Baltimore World Cup Soccer @ Slainte Pub

Right about now, I have decided that suppressing memories may be a good thing.

Seriously, a loss to the Spurs is the last thing any true Gooner is willing to accept.

It was worst than (insert your own horrible disaster here)!

I remember exactly where I was… standing by my co-workers desk complaining about how my head and how my wrist were hurting. Then I realised that my body tends to fall apart and give me warnings when something utterly catastrophic has happened to a certain North London club.

It is the end of the world, my friends, well at least towards the end of the season as 2012 is fast approaching. Volcanoes in Iceland causing havoc, earthquakes in and around the Americas, flooding in Rio, and Spurs beating the Arsenal.

What’s next?

I figure the only positive thing that may have happened is that Crystal Palace Baltimore has their home opener this weekend. Some summertime football fun to look forward to outside of the World Cup. The 35rs are planning a tailgate around 5PM and the game is at 7PM. I personally know a good deal of pub supporters will be out, so come and join the fun and festivities at UMBC.

Switching gears for half a second, there is a great article in the Guardian about the beauty of the offside rule. LINK

Til the next debacle we call a football match gets along.

~LeChat

Just wanted to share the video of that incredible goal. I let you debate about Rose’s future… But yesterday at the pub, everybody agreed on the magic of the goal!

THERE’S ONLY 1 City

THERE’s ONLY 1 City

THERE IS ONLY ONE CITY!

Chant along if you want —

Birmingham at Home. After the trouncing of Burnley last week I doubt there will be much shake in the side. The problem is – this team may be playing for a tie on the road – don’t know why – they are 8 points shy of UEFA – and stuck firmly in the 9th slot.

Birmingham have proven to be a tougher side than in the past – and should measure up close to what Everton brings to the table – without the knuckle draggers in the middle. As always Tevez is the key – he’s the best player on the field and needs to create in order for us to win – if he doesn’t score we just don’t win.

Mancini has debunked going back to Juventus – but all is smoke and mirrors in the EPL press line.

Would LOVE to see this team ~~~~~~~

……………….Given……………….
Richards…Toure….Kompany…Onuoha

A Johnson…Ireland….Barry….Bellamy

…………Tevez…..Adebayor………..

Will Probably get this team ~~~~~~~~~

……………….Given……………….
Richards…Toure….Kompany…Garrido

A Johnson…Viera….Barry….Bellamy

…………Tevez…..Adebayor………..

If you want to preview your team’s match leave a comment and we’ll hook you up –

I really should take a nice little afternoon nap, as this heat is currently bringing me down. For those of you that know of me, you’ve probably enjoyed my very biting and self aggrandizing online journal of my life and football.

However, I will not be repeating that here. I will however tuck my claws in, for the safety of those around me. If you do care to peruse, feel free to check my profile for the link.

Wait? Who am I kidding.  ManCity let me loose on this blog and he knows what kind of chaos can abound from my very fingertips. Digital assassin.

It’s been an interesting few weeks of football to say none the less. The Arsenal had a clear chance at a title run a few weeks, which was blatantly tripped upon by a lesser squad. It was very hurtful. However, I’ve been through worst and probably will see that happen again very soon.

It is my understanding that Mr. Wenger himself is looking at his contract in the near future. I could not really be asked to read the article as I have two tons of paper on my desk at work that seems to just move around.

IF I COULD JUST FINISH.

Sorry I channeled Eduardo for a second there. Mentioning injuries, what sorrow amount of luck there has been in that department for the last couple of years. I know that I shouldn’t turn this into a self-pity Gooner session but really? Have you known a team which has become very shallow due to this amount of injuries.

I would love to say how unfair it is or espouse whatever conspiracy that is now floating around along the lines of Give the foreigners a kick, they can’t play in England. However, that consistent string of top 4 finishes and champions league final thrown in for good measure does me just fine.

The history of the Arsenal has always been that of the underdog. Chants of boring boring Arsenal were supplanted by lucky lucky Arsenal and at times some more devious exclamations by those of lesser cultural sensitivity.

Weekend Analysis

Well I have firmly placed our chances in the third spot. I do not really see Chelsea or ManYoo dropping much of anything at this point in time. While it could be a depressing aspect when the transfer window opens. I hope, nay pray, that those who have pledged themselves to the club over the last few campaigns will remain and continue to help us build.

The match against Wolves this weekend was not very well played. You can see the tiredness in the Arsenal boys but they have this inspiration that keeps their heads up and play the whole game. It is no surprise that our captain broke his fibula during the Championship tie last week. He would not have been able to play this week either way; too many yellows.

The inspiration came in the form of a last minute winner, from Bendtner himself. This is what football is about 90 minutes of action. Well you hope that it is good action and not 10 men behind the ball. Let’s just hope that inspiration flows through to the tie against Barca tomorrow.

Crystal Palace Baltimore

I mentioned this on the other blog and figure I should mention it here as well or I would not be a good 35er. The 35ers are the funtastic supporters group for Crystal Palace Baltimore who are now in the NASL.

Crystal Palace will begin their 2010 season in proper on April 16 at UMBC (home field) against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. So if you do wish to have a good time, come out and support your local boys who are trying to show the world what it means to be Palace Baltimore.

(rumour has it that the 35ers will have their own premium section)

Just who the heck are DC United!

I would have to say that this weekend(Saturday for me) at the pub was pretty legend.

Aside from the show the Chelsea boys put on – there was a last minute goal to get the Gooners hopping,  Sunderland beating Tottenham to give Liverpool a better chance and move City to it’s rightful place in the top 4. And then there was the City slaughter of Burnley at Turf Moor. All this happened in one day and lead to lots of laughs and a general great time for all.

I think one of the best things were the times when we were all outside at half – and people walk by to read the breakfast menu – and sometimes we lure them into the pub – and EVERY TIME those people say along the lines of the same thing: “I can’t believe a place like this exists. It’s awesome.”

I have recently been bringing my friend Chris down to the pub. He’s new to the entire Soccer world – but if there’s one thing I know about Chris – when he likes something he gets pretty wrapped up in it. And to see his face there this weekend for a good ole’ classic Slainte Row between 2 power houses at 7:45 AM – I think he became an official convert. As a matter of fact I know he did – we’ve been going to sporting events since we were teenagers and I know now – he’s been converted as an official evangelist of Baltimore’s best kept sports secret – Soccer at Slainte -

It is the ONLY place in Baltimore where you show up at 7:45 AM, have a pint, and see truly knowledgeable and excited fans that represent every team (not just one team in particular *wink at that other place). The chants, the food, the regulars, and just the entire atmosphere were really on point this weekend.

As a matter of fact – we had two happenstance moments:

1. A Chelsea fan got up at 6 AM to drive to Baltimore because he “would never ever find a place like this in Harrisburg.” and it is “completely worth it.” -

2. A friend of mine who is a United fan – had his friends enjoying breakfast at Koopers run over to see if a short, fat guy in blue with a paper boy hat on was making a fool of himself – and of course I was – and of course it was predictable that they would find me.

All of the things above make the pub that we all adore that much more inviting to return to over and over again. Cheers to all the lads and ladies! Top time as always.

Later this week - look forward and I mean – REALLY LOOK FORWARD to my review of the upcoming City v Birmingham game and… I would love to see some of you fans out there that can string 3 words together- get on here and really round out the field for opinions and entertaining stories. Contact Willy or myself so we can sort you out.

Onwards and upwards – especially in the table – B

Oh and cheers to Frenchy II (Seb) for coming in and taking photos -