, African nation has made quite a name for itself at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Its women's team recently defeated Iran, and headed to the finals to face off with Chile.

A double boost for the nation. The success of the women's team has peaked the interest of the nation's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and National President of the Youth Federation of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Nguema Obiang Mangue. He has been attending and supporting the women's soccer matches at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games in an effort to promote and support culture and sports in his country.

Keep a close eye on team captain, Judit Ndong and her squad. Despite their defeat on yesterday to Chile 4-1, I don't think this is the last that we have heard of them.

MobiTv Let's You Watch the Match on the Go

I love the Internet, and, with sites such as Ustream and Justin.tv, I can view live matches right on my laptop. No more televisions for me!

However, I can’t take the laptop everywhere, and there were quite a few times during World Cup 2010 that I had to miss a few matches because I was out and about.
Well, I know that I wasn’t alone, and Mobitv has created the perfect solution. The company brings live content to a broad range of mobile devices. This past summer they provided a large number of American soccer fans with the opportunity to view 100 million minutes of World Cup soccer coverage.

I perused Mobitv’s blog today, and I noticed that they give their customers a heads up on the live sports programming for each week. If you are a Premier League fan, you can catch Arsenal vs. Blackpool on Saturday at 7:00 a.m. courtesy of ESPN Mobile.

Holland: 0 for the Trophy, 2 for the Fans

It may be a little too soon to ease the pain of Holland supporters. However, I think it’s all about perspective. Do you see the glass empty or half full?

If you take into account Ketel One’s debut of Ketel One Oranje, the newest member in their vodka portfolio, you might perceive the cup to be a never ending flow of consolation and/or excitement.

The company teamed up with New York mixologist, Giuseppe Gonzalez, to concoct a home team, inspired cocktail. “Clockwork Oranje," has been featured on the Ketel One page on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/KetelOne) since July 9, 2010 and will remain posted for fans to reference and toast one another during their Sunday soccer celebrations. What a score for the Dutch!

Oh but wait, there’s another goal on the horizon. The “Ketel One Kickoff” can be added to your beverage reserve list as you watch players head back to their club teams to do battle. I have listed both recipes below. Bottoms Up!

Clockwork Oranje
Just add 1 1/2 oz. Ketel One Oranje, 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice and 1 oz. white creme de cacao to a Collins glass filled with crushed iced. Then stir with a swizzle stick and garnish with an orange wedge.

Kettle One Kickoff
Add 1 1/2 ounces of Ketel One Oranje, 1/4 ounces Grand Marnier and 3 ounces of ginger ale over ice in a rocks glass. Stir and garnish with an orange slice.

Craig Johnston's Martydom: Issues Open Letter About Jabulani

A few hours ago I finished watching the movie Pelham 123, which stars Denzel Washington and John Travlota. It was a thrilling storyline where Garber (Denzel makes a dangerous choice to pursue Ryder (Travolta).

Former Liverpool player and inventor of the highest selling soccer boot of all times (Predator), Craig Johnston is engaging in his own Pelham 123. Johnston believes that the horribly perfect Jabulani ball must be destroyed, and he is willing to risk reputation and FIFA blacklisting, if it can preserve the beautiful game. Take a read of his open letter to President Blatter which was distributed via Leaders In Football:

"OPEN LETTER TO BLATTER ON JABULANI BALL"
4:37pm Thursday, 8th July 2010


Dear Mr Blatter,

If a sponsor came into your office before the World Cup and said. ' We are going to give you a new, perfectly round match ball...the players wont like it at all...and there will be more mistakes made than in any other World Cup...'

'There will be less goals scored...less free kicks scored...less passes complete...less control by players....and roughly 70% of crosses and shots on goal will miss wide and go way over the crossbar...'

What would you say to them..?

My name is Craig Johnston. I am risking my reputation and goodwill within certain football circles by writing this open letter to yourself and anybody else who is interested in the Jabulani ball issue and why its endorsement by FIFA could ruin the game as we now know it.

