Mando Diao- Down In The Past Moonbootica Remix

One for all you electro lovers out there.Mando Diao are a Swedish rock band,while the original version is solid,I think this remix totally blows it out of the water.If this song sounds familiar it was on the 2006 Fifa World Cup soundtrack.Some of the best songs ever=songs that are on FIFA.

A Look at Two of Orange County's Stars:Robbie Rogers and Sacha Kljestan

Robbie Rogers and Sacha Kljestan are two of the upcoming US national team stars pushing for a ticket to South Africa,also two reasons to be excited for the Honduras friendly and the 2010 MLS Season.Watch them while you can,these kids can be in Europe in the next year or two if they play there cards right.




Robbie Rogers:The 23 year-old Orange County native was a two-time All-American in high school at Mater Dei before transferring to the University of Maryland.At his first year at Maryland he helped the team life the 2005 NCAA Championship.In August 2006,Rogers hopped the pond and played at SC Herenveen in the Dutch Eridivese.However,after not making any first team appearences he went to the Columbus Crew in 2007 due to them winning a draft lottery.Rogers flourished with the Crew,winning the Supporter Shield and the MLS Cup in the 2008 season,while also making the MLS XI.He has also been a solid performer with the National Team at various levels.Rogers started at the U-20 World Cup in Canada,The Olympics, and the 2009 World Cup.Robbie's speed,dribbling,and creativity make him a player to keep on your radar for the 2010 World Cup.


Sacha Kljestan:The 24 year-old Southern Californian has enjoyed a good career so far in the MLS with Chivas USA.2009 wasn't Kljestan's best year;but he has shown promise as a player that can go to South Africa.2009 was Sacha's breakout year,making MLS XI and nominated for the All-Star game.After scoring a hat-trick against Sweden in January 2009,Kljestan had a trial at Glasgow Celtic,the reigning SPL Champions.A deal could not be worked out,and for a couple of months Kljestan's play began to suffer.Kljestan,now back in form, has a chance to step up and make himself a force in Bob Bradley's midfield.Know for his first-touch,vision and passing rannge,Kljestan can play anywhere across the midfield.Europe and Bob Bradley will be keeping an eye on this talented midfield maestro.

Cut Off Your Hands-Still Fond

Cut Off Your Hands is an indie pop band originally from New Zealand citing influences from British punk and jangle-pop/new wave ala Buzzcocks, Gang of Four, the Cure, and the Smiths.

A Closer Look at the 23 for South Africa: Fowards

1.Jozy Altidore:The Best foward we have.The question isn't if he will start,but who will he start with.Jozy needs to get a couple of goals to get his confidence back up and get more playing time at Hull City.The sky is the limit for Jozy,he just needs to stay focus....and oh yeah,also get to practice on time.


2.Robbie Findley:One of the reasons to be excited about the January camp and Honduras game is this guy.If CD9 isn't healthy or healthy enough to start Findley's speed might be just what the doctor ordered for a replacement.After a great season with Real Salt Lake,Findley will be given a chance to prove himself at the international level.


3.Charlie Davies:What a beautiful scene it would be.Charlie Davies,defying all odds since his trafic car accident and making the World Cup team.I will never forget the scene's at RFK during the last World Cup Qualifyer,I was lucky enough to make the trip from Southern California.With the right treatment and rehab I think Chuck Deezy will have a chance to make it in June,he is a warrior and an inspiration.


4.Connor Casey:I know don't worry,you probably just rolled your eyes.Bob loves big target strikers,so I think Casey will end up getting the nod.Casey,who is known mostly more his aerial presence,can also get himself into good goal scoring positions.Don't get me wrong though,I get just as frustrated as the next U.S Soccer fan when I see Casey just strolling around the field creating "defensive pressure."

A Closer Look at the 23 for South Africa: Midfielders

1.Landon Donovan:The best field player in the history of U.S Soccer,there I said it.LD has been in amazing form and this is his time to show the world he is top class.Alot will depend on how Landon does at Everton,confidence is everything to Landon.If we see the 2002 World Cup Landon Donovan this World Cup will be a memorable one for U.S fans and could be the turning point for Soccer in this country.


2.Clint Dempsey:One of Fulham's best players this year,has been excellent. While he disappears out of games with the Yanks, Dempsey being the magician he is can and will appear out of nowhere with a moment of brilliance.(Egypt,Spain)With CD9 possibly out,do not be surprised if Deuce plays up top,where I feel he can be more effective and much more of a threat.



3.Michael Bradley:I'm sure this kid has grown on me just as much as he has on any other U.S fan. He is no longer known as the "coaches son." Great in tackle,key goals,and a passion to improve each and everyday are reasons to like this guy.Although more of a defensive-minded midfielder,he is still a box-to-box midfielder who has a habit of scoring huge goals (Switzerland,Mexico[2],Egypt)


4.Benny Feilhaber: Legend.I don't think I will ever be able to forget that beautiful volley vs. Mexico in the Gold Cup Final.Benny has great vision and can pick out passes most guys in this group wouldn't be able to.If we need a goal and start Bradley and Jones in the middle,I think Benny would be a great attacking super-sub.


5.Stuart Holden:With Scotland not qualifying (again :[) for the World Cup Aberdeen-born Holden will give the Tartan Army a team to cheer for.How sweet would a Holden game-winner vs. England be?Anyway,Holden's stock has went through the roof and now has a chance at starting in South Africa.His crossing ability is something that will be worrying defenders,while Holden can also be a spark coming off the bench giving the team that extra boost of energy.


6.DaMarcus Beasley:Yes,you heard that right.Beasley has made the most of his recent minutes at Rangers(In which most believe were minutes to raise his transfer value.)But Beasley has been the best player the last three weeks in the SPL and looks keen to stay at Ibrox.If Beasley keeps his form up in Scotland he will be going to South Africa and have a chance to start out wide on the wing.



7.Maurice Edu:Edu has had a tough season so far with Rangers due to injury but is hopeful to make his return in a couple of weeks in the Old-Firm vs. Celtic.When healthy,Edu has show he can be good in the middle with Pedro Mendes and Stephen Davis.As long as Edu stays healthy I can see him being the guy that steals Rico Clark's spot at center defensive-mid on the roster.


8.Francisco Torres:What does this guy have to do to get some love from Bob Bradley?He has shown he is a great distributor of the ball and also has a great first touch.While he may be tiny and not great in tackle,Torres has shown he is a great center mid when pair with a defensive-mid in the middle,Like Michael Bradley.


9.Jermaine Jones:What would be the best gift during the holidays?Perhaps having someone tell you Jermaine Jones will be healthy soon.Having watched this guy at Schalke 04,not only is he the best defensive-mid in the Bundesliga,but he is also one of the best midfielders in the entire league.Having Bradley and Jones in the middle together would be a massive advantage going into the opener vs. England.Please get healthy Jonesy.

A Closer Look at the 23 for South Africa: Defenders

1.Carlos Bocanegra: Captain Carlos will be the leader of the American back four,and might have even more responsibility on him depending on the fitness of the injured Oguchi Onyewu. Bocanegra might play both center back and also left back (Where he plays at Rennes) in South Africa.


2. Oguchi Onyewu:American fans everywhere know how important it is to get Gooch back to full fitness and form before June.In all honesty, Onyewu is in a very tough spot.When he was at 100% he wasn't getting minutes at Milan and rumours started popping up about him going to Russia. A couple mistakes and an injury later in the Costa Rica match and now we can just cross our fingers that he will be back in time and back in form for the World Cup.


3.Steve Cherundalo:Best word to describe this guy=consistent. Dolo has been a solid right back for Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga for several years now. While I don't think he will start if all our back four are healthy (Spector,DeMerit,Onyewu,Bocanegra) Cherdundalo is more than capable filling in at right or left back.


4. Johnathan Spector:The starting right back for this team. Calm on the ball,reads the game well,and can swing in a great ball (Egypt,Brazil game.)Also a very versatile play that can play anywhere across the back. It's really hard not to like Spector.


5.Jay DeMerit:The man.What Soccer in this country is all about,May not be world class but effort and determination can get you places. Deserves to start in South Africa, Jay is a pure warrior. This guy's story gives me hope I can still play professional. Anywho,a solid defender who will give you 200% each and every game.


