It's fútbol not soccer!!!

The Man With The Golden Football

2009-06-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Sparrow: Frankie… you are back from Switzerland. How was the tournament? The final soccer game was great.

Frankie: It’s called football, not soccer. How many times do I have to tell you? Stupid Americans, you guys keep trying to change the name of the beautiful game.

Sparrow: I’m sorry. I guess the word "football" is more descriptive of the game… kicking a ball with the feet!

Frankie: Exactly. That’s my point. If you pay attention, American Football is played mostly with the hands so you people should called “handball.”

Sparrow: Stop giving a hard time… I didn’t come up with the word “soccer.” So, did you bring me a post card?

Frankie: No… You can’t read anyway.

Waiter: What’s up Frankie... How was the soccer tournament?

Frankie: Stop calling it soccer, it’s called football! It was great. I’m sorry the U.S. team didn’t qualify.

Waiter: I’m not surprised because our national team sucks! Will we ever win the World Cup?

Frankie: That’s pretty unlikely. I think it’s easier to elect a black president than having a championship team caliber.

Man at the Bar: Frankie… Brazil played like crap. Looks like they still haven’t recovered from the Maracanazo.

Frankie: I agreed. That team was a huge disappointment… But they have this emerging star named Pele. I heard he’s awesome… Let me show you something.

Man at the Bar: Is that a drum?

Frankie: Yes, but a very special drum. This is what fans use to cheer up their team.

Willy: Pretty cool drum… Soccer is for girls anyway. Come with me; let’s go watch a real football game.

Frankie: As I said before, we call it football not soccer. But I don’t want to waste my time with you. People like you will never understand what football means to us.

UBU REVIEW 3

2009-06-15T11:04:00.001-07:00

Film criticism is a very democratic tool where journalists have the opportunity to write a review on any given film. But as someone who reads movie reviews, I always question the legitimacy of some critiques.
The Internet has become an outlet for people to express their opinions, and some voices that once were ignored now I’m being heard. There are quite a few blogs that do film reviews, but many of the writers have not being trained to do this job so they don’t “understand why film works, how it works, what it means, and what effects it has on people.” I was confused when we watch (in class) the Beckett on Film.
People have to think out of the box when watching a film like this because all the characters express their thoughts out loud, but they don’t communicate to each other. In other words, there is no dialogue among them, but that is very confusing because they’re involved in a love triangle. In today’s society, who would write a review about this film? But recently there had been some movies that echoed the Beckett on Film. For instance, Paul Haggis’ Crash shows how many people coexist in the same city. Their stories are connected, although many characters do not take part of the same dialogue.
I have to admit that I was lost when I first saw the Beckett on Film. I wasn’t able to make any connection with anything in my experience. At times, I felt like the movie was being produced for a different audience. But the reality is that most people felt the same way I did because today’s films are all about action, comedy, and horror. The leave no place for critical thinking; the movies the we are presented in these days are pretty straightforward. Also, the majority of movies are very rational, not like Naked Lunch, where the creation of irrational thoughts is one of the main themes of the film.

UBU REVIEW 2

2009-06-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

As a supporter of equal rights between men and women, the first thing that got my attention was the word feminism. Taking into consideration that the first wave of feminism “focused on the promotion of equal contract and property rights for women and the opposition to chattel marriage and ownership of married women (and their children) by their husbands,” it’s clear that women have made some progress when it comes to issues of equality.
But they are still discriminated against. The video on The Production of Meaning exemplifies the impact that commercial have on our lives. In many adds of today’s society, women are portrayed as a sex object. It’s typical to see a hot girl drinking your favorite beer, smoking your favorite cigarette, or driving the car of your dreams. People are being sold the idea that if they consume the products being advertised, they can get sleep with a beautiful girl. “I bought some Calvin Klein underwear, now I’m good looking and I can get laid all the time.”
If today’s advertisements had the intention to promote same rights for men and women, I’m certain that women would occupy a better place in society. Another aspect that got my attention is that there is and there has been a push towards a consuming society. Today’s adds tell us to spend lots of money on things we don’t even need. Wealthy corporations place unhealthy products in the market and they refuse to accept that they influence society in a bad way. This is exemplified at the beginning of the video when CEOs deny that cigarettes can cause an addiction. Every time that someone offers a different opinion that challenges the status quote, he or she is portrayed as crazy.
Kalle Lasn, for instance, asked people not to spend during the holiday season. The CNN anchor introduced the commercial saying: “this add points nothing at all.” Clearly Mr. Lans had a point, a point that was not convenient for CNN or for any other medium since they generate their revenue through adds, and a commercial that promotes no spending could be counterproductive for the business cycle.