I am however not only writing with the problem, but also an easy solution to the problem...

I am a former football player with Liverpool Football Club in England, and I am also known for inventing the adidas Predator football boot, the adidas Traxion sole system...and the research and testing done on previous World Cup footballs.

I am a big supporter of the FIFA Goal initiatives, and we have met many times over the years, on various football issues. I have also presented to you, the executive committee and the FIFA Technical team many innovations in football and specifically youth development over the years.

I am therefore writing to you as a friend of football, a friend of FIFA. I am also writing to you as someone who actually knows what they are talking about when it comes to World Cup footballs and their flight characteristics.

A lot of things have been said and written about the new Jabulani Ball...but the word disaster is on a lot of players and managers lips...

Pazzini -Italy "The Balls are a disaster, both for goalkeepers and for attackers."

David James-England " Dreadful and Horrible..."

Fabio Capello-Manager England " The worst Ball I have ever seen."

It is very alarming that the best players and teams in the world are struggling to control this ball to their own satisfaction.

What is even more alarming than the players' assessment of the 'bad ball', however, are the statistics of ' bad play'.

What this means to the quality of this tournament in South Africa is quite shocking.

The statistics are showing that it is the worst passing, shooting and controlling of the ball of any World Cup in history of the competition.

That cannot be ignored...and it cannot be fixed up later..as we are being told..

The problems with this ball will not go away and they need to be understood by the FIFA Technical department and addressed immediately...before there are any more on field disasters.

I know you and FIFA are under pressure at the moment. The issues such as Goal Line Technology and poor refereeing decisions are not as important compared to the Jabulani Ball issue and the poor quality of play that it is causing.

There was a furious global public reaction to Frank Lampard's goal against Germany that was denied by the officials...

By my calculations we have been denied at least 10 more goals that were not scored in this World Cup so far, because of the erratic and unstable flight of the Jabulani football..but nobody is jumping up and down...yet...!

Who is taking responsibility for denying us these goals and bits of magic?

To get a goalmouth call wrong and make a mistake happens once or twice a year.

To get the actual football itself wrong, affects every single touch, pass or shot that a player makes, in every single game.

And there are an awful lot of mistakes happening at this showcase tournament.

Daniel Agger-Denmark- Dead Ball expert "It makes world Class players look like drunken sailors"

The erratic behavior of this ball is ruining the flow of the game and downgrading the quality of play.

This is an absolute disaster for the purists...and it cannot continue in this manner.

Just listen to the players ....just look at the statistics...they are very very damning of this ball.

Robinho-Brazil "The guy who designed this never played Football."

The fact is that the Jabulani ball with its new materials and new construction methods simply does not behave in the same predictable aerodynamic manner as the old ball we have all been using perfectly well for 40 years previously...

The players are all saying that the Jubalani has a mind of its own...

I have a trained eye and have been watching these things for years. If you watch carefully, and know what you're looking for, you can see it move erratically, even on television...

I have seen hundreds of basic trajectory miscalculations so far in this World Cup where the ball usually ends up going out of play. Surprisingly, nobody has made a big deal out of it yet...but football people who really watch for the art and craft are starting to notice...like the players...like the managers...like the purists...like the statisticians...its all starting to add up.

I have outlined the more scientific reasons for the balls unpredictable behavior in a separate section below...please read it and you will understand the problem immediately....then count the on-field mistakes...

In short, the new ball does not translate a lot of the backspin, topspin or sidespin...all of the special language that a player normally applies to a ball to make it behave properly in the air.

Why is this so important...?

This language is the real art and craft of the footballer and of the game..

This is what we really pay all of our money to see. This is what makes these guys so different from us...this special language is the genius.

Asking players to Shoot or pass with this new Jabulani ball is like asking Picasso to paint a picture without bristles on his brush...to paint without the usual texture and without all of the feeling...

I have spent 3 weeks in South Africa at the World Cup and I have seen the Jabulani ball move more than 2 feet in the air in some instances when it is not supposed to move in the air. I have also seen the ball go absolutely straight at other times when clearly the player has tried to put a bend on it of 2 feet or more.

Luis Fabiano-Brazil "All of a sudden it changes trajectory on you...I think it is Supernatural.."

Unfortunately the ball is also very nervous and jumpy to the touch when controlling it close to the body and when dribbling it.

Julio Cesar- Goalkeeper Brazil "A Ball you would buy in a Supermarket..."

So the ball is a disaster... and because of it there have been many mistakes...more than any World Cup ever...I really believe that FIFA cannot continue to endorse this ball...

Why...?

Because by endorsing this ball, FIFA are endorsing every mistake that that has been made by the players using it during this World Cup...

By endorsing this ball, FIFA are endorsing the removal of the players' art and craft at the very top end.

The most frightening thing however is that by endorsing this ball, FIFA are allowing a sponsor to alter the very dynamics of how the game is played... and for the worse. Not just in this competition, but going forward...into schools and youth leagues the world over..

Players are very clever and are adapting already technically and tactically to the balls idiosyncrasies...

The German team knew exactly what they were doing when their goalkeeper kicked the ball deep into the edge of the England Penalty box, up and over the English defense for an unchallenged 1st goal. No other ball could ever have traveled that far...

That is also called Route One Football and soon everyone will be doing it because the ball is encouraging it...

To change the dynamics and the craft of the game like this is not a call that a vested interest sponsor should be allowed to make...they have got it horribly wrong already...

Mr. Blatter, I know you are horrified about the poor play because I know you are a football man. We have heard the excuses from FIFA but who is really making these critical footballing decisions about the players craft..?

The governing body of a sport needs to be independent from the sponsors products. FIFA should have been far more diligent in their own tests....and should have binned the Jabulani ball before the competition..

This is what a very respected goalkeeper said a week before the competition started.

Tim Howard-USA Goalkeeper "It's tragic that you're going to see good players look foolish. Defenders are having a tough time judging it, strikers are having a tough time judging crosses as well and for goalkeepers it's murder so what can we do?''

"I think you're going to see some really weird and unfortunate goals.''

From day one I have been saying that there is a simple solution and back up plan for this World Cup. You can easily apply exactly the same Jubalani ball graphics onto the traditional construction of your sponsor's previous Buckminster construction World Cup balls.

Two of the best footballs ever made were made by your sponsors...The Fevernova and the Tricolor Ball from the Asian World Cup and French World Cup's respectively...

The normal Buckminster construction has given us every glorious moment of football we can ever recall...

As players and as fans...it set the standard for the very craft and soul of the game...it has proven reliable, predictable...dependable...

This new Jabulani ball is unnatural, unpredictable, unreliable ... and it is totally unacceptable how this ball has been endorsed by FIFA for this tournament and going forward..

The sponsors and FIFA marketing seem to be the tail that has been wagging the FIFA dog...and so far they have got away with it...

The only people that can make the call to radically change the dynamics of the ball and therefore the game itself.... are the players....

And no....not the players that are already being paid by the sponsors...!

For me, probably the post prophetically damning statement about the Jabulani ball comes from the English midfielder Joe Cole.

"It took a bit of skill out of the game...but it's the same for everybody."

Wow...what an unbelievably sad statement...

I am not employed by anyone...and I am not looking for a job...I also know I won't make any new friends at FIFA, in-fact, I will probably be blacklisted, but it's a price I am willing to pay.

I owe it to the game to speak up...so does anyone that believes in skill and craft as the ultimate attributes for a footballer.

Mr Blatter, and FIFA...this has been a fabulous World Cup in many many ways, and you all need to be congratulated.

I am sure that the ball designers, manufacturers, sponsors and testers of the Jabulani ball will not have been as honest and straight with you as I have in this letter....and that is the big problem.

But why would they...?

They are making hundreds of millions of dollars already out of this perfectly round football..

