Deuce with the Deuce

Dempsey lives up to his old nickname and puts in two spectacular goals this weekend to help Fulham defeat Wigan 2-0. Loving the Mexico - US connection! Click on over to SoccerByIves to watch both goals.

Foggy Freestyle Volume II

Donatello: Soccer Ninja

Footy Guru Does It Again!

After the record hits Pitch Black Underground received following the post of the original Footy Guru freestyle session I knew we needed to make a sequel. Just for my faithful followers I have two brand new exclusive clips of the Guru himself.

Watch as he steals the FoggMachine move and makes it look silky smooth at the 20 second mark of the first video. Must be those Concaves. Game Evolved.

Blooper Reel

It took me a long time to get a decent video of my freestyle skills. I'm no Footy Guru, thats for sure. Here are just a few of my failures caught on camera.

MLS Playoffs: Halloween Weekend

Yesterday I predicted Colorado would defeat the Columbus Crew 2-1 in their home leg playoff match. I predicted the outcome correctly, but I was slightly off on the total goals scored. Colorado ended up winning 1-0 off a Pablo Mastroeni goal. Here are my picks for the other three first leg matches being played this weekend.

Saturday 10/30

Real Salt Lake will defeat FC Dallas 2-1

San Jose and New York will draw 1-1

Sunday 10/31

Los Angeles will defeat Seattle 2-0

Lunar Gato IC Safari

About 2 weeks ago I bought the Lunar Gatos from Nike and posted about them on this blog. Apparently I bought my pair to early, because now we have the Lunar Gato IC Safari. Footy Guru broke the news this past week about the Nike CR7 Safari Superfly II's on his blog and now they are extending the print to the indoor shoe as well.

Even though I have a pair of Concave Domes on the way, I may have to invest in these as well. I have been described as a "Beast" on the pitch by those I have played with, so wearing these shoes would suit my style of play.

Pitch Black Logo Unveiled

My father cooked up these designs over the past couple days. Let me know which you like the best. My personal favorite is the third image, but I also really like the diagonal line in the first logo. I think it's time to get some business cards designed and throw together a letterhead. Pitch Black is looking more official by the day!

Timbers Updates: Golub and Spencer

Sketch Book Sneak Peak

First rendering of Pitch Black Pub.

Transparent court surface located on the roof.

New Camo Timbers Scarf

New Portland Timbers scarf available exclusively at Just Sports.

Visit the website to order yours today for $25.

Free Shipping Code: JUS48192002

Street Soccer Saves Children

Police officers throwing street soccer nights to keep kids from getting into trouble on the streets. Not a bad idea at all. I really like how they go out of their way to make it a fun event for the kids.

I have many different visions for Pitch Black, and as you have seen in the previous concept art it could potentially be a facility that would be open to the public during the day/night. Whether it be for a small fee or free for everyone, Pitch Black would be a great spot for young players to spend their time. If I could convince just a few kids to spend their nights playing soccer instead of getting involved with drugs or crime, I would call Pitch Black a major success.

WONDO 4 MVP

No joke. The man is on fire right now for San Jose.

Lets look at his background.

Joined MLS as the 41st overall pick in the 2005 draft.

Scores only 7 goals over the course of 5 seasons.

Spent most of his time coming off the bench.

Pretty Bleak.

Then the 2010 season kicks off and Chris Wondolowski pours in the goals.

Just had his 2nd hat trick of the season bringing his total to 17 goals.

Thats over half of his teams 33 this season.

Where would San Jose be without him?

Probably dead last in the Western Conference.

Can we get this man his MVP trophy and a pay raise.

Dude is only making $48,000.

T-Shirt Timmmmeeeee

Pops brought home a stack of free t-shirts today from work. Definitely had to nab this one!

Four Players Signed! One Surprise!

As you know I was invited to attend the press conference today where Gavin Wilkinson and John Spencer announced their first four signings for the MLS Portland Timbers. It's been an exciting morning as we finally have players to associate with the franchise. Turns out I was correct in my prediction that 4 players would be announced today. Anything more would have diluted the focus on each individual. Prior to the press conference the signings of Pore and Cronin were spoiled as we watched their girlfriends/wives get escorted to their seats.