UBU REVIEW 1

2009-06-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

From the penny press to the emergence of digital, computerized, or networked information and communication technologies in the later part of the 20th century, the media have evolved. But some people have been lost in the translation. In this rapid growing digital culture we live in, older generations are having a hard time adjusting to the “new media.” Others refuse to believe that these manifestations of art are part the new trends of media. The way some people reacted to the Gantz Graf, a three-track EP released by Autechre in 2002, proves my hypothesis.
Sarah Dempster, writing for the NME, gave the EP a strongly negative review, claiming “It bleeps. It skronks. It krrraaaanks. But mainly, it blows like a ruddy awful hurricane.” She also called it a “festering hillock of tune-shy bum-wank.”
This type of music is not as bad as Ms. Dempster desicribed, maybe it was just different to what people were used to and, every time something new happens, people take some time to embrace. This kind of music is very popular in many parts of the world, especially in Asia. Through “new media”, different people from all over the world find something in common, they communicate to one another and this exemplifies how the media have played a key role in the globalization phenomenon. This electronic and highly computerized style of music has been used in many Hollywood movies. Also, music similar to the Gantz Graf is being played at the hottest and most exclusive night clubs of South Beach.
The video of Grantz Graf displays computer-generated imagery art articles. But the objects are “synchronized to the sounds in the music as it morphs, pulsates, shakes, and finally dissolves”. Some people would argue that the video is pointless.
But the arguments around Grantz Graf show how the social factors such as age, race, and gender influence the way we think. The controversy also is an example of how “new media” has revolutionized the old concept of media. The latest manifestations of the way we communicate ideas reflect a globalized world. New media also encourages interactivity disregarding time and physical location.
New media is highly associated with software programs, video games, television, radio, movies ads, and more. At the end of the day, new media has succeeded because it turned out be a very lucrative industry. New media has changed the way we do things, and have served as different outlets for the new trends in life.

Four Things You Should Know About The Rapids

2008-04-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

By Hercules Gómez
(As Told to José del Valle)

1. "The Colorado Rapids is like a family. Fútbol is a team sport and the group is the most important. In this team, everyone understands that."

2. "Girls don't ask for autographs because we are ugly, just kidding. Pablo Mastroeni is always chased by women. We are kind of jealous."

3. "Ugo Ihemelu acts gangster. He wants to be portrayed as the tough guy, but we all know he's extremely cool and sensitive."

4. "Chicken and rice are always part of the menu. Fútbol players must eat healthy; we follow a strict diet and it's has gotten to the point where I dream rice and chicken."

Where Would You Like To Go?

2008-04-12T23:32:00.000-07:00

Where is your favorite place to go on vacations? That's what I asked the last sports figures I interviewed. Here's what they said.

Kevin Hernández
Fútbol Player
Honduran
"Cancún, México. People tell me the beaches over there are beautiful. I can't wait to see it myself."

Milka Duno
IndyCar Driver
Venezuelan
"Even dough I'm Venezuelan, I've never been in Maracaibo. I must go there in the near future."

Nicolas Lapentti
Tennis Player
Ecuadorian
"I want to go to Africa. The 2010 World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, my goal is to be there."

United Drives To Collect Toys During April

2008-04-12T23:02:00.000-07:00

D.C. United announced plans to collect toys throughout of the month of April to benefit the Children’s National Medical Center and The Children’s Center. Each month during the 2008 Major League Soccer season, D.C. United will collect items at every home game to benefit pre-determined non-profit organizations within the Washington, D.C. area.

“With the help of our great supporters, United Drives continues to allow us to assist those in need through a variety of ways,” said United Director of Community Relations Aprile Pritchet. “We look forward to working with Children’s National Medical Center and The Children’s Center on this project.”

Fans who donate an item will receive a "Buy One, Get One Free" ticket voucher, redeemable for that day’s match or any other 2008 regular season home game, excluding the L.A. Galaxy game on June 29.

This season marks the seventh year of the United Drives campaign, which collects much-needed items to help with each beneficiary’s mission. Score a big goal to help people in need!

Seattle Fans' Voice Was Heard

2008-04-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

In my recent entry, Democracy Is Coming To Fútbol, I stated how Seatle put up a Web site where people could vote to choose the new MLS franchise name. The options were:

Seattle FC
Seattle Republic
Seattle Alliance

But it's important to emphasize that "Seattle Sounders," (name of the team which represented Seattle in the North American Soccer League) was not included among the possibilities to choose from because the owner, Joe Roth, and his committee wanted to move forward.

However, approximately 14,500 people voted and more than 51 percent of the participants suggested a name related with the Seattle Sounders. The Seattle officials didn't want to disappoint the fans so they decided to name the team as Seattle Sounders FC. The fans' voice was heard, like a true democracy.

The Fútbol Shoes Of The Future

2008-03-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

I found out why Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho are so good: their footwear makes magic.The F50 TUNiT is fully customizable and allows each player to change their cleat according to both personal preference and weather condition. This means choosing every aspect of the cleat including: the upper, chassis, insole, and stud system.

Each component is available in different colors and materials that allow players versatility on the field and keeps them ready for any weather condition.

Democracy Is Coming To Fútbol

2008-03-25T19:53:00.001-07:00

Soccer fans are invited to vote for the name of the new Major League Soccer team in Seattle. The online vote will begin on Thursday, March 27 at 12:01 a.m. (PT) and conclude on Monday, March 31 at 11:59 p.m. (PT). Fans can register their vote at http://www.mlsinseattle.com./Home.aspx.

Fans will be allowed one vote per unique email address. MLS Seattle season ticket holders will be given the privilege of receiving the same number of votes as deposits purchased.

The three options are:

-Seattle Alliance

-Seattle FC

-Seattle Republic

Becks Reaches 100 Games With England

2008-03-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

Way to go!... David Beckham became the 5th player fútbol player to reach 100 games with the English national team. But he couldn't celebrate that much because Spain defeated England 1-0.

Some ignorants believe that Becks is just a model with a pretty face. However, Becks is the only English man to score in three different World Cups. "The Spice Boy" is far away from being one of the best footballers in history, but saying that he's just a money making machine is disrespectful.

Enlgish fútbol players with most games with the national team:

Peter Shilton (125)

Bobby Moore (108)

Bobby Charlton (106)

Billy Wright (105)

David Beckham (100)

Play Like The Pros... Virtually

2008-03-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

"He's got nothing!" a virtual heckler screams at Jose Reyes in MLB 2K8. But what do fans scream in real life? Girls have told me they want to marry me," said Reyes to ESPN.

But in terms of the game, Reyes had one complain: "My speed rating is 96, I should be faster." The Mets shortstop also envies the easy trips of virtual baseball players. I guess baseball doesn't suck... at least virtually.

The games that you should have are:

- FIFA 2008
- UERO 2008
- FIFA STREET 2008

Orozco's Dream Is Coming True

2008-03-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

Globalization has had a tremendous impact on fútbol. Due to this phenomenon, many footballers have more than one nationality and, therefore, have the right to play for the country they choose.

Michael Orozco was born in California, but his parents are from México. He waited to defend the colors of the latin America country, but he never got the call from Hugo Sánchez, former coach. Now Orozco plays for the U.S. and he's going to Beijin... México is not.

I interviewed Orozco and he's a really nice guy. He confessed that his first option was to play for México, but he's happy for the way he's been treated by the American squad and the coaching staff. Orozco's dream will come true next summer. But his goal is two years away: South Africa World Cup.

Fútbol Is Heading To Philadelphia

2008-02-28T19:58:00.000-08:00

The Major League Soccer was originated in 1996. Since its creation, the league has made some small, but solid improvements. During the first season, 10 teams were part of the league. But now there is a total of 14.

A few months ago, MLS officials said that Seattle was going to be the 15th team in the league starting in 2009. And today, Don Garber, MLS commissioner, announced that Philadelphia has become the league's 16th team to start in 2010.

The MLS executives aspire to have 18 professional teams by 2010. Miami, St. Louis and Detroit are aiming for those expansion spots. The competition is tough, but hopefully Miami officials will step up and get what once was ours: The Fusion.

Chelsea Ready To Conquer America

2008-02-27T21:15:00.000-08:00

The super-power European clubs are extremely wealthy. But in U.S. soil they don't make as much money as they want. Chelsea F.C. has visited the United States for the last couple of years and now they have decided to open up an exclusive Web site for American fans.

www.chelseafc.com/america is the site where fútbol fans can gather the most recent information about The Blues. The page will also have a Spanish column which will be written for my coworker Rafael Ramos from ESPN Deportes Radio.

