Posts tagged US Soccer
Alexi Lalas Shares The Love And Talks Soccer
Alexi Lalas has a passion for soccer. You saw it in playing days and now as he breaks down the game he loves so much on TV. Just like in soccer, Lalas knows it takes a team effort to help out a community. Alexi has teamed up with Nabisco for the ‘Pass The Love Back’ program. This program empowers communities by sponsoring local youth soccer teams through Pear. Teams can earn up to $1,000 toward custom t-shirts or a team donation.
While Alexi is helping us spread the word that parents and players can go to www.PassTheLove.com to donate to local teams to receive up to $1,000 for shirts, equipment or team donations. I spoke with Alexi on his work with Nabisco and a bit on the evolution of soccer.
Art Eddy: Let’s first talk about the #PassTheLoveBack campaign that you are working with Oreo, Ritz Bitz and Chips Ahoy. Tell me a bit about that promotion.
Alexi Lalas: If I am going to work with somebody I want them to be passionate about the game that I love which is soccer. Oreo, Ritz, Chips Ahoy, and Nabisco have been a huge partner with U.S. Soccer for many years. The Pass the Love Back program enables communities to raise money up to $1,000 for teams. You can get it out at http://www.passthelove.com.
While I talk about the professional game and the World Cup the real stuff is being done at the ground at the grass roots level. A lot of these communities and a lot of these teams need as much help as possible. This is a very easy opportunity to raise some money. The Pass the Love Back program is away to raise money for your local teams.
AE: You do a great job breaking down the game of soccer. From the time you were playing to now are you happy with the evolution of the game?
AL: Yeah! We love to kick ourselves for what he haven’t done when it comes to our soccer in the United States. I think we have to pat ourselves on the back for just how far we have come in the last 20 years on and off the field.
There is a generation now that looks at soccer as not just their sporting landscape, but cultural landscape. There is a whole American soccer culture that is no longer underground or a niche. It is above ground. It is vibrant. It is passionate. It knows what good and bad soccer is. The generation that is growing up now has Major League Soccer. They have been able to watch the Women’s (National) Team win the World Cup last summer. There is professional men and women soccer out there.
So we live in really good times. It is not the Wild West that I grew up in. I am real happy about the direction that we are heading right now, but we can always do more. We are getting ready for a summer of soccer with the U.S. Men’s National Team involved in Copa Americano. For the Women’s National Team, they are in the Olympics. So there is always another game. Thank God that there is because it is a game that I love and I can’t get enough of it.
Jun 1st
Degree Men and U.S. Soccer Unveil Massive Fan Banner
As soccer fever heats up in America and around the world, the official deodorant of U.S. Soccer, Degree Men® teams up with the U.S. Men’s National Team to unveil a massive Fan Banner today in New York’s Central Park. Measuring 30′ high by 50′ wide, the banner portrays the faces of thousands of U.S. Soccer fans showing their individual support for the team. The patriotic Fan Banner design will follow the team down to Brazil to be displayed at the U.S. Soccer Training Facility in Sao Paulo and fan rallies across the country – providing additional motivation and encouragement for the team to DO:MORE and IMPROVE each match.
Since February, fans have been demonstrating their national pride and support for the U.S. Men’s National Team by uploading photos to DegreeSoccer.com. The images were then arranged in a unique red, white and blue photo mosaic design that represents the fans back in the U.S. and features several players from the U.S. Men’s National Team with “DO:MORE FOR U.S. SOCCER” prominently displayed. Starting June 12, fans can also interact with the digital version of the Fan Banner at DegreeSoccer.com to search and find their photo within the mosaic design.
“Soccer is growing in popularity here in the states and it’s amazing to see the fans’ support displayed through the Degree® Fan Banner,” said Clint Dempsey, U.S. Men’s National Team Captain. “Degree Men® has provided a truly unique way for fans to be a part of the action in Brazil even if they can’t physically be there. Seeing the Fan Banner and knowing it represents all of the great support we’re getting back at home will definitely motivate the team to DO:MORE throughout the tournament.”
May 30th
Former US Soccer Star Tony Meola Talks World Cup and More
Even though Tony Meola is retired from soccer he still has a passion for the game. He played on the U.S. Men’s National Team and played in the MLS. He was in three FIFA World Cups and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. During his time playing in the MLS, Tony was named the league MVP in 2000. That year he and his team the Kansas City Wizards won the MLS Cup title. He now co-hosts a soccer radio show on Sirius/XM Radio called “Counter Attack.”
Meola and I had a chance to chat about his work with Allstate for the “Good Hands” soccer clinic where he surprised a local soccer team by stopping by their practice and giving them a few pointers. We also discussed if he would make any changes to the World Cup.
Art Eddy: Last year around this time you and I had a chance to talk about the great work you were doing with the Allstate “Good Hands F.C.” soccer clinic. Now it looks like you are picking up where you left off from last year. Tell me what you are doing this year?
Tony Meola: We will march in on a practice for some young kids. We look to run a clinic and in the end we will give the team and the coaches everything that they need in order to be successful on the field. Things like training gear, soccer balls, soccer uniforms, shin guards, bags, sweat suits, and everything else that need to run a club.
We also openly invite them to the Allstate fan zone during the United States and Mexico friendly game. We give them tickets to the game. It is a great event. We love seeing the look on their faces when they are finding out that they are going to the game. It is fun to be a part of it.
AE: What are the main things you look to focus in on during the Allstate “Good Hands F.C.” soccer clinic?
TM: Obviously it is hard to make an impact with just one night of practice. We will kick the ball around a bit. It is more about showing how much Allstate cares about the community. We love to give back with this sponsorship. If they don’t learn any soccer that night or don’t get any better I am okay with that. The vehicle is soccer, but the mission is to make the kids happy. We want to give them something in one night that would not necessarily get.
AE: You must have a blast at these events where you get to teach kids about the sport you love, right?
TM: The end result is always fun. These kids are so appreciative. The coaches who spend all their time and effort and probably send more emails than they really want to. They probably have to deal with more issues than they want to. They don’t get paid, but they are really, really appreciative. It is great to see that they get something that they necessarily wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for the people at Allstate.
AE: How do you think the game of soccer has evolved since you retired from the game?
TM: It has been all positive. It continues to grow. I am now coaching at the youth level. It is great to see all the different age groups improve their game. It was great to see what the 17 year old group did at the recent Nike friendly as well as what they did in the tournament overseas.
I don’t know what more we could ask our youth coaches to do other than to continue in the direction that we are going in right now. The coaches are doing a great job of that. They are putting the time in and showing the kids the passion that they have about the sport. I think the future is bright.
AE: Is there a league or team that you love to watch these days? 
TM: I follow soccer every day. I do that because I am on the radio all day. I like the EPL (English Premier League). I am a fan of La Liga. I love watching the Champions League. There are not a lot of leagues that I don’t like. I love watching the game. I love watching the tactics of the game, the adjustments that are made during halftime, and just studying the game.
AE: Are there any changes you would love to see in the game especially in the World Cup?
TM: No, I am happy with it. Everyone argues what region should have more teams. We respond to it because we have to since it is part of our job, but I don’t get too caught up in it. Instead of complaining about the World Cup I would rather enjoy it. Just enjoy the greatness of the players, the teams, and the passion of the fans.
To me there is nothing negative about the World Cup. Everyone wants to argue all the time, but I try to stay away as much as I can. I just try to enjoy what I am seeing for that month.
Apr 14th
