the edgell supporters

Ben Cup 2009 Second Leg - TONIGHT

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:28:00 +0000

Gallardo Rumors

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:56:00 +0000

I'm hearing lots of Gallardo rumors. River Plate, Etudiantes de la Plata, whatever... just take him. But why does Christian "Rain Cloud" Gomez have to be the replacement? Is there a playmaker under 30 we can sign?

DC United 2009 Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Check it out here.

Important Ben Cup dates:

4-11-09 @ RSL

5-23-09 Home

age ain't nuttin' but a number

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:10:00 +0000

DC United
Youngest Starter: Marc Burch (24.5)
Starters Under the Age of 26: 1 (Burch)
Average Age Starting 11: 30 years old

Columbus Crew
Youngest Starter: Robbie Rogers (21.5)
Starters Under the Age of 26: 5 (Rogers, Gaven, Evans, Marshall, O'Rourke)
Average Age Starting 11: 27.5 years old

just sayin'

Francis and the Mustache Mutiny

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:48:00 +0000

Francis Doe's afro-puff puts two past Matt Reis' mustache. Well done.

There were tears running down Taylor Twellman's face. Men don't cry.

tonight's the night

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:14:00 +0000

united must win tonight. if they don't, i'll spend the playoffs pulling for another revolution loss in the mls cup final. that would be fun, right?

i recorded the game but i'm not even going to watch it

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 02:55:00 +0000

looks like eskandarian sealed the deal. good for him.

the sun'll come out tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:26:00 +0000

dc united lives under a rain cloud, a very dark rain cloud.

On the Offense and Gallardo

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:59:00 +0000

I just have a quick observation from yesterday's game against San Jose. When Gallardo is on the field, every United player's first instinct is to get him the ball. If they can see him, they will pass it to him. The problem is that sometimes there are better options that they are missing because they have Gallardo blindness. I think Gallardo is a fine player and even really good some times, but I also think he slows down the offense because everyone thinks the ball needs to go through him first. Maybe the DP Gallardo experiment is not working or maybe DC needs to change their tactics with him on the field.

Red Bull New York Did Not Field a Good Soccer Team

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:44:00 +0000

Yes, DC United scored 4 goals.

Yes, Luciano Emili'gol' scored his first career hat trick.

Yes, Fred juggled the ball through the middle of the field.

But, Zachariah Wells did not post a clean sheet and is still not good enough.

Also, New York did not field an adequate team of atheletes that play soccer.

regret.

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:11:00 +0000

Now that DC United is the second worse team in the MLS (they did a fine job beating Chivas out of their position), I think it's fair to talk about regret. And I'm not the only one talking about it.

1. Bobby Boswell (.com)- I mentioned him yesterday, not that we really want him back, but he did score the game winning goal yesterday, and that makes me bitter.

2. Joe Cannon- Fullback Files mentions DC missing out on the Joe Cannon trade as a regret after seeing what we got out of Zach Wells last night.

3. Greg Vanney? yes, even Vanney. - Shatz responds to Fullback's regrets with sympathy for the Cannon situation and possible regrets on the Vanney-Kirk trade. I'll tell you what, even a slow backup central defender last night would have been nice.

I won't get into the Gomez/Gallardo debate, but if we kept the same team from last year intact, would we still be where we are today? I hope we have more to talk about in the coming months than woulda shoulda coulda. To echo Fullback, ugh.

ouch.

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Sun, 18 May 2008 04:31:00 +0000

chivas usa 3 dcu 1

on the same night that bobby boswell (.com) scores the game winner for houston against chicago, dc gives up 3 goals in 9 minutes to lose the lead and the game to chivas usa. at some point dc has to hit bottom right? can it continue to get worse?

RSL wins the Ben Cup... again

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:34:00 +0000

Congratulations to Real Salt Lake on winning the 2008 Ben Cup. I hope to make it out to Salt Lake this summer to at least get a glimpse of the trophy that might never make its way east of the Mississippi. With the way this year is going, this might be the closest DC United gets to hardware. Maybe a visit this weekend to LA Chivas, who have some how found a way to have less points than DCU, will get things back on track.