6.Johnathan Bornstein: The President of Honduras will probably be remembered for his late-game heroics vs. Costa Rica in the final World Cup Qualifyer.Bornstein has began to pick-up his form the last couple of games and has looked pretty solid.Bob Bradley might be thinking Bornstein's pace is the answer to England's fast and tricky wingers.(Lennon,Wright-Phillips)


7.Clarence Goodson:Taking advantage of the playing time and rising to the challenge is Clarence Goodson.His stock in the national team pool continues to rise and had bigger club teams interested in his services trying to take him away from IK Start.Do not be surprised if Goodson gets the nob over fellow youngster Chad Marshall or veteran Jimmy Conrad.

A Closer Look at the 23 for South Africa : The Goalies

1. Tim Howard: Timmy is the obvious starter for the Yanks,having been the starter since Kasey Keller retired after the 2006 World Cup. Howard has been one of the bright spots for Everton this year,a team currently leaking goals at the back and plagued with injuries.




2. Brad Guzan: El Guzano could be starting at European-bound Aston Villa if it wasn't for the stellar form of U.S Veteran Brad Freidel. Guzan will be backing up Howard in South Africa,but Howard better watch his back for 2014,Guzan is a young goalie with a tremendous upside.


3.Marcus Hahnemann: This is a tough call beetween Marcus and Troy Perkins,But I think experience will win out. After a solid career with Reading Hahnemann is now at Wolves and is trying to help them stay away from the drop. Since Hahnemann became starter at Wolves they have been picking up better results and are looking like a team that can escape relegation. He has had a great career and deserves to be on the roster to top it all off.

Beautiful Women: Stacy Kiebler

Stacy Kiebler is a 30 year-old actress and model from Baltimore,Maryland.

Indie Rock, a Fashion Statement

These rockstars are ones who I believe not only inspired people with there music,but also the way they dress and present themselves.Check it out.

First is Luke Pritchard, lead singer of the Kooks.Rey Bans,old classy shoes,a cardigan and what looks like a white V-neck,nothing over the top but still well done.


Then there is Serge Pizzorno, guitarist for Kasabian.Serge,Like the rest of Kasabian is an avid Leicester City Fans.Mon the Foxes.



Ahhhh yes I'm sure you guys saw this one coming.Brandon Flowers,lead singer of the Killers.How could he not be on here????


I wouldn't be telling the truth if I've told you I haven't swiped any of these guys ideas,but then again thats what makes stlye good,taking pieces of things you like and putting it together

The Green Brigade

These guys are legends.They are part of what makes Parkhead so beautiful and such a fortress.Great background music too by the way.Kasabian and the Von Bondies FTW.Mon you Bhoys.Play up Celtic!!!

Jay Sean "Down" Acoustic

Although this song has already blown up and got big here,I don't think alot of people have heard it Acoustic,In my opinion it's better Acoustic.Dude has a great voice.Shoutout to Hannah P. for this find

Your 23 Going to South Africa

Goalies (3): Tim Howard (Everton),Brad Guzan(Aston Villa),Marcus Hahnemann(Wolves) Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes),Oguchi Onyewu (Ac Milan),Jay DeMerit (Watford),Steve Cherundalo (Hannover 96),Johnathan Spector (West Ham),Johnathan Bornstein (Chivas USA),Clarence Goodson (IK Start)

Midfielders (10): Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy),Clint Dempsey(Fulham),Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach),Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus),Stuart Holden (Houston),DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers FC),Maurice Edu (Rangers FC),Francisco Torres (Pachuca),Robbie Rogers (Columbus),Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04)

Fowards (3): Jozy Altidore (Hull City),Charlie Davies (Sochaux),Robbie Findley (Salt Lake) If

Onyewu can't make the World Cup I would either say Conrad or Marshall to fill in for his spot.

If Jones can't make the World Cup roster or players like Beasley lose playing time or for, I expect Sacha Klkjestan or Rico Clark to fill in for there spot.

If Charlie Davies can't make the World Cup due to injurt,I expect either Connor Casey or Jeff Cunningham to take the spot....jeez.....thats scares me.

In a perfect World this is what our starting 11 would look like vs. England if everyone is healthy:

--------------------------Howard-------------------------

--Spector-----Onyewu----------DeMerit-------Bocanegra

--Holden---------Bradley----------Jones---------Donovan

-------------------Dempsey--------Altidore--------

If Beasley keeps his form up switch him in the starting roll for Holden,he would be good tracking back vs wingers.

I will be giving an in-depth write up of the 23 making the plane for South Africa,until then take care.