An article in today's New York Times takes a quick look at how advertisers are gearing up for the World Cup, set to begin June 11. The column focuses on Hyundai and Powerade, which is sold by Coca Cola. Here is the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/31/business/media/31adco.html?ref=business
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Coach P Got Married!
Despite heavy rains that caused problems at the Jersey Shore and elsewhere, the wedding came off without a problem (and with no yellow cards) on March 13 at the Church of the Messiah in Gwynedd, PA. Debbie and I met in this church close to 50 years ago and have been friends ever since and now we are husband and wife.
Although Debbie rejected my suggestion that she dribble a ball down the aisle, there was a soccer influence at the wedding. In the bridal party alone we had six current or former players including me; my brother, Gary, a teacher and Episcopal priest who married us; my daughter, Kirsten and her husband, Chris Chesla, who both played in high school and now play for FC Hansa in Minneapolis; my son, Scott; and Debbie's grandson, Zachary Werner, the ringbearer, who plays on a 5-year old team near West Chester.
I was also happy to have representatives from all three Medford Strikers teams I have coached and from Haddonfield H.S. From the '78-'79 team were parents Mark and Angela Adlen. Coach Jerry Ciser was in Florida and could not make it. From the great '81-'82 team was Coach Joe Dadura ("Mr. D") and his wife Bobbie. And the Medford Strikers Xtreme were represented by GM John Makowski and his wife, Sandy; Coach Mike Grimes and his wife Linda, both former players; and parents Bettie and George Sierra.
We had quite a team at one of the tables with Scott, who played for the Strikers U14 1994 state champions; Kirsten and Chris; and my good friend, Lauren Konopka, a great player for the Strikers, Holy Cross H.S. and Wheaton College, Mass. (Class of '08).
Coaches Steve Barbagiovanni and George Rhea from the Xtreme could not make it, but not surprisingly the best line of the day came from George. (This is the guy who gave me the saying, "Free is me," among others.) George texted me congratulations on the morning of the wedding and I texted back thanking him. To which he replied, "Remember 'I do.'" Thanks, George. And I did.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
At this instant, no replay in soccer
Instant replay is not happening in soccer. Good.
A Reuters article in today's NY Times reports that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) rejected the use of goalline and video technology to assist referees. Said FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke, “It’s an end to the potential use of technology within football.”
FIFA made the right call.
Even if it were limited to decisions involving whether a goal had been scored, instant replay would alter the nature of the game by breaking up the flow of play while officials looked at video. If a goalkeeper made a save on the line and the attacking team claimed the ball had crossed the line, would play then be stopped for a video review, thus depriving the keeper of the opportunity to punt or throw the ball? And forget it on other plays, such as a hand ball. (The non-call of an apparent hand ball by France's Thierry Henry on a scoring play against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier renewed calls for use of video technology.) Even if a replay could show that a ball touched a player's hand, how could it determine intent.
Soccer rule changes over the years have tended to speed up the game. For example forbidding a keeper's use of hands on a passback from a teammate cut down on delaying tactics. Instant relay would have the opposite effect and would slow down the game.
A Reuters article in today's NY Times reports that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) rejected the use of goalline and video technology to assist referees. Said FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke, “It’s an end to the potential use of technology within football.”
FIFA made the right call.
Even if it were limited to decisions involving whether a goal had been scored, instant replay would alter the nature of the game by breaking up the flow of play while officials looked at video. If a goalkeeper made a save on the line and the attacking team claimed the ball had crossed the line, would play then be stopped for a video review, thus depriving the keeper of the opportunity to punt or throw the ball? And forget it on other plays, such as a hand ball. (The non-call of an apparent hand ball by France's Thierry Henry on a scoring play against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier renewed calls for use of video technology.) Even if a replay could show that a ball touched a player's hand, how could it determine intent.
Soccer rule changes over the years have tended to speed up the game. For example forbidding a keeper's use of hands on a passback from a teammate cut down on delaying tactics. Instant relay would have the opposite effect and would slow down the game.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Blowin' in the Wind
Check out the following video on You Tube of this recent game in Baden-Würtemburg, Germany between first place TSV Grunbach and second place TSV Wimsheim:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYJttBJq6lw&feature=topvideos
It's a funny clip and appears to show a player taking a 6-yard kick into heavy wind, only to see the ball blown into his net for an apparent goal for the other team. (I'm not sure which team is which here.)
However, the goal should not count. Law 16 says, "A goal may be scored direct from a goal kick but only against the opposing team." It appears no one touched the ball after it was kicked, so the kick should be re-taken.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYJttBJq6lw&feature=topvideos
It's a funny clip and appears to show a player taking a 6-yard kick into heavy wind, only to see the ball blown into his net for an apparent goal for the other team. (I'm not sure which team is which here.)
However, the goal should not count. Law 16 says, "A goal may be scored direct from a goal kick but only against the opposing team." It appears no one touched the ball after it was kicked, so the kick should be re-taken.
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