In other team vs team cup news, good luck to RSL tonight in their other rivalry, the Rocky Mountain Cup.

Ben Cup Leg 2 (The Setup: DC v RSL)

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:15:00 +0000

Hopes and Dreams for The Ben Cup Leg 2

1. 5-0 DC United. We have to win by this scoreline to claim the Ben Cup.
2. At least one goal from Luciano Emilio.
3. I'll be honest, I'd be really happy with a draw.
4. Little to no rain.

Vamos United!

Elementary School Shout Outs Are So NFL 2006

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:38:00 +0000

As each MLS player takes their turn to introduce themselves on MLS Thursday Night PrimeTime we can't help but grade their performances. We have two front runners as of tonight's game between the Revs and the Hoops.

A+
Adam Cristman (New England Revolution)
"Adam Cristman. I'm wearing sweat pants right now."

B
Drew Moor (FC Dallas)
"Drew Moor. I'm missing Lost tonight."

Hey Matt Reis, NFL players in the year 2006 (possibly 2005) called, they want their primary school shout out back. Any use of clever NFL lines such as where you attended junior high or elementary school is a very good way to earn yourself an F+. Zach Wells, you are lucky I can't remember, but I think you might have mentioned a junior high or middle school. I'll be listening closely on May 8th when you are back on PrimeTime. Consider yourself warned.

An Away Game Worth Visiting

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:03:00 +0000

If there was an away game that I wanted to attend this year it would be this one: FUTBOLUCHA 2008. Not only would I get to see DC United play against Christian Gomez and Facundo Erpen, but I'd also get to see this guy:

picture courtesy of coloradorapids.com source

Meh (The Result: DCU v Columbus)

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:02:00 +0000

DCU 1 Columbus 2

I know I'm late, it's because I only had this to say: Bla bla bla, meh.

Facts and Reality for Meh

1. One deflected goal from Namoff.
2. Emilio... meh.
3. 4 man back line. Check.
4. Martinez went and... meh.

In un-meh news, the reserve game was a lot of fun with a lot of work put in by DC.

Thursday Night Prime Time (The Setup: DCU v Columbus)

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:54:00 +0000

After a disappointing weekend in Salt lake City, DC United are right back on the field 5 days later. Luckily the Black and Red get to come home to RFK for this one. If Gonzalo Martinez is the reason the defense has been good (and considering that he didn't play when RSL dropped 4 on DCU, probability is good), we might be in for a long night because Goff is reporting that he is a game-time injury decision. I don't have a lot to say before this one. I'm being very patient with the team at this point. We dropped out of CONCACAF, so I know that DC is not that caliber of team at the moment. Now it's on to the MLS season and I'm willing to give them some time. We all know how last year started and then how it turned out, but that doesn't make dropping points at home any easier.

Hopes and Dreams for Thursday Night Prime Time
1. Are we back to this again? We have to score a goal. Our attack should be scoring goals.
2. I'd like the goal(s) to be from Luciano Emilio.
3. 4 man back line.
4. If Martinez can't go, I'd like to see McTavish given a chance, I liked him in central defense last year.

The Royal Review Interviews Me

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:45:00 +0000

In the aftermath of the first leg of The Ben Cup, The Royal Review asked me for an interview. You'll want to go over and read it. My favorite part of my interview:

RR: What will be the outcome of Leg 2?
DCB: DC 5 RSL 0 fueled by anger and a DP that got plenty of rest. (editor's note: HAHAHAHAHA!)

New Shirt Sponsor According to the Far Post

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:23:00 +0000

I encourage you to read the entire announcement on The Far Post, but here are some highlights:

“Given our play on the road, it seems logical that we continue to get some extra income from our losses,” United’s General Manager explained. “I’ve spoken with Coach Soehn and we both agree it is best to keep playing our bench guys and using formations we haven’t practiced when on the road so we can continue to lose but retain these important sponsorships."