Last year, I had the opportunity to hang out with the Chelsea players. On this picture, I'm with Frank Lampard, one of the most talented fútbol players around the world. Diddy and Stalone, this is for you: Go Blues!

Not All Celebrities Suck, Some Like Fútbol

2008-02-27T20:10:00.000-08:00

Most celebrities don't like fútbol because it does not have the sense of exclusivity they love. But there are a few exceptions to the rule. Most people agreed that the Rambo movies were poorly written and Stallone's performance was not great. But at least they guy has a good taste. He likes fútbol. Recently, he was spotted at a fútbol match in England.

I'm not a jealous guy, but I was envious of Paf Diddy when he was dating Jennifer Lopez. Besides his affair with J Lo, I didn't really care for Diddy. But the producer and singer became one of my idols when I saw him with the Manchester United team. I mean, they guy clearly knows what is worth in life: fútbol and women!

The Other Side Of Christian Gomez

2008-02-26T20:42:00.000-08:00

Last week, the Colorado Rapids were in training camp at Broward County. My boss assigned me a simple task: write a color story about Argentine midfielder Christian Gomez.

Gomez is one of the best players of the MLS butI didn't know anything about his personality. It turned out that he's quite a character. We talked about different things: food, movies, women, and of course, fútbol.

He told me that American Pie was his favorite movie. So I asked: "Was there any scene in particular that made you remember something you did in the past? " He laughed and replied: "Yes, it reminded of me my father, he was always over protecting me." What a liar... just kidding. He said other funny and interesting things but if you want to read the entire article you'll have to wait until the May edition of ESPN Deportes "La Revista."

Eduardo Will Miss Euro Cup For Leg Injury

2008-02-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

Feb. 23 was suppose to be another fun Saturday, full of fútbol around the world. During a Premier League game, Arsenal was facing Middlesbrough, and just three minutes into the match, Martin Taylor violently fouled Eduardo.

The image says more than a thousand words. When I first saw it, I felt ambivalent. I was so mad at Taylor since he didn't have any consideration for his coworker. He was sent off, but as we said in the fútbol argot, "he deserved jail time."

The doctors believed Eduardo will not play for the next nine months. Sadly, he will miss the biggest event of the year, the Euro Cup.

The Phenomenon May Come To End

2008-02-26T19:43:00.000-08:00

After winning the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, Ronaldo was transfered to Real Madrid, one of the most powerful European clubs.

During his first season, "The Phenomenon" helped Madrid win its 29th League title. He was also awarded as "The Pichichi" (top scorer) of the League. But in 2007, he was hunted again by his worst enemies: injuries.

Ronaldo was not fit to played and some discrepancies with the team's coach, Fabio Capello, led "Rony" to signed a contract with A.C. Milan. Although he didn't really played since he never recovered from his injuries.

When things were getting back to normal, "the Brazilian striker ruptured tendons in his left knee in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Livorno and 24 hours later underwent surgery in Paris." Some assure that Ronaldo's career is over.

Some Believed Ronaldo Was Done After Knee Injury

2008-02-25T20:09:00.000-08:00

Ronaldo is one of the best fútbol players I've seen. But some injuries have kept him off the field throughout his career.

"The Phenomenon" suffered his first knee injury in 2000 when playing for F.C. Internazionale Milano. It was sad to see how Ronaldo was taken out of the field with tears rolling down his face.

Some believed that Ronaldo's career was over. But they were wrong. He came back for the 2002 World Cup to help Brazil win its fifth title. The inspiring video below summarizes part of Ronaldo's career.

USA Home Games Don't Feel Like Home

2008-02-06T22:42:00.000-08:00

I said before that it's tough for fútbol fans residing in the U.S. But it’s tougher for the members of the national team. Every time they play Mexico, most of the fans at the stadium are Mexican supporters.

But fútbol is growing. Several exceptional players are starting to capture the attention of
millions of U.S. fans.
Landon Donovan is one of them. The L.A. Galaxy midfielder is the emblem of American “soccer.”

The future looks promising. There are younger players like Freddy Adu and “Jozy” Altidore. These talented men, with a bigger support from the American society and more serious coverage from the media could take U.S. “soccer” to the next level. Look what you are missing!

