Four Bruins in Red, White and Blue ...

by Nestor on May 4, 2006 9:36 AM PDT in Other Sports Comment 17 comments

I am probably going to make an effort to watch all the US soccer team matches in the upcoming World Cup (in Germany). And there is a huge connection to the Bruins Nation because there are going to be 4 Bruins who will be playing for the USA. Here is the release from CSTV:

Four former UCLA players have been selected to the U.S. World Cup team, the most by any college in the nation. Former Bruin standouts Frankie Hejduk (1992-94), Eddie Lewis (1992-95), Carlos Bocanegra (1997-99) and Jimmy Conrad (1996-97) are part of the 23-man roster that has been named by U.S. head coach Bruce Arena for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, which will be held this summer in Germany. This is the fifth consecutive World Cup that at least four UCLA players have been on the U.S. roster.

Bruin soccer programs (both men and women) are NCAA powerhouses. Actually pretty much every UCLA athletic program are NCAA powerhouses except for Dorrell's mediocre football program (and Kathie Olivier, aka Female Lavin's basketball program).

Anyways, here is the schedule for the US team in Germany. We are in a tough group (Group of Death), which also has Italy and Czech Republic. Our first game is against the Czechs on June 12. Good luck to all the Bruins and rest of their colleagues representing red, white, and blue.

GO BRUINS.

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seeding was screwy

how can Mexico get a top seed when we beat them and are currently ranked higher than them. only thing I can think of is previous international results for the US and that Mexico has a slightly better record/reputation for success internationally.

Italy and Czech in the same group? that's just wicked. we can advance, but it's going to take so much guts.

I heard that Pavel Nedved might not play for the Czech team... choosing instead to retire after Juventus' season... we'll see.

go Bruins! dog.

by gdog009 on May 4, 2006 10:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Seeding formula is complex

The seeding formula FIFA uses isn't based only on current standings.

It's based on a bizarre calculus that factors in performance at previous World Cups (I think they use the three most recent) as well as world ranking and other factors.

As much as it PAINS me to say it, Mexico deserves the seed more than the US does. While we certainly have Mexico's number and have figured out how to own them, Mexico has some much bigger wins against better teams in the years they factor in. While we've struggled against top tier teams (and are unfortunately overrated a bit), Mexico has beaten Brazil (multiple times), Croatia, Argentina, etc.

by Nico on May 4, 2006 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would offer some type of in-depth comment...

...but I have no idea what the hell you are talking about. ;)

I nominate gdog as BN's offical World Cup correspondent.

by Ajax on May 4, 2006 11:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A-

Be thankful at least no one is writng song parodies celebrating the softball team.

And I second your nomination. I will be interested in reading gdog's updates.

by Nestor on May 4, 2006 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow, with a name like Ajax...

I'd think that you were a futbol fan... your name has no connection to Ajax FC (Dutch Football club?)

anyhow, appreciate the nomination... not sure if the owners of the blog might say but I'd be up for it.

right now, though, I must admit I'm rather captured by the UEFA Champions League Final featuring a stout Arsenal side and the fabulous Thierry Henry (10 consecutive clean sheets in Champions League competition, for a sum total of 919 minutes since they last allowed a goal - now that's defense a Bruin can appreciate...;) and a spectacular FC Barcelona squad featuring the magic of Ronaldinho and the brilliance of Samuel Eto'o in the box. It wouldn't kill me if the blaugrana won but I'm goin with my EPL squad in this one - go Gunners!

until CL and EPL season is over.. I'm going to be a bit distracted when it comes to World Cup... and I'm still jealous of my 4 friends from UCLA who are going to Germany to watch it... !!!!

go Bruins! dog.

by gdog009 on May 4, 2006 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude ...

Go for it. We'd love it.

Keep us updated and let us know what is going on in the World Cup.

by Nestor on May 4, 2006 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hedjuk gone

Unfortunately, Frankie Hedjuk tore his ACL and is off the squad, so the amount of Bruins drops to three.

He was replaced by Chris Albright.

by Nico on May 4, 2006 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the update Nico

bummer news about Frankie. Wasn't aware of that.

My soccer knowlege is pretty much limted to following the US team during the world cup and Olympics. But from what I can recall from watching the last WC, Frankie did a great job in the backfield.

by Nestor on May 4, 2006 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it sucks for sure

I was definately disappointed Hedjuk got hurt. I hate the phrase "he gives 110%" because it can't possibly be done, but I actually use it to describe Frankie because he's an absolute workhorse.

I typically cover every US game on my blog as well as other significant US soccer happenings. I'm travelling to Nashville in about three weeks to see them play Morocco and I can't wait!

by Nico on May 4, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In that case a request ...

if you are in fact covering the US team ... and posting in your blog ... you should post a diary ... and then crosspost the link to your blog. We'd be happy to promote them (just like we did with LASeitzofChicago's post during hoops season), specially if you are writing with a UCLA angle. Thanks.

by Nestor on May 4, 2006 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well...

I'll be happy to post coverage in the diaries, but collegiate athletics devotion is to the Crimson Tide. I've read this site for a while but just registered recently. The soccer posts made me want to comment. :D

by Nico on May 4, 2006 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice ...

Always had a soft spot for the Crimson Tide. I went out to Tuscaloosa for the UCLA game back in 01. One of the best roadies I have ever had.

What's the name of your blog?

by Nestor on May 5, 2006 5:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The ESPN Gameday Curse

Cool that you got to make it to that game.

Little did we know at the time that our first meeting of that series in 2000 at UCLA was the beginning of one of the most hellish periods in school history. :( We're on our fourth coach since 2000. The Game in '01 was the beginning of the ESPN Gameday Curse. They've been to campus 3-4 times now and we've lost everytime they've been there. Plus Lee Corso is a twit.

We were 10-13 over the 00-01 seasons. Man, it's painful just thinking about those days. Hopefully we've got our situation sorted out now though and things are back on track (maybe.)

I'd love to have another crack at you guys since we rarely lose at Bryant-Denny (only around 40 home losses since the late 1920s.)

Oddly enough, I always pull for you guys in the PAC-10. I loathe all of your competition for some reason.

Anyway, my blog is called Eccentric Southern Gentleman.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cool

You know...

You can order Dreamland sauce over the internet:

Dreamland store. Actually, you can order the ribs shipped overnight (they pack them in dry ice). I've never ordered them overnight (eventhough I lived away for several years.)

I'm not totally sold on Shula as a coach yet (though he has improved every year), but I am sold on him as the person to bring dignity back to the job of being head coach of Alabama.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting ...

Your stance on Shula is similar to some Bruin fan's regarding Dorrell. And as you can see up top - it is still not clear to me whether Dorrell truely has restored the dignity to the UCLA program that suffered during the Toledo era. Like Shula, Dorrell never had head coaching appearance and came from the NFL. But I don't think Dorrell had anywhere close to the NFL experience Shula had in the league.

This is going to be an interesting year in Weswood (now or never year) and in Tuscaloosa.

by Nestor on May 5, 2006 8:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While you're watching

be on the lookout for a christina aguilera pepsi comercial where the UCLA band provides the background music by playing Trio's "Da da da (I dont love you you dont love me)". Unfortunately we're not physically in the video.

by ranelar on May 4, 2006 4:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs