Another week, another list. Let’s get it!

1917 - Last week, I mentioned I was headed off to see 1917, the film about World War I that I had been looking forward to for multiple months. Well, I am happy to report that the film is as good as I had hoped and didn’t let me down once. The film was a masterpiece, both in style, technique and story-telling. If you haven’t seen it yet, you need to. And one last bit, see it in the theatre, it’s the kind of film that needs space to be effective.
USOC - Round 1 matchups are out this week and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The first round is the best round, because of all the great lower league clubs. In fact, the further we get into the tournament, the less I care about it. Oh, another matchup between the Revs and Union, let me set aside time to watch that. No thanks. I love this first round, full of giant killers. Matches I am pumped for, NTX Rayados takings on Denton. Rayados are always a tough out, so if I were Denton, I wouldn’t take this matchup lightly. The matchup I want to know more about is West Chester United FC vs. Vereinigung Erzgebirge. I watch a ton of grassroots soccer, come in contact with 100s of clubs, I have NEVER heard of Vereinigung Erzgebirge. I need to educate myself, clearly. Expect an article on them in the next month.
Dog Hair - Anybody else’s dogs shedding in the winter cold? I’ve got dust bunnies everywhere, including my primarily black work uniform clothes. Wonderful.
Murder your Soccer Idols - When I first got into soccer, it was two things. FIFA - which I spent hours playing with my friends. In person, because online gaming didn’t really exist yet. I’d sit in a chair outside the front door, so I could smoke (not anymore) and my roommate would crash on the couch and we’d play and play. The other was Manchester United playing on Saturday morning on Fox. Pretty much the only consistent club that would show up was United, who were in peak form in that era. So I became a United fan, and, while I’ve migrated from Premier League to American soccer, I still consider myself a fan of the red devils. As you may have guessed, this year has been PAINFUL to watch. My god, how is this the same club? Yeah, I’ll continue to be a fan, but this is like three tooth extractions bad.
Oh, and on that subject, Ole out.
Cheating in Baseball - This subject is really fucking with my head a little. So one part is infuriated with the Astros and their cheating crap, just like I am with all the PEDs and that type of stuff. The second part is like, who cares? Everyone cheats, it’s the Wild West, every club for itself. I don’t know which side I’m on this one.
The Kit Game - I’m confident I’ve bitched about this before, but the blandness of the MLS kits that have been released in the last week are garbage on top of garbage. Did you see Chicharito in that gray LAG kit? Seriously? That’s the kit that going to inspire someone to drop nearly $100? I can’t imagine wanting to buy the boring crap MLS puts out, even if I was a fan. Then this weekend, USL side New Mexico United, who had been with Adidas, announced a switch to Puma and released a teaser video of some of the boringest kits I’ve ever seen. And don’t get me started on Puma’s fit. Let’s just say you better be in soccer playing shape to wear one. The real creativity is in the lower leagues, I don’t understand why the bigger fish can’t see that.
Chicharito - Speaking of the El Tri veteran, anyone catch that video that’s been circulating of him saying that MLS is just a step into retirement? I cracked up. Good times. The truth is the truth, guys. I’ve heard and read people trying to spin it, but watch the video. Also, this other video of Carlos Vela discussing the move has one major crazy thing. What’s going on with his hair? Like seriously.
Americans Abroad - There was a time when the only American playing internationally that I paid attention to was Pulisic, but wow has that changed. There are 20 something players, playing all over the continent, for tens of clubs, and doing super exciting things. What a time to be alive! Yes, I know our national team has been hot garbage, but anyone can see that the parts are all there, we just need to assemble them into a functional machine. I’m pumped.
Twitter Feeds - I love it when you’re on twitter, which I am, most of the time, and someone is clearly watching a match or a movie or a news event and tweeting about it, but without context. Cracks me up. “That was a foul” without a hashtag or an explanation only creates more questions than it answers. “I hate such and such” always makes me wonder if they are watching something or just suddenly remembered they really hate a person or a thing and needed to vent it. Social media is a trip, peeps.
Music Recommendation - Mogwai - “Zidane - A 21st Century Portrait” - If you’ve never listen to Mogwai, one of my favorite ambient rock bands, I highly suggest you do. But how often do you get the chance to check out a new band while watching one of the greatest soccer players ever? This clip is from a documentary on Zidane, Mogwai did the soundtrack. Great band. Great video. Enjoy. n'uff said.