“They totally own us in Utah,” explained United’s management “so we thought we might as well get something for it."

TODAY WAS NOT THE DAY: The Ben Cup Leg 1 (The Result: RSL v DCU)

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:56:00 +0000

RSL 4 DCU 0

Soehn did not take this game seriously. Aside from the fact that he did not take the first leg of the Ben Cup seriously, he put a reserve/attacking formation out on the field for an away game that historically has not been easy for us. Obviously a huge mistake. I believe we put out a similar squad last year in Salt Lake when we used Nolly for the one and only time. I hope Carvallo does not get the same treatment, while he could have done better he was given a slow 3 man backline to help him out. The right way to approach this game was with a road game defensive posture and not your backup keeper. I think Carvallo should get a chance at home with the starting 10 before he is required to make up for a makeshift backline.

The Ben Cup may have already been put out of reach for another year. This is disgusting to me. My namesake cup, against one of the worst teams in the MLS, how could I go wrong?

One good thing I saw was McTavish hitting some good crosses into the box.

Facts and Reality for The Ben Cup 2008 Leg 1
1. No goals.
2. If Ben Olsen is healthy, McTavish can play on the back line instead of Burch and Mediate. Not that it would have made a huge difference, but I'm grasping for some sort of understanding.
3. The NBA Wizards got done just in time to see the celebration for Beckerman's first goal.
4. Burch? His strength is getting forward in the attack based on a four man backline. He's too slow to play in a three man backline.

I didn't notice, did Burch start in the back? and then Mediate dropped back when Burch went out?

TODAY IS THE DAY: The Ben Cup Leg 1 (The Setup: RSL v DCU)

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:05:00 +0000

3rd match in 8 days. It will not matter because DC United always gets up for the Ben Cup. After losing the inaugural Ben Cup in 2006, DC fought courageously to draw the cup in the 2007 series. All we ask for here at the Edgell Supporters is progress. And so in the name of progress, DC must win the Ben Cup in 2008. We know it, they know it, and Real Salt Lake knows it.

Hopes and Dreams for The Ben Cup 2008 Leg 1

1. Away goals count, this match is about securing 2 or 3 away goals in the series.
2. Unfortunately Ben Olsen can't compete in the cup he most wants to win (duh, it has his same name), so we hope he recovers faster.
3. The NBA Wizards make it a quick game so we can watch on Comcast Sports. Please!
4. Burch makes us proud with at least an attempt at the Burch Bomb. On frame at least.

3rd Party Ben: A Ben Cup Interview

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:03:00 +0000

As the creator of the Ben Cup 2008 logo and a fellow Ben, we here at the Edgell Supporters, jumped at the chance to get some quality one on one time with the 3rd Party Ben. The results in their unedited state are below:

3rd Party Ben in Mississippi (obviously)

DCU Ben: Another Ben?? What is this all about?
3rd Party Ben: There can never be too many Bens, that's what I've always been (Ben?) told. One Ben is nice, two Bens make it interesting, but a third Ben just flips your world upside down. I am happy to be that Ben.

DCU Ben: Why the name Ben?
3rd Party Ben: I wish I could say it was my choice, but you'll have to consult my parents on that one. Perhaps I was named after Gentle Ben?

DCU Ben: Is it possible to tell all of the Bens apart?
3rd Party Ben: I think so. I mean, the Ben that I know is the red-headed Ben. I've never met the other one. And then there's me. That's pretty simple.

DCU Ben: How do you set yourself apart from the herd of other Bens?
3rd Party Ben: Funny you should ask. Growing up, my two best friends were also named Ben. We played little league soccer and we each snagged the same number, just to mess with everyone (I am not sure how we actually did that, now that I think about it. Did it actually happen? Am I misremembering?). So I don't have a good history of setting myself apart from other Bens. But I think in this case, I am the one who you will hear the least from when it comes to soccer, I imagine.

DCU Ben: You are from Utah yet live in Mississippi, discuss.
3rd Party Ben: That is true. Hasn't everyone always dreamed of growing up and moving away from home, into the real world? Of Mississippi? I am just happy to say I am living the dream. No but in all seriousness, I'm here because of a job. After toiling as a freelancer for a couple of years, I now work as a designer at RARE Design. And if you are asking me if I like my job, it must be if it compelled me to move to Mississippi.

DCU Ben: What did you use as your motivation and inspiration in creating the logo for Ben Cup 2008?
3rd Party Ben: Motivation? I was motivated by the deadline that was set for the beginning of the Ben Cup. I don't like to miss deadlines. Inspiration? Well, obviously, I wanted to make the elegantly crafted trophy the centerpiece of the logo. That's what it's all about. There are hints of inspiration from past MLS Cup logos as well. Basically, I wanted to capture the essence and passion of what the Ben Cup is all about.

DCU Ben: Now that Freddy Adu no longer plays for Real Salt Lake, who is your favorite player on the Salt Lake squad?
3rd Party Ben: (Looking up the RSL roster...realizing Kreis is now the coach...not recognizing any other name...)

DCU Ben: Are you aware that while RSL has never made the MLS playoffs, they are two time reigning Ben Cup champions? Do you have an explanation for this phenomenon?
3rd Party Ben: The answer is easy: An MLS Cup is out of the question for RSL, but a much easier target of winning a game or two. In fact, winning a game or two all season should be the goal for this team.

DCU Ben: How do you feel about being referred to as a “Third Party Ben”?
3rd Party Ben: That's fine. I think it accurately represents what I am to this situation. A third part observer.

DCU Ben: As a third party observer/ben, is it ethical for you to pick sides?
3rd Party Ben: Let's not get into ethics. Before being introduced to the Ben Cup, I honestly could not have cared less about the outcome between the two squads. Now my interest level is raised to "less apathetic".

DCU Ben: Have you picked a side?
3rd Party Ben: It would make sense, as an outside observer, to cheer on the underdog, who, remarkably, in this case would be DCU. I just want the boys to have fun and not get hurt out on the pitch (is that the correct usage?)

DCU Ben: Additional plugs, comments, complaints, questions, jokes, etc?
3rd Party Ben: I want to take a moment to congratulate DCU Ben on doing a bang-up job with his WFBL Richmond Butchers this year. They ran out of gas in the semis, but you honestly didn't think they would take down the Abominables, did you? Not bad for a first-timer though.

Thanks again Ben Ben for your time and your contribution to the most important club vs. club competition in the MLS. Check out 3rd Party Ben's excellent work at http://www.barnesdesign.net/.

RSL Ben Dares To Taunt Us

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:22:00 +0000

RSL Ben has predicted a 2-1 win over DC United this weekend. Please go over to his blog and hassle him... in a friendly Ben Cup kind of way.

And The Beast Was Done (The Result: DCU v Pachuca)

noreply@blogger.com (beanjah) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0000

DCU 2 Pachuca 1 (Aggregate: DCU 2 Pachuca 3)

Didn't someone say that the subs don't really matter or that we have to win with our First 11? That guy is an idiot. Great late goals by Dyachenko and Niell. Great assists from Fred. Unfortunately it was our failure to take advantage of the early chances that did us in. Fantastic work rate from all of our guys, they made me proud to support DC United.

Facts and Reality For the Second Leg

1. 2 goals for, 1 goal against
2. Emilio is not dangerous
3. I'm still not sold on Gallardo, but he had a pretty good game, a great ball he sent to McTavish when surrounded by 3 defenders
4. The 3 man backline did a remarkable job until we started sending everything forward and even then we only gave up one. Namoff was especially good.

Final Note: With all the energy expended tonight, I hope we have enough gas left for the Ben Cup this weekend.