So, I had the great honor of flipping from the MLS first kick game thursday night and Xavier versus Kansas State. What a game. I mean the basketball game by the way. Right when Philly received the red card it was pretty much over and the second half Seattle dominated. So, I watched Xavier sink trifecta after trifecta to keep the game going. It was an amazing game to watch as both teams were laying everything they had on the court. My wife went to Xavier and we were cheering for them, bummer they lost.
But, the first game was great. Great in that we brought another team into the league. Great that Seattle, as usual, packed their house to the brim. Great that Alejandro Moreno got some face time. Katie and I loved having Alejandro on the Crew. His wife is awesome, his kids are fun, and Alejandro is a great guy. It stinks he is not with us anymore, but it was cool to see him playing again. I look forward to going up against him one of these days. Man oh man was Philly young though. That is what happens when you have an expansion team. I am sure they will do well seeing that they have a good coach in Peter Nowak. Good teams take time to build sometimes. The more games you have with a core group of guys the better. You could just tell Seattle knew each other on the field. They are looking very good and it will be nice to visit them again in a few weeks.
Game day today though and that is exciting. Our boys are ready to play and I am sure so is Toronto. It is always a great game to open the league with. I am sure the Nordecke will be hopping. Any new signs? Any new chants? Looking forward to the game. Let's just hope there is not some random rain storm that turns into a downfall of snow. I mean what was that, seriously...blew me away. But, looking forward to seeing everyone there. Come on out everyone, with your Hooligan bandanas, your Turbina drums flaring, and the Nordecke singing us onto a great start to the season. Be there, have no fear, and bring on the cheer.
Hallelujah, there is no more chance of a lockout or a strike. We players and I know the league office never wanted a strike or a lockout. As a player I am so excited to know that we have a new agreement. I am looking forward to our first game now against TFC. I am sure all the fans can be excited about their season tickets and now they can look forward to our games.
We never wanted a strike, but we knew some things needed to change. Thank you fans for sticking by us and awaiting a decision. We knew this decision would not only affect our fans, but also our front office. We knew jobs could have been lost, lots probably. That is why the league and our player's reps worked tirelessly to come to an agreement. Again, thank you fans for sticking with us and being there for us.
For everyone out there who bashed Will Hesmer and just destroyed him on discussion boards and in private, that is just straight wrong. Will was never speaking for himself. We, as a team, stuck by Will's call on things and had his back. He represented the Columbus Crew player's in no way short of amazing. Thank you Will and everyone should thank Will for being such an amazing player's rep. He stood up for our rights and the interest's of our team and league. Thank you for spending countless hours trying to figure out a deal so there would not be a lockout or a strike.
Now, onto soccer ball and some more trophies, hhhoooorrrraaaahhhhhh...
I have the distinct honor to live with Bruener, Chad, and Cory Elenio. The young single man apartment, depressing, yes.
Chad and I passed out pretty early last night. It has been more mellow than usual, because it is pretty crazy with us most of the time.
We both just lock ourselves in our room because Bruener just plays "Call of Duty" all the time. Apparently he is saving the world, well that is what he says, nice life Bruen's.
I am an outcast I feel like, because I do not play video games or play poker. I gave up on video games, because I started sniping people in my sleep and could not get on with life, thanks Halo.
On a different note, something interesting that I am doing is that I am growing my beard out for a year straight, keep me to it please. Right now I have the distinct ability to shake my head like a dog and completely wet a team mate with sweat. I know, it is awesome.
Chad and I have talked about getting a tattoo while we are down here. We saw a place, but I think they are trying to recycle and do things better for the environment. We decided it is not good to go to a place that recycles their needles, that is straight shady. Still have not tatted though, will spill the beans when we do.
Chad and I room together. I have always thought I was a one man wolfpack my whole entire life. But, then I met Chad, well Sigi forced us to become friends and my wolfpack grew by one. I was a one man pack, now I have a wolfpack of two. We have a similar sense of humor so we click. Our wolf pack is very strong and I hope for it to grow. (the Hangover)
Now, back to the day at hand, sorry. Breakfast is compiled of Special K, it is cinnamon flavored with pecans in it. I also grill up some turkey breast's and have coffee, always coffee. The turkey breasts are high in protein and I gotta get that protein in. (Tim the tool man Taylor grunt,ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhhhhh).
Training this morning, hmmm, honestly we were pretty tired, it is the seventh practice in a row. Personally, I am just excited to be back, because I had a scope in my knee after the season and have been rehabing ever since. So, it is just sweet to play. We played 11 v 11, very uneventful, 0-0. The coaches have been great to notice our sluggishness and have given us tomorrow afternoon and sunday off to recoup. Thanks boys.
During practice though Esteban (Steve) and I got into it. Well, I saw what Steve and Adam got into the other day (Blog post Day 4) and I decided to step it up a notch. Steve and I both are firey guys. To start, he is a big guy who is 3-4 inches taller and about 100 pounds heavier than me. When I mark him I have to be pretty physical. So I bulldozed him once, then he threw me on the ground and I tripped him. Then he gave me this eye gouge. It was seriously a pretty heated one. But, Steve looked at me a minute later and asked if I was okay and I asked him the same and we both gave each other a nice long hug, no kidding, but made up and got on with it. Those things happen, well a good amount with Steve and I. If you want to see a battle royale, come to our trainings. It can happen a fair amount while we play.
After lunch Bruener, Chad, and I went out and did the most masculine thing you could do, yep we went to Petland to look at puppies. I wanted to buy a cockapoo that was white with tan spots, oh man that one went straight to my heart and melted it. Ha, so masculine, but I ain't ashamed to say I love to do that. Say something, go ahead, I eat turkey breast for breakfast, uh huh.
Then I went to Starbucks with Frankie and Duncan and chilled there playing crosswords, talking about some new fitness workouts, and taking about 3 espresso shots; that will wake you up. ohhhh ohhhhhh ohhhhhhhh
Then dinner as a team. Now, I am chillin' in Jed's room hanging with Moffat and Esteban. We are blogging it up and then I plan to whoop some booty in "Settler's of Catan".
Still alive...and thankful.
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This is Jed, I will tell you more this afternoon about Sergio Herrera. After scrimmaging the U-17 national team.
Someone sent a picture of me scoring on Fifa via twitter. I was very excited to say the least. I only scored once in college and do I foresee scoring in the MLS or pros, hmmmm, yeah maybe, but it may be some time. What if I do score? Ha I will freakin' freak out haha. I am gonna run over to our supporters section jump into their arms (picture this in a movie, slow motion) while I am getting doused with beer and hugs I will simply mouth out, again in slow mo, I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U-G-U-Y-S...haha...and then run back on the field while replaying that moment for the next week in my pre-dreams before I actually fall asleep.
Needless to say, do you think I ever want to score a goal...hmmmm. But, for now I will have to relish scoring on Fifa and looking like an old man. This year I will be careful not to shave my head like I did last year. Well, because they made me look 45 with a shaved head, I really do not think my receding hairline is that bad and I still think I look pretty young. But, according to Fifa I am on my way out I guess.
Oh yeah and I was so excited to know that I went up about 8 points in the game. I am fist pumping in the air like a Jersey boy right now. So, for all of you who play me at forward or score or goal with me, I secretively love you in my heart. For right now I will settle with old man Jed from the Beverly Hillbillies scoring one for the giffer.
And those are my memoirs haha.