So, having had the benefit of understanding the problem, I will ask you the simple question one more time...

If a sponsor came into your office before the World Cup and said... 'We are going to give you a new, perfectly round match ball...the players wont like it at all....and there will be more mistakes made than in any other World Cup...'

'There will be less goals scored...less free kicks scored.....less passes complete....less control by players....and roughly 70% of crosses and shots on goal will miss wide and over the crossbar...'

What would you say to them..?

Craig Johnston, Ex Footballer with Middlesbrough FC and Liverpool FC England

Annenburg Foundation Scores a Goal with Eco Friendly PITCH: AFRICA

On yesterday at the Port of Los Angeles, the Annenburg Foundation unveiled a life size model of PITCH: AFRICA. PITCH:AFRICA is the first ever water harvesting and filtering soccer space. Designed by Atopia Research the goal is to bring clean water to regions of Africa where the resource is scarce. In tropical regions of the content, rainy season can yield up to five feet of water. This amount is enough to provide 1,000 people with adequate supply for one year. The Annenburg Foundation is working closely with the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project to select an adequate location for the first pitch. To see Los Angeles area soccer players trying some of their moves out on the model, click here.

France's Long Shot to Round 16: One Fan Copes

With a recent loss to Mexico and a tie with Uruguay, the French have found themselves as quite a longshot for the Round of 16. Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka must have saw it coming because he cursed his way back to an early flight at the order of the French Football Federation.

Disappointment like this can bring out the worst in people. However, there is another reaction that French fans can draw from. Checkout one of their fellow supporters coping with France's predicament while attending the Midsummer Music Festival in Atlanta, GA.

Medical Emergency in South Africa? Check iTriage on Your Mobile

Whether you know someone already in enjoying the matches in South Africa or you are planning to head over a little later in the month, it's important that you are prepared for emergencies.

Healthagen's iTriage is a mobile application that you can download to your iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and Palm. It will provide you with the nearest healthcare facility wherever you are located in the 8 South African provinces where the matches are being held. You can learn more about this

What's All the Noise? The Sounds of the Vuvuzelas

I have been receiving lots of phone calls and emails from friends who are complaining about the "buzzing" noise that is serving as the background music for all of the 2010 matches.

It is the vuvuzela. The Vuvuzela is a long, plastic horn that is blown in stadiums all throughout South Africa by football (soccer) fans. They have been associated with occasionally producing noise-induced hearing loss.

So...what is one to learn from this? It is a unchangeable variable in this year's competition--but for fans of other sports it maybe yet another useful tool to incorporate into your taunting arsenal for away games!

To purchase your vuvuzela, go to Eurosport.

Security Check At The Betting Box: Vasco Advises Gamblers

Does the fanfare around the World Cup matches have you itchin' to place some money with your allegiance? If so, it's important to remember that the global competition can bring out the shadiest of con artists and hackers.

VASCO Data Security is a leader in online authentication productions, and they want to make sure you know the who, what, where and how much when it comes to your bets. So you don't get taken for a ride, here are some ways that you can use precaution when wagering for this year's matches.

-- Make sure the betting website is trustworthy and the operator is
licensed
-- Check if the website has a privacy policy to make sure your personal
data are safe
-- The website should be secured using SSL
-- Know what you are betting for; know what it will cost you
-- Choose a provider that uses two factor authentication which offers
enhanced security for players placing bets

World Cup Comedy Courtesy of The Daily Show

On Friday, the first match whistles will blow, and Jon Stewart has planned to get World Cup fans prepped with a little comedy hours before.

World Cup 2010: Into Africa is a multi-part presentation that will showcase Daily Show correspondent John Oliver poking fun at the U.S. Soccer Team as well as the acting South African Ambassador. It is sure to keep the mood light before you get your blood pressure up for your squad.

The first installment will air on Thursday, June 10th at 11:00 p.m. EST.