Here was the order:

1. Bright Dike: Drafted 12th overall by MLS side Columbus Crew in the 2010 Super Draft. Was released from the team after failing to earn a spot during training camp. He is a powerful forward with great pace who managed to score 10 goals for the Timbers this season.
2. Steve Cronin: Two outstanding seasons in the books for the Portland Timbers. He has MLS experience playing for the LA Galaxy and DC United. I don't think he will be our starter next year, but he will be a solid back up keeper.
3. Ryan Pore: 25 goals scored for the Timbers after two seasons. A versatile player capable of playing on the wings, inside, or at forward. Pore is hungry for a return to MLS after a short stint with the Kansas City Wizards.
4. Eddie Johnson

I was very surprised by the signing of Eddie Johnson from the Austin Aztex. He is an English player that has found his form with Austin after playing over 120 games in Europe. Starting out in the Man United Academy program, Johnson was loaned out to clubs over the years and experienced moderate success. This season he scored 14 goals in 26 games, narrowly losing to Ryan Pore's 15 in the Golden Boot race. Coach Spencer firmly believes in Johnson's ability to elevate his game to the next level and have a profound impact in MLS.

Expect more player signings in 2-3 weeks.

I have a GOLDEN TICKET

It's Official!

I am one of 35 MLS season ticket holders that has been invited to attend tomorrow's press conference at the Nines hotel in downtown Portland. Who will go down in the history books as being the first players signed by our MLS Timbers? Check my previous post for the list of players I expect to make the jump. Also you shouldn't be surprised if some Timbers U-23s get a nod. I believe strongly in the skill level both Freddie Braun and Jake Gleeson possess. It would be a privilege to watch them develop in Major League Soccer.

I will try to take some good photos and video during the event. The Footy Guru will be on hand as I continue to convince him that the following inequality is correct:

Portland Timbers > Vancouver Whitecaps > Seattle Sounders

Footy Guru Demo

The Footy Guru has all the answers when it comes to footwear.

Check out his blog for the latest boot reviews and football news.

Repeat?

7 Month Tryout Over: Who Makes the Jump?

On Tuesday at 10 AM the Portland Timbers will hold a press conference at the Nines Hotel to announce their first player signings for 2011. The number of players getting signed during the conference is unknown at the moment, but we do know multiple players will be presented. Tomorrow morning I will find out if I'll be allowed to attend the event. Here is what I expect to happen.

Players Signed on Tuesday: 4

When we play our first MLS game in March I expect that 9 of our current USSF Division 2 Timbers will be on the roster. However, half of these players will have to earn their spots during training camp. Looking at Seattle as an example, 6 players made the jump to MLS from the USL side. I see a greater number of our players moving up because of the expected increase in MLS rosters from 26 to 30 players.

The 9: My Picks

1. Ryan Pore (Tues)
2. Bright Dike (Tues)
3. Steve Cronin
4. Ian Joy (Tues)
5. James Marcelin
6. Mamadou Danso
7. Kalif Alhassan (Tues)
8. Kevin Goldthwaite
9. Steve Purdy

I'm interested to see how accurate my predictions end up. At this point I am not sure which of these players is capable of earning a starting spot, but I have a pretty good feeling most of them will be around. I'll let you know if I get the invite to the presser tomorrow. Fingers Crossed!

Dempsey: Best Compilation Video Ever!?

Glad I stumbled upon this video. Dempsey has been my favorite player since he came into MLS as a rookie out of Furman University. At only 27 years old, Dempsey has already achieved so much in his career. 3 outstanding years with the New England Revolution earned him a permanent starting spot on the USA national team. His play earned him the attention of various clubs in England. Since joining Fulham, Dempsey has contributed 27 goals for the club including a goal against Liverpool in his first year which saved the team from relegation. Take the time to watch this video highlighting his remarkable career.

Dempsey has expressed his interest in possibly coming back to MLS when he feels ready. I have a hard time thinking he wouldn't get picked up by a team in Texas, either Houston or FC Dallas. But who knows... maybe we will see the Deuce wearing Ponderosa and Moss Green in the future. Get that DP money ready!

Portland Timbers: Building a MLS roster

With Portland's loss to Vancouver (once again.... ~sigh~) in the playoffs, our 10 year saga in division 2 football comes to an end. We have had some strong teams over the years, but our performance during the playoffs was always lacking. With the exception of 2 Commissioner's Cups (2004, 2009) for having the best regular season record and a Premier Development League Championship (2010), the Timber's trophy case is empty. After last years exit in the playoffs, everyone felt this could be our breakthrough year. Winning a title would have been the ultimate "Thank You" message for all the passionate and patient fans that have joined the club over the years. Unfortunately our dominance over Vancouver during the regular season did not carry over into the first leg match in Burnaby. A 0-2 loss was to difficult to overcome and despite a dominant performance at Merlo Field, winning 1-0 was not enough.

So with that we look to next year. We have just over 5 months to construct a team capable of reaching the MLS playoffs. It's the coaching staff's opinion that in our first year, playoffs is a daunting yet attainable goal, any advancement from there would just be icing on the cake.

So how do you build a MLS roster? Players will come from 4 main sources.

1. Current USSF D-2 Timbers
2. 2010 MLS Expansion Draft
3. 2011 MLS Super Draft
4. Outside Signings (International, Designated Players)

Please check back for dedicated posts on each of these player sources. On Tuesday morning the Portland Timbers FO will be having a press conference to announce their first player signings. I could potentially be at this announcement (will find out Monday) and I'll try to snap some photos and video for you. I expect the players to be signed here to fall into category 1. I'd be surprised if any new international signings were announced this early. I'll be providing my top choices prior to the presser. Stay Tuned!

23 painful weeks

I spent nearly 2 years following the MLS 2 PDX process. I still remember back in March 2009 when Don Garber came to Portland and awarded our city with an expansion team. Despite all the positive steps we slowly took to assure our spot as the 18th team, I never allowed myself to get over excited until stadium construction started. Now that the east side grandstand is starting to take shape I know these final 23 weeks are going to pass excruciatingly slow.

I just hope the construction crews are able to finish the project by early April. Our team will likely play the first few games on the road before we have the home opener. The look of the stadium isn't the only thing changing either. PGE Park will undergo a name change as the front office continues to look for a new stadium sponsor. Will we go back to calling it Civic Stadium? Or will someone pay up for the naming rights?

If you have a chance swing by PGE park and check out the construction process. Or you can join me and watch the live webcam all day long.

23 weeks to go from this...

to this...

SUTU Wall... Welcome to Pitch Black

If Pitch Black ever becomes a reality I may have to folk over the cash and invest in a SUTU wall. Ever kick a ball against a wall when you were a kid? I think just about everyone did. Well, with the SUTU wall you can revert back to your childhood days and play all sorts of interactive games thanks to the impressive panel technology.

The model pictured above is the SUTU Basic (4 x 4 panels). Other models exist including the SUTU Plaza which looks like a street soccer court with a large wall on one end. Within the wall is a SUTU Basic. With Pitch Black I would already have the court surface, shape, and walls. I could simply move the interactive wall inside the court whenever it would be used for competitive games between players.

The wall is a really cool concept and some of the games they have seem pretty fun. My only worry would be the durability and longevity of the panels. Hopefully we continue to see progression with this product. These walls are already starting to pop up in playgrounds and schools.

Incoming Boots: Concave PT+ TITANIUM

These boots will be all mine very soon. With these on my feet I don't think anyone will have a hard time spotting me amongst the fog! Now you see me... now you just got beat. Bring your pen and paper GPSD division 3 players, cause the Fogg Machine is bringing another trophy to Joe Public's mantel.

Incoming Boots: Concave PT Dome

Would you like to add power and accuracy to your shot?

Have you suffered a metatarsal injury in the past and are looking for a boot with extra protection?

Do you want a boot that is sure to attract the attention of every other player on the field?

If you said yes to any of these questions then you should check out Concave Sports. The innovative Concave covered lace system has two functional benefits - an increased sweet spot area for ultimate ball striking power/precision and proven protection of the metatarsal region.

I have been given the opportunity to purchase Concave boots at a ridiculously low price and I don't intent to let it go to waste. Along with some outdoor cleats, I will be picking up their indoor version, the Concave PT Dome.

