Monday Report

"I'm The Juggernaut, Bitch!"

Interesting soccer weekend, hockey playoffs, and the NFL draft, but let's start with the really big news for soccer fans in the Fredericksburg area:

1. PDL and W-League Come Back To The 'Burg - Remember when I told you a few weeks ago about the rumors of this coming back to the area? Well, it's all but official. The Fredericksburg Area soccer Association (henceforth known as FASA) will field PDL (Fredericksburg Hotspur) and W-League (Fredericksburg Impact) teams beginning in the Spring of 2011. How do I know this? Because FASA has invited me to be a part of it. Pretty reliable information, I would think. My role with the organization has yet to be determined, but I know I can't wait to get started. The group is one of the larger travel clubs in Virginia, with more than 1200 players and 100 teams at all levels. The next logical step was for them to start an advanced team, and they can field it using multiple players who have come up through their system as well as some top-notch collegiate players from schools in the area.

I know there are some doubters who are going to ask why this will work when the Fredericksburg Gunners failed to establish themselves over the course of 3 years? It's a fair question. I think once more information is released, you'll see that FASA has a few advantages over the Gunners. Do not misunderstand me; that's not a swipe at the Gunners AT ALL; they did what they thought was best, and unfortunately, it didn't work out. FASA is doing things a little differently, so we'll just wait and see how it goes. Regardless, this level of soccer coming back to Fredericksburg is nothing but a good thing for the area.

2. USL 2 - For the 2nd straight week, none of the home teams won. Pittsburgh still hasn't scored a goal, but have 2 road ties to show for their efforts after traveling to Charleston. A solid crowd of 4,400 showed up at Blackbaud for that one. Real Maryland traveled to Harrisburg and stunned the Islanders 2-0, while Charlotte got a very impressive road win over Richmond 1-0. The Kickers have only 1 point after their 1st 2 home games, and looked to have lost starting centerback Yomby William for a period of time with an ankle injury. No reason to panic in Virginia's capital city just yet, but coach Leigh Cowlishaw has to be a little bit concerned.

3. Landon Donovan's Influence - So in recent interviews, Donovan has expressed support for strikers Hercules Gomez and Galaxy teammate Edson Buddle to be in consideration for the U.S. World Cup squad. Now that Charlie Davies is a real longshot to make the team as he won't play another minute for Socheaux this season, Bradley HAS to take 1, if not both, of these guys to South Africa. As Walsh and I have said before, Conor Casey brings nothing to the team but size, Brian Ching is still injured and will be recovering even after camp starts, and Robbie Findley and Jeff Cunningham certainly can't cut it at the next level. Does Donovan have Bradley's ear and can convince to bring these guys in? Though it was never confirmed, rumor has it that Donovan was a big reason Jimmy Conrad made the squad in 2006. Yes, Conrad deserved to be there, but was definitely on the bubble, and I'm sure Donovan being in Bruce Arena's ear helped his cause. Will Donovan's pleas fall deaf on Bradley's big ears?

4. Jozy, Jozy, Jozy... - Jozy Altidore sure as hell better show more composure in June. He was baited on Saturday by Sunderland's Alan Hutton and took it hook, line, and sinker. Hutton deserved the red for throwing the ball at Altidore while he lay on the ground, but Altidore cannot retaliate like that. I realize sometimes things get heated in competition, but don't think the U.S.' 1st round opponents aren't going to study that video closely to see what they can do to throw him off his game. Still, it was a nice headbutt...he did some damage to a punk like Hutton, who flopped around like a little girl after the incident. Don't worry, folks, I'm joking...mostly.

5. Capitals - Better close it out tonight, guys. Do you really want to play a game 7 where you've lost 2 of the 3 at home and would go against a team which no doubt believes they can beat you? Could be some excruciating moments tonight up north. Varlamov needs to stay in the zone and withstand the pressure Washington will certainly feel in the first 10 minutes tonight. If they can whether the initial storm, I think they can put the series away.

6. NFL Draft - Was a good way to spend Thursday and Friday evening. LOVED the fact that the new 1st round only took 3 1/2 hours, now that teams only get 10 minutes to pick. Was fairly smooth, although I'm not sure the Redskins took the right guy. I think Okung will be a better pro than Williams, but Shanahan and Allen have forgotten more about football than I'll ever learn. Also, one last question; do you think they should have taken Bruce Campbell in the 4th round? All signs point to him being a decent pro, although his draft stock fell rapidly Thursday. Still, even if he's an average player, he'd be a starter and the Redskins would have bookend tackles for the 1st time since Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels from a few years back.

As for the Colts, loved what they did. Hughes is going to be a monster coming off the corner. He can play LB or DE. With defenses keying on Freeney and Mathis, Hughes could easily have a rookie season like Brian Orakpo's and get double-digit sacks this year. Also added depth at linebacker (Pat Angerer), and hopefully cornerback Kevin Thomas can eventually replace the departed Marlin Jackson.

That's all for this week, folks. Walsh should be back later to talk Champions League, MLS, and other stuff.

As always, thanks for reading!