World Cup Freebie: Ziggy Marley's Africa Land

Inspired by the World Cup 2010 being held in Africa, reggae icon Ziggy Marley has collaborated with his brother Stephen Marley and African mega star Angelique Kidgjo to create his latest single, Africa Land.

The uplifting lyrics are set to a dancehall beat with an undertone of African elements. It will be released initially to African radio with free downloading available at www.ziggymarley.com and www.tuffgongworldwide.com.

This free download is the first of several free songs that Ziggy will be releasing from his collection entitled, The Wild and Free Singles.

Soccer In The Streets Heads to South Africa

In case you missed the latest episode of Eat Soccer Radio, we had the good fortune of haveing Jill Robbins, Executive Director of Soccer In the Streets, join us. She provided some invaluable information for those listeners who want to begin grassroots soccer programming in their area of the world. Also, she let everyone know that a delegation from their program will receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience to participate in 2010 World Cup programming in South Africa. A journey that far doesn't come without a NICE price tag so pitch in and help these deserving youth on their transatlantic voyage! Click here to learn more about SITS and submit your donation.

P.S. To listen to the interview with Jill Robbins, click on the audio player above.

BBVA Compass Wants Soccer Aces

Who wants their big shot to play in Europe? On April 10th, you can seize the opportunity in Houston, Texas. Houston Baptist University will be the site for pro soccer hopefuls who want to land a spot on the new reality show entitled Soccer Aces.

Soccer Aces is an international reality show that seeks to discover talented players from around the world who dream of becoming future soccer stars. The show will include up-and coming players as well as older, more experienced players who have not been able to break into the professional arena.

Selected finalists will travel to La Academia in Spain where they will live and train together as if they were actual members of a professional soccer team.
Sponsored by BBVA Compass, the winner will receive a tryout with a BBVA club in Europe. For those who want to participate, click here. The show will be broadcast on GolTV in May.

Mark Your Calendars: 2010 Verizon Copa Alianza

Now in its 7th year, the schedule has been released for the 2010 Verizon Copa Alianza. The premier soccer tournament, which includes youth and adult divisions, is a collaborative effort of Verizon and Alianza de Futbol Hispano, the nation's leading organization dedicated to the development and support of amateur Hispanic soccer.

The series of local tournaments will begin in April. More than 1,150 teams and 20,000 players will compete in the Verizon Copa Alianza and Copita Alianza local tournaments in 2010. The winning teams from the adult division will have the opportunity to square off against the reserve squads from professional MLS and Mexican division clubs. Named competition includes the U-20 Mexican National squad, Chivas and America. More than $90,000in local prize money is up for grabs.

In the youth division, players will receive the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of college and pro scouts. Matches will be played in ten cities across the U.S.

To learn more about match information in your area, go to Alianza de Futbol.

Kickstarting Footvolley: Footvolley.Rio.Bikini

For the last month or so, I have been working on generating new content for my website and preparing for some upcoming international trips. I have footvolley on my mind as there is an upcoming competition in May. To prepare for this, I will be heading to Rio for some fast paced, no nonsense training. Would you like to join me on the adventure? Well, here is your opportunity! We are producing a web doc about this upcoming training stint called Footvolley.Rio.Bikini. It will chronicle my life training and playing against some of the best footvolley players in the world. I am excited about the training and about shooting the project. Ironically, the company that I am using to shoot the project is a native Brazilian who is a graduate of SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design). Isn't the world small? Moreover, the people over at Kickstarter liked the project so much that they have added it on the site. The goal is to raise $1,000 to kickstart the 1st episode of the project AND I am offering some cool prizes. You should definitely check it out. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/qiana/discover-a-brazilian-adventure-footvolleyriobik

Bafana Beats Me to Brazil

In the midst of taking care of a few loose ends for an upcoming trip to Brazil, I happened to learn that Bafana Bafana is doing its World Cup 2010 preparations in Teresopolis! The selection of the Brazilian training ground, which serves as a training site for the Brazilian sides, only makes perfect sense because this is the home turf of Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Having a good dose of Teresopolis high altitude, mixed with the energetic environment of Joga Bonito, will serve South Africa’s national side well. The team has several practice matches scheduled with area clubs Volta Redonda, Boavista, Fluminense, Cruzeiro and Botafogo.

Want an Upgrade? Visa & Abbey International Offer World Cup 2010 Trip

Already a worldwide FIFA partner, Visa is joining forces with Abbey International to offer its clients the opportunity to receive (2) tickets to the FIFA World Cup Final, pre-match hospitality,(3) nights stay at a 4 star hotel and GBP 1,500 towards return flights.
To throw your name in the pot, you must apply or request an upgrade to a Visa Platinum or Visa Infinite deferred-debit card, available with the Abbey International Gold account. The contest concludes on April 30, 2010.

T-Mobile Launches Nokia 5230 Nuron with FIFA Contest

T-Mobile USA is throwing its hat into the FIFA World Cup 2010 bonfire with a contest for its customers. It recently launched a national campaign called El Llamado del Futbol (The Calling of Soccer) which will give soccer fans a chance to win one of 10 trips for two to South Africa.

During the period of March 3-April 19, customers will have the opportunity to submit their names of hopes of landing to an all-expense-paid trip for two to South Africa in June for a five-night, six-day experience of a lifetime. To enter the contest, click on the El Llamado de Futbol hyperlink.

You can submit an entry daily, and entry will count toward the final drawing of the sweepstakes promotion.

In addition to this contest, T-Mobile will be providing FIFA merchandise, mobile content and opportunities to meet soccer legends at its retail locations. These events will be in conjunction with the release of the Nokia Nuron. To keep a tab on T-Mobile soccer events in your area, make sure you check the T-Mobile El Llamado del Futbol campaign web site.

More chances to go to South Africa-I love it!

March 3rd: Degree Men Brings the Futbol Fiesta

In support of today’s Mexican National Team friendly against New Zealand, Degree Men will kick off its street-level Futbolote Challenge at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Futbol Fiesta will take place four hours prior to match time (4:00 p.m. PST) and will include a meet and greet with legendary Mexican National Team soccer players such as Felix Fernandez, co-host of Univision's sports program Republica Deportiva and Martin "El Pulpo" Zuniga and Alberto Garcia Aspe. The former national team players will put their soccer skills to the test at the Degree Men Futbolote Challenge--a life-size version of the popular foosball table-top game where people take on the role of foos men--and show fans who is the ultimate Mexican National Team soccer legend.

Fans in Charlotte, New York, Chicago and Houston will be able to Face the Degree Men Challenge at Futbolote pre-game celebrations at Futbol Fiestas in their respective cities.

To get news on the Mexican National Team, friendly games and Degree Men Futbolote highlights as well as participate in exclusive Degree Men and Mexican National Team experiences follow the brand by visiting Facebook.com/DegreeFutbol and DegreeFutbol.com.

Chop Down the Phone Tree with RainedOut

It’s the day of the big soccer game, and the weather is less than ideal. Is the game on or not?

One dad’s frustration with calling the league hotline prompted a brilliant idea-RainedOut.

RainedOut is a free service that allows coaches and club directors to notify parents and players via text of game cancellations, field changes, volunteer requests or last minute details. Messages can be sent to phones or social network profiles.

If you are the chief organizer for your club’s activities, make sure you take a look at RainedOut before the spring season gets started. It could save everyone a lot of time and frustration.

Calendar Note: Catch Messi with Argentine Squad in US

After World Cup fever subsides, there still could be another opportunity for you to catch some live international action stateside. According to a published comments from a spokeswoman at Cardenas Marketing network, Lionel Messi alongside his Argentine teammates are slated to play in the U.S.

Although no dates are confirmed, the exhibtion game will fall during the international fixture periods when clubs are required to release players to national teams. These periods include Aug. 11, Sept. 3-7, Oct. 8-12 and Nov. 17.

Stay tuned!

ALL ACCESS REALITY: BUDWEISER'S 2010 World Cup BUD HOUSE

As mentioned on my most recent installment of Eat Soccer Radio, Budweiser is underwriting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 32 individuals to spend 5 weeks in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

As part of their sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup, Budhouse is a reality show that will allow its participants to attend World Cup matches, live in a luxurious compound of some kind in Cape Town, take a number of excursions throughout Southern Africa, participate in charity work, meet FIFA soccer/football stars, and have unprecedented backstage access.

It's my understanding that this is not a classic competition. There are likely to be some opt-in contests for prizes along the way, but this is not going to be your typical Big Brother/ Road Rules grueling- feats-of- endurance fest. It's also not currently set up to be filmed 24/7, but rather when there are games or activities occurring that production wants to cover.

If you a)know someone who's a huge soccer/football fan b)know someone who is *from* one of the 32 qualifying countries for the World Cup (listed below) and c)speaks English, please pass this along to them.

Deadline to submit your completed online application at Budhouse is Friday, February 26th. Don't miss out!!

Best Buy Has 15 Teen Spots for Coca Cola International Camp

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love when the World Cup rolls into town. It provides so much opportunity for so many people to participate in soccer activities in arenas that one would only dream of!

Most of the contests that I have mentioned to date have been for the 18+. However, I am pleased to announce that Best Buy will be selecting 15 teens to go to South Africa from June 15-20th. The fifteen soccer players will have the opportunity to participate in the 2010 Coca Cola International Soccer Camp AND attend a World Cup Match.

The @15 Soccer Camp Sweepstakes contest is open to teens between the ages of 13-16 who are members of www.at15.com. Membership on www.at15.com is free.

In order to enter, teens take the SparkFinder survey - a digital tool that helps teens identify their interests and talents - and complete the official entry form.

Upcoming Interview: Red Bull Street Style Competitor

World Cup Hitch Hiking the English Way: World Cup Companions

Ah, I have been off the grid for a little while. Therefore it is high time that I catch you up on the latest developments in world cup news.

The English have harnessed the power of social networking to help them get the party started in Cape Town. World Cup Campanions is an online tool that will bring the latest information on pub gatherings, match meetups and roommate requests.

Talk about a hitch hiker's dream. What's going on American squad? Let's get something up and goin' so I have somewhere to crash after the match!

Get Wings & Go to South Africa: Red Bull Calls All Freestyle Footballers

Are you ready for 3 minutes, 2 competitors and 1 ball? Well, you should be.

Red Bull is offering American freestyle footballers an opportunity to battle for a chance to represent in the 2010 World Championship in South Africa.

If you love soccer, tricks, music (and an ultra hip crowd), it is an event that you can't miss. I will be in the building for what promises to be an all out, no holds barred U.S. Final.

Now here's the kicker (no pun intended), there are still some coveted spots left! If you want to put your skills on display or know someone who can rep the red, white and blue in Cape Town, go to Red Bull Street Style and then shoot me a message so I can tell the "powers that be" to be on the lookout for your vid.

Seize the opportunity!

LACF Kickoff: World Cup 2010 Packages on Sale Now

Have you been dragging your feet to get tickets to see the US play in South Africa? If so, the LACF will be a game saver for 48 corporate sponsors. Tickets to the 2010 World Cup are already sold out, but soccer lovers can still see the U.S. team in action, live in South Africa, by becoming a sponsor of the LAFC Foundation, the charitable umbrella for one of America's largest youth soccer organizations.

Through the LAFC Foundation website, 48 corporate "Follow the USA Ticket & Tour Packages" are available exclusively to sponsors.

These packages include:

•June 11: World Cup Opening Game: South Africa vs. Mexico
•Three USA pool games:
•June 12: U.S. vs. England
•June 18: U.S. vs. Slovenia
•June 23: U.S. vs. Algeria
•June 21: Portugal vs. North Korea

Get them while they're hot!