The shoe appears to be a solid offering by the company. A prominent blog called Football Fashion declared it "one of the best indoor shoes on the market" in their review. I am really excited to try these shoes out for myself. I am probably going to get the black and red colorway and I will be grabbing my brother a pair as well. As soon as we have the opportunity to use these in game and during practice I'll give you my 2 cents on the technology, fit, and overall aesthetics of the boot. Placing my order later today, so expect some impressions in a couple weeks!

Freestyle + Danger

Iya Traore is regarded as one of the most talented freestyle artists on the planet. Check out the video below for some of his stunts. If standing on a platform measuring a square yard wasn't dangerous enough, Iya proceeds to climb a lamp post while continuing to pull off tricks.

Foggy Freestyle Session

Took some videos of my session today. My new Lunar Gatos sparked a freestyle revolution in my front yard. Here are some of the highlights including the famous Fogg Machine!

Gear up with CALLE

Check out some of the clothing being offered by Calle (KAI-yay). The product line represents the first urban lifestyle brand focused on the sport of street soccer. Watch the videos they have posted if you are interested in learning some new tricks and visit the Underground page if you are looking to find a street soccer game in your area.

Football > Basketball

French freestyle specialists putting on a display. Soccer vs. Basketball... Who ya got?

Pitch Black Comes to Life! New Concept Art.

Looking at this concept art makes me want to turn this dream into a reality tomorrow! My father is a talented artist, and these drawings perfectly illustrate my vision for an outdoor street court. Please let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your ideas and comments.

First Piece of Concept Art Revealed

With some outside help from my father I can reveal the first piece of art for a potential street soccer court here in Portland. It's a quick mock-up and we will turn out other designs very soon. This venue strays away from my original idea to create a soccer pub with a street court incorporated. This facility would make use of a roof covering the bleacher seating and court, but it would not be completely enclosed like a typical indoor complex. I wanted the court area to be wide open to allow for public access during daytime hours, and viewable by people passing by. Connected to the court would be the company office and a restroom facility.

Below is a list of additional complex features I would like to incorporate:

• Ability to convert court into soccer tennis
• Cameras recording games. Players can purchase DVD's of games
• Wall of champions with either photos or team names engraved
• Quality speakers and sound system
• Beer garden and concessions open during evening games

I hope you like the overall concept. Future art will give you a more detailed look at this particular street court, as well as alternate facility ideas. Stay tuned!

LUNAR GATO! Fresh out of the ES

One more trophy for the display case!

Last night I joined up with some friends and played keeper for their indoor team as we played for the Fall 2010 late night league championship! We played in 3 matches, dominating all opponents on route to winning another piece of silverware. Games went on into the night and we didn't get to hoist the trophy until after 1 AM. Immediately afterward we rushed over to a nearby pub and celebrated as a team.

The night didn't end there. As I said earlier on this blog if you have a ball you can play soccer anywhere. The four of us that remained outside the pub played for an hour and a half in the parking lot. MUFF was the game and I'm sure you have all played it sometime in the past. If you haven't played please let me know and we can get that corrected. The night finished off with video taking and an exhibition of freestyle moves by the group. Check it.

Inspiration: Brooklyn FC

I stumbled upon the website for Brooklyn FC a few months back when I was looking for modern soccer facilities. Obviously this indoor center hasn't been built yet, but if it turns out anything like the concept art shows, it will be a special place to play. They created the website to generate interest in the project and to conduct market research. I figured I could use a similar approach by starting this blog as a means of getting my ideas written down in a format that people could view and comment on. I hope to have some concept art posted soon that will illustrate my vision for a street soccer court here in Portland.

"Brooklyn F.C. is a New York City indoor soccer arena mixing the best of sport, lifestyle, and technology."

Qatar: World Cup 2022 ? YES!!!

You may or may not know, but Qatar is actually competing with the United States among others to host the 2022 World Cup. The odds are probably slim to none that they will actually be chosen however. It's unfortunate because after watching this video I would almost rather see the cup being played in Qatar just so I can see these stadiums get constructed. Each structure is absolutely stunning and this would only be half the venues built.



Hopefully Brazil will see some world class facilities. After missing out on South Africa this past summer I am definitely keeping my focus on 2014 and visiting Brazil! Name a better place to take my street soccer skills and put them to the test.

Freestyle

Another great video of freestyle soccer being played on the street. Give me a few weeks and I'll be able to replicate most of these tricks for you. :)

Black Pitch Pub ---> Pitch Black

After only a day the working title for my fantasy soccer court/pub has already undergone a name change. Pitch Black will be the new temporary name and it has no relation to the critically acclaimed film starring Vin Diesel.

Inspiration: Thirsty Lion 3v3

During the summer of 2009 on the streets of downtown Portland I got my introduction to competitive street soccer. A collaboration between UNEEK Projects and The Thirsty Lion Pub brought a 3v3 street soccer tournament to town. I found out about the tournament online and quickly called up my friends from the University of Oregon. The tournament schedule was poorly organized, but when we did make it on the court it was an unreal experience.

Team Pelada: Tournament Champions

The crowd at the event was always quite large. There were two fields being played on within the closed street block outside the pub. Both courts always had a full ring of spectators lining the plywood boards that were used to construct the walls.

It was once it got dark that the event became a surreal experience. It was a beautiful Saturday night and the regular bar hoppers started filling the streets. A DJ was doing his thing on top of a old army truck adjacent to the fields. Lights beamed down on the courts attracting people to the scene from nearby pubs. The crowd was no longer a single ring around the walls. People poured out of The Thirsty Lion with drinks in hand and their focus directed towards the court. Every time someone pulled off a trick the crowd would erupt in cheers. Many of these people were probably not fans of soccer, but that night they drank and enjoyed the event. Watching the raw talent and creativity on the court was something they had probably never seen before. I had the opportunity to play in the Semi-Final in front of the crowd. It was the must captive crowd I have ever played for.

If I can recreate the atmosphere that I experienced outside Thirsty Lion that night I am confident it can be a successful court/pub. A place where anyone can come watch a different brand of soccer being played by some of the best players in the city. Where a young aspiring player can make a name for themselves by showcasing their skills and love for the game.

The tournament took place again this year at Pioneer Square in July. I was unfortunately unable to attend due to the Timbers U-23s conference playoffs in Kitsap, WA. Once again it was a very successful event for the city of Portland. Here is a video of the 2010 3v3 tournament.

New Nike5 Collection

About 10 days ago Nike rolled out is new collection of Nike5 shoes providing players with options based on the surface they are playing on. Initiatives like this give me hope that there is a market for the type of facility I would like to open.

"Players are bound to find a boot to fit their game, with a collection of boots led by the Nike5 Bomba Finale (cage), Nike5 Elastico Finale (caneta) and Nike5 LunarGato (sala). With a range of surfaces and game styles the Nike5 footwear is designed to the exact specifications of specific small sided games. Cage is typically played on artificial surfaces, including indoor and outdoor games in Europe, Central America and North America. Caneta is primarily played on indoor courts, while Sala is played on hard surfaces such as dirt and hard courts; both originate from Latin America. These homegrown games are quickly expanding around the world."
-Nike Media Website

Depending on the field surface at my location, the Elastico Finale or the LunarGato would be the boots of choice. I'm hoping to get my hands on a few of these shoes soon and I'll be sure to let you know how they perform. The Bomba Finales would be the obvious choice for turf facilities like SoccerPlex, Portland Indoor, and Tualatin Indoor. Although I'd like to get all three!!

Street Soccer = Self-Expression

Drop a soccer ball on any street corner across the globe and anything is possible.

A young player might simply kick the ball against the nearest wall.

A couple might play a few passes back and forth to each other.

A talented player might demonstrate his juggling ability in front of an awe-struck crowd.

Or a group of players could take it upon themselves to make goals out of trash cans or spare pieces of clothing, and start to play their own brand of the beautiful game.

Taking a soccer ball beyond the grassy fields we typically see the game can yield unbelievable results. There is unlimited potential with a soccer ball. Watching the possibilities that an individual's creativity can produce is a pleasure to watch.

My goal with Pitch Black is to provide a permanent venue to showcase this form of self-expression. I hope you will look forward to my future posts concerning this concept idea. Posts will include my inspiration behind the idea, concept art, and general news surrounding street soccer. Please stay tuned!!