Relations Between Sports and War; Line Becomes Blurred

2008-02-06T21:30:00.001-08:00

By definition, war is a “state of conflict involving two or more factions fighting.” Many factors could lead to war: historical, psychological, anthropological, sociological, demographic, economical, political, or even bad luck. Sports and war have ancient traditions, and at times the line between them becomes blurred.

War is often compared with sports. Both require athleticism and physical fitness. Both feed on courage. Both demand the best out of people. Both punish weakness. ESPN.com published a story about the top 10 moments involving sports and war

New FAU Stadium is Coming Home!

2008-02-06T20:58:00.001-08:00

FAU has begun construction of a football stadium at its Boca Raton campus, with completion expected before the 2010 football season. The stadium will feature the best technology and its capacity will be approximately 35,000.

“We decided to build a new stadium because we felt that in order to have a quality football program we needed to have our own stadium on our campus to attract our fans in the community,” said Craig Angelos, FAU’s athletic director.

The money to finance the stadium is coming from a public-private partnership developed by the athletic program. The developing company will build about 3,000 new dorm spaces, new retail establishments, and more parking garages. The excess revenues from those projects will fund the construction of the stadium.

“It can be used for other sports, such as soccer (fútbol),” Angelos said. “Actually, we will try to use it in as many different ways as possible to generate additional income. We believe that in order to have a quality athletic program you have to have quality facilities. By having a quality football stadium or, for that matter, any kind of stadium on our campus, we will really bolster our football program and our university.”

The Movie Hollywood Didn't Want You to See!

2008-02-06T20:27:00.000-08:00

The film industry has made some movies about fútbol. Most of them sucked. Kicking and Screaming was an offense to any fútbol fan because an American football coach, played by Mike Ditka, teach children how to play “the beautiful game.”

Fever Pitch was a cheap adaptation of a book based on an English child who is obsess with Arsenal, one of the most popular fútbol Clubs of Great Britain. People are just not creative any more.

But I have to recommend Green Street Hooligans, “the movie Hollywood didn’t want us to see.” The plot is about an American student who goes to England to visit his older sister. He met a group of hooligans (crazy fútbol fans) who took him to the fútbol matches. Later on, he became one of them but it had bloody consequences.

Newspapers Ignore Fútbol and Its Fans!

2008-02-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

For a fútbol fan, it is tough to live in the United States. The mainstream media barely pay attention to what’s going on in the fútbol world. American football, baseball, and basketball polarized “the beautiful game.”

I must say that it is even tougher for people who live in Florida. It is frustrating to open up The Palm Beach Post, The Sun Sentinel, and The Miami Herald and not find any fútbol coverage.

But newspapers ignore fútbol because it does not represent any source of income. We tend to forget that the newspaper industry is business oriented. And the reality is that there is a group of people starving for “soccer news.”

Life is a game, fútbol is serious.

2008-02-06T19:34:00.000-08:00

There is one characteristic that defines fútbol fans: passion. The World Cup of 1950 was hosted by Brazil. After dominating most of their opponents, the home country was ready to celebrate its first World Cup title.

But in the final Game, Uruguay surprised everyone winning the march 2-1. The outcome led many Brazilian fans to commit suicide. This is known as "El Maracanazo."

Where does the word "soccer" come from?

2008-02-06T19:25:00.000-08:00

Most fútbol fans around the world are a little upset with Americans. After the World Cup of 1994, which was hosted by the U.S., the Major League Soccer (MLS) was created. But the executives in charge wanted to change some basic rules of the game.

For instance, they wanted to make the goals wider to attract more Anglo fans. Also, they came up with something called “shoot outs” as a tie breaker. Americans failed to change those rules, but they managed to change something about fútbol: its name.

To establish the difference between American football and fútbol, they called it soccer. But like most of you, I’ve always asked myself: Why soccer? According to Garry Archer, an English researcher, “’soccer’ is an English, not American word derived from the second syllable of the word ‘association.’”

Fútbol and me!

2008-02-06T19:23:00.001-08:00

Hello bloggers! My name is José del Valle. I was born in Guatemala and I’m 23 years old. I reside in America since 2002. Yes, I live here legally. Currently, I’m attending FAU with the purpose to become a journalist. I’m in my senior year, and I’m hoping to graduate next summer.

Like most of my friends, I grew up wanting to be the next Maradona. I failed. But the passion I feel for fútbol just grew on me. Throughout this blog, I will write about “the beautiful game,” its culture, and the reasons why it’s the world’s game.