Which fan of the USMNT will ever forget the heroics between the sticks by Brad Friedel in the 2002 World Cup? Back-to-back games with penalty kick saves vs. Poland and South Korea. (Highlights here. Warning clip includes Jack Edwards.)
It's been a shame that Friedel retired from international play to focus on his club career with Blackburn Rovers in 2005. It's hard to blame him, considering he's done just about all he could internationally already and has become at absolute institution at Ewood Park and is without question, in my mind, the most successful long-term American soccer export...even if he's co-opted an English accent despite being born and raised in Ohio.
Why all this lavish praise when the EPL season is a month and a half away?
Fridel's 'cameo' on HBO's 'Entourage' last night, duh. (Does this further enforce that following 'football' is hip? Beats me.)
There's no way I believe that in real life that Dennis Hopper is a soccer fan and is betting large sums on games, which was a plot point of the episode. Chuck Zito, maybe.
Eventhough, for nutjobs like me, the soccer terms were completely askew. I mean, there's no overtime. (I doubt that was an FA Cup replay.) And in what world does Manchester United play Blackburn to be followed by a game involving the Brasil national team? Hollywood, I guess.
It doesn't matter. The producers in their infinite wisdom focused on the 'telly' and showed Friedel stopping a last-minute Ruud Van Nistelrooy penalty kick. I cheered.
Obviously someone in the 'Entourage' power chair is a soccer fan. So does this mean an actual in-the-flesh Landon Donovan cameo is too far behind ... or (shudder) David Beckham?
Bottom line, Brad, in light of Kasey Keller's howler vs. Argentina, we've never missed you more. Any chance we could fly you into Venezuela tonight?
What would you say if I told you...
Labels: Soccer, television
Keller and Howard aren't chop liver. This isnt Tony Meola we have on goal.
So no, I don't miss him as much as you do.
Copa America blog
It might be from the Worthington Cup in 2002.
I actually support the claims he is one of the best exports from the States. He has proved himself over and over again at Ewood Park, and I believe he shows some of the best in American goalkeeping, and is up there as one of the best shot stoppers in the world.
Just watched the Entourage episode and I noticed the same things you are. I mean, if this is supposed to be current day on the episode, why is Ruud on United? Things like that annoy me a little too much.
Good thing they weren't betting on the Brazil v. Mexico Copa match.
Brazil was NOT a "sure thing".
Also, Dennis Hopper, even though I hate Manchester United, I don't think anyone would agree with you calling them "Manchester".